Sara applied the finishing touches to a dressing on the patient's arm. She leaned over and watched Terrell suture the man's other arm. The patient had suffered an unfortunate run-in with a power saw. "Nice suturing job, Dr. Johnson."
Terrel looked up with a smile. "Thanks, Dr. Lance."
"Okay, Mr. Clarke, Dr. Johnson will take care of anything else you need."
"Thanks, Dr. Lance."
She pulled off her soiled gown and tossed it into the marked trash bin. "I'll be in my office if you need me." She moved over to the door and pushed it open. Stepping outside the door, Sara allowed her fatigue to surface. She stretched her tight back. A quick glance at her watch made Sara groan. God, only three o'clock. Seems later. Sara's stomach growled, reminding her of her interrupted lunch with Ava. They had just sat down with their trays when she got paged back to the ER.
This week had been a turning point for Sara. She had gone to lunch with Ava several times. It had been hard. Sara had cut herself off from everyone at work for so long it was difficult to change. The gossip had been flying, but Sara had done her best to ignore it. We're just friends.
Sara turned toward her office and then stopped. She remembered seeing some bagels in the lounge earlier. Changing course, she headed for the staff lounge. She pushed the door open and stepped inside. The sight before her stopped her dead in her tracks. Ava was sitting at the table with a pile of charts in front of her. Rodman was standing directly behind her, leaning over her shoulder. His eyes appeared locked on her cleavage.
Ava looked up. An expression of relief washed across her face.
A rush of anger so strong it took her breath away roared through Sara.
She didn't think. She just reacted.
Three long strides brought her across the room.
Rodman's eyes went wide at Sara's rush.
He took an involuntary step back.
Ava used his momentary distraction. She pushed her chair back sharply and caught him in the groin.
"Watch it!" He growled, stumbling back several steps.
"Sorry." Ava said, sounding anything but. She stood and quickly stepped into the space between Sara and Rodman.
Sara gazed into Ava's worried blue eyes. She had been within seconds of shoving Rodman away from Ava. Christ! Are you out of your mind!? She blew out a breath and forced herself to calm down. Donning her ER persona like a protective suit of armor, Sara once again turned her attention to Rodman. "What brings you to the ER, Dr. Rodman?"
Rodman glared at them before turning his attention to Sara. "As usual, the quarterly patient numbers from the ER are late. They were due on Monday… today is Friday." He jutted his chest out and sneakered, "Maybe it's time for a new ER chief… one who can actually do the job."
"The report was delivered to your office last Monday." Sara said in a calm measured voice.
"Good. Make sure it's on time next quarter."
Grinding her teeth, Sara resisted the urge to retort. She knew Rodman was just trying to get her goat. "Was there anything else?"
Rodman looked them both up and down.
Sara instinctively stepped closer to Ava. Their arms brushed.
"Figures." Rodman said, an ugly answer twisting his face.
"Excuse me?" Sara said.
Rodman waved the question away. He turned and headed for the door. "Great. Just what we need, another queer doctor. Like there aren't enough of them around here already." He muttered, just loud enough for them to hear.
The door swung shut behind Rodman.
"How the hell does that man keep his job?" Ava asked.
Sara glanced over at Ava and realized how close to her she was standing. She stepped away and propped her hip against the table. Not that I'm defending him" Sara waved her hands vaguely in the air. "But he wasn't always like this."
"What happened to him?" Ava asked.
The door to the lounge swung open.
Bates stepped inside. His face lit up and he smiled widely when he spotted Ava. The smile vanished at the sight of Sara.
Sara struggled not to smile when Ava looked over and rolled her eyes. She quickly gathered up the charts on the table and offered half of them to Ava.
Ava took the charts without question.
Bates moved over to the coffee pot but continued to watch them.
"Dr. Sharpe." Sara motioned toward the door. "After you."
They quickly made their escape.
Ava plopped the charts down on Sara's desk. She was grateful for the chance to avoid having to deal with Bates. The man just didn't seem to understand that she was not interested in him. "Is the day over yet?"
"Soon." Sara motioned her towards the couch. "Relax while you can."
Ava dropped down onto the couch with an exaggerated sigh. "Thanks for the escape route."
Sara laughed. She put the charts she was carrying down on the desk. She leaned over and rummaged in the center desk drawer before joining Ava on the couch.
"Speaking of escapes," Sara said. She offered Ava a single key.
Eyebrow raised, Ava accepted the key. Is this what I think it is? Wow.
"That unlocks my office door. This way you can let yourself in when I'm tied up in a trauma or whatever." Sara shifted on the couch and looked away. "You won't have to put up with people bothering you in the lounge while you're working on charts."
Ava put her hand on Sara's arm. "Thank you."
Sara jumped, her eyes darting back to Ava.
Before Ava could pull her hand back, Sara covered it with one of her own and gave Ava's hand a quick squeeze.
Ava smiled. "So what is the deal with Rodman? I remember Phillip also mentioning that Rodman wasn't always as bad as he is now."
