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1:21 pm
Of course the first thing that Jack Abbot does when he finishes taking care of his friend is flirt with Dr. Al-Hashimi, of all people, and it pissed Robby off. He makes flirting with people look so easy. Maybe it was his charm.
“Really?” Robby rolled his eyes.
“What?” Abbot shrugged, “Just because you don’t like her, doesn’t mean I can’t. I’m going to need a friend when you leave.”
A friend. That’s all that Jack saw him as. Just a friend you go drinking or fishing with. And occasionally saving each other from the edge. He wouldn’t say that he never thought about dating Jack, he was funny, badass and hot. But, they were too similar and it scared him. He also swore off dating coworkers after what happened with Collins. While they were able to get back to normal after their breakup, it took them months of awkward interactions (and nurses gossiping).
“Whatever,” Robby huffed as he stormed out the room. He told himself that he was upset with Jack because he was interested in his co-attending that he hated, not because he liked him in the slightest.
Jack yelled, “C’mon, I was joking!”
1:38 pm
Robby wanted this shift to be over. With the diversions from Westbridge, they were getting too many patients, more than they had room for. He looked at his watch, just five and a half more hours to go. He had to get to his propeller patient and quickly walked past one of the rooms, where he had to double-take. What the hell was Abbot doing shirtless with Mohan???
He made eye contact with Abbot and he just smiled and winked. His stupid smug face, Robby thought. Of all the days, Robby did not need this today. He didn’t need this feeling of jealousy, he refused to call it that. It’s fine, Abbot can do whatever he wants. He just hated that it was in his ED and his people.
Robby continued past, trying to change his focus back to his patients. He didn’t need any distractions right now. But, as if on autopilot, he turned around and wrapped around the door frame of the room, causing Mohan to jump. “S-sorry, Dr. Robinavich, I was just-” She started but Robby cut her off.
“Okay, Abbot. What is this?” Robby gestured to both of them. He didn’t even know what he wanted to talk to him about. He was just mad at him.
“Oh, I was just seducing Samira right here,” he turned his head up to her and gave her a smile.
Samira flushed red. “Haha. Dr. Abbot. Hilarious.”
Obviously he was joking, but he was really starting to get on Robby’s nerves. “Seriously.”
Jack laughed,“Look, it's just a graze. I really don’t think the hospital and police need to get involved and I’m fine-”
“What?”
Jack tilted his head, “Wait, what did you think was happening? Ow,” he winced as Mohan applied ointment to his injury.
“Sorry,” she said.
He’s injured, by the looks of it not terribly. Of course, he got injured, he probably rushed in without a second thought and got shot at. Typical Abbot. He went to Mohan with his injury and he didn’t even tell his friend. Robby was just angry. “Just-” Robby sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose,“Nevermind. I need to get to my patient.”
“Right. That was weird, wasn’t it?” Jack asked Mohan.
“Yeah, a little,” she laughed.
2:00 pm
Great. Just what this day needed. All their systems shutting down. After hearing the CEO’s talk, Jack stood up and stated sarcastically, “This is going to be fun.” He turned to Robby, “Let me help.”
“No,” Robby said a little bit too quickly. He continued to wheel in another heat exhaustion patient, “Get him to North, fill him up with fluids,” he told one of the nurses.
“Come on, you know you need help with the incoming diversions and you could use more people trained old school.” He winked, acting proud of his age.
He did have a point, Robby sighed and rolled his eyes, “Fine, but just don’t get in my way.” It sounded harsher than he meant. Stay far away from me so I can do my job and not constantly be thinking about you.
Jack looked taken aback at the comment. “Woah, did I do something wrong?”
“Just don’t go flirting with anymore of my staff.” Robby walked away, hoping to get away from Abbot.
Jack chased after him and raised his eyebrows a bit shocked, “What are you talking about, Robby? Is this because of Mohan? Because she walked in on me. It wasn’t like that. And I don’t think she’s interested in people like that."
“What?”
“Yeah, she wasn’t flustered or anything, which lets be honest how could someone not be when they walk in on someone like that. Especially someone like me.”
Robby rolled his eyes, “N-no, I meant she walked in on you?”
“Oh, yeah. She was mostly concerned about one of her patients that ditched. Then she offered to clean my wound.”
