Chapter Text
Andy and Quynh were enjoying their second date big time. They ate Pho, talked, went to the cinema (they didn't see much of the movie because they were busy kissing in the dark), and talked some more. When they left the cinema, they walked and talked along the harbourfront until they reached the end of a pier, where they saw that an old warehouse had been converted into a roller skating disco.
"Looks like a fun place," Quynh said. "Maybe I bring Nicky one day. He loves roller skating too."
"Why wait?" Andy asked. "I could go with you."
Andy had no idea why the words left her mouth because she couldn't roller skate at all. Maybe she was turning into Joe, who never seemed to be able to say no to Nicky's ideas. It was a scary thought, now that she thought about it.
"Would you?" Quynh said with a big smile before kissing Andy on her cheek. "Thanks, Andy."
Andy just followed Quynh, and it didn't even take five minutes before they had roller skates on.
"Here's an idea," Andy said. "Show me what you can do on the roller skates."
It was actually an excuse to avoid roller skating for as long as possible. Quynh kissed Andy's cheek before she started to show Andy some of the things she could do on roller skates. Andy was impressed, but she also knew that she would never be able to do what Quynh was doing on roller skates.
"Oh, one of my favourites," Quynh said when the DJ started to play, "I Think We're Alone Now" and took Andy's hands. "Come, let's dance together."
Andy had no idea how to dance on roller skates, but she followed Quynh out on the floor anyway. For the first minute, Andy could fake what she was doing by mimicking what Quynh was doing, but the troubles started when Andy wanted to impress Quynh by making a pirouette, but her legs betrayed her. When Andy attempted to do the pirouette, two things happened simultaneously: Andy hit Quynh in the stomach with her shin, and Andy tripped, and to soften the blow, she used her arm when she hit the floor.
Ten minutes later, they were on the way to the hospital in an ambulance. Andy was sitting next to Quynh with a broken arm while Quynh lay on the gurney holding onto her ribs. Andy found it hard to look at Quynh, most of all because she was sure she had ruined everything between them, and just as Andy thought the day couldn't get any worse, she remembered that Nicky was working the night shift at the hospital every first Saturday of the month. And that was today.
"Nicky?" Armand asked. "We're getting another roller skating accident in less than two minutes."
"Great," Nicky replied, a bit irritated. "Maybe we should suggest having a Doctor or a Nurse out at the roller disco at the weekends. Just to see if we can prevent people from roller skating while drunk."
"There was an idea," Armand replied, laughing. "Do you want the woman with the weird name and a broken arm or the one who might have broken a rib or two?"
Nicky only knew one with a weird name and prayed it wasn't her. When Nicky saw Andy's name, he decided to take her. Just before the ambulance was there, Nicky quickly texted Joe.
"Don't ask why," Andy said when she saw Nicky. "Just fix my arm so I can move to the other end of the world."
"Ever so dramatic. Just like Joe," Nicky replied as he placed a hand on Andy's shoulder with a smile. "Room 4."
Andy quickly made eye contact with Quynh before Qyynh was wheeled into room 1.
"I need to ask," Nicky said when he sat down to fill out the papers. "Have you been drinking?"
"No, I was with Quynh. Not our mutual French friend." Andy replied. "Please don't tell him anything. I won't hear the end of it."
"I would be a very terrible Doctor if I started sharing my patient's information with others outside the hospital. It will also get me fired," Nicky replied. "But I can't do anything about what will happen once you leave the hospital and our friends see your broken arm."
"And that's why I'm moving to the other end of the world as soon you're done," Andy replied. "I was thinking of a mountaintop in the Himalayas. Maybe I can get a pack of yaks to keep me company."
"Bend your fingers," Nicky said, and Andy did it. Nicky knew that it hurt more than Andy let show. "Just so you know it. As your Doctor, I suggest not leaving the country before your arm is healed up. You need both your arms if you're getting yaks."
Andy let out a frustrating groan.
"And as your friend," Nicky said. "Please don't go. Whatever happened at the roller disco, I'm sure it can't be as bad as you think it's."
"Ever the optimist," Andy replied. "Well, it wasn't you who hit your girlfriend when you wanted to show off in an attempt to impress her."
Nicky looked at the nurse.
"She needs an x-ray," Nicky said. "And asks Bony to have a look at the x-ray."
"Bony?" Andy asked. "Who the hell is Bony?"
"You'll see in a moment," Nicky replied with a secret smile. "While you're doing that, I'll check on Quyhn."
Nicky got Andy to sit in a wheelchair before the nurse drove away with Andy. Nicky walked over to room 1, where Quynh was still holding around her ribs.
"Nothing is broken. She just got the air knocked out of her," Armand said. "A couple of painkillers, ice packs, bed rest, and you'll be fine in a few days."
Quynh held up a thumb in reply.
"Good to hear," Nicky said. "Could I speak with my sister for a moment?"
"Your sister?" Armand asked. "I didn't know you had a sister."
"We grew up in a foster home together," Nicky replied. "A story for another day."
