Bedside Manner (Law x Reader)

15. Elevator: Round Two

It had been a couple of weeks since Kid had been discharged. You hadn't tried reaching out and neither had he, until now. He had sent you a text as you were getting into work, asking "when the hell were you going to come check out the shop".

With a scoff, you had set the device into your locker without replying. The message would be there later.

"Alright, you have to be still for this test, Lucy-ya." Law spoke into the microphone to the young girl inside the MRI machine.

She pouted, fidgeting almost immediately. "Is the lady there? I want the lady."

Law released the button, so Lucy wouldn't hear his agitated sigh. Penguin snickered beside him, waiting for the all clear to start up the test. He slid the microphone over to you, gesturing towards the window that separated you from the machine.

"I'm here." You assured with a sidelong glance at your associate. "We need you to be super, super still, okay?"

"Okay."

You smiled. "Penguin should have given you something that feels like a little balloon or ball. Give it a big squeeze if you get scared or need a break."

The little girl tried to give a determined nod, but found it difficult with the head rest she was strapped into. "I'm ready, miss doctor lady."

"Atta girl."

"That's exactly what I said to her." Law complained once you released the button on the microphone and the testing commenced.

You leaned back in your chair to look at him on the other side of his friend. A smug look on your face. "You're a good doctor and all, but your approach could use some work."

He scoffed.

"Are you jealous she likes me better?"

"Hardly."

"Whatever you two are doing," Penguin started, "could you do it when I don't have to be stuck between you for the next forty-five minutes?"

You turned to watch the screen as it brought up images of the girl's spine. Once in a while, you would steal a glance at Law. His mouth was set in a firm line, stormy eyes fixed on the images being brought up before them.

The earrings that had adorned his ears the night he beat you at darts were nowhere to be seen. The bags beneath his eyes seemed heavier today as he folded his hands to rest his chin upon. You wondered, for a moment, how he had been sleeping lately and then immediately chastised yourself for it.

"There." His voice had you jumping slightly in your seat, gaze quickly averting back to the screen. "It looks like we found the reason she can no longer walk."

Between the L5 and L4 vertebrae was a blurred mass that didn't belong. You frowned.

"Let's make sure Doctor Hiriluk gets these images." You sighed.

-

With the MRI and a subsequent biopsy done, there wasn't much to do until the results came back. Whether or not the tumor was benign, would factor in to the final decision for treatment. Regardless, there was a chance Lucy would never regain her ability to walk no matter what they did.

Law hadn't said much when the residents working the case and Hiriluk got together in one of the conference rooms. His attention remained solely on his copy of the young girl's chart-- not that you had been much better.

You were running through scenario after scenario, reading and reading again just to make sure nothing had been missed.

"Do you not wear clothes, woman?"

"Paulie." You deadpanned, thoroughly done for the day. "It's a little bit of chest; you will live."

The maintenance man fumbled for words, his lips turned down into a pout and his face fire hydrant red. He jerked his head to the side before moving to pass you. You looked over your shoulder to see him heading towards the isolated corner with a couple of beat-up vending machines.

They were about as old as the medical center and had to be kicked a few times before they spit anything out. Despite the fact he had his toolbox, you doubted he was setting out to fix them.

You didn't move until he was out of sight, your feet dragging you to the elevators. Walking down several flights of stairs to reach the underground level that would allow you to cross over to the parking garage didn't sound appealing in that moment. But you couldn't lift your hand to press the button. Your arms felt heavy at your sides.

A tanned, tattoo hand reached out from behind you and pressed the down arrow. The ghost of his breath fanned across the nape of your neck before you felt his presence move off to the side.

Neither of you spoke. The only noise that filled the empty hall was the droning tone of the elevator car as it slowly rose to your floor. And when the doors finally opened, you didn't move. Couldn't move.

Law slipped inside, catching your eye with a smirk as he turned around. "Scared of a metal box, l/n-ya?"

He wouldn't tell friends and families of patients to taunt them into facing a phobia. However, the apparent challenge from him was enough to get you stepping into the elevator with him.

"If you insist, I'll ride with you." You tried to shrug off the nerves twisting your insides in a vice-like grip. "I'm not holding your hand though."

"Wouldn't dream of asking."

You inhaled sharply as the doors closed, the car jerking before beginning its descent. Butterflies fluttered about your stomach and your head suddenly felt light. You tried to swallow. Your hands twitched at your side as you focused on your breathing.

You had always hated small spaces, but before the storm, you could usually make it through a short elevator ride.

"You're uh..." You struggled with your thoughts. "adoptive dad is a sweetheart. Clumsy as hell, but sweet."

Law hummed in acknowledgement, a barely there smile. "Cora-ya gave me a lot of experience in patching people up. He's asked about you since that day-- more than once."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. Once Cora got the slightest inkling that Law might be into you, he was right there to try and encourage his son to pursue something. He held some fear the young resident would remain alone for the foreseeable future. Possibly forever.

He was pleased to see your breathing become more regulated as you conversed. You peered at him from over your shoulder. "That reminds me, when do I get to have coffee with your dad again?"

"Preferably after I've taken you out on a proper date."

The statement seemed absurd coming from the man. So much so, you sat there just staring at him without much emotion. Your mind was able to process that he spoke, but you hadn't really heard the actual words themselves.

You had just been messing with him initially. Yes, Cora had been sweet and yes, you wouldn't have minded being able to sit down with him again. But you expected that Law would be against the very idea. You didn't think he had enjoyed the situation much when the three of you ventured to the café.

You looked ahead again with a shake of your head.

"I... wouldn't mind getting dinner together."