Chapter Text

Coffee Run

It had been more common for Dr Jack Abbot to share his Night shifts with one Dr Mohan, a fact that had made Jack both nervous and excited. Which was ridiculous, considering that he was not only a grown man but had done far more nerve racking things on a daily basis than flirting with Samira Mohan.

Yet here he was, like a nervous schoolboy, 

Part of him knew that Samira’s allure was the fact she had been untouchable. A brilliant, gorgeous mind that Jack had the luxury of conferring with on cases. And then of course he had got to know the woman behind all those research papers he had shared with her. Of course she had to be empathetic and caring. Strong willed enough to hold her own against not only her superiors but the world.

And just because it had been a while didn’t mean that Jack had forgotten how to date. How to flirt.

He started simple; coffee, just coffee. 

Which is possibly why Samira doesn’t think too much of it when Jack appears in the doorway of the office, ready to save her from the paperwork hell that had kept her two hours post shift.

– – –

“I think a coffee break is in order, Dr Mohan.” Samira looked up at the sound of Jack Abbot’s teasing remark. For a second she just takes him in; relaxed, leant against the doorway sporting that stupidly charming smirk with his arms folded in a way that made his biceps bulge. “My treat. Can’t have my new Attending collapsing post shift.”

Samira chuckles, light and amused by the easy way Jack asks. He seems far too casual for their usual adrenaline fueled exchange but Samira’s not complaining. From anyone else Samira might have thought they were flirting.

“I–” Samira hesitates, glancing down at the paperwork for her new research project before her. Being an attending meant she finally had access to the rarely used office and all its medical books and quiet peace. A privilege that she had been taking advantage of. “Sure, why not. I could do with a rescue.”

Samira smiles, glancing up at Jack to gauge the pleased look on his face as his head dips in a nod (though she misses the victory is his eyes and the way he straightens up). He waits patiently for her to collect her papers, not offering to help when he knows that she has a system for organising their stacks. Inexplicably Samira is pleased by that point, that he remembered, clearly holding himself back from helping by gathering up her bag and miscellaneous items while she battles with the files. 

It’s a quaint cafe that Jack brings her to. On that Samira had been pleased to find on her morning walk the other day, it was off the main roads, a cute find that had her raving to a couple of the nurses the other day and Samira can’t help but be pleased by the coincidence of Jack taking her there.

Or by the way Jack orders for her while Samira rummages through her bag, a bottomless tote that had clearly swallowed her purse. (She doesn’t notice that Jack had clearly memorised her complicated latte order - not actually complicated but a former boyfriend had complained about the changes)

By the time Samira has a hand on her purse Jack is already guiding her away from the counter with a gentle hand at her back.

“Don’t bother,” He huffs. “Thought I said it would be my treat.”

Samira frowns, “For what? Looking bedraggled over paperwork? Don’t tell me you’re buttering me up, I refuse to cover another shift for Shen.”

Jack chuckles, pulling out the seat Samira had been walking towards and she quickly changes cause, letting him have whichever he preferred. She wasn't about to get between a veteran and his preferred seating choices for optimal awareness of the room. (In her haste to move seats she misses the way Jack ducks his head in amusement, eyes shining as he glances over at where she has made a hasty retreat)

“Don’t worry.” He grins, and it’s a dangerous sight that has Samira’s chest fluttering. “Shen seems to have settled down for the year. You’re simply good company.”

Samira laughs awkwardly as her cheeks warm. “I’m not that entertaining.”

Jack makes a little ‘eh’ sound, head tilting side to side in disagreement.

“You have your moments.” Samira grins. “Now tell me why that paperwork was holding you hostage.”

Samira rolls her eyes but does as he asks. She doesn’t know how long they spend together but Jack patiently listens through Samira’s rant; the ridiculous hoops the magazine is making her jump through; Robby’s notations and edits to her work; the cases they had last night; Bridget’s, the night shift charge nurse, new boyfriend and their latest spat. 

And he listens.

Properly.

