I had been gone for ten months. Ten grueling months of saving soldiers in the heat and terrible conditions. I laid back and closed my eyes as the plane in Seattle slowed on the runway. Taking a deep breath I opened my eyes as the light from outside flooded the dark aircraft. I filed out and threw my duffel over my shoulder, headed for my truck. I had spent the last ten months distracted, distracted by the potential back home. I couldn't get her face out of my mind, those almond brown eyes, the thick, unruly black curls that bounced as she walked. I tossed my duffel in the bed of the truck and got in, starting the truck and heading to find the Chief as soon as possible.
I smiled as the elevator doors opened to the familiar rush of the hospital. I headed to the nurses station and leaned against the desk.
"Have you-" I managed before I saw her walking down the hall. I continued watching her, unaware I was staring.
"Sir?" The nurse interrupted my childish daze.
I perked up "yes, have you seen the Chief?"
"I'll page him" she chirped happily as I noticed Christina next to me, picking up a few charts before rounds.
"Thanks" I nodded as she went back to work.
"Major Hunt?" The Chief grinned as he stepped between Christina and I.
"Yeah" I smiled as I noticed Christina glance over from behind Richard. "I was wondering if that job offer was still open?"
"Sure, sure" he nodded "can you start Monday?" He questioned as he accepted a chart from a nurse
"I can start any time" I assured as he patted my shoulder and went on for rounds.
Now Christina was downright staring "you're coming here?" She glared, the same look in her eye she had had ten months before.
I walked to her side, whispering "See you Monday" into her ear, making sure to be close enough for my breath to brush her neck. She gave a small shiver and bit her lip, I winked before heading for the elevator.
Every day for the next two weeks was pure hell. I had no choice but to ignore the fact I was interested in Christina, even with her obvious attempts at trying to figure out what I wanted.
I munched on carrot sticks nonchalantly as I brushed up on a new procedure. I hadn't noticed Christina at the next table, nor the fact that I had been surrounded by fellow attendings, Shepard, Torres, Sloan, and Robbins. As I became aware once again I noticed Shepard eyeing me, the other three chatting about their personal situations.
Every few minutes I would reposition, abandoning the carrots. I'd quickly glance towards Christina, then use my peripheral to monitor Shepard. I'd gathered in my short time here that Shepard and Grey were together, Grey happening to be Christina's best friend. The two were inseparable, I'd only seen Christina without her a handful of times.
A little while later I stood at a nurses station updating a chart when Grey moved towards me, a strange look in her eye.
"You" she accused harshly, catching me off guard.
"Me?" I raised an eyebrow, closing the chart and turning towards her.
"You've been making googley eyes at Christina since you showed back up! Don't think she didn't tell me what you did last year" she hissed, shaking a finger at me. "Derek told me after lunch he had noticed you staring" she crossed her arms, unimpressed.
"I can explain" I said calmly, not wanting to make a scene. "Just not to you" I shrugged, handing the chart back to a nurse and shoving the pen in my pocket. "and it's not like she hasn't been doing it to" I mumbled as I started towards an elevator, I had to get to a surgery.
Thankfully the surgery was just me, I hadn't yet realized the chief wanted Christina to scrub in as well. I stood silently, running through the procedure as well as damage control options. The rush of the automatic door startled me.
"Dr. Hunt" her sweet voice caused a slight chill to run down my spine.
"I'd like to explain myself" I mumbled, unsure as to where this conversation would lead. "Last year I had been on the way to my forth tour in Afghanistan when I saved those guys in the limo crash. The reason I left like that is because I knew I had to go back, and I might not come home. I knew if I came home I would take the job I had been offered, just because those few minutes with you changed my life" I cleared my throat as she stared at me, shock covering her face. "Those ten months I could think of nothing besides staying alive and you." I finished, leaving her to contemplate my words.
