Work Text:
The day had hit you hard, and it wasn't even over yet. Your time as a resident had prepared you for hard days, but there was something about this one that was different. Hell, when you were an intern, you were hit with shit days back to back, sometimes more literally than figuratively. Today, the losses were hitting you deeper. They were nestled right in your chest with the occasional hit to your heart whenever the memories came to the forefront of your mind. You could hear the scream from the parents who lost their son, and the looks on the faces of the family when they realized their daughter wasn't coming back. They would never leave you. These were the thoughts that would creep their way to the forefront of your mind when you couldn’t sleep.
There is no easy way to deal with the pain. Usually, you would keep it inside and work through the pain. If you could push your body harder, the physical pain is always easier to deal with than the emotional. You moved with precision and made sure to throw yourself into work even more.
You were moving without any breathers. Robby observed you from across the ER. He could see you moving as if running from something. He knew if he tried to send you home, then you would spiral. Every time you moved throughout the ER, he could see your gaze on a specific area. Right where today's losses had happened. He decided to approach you.
“Our board is growing. Can you go to chairs and see if there is anyone we can send on their merry way?” Your first instinct was to argue. Like you were being benched. Immediately, you were going to argue. You knew you wouldn't win against Robby. You kept your mouth shut and did what you were told.
“Yes, of course.” You changed course and went where you were needed. If you moved fast enough, maybe it would help your mind focus on something else. As you walked to your new assignment, you couldn’t help but catch a glimpse of your favorite charge nurse.
Your saving grace was Dana. Ever since you started your residency here, she has helped keep you together when you want to fall apart. She truly was the backbone of the ER. And maybe you felt more than just professional appreciation for her. She made scrubs look very good. She was a spitfire with her wit, but the way she cared for everyone made you melt. There were so many times when you thought maybe she could feel the same. You were naturally a flirt, and she gave it right back just as easily. You were sure it was just a surface-level interaction. You were sure she wanted more than some R2 with student loan debt and a small ass apartment.
You were sure she would be apprehensive about your age gap. You were turning 29 this year, and you were sure she would probably have a problem with the age gap. When she lumped you in with the interns and called you kids, it always stung a little.
Triage was going to be as expected. People were upset with the wait. You understood it. They thought it meant their pain wasn't as important. You tried to assure everyone you treated that everyone is trying their best. Most of the time, it worked. Thankfully, you had some charm.
You were doing your best with McKay to triage. An emergency came through when a man tried to slip through. Mateo successfully stopped him. Every time you saw this man, he seemed angrier and angrier. You caught up with Mateo.
“What's his deal?”
“Doug Driscoll. He has been upset with the wait. He thinks we are purposefully skipping over him and being lazy.”
“Sounds like a real fucking joy.”
You continued as best as you could. You made sure that everyone you saw was taken care of and made sure you were thorough. You refused to lose anyone else today. When you came out to do a check on chairs, you caught Mr. Driscoll yelling at Dana with Javadi next to her. A fire lit inside of you. How dare this asshole yell at them when everyone back there was trying to save lives?! You were ready to step in when you noticed Dana put her hand up behind her to halt you. He was leaving when Langdon stepped in.
After everything was de-escalated, you caught up with Dana.
“Are you okay?”
“Ain’t nothing I haven’t dealt with. Wasn’t even one of the top ten worst moments I have come across. What about you? I could practically feel the anger radiating off you. I was sure you were going to throw a punch.”
“Who me? Please, I am much smarter than that. You take me for some hot head Nurse Evans?”
“Hot is a good descriptor.” You tried to school your features from showing how much she affected you.
“My my flattery will get you everywhere with me, Evans.”
“A girl can hope, Doc.” She got pulled away before you could retort. You were sure that if she turned around to look at you, she would see heart eyes like a cartoon character.
You continued working, stealing glances at Dana every chance you got. You left her a couple of protein bars and a new cup of coffee at her spot. Those moments were your rewards throughout the day. After a particularly tough moment, you went to look for your favorite charge nurse and didn’t see her.