Laughs in the right places, teases her gently, adds his own anecdotes when it calls for it. And sometimes he leans closer when Samira is particularly passionate, as if he were trying to keep the moment just between them. 

At some point Samira starts thinking about how nice it is to have Jack’s company. How much she enjoys having his attention on her.

(And Jack’s thinking about how nice it is not to be alone again. How long its been since he was so comfortable around another person)

By the time they walk back to the hospital for their cars Samira is warm from the good conversation and coffee. Nothing of her earlier irritation or exhaustion is present in her mind. Unfortunately for them Ellis spots them on the way in. She was covering a day shift for Langdon, Samira recalls. A custody hearing that Abby was being generous with yet still required the courts.

“Oh, ho ho. Look at you two love birds— coffee date?” She waggles her eyebrows at them and Samira flushes as she clutches at her chest like a disappointed auntie at a wedding. “No hand holding? Did it go badly?”

Samira gives her the most unimpressed stare she could gather after a night shift and four hours later. “It wasn’t a date.”

Jack makes a little ‘huh’ sound behind her, humming, noncommittal. (not that Samira gives that part much weight, thinking it no more than a joke while she’s too busy shoving Ellis away)

“Jack was kind enough to save me from paperwork.” 

“ ‘Course he was,” Dana mutters, deadpan, as she wanders past, eyebrows raised with obvious judgement as she looks between Samira and Jack. Samira flushes under her gaze. 

Samira makes a point not to look at the hub where Princess and Perlah are no doubt watching her. They don’t say anything, anything that Samira understands anyway. She also avoids Heather’s eyes as she hovers by the computer with the posture of a woman who’s already expecting the worst (and knows damn well what a slow-burning romance looks like).

Ellis winks at Samira as she walks away, following as Dana shuffles the curious nurses away.

(Samira tells herself that it’s nothing, that Jack’s just being friendly)

(Later, there will be a dramatised reenactment of Samira’s ignorance by Ellis and Shen during a slow night. Samira will spend a long time embarrassed while Jack will claim to have been flirting his arse off the entire time)

(But that was for later. For now Samira just thought she was finally making friends)

(Oblivious idiot)

Chapter Text

Samira had started treating herself to solo-dates sometime after PittFest. 

Part of it was prompted by Cassie’s words; work couldn’t be her life. And Samira had tried to find a life outside of work, engage with friends, go on dates, find hobbies but it had been hard. She wasn’t in a place to maintain commitments and joining clubs or groups or going on dates were all commitments.

So the solo-dates had been born.

Sometimes it was date-night-in; bubble bath, wine, a book, maybe a movie. Others, like now, were proper going out dates; bookshop and dinner, farmer’s market and stroll, or in this case dinner for one.

She’d earned it tonight.

After all, Samira had not only caught an irregularity with her patient that her peers had missed but she had also helped successfully perform the surgery that had saved the woman’s life. Not only that but her new med student had completed another successful intubation, a baby had been born in the ER (Surprisingly not a common occurrence as proved by L&D literally appearing as the baby dropped into Whittaker’s hands)

But her crowning achievement was getting to snap back at Robby and his micromanaging. They were equals now, he might be lead attending but he couldn’t treat her as a student any more.

That called for celebration.

She had picked a little family owned restaurant near the hospital. It wasn’t anything fancy but certainly not a dive, she just needed somewhere that had great pasta. She was in a card mood. 

What she hadn’t accounted for was walking in and finding Jack Abbot already in the queue for a table.

“Dr Abbot.” She instinctively smiled even as she was a little bewildered by the coincidence.

From the surprise on his face Jack was clearly surprised by her appearance as well.

“Dr Mohan?”

They stared at each other both waiting for the other to speak but Samira had nothing to say. God she hoped she wasn’t interrupting a date.

“Table for two?” The both turned to the waitress but she was already walking away, menus in hand.

Jack cleared his throat, “If you’re waiting for someone I can ask–”

“I’m not waiting for anyone.”

Inexplicably Jack looked pleased by this, “Then would you like some company?”

Samira grinned.

