Chapter Text
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Book: Open Heart Book 2 (Ch. 6)
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Pairing: Tobias Carrick x MC (Casey MacTavish)
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Rating: Teen +
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Summary: Casey & Tobias finally get to spend some time together, but her friends put a damper on their plans. Later, they meet up unexpectedly at Leland Bloom’s mansion, where it becomes apparent that they have much more to learn about each other.
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Warnings: Some language; mild sexual situations
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A/N: Original writing and partial re-write of Chapter 6 in OH2. This was originally part of a series called “Their Start,” but I decided to break this down into individual fics that explain how they came to be, fell apart, and got back together again. Because it was originally a series, the chapter is a bit longer than a standard fic; it’s really like 2-3 one-offs in one.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
TEXT IN BOLD IS DIRECTLY FROM THE PB STORY
Tobias x Casey Headcanon Masterlist
Tobias x Casey Full Masterlist
All Series/Pairings Masterlist
Click. Click. Click.
Jackie looked up from her book and glared across the kitchen table at Elijah. After a moment, her eyes returned to her book.
Click. Click. Click.
This time she looked to her left where Casey sat glued to her phone, a sappy smile on her face, nothing else seemed to matter.
Jackie cleared her throat. Loudly. Elijah looked up at her and smiled, then she looked back at her book.
Click. Click. Click.
“OH, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!!” Jackie screamed, startling her two roommates.
Aurora broke into laughter, entering the room just before Casey and Elijah’s heads nearly hit the ceiling.
“What the fuck, Jackie,” Casey yelled, “You scared the shit out of me!”
“Casey was that constant clicking not driving you NUTS!”
“Apparently, it wasn’t, Jackie!” Elijah scowled. “It seems to be just you.”
“No, it’s not,” Aurora injected, “I could hear you clicking that pen all the way in my room. If Jackie hadn’t done something about it, I was considering coming in here and lodging it in your abdomen.”
Jackie crossed her arms with a satisfied grin.
“Aurora! I love what Mass Kenmore has done for you! The edge! I love it!”
“I think you’re both unreasonable, I mean, Casey is sitting right here, and it didn’t even bother her! Right, Casey?… Casey?…Case…”
“What?” Casey said, looking up from her phone, that stupid grin still front and center.
“Oh, Casey has you so tuned out. She wouldn’t know if you had a jackhammer going,” Aurora teased. “Who are you texting, Case?”
“I, uh.. nobody! I’m just, uhm… scrolling through social media.”
“Mmm-hmm. You must be on the same social media pages as my new boss because he’s always glued to his phone with that same look on his face. Of course, when I asked him what he was so engrossed with, he had the decency to be honest with me,” Aurora smirked as she bit into an apple.
“Oooooohhhhh. You’re holding out on us, Casey,“ Jackie sang. "And we want details.”
“Guys, there are no details to give. I haven’t seen Tobias since that day at the deli with you, and that’s what, two weeks ago now.”
“Mmm. That’s because their schedules haven’t meshed,” Aurora informed. “Which is probably why he asked me if I’m willing to change mine up a little so he could be more available when a certain attractive blonde doctor from Edenbrook is off.”
Casey’s eyes narrowed. “As if he said that!”
Aurora chortled, “Of course, he didn’t say that. But the man is as lovesick as you, and he did ask if I could make some changes to my schedule”
Aurora stood and walked to the refrigerator, a bright smile on her face. “And would you look at this!” She exclaimed. “The changes he asked me to make correspond exactly with Casey’s schedule.”
“Don’t do it!” Jackie interrupted, “Don’t do it unless she spills more tea or lets us look through her phone.”
“Jackie!” Casey admonished.
“I’m siding with Jackie on this one,” Elijah laughed.
Casey gasped, “After I was the only one not allowing them to impale you with your own writing instrument?”
“That’s only because you’re wrapped up in Dr. Love Bug over there. If not, you would have held me while they impaled.”
Aurora nodded, “He has a point.”
“A ballpoint,” Jackie snorted as the friends broke out into laughter.
