Thanks for your prompt Megeen - hope this does it justice...

X

He had been about to leave the hospital after a day of monotonous paperwork and prep work for a scheduled procedure taking place the following week. He was feeling tired, sleep hadn't been restful recently and he had been waking each day feeling as though he'd only caught a couple of hours. He couldn't wait to get out of here and that was not normal - Neil Melendez ate, slept and breathed St Bonaventure.

The call came just as he was packing up his bag. He had been tempted to ignore it, say he'd been away from his phone but his morals did not tally and he picked up the handset. The team discussed the procedure in haste as they raced to the operating theatre to scrub in. Dr Melendez and his team were about to perform an emergency triple bypass and there was no time to lose.

The patient was was Marla Teach, a 54 year old woman who owned her own small business and had always led a very active lifestyle. She ran the Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half Marathon every year and kept her hand in over other similar events in between. She was a lean, mean running machine.

She had began to feel unwell over the last few weeks and when her cough and chest congestion wouldn't go away, her doctor suggested a routine stress test. The test would allow her doctor to see how her heart was functioning under stress. This way, any signs and symptoms of heart problems would be more pronounced and a diagnosis could be made. Marla was to completed her test on a treadmill that gradually increased in speed and grade.

Her heart rate and blood pressure were recorded throughout and along with the information obtained from the EKG, her doctor raised his concerns. With the problems commonly found through a stress test ranging from abnormal heart rhythms to the presence of coronary artery disease he referred Marla for a more intensive nuclear stress test which would take place at St Bonaventure.

The nuclear stress test would use a radioactive dye and an imaging machine to create pictures showing the blood flow to her heart. The test was to measure blood flow while Marla was at rest and then while she was exerting herself and would show up any areas with poor blood flow or damage inside the organ.

When Marla stepped on the treadmill for the exercise part of the test, she had no idea of the drama that would follow. She suffered a cardiac arrest and the next thing she aware of, she was on the ground. Luckily the closest nurse caught her and lowered her gently before she fell completely to the ground. Her heart had stopped beating and blood was no longer flowing through her body.

Without immediate treatment, a cardiac arrest is fatal so Marla's test team went to work using CPR and an external defibrillator to get her heart beating again. Once she was stabilized, they sent her for a transradial heart catheterization right away. During this procedure, Dr Melendez used an artery in the arm as an access point to find any blockages that required treatment. In finding three blocked arteries, there was no time to lose and Marla was heading into surgery.

X

The Coronary artery bypass graft surgery would usually last between three and six hours and because Marla required three replacements, they were looking at the higher end of the scale. Dr Melendez chose to harvest the new blood vessels from the saphenous vein in her leg and the internal mammary artery in her chest. "There are plenty of other vessels in those areas that can compensate for the flow" he said to the residents who were watching with interest.

Once all the graft vessels were ready, Dr Melendez made a decisive cut down the middle of her chest so they could divide her sternum and access her heart. After connecting her to a heart-lung bypass machine her heart was stopped while the team attached the new grafts to divert the blood flow around the blocked arteries.

They all watched quietly as they applied internal shocks required to restart her heart and let out a collective sigh as the organ began to function. No matter how many of these procedures they did, that moment of tension would always be there. The final hurdle.

Happy with the outcome, Melendez stepped back and announced that his residents could now close. They would seal the breastbone using permanent metal wires and close the skin using dissolvable stitches.

As he stepped back out into the scrub room, his shoulders slumped. He was now officially exhausted but had at least another hour to go writing up the patient notes before he could leave. After scrubbing out and throwing some cold water on his face, he stood up straight and looked at himself in the mirror hanging above the sinks. Shaking his head at what he saw, he stood up straight, adjusted his scrubs and headed out to update the family with a smile on his face.

X

"Yeah?" he grumbled as he eventually picked up his cell and swiped to accept the call that persistently rang and rang until it pierced his deep sleep. "Hello?"

"It's me" she said bluntly. "Sorry to call you, I know you're exhausted after today but I need your help. Please."

"Of course" he said, sitting up against the headboard and rubbing his eyes. "What's up?"

"Don't freak out..." she started. An inevitable way to get a person to do the exact opposite of what they are advised.

"Why would I freak out?" he asked, sitting up a little straighter and sounding on edge.

"I said not to" she said with a grimace. "Can you come give me a ride home please?"

"Sure" he replied, sounding relieved. "Had one too many, have we? Where are you?"

"San Jose General" she said quickly bracing herself for the interrogation she knew was incoming.

"What the..." he snapped. "Why? Are you okay? What happened?"

"I'm fine" she replied. "I promise, I'm fine. But I do need a ride. They won't discharge me until I have someone pick me up" she said. "I know it's a lot to ask, and I would ask Laura but the baby has been teething badly these last few days and I didn't want to disturb her sleep... not that I want to disturb yours but... you know?" she said eventually tapering off and allowing him to get a word in.