“Damn, her patient left? I thought she finally convinced him to stay. I should follow up with Mohan and the patient’s family.”
Jack rolled his eyes, “I’m fine by the way, thanks for asking. Why does it matter to you? Do you really care if I didn’t report my injury?”
“You could’ve come to me. You’re always going to someone else and not me.” Emotions were rising up, as much as Robby was trying to keep them hidden. He wasn’t jealous, he was just… yeah he was jealous.
Before Jack could make any sort of comment, Langdon rushed past them and yelled back to Robby. “Going to need your help with the propeller injury, something’s wrong!”
Thank god, even if it was Langdon. Anywhere but with Abbot. Without saying anything to Jack, he continued after Langdon. It’s going to be a very long shift.
2:20 pm
The shift continued on, while very chaotic. Patients would not stop coming in and they were all trying to keep up. Jack knew that he did something wrong and he knew the best thing for now was to keep his distance from Robby. As much as he wanted to talk things out with him, he knew that what was best for Robby was for him to stay away. Probably for the rest of the shift. They’ll work things out, right?
Even though Robby told him to stay away, he couldn’t stop glancing at Abbot when he was working. “You two get in a fight or something?”
He stopped (pretend) writing on his clipboard and looked up to see Dana, disapprovingly raising her eyebrow. “What? No.”
She placed her hand on his shoulder, “You’re only lying to yourself. Is this about the thing with Mohan? The nurses talk.” She laughed.
Robby rolled his eyes, “First Al-Hashimi and now Mohan. It's as if he wants an HR complaint. Abbot is just being so infuriating today. It’s just unprofessional.”
She snickered, “Jack is just being Jack. Can you blame him?”
“Today of all days. I really don’t need this.”
“What makes today any different? Just because it is your last shift before you leave? Look, you need to work out your feelings. Not just with Jack, but on why you’re going on this whole sabbatical anyway. But, I do think you just need to talk with him.”
“W-whatever,” Robby embarrassingly rubbed his neck.
Dana rolled her eyes, “Men will do anything other than talk about their own feelings.”
“Oh!” Robby was then reminded about Whitaker. He told Santos that he would talk with him when he got the chance. Also he wanted to deflect the subject. “Have you seen Whitaker?”
“No, why?” Dana tilted her head, now curious.
“I need to…” Robby trailed off. Dictate his relationships? Keep him from getting used and ending up hurt? “Just need to have a chat with him.”
Dana scoffed, “Sure. I’ll let the kid know when I see him.
“Thanks.”Robby replied as he left to catch up with another patient.
“Hey, and talk to Abbot!” She yelled after him, basically for the whole ED to hear.
“Fine. Fine. I will.” He waved, dismissively. When he wasn’t thinking about Abbot today, he was thinking about Whitaker. He should mind his business and let him be. Even if he’s being self destructive.
3:00 pm
Of course when he tracks down Whitaker, he’s with Jack. His hands were on top of Whitaker’s guiding him in some sort of procedure.
“Hey, good job, kid!” Abbot exclaimed, holding his hand up for a high five from Whitaker. “I can see why Robby likes you.” He flashed a smile. That stupid grin, Robby is starting to hate it.
“Oh umm… thanks,” Dennis blushed, shyly giving him the high five. Oh great, just what he needs. Now Abbot is stealing his kid. Wait his? Robby was losing it today. He sighed, rubbing his face, trying to snap out of it.
“Dr. Robby? Are you okay, sir?” Whitaker must have noticed him standing by the door. It caused Jack to turn to look at him too.
“I’m fine.” He was definitely not fine. “Just a long day.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to make it better.” Dennis replied, sounding much too eager to please his attending.
Robby laughed,“Thanks kid.” It was probably the first time he laughed this whole shift.
Abbot scoffed and rolled his eyes, “You have a soft spot for this kid,” he placed his hands on his shoulder. Robby glared at him, as if telling him to take his hands off of him.
“Michael, can we talk?” There was a soft look in Jack’s eyes. “Doesn’t have to be now, but before you leave. I-I,” Abbot shifted nervously, which was uncharacteristic for him. “I don’t want to leave things like this.”
Before Robby could respond, Dennis chimed in,“Please sir, just hear him out.”
Robby raised his eyebrow with confusion, “You talked with him?”
