Heart Me - a Kaimelia love story

"It didn't not work"

Today is a pretty big deal to me, I have a decent amount of surgerys scheduled but I also get to have a video chat with Dr. Bartley, about work obviously. I help Mer get the kids packed off and ready for school and daycare. I missed these kids.

I just finished my second craniotomy and am heading back to the lounge when I realize the sudden change in temperature, of course the A.C. is out. I grab my tablet to realize Dr. Bartley's calling.

"Dr. Shepherd" I hear from the tablet, it brightens my mood. We start to chat about the research,

"Your head? Are you hurt?" They question, I'm holding an ice pack to my neck since it's so hot, it's nice to hear someone care about me. Do they care about me? Am I just craving attention? I explain to them about the seattle heat wave and our A.C. can't keep up. They finish informing me of the latest MRI scans from the test mice, I can sense their a perfectionist.

"Close your eyes" Dr. Bartley says, catching me off gaurd, "you're in lake superior in late fall right before it freezes over, no wetsuit, no sunshine, it's a type of cold that makes your fingers ache. Your eyelashes frost, your whole body chatters, not just your teeth." They say softly. I slowly start cooling down but I can't help but feel tension between us. I've never realized how soothing their voice is, how calming their breath sounds, the little things. They ask if it worked, "It didn't not work" I say with a small smile

"See you next week Shepherd." They say as they end the call.

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A/N: time jump to 18x05

I make my way into the lab expecting to be the first one in, looks like Kai beat me. They inform me how their always the first one in.

We begin to start working on the project.  I cant help but notice little details about them, like the way they grip their pen, or how gentle they are with the cells. I try to get some work done, I decide to go down to the cafe to get some coffee, refocus my mind.

"Are you okay?" Dr. Bartley asks in a concerning tone.

"Oh, um- yeah, I just need to stretch my legs, refocus. I was going to head down to the cafe and grab a coffee."

"Why don't I join you? A break doesn't sound so bad after all." They ask. We start heading down to the cafe

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"So, why neuro?" They ask as they walk with me back to the lab.

"I just love the cut, the the calm before the storm, the thrill," I explain to them, looking into their green eyes. " Most people just assume it's because of my brother though."

"Who's your brother?" They ask, I look up into their perfectly sculpted face. They grin, "You just became my favorite person." I said in awe.

"Well, Shepherd, I am honored to be your favorite person" They say, I notice their cheeks start to blush as they look into my eyes.