“OK. Fine! I am texting Tobias. No harm in that, right?”
“No, none at all.”
“Hey, Aurora,” Elijah asked, “what time will you be at Donahue’s tonight?”
“I should be there by 8:00, the latest.”
“I’m so glad we’re all going to be there! Your new career move deserves celebrating!” Casey smiled.
“Well, I’m sure my Aunt wouldn’t agree with that, but I do.”
“I guess it’s fair to say that Harper won’t be there tonight, then?” Jackie joked.
“Yeah, that’s fair,” Aurora replied. “But I happen to know one tall, dark and handsome doctor at Kenmore who intends to be there. But you already knew that, didn’t you, Casey.”
“I cannot confirm or deny your accusations, Dr. Emery!”
“Mmm-hmmm. I’ll be there at 8:00, guys, but Tobias will likely arrive a little before I do,” she winked at Casey before leaving the door. “You know, in case you want some alone time.”
____________________
The clock struck seven at Donahue’s, but it couldn’t be heard above Sienna, Casey, and Bryce squabbling as they attempted to hang a congratulations banner.
“I told you it won’t stick with that tape!” Sienna scolded.
“Well, what would you have me use, Sienna? Bubble gum?” Bryce asked.
“How about we just tack it, guys?” Casey offered.
“For the record, I told you how to do it. You just aren’t listening, Bryce!”
“I mean, seriously, I can get the thumbtacks from Reggie. They work every time,” Casey said, seemingly to no one.
“You told me, but you told me the incorrect way!”
“You know what,“ Casey said. "I’m just going to go sit up front and have a beer since you two don’t realize I’m here anyway and all.”
And she was correct, neither even noticed she was gone when she slunk off to the bar.
“What will it be, gorgeous?” Reggie’s deep baritone belted.
“Pint of Sam Adams,” Casey smiled.
“You sure that’s strong enough?” He asked, gesturing to the bickering duo in the back, “You’re going to be dealing with them a while.”
“Oh, I most certainly am not dealing with them. They lost their chance.”
“Then I would hide if I were you. That little one, she is tiny, but she is feisty.”
“Ah, she doesn’t scare me, none,” Casey grinned.
Twenty minutes later, Casey stretched her neck, looking at the back of the bar.
Why the hell are they still arguing! She shook her head and looked at her empty glass.
“Time for a refill, Case?” Reggie asked.
“You were right. Something stronger may be in order after all.”
“What will it be?” Reggie asked, placing a fresh drink napkin in front of her.
“Jack Daniels on the rocks.”
“You know, what, make that two,” a smooth voice announced from behind. Casey felt his hand fall on to the small of her back as he claimed the barstool beside her. “And put them on my tab.”
“Absolutely,” Reggie nodded.
“Tobias,” Casey gushed, turning to look at him.
“Hey, beautiful, what a surprise seeing you here.”
“You’re so full of it,” she giggled.
“And there you go ruining my little chance encounter fantasy just like that! Thanks a lot, MacTavish.”
“That’s OK,” she said, picking up the fresh drink Reggie placed before her, “there are so many other fantasies to choose from.”
Tobias smiled, then unabashedly leaned over and placed a firm kiss on her cheek.
“You have no idea how happy I was to learn I would finally get to see you tonight,” he smiled.
“Oh, I have some idea. I’ll let you in on a little secret,” she leaned over and whispered into his ear, “I’m the one you’ve been texting and trying to see.”
He pulled back, eyes wide as he feigned shock. “You are?!”
Casey slowly nodded with a grimace. “I hope you’re not disappointed.”
“Hell no! It just goes to show what good taste I have.”
Suddenly, a shattering sound from the back distracted them. Casey noted Elijah and Jackie had also entered the decorating melee.
Tobias stood up from his barstool. “Should, ah, we go help them?”
Casey grabbed his hand and pulled him back toward her. “Not on your life!”
“That works for me,” he winked. “Hey, Reggie, two more?”
“Coming right up.”
