A Friendly Hand
By Didi
Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters. John Wells and his friends do. Let's not get into the debate as to who owns the ideas and all that; cause let's face it, you'll lose. Enjoy the story anyways.
Summary: What can I say; this is going to be the morning after scene.
Rating: Definitely putting it at R just in case. There are some semi-graphic descriptions but not enough to be embarrassing or offensive.
Note: If you didn't read the last chapter, go read it now. It only makes sense.
Author's Note: I know that I said I wasn't going to describe the 'encounter' between Slingerland and Keating but.... Well, I lied. Can't really do the morning after without some description of the night before. Really, I did try to avoid it to give you free reign with your imagination but I failed. Forgive me?
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Chapter 10
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The first sensation was warmth, like lying naked on a grassy field in the middle of July somewhere in Omaha or another one of the great rolling hills states. The second was a sweet contentment that hadn't been there since... hum...long enough that it was now just a vague memory. The third was of the lean, hard, undoubtedly male body against her back, intimately spooning her. And let us not leave out the smooth firm hand that fell languorously over her belly.
Just for a second before her brilliant mind came full-chorus awake, Jules Keating blanked at how she ended up in bed with a man. Then the flashes of the night before returned and she wasn't sure if she should be gleeful or mortified.
One thing was for sure, she now knew without a doubt in her mind that there was an awful lot of truth to the reputed reputation of Dr. Matthew Slingerland.
After the initial kiss, which she still wasn't sure why she instigated, and after she had finally brought him around, for what reason she did so was now escaping her logical mind, there was nothing but seeking hands and heated bodies. There was nothing more there but a need to forget, leave behind the ugliness of the day and just simply cleanse herself of the evils that plagued her mind.
She simply wanted; and she took. He didn't put up much of a fight, probably in need of the same kind of mindlessness that she did, merely assisted in opening up his cumbersome clothes to allow her access to that firm body of his. They never got completely out of their attires before need took control and pushed them over the peak of pleasure.
Then came the good stuff, the stuff you read about between the covers of steamy romance novels and really risqué movies; the stuff Jules knew was what led to Matt's nickname with the nurses behind his back, 'Casanova.'
The kiss that followed the first round was intimately long and hot enough to curl her toes. She had a distinctive feeling that he was thoroughly enjoying himself as he aroused her slowly this time around, letting foreplay be the aphrodisiac. Somewhere between the couch and the bed, he managed to divest them both of the rest of their clothing. By the time he slowly laid her down on the cloud of white down and stretched out beside her, she was a warm mass of putty in his hands. And then he began to make love to her; for that was the only way she was going to call the kind of attention and sensual pleasure he visited upon her. It was nothing she could describe and putting it into words would only cheapen it.
Peaking the second time, Jules could have happily died a content woman when he began again. Somehow, she had a feeling that the third time was simply to cushion the descent from the second climax, bringing them up gently again before allowing her to fall into peaceful, warm slumber; chasing away the demons of the night that should have otherwise visited her after the kind of day she had.
Now the lazy, hazy sun peeked through the glazy curtains of her bedroom, reminding her that the day has broken and reality was about to crash upon her. Oh, if she could only close her eyes and fall back into the embrace of the serene night.
Hoping to forestall the conversation that was likely to take place, she started to ease herself from under Slingerland's arm and out of the warm cuddly position that was something she hadn't thought he'd go for. Unfortunately, that said arm only tightened, bring her closer to him as he snuggled her.
Holding her breath, Jules hoped he would fall back asleep and allow her another chance to escape again. As fate would have it, she went to bed with one of the few men in the world that were light sleepers. "Good morning."
Letting out the breath she had been holding, she sighed in defeat. "Morning," not quite ready to turn around to face him.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked, slipping his other arm under her and hugging her tightly to him. Nuzzling her for a moment, he pressed his lips against the nape of her neck, his breath sending sizzling warmth through her body.
"Um..." she pulled the sheets around herself and turned in his arms, careful to put a little more space between them so that she could look at him without going cross eyed and still be decently covered. Or at least as decently as one can be when naked. "Matt..."
"Oh lord," he closed his eyes and leaned his head back without turning away from her. "Please tell me we are not about to have the whole awkward-morning-after moment that every hot blooded man dreads."
As nervous as she was, Jules couldn't help herself. "What if I like doing the awkward-morning-after thing?"
Matt opened his eyes and raised an amused brow at her, obviously surprised and delighted with her sassy reply. And before Jules knew what was happening, he had pressed her back on the bed, lips maneuvering themselves into the most hot intimate kiss since... well, since last evening. His arms held her close even as his weight pressed her into the bedding, keeping her well aware of their present position.... And the fact that he too had nothing on beneath the sheets.
