Chapter Text
Amelia leans to finish her make up with a small mirror, dabbing under her eyes with concealer. The lighting in here is unflattering, but she’s doing her best with it. A little mascara, a sweep of blush and a little lipstick. Nothing dramatic. Just enough to look refreshed. Like she didn’t spend the last ten minutes pacing around, wondering if she’s overdressed or underdressed for a date that technically doesn’t have a dress code.
It’s ridiculous. She’s a grown woman, a neurosurgeon, not a teenager before prom. And yet, her stomach flips every time she hears footsteps outside the door.
The door creaks open behind her.
Her breath catches.
“Oh hi!” Jo sweeps in walking slowly. She’s looking very pregnant and tired, but still cheerful.
Amelia deflates, but she schools her face quickly. “Hey”
Jo pauses mid-step, looking Amelia up and down with an actual grin of delight. “Whoa. You look nice. Like, really nice” Then she gets closer and leans into Amelia’s personal space “Is that… are you wearing perfume?”
“It’s nothing” Amelia steps back a little “Just felt like trying today”
“Oh my god. You’re going on a date!”
Amelia freezes.
Jo gasps “You’re totally going on a date. You never do this much to your face unless you want to seduce someone”
Amelia snorts. “Seduce?”
“You know what I mean. So? Spill it. Wait… is it…did she- is it Beltran?”
Amelia finally turns to face her, lips pursed in amusement. “Why is this suddenly so important to you?”
“Come on, we’re family. Sorta, kinda. I think you deserve to be happy!” Jo smiles sincerely” And Link said Beltran was being weird in surgery”
“Weird?” Amelia asks, feeling a little concerned.
Was Monica like second guessing herself or something? Did she change her mind?
“I don’t think bad weird” Jo replies “I think she was trying to… get some advice”
“From Link? Because it worked out so well?” Amelia snorts.
“He has his moments” Jo shrugs “I think it’s sweet! I thought she was just scary, but turns out she’s sweet when it comes to you and that’s a good sign”
Something catches in Amelia’s chest. It’s small and fizzy and completely stupid.
“We’ll see if it is” she says too quickly, then changes the subject “Can Link even keep anything to himself?”
But she’s already smiling. It’s that involuntary kind of smile that starts deep inside. The fact that Monica was really feeling just as nervous as her about this whole thing… it’s still a little ridiculous, but it’s sweet. And it’s good that Amelia is not alone feeling like this.
The door opens again.
Amelia doesn’t even try to hide the way she straightens up.
And this time… it’s her.
Monica steps in, setting her bag on the dinning table and tugging her ponytail loose with one hand. Her cheeks are a little flushed, like she rushed here. Her scrubs are rumpled. She’s glowing anyway.
“Sorry, I’m late!” Monica says, slightly breathless. “A consult ran long, but I’ll be ready in two minutes” then she finally notices Jo is also there “Hey Wilson” She gives her a nod.
Jo gives Amelia a look “I’ll leave you two alone” she sings, practically skipping toward the door.
“Bye, Jo” Amelia calls dryly.
“Have funnnn!” Jo says, vanishing into the hallway.
Monica watches her go with mild confusion. “What was that?”
Amelia shrugs, still watching her. “She’s being obnoxious”
Monica grabs her civilian clothes “Why? What’d she say?”
Before Amelia can come up with something that doesn’t sound like I’m obsessed with your face and Jo noticed, Monica glances up and it really seems like she’s forgotten about their conversation or Jo, or anything that is not the woman in front of her.
Her gaze trails up Amelia’s figure, slow and open and visibly appreciative. “Wait. You look…”
A beat.
Then she adds “You look beautiful”
Amelia laughs, and it comes out way more breathless than she means it to. “Thanks” she murmurs, suddenly self-conscious in the best way. “Best I could do on such short notice”
“Wow imagine when it’s not short notice” Monica grins, delighted “Okay, I need to get changed in record time” She grabs her things and heads for the bathroom, pausing as she reaches the door.
“I’m really glad we’re doing this” she says, eyes catching Amelia’s for a second before she closes the bathroom door.
Amelia stays there. Grinning like an idiot. She remembers the night she asked Monica out first, a few months ago. She was standing in the exact same spot, and also feeling so hopeless, but for the opposite reason. Today she just feels happy and excited.