For the next half hour, Casey and Tobias talked, giggled, and inched their stools closer together until his arm was on her back, his fingers brushed her hair behind her ear, and the feel of his breath against her ear as he whispered left her tingling. Then Bryce barged in on their little game of seduction.
“I’ve had it with them tonight,” he spat, falling into the stool on the other side of Casey.
Casey looked at Tobias with wide eyes before swiveling toward Bryce.
“What’s going on with all of you tonight?“ Casey reprimanded. "I’ve never seen you so tense over such nonsense.”
“I don’t know. Double O Tiny is on a power trip, and you’re not there to reign her in.”
“I was unaware that was my job?”
“You just do it so well,” Bryce pleaded.
“Are you telling me you’re afraid of Sienna, Dr. Lahela?”
“Well, no, as much as I’m afraid of Jackie….”
Casey raised a questioning brow.
"Come on, Case! Come help me out back there, please….”
“No,” she said firmly.
“No?”
“No. Bryce,” she said, reaching for Tobias’s arm behind her, “I’d like to introduce you to Tobias Carrick; Tobias, this is Bryce.”
“Oh!” Bryce said, finally realizing Casey was with someone, “Oh… OH! I’m sorry, I’ll step aw… I’ll leave you two alone, but I’d hide better if I were the two of you. She’ll spot you any second now!”
He nodded curtly at Tobias before scurrying away.
Casey shook her head with amusement and turned back to Tobias.
“Sorry about that.”
“No worries,” he insisted. “So, uh, you and Bryce… uhm… are you two….”
Casey choked on her drink. “Bryce? Are you asking if I’m sleeping with Bryce? Because, no, I’m not.”
Though he had attempted to keep his feelings guarded, relief was evident in Tobias’s eyes. “But you have in the past,“ he snickered.
“And how, pray tell, do you know that?”
“Because I’m good at these things,” he smirked, “so, is that confirmation?”
She pursed her lips smugly before hitting Tobias’s shoulder.
“Screw you, Carrick,” she giggled.
He laughed, “Well, color me jealous of Bryce.”
Casey turned to face him, her cheeks turning pink.
“Well, that’s very silly of you to be jealous of Bryce.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Sure, I’ve slept with Bryce in the past,” she said nonchalantly, “but I don’t intend to sleep with him again. But,” she said, raising her hands. “if that’s who you want to be jealous of, so be it.”
She turned to face the bar, leaving him staring longingly at her silhouette.
“So,” Tobias mumbled into her ear, “who do you plan on sleeping with in the future? Because whoever they are, that’s who I need to be jealous of.”
Blushing, Casey stood up and placed her arms around the back of his neck. Leaning into his ear, she whispered, “It would be really odd for you to be jealous of yourself.”
“It’s happened before,” he laughed.
“Why am I not surprised?”
“Because I can be a cocky son-of-a-bitch? But you seem to dig it.”
“Shut up,” she chuckled.
He pulled back from her and cocked his head to the side with a seductive smirk on his face.
“Oh, you want me to shut up now?”
Casey bit her lip and nodded as she gazed up at him from under her eyelashes. The faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her composed façade as heat welled up inside her.
He caressed the side of her face, trailing his fingers from her ear, over her cheek, across her jawline finally running over her lips.
“Gladly,” his voice rumbled.
His lips brushed gently against hers, offering an innocent, chaste kiss.
“Is that all you’ve got?” she teased.
Without a word, Tobias sucked in a deep breath and pulled her close. He smiled with satisfaction as a small gasp escaped her just as their lips met. Casey’s head was spinning. Never before had her first kiss with someone she wanted so badly taken place standing in a bar full of people. Tobias had her intoxicated, and it had nothing to do with the bar tab. Neither made any effort to come apart, she let him take the lead with his warm lips as his tongue traced the inside of her mouth, as if he had finally found his way home. They later wondered how long it would have lasted if Aurora hadn’t slipped in the front entrance and walked by them.
“Hey, Casey! Boss! Thanks for coming to my celebration. Your enthusiasm is touching.”
