Hey, everyone. Thanks for all of the kind reviews, follows, and favorites; I really wasn't expecting such a good response. I haven't had this many responses on the first try before. Thank you. I've decided to try continuing the story. I will try to update as much as possible around work and school.

This takes place years back, to when Randall first meets Callie. This should answer any questions you may have about how this fits into the Monsters University/Monsters Inc. storyline. I hope you enjoy. Please review/offer any suggestions. We'll see what Randall decided about the bail in the next chapter. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1: The Wonders of Coffee

Approximately five to seven years ago (between the events of Monsters U and Monsters Inc.)

Randall snuck a death glare to his left. James P. Sullivan had gone and pulled ahead of him again. He shook his head as all of his coworkers surrounded the King of the Showoffs. Randall turned away and began shuffling through the files on at their station, trying to organize a little.

Fungus came up behind him, shaking. "S-s-s-sir?"

"What?" Randall growled through clenched teeth.

Fungus startled with a yelp. And for the millionth time that day, Randall shook his head. Fungus might be the closest thing he had to a friend, but it was honestly annoying how jumpy he was sometimes. Shouldn't the little wreck know that if he really wanted to hurt him, he would have done it by now?

"C-can I…take….lunch?" he asked.

Randall waved his hand dismissively. "I'm not stopping you."

Mike, Sullivan's annoying one-eyed assistant, slung his file on their desk, causing various papers to scatter all over the floor.

"Lunch!" Mike sang. And they all proceeded to exit the Scare Floor as the lunch bell sounded across the company.

Randall straightened the files on his own desk, growling lowly in frustration. Why couldn't he just stay ahead of Sullivan? One day he had it, and then Sullivan took it from him the next day…just like he took away his chance at Monsters University. There was no way he was letting Sullivan win this one. He would pull ahead. Just a few more digits! A few more, and he would once again be the best scarer in all of Monstropolis. If only he could work through lunch….

His thoughts were interrupted by grumbles of complaints coming from the direction of the others. Jerry, the monster who mainly gave the go ahead to scare, had blocked their way to make an announcement. Randall smirked. What did he want this time?

"Okay, people! Gather around. Mr. Waternoose has an important announcement to make."

The room went silent when Mr. Waternoose came around the corner. Randall himself turned invisible and quickly scurried to the back of the crowd. Their boss noticed everyone's sudden change in attitude and managed a humorous smile. "Don't worry, everyone. This should only take a moment."

Everyone paved the way as he scurried forward on six scorpion legs, talking as if they were schoolchildren. "As you all know, the nursing staff here works hard to make sure you're all safe. And in order to keep all of you in check, they need their paperwork. Am I right?"

The crowd didn't bother to hold back their laughter. Randall just had to give a smug chuckle at that one. If there was anything that could get anyone in trouble at some point during the year, it was paperwork for the nursing department. Randall and Fungus had theirs buried under heaps of files on their desk, left just as whoever put them there had left them. Blank. Everyone went through so much paperwork each day that health concerns were at the bottom of their list. Unless they were injured, and that was just…. well, put off by some poor assistant.

The corners of Mr. Waternoose's mouth turned up, but he raised stern eyebrows anyway. "I beg your pardon?"

Everyone straightened up. Just like schoolchildren. Randall just averted his eyes and clenched his teeth. "Yes, Mr. Waternoose."

"Good," Waternoose cooed, "then it shouldn't be a problem for you to finish them and turn them in sometime today. Should it, ladies and gentlemen?"

Randall's growl of annoyance was lost amongst all the other complaints and groans. That meant either everyone had to stay overtime, or lose scaring points to get those things filled out. And Randall didn't want to do either. For once, he just wanted to go home and rest. But he would sooner stay over than lose more points to Sullivan, so overtime it was.

As he was thinking of how to get the paperwork filled out without wasting too much time, Waternoose raised his hands for silence.

"Well, now that we're acting like a professional company should, I would like to introduce the new head nurse. She's the one that can make the paperwork process easy or hard for you. She will work with the nursing staff to treat any injuries or illnesses that may occur within the company. Should anything come up with your children at the daycare department, they are to be brought to her or Feebie. Any questions?"