When oxygen finally became an issue, he pulled back slowly, lips lingering as if reluctant to break contact. Jules kept her eyes close for a moment longer, trying to reestablish some equilibrium to her reeling senses.
"Well," Matt said casually as if he hadn't just tried to give her an orgasmic experience with a kiss. "I suppose I should set about convincing you of the contrary, shouldn't I?"
She counted to ten, hoping her heart would return to a semi normal rate. Then she counted to ten again. "Matt..."
"What happened to no regrets in the morning?" he asked, teasingly as he propped himself up by the elbow.
Giving him a weak smile, she sighed. "It went out the window when my sanity returned with the dawn." Wrinkling her nose and squeezing her eyes shut, "Matt, I think that..."
"I think that you think too much," he interrupted flopping onto his back to stare at the ceiling. "I think that we need to think about this some more instead of jumping from one conclusion to the next after a night of fireworks. I don't know about you but I'm starved for food. Worked up quite an appetite for something other than your delectable body." Turning his head enough to look at her, "Why don't you jump into the shower while I make breakfast for us both? We'll talk after."
Wondering if she's lost her mind for the second time in twenty-four hours, Jules nodded her head lacking a better reply. When neither of them moved, her natural quirkiness reared its ugly head. "Are you planning on moving or just lay there staring at me all day?"
Matt grinned in return. "While the latter of the choice could be quite delightful, I was actually waiting for you to get up first. I thought perhaps your sense of modesty would not withstand my walking about your bedchambers without my Skivvies."
She blinked at him.
"Undergarments, Sunshine." He grinned at her slyly. "Unless you are interested. After all, we didn't exactly get to..."
Jules got out of the bed, tugging the sheets with her and dashed into the bathroom. Once there, she let out a breath and blushed ten shades red as she realized that she was rather inclined to give into the temptation of viewing Matt Slingerland's assets. It was only natural given the circumstances.
Matt laid there for a few more seconds after Jules made that comical exit and let out the breath he had not realized that he had been holding all morning.
The morning had gone better than he could have hoped given what he had dreaded. He's spent half the night, after watching Jules drift into wonderfully oblivious slumber, simply studying the woman that he had not thought possible of such incredible passion. Yet his body, humming with passion spent, had attested to the kind of pleasure she had brought about in him. Then awaking this morning to the simple sweet contentment of having her in his arms... it was unexpected. He's never felt so in high spirits at waking.
And then she realized what had happened. Most men would probably find it rather defeating to wake to a woman nervous as hell and trying to find a quiet calm way to extract herself from an awkward position. But Matt had other ideas, which was why he had teased her so.
Standing up, he looked about for his clothes and discovered that they were in sore need of ironing. But one must not complaint of such silly little things. He was only glad that he had some spare clothes in the office, or he would not be fit to see anyone today. He'll have to see about getting pass the attending nurses until he can get changed. Oh lordy, what gossips will arise if they should... well, the gossip is going to start even if no one sees him.
Finding eggs, some bacon he was obliged to toss out, milk and bread in the frig, a trick he'll have to learn, he was quick in making French toast he hoped she would enjoy. And while the coffee maker dripped, creating a heavenly aroma, Matt considered his options.
First of all, he knew that he was not the settling down type, at least not at his age. But no one said that this was going to be a til-death-do-you-part kind of thing. Second, he enjoyed Jules Keating's company more than any other female he's ever had the pleasure of being with. He was just selfish enough to not want to give up that companionship so quickly. And the tried and true method of relationships has always been said to be budding from friendship to something else. What the something else would have to be defined at a later date. And third... well after last evening, he was more than a little interested in exploring the more intimate part of their relationship once more.
"Hi." He turned just as Jules, wrapped in a fluffy blue terry robe, came through the bedroom door shy and unsure of herself and feeling quite silly to be feeling silly cause it was her apartment after all. "What did you make?"
He grinned at her, unabashedly admiring the sweet picture she made all cleanly scrubbed and bashful. "French toast, but I couldn't find any powdered sugar."
She came forward, hesitated for a moment before leaning over him to open the cupboard just above his head and pulled out a glass container. "Powder sugar."
Catching her hand, he brought it to his lips knowing the effect it would have on her and wanting to see it. "Sweet."
Jumping almost out of her skin and blushing to the point where her freckles disappeared, she pulled away to set the table.
Chuckling without the least bit of shame, he followed with a cup of java for her. As they sat down across from one another on the little dining room table, he noticed that she was careful to keep her robe tightly pulled to her chin and belted into a square knot. After a few moment of tense silence, "Jules..."
