AN: I'd like to thank those of you who had taken the time to read my story and let me know what you thought of it. Feedback is always immensely appreciated.

So here's a new chappie which I hope you'll enjoy. I promise the next one will bring more Nick and more action.

Chapter 2: A new friend, nothing more.

Before she knew, the first morning at her new job had flown by and now it was time for Shari's lunch break. The idea of eating alone didn't sound very appealing, so she decided to buy a salad and eat it in the privacy of her office. As she was leaving the laboratory, Matt joined her.

" Good morning again, Miss Hayes. Had a pleasant first day?" He asked, with a kind smile.

" Yes, it was pretty calm, actually. Only a couple of influenza diagnosis," said Shari, as he helped her put her leather jacket on in the most gentlemanly way.

She thanked him and started walking towards the elevator when Matt spoke again. " Are you free for lunch now?"

" Yes," she replied.

" Me too. Want to grab a bite?" Shari stopped walking and faced him.

" Look, Dr. Slingerland, I really appreciate what you are trying to do, but..." she started.

" Hey, I'm not trying to do anything, I just want to have lunch with you. And my name is Matt," he remarked cordially.

Shari stared at him for a second; truth was, she could really use some company and the internist seemed nice...

" OK," she relented.

" Peachy," was his reply, placing a hand in the small of her back to lead her towards the elevator.

They made small talk until they reached the cafeteria. There, Shari picked a simple lettuce and tomato salad, while Matt helped himself with a hot-dog, some French fries and a cup of coffee. Noticing her amused look as they both sat down by a large window, he chuckled.

" Very well, this is obviously not the healthiest of lunches but... it's better than that tasteless salad you got there."

Shari laughed. " We women cannot eat as much as you men do. We are supposed to diet," she admonished jokingly.

" Believe me, you don't need to."

Her eyebrows shot up and was about to reply when he blurted out, " How old are you?"

" You couldn't wait to ask me that, right?" She asked, trying to sound exasperated, but failing miserably.

" I happen to be very nosy."

" I'm 25," she responded, as to satisfy his curiosity without knowing the interrogatory had only started.

" And you're already head of a department? You must have very impressive credentials," he said, looking awed.

She shrugged. " I just majored in Biology at Harvard and then did two specializations. It's not that big of a deal."

" In which field of work did you specialize?" Was his following question.

" A Masters Degree in Epidemiology and a PhD in Virology. At Harvard and Yale," she informed.

" If my numbers are correct you must have done each in a year." Shari nodded. " Intelligent. I like that," he said and winked at her.

They both laughed, attracting the attention of some Doctors sitting near them.

" Enough of me. Tell me more about you," demanded Shari with a grin.

" I'm nowhere near being as interesting as you are."

" I'll judge that. So, now it's my turn. What's your age?"

" 36," he replied.

" Have you been living in America for too long?"

" Not really, I left England only two years ago."

She frowned. " And don't you miss your family?"

" We are not exactly close. Apparently, they cannot deal with my 'rebellious nature', as they so gently put it."

Shari realized he was trying to put up a brave front, since there was a trace of pain in his eyes he tried to hide by looking away. She nodded and patted his hand softly, causing him to look back at her; they stared into each other's eyes until she broke the silence and continued to assault him with questions. Talking, they lost track of time until his beeper went off.

" Well, looks like the lovely ladies from the NICU need me," he said after reading the number on the display.

" I probably should get going back to the lab... don't want to screw up in the first day."

" I really had a marvelous time, Shari. Hope we can do this again."

She could tell he was sincere.

" I'd love to," was her simple reply.

And so it had started. In only two months time, Matt and her had become real close and she was enjoying that friendship quite a lot, for he was funny, outgoing and a great person. They went out for lunch almost everyday, which pleased Shari, since she didn't have to face the idea of having lunch all by herself day after day. And he made up for her self-imposed lack of social life; right then, she only wanted to focus on her job. Still, having a friend was comforting; no matter if people thought they were more than that.

As for Matt, he couldn't believe his luck in finding a woman like Shari, so caring, open and whose company he enjoyed so much. At first it had hurt his ego realizing she was only interested in his friendship, but in time he had come to appreciate the bond they had formed and the closeness they had. Something he had never experienced before with a woman.

He didn't understand Nick's prejudices and dislike against her. He had tried to get him to know her to no avail.

" Bloody hell, Nick, it's your loss," he had ended up telling him.

***

Please, r/r!!!!!!!!!