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“Morniiiing!” your normally pretty grumpy – now rather sweet – voice echoed through the ER as you strolled towards the main station, a bunch of ‘necessities’ jangling and clinking against one another, tightly gripped in your cold hands.
“Someone’s in a good mood.” Dana popped her head and smiled in your direction.
“Caffeine. Have you seen what’s going on outside?” You asked.
Dana clumsily moved her swivel chair to the side so that she could peak outside through one of the windows. She ended up having to stand up due to the equipment being in the way.
“Shit, it’s only getting stronger.” She said with a hint of surprise at the sudden wintery shift in the weather. Snow had flurried over Pittsburgh throughout the night, completely changing the sights. Despite not being a huge fun of winter as an adult you had to admit the usually dirty buildings were now more visually appealing thanks to the soft, white cover.
“And what are you doing here? Night shift?” You questioned Langdon’s presence, with a raised brow.
Frank was also standing by the hub, leaning on the countertop. He nodded with a mouth full of food, high fiving you as you walked by.
“Bueno, more fractures more moneeeey.” He finally chimed in, while trying to inhale his sandwich. Karma got him quickly when he choked on a particularly dry piece in the process. You playfully smacked his back and he grimaced.
“I always knew you were all passion.” Evans sighed from her seat, burying her face in her hands and focusing back on her charts.
“And more x-rayyys, hell yeah.” You added with a worried smile which Dana quickly returned. You threw your hands up in a pretend celebration.
“At least it’s not that grey outside. Snow makes the city prettier.” You continued, standing on your tippy toes to lurk through the same window as her.
“I swear to god, if one more person mentions ‘winter wonderland’ I’m gonna be added to Robby’s list of patients for today.”Jack’s voice could be heard by the hub before he even made an entrance, leaving one of his patients behind.
“That would be my grump.” You noted with a huff, propping your elbows on the console.
He hurriedly dragged the curtain behind him, making sure the guy he was talking to was getting some necessary privacy, or at least as much as the curtains were allowing them to get. He caught a glimpse of you and smiled under his breath.
“Fuck I almost forgot, here.” You whipped out a box of homemade oatmeal cookies out of your big hospital bag and placed it within Dana’s reach.
“You’re a peach. Thank you.” She said before hiding the box by her monitor. Frank made a face, clearly disappointed in the fact that now Dana was the one to distribute them among the staff. She raised her brows in an attempt to put him back in his place.
Donahue popped in for a second, giving you a side-hug and rushing to his cart.
“Mm! Want one?” Dana held out a single cookie, getting Don’s attention. He sprinted towards her and bit it straight from her extended hand, having already placed a fresh pair of silicone gloves.
“MMks Mana!” He mumbled on his way back to work earning a chuckle from the angel herself.
Jack made his way towards you and the rest, tiredly dragging his now heavy feet across the dusty linoleum floor.
“There you are.”
His warm hand wrapped around the small of your back. He leaned in to give you a small peck on the cheek. Despite his usual, natural touch starvation, he was still careful about public display of affection, especially in front of his colleagues. So quick kisses here and there would have to do for now.
“Whatcha got there?” He leaned over the top of the console, but Dana swiftly covered the box with her hand. “I see how it is.” Jack nodded in disapproval. Frank only shook his head no, looking for alliance in his attending.
He suddenly tapped his front and back pockets, checking if he’s got all his belongings on him before turning towards your group. He pointed in Frank’s direction.
“Good job today Frank. I’d love to see you more often.” Langdon nodded with a growing smile.
“Thanks boss.”
“You get what you work for. Keep up and I’m sure I’ll whisper a good thing or two to Doctor Robinavitch, might even sign the recommendation myself.”
“Okaaay my time to get some sleep.” He winked at Dana with a genuine smile before nudging you to walk towards the staircase, where he’d walk you to radiology.
“It was good to see you, buhhh- bye!” You waved to Dana and Frank as Jack lead the way out. You felt a soft, brief touch on the outer part of your thigh.
When you walked out the main door, no longer surrounded by familiar people, he stuck out his pinky finger for you to intertwine if you wanted to. And you sure did.
He arched his shoulders, weariness finally catching up to him and he left out a deep breath. “I’m so ready to go home.”
“You sure look like it. I made a veggie soup. You gotta cook the noodles though.” You said, going through the instructions on how to make his post-shift a tad bit life easier. He was about to say something, but you interrupted.
“On the counters by the way. Are shells okay?”
His glistening eyes locked on you and nothing else, watching with admiration and extending his thankfulness.
“I love you so—so much.” He whispered with genuine appreciation in his tone.
“That’s the tiredness talking.”
He poked your side playfully. “How dare you say that.” He glared at you before kissing the very top of your head.
Doctor Shen was hurriedly walking downstairs, multiple papers and files in his hand. He shuffled to the side, making sure he’s squeeze in between you two.
“Morning!” He said stopping for a second and extending his hand to you and your partner.
“Sorry! The work never stops!” He shouted, not waiting for small talk to kick off, but showing you the pile tightly gripped in his hands. Jack chuckled at Josh’s enthusiasm and slipped his free hand back to his pocket.
You finally managed to reach the entry to the imaging department, sad that now you had to part ways with Jack.
“I’m not ecstatic about you driving.” You double checked him, and he immediately got defensive. “I’m fine. Tonight wasn’t too bad. I just wanna get some sleep that’s all.” He tried to reassure you and frankly he was rather convincing this time. You only grinned as a response.
“I don’t wanna work today.” You finally added, hunching your shoulders, your grin turning upside down.
“Don’t do this to me. I already hate leaving you here all alone.” He bumped your elbow, with worry sneaking onto his flushed face. “What if…” He started.
“--we go to the Christmas market tomorrow?” He asked in an attempt to raise your spirits. “Hmm?”
“Yeah. Let’s do that.” You agreed smiling at the thought of a quality afternoon together.
“And I’m cooking tomorrow.” He added.
“You’re spoiling me rotten.”
He checked the time and leaned in to give you a kiss on the lips.
“I could say the exact same thing.” He turned on his heel to leave you be. You jokingly shooed him away.
“Drive safely. Streets are a slippery mess.” You called out.
“Will do. Love you.” He said, already down half a flight of stairs.
“Love you too. Text me once you’re home.”
“Will do too.”