"Matt..." she began at the same time then blushed again when he grinned at her.
"I don't regret it," he said not giving her a chance to contradict him. "In fact, I rather enjoyed it a little more than you or I had intended to."
She seemed to be blushing a lot this morning. Putting down her fork, she folded her head in her lap. "I shouldn't have..."
"Don't," stopping her to the quick. "I already said that I didn't regret it for a moment. In fact... Jules..." It was one thing to have the perfect words in one's mind, but totally another to voice them. "I'd like to give us a try."
That certainly got her attention. "Excuse me?"
"Us," indicting the space between them. Matt tilted his head and looked at her. "I won't say that the thought of the two of us is... conventional. But we... we're good together. Friends, colleagues... I'd like it to be more now. Have the idea in the back of my mind for some time now, never expressed it cause..." he grinned at her. "We were having such an easy time, I didn't want to ruin it."
Jules nodded her head with understanding. "Crossing that invisible line is kind of...intimidating."
"I think we've well blew up the line and any boarders that may have existed last evening," he chuckled as he sipped his coffee and leaned back in his seat more than inclined to just sit there and stare at her for a while. "This is good. I can get use to being able to wake up and not feel the urge to run for the hills when the woman next to me in my bed turns to look at me."
Stacking her hand in front of her, Jules studied him for a moment. By all indications, he was serious about this... this whole thing. Matt Slingerland was actually initiating an honest to god relationship with all the commitments involved. Or maybe... "Matt, are you saying that you want to...date?"
"Surprised, luv? Honestly, you cannot be as astonished by this turn of events as I am," he grinned. "And yes, this will be a monogamous relationship. I do not share my lovers."
Nodding her head slowly, Jules considered it for a moment. True, she's never felt as freely with a man as she was with Matt. There was something about him that just...She didn't feel the need to try to make a good impression. There was no need for it. It was kind of nice. "All right."
"All right?" he asked cautiously, not sure what to make of the all-too-serious expression on her usually cheery face. "That means..."
"It means that I agree with you," she leaned forward, looking him straight in the eyes. "We should give us a try. What's the worse that can happen?"
"Hum..." he mockingly considered the question.
"Shut up!" reaching over the hit him lightly on the arm.
Laughing, he grabbed her arm and pulled her forward. The kiss was lightly, friendly and sweet. And was over before Jules had a chance to react. When all she did was stay where she was, hovering over the table, eyes closed, he grinned in reaction. "Oh, I can definitely get use to this."
Tasting her lips for a moment, she slowly sat back down. "Um... Matt?"
"Yes?"
Opening her eyes, she bit her lips tentatively. "I don't think that it would be wise for us to go blabbing it around the hospital about this."
That caught him off guard. "Jules, I have no intention of having some sort of secret affairs with you."
"No, that's not what I meant." She wrinkled her nose and studied her plate for a moment. "You have a reputation, one that you have cultivated and never denied. It's pretty much all over the hospital that you have dated quite a few staff members. I work at that hospital, as a resident. These are people that I have worked long and hard to earn the respect of." She looked imploringly at him. "I do not want to be known as Matt Slingerland's newest flirt in a long string of..."
"I got it," he replied, wincing at how it sounded even to him. For once, he cursed himself for having a libido that needed seriously curbing. "And I got your point. All right then... no talking about us."
"And no public displays," she added.
He considered it. "How about private ones? Your office, my office, a storage closet somewhere?"
She threw her napkin at him. "Your impossible."
Laughing, he picked up their plates. "And we're going to be late for work if we don't get a move on it."
"Oh god," she groaned and got up slowly. "You going to drive me?"
"We'll enter by separate entrances," he assured her. "The garage has several after all."
"Good," picking up her pants and blouse from the day before. "How are you going to explain why you're still in the same..."
"I've got spares in the office. The overcoat should cover me enough until I get changed," he answered, running water into the sink. "When are you off tonight?"
"Six. You?"
"Six thirty, shall we meet for dinner?"
"My place, I'll order Chinese."
"Extra sweet and sour pork."
"Okay," going to the bedroom before pausing for a moment, back tracking to the couch. She stared at the sofa for a moment.
"What is it?" drying his hands and the plates at the same time.
"Um..." she tried to remember. Really tried to remember. "What kind of protection were we using last night?"
Matt groaned. "You're not on the pill?"
She looked at him. "What does that mean?"
"Nothing," he replied quickly, knowing that some women were very sensitive about whose responsibility it was to take care of certain things. "Of course you weren't, you were trying to freeze fertile eggs not two months ago." He sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. "We didn't use any."
