She was drunk, a fact she freely admitted and for which she offered no apology. He wasn't too far behind her, although he was trying to act as if he wasn't.
He lay on her bed, watching as she took off her clothes, singing along with the song playing on her radio.
"I found somebody with a heart as big as Texas," she softly sang, "I found an angel with the golden wings. She saw me down here in the dark somehow and everything is different now…"
He smiled, as she tossed her shirt into the laundry basket and looked at him.
"You're staring," she observed, reaching behind herself to unhook her bra.
"I am," he agreed. "I like that song, by the way."
"It's Don Henley," she said, then winced, "Please tell me you know who Don Henley is."
"Of course I do. He was in the Eagles…has a decent solo career too."
"Good," she thoughtfully said, slipping out of her jeans. "Good."
Flack laughed, "If you play the age thing again…"
"Sorry," she smiled, walking to him wearing only a pair of black lacy panties. "But sometimes…"
He reached out and pulled her down onto the bed next to him, giving her a deep kiss. "Knock it off, Melissa. We're past it."
"Blame it on the alcohol," she said, then grinned, "That's a Jamie Foxx song."
He laughed. "I know that one too."
"Did you have fun tonight?" she asked, looking at him as if to dare him to tell her the truth.
"I did. I always suspected ER staff is insane and tonight they proved it."
"As insane as cops?"
"We're worse, I think," he said, kissing her again.
"I didn't embarrass you too badly tonight, did I?"
"Are you kidding? My girlfriend was on stage singing with the band. Looking hot as all hell, I might add."
Melissa laughed. "I just came off of an 18 hour shift. I am not sure how hot I could have possibly looked."
"You did," he assured her. "So tell me, do you make it a habit to get on stage and sing with the band?"
She blushed a bit, "I used to be in a band in college."
"Get out!"
"An all girl band. We thought we were going to be the next Runaways…"
Before she could say another word, he said, "Joan Jett's first band, yeah, I know them too. So what made you give it up?"
"Medical school, internship, residency," she shrugged. "None of which allowed much time to pursue music. The rest of the group kept it up for a while. I think they still may jam together now and then."
"Do you regret giving it up?"
She shook her head, "I always knew I was going to be a doctor. The band thing was just to pass time. And meet guys."
"And did you meet a lot of guys?" he teased.
"Yeah, but none of them amounted to much," she said, then sniffed. "Especially my ex-husband."
"You haven't said much about him."
"Not much to say. We met in college. He was pre law, I was biology/pre-med. He was 2 years ahead of me. We got married after I graduated college. I stayed in Philly for med school since he was in law school. We broke up just about when I got my residency to Bellevue."
"And you picked up and moved up here."
She nodded. "That was interesting, but I'm glad I did."
"And your ex? You still talk to him?"
"He calls whenever he's between relationships. He's a defense attorney and represents some of the dregs of humanity," she wrinkled her nose. "Turned into a stereotype, you know, expensive suit, drives a Porsche…"
"I could handle that part…"
"Yeah, but you're not a douchebag like he is."
"Thanks, I think," he laughed.
"Yeah, I used to think he was the one great love of my life," she shook her head. "And then I realized I hadn't even met the one great love of my life. If there even was such a thing." She shrugged. "What about you? Have you met the one great love of your life?"
He grew quiet, surprised by the pain her question caused.
"What did I say?" she quickly asked, "Did I go for a sore subject?"
"Sorta," he shrugged. "You don't wanna hear the story."
She grew serious, "I do. Tell me?"
After a moment's thought, he spoke. "She was a cop. We worked together. It started out all light and fun, but as it went on…" he stopped, taking a deep breath. "She was…shot…in the line of duty."
"Don," she softly said, taking his hand. "I'm so sorry."
"You didn't do it."
"No but I made you drag it up."
"It had to come out at some point, right?"
"She was something special," she quietly said, wondering why she felt jealous of a dead woman.
"She was," he agreed. "And it hurt, for a long time."
"I don't doubt it would."
"But," he quietly said, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, "I have moved on."
She gave him a smile. "Are you sure about that?"
"It still hurts from time to time, but I met this woman, ya know?" he went on, "She's really good at making me forget the pain."
"She is, huh?"
He nodded. "She is. As a matter of fact, I've really kinda fallen for her."
"You have?"
"I have."
"Well, that's a good thing, cuz I think she's kinda fallen for you too."
"Despite the fact that I'm way too young for her?" he teased, drawing a playful swat from her.
"Despite the fact that you're a terminal wise ass is more like it," she laughed, then, "I think you need to make that last comment up to me."
"And just how would you suggest I do that?" he asked, leaning over her and kissing her.
She returned the kiss, taking it deeper before breaking it off. "I'm sure you'll come up with something."
