Another fic written for KuryakinGirl and another chance to play in the Downyverse :)
Title: Sunshine and ice cream
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: John/Ellie
It was rare that Ellie took an afternoon off. So rare that she
couldn't remember ever doing so. That thursday found Ellie getting
approval from her boss.
"Go."Michelle said with a smile. "Enjoy the sunshine. Kelsey needs the
ER training hours anyway."
Ellie hesitated. "You sure?"
"Yes, we're fine here for once. Take advantage, Ellie, you deserve it.
Have some fun. We all need to once in awhile."
"Thank you."Bartowski stated with a smile before leaving the small
office off the ER.
Ellie pulled out her cell phone and sent John a text. He'd told her
last week he had today free if she could get her shift covered they'd
make a day of it. Things had been crazy at the beginning of the week
and she hadn't been sure she'd be able to find anybody. Things ended
up working out surprisingly.
Of course baring any missions to save the world.
Stopping at her locker Ellie gathered her things and put away her lab
coat and stethoscope. Just as she shut the door her phone beeped.
Ellie smiled as she clicked the message.
"Good I'll pick you up in fifteen minutes. Don't worry about your car
we'll get it later."
Ellie sent back an acknowledgement before putting the phone in her
purse and closing the locker. She left the locker room and headed
towards the main entrance of Westside medical.
It was funny how things turned mused as she waited. If you
had told her a year ago she'd be divorcing Devon and happily involved
with John Casey she couldn't have believed it.
Yet here she was.
Never happier.
A familiar Crown Victoria pulled up and Ellie slid into the passenger
seat and shut the door.
"Hi."Ellie greeted as she kissed John.
"Hi yourself."John replied with a smile as he let the kiss linger.
"Glad you got the afternoon off."
"Me too."
A meow from the backseat drew Ellie's attention and she laughed at the
calico cat curled up in the middle. "Guess Downy agrees too."
"She insisted on coming."
"Did she?"
"You know cats."John replied as he pulled out of the parking lot.
"So where are we going?"
"Top secret."Casey commented as he merged with traffic. "But I promise
you'll love it."
"Already do."Ellie stated with a smile as she reached back and
scratched Downy's ears.
As they merged onto the 101 Ellie allowed her eyes to drift shut. Her
window was down and a lovely warm breeze filtered in with the
sunshine. Downy had climbed her way up from the backseat and was now
curled up on Ellie's lap purring. She felt the work stress melt away
as the car sped along. It'd been a normal crazy week in the ER she'd
pulled several double shifts. Plus she'd lost two patients.
Not unusual for a city the size of Los Angeles but it still affected
Ellie greatly.
Especially when there had been nothing she could do.
One patient had been a woman in a car wreck.
The other a young man shot in a robbery.
It made Ellie appreciate what she had all the more.
Her mother was back in her life. Her brother was happily married and
Ellie had John.
Opening her eyes Ellie reached over and took John's free hand in hers
and squeezed it. He in turn ran a thumb over her knuckles.
What she loved most about John was he didn't press her to talk if she
didn't want to.
"Nap if you need to. We'll be there in about half an hour."
"Think I will."Ellie replied with a yawn and closed her eyes.
Soon she was fast asleep.
John didn't want to wake Ellie but they had reached their destination.
Casey reached over and kissed Ellie lightly on the forehead then
gently shook her right shoulder.
"El, we're here."
The young doctor blinked and opened her eyes. Downy in turn opened her
eyes and stretched.
"Where are we?"Ellie asked.
"Just north of Malibu."Casey replied as he started the car and pulled
into one of the parking slots of the Rock'N'Roll drive-in.
The silver building was just off the beach and decked head to toe in
neon. A huge record made up the road sign and a statue of young Elvis
stood proudly by the menu board under the awning. Early rock'n'roll
blared from the overhead speakers and waitresses in poodle skirts and
roller skates zoomed around the cars.
"Didn't think there were any of these left."Ellie exclaimed excitedly
as she looked around.
John rolled down his window. "They're making a come back. I saw this
one when we were coming back from a mission."
"We ordering lunch or just ice cream?"Ellie asked as a waitress approached.
"Lunch and figured we'd order ice cream and walk on the beach."
"Sounds wonderful."Ellie commented as Downy meowed her approval.
John squeezed Ellie's left hand. "Trust me?"
"Always."
Casey ordered for both of them.
The waitress grinned. "Be about fifteen minutes."
"That's fine. We're in no hurry."Casey acknowledged as the college
aged red head zoomed away.
Ellie gently picked up Downy and placed her on the back seat. "Volcano burgers?"
John laughed. "Thought you trusted me."
"I do."Ellie replied as Down looked at her indigently and moved to the
opposite side of the seat. "Just sounds like something Morgan would
eat."
"True but I think these will be a bit more tame."
"Hope so."Ellie commented with a grin as they settled in to wait.