Takes place immediately after Season 13 'Sea Change.' Starts with Morris' barely audible comment about Moretti at the very end of the show. Actually took me a few viewings before I picked it out! Thought I'd write a wee bit of Morris/Hope fluff , since there just isn't enough out there.

Reviews most welcome, so please do! Thanks for reading.

"Stay out of the ICU. That guy's a dick," Morris imparted to no one in particular as he and Hope rounded the corner, disappearing from Moretti's line of sight. His tone had been light-hearted but he had made damn sure to say it loud enough for the older man to hear.

Her laugh had escaped before she could catch it. "Arch! Shush!" she scolded, giving him a half-hearted dig to the ribs. Granted, Kevin Moretti had most likely been called a whole lot worse in his lifetime, but that kind of ribbing was far too close the bone for her.

"Ow!" he feigned, freeing himself from her arms. "I figured it would be at least another couple of weeks before you started shushing or hitting me."

She couldn't help but shake her head at the little boy grin he wore. Closing the distance between them, she linked her arm through his once more, setting off towards the L. "Very funny, Dr. Morris."

He had pulled her out of sutures at the end of his shift to sneak a goodbye kiss, doing his utmost to act casual as he invited her to come by his apartment when she got off. Hope was due a break anyway, so she decided to grab some fresh air and walk with him. It was far too corny to admit, but it felt really nice just to walk hand in hand with him.

Glancing over her shoulder to confirm that Dr. Moretti had headed in the other direction, she continued, "He probably heard you, you know that, right?"

He leaned into her, savouring the closeness. "So what? The guy's a pain in the ass. You saw the way he stalked about, riding Pratt all day." It was true, of course. As much as Moretti's peculiar manner had unsettled the majority of the ER staff, it was Pratt that he had singled out for special attention.

Hope snuck a hand down to where Archie's lay burrowed in his pocket. "You never know though, you might have to work with him one day. Burning bridges isn't a good idea."

He smiled, pulling his hand free and interlacing his fingers with hers. "I know, Hope. You're right." Some of her inherent goodness had already begun to rub off on him. Or perhaps her genuine warmth and empathy had awoken that which had lay dormant in him for so long. "Tolerance, right?"

"Uh huh," Hope replied, turning her head and pressing her smile into his shoulder. She knew he was trying hard to impress her, he'd been doing so ever since he'd first asked her out all those months ago. The things was, she already liked what she saw in him; his sweetness, his loyalty, his unsuccessful attempts at disguising his insecurities. She couldn't help but be endeared.

He looked up and noted the El station approaching all too quickly in front of them. With a hint of regret, he brought her hand to his lips, depositing a kiss. Looking down at the their interlaced fingers, Morris couldn't help but marvel at her hands. They were truly divine. The way they had tenderly stroked his face and chest as they lay sated in their over-sized bed this morning, talking about everything and nothing. They way they had pressed insistently at the small of his back, then moved to clutch at his shoulders as they made love for the first time. Somehow, at once delicate and assured.

Her quickened step brought him out of his thoughts. "Quick," she urged, "I think I hear it coming Archie."

They hurried to the bottom of the stairs where Archie pulled her flush against his body, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You should head back now. Your break's probably almost over anyway." He pressed his lips to hers, deepening the kiss slightly to draw upon her lower lip, just as he she liked.

Inwardly, Hope marvelled at how the combination of his impossibly soft lips and coarse beard sent immediate frissons of arousal through her system.

"You know, this wasn't such a great idea, Hope. You shouldn't really be walking around here by yourself," Morris breathed, pulling back to look at her. His hazel eyes shone with sincerity.

"Aw, look at you, being the concerned boyfriend," she teased, pulling him into a tight embrace. She was suddenly aware of the butterflies in her stomach, feeling like a silly teenager all over again. Giddy and giggly with excitement at his slightest touch. It really was a most intoxicating feeling. Um, hang on, did I just call him my boyfriend? Did I actually say that out loud? We've been together for what, 3 days? Oh, god.

Archie just grinned back at her, feeling every bit as excited as she was. "You better get used to it, Dr. Bobeck," he replied, shifting his hips suggestively as he did so. There was no question of this being a casual thing between them. He had found someone that he truly cared for - someone who saw past his reputation around County and actually took the time to get to know the real him. Hmm, boyfriend, huh? He didn't intend on messing this up.

"Go! You'll miss it!" Hope laughed, letting her hand fall from his. "I'll come by when I get off, probably not until after 1, though, okay?" she called after him as he tackled the stairs two at a time.

She heard his laugh echo from the platform and down the stairs. "Oh, somehow, I think I'll be awake!"

Hope took her time walking back to County, holding her coat closed against the evening breeze and smiling to herself. She didn't want to over-analyse, as she tended to do in these situations, but things felt just about perfect right now. He's so sweet and funny, and so unbelievably oblivious to how cute he is, she mused. His attempts to impress her and maintain their world of room service and bubble baths and endless lovemaking had made him all the cuter. Sure, he could be a little over the top at County, perhaps more than a little sycophantic and egocentric at times, but it was on the wane and she could see the real Archie begin to emerge more and more. The one who turned down her advances in lieu of a more meaningful relationship down the track; the one who sang karaoke to a string quartet in front of dozens of colleagues to appease her. Lord, and the sex...

"Hope! Auto versus pedestrian! You're with me!" Dr. Pratt yelled as the young woman came into view.

Hope picked up the pace at once. Daydreaming would have to wait. "Coming!" she replied eagerly, tying her hair back as she approached.

Her slightly glazed, faraway expression had not gone unnoticed by the ER Attending. He had spotted Hope and Morris leave earlier but had only mustered a grunt of disdain when Sam had declared the pair of them "really pretty sweet in a dysfunctional kind of way." Truth be told, though, buried way, way, way down, he actually had a soft spot for the flame haired doctor and was pleased that he'd managed to get the girl for once. Not that he'd ever admit it, of course. At least now Morris might stop begging him for advice about women or showing him and Ray grainy phone images of fake conquests. Good for you, man.