She was pouring a cup of slightly-rancid coffee from the lounge coffeemaker when she heard the door swing open, followed by soft footsteps. She didn't have to turn around, simply waited for the inevitable feeling of his hands resting on her waist. She blushed as he placed a kiss on her shoulder. "Luka..." She wasn't ready to make their relationship public, and told him as much that morning as his mouth had mercilessly attacked her neck on the El that morning. He was incorrigible, granted, he'd waited for the chance for many months.
"I can't help it. I missed you, Abby." He rested his chin on the crown of her head.
She stirred her coffee, ignoring his overt affection. "Luka, I don't really want to be the gossip of the ER right now. I just got back, slow down a little." She nudged him back.
Dejected, he sat down at the table, leaning back so as to rest his heels on the opposite seat. "Since when are you worried about what people think?" He caught her wrist as she passed him, swinging her around to face him.
"Since I need to be a little more professional around here." She sighed and sat at the chair next to him. "I've been kind of superstitious about telling anyone, but I'm back in med school. I'm starting a surgical rotation next week."
A smile came over his face. "Good for you." He wanted to say more, to smother her in congratulatory kisses, but he refrained, afraid to overreact. When they were first together, he'd pushed her, and she'd responded by questioning if being a nurse were perhaps not good enough for him. "You'll make a good doctor."
She stirred her coffee absent-mindedly. "Well, I didn't exactly plan on this happening when I made the decision." She indicated the two of them. "I don't know how much time we'll get to spend together over the next few weeks." Weeks was as much as she could forecast just then. Months seemed an ominous word.
"Maybe you and I could start a study group." His eyes twinkled. "You could study medicine, and I could study you. Even do some research, maybe."
A small laugh softened her face. "We'll see." She took a sip of the lukewarm liquid and grimaced. "I have to go. Behave yourself." She stood and tousled his hair. He grabbed her hand and pulled her forward into a kiss. She drew back, unable to suppress a smile.
"Abby." She turned to face him, arms crossed. His face was serious. "If you want to keep it to ourselves right now, I'll respect that. Just know that people around here will talk no matter what, and I'd rather they at least have the story right."
She nodded. "I know. Just for now, okay?"
"Sure." He watched her leave, her petite frame unusually complimented by the scrubs she wore. She was the only one he'd ever known to look good in the stiff, shapeless cotton that hugged her perfectly. Luka stood and gathered a few charts he'd been finishing and downed her half-finished cup of instant coffee. The lingering scent of mint lip balm mixed with the bland coffee in a surprisingly pleasant way. He had the urge to run laps around the hospital, brimming with energy and exuberance from the knowledge that she was once again in his life. For so long, he'd felt nothing, felt empty. Now the void in his life had vanished, replaced by an overwhelming feeling of giddy infatuation. Was it love? Something inside him longed to declare it was, but it was too soon, he knew. She wasn't ready yet, and he'd have to let it lie dormant for the time being. The knowledge that it was there was enough.
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He waited for her by the El after his shift, knowing she'd be roped into some procedure or another that required her to stay late. It wasn't long before she approached, face bright as soon as she saw him leaning against the stairwell. "Hi, stranger."
His senses told him he'd have to play cool until they were out of sight from the hospital and the lurking spies. Once settled on the El, she leaned into him, allowing his hand to slide around her waist. The soft kiss on her neck made her blush. They rode in silence, enjoying the proximity, not realizing until they drew close to her stop that they hadn't clarified the destination. He brushed her hair from her face. "Working tomorrow?"
She shook her head. "You?"
"No. We should have a sleepover, don't you think?"
"I need clothes. I can grab some things and meet you at your place." She gathered her things to get off the train, and he pulled her back. She gave him an inquisitive look.
The devilish grin made her melt. "Who said anything about clothes?" He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her onto his lap as she laughed, a sound he'd desperately missed. "I've got a few things of yours hidden away, anyway."
Her eyebrows arched. "How indecent of you. Should I be concerned about dating a pervert?"
"Only if I should be concerned about dating someone who leaves sexy underwear lying around."
