Laurie let out a sigh as she leaned against the back of the elevator and let it carry her up to her floor. It had been quite an evening, and it was probably better that she and Johnny didn't pursue things further.
That didn't mean she didn't want something to happen. Maybe she'd been foolish to all but throw herself at John. Maybe he wasn't really all that interested in her after all. But the way he had kissed her in the back of the cab and in the elevator would seem to indicate otherwise.
It didn't matter anyway. It was late and she was tired and still more than a little buzzed. She should go back to her room and crawl into bed. After all, it was already late and she had agreed to meet up with John at an early hour.
No, it was better that they went their separate ways tonight. After all, there were still three days of this convention left. They might end up spending plenty of time together and get to know one another a little better.
Laurie had to admit that she wanted to get to know John in more ways than one.
She briefly fumbled with her key before she realized that she was holding it upside down. Once she figured that out, she let herself in and immediately dropped her purse on the dresser, opening her suitcase and finding her nightshirt and her toiletries bag.
Once she had changed and cleaned up, she climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her, finding the remote control for the TV and turning it on. A little late-night TV always helped her unwind at home. There was no reason that wouldn't be the case here.
She started flipping through TV channels. As expected, there wasn't much of anything on this late. A few movies that she recognized, but that was about it. She selected one and snuggled under the covers.
There were many nights she and Pete had spent like this, though he often fell asleep during a movie and would snore his way through the remainder. Laurie had to admit there was a part of her that missed that.
Maybe that was why she was so drawn to John tonight. Maybe it wasn't John she was so attracted to, but the idea of having someone, even if it was just for a little while.
If that were the case, it was definitely a good thing that John had gone back to his room. At least one of them was acting as if they had an ounce of sense tonight. It certainly wasn't her.
She drifted in and out of sleep for a while before she finally shut off the TV, setting the alarm clock and turning out the light. Tomorrow, things would surely look different.
# # #
The steady buzz buzz buzz of the alarm slowly pulled Laurie out of sleep, and she reached out blearily to find the button to shut it off. Good grief, what had she been thinking when she agreed to meet up with John?
She'd made a good number of errors in judgement last night. Hopefully John wouldn't hold any of them against her.
After a quick shower and a change of clothes, she started to feel a little more human and ready to face the day. She grabbed her purse and her hotel key and locked the door behind her and started toward the elevator.
It was already crowded when she got on, and she tuned in and out of conversations as it stopped at each floor before it finally reached the first floor. The minute the doors opened, everyone spilled out into the lobby. Laurie stopped at a table to write herself a name tag, pulling it off the backing paper and sticking it to her shirt before looking around for John.
She spotted him across the room, clearly deep in conversation with someone, nodding his head and gesturing expansively. He glanced up and seemed to spot her, a smile lighting his face as he waved her over.
"Hey, Laurie." He greeted her, resting a hand at the small of her back. "This is Rocky Morrow. He's with Medic One up in Seattle. Roy and I got to check out their program a few years back."
"Nice to meet you." Laurie nodded, holding out her hand.
"Likewise." Rocky shook her hand, looking her up and down. "John, you didn't tell me about this lady."
"Didn't get a chance." John answered. "This is Laurie Campbell. She's out of San Francisco. Roy and I got to check out their program, too."
Rocky seemed puzzled. "Figures that San Francisco would let chicks be part of the fire department, right?"
"We're separate from the fire department." Laurie explained. "The paramedics are under the jurisdiction of the health department."
"Well, that explains a lot, huh?" Rocky commented, though it seemed more directed at John than at her. "Can't imagine any chicks that would want to put themselves in that kind of danger."
"Funny you should say that." John answered. "My partner's a woman. Hell of a paramedic, and hell of a firefighter, too. Tough as any man."
"Sure must have taken some getting used to." Rocky shook his head before turning to Laurie. "I mean, no offense."
"None taken." Laurie replied in as sweet a tone as she could muster. She was well used to being underestimated, but she found it easier to just put her head down and do her job rather than fight every male chauvinist pig that crossed her path.
John huffed. "I could use some coffee. Laurie?"
"Yes, definitely." Laurie agreed. "Rocky, it was nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too, Laurie." Rocky smiled and nodded. "Maybe we'll see each other again. See you around, John. Why don't we grab a beer or something later?"
"Sure, yeah." John replied in a tone that suggested he would do anything but.
After they went their separate ways, John let out a long huff. "Sorry about that. You must get that a lot."
"Oh, I'm used to it." Laurie shrugged. "I quit fighting it a long time ago. I just keep my head down and do my job."
"Yeah, suppose you're right." John nodded. "Get used to anything after a while."
They made their way over to a table where coffee, juice, and various breakfast pastries were set up. John grabbed a pair of Styrofoam cups and filled them both, handing one to Laurie. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"Oh, a little fuzzy." Laurie replied as she took the cup and took a sip. "More from the lack of sleep than anything else."
