Hosie~ One Shots

Hospital Room

Hope groaned as she lay on the hospital bed, the harsh fluorescent lights making her head throb even more. This wasn't how she planned to spend her evening. One moment she was riding her motorcycle through the quiet streets, the next she was skidding across the pavement, narrowly avoiding something she barely registered in time. She was lucky—just a few scrapes and a bruised rib, but the paramedics insisted she get checked out.

And then, the doctor walked in.

Hope swore she forgot how to breathe. The woman in the white coat had soft brown hair pulled into a loose ponytail, kind chocolate brown eyes scanning her chart, and a calming presence that made Hope's heart stutter.

"Hope Mikaelson?" the doctor asked, looking up.

Hope's name had never sounded so good before.

"Yeah," she said, clearing her throat. "That's me."

The woman smiled—a soft, warm curve of her lips that made something flip in Hope's stomach. "I'm Dr. Josette Saltzman. I'll be taking care of you tonight."

Hope nodded, but she was too busy trying to make sure she wasn't staring.

Josie stepped closer, reaching for the monitor that displayed Hope's vitals. The steady beep of her heart rate was suddenly... not so steady. In fact, it had picked up—noticeably.

Josie frowned slightly, adjusting the settings, before glancing at Hope. "Are you in pain, or...?"

Hope squeezed her eyes shut for a moment.
Oh, for the love of—

"No, no pain," she said quickly.

Josie tilted her head, amused. "Your heart rate is a little fast."

Hope could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. Yeah, no kidding.

Josie reached for her wrist, her fingers wrapping gently around it to check her pulse. "Did the accident scare you?"

Hope exhaled a laugh, shaking her head. "Not exactly."

Josie raised an eyebrow but didn't push. Instead, she went back to her exam, her touch careful as she checked Hope's ribs. "You're lucky—no fractures, just some bruising."

Her hands were warm, her voice gentle.
Hope barely registered the words, too distracted by how close Josie was. She smelled like lavender and something distinctly sweet, and Hope was pretty sure her heart was going to burst out of her chest.

Josie stepped back, making a note on her chart. "Everything looks good. You'll be sore for a few days, but you'll be fine."

Hope nodded, exhaling a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

Josie hesitated for a moment before meeting Hope's gaze. "You sure you're okay?"

Hope smirked, deciding to take a chance.
"That depends."

Josie's lips twitched. "On?"

Hope tilted her head. "Do doctors usually make patients' hearts race like this?"

Josie blinked, and for a second, Hope thought she'd overstepped—but then Josie laughed softly, shaking her head. "Not usually." She tapped the chart against her palm, smiling. "But I think I'll take that as a compliment."

Hope grinned. "You should."

Josie lingered for a moment before tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, take care of yourself, Hope."

Hope watched Josie disappear behind the curtain, leaving her alone with a racing heart and the distant beeping of monitors. She let out a long breath, shaking her head at herself.
Really? Flirting with the ER doctor?
But then again, Josie had smiled at her like that.