Chapter Text
Trinity felt a whoosh of warm summer air hit her as she stepped through the elevators and out in the parking lot. After an incredibly long shift, she was daydreaming about picking up some takeout and climbing into bed to sleep off the exhaustion of her day. She had a few days off and she could not wait to have a break from this place.
A deep sigh tore her out of her reverie, and she looked over to see Dr. Al-Hashimi a fews cars down, shoulders slumped, speaking lowly into her phone.
"No, no, that's okay. Of course. You should go be with your family. I'll figure out something out. Thank you for letting me know."
Dr. Al-Hashimi lowered her phone and let out a small string of curses under her breath. Trinity watched as she seemed to shrink into herself, and without letting herself think too much about her reroute, her feet veered off their path towards her car and led her over to her mentor.
"Is everything okay, Dr. Al-Hashimi?"
Dr. Al-Hashimi's head snapped up, a guarded mask seeming to rise over her face before softening as she recognized Trinity in front of her.
"Dr. Santos! Yes, everything's fine. Or, it's not fine but it's not anything for you to worry about."
Trinity stayed silent and tried to look encouraging, hoping she would open up more.
"It's just - I'm taking a trip with Omid tomorrow, and my dog-sitter just fell through. Not her fault, family emergency, but I don't have a backup. And Willow got hurt at a daycare once so Omid worries which makes a boarding place not really an option, and I probably can't find a new sitter on such sort notice and-"
Trinity reached out to softly catch Dr. Al-Hashimi's upper arm. "Breathe. We can figure this out. I could watch her."
Dr. Al-Hashimi's eyes found hers, lit with surprise, and Trinity flushed as her brain caught up to her mouth, but she didn't take it back.
"Oh. That's so kind, but I could never ask you to do that."
"You're not. I'm asking."
Dr. Al-Hashimi huffed a small laugh. "Thank you, Dr. Santos, but Willow's a handful, and I'm sure you're tired from our long week. I can figure something out".
Trinity softened, watching worry furrow Dr. Al-Hashimi's brow, and wished she could reach up and smooth out the wrinkle there.
"Dr. Al-Hashimi, you're raising her so I'm sure she's a sweetheart. I promise that I'm good with dogs, and honestly you'd be doing me a favor. I'm off the next couple days and Huckleberry - sorry - Dr. Whitaker is working and helping at the farm so I'd love to meet Willow. We can keep each other company. "
Dr. Al-Hashimi's eyes scanned Trinity's face intently, "You mean it?"
"Yes!" Trinity laughed, "I'm so sure that I want to hang out with your ... wiener dog? chihuahua? wolf? What kind of dog is Willow?"
Dr. Al-Hashimi smiled, and Trinity felt a rush of relief that it seemed like her stress was lifting. "She's a golden retriever. And she is a sweetheart, but she's a clinger and sometimes too smart for her own good. I'll be back in two days. You could stay with her at my place? I have a guest room. If you really don't mind, I really appreciate this. Thank you, Trinity". She typed something into her phone and held it out.
Trinity did her best not react to the use of her first name, even though she was screaming a little bit inside. She took the phone, glancing at the new contact screen with "Trinity Santos (PTMC)" already input as the name, and added her number.
"I'll text you my address. Could you meet me there around 9 am tomorrow? I can introduce you to Willow and get you set up before we leave. Thank you again, Trinity, I really can't thank you enough. Let me know if I can pick up any snacks or anything for you at the house."
"That works! I'll see you then Dr. Al-Hashimi."
"Please, call me Baran." She stared at the ground for a moment, and then pulled Trinity in for a quick hug. Trinity let out a surprised squeak before settling into it, squeezing back.
"Have a good night. I'll see you tomorrow, Baran."
On her walk back to her car, Trinity's phone lit up with an address, and then a few minutes later, "thank you again. you are really the best". Trinity stared at the second text for longer than she'd like to admit, a smile spread across her face. She glanced back towards where she'd last seen Dr. Al-Hashimi, but she was already gone.
In her car, Trinity's thumbs hovered over the new contact screen. She typed out "Dr. Al-Hashimi". Deleted it. "Dr. Baran". Deleted it. "Baran <3". Bit her lip, clicked save before she could talk herself out of it, and started her drive home.