Open Heart One Shots (Choices)

Cheap Thrills

Summary: An ordinary evening turns extraordinary with a special invitation.

When Cassie Valentine had been in medical school, she had heard all the horror stories about residency. Long hours, grumpy attendings, and the absolute mental and physical toll it took on a person.

Now that she was almost at the end of her second year of residency, she thought that despite everything there wasn't anything else that she wanted to do. Even after today, which had been particularly difficult with PITAs and surly colleagues, so she was feeling wrung out.

She leaned against the wall to rest her aching back and closed her eyes, dreaming of a scented bubble bath and a glass of chilled white wine.

"If you have time to daydream, we must not be keeping you busy, Valentine," drawled a gruff and familiar voice beside her. "I certainly never had time for that when I was a resident."

She smiled but didn't open her eyes. "Was that when dinosaurs roamed the earth and you had to hunt your own dinner, Dr. Ramsey? One would hope medicine has evolved from those golden days."

He chuckled, and her teasing green eyes drifted open to meet his laughing blue ones. He glanced around surreptitiously and then moved closer; his hand touched her arm in comfort. They weren't hiding their relationship anymore, but discretion at work was still important to them.

"You look drained," he said quietly. "Anything I can help with?"

She shook her head and took his hand, holding it loosely in hers.

"I'll be fine. Just need to rest my brain for a few minutes. You know what I'd kill for right now?" She said absently, sighing deeply as she closed her eyes again. "A bubble bath. But our apartment only has a shower, so I'll have to 'daydream' about it instead."

"What time are you off today?"

"I have three hours left," she said, lifting his hand to check the time on his wristwatch. "I'm going to drop on my bed so hard that Sienna will need to call a marching parade to wake me up tomorrow."

"I have a better idea," he said. "Let's go out after work. Nothing fancy."

He added the last when she stared at him and continued. "When I was a resident, I found that the days when I was really tired or frustrated, it was best to do something fun after shift than just sleep. There's no better way to relax."

She grinned. "Are you asking me out on a date, Ethan?"

"And what if I am, Cassie?" said Ethan, amused.

"Then, I'd love to go out with you. Nothing fancy, right?"

"That's right," he confirmed. "Meet me at the atrium entrance when you're done."

Almost four hours later, Cassie met Ethan at the designated spot; he must have gone home because he was now wearing dark jeans, a black tee-shirt and the green leather jacket that made him look like a rebel. She'd changed from her scrubs into jeans and a hoodie, and hoped he'd meant it about keeping it simple.

"Ready?" he asked, taking her hand in his when she nodded and started for the street exit instead of the parking structure.

"We're taking the T," he explained when she looked askance. "It'll be faster than trying to find parking in that neighborhood."

Cassie figured it was a day for surprises as he took out a CharlieCard from his wallet and swiped it at the fare gate. She did the same and took his outstretched hand as they walked towards their platform.

"I have to say that I never pictured you riding the T," she commented once they were inside the subway car, her sitting on the lone empty seat while he stood towering above her, fingers looped through a handgrip.