Disclaimer: See Part 1
Chapter Two
The next few weeks flew by as Kim adjusted to the routine of her new hospital. It was wonderful to be back in Southern California. She spent her days off driving around the area marveling at the many changes. Even with all of the changes, so much remained the same, a time warp where one sunny day ran into the next. There was one change she didn’t like… the traffic had gone from bad to worse. She thought people drove like lunatics in Detroit, but one week driving Southern California freeways reminded her what true lunatic drivers were really like.
Kim hadn’t been able to reconnect with Jess McKenna. Her schedule the first weeks had kept her on the Psych floor. She thought often of the beautiful ER Chief and the brief time they had spent together on her first day.
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Kim sat at a table reading a chart while eating her lunch when suddenly the hair on the back of her neck stood up. Kim frowned. Then she heard it, that incredible sexy purr.
"Is this seat taken?"
Kim couldn’t help the shiver of arousal that voice invoked. She struggled to find her voice as she stared deep into the eyes of Jess McKenna. Kim realized how long she’d been silent when Jess's half smirk appeared. She quickly cleared her throat.
"No. Have a seat."
"Settling in ok upstairs? I'm looking forward to you bringing your services down to the ER." Jess purred in that same sexy voice.
Before Kim could respond, Jess's pager went off. Taking it off her belt she glanced down at the display. "Damn! ER 911. I have to go."
Kim could sense she wanted to say more but her pager beeped again and she headed for the door at a fast walk.
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"Damn!" Jess swore as she headed back to the ER. She’d felt her heart start to pound the second she spotted the blond psychiatrist sitting by herself in the cafeteria. Jess hadn’t been able to get thoughts of the beautiful woman out of her head for the past few weeks. I barely know the woman and I've spent more time thinking about her than I have women I’ve actually dated. She just couldn't figure it out. She never allowed anyone to invade her thoughts like the blond had. There was just something about her; she stirred feelings in Jess she’d never felt before. What’s wrong with me? She’s just another woman. No she's not and you know it, her inner voice quickly supplied. Jess pushed the irritating little voice away. She knew all the names they called her: Ice Queen, Frigid Dyke, and Bitch of the ER, among others. Jess wasn’t known as the Ice Queen of the hospital for nothing. She’d just have to make sure she avoided Kim. And when that wasn't possible, show her the Ice Queen. The schedule was posted for the next two weeks. Jess knew Kim was assigned to the ER for Psych consults. Then she remembered she’d given Kim a key to her office, Shit… What was I thinking?
Even as Jess hurried back to the ER, trying to convince herself that getting involved with the blond was a mistake, she knew in her heart she’d never be able to stop herself. The attraction was just too strong. What scared Jess the most was that she wasn’t just attracted physically to the woman. That, she could handle. But Kim called to something in her soul and that scared her most of all. I’m in soo much trouble, thought Jess as she entered the ER.
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After Kim's brief encounter with the ER Chief she decided it was time to see what she could find out about the mysterious Dr. McKenna. As she let herself back onto the Psych floor she heard a voice call out. "Hey Girlfriend, how’re you today?"
"Perfect." Kim thought. If anyone knew about Jess McKenna, it would be Brenda. She was the Gossip Queen of the hospital. The feisty black woman had taken Kim under her wing and the two had become fast friends.
"Ready to face the loony toons in the ER next week? And I don't mean the patients!" Brenda joked.
Kim laughed, "Got a minute? I wanted to ask you about something."
Kim unlocked the door to her office with Brenda right behind her. Kim still had a hard time believing this was her office. After the little hole in the wall at County Memorial, this was amazing. The outer office was good sized, with plastic chairs spread in a haphazard semicircle, a small desk in one corner and a comfortable looking wing backed chair. Two doors lead off the main room, one going to Kim's private office. It contained a large desk with a computer workstation. Behind the desk, shelves for books and medical journals competed for space with some large file cabinets. On the opposite wall was a large overstuffed leather sofa. In the far back of the room was another door leading into a private bathroom that even contained a shower. The other door off the main room led to a small room that Kim used for private sessions with patients. It was painted in soft blue tones, with shelves filled with an eclectic mix of items lining one wall. The mix contained everything from seashells to figurines to stuffed animals; all there for her patient’s comfort. The opposite wall held a comfortable sofa and next to it a rocker/recliner with an afghan thrown over it. It was a warm inviting room where her patients could feel safe.
