Ethan
I sat at the bar in the warm comforts of Donahues after an exceedling long day, wanting nothing more than to finally be left alone after dealing with gaggles of interns, nurse and frustrating patients...
but of course the company of Reggie is always welcomed.
"You look tired, Ramsey." He said as he came up the bar, cleaning a glass in his hands.
"Hm. seems to be my only look, nowadays."
"Next to pissed off." He chuckled lowly.
I furrowed my brow, and he peered over his sunglasses as if to say 'See?'
I gestured and relaxed, before saying "Yes, that too."
The pure stress of holding a secret relationship with Valerie, balancing work, normal life...
its very, very tiresome.
I sighed and sagged a little, when Reggie said "I think your night is about to get a little better, boss."
I raised a brow and said "How could my night-"
"Reggie! How have you been?"
I sat up straight at the sound of a soft voice, a beautiful voice with an elegant accent...my favourite voice.
I turned in my seat, and with the brightest, warmest smile, she glided over...
"V, it's good to see you. Been holding up just fine." He gave a real genuine smile, one i very rarely see....but with Valerie....it's hard not to smile.
"Very good." She beamed as she took a seat next to me as Reggie continue to serve the few other patrons .
"Dr Valentine." I said inconspicuously, sipping my whiskey.
"Dr Ramsey." She said just as casually.
"Been hiding from me, Rookie?" I side glanced.
"Oh never E...Im just...keeping up appearances, I suppose. A little mystery is fun, don't you think?" she turned to me, angling her body a little.
"Your an enigma, Valerie."
"and I take pride in that. Even you can't figure me out."
I snapped my attention to her looking at her properly for the first time that night...
and it brought an immediate smirk to my lips...
I glanced around behind her, before leaning forward and whispering in her ear "I'm very good at reading people..."
"Then read me, doctor ramsey..." she whispered in my ear, her lips brushing it gently sending a shiver down my spine.
We parted, remembering just where we were, and that's out in public.
"I'd say you're just as tired of this as I am." I sighed, sliding my glass over to her.
"Better believe I am." she scoffed, holding it in her hands before taking the sip.
"Between interns, finance, and everything else? Yeah...it sucks." she placed it down.
"...but so incredibly worth it."
I smiled to myself before looking at her "couldn't agree more..."
she bit her lip with that smile that could make any man weak at the knees, her cheeks a beautiful pink....I wanted to reach for her, but knew that to be less than wise.
I cleared my throat before saying "where are your friends?"
"Oh at some karaoke thing they do." She said, pushing her hair over her shoulders.
"Knew you weren't the kind of woman to indulge in such things." I chuckled.
"No im not. but, the perk was, that I was hoping to see you...every moment we can, remember?"
"While I was hoping for somewhere not so publicly..." I darted my eyes about the room, eliciting a giggle from her.
"I'll take what I can." I laughed quietly between us.
Just in time, because Reggie came back over, and we parted ourselves just a little.
"Alright Valentine, what can I get you?" He asked.
"Whiskey neat please, its been a long one." She said.
After Reggie gave V her drink and topped up mine, my last for the night, from the corner of my eye, I saw a man stroll over, and take the seat right next to Valentine.
Valentine
A man sat himself down at the bar and turned towards me as Reggie topped it E's drink and....
"Doctor Valentine, long time no see."
I turned to the man...
and smiled once I saw who it was.
"Johnny Read, aka doctor strangelove." I beamed.
"Hows the most beautiful woman in Boston doing these days?" he smiled that shameful grin of his,
Not too long ago, Ethan and I were on a case for John Read who ended up having Dr Strangelove syndrome. The involuntary movement of-
His hand slapped the bar, and he sighed.
of ones hand...
"...I see you're still a flatterer. I'm doing good. and your hand seems to be doing better than it was."
He nodded and said "It is. Thanks to you. The therapy is helping out quite a bit. I have it mostly under control." He chuckled.
Ethan
John Read?
I'm surprised he's trying his luck again after V very nicely shot him down last time...
AU Chapter 33 - Yours, Mine, Ours
"...I'm kind of seeing someone. Well, trying to at least."
He didn't look to downcast but said "Looks like i'm going to have to fight him for you."
she laughed and said "I'm not too sure he would fight, but I appreciate the sentiment."
