First Kiss 21
Bobby was typing, finishing up a report, when his cell phone rang. He saw Alex's name and answered cheerfully. "Hey, Alex!" Almost immediately, his expression fell. He saved, slapped the laptop closed, and strode quickly toward the elevators, leaving his binder open on his desk, papers strewn about.
Liz was at the hospital when he got there, waiting. He greeted her, worry written clearly on his face. "They've been in there with her the last 20 minutes. I don't know what's going on."
Bobby nodded, and decided to get some answers for them both. He pulled out his shield and showed it to people until they let him walk into the exam room that held his partner. She was lying on her side on the exam table while a doctor stitched up her foot.
"Sir, you shouldn't be in here," said the nurse.
Bobby flashed his shield. "She's my partner," he said quietly.
Alex's view was blocked by the other people in the room, but she heard him. "Bobby," she said.
He moved to her side, and gave her a sweet smile. "Hi."
"Stupid hummer," she muttered.
He brushed her hair back out of her face. She grimaced and her fingers turned white gripping the edge of the bed.
"That hurts? Sorry," said the doctor.
He stopped whatever torturous thing he'd been doing, and she relaxed again.
"What happened, anyway?"
"He ran a red light, plowed right into me," she said.
Bobby noticed she had marks on her face and hands from the shattering glass. Her foot had taken the worst of it, but she would be hurting all over tomorrow.
He stroked her hair a few more times. "I need to go tell Liz…what they're doing. She's worried about you." His hand ran along the top of her head once more. "Be right back," he whispered, and was gone.
Alex gripped the bed again as the doctor inflicted more pain. At last, he announced he was finished. "Someone will be in soon to help you with the paperwork," he said. "Take care," the doctor smiled at her and left.
Alex flopped her head against the pillow. Fortunately, the next person she saw was her sister, followed by Bobby.
Liz and Alex held hands. "You're all right?" Liz asked her sister.
Alex nodded. "Just beat up."
"Look, I'm off tomorrow. I'll stay over if you want."
Alex's eyes were glued to Bobby. He noticed, read her meaning, and spoke. "It's okay, I'll take care of her," Bobby announced, then looked to Alex for confirmation. She nodded slightly. "You've got Nate," he explained. "I'll stay with Alex."
Liz looked back and forth between them and realized it was what her sister wanted. She squeezed her hand. "I'll call you tomorrow," she said. Alex waved to her as she left.
It was a long wait before anyone came in with the paperwork. Alex closed her eyes, trying to shove the pain and the memory of the accident out of her mind. Bobby milled around nearby, inspecting the medical supplies in the room. He even opened a couple of cabinets, but to his credit, didn't touch anything.
Finally, a lady wearing scrubs came in with a clipboard and a pair of crutches. After adjusting the crutches and giving Alex a quick lesson, she showed Alex where to sign the papers, went over her prescription for pain medicine, and handed the patient copies to Bobby. He folded them and put them in his pocket, careful to keep the prescription handy.
As the woman left, Bobby saw Alex painfully sitting up straighter. He offered his help. She leaned against him a moment and he handed her the crutches "Thanks, Bobby," Alex said, meaning more than just the crutches.
He leaned in and kissed her lips. "I'm glad you're okay," he said. Waves of pleasure crept up his spine when he felt Alex kissing him back.