The waitress had led them to the booth in the back corner and Samira slowed to let Jack choose his seat. Unsurprisingly he put his back to the wall while Samira thanked their waitress and asked for a jug of water for the table.

Because of course Samira joined him. Why wouldn’t she? It’s Jack; supportive, always willing to argue medicine with her, knows all the latest references like she does, and above all that he’s kind, caring and manages to make Samira laugh at the worst possible moments. So why should this be weird. They’re friends, equals at work now too. Which makes this normal, fine, a friends thing.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

Jack flushed and Samira found she quite liked it when he was bashful.

“Heard you mention this place before, thought I’d visit on my day off.” He explains easily, glancing down at the menu while Samira left most of her attention on him – she already knew what she wanted. “What about you? Thought you had shift today.”

She nods, “Post shift treat.”

“Oh?” 

Samira shrugs, about to wave off the day's accomplishments but Jack gives her a look; the supportive but forceful one he’d first given her when she joined nightshift. It had made less appearances over the months but Samira noted that he was always prepared to call her out when she was making herself less.

So she tells him.

Brags about the find; goes into ridiculous detail about the scan, tells him how she cross referenced it with previous scans they had on file for the patient. Tells him about how it had all blown up in their face only minutes after she reported her suspicions to Robby. He’d been delighted when she spoke about the surgery, grinning at her skill.

He had, of course, complained about Dr Walsh’s involvement in the whole thing but that was to be expected. Samira would have found it weird if he hadn’t said anything about Emery.

At some point through the tale they had ordered with Jack adding in garlic bread before Samira could, shooting her a look that had her flushing. Of course he knows it's her favourite.

They eat, Samira laughs, nearly choking on her drink as Jack reports the latest from his veterans support group. They’d started a regular basketball thing and with their various prosthetics, wheelchairs and complete disregard for rules and personal injury was often a playful bloodbath. Jack had apparently spent half the game running from Marty who had threatened to ram his ankle, the good one, with his chair.

They’re leant towards each other, both there for hours; for dinner, dessert and two rounds of drink afterwards. At some point he nudges his foot playfully against hers and then leaves it pressed against her leg. 

(Which probably meant nothing)

(Probably.)

It’s only once they’re done, as Jack walks her back to her car parked a street over that things fall quiet.

“You know,” Abbot murmurs, “If we’re going to keep talking about research papers we should at least do it over good food.”

Samira stills by her car door, holding her breath as she waits for his next words.

“Dinner next week?” he asks softly, head tilted to the side curiously.

Samira blinks up at him, brain short-circuiting. “Like… dinner or coffee and food?”

That smirk— no, smile. The one that was sharp and devastating and totally unfair. “Exactly like dinner.”

She nods, somehow managing a normal sounding, “Yeah. Sure.”

He had a point after all. They talked about work all the time and she was taking up his free time. Not to mention he had that paper linked with the VA about to be published that Samira had agreed to proof read as a favour.

Friends, research colleagues. He was just being friendly.

So it was totally, utterly fine.

Chapter Text

Samira wasn’t entirely sure how she had been roped into a movie night during one of the few conferences they were allowed time off for. Not that she was complaining, she had just thought the other attending would have better things to do.

Besides, it was supposed to be a group movie night, bonding, team building etc. Supposed to be.

Shen had been the one to suggest it, immediately followed by his suggestion of an old action film with explosions and bad one-liners, not to mention the rampant sexism and racism. But for some reason the man loved it. Abbot had agreed like a man indulging his kids with a rare treat and Ellis had just smirked. 

Samira had worried it would be odd going with the three of them. They’d known each other so much longer than Samira had. A well oiled machine, they knew each others’ tells, not to mention that they had all been on night shift for years longer than Samira. So maybe she was overcompensating a little.

Except when she showed up – arms full of snacks, wearing the only comfortable jumper she had packed for the trip – There was only Jack Abbot and absolutely no one else on the sofa of his room (Because of course Jack was the one hosting).

Samira frowned, “Where’s the others?” 

