A Very Odd Couple Part 23
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Previously on ER.
Dave returned to work in the ER, but was unaware that many of his colleagues were covertly keeping an eye on him to make sure he wasn't overdoing things.
Chris and Luka grew steadily closer. On Dave's first day back at work, Luka met Chris at the train station and they agreed to tell Dave about their relationship.
Note: This fic was started in Summer 2000, so season 7 never happened. Also, I had named Luka's wife 'Maria' before I saw 'The Crossing', and I'm not changing it now.
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Chris pulled away and looked up at him. "I'm sorry...I'm being selfish...it's wrong of me to expect you to keep this secret...I...I'll tell Dave."
"*We* will tell Dave," Luka corrected her.
They stood in silence for a few seconds before Luka spoke again. "Come...let us go home. You are tired after your journey?"
"A little," said Chris. "But I'm more tired from that last double shift."
Luka frowned as he said; "You had a double shift only a few days ago. Your supervisor should not work you so hard." Picking up Chris's bag, he slung it easily over his shoulder and linked his arm through hers.
Chris shook her head. "It was a swap with another resident...a double last night, and I'm free until tomorrow evening. It's worth it."
Luka kept his counsel. He hated the thought of Chris working such long hours so often. Perhaps when their relationship was out in the open...and Dave was fully recovered, then maybe *he* could be the one to visit Chris...but for now they had to snatch what time they could.
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Chris eyed Luka's car critically as he threw her bag into the trunk. "Um Luka...I think your tire needs pumping." She kicked it gently.
Luka came round to the side of the car. "It looks all right to me. Come...let us go."
Chris shrugged and settled into the passenger's seat, pulling on her seatbelt. Luka sat in behind the wheel and they set off.
They were about halfway back to the house when Luka noticed the steering seemed a bit sluggish. Ignoring Chris's questioning look, he pulled quickly onto the side and climbed out.
Chris scrambled out of the car and joined him at the side. She tried unsuccessfully to hide a grin as she saw the tire which had been causing her concern earlier. This time there was no mistaking it...it was flat as a pancake. "Yep...that tire definitely needs pumping *now*."
Luka shot her a dirty look as she continued, "But look on the bright side...at least it's only flat at the bottom."
"I suppose you think this is funny?"
"Oh hilarious," said Chris.
"Will you think it so funny when I tell you that I don't have a spare and we will most likely have to walk back to the house?"
Chris's face fell, "You're not serious..."
"But don't worry," continued Luka with a straight face. "It's only a couple of miles...we should make it in about an hour."
Chris stared at him open-mouthed for a few seconds before she saw the gleam in his eye. "Bastard," she said, swatting him lightly on the arm.
"You deserved it," he said smugly as he opened the trunk and started rummaging.
"Hmm," said Chris, watching him stretch as he tried to reach the toolbox. "Yeah, whatever."
Luka pulled out the car-jack and set it on the ground before leaning into the trunk again to retrieve the spare tire. Bouncing it onto the ground, he was relieved to note that this tire did *not* need pumping.
"This shouldn't take me too long," he told Chris as he rolled the tire around the car.
"Excuse me? I *was* going to give you a hand."
Luka smiled indulgently. "I think I can manage without your help. Besides, I would not wish you to get your hands dirty."
Chris raised an eyebrow. "Um, in case you didn't know, I spend an average of an hour a day up to my elbows in blood, guts, piss and gore. Compared to that, a little bit of dust and oil is not a problem. But if you *want* to be 'Mr. Macho'...who am I to stop you?"
Luka sighed and handed her the 'jack'.
She waved it away, "You change the tire...I'll just stand here and supervise...and tell you when you're doing it wrong."
Making a face at her, he crouched down and started to work.
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Luka was just removing the final lug nut from the wheel when Chris said, "Um Luka?"
"Yes, what am I doing wrong?"
"Nothing...but you might want to speed things up a bit."