“She’s outside for a smoke break.” Robby hadn’t even looked up from what he was looking at.
“I don’t know who you are talking about. Dr. Robinavitch.”
“Oh yea and I can juggle blind folded. Are we done telling lies? Dana is outside. Could you go check on her?”
“Well, of course I can. I am a team player after all.” You walked a bit faster without looking like you were holding back from running outside. You walked out as you noticed the man from earlier approaching Dana. You were a few steps away when you saw him hit her. He stood over her, yelling something. Your instincts kicked in before he could even try to harm her again. You tackled the man to the ground. You had the element of surprise, but he was big. He tried to push you off. You caught an elbow to the jaw, but you weren’t letting the man up. You took a couple more hits, but by the grace of adrenaline, you were able to keep him under control. Security rushed out and got hold of him. You ran over to check on Dana. She had blood coming down her nose and a bruise forming on her face.
“Come on, darlin. Let’s get you cleaned up and checked on.” You told the security guards you would help her. She whimpered as she leaned into your side.
When you walked in with her, everyone swarmed, checking on both of you. You waved everyone off and wanted Dana to get cared for right away.
“I am fine. Just need to get cleaned up.” Dana didn’t want anyone to fuss over her for this. She was not a patient and just wanted to continue with her day.
“Absolutely not. We need to check for a concussion and make sure nothing is broken.” Dr. Robby was not letting this go.
“Well, tough shit because it’s not happening.” You needed to make sure she was going to be okay. God, did you love this woman, but she was a stubborn little shit.
“Evans, shut up and let them check on you. I won’t let them lay a hand on me until you go first.” She finally looked at you and saw the split lip and bruise forming on your face. You were sure you heard something about “pain in my ass” mumbled under her breath.
You leaned against the Nurse's station. The adrenaline was wearing off, and the pain in your face was really coming through. You felt the hairs on your neck prickle. You saw police escorting Driscoll, and he had the nerve to smirk at you. His smug smile made your blood boil. Your hand curled into a fist. You wanted to throttle him. Someone shouting your name caught your attention. Dana was calling you from her bed. You missed the smirk Perlah and Princess had. You were so soft for Dana.
“Hey, beautiful.” You tried to muster the best smile you could with the pain in your face. You closed the door and pulled the curtain to give you both some privacy.
“Do not ‘hey beautiful’ me! What the hell were you thinking?!” You were stunned at her chewing you out. You tried to think of what you did wrong. Did she not like the flirting? “Dear lord, I am talking about what you did outside!”
“What do you mean, I got that asshole who hurt you!”
“With his size, he could have really hurt you!” It made Dana’s heart flutter thinking about you trying to protect her, but she was worried about your safety. You matter too much to her for you to act recklessly.
“He got what was coming to ‘em!”
“You haven't even been checked out yet. He could have caused some serious damage to you!”
“Why am I being yelled at for doing the right thing!?”
“Because if you got seriously hurt, that would feel a whole hell of a lot worse than being punched in the god damn face.” The way Dana looked at you. Your heart started to hammer. If you were attached to a cardiac monitor, they would think something was wrong with you.
“It was worth it. No one hurts you and gets away with it.” The Charge Nurse softened at your statement. You were worried you were showing your heart too easily. Dana finding out after the hellstorm of a day was not something you could handle. Being rejected and having to finish your shift sounded like hell.
“And here I assumed you were just a softie. Never thought I would see the day when you, of all people, got into a fight. My money would have been on Santos.” The fact that she hadn't lost her ability to tease you was a good sign.
“Glad you haven't lost your wit. I was worried I was going to have to verbally spar with someone else.”
“Please, you can't replace me.”
“I would never dream of it.” The look you gave Dana made her heart speed up. It felt so sincere. With how fast everything moved today, she hasn't had the time or energy to process her feelings. She has been through the ringer while being a nurse. She has been hit, punched, kicked, spat on, and encountered all that you could think of. Today felt like the icing on the cake. She felt done.
