Connor Rhodes was sitting quietly at a table in molly's surrounded by his fellow colleagues from the hospital. However, he wasn't participating much in the conversations going on but was more focused on the beer he was rolling around in his hand.

The beverage was still full, he only had taken a few sips not really in the mood to drink. Sometimes being a doctor was tough - and man had this day been tough. He didn't even recall how he got to molly's and when did he agreed to it.

But sometimes being with people that went through the same things as he did, that understood him deeply, made it easier to deal with the day. His thoughts were pushed aside when the table erupted in laughter. Thanks to Will and his crack jokes apparently. At that he chuckled.

Even if they had not been friends from the start - quite the opposite in fact, they almost ended up at one another's throats a few times- they now entertained a good relation. And for that he was glad, even if he would never admit it at loud. If it was to happen he was sure that Will would never ever shut up about it.

Suddenly in the middle of the noise of customers, there was a commotion, a man standing in front of the bar was shouting at Hermann - on bartender duty that night. The noise dimmed, as the different conversations were cut abruptly, enough that he was able to catch why the argument happened in the first place.

Sorry fella, but you've had enough I'm not serving you anymore. If you don't agree with that you're free to leave any time.

I'm a customer with money you don't have a right to do that. The disturbing client slureted.

Well my bar my rules. Now out, before I drag your ass out there myself. Herman shouted now clearly angry.

The man full of anger to be denied and humiliated in front of an audience was quick to make a move to get out of the bar. But between his drunken state and his precipitation to leave he knocked down a young woman.

Everything happened so fast, and before anyone could react the woman lost her balance due to the force of the blow she received. She did tried to stop her fall by gripping the bar but she only succeed in knocking a few empty beer bottles which shattered as they dropped on the ground just before the woman sprawled on it.

A complete silence filled up the bar for a few seconds only disturbed by a few gasps. It was the loud noise of the front door clamping shut after the departure of the drunk client that seemed to tear everyone out of their shock. Before he even knew it Connor was on his feet running toward the woman who was starting to stand up.

Connor lightly put his hand on her back.

Hey there, you okay ? He asked gently while trying to check out if she was injured or not.

In her haste to stand up and stop being the center of attention, the woman stumbled on her feet, clearly a little unsteady.

Why don't you sit back for a few. Connor told her while helping her in a sitting position her back resting against the counter of the bar for support.

It was when she was finally facing him that Connor noticed that blood was pouring from her left forearm where he saw a few pieces of broken glass. Herman who had rounded the bar to come to their side handed him a few napkins, which he gratefully took - having no other choices available- and placed gently put firmly on her cut to try and slow the bleeding. When he put a little pressure the woman hissed slightly clearly in pain due to the glass stuck in her arm.

I'm sorry but we need to put pressure in order to stop the bleeding. My name is Connor, I'm a doctor. He tried to tell her hoping to ease the fear he saw in her eyes. Can you tell me your name ?

Katelyn. She breathed out. It's Katelyn. She nodded her head unconsciously her eyes wide with fear fixated on her injury.

Should I call for an ambo ? Herman beside him inquired.

That seemed to shook her out of her stupor, because instantly her gaze snapped and met his - for a few he lost track of time looking deeply in her gaze which was full of fear, anxiety and was it sadness ? - shaking her head vigorously.

No. No hospital. No. Please. She uttered obviously shaken up just by the mention of it. I'm fine. I promise.

Well, I'm afraid you're going to need stitches…

It's fine I.. I just want to go home. I can take some tylenol or something. It's fine...really. She almost sounded like she was pleading, which saddened him.

Unfortunately it doesn't work like this. He quietly chuckled while holding her gaze softly trying to make her at ease. I'm afraid that a trip to the ER is necessary Katelyn. He added more serious.

Oh my god, no… I… I just wanted to … I didn't… Her words were rushed between her rapid intake of breath.

Hey hey. He took hold of both her wrists being careful with her injured one and pressed them to his chest. Look at me. Katelyn look at me, it's okay. I know that it is terrifying. But you really need to let me take you to the hospital. I can't take care of you here. He slowly lifted his hand and gently stroked her cheek still holding her petrified gaze.

I'm really scared of hospitals… She murmured almost silently and if he wasn't this close to her he was sure he wouldn't have heard it.

It's okay… He smiled at her gently. I'm going to be with you every step of the way. You just need to trust me, okay ? He asked in a soft voice.

There was a moment of silence before she slightly nodded her head, her eyes full of tears.

Good, that's good. He encouraged. Now let's get you up.

Holding her two hands firmly he helped her get to her feet with the help of Will, by his side since the beginning, who steadied her.

You good ? Need any help ? Will asked Connor.

Yeah could you drive us to the ER ? No need to bother with a trip in the back of an ambo, right ? He said while looking at Katelyn who again agreed by shaking her head vigorously.

Will was quick to leave the bar to bring his car upfront, while Connor slowly helped Katelyn make her way out at the same time that Herman was presenting her his apologies for the discomfort and the dramatic turn that her night took while being in his establishment. He wasn't sure if she was even listening to what Herman was saying, her eyes were distant and she seemed to be totally disconnected from reality. When they reached Will's car, he gently helped her small frame get in the car, and seeing as her left arm was of no use, he buckled her in.

It's only a five minutes drive to get to the hospital, so it won't take long, but in the meantime I want you to take some deep breaths, okay? We don't want you to have a panic attack… He informed her while holding her gaze and trying to make her a little bit more calm.

But it seemed that no words could left Katelyn's lips at that time, surely frightened by her hospital fears, but he eventually had a small nod from her, which was something. During the ride, he took the opportunity to take a more precise look of her. She was breathtaking, so small that he wanted to engulf her in his arms and hold her there, so scared that he felt the desperate and irrepressible need to protect her growing inside him with each passing second. She was shaking like a leaf, so he took off his warm jacket and slowly put it on her shoulders enclosing her small frame in the clothe.

The five minutes seemed to last hours while he took in every details, even the smaller one, of her delicate face. But the part who interested him the most was her eyes, her beautiful big green eyes which where full of so much emotions, it took his breath away.