Unconditional

Chapter Two

"Dolphin." I blurted a random word out. If they were Academy they would respond correctly and this situation would make more sense. Of course they were Academy.

"Acetaminophen." I snorted at the medical term for Tylenol and relaxed back into the chair. They were Academy.

"I guess this is what I get for coming to an Academy training ground." I let out a breathy laugh. "How often do people get shot around here?"

Dr. Green flashed me a flirty grin. "Not that often actually, you came on a good day if you were looking to impress our attendings with your amazing field schools straight out of med school." Dr. Green, I realized, was a massive flirt.

"Do you flirt with all women like this Dr. Green, or just fellow doctors who do your job for you." I innocently grinned at the fair haired doctor. His flirting was child's play compared to Greek men who spent most of their time wooing women with honeyed phrases.

"Just ignore him, we only tolerate it because he's a better doctor than flirt when he wants to be." It was Corey that cut in, his stunning blue eyes shining. "Thank you for helping Marc even though you had no idea we were Academy." 

"Yes," The black haired man with glasses moved towards me and stuck out his hand. "Thank you for saving his life and I'm sorry for being rude when I first arrived. My name is Axel Toma and I'd be happy to arrange to have some favors given to your team in exchange for your trouble."

I shook his hand and examined his concerned brown eyes. If he was offering me favors, the currency of the Academy, he was a team leader. A quick glance at Corey and Raven confirmed this when they nodded along with his offer. 

"No." I said firmly, dropping his hand. "I'm a doctor, it's my job. Besides, I have no team."

"You don't have a team?" Dr. Green sounded puzzled as he finally stepped away from Marc, finished with his exam. "Everybody has a team, even doctors." 

"I had starter team, we didn't get along and when the Academy wanted me to come to Charleston to do my residency I told them I didn't want to stay with them. For now I'm not to take assignments unless a nearby team needs a bird for a mission." I explained with a shrug, not bothered. My starter team had been three other birds who were nice enough, but our personalities didn't mesh well together. 

"Are the four of you are a team?" I questioned them.

Dr. Green burst into laughter and even Corey and Raven cracked smiles. "Corey, Raven and Marc are on my team along with another dog. Dr. Green belongs to another team." 

I couldn't help but stare at Axel as he spoke, letting my eyes run up and down his body again. He really was unfairly attractive. Just as I was about to speak, my stomach let out an embarrassing growl and I was reminded of my forgotten groceries on the elevator. 

"Oh, uh, I don't suppose you met grocery bags in the elevator on your way up?" I looked at Axel and Dr. Green hopefully. 

"We didn't see any if that's what you meant." Dr. Green grinned cheekily as he corrected my English but I was too hungry to care. The last time I ate was on the stupid plane and there was nothing good about plane food. I missed the Greek cuisine already.

"Here. It's cold but good." I flinched forward as a gruff voice startled me. I hadn't even seen Raven move from his spot to the kitchen, the jet lag was really hitting me hard. It was a miracle I didn't fall asleep over Marc's unconscious body. Still, when I turned around and saw Raven's stubbled chin and heavily tattooed arm thrusting a pizza box towards me I'm sure my face lit up.