"He'd be stupid to not." He smiled.
Now.....
However, one or two things are a little different now.
I smiled to myself and shook my head as I took a sip from my glass, Reggie eyeing the situation closely.
"Does she know he's -"
"She hasn't got a clue." I chuckled.
He peered to me over the top of his glasses and said "Well? Aren't you going to say something?"
"Why should I?" I raised a brow, and he raised his in challenge.
"....I'm not saying anything, because I'd rather see how this plays out. Shes smart, she'll catch on...eventually." A small smirk tugged on the corner on my lips.
"I bet you five dollars she won't." He scoffed as he continued to clean his mug.
"five dollars it is." I nodded.
Im very confident in what V and I have, I've also seen her first hand reject this.....overly confident man.
Who am I too intervene that?
She also isn't doing her normal quips when someone flirts.
None of her usual body language, foot tapping...nothing.
She's completely oblivious to the fact- but the thing about Valerie Valentine is she sees everyone in this world as a friend or a potential friend- she never sees past ulterior motives.
because she herself is very direct.
Valentine
"and hows your mother doing?" I asked.
"Good. She flew back home to Florida after my first appointment. Then for the next week or so i received many phone calls from family friends because she told them I had 'alien syndrome' rather than alien hand syndrome."
We laughed and I said "common misconception. although alien syndrome I'm afraid would be a completely different issue."
"Exactly what I said, after they stopped panicking I was able to actually explain-" his ....alien hand knocked his glass, but with his good hand, he was able to catch it in time.
"Impressive reflexes, Mr read," I smiled.
"Why Thank you doctor Valentine." he smiled back as he put it up right.
"Have I earned the right to call you by your first name yet?" He leaned against the bas casually.
"V. Everyone calls me V. Well, apart from my boyfriend ." I giggled.
Ethan
Reggie and I stifled a laugh as we listened on the interaction.I silencing myself with a drink as Johns Reads face suddenly turned to shock.
and...boyfriend?
Such a strange term.
I mean...I suppose I am. but it seems so high school, so childish.
Valentine
"...boyfriend?"
I beamed and nodded "Yeah, he's always called me by my first name. I'm only ever a fan of him calling me it for some reason."
"Ah, so the man you were trying to date caved in, hm?" He smirked.
"What makes you think it's the same guy?" I laughed.
"You're a good woman, V. I told you before he'd be stupid not to fight for you." He chuckled.
"You're very sweet. But there was actually no fighting. It just kinda...happened." I nodded.
"Where is he now? He hasn't fought me yet" He raised a brow, glancing about with a playful look.
I laughed again and said "You wont give up, will you?"
"Nope." He laughed.
"What If I told you he's right in this bar?"
"Then I'd presume he would have pummeled me for speaking to his girl."
Ethan
Reggie and I looked up to each other, and I shook my head.
Im secure enough to be able to hold back.
However, if he doesn't back off now shes made it clear she's in a relationship I won't hesitate to throw a-
Valentine
He glanced down the bar behind him and back up. "Sorry to break it to you V, but there are some 35 plus year olds, middle aged men, and some that look like they fought in the war." He raised a brow.
"Exactly! Now if he fought in the war, you wouldn't have a chance in hell."
we laughed and I continued to say, " Plus, Whos to say older man aren't my type?" I smirked, causing his eyes to widen.
Is Ethan older than me?
yes, by 11 years or so.
But what makes this interesting is the fact I don't look my age. I still get ID for goodness sake.
"Interesting...interesting...You're a woman of many mysteries, V."
"some may say an enigma." I said it pointedly enough so Ethan could hear, who I know was leaving me to defend for myself.
He sighed and said "Looks like I'll have to better my flirting and fighting skills and try again in another few months."
"I admire your determination. I'm pretty sure the answer will still be no-"
"see! pretty sure."
I rolled my eyes with a smile and he winked before placing his good hand on my shoulder. "Take care doctor V."
"You too Johnny."
Ethan
As V turned back to me, I couldn't help but laugh and she playfully slapped my shoulder, Reggie smiling to himself as he headed down the bar to a patron.
"E!"
"Valerie, you don't exactly have it down to a T yet when sussing out when men are attracted to you."