"I'm on my way" he said softly. "Sit tight."

"Thank you Neil" she replied. He could hear her smiling in her words.

"Never a problem" he said before hanging up the phone and dragging himself off to get dressed.

X

He drove the twenty minutes to San Jose General with the windows open and the radio playing some upbeat tunes to keep himself awake. It was quite his luck recently that the one night of decent sleep he was getting was interrupted but there was no way he could say no to her.

Finding a space in the parking lot, he headed in through the main doors, making his way into the Emergency Room. He could hear her before he saw her and smiled to himself while he stood outside the curtain as she took her frustrations out on the young officer who had been tasked with educating her on how to ride a motorcycle safely.

"Oh I'm sorry officer, I really didn't know I needed to do that" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. The young man had simply informed her that she should leave ample space in front of her at a stop light to avoid front damage if she was rear-ended again.

"Thank you Ma'am" he replied, not noticing her tone, or just choosing to ignore it. "We'll be in touch" he said briefly before excusing himself and stepping outside to see Neil waiting patiently with an amused look on his face.

"Knock knock" Neil called before stepping inside. "Are you decent?"

"Get in here" she growled. "Asshat" she mumbled with a small smile as their eyes met.

"Hey, this asshat is your ticket out of here" he smirked. "Be nice!"

Her face softened and he stepped up to the side of the trolley, quashing the urge to take her hand as she lay there looking vulnerable.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Got rear-ended by an idiot at the stop light on Herbert Way" she said. "He's wrecked my bike and sprained my ankle while he just waltzed away without a scratch" she said, sounding sad.

"That's lucky, it could have been worse" Neil said, hoping it would console her. He knew she loved that bike more than anything, even more than him on occasion. "Can it be repaired?"

"No idea yet" she replied. "They've towed it so I have to wait and see. It's definitely off the road for a while" she sighed.

"Looks like you'll be getting another bus pass then" he teased, determined to get a genuine smile from her. "Or we could carpool?"

"I'm not sure that's a good idea" she replied seriously. "You know, after..."

"You can't get a bus while you're using crutches" Neil replied flatly. "How long until you can get out of here?" he said changing the subject.

"They won't discharge me unless I have an escort in case of concussion" she said. "Just say your staying with me tonight and my insurance company will be happy."

"Whatever you need" he said. "Want me to call someone so we can get going?"

"Yes, please" she said with a smile.

X

"He's going to stay with me" Audrey said to the nurse discharging her, taking Neil's hand and giving it a squeeze to add to the act.

"And you know the symptoms to look out for?" the nurse asked him, earning herself an amused smirk from them both. "I know" the nurse remarked, 'but it's a standard form" she said with a smile knowing exactly who she was taking too.

"We're good" Neil replied, looking at Audrey and holding her gaze a little longer than was necessary. "I'll keep an eye on her. Have you got a spare compression wrap we can put on after she showers?"

"Sure. I have to tell you not to put your full weight on that ankle for a couple of days. We'll give you some crutches to help you keep your balance" the nurse said. "I'll be right back."

"Thank you" they chimed together looking at each other with amusement as they were left alone.

"Where's your stuff?"

"What stuff?"

"Helmet? Bag?"

"Helmet went with the bike. Bag is over there" she said pointing to a chair tucked back in the corner. "Shit" she exclaimed suddenly, startling him slightly.

"Sorry" he replied automatically thinking that leaning on the bed as he walked around had nudged her injury.

"That's fine" she said with a brief smile before a serious look crossed her face again. "But I don't have any pants" she said flatly.

He held up her bike leathers with a curious look.

"I had to beg them not to cut them off me earlier. There is no way they'll go back on right now" she sighed. "Just when I thought I'd managed to keep a little dignity during this whole thing."

"Wait here" he said before disappearing outside the curtain.

"Not much choice in that" she called after him with a grin.

Waiting a good ten minutes, Audrey was beginning to wonder where on earth he could have got to when he burst back in brandishing a fresh pair of scrub trousers.

"Here you go" he smiled before handing them to her and promptly turning his back.

"You could step outside" she suggested.

"Because that's what all boyfriends do when their girlfriends get dressed" he said quietly over his shoulder.

Thirty minutes later, they were ready to leave. Discharge papers were signed, prescriptions were dispensed and the support boot was fitted. Neil picked up all her belongings and she gathered the crutches ready to stand for the first time.

He couldn't help but let out a little laugh as he watched her take her first tentative steps. "You remind me of Bambi" he said quietly, earning himself a scowl, quickly followed by a smile.

"Asshat" she mumbled before thanking the nurse as she passed by.

"Our pleasure Dr Lim, but I do hope not to see you back here again" she smiled. "You're lucky to have some one watching out for you Dr Lim. He's a keeper" the nurse said quietly as Audrey attempted to offer her hand in gratitude.

"He is" she replied, pausing a few seconds before starting to move again.

