Chapter 10

The rest of the week flew by without much incident. Friday night the emergency room staff had a farewell party for Dr. Petersen, Chris had to be in attendance but Jessie was right there with him. Dr. Montgomery had also come and so had Julie, with James. Jessie looked over at them and smiled, they looked so cute together. She went over to Julie and James and put her hand on Julie's arm.

"Pardon me, but could I borrow your date for a couple of minutes?" she asked James.

"Of course, just bring her back in one piece."

He still had some burning feelings for Jessie, probably would for a while, but he really did enjoy Julie's company. She was fun and not as shy as everyone thought, she had shocked him a couple of times already this evening and they had only been there for an hour. He watched as the girls walked off in the direction of the washroom, what was it with women and washrooms. They can never just go alone.

"So how is it going?" Jessie asked once the door closed behind them.

"Good I hope, I'm nervous."

"Don't be nervous, I think he likes spending time with you."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because he hasn't left your side the whole time you've been here."

"He could just be being nice."

"Julie, have more faith in yourself. You are a fun person and very cute in that outfit may I add. Just keep being yourself and let him decide, but he'd be a fool to say no to another date."

"You're right, I hope they finish with the toasts soon, I don't know how much more wine I can handle."

"I'll let you in on a secret my brother taught me. Every time someone makes a toast, sip a little bit of your wine and spit it into a napkin, then throw the napkin away before anyone notices."

"Is that what you are doing, because you seem fine?"

Jessie untucked a napkin from the cuff of her shirt, and an extra one for Julie. Julie thanked her and they left the washroom and went back to their dates. Chris put his arm around her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Dr. Davidson, the new supervisor, was making his way over to them. Jessie knew that shoptalk was coming so he excused herself and stepped outside for some air. Dr. Petersen saw her leave and followed her out.

"Hello."

Jessie jumped; she hadn't heard anyone come out after her.

"Hello Dr. Petersen. Congratulations on your transfer, sounds like a great opportunity for you."

"Thank you dear," she paused before continuing, "Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. You are a very lucky woman, Chris is quite a catch."

"Thank you, I know," Jessie was beginning to wonder what she was getting at.

"Of course I'm not speaking from experience, but the rumour among the nurses is that he is an incredible lover. Is that true?"

Jessie saw now that Chris had not been overreacting when he told her a while back that he thought Dr. Petersen was hitting on him. She had made improper advances on him a couple of times, but he had never reported anything. He wanted to deal with it on his own. Jessie walked towards the other woman and closed the distance between them.

"I don't care what you have heard, but our sex life is none of your business or anyone else's for that matter. If you try to take Chris from me, you will find out just how upset I can get."

"Does Chris know about this temper of yours?"

"He knows not to piss me off or he's really in trouble. I only get this mad when provoked and believe me it takes a lot to bring me to this point."

Jessie backed away and composed herself.

"Good luck in Denver Dr. Petersen, I'm sure you will be an asset to their hospital."

She shook the woman's hand and left her standing outside alone to think about what Jessie said. She went inside and whispered into Chris' ear that she wanted to leave now if that was all right with him. He told her to wait a moment while he made the rounds and said goodnight. Fifteen minutes later they were in his car on the way back to her parents place.

"Why did you want to leave so soon, the party couldn't have been that bad?"

"I did something that I shouldn't have done."

"What was that?"

"When I stepped outside for some air, Petersen followed me. She tried to make me think that the two of you had an affair, or at least that's what she was leading up to."

"Jessie, you know I would never cheat on you."

"I know, but I sort of let my anger get the best of me. I sort of threatened her."

Chris laughed, he was trying not to, but he did.

"Well I know a few people who would have paid to see that. Do you think you would have taken it to blows if there was an audience, because we could turn back and find out?"

"Chris this isn't funny. Okay maybe a little funny, but I felt ashamed. I hate getting worked up like that."

"Okay, I'm sorry. Do you really want to go home now, it's early?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"There's a club over there if you want to go dancing, that's something we haven't done in a while."

"Sounds good."

Chris pulled into the parking lot and noticed the name of the bar, Rooster's. Good, Jessie would be in her element, 'that should cheer her up' he thought. When they got in they found that there was a live local country band playing. They handed in their coats and went straight to the dance floor.