"Use any what?" dreading the answer.
"Condoms," he answered slowly, feeling like an idiot. "I'm sorry. I lost my head last evening."
She swallowed the uneasiness in the pit of her stomach but was quick to dismiss it. "It takes two tango. And I highly doubt that we're that unlucky. After all, there was a reason I was trying to freeze my eggs, right?"
"Right," nodding his head reassuringly but his smile at her had its doubts to that particular reasoning. "Why don't you get dressed, luv? We need to get going."
"Right," nodding her head and backing slowly toward the bedroom once more. "Um... do you need another shirt or something? Maybe a hooded sweatshirt just to get to the hospital?"
He thought about it for a moment. "Sure, if you have anything that'll fit me..."
She smiled almost wistfully. "I think I have one of Josh's buttons downs in the closet. You're a little taller but I think it'll fit until you get to the hospital and change."
"Great."
"Matt?"
"Yeah?" as he prepared to load the dishwasher.
Hesitating, "Don't hurt me, okay?"
He looked at her, full of uncertainty but determination. "I don't intend to... and never intentionally." His hand stilled on the dishes for a moment before turning his back to her. "It works both way, you know."
"I know," her eyes blinked. "I wouldn't."
He nodded and searched the sink area for dishwashing detergent. "Jules, I know that we're very different and that this has the potential of blowing up in our faces. And lord knows that no matter how hard we try to hide this from our co-workers, someone is going to find out sooner or later, and then we'll be in for one bumpy ride. But I was serious when I said that I wanted a chance at this." He laughed softly, running water to cleanse the plates. "This is new to me."
"We're all new at this," she whispered as she approached him slowly. Wrapping her arms around him from behind, she pressed her cheek against his back. She glad that he was so tall, it made her feel so deliciously feminine. "But this is going to work out, I know it."
Matt smiled as his hand went to hers, enjoying the comfortable warmth of her presence. "Yeah, me too."
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"So Letty went to bat for Dr. Kokoris, huh? That's new."
Harriet glanced at Dr. Brennan over her half moon glasses. "Is it? She's never one to sit back and let something like this slide. Granted, I heard she was pissed as hell over what he did but she couldn't deny that fact that man is a brilliant doctor and he was right about the diagnosis. And Terry should have listened to the opinions of her peers instead of playing guard dog to her own wallet. If that old battle axe had just..."
Rae burst into laughter. "Battle Axe?"
"What would you call her?"
"You beside witch and another word that rhythms with that?"
"See," Harriet made another notation in the papers she had been reviewing. "Medication is no place for arrogant stubbornness. People and lives depend on us. And Letty knew it."
"Well I am glad she did," Rae replied as studied her friend. "Harriet?"
"Yes?" distractedly.
"Has Jules said anything to you about her relationship with Slingerland?"
Harriet set her pen down. "Not really. But then again, she very seldom talks about her social life. Who she dates is none of my business. If she choices to see Matt Slingerland outside the scoop of her capacity here as a doctor, who are we to say no."
"And you don't find it just a little disturbing?" Rae asked as she leaned back in her chair.
"I think that we need to stay focused on what is important," Harriet pointed out as she sipped the tea that has been sitting on her desk for too long now. "And that is Jules's happiness. I don't see any indication that Matt is abusing her emotions and I don't see why we need to interfere."
"And you think Slingerland's...fondness for Jules will last?" Rae asked, frowning with concern as she rested her elbows on the chair arms and brought her hands to her chin.
"Other than the one night we saw them together and the numerous rumors and half-truths that seem so prominent in the nursing staffs' daily activities, I have yet to see any signs of a defined relationship, other than friendship." She recalled the three in the morning phone conversation with Slingerland at Jules's apartment... but they had both offered a plausible explanation for that one.
"Yeah but we've all seen some hints or other that the two of them have been seeing a lot more of one another in the recent weeks. You can't deny that."
"Why the sudden interest in Jules's love life?"
"Since she began to have one again," Rae replied with a grin. "I'm just worried about her, that's all. I don't want to see her hurt."
"I don't think she will be. She's got a good solid head on her shoulder. Plus she had the added benefit of knowing exactly what Matt Slingerland is like before hand. Even if she is involved with him, she would be walking into it with her eyes wide open. No one can offer her more protection than that."
"I suppose you're right." She sighed and prepared to do her rounds. "I just hope she knows what she's doing." Thank with a quick wave of her hand, headed out to see her patients.
"Me too," Harriet replied to no one as she picked up her glasses to look over the charts in front of her. "Me too."
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Okay, that was probably a little mushy for most but hey, whatever works to move this story along.