"Like it's happened before." she scoffed, sipping her drink.
"V, the same man was interested in you a couple of months ago and you still didn't noticed." I raised a brow.
"....Yes. because I thought I had been clear the last time." she laughed.
"that's not a good enough example anyway." she waved me off.
I turned to her and said "9.15 this morning in the Atrium, what did the UPS man ask for?"
She thought for a second and said "..my signature?"
"...and?" I raised my brow further.
"Oh my Phone number!"
I waited for her to catch on and she laughed, gesturing in my direction. "He just needed it so i can track my parcels and stuff."
"Valerie sweetheart, the parcel was under Edenbrooks name." I sighed, smiling at her.
Her eyes widened, before she covered it up. "Doubt it Ramsey. Doubt it."
"Alright....girlfriend."
"oh shush....boyfriend."
We looked to each other and shared a smile before laughing and looking away.
As Reggie came back over, he said "The man leave you alone V?"
"Oh he's harmless reggie. just a little bit of a flirt." she giggled.
He nodded before holding his hand out to me.
I sighed and took 5 dollars out, along with another to pay for drinks..
V raised a brow and Reggie and I looked between each other.
"....doesn't matter. Thank you, Reggie. Valentine, can I walk you home?"
she raised a suspicious brow before smiling and saying "sure...only if it's the long way."
"is there any other way?" I smiled.
—-
V went to get her coat and Reggie said "So you two are...?"
"hm. but...dont mention it. It's...complicated. with work and everything."
He nodded and said "sure thing boss. Have a good night."
"You too."
—-
Valentine
Ethan and I walked down the side walk together to head the long way to my apartment.
Its only an excuse for us to spend just a little more time together, but its exactly the kind of way I want to end my week...
"So Doctor Ramsey, its been 5 long days, have you missed me?" I asked teasingly.
In the dark, the ghosts of the street lights illuminated just enough that I could see a small smile appearing his lips.
"...it's been too quiet without you around."
"i'm hoping you mean that in a good way?" I raised a brow.
His hand found mine, and he gave it a gentle squeeze before saying "Yeah...in a good way."
I smiled back and squeezed his hand back fondly as we turned the corner to go through the park.
"...you seem strangely content. should I be worried? did an intern do something?" I raised a brow.
He chuckled softly and said "No. Surprisingly not. Im just...happy. Right now." He looked to me, and I already knew that a blush was surely forming on my cheeks.
"Well I am too....next to being hit on an being here with you, what more could a girl want after a stressful week at work?"
"doesn't count if you didn't know you were being 'hit on'" he raised a brow.
"Does too. just because i'm not expecting like some people do, I'll still take it." I smiled.
"He's overly confident." E scoffed.
"Maybe so, but there must be some truth to what he says."
We stopped walking and he turned me around to him.
"...Maybe. But not everything."
I raised a brow and said "Elaborate."
He pulled me a little closer to him and said "Well, he said your the most beautiful woman in Boston..."
He leaned in a pressed his lips to mine, cupping my cheek while simultaneously stroking a curl over my ear.
"I dont think hes giving you enough credit..." he said as we parted resting his forehead against mine.
Ethan
she bit her lip with a smile, and mine matched before she said "....Id prefer a compliment of you any day...especially when they are so lovely." she giggled softly.
"Good. then there will be a lot more of them."
"Although....that was our first kiss in 5 days....I think we should make up for-"
she didn't need to say more, before I pulled her close again and brought her lips to mine.
she gasped a little, before relaxing, and placing her hand and my chest as my arm looped about her waist, drawing her closer to me as we stood cloaked in the near darkness.
Our touch was deep, but slow...something that I could tell we had both wanted all week...to just get lost in the moment together...and forget everyone and everything else.
"...lost time..." she giggled and I couldn't help but laugh.
"sorry, I just really needed too-"
before I could get the sentence out, it was her this time that held the nape of my neck and tilted her head before kissing me softly and briefly.
"never be sorry for that... even if it nearly made me melt to the floor."
I rolled my eyes and stroked her hair back before taking her hand and continuing on our way....
——-
"This is nice...it should be routine yknow." she said.
"A routine? Valerie, that's the first i've heard of you wanting to commit to routine." I smiled.