Casey and Tobias pulled apart with a gentle smack, a sly smile on his lips, and a sheepish grin on hers.
“Uhm, we’re both just really happy for you, roomie.”
“Mmmm. Well, carry on then. I wouldn’t want to dissuade you from celebrating.”
“We should probably go join them for a bit,” Casey whispered to Tobias as Aurora walked away.
“For a bit,” he emphasized.
They shared another brief kiss before Tobias took her hand and led her to the back. Casey’s eyes rolled as her friends leered at her when they entered. Elijah offered a thumbs-up as she passed by. When they reached the table, he wrapped his arm around her and leaned over to whisper in her ear.
“Do your friends actually hold up score cards too?”
“Please, don’t encourage them,” she laughed.
They managed to share a couple drinks and some laughter and conversation with the group. They even danced a couple times, but for the remainder of the night, Casey and Tobias’s minds were solely on one another. Every moment delivered a sly glance, another clandestine stroke of the skin; it was only a matter of time before Tobias took her hand and led her to the patio doors.
“I don’t think the patio is open tonight.”
“Do you care?” he asked.
“Not in the least bit.”
“Good answer.”
They stumbled into the empty patio, giggling like two kids about to get caught by their principal. Casey grabbed him by the waist and pulled his hips against hers. She playfully kissed his neck, his ears his cheeks when he cupped her cheeks and pulled her lips back to his.
“I had no idea you were this much of a rebel, Dr. MacTavish,” he smiled.
“Well, come to think of it, you don’t know all that much about me.”
“I know that I like everything I’ve learned so far, and I can’t wait to learn more.”
Casey giggled and went to kiss him, but he pulled back slightly, avoiding her lips.
Her brow furrowed, “I’m sorry, did I do something wrong?”
“No,” he whispered, “follow me.”
Tobias flung back into a wooden lounge chair in an obscure corner of the garden, and Casey sat at its feet facing him.
“Well?” she asked with a nervous giggle.
“Anxious to continue, doctor?” he asked with a gleam in his eye.
“A bit… hoping you are too.”
“Oh, I am,” he answered with a devilish grin that left no doubt in her mind, “but I want to be clear before we do. I really want to get to know you better, Casey. I’m so attracted to you that I’m in danger of bursting right now, but I don’t want you to assume I’m just trying to get into your pants. Even though, and let me be clear, I am also trying to get into your pants.”
Casey tossed her head back in laughter, then shoved him further back into the lounge chair.
“You are one of a kind, Carrick.”
“There are many out there who would say thank God for that.”
“Well, I’m not one of them. And, for the record, I’d like it to be known that one can get to know someone better at the same time as one is trying to get into someone’s pants. The two are not mutually exclusive.”
“Oh, they’re not?” he breathed; his eyes were twinkling in the moonlight, and Casey’s smile reflected back in them.
“No,” she said, raising her leg and straddling him. "They’re not.”
“That’s great to know,” Tobias gasped as one hand grasped her long hair and pulled her into a kiss; the other ran forcefully up her back. He moved with such confidence, such familiarity it felt as if they had been together a lifetime, but at the same time, the euphoric newness was undeniable.
Casey’s senses were overwhelmed, and she knew she was treading into dangerous waters. There was simply no saying no to this man, but rather than running to the shore, she was preparing to dive headfirst into the waves.
Pressing her chest closer to his, she deepened their kiss as her hands rubbed along his muscular arms. She let out a groan as his hands clasped her ass, and their hips began to grind against each other. She lifted her head in an attempt to gasp for air, and Tobias tugged at her long hair, pulling her head back and giving him full access to the delicate skin of her neck. His tongue swirled over her and his other hand cupped her breast over her t-shirt. Things were about to go too far, and Casey was eagerly seeking the gas pedal.
“Casey!” Aurora screamed as the patio door crashed open. “Oh, my God!” She gasped, covering her eyes with both hands.
“Uh, we’re kind of busy here, Aurora,” Casey moaned.