By Didi
Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters. John Wells and his friends do. Let's not get into the debate as to who owns the ideas and all that; cause let's face it, you'll lose. Enjoy the story anyways.
Summary: What can I say; this is going to be the morning after scene.
Rating: Definitely putting it at R just in case. There are some semi-graphic descriptions but not enough to be embarrassing or offensive.
Note: If you didn't read the last chapter, go read it now. It only makes sense.
Author's Note: I know that I said I wasn't going to describe the 'encounter' between Slingerland and Keating but.... Well, I lied. Can't really do the morning after without some description of the night before. Really, I did try to avoid it to give you free reign with your imagination but I failed. Forgive me?
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Chapter 10
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The first sensation was warmth, like lying naked on a grassy field in the middle of July somewhere in Omaha or another one of the great rolling hills states. The second was a sweet contentment that hadn't been there since... hum...long enough that it was now just a vague memory. The third was of the lean, hard, undoubtedly male body against her back, intimately spooning her. And let us not leave out the smooth firm hand that fell languorously over her belly.
Just for a second before her brilliant mind came full-chorus awake, Jules Keating blanked at how she ended up in bed with a man. Then the flashes of the night before returned and she wasn't sure if she should be gleeful or mortified.
One thing was for sure, she now knew without a doubt in her mind that there was an awful lot of truth to the reputed reputation of Dr. Matthew Slingerland.
After the initial kiss, which she still wasn't sure why she instigated, and after she had finally brought him around, for what reason she did so was now escaping her logical mind, there was nothing but seeking hands and heated bodies. There was nothing more there but a need to forget, leave behind the ugliness of the day and just simply cleanse herself of the evils that plagued her mind.
She simply wanted; and she took. He didn't put up much of a fight, probably in need of the same kind of mindlessness that she did, merely assisted in opening up his cumbersome clothes to allow her access to that firm body of his. They never got completely out of their attires before need took control and pushed them over the peak of pleasure.
Then came the good stuff, the stuff you read about between the covers of steamy romance novels and really risqué movies; the stuff Jules knew was what led to Matt's nickname with the nurses behind his back, 'Casanova.'
The kiss that followed the first round was intimately long and hot enough to curl her toes. She had a distinctive feeling that he was thoroughly enjoying himself as he aroused her slowly this time around, letting foreplay be the aphrodisiac. Somewhere between the couch and the bed, he managed to divest them both of the rest of their clothing. By the time he slowly laid her down on the cloud of white down and stretched out beside her, she was a warm mass of putty in his hands. And then he began to make love to her; for that was the only way she was going to call the kind of attention and sensual pleasure he visited upon her. It was nothing she could describe and putting it into words would only cheapen it.
Peaking the second time, Jules could have happily died a content woman when he began again. Somehow, she had a feeling that the third time was simply to cushion the descent from the second climax, bringing them up gently again before allowing her to fall into peaceful, warm slumber; chasing away the demons of the night that should have otherwise visited her after the kind of day she had.
Now the lazy, hazy sun peeked through the glazy curtains of her bedroom, reminding her that the day has broken and reality was about to crash upon her. Oh, if she could only close her eyes and fall back into the embrace of the serene night.
Hoping to forestall the conversation that was likely to take place, she started to ease herself from under Slingerland's arm and out of the warm cuddly position that was something she hadn't thought he'd go for. Unfortunately, that said arm only tightened, bring her closer to him as he snuggled her.
Holding her breath, Jules hoped he would fall back asleep and allow her another chance to escape again. As fate would have it, she went to bed with one of the few men in the world that were light sleepers. "Good morning."
Letting out the breath she had been holding, she sighed in defeat. "Morning," not quite ready to turn around to face him.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked, slipping his other arm under her and hugging her tightly to him. Nuzzling her for a moment, he pressed his lips against the nape of her neck, his breath sending sizzling warmth through her body.
"Um..." she pulled the sheets around herself and turned in his arms, careful to put a little more space between them so that she could look at him without going cross eyed and still be decently covered. Or at least as decently as one can be when naked. "Matt..."
"Oh lord," he closed his eyes and leaned his head back without turning away from her. "Please tell me we are not about to have the whole awkward-morning-after moment that every hot blooded man dreads."
As nervous as she was, Jules couldn't help herself. "What if I like doing the awkward-morning-after thing?"
Matt opened his eyes and raised an amused brow at her, obviously surprised and delighted with her sassy reply. And before Jules knew what was happening, he had pressed her back on the bed, lips maneuvering themselves into the most hot intimate kiss since... well, since last evening. His arms held her close even as his weight pressed her into the bedding, keeping her well aware of their present position.... And the fact that he too had nothing on beneath the sheets.