On top of that were her complicated feelings for you. Since the day you came in for your residency, she has had a soft spot for you. You brought a kindness that everyone gravitates towards. Yes, you were witty and sometimes a pain in her ass, but you helped her days not be so bad. You always made sure she had easy meals or snacks she could eat throughout the shift. Supplied her with coffee and water without even hesitating. You talked inside and outside of the Pitt.
Dana knew about your crush on her, and maybe she flirted back. You were so important to her, Today you saw her injured, and for the first time, she saw you angry. She would never admit this out loud, but it was kinda hot. And the tenderness you had towards her would have pissed her off if it were anyone else, but you, she could be vulnerable with.
“Come lay with me.” She moved over on the gurney. She could practically see your brain stop for a moment. You came over and lay close to her. You both pulled up the rails so you wouldn't tumble off the bed.
“Is this my reward for being your knight in shining armor? Because if so, I am going to keep being valiant to keep being close to you.” You wiggled your eyebrows at the charge nurse. You swore that her laugh could cure the worst of sicknesses.
Dana's mouth was faster than her mouth. “You don't have to do very much to get close to me, sweetheart.” You didn't realize how close you two were. You leaned in and waited. If this was going to happen, you wanted it to be because she wanted it, not because your emotions got the best of you.
When your lips met, you were sure your heart rate tripled. It was soft and slow. You wanted to be careful with her injury. Your lips still stung, but you didn't care. Nothing could ruin this moment.
The sound of someone entering the room forced you two apart.
“How are my two favorite patients?” Robby was rubbing hand sanitizer into his hands, unaware of the interruption, or he knew better than to mess with Dana right now.
“Call me a patient again, and I'll smother you in your sleep, Robinavitch.” You tried not to look like a lovesick fool when Dana talked. She was even beautiful when threatening someone.
“Ouch, I guess that answers my question. We got your results back, and no surgery is required. It's a fracture. There will of course be bruising, but you know the drill.” He turned to you. “No concussion, just the nice little wound on your lip and bruising. Both of you are done for the rest of the day.” Robby could already sense Dana getting ready to argue. “Also, no fighting me on this. Lena is already here to cover you because I think Princess was going to have an aneurysm covering you, and Ellis came in to cover for our little warrior here.” Robby used his stern voice, ending any argument that you could give.
You were both in the locker room gathering your stuff. No words had been spoken between you since you were together in the ED room. You wanted to ask her out, but would it be the wrong time? Was it the events of today that made her kiss you?
“You think any louder, and the whole hospital will hear.” You jumped at the sudden words Dana spoke.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“You are a terrible liar. Remind me to never commit a crime with you.”
“Please, I could be the best getaway driver the world has ever seen.”
“Bullshit, I saw you try to parallel park today. It’s painful.”
“Hurtful! Also, I can’t believe you watched me struggle and didn’t even attempt to help. What about our oath to cause no harm?” The laugh she gave you warmed your whole body. Even with her wounds, she was just so beautiful.
With how good you were feeling right now, you decided to leap. “At the risk of looking like an idiot, would you like to get dinner sometime? With me? You know if that wasn't clear. Well, I guess it would be, but you know, just in case.” Before you could spiral any further, Dana pulled you into a kiss. There was a slight pang of pain, but none of that mattered when her lips were on yours.
Dana pulled back, and you tried to follow her lips. “Addicted already, huh?”
“God, yes.”
“Yes to dinner. How ‘bout you come over to my place and we order in. No sense in both of us being alone tonight.” You could see the day all over her. Her eyes said it all. It had really shaken her. Anyone else would miss it, but you didn’t. You noticed everything about her.
“Sounds like a plan.” The pain of the day would still hit you, but nothing right now would ruin this feeling. The one where you finally got a chance with the woman of your dreams. Today was worth it.