Chapter Text
Robby crossed his arms, this definitely was not how he wanted to spend his first days back after his three month sabbatical, sitting in the cushy upper offices of the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center across from Gloria and a couple of HR employees.
“This is ridiculous. Why am I even here?”
Dr. Amari gave a tight lipped smile. “Dr. Robinavitch, we just want to clarify events with you before we take any unnecessary steps.”
“Okay, then what is it?”
“Someone watched you and Dr. Whitaker walk into a supply closet.”
“And?”
All eyes were on him, Robby scoffed and leaned back.
“So you think we had sex? In a supply closet.”
“We are unable to prove that.. That happened. We just want to-”
“Yeah, yeah, make sure nothing happened. You have been on our ass since we approached HR disclosing our relationship before he began his internship. We did nothing while he was my student,” a lie, whatever, they didn’t need to know, “we waited until he was in a different rotation. And then when it was official he was returning, we disclosed the truth. We don’t do anything inappropriate at work, and if you ask anyone, Whitaker was upset. I was checking in on one of my colleagues and making sure they were able to work, in a private area. I would do that with anyone, not just my boyfriend. Should I have sent someone else because it does look bad? Sure, I should have, but I care about my co-workers and I care about my boyfriend. And to stomp out any of your sex ideas, I am fifty-five, do you know how hard it is to get it up in a small amount of time? We were in there a total of five minutes, ask anyone in the ER, they will tell you exactly the same thing. I get we’re on thin ice, even though I have been gone for 3 fucking months, he was a former student, and young, and it’s weird. But we did nothing wrong in that supply closet. So, if we are done here, I got a whole department to run.”
Robby stood up and walked towards the door.
“Our apologies, Dr. Robinavitch. And.. welcome back.”
Robby rolled his eyes to himself. What a grand welcome back this was. Literally his third day back and he was already being accused of having sex with his boyfriend. He wasn’t lying when he said Dennis was upset, he was. His mother reached out after nearly 10 months of no contact, that was enough to upset anyone. Robby had to make sure he was okay, boyfriend or not, he needed to make sure one of his doctors was in the right headspace before working with patients.
He stepped off the elevator in a fucking war zone. He was gone 30 minutes tops, what the fuck was going on?
“What is going on here? This is a hospital, not a circus!”
Nurses looked up from the Hub, they seemed to crowding someone. Robby strode over to the crowd of people, trying to decipher what was going on and why they were hovering so much.
“I’m fine! I’m fine, please!”
Robby recognized that voice.
God dammit.
The crowd parted, revealing Dennis Whitaker with a trail of blood going down his face and across his scrub top. He looked like Dana when Doug Driscoll punched her. Robby shooed everyone off to get back to work before directing all his attention to Dennis.
“Jesus Christ, Whitaker! What did you do?”
Robby grabbed his face and maneuvered his head around, checking to see if anything was broken. Dennis swatted at him.
“Dr. Robby! Please, I am fine! It was just an unruly patient. I can work.”
“Can you? Look at all this blood. Do we have any scans back?”
Dana handed him an iPad with the CT scan. Robby put his glasses on and checked it over.
“I thought CT was backed up.”
Dana smirked, leaning in to mutter to Robby. “I told them if they don’t scan Dr. Whitaker now, they would lose two doctors.”
“Very nice job.” Robby handed the iPad back to her. “Why are you still bloody?”
“I haven't had a chance to clean up, but Dr. Robby, I’m fine.”
He frowned, checking him over once again.
“Tell me exactly what happened. I saw you an hour ago, and you get in this much trouble.” Robby grabbed wet wipes and began to wipe his face gently.
“Like I said, it was an unruly patient. He.. He was going to punch Mel, and I couldn’t have that so I.. got in his way. I think he got restrained? I was ready to fight back, I have three older brothers, I’m not scared of some guy.”
“Jesus, Den..”
“I know, it was stupid, but, if she got hurt while we worked together, I would never forgive myself.” Dennis placed his hand on Robby’s. “I’m okay.”
“Alright, as long as you’re okay. I need you to take five more minutes, change your scrubs and then head to triage.”
“You’re banishing me to triage?” Dennis whined.
“It’s not a punishment, it’s just to make sure you don’t get hurt anymore this shift. Take one of the new med students with you, like Linton. She’ll be perfect.”
Dennis groaned.
“Hey, two more hours!”
“Shut up.”
Robby laughed and ruffled his curls. They had been dating for almost a year now, the ER very aware of their relationship (there were bets on when they would crack), well, everyone except one.
Frank Langdon watched them carefully from Central 11. He wasn’t sure when the two of them got close, he noticed it on his first shift back from rehab back on the Fourth of July, it was like as soon as he left, Robby found his replacement. He gave most of his attention and praise to the previous med student, one that Frank would say had little to no game in the ER. He swore out of all the new people on that shift that this would be the kid that quit, he seemed so fragile. But here he was, Robby’s shining new star.
His stares obviously got him in trouble by the charge nurse, who gestured him over to the Hub.
“Dana, since when were those two close?”