Without waiting for an answer Samira began to lay out the crisps and chocolate she had brought with her, there were no bowls for decanting so she made do with opening packets and finding her own seat at the opposite end of the sofa to Jack. Jack, who looked far too good in a tight top and joggers, was already stretched out on the sofa, legs propped up on the coffee and watching Samira with an easy smile and gentle eyes.

“Bailed. Shen found a date during the last conference apparently and after that Ellis pretended to be busy and scampered off.” Jack winced a little when he noticed her expression.

Samira could only blink, momentarily stunned as she stared at Jack. “Wait… what? ”

Jack shrugs, looking surprisingly nervous. "It's just you and me.”

Samira hesitates and Jack notices it immediately.

“You don’t have to stay.” Jack murmurs, quieter now and unable to meet her eyes. “I’m sure you’ve got something better to be doing than watching a trashing movie with me.

For a moment Samira considers it but… what else would she be doing? It’s not just that she has no plans, Samira could admit that she enjoyed and valued Jack Abbot’s company.

“Nah.” She disagreed, tugging at the blanket laid across the back of the sofa. “I’ve opened the snacks now, can’t let them go to waste.”

Nothing more is said and Jack starts the movie.

And it’s fine, they’re not too close, a respectable distance apart. Friendly distance. Nothing anyone would take fault from. Even as Samira finds herself entirely too aware that they’re alone in Jack’s hotel room.

But at some point she sits up to grab the box of chocolates, shuffles closer to be in reaching-distance of Jack so they can share the overpriced dessert.

At some point after that Jack draped his arm across the back of the couch behind Samira. It wasn’t over her shoulders but it was close enough. And when the chocolates were gone Samira curled her legs up on the sofa, blanket draped across her lap and tried not to focus on the heat of his thigh radiating through the material against hers.

The film was terrible but still, Samira tried to focus on it.

She really did try to focus.

But Jack smelled like warm spice and fresh laundry, and his stupid forearm flexed every time he shifted. They probably weren’t halfway into the film when Samira became far too aware of her own breathing, of the racing of her heart that matched the many, many , thoughts that were distracting her from the movie.

It was fine, everything was fine. They weren’t too close together, this was normal and fine and she was reading far too much into things. 

Be normal.

During one of the ridiculous explosion scenes, Jack leaned over, head suddenly far closer than Samira had expected. Practically next to her cheek and she could feel his warm breath by her ear.

“Do you think Shen actually likes these films or is he just playing at being a macho man?”

Her stomach flipped at his proximity even as she forced herself to register the question. 

She hums in thought, fighting the urge to swallow down her nerves.

“Genuine. I think he’s so chill that he just doesn’t care about the inaccuracies.”

Jack huffed, “I think this one might have an unforgivable amount of issues.”

Samira chuckles as their on screen protagonist achieves yet another death defying trick on a backdrop of bad cgi.

“You have better tastes, I take it.” Samira teases.

“Oh yeah,” Jack nods, all mock serious. “Only the classics over here.”

“Uh-huh.” She grins, turning her attention to Jack as opposed to explosion on tv, “Hit me with them. What does Dr Abbot deem to be a classic.”

“Paddington.” Samira snorts, “Not kidding, my nieces love it.”

“Yeah?”

“Oh yeah, Shrek 2,” Jack adds and Samira finds herself smiling wide. “Specifically Shrek 2.”

“One and three not good enough for you?”

“Can’t be bothered with the whole ‘getting to know you’ thing of the first movie.”

“Really,” She raises her brows, surprised. “Not one for the slow burn, the lead up.”

“Nah, I like knowing where my characters stand, they’re a team trying to get though it.”

She nods, unsurprised by his answer.

“I didn’t like Artie in Shrek 3.”

“Artie?”

“Prince Arthur, you know that guy with merlin. Couldn’t be bothered with that plotline.” Samira finds herself softening at Jack’s random passion for a kids movie. “And Shrek 4 is just a fever dream to me.”

Samira lets the silence fall, content to just admire this domestic version of Jack. A quiet version, one more man than doctor or veteran. She wonders if its a rare sight, if she’s being honoured with his trust in this relaxed state.

