"Hi Dave."
"So, um, when do you get off?"
"Actually, about 20 minutes. You?"
"I've got at least another hour to go."
"Makes sense. I covered the last hour of Haleh's shift today. Her son had some pee-wee basketball thing..."
"Oh. Abby, I was wondering...I had a lot of fun with you today at Doc's, and...would you like to go out again sometime?" Was he actually nervous about asking Abby out? No way. Dave never got nervous. He was just...Dave NEVER got nervous.
"Sure. When do you want to go?" Dave felt his heartbeat slowing back to its normal rate and his cheeks loosing their bright crimson color.
"Are you working tomorrow?"
"Not really. I'm covering in the late morning so I can come in late the next day. Sleeping late is always fun."
"Yeah..." especially if you happen to be up all night with.. Dave stopped himself from thinking like that...he never bothered to stop himself. There was something different about Abby. "Geez Abby, you really know how to fix your schedule. Do you EVER work a full shift?"
"Of course! Sometimes...." They both laughed and Dave felt himself grinning again. Abby was amazed at how well they were getting along.
"So, um...you think we could...go out?"
"Should I feel special because I'm making 'the ladies' man' nervous?"
"Who said I was ner...yeah. Yeah Lockhart, you should feel special." But not because you make me nervous...there are way too many other reasons he added silently. He somehow knew Abby wouldn't take his nerves as a sign of weakness, as so many of the bimbos would have.
"So you admit it! HAH!" She placed her empty mug in the sink forcefully, almost breaking it against the bottom of the sink.
"Oh stop gloating, Lockhart. Actually..." He ran his fingers through her dark hair, stepping closer to her. "You're pretty cute when you gloat."
"Dave...we're in the lounge."
He nodded. "I know."
"And someone could come in."
"Is that your only objection?"
"I think so, yeah."
He flashed her his famous grin and leaned even closer, feeling her tense at his touch on her back. He rubbed her back comfortingly as he leaned in and kissed her cheek softly. She looked at him, amazed. "What Abby? We are in the lounge."
She had always thought of Dave as someone with no respect for women, rules, or authority. He was actually turning out to be quite a sweet guy.
"So, what do you want to do tomorrow?" He asked, loosening up a little when he realized how well this was going.
"Well Dave, I don't know if you're interested, but I have evening tickets to a tour company of Rent that's in town for tomorrow night."
"Rent? Never heard of it."
"It's a show, on Broadway in New York right now, and...You can borrow the soundtrack tonight if you want, it's great! It's a rock musical. I have 2 tickets, good seats too. Want to come?"
"Sure. I'd love to. But I don't need to borrow the CD. I trust your taste."
"Great! Hope you like it!"
"So, is your shift over now?"
"Yeah. How about I call you with the details tonight?"
"Great, talk to you then."
"I can't wait." Abby leaned close to him and kissed him, grinning as she turned to leave, Dave speechlessly gaping after her. Mark threw open the other door to the lounge and saw Dave staring after Abby's retreating form.
"Malucci, come on, you've got patients!...that Abby?"
"Yeah."
Mark turned back to Dave. "Nice lipstick. I think it looks better on her." Dave sheepishly wiped his lips and walked out behind Mark, off to save the world...or just suture. Either way.