--

Blair

Blair Evans cradled her coffee mug, letting the warmth seep into her palms as she sat on her couch, savoring the rare calm before her shift. Mornings like these—coffee, quiet, and her cat, Prince, purring beside her—were sacred. She scratched behind Prince's ears, smiling as his purr grew louder, the perfect soundtrack to the start of her day. The apartment was filled with the soft glow of morning light, illuminating her small collection of books and the plants she nurtured with care.

Her thoughts drifted to a recent shift at Chicago Med, where she'd caught a certain firefighter glancing her way more than once. She hadn't learned his name, but he was hard to forget. Tall, striking blue eyes, and an intensity that seemed to follow her, even across a crowded room. Every time their eyes met, a little spark ignited inside her, something thrilling yet completely unsettling. It was silly, she told herself, to dwell on someone she hardly knew, but she couldn't deny the tiny thrill that lingered at the thought of seeing him again. What was it about him that captivated her so? Was it his looks or something deeper lurking beneath the surface?

Her brother, Ethan, lived just a few doors down in the same apartment complex. She hadn't expected them to end up so close after they'd both chosen their paths in medicine, but it was comforting knowing he was nearby. He was her steady rock, the protective big brother she'd known since he first took her in, even if his protectiveness sometimes veered into overbearing territory.

Blair took a sip of her coffee, letting its warmth settle in her chest as she pondered her feelings. She felt a flutter of excitement mixed with anxiety at the thought of crossing paths with that mysterious firefighter again. Was it just infatuation, or something more? She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts, but images of him lingered—how he stood with an effortless confidence, how his smile seemed genuine and inviting.

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts, and she got up with a knowing grin. She opened the door to find Ethan, looking both tired and amused, coffee cup in hand. His scrubs were a little rumpled, and he looked as though he'd barely escaped the chaos of the ER.

"Late shift again?" Blair asked, already knowing the answer as he stepped inside.

"Yep. But don't worry about me," he replied, flopping down on her couch and ruffling Prince's fur. "I've survived. Barely."

Blair raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in her eyes. "What would I do without my big, heroic brother?"

He snorted, pretending to look offended. "Heroic? I'll take it. Speaking of heroes…" he shot her a sly look. "You know that firefighter with the blue eyes? Rescue squad lieutenant, Kelly Severide, he's been around the hospital a lot lately. And he's been looking your way—no, don't even try to deny it, I've seen it."

Blair groaned, rolling her eyes. "Ethan, really? You're imagining things."

Ethan leaned back, a teasing glint in his eye. "Oh, so it's pure coincidence he's constantly in the vicinity of Dr. Blair Evans? The guy looks like he's planning a full speech just to say hello."

Blair couldn't help but laugh, hiding a slight blush behind her coffee mug. "Maybe he just likes hospitals. Some people do, you know."

But deep down, she wasn't so sure. There was something magnetic about him that kept her thoughts spinning. What did he see when he looked at her? Did he feel the same spark? The more she thought about it, the more she realized she was curious about him—his life, his stories, what made him tick. It was ridiculous, really, but the thrill of possibility was hard to ignore.

"Uh-huh," Ethan said, clearly unconvinced. "I don't know about you, but I've never met a firefighter who hangs around hospitals for the ambiance. If he makes a move, just remember who to thank for keeping you on your toes."

She nudged him playfully. "Thanks, big brother. But seriously, he's probably just here for check-ups. I'm not planning my wedding or anything."

"Good to know," he replied, feigning relief. "But if he starts bringing you coffee, just know he'll have to pass the Choi inspection first."

Blair grinned, warmth filling her chest as she met his gaze. "Oh, great, just what I need. Well, don't worry; I'm pretty sure he's not plotting a grand gesture anytime soon."

Ethan shrugged, giving her a mischievous smile. "Guess we'll see, Doc. I'll be watching."

As Ethan finished his coffee and headed out, Blair felt a mix of amusement and something else—a quiet hope, maybe—at the thought of catching those blue eyes again across the hospital hall. Would he come by today? The anticipation twisted in her stomach, and she shook her head, trying to dismiss the giddiness. Whatever this was, she would handle it—she had to. But for now, she couldn't shake the feeling that something interesting was about to unfold.

After Ethan left, Blair moved to her small desk, glancing at her reflection in the window. She smoothed her hair back, trying to quell the nervous energy bubbling inside her. It was absurd to be so affected by a fleeting glance, yet the thought of him made her heart race. She wondered if he had any idea how deeply she felt this connection. Maybe he was just as intrigued by her as she was by him.

Her phone buzzed, jolting her from her thoughts. A message from one of her colleagues at the hospital reminded her of her shift. As she glanced around her cozy apartment, she felt a familiar mix of excitement and apprehension. What if today was the day their paths finally crossed again? What if she could find the courage to actually speak to him instead of just sharing glances?

With a final sip of coffee, she set her mug down and stood up, steeling herself for whatever awaited her at Chicago Med. The day was just beginning, and the possibility of something extraordinary lingered in the air, igniting a spark of hope within her. Today, she promised herself, would be different. She'd keep her eyes open and her heart ready.

As she stepped out into the bustling world, she couldn't shake the feeling that fate had something special in store for her.

--