This was a prompt given to me by the lovely lb1618. This is the story of how nick and jeff met in college. Nick is a dental student and Jeff is less than excited to be his friend, but then love happens. Many more chapters to follow, this is going to be an adventure. Future chapters will include the dr!nick content you know and love.

Reviews are welcome, I welcome critique!

Jeff finally had the chance to step out into the sun and get some lunch. His chemistry class was dragging on today in preparation for their midterms coming up. Jeff hated chemistry, if it wasn't a requirement for his undergrad he would have skipped today. Thankfully he had two hours before his next class, so he decided to head into the tunnels and grab some Starbucks before he sat down to study. He grabbed his red tuxedo from the underground and headed to the lawn in front of the student union building. UofM was covered in snow half the year but when the weather was nice everyone knew to get their butts outside and enjoy it.

Jeff was sipping his drink and practicing for his language class out loud. He sometimes would yell a compliment in Danish at some of the cute girls leaving the union or walking to the tunnels. Not that he was interested at all really, he just thought it was funny seeing their faces light up at the 'cute blond foreigner.'

Jeff noticed a group of fourth years leaving moos tower in their maroon scrubs. Moos tower was the main hub of the medical center on campus. The top floors were dedicated to the university's dental program. Jeff grimaced when he saw them approaching. Medical stuff, especially dentists, gave him the chills. They were heading towards the tunnels talking animatedly about their classes. Jeff always felt uncomfortable around the med students at school. Like they could feel his apprehension and were watching him. He quickly gathered his books and notecards in his arms and started heading towards the library.

One boy in the group was especially animated. He appeared to be reenacting a scene from grease, summer loving perhaps? His arm flew out for his big finish and knocked Jeff to the ground as he passed them.

"Uuumpf!" Jeff fell to the sidewalk, his work strewn everywhere and his drink all over his shirt.

"Oh my gosh I am so sorry!" the boy started apologizing profusely.

"Really its fine. I'm ok, don't worry about it" Jeff stammered as he regained his footing and started gathering all his papers.

"Oh geez I'm sorry, let me help you pick these up. You go on guys I'll catch up in a bit" he waved dismissively at his friends.

Jeff was getting more uncomfortable being near this stranger, until a hand appeared in front of his nose. "Nick, by the way, I don't think we've ever met. Do you get run into often in front of the student union?" the guy, Nick, joked.

"Not exactly" Jeff mumbled. He shook his hand and realized he hadn't even seen his face yet. Jeff looked up and his eyes met the most vivid brown eyed he had ever seen. Nick had short brown hair in a slight mop on his head. It wasn't messy, it was just long enough to run a hand through. He had a medium build, and appeared to work out from the tone of his biceps; though it was a little hard to tell with his scrubs on. Jeff couldn't help but give a sheepish grin as he ran a hand through his hair. When Jeff's eyes met his, Nick's face suddenly perked up. "Wow, you have the nicest smile" Nick commented thoughtfully.

Jeff's face blanched as he looked away.

"Well anyway, I'm sorry about your shirt" Nick started. "Here, I usually like to change after clinicals but you need it more than me." Nick pulled a white V-neck out of his gym bag. "And, uh, why don't you let me buy you a new coffee sometime" Nick smirked. Jeff stared dumbfounded at him, was he being hit on?

"Here's my number, if you decide to return my shirt. Or if you just want to hang out, your call. Hope to run into you again soon….um…."

"Jeff."

"Jeff, I'll be waiting." Nick winked before he sped off to catch up with his friends.

Jeff headed to the nearest bathroom to change into the shirt Nick gave him. He could smell his musk as he slipped it over his head. What the heck just happened? How did Jeff manage to get hit on by someone he was anxious being around? And what was he going to do about that, see him again? Surely not. But then again….. He was charming, and he did have to return the shirt.

He headed to his class with the phone number tucked carefully in his jean pockets.

The weekend came and went, Jeff still hadn't picked up the phone and called Nick. It was just weird. Sure he was cute, but the only thing he knew about the guy was he had nice hair, good taste in body wash, and he was in dental school. One in three things concerned Jeff, and it wasn't his hair. However, Jeff was a practical guy. He felt Nick deserved a chance before he was judged, or avoided for that matter.

Jeff whipped out his phone and quickly typed a text to his newest contact.

[HEY NICK, ITS JEFF. I STILL HAVE YOUR SHIRT, DO YOU WANT TO MEET UP AND GET IT BACK?]

The reply took less than a minute which amused Jeff.

[YEAH SURE, IM ALMOST DONE WITH CLINIC FOR THE DAY, WHY DON'T YOU COME MEET ME UP ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF MOOS AND WELL WALK DOWN TO THE UNDERGROUND?]

Oh crap, Jeff thought, now I have to walk straight into my biggest nightmare.