“What about you?” His voice drops, all quiet and teasing as if noticing that the mood seems to have softened. “We could’ve put something else on, would have if I’d known it was just gonna be us.”

Samira shrugs, “Not much of a movie person.”

“Oh? What does the great Samira Mohan do in her spare time then?”

Samira rolls her eyes, “Hush.”

Jack shrugs, “I’m not taking it back.”

She sighs but Jack just grins. Samira rolls her eyes, “I prefer books.”

“Very on brand for you.”

“Yeah yeah.”

“You got a favourite genre? I’ve been told not to ask for a favourite book.”

Samira snorts, “Oh yeah, that’s a tough one. I don’t really have– well I suppose I do.”

She tilts her head, thinking her answer through, wanting to be as honest as she could with Jack.

“I read fast-food type easy romcoms when I’m too tired to think of anything, I flick through them so fast that I read a book a night.”

“Wow,” Jack nods, “Do you even take in what you read.”

“Most of the time,” Samira shrugs, “That’s why I call them ‘fast-food’, they're cheap and easy, similar enough plots that I remember them fairly well.”

“And when you want something more gritty?”

“I like a classical retelling– something Greek reborn, or a fantasy– proper fantasy, I don’t like to mix my romance and world ending empire tales.”

“How respectable of you.” Jack grins, “Very educated fellow, english literature student at heart, high brow, erudite–”

Samira laughs, nervous and embarrassed at being known. She half-heartedly shoves his shoulder, “Ugh, leave me. You’re just saying that.”

Jack catches her wrist in a gentle grip before she can pull away. Not restraining, not pulling her towards him, just holding her. Thumb grazing the inside of her wrist as though he were instinctively going to check her pulse.

“I’m not just saying.” It would be fine if it was just his serious tone but with that famed Abbot stare as well?

Samira flushes. Was it hot in here? Why was it hot in here?

For a moment she forget where they were, what movies were, and all words fled her. No response left to her.

She was saved unironically by the bell. 

Jack releases her wrist as he moves to tilt his phone screen towards them revealing–

Ellis

21:38 Enjoying your date?????

Samira squeaks, or scoffs, but it’s certainly an undignified noise.

“Seriously?” She demands, annoyed by their teasing. “They’re the ones who ditched us. This isn’t a date.”

“Could be,” Jack murmurs, eyes focused entirely on Samira now, the film utterly forgotten. “If you wanted.”

Samira stares at him, stunned with her cheeks ablaze, “We’re watching trashy explosions porn.”

Jack chuckles, on edge, clearly a little embarrassed, “Not about the movie is it? ‘Bout who you’re with.”

She didn’t answer right away, too busy gawping at him. 

Ellis was never going to let her live this down.

Chapter Text

Samira had no intentions of doing anything for the next day, no, weekend. Not when Robby had so graciously forced her off shift. Honestly, the audacity of that man. One of the few times she actually works Day Shift now and there he goes, forcing her off work because ‘she might get the other ill’ like he wasn’t understaffed and functioning with barely coherent doctors.

But fine, she could appreciate the time off while her lungs attempt to shred themselves apart.

Her body was staging a full-scale rebellion for not taking her PTO or sick days for the past two years. But in Samira’s defence, she was never one to get ill. No one in her family was (which is why they had all been so surprised by her Appa’s passing) they had barely anything in their medicine cabinet at home as a result. At most Samira got a mild cold once a a year.

Nothing as dramatic as this; chills that came with shivers, the occasional cramps, burning throat that was constantly dry and forcing her to hack up her organs. There had been a brief hint of nausea but the little ginger tea that Samira kept around was tiding her over.

And now she was craving something greasy– stupid body, unwilling to decide if it was hungry or sick.

She was half curled into her sofa when she heard the first knock. Quite frankly, she was buried under a veritable fort of pillows and blankets, and was something adjacent to comfortable but not quite comfy.

She wasn’t moving so she pretended to be asleep even though whatever nosy neighbour that was knocking wouldn't be able to see her. And then she heard that voice, familiar and smooth but laced with a worry that she found unbearable.