"I don't know much. It all started about two and a half years ago." Sara flushed and looked away again. "I was kind of busy with my own issues at the time." She scrubbed her hands over her face and looked back at Ava. "Anyway, up until then, Rodman had the typical arrogant surgeon personality. But he didn't chase anything in a skirt like he does now. And while not overly gay friendly, he was at least tolerant. Nothing like his current homophobic attitude."
"So what changed?" Ava asked.
"He separated from his second wife after only six months of marriage. It wasn't long after they split that he started hitting on every woman in sight." Sara raked her hand through her hair. "You know his brother is on the hospital board?"
Ava nodded.
"Well, his brother has done a great job of sweeping any complaints under the rug before they reach the formal stage. It's always a he said, she said type of thing."
"You mentioned before he wasn't so openly homophobic. What did that have to do with his divorce?" Although she disliked the man intensely, Ava couldn't help but be interested. Maybe if she could understand what motivated him, it would help make ignoring his behavior easier.
"That part never made sense, but it happened around the same time." Sara scowled. "All of a sudden he started going out of his way to make my life difficult. And I've heard the same thing from other gay staff."
Ava leaned back and contemplated all Sara had told her. She sat up suddenly when the pieces came together. Could it be? Would sure explain his behavior.
"What?" Sara asked.
"I was just thinking. Maybe his wife left him for a woman. That would explain his need to chase women… to prove his masculinity."
Sara's eyebrows rose. "And explains why he hates gays all of a sudden." She shook her head. "I never put it together." Sara met Ava's gaze. Her eyes held respect with just a hint of trepidation. "Damn. You're good."
"Thank you." Ava smiled and buffed her nails on her shirt. "It's just a theory, but it fits."
Sara smiled and looked at her watch. "Shift is over in an hour." She stood and stretched.
Ava stood and moved over to the desk to gather up her charts.
Sara motioned Ava toward her desk chair. "Make yourself at home." She said with a smile.
Ava settled into Sara's chair. She looked up at Sara and smiled. I still can't believe she gave me a key to her office. "Thanks again for the key."
"No problem." Sara reached for the door and then stopped. She turned back to Ava. "I know it's Friday night and short notice, but would you be interested in going to dinner after work?"
Wow. Two invitations to lunch this week and now this. She is getting more comfortable. Didn't even hesitate. "That would be great. Want to hit that Mexican place again?"
Sara laughed. "You're just addicted to their flan."
Ava stuck out her tongue. "And that would be bad, why?" Curiosity piqued when Sara blushed.
Momentarily flustered, it took Sara a moment to regain her composure. She cleared her throat. "Mexican it is."
"I can head over there and put our names on the wait list while you take care of Thor."
"Not necessary. Thor's with Laurel this weekend. She's off today so she drove up and got him." Sara said.
She's never mentioned him spending time at Laurel's before, at least not without her. Ava waited, wondering if Sara would offer any further explanation.
Sara shifted, looking a little uncomfortable, the straightened and met Ava's gaze. "I um… really get a kick out of Halloween and all the kids dressed up. I get a lot of trick-or-treating in my neighborhood. Thor gets kind of spun up with all the people coming to the door." Sara looked down. "He's not used to people coming to the house." She shrugged. "I don't like to have to confine him to my bedroom. He thinks he's being punished. So he goes and stays with Laurel on Halloween."
Ava moved out from behind the desk and over close to Sara. Yep, definitely a softie. "I think it's great that you consider his feelings. Too many people don't give their companions that type of consideration." Meeting Sara's gaze, she smiled warmly.
"Thanks." Sara said. An endearing blush covered her face. "So what do you have planned for Halloween? Going to the party at Blane's?" The ER department staff got together for a costume party at the local bar and grill every year.
"Kids in costumes are cute." Ava shook her head. "But adults in costumes, drinking too much and acting out… not my thing at all."
Sara laughed. "I'm with you on that one. So are you going to pass out candy at your place?"
Blond strands bounced when Ava shook her head. "One of the neighbors already let me know they don't do that at my complex. That was one of the things I enjoyed back home. I spend Halloween at my mum's place. Her neighborhood gets a ton of kids on Halloween."
Indecision rippled across Sara's face.
Silence that quickly started to become uncomfortable surrounded them.
Ava ended the statement. "You should go and get something to eat while you have the chance." She turned back toward Sara's desk.
"Ava." Sara reached out and touched Ava's arm, stopping her in her tracks.
Eyebrow raised in question, Ava turned back toward Sara.
Sara took a deep breath. "Why don't you come over to my place and help out candy?"
Things really are changing! Although they had met outside work quite a few times, they always met up at the park or wherever they were going. Ava searched Sara's eyes. She knew what a big step this was for Sara. And for herself if she was honest. "That would be great, Sara."
A delighted smile spread across Sara's face. "It'll be fun. I'll give you directions at dinner." Sara's pager shrilled. "Duty calls. I'll meet you after shift." She said before hurrying out.
Ava sank into Sara's chair. She had never expected Sara to invite her into her home. As much as she looked forward to spending the time with Sara, she was nervous as well. Her attraction to Sara continued to grow by leaps and bounds. It was getting harder and harder to ignore. Ava sighed.