“I can see… or I did see that… I didn’t want to see that! I, uhm, I hate to bother you, but Sienna is in the bathroom, and she’s pretty sick. I was going to ask if you could help me get her home, but I will ask someone else.”
“No. No, Aurora. Go to her. I’ll be right there.”
Aurora flung out the door without another glance.
“I am so sorry,” Casey whimpered as her head fell to Tobias’s chest. .
“Don’t be. We’re pressing pause, not a stop.”
“I’d rather be pressing something else,“ she grinned. "To be continued?”
“You bet. Now, let’s go help Sienna. I’ll push the embarrassment of my direct report catching me groping her roommate to a later date. I want to be able to help.”
“Oh, you don’t have to help. We can get her home.”
Tobias tilted his head and looked at Casey. “Do you think I’m going to let the three of you get on the T right now with her in that condition?”
“It wouldn’t be the first time….”
“It would be the first time if I was here to help you. Go, go inside… I’ll join you in a few.”
“Oh, are you ok?”
“Oh, yeah. I think I just want to let a little something… settle down… out here for a moment before I join you.”
Casey kissed his cheek with a smile. “Tobias, I know our jeans were still on, but I was pressed up against you pretty good there, and there is no little about it.”
Tobias’s face lit up. “You just want to see my egotistical grin now, don’t you?”
“Pfft. Like I haven’t seen that before.”
~~~~~~~
Casey offered to sit in the back seat to have the trash bag ready, but Aurora insisted she would do it. It made sense; who wants to sit next to their boss after witnessing him in a compromising position with one friend, as another was turning green in his backseat.
Based on the looks Aurora was shooting Casey in the rearview mirror, she sensed Tobias would never be included in their outings again.
When they pulled up in front of their building, Casey jumped out of the car to gingerly steer Sienna’s head out of the back door. They didn’t get all this way for her to puke all over Tobias’s car now.
Seeing Sienna wobble on her feet, Tobias offered to carry her in.
“No. Nope. You don’t know my roommates well enough to be carrying them yet, although it is clear you’re doing all you can to remedy that… at least with one of them,” Aurora clipped. “Trust me, I have experience getting drunk people into our apartment unharmed.”
Casey lowered her eyes. “Well, I’ll help you get her in.”
“Nope. You guys stay here. I’ll get her tucked away. I’ll see you tomorrow, Dr. Carrick, and we never speak of this night.”
“Hey, this night was mild, Emery. There is nothing to worry about.”
“Good. Because there is also no chance, it’s ever happening again.”
“You can’t say that!” Tobias laughed, “Not when I’m freaking crazy about your friend here. You’ll be seeing plenty of me.”
Aurora either didn’t hear or chose not to. But Casey’s head flicked up to look at Tobias’s.
“Uh, good friend’s boss and guy that was groping me in the beer garden say what now? You’re not even tipsy, Carrick!”
Tobias laughed as he pressed her body flush against the door of his car.
“I’m not remotely tipsy, and that was not a slip. You’re something pretty special,” he muttered, brushing her hair behind her ear. “I know we’re still getting to know each other but, with every bit I learn, I want to know a hundred times more and, I don’t see that stopping.”
Casey studied his expression carefully but didn’t say a word, then he continued.
“So, yeah, I am crazy about you, and I am looking forward to seeing where this goes.”
Her perplexed expression gave way to a warm but cautious gaze.
“I am, too,” she smiled.
“Good,” he grinned, then leaned in for a tender kiss good night. “Come on,” he said, “I’m walking you to your door.”
“It’s like fifteen steps, Tobias?”
“Yes, and I’m walking you those fifteen steps,” he said, extending his arm.
She shook her head and chuckled, “OK, then.”
“Now, it’s not like you don’t text me round the clock.”
Casey playfully punched him.
“It’s not like you don’t initiate that!”
“Are you complaining?”
“No,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Let’s figure out some time to see each other soon. I don’t want to wait another two weeks before I see you again.”
“I’m in agreement on that.”
