Gabe leaned in and caressed Mal's cheek, and then brought her face close to his.
"Gabe I've never –"
"Shhhhh. . . . ," Gabe whispered.
"But I don't know how to-"
"Do what comes naturally."
Gabe brought Mal's face closer to his, but not touching yet. Mal could feel his warm breath on her lips, and she smelled the cigarette he'd been smoking earlier. They got closer and closer until Gabe's soft lips began to touch Mal's. And then –
BRIIIIIING!
Malory woke up in a cold sweat.
"Damn alarm clock!"
She tossed it at the wall and trudged into her kitchen. Right where a coffee machine, stove, microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher would be, there was nothing. Just an empty kitchen.
"Oh yeah, no furniture, no nothing. Freaking fabulous," Mal said with a sigh.
She grabbed her cigarettes and lit one and inhaled. She trudged back to her room to grab her clothes and take a shower. When she was done with her shower, she changed into her white blouse, tan khaki skinny jeans, and white flats. She stumbled back into her bathroom and looked into the mirror. White eyes stared back at her, damn, I scare myself sometimes she thought. She put on her makeup and straightened her curly hair. She checked the time, shit! I'm gonna be late! She jogged out into her kitchen and grabbed money, her house keys, and the worn, tan jacket that was on her counter. She dashed out of the house and inhaled the amazing aroma that the jacket brought forth. It wasn't as strong because she has slept in it all night, but it was still there. She lit another cigarette and headed down the street to the hospital and thought, Gabe. . . Hmmmm. . . I wonder what he's thinking about right now. . .? Awwww, who cares. . . She inhaled the scent of the jacket one more time, couldn't help but smile, and broke into a jog toward Resurgam.
At the same time, Gabe heard his cell alarm going off, his wakeup call. He arose from the couch in his office and stretched. He went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror,
"Jeez, I look like shit," he muttered.
Gabe got undressed and got a shower and changed back into his clothes. He yawned and went back into his office.
"Good morning Dr. Cunningham," RONI, Gabe's computer robot assistant, said in her robot manor.
"Ehhhhh, good morning RONI," he said flatly.
"My files say that the new doctor will be moving into our office today. Please correct me if I am wrong doctor."
At that moment Gabe snapped his head up. It suddenly did seem like a good morning.
"Ok, two things RONI. First, this is my office, not "our" office. Secondly, you're right! You better not embarrass me in front of her you stupid computer," he retorted.
"Doctor, my sensors are picking up feelings from you toward the new doctor."
"RONI, shut up, I'm serious, don't mess this up!"
Gabe sat back down on his couch and leaned his head back into his hands. He thought, I wonder what Mal is thinking about right now. . . .? Me? Damn Gabriel, shut up, you're not in love or anything. . . He began to hum "You and Me" by Lifehouse as his thoughts drifted toward the new doctor.
Malory entered the hospital and signed in at the front desk. She asked Flo, the receptionist, where on earth her new office was. She headed to what she thought was the right direction, but somehow ended up at the doctor's lounge.
"Fabulous," she muttered.
"Hello miss, you seem lost, could I possibly help you?"
Mal spun around to find a doctor standing there.
He was dressed from head to toe in white and had dark hair. His most striking feature was his crimson eyes.
"Wow, er, I mean, ummm, yes, that'd be great," Mal blurted out.
"I'm sorry if I frighten you or if I frightened you," the mysterious doctor said softly.
"Oh no, you're fine! I was just admiring those eyes, wow kid, those are pretty intense!" Mal said and offered the doctor a smile.
"Like camping," he said and began to crack one himself.
"Hahaha, that's great! Someone finally catches on! What's your name?" Mal said chuckling to herself.
"Ummmm, just call me CR," he said softly.
"Interesting, well, I'm Mal CR. I'm the new diagnostician. I'd appreciate if you could show me where Gabriel Cunningham's office is? Because I'm convinced I can't find my way out of a damn box!"
"Sure, I know where Gabe's office is. Let's go."
