The Sorcerer's Apprentice {Stephen Strange}

Twenty-Four

You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi

The daily physical therapy session was awkward, to say the least. Emerson found it to be quiet and full of small glances. She wanted to say something, to bring up last night, but for some reason, she couldn't. Strange on the other hand was trying to avoid eye contact at whatever cost. He couldn't bring himself to look at Emerson, afraid of ruining the small moment they shared yesterday. Knowing if he speaks, he'll spoil any of the fondness they shared last night.

"All right, finish your lifting for the day and I'd say that should be fine," Strange tells her as he hands the sergeant a couple of dumbbells. After a small mutter of thanks, Emerson begins lifting while the sorcerer leaves. Once Emerson finishes her workout for the day, she takes a short shower to work on her balance while standing. She can't move or take any steps once inside the tub, and she does use the wall to keep herself up, but her overall balance has improved drastically.

Stephen on the other hand sits in his office while flipping through a few manuscripts. His mind begins to wander as he reminisces about last night. He shouldn't have let his jealousy get the best of him—it's embarrassing and childlike. It was hard enough to repress his feelings for the sergeant but once Thor had his hands on her, Stephen couldn't resist making his thoughts known. He knew Emerson felt the same and that's the hardest part; he doesn't want to entertain a relationship. The Sorcerer Supreme doesn't have time to care for another, especially when he barely has the time to care for himself. Maybe if things were different, or maybe in another universe they would be able to be together, but it's just not viable right now. Once the sergeant's issues are sorted and she's able to walk again, she'll go home to her father, leaving the sorcerer behind. Stephen doesn't hold any hard feelings on the fact that Emerson won't stay; he knows she has her own plan, but he can only wish to see her sly smile daily. Not to mention the fact that he's come to appreciate her presence at the sanctum. Strange wakes up every morning looking forward to seeing Emerson, even if he won't admit it aloud.

Emerson on the other hand doesn't understand what is happening. One second Strange is being an ass, then the next he's kissing her before ignoring her completely. All she wants is to talk to him and figure out what last night meant. It's not fair to tease her like that then act like it never happened, especially when she has feelings for the sorcerer. The sergeant has always found him attractive and suave so of course she would fall for the Sorcerer Supreme. The man is intelligent, personable, funny, and so fucking sexy-- last night only reassured her of that. Maybe that's why it hurts when he toys with her feelings... He must not understand how much she actually likes him.

After drying off and making her way to the kitchen, the sergeant decided to make herself some breakfast. As Emerson takes a bite from her breakfast sandwich, a portal appears next to her and Wong walks in.

"Is Strange-"

"In his office," she says with her mouth full of food. Wong just nods his head knowing he didn't even need to finish his sentence for Emerson to know what he was asking. He trails off calling for Strange about some sort of "emergency". The sergeant smiles to herself knowing that whenever Strange and Wong have to leave to take care of official sorcerer business, she gets the entire New York sanctum to herself until they get back. That's at least an entire day of movies, blasting music, and reading books she actually wants to read. After being stuck reading about the multiverse and weird creatures, it's nice to settle down and read a hot romance book. On top of it all, when the boys are gone Emerson can leave to go wherever she wants. There will be no one to question her or try to stop her. It's not like she leaves to do anything bad; it's usually just long walks or people-watching near a bench.

"Moore," Strange starts causing Emerson to look up from her sandwich. He hasn't addressed the sergeant by her last name in ages, why start again?

"What's up?" she questions, looking him dead in the eye as if to challenge him. To dare him to say something stupid again. Emerson doesn't want to pick a fight however she does want to irritate the doctor just as he is doing to her.