When oxygen finally became an issue, he pulled back slowly, lips lingering as if reluctant to break contact. Jules kept her eyes close for a moment longer, trying to reestablish some equilibrium to her reeling senses.
"Well," Matt said casually as if he hadn't just tried to give her an orgasmic experience with a kiss. "I suppose I should set about convincing you of the contrary, shouldn't I?"
She counted to ten, hoping her heart would return to a semi normal rate. Then she counted to ten again. "Matt..."
"What happened to no regrets in the morning?" he asked, teasingly as he propped himself up by the elbow.
Giving him a weak smile, she sighed. "It went out the window when my sanity returned with the dawn." Wrinkling her nose and squeezing her eyes shut, "Matt, I think that..."
"I think that you think too much," he interrupted flopping onto his back to stare at the ceiling. "I think that we need to think about this some more instead of jumping from one conclusion to the next after a night of fireworks. I don't know about you but I'm starved for food. Worked up quite an appetite for something other than your delectable body." Turning his head enough to look at her, "Why don't you jump into the shower while I make breakfast for us both? We'll talk after."
Wondering if she's lost her mind for the second time in twenty-four hours, Jules nodded her head lacking a better reply. When neither of them moved, her natural quirkiness reared its ugly head. "Are you planning on moving or just lay there staring at me all day?"
Matt grinned in return. "While the latter of the choice could be quite delightful, I was actually waiting for you to get up first. I thought perhaps your sense of modesty would not withstand my walking about your bedchambers without my Skivvies."
She blinked at him.
"Undergarments, Sunshine." He grinned at her slyly. "Unless you are interested. After all, we didn't exactly get to..."
Jules got out of the bed, tugging the sheets with her and dashed into the bathroom. Once there, she let out a breath and blushed ten shades red as she realized that she was rather inclined to give into the temptation of viewing Matt Slingerland's assets. It was only natural given the circumstances.
Matt laid there for a few more seconds after Jules made that comical exit and let out the breath he had not realized that he had been holding all morning.
The morning had gone better than he could have hoped given what he had dreaded. He's spent half the night, after watching Jules drift into wonderfully oblivious slumber, simply studying the woman that he had not thought possible of such incredible passion. Yet his body, humming with passion spent, had attested to the kind of pleasure she had brought about in him. Then awaking this morning to the simple sweet contentment of having her in his arms... it was unexpected. He's never felt so in high spirits at waking.
And then she realized what had happened. Most men would probably find it rather defeating to wake to a woman nervous as hell and trying to find a quiet calm way to extract herself from an awkward position. But Matt had other ideas, which was why he had teased her so.
Standing up, he looked about for his clothes and discovered that they were in sore need of ironing. But one must not complaint of such silly little things. He was only glad that he had some spare clothes in the office, or he would not be fit to see anyone today. He'll have to see about getting pass the attending nurses until he can get changed. Oh lordy, what gossips will arise if they should... well, the gossip is going to start even if no one sees him.
Finding eggs, some bacon he was obliged to toss out, milk and bread in the frig, a trick he'll have to learn, he was quick in making French toast he hoped she would enjoy. And while the coffee maker dripped, creating a heavenly aroma, Matt considered his options.
First of all, he knew that he was not the settling down type, at least not at his age. But no one said that this was going to be a til-death-do-you-part kind of thing. Second, he enjoyed Jules Keating's company more than any other female he's ever had the pleasure of being with. He was just selfish enough to not want to give up that companionship so quickly. And the tried and true method of relationships has always been said to be budding from friendship to something else. What the something else would have to be defined at a later date. And third... well after last evening, he was more than a little interested in exploring the more intimate part of their relationship once more.
"Hi." He turned just as Jules, wrapped in a fluffy blue terry robe, came through the bedroom door shy and unsure of herself and feeling quite silly to be feeling silly cause it was her apartment after all. "What did you make?"
He grinned at her, unabashedly admiring the sweet picture she made all cleanly scrubbed and bashful. "French toast, but I couldn't find any powdered sugar."
She came forward, hesitated for a moment before leaning over him to open the cupboard just above his head and pulled out a glass container. "Powder sugar."
Catching her hand, he brought it to his lips knowing the effect it would have on her and wanting to see it. "Sweet."
Jumping almost out of her skin and blushing to the point where her freckles disappeared, she pulled away to set the table.
Chuckling without the least bit of shame, he followed with a cup of java for her. As they sat down across from one another on the little dining room table, he noticed that she was careful to keep her robe tightly pulled to her chin and belted into a square knot. After a few moment of tense silence, "Jules..."
