The Doctor Needs A Fix

A/N: Just an idea I had. Hope you like it.

Dr. Richard Grimes sits in his professionally decorated office, perusing some paperwork before seeing his last patient for the day. He stretches long and languidly, looking at the framed degrees, certificates, and acknowledgments, the plaques, the photographs. All the accomplishments are stellar but his personal life is in shambles. His divorce was final almost a year ago, his ex-wife is remarried, their son is at odds with his stepfather and wants to live with him but his mother is fighting that with everything she's got.

A knock on the door breaks his reverie and he grants entrance. His nurse sticks her head in to inform him that his patient is ready and waiting for him. He accepts the file and looks it over as he makes his way to the examination room. He notes the red stamp "NEW" on the paperwork and remembers to be sure to have a short consultation with the patient before administering the check-up.

He knocks, awaiting permission to enter. He hears an affirmative answer and walks inside, closing the door behind him. He greets his patient, looking up from the folder in his hand. His eyes connect with a soft brown gaze and he falters for just a moment. He clears his throat and looks down at the file again. "Mrs. Anthony….nice to meet you. I'm Dr. Grimes." He extends his hand for a handshake, noticing the warmth of her skin immediately. "I hope you don't mind pronouncing your first name for me. I'd hate to get it wrong."

"It's Michonne and it's Ms. Anthony," she corrects.

"Thank you." He takes the seat at the small desk, using his pen to make notes. "Are you experiencing any problems or is this just an annual exam?"

"An annual," she answers readily. "Hopefully my vitals and such are healthy."

He looks at the file yet again. "Yes, everything appears perfect. Do you have any questions?"

"No. You came highly recommended," she informs.

He gives her a nod and a smile, enjoying the lilt of her voice more than he should. "Well if you're ready we can get started."

She agrees and watches as he stands and steps toward her. He instructs her to breathe in deeply as he utilizes his stethoscope to check her lungs and heart rate. He then asks that she place her hands at her hips as he examines her breasts under the paper gown she was wearing.

A bead of sweat pops up on his upper lip and for the first time in his professional career Dr. Richard Grimes feels a slight stirring in an area he shouldn't be feeling a stirring in at all at this particular moment. He completes the breast examination and immediately excuses himself from the room. He closes off in his office for several minutes and wonders at his reaction to this particular female. He exams women daily and never had an issue before. He takes several gulps of water from the bottle on his desk and adjusts his overcoat accordingly.

He exits his office, retrieves his nurse Maggie, and they both enter the exam room to complete the process. The sweat continued to accumulate but he held himself together and was thankfully relieved when it all ended. He assures Ms. Anthony that she would receive her results within days, thanks her for coming, and leaves her in the hands of his dutiful and capable nurse.

He completes some notes in her file, quickly recommending another physician should she need any further assistance. He takes a deep breath and releases it, wondering yet again what it was about her that affected him. He recalls the doe shaped eyes, the pert nose, the full lips, the smooth and delectable looking skin. He gives himself a firm shake and decidedly puts her out of his mind. He is grateful he will never see her again.

Three weeks later

He stands in the spacious conference room, conversing with a colleague as they wait for the board meeting to begin. He'd sat on this board for the last three years and was quite content with their accomplishments. They would be meeting to discuss the addition of a new clinic in a rural area of the county. The chairman of the board arrives, signaling the start of the meeting.

He watches as the chairman takes his seat at the head of the conference table and moves to take a seat himself only to stumble when he notices the newcomer. She is wearing a dark grey business suit with a yellow blouse and grey pumps. He recognizes her immediately and questions her position on the board and presence at this meeting. He knows she has never been there before. He would've never forgotten a face or a body like hers.

The secretary begins with attendees and he quickly learns that she represents Horvath and Associates, the hospital's legal firm. She is sitting in for Dale, her boss. He was so enthralled by her presence that he didn't even note Dale's absence. He swallows nervously as he steals yet another glance at her, part of him wishing she'd notice him and the other part wishing he could excuse himself.

He tries to remain attentive as the meeting proceeds but realizes this is the longest meeting he has ever attended. He makes the appropriate notes in his planner and is sure to hold on to the materials disseminated earlier as he would have to read them later to ensure that he was completely caught up with the progression of the latest project.

An hour later, the meeting is coming to a close much to his satisfaction. This board is known to meet for two hours or more but the chairman has another engagement. He waits patiently for the secretary to announce the date and time for their next meeting, jotting it down quickly before gathering the items he brought with him, and preparing to make a quick exit.

"Excuse me? Dr. Grimes?" her voice reaches him despite the murmuring of conversations filling the room as the group dispenses.

He looks up to see her walking towards him. He lifts himself to a stand and greets her as she stops within a few feet. "Ms. Anthony how are you?"

"I'm fine. Surprised that you remembered me," she returns. "How are you?"

How could I ever forget you? "I'm fine. Did you….uh receive your results? Is everything ok?"

"Yes I received them just as you said I would and I'm glad I got a good report. I just….." She pauses. "Oh I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bombard you. Are you ok with talking shop here?"

"Yes of course. Are you having any issues?"

"Just a slight concern. I was going to call your office and make an appointment," she explains.

"That's a good idea," he returns. He hopes she is unable to detect his nervousness and the room suddenly got a lot smaller and a lot warmer. Or is it just me? "So….how long have you been with Horvath and Associates?"

"Not long. Almost six months," she answers.

"Will you be filling in for Dale on a regular basis?"

"This might become one of my assignments. I'm not sure yet."

"Well, I….." He is interrupted by another associate, Dr. Greene, who greets them both jovially.

Rick makes the introductions and minutes later, it is apparent that Dr. Greene is not going away any time soon. She kindly makes her excuses and exits the room quietly.

Rick watches her until she disappears from his sight then turns to Herschel. "What were you saying?"

He winces as Herschel claps him on the back and says, "I hope you got her number."