Chapter Text
Victoria Javadi walked into her shift at the hospital ready to face whatever the day brought her: serious cases, uncomfortable situations, learning new things, working with Dr. McKay… especially working with McKay, though she would never admit that to anyone. The team she worked with was pretty interesting and good, in one way or another. But any comment anyone made would turn into something bigger than it really was. That’s why she preferred not to mention her admiration for Dr. McKay.
She wasn’t someone who let herself be guided by her feelings, not normally. Yes, she had acted on impulse in some moments she wasn’t very proud of. But that wasn’t the point, because when she approached the nursing station she saw McKay and Evans talking. Evans was running her hand along McKay’s back with a worried expression. As she was getting closer, Santos called her to attend a trauma. Still irritated by the interruption, she ran toward the case. While listening to Santos catch her up on the patient, she searched for Cassie with her eyes. Amid all the commotion she managed to see her walking straight toward the hospital exit.
Victoria spent her entire shift thinking about what had happened with McKay, without ever giving less than 100% at work, obviously. She was a professional after all. But that sting in her chest never went away, since when did she worry so much about someone else? Specifically her much older mentor. Javadi looked at her watch; she only had half an hour left in her shift. She sat in front of the computer to do today’s charting. That would keep her mind occupied and away from thoughts about Cassie… or so she thought.
When she walked out the hospital doors she had a mission in mind: go to Cassie’s house. The perfect excuse? Today was her turn to babysit Harrison, and even though Cassie was most likely home, she never texted to cancel. She got in her car and drove straight to her destination. Oh she was losing it—how did she end up in this situation. Although no, she was just worrying about her coworker, her mentor. There was nothing wrong with that, she told herself over and over to calm the growing embarrassment she felt.
Cassie’s house was small but homey. Unlike Victoria’s, so big but without personality or any sign that someone actually lived there. She couldn’t wait to finally move out. She walked up the entry steps; in each corner there were freshly planted flowers, and she smiled at that. It was obvious McKay had been shaping her home, her garden, in her free time. She knocked on the door, her hand trembling a little. Her anxiety already making itself known. She didn’t hear any movement inside, even though Cassie’s car was parked out front. She raised her hand to knock again when the door opened. And there stood Cassie—dark circles under her eyes, messy hair, sweaty skin, and in pajamas.
“I’m so sorry, Javadi. I forgot to cancel,” Cassie said, embarrassed.
“No no, don’t worry. Are you okay?” Victoria responded quickly, stepping inside as Cassie moved aside to let her in. She left her keys on the entry table and followed McKay.
Cassie walked to her couch and sat down. “I would be lying if I say yes,” she let out a small laugh and grabbed the mug on the coffee table. Victoria sat on the couch across from her, watching Cassie bring the mug to her lips. Even sick she looked good—she shook her thoughts away. What is wrong with you, Javadi? Their eyes met and in a split second the mug tilted, spilling liquid onto Cassie’s neck and part of her chest. “Fuck.” She hissed at the heat. Victoria jumped up and ran to the kitchen to grab paper towels.
When she returned to the living room, Cassie was standing and taking off the oversized shirt she had been wearing. Because of course, Cassie McKay would wear a giant T-shirt as pajamas and not actual pajamas. I’m so fucked—how was Victoria supposed to act normal with that view in front of her? Cassie had nothing underneath except black boxers. She had noticed McKay’s arm muscles before, but now seeing her back she realized it was very defined. Thank the universe, God, and every existing being that Cassie had her back turned, because if she saw Victoria’s face everything would probably go to hell. Cassie grabbed the blanket from the couch and wrapped it around herself like a towel. When she turned to walk toward her room, she saw Victoria standing there with the paper towels. She smiled, her dimples appearing. The damn dimples.
“Thanks, Victoria. And I’m sorry. I’m a mess right now.”
“It’s nothing really, I mean this is something that could’ve happened to any of us. Especially because we work with sick people all the time, and we put so much of ourselves into them, but who does that for us really? And—” She cut herself off when she realized she was rambling and making a fool of herself in front of her mentor (crush). “Here,” she handed Cassie the paper towel, her whole face now burning.
“You made a very good point,” Cassie said, taking the towel and wiping the remaining tea drops from her neck. “I’ll be right back, I’m just gonna find something else to wear that isn’t a blanket,” she laughed, walking past Victoria and patting her shoulder on the way. Javadi screamed internally—what the fuck was happening right now. This was a dangerous situation, there was no other way to describe it.
She should leave, yes, that was the best option. She had to study anyway, and finish some assignments. She just wanted to know what had happened with McKay and now she knew. She walked toward the entry table where she had left her keys; she would say goodbye with a quick “I have to go, hope you feel better soon,” and that would be it. The perfect plan—until a soft voice said, “You’re leaving already?”
Victoria turned toward the voice, and there in the hallway stood Cassie wearing another oversized shirt, this one forest green, and her hair tied back in a ponytail. Despite being older than Victoria, she looked fragile. That feeling of wanting to protect and take care of her grew stronger.
“No,” she let out an awkward laugh, “I was going to look for my laptop. I figured I could do some homework while keeping you company. Unless you prefer to be alone, I could just go home—”
“You can stay,” Cassie said, interrupting her.
“Okay, yeah.” To hell with her plan, she wasn’t leaving her alone in her house. Not when she was looking at her like a lost puppy.
Victoria just has to act normal for a few more hours and that’s it. What could possibly go wrong?