"Matt..." she began at the same time then blushed again when he grinned at her.
"I don't regret it," he said not giving her a chance to contradict him. "In fact, I rather enjoyed it a little more than you or I had intended to."
She seemed to be blushing a lot this morning. Putting down her fork, she folded her head in her lap. "I shouldn't have..."
"Don't," stopping her to the quick. "I already said that I didn't regret it for a moment. In fact... Jules..." It was one thing to have the perfect words in one's mind, but totally another to voice them. "I'd like to give us a try."
That certainly got her attention. "Excuse me?"
"Us," indicting the space between them. Matt tilted his head and looked at her. "I won't say that the thought of the two of us is... conventional. But we... we're good together. Friends, colleagues... I'd like it to be more now. Have the idea in the back of my mind for some time now, never expressed it cause..." he grinned at her. "We were having such an easy time, I didn't want to ruin it."
Jules nodded her head with understanding. "Crossing that invisible line is kind of...intimidating."
"I think we've well blew up the line and any boarders that may have existed last evening," he chuckled as he sipped his coffee and leaned back in his seat more than inclined to just sit there and stare at her for a while. "This is good. I can get use to being able to wake up and not feel the urge to run for the hills when the woman next to me in my bed turns to look at me."
Stacking her hand in front of her, Jules studied him for a moment. By all indications, he was serious about this... this whole thing. Matt Slingerland was actually initiating an honest to god relationship with all the commitments involved. Or maybe... "Matt, are you saying that you want to...date?"
"Surprised, luv? Honestly, you cannot be as astonished by this turn of events as I am," he grinned. "And yes, this will be a monogamous relationship. I do not share my lovers."
Nodding her head slowly, Jules considered it for a moment. True, she's never felt as freely with a man as she was with Matt. There was something about him that just...She didn't feel the need to try to make a good impression. There was no need for it. It was kind of nice. "All right."
"All right?" he asked cautiously, not sure what to make of the all-too-serious expression on her usually cheery face. "That means..."
"It means that I agree with you," she leaned forward, looking him straight in the eyes. "We should give us a try. What's the worse that can happen?"
"Hum..." he mockingly considered the question.
"Shut up!" reaching over the hit him lightly on the arm.
Laughing, he grabbed her arm and pulled her forward. The kiss was lightly, friendly and sweet. And was over before Jules had a chance to react. When all she did was stay where she was, hovering over the table, eyes closed, he grinned in reaction. "Oh, I can definitely get use to this."
Tasting her lips for a moment, she slowly sat back down. "Um... Matt?"
"Yes?"
Opening her eyes, she bit her lips tentatively. "I don't think that it would be wise for us to go blabbing it around the hospital about this."
That caught him off guard. "Jules, I have no intention of having some sort of secret affairs with you."
"No, that's not what I meant." She wrinkled her nose and studied her plate for a moment. "You have a reputation, one that you have cultivated and never denied. It's pretty much all over the hospital that you have dated quite a few staff members. I work at that hospital, as a resident. These are people that I have worked long and hard to earn the respect of." She looked imploringly at him. "I do not want to be known as Matt Slingerland's newest flirt in a long string of..."
"I got it," he replied, wincing at how it sounded even to him. For once, he cursed himself for having a libido that needed seriously curbing. "And I got your point. All right then... no talking about us."
"And no public displays," she added.
He considered it. "How about private ones? Your office, my office, a storage closet somewhere?"
She threw her napkin at him. "Your impossible."
Laughing, he picked up their plates. "And we're going to be late for work if we don't get a move on it."
"Oh god," she groaned and got up slowly. "You going to drive me?"
"We'll enter by separate entrances," he assured her. "The garage has several after all."
"Good," picking up her pants and blouse from the day before. "How are you going to explain why you're still in the same..."
"I've got spares in the office. The overcoat should cover me enough until I get changed," he answered, running water into the sink. "When are you off tonight?"
"Six. You?"
"Six thirty, shall we meet for dinner?"
"My place, I'll order Chinese."
"Extra sweet and sour pork."
"Okay," going to the bedroom before pausing for a moment, back tracking to the couch. She stared at the sofa for a moment.
"What is it?" drying his hands and the plates at the same time.
"Um..." she tried to remember. Really tried to remember. "What kind of protection were we using last night?"
Matt groaned. "You're not on the pill?"
She looked at him. "What does that mean?"
"Nothing," he replied quickly, knowing that some women were very sensitive about whose responsibility it was to take care of certain things. "Of course you weren't, you were trying to freeze fertile eggs not two months ago." He sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. "We didn't use any."
