She's only happy when she's dancing
by: lovelywhisper

Disclaimer: Same as chapter 1. Don't own a thing.

Previously on: She's Only Happy When She's Dancing

She made her way towards the elevators and waited there for one of them to arrive. When the doors opened she was greated by the surprised look of one of her old friends.

"Oh, fuck", she murmured.

Chapter 2 Revelations Of The Past
'This is just un-freakin-believable', Ashley thought when she saw who the person was that occupied the elevator. 'I just have to run into him, HIM of all people'. She knew that this moment would come one day, she had just been wishing all day that this moment wouldn't come so soon. Not like she was scared of meeting him, she just wanted to feel a little bit more at home at the hospital. So that when she had to face him eventually, she would be totally ready.

Even though only seconds had passed, it surely felt like they had been standing eye to eye for hours already. She considered closing her eyes for a second and try and wish him away. But she knew that was useless. Because the moment she would open her eyes he would still be there. No way would he disseapear. But seeing that wishing never got her anywhere before, she figured that it would get her anywhere now.

After what feels like hours, he is the first one to speak.

"You always welcome friends like that?", he says.

She can hear the slightest part of sarcasm in his voice and for some reason it just doesn't sound like him. He never used sarcasm before and hell, she knows, because of their many conversations that sarcasm doesn't suit him at all. But hey, it's been a while since he left New York so maybe he has a lot of reason to be sarcastic.

When he said friends, she directly felt the need to set him straight. Because if there's one thing that they were not, it's friends. Acquaintances maybe, but they were definitely not friends. And right that moment she decides to set him straight.

"No I don't welcome friends like that. I always hug and kiss my friends. But I do give the people like you a welcome like I just gave you", she replies, her voice a little defiant. She doesn't want him to think that she didn't remember the stunts he pulled when he was still in New York, neither will she let him think that everything is alright between them when it most certainly isn't alright between them.

He looks at her, a little shocked with her reply. She can see that he's looking for a reply and that he isn't used to people talking to him like that. She guesses they really treat him here like he is god. She really doesn't feel like talking to him right now, because she knows that she won't be able to play nice for much longer. Just to look him and not slap him takes more energy out of her than she thought it would. So she figured that for both of their sakes, it's best if she'd be the better man and walk away.

And right when she turned to walk towards the stairways, he decides to speak up again.

"Why are you here Ashley?"

She turns to look at him again and tries to decide wether or not she should tell him. But hey, it's not like it's a secret and even if it was, she doubts that it can stay a secret for much longer. Because even if good news travels fast, gossip travels a whole lot faster. So she decides that he might as well hear it from her.

"Richard called me. Told me there was a job opening and he wanted me to consider. So I considered it and here I am", she replies.

"But why you though? And I never heard anything about a job opening", he tells her.

"Why me? Maybe because Richard knew that there's nothing keeping me in New York now. And maybe he didn't tell you about the job opening because he didn't think it was important for you to know. It's not like you will be Chief anytime soon right?", she answers him, the defiance back in her voice. As much as she wants to be civil with him, some part of her just wants to have a little fun.

She smiled inwardly as she sees the look on his voice. 'The chief comment really hit base', she thought. The Chief had been calling her from time to time, keeping her informed about the ins and out of the hospital. He had also told her that he was planning to step down and that he was considering who would be the best replacement. But until now there had been a few setbacks, so he wouldn't be able to step down anytime soon.

"Your right, I won't be Chief anytime soon. I just figured that he would tell me that another New Yorker would come to work here. Seeing that he obviously knows that we know each other", he says.

"Well, let's just say that he knows what happened the last few months. My side of the story anyway. So maybe that's why he didn't tell you. Besides, there are a few other New Yorkers working here and I wanted it to be a surprise for them. So not telling you would make it more sure that the others wouldn't find out too", she explains.

When she mentioned the other New Yorkers he twisted his face. He knew damn well who she was talking about and he wasn't too pleased. Because he knew that she was more than capable of stirring thing up again. And there was no reason to believe that she wouldn't stir things up, definitely not after the conversation that they were having right now.

"Well, what a surprise it will be. Didn't think you would stay in touch with them", he tells her, his voice a little harsher and colder than it had been.

She really wants this conversation to be over with, so she decides to cut it short.

"I have stayed in touch with me ever since you left. We are friends, very good friends. So your departure really didn't change anything. I would appreciate it if you would keep your mouth shot when you see them. Otherwise it wouldn't be a suprise now, would it?".

"But I really have to get going now. Human rescourses is waiting for me. Plus, I want to take a tour through the hospital and I am meeting the Chief at ten. So I'm leaving now".

She turns around and heads for the stairways. The conversation of just now playing through her mind.

When she almost reaches the door of the entrance to the stairs she hears him say some final words.

"We'll be seeing each other around then", he calls after her.

'Well, I hope not', she softly mumbles, before heading up the stairs.

TBC!

Okay, so I didn't mention a name. I decided not to mention it in the beginning and I just kinda went along with it. Turned out well for me. Hopefully it turned out well for you.

I am happy with this chapter, because it was very easy to write and it already gave me more ideas for future chapters.

Please r&r, it's highly appreciated!

Next: Ashley meets the other New Yorkers and there is a little party at Joe's.