Then, with a quick kiss on her cheek, he was off. Casey walked through the door of her apartment with a conspicuous grin on her face, relieved her friends were all tucked away in their rooms as she entered.
She rushed to her bed and fell back with glee, she hadn’t felt this way in a long time, and she had to admit… she liked it.
____________________
The next morning Casey is snuggled up in bed, long after breakfast, enjoying a rare day off until an impatient knock comes at her bedroom door.
“Go away!”
The knock comes again, louder this time. She rolled out of bed and trudged to the door.
“This better be important….. Oh!”
Ethan stood in the hallway, his arms crossed.
“Oh, uh… good morning.”
His gaze flicked down to her barely clothed body before returning to her face. A pink blush pricking at his cheeks.
“Erm.. we have a case. You’ve got three minutes to get dressed.”
“A case? I’ll be ready in two.”
“Good answer. The board is desperate to impress this patient, so wear something nice.”
“Are you saying I don’t always look nice?”
“That’s not what I… What I mean is we can’t afford not to impress this guy. Afford in a very literal sense.”
Casey sighed. If being former lovers wasn’t enough to cause tension between her and Ethan, he was still simmering over her overstepping his wishes and luring a wealthy internet influencer to be treated by their team. Casey despised inequity in healthcare as much as Ethan did. But she knew if they didn’t do something to make their team profitable, all their pro-bono work would suffer. To her, the ends justified the means; to Ethan, it was all or nothing. Exactly why their attempt at a relationship had, and now that attitude was impeding on work too.
She noticed he hadn’t turned away.
“Ethan?”
“Yes?”
“Do you mind?”
“Oh, uhm yes. Of course, I’ll be in the car outside. Do be quick.”
Casey caught Ethan eyeing her as she made her way to Baz’s red Mini Cooper.
“Good morning, Baz. June,” she said, sliding into the backseat next to her boss.
“So, does my look meet with your approval, Dr. Ramsey?” she teased.
“You look very…er, satisfactory.”
“You should have been a poet.”
Ethan filled them in on their mission during the drive. His voice seething with disgust at having to attempt to lure a billionaire to their hospital for treatment. Casey kept her head turned out the window, well aware that his ire was aimed at her. As desperate as she was to retort, she felt it best to let this one slide, even if it meant biting her tongue until it bled.
“Ethan, we understand that you’re not happy about this,“ June stated. "But some of us like the idea of still having our positions six months from now. So, try to embrace this as an opportunity for the team’s continued success.”
June caught Casey’s eyes in the rearview mirror and nodded approvingly before continuing.
“And, Casey, you look simply fetching today. Very smart outfit; you represent the team well.”
“Oh… uh… thank you, June,” Casey sputtered. Taking compliments in a professional setting was something she still struggled with, especially when they came from Dr. June Hirata.
“Don’t sound so surprised, Dr. MacTavish. You need to learn how to own your successes. Brandish them in the manner you should.”
“Well, thank you again,” Casey replied more confidently. And now It was Ethan who sat with his face peering out of his window.
Baz turned his Mini-Cooper down a long, tree-lined driveway. Perfectly kept gardens sprawled out beyond them.
“Whoa. Did we take a wrong turn into Versailles?”
“Not quite. Though I’m pretty sure this guy could afford to buy Versailles if he really wanted to.”
“When you said he was rich I thought you meant celebrity rich, not…”
“Oligarch rich?” June smiled.
“His name is Leland Bloom. One of the biggest tech investors in history, and the third richest person in America.”
“Wow, that’s a terrifying amount of money,” Casey exclaimed.
“What’s terrifying about out?” June asked, astounded.
“The power that comes with it,” Casey quickly replied.
She noticed Ethan turn to her, a look of almost approval in his eyes.
The team approached the enormous front doors. They opened before Ethan could een reach for the antique brass knocker.
“Good morning, doctors,” the butler greeted, “I trust you’re the team from Edenbrook? If you’ll please follow me, I’ll take you to join the others.”
“The others?” Baz asked.
