PLAYING WITH FIRE

Chapter 1: Joe's Bar

After Maya had survived a crazy shift—something about a bear and a nose—she walked into Joe's bar. Spotting Andy and Jack at a table, she rolled her eyes before heading straight for the bar. She ordered a beer and sat down.

Carina walked into Joe's and glanced at the bartender. "Hi. White wine, please."

Maya briefly glanced at the brunette before looking down at her beer, fidgeting with the bottle. She took a slow sip.

Carina studied Maya for a moment before tilting her head. "You look familiar."

Maya looked up, shrugging slightly. "Uh, I drink here a lot."

Carina raised an eyebrow. "No, I mean—were you at the hospital earlier?"

Maya hesitated, then smiled. "Yeah, I was. I'm a firefighter. I was..." She clicked her tongue, thinking. "...bringing something."

Carina tilted her head again, blinking a couple of times as realization dawned. "Oh my god! Yes! You're the one who ran in with the nose!"

Both women laughed.

Maya smirked. "Yeah."

Carina shook her head, eyes wide. "WOW."

Maya raised an eyebrow and extended her hand. "Uh Captain Maya Bishop."

Carina took it, shaking firmly. "Dr. Carina DeLuca. Okay, look, if I buy you a drink, will you tell me how you ended up carrying a nose in a plastic bag?"

Maya stared at her drink for a beat, then met Carina's eyes. "Sorry. I'm drinking alone tonight."

Carina's smile faltered for a second. She glanced at her own drink before looking back at Maya, her smile returning. "Okay. Are you sure?"

Maya clicked her tongue again, considering for a moment. "Maybe not."

Maya smirks, slightly leaning in onto the table. Maya takes a quick sip of her beer before returning all her attention back to Carina. "So, what brings you to Seattle?"

Carina looked at Maya. "Work."

Maya tilts her head slightly. "What kind of work?"

Carina smiled. "I am a doctor at Grey Sloan Memorial."

Maya's eyes slightly widen at the mention of Grey Sloan Memorial. "Grey Sloan Memorial, huh? Impressive." Maya takes another sip of her beer.

Carina grins. "Well, I'm no ordinary doctor. I'm the head of OB/GYN there."

Maya's eyebrows shoot up in genuine surprise. "Head of OB, huh? That's pretty damn impressive."

Carina couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. "I'll take that as a compliment.."

Maya pauses for a moment, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "And judging by your accent, you're Italian?"

Carina grins, obviously noticing the subtle flirting. "Guilty as charged. I moved here from Catania, Sicily, Italy  about 3 years ago."

Maya's eyes wander down to admire Carina's figure before meeting her eyes again. "Ahh... Sicily, huh? That explains the accent."

Carina couldn't help but notice Maya's wandering eyes. She leans in slightly. "You like the accent, huh?"

Maya smirks at Carina's observation. "What can I say? I have a weakness for a pretty woman with an accent. Especially an Italian one."

Carina can't help but smile as her eyes linger on Maya's lips. "Good thing I have both, then."

Maya's eyes sparkle with mischief. "Oh, you do, indeed."

Maya moves a little closer, their faces now mere inches apart. "So, Carina DeLuca, what brings you to a bar like this all by yourself? Waiting for someone, perhaps?"