Ethan had been fascinated by Leanne since the first time he met her and his interest had only increased the more he got to know her. He often found himself watching her work, so he knew she was an excellent doctor. That's why he was surprised when she struggled to place a line in a patient with tricky veins. It didn't make any sense until he realized she had been there for multiple shifts without a break. He spent the rest of his shift wondering why she would willingly work herself to the brink of exhaustion.

At the end of his shift, Ethan grabbed a cup of coffee in the breakroom and walked past Leanne's office on his way out of the building. He was hoping to find her office dark and locked indicating that she had finally gone home, but, instead, he found her working on paperwork. However, she had traded her scrubs for street clothes, which he considered a good sign. He stopped in the open doorway and watched her for a few seconds, then said, "Even in a war zone we slept."

Leanne looked up at him with a smile and took off her glasses. "Goodnight, Dr. Willis."

Ethan briefly considered leaving her alone, but dismissed the idea when she stood up and began gathering her things. While Leanne got ready to leave for the night, Ethan engaged her in small talk about Charlotte Piel. Leanne allowed Ethan to lead the conversation until he presented her with the opportunity to change the subject. Seizing the opportunity, she asked, "Why are you here?"

"I owe the army two years. They've decided to park me here until my tour is over."

"Why?"

"Long story," Ethan answered. To make it clear that he didn't want to talk about it, he abruptly resumed their previous discussion. With a forced smile, he told Leanne, "I'm not giving up on Charlotte."

"Good."

"Nighty night."

"Nighty night," Leanne replied, but Ethan was already gone.

Ethan only took a couple of steps before he changed his mind and doubled back. As he walked back into Leanne's office, he said, "If you really want to hear it, we could have dinner."

"There's a little diner not too far from here."

"Sounds perfect. Lead the way."

*** CB ***

Leanne did her best to wait patiently for Ethan to tell her the story of how he ended up at Angels, but he seemed content to share his thoughts on his new colleagues. They were halfway through dinner before her curiosity got the best of her. "I thought you said you were going to tell me how you ended up at Angels," she blurted out, interrupting him.

"I did."

"Well?"

"Okay, okay. Something happened during my last tour in Afghanistan. There was this kid in a nearby village. He was really sick, but his parents were afraid to bring him to us."

"So you went to him," Leanne guessed.

"Yeah. I took out his appendix. The surgery went well and the kid was fine. Everything was fine."

"Until it wasn't."

"Until it wasn't," agreed Ethan. "A couple of days after the surgery, a patrol unit found the kid's body in the middle of the road. He'd been shot in the head and his sutures had been ripped open. The message was clear. No more American medicine."

"You were sent to Angels because somebody else killed the kid?"

"No, I was sent to Angels because I didn't heed the warning. I went to every village and treated every person who asked."

"Good for you."

"Thanks, but my superior officers didn't see it as a good thing. They saw it as an act of defiance and sent me here."

"As a punishment."

Ethan merely shrugged. "Anyway, that's my story. Now, tell me yours."

"Mine? I'm sure the nurses have already told you my story."

"You mean about your family?"

"Mhmm."

"I tried not to listen."

"It's hard not to hear. It's been four years, but it's still their favorite topic of gossip."

"For what it's worth, I'm really sorry and if you ever want to talk about it, I'll listen."

"It's not something I like to talk about."

Ethan decided not to press her any further and they fell into a companiable silence for the rest of the meal. As they were walking out of the diner, Ethan casually remarked, "I had a nice time tonight."

"Me too."

"I'd like to do it again. Soon."

"What do you mean?"

"I'd like to take you out on a real date. Preferably dinner, but if you're not ready for that we could have lunch or coffee or a beer on the roof."

For a long time, Leanne was too stunned to speak. When she did find her voice, she shocked herself by saying, "Yes."

"You'll have dinner with me?"

"Yes," Leanne repeated more firmly. She was rewarded with a wide smile from Ethan, who didn't seem to be able to wipe the grin from his face as he walked her to her car and said goodnight.