Maybe it’s a good thing that they took their time to get here. It’s been a crazy year. It’s been challenging, but Amelia is in a great place professionally and emotionally. She feels ready. In the past she’s been known to start things too quickly and also crash really quickly. This feels different. This feels right.
It takes Monica less than 10 minutes to look incredible. And Amelia is a little speechless to be honest.
And then Monica is fishing something out of her pocket to give it to her.
It’s a lollypop.
“What is this?” Amelia takes it and huffs out a little laugh. Their hands stay touching as she lifts her gaze and their eyes meet.
“You wanted a lollipop the other day”
“I- I think I was just not-“ Amelia takes it and pulls her hand, acting a little awkward “Maybe I was just trying to flirt”
“That’s how you flirt?” Monica teases.
“It worked, didn’t it?” Amelia replies, trying to sound a little more confident “But thank you”
The restaurant is beautiful. Nice lighting, white tablecloths, the faint sound of piano music drifting through the air. They walk side by side. Like it’s so natural, like they have done it a million times. Amelia debates if she should reach for Monica’s hand but she doesn’t do it.
Still. It feels… comfortable. Like the start of something really great. Something she doesn’t want to mess up.
Monica pulls her chair out before sitting, and Amelia stifles a smile.
“Thank you. You’re really making an effort” she teases gently as she sits.
“Pulling your chair for you is not an effort” Monica scoffs, settling across from her. “I think the real effort comes later down the road”
Amelia meets her eyes for a second too long.
Monica looks down and shakes her head “I mean… I- I have to be honest with you. I haven’t done this in a long time. I don’t think I even remember feeling this…” she shakes her head again
“You’re doing great so far” Amelia says, Making Monica relax a little.
Thabkfully, a waiter appears to take their drink orders. Monica orders a glass of wine, and Amelia barely glances at the menu before saying “Just a sparkling water, please”
Once he leaves, Monica’s brows lift, not in judgment, just curiosity. Amelia leans forward slightly, resting her forearms on the table.
“I don’t drink” she says “I’ve been sober a long time”
Monica nods slowly. “Okay. That’s really good uh- should I order something else?”
Amelia offers a warm smile “You’re good. It’s okay. I want you to enjoy yourself tonight as well”
“Already am” Monica leans too “So. What I meant before is that… I haven’t felt like I wanted this for so long. I told you I thought I didn’t want anything serious, at least not this soon, after my divorce. But you have a way to make me change my mind, Shepherd. And I know it takes work, and commitment. And I want it”
“I like it when you’re direct”
“Was that too much?”
Amelia chuckles and shakes her head “No. I think we are on the same page. I think it’s good to be clear from the beginning and not have surprises later when people can get hurt”
“Hmmm. Sounds like there’s a history there”
Amelia looks at her “My last partner… we broke up because they didn’t have kids in their plan” She breathes “I think that’s also another thing I have to be clear about. I mean- I don’t want to imply anything, it’s just hat Scout exists. And he’s the most important thing in my life”
Monica frowns “You think I would have asked you out if I didn’t know that he’s part of the deal? Which is a fantstic deal, by the way” She smiles “You don’t have to say that you don’t want to imply anything. I think you should. If you want to be serious with someone, that someone has to be 100% in”
“Are you telling me that you’re 100% in on our first date?” Amelia raises her eyebrow and Monica actually blushes.
“I am telling you that I know what I’m getting into, and I really like it”
Now Amelia looks down.
Because, sure. Scout is one thing. But Monica doesn’t really know what she’s getting into, does she? There’s a lot more.
But then Monica is talking again “One of my favorite things about you is just watching you with Scout, and watching how fiercely protective you are” she smiles “Did your ex like not know about him from the beginning?”
“They did”
“Huh. Well, then they were just being an asshole”
Amelia chuckles.
“I’m sorry but you’re right. He exists. And he’s wonderful, and if someone didn’t want a part in that, I guess it’s their decision, but there’s no excuse for leading you on knowing things are not going to work”
“Now sounds like there’s a story there”
Monica breathes out a little laugh “Yeah. I always wanted kids. I love kids. But my ex didn’t. Which, again, it’s okay. But she led me to believe that all she needed was time. And she wasted all of mine” Monica presses her lips in a line, but she tries to smile.
“There’s no excuse for leading you on knowing things are not going to work” Amelia repeats Monica’s words.
They bring their drinks and take their order. The food also comes quickly and the conversation keeps flowing away from their sad romantic stories.
At some point, Monica finally asks about the sobriety.