"Want me to bring the car around" Neil asked casually as they passed the admin desk on their way to the door. "The parking lot is quite a walk.'

"Yes please" she replied watching as he walked on ahead, her motorbike leathers casually slung over his shoulder and swinging her bag in time with his steps.

She reached the exit before he arrived and leaned against the wall gently. She didn't dare sit on the benches as getting up again wouldn't have been an easy task. Standing, thinking, she had a distinct feeling of deja vu as he pulled up to the kerb - a throwback to leaving the hospital those months ago, just before the happiest few weeks of her life.

He had opened her door and called her name to snap her from her reverie and she couldn't help but smile at him. A wide, genuine smile that made her eyes light up and as she stepped towards him, she noticed it mirrored on his face.

"I've been waiting to see that smile since I got here" he said quietly, helping her down into her seat and closing her door before she could think of a reply.

The ride to Audrey's place was quiet and when they arrived, the same scene played in reverse. He parked kerb side and helped her out of her seat, steadying her as she wobbled a little, placing his hands gently on her hips.

"Sorry" he said, pulling them away quickly when she caught his eye.

"It's fine" she replied, sure that he'd felt the same shock as her at the unsolicited contact.

She had a head start to the front door as he got her belongings from the trunk but he caught up with her easily, passing her and putting the key in the lock before she arrived.

"Show off" she said with a mock glare as she passed through the door he was holding for her earning herself another one of those grins she was sure he reserved just for her.

The process repeated itself at the front door to her apartment and Audrey was quite sure he was enjoying this a little too much.

"Where are you going?" she called after him as soon as they got inside to his retreating form as he walked off into her bedroom.

Following him at her own pace, she found him rearranging the cushions and linens on her bed.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"You need to elevate your ankle, remember Dr Lim" he questioned. "And I'll need a pillow for the couch."

"Why?"

"You told the discharge nurse I was staying?"

"Just so I could get out of there" she said, regretting the words as soon as they left her lips. He closed his eyes and sighed. He looked disappointed.

"Sure, okay" he said bluntly turning back to her bed, rearranging it a little more before he was happy with the set up. He hadn't been expecting anything when he showed up to collect her, he'd tried not to read too much into her call, but he thought he'd felt something. Each time they touched, that spark was still there and he knew she felt it too. "I guess I misunderstood the situation. I'll sort your meds and I'll get going."

"I'm sorry" she said as she managed to shuffle over and block his exit.

"What for?"

"Calling you, giving you the wrong idea" she replied saying what she thought was sensible. Another mistake.

"You could have called plenty of other people" he said, looking at her with those sad eyes. "Browne, Reznick... even Murphy has a license. They all would have come for you. Why me?"

She looked down at the ground trying to find the right words, finding her feet particularly interesting. "Because I needed you" she mumbled so quietly, he couldn't hear her clearly.

"What did you say?"

"Because I needed you" she said, lifting her head and speaking with confidence. "I had a real fright, I was in pain and my first thought was of you."

"Needed or need?" he asked. She looked at him feeling confused. "Needed or need?" he repeated, wanting an answer.

"Need" she whispered, just loud enough for him to hear. And with that single word, he kissed her. Gently, caressing her cheek and smiling as her eyes closed and she kissed him back.

"I'm going to go get your meds, get into bed" he said softly as they parted, leaving her to get ready.

Putting the water and the pills on her nightstand, he turned to pick up the spare pillow he'd discarded in frustration a little earlier.

"I'm staying" he said in his most authoritative tone.

"No" she replied. "Not out there your not" she said, "you can sleep on your side?"

He smiled, nodded and walked around while she threw the cover back ready.

X

No one batted an eyelid when they arrived at work together a couple of days later. Audrey was insistent that there was plenty she could do while keeping her foot elevated so he drove her to the hospital for the start of his shift.

He carried her bag over his shoulder as he walked in step with her as she limped through the foyer awkwardly in her boot - she had to keep it on for another ten days to keep the ligaments and joints in place while they healed. It provided plenty of protection and helped reduce the pain but it limited her motion so much that she finally agreed to the car share.

The night he'd stayed with her, they'd talked a lot. They talked about what had happened between them, they bickered a little about the best way forward, discussed their future plans and they both slept soundly.

On waking, she found she hadn't moved much during the night, her ankle was still safely nestled in the pile of cushions he'd built for herbut he had definitely gotten closer. Not as close as he used too but his arm was draped gently over her midriff and his head was on the very edge of her pillow. Looking at him for a moment before giving him a gentle nudge to wake him, she thought 'I love him'.

"Hi" he mumbled sleepily, without opening his eyes. "You okay?"

"Never better, apart from the foot of course" she replied smiling at him. "You?"

"Best sleep I've had in weeks" he said as he stretched and rubbed his hands over his face. "I love you today" he said as their eyes met.

"I love you too" she smiled, feeling a thousand times better already.