“Um well,” Dennis raised his hands up, “He didn’t tell me much, he just said he wanted to apologize.”
“Hey, I didn’t say I want to apologize. I haven’t gotten there yet,” Jack crossed his arms, “I-I just want to clear the air and work things out.”
Robby looked over at Whitaker and he looked like a sad puppy. He didn’t like it when people fought especially if it was two people who he looked up to. How could he say no to Whitaker?
He then looked up to meet Abbot’s gaze. “Okay, we can talk now.”
Whitaker smiled, “Great. I hope things will work out for you guys. I’ll just get out of your hair and-“
“Hey, Huckleberry,” Robby smiled endearingly, catching him by the neck as he was trying to scurry out the door. He had to admit, he liked using that nickname. It definitely caught Whitaker off guard, “Don’t go too far because I need to talk to you too.”
“Oh okay, yes sir.” Whitaker jokingly saluted as he wandered back in the hallway.
Jack and Robby both silently walked through the ED, realizing they didn’t really have a destination, Robby laughed, “I would say we can go in my office, but I think Dr. Al-Hashimi is taking that over.”
Abbot smiled, “I know a place.” Jack gently took his wrist, guiding him towards the stairs door.
Ah, the roof, Robby realized. Getting some fresh air helped. It was sunny and hot, but there was a slight breeze that felt nice.
They were standing now at the edge not over the bars but leaning against it. “I’m sorry,” Robby suddenly blurted.
Jack tilted his head giving a slight laugh, “Thought you wanted me to apologize.”
Robby rolled his eyes. “Well yes, but I guess it’s not fair that I-I’ve just been letting my emotions get the better of me today. I do this thing when I get upset with people I don’t tell them and things just spiral from there.”
“And why were you upset with me?”
Robby sighed, turning away from Jack and looking off the edge of the roof. “I was jealous.”
Jack tilted his head, “Jealous? Jealous of what, Robby?” He placed his hand on Robby’s arm. “I said I was joking about Al-Hashimi taking your job. She can’t replace you.”
“It’s not about the job, Jack.” Robby wasn’t mad, he was just tired. Tired of feeling the way he did. Tired of-
“Then what?”
“I’m jealous because…” Robby started but he couldn’t seem to get the words out.
Jack laughed, “You’re bad at this. Oh come on, let me guess. You’re jealous because you like me.”
Robby’s eyes widened, in shock that Jack was right on. “How did you-“
Jack cheekily smiled, leaning closer into Robby, “Because I’ve been trying to get your attention for the last few years. Apparently you couldn’t take the hint,” Jack laughed, “I guess I just needed to flirt with your co-attending and two residents, huh. Good to know.”
Wait. Two residents? Robby pulled back, “Hold up. You were flirting with Whitaker?”
There it was. That smug smile that Robby hated/loved (as much as he hated it, he found it hot). “It’s what you do to that kid, no? Seeing me claim him, that pushed you over the edge didn’t it? I don’t mind that you also have a thing for that kid.”
“What? That’s not-“,Robby flushed red, averting his gaze away from Jack, because he was, in fact, right. Jack laughed, reaching out and gently holding Robby’s chin guiding it to face him.
Jack moved back in closer to Robby, touching his forehead to his. He reached out his hand, softly grasping Robby’s neck, “This is a bad idea, isn’t it?” Jack whispered.
“Yeah, maybe,” Robby replied. He tilted his head, his nose brushing against Jack’s. His lips were now hovering over the other man’s. He lingered there, they were about to cross a line that they probably can’t come back from. Robby thought maybe he could still back away, and not risk what they have. Jack meant so much to him, maybe this was all a mistake. Maybe-
Robby took too long. Jack leaned in, softly pressing his lips against Robby’s. It wasn’t sloppy or messy, but light and passionate, making Robby feel a warmth that he hasn’t quite felt in a long while. He returns the kiss, lifting his hands to Jack’s shoulders to hold him steady.
They parted, but kept their foreheads leaning against each other. Robby was breathing a bit too heavily. Jack laughed, “What? Haven’t done that in a while, have you?”
“Shut up, Abbot,” Robby replied, trying to catch his breath. “We should get back. We have patients that need saving.”
Jack laughed, “Yeah we do.”