There’s no pity in her voice, no awkwardness. But Amelia can feel the questions lingering behind Monica’s eyes, even if she’s too careful to ask them out loud. So she shrugs a little, lets her smile turn wry.
“You said you knew what you were getting into. But maybe you don’t. There’s… a lot more about me” she says. “It’s kind of a big and complicated package to unwrap”
“Well,” she says, eyes flicking down for a second, “I’m great at unwrapping complicated and beautiful women” Monica’s eyes widen “And… maybe that came out wrong…”
But Amelia is biting her lip, trying not to smile “I think that was great”
Monica smiles back “Look, you don’t have to tell me your deepest, darkest secrets tonight. But I just want you to know that I want to listen. And about what I’m getting into… I don’t know what happened in your past, but I think I really like the person that you are today. And all that stuff just made you that person. That’s what I care about. So the answer is still yes. I do know”
“I guess we’ll see what happens as you keep… unwrapping” Amelia gives a small nod, sounding a little more relaxed.
“Sounds like a challenge”
“And to be fair, I haven’t done this in a long time either… I’m not even sure if I’ve ever gotten it right, or given it enough time. Getting to know someone. But I also want to do this”
Monica raises her glass of water. She didn’t order more wine after she finished her first one. “To… getting it right”
Amelia takes her sparkling water “To getting it right”
Monica parks right in front of Amelia’s building, but neither of them moves to open the door. It’s that suspended moment… the end of the date, where everything hangs in the balance.
“I had a great time tonight” Monica says, a little hesitant. She’s fiddling with her keys, but her eyes flick up to meet Amelia’s.
“Me too” Amelia’s heart is fluttering so fast it feels like she’s barely keeping up with it. She feels lightheaded. Like laughing. Like jumping. Like doing something wildly stupid and reckless.
Monica takes a breath. “Would you… want to do this again? Like, a second date?”
Amelia smiles “I kind of hoped you’d just assume the answer was yes”
Monica’s shoulders lift in a breath of relief, a grin breaking out across her face. “Okay… Well, then my follow up question would be… Can I kiss you?”
The air is gone. Amelia doesn’t answer, not with words. She leans in and presses her lips to Monica’s, and the world just fades.
It’s electric.
Monica’s lips are the softest she’s ever kissed, but they carry this undercurrent of heat that makes Amelia’s entire body buzz, like every nerve ending has just been switched on. It’s like kissing awake a part of herself that’s been half-asleep for years, and she can feel it rushing back with hunger, with a need to be closer.
Monica’s hand slides up to cup her face, and Amelia’s heart nearly short-circuits. Her skin sparks under Monica’s touch, and she leans into it shamelessly.
For Monica, the moment feels unreal. Her hand trembles as her fingers trace the line of Amelia’s jaw, and it hits her. This is real. She had stopped believing in this. In love. In the kind of kiss that can make everything else stop existing. She’d wrapped herself in cynicism and buried the pieces of her heart, and now here she is, with her heart pounding like it’s come alive for the first time in years. It’s insane. They’ve only been on one date. But it doesn’t feel new. It feels… inevitable. Like every heartbreak, every night spent wondering if she was the problem, every piece of her life falling apart, all of it had to happen to bring her right here. To Amelia. And Amelia is perfect.
The kiss deepens, mouths parting as breath turns into sound: hums and sharp exhales they can’t control. Amelia’s fingers knot in Monica’s coat, Monica’s hand slips into Amelia’s hair, pulling her closer, their tongues tasting, teasing.
Their hands start to wander. Amelia’s gliding down Monica’s side. Monica’s brushing along Amelia’s waist, and it’s not careful anymore. It’s messy. It’s desperate. And it’s completely consuming.
They break apart only when their lungs demand it, gasping, foreheads pressed together, both of them grinning like idiots, breathless and flushed. The air between them crackles with everything unsaid, everything about to happen.
“I think this date ended in success” Monica teases.
And Amelia just… thinks. She can still hear her heart beating in her ears and… does it really have to end?
She moves back a little until she can meet Monica’s eyes “Would you like to come upstairs?”
Monica freezes, searching Amelia’s face. “Are you sure?”
Amelia doesn’t answer with words. She pulls Monica back into a kiss, deep and certain and so devastatingly sweet that Monica feels her hesitation dissolve on her tongue.