“Samira? I know you’re home, Dana texted me.”

Why was Dana conspiring with Jack?

“I’ve brought food.”

Samira peeled her eyes open as she glared at her door.

“It’s open!” She calls out before hunching over with the force of her cough.

“Why is your door– Samira?”

A gentle hand guides her upright, pushing her back against the cushions until she can breathe easy again. Blearily Samira stares up at Jack’s face, taking in the worry etched across his face as his hands instinctively flutter over her face, her pulse point, her throat, checking, searching– none of which was necessary which is why Samira focuses on the paper bag left on the coffee table in front of her.

It’s takeaway but Samira can see her favourite chocolate bar sticking out the pocket of Jack’s cargo pants.

“Jack?” She mutters, confused and a little embarrassed that he was seeing her in such a state. They weren’t… dating per-say. But they were flirting now, more officially and Jack had made it clear that he wanted to take her out on a date when she was next free. “What are you—”

“Taking care of you,” he answers simply before striding off into her apartment like he’d been there before. “And you really need to start locking your door Samira, it’s not safe to leave it open in the middle of the city.”

She heard soft thuds that took her a moment to register as shoes being toed-off and left by her shoe rack.

“Wait.” She called out, brain lagging on the noise.

“Yeah?” 

Samira’s thoughts are a touch too slow with the fog clouding her mind and Jack comes back, frowning as he stares at her. There’s something odd about the way he’s moving–

“Shoes.” Her eyes widen but Jack just sighs patiently.

“Yeah, I’ve left them by the door. Don’t worry–”

“No, you need shoes.” Samira nods, finally connecting the dots while Jack frowns at her. “For your leg, it’s easier right.”

Samira stares up at him, flushing at the unbearably fond expression that overtakes Jack’s face.

“Would you let me be the one worrying here?” He huffs, “I came over here to look after you.”

Samira rolls her eyes but Jack has already moved back towards her kitchen.

“From the sounds of Dana’s text I knew you’d be trying to suffer in silence.”

Samira flushes, almost irritated by the very accurate assumption but she’s mostly grateful for his company.

“What did she say?” Samira groans, dreading whatever scathing assessment the charge nurse would make of her sorry state.

Jack snorts, “Said you were escorted off the premises.”

Samira gasps, “I was not!”

Jack returns with a glass of water, smirking in amusement at Samira’s indignation.

“A cry for help if ever there was one.”

“It was not.”

Jack shrugs, “Either way, we can have our date now.”

Samira pauses, waiting for her brain to find the connection, to make the joke while she just stares up at Jack with wide eyes because– what?

He snorts at her expression. 

“Oh yeah, you’re not getting out of this that easy.”

She gapes at him now, “You’re serious.”

“Yep.”

“Jack,” She stumbles over her words. “I’m sick. I’m literally disgusting right now.”

Jack ignores her, “Think of it like role play; you the weary patient and I the sexy doctor–”

“Jack!”

Jack snorts and despite herself Samira can’t help but be utterly betrayed by how fond she felt. Never mind her insides feeling like they were scraped raw and like her outsides had been drenched in sweat and no doubt sporting a sickly pallor.

He slumps down on the sofa next to her, way too close, to be casual, or to be safe from whatever disease is ravaging her. Samira tries not to lean into the heat rolling off him like a portable radiator. Jack smiles at her, fond and patient before he slides a gentle hand casually behind her shoulders, fingers brushing along the nape of her neck like with a casual familiarity. One that has Samira’s eyes fluttering shut as she leans into his touch, curling against his side instinctively.

She wanted to sink into the cushions, into his side and forget the day's pain, the current embarrassment. 

“Now, I come bearing all the important food groups: Salt, sugar, carbs, and soup” he states proudly enough for Samira to open her eyes as he gestured to the food like a child showing their perfect grade. “Even brought along a few painkillers since I wasn’t sure what you had stocked. And—”

He shuffled around, rummaging through the pocket of his cargo trousers, before presenting her with the chocolate bars she had eyed up earlier. “And if you’re really good I’lk make you up a hot water bottle and some tea.”

