They sat on rickety garden furniture at the side of the road and ate their tacos quietly. The way the vendor greeted her, she was obviously a regular so he had stood back and let her order for him.

"Told you it was the best in the city didn't I?" she smiled triumphantly as he picked up the last few crumbs from the wrapper in front of him.

"You did" he agreed. "Almost as good as my Mom's but you're never to tell her that, okay" he laughed.

"I'm not sure we're ready to meet each other's parents" she laughed. "But I'll try to remember that."

He just smiled at the thought.

"What do you think of this potential 'thing' with Jo and Dr James then?" Neil asked settling back in his seat. They weren't particularly comfortable but he wasn't in any rush for this evening to be over.

"You want to engage in hospital gossip Dr Melendez" she said pretending to be shocked.

"No" he laughed. "I want to talk about our friend" he smiled. "Think she'll go for it?"

"I don't know" Audrey replied. 'He seems quite competent so far, he's keen to learn" she started while Neil shook his head. "What!? You asked what I thought?"

"What do you think of him as a human being Aud, not as a surgeon' he smiled. "Do you think he'll make our friend happy?"

"You know I'm no good at this stuff" she said shaking her head. "He seems... nice."

"That'll do" Neil smiled. "Maybe we'd should invite him over for a drink or two at the Gala next week. See if he can hold his own?"

"That's a good idea" Audrey agreed. "Let's be honest, if him and Jo start dating, he's going to have to figure out how to fit in with all of us" she smiled.

"You're right" he agreed. "Date one of us, date us all!"

"God help him" she laughed, scrunching up her wrappers and taking the last sips of her soda. Checking her watch, she announced "we should get going, early start tomorrow."

"Sure thing" he nodded getting to his feet with Audrey mirroring his action.

"Sure you don't mind dropping me home?"

"Actually, I think I'll just leave you here. Makes my journey quicker' he said sarcastically, smirking at her.

"Asshat" she replied, thumping his arm.

X

He pulled up at the kerb outside her apartment and turned off the ignition out of habit.

"You need a ride in the morning?" he asked casually as she moved to get out.

"No way!" she replied with vigour. "That's an awful idea."

"Okay" he replied. "Your bike is at the hospital remember?" he continued, looking at her with a frown.

"Of course I remember. But if that nurse sees us arriving together in the morning..."

"Ah right" he replied sounding disappointed. "Is that really the worst thing ever? Since when have you cared what people think of you?" he smiled.

"I don't want people to think we are dating" she continued.

"Brutal" he exclaimed. "Didn't figure that hospital gossip would bother you that much. Sorry."

"The only reason I want to be talked about at work, is because of the awesome surgeon I am" she said looking down. "I know you just let it flow like water off a duck's back. But stuff like that bothers me."

"Aud it's fine, I get it" he assured her. "As long as seeing someone we know tonight doesn't mean that this stops" he said gesturing between them.

"Oh that won't stop, don't worry. If you Google the MCU, we've got years of this to come" she said smiling over at him.

He grinned back like an idiot.

"I'll see you tomorrow Neil, thanks for the ride" she said as she closed the door.

As usual, he watched until she was safely inside with the for closed behind her. Pulling away from the kerb, he found himself smiling to himself for the rest of the drive home.

X

"They are decking the lobby out like a tiki hut!" Kevin exclaimed as he saw them the next day. "Who on earth suggested that?!"

"Morning Kev" Neil smiled. "Something bothering you?" he asked making Audrey give a little snort while trying not to choke on her coffee.

"It looks tacky and awful!" Kevin continued. "They'll be asking you ladies to go in grass skirts next!"

"Good luck with that" Audrey chimed in. "You guys would have to be shirtless in just shorts for that to fly."

"Maybe it isn't the worst idea in the world" Kevin laughed out loud as Jo approached. "Plenty of people I'd like to see around here with no shirt on!"

"And plenty you wouldn't" Jo added, cringing. "What are you talking about?"

"Kevin doesn't like the decor for the Gala" Audrey said as a matter of fact.,

"Oh" she replied. "That's nasty!"

"You'll be seeing your Dr James dressed a little differently tomorrow night" Kevin teased changing the subject. "I wonder if he scrubs up well?"

"He's not 'my' anything" Jo said a little sharply at first before her face softened to a small smile. "But I'll put a bet on him looking cute!"

"Not long to find out" Neil said giving her a nudge. "Speak of the devil" she said nodding behind her.

Jo turned and saw Dr James walking in their direction. She was sure he wouldn't stop while the four of them were together but gave a smile and raised her hand to say hi.

The last time they sat down for coffee, Matt had admitted to her that he'd found them quite intimidating as a group but he appeared to pause a moment, take a deep breath and changed his trajectory. He was walking straight towards her.

"Hello" he said confidently to them receiving a polite chorus back. He turned his attention to Jo. "Hi" he smiled softly. "Got time for a coffee?"

She glanced back over her shoulder and caught Neil's eye. He seemed to give a little nod and announced "We've got to head up for rounds, but Jo here is as free as a bird."

She smiled at Neil and as he passed to go, he stopped as if he was going to kiss her cheek to Audrey and Kevin's confusion. Instead he just leaned in and whispered "Go for it. What's the worst that could happen" before walking off to the elevators followed by the other two.

X

The next evening came around quickly after a full day of cases and they were all propping up one of the garish, tables with their first drinks of the night.

"I need this open bar today, it's been an absolute bitch" Kevin said draining his glass. "Anyone else want another one?"

"Sure."

"Yes please."

"I'll come give you a hand" Audrey smiled leaving Jo and Neil at the table.

"I think Kev might have been right about the decor" Neil stated with a grimace. "I've definately seen better."

"It's funny how quickly there novelty of these things wore off, isn't it?" Jo said. "I'd quite happily be at home with a bottle of wine instead of this."

"Yeah, but then you wouldn't get to dance with your new fancy man" he teased.

"Oh hush" she smiled. "He's actually nice."

"You gonna throw down some moves later then, once the wine has kicked in?"

"I doubt that very much" she laughed. "Not quite my style."

"Well I think your going to have to endure one or two" he smiled. "Incoming!"

She turned just in time to see Matt a couple of steps away with a sweet smile on his face.

"Would you like to dance?"

"I would" she smiled, taking his hand and allowing herself to be led onto the dance floor.

"Something you said" Audrey teased as she arrived back at the table to find Neil stood alone. Kevin had been distracted by a donor who was keen to discuss the use of reconstructive surgery in former warzones so had left Audrey to deliver the drinks.

"She got a better offer" he smiled, nodding towards the dance floor. Audrey smiled along with him at the sight of her friend looking so happy. She looked back to catch Neil watching her and was just about to ask "Neil..."

"Hi Mrs Gunther, lovely to see you" she heard Neil say before she could form her words.

"I want to get my dance in early this year" she smiled kindly. "It's my favourite part of the night. Would you mind?"

"Always a pleasure" he smiled, shrugging his shoulders at Audrey leaving her stood alone.

He wished she'd asked her question, she wished he didn't have to go but duty called.

Maybe later.