Kim opened the door to her private office. "Want a soda? I think I still have a couple left."
"No thanks. I'm trying to stay away from that stuff. It settles right on my thighs," Brenda complained. "So tell me. Who's the lucky lady who caught your eye?"
"What makes you think it's a woman?"
"Oh please, you weren’t here two days and every male intern and resident in the place was buzzing about you. I know you sent them all on their way and made no secret as to why."
"Yeah," Kim sighed. "I've learned to be very up front about who I am. In the past when I’ve tried to politely turn them down some of them just refused to get the hint. So, now I just tell them I'm gay right off and that ends most of it. Of course you still run into the occasional jerk who wants me to get together with him and his girlfriend."
"So, who is she?"
Kim glanced over at Brenda. "What do you know about Jess McKenna?"
"Oh no, not you too." Brenda groaned.
"What do you mean not me too?"
"I swear every new doctor, intern, resident or custodian who crosses paths with that woman feels compelled to make a play for her. Don't get me wrong. She is gorgeous. But that woman has a heart of ice. Save yourself the heartache. Stay away from her!"
"Come on Brenda. Tell me what you know."
"Oh geez, you have it bad already huh?" Kim blushed. "All right. Just remember I warned you. Let’s see…When Dr. McKenna originally came to LA Metropolitan she was a player, dating a string of women throughout the hospital. She made it very clear she wasn’t the relationship type and was only interested in a casual thing. Several of the women didn't listen to her warning, thinking they were going to be the one who claimed her. All of them got their hearts stomped on. It was bad for a while. There was some new woman every week screaming about how Jess had dumped her. I guess she finally decided to keep her personal life personal and refused to date anyone who worked in the hospital. I didn't hear anything about her for quite a while except the whining of all the people, men and women alike, she bluntly turned down. Then about two years ago she started dating an EMT from a local fire station. No one would’ve even known about it except the woman made a show of coming into the ER whenever she had a transport, seeking Jess out. She was constantly trying to hug or kiss Jess in the ER but Jess would always rebuff her in public. The good doctor doesn’t like to be touched in public… Though, there was a rumor that she hugged her sister once in the ER…But, that's just a rumor," Brenda laughed softly. "Anyway, this went on for about 6 months. Then one day Myra stormed into the ER demanding to see Jess. Jess tried to get her into the Staff lounge. I think she knew what was coming. Myra wasn’t having anything to do with that and proceeded to rant in the middle of the ER. She wasn't going to take it any more. She was tired of her being a control freak. She had control issues and needed help. With that she turned and slammed out of the ER. Never saw her again, so she must’ve changed jobs. Since then I’ve never seen or heard of anyone else she’s ever dated." She stopped and looked at Kim. "Now do you believe me? Stay away from her Kim, she’ll just hurt you."
Kim didn’t say a word. Shaking her head, Brenda repeated again, "Don't say I didn't warn you." With that she headed back out to the nurses desk.
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Here it was, Monday already. Kim stood outside the ambulance bay about to face her first day covering Psych consults for the ER. She was on this rotation for the next two weeks and would be spending her days in the ER. It was the typical busy day in the ER with a constant stream of patients coming and going. Kim let herself into Jess's office leaving her purse and briefcase on the couch. She noticed a jacket and backpack on the back of the desk chair and figured Jess must be in the department already.
It was almost lunchtime. Kim had yet to catch more than a glimpse of the elusive ER Chief and she couldn’t help wondering if the woman was avoiding her. She herself had been busy, evaluating patients, talking to families. Still, it hadn't been that busy.
Kim walked out of the exam room spotting Jess at the admit desk. She hurried over before she could run off again. "Hi Jess."
"Hello Dr. Donovan. How are you settling in to your first day in the ER?"
