Soul Mates?
Part 12
"I don't think I've seen Stephen is this good a mood in a long time," Eva was saying as she entered the break room at lunch time.
"I think it has to do with Natalie," Miles commented as he poured himself a fresh cup of coffee.
"And how do you know that?" Eva demanded turning to face the doctor.
"I know nothing," he replied as he carried his coffee over to the table and sat down.
"Spill it, McCabe or so help me I'll tell Frank and everybody else about your rubber ducky undies," Eva threatened.
"Let's leave my underwear out of this if you don't mind," Miles replied. "Besides I promised Natalie that I wouldn't say anything."
"What are you two talking about?" Natalie casually asked as she entered and marched over to the microwave.
"Miles' rubber duckies," Eva replied with a grin.
"Eva was just commenting on Connor's good mood." Miles answered trying to detract the conversation away from his underwear. Ever since Eva had walked in on him changing clothes, he just knew there'd be a time when she'd bring up the gift from his Secret Santa.
"Oh, those. I've seen them already," Natalie replied. At his surprised look, she elaborated, "Who do you think got them for you anyway?"
Miles slowly shook his head. "You? I can imagine you giving a book or a CD or DVD for a gift. Maybe even tickets to a concert or play. But boxer shorts?"
"You wore them anyway," Natalie pointed out as she sat down to enjoy her lunch.
Miles shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah. But I was running low on clean laundry," he hastened to explain.
Eva was all questions as she asked, "So, what is it with you and Stephen? Miles won't give me any of the dirty details."
"That's because there isn't any," Natalie replied. "I asked Stephen to go with me to the Classique fundraiser when I ended up with tickets at almost the last minute."
"That's was the week I was sick," Miles added unnecessarily. "Besides I was the one who suggested you ask Connor."
"Saturday I had pizza with him and Jack and we watched a DVD," Natalie continued making sure to leave out spending the night; innocent as it had been. "Why'd you go tell Eva about us anyway?'
"All I did was comment that you were probably the cause of Connor's rare good mood," Miles explained.
"Don't blame him, Nat. I was an investigative reporter once, remember," Eva spoke up.
"I blame you then? Look, I'll tell you what I told Miles. Please don't spread this around as I'm not sure how this is going to turn out concerning Stephen and myself. The last thing we need is to be the latest hot gossip topic," Natalie told the younger woman.
"All right," Eva agreed.
Natalie turned to Miles and asked, "How did you spend your weekend?"
"Taking it easy as you so adamantly instructed me to do," the younger doctor replied looking up at her. ""Don't worry about me, Nat; I'm ready for our next case. That' is, after I finish my lunch."
"I think Stephen will allow you enough to have lunch," Natalie told him.
Miles looked at her and joked, "Since Connor is in such a good mood, do you think this is a good time to ask him for a raise?"
Natalie shook her head and laughed, "I don't think he's in that good a mood, Miles."