Samira could only smile, fond and flushed under his care and attention. There was nothing sharp or dismissive to be said in the face of Jack Abbot’s worry. 

“You’re annoyingly kind.” Samira mutters, voice clogged with her cold. “Far too good for me.”

“I think I’ll be the judge of that,” he countered, thumb stroking lazy circles against her neck, massaging the ache away from her muscles “But it’s nice of you to finally notice my kindness, glad to know all these dates have paid off.”

“Not a date,” Samira huffs, choking on the words slightly and trying not to read into the way Jack stills until the coughing fit stops. He offers her up a water bottle that had appeared from somewhere, the go bag? Her own kitchen? Samira takes it anyway.

Jack hums as she drinks, “Seems like a date to me” 

Samira shoots him a glare but is a bit too focused on driving away the dry ache in her throat to argue with him.

“We’ve got dinner, snuggling on the sofa, even a bit of mood lighting.” he gestures to the many lamps that Samira has set up instead of her overhead light. “That seems like a very ideal date to me. Ten out of ten.”

Samira would shake her head if she didn’t think it would cause her pain. She was blushing now or maybe that was just her body threatening with fever as she curls deeper into the blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

“Hey,” Jack whispered, waiting till he had her attention. He wasn’t teasing now but was still unbearably soft. “Let me look after you, yeah. Doesn’t have to be anything you don’t want.”

Maybe Samira should have been embarrassed. Having this brilliant man looking after her while she looked like a sickly Victorian child and protested against all of his attempts at flirting and dates. But all Samira could do was feel her heart melt at the sight of his devotion. She had always known that Jack Abbot was a caring man, one that was loyal to his friends, honest and steady. 

It was another thing to have that man caring for her. Samira found herself enjoying it far too much for someone who hadn’t even been on a date with the man.

So she grumbled her assent, content to eat takeaway and watching trashy tv with him (Shrek 2, a redo on the movie night he had claimed) and somewhere in the back of her mind Samira realised that there was something incredibly dangerous about how easy it was to fall in love with Jack.

(Jack on the other hand was trying not to freak out. Stopping himself from being overwhelmed by the sheer prospect of the life he could have, the trust that Samira so easily placed in him)

(It wasn’t a second chance, a do-over, but an honour. An opportunity to have something more with a brilliant woman)

(And for the first time in years Jack was certain that he was ready for more)

Chapter Text

Naturally this all started with a coffee run, a full circle for Dr Jack Abbot.

So of course there he was coming in to shift change with a fancy overpriced latte in hand for Samira. As he had started doing since they had made it HR official last week. A cause for celebration he understood, for the betting boards. 

Except it wasn’t.

No one suspected they were dating.

Which is obviously fine. It’s not like Jack wants people nosying in his love life. He remembers how much it had weighed on Robby’s mind when he was dating Heather; a coworker and insubordinate. At least Jack and Samira were both attendings. 

Quite frankly the only people who knew they were together or suspected something were Dana and Ellis (And probably Emery but she didn’t give that much of a shit about his personal life) and that made sense. Ellis had been trying to get them together from the start (she had ambushed Jack during one of his shifts where he had been a waxing poet and the whole crush situation had stumbled out) and then, of course, Dana saw right through him (hence her sending him to Samira when she had been ill)

But everyone else? Nothing?

Even Robby had been stunned when Jack had gone to ‘talk’ with him.

Which is all very fucking fine. Jack knows how to be private, as does Samira. It’s just…

Well it’s situations like Dr Begg (And HA he had made jokes about the name - privately, to himself, with far more vitriol than necessary)

But.. him.

Jack’s new irritation and symbol of– well he’s not sure what Begg is symbol of without making himself sound like a possessive arsehole.

He was fresh blood for the hospital, not new to the field an R4 turning attending in two months (Jack was praying he didn’t stay) transferred from overseas, British, with the accent, the new hot topic with the ladies on shift– possibly why the gossip mill had so little to say about him and Samita. 

