Hi everyone, thank you for reading this one shot. It was quite difficult to write for someone like Barba honestly but I thought this was a cute idea. Hopefully there aren't any spelling or grammar errors. Constructive feedback is welcome.
Being stuck in an elevator was not high on Lana's list of things to do today. Being stuck in a courthouse elevator was much further down on that list but here she was and from the overly unenthusiastic voice who responded over the intercom, she was going to be here for a while.
Lana held back a groan. The only place she wanted to be right now was in her very warm and very comfortable bed. She regretted taking on the extra shift at the hospital almost as soon as she agreed but now she really hated her past self for not taking into consideration her future commitments.
"Yes, I'm well aware of the fact that I have a meeting with the judge but since I don't possess the power to shift through stainless steel doors it's going to need to be rescheduled."
At least she wasn't alone or crammed in like a sardine, that might have been worse. So far her fellow unhappy camper had been on his phone for the past thirty minutes since the elevator stopped. Lana tried to tune out his conversation, it was none of her business and he already seemed pretty peeved about the situation. No need to add to it by eavesdropping.
It didn't stop her from observing him, discreetly of course. Well as discreetly as one could when they were trapped in an elevator and there was nothing else to look at. She had to give credit to his tailor because there is no way he could look that good in a suit he simply picked up off the rack. There was no doubt he was handsome and probably older than her since he knew how to dress himself. No offence to the guys her age but they often didn't really know how to dress themselves in clothes that fit.
Lana decided to stop staring, not wanting to come off as a creeper to someone who potentially held legal power. No thank you. Instead she made herself comfortable on the floor, no point in standing the entire time she was stuck in here. Back against the wall, she opened her bag and began the tedious exploration for the jar of trail mix she always carried around in case of emergencies.
Her companion hung up his phone with a sigh, rolling his neck and pinching the bridge of his nose. Only then did he take notice of her current position. For a few seconds, felt longer to her, a pair of striking green eyes peered down at her and she forced herself not to squirm. She was thankful that she had at least been able to change out of her scrubs before making her way to the courthouse. Having a quick five minute shower also helped her appear more awake so hopefully she didn't totally look like a zombie in his eyes. Lana adjusted her position slightly before deciding to take one for the team, "Would you like some trail mix?"
Holding out her jar to him, Lana really wished humans were equipped with shells because this was definitely awkward. Why did she think offering him assorted nuts and fruits was a good idea? Who does that? He responded before her completely shriveled up in embarrassment.
"No, thank you." Lana shrugged in hopes of appearing indifferent instead she placed the jar on her lap and resumed snacking. She really hoped she hadn't come off as a weirdo, it would make the duration of their entrapment unbearably long.
He remained standing for a few minutes before ultimately admitting defeat and joining her on the floor. On a normal day Lana was fine with silences but this was not a normal day. Only problem was that she didn't exactly know the best way to start a conversation. Maybe she should comment on the weather or on their misfortune for getting trapped in an elevator together. Lana internally groaned at her awkward turtle syndrome.
Turning her head towards him, Lana's mouth decided to go for it before her brain could catch up, "So, you come here often?" Good lord, she might as well start shoveling. Of all the things to say to a stranger, that was not it. Lana had probably solidified his impression of her being a blundering weirdo. When he turned his head toward her, she immediately felt the heat on her cheeks beginning to surface. Why did she have to become flustered so easily? She blamed her genetics. He had his head tilted down and eyebrows raised which only served to make him more attractive in her opinion. Totally unfair.
"Occupational hazard." So she was right to assume he was a lawyer.
He eyed the jar of trail mix, "Do you always carry around a jar of trail mix?"
Alright, she could work with this, it was better than nothing.
"It's for emergencies."
"Like getting stuck in an elevator?"
"Like being stuck anywhere that doesn't have easy access to food."
"Your idea of emergencies is not having easy access to food."
"In case you weren't aware, the human body does require nutrients in order to function properly."
"In case you weren't aware, the human body can survive up to two months without food and I'm pretty sure we won't be in here for that long."
Lana wondered if he was being antagonizing on purpose, "Yes but that's only if you have access to adequate water intake, which there currently is none in here so regardless of food or not, we won't last long anyway."
"But we're not going to be stuck in here for that long."
"No but I'm hungry."
He turned his head forward in exasperation but she could see the edges of his mouth tilting upwards. That was good, she hoped. At least the ice was broken somewhat and she mentally patted herself on the back for keeping up with him in some way.
"Why the jar?" Upon his question she refocused his attention on him, he was still looking ahead making her wonder if she had imagined it. She cleared her throat, "What do you mean why the jar?"