"Fine, thanks. And I thought we agreed it was Kim."
"Right." Jess turned on her heels and walked away.
Kim sighed; great we’re back to that again. Cool crisp professional. Not a hint of the woman Kim knew lay beneath the icy exterior.
"You’re wasting your time on that one Doc. There’s a reason they call her the Ice Queen."
Kim turned to see the desk clerk Penny who had watched the interaction with interest.
"Could I interest you in lunch?" Penny asked smiling at Kim.
"No thanks. I have lots of paperwork to do."
"Maybe some other time?" Penny asked hopefully.
Kim merely smiled as she walked away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The rest of the day went pretty much the same. Kim stayed busy but she wasn’t swamped. She saw Jess several times in passing and had one consult on a patient who was Jess's. Jess presented the case in her cool professional voice, without a hint of warmth. She was polite but distant.
Kim’s shift was finally over. She’d survived her first day in the ER. She couldn’t help looking around for Jess hoping to connect with her before she left for the day. There was no sign of the woman. Resigned Kim headed for Jess's office to pick up her stuff. She paused, startled when she realized the office wasn’t empty. There sat Jess, much as Kim had first seen her, working on charts.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to barge in. Just wanted to pick up my stuff."
Jess leaned back in her chair smiling. She just couldn’t help herself. She’d been avoiding Kim all day. When they did interact, she had to fight not to soften her voice and reach out to the woman. Jess let out a big sigh. Just being in the same room with this woman made her feel good.
"So how was your first day in the ER? I was impressed with your handling of the residents. Sometimes they just want to dump a patient on Psych without doing the full neuro and physical work-up. You did well with them."
"Thanks Jess. Glad to hear you liked my work. Maybe you won't mind having to put up with me for a couple of weeks."
Jess laughed, "Not a problem, I'm sure I can handle it."
"Good to know," Kim said, maintaining a professional tone. "Well I guess I better head out. Have a good night."
"You too, Kim."
With just that brief conversation with Jess, Kim headed home feeling better about her first day in the ER.
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Tuesday was pretty much the way Monday had been, busy but not hectic. Jess had again retreated into her cold distant persona. The whole thing was frustrating Kim.
Late afternoon brought in a patient who was hallucinating. Kim was called in to try and determine the man's mental status. At first, the man was calm, speaking to Kim quite rationally. Then, in a matter of seconds, he changed and began to scream for Kim to get way from him, not to hurt him. Jess heard the commotion and quickly approached the room to see what the problem was. Just as she stepped through the door the patient violently shoved Kim away causing her to lose her balance. Jess never hesitated. She jumped forward wrapping her arms tightly around Kim to keep her from falling. She pulled her away from the patient and up close to her chest. Jess could feel her heart pounding, realizing Kim could’ve been seriously hurt. She felt nauseous at the prospect of something happening to her.
"Are you ok?"
Kim looked back. Somehow she’d known as soon as the arms closed around her that they belonged to Jess. She realized Jess looked scared. "Yes. I'm fine. Thanks for keeping me from hitting the floor."
She noticed that Jess's arms were still holding her, one arm pressing into her breasts and one wrapped around her hips holding her tightly to her body. Kim realized the intimacy of their position. Becoming aroused, she felt her nipples harden where they pressed into Jess's arm. Jess also noticed their intimate position. She felt her nipples harden against Kim's back. The feel of Kim's butt pressed against her pelvis caused her to suddenly become damp.
"I'm fine really," Kim said again, making Jess realize she’d still not let go of the woman.
"Good, great, glad you’re ok." With that, Jess quickly released Kim and hurried from the room.
Damn, Damn, Damn, what the hell is the matter with me? Jess berated herself as she stood in her office trying to regain her composure. Some nut almost hurts the woman and I’m all aroused by holding her in my arms. She could still feel Kim's body pressed against her, how her arm felt pressing into Kim's breasts. I’ve got to get this under control. I'm feeling like a horny teenager around that woman. Next thing you know, I’ll be looking for excuses to touch her or brush against her. This has got to stop. It's just lust. I just need to get laid and this will all go away.