He was eager. Chatty and sociable. But tragically convinced that Samira needed his help with literally everything, including her coffee. (which once again, Jack would like to point out, that he, her boyfriend, brings her everyday) (because they work the same God Damn shift, and when they don’t– like today, he still brings her a coffee)

“There’s this new place out on 7th, just opened up and has apparently got some great food as well.” He was practically vibrating, talking like a buzzing fly at Samira’s ear while she clearly tried to work. “I know a few other good spots– I’ve been touring the sights since I arrived.”

Samira was hardly paying him any attention though Jack noted she was wearing her forced patient smile, the one that she wore when she was tired or dealing with unruly patients. Instinctively Jack moved forward, ready to step in and take over. Not that Samria would thank him for a ‘save’ especially not when she was very clearly not in any danger.

“Hey.” Jack calls out, focus entirely on Samira as her head darts up at his voice. He’s pleased to see her shoulders un-tense, that her smile softens into something real as she meets his eye. “There you are.”

He keeps his voice low, casual, not at all dangerous even as he drags his gaze to Dr Begg, waiting, expectant, ready for him to fuck right off.

Unable to help himself, Jack steps closer to Samira, too close for colleagues but still professional enough to not give Robby and HR an aneurysm. Samira stills in surprised at the way Jack presses his side against hers, or maybe that’s bcause of the hand he slips low around her waist.

Dr Begg blinks, confused “Dr Abbot…?”

Jack smiles, politely (he does not bare his teeth likes he’s snarling)

“Good shift.” He asks pointedly, before presenting Samira with the latte he brought her. God he feels like a caveman going hunter-gathering and then presenting his ‘mate’ with his finds. Jack doesn’t wait for the man’s answer, he doesn’t care what kind of shift he had. “We still on for coffee after shift?”

They had no plans.

But luckily he was dating a very smart woman who was only ever amused by his antics. (as she now seemed to be)

“Depends if you remembered my coffee order.” Samira teases and Jack can’t help the thrill of delight that shudders down his spine as she pointedly drinks from her coffee cup.

“So, uh.” Jack flicks his eyes heaven ward at the man’s voice, why couldn’t he just take the very obvious hint that Jack left him and fuck off. “You two are…”

Samira turns back to the man, attention no longer on Jack and that’s totally utterly fine.

“Very exclusive.” Samira drawls and Jack’s breath hitches in his throat. “Didn’t you know? I thought it was obvious.”

Okay, that now felt a little cruel when Dr Begg (a grown ass man) looked like a kicked puppy (genuinely, Jack had only ever seen Whitaker look unironically like a kicked puppy without causing an ‘ick’ as Ellis had put it the other night)

“Oh, right. That’s fine.”

Jack feels his brows raise. Really? It was fine .

“Good.” Samira huffs and perhaps its that little sound that lets Jack know she’s truly tired. “Right then.”

Samira turns back to Jack and he can’t help but be momentarily stunned as she presses against him, far closer than he had originally. Jack can only stare down at her in surprise, baffled by the sudden turn of events and more than a little worried by the devilish glint in her eyes.

And then she’s kissing him and Jack doesn’t give a shit about anything else.

He curls around her, hands landing on her waist, one dragging up to cup the back of her head while she clutches at his–

They split apart at the wolf whistle echoing through the Pitt.

Jack winces back as his eyes fling open, feeling like he was suddenly being blinded by the lights and all the attention that has him flushing. When he glances around it’s just him and Samira under the scrutiny of literally everyone he fucking knows. 

Samira who looks far too smug when Jack glances down at her.

She apparently has no regard for Dana’s disapproving look, the ribbing that Ellis and Shen are bashing into each others’ sides, or the very rapid Tagalog being exchanged between Princess, Perlah, and irritatingly Santos.

“What.” She shrugs, all false innocence and doe eyes. “I was sick of having nurses flirt with you.”

What?

“Now, are we actually getting coffee post shift or were just trying to scare off Caleb?”

Who’s Caleb?

Jack rolls his eyes, “Coffee would be great.”

“Wonderful, it’s a date.”