His head turned towards her and she was glad her face had settled down when he threw the head tilt and raised eyebrow expression at her again. Who was she kidding, the heat was starting to come back and she really prayed that he couldn't see it.
"Why not a plastic container?" He briefly glanced back at the jar before pressing on, "Surely it would be much more travel friendly and there would be less risk of it breaking if you were to drop your bag."
"That's true but a plastic container doesn't really pack quite the same amount of punch as a jar would."
He angled himself towards her, "So you go around hitting people with a jar in your bag?"
"Only if the person getting hit doesn't know how to back off upon request."
"And do you find yourself in these positions often?"
"Why are you asking?" Lana pulse had begun to race slightly, if he was this intimidating in a normal, could she even call it normal, conversation then she did not want to find out what he was like as an opponent. She internally shivered at the thought of it. Solid pass.
"Just wondering if I'm currently trapped in an elevator with someone who has a habit of hitting people with a concealed weapon whenever they feel like it." He had a smug expression that was both charming and annoying. How truly unfair. Still the conversation was definitely amusing and helped serve as a great distraction to their current situation.
"Don't worry, I'll give you a heads up before I start swinging." He chuckled and Lana looked down at her lap to hide her own smile. She felt triumphant for some reason, maybe she made his day a little less sucky by bickering with him. It certainly improved her day.
"So what brings you here?" He definitely sounded lighter and if he was willing to continue conversing despite her less than stellar initiation then she would not complain. He leaned his back on the wall to look at the ceiling before making eye contact with her, "You're not here for assault charges are you?" He looked mildly serious and she couldn't help the burst of laughter from escaping her mouth.
"You're kidding!"
"You were just telling me that you'd give me a warning before and I quote "start swinging."
She giggled, "No, I am not here because of my deadly jar of trail mix."
"Just checking." He was smiling now, a very charmingly boyish smile, "So what made you decide to come here only to get stuck in an elevator?" Lana set aside her trail mix and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before answering him, "Obligatory moral support." His eyes conveyed sympathy and Lana could only give him a tight lipped smile in return.
"My brother is getting a divorce and since he's planning to move to Boston there is a slight custody issue regarding the kids." If anything, the divorce had been amicable and while both her brother and his ex-wife were hurt by the situation they truly held no ill will towards one another. The sudden job offer and subsequent move to Boston was really the only cause for disagreement.
"I'm sorry, it's probably not the easiest thing to sit through." Lana shrugged at his comment, it wasn't like she was the one going through a divorce.
"It is what it is."
"So when you're not providing moral support or swinging your trail mix at strangers, what do you do?" He looked a lot more relaxed now, clearly letting go of the fact that they were stuck in her and hopefully like her trying to make the best of the situation.
"I'm actually a nurse." He looked shocked before chuckling and Lana interjected before he could make a no doubt witty remark, "Also for the record, no one I've ever swung at required medical attention other than general first aid."
He held up his hands in surrender, "I wasn't going to say anything." Her expression clearly conveyed that she didn't believe him but before he could say anything else in his defence the elevator door groaned. They both watched a maintenance man pried the doors open, revealing a small crowd behind. No doubt wanting to see what the commotion was about.
Lana couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. After this, she'd probably never see him again and their paths would most likely not cross since New York was after all a really big place.
Gathering her things, Lana was surprised to see his outstretched hand before her. How did he get up so fast? Probably because he wasn't daydreaming and actually had a job to get to. She accepted his hand with a quiet thank you and let him help her up before they both exited the elevator.
Lana felt her awkward demeanor rise again to the surface. What was she supposed to say now? She really wished there was a manual for social situations.
"So how about lunch?" She jumped slightly at the unexpected question.
"What?"
He smiled at her, "Well since my meeting was cancelled and I'm assuming you were on your way out so how about we go eat something? I know a nice place not too far from here." His confidence was enviable, "That is if you don't have any current plans with that trail mix of yours."
She laughed, "You're not going to let it go are you? I told you I don't just go around swinging unless provoked." She tilted her head at him, "Besides I don't even know your name, who's to say you're not a danger to the public?"
He grinned, clearly happy that she was teasing him back, "Well this way we'll both be taking a risk." He held out his hand to her, "Rafael Barba." She eyed him, teasing smile still in place before grabbing his hand. "Lana Mills." His eyes lit up slightly and she decided that green was her new favourite color.
"Shall we then," He motioned for her to take the lead.
"I guess we shall, but if the food isn't good then I'm not warning you before I swing."
He grinned again, "You won't be disappointed."
"Are you always this cocky?"
"It's called confidence."
"Whatever makes you feel better."
The grin never left his face and Lana decided that getting stuck in an elevator wasn't the worst thing in the world.
Thanks again for reading and I hope you enjoyed it.