Puzzled, Luka looked up and realized that not only was the sky a hell of a lot more overcast than it had been a few minutes ago, but that it was also starting to drizzle slightly...and he had the sinking feeling that this was just the beginning of a heavy shower.
Chris grabbed an umbrella from the car, but by the time the tire was changed, they were both soaked.
"N...next time, maybe you...you'll listen when I tell you the tire needs pumping," said Chris through chattering teeth as they drove back to the house.
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She was still shivering as they made a dash for the house through the heavy rain.
"The water should be hot...you'd better have a shower," said Luka, helping Chris peel off her coat.
Chris nodded as she tried to open the buttons with chilled fingers.
Luka noticed her difficulty and tried to help. "Your hands are freezing!" he said, starting to rub them.
"You know what they say...cold hands warm heart," said Chris.
Luka continued to rub her hands until they regained some warmth. "Better?" he asked softly.
Chris nodded. "Nice and warm..."
"And is there any other part of your body that requires warming?"
Chris pretended to think for a minute. "Hmm...I think there's a few more 'cold spots'...I mean, I'd hate to get hypothermia..."
"But we know what one of the best ways to prevent hypothermia is," said Luka, leaning forward and kissing her on the lips. Softly at first, but slowly growing more passionate.
"Close contact with a member of the opposite sex," gasped Chris in between kisses. "Trans...transfer body heat..."
Luka ran his fingers along Chris's jaw line and backward through her hair. Then his arms circled her shoulders and he pulled her close. Chris's hands in their turn moved up and down his back, their touch feather light.
Suddenly Luka pulled away and lifted Chris in his arms. "Upstairs?"
Chris nodded, and snuggled up against his chest as he carried her up the stairs.
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Luka tucked the quilt around the sleeping form of Chris. Stepping away from the bed, he looked at her and smiled involuntarily. As he watched, she murmured something inaudible and pulled the covers tighter. Her busy schedule had taken its toll on her, and she had fallen asleep in his arms...but not before their bodies had joined in a passion that Luka hadn't felt for a very long time.
But now it was time for her to rest, and time for him to work. He wanted to do something special to celebrate Dave's first day back at work, and the dinner he had in mind required a lot of preparation. Picking up the damp clothes which were scattered round the floor, he made his way downstairs.
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The clothes were spinning round in the dryer and a pot of soup was simmering on the stove when Chris made her appearance. Dressed in a faded set of scrubs, she moved over to where Luka was washing up and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his back.
"Morning sleepy," said Luka. Drying his hands on the towel, he clasped them over Chris's.
"Is it still morning?" mumbled Chris.
"Actually no...it's nearly 2pm," replied Luka. Twisting in the circle of her arms, he turned to face her. "Did you sleep long enough? I was going to call you for something to eat..."
"I'm fine," said Chris, turning her face upwards to look at him. "What's cooking? It smells good." She smiled at him, but it turned into a yawn as she buried her face in his chest. "Sorry," she mumbled.
"It is all right...you have had a busy few days." Gently he pushed her away and led her to the table.
"Sit," he instructed her. "I will make you some coffee. One mugful and you are guaranteed to feel more alert."
"Um," said Chris, well aware of what she'd be feeling after drinking some of Luka's coffee. He was a most competent cook, the smell of the soup on the stove bore witness to that...but somehow making coffee wasn't exactly his strong point. The best thing that could be said for it was that it was strong...which was useful when you wanted to stay awake for a double...hmm, maybe it would be worthwhile having Luka whip up a batch for her to take back home with her...
"What time does Dave finish his shift?" asked Chris as she sipped gingerly at the coffee. To her surprise it was more palatable than usual...maybe he'd used different beans.
"Not for another few hours," replied Luka, sitting down beside her. "We have time to eat and do...other things..." He nonchalantly put his arm around Chris's shoulders.
"Mmm...I like the sound of *that*," smiled Chris snuggling up against him.