John shook his head. "You sure can hold your booze. I would have been passed out in a gutter somewhere trying to keep up with you."
"It's a good thing you didn't." Laurie smiled in response. "Imagine if we'd both been in that state."
"Yeah, imagine." John murmured as he sipped at his own coffee.
They both chose a pastry and found a table away from the crowd. "Not much of a breakfast, I guess. Not sure what I expected." John commented.
"I think I needed the coffee more than anything else." Laurie replied. "And we can find lunch or dinner later if you want."
John smiled at that. "Or both."
Laurie rested her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands. Maybe she hadn't made nearly as big a fool of herself as she thought she had. "Both? Don't you think you'll get tired of seeing me?"
John seemed to consider that for a moment. "Don't think so. Besides, it gives us a chance to, you know, get to know each other a little better."
"I'd like that."
Laurie could have sworn she detected a hint of color in John's face. "Yeah, me too."
They fell into more casual conversation after that, finishing their coffee and what passed for breakfast and separating to attend their respective panels, arranging to meet up for lunch.
Laurie picked up a schedule from a nearby table and found her way to one of the conference rooms, finding a seat and settling in.
"How're you doing?" A familiar voice asked. "Mind if I join you?"
Laurie turned to see Rocky sit next to her. "No, I suppose not."
He flashed her a quick smile and nodded as he took a seat. "Just so you know, I didn't mean anything earlier. Just not used to seeing too many chicks in the field, you know?"
Laurie sighed internally. "I'm used to it. I find that when people are in trouble, they don't worry too much about whether a man or a woman takes care of them."
"I'm sure you're right." Rocky answered. "Listen, why don't I make up for it by buying you lunch. If you're free, that is."
"Oh, I might have other plans." Laurie demurred.
"Right, John." Rocky shook his head. "Should have known. You guys are probably having a nice little reunion, right?"
Laurie was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with this line of conversation. Fortunately, the panel started not long after, and she put the whole exchange out of her mind.
After the panel was over, Laurie rose from her seat, only to find Rocky blocking her path. "Excuse me." She told him firmly.
"Oh, my apologies." Rocky replied smoothly, gesturing for her to go ahead of him. "So hey, if not lunch, how about dinner?"
Laurie turned and looked over her shoulder. "I don't think so."
Rocky sighed. "Let me guess, John?"
Laurie chose not to answer that, continuing on out of the conference room and on to another for the next panel. She was pleasantly surprised to spot John, and he brightened briefly for a moment before his face fell again. "Hey Laurie. Rocky."
Oh, for heaven's sake. Laurie thought. "Hello, John."
He seemed to give Rocky a sharp look before glancing back at Laurie, patting the chair on the other side of him. "Got a spot just for you."
"It's okay, John." Rocky told him. "She already turned me down. Twice."
John's mouth twitched briefly in a hint of a smile before turning more serious. "Wow, sorry to hear that, man. Sure there's a few other lady…uh, female paramedics here. Wouldn't count yourself out just yet."
"I'm sure you're right." Rocky replied as he settled in next to John.
Laurie was somewhat relieved to have John between herself and Rocky, even if she wasn't sure John's motivations were entirely honorable.
John shifted in his seat frequently during the panel, and Laurie couldn't tell if it was out of boredom or some other reason. She realized she hadn't really been around him long enough to notice before.
Before long, it became apparent he was genuinely interested in the panel, leaning forward in his chair to take in the information, finally producing a memo pad and a green pen from his pocket, flipping it open to take some notes as the panel discussion continued.
Finally, after a robust question and answer session, the panel wrapped up and they started to file out of the room. The three of them met up just outside the conference room. "Man, I don't know how anyone manages to stay awake during these things." Rocky commented.
"I don't know." John answered. "Seems like a lot of good information. Lots of new protocols we can put in front of the county board, maybe even take it to the state assembly."
"Ah, forgot." Rocky nodded. "You guys don't have the same system we do. We've got a lot of these protocols in place already."
"Yeah, the county board doesn't wanna give us that level of autonomy." John responded, shaking his head. "It's like they still think we're a bunch of dumbass firemen."
"We've got the same problem." Laurie jumped in. "Not that we're firefighters, but the board of health seems intent on reminding us that we're not doctors."
"No shit, we're not." Rocky scoffed. "But the doctors aren't in the ambulance with us. I'm sure glad I don't have to play 'Mother, May I?'. That'd drive me nuts."
"Oh, trust me." John told him. "Drives me nuts, too. Most of us have been doing this long enough that we know what the doctor's gonna tell us what to do before he tells us."
Laurie nudged John. "Or she."
John looked slightly contrite. "Or she. Yeah. Did I ever tell you about this one doctor at Rampart? Real cute. Looked a lot like you, actually."
Laurie couldn't tell if John was teasing her or not. Regardless, she should probably head him off at the pass before he got too far. "Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I think I'm ready for some lunch."