"Use any what?" dreading the answer.
"Condoms," he answered slowly, feeling like an idiot. "I'm sorry. I lost my head last evening."
She swallowed the uneasiness in the pit of her stomach but was quick to dismiss it. "It takes two tango. And I highly doubt that we're that unlucky. After all, there was a reason I was trying to freeze my eggs, right?"
"Right," nodding his head reassuringly but his smile at her had its doubts to that particular reasoning. "Why don't you get dressed, luv? We need to get going."
"Right," nodding her head and backing slowly toward the bedroom once more. "Um... do you need another shirt or something? Maybe a hooded sweatshirt just to get to the hospital?"
He thought about it for a moment. "Sure, if you have anything that'll fit me..."
She smiled almost wistfully. "I think I have one of Josh's buttons downs in the closet. You're a little taller but I think it'll fit until you get to the hospital and change."
"Great."
"Matt?"
"Yeah?" as he prepared to load the dishwasher.
Hesitating, "Don't hurt me, okay?"
He looked at her, full of uncertainty but determination. "I don't intend to... and never intentionally." His hand stilled on the dishes for a moment before turning his back to her. "It works both way, you know."
"I know," her eyes blinked. "I wouldn't."
He nodded and searched the sink area for dishwashing detergent. "Jules, I know that we're very different and that this has the potential of blowing up in our faces. And lord knows that no matter how hard we try to hide this from our co-workers, someone is going to find out sooner or later, and then we'll be in for one bumpy ride. But I was serious when I said that I wanted a chance at this." He laughed softly, running water to cleanse the plates. "This is new to me."
"We're all new at this," she whispered as she approached him slowly. Wrapping her arms around him from behind, she pressed her cheek against his back. She glad that he was so tall, it made her feel so deliciously feminine. "But this is going to work out, I know it."
Matt smiled as his hand went to hers, enjoying the comfortable warmth of her presence. "Yeah, me too."
*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
"So Letty went to bat for Dr. Kokoris, huh? That's new."
Harriet glanced at Dr. Brennan over her half moon glasses. "Is it? She's never one to sit back and let something like this slide. Granted, I heard she was pissed as hell over what he did but she couldn't deny that fact that man is a brilliant doctor and he was right about the diagnosis. And Terry should have listened to the opinions of her peers instead of playing guard dog to her own wallet. If that old battle axe had just..."
Rae burst into laughter. "Battle Axe?"
"What would you call her?"
"You beside witch and another word that rhythms with that?"
"See," Harriet made another notation in the papers she had been reviewing. "Medication is no place for arrogant stubbornness. People and lives depend on us. And Letty knew it."
"Well I am glad she did," Rae replied as studied her friend. "Harriet?"
"Yes?" distractedly.
"Has Jules said anything to you about her relationship with Slingerland?"
Harriet set her pen down. "Not really. But then again, she very seldom talks about her social life. Who she dates is none of my business. If she choices to see Matt Slingerland outside the scoop of her capacity here as a doctor, who are we to say no."
"And you don't find it just a little disturbing?" Rae asked as she leaned back in her chair.
"I think that we need to stay focused on what is important," Harriet pointed out as she sipped the tea that has been sitting on her desk for too long now. "And that is Jules's happiness. I don't see any indication that Matt is abusing her emotions and I don't see why we need to interfere."
"And you think Slingerland's...fondness for Jules will last?" Rae asked, frowning with concern as she rested her elbows on the chair arms and brought her hands to her chin.
"Other than the one night we saw them together and the numerous rumors and half-truths that seem so prominent in the nursing staffs' daily activities, I have yet to see any signs of a defined relationship, other than friendship." She recalled the three in the morning phone conversation with Slingerland at Jules's apartment... but they had both offered a plausible explanation for that one.
"Yeah but we've all seen some hints or other that the two of them have been seeing a lot more of one another in the recent weeks. You can't deny that."
"Why the sudden interest in Jules's love life?"
"Since she began to have one again," Rae replied with a grin. "I'm just worried about her, that's all. I don't want to see her hurt."
"I don't think she will be. She's got a good solid head on her shoulder. Plus she had the added benefit of knowing exactly what Matt Slingerland is like before hand. Even if she is involved with him, she would be walking into it with her eyes wide open. No one can offer her more protection than that."
"I suppose you're right." She sighed and prepared to do her rounds. "I just hope she knows what she's doing." Thank with a quick wave of her hand, headed out to see her patients.
"Me too," Harriet replied to no one as she picked up her glasses to look over the charts in front of her. "Me too."
*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Okay, that was probably a little mushy for most but hey, whatever works to move this story along.