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-Takumi's POV-

I got out of bed with only two hours of sleep and went straight to the coffee maker to brew some coffee. Getting used to working long hours each day, it is impossible to get a normal sleep pattern. You either crash from fatigue or stay awake from drinking too much coffee. But I still continue fueling my body with caffeine or else I wouldn't be able to survive my 12-hour shifts.

I placed some bread in the toaster and headed to the living room to play my answering machine.

"Hi, Takumi. I had a really great time last night. Cant wait to hear back from you," after my shift last night I was able to sneak in a quick date and crashed right after I got home. I pressed delete and moved on to the next message. I had a great time with her but I know it will not work out, instead of wasting our time it is wiser to just end it right away.

I have had a couple of very serious relationship these last few years. Is six months considered a long term relationship? No. But I consider it as a step up and a big accomplishment especially coming from a man who have lost all faith in love.

I have met tons of interesting women in the past but the connection was just not there. After a few months of dating, I always end up leaving the relationship. What was the point of staying if I knew it was not going anywhere? I guess I just have never met a woman that I truly connected with. I still have my fears if I will be honest. It is not easy to give your trust to someone knowing that even the person you think you knew so well was capable of breaking your trust, how else are you going to trust a total stranger?

The sound of the oven pulled me out of my reverie and I quickly ate my breakfast.

-x-

I got to my office at exactly 7:30 a.m. With an apartment just a couple of blocks away, it only takes ten minutes to get to work. Both a blessing and a curse especially it was very easy for the hospital to reach me if they need extra hands. After checking my agenda for the day, I put on my white coat and began my rounds.

I entered my first patient's room.

"How are you doing, Ken?" he has been my patient for the last six months. He came to me first complaining about his heart beating too fast. Dr. Williams, one of the cardio-thoracic surgeon performed an artificial heart valve surgery on him a week ago. He had an aortic stenosis which obstructed the blood flow into his aorta and decreased the overall flow of blood to the body from his heart.

"I am feeling a bit better but I am starting to feel a lot of pain in my chest," he was still under observation, the surgery was minimally invasive but it still comes with a lot of complication.

"That's completely normal, we will increase your pain medication in a while. Anyway, I just checked your EKG and everything is looking good. Your heartbeat has completely stabilized and it will just matter of time before you are back on your feet again,"

After finishing my residency three years ago, I have decided to specialize treating the heart. It has always intrigued me how such a small organ has so much role in keeping us alive. We were interrupted by Shizuko coming in with a group of nurses.

"Good morning, Dr. Walker," she has always been so formal to everyone.

"Morning."

"This is Dr. Takumi Walker and he is one of our cardiologist," the group she brought mostly consisted of females and I heard a few heavy sighs.

"Hello, everyone. I hope that you are having a good first day," I walked closer to Shizuko.

"Shizuko can you give him some more pain medication and keep monitoring him every few hours. If there are any changes just let me know."

"Okay," I gave a small smile to the new staff as I passed by and proceeded to my next patient.

Making my rounds and checking on my patients takes up most of the hours of my day. After a few hours I decided to take a break and headed to the cafeteria when I passed by the nursing station. Shizuko was already back on her usual spot.

"How is Ken doing?"

"I increased his dose of morphine and he is taking a rest right now. I will check up on him again in an hour," she said monotonously. I nodded my head.

"Alright. Thanks,"

My feet brought me straight to the coffee stand once I got in the cafeteria. My body was only functioning because of caffeine and I don't think I could go on with my day without more than one cup of coffee in my system.

"Takumi," someone called out

I looked back to my best friend, Kuuga and my other colleague Soutarou Kanou, Kenji Sawa and Nagisa Hyoudou; making their way to me. My best friend decided to follow me to Tokyo a year after I left, I knew he couldn't live without me by his side to keep him out of trouble. I have met him in college and became very close right away. We finished med school and our residency together.

While I wanted to become a cardiologist, he had different interest and decided to specialize in neurology. Kanou on the other hand is an orthopedic surgeon while Nagisa is the head nurse's older sister and is a pediatrician. I met them after my move here from Osaka.

"How is everyone doing today?" I took a sip from my coffee.

Kuuga shook his head, "Dead tired, I was on call last night and two of my patients almost flat lined,"

"It was supposed to be my day off but one of my patients gave birth prematurely," Nagisa added

"I was working in the ER for the last 12 hours. I just want to crash right about now," Kanou exhaled and gulped down his coffee.

"I only had two hours of sleep," the rolled their eyes at me.

"Wow. That is so tragic," I chuckled at Kuuga's exaggeration, "I am just glad that I will have three days off,"

"Don't waste it by doing something stupid," Nagisa remarked

"You have to let loose sometimes, Nagisa,"

In the corner of my eyes, I noticed a figure standing right ahead, I directed my eyes to that direction and spotted a raven haired girl standing near the door, staring at me. She looked familiar. My friends became curious and glanced back.

"Who is that?"

She quickly turned around and bolted out of the door.

"I am not sure. Excuse me for a second," I pushed open the double doors and ran after her. Was my mind just playing some tricks?