Even as she thought it, Jess knew it wasn't true. She wanted Kim, and not just her body. Jess stayed in her office the rest of her shift not wanting to face Kim again, and fighting what she was feeling, trying to convince herself the woman meant nothing to her.
Kim wasn’t surprised to find Jess gone when she picked up her things at the end of the day. She hadn’t seen her again for the rest of their shift. Kim couldn’t help but wonder if Jess had realized she had become aroused in her arms and was angry. Feeling a little depressed, she headed home.
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Kim questioned what the day would bring as she entered the ER for the third day of the rotation. Well it sure hasn't been boring, she laughed. She dropped off her stuff hoping to run into Jess in her office, but no such luck. It soon became apparent that not only was Jess avoiding her, she was doing a damn good job of it. It was almost noon and Kim hadn’t seen the ER Chief once. Kim was letting herself get upset. She knew she should just forget about the ER Chief and do her job. It wasn't like her attraction to another ER Chief hadn't broken her heart before. She must be out of her mind to even consider getting involved with another one. Kim was nothing if not honest with herself or she at least tried to be. It wasn’t that she was just attracted to Jess physically. Though, Lord knew that was true. There was just something about Jess that called to her. She wanted, needed to reach the woman underneath. She’d seen glimpses of her and knew that was the woman she wanted to be with. Not just a casual sexual fling but truly wanted her body and soul. That scared Kim.
Jess for her part spent her day avoiding Kim. She knew it was childish but the only way she could avoid the feelings the blond brought out in her was to stay away from her or so she thought. She spent the better part of the day fighting her feelings, telling herself, It's just lust. When she finally did accidentally run into Kim late in the afternoon, she was again the ultimate Ice Queen, cold, aloof, distant. She tried to congratulate herself for managing to remain distant with Kim but in truth all she felt was down.
Both women left the ER depressed, questioning where to go from here. Each wondering if the other woman even had feelings for them.
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Kim was irritated. She’d been in the ER several hours already and no sign of Jess. She figured the woman had changed her schedule to avoid working with her. Kim's head jerked up as the ambulance bay doors banged open. EMTs were trying to hold a very large man down on a stretcher as he screamed at them. One of the residents ran up to help. They finally got him in a room with Kim's help but he was getting more aggressive by the second. Restraints were ordered and Kim struggled along with the other staff trying to get him restrained.
Jess arrived in the ER just in time to see Kim come flying through the door of the trauma room and slam against the wall where she slid to the floor stunned from the impact. She panicked, dropping her jacket and backpack to the floor as she ran to Kim's side. She picked her up in her arms, rushing her to a private exam room.
One of the residents tried to follow and Jess snarled at him, "I’ve got her. Get security." slamming the door in his face. She gently laid Kim on the gurney beginning to frantically check her over, running her hands over her extremities looking for any injures. Kim was dazed from hitting the wall. As Jess began running her hands over Kim's scalp checking for fractures, Kim realized that Jess was totally panicked.
"Jess. Jess. I'm ok. Really, I'm ok. Just a little dazed." Finally, Kim reached up and grabbed both of Jess's wrists, stopping her frantic movements.
Jess finally got control of herself realizing the blind panic she’d been thrown into when she saw Kim hit the wall. "Are you sure? Does your head hurt? We should get a CT. You might have internal injuries."
"Jess, I'm fine. Honest. Just shook up and my shoulder hurts a little."
Jess started to examine Kim's shoulder but realized she couldn’t through her shirt. "I'll get you a gown. I need to take a closer look at that shoulder. It might be dislocated."
"No, it's not. I've had a dislocated shoulder. I know what that feels like."
"How did you dislocate your shoulder?" Jess frowned at Kim.
"Patient threw me across the room during my residency. Guess I shouldn't have asked him about his father." Kim replied with a pain filled grin.
Jess insisted, "I really need to look at this Kim. I'll be right back with a gown."
"Wait, Jess. No need for that. Just help me up."
