Chapter Text
Olivia loved the pitt, she felt like she was learning so much every day. She was only a first-year resident, with all the hope and excitement that entailed. The ED was always wild and chaotic; there was always that hum of chaos during the night shift until about three am, when it felt like you could breathe a little as things quieted down.
Today, that lull felt so good. Too bad she was horrible at her job. Or maybe she wasn’t, but every time she did anything, she could feel Jack Abbot’s stare on her back like he was a ghostly apparition. She could feel him watching her even if he wasn’t guiding her and when he was guiding her, Olivia wanted to blush.
The gentle but calm and stern voice as he directed. Sometimes his hand moves hers to the right position. But it was like as soon as the procedure stopped, whatever this was would stop too. He’d go back to silence. Back to watching silently.
Olivia envied Shen, who seemed to be able to talk to Abbot like it was a normal day to day thing. They’d have a joke; she even heard Abbot laugh at something Shen said. It made Olivia jealous.
“At least he talks to you,” Olivia said with a sigh as they sat down to chart. Pulling her long brown hair out of her ponytail, she was trying to relieve some pressure on the back of her head. She rubbed her hand on the back of her scalp. “I mostly just get ignored if it’s not a teaching moment.”
“It’s in your head Olivia,” Shen said with a shrug. “He’s a good guy, his bark worse than his bite”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “That’s the thing, he’s not scary, he’s just….blank. To me, anyway.”
“Better blank than on your ass,” Shen said.
“True,” But Olivia didn’t want blank. She was refusing to admit that she might have a crush on her attending. She wasn’t allowed that. Not only was it an HR violation, but honestly, the man seemed not to care if she lived or died. Talk about a long four years.
Olivia sighed. “Where is he anyway?”
“He takes his breaks up on the roof,” Lena said not looking up from her own computer.
“Why the roof?” Olivia asked, finishing one of her charts. Lena shrugged. Olivia knew she knew, but it was apparently personal.
-
This had become routine, Olivia noticed. Weeks went by like this. Three am, everyone was in a lull, so they sat and charted and talked while Jack Abbot disappeared, only coming if Lena had called for an emergency.
So, when paramedics entered with multiple GSWs, it was all hands on deck. Olivia had taken the patient and was working on him when Abbot came in. But he didn’t step in to take over, his hands going behind his back watching as she she worked.
He stood still at the door as she scanned every part of the man’s body. She felt the most confident when she could focus on the patient and not the man at the door.
“How’s it going?” he asked. Watching as she worked.
“Scanning to see where the bullet is,” Olivia started giving directions, watching to see if Jack would interrupt or correct. But he seemed to be nodding his head as she was directing everyone. OR was called, and the man was rushed to the OR. Olivia, while covered in blood, at least felt good about herself.
Noticing that Abbot was looking at her with what she could only describe as joy or amusement. A look she hadn’t seen directed at her in the entire time she was here.
“Good job, kid,” he said with a nod before he turned around and left. Leaving Olivia stunned in the room.
-
At some point during the three am lull, Olivia was charting when a deliveryman entered the ambulance bay.
“Hey, looking for an Abbot? Got his food,” Olivia looked up, surprised.
“He’s up on the roof,” Lena said casually as if this were a normal thing.
“Yeah, I’m not climbing stairs,” the delivery guy said, annoyed.
Olivia, before she could think better of it, jumped up. “Is it already paid for? Thank you,” she said with a smile, taking the delivery from him. Confirming it was already paid, she looked at the order.
Wings and an iced coffee? Before she could say anything, Shen came back to the central station. “Oh, good my coffee”
“Abbot ordered you coffee?” she asked. She was slightly insulted.
“Yeah, he was ordering and asked if I wanted any,” Shen said happily bouncing as he took a sip.
Of course. She couldn’t help the eye roll. What the fuck was Jack Abbot’s problem?
“I can call him down,” Lena said quietly. Olivia felt as if Lena were observing her. But honestly, Olivia was so mad about this, she decided today was the day.
“No, I’ll take it to him,” and with that, she grabbed her coat and headed to the elevator. She was determined to give this man a piece of her mind.
Exiting through the heavy metal door, she all but stomped her way onto the roof. Making her way over to Jack, who seemed to be enjoying the cool air, leaning against the railing.
“Your food came,” she said with a huff, resisting the temptation to throw it at him. But he turned and nodded as she handed it to him. “What is your fucking problem?”
This caused Jack to freeze, and Olivia wanted to cover her mouth. It had slipped out. She hadn’t fully intended to be as confrontational. They stared at each other for a few seconds. As if neither knew how to proceed.
Finally, Abbot seemed to get his bearings, as a little smirk couldn’t be helped, “Today? Or in general?”
“Both, honestly,” Olivia said with a huff. She hated that his smirk was endearing. “Have I done something to upset you? Am I not up to standard? Like, what’s the deal?”
This seemed to slightly amuse him at first, but his face fell when he looked at her, her anger and annoyance clear on her face.
“No. You’re doing great. You pick up fast and move quickly” He looked confused, but he continued. “Today is just feeling long. In general, I pay a therapist for that”
“So, you just don’t like me, is what you’re saying?” Olivia said with a huff.
“Who said I didn’t like you?” Abbot had the decency to look confused. “I never said that.”
“You act like it,” she said back. She felt annoyed with herself; she shouldn’t care what he thought. “It’s fine, you don’t have to, but you know camaraderie in the workplace goes a long way.”
Abbot looked stunned. He looked at her for a few minutes before slowly nodding. “You’re right. Apologies”
And with that, he was opening the delivery bag as he moved back away from the ledge to grab himself a spot to sit.
“Thank you. accepted. I’ll leave you to your meal. Don’t jump, I don’t wanna be responsible for you,” she said with a huff before leaving the roof. It was going to be a long time before the end of shift.
When it did end, she was on the way out when she spotted Abbot and Robby talking.
“Good day everyone,” she said with a smile, even if she was still annoyed with Abbot.
“Good day Olivia,” Robby said with a warm smile.
“You did good today, kid” she heard Abbot say, making her pause as he looked at her. His sincerity.
“Thanks, Dr Abbot,” she said with a nod before leaving. Feeling the familiar eyes on her back as she left.