A/N: Thanks for the reviews :) I'm not overly keen on this one but was in a rush when I wrote this and stuck for ideas, and don't really have time to rewrite it again if I want to post everyday. Main characters included are Connie, Cal, Ethan and Lily - sort of Connie/Cal and Ethan/Lily pairings. :3
The next one shot is called 'Wrapping Paper' and it's about Zoe/Max!
~Mini Peacelet~
Wintry Advent
10. Mistletoe
It was the emergency department's annual Christmas party. They had all assembled into a designated pub that had been garnished with oceans of festive decorations. The atmosphere was buzzing; alive. Drinks were flowing rapidly. And the staff had clustered into their separate groups, chattering and cordially enjoying the night. Zoe was flirting with Max, mixed in the crowd of nurses and paramedics. Lily and Ethan were nearby. Connie loitered with some of the more superior members of the hospital team, along with some of her special guests including Andrea, Jac, Elliot, Nick Jordan and Michael Spencer.
Caleb had had a few to drink - probably a couple too many - and he was fixated on his ambition; kissing Connie Beauchamp tonight. The festive season was now fully under way, and with it accompanied mistletoe. This was the perfect opportunity for him to finally use his seductive charm to convert his boss to having mutual feelings. Because she wasn't going to be able to escape the tradition of kissing under mistletoe, no matter how knowledgable and tactful she was.
There was just one technical issue. A minor problem. He didn't actually have any mistletoe.
But he could improvise with the next best thing. He just hoped that everyone had had enough alcohol to make them at least tipsy so that they wouldn't be able to notice the difference. Before he tested it on the clinical lead, he concluded that it would be sensible to experiment on someone else first. His brother was the perfect choice.
Equipped with his fake mistletoe, Dr Knight approached his brother who was chatting to Lily, he suspected it was work related as they were forever exchanging information they had personally acquired so that their medical philosophy was the best it could possibly be.
"Haven't you got anything better to do? Someone else to annoy other than me?" Ethan casted an ominous glare at his brother, slightly aggravated at being interrupted by him repeatedly.
The other male shrugged and disregarded the trivial questions, "Haven't you noticed what you are stood under?"
Lily immediately tilted her head and glanced up, rightfully suspicious following Cal's question. She didn't trust the jokester of a doctor in the slightest. She frowned disapprovingly, "Cabbage. We are standing beneath cabbage." She stated bluntly and puckered her perfectly arced brow.
"It's not cabbage!" He was rather insulted that Dr Chao was in fact a lot soberer than he had anticipated, "It's mistletoe!" He insisted assertively.
"It's cabbage. I'm not stupid. You are holding two cabbage leaves." Lily detailed patronisingly, narrowing her piercing gaze at her fellow colleague, "We are not going to kiss under cabbage leaves, so you might as well go find someone else to try your pathetic games with."
Caleb grumbled, muttering under his breath and walked away in a huff, leaving his nerdy brother and Lily to resume their conversation. He grasped another bottle of beer from the bar and then departed the pub, off in search for some real mistletoe. He was determined that he was going to get a kiss off Connie before the night ended.
"Well, that was a lucky escape." Lily mumbled, only audible to Ethan as she sipped at her white wine. He nodded in agreement.
The doctor returned with some honest mistletoe shortly after and ambled towards the bar, approaching where the former heart surgeon was standing, propped against the bar whilst she waited to be served for another glass of exquisite red wine.
Acquiring her beverage and depositing the correct amount of coins on the counter, she sharply pirouetted around in her designer stilettos, muttering as she nearly walked straight into Caleb, the crimson liquid swishing dangerously in her glass, a couple of droplets escaping and splashing out. She lifted her head, ready to snap, to identify the male and her orbs followed his arm when she realised it was held above his head.
Connie scowled hostilely, stifling a bitter laugh, "Oh, please. You have to be joking." Her manner corresponded with her posture; lament with resentment and irritation. She rolled her rich chocolate orbs dramatically, scoffing loudly as she learnt that this was certainly no joke.
"I'm not." He was deadly serious, "We are standing under mistletoe, so you know what that means..." Internally he was bubbling with exhilaration, moments away from completing his desire for the evening, but only a faint smirk - smug - refined his lips, dancing wildly.
"But you are holding the mistletoe. It hardly counts." Ridiculed, she was scrutinising desperately for the most petite argument she could produce in attempt to evade this kiss.
"It does count." Cal argued sincerely, "It doesn't matter whether someone is holding it or not. We're still stood under it so therefore have to kiss.' He smirked, stepping closer to the brunette.
The clinical lead sighed irritably; disdainfully. She placed her wine glass on the bar with more force than was necessary and folded her arms firmly across her chest, glaring scornfully, "Well, if you insist." She briefly scanned her near surroundings, desiring for nobody to be watching this humiliating moment.
Their lips collided hesitantly, brushing tenderly against each other. Connie could taste the flavour of beer; it was bitterly foul. She loathed beer, and Caleb had definitely had a fair few pints. He was the inverse, the tingling spice of wine lingered on her lipsticked lips and he adored the zest - almost as much as he fancied the female.
Connie was incredibly grateful when the kissed ended, instantly stepping back and clasping her elegant fingers around the delicate stem of the wine glass, swallowing a mouthful to disguise the tang of beer - almost all the glass. She raked her fingers through her thick, curled locks and straightened her blouse.
"So, can I get you another drink?" Dr Knight's tone was casual, cool. Sweet and smooth. He was hopeful. Now even more in love with the sophisticated woman of his dreams.
She shook her head, "No, I'm fine - thank you. I best get back to my guests. Enjoy the rest of your night, Caleb." She was professional and rather cold, strutting off into the cluster of people.