Normal | Rhekker

Chapter 10- Blueberry Pancakes

Connor was coming out of surgery, discarding his mask and gear he left the OR.
"Well if it isn't Chicago's favourite surgeon"
Connor turned his head, "how long was yours?" He asked Owen.
"Five hours, you?"
"Four"
"Well it's not a competition" he shrugged. They made their way down to the ED to check up on their other patients, meeting in the doctors lounge to go over a few notes on their separate cases.

Claire 16.38pm
Happy belated birthday x

"Who's that?"
"It's my sister, she live in Chicago"
"I didn't know it was your birthday"
"Yeah, the other week. I didn't want to make a big deal you know"

Connor 16.40pm
Thanks Claire.

Message delivered.

"Hey" Ava said coming into the doctors lounge from the floor.
"There's drinks tonight at the Alibi down town" Ava told the,, "all the teams going"
"Sounds good" he slipped his phone back in his pocket. And Owen agreed.
"It'll be nice to meet some of the others, don't see them much. They're really keeping me in surgery" Ava made herself a coffee, her back to them.
"It's always where you were happiest" Connor said, sitting up.
"I suppose that's true" she turned, sipping her coffee.
"See you later"

Owen gave him a look.
"What?"
"Nothin'" he shook his head, sipping his own drink.

*

Connor made his way into the hotel, planning in what to wear this evening when one of the front desk staff stopped him.
"Dr. Rhodes this came for you, got delayed in the mail" he apologised.
"Thank you" he accepted the packaged from him, making his way up to his room.

Dear Mr. Rhodes,
Happy Birthday,
Best wishes and hope to see you soon
- Carlota

Connor pulled back the tissue paper, it was a navy knit jumper with intricate details on the sleeve. Carlota always made his birthday presents by hand. She'd taught him how to sew.
Stitch up his teddy ruxpin.
He tried it on, fitting perfectly, surprising given he hadn't seen Carlota since leaving Chicago.
He sent her a quick thank you message and got ready to leave.

Connor walked to the bar, having gotten the locator off Ava, so he could have a drink. He met Owen there and they caught up.

He saw Ini and Ava arrive together about twenty minutes later. They hung their jackets on the back of their chairs. Ava wore a short black dress with bellbottom sleeves and a keyhole back; and Ini wore a red pantsuit. The two made their way to the bar for their first drink.

Ini went to sit down as Ava waited for their drinks, he found himself next to her.
"Connor" she smiled. "Glad you could make it"
"Looks like we finally got that drink" he smiled.
"So we did" she held out her glass for them to cheers.

"Is that a new sweater?" Ava asked, tilting her head.
"It is"
Ava nodded, "it suits you"
She glanced over her shoulder, a women about their age passed the bar in a dark green dress, with long dark red ringlets.
Ava watched the women pass, looking her up and down only to meet Connors eye doing the same.
"Oh" she raised her eyes brow.
"What?"
"No- we do not get to have the same taste in women, that's too weird" she said, turning her back to the bar.
"Maybe I just liked her dress" he shrugged.
"Maybe" she raised her brows.
"We should probably go socialise, people will think we're over here plotting something" she took a sip from her drink.
"I'll see you around" she touched his arm before taking Ini's drink and leaving.

Connor watched her go, she was right, they couldn't solely rely on each other. He made his way around the bar.
"Connor" Owen called him over.
"Hi, I'm Connor, I'm Trauma Surgery" he introduced himself.
They all introduced themselves and their professions.
"Say Connor you don't happen to own a Mercedes do you?"
"Porsche"
"That's your Porsche? Lucky guy"
"There's a new Mercedes in the hospital car park everyday, we're trying to figure out who's it is" Owen said.
"I didn't know you were into cars"
"My dad was a mechanic"
"However it is seems to live at the hospital, it's always there early in the morning and late in the evening" Russel Spence- who worked In emergency medicine -said.
"I'll keep my ear to the ground"
"Anyone up for another round?"

*

Connor rubbed his eyes as he woke, pulling himself out of bed. He make his way to the shower. Washing last night off of him he got ready to go out, his phone buzzing in his pocket.

Ava 💛

"Hey Avey" he pressed the button on the lift.
"Hey" she said quietly.
"Are you up?"
"Yeah I was just going out to the gym"
"Oh okey" she seemed disheartened.
"What's up Ava?" He furrowed his brows.
"I just needed a ride" she said quickly.
"Okey, I'll come up to meet you" he hit the button for her floor on the lift.
"I'm not in my room, I didn't come back to the hotel last night" she put her head in her hand she as sat in the edge of the tub.
"Ohh, okey then. I can pick you up"
"Really" she said slightly surprise. "I know this is a bit; unorthodox. I'll send you the address"
"Be there in ten"

Connor pulled up to the apartment block Ava had sent him the address to. They were nice, really nice. He spotted someone lingering the door way who hurried quickly to the car, her jacket wrapped around her.
"Climb in the back and get changed" he handed he a bag.
"Oh, thank you so much. You're the best" she wrapped an arm around his neck.
Connor pulled away from the curb and drove back into inner Rochester.
"Have you eaten?" He asked, glancing back in the mirror before quickly turning his eyes back to the road.
"No" she said, pulling Connors hoodie over her head.
"You want to go for breakfast?"
"Yeah, okey"

Connor pulled into a small, diner on the quite side of town. They sat at a booth in the corner away from the others. It felt strange to be in Connors clothes once more, the smell of his after shave and cologne lingered on her.
"Blueberry pancakes sound good" he said.
"They do"

The waitress came over and they got their food, two sets of blueberry pancakes, one without bacon and cream.
"So much for not relying on each other"
"You know I'll always be there Aves"
"Did you enjoy the party last night?" She asked.
"I did," he said, "I think you certainly did" he added quitely and she rolled her eyes, putting her fork in her mouth.
"The redhead from the bar" Ava confirmed, looking out the window. Wiping her pancakes in syrup.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He offered.
"Talk about what?" She swallowed her pancake.
Ava deadpanned as it dawned on her.
"The look on your face was hilarious" he cackled.
She rolled her eyes. "I hate you"

A/n: Happy Christmas 😗⛄️