Jess elevated the head of the gurney bringing Kim into a sitting position. Kim unbuttoned her blouse. Jess helped her sit up more and gently removed her arms from the sleeves. She couldn’t help but notice the skimpy bra Kim had on. It was black lace, cut very low in the front with the cups just covering her nipples. Jess swallowed hard forcing her mind back to the exam. Checking for full range of motion she carefully moved the shoulder making sure she wasn’t hurting Kim.
"It appears you’re right. No dislocation. But I need to check your collarbone and scapula. Could you lower your bra strap out of the way?" Jess asked struggling to remain professional.
Kim complied. Jess again forced her eyes away from Kim's cleavage and back to her shoulder. She gently ran her hands over the collarbone, checking to make sure it wasn’t pulled away from the ligament. Then she ran her fingers softly over her scapula making sure it was just bruised. As Jess completed her exam, she glanced down again seeing Kim's bra had slipped down during the exam. Her hands froze in place as she looked down on the most beautiful breast she had ever seen. It was pert and beautifully shaped, topped by the most gorgeous pink nipple. As Jess watched, the nipple hardened from the cool air and became an enticing stiff bud. It was all Jess could do to stop herself from leaning over and tasting the bud with her tongue before sucking the whole thing into her mouth.
Kim felt Jess’s hands had stopped moving and looked up at Jess to see why, then down seeing where Jess's gaze was fastened. Kim just managed to catch herself as she began to arch her back offering her breast to Jess.
Jess felt Kim take in a shuttering breath and forced her gaze away. When she looked away Kim quickly slid her bra strap back up covering herself. Both women repeated to themselves, Now is not the time for this. Now is not the time.
Gaining control of herself, Jess turned back to Kim. "You seem fine. Your shoulder will be sore for a few days but it should be OK." As Jess talked she never even realized her hand was back on Kim's shoulder gently stroking.
Kim looked up at Jess, her lips slightly parted, inviting. Jess accepted the invitation. She lowered her lips down to meet Kim's.
"Hey Dr. McKenna." Jess jerked upright at the interruption before her lips could make contact with Kim's.
"What do you want?" Jess snarled at Peter Blankenship, one of the ER Residents.
The handsome blond resident stood in the doorway, his eyes locked on Kim's bra clad form. He couldn’t take his eyes off the half naked blond. He’d met the gorgeous psychiatrist on her tour of the ER and fallen in immediate lust.
Jess realized what had captured the resident’s attention and stepped in front of Kim blocking his view of the beautiful woman.
"Dr. Blankenship, what do you want?" Jess growled.
"Um, I need you to um, sign off on this chart." He stuttered.
"I'm busy," she snarled at him, "find someone else or wait ‘til I'm done."
"But," Peter tried again.
"Get out and don't come in here again."
The resident turned and hurriedly left the room.
"Well, if you’re all set I should get out there." and without waiting to hear Kim's response Jess quickly exited the room.
Kim sighed as the door closed. Two steps forward, one step back. She played the scene back in her mind, Jess's gaze locked on her breast, the look in her eyes before she almost kissed her. Kim sighed again, you can run but you can’t hide. This is too strong between us Jess and you feel it too. Kim knew getting the stoic woman to admit her feelings was going to be a big obstacle. She put her shirt back on and stiffly headed back out to the ER to finish her shift.
Jess was in her office hiding and berating herself again for her lack of control around the beautiful psychiatrist. I mean, my God! I almost took the woman's nipple in my mouth in an ER exam room! Anyone could have walked in and almost did. Somehow Jess wasn’t surprised it was Peter who interrupted them. The arrogant young resident had been a constant thorn in her side. Jess replayed in her mind the moment before the almost kiss, the look in Kim's eyes, the parted inviting lips. It was then Jess understood that Kim was as attracted to her as she was to Kim. It both thrilled and scared her at the same time.
Kim approached Jess's office hesitantly at the end of her shift. She was nervous about the woman’s reaction to what had almost happened in the exam room. She fully expected Jess to retreat into the cold, distant ice queen persona. When she stepped into the office she was surprised, Jess immediately got up from her chair and came over to her.
"Are you ok? How does the shoulder feel? Not hurting too much?" Jess’s anxiety was obvious.