"Yeah, where's she at?" asked Mike. Randall let air out the side of his mouth, annoyed. Of course Wazowski would be the one to ask.

Mr. Waternoose turned to the huddle of nurses in the corner. Probably setting up some table to take the paperwork up or something. They tended to do their own thing.

"Nurse Callie, could you come here?"

There was a hesitation. When no one stepped forward from the huddle, Waternoose turned. "Callie?"

"Oh, go ahead, Callie. Spotlight's all yours," one of the nurses teased.

"Great…" said a sweet voice. Finally, the mysterious Callie stepped forward from the huddle. Randall froze when he saw her. She was one of his kind, almost just like him, except she was…one of the most beautiful monsters he had ever seen. She was slightly smaller than him, with innocent looking crystal blue eyes. Her scales were the lightest shade of pink and, like other females of his kind, had no fronds on her head. Only a small nurses' hat. She was just one of those monsters that any kind would agree was beautiful, even more so than those snobby sorority girls at MU. In fact, she was probably the kind that never bothered with sororities in college because they wouldn't like the fact that she surpassed them.

"Oh, here she is." Waternoose eased her forward. "Care to say a few words, Callie?"

Callie didn't look like she really cared to tell a large audience what they already knew. "Well, I…"

All at once, Sullivan bounced in excitement and pumped his fist. "Alright! She got the job!"

Everyone turned around and stared. He probably meant it to be a whisper to Mike, but since no one was speaking, everyone heard.

Callie seemed to blush before deciding to chuckle and make light of it. "Hey, Sulley."

When Mike cleared his throat in the most obnoxious way Randall had seen yet, Callie responded wearily. "And Mike."

Randall rolled his eyes. Please.

Sulley looked apologetic, but Mike gave a satisfied "um hm."

Randall sighed to suppress a growl. Of course. She knows Sullivan.

Callie finally gathered what few words she had. She spoke so casually that almost anyone would like her. Not bossy like the other head nurse who retired some time ago.

"Well, Mr. Waternoose gave a thorough introduction, so I guess as long as you remember to do your paperwork and turn them in at the desk over there sometime today, then…I'm done. Nice to meet you, and…have a good lunch."

Meanwhile, Roz had come up and whispered something to Waternoose. Before anyone could take off, he wrapped an arm around Callie's shoulders and spoke again. "And I forgot to mention that Callie is also capable of filling in as a scarers' assistant."

"Roz!" Callie wailed. Randall put a hand to his cheek with interest. Sounded like Callie didn't like being on the Scare Floor.

"So show some respect," said Roz in her usual monotone as she adjusted her glasses and focused on Wazowski, "I'm watching. Aaalllways watching."

Everyone snickered when Wazowski whimpered. The hate-hate relationship between him and Roz was no secret to the company.

"But only with my permission, so don't go in her office asking for a substitute," Waternoose warned.

"Please," Callie demanded.

"Alright, everyone," Jerry said, "if there are no more questions for Nurse Callie, be back here an hour from now."

Everyone perked up, and Mike finally popped the question. "So if we stay here until 12:45, we don't have to be back until 1:45?"

Jerry looked confused. "Basically…"

Callie smiled teasingly. "No one wants to postpone their lunch just to listen to me talk."

Wazowski just had to be himself. "Well, stretch it out for five more minutes so we don't have to come back until 1:30."

Randall crossed his arms. Seriously?

Callie played along. "What do you want to know?"

Mike thought a moment. "So where'd you go to college? I mean, not many nurses have scare training, too. No offense, nurses…."

There was a murmur from the nurses indicating there was none taken, and an arousal of curiosity from everyone else. Randall had to admit he was curious about that.

"I went to Monsters University Nursing School. The program required a special background in scaring as well."

Callie answered so casually, but everyone else gaped in amazement. Randall folded his arms, perplexed. He had never met someone from that program before. Monsters University Nursing School was one of the hardest schools to get into. They only accepted about twenty a year and were kept secluded from the rest of MU to be a little closer to the hospital. You had to be really good to get in, from what he heard. This was the reason most nursing majors stuck to Fear Tech.

Mike wasn't stunned enough to put a lid on it yet. "So you're really good," he stated, "I'll be calling in tomorrow so you can sub in for me."