"Yes, maybe so. But this just feels...right. plus, we're alone...and after so long not being together, it feels....relieving."
I smiled to myself and she looked up to me.
"what are you smiling at Mr?"
"...This. You're right, it is...relieving. No more acting like strangers. Just...us." I nodded.
"hmm now your reminding me of Frank Sinatra..."
"Oh?" I raised a brow.
she turned to walk backwards in front of me, taking both my hands.
"Strangers in the night, exchanging glances ,wondering in the night..." she sang so softly and beautifully that I couldn't help but laugh under my breath with a smile.
She lifted my arm, her hand still entwined with mine as she spin around "what were the chances we'd be sharing love tonight before the night was through?"
I stopped walking, and pulled her close to me, her smile reflecting mine as she continued to sing the words "Something in your eyes, was so inviting, something in your smile was so exciting..." she stroked my cheek softly.
Her words became quieter as she sang "...something in my heart told me I must have you...."
I felt my heart skip a little, as the stars in the sky also shone in her bright eyes.
I gathered myself and leaned close to her ear.
"strangers in the night...two lonely people, we were strangers in the night..." I spoke the words in a soft whisper, before placing a kiss right by her ear, before pulling away slightly.
"...skip to the last part..." she whispered.
I held her firmer, my heart beating a little faster.
".... Ever since that night, We've been together, Lovers at first sight..." I stroked a curl from her face.
Completely entranced, it took a moment for me to breath out the final line....since it fits so perfectly....
"...In love forever, It turned out so right....For strangers in the night ...."
she smiled, and all I could do was watch her eyes...enamoured by her...frozen completely and utterly by her....
"...I...I love sinatra...." she said, her voice shaking slightly.
"hm...as do I." I nodded once.
Ethan and Valentine
Those three...small....words....
Valentine
How can words so small and easy to say in a song...
be so large and hard to say out loud to him?
He knows I love him...
we haven't said the words...
but we know....
so why is it when I want to say them I find myself speechless?
Maybe it's fear...Love isn't a small thing to me...the word...it isn't a small thing...it's important to me that it means something....and won't be taken back...
after my parents and...Oh I just....
I just....
He leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine...and kissed me slowly...but softly as I held onto the lapels of his coat.
The near winter wind,speeding past us....
but a warm ever growing feeling blossoming in our hearts....
"No Johnny read could do that..." I giggled, and he smiled.
"No. He couldn't. or any man like him for that matter." he stated.
"Ah and your vanity is well deserved for once." I laughed and tapped the side of his head.
We parted fully, before starting to walk again, not too many steps from being out of the park.
"Is it just me, or is this long way home getting a lot shorter?" I raised a brow.
"Seems to be....it proves more than anything that there simply isn't enough time in the day."
"Yeah...you can say that again." I scoffed.
The time that we can find to have together is nothing comparison to the time we have apart...all in the hopes that we can keep this...a secret....
————–
Ethan
It's worth it.
It has to be.
It will be....
As a comfortable silence settled over us, I looked down to her, where she was watching the ground, our shadow getting larger as we got closer and closer to the lights beaming from the streets.
and as we got through the gates, her hand went to slip from mine as we always do in public...
but instead, I held it firmer and she looked up to me.
"....Making the moment last, hm?" I said.
she beamed, before squeezing my hand in comfort, as we continued walking again down the sidewalk.
Not a single side glance...
not a single person thinking that this was unethical...
nothing but normal...
I felt myself relax a little, not wanting to look for fault in the moment.
Not wanting to keep an eye out incase we saw someone we knew....
Wanting to simply be strangers in the night....
where no ethics nor principles.....
could possibly keep us apart....
————–
PS: I think this fic is a little shorter than usual? Well, its a one shot so I suppose it doesn't have to be too long. But anyway, I hope you enjoyed this romantic fic. This is a taste of what you can expect to see in AU 2- although a lot less romantic...but the same hopes, the same dreams and the same longing. They care so much for each other and...urgh writing their scenes makes me cry internally. Im going to go NUTS writing AU2 with the amount of tension I have instore. But I always like to try and find these two moments where they can just be each other (which is what ive focused on a lot with my fics in recent weeks) - im preparing myself and y'all for ALL the angst I have coming up- which is a lot...