So, I recently started watching The Good Doctor and must admit that I have been rooting for Claire and Melendez since the beginning. I'm about halfway through season 3 and continue to be amazed by the underlying love that the characters seem to be developing for each other. One that does not revolve around sex but a deeper level of intimacy. From seeing previews and reading other news I know that Melendez was killed off so there can be no long-lasting happy ending for these two. Still, I have a ton of ideas about getting them together at various points and ignoring Melendez' death once I get to that point. For now, here is a short story that I came up with that I hope honors that special love and respect for each other that I see and would like to see in more tv couples.

PS I do not own any of the characters or situations of the Good Doctor.

PPS This is my first attempt at fanfiction in some time so please be kind!

Chapter 1:

"Face its man, you're in love with her."

"In love?" Neil stared at his friend. "I am NOT in love with my resident." Jason rolled his eyes. "Claire and I are just friends. Colleagues. Mentor and mentee. That is it."

"And you're denying yourself. And being a jackass."

"I-"

"If any of your other residents or colleagues had treated another resident or colleague the way you told me they did Claire yesterday, would you have not said anything? More importantly, if Morgan had not filed that complaint against the two of you, you would have nipped it in the bud the moment it started instead of worrying about how things would look for Claire or yourself. And if she really were just another resident, you wouldn't be here with me beating yourself up over ignoring her for a week and then not standing up for her."

"So, I screwed up as her boss, that doesn't mean that I'm in love with her."

"I am going to ignore the fact that for the past three years you have increasingly found a way to bring her into conversation, the fact that you introduced her to Gabby, and you didn't tell Jess about her until 2 months after you were engaged, that every time you talk to her, think about her, you light up and I have never seen you happier or more filled with joy. I'm going to ignore all of that and just ask you one question. If screwing up as her boss is all that you did, why do you feel so guilty?"

"And for our next performer, singing "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" is Claire, Tracy and Wynona!" came over the speakers.

When the music started both Neil and Jason turned. It was in fact Claire Brown. Neil could not help himself from watching as she clearly was having fun singing with her girlfriends. The other two women were dressed more scantily and were definitely eyeing people, but Claire was living in the moment—dressed sexy but proud and respectable. Her demeanor said she was confident in who she was and was out because she was fun not because she was looking for it. As she sang "when the workday is done" for the first time, Neil recognized that she was truly letting go of everything that had happened and continuing to live life with the optimism and joy that normally evoked out of her fiber.

She happened to look his way and Neil could hear the slight crack in her voice when she recognized him. He offered a slight smile. She kept her eyes moving.

As the song came to a close, Neil looked at Jason, "I have an apology to make." Jason, wisely, kept quiet.

Claire got off of the stage with her friends as she felt Melendez approach them. "Claire."

"Dr. Melendez," she was a bit formal.

"Ooh Doctor," one of the other women gushed. "Do you work with our Clairey?"

Neil could not help but raise an eyebrow at Claire at the other woman's intoxication and use of "Claire-ey" She met his eyes and rolled her own offering a little bit of a smile. "I do."

"He's my boss Wynona."

"So, it's possible to have him all to myself then?" She pressed a little suggestively to them.

"I tell you what," Neil answered, "I have a friend at the table over there," he pointed to Jason. "Why don't you join us? Just give me a moment to have a word with Claire. You know, hospital stuff."

"Don't be too long now," she teased in his ear as she and Tracy left.

Claire could not help but laugh once they were out of site at his look. Neil decided to play it safe given the formality that she had expressed earlier and went with the laughter. "Help me."

"She's harmless. A bit of a flirt but harmless."

"Claire-ey?"

She rolled her eyes once more. "Sorority sisters from undergrad. They're in town for a wedding."

"Troy's right?" At her look, "I remember you mentioning it awhile back. If memory serves it's this weekend."

"Yes, it is." She smiled. "I'm surprised you remembered."

He sighed. "Look Claire, about how today went down—"

She shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it. We are off of work. Let's just forget it for now ok?"

"Girls just wanna have fun when the workday is done?"

"Yeah. And this girl wants to dance. So, prom king, you want to dance?"

"Why jail breaker I thought you would never ask."

Soon the night found them dancing, drinking and talking as if the past week had never happened. As Neil walked her home, he felt he had to try one more time. "Claire I do want you to know that I am sorry for not only today—yesterday but this past week as well."

"You don't have to apologize. I get it. Image is important."

"Yes but it's not everything. I've missed you."

"Me too." As they came up on her block, "By the way, I have been wanting to ask, how was Gabby's birthday party? Did she like the puzzle?"

Neil could not help the smile that formed as he thought of the puzzle that Claire had helped him make for Gabby's birthday and the delight that came across Gabby's face as she opened it and began to organize the pieces in order to put it together. "It was amazing. Gabby loved the puzzle." He pulled out his phone to show her some pictures.

They approached Claire's house sooner than either would have liked but knew they needed to call it a night because they both had to be back at the hospital in a couple of hours.

Claire stopped at her front door and looked back at him. "I'm glad we ran into each other tonight."

"Yeah," Neil wanted to take a step closer to her. The feeling of being a schoolboy on his first date came over him. The urge to kiss her was overwhelming so he took a step back tomorrow. "I'll see you at work."

She gave him a sad smile. "Goodbye Dr. Melendez." With that, she turned leaving Neil to watch her go knowing why she had had said Goodbye instead of goodnight or I will see you later. As much as both of them would like things to go back to the way they were before Morgan made her complaint, they both knew that they couldn't, Scowling and knowing that he needed to do something, Neil hailed a cab home to get a couple hours of sleep.