Drawn

Realizations

Thursday came and went as normally as any other day in the office. David had finished talking with the department heads early and was trying to sneak out to go back to Jim and Pam's place when Michael popped out of his office.

"Still on for Chili's tonight? I'll pick you up. Where're you staying?"

"I've actually got something to do this afternoon, so I'll just meet you there." His something consisted of a long nap on the sofa. For some reason he hadn't been able to sleep much last night, and then the mental exhaustion of being around Michael Scott most of the day had completely worn him out.

"Oh, ok. No prob, boss. So, I'll see you at five-thirty. Charlie! You coming with us?" he yelled across the office toward the annex where he thought Charlotte would be. David looked to Jim and raised his eyebrows before Michael turned back to him. "I'll just talk to her later."

"Alright. I'll see you this evening." He gave a nod to Jim and said goodbye to Pam who slid him their house key without anyone else noticing. As he walked out into a particularly windy day, David saw Charlotte trying to pull some bags from the back seat of her car.

"Hey, I didn't realize you were out," he called as he got nearer.

Charlotte straightened and grinned over her shoulder at him as she bent her arm to place her hand on top of her car roof. "Yeah, I decided to go grab a few things for the office during my lunch break and -- oh!"

A strong gust of wind decided at that moment to blow across the parking lot, and slam her car door on her arm. David hurried the rest of the way over and removed the items from Charlotte's other hand before gently prying away her arm that she was clutching to her chest. He looked worriedly at her face and saw tears slowly falling from her eyes as she clenched her teeth together and worked to breathe deeply.

"Let me see," he murmured, and she finally allowed him to slowly stretch out the injured appendage between them and press and move it this way and that.

"That's going to leave a bruise," she finally ground out between her teeth, still trying to calm herself.

"'Fraid so," David said, sympathetically, keeping his grip light. "Let me carry these things up for you and then I'll get you an ice pack."

Charlotte only nodded and pulled her arm back against her chest. As she followed behind him she was so thankful that he had been here and not --

"Charlie! I saw what happened!" Michael came running out the door and was immediately at her side.

David turned and thrust the bags in Michael's direction. "Take these up, will you Michael?"

"No, let me help Charlie inside."

"My arm is hurt, not my leg, Michael. Please, just carry these things to my office."

Seeking to please, Michael grabbed the bags. "Fine. I'll go make sure everything is nice and comfy for you. It's not broken, is it? No? Good, I hope this won't keep you from coming to Chili's tonight!" he said with a hopeful grin.