Chapter Text
The applause she received should've been more rewarding than it felt. After all, tossing out the fifth drunk of the night was a record. But Fareeha smiled half-heartedly as she accepted the gratitude from the patrons and took her place back behind the bar.
It had been a busy night. The place filled with more obnoxious sports fans than usual. Fareeha watched them as they crowded underneath the television suspended on the wall, hollering and shouting obscenities at the hapless referees. Fareeha shook her head wishing it was already quitting time.
“You handled that one well, Fareeha,” Gabriel stated as he set a drink in front of a customer.
She scoffed, “He put up quite the fight, Reyes. If I got hurt, what’s my compensation?”
“I won’t schedule you during playoff games.” He nodded towards the TV and the sea of drunks.
“Next time, I’ll make it look like an accident.” At that he nodded, and left her to tend the bar alone. The rush of serving thankfully calmed itself down.
She leaned on the counter; the weight of her fatigue finally settled on her shoulders. The day was supposed to be spent with her mother and former colleagues. A small party to enjoy the game just as like everyone else. But Reyes called complaining that they were too busy and being who she was, Fareeha felt obligated to go in and help.
After all, it meant more money on the payroll. And that meant more money so she and her mother could enjoy more days out together. The problem was actually getting those days off.
Shouting at the far end of the bar drew her out of her thoughts. A woman’s voice louder than the rest. Whomever it was, she sounded like she had it covered; although the look Fareeha was getting from Gabriel told her to go interrupt whatever was going on.
She rolled her eyes and refused to answer. She tried her best to step around everyone; nearing the source of the commotion she could see a blonde woman berating another male patron— Fareeha couldn’t help but laugh.
“Touch me again,” she scolded, “and I will be seeing you in my emergency room understand?” The man swallowed hard and nodded. “Now, go.”
Surprisingly enough, he did. The blonde cleared her throat and took her seat in a small corner table. “Well, are you going to join me or just stare?” she asked.
“Oh I— I didn’t—” Fareeha shot a look to the bar counter. Gabriel was watching the scuffle with an amused look on his face. “I should get back to the bar. If they bother you again just let us know and we’ll take care of it.”
The woman smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind,” she said. Fareeha nodded, turning on her heel. Well that was counterproductive— but damn that was pretty impressive.
Gabriel was giving her an odd look when she returned. “Everything all right?”
“Yes, of course,” she cleared her throat. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“You’re looking a little red, Amari.”
“I’m fine,” she stuttered. “She had it all under control.”
Gabriel picked up a glass. “I knew she would,” he chuckled.
“Wait, what?”
“Sure, she’s been in here a few times before. Never picked up a name. Although, by the look on your face, Fareeha, you wouldn’t mind knowing it.” Her cheeks burned. She knew her mother could read her easily, but if Gabriel could tell, she really needed to work on her poker face.
Flirting had never really been her forte. There just was never enough time for that amidst all her training. Although, Fareeha remembered there had been a few small crushes during her tours of other squad members. Most were usually at her rank, and even they didn't appreciate the subtle hints or simple jokes. The most attention she ever received from them were obvious eye rolls. Not to say everyone wasn't nice, but they sure meant business on and off the field. It made sense that medics were the nicest. Maybe, Fareeha considered, because it was their job to be nice.
She leaned on the counter, rested her head in her hands and sighed. “It’s not going to happen, Reyes.” A quick look in the blonde woman’s direction she looked too deep in thought for Fareeha to even consider interrupting her.
Gabriel nudged her shoulder and gave her a sympathetic expression. “Look, kid, you at least gotta try.” He nodded, “You can have the rest of the night off, just do me a favor and make yourself happy.”
Fareeha considered his words briefly confused at his encouragement. But she straightened and tried her best to appear composed. An internalized pep talk came with every step she took. The noises from the other patrons was drowned out by the hard beats of her heart. Okay, come on, just say—
“Hey.” The woman looked up from her drink and smiled; Fareeha felt herself relax a little. “Can I join you?”
She gestured to the seat across from her. “Of course. Is this about that guy I handled earlier because he—”
“Oh, no, no I just, uh…”
“Felt like joining a stranger for a drink after a long day?” Fareeha nodded returning a shy grin. “Oh right, Angela Ziegler, and by the nametag, you’re Fareeha. It’s nice to be acquainted.” She held out her hand, the genuine smile had not faded.