Mal and CR walked down the hallway and chatted, she discovered he was a convict surgeon who was very sweet and had a funny side once your drug it out of him. As the two went into the main lobby and went down another hallway, nurses and doctors were everywhere, whispering.
"Are they talking about me or you?" CR spoke softly, voice full of concern.
"I'm not sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was me. I am wearing Gabe's jacket, so who knows what they're spreading," Mal said self-consciously.
"I noticed that, but I didn't really think it meant anything. But, I'm thinking the same since I'm a "jailbird" and all."
"Well, maybe they're just all losing their voices and have to whisper," Mal said dryly.
CR chuckled, "You remind me so much of him, no wonder they're spreading rumors."
"Who?"
"Gabe of course," he said with a smile.
Mal and CR soon found themselves at Gabe's door.
"I'm sorry but I have to go, I have to perform a surgery soon, but, it was lovely talking to you!" he said with a soft smile.
"Thanks for the help, and same to you CR, catch you soon, I hope," Mal said and gave him a smile to remember her by. She had no clue when she'd see him again.
Mal opened the door of the office and walked in. The smell was wonderful (like the jacket), cigarettes and Gabe, but the sight was awful. There were food wrappers, books, papers, files, and anything else you can imagine laying everywhere. It was a complete mess.
"Holy shit!" Malory said in awe. "Is anybody alive in here?"
"So the place needs some work, but it's got great potential."
Malory fixed her gaze and saw Gabe coming out of the bathroom.
Her heart started to beat so fast she thought she might go into cardiac arrest. Mal felt this warm feeling in the pit of her stomach, it made her feel nauseas and nervous, but also like she was on top of the world. She wanted to run and tackle Gabe in a hug in that instant. Oh god, what's happening to me? she thought.
"We might have it clean if we work nonstop for the next three years, oh, but we'll take four minute lunch breaks so it all works out," Mal chuckled.
"Damn, I was hoping for five minute breaks, but, if I get to spend time with you I'm in," Gabe flirted.
Malory blushed and smiled. Am I going crazy? I must be going insane! she thought.
"Doctor, you're making Doctor Malory experience certain feelings of warmth and –"
"What the hell?" Malory shrieked and dove for the couch.
"RONI, nice going. Malory, that is my ANNOYING computer assistant RONI. I guess she's your assistant now to so, feel free to take her home with you and never ever bring her back," Gabe said and glared at the computer in the corner.
"Doctor Malory, I apologize for frightening you. I did not mean it. But, Doctor Cunningham is correct; I'm your assistant as well. Malory is your first name, there is no last name on record, is this a mistake?"
"Oh lovely. . . No RONI, it's correct. I don't believe in last names, they are things people wave around to get attention. Totally pointless. Your first name is all that matters, it's who you truly are," Mal said with confidence as she picked herself up off the couch.
"I see. Welcome then doctor."
"Well, if you don't mind RONI, Mal and I are gonna get started with our busy task ahead of us," Gabe said and winked at Mal.
Once again, she melted. Sweet jeez it should be illegal to be that gorgeous! she thought. "We'll I don't think it matters where we start cause everything's a mess. Unless you have a preference? Oh, and this is yours," Mal said shyly and gave Gabe his jacket.
He smiled cockily, "No preference, and thanks, I hope it kept you warm."
The two cleaned for hours. They removed garbage and spoiled food, organized files, and cleaned the other crap lying around. Of course RONI couldn't help because she's a computer and the whole "no arms" thing wasn't working to her advantage.
After 8 hours of hard core cleaning, the office looked amazing.
"We'll get your desk and stuff in here tomorrow, I'm exhausted. Unless you wanna bring it in now all by you macho man self?" Gabe said slyly with a raised eyebrow.
"Damn, I thought you were the man here! So you're not gonna bring it in by yourself?" Malory said and began to laugh nonstop.
This made Gabe burst out laughing as well. Man, is her laugh amazing or what? he thought to himself. "So, I can hear your stomach growling from over here, why don't we grab a coffee and a snack?" he said with a sexy smile.