“Come. Mr. Bloom will explain everything.”
Casey and Ethan exchanged suspicious looks at they followed him inside the palatial mansion. Every single piece of furniture looked like it cost more than four years of college. She was so distracted by the décor that she didn’t notice the small team of doctors in white coats standing near a gorgeous antique couch.
“Aurora?” Casey asked, “What are you doing here?”
“Me? I’m working! What are
you
doing here?”
“We’re here to treat Mr. Bloom.”
Casey’s eyes went wide when another doctor entered the room behind Aurora.
Tobias?
“Nope. No way. I dunno what kind of game you’re playing here, but….”
He stopped short as soon as he saw Ethan.
“Ethan Ramsey, in the flesh! Nice to see you again, buddy. How long has it been, now?”
“Not long enough.”
“Hey, Tobias,” Casey smiled as Ethan jerked his neck in her direction.
“Casey,” Tobias grinned even wider as he observed Ethan’s reaction. “Well, this day just got a whole lot better. I certainly didn’t expect to run into you.”
“Hey, Tobias,” June sneered as she strolled into view behind Casey.
“Uhm… and June too!” Tobias stammered. “Wow. You are all here. Look at that!”
“What the hell is going on here?” Ethan demanded.
“I see we’re already getting acquainted. Introductions, yes I’m Leland Bloom. And this is my wife and business partner, Caroline.”
“Hello doctors. Thank you all for coming.”
“Hey, I like surprises as much as the next guy, but I think you double-booked.”
“You always were a little slow to catch up, Tobias…”
Ethan turned to face Leland as the old man reclined in an armchair.
“Mr. Bloom wants a competition.”
“What I want, Dr. Ramsey, is excellence. And, in my experience, competition is the farther of excellence. You and your team are commonly lauded as the best diagnosticians in the country. I worry that makes you cocky. Complacent.”
“We’re not,” Ethan simmered.
Tobias was shifting on his feet. Holy shit… He knew Casey was a resident at Edenbrook, but she never mentioned being on the diagnostic team. So she worked for Ethan? But also worked with June… oh, fuck.
He all but tuned out Bloom as he went on a soliloquy about competition spurring excellence and how he expects the two highly respected teams to compete for the chance to treat him. He was even too zoned out to hear Casey impressively challenge the tycoon. But Tobias Carrick was not one to let an opportunity slip away, and he heard just enough to join the conversation once again.
“So it’s a race to diagnose you? That’s a new one. Hell, sounds fun. We’re in.”
“…And we’re out,” Ethan exclaimed before turning on his heel and striding out from the room.
“Oh, come on, Ethan! You’re not gonna deny me the pleasure of kicking your ass, are you?” Tobias taunted.
He turned and saw Casey gazing at him with a perplexed look before she turned to June and Baz, both appearing panicked.
“If you’ll excuse us a moment, Mr. Bloom,” Casey said before running after Ethan. She could hear June and Baz offering apologies as they followed her.
Ethan was already entering the car when Casey reached the front door.
“Let’s go. We’re leaving. If he thinks I’m going to jump through hoops for his money then….”
Inside, curiosity got the best of Tobias, who needed more detail about the commotion taking place.
“Dr. Emery, would you be kind enough to gather Mr. Bloom’s samples? I’m going to get my laptop from the car. I’d like to download some data regarding this case before we leave.”
“Sure thing,” Aurora smiled as Tobias made his way to a small room off of the foyer, the perfect place to eavesdrop.
“Ethan, please,” Baz pleaded, “we need this. You know we need this.”
“Ethan, stop being such a goddamned diva!” Casey scowled.
Tobias’s eyes went wide. Damn.
“Excuse me?” Ethan spat.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Would you prefer spoiled child? Or maybe entitled jackass.”
“I…”
Tobias held his breath. Jesus Christ. Did I just hear her correctly? She’s a resident… and she spoke up to Ethan Ramsey like that… holy shit… I hope she simmers down. This is not how I want her to make me come for the first time.
