Chapter Text
Dr. Lauren Bloom is perceived as a powerhouse among the staff for staying overtime and caring for her patients. It only took one mistake, one, for Nurse Casey to change his perspective. He took her ibuprofen bottle pills for his headache, and discovered Bloom’s secret. She switched the pills with Adderall, claiming it was for her ADHD. Maybe it started out like that, but Casey called her out.
“Then why do you keep it in an ibuprofen bottle? You’re killing yourself for this job” he said, knowing he was overstepping the professional boundaries, but he was genuinely worried for her. She’s been taking longer hours, moonlighting before her shift and barely leaving the hospital. Dedicating her time for work and eliminating her social life.
Casey wanted her to go home and rest, so he started reminding her about rules disallowing doctors to stay over 12 hours every chance he got. Yet, Bloom never listened and continued on her downward trajectory. That’s how Doctor and Nurses relationship are. Doctors dismiss any sound advice, and always think they are right even when they are wrong.
Bloom was clearly exhausted, slow at taking decisions, almost costing one patient his life. Casey needed to intervene before she made a fatal mistake.
He waited at the exit of the Bronx hospital, where she started to volunteer whenever its possible.
“Bloom!” He called her name when she made her way out.
She looked around, squinting her eyes to search for the source, and found Casey wearing a black hoodie and baggy jeans, leaning against the wall. She rarely saw him dressing casually outside of work.
“What are you doing here?” She asked.
“You never rest, do you?” He avoided the question, not wanting to tell her that he asked the Bronx Hospital nurses to inform him whenever Bloom volunteered. They thought he had a crush on her, and he played along with it.
“You’re starting a shift?” She persisted, wanting to know why he’s waiting outside the hospital.
“No, they just told me they’re full. Want to grab coffee?” He avoided her question again.
She eyed him suspiciously, knowing that the hospital does not turn any form of help away. She couldn’t figure out any other reason why he’d be there other than work. Seeing that he stole hospital food, he needed the money unlike her.
“Well, my shift at New Amsterdam—“ she started to reject his offer.
“Does not start until 4 hours. I know a good place. Come.” he cut her off.
The numerous times she came to the Bronx, she never walked around the neighborhood. She agreed to his offer, and they walked side by side to the nearest coffee shop. It was a small cozy coffee shop managed by two elderly Mexican couple.
Casey ordered hot chocolate for the two. Her favorite drink, which she lately substituted it with Black Coffee for the caffeine.
“No energy drinks?” she mocked his usual choice of drink.
“Maybe later” he answered with a smile.
“You were right, Bronx ED never stops” she said with glee.
“Sounds like you want to work there” Casey soused out a suspicion.
“Well…they offered me a job with less pay and lower position” she confessed.
“And you’re considering it?!” Casey was shocked.
“Maybe” she answered with a shrug. She was thinking of changing hospitals to get away from Reynolds and Evie, who were annoyingly happily dating and getting serious very quick. “Time flies by when I’m there” she tried to explain.
“It’s a warzone over there, trust me I know” he hoped he could sway her, but it had the opposite effect.
She wanted to just be in the moment, and stop thinking about her empty life.
“I have to answer this” he said apologetically when his phone rang and promised to not take long. He walked outside the coffee shop, leaving Bloom sitting alone.
She looked at her phone, checking her messages, searching for a message from Reynolds and there wasn’t any. Hating herself for still pinning over someone that said she doesn’t have a place in his life plan. She rested her head against the wall, looking at the traffic, and Bloom started to doze off. Just a few minutes of shut eye, she promised herself.
When Bloom opened her eyes, it was dark outside, and her head was resting on a curled up piece of clothing. She raised her head to see Casey hoodie-less. Her pillow was his hoodie.
“How long was I asleep?” She asked.
“3 hours. Wanna eat something?” he replied.
“I’ll be late” she declined and Casey stopped her by tugging at her sleeves.
“You won’t be” he promised.
“Fine” she surrendered easily. The way he looked at her, and the gentleness of his voice told her to stay.
They ordered almost half of the menu since she was hungry and he really likes food.
“Did you track me down today to make me sleep and eat?” Bloom finally realized his motives and asked the question directly.
He raised his hands “You got me” and smiled widely, still munching on the food.
“You’re unbelievable!” She started to laugh, touched at how much he cared for her wellbeing, that he’d do all of this for her. It felt nice being taken care of for once.
“If you move to the Bronx, you won’t have someone like me” Casey teased. He would love to go work besides her, but the pay in the Dam was better.
“I don’t think there is anyone like you. Tattooed charming vet nurse.” she agreed.
“Oh! You think I’m charming?” He said with his eyes lit up with amusement. He never thought Dr. Bloom thought of him anything other than a helping hand.
Bloom found herself tracing her eyes down to his lips and quickly looked away. Was she that desperate for attention? To find someone appealing only when he showed an ounce of attention.
“Thank you for this” she paid the bill and quickly ran out to get a cab.
“Hey, I’m coming with you. We work together. Remember?” he said, following her into the cab and sitting next to her.
‘He’s younger, never showed any interest, and I am his boss!’ she reminded herself while her face burned up.
She kept silent, looking out of the window, and avoiding looking at him.
“Did I say something?” he asked, noticing her silence, leaning closer to her body, trying to get a better look of her face.
“No, no. I just remembered work stuff” she lied. Bloom could feel his warm breath on her neck and thanked god that they arrived at the hospital in the nick of time.
She quickly went to the locker room to change, and had no idea how she would work besides him for the rest of the day. Bloom kept sending him on errands until he cornered her in the corridor.
“It seems you don’t want me around. If I overstepped, then tell me.” Casey faced her.
“No, it’s not that” she denied.
“So, there is something. Tell me.” He stepped closer.
Bloom pulled him into the on-call room, and Casey braced himself for what came next. Except he did not expect for Bloom to pull him from his top to reach his lips. The moment of shock passed and instinct took over. He pressed his lips harder as his body brushed against hers. She locked the door, signaling for him to take the next step, and he did. He lifted her body then laid her on the bed. He traveled his lips down her neck causing her to bite her lips with pleasure. She wanted more. Bloom took his hand and guided in underneath her top. He played around with her nipples, tugging and pulling at it.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“Dr. Bloom, I need you.” Dr. Walsh, her resident, called for her.
The knocking pulled them out of the trance they were under and she quickly gathered herself.
“I’m coming. You go ahead” She yelled.
“Bloom,” Casey whispered her name before she left the room “We should talk”
“I’d rather not” she replied, not looking back as she exited.