The night was cool as the Janitor stood on the exit ramp of Sacred Heart. He held two cups of coffee, both steaming in the perfect night. He was waiting patiently for Elliot to get off of work. First he saw Dr. Cox head to his Porsche with only a smile. He was going to make the poodle-y haired doctor feel silly. Yes, that is how it would be.
Finally, Elliot descended the ramp toward him. She spotted him and slowed her pace.
"Hi, Janitor… are you waiting for someone?" she looked around him and then at the Janitor. He held the cups up.
"I got coffee, for us both," he told her and Elliot hesitantly took one of the cups from him. "I know we're past this, really, but I need a date to this party…" he told her. Elliot watched him carefully as he spoke. "A friend of mine is going away and I said I'd go to the party with a date."
Elliot took a sip of her coffee, wrinkling her brow at the Janitor.
"Why me again?"
"You're the only person who doesn't fear me," he said and Elliot made a thoughtful face. "And you said that you actually enjoyed yourself the first time we went out."
Elliot had enjoyed herself when she was out with the Janitor the first time. He seemed a lot less crazy in the real world than he did in the hospital. Perhaps that was the problem, the Janitor's catalyst was the hospital. She looked at him for a moment.
"Yeah, okay," she said and he smiled.
"Your chariot awaits!" he insisted, showing her to his van.
The Janitor pulled his van up to a house that was already bouncing with activity. Elliot stepped out of the vehicle and looked the house over.
"Wow, where's your friend going?" she asked as they made their way up the walk to the front door.
"We're not sure really…" the Janitor said and stepped into the open front door, leading Elliot along with him.
"You're not sure?" she asked and he shrugged at her. "What sort of party is this then?"
"Well…it's really more of a wake…" he told her and Elliot's eyes widened in surprise. He shook his hand at her and made a face at her. "Well, I said he was going away."
"You didn't say he was dead!" Elliot said in a high pitched whisper-yell. "You tricked me!"
"I did not trick you. His one dying wish was for me to bring a date to his wake. I told him I would do it and I have. He can go to wherever he is planning on going happily now."
The Janitor spoke to a few people around them, introducing Elliot as Blond Doctor or his Blond Doctor. She smiled awkwardly at the people whom were giving condolences to each other for a man she'd never met. When the Janitor offered her a glass of wine she gladly accepted.
When the wake ended Elliot climbed into the Janitor's van. She looked him over, with a slight haze from her wine. Even though it was a wake, she had enjoyed herself with him again. What was it about the Janitor that Elliot seemed to like? Perhaps it was the fact that he was unfazed by her over the top childhood stories? Maybe the fact that he could make her laugh? Whatever it was he continued to do it and Elliot found herself having fun every time she went out with him. Be it to a wake, or on an actual date.
He drove her home. A gentlemanly gesture of sorts.
He walked her to the door. She turned to him.
"Why this time?" she asked, hands on hips.
"Why what?"
"Why did you take me out? Did Dr. Cox tell you to try something again?"
"Yes," he told her after holding his breath for a moment. "He dared me, but not to take you on a date."
"What then?" She asked and took a step toward him.
"A kiss," he admitted.
"Well, you're not making it easy," she said, catching him by surprise.
"What?"
"I can't kiss you if you're all the way up there…" she said and took him by his lapels and he leaned down to her.
His hands went from his pockets to her hips and their lips met.