Randall had to smile when Callie's blue eyes iced over. "Well, make sure you come in to be treated or have a doctor send me a note, so I can say how sick you are."

Mike surprised a laugh and argued back. "Okay, I'll think about that as soon as I get through all this paperwork we have to do!"

A ripple of laughter made its way through the crowd. It was also no secret that Wazowski hated paperwork. Randall was really running out of patience now. This was more of a Wazowski talk session than a Q & A with Callie, and he didn't care to hear it anymore.

Callie shrugged mercilessly. "Make sure you and your scarer sign it."

Mr. Waternoose chuckled. "Alright, be back by 1:30, everyone."

Most immediately filed out for lunch, while some stayed over and talked more with Callie. Randall was just about to grab Fungus when he noticed Mike looking back at him with a sappy expression. He and Mike never looked at each other unless they had to. Not since college.

Randall slung his arms out when he had had enough. "WHAT?"

Mike narrowed his eyes mischievously made a gesture resembling a beating heart by making a pumping motion close to his chest. Randall snarled and turned away. No way.

"Fungus!"

His wreck of an assistant startled and turned around, shaking. "Y-yes, sir…?"

Randall went and uncovered the paperwork for the nursing department. He held it up and waved it in the air so Fungus could see. "We're gonna get this over with and do these at lunch."

Later on that day, the bell signaling the end of the day finally rang. For a change, Randall didn't bother sneaking in another door. There were some occasions where he desperately needed sleep, and this was one of them. He gave the paperwork for Roz to Fungus, signed the healthcare documents, and turned to make his way to give the nurses their paperwork.

The sound his he heard next was a child's scream, growing closer and closer from behind him. There was an impact at the back of his head, followed by a loud clanking noise. And then everything went blank as his world fell forward.

…..

"….sure you shouldn't have an actual ice pack on that?"

Randall wasn't sure who the voice belonged to, but it sounded like one of those idiot janitors, Needleman or Smitty.

"No, Smitty. He is a reptile; you have no idea how cold that would be for him."

Randall was so startled by Callie's voice that his eyes popped open. He winced against the pain this caused and turned his head to the side, trying to wake up. Everything felt heavy. Someone was keeping something cool pressed against his head. He could swear his head was going to split, if it hadn't already.

"He's waking up!"

Randall tensed up in frustration. Yeah, that was Needleman.

"Randall? Can you hear me?" It was Callie. Randall gulped, feeling embarrassed. When he found out who was responsible….

"Yeah…" Randall answered, feeling dizzy as he pried his eyes open. Everything was so fuzzy, he could just make out Callie's face. "Wh-where am I?" he mumbled.

"You're in the company infirmary. This is Callie. I'm going to help you with your head injury, okay?"

"Head injury…" Randall repeated.

Callie nodded. "Can you sit up?"

Randall hesitated, then pushed himself up, feeling like a heavyweight for the first time in his life.

Callie sighed in relief. "Good. That's a good sign."

Randall pressed his fingers to his eyes as another wave of pain passed. "Please tell me this is nothing."

Callie shook her head, removed the cold object, and gently began wiping the top of his head with a warm rag as she spoke. Randall kept his head bent for her as he gritted his teeth and clutched the side of the bed.

Callie was so calm. "I wish I could…but I think you have a concussion. And you need stitches."

Randall sighed. "Wh-what happened…?"

Callie got the stitches ready. Randall didn't even want to look.

"This might sting a little," she warned. When he nodded, she began the process, her cool fingers barely touching him as she worked and answered his question at the same time.

"Um, kind of a freak accident. Needleman and Smitty here were pushing a cart of scream containers, and one of them opened accidentally as they passed you. It went flying through the air and…hit you. You're lucky you only have a concussion, at the speed it was going."

Randall narrowed his eyes and tried to ignore the stinging, processing her words. So he nearly got a dent in his head just because some idiot didn't check the tops on the containers?

He could just make out a blurry version of Needleman lurking forward. "We're so sorry, Randall. We promise it won't happen again…"

Randall clenched his teeth against the string of insults that threatened to fly from his mouth, deciding it was better to just keep his mouth shut. For all he could see, all of Monstropolis could be in the infirmary and he wouldn't even notice.

