***I'm back! I know, I'm a horrible, horrible writer. I promise to update more regularly since school has started again and I'm able to write much better during those times. Hope you all enjoy the story. And I'll try to update as often as I can. Thanks for your patitience, Kaiti.***

When I awoke several hours later, I looked at the clock and realized it was nearly noon. I rolled over in the bed and saw Dave wasn't there. I got out of bed and grabbed my robe out of the bathroom, thinking he'd left earlier in the morning.

But, when I saw his clothes still on the floor of my bedroom and figured he was downstairs.

I went down to the kitchen and found Dave standing in front of the stove, scrambling eggs.
"You cook," I asked.
"Have to, or I'd starve," he said.

"Ah. I thought you'd left," I said.
"Leave? Bitsy, I'd never dash off in the wee hours of the morning," he said.
"Like hell you wouldn't. Saves the uncomfortable meeting the morning after," I said, pouring a cup of coffee.
He put the eggs on two plates, set them on the table and looked at me. "Do you regret last night," he asked me.

"No. I enjoyed myself," I said, smiling.
He came over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "So did I," he said.
"But you know we can't let anyone know about this," I said.
"I know. I don't blame you. Although, you are someone to brag about," he said, kissing me.

"Really? And why is that," I asked.
"Because you're an amazingly talented woman. You're an incredible doctor and you were pretty amazing last night. It would be difficult not to brag about my woman," he said.

"Woman," I asked.

"Would you prefer girlfriend," he asked.
I tilted my head at that question. "We haven't had a date. We work together, we ran into each other at a bar and we went to bed together," I said.

"We can always have fun and see what happens. I know you're the most fun I've had in a while," he said.
"OK," I said. "What time are you working," I asked.
"Seven," he said.
"So am I. Guess you'll have time to go home and change before we have to be at work. Think you can control yourself," I asked.
"I'm always in control, Dr. Ross," he said.
"So, last night was... what," I asked, smiling.
Dave frowned. "Come on, I'm teasing," I said.
"You weren't complaining," he said.

No, I hadn't complained. I'd had a great time.

He left after breakfast to get himself ready for his shift that night. I was changing when my phone rang. I slipped out of the shower and answered it.
"Hi," Dave said.
"Hi, Dave," I answered back.

"I'm going to pick up some dinner from the deli around the corner from my apartment. Can I get something for you and put it in the fridge," he asked.
"I'd like that," I said.
"I'll get you soup and a sandwich," he said.
"Sounds perfect," I answered.
"Bye Bitsy. See you later," Dave said, hanging up the phone.

As I was getting ready for work, I noticed Dave's scarf on the floor of my bedroom. I grabbed it and tied it to the outside strap of my bag.

I exited the house and headed toward the EL station.

As I entered work, I saw Dave putting food in the fridge.

"Malucci," I said, heading to my locker.

"Madison," he said.
I untied his scarf from my bag and handed it to him just as Carter and Mark entered the room.

"Thanks. I wondered what happened to that," he said, hanging it in his locker.

Mark and Carter exchanged a look. Mark shrugged his shoulders and turned to me.

"Why did you have his scarf, Maddie," Mark asked. Carter glared.

"I found it," I said, hanging my stuff up and slipping on my lab coat.

"And where, exactly, did you find his scarf," Carter asked, his lips in a thin line.

"On the floor," I said, before slinging my stethoscope around my neck and putting on my lab coat.

I gave the guys a smile before heading out the opposite door. "Come get me for dinner later, Dave," I said, before pulling the door open. I could only imagine what everyone would be saying during the shift, but, for the first time, I honestly didn't care.

I enjoyed my little dalliance with Dave. He was actually a fairly decent guy. I knew the facade he showed at the hospital was purely for the benefit of those at the hospital. They expected Dave to act a certain way, so he did. They didn't know he was an excellent listener. He could also make a mean platter of spaghetti.

He was passionate person. He didn't like dealing with anyone that willingly hurt a child. He also had a tendency to make those that did suffer, just because he could. I wouldn't say he wasn't an ass, but at least with me, he was a decent human being. And he did know his medicine. Even if he did present things in the worst possible way. He also had a big mouth and often stuck his foot in it. I found those times amusing, but also let him know exactly what I thought of him when he did something incredibly crass and insensitive.

He quickly fell into the category of best friend. However, I still thought he was a pompous ass. We clashed numerous times and I found Carter taking my side more often than usual.

I knew our 'relationship' upset Carter, but I figured it would be good for him to be jealous.