The soft expression on Jess's face made Kim realize that maybe the woman actually did have feelings for her. Jess was showing genuine concern not just medical interest.
"It's a little stiff but luckily not much pain."
"I'm glad." Jess smiled almost shyly at Kim.
Each woman left the hospital that night feeling light hearted and hopeful about the possibilities before her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Well, well, if it isn't our human football." Kim heard as she walked into the ER the next morning. Kim quirked her eyebrow at Jess silently asking what she meant. "You’ve been thrown around more than the ball we play football with this week," Jess informed Kim to the amusement of the surrounding Staff. "We’re all going to chip in and get you a helmet and some pads," Jess teased.
"Well Dr. McKenna, I guess I’ll just have to take you into all my exams, since you’re so good at catching me."
The Staff broke into laughter. Jess blushed. Realizing her persona had slipped, Jess turned to her staff. "Don't you people have work to do?" she asked sternly. Everyone scattered. Once the area cleared, Jess stepped around the desk to walk with Kim down to their office. That's how Jess thought of it now, their office. Penny who had remained at her desk when everyone ran off sighed in frustration. She’d hoped for a chance to invite the beautiful blond to lunch. She watched enviously as the two women walk away together.
"Are you really ok, shoulder not hurting too bad? We could have someone else cover down here today."
They had stepped into the office just as Jess was asking her questions. Kim, without really being aware she was doing it, reached out and placed her hand on Jess's bare arm. The sensation was immediate, and stimulating. Kim quickly pulled back and tried to compose herself.
"No. Really, I'm fine. I would rather stay down here today as scheduled."
"Ok, but if you get tired or need a break you tell me, ok?"
"I promise," Kim said with a smile.
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It had been a strange but satisfying day Kim thought as she headed to their office. That's how she thought of it now. Not Jess's office, but theirs. Jess had been playful, teasing Kim, flirting with her and making suggestive comments then laughing when Kim blushed. At the same time, it had been frustrating. The second any of Jess's staff showed up it was like watching a light switch being flipped. Jess's face took on the hard cold planes her staff was used to seeing. She answered their questions as the cool, icy professional. Then, when they were alone, the one Kim thought of as the real Jess would emerge again. Kim didn’t understand why Jess insisted on keeping herself under such tight emotional control around her staff. Kim had no way of knowing that what she called the icy professional was how everyone at the hospital knew Jess and the woman that Kim saw when they were alone had never been seen by anyone else.
Kim opened the door to the office to find Jess in her usual spot going over charts.
"Hi, Kim. Heading out?"
"Yep, it's that time again."
"Did your shoulder do ok? Any pain? Do I need to look at it?" Jess asked obviously concerned.
Kim smiled reassuringly. "No. Thanks. It's fine. Some bruises, but really no problem. Will you be heading out soon?"
Jess sighed dramatically, "No. One of my Staff is sick and I got stuck pulling a double."
"Does that happen often, you having to pull a double?"
"No, thank goodness. But it sure sucks when it does… I was wondering…" Kim looked up from where she was picking up her stuff and as their eyes met Jess began to stutter, "I mean… um… I was wondering, if you’re not busy, or have to get home or something would you like to have dinner with me? I can't go far but there is a diner right across the street from the ER, Charlie's Diner. Food’s not bad, nothing fancy, but good. But… I mean… I understand if you’re busy or don't like that kind of thing," Jess seemed to finally run out of steam and her voice trailed off.
Kim laughed to herself, Those are the most words I’ve heard her put together that weren’t work related since we meet. Kim couldn’t resist, "Dr. McKenna, are you asking me out?" She asked with a grin.
Jess never hesitated and smiled brightly at Kim. "Yes, Dr. Donovan. I am."
"Good," Kim smiled, "cause I accept."
"Great. Let me finish this last chart, grab my coat, and we are out of here."
When they reached the ambulance bay doors, Jess turned back to the admit desk telling the clerk, "Tony, I'm going to Charlie’s for dinner. Tell the residents to page me in an emergency. And it better be an emergency."
