Title: One Thing (aka Everything You... part 2)
Author: Noa
Previously: It's time for the annual ER banquet, and John makes a
confession to Deb.
Spoiler: Tiny mention of episode 2, season 8 event, but other then
that, no spoiler at all.
Time line: Somewhere between season 7 and 8.
Rating: I dunno... PG-13?
Archive: Oh, please do just let me know where...
Feedback: YES! Sharlot12@h...
Thanks/Dedication: Blair, my LLT, for waiting so long. ;)
All the Jinters at FF, for inspiring me, and not letting me lose hope.
Kee, my dear, for beta reading. You rock.
Disclaimer: They belong to NBC/John Wells/whatever. All of 'em. I
just take them, use 'em, and ditch 'em. Yes, like a true bitch. ;)

++++++

They continued to hold each other for a few minutes, neither moving,
from the fear of ruining the moment. They were both silent the whole
time, each drowning deep in thoughts.

Both had done something they had wanted to do for a long time,
probably since around the time they first met, almost 7 years ago.
And while John had feared ever letting Deb know how he felt about
her, he was now grateful that he had done so. Her reaction wasn't
what he expected, not at all. It was the complete opposite of what he
imagined.

Although she never said the big three words, she was able to give him
that message in other words. Which was another thing she often did,
and he had always liked. But he did want to hear those words from
her. And deep inside, he knew they'd come. It might take her a while,
but they would.

Deb smiled softly, although she knew John couldn't see her face now,
since her head was leaning against his chest. She didn't know where
they were heading now... But maybe living the moment wasn't that
bad, from time to time. If there was one thing she knew for sure, it
was that she loved him. She really did. And she definitely intended
on showing that to him, once they'd figured things out.

Almost as if he was reading her mind, John pulled away reluctantly,
quickly scanning the porch, and spotting a few chairs at the left
side.

"Deb..." he said, and she looked up at him. "We... uh... We need to
talk... Now..."

She nodded wordlessly, and he led her to the chairs, sitting down
after seeing she did.

"What we said... Arr... What do you think about all that?" Okay, so
maybe those weren't the right words. But with his mind being nearly
blank it -was- all he could come up with.

She looked at him, searching for his eyes. Hers met his, and she saw
confusion in them. She had to admit - that confusion scared her a
bit. Maybe he regretted saying anything? She wanted to stay positive,
but just seeing his eyes... It drew most of her confidence away from
her.

"Well... I told you I has hoping you were talking about me... And you
can understand how I feel about you from that, right?"

He nodded but stayed quiet, letting her talk once again.

"And I'm glad you told me, because... Because I probably would've
never said anything to you about it. I was scared."

"And now?"

"If I'm still scared? Yes. But not from the same thing. I feared ever
telling you how I feel, because I feared rejection. And now I know
you won't... reject me. I once gave all my trust to one man, and he
let me down badly. I trust you, John, I really do, but I can't help
but being scared of being left alone again."

He wrapped one of his arms around her slim body, gently and slowly
massaged her back. "No matter what, Deb... Whatever happens... I'm -
not- going to hurt you, in any way. And... Deb... Do you want to tell
me what happened?"

She shocked her head, "Not right now. I will tell you, when it's the
right time. Just not now."

He nodded in reassurance, "When you're ready, I'll be here. I
promise."

She smiled softly. "Thank you. And despite me being scared... I want
to give -us- a chance. It's something I've been wanting for too damn
long, I can't just throw it away."

"In that case," he smiled, "Jing Mei, would you agree to go to dinner
with me tomorrow?" he asked, emphasizing her name.

She chuckled at the emphasizing, her smile growing as he
continued. "I'd love to."

"Eightish?"

"That would definitely work. And you know where I live," she said,
winking.

"It's a date then," he grinned.

She nodded, grinning as well. "And we should probably head back
inside..."

"Yeah, I guess we should."

"Oh, and John?" she said as they both rose up from their chairs.

"Yeah?"

"Can we keep it quiet for now? I don't feel like being the main
gossiping issue between County's nursing staff..."

"I was thinking the same thing, actually. I want to see how it'll
work, first. We can figure out the rest when the time comes."

"Fine with me," she smiled.

He rested his arm around her waist, guiding her back into the hall.
He pulled his hand back as they entered, causing Deb to giggle.

"Doesn't seem like anyone missed us," she commented after doing a
quick scan of the place, seeing everyone was basically busy with
themselves.

"That will probably save us some gossiping," he replied, and she
simply nodded.

+ + +

It was around 6pm, and Deb was just finishing signing on charts and
release forms before she was going to be going back home, to prepare
for her date with John.

Her date with John.

In her sweetest dreams, she never thought they'd have one. But they
did. In about two hours from now, John would be taking her to her
favorite restaurant. She briefly wondered how he knew. Did she ever
tell him? She couldn't remember, but thought it was sweet of him.

Just thinking about him brought a smile to her face, and made her
sail into day dreaming. But she wasn't complaining, not at all. It
was nice to have something else to think about, beside Kerry nudging
her all day about various things,which mostly weren't even her
responsibility. But it -was- Kerry. And Kerry never really seemed to
like her... Or anyone else. OK, so maybe there were some people she
actually liked. She wasn't one of them, not at all... But John was.
That was something.

+ + +

A few minutes after 7pm, Deb was walking down the street to her
place, after getting off the El. She threw her bag aside as she
entered the apartment, quickly making her way into the shower. About
15 minutes later she was already out, drying her self with a soft
blue towel. She smiled as she remembered when she got that towel.
John bought it for her, on her last birthday, and it had her name
embroidered on yet in navy blue line. Well, not really her name. It
had Deb written on it. But she wasn't complaining. There was
something very comforting about that towel. Whenever she thought
about him, which made her feel lonely, she would take the towel
out... Feel the soft fabric... And she believed she could actually -
smell- him as she did it. She chuckled at the thought, a smile
forming on her face. Thanks to whoever-it-was, she wouldn't need to
imagine him next to her. He would be right there. She still couldn't
believe how lucky she was. First of all, for having him in her life,
even if just as a friend. And second... For them being more then just
friends. They kissed last night, and it seemed like nothing and
everything had changed.

She opened up her closet, looking over it. Damn, she needed some new
clothes. Too bad she didn't think about it earlier... When she still
had time to go out and buy them.

Oh, well. Her old clothes would have to do for today; she could go
shopping some other day. She pulled out a black mini-dress, one of
her favorites. She wanted to look pretty... For him. She wanted him
to want her... Just as much as she wanted him. Despite all he said
the night before... She found it hard to trust him. Not because she
didn't trust -him-, but because she had generally lost her trust in
people. But she had to trust him... If she wanted it to work, she
would have to trust him. She probably would, with time... She just
hoped he'd be patient enough until then.