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To be continued
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Previously on ER.
Dave returned to work in the ER, but was unaware that many of his colleagues were covertly keeping an eye on him to make sure he wasn't overdoing things.
Chris and Luka grew steadily closer. On Dave's first day back at work, Luka met Chris at the train station and they agreed to tell Dave about their relationship.
Note: This fic was started in Summer 2000, so season 7 never happened. Also, I had named Luka's wife 'Maria' before I saw 'The Crossing', and I'm not changing it now.
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Chris pulled away and looked up at him. "I'm sorry...I'm being selfish...it's wrong of me to expect you to keep this secret...I...I'll tell Dave."
"*We* will tell Dave," Luka corrected her.
They stood in silence for a few seconds before Luka spoke again. "Come...let us go home. You are tired after your journey?"
"A little," said Chris. "But I'm more tired from that last double shift."
Luka frowned as he said; "You had a double shift only a few days ago. Your supervisor should not work you so hard." Picking up Chris's bag, he slung it easily over his shoulder and linked his arm through hers.
Chris shook her head. "It was a swap with another resident...a double last night, and I'm free until tomorrow evening. It's worth it."
Luka kept his counsel. He hated the thought of Chris working such long hours so often. Perhaps when their relationship was out in the open...and Dave was fully recovered, then maybe *he* could be the one to visit Chris...but for now they had to snatch what time they could.
---------------------------
Chris eyed Luka's car critically as he threw her bag into the trunk. "Um Luka...I think your tire needs pumping." She kicked it gently.
Luka came round to the side of the car. "It looks all right to me. Come...let us go."
Chris shrugged and settled into the passenger's seat, pulling on her seatbelt. Luka sat in behind the wheel and they set off.
They were about halfway back to the house when Luka noticed the steering seemed a bit sluggish. Ignoring Chris's questioning look, he pulled quickly onto the side and climbed out.
Chris scrambled out of the car and joined him at the side. She tried unsuccessfully to hide a grin as she saw the tire which had been causing her concern earlier. This time there was no mistaking it...it was flat as a pancake. "Yep...that tire definitely needs pumping *now*."
Luka shot her a dirty look as she continued, "But look on the bright side...at least it's only flat at the bottom."
"I suppose you think this is funny?"
"Oh hilarious," said Chris.
"Will you think it so funny when I tell you that I don't have a spare and we will most likely have to walk back to the house?"
Chris's face fell, "You're not serious..."
"But don't worry," continued Luka with a straight face. "It's only a couple of miles...we should make it in about an hour."
Chris stared at him open-mouthed for a few seconds before she saw the gleam in his eye. "Bastard," she said, swatting him lightly on the arm.
"You deserved it," he said smugly as he opened the trunk and started rummaging.
"Hmm," said Chris, watching him stretch as he tried to reach the toolbox. "Yeah, whatever."
Luka pulled out the car-jack and set it on the ground before leaning into the trunk again to retrieve the spare tire. Bouncing it onto the ground, he was relieved to note that this tire did *not* need pumping.
"This shouldn't take me too long," he told Chris as he rolled the tire around the car.
"Excuse me? I *was* going to give you a hand."
Luka smiled indulgently. "I think I can manage without your help. Besides, I would not wish you to get your hands dirty."
Chris raised an eyebrow. "Um, in case you didn't know, I spend an average of an hour a day up to my elbows in blood, guts, piss and gore. Compared to that, a little bit of dust and oil is not a problem. But if you *want* to be 'Mr. Macho'...who am I to stop you?"
Luka sighed and handed her the 'jack'.
She waved it away, "You change the tire...I'll just stand here and supervise...and tell you when you're doing it wrong."
Making a face at her, he crouched down and started to work.
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Luka was just removing the final lug nut from the wheel when Chris said, "Um Luka?"
"Yes, what am I doing wrong?"
"Nothing...but you might want to speed things up a bit."