“Who? Robby and Whitaker?”
“Who else?”
She shrugged, tucking her glasses back into her scrub pocket. “I think they’ve always been close.”
“Yeah, but.. It’s like he actively seeks him out. He won’t even talk to me.”
“Well, there might be a reason for that.”
Frank frowned. “I’m clean, I’m allowed to work again. Robby knows that.”
She just shrugged and gestured to the board.
“Better clear some beds before the boss finds you slacking.”
Frank sighed and made his way towards South 20, passing Trinity on his way. She tried not to stare at him, but it was hard not to, not since he came back three months ago.
About an hour later, Frank had to approach Robby.
“Hey, Robby, you got a second?”
“Sorry, Dr. Langdon, I have a patient who needs a sign off on being held for a mental wellness check.”
“Well, mine in South 20 needs meds.”
“And?”
Frank frowned. “According to the rules of me being back, I am unable to distribute medicine.”
Robby rubbed his face and quickly signed off on the form, handing it to Kiara before following Frank to South 20.
“Do you know the dosage that they will be taking home and what it is?”
“Yes. It’s hydrocodone. She needs about 100 mg.”
Robby swiped his badge and collected the medicine he needed to distribute to Frank’s patient. The senior resident watched carefully, he felt like a child when Robby had to do this stuff for him. He was sober now, he could give his patients the medicine they needed. But, until he could prove that he wouldn’t steal narcotics from the ER, this was what he would have to deal with.
“Dr. Robby, I have to ask. What is it about Dr. Whitaker?”
Robby glanced over his shoulder at Frank.
“He is a good doctor. Anything else, Dr. Langdon?”
Frank frowned and shook his head. “No, sir.”
“Good.”
Robby handed him the prescription and walked back to the Hub, Dana eyeing him over her computer.
“What?”
“How long are you going to leave him in the dark about you and our resident bloodhound?”
“It’s not like we’re hiding it anymore. It’s pretty obvious to anyone that has eyes that Den and I are dating.”
“Alright, then how long are you going to be cold to him?”
Robby crossed his arms. “I’m not being cold.”
Dana glared at him over her glasses. Robby scoffed.
“He broke my trust, takes a hell of a lot for me to forgive that.”
“I’m not saying I trust him again, but he’s still a good doctor, and he is trying, Robby.”
He just shrugged, watching Dennis walk someone in from chairs.
“A little help here!!?”
Robby jogged over.
“What do we got?”
“45 year old Jane Doe, Code Stroke. Was slurring her speech when trying to get Linton’s attention.”
Robby helped Whitaker lay her down on a gurney.
“Room, Dana!”
“Central 14!”
They wheeled her towards 14, and lifted her up onto the bed.
“Schedule CT, call neuro and get them down here. Linton,” the MS-4 looked up, “what do we do next?”
“Draw labs, CBC, check for any drugs in the system.”
“Great job.”
Jesse hung up the phone. “Neurology is on their way.”
Robby nodded and stepped back, letting Whitaker run this. The way he instructed the room, kept everything in control and everyone listened, it made Robby extremely proud.
They were able to stabilize the Jane Doe and transfer her upstairs with neuro, Whitaker standing next to Robby as he removed his gloves.
“Good job, Dr. Whitaker, you know how to work a room and keep everyone level.”
Dennis looked up and smiled gently. “Thank you, Dr. Robby. I learned from the best.”
Robby let out a low whistle.
“Okay, Rocky Balboa, look at that bruising.”
Dennis waved him off. “I’m okay, don’t get HR called on us again.”
“You knew?”
“Princess saw you grumbling about it when you went up the elevator. I also knew that we would get in trouble when we went into that closest. You can’t hide from me, especially when it involves us.”
“I wasn’t hiding, I would have told you.”
“Uh huh, sure you would.”
“I would have! My therapist says that communication is key, especially with the people I love.”
Dennis snorted and nudged him. “I’m going back to triage, see you in an hour, Cap.”
Robby smiled to himself as Whitaker walked back to chairs.
“Dr. Robby, that stare is a HR violation.” Trinity smirked, approaching him.
“Oh right and me breathing next to him is as well.”
She shrugged. “You just think he’s hot. It’s the mullet, isn’t it?”
“I’m not answering that, Dr. Santos. My romantic life is not the ER’s newest hot gossip.”
“It always is, when you’re dating the ER’s local pretty boy.”
“Pretty boy?”
Trinity cackled and turned on her heels.
“Wait, Santos! What do you mean!?” Robby turned on his heels.
“Whipped!”
Robby frowned. He wasn’t whipped! He was just very in love with his pretty boyfriend who looks much healthier than he did a year ago. And that hair.
Around 6:30, Abbott walked in and swiftly made his way to the roof. Robby caught it and followed him up there, letting Dana supervise patient handoffs.
He found the other man leaning against the rail, which was better than the other side of it.
“You look worse for wear, brother.” Robby stood next to him. “Want to tell me what’s on your mind?”
“Samira and I are.. fighting.”
Robby nodded. “What did you do this time?”