Mal remembered her sorta shooting him down yesterday on the offer, claiming she didn't make promises and she'd think about it. Her head told her all men are asses and they only want one thing, but her heart told her Gabe only had the best intentions and she should jump at the chance. Her head and heart argued back and forth, until Mal finally blurted out, "If you pay, I'm in sunshine."
Gabe jumped up and put on his worn, tan jacket and handed Malory a hooded sweatshirt for her to wear.
The two left the room, eager to be together, but not wanting to express their true feeling for one another.
As they left the room and shut the door, they never heard RONI say, "Doctors, my analysis tells me you both have similar feelings for one another."
Mal and Gabe walked down the street to the coffee shop. As they entered, the smell of coffee hit Malory in a wave. This stuff is definitely my drug, she thought with a smile.
Gabe glanced at Mal and saw her smiling, so far, so good, he thought.
"What'll it be sir?" the huge women working the counter said.
"Well, what do you want Mal?"
"A cappuccino would be fabulous Gabe"
"Okey-dokey then, mam', we'll have two cappuccinos, 2 blueberry muffins, a bag of peanuts. . ."
Mal loved to listen to Gabe's voice, so smooth and sexy, she got lost in his words. She had no clue what he was saying, she just heard his voice. This, along with the smell of coffee and the warm coffee shop, made her feel totally at ease.
". . . and I think that's all," Gabe said with that sly, sexy smile of his.
"Alrighty sir that's $64.92," the large women said.
"What did you on earth did you get? The whole menu?" Mal said in shock.
"No miss, he got about 2 of everything on the menu."
Gabe chuckled, "I'm hungry and so are you, besides, it's just money Mal, not like I'm giving my blood up. You're probably glad I paid, huh?"
"You read my mind," she said laughing.
The two got seated and began eating there three course meal of coffee shop snacks. They laughed and talked for hours, and before they knew it, it was eleven o' clock and the coffee shop closed and kicked them out on the street.
It was pouring down rain, and thunder was filling the air.
"Thanks for coffee and dinner Gabe," Mal laughed and smiled.
"Hey, no problem partner. Anytime you're up for another coffee house raid, let me know, mmmkk?" he said and smiled softly at her.
"See you bright and early tomorrow, " Mal said and turned to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Gabe shouted.
"Home," Malory said confused.
"Not by yourself you're not! I'm walking you home," Gabe said and jogged up to her.
"Gabe, you really don't –"
"Like hell I don't!" Gabe said chuckling. He took off the worn, tan jacket and slipped it on Malory's shoulders.
She inhaled that amazing scent once again and sighed. Mal pulled out two cigarettes and her lighter and she and Gabe lit up.
Gabe tossed his arm around Malory so she wouldn't get as wet and cold. He breathed in the scent of Malory's hair as she rested it on his shoulder as they walked. She smelt like cherry blossoms, and cigarettes, and all the most amazing things Gabe had ever come across. Most importantly, she smelled like Malory.
They soon arrived at Mal's house. The beautiful home had no lights on inside, showing Gabe she was the only resident. They walked up to her front door and stood on her porch, trying to get out of the rain.
"Thanks Gabe. Honestly, I don't even know what to say. . ." Malory said softly and lifted her head to meet Gabe's eyes. The warm, nauseous, amazing feeling was back again. When she looked at Gabe it was like everything stopped. Oh god, I really need a doctor, she thought.
"Say that tomorrow night you'll go out on a real date with me, no coffee shop snacking, a real date," Gabe said softly, moving a strand of wet golden hair out of Mal's face.
Mal's knees went weak when he touched her and she almost collapsed. "I don't make promises," she whispered.
"This isn't a promise, it's a dare. I dare you," Gabe said sexily.
"I – I – I –Yes, I'll go."
"I'll pick you up here at seven," Gabe softly said, and smiled.
He kissed Mal's hand and winked one last time and then jogged down the street in the rain. Leaving Mal standing on her porch in the rain, totally mystified by what just happened, clinging to the worn, tan jacket.