“Baz, June, and I are doing our best in a crappy situation. What exactly are you doing to help?”
Ethan glanced at June and Baz. They watched the exchange wit wide, impressed eyes. Ethan cleared his throat, chastened.
“I, uh… “Spoiled child’ seems to suit the occasion. I owe you all an apology. Let’s get to work.”
Tobias made haste to get back to Leland’s bedroom, where Aurora and his team were wrapping up. His mind was completely blown. If he weren’t already painfully attracted to Casey, he would be now. He needed to know everything about her. Was she even human? Now he knew she was connected to Ramsey… and to June… and that just complicated things between them tremendously, but that was no deterrent. This woman had him captivated in a way he was having trouble understanding, but he wasn’t letting go.
Entering Bloom’s bedroom, he put his game face on. He had a lot of things to check off on his to-do list right now, but only one took precedence, and that was making sure Ramsey’s team did not win this patient regardless of who was on the team.
“Did you get what you need?” Aurora asked her boss.
“If by what I need you mean a better idea of how to treat, absolutely. Halfway to the car, I realized the systems we have in place aren’t adequate. But I saw something in a journal last week and, Mr. Bloom, if you’re so inclined, I’d like to utilize a new system I read about that could synthesize the data we obtained….”
Aurora watched, impressed, as Mr. Bloom’s eyes lit up. Medical technology, Tobias was talking his favorite language, tech, and the Kenmore team’s stock just kept going up. She turned when she heard Casey and her team reenter the room.
“Does this mean you’ve decided to stoop to our level after all?” Tobias gloated.
“Mr. Bloom, I apologize for my outburst. If you need proof that my team and I are the best diagnosticians available to you, we’re ready to supply it.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Though, I must say, Dr. Carrick and his team have left the better impression.”
“Patient’s all yours, Doc. We got what we need. Let’s go, Aurora, team.”
“Good luck, Casey,” Aurora smiled.
“You too!”
“Hey, come on, no fraternizing!” Tobias scolded.
Casey eyed him as he and Aurora made their way out of the room, passing June on the way. Tobias gave her a curt nod.
“Hirata.”
“Carrick.”
Tobias saved his bright smile for his newest rival, Casey.
“Good seeing you, Dr. MacTavish,” he winked.
“Likewise,” she nodded as both Ethan and June took note.
"I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again soon.” And then, he was gone.
____________________
The moment Casey slid into the backseat of Baz’s car, she felt her phone vibrate. Tobias was already texting her. She inconspicuously glanced over her shoulder, taking great care to ensure Ethan couldn’t see who she was texting before she replied.
“Who was so eager to get in contact with you, Casey?” Ethan asked.
“What, I’m not allowed to get texts now?”
“It was just a question.”
“And I just gave you an answer.”
She shifted to her side so she could continue texting in private.
After Casey slipped her phone into her purse, she caught June glancing at her in the vanity mirror.
“Casey,“ she spoke. "I wasn’t aware that you were acquainted with Dr. Carrick. How did that come to be?”
“Yes, I was curious as well,” Ethan added.
“He’s Aurora’s boss. Aurora is my roommate. I thought you two were diagnosticians?”
Baz chuckled, “She got you both there.”
“Well, I guess we will all learn a lot about each other during this competition,” June said, almost scornful. “Casey, you have an advantage, living with the enemy.”
“Aurora is not my enemy, and I will not engage in conversations with her about this matter given these circumstances.”
“This is a nightmare,” Ethan groused. “I truly can’t believe this is what we’re reduced to.”
“Oh, Ethan, take it easy! This could be fascinating,” June smirked, “I can only imagine the fun things we will learn along the way.”
peonyblossom on Chapter 1 Mon 07 Nov 2022 05:27PM UTC
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JerZWriter on Chapter 1 Mon 07 Nov 2022 07:45PM UTC
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peonyblossom on Chapter 2 Mon 07 Nov 2022 07:36PM UTC
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JerZWriter on Chapter 2 Mon 07 Nov 2022 07:45PM UTC
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