“Me!?” Jack turned to look at him. “I didn’t do a thing! Why do you blame me first?”
“Should I blame Mohan?”
Jack huffed and looked down at the roof. “No.”
Robby let out a chuckle and nudged him.
“Why are you two fighting?”
“I..” Jack huffed again. “I told Samira that I wasn’t mentally stable enough to.. handle a kid.”
“Oh.. didn’t know you two were thinking about that.”
“We weren’t.”
“Then..?”
Jack groaned, rubbing his face. “Don’t do things after doing tequila shots.”
“Oh..” Robby cleared his throat. “Are congratulations in order?”
“Possibly. I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
“Shut up.”
“See, I would, but this time I’m going to keep talking. You told your girlfriend, pregnant apparently, that you weren’t mentally stable enough to have a kid. Was this before or after she told you?”
“Before.”
“Well, Jesus! There’s your issue.”
Jack groaned. “I didn’t know she was!”
“And now you do, and your girlfriend is mad at you because you basically told her I’m giving up on us.”
“I’m not giving up! I just can’t.. I can’t do that to a child.. my child. Do you not remember the fourth? I was a wreck.. I..” Jack sighed. “She deserves better.”
“And yet, she wants you, old man. You sound like me about Dennis.”
Jack shook his head.
“You’re giving up. I have never once seen you give up about anything. You’re fucking Jack Abbott, army medic. You whip this fucking night shift in shape on one leg and don’t even bitch about being tired. You’re my best friend and the one I rely on the most. And I’m going to be your steady rock and tell you that you’re going to survive. Go back to your therapist, talk to Mohan. But I will not let you sink so low, because I’ll pull your ass back up out of it because I love you, brother. I love you enough to tell you your head is so far up your ass, I think you can see your small intestines.”
He laughed and shoved him a little.
“Your pep talks somehow make me feel a little bit better.”
“I learned from the best.” Robby smiled.
Jack pushed away from the rail and followed Robby downstairs. He went over a couple of the patients that they had, most were waiting for beds upstairs. When they hit the ER, Dennis came running out of Trauma 1 and bumped into the Senior attendings.
“Sorry, Dr. Abbott, Dr. Robby!”
“What did I say about running, Dr. Whitaker? And.. what the hell is on you?”
Dennis looked down at the vomit all over his scrubs.
“Addams…”
He ran right into the bathroom. Robby snorted, looking into Trauma 1 at the very pale med student.
“You go handle that, old man.”
Jack walked in Trauma 1 as Robby walked into the bathroom. Dennis had his scrub top in the sink, his undershirt pulled up to reveal the skin of his stomach and hip.
Robby walked over and placed his hands on those inches of skin.
“Michael,” Dennis warned, scrubbing his top, “you’re going to get us in trouble.”
“Well, as I’ve heard, you’re the ER’s pretty boy. I’m capitalizing on that.”
“You do that already, 24/7.”
Robby nipped at his neck, Dennis leaning back into him. But he quickly snapped out of it and pulled away.
“Wait a few more minutes, sir. And then I’m all yours. We’re still in the grip of the PTMC HR department.”
Robby let go of him and snatched the scrub top out of the sink.
“We can wash it at home.”
“Or I can toss it in the dispenser and get new ones.”
“With your shift being over? I would cut your losses.”
Dennis sighed and looked down at his ruined scrubs.
“And I was doing so well.. I only changed scrubs once this shift.”
“And I'm very proud of you for that, Dr. Whitaker.”
“Thank you, Dr. Robby.”
“Go change, finish handing off your patients, I’ll wait for you by my motorcycle.”
Dennis smiled brightly. “Sounds great.”
He ran out of the bathroom to do just that. Robby smiled to himself and turned to look in the mirror. One year of knowing Dennis Whitaker does things to you, being away from the hospital for three months also does things to you that you didn’t know were needed.
When he flirted with the idea of a motorcycle sabbatical, dating Dennis wasn’t even a thought in his mind. Then, when they decided to be together and date, Robby put it on the back burner. Somewhere around June, he sat Dennis down and told him, with approval from his therapist that he regularly began to see, he needed time away from the ER, and he was worried that it would come with an inevitable breakup. Dennis called him silly for thinking they would break up over Robby taking care of himself. They made it work, anytime Dennis had a few days off, Robby would fly Dennis out to wherever he was, and it worked, and boy did it strengthen their relationship.
Oh how lucky Robby was to be in love with someone like Dennis, and it was obvious to everyone around them how much they were in love. There were so many bets going on: who would propose first, when they would get married and where, it was weird but also delightful.
Robby stepped out of the bathroom and towards the lockers, grabbing his jacket, backpack, and helmet for Dennis. He waved bye to Jack who was talking to the night shift about patients. Robby then made his way out to the employee parking and whistled at the man next to his bike.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Hi, handsome. Ride this often?”
Robby smirked and handed him the helmet. “I believe this rides me.”
Dennis blushed and put the helmet on before crawling on the back of the bike, wrapping his arms around Robby’s waist. Robby slid on his sunglasses and roared the motorcycle to life.
“Hold on, baby.”