Puzzled, Luka looked up and realized that not only was the sky a hell of a lot more overcast than it had been a few minutes ago, but that it was also starting to drizzle slightly...and he had the sinking feeling that this was just the beginning of a heavy shower.
Chris grabbed an umbrella from the car, but by the time the tire was changed, they were both soaked.
"N...next time, maybe you...you'll listen when I tell you the tire needs pumping," said Chris through chattering teeth as they drove back to the house.
------------------------
She was still shivering as they made a dash for the house through the heavy rain.
"The water should be hot...you'd better have a shower," said Luka, helping Chris peel off her coat.
Chris nodded as she tried to open the buttons with chilled fingers.
Luka noticed her difficulty and tried to help. "Your hands are freezing!" he said, starting to rub them.
"You know what they say...cold hands warm heart," said Chris.
Luka continued to rub her hands until they regained some warmth. "Better?" he asked softly.
Chris nodded. "Nice and warm..."
"And is there any other part of your body that requires warming?"
Chris pretended to think for a minute. "Hmm...I think there's a few more 'cold spots'...I mean, I'd hate to get hypothermia..."
"But we know what one of the best ways to prevent hypothermia is," said Luka, leaning forward and kissing her on the lips. Softly at first, but slowly growing more passionate.
"Close contact with a member of the opposite sex," gasped Chris in between kisses. "Trans...transfer body heat..."
Luka ran his fingers along Chris's jaw line and backward through her hair. Then his arms circled her shoulders and he pulled her close. Chris's hands in their turn moved up and down his back, their touch feather light.
Suddenly Luka pulled away and lifted Chris in his arms. "Upstairs?"
Chris nodded, and snuggled up against his chest as he carried her up the stairs.
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Luka tucked the quilt around the sleeping form of Chris. Stepping away from the bed, he looked at her and smiled involuntarily. As he watched, she murmured something inaudible and pulled the covers tighter. Her busy schedule had taken its toll on her, and she had fallen asleep in his arms...but not before their bodies had joined in a passion that Luka hadn't felt for a very long time.
But now it was time for her to rest, and time for him to work. He wanted to do something special to celebrate Dave's first day back at work, and the dinner he had in mind required a lot of preparation. Picking up the damp clothes which were scattered round the floor, he made his way downstairs.
--------------------------------
The clothes were spinning round in the dryer and a pot of soup was simmering on the stove when Chris made her appearance. Dressed in a faded set of scrubs, she moved over to where Luka was washing up and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his back.
"Morning sleepy," said Luka. Drying his hands on the towel, he clasped them over Chris's.
"Is it still morning?" mumbled Chris.
"Actually no...it's nearly 2pm," replied Luka. Twisting in the circle of her arms, he turned to face her. "Did you sleep long enough? I was going to call you for something to eat..."
"I'm fine," said Chris, turning her face upwards to look at him. "What's cooking? It smells good." She smiled at him, but it turned into a yawn as she buried her face in his chest. "Sorry," she mumbled.
"It is all right...you have had a busy few days." Gently he pushed her away and led her to the table.
"Sit," he instructed her. "I will make you some coffee. One mugful and you are guaranteed to feel more alert."
"Um," said Chris, well aware of what she'd be feeling after drinking some of Luka's coffee. He was a most competent cook, the smell of the soup on the stove bore witness to that...but somehow making coffee wasn't exactly his strong point. The best thing that could be said for it was that it was strong...which was useful when you wanted to stay awake for a double...hmm, maybe it would be worthwhile having Luka whip up a batch for her to take back home with her...
"What time does Dave finish his shift?" asked Chris as she sipped gingerly at the coffee. To her surprise it was more palatable than usual...maybe he'd used different beans.
"Not for another few hours," replied Luka, sitting down beside her. "We have time to eat and do...other things..." He nonchalantly put his arm around Chris's shoulders.
"Mmm...I like the sound of *that*," smiled Chris snuggling up against him.
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To be continued