Normally the walk to Moos Tower was fairly quick from the science building, but Jeff was dragging his feet today. He arrived at the building with the feeling of butterflies in his stomach. He wasn't sure if it was because he was going to see Nick or if it was because of WHERE he was going to see Nick. Either way, he headed inside keeping his head down and his jacket collar turned up.

Jeff was receiving some sympathetic glances from a few of the other students in the main floor of the building. One girl in particular approached him with a small smile on her face.

"Hey, first time in the building? You look lost" she smiled. "Where are you headed?"

"Um, ninth floor I think?" Jeff mumbled.

"Oh ok, take a right and head past the caribou coffee, the elevator is right next to it. I can show you if you'd like?"

"S-sure, that'd be great" Jeff stammered. They walked quietly through the halls. Jeff was fidgeting with his jacket zipper.

"You seem a little nervous about something." The girl noted

"This place just gives me the creeps, you know?" Jeff glanced at her "and this guy I just met is a student upstairs and wanted me to come see him."

"So you're nervous around him, but you still came to see him" she smirked. "That's pretty gutsy if you ask me." She quipped.

"Yeah well, the faster I get upstairs the faster I can leave" Jeff said with a shaky laugh.

"Well I hope it works out for you, and I'll see you around" she smiled as they arrived at the elevator. "What's your name anyway?"

"Jeff, and yours?"

"Emma."

The elevator doors swung open. Jeff stepped inside and pressed the 9 button. "Don't be nervous Jeff; everyone is a little nervous for their first appointment in the student clinic."

Jeff's face blanched. She thought he was here for an appointment?! "No I-"

Jeff was cut off by the door shutting in his face. Great, some girl thought he was a wimp, and the day wasn't even half over. The elevator ding brought him out of his annoyance as he arrived at his floor. He stepped out reluctantly and took a quick look around. He did NOT want to be here, but he clutched at Nicks shirt in his hand and almost drew strength from it.

Before Jeff had a chance to wander around Nick rounded the corner to the clinic checking his watch. He looked annoyed for some reason. Jeff hoped it had nothing to do with himself, he showed up in a timely manner.

"Oh, Jeff, you're here!" Nick perked up. "You look a little upset Nick, is something wrong?" Jeff questioned with concern. "Oh it's just this patient of mine. This is the second time they haven't shown up to their appointment" Nick said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I understand it's a little daunting being in here, but I don't bite, you know?" Nick winked at him.

Another student wandered around from the same area Nick emerged from. He looked exhausted. "Hey Nick, sorry about your patient. I'm sure you'll be assigned another soon" he paused to look at Jeff and smiled. "But it seems like you've already found one on your own." He nudged Nick. "No! No I- um, were not- I'm not his- were just friends." Jeff blurted out in a rush.

"Hey Nick, is this the guy you've been talking about all weekend long? I can see what you mean, he does have a beautiful smile" The boy teased. Nick blushed at the comment "shut it Thad, I haven't been talking about him ALL weekend." Jeff blushed as well and looked down at his feet; he hated having the attention from the two drawn to him.

"Well it's been fun today Thad but we should get going, right Jeff?" Nick nodded toward the door.

"Yeah sure-"

Jeff was cut off by the high pitch squeal of a drill somewhere in the clinic. His hand instinctively flew up to cover his mouth, but he quickly recovered by running it through his hair instead. He had a feeling that Nick saw his true intentions though because he was looking at him with a concerned expression.

"I mean, yeah lets go. Here's your shirt by the way."

"Thanks…." Nick took his shirt while still studying Jeff's face.

They headed down the elevator and had a nice walk on the grounds on their way to the underground. When they got to Starbucks they ordered and Jeff had to explain to Nick what a red tuxedo was. They got into an interesting debate on how the secret menu worked and why anyone would go to the trouble.

"Because it's delicious that's why!" Jeff laughed

"Eh, caffeine is caffeine when you're in grad school" Nick said sipping his iced mocha.

"Well thank you for the coffee anyway Mr. afraid-to-try-something-new" Jeff smirked.

"Speaking of trying something new… is this whole thing new to you, on a date, with a guy?" Nick whispered.

"Actually no, I'm pretty comfortable with my dating preferences" Jeff stated.

"Well that's a relief, because I was almost too scared to do this." Nick leaned in over the table and pulled Jeff close to him. Jeff's eyes widened as Nick's lips met his and just as quickly, he melted into the kiss.

"Wow that was..."

"I know right? I've been waiting to do that since I first ran into you so to speak" Nick admitted. "I just needed to confirm that you were playing for my team."

"Soooo, Bastille is playing at the Xcel Energy center this weekend, and I have an extra ticket. Care to join me?" Jeff suggested.

"It's a date" Nick smiled.