Armand nodded before he left them alone.
"So, Quynh," Nicky teased. "How is your second date going?"
"It's a good thing that I love you, or else I wouldn't find you funny," Quynh replied. "Andy? How is she doing?"
"Broken her arm," Nicky replied. "And planning on moving to a mountaintop in the Himalayas with some yaks."
"What?" Quynh asked as she tried to sit up, but the pain hit her, so she lay down again. "Why would she do that?"
"If I had to guess," Nicky replied. "I think she is so ashamed of hurting you tonight that you ended up in the hospital."
Nicky helped Quynh, so she sat in a more comfertble position.
"She is just as hopeless as Joe was ten years ago when he hit you with that controller," Quynh said. The only reason Nicky got hit with a flying controller was that Joe had forgotten Nicky was in the room when Joe lost a Fifa game. Joe had never been so sorry as he was that night because the last thing Joe wanted was to hurt Nicky. "Where was it Joe wanted to move to?"
"He wanted to review an old family tradition," Nicky replied. "He wanted to live in the desert in a tent with camels. Like his ancestors."
They both laughed.
"No, no, you can't do that yet," Quynh groaned as she held around her ribs. "Make me laugh. It has to wait for a day or two."
"Ok, it gives me time to come up with a joke or two," Nicky replied. "So, how will you prevent your girlfriend from moving to the Himalayas?"
"Not do what you did. I still have nightmares about those sounds coming from your bedroom, Nicky," Quynh replied as she held up a finger. "And no, I still don't want to hear about it."
Nicky smiled when he thought of that night. Thanks to his hips, Nicky had convinced Joe not to move into a tent, while Joe promised never to throw a controller again. It was also the last time Joe ever played Fifa because he found having sex with Nicky was so much more fun.
"While I lay down again," Quynh said. "I'll give it a thought or two."
Andy found out who Bony was somewhere else in the hospital, and it didn't make Andy's day any better.
"Roller skating," Joe smirked as he looked at the papers. "At your age, Andy?"
"I'm four days older than you," Andy replied. "And I really blame you for this mess."
"Ok," Joe replied. "Can't wait to hear more about it while I examine your x-ray."
Joe took the X-ray and examined it.
"The good news is that you don't need an operation," Joe said. "And now I want to hear why you're blaming me for your broken arm?"
"Because I did what you're always doing," Andy replied. "Follow my girlfriend whenever she gets an idea or two. Even if it's a crazy one, like going roller skating."
Joe laughed, but a look from Andy made him stop.
"Sorry, but that's funny that you think I always do what Nicky says," Joe said. "Yes, I admit that Nicky is the clever one of us two, but Nicky does also listen to my ideas and opinions. Last weekend, we did something I wanted to do, and it was a very romantic and funny getaway."
Andy gave Joe the look that said, "I don't want to know", something Joe respected. Joe smiled to himself while thinking of the weekend in the bed and breakfast with Nicky. Joe wanted to paint some cherry trees, so while he was doing that, Nicky lay in the grass with a book on a blanket. When Joe needed a break, they had sex under the sky. It might have been a bit chilly, but sex with Nicky was always beyond good.
"Anyway, old girl," Joe said. "Once Nicky has put a cast on you, you're going to make it up to Quynh in your own way."
"Not a chance," Andy replied. "I'm moving to the Himalayas. And getting some yaks."
Joe placed a hand on Andy's shoulder.
"Not this time. This time you're facing your problems. See it as a way to grow as a human being," Joe said with a smile. "Doctor's order."
Joe made a sign to the nurse to drive Andy back to Nicky before Andy could protest. When Andy was rolled into room 4 again, Quynh was waiting together with Nicky. The first thing Quynh did was to kiss Andy's broken wrist saying that it was normal to kiss an ouchie to make it better. Andy appreciated the thought behind it. Then Quynh sat down next to Andy and took her good hand in her hand.
"I'll work fast," Nicky said. "So, you both can get home and get some rest."
"And we're going back to my place," Quynh said. "It isn't up for debate, Andromache."
Nicky resisted making a joke and just concentrated on putting the cast on Andy's arm. They didn't speak during it all.
"Ok, you need to keep the arm elevated tonight, and if you're experiencing any pain, take two painkillers every six hours," Nicky said. "And call your local GP tomorrow if you're having troubles with the cast."
Andy just nodded before she followed Quynh out to the taxi without a word. Nicky looked after them when he felt a familiar arm around his shoulder.
"No need to worry, Babe," Joe said. "Andy won't move to the Himalayas, but she might get a yak or two."
Nicky laughed, which made Joe laugh.
"Better get back to work. Four hours left of the night shift," Nicky said. "And I got big plans involving my husband once I get home."
"Uhhh, can't wait," Joe replied with a big smile. "See you soon, and remember, I love you."
"Love you too," Nicky replied as the red phone rang. "Emergency. Be ready for that."
Joe placed a kiss on Nicky's cheek before going back to work too.