Believe me (RHEKKER)

Chapter 10

After sorting through her backpack, even emptying it of all her belongings, Ava let out a frustrated sigh when she didn't find the sandwiches Connor had so carefully prepared for them while she slept longer than he did.

"If you're looking for avocado sandwiches, I'm pretty sure you left them on the table" Connor chuckled as he returned to the locker room, leaving his badge in the locker. "You can take them in my backpack".

"Oh, so you took..." Ava muttered in embarrassment as she typed in the numbers she'd long memorized on Connor's locker and took the paper bag of food.

"My forgetful girl" smiling, Connor kissed her gently on the lips as he left the locker room with her.

"I heard Goodwin ordered scheduled patients to be sent to your surgery" Ava said, looking at Connor.

This news came to light yesterday when the hospital saw fit to make more profit, as it always does. And now, if there was some kind of disaster, and the hybrid operating room was undergoing a normal operation to remove appendicitis, for example, the victims might not wait in line. Everything was back to the way it had been before this special operating room.

"I don't care if a patient is brought in in critical condition and there is a planned operation on the schedule - I won't give in" Rhodes finished irritably, immediately relenting as Ava took two sandwiches from a paper bag and handed one of them to him.

"Be careful. This is an extra reason to run into trouble" Ava said, a little worried about him, so that he would not do things that would turn out to be negative.

"I think we both like to take risks" Connor grinned, pausing at the coffee table to grab two drinks for their morning snack.

Ava just rolled her eyes, not hiding a smile. They were the perfect team, especially in situations where high risk prevailed. No one would take it, and they didn't hesitate to make the impossible possible.

When they had finished their Breakfast, they both went to their work stations. However, Ava was only assisting Dr. Latham in a short operation today. While she had not yet gone to the cardiothoracic unit, a patient with serious injuries was admitted to the emergency department.

"Ava, I need your help!" Connor shouted, starting to work on the patient.

Once there, Ava immediately ordered an x-ray, shaking her head: "Lungs are clear".

"Urgent ultrasound" Rhodes ordered, taking the sensor in his hand and applying it to the patient's stomach.

"A lot of blood there" Ava shook her head, voicing the opinion of Connor.

"Take him to the hybrid operating room" he ordered, seeing that she would be busy with Dr. Lanik.

"Connor, stop" Ava gripped his arm and frowned, already knowing that Connor wanted to go against the entire hospital's decision. "We can do surgery on the upper floors".

"He doesn't have time" Rhodes snapped, hurrying to the hybrid operating room. "And Latham was looking for you". 

Left in the middle of the empty examination room, Ava looked after Connor, throwing her dirty gloves on the floor in frustration. Glancing at her watch, She dialed Latham's number, quickly resolving the issue of her replacement with him. To assist Latham could many in the cardiothoracic department, and he did not argue with her, allowing her to help Rhodes.

As Ava entered the hybrid operating room, Connor looked at her in surprise. He was just about to make the incision.

"Ava, what are you doing here?"

"I won't stand by while you drown yourself on your own," she chuckled, standing while medical staff the necessary operating suit and gloves were put on.

"So let's go down together?" knowing that he wouldn't be able to talk her out of this stupid idea, Connor clarified.

"Without hesitation" she nodded, standing in front of Connor, ready to launch a joint operation.

The operation was successful, even with a few difficult moments. After sending the patient to the room, Connor turned to ava, who had already removed the mask from her face.

"Thank you, Avey" he said gratefully, much more confident as he performed the operation with her. 

"We're a team, Connor" Ava reminded him as She walked past him, brushing her shoulder against his, not expecting him to give her a big hug. 

They stood in each other's arms for a minute, still in the operating room, until Beth reminded them of herself with an awkward cough: "Miss Goodwin would like to see you".

"Oh" both of them laughed easily as they immediately went outside.

"They still don't believe we're together" Ava snorted, laughing, constantly seeing confused faces.

"Of course, watching our eternal skirmishes - no wonder" leaning in to her, Connor gave her a quick peck on the lips, not allowing her to be indignant.

"Dr. Rhodes, Dr. Bekker, I'm waiting for an explanation" came the loud voice of Goodwin, who was waiting for them in the corridor outside the intensive care unit.

"The patient needed urgent surgery, which could not be delayed due to the long commute to the vacant operating room" Rhodes reported briefly, standing opposite Goodwin, as did Ava, who moved closer to him.

"Do you understand that Dr. Lanik's operation was postponed because of you? This is outrageous" she said sternly.

"His operation wasn't that much of an emergency" Connor reminded her, clearly pushing for it.

"No, Dr. Rhodes, I will not tolerate any violation of the hospital's rules. I don't think your patient was an exception" Goodwin said dryly, crossing her arms over her chest, pausing in surprise when she was interrupted by Ava.

"If we had delayed, he would have died. During the operation, he was found to have a heart problem, and Dr. Rhodes fixed it. We were acting in the best interests of the patient, not specifically wanting to violate the hospital's rules" Ava said firmly, defending Connor.

"I see, Dr. Bekker. However, I hope that you will not have such exceptional situations" Goodwin narrowed her eyes, immediately leaving them alone.

"Ava, that was..." Connor chuckled, glancing at her unreadable expression.

"Impudent?" raising her eyebrows, she clarified, coming close enough to rest her head on his shoulder. 

"You were against it when you offered to move the patient to the upper operating room" Connor reminded her, feeling like he'd put Ava in danger, too.

"I was, but I was wrong in the end" Ava admitted easily, rolling her eyes as Connor smiled contentedly.

"Oh, Ava Bekker was wrong - this is something new" he winked, kissing the top of her head.

"Come with me" taking his hand, she pulled him along.

Ava was the first to enter the pre-op room, which was empty, and pushed Connor against the wall, pressing herself against him, kissing him urgently.

"Oh, Ava" he breathed, lowering his hands to her body, running them over it, stopping at her thighs, kissing her as hard as he could, not letting her pull away. They needed to release the tension of the day by drowning in each other.

Picking up Ava, Connor sat her down on the edge of the sink, his mouth on hers, his hand in Her hair. She tilted her head back and offered her neck, savoring the way Connor pressed his lips to her collarbone. 

"You know, we're so like. You'll do anything to get what you want" Ava breathed languidly as they met eyes, holding onto his shoulders and wrapping her legs around his waist. 

"Are you that bad?" holding his hand in her hair, Connor said to press his lips to hers again.

"Yeah, so bad" Ava whispered into his mouth, her tongue touching his.

And there were no more words, just heavy, ragged breaths as they loved each other.