I didn't really hide the fact that Dave and I were close. Soon everyone in the ER knew that Dave was living in the basement apartment, since Carter had moved back in with his grandparents after his grandfather suffered a minor stroke. That was were he spent his nights. Except for the occasional time he fell asleep while we were watching a movie in the living room.

We only slept together twice before we both realized that, while it was great and it was fun, we were both after something, or in my case, someone else and the other couldn't give it to us. We remained close, but never crossed the bedroom threshold again. In addition to the occasional movie night, we often shared meals when we were both home. I often brought food to him at the hospital, much like I had with Carter.

The whole Madison/Dave situation was the topic of much conversation with everyone, but us.

Dave would overhear various things and so would I, but no one ever asked us outright what we were doing.

We often joked about the various things we'd overheard when no one thought we were around.
"Say, Madison, did you hear we are secretly married," Dave would say.
"Oh, and here I thought we were hiding out secret love child," I would respond.
The whole thing was ludicrous, but everyone at the hospital was talking about us and Dave and I let it go.

I soon discovered that, despite our never having said anything about the status of our relationship, Dave received several offers for dates. He claimed it was based solely on the fact that our relationship was undefined.

"Women see me talking with you, a beautiful and intelligent woman, and they figure I have something. The fact that we aren't dating makes it that much better. You're doing wonders for my dating life," he had said.

I shook my head. I was glad SOMEONE was having a successful dating life.

Finally one day, Mark pulled me aside. He ushered me into the lounge before taking a deep breath.
"Madison Ross, we need to have a talk," he said.

"Oh, no. You're using your big brother voice. I know what you're going to say and you don't have to worry. I'm a big girl now," I said, pouring some coffee.

"Yes, Mads, we've established that, but seriously, Malucci? I'm hearing things and I have to say you can do better than that," he said.
I shook my head. "Why don't you just ask me the question everyone wants to know, Mark. Am I sleeping with Dave," I said.

"Fine, Madison are you sleeping with Dave," he asked.
"Right now, no. Do I plan to in the future, no," I said.
Mark looked at me, his eyes wide. "You slept with Dave," he asked.
"Yes, Mark, haven't you ever done something you regret once...or twice," I said, casting my eyes down and sipping my coffee.

"TWICE," he yelled.

"Shut up! Look, Dave and I are good friends. We tried the whole relationship thing and found that not only are we too different, but we make much better friends. Besides, he knows that I'm still in love with Carter and he wants something I can't give him," I said.

"He's always around," Mark said, sitting down at the table.
I sat across from him. "He's living in the basement apartment. I wanted to rent it out and figured I might as well rent it to someone that I knew. At least I don't have to worry about a crazy tenant," I said.

"So there's no relationship between you and Dave," Mark asked.
"No, Mark. Dave is not nor will he ever be my boyfriend. He's a good friend and I don't think my friendships outside the hospital are anyone's business. Satisfied," I asked.
"Just looking out for you," he said.
"Right. You were fully prepared to call Doug and get him to come back. You were ready to have an intervention for me. Hell, you were also fully prepared to send to me psych if I had said there was a future for me and Dave," I said, rinsing out my cup.
"No comment," he said.
"Good-bye, Mark. I'm going to do some work," I said.

CARTER'S POV

Madison was doing something with Dave. What, I wasn't sure and I certainly hoped it wasn't what I thought it was, but she had brought his scarf to work.

After watching the two of them talking, I had to find out what was going on with the two of them.

"What exactly are you doing with Madison," I asked Dave one day. The possibilities were driving me crazy. I had to find out what she was doing with him and what he wanted with her.

"She's a friend. We hang out. She's a remarkable girl. I can see why you were with her for so long," Dave said.
"Seriously, what are you getting out of it," I asked, scared of what he was going to tell me.

"Wouldn't you like to know," Dave said.

I pretty sure my mouth flew open, despite my trying to control my emotions.
Dave smirked. "Relax man. She doesn't want me. Her heart belongs to someone else," he said. "Not that I haven't tried," he quickly added.
I looked at him, not knowing what he meant. "It's you. She's still in love with you, so you don't have to worry." Dave turned around and headed to the treatment room while I stood there, watching for Madison to come around the corner to begin her shift.

Her birthday was coming up and I had a surprise I wanted to give her, but I wanted to make sure she didn't have anything keeping her from accepting her present. Something like a boyfriend called Dr. Dave.

I picked up the phone and made several phone calls. Twenty minutes later, I had a surprise arranged for Madison's birthday. Now, I prayed she'd actually listen to me so I could give it to her. I headed toward the hospital gift shop.