By the time they reach the elevator, Amelia’s giggling into Monica’s mouth, breath hitching as Monica suddenly pins her against the wall with a slow, devastating kiss. Their bodies press together, and everything else fades. The lights, the ding of the floors passing. It’s just this. Just them, breathing in each other like they’ve been starved for this moment.
The elevator chimes, but they barely notice. They stumble out, hands tangled, lips still brushing, moving down the hall as Amelia fumbles with her keys, Monica’s mouth stealing any semblance of focus.
“Hold still” Amelia mumbles against Monica’s lips as she tries to get the key into the lock.
“I’m not the problem here” Monica murmurs back, moving her lips to Amelia’s neck, making it utterly impossible to open the damn door.
But they manage. They start kissing again the moment they walk inside and now Amelia pushes Monica against her wall.
And then a voice clears.
A loud, throat-clearing cough that cuts through them like cold water.
Lucas.
Lucas, standing up from the couch, eyes wide, awkward as hell, looking between the two of them like he just walked into a movie he was not invited to.
Monica and Amelia spring apart, lips swollen, faces flushed, gasping like they’ve just been caught doing something illegal. Because, honestly, everything felt so good that it just might be.
“Uh… hey” Lucas says, raking a hand through his hair, visibly mortified. “I… sorry. I didn’t mean to. I had a fight with Simone. I figured you’d be at work but clearly, I was very wrong” He’s rambling, waving his hands as he talks. “I’ll leave. I should leave. I'm sorry”
Monica’s hand shoots up, stilling him. “No, it’s okay. Really” But her cheeks are on fire. The spell is broken, and she knows it.
Amelia’s eyes meet hers, and they’re still lit up with something electric, but they both know the moment’s passed.
“I should go” Monica says softly, sounding a little reluctant.
“I’m sorry” Amelia murmurs.
“Can I talk to you before I leave?”
Lucas gets the hint. He raises his hands, backing up towards the hallway, grabbing his phone and disappearing with a mumbled: “I’ll just…”
Now it’s just them again, still by the door, still breathless, still wishing this night had gone a little differently.
“I’m so sorry” Amelia repeats, filled with genuine regret. Because God, she really wanted this. And sure, she also wants to take things a little slow but… their relationship? Is it even a relationship? This… thing can still progress slowly. They can get to know each other. They can be open and honest just the way they were tonight.
But they can also have a little fun while they do that, right? It’s just been so long. She wanted Monica like crazy. And after that kiss she just threw more fuel to that fire.
And judging by the way Monica reciprocated, Amelia can tell that Monica wanted it just as badly.
“So, you wanted to tell me something?”
But Monica just smiles, that sweet, impossible smile that makes Amelia feel like her heart is doing jumps. “I had an amazing dinner. And I had a really, really wonderful time on my way up here” The tease in her tone is unmistakable. “And… we have a pre-approved second date on the schedule, remember? So don’t worry about this”
Amelia’s lips curve, unable to stop it. She finally takes Monica’s hands. “Thank you for tonight”
Monica’s fingers squeeze back, but she’s not done yet. There’s still a glint in her eyes. “Oh, and Amelia?”
“Yeah?” Amelia asks, not noticing how Monica is inching closer, the air between them crackling.
And then Monica’s mouth is on hers, stealing the question straight from her lips.
It’s not polite. It’s not gentle. Monica presses her against the door with a kiss so intense Amelia feels her knees buckle. Monica’s hands cup her jaw, thumb brushing her cheek as her lips work her over, slow and thorough, until Amelia’s breath is gone, stolen right out of her lungs.
When they part, Amelia’s eyes are glazed, lips parted. She exhales a shaky “Great talk”
Monica’s grinning now, she repeats “Great talk”
Reluctantly, Monica steps back, giving Amelia’s hand one last squeeze before she heads for the door. They both linger in the doorway like they’re about to change their minds, but eventually Monica slips out into the hall, the click of the door echoing behind her.
Amelia leans her back against the door, breath still catching in her throat, heart pounding. She’s barely recovered when Lucas peeks his head out of the hallway, holding the cat like a shield.
“So…Dr. Beltran, huh?” He raises an eyebrow, a grin pulling at his mouth “When did that happen?”
Amelia’s hand dips into her coat pocket and her fingers brush against a small, familiar shape. She pulls it out. It’s the lollipop Monica had given her earlier. It’s a dumb little thing, but it makes her heart feel huge.
She doesn’t answer Lucas. She doesn’t have to.
Because, honestly, this probably happened the day she stole a parking spot.