To his surprise, Callie covered for him. "I'm sure he forgives you. He just doesn't feel like talking much right now. He won't for a while. I don't think he even wants to talk to me."

Smitty slithered forward, voice shaking. "Is he going to be okay?"

"Yeah…" Callie answered reassuringly, "I think Anne has your paperwork ready for you at the desk."

"Oh, okay…is there anything else we can do?"

Callie kept working. "Nope, that's all."

"Oh, okay." It looked like Needleman threw up a hand. "Feel better, Randall."

Get out, idiots. Randall winced when Callie made another stitch.

Callie chuckled a little. "It's a good thing you have such a hard head."

Randall chuckled. You have no idea.

"Yeah, well…glad it finally came in handy."

Callie actually giggled a little. After a moment of silence, she spoke again.

"You know they really didn't mean it. It was just a freak accident. The poor kids were so worried about you. Maybe once you feel better, it'll be easier to talk to them."

Randall cut his eyes to her for the first time since he woke up, interested. She was very observant to notice that he wasn't exactly thrilled with the janitors. Expressing emotion just wasn't his forte.

"Uhh, sure."

Callie held a glass out to him. "Water?"

Randall started to refuse, then realized she was testing him. He smiled in amusement and ended up drinking the whole glass. He was kind of thirsty.

By the time Callie finished picking at his head, Fungus had come back to drive him home. As Callie gradually helped him regain his balance, Waternoose wandered in.

"Oh, good. He's standing. How's he doing?"

"He will be fine, but he has a concussion. I was just about to tell him that he needs to take two weeks off for recovery."

"Hmm…" Mr. Waternoose sounded genuinely concerned. "Sounds fair. We'll make the arrangements-"

Randall panicked. He couldn't do that! "Oh, no no no. I can't take two weeks off. I'm coming back to work tomorrow. I am not taking that much time off for a concussion."

Mr. Waternoose tried to calm him down and scold him at the same time. "Randall. Randall! Calm down. You're still getting your salary. Nurse Callie is trained in getting employees back to work as soon as possible. We're not going to start off questioning her judgment, are we?"

Randall winced against another wave of pain. When it was bearable, he responded.

"Yeah, well, I'm not taking that much time off."

Mr. Waternoose was out of patience. "I see no reason why you're not."

Randall snatched the compress Callie passed to him and pressed it to his head. "Some workers actually care about their numbers."

Waternoose actually sounded surprised. "The scare record? Is that what this is about? You and Sullivan are quite a few numbers from breaking any records. I'm sure you can catch up. You're a fine scarer."

Callie interjected before he could open his mouth. "And it's not worth a permanent injury. I'm pushing it with two weeks. And you still won't be completely healed. Concussions usually take a month or more to get over. You can do half days after a two week period at best."

Randall went from rolling his eyes to startling at the very mention of half days. "What? No way!"

"I don't think we have much of a choice, Randall. I'm going to sign the appropriate documents at the desk and turn it over to Callie to prepare for you to sign. Go home and have a speedy recovery, Randall. I'm glad you're alright." And with that, Waternoose was gone.

Randall cut his eyes to the left to avoid eye contact. Whatever. He wasn't getting anywhere with Waternoose. Their CEO was very cautious with company guidelines regarding injuries as it was. He never cut corners. After Waternoose exited the room, Callie rustled some papers around and placed them on the table in front of him.

"This just states that you have received medical attention and agree to the restrictions. Can you sign for me?"

Randall tried to fixate his vision on the documents, but the only thing he saw was a bunch of black and white blurs. He leaned back smoothly and smirked. "Can't."

Callie caught it and smirked back, clicking the pen twice before handing it over. "I'm sure you'll manage. Signature goes on the area highlighted in yellow. Your assistant has your next appointment to come see me in two weeks."

Well, so much for that. He decided to go ahead and try his last resort. Explaining and asking nice.

"Is there any way we can make the two week period shorter? I'm trying to maintain a position on the Scare Floor."