Increasing my pace, I caught up with her and grabbed her by the arm.

She looked back and I instantly remembered her.

"It is you," I smiled.

She remained speechless as she stared at my face in total disbelief.

"How have you been?" I let her arm go and took in her appearance, "Are you working here?"

"I am."

"Wow. I didn't know you were a nurse," I shook my head still amazed at the coincidence. Who would have thought that I would meet her after 3 years in a different city?

"Well there's a lot of things you don't know about me," I arched my brows at her answer. Someone seems a little bit touchy.

"But I know quiet enough," I retorted back. Bringing memories back from our last meeting.

She scowled, "Past is past and it will remain unspoken from now on,"

She quickly recollected herself and kept her expression neutral, "I came here to find you for a consultation,"

"Alright," It seems like I was the only one ecstatic about our little reunion.

We remained quiet the whole walk to the admitting rooms. I stole a quick glance to the woman beside me, she has changed so much from the last time I saw her. Her distinct features remained the same but she seemed to be able to carry herself more confidently now.

She entered the room first and I followed suit.

"Hello, Mr. Mori. I am Dr. Walker and I am here to do a consultation. I heard that you have been getting a recurring heart ache?" I took out my stethoscope and checked his heart beat for any abnormalities.

"Yes. For the last 3 months," he let out a dry cough

"Can you sit up for me?" I moved my stethoscope to his back

"Take a deep breath," I heard a rattling sound in his lungs

"Exhale,"

"Are you a smoker, Mr. Mori?" he fixed his hospital gown and leaned back

"I have stopped a long time ago," a slight fear and regret crossed his face, "Is my chest pain caused by smoking?"

"I am assuming that you have a coronary heart disease, we still need to do more tests to make sure. There might be a blockage in your coronary artery and is causing a decrease blood flow in your heart which is why you feel pressure in your chest," he nodded his head in understanding, his face still full of worry.

"Don't worry Mr. Mori, you are in good hands,"

"Can you get him an echocardiography and give me the result of his blood samples after?" I looked back at her while she was blatantly watching me from the side.

She blinked her eyes "What, I am sorry?"

"Get him an echocardiography and I want to see his blood results," she quickly jolted it down on her notepad

"It is her first day," the patient commented. His uneasiness was thrown aside as he smiled fondly at the nurse in front of me.

"But she's doing very well. She did my IV in just two tries," he reported while Misaki cautiously laughed in embarrassment.

"You are very nice Mr. Mori, thanks for being understanding," she quickly glanced at me to see my reaction.

"Don't worry about it. I know you will be a great nurse. Are you still single?" she snapped her eyes at him, startled by his inquiry.

I became as curious as the patient asking the question, I wonder if she was still hung up with her ex-boyfriend. I tried to not appear eager as I waited for her answer.

"Yes I am,"

"How come? You are very beautiful; you must have a lot of guys admiring you,"

She smiled a bit at his compliment, "You are a joker, Mr. Mori,"

"No. I am an old man and I only speak the truth," he redirected his attention to me, "Isn't she beautiful?" I was caught off guard, I gazed at her and answered straightaway.

"Very," I smirked and I saw a small blush on her cheeks

"I think my grandson will like you very much. He is still single and he is an engineer," the older man continued on with his chatter, "But I think you will be suited more with a doctor like this handsome, gentleman right here,"

"Are you still single?" I chuckled at his inquisitive personality, it was not everyday that I get asked about my personal life. At least I knew he meant no harm in his questionings.

"Yes. Yes. I am,"

He let out a playful laugh, "I think you two would look great together,"

I could see her in my peripheral vision trying to hide the redness on her face.

"Are you playing Cupid on us right now?" I raised my eyebrows at him with a small grin on my face.

"Maybe? You will thank me one day, son." He winked at me and laughed

"We just met today. Mr. Mori. I don't even know his name," she said matter-of-factly.

Even though I was just starting to become more amused, I couldn't stay any longer. There were still other patients that needed to be checked on. Feeling a bit guilty, I interrupted their exchange and tried to excuse myself.

"Well, it was very nice to meet you Mr. Mori. I will see again later to talk about your results,"

"It was nice to meet you too," he also bid good bye to the nurse and we headed to the door. I walked with her back to the nursing station to give her instructions.

"Make sure you update his patients record. I am hundred percent sure that he will be needing a surgery. Check the availability of our surgeons in case the patient decides to go through with the surgery and don't forget to give me the results by the end of the day. If you have any questions just ask Satsuki to page me,"

"Okay," we stopped right in front of the desks while she continued writing on her little notepad.

"And by the way," she looked up and waited for further directions.

"I'm Takumi Walker and it is a pleasure to see you again, Misaki," her name had a very comforting and familiar sound to it. I smirked at her stunned reaction and walked away. Things has just become more interesting in this hospital.

"Morning, Satsuki,"

"Hi, Takumi," she continued writing on her records only glancing up for a second "Do you need anything?"

"How are the new recruits doing?"

"Why did you ask?"

"Nothing,"

"You have never been curious about our new employees," she put down her pen and gave me her full attention, "Are you interested in someone in my department?"