"Sure thing, Dr. McKenna," Tony answered, all the while wondering who the beautiful blond was with the doctor. He was the night desk clerk and had yet to meet Kim.
The two women stepped into the street to cross over to Charlie's, Jess automatically put her hand on Kim's lower back. It wasn’t until Jess leaned forward to open the door of the diner that she even noticed she had her hand on Kim. Geez, I have to watch that. I just touch her without even thinking about it, it feels so natural. I sure hope she didn't mind.
Kim had been aware of Jess's hand on her back from the second it made contact with her jacket. She never moved away or said a word as it felt perfectly natural for Jess to touch her, like the hand belonged there. She missed the contact when Jess removed her hand to open the door.
The place wasn't very crowded and they quickly found a booth in the back and ordered their dinners. Dinner was fun. They laughed and teased each other. They told stories of their experiences in other hospitals. Both of them thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
They sat having coffee after dinner when Jess asked, "So, where’d you last work and how’d you end up out here in California if your family is in Detroit?"
The words just came pouring out of Kim. The whole horrible tale of her experiences at County Memorial, the charges of child molestation, her affair with the closeted ER Chief, Sharon Wilson and the Chief of Staff's persecution of her because she was gay. Kim panicked when she realized what she’d done. She immediately began to yell at herself, Are you out of your mind? It's your first date with this woman and you’re pouring out your pitiful sob story. Not to mention telling her about your ex-girlfriend. Well congratulations Kim, you just screwed this up before it even got started. She’s going to go running for the hills. Kim was so caught up in her internal dialogue she never heard Jess call her name.
Jess reached out taking Kim's hand. "Kim," she tried again. Kim finally looked up, fearing Jess's reaction. Jess met Kim's eyes and Kim saw several things sadness, anger, compassion.
"I’m so sorry you had to go through that." Jess began "You’re a special lady and a great psychiatrist. You deserve to be treated better than that." As Jess spoke she rubbed her thumb back and forth over the top of Kim's hand where it still rested in hers. A sudden beeping interrupted the moment. It was Jess's watch. She needed to get back to the ER. She was still on duty.
They exited the diner. Kim had herself convinced she’d screwed up any chance she had with the beautiful ER chief after her little episode of diarrhea of the mouth in the diner. As they reached the front shadowed area of the diner, Kim decided to take a chance, figuring she had nothing to lose. She stepped into Jess's personal space and quickly hugged the woman trying only to convey how much she appreciated her support and friendship. Before she could step back, Jess's arms wrapped around her pulling her close into a full body hug pressing them tightly together. Kim tightened her arms around Jess's back, resting her head on Jess's shoulder. The hug at this point had gone way past friendly as both women savored the sensation of their breasts pressed together, their bodies entwined. Kim looked up and Jess answered the plea in her eyes lowering her lips to gently meet Kim's. What started out as a gentle first kiss quickly escalated. The contact was thrilling. Both women felt a surge of arousal go though them. Jess lightly licked Kim's lips begging entrance that Kim willingly granted. Kim moaned as Jess's tongue swept into her mouth, gently exploring. Neither woman seemed to remember they stood in front of the diner on a public street. Jess's pager beeped shrilly interrupting the kiss. As Jess pulled back she put her forehead against Kim's.
"I'm sorry. I have to go back." Jess couldn’t bring herself to let go and she lowered her head again for one more taste of Kim's sweet lips. Her pager shrilled again. Frustrated she growled, "Ok. Ok. I'm coming."
"No, you’re not but I bet you wish you were," Kim quipped.
Jess growled again, heading back to the ER for the rest of her shift before her pager could go off again. She told Kim she would see her on Monday. Kim had forgotten that today was Friday. The thought of not seeing Jess for two days after the kiss they had just shared made Kim growl in frustration as Jess had done.
Kim stood against the diner watching Jess walk away, marveling at the fluid grace the woman moved with. She made her way to the parking garage remembering the feeling of Jess's lips on hers, how her tongue felt as it gently slipped into her mouth. She could feel the wetness between her legs as she walked. It was going to be a long three nights.