Callie was surprisingly patient. "I'm aware of your position… I've already tested the rules by cutting the time to two weeks. I can't do anymore without putting the company at risk. I'm sorry. Just come back in two weeks and we'll see what we can do, okay? Get plenty of rest, and no strenuous activities. It's…not a request. The more you behave, the quicker the recovery."

Randall growled, scribbled his signature on the yellow line, and tossed the pen back on the table. He tried hustling out the door, but misjudged the distance and ran into it. Callie shook her head in annoyance and opened the door for him. He gritted his teeth and left with Fungus without another word. Today had to be the worse day of his life. He wasn't in the mood for talking anymore.

As they went out, Fungus adjusted his glasses and turned to say goodbye. "Thanks. Welcome to Monster's Inc., Nurse Callie."

"Thanks." Callie's voice sounded strained already. As the door to their department closed, he heard a few nurses giggle. Probably just her facial expression. She thought he was a jerk, like everyone else.

After a moment of silence, Fungus tried to reason with him. "Nurse Callie is something, Randall. She took very good care of you. Maybe you could bring her a coffee when you come back. I heard her say she likes mochas. That would be nice…"

Randall snarled. That was it. He grew tired of Fungus' babbling and snapped. "Just get over here and help me!"

Fungus didn't seem to mind that yelling caused him so much pain that he had to lean against the wall and wait for it to pass.

As they got in the car, Fungus tried again. "Sorry, s-sir. I just thought…she would be more willing to help if…you know."

Yeah right.

"Psht." Randall waved his hand dismissively and slumped into the passenger seat.

….

After one miserable week of doing nothing but sleeping, eating, and sleeping some more, Randall Boggs walked into Monsters Inc. carrying a mocha. He was still nervous about his score, but he did feel kind of bad for taking it out on Callie. She had risked a lot just to help him. All he could hope was that he wouldn't make a total idiot out of himself…. Who was he kidding? He already was. He hated saying sorry in any way.

As he crossed the main floor, he came face to face with none other than Mr. Waternoose.

"Randall, you're not due back for another week." His boss greeted him kindly, but he didn't miss the demand for answers.

Yeah, yeah. Don't get your suit all in a bunch.

"Just testing my luck. I'm just bringing this to someone, then I'm taking the bus back home and going to sleep."

Mr. Waternoose seemed like he might accept it. He noticed the cup and smiled a little. "A mocha? Hmm… Well, have a good stroll, Randall. See you back in another week."

Randall rolled his eyes. Was it that obvious?

He knocked on the door to the nursing department and slowly wandered in. Nurse Callie was behind the main desk doing paperwork. Her beautiful dark blue eyes popped open in surprise when she saw him.

"Randall? You're…early…"

He smiled in amusement because the dread in her voice wasn't hard to miss. She definitely killed with icy sweetness.

He got nervous as he approached the desk, trying to come up with something to say. He had nothing, so he held out the coffee cup. He hadn't felt so awkward since college. He would do anything to be able to just turn invisible and walk out.

"I brought you…some…coffee…. You like…mochas….right?"

Callie eyed him suspiciously. "My favorite…"

After a few seconds, she sighed. "I can't see you any earlier. You know that, right?"

She still didn't take the stupid cup, so Randall drew it back. She wasn't going to let him off easy. Nothing better to crush a guy's ego than an apology.

Randall tried to smooth it over with a smug answer. "It's not a bribe."

Callie caught on. "Okay, I'll bite. What is it, then?"

Randall tilted the cup forward, widening his eyes in false innocence. "It's a peace offering."

For the first time, Callie met his gaze. "Oh…"

Randall scuffed his heel on the ground, speaking with sincerity for the first time. "Look, I uhh….was kind of a jerk the other day. You're just doing your job, and, well… I'm sorry."

Callie looked baffled. "It's…okay…."

Randall smiled and narrowed his eyes. "Hey, thanks."

After a moment of silence, Randall officially ran out of patience.

He spread his hands as he offered the coffee one last time, letting her know he really wanted to get rid of the stupid cup.

"Well, do you want the coffee?!"

Callie startled, then nodded in relief. "Oh, yes, Yes, I do! Thanks."

Randall once again smiled in amusement and offered her the cup. Callie hesitated, then finally smiled back and took the cup.