"I'll let you two lovebirds enjoy your lunch." Rocky told them. "And hey, Laurie, if you get sick of this guy, remember, my invitation still stands."
"I'll keep that in mind." Laurie replied.
"Pretty sure she'll be busy." John answered with just a bit of an edge to his voice as he rested a hand on her lower back.
Rocky merely laughed at that. "See you around."
As soon as Rocky left, John's hand fell away. "So, hey, I wonder what's good around here?"
That edge in his voice was gone as quickly as it had appeared. "Hmm, I suppose we could wander around a bit and see what we can find." Laurie suggested.
"Sure, yeah." John nodded in agreement.
The two of them left the hotel and started down the street. While the hotel was nowhere near all the bars and clubs of Bourbon Street, there were still plenty of interesting little places to check out, and she and John wandered for a while until they found a small restaurant. "This looks good." Laurie commented.
John studied the menu board that was set up on the sidewalk before nodding. "Yeah, sounds good."
They ducked inside and were soon seated at a table. Laurie picked up a menu and began studying it for a moment before she got the feeling that someone was staring at her. She looked up to see John studying her from across the table. "Yes?"
"Sorry, just thinking." John had the grace to look a little embarrassed as he returned to looking over his own menu.
The waitress came and took their orders before Laurie could respond. After she returned with their drinks, Laurie finally decided to find out what was on John's mind. "What were you thinking so hard about?"
John shrugged. "That last panel, you know? Think of how much faster we'd be able to stabilize someone if we didn't have to constantly contact the hospital every time we needed something."
"Well, as our doctors always point out, we're not doctors." Laurie reminded him.
John frowned slightly, his fingers tracing around the edge of his glass. "You know, I didn't sign up for the paramedic program just to ride along in an ambulance. We're capable of a hell of a lot more than what they think we are. You know that, too. And you know what? That's what gets me the most about coming to these things. I go to all these panels, get these ideas, take them back home and then…nothing comes of them. Makes me wonder why they send me to these damn things at all."
"Maybe they just want you out of their hair for a while." Laurie couldn't help teasing him.
John shot her a despairing look. "Come on, Laurie. Don't you get tired of this, too?"
Laurie had to admit that John had a point. "I do. Doubly so because I'm a woman. You think they don't listen to you? They certainly don't listen to me."
John looked more thoughtful. "Yeah, can imagine so. You know, my partner got all kinds of grief when she first started. I got paired up with her after Roy got promoted to captain, not too long after she got through paramedic training. I mean, I wasn't exactly thrilled, either. Turns out we work pretty well together. She's saved my tail a few times."
Laurie couldn't help smiling at that. "I'm sure that stung a little."
John scoffed. "Someone's able to drag me out of a building when it's falling down on me, I'm not gonna check who's under the mask, if you get my drift."
Laurie was somewhat skeptical. "It didn't bother you at all?"
"Come on, Laurie." John shifted in his seat, looking away for a moment before finally shrugging. "Okay, maybe a little. But now, it's no big deal."
"Really?"
"Really." John responded more firmly as the waitress set their meals down in front of them.
They both fell into silence as they started eating until John broke it. "Suppose I didn't come all the way here to complain. I like what I do, both the rescue and the paramedic side. Doesn't mean there aren't some things I'd change if I could."
"Believe me, I get it." Laurie told him. "And who else would understand that but, well, another paramedic? Any time I would try to talk about this stuff with Pete, his first response was to tell me to quit. Well, I don't want to quit. I just want it to be better. Better for us and better for the patients."
"Exactly." John nodded, his face lighting up as he leaned across the table slightly. "I mean, it's the patients that suffer, right? If we could do our jobs more efficiently, it would change everything."
He leaned back in his chair. "Hard to believe our program was considered revolutionary ten years ago. Now look at us. We're practically a dinosaur in comparison."
Laurie couldn't help laughing a little. "What were you saying about not complaining?"
John's face broke into a full smile that lit up his whole face. "Right, yeah."
They found other things to talk about throughout lunch, and before Laurie knew it, lunch was over and they were heading back to the hotel for an afternoon of panels.
Laurie had to admit that she was enjoying this just as much. John clearly had a passion for this, a desire to make the whole system better, and Laurie couldn't help admiring him for it. But she knew from her own experiences butting heads with their medical director that it was an uphill climb at best.
Still, something about seeing John so fired up made her want to go home and fight on.
They returned to the hotel, checking over the afternoon schedule and deciding to attend separate panels. "Suppose I'll see you later. Assuming you're not sick of me." John told her.
"I'm definitely not sick of you." Laurie replied. "And yes, I'll see you later on."
"Great." John smiled again and nodded. "Okay, definitely going now."
"Okay." Laurie responded with a short laugh.
John reached out and lightly squeezed her hand, sending a little shockwave through her, and then he turned around and disappeared into the crowd.
She watched him go before heading off in the opposite direction. Suddenly she could hardly wait to see him again.