Fareeha nodded, shaking her hand, “Likewise. And speaking of that guy, I should’ve stepped in. I apologize for leaving that up to you.”
She waived the statement. “Nonsense, he won’t be bothering me again,” she sighed swirling the liquid in her glass. “Nothing I haven’t dealt with before.” Fareeha furrowed her brow.
“And if I remember you said your emergency room? You’re a doctor?”
“Indeed I am.” She sat back and furrowed her brow.
She rubbed the back of her neck, “Don’t they need you at the hospital?”
Angela took a quick drink, “They insisted I leave for the weekend. According to my colleagues, eighty hour work weeks every week aren’t healthy.” She huffed and drew air quotes around the last word.
Fareeha cocked her head, “Impressive.”
“I wouldn't think so.” The dismissal was baffling.
“You wouldn't? When I served, nothing was more impressive than the dedication I saw from our field medics.”
“I’m not a field medic, Fareeha” she said, smiling. Fareeha felt heat on her cheeks from the way she said her name.
Fareeha leaned back in her chair and grinned. “But that hospital is your field, doctor.” Angela giggled; Fareeha let the tension of unfamiliarity wear thin for a few moments.
“If you don’t mind, may I ask, you were a soldier?”
“Yes. Although after an injury I was given an honorary discharge.” She glanced at her right prosthetic remembering the ambush that took her arm. She thought how lucky she was for the technology to obtain such an advanced replacement. Angela followed her gaze and nodded; she had seen many give so much of themselves to protect others. Fareeha cleared her throat feeling a tinge of embarrassment.
“I’d say that’s more impressive than what I do,” she insisted. “But I’m more curious now, how’d you end up working here?” She gestured vaguely around the bar.
“My boss is a friend of my mother’s. He offered me the job when I arrived back from Egypt.” She nodded to Gabriel who gave a little wave at Angela and she returned the gesture.
“Beautiful country,” Angela smiled, “I did some work there. And your tattoo—” she looked at her admirably.
“The Eye of Horus,” she nodded, and felt the subtle outline of ink under her eye.
She nodded, “The one who protects; very fitting.”
“My mother was also a soldier. The best sniper in her team. I got it to honor her.”
“Oh, I’m sorry—”
She shook her head, “Don’t be. Long story. But she’s alive and well. I was supposed to spend the evening with her, but I’m here.” Angela leaned forward a bit, resting her chin in her hands; the low light reflecting her in her eyes.
“I, for one, am more than delighted that you decided to come in and break up another fight.”
“Oh, you saw that last one…” Fareeha winced, felt the embarrassment settle in.
“He deserved it; you feel like having a drink?” Fareeha considered it for a moment; although before she could answer Gabriel set a glass in front of them both with a wink.
“On the house,” he stated. Fareeha felt the heat in her face again.
Angela nodded for her to pick up her glass. “So, where were we?”
It felt only slightly odd, talking to a total stranger about her entire life and career and everything about herself; in return Angela did the same. Fareeha took note that Angela had a rescue dog, and that he was sadly her only family—besides her close friends of course.
Fareeha shared the story of her mother’s disappearance. “She disappeared when I was very young; even then we disagreed on my chosen career path. Looking at it now, I know she was just scared of losing me like she did so many of those she loved.”
“Your mother loves you very much. I lost mine about a decade ago. I was graduating medical school, and I was neck deep in study and class and shadowing that I hardly called. It was the middle of the night when I received the call…” She pursed her lips.
Instinctively Fareeha placed a hand on hers in an attempt to console her. “What happened to them wasn't your fault.”
Angela took a deep breath and allowed herself to smile aside from her grief. “This is what happens when I drink.”
“I don't mind, really,” Fareeha reassured her. She realized that maybe she had been a bit too forward and moved her had back to her lap.
Angela grinned appreciatively. “What are you doing tomorrow night?” she asked and rested her glass on her lips.
“I uh… I don’t know. If tomorrow night is anything like tonight I’ll be needed here.”
Angela rummaged through her purse, pulling out a pen and a crumpled receipt. “In that case, if your boss doesn’t need you, I know a great restaurant where we can get together; you can talk about your time as a soldier.” Fareeha couldn’t help but be surprised. Her eyes moved from the number to Angela and back.
And with that Angela took her hand, “It was nice to meet you, Fareeha. Please, call me sometime.” Before Fareeha could say anything, Angela waved one last time to Gabriel and was out the door.