vic

“Holy mother of mary you look like shit.”

You dragged your head up, which was starting to feel like a bowling ball, to find Amy leaning in your doorway.

“Hello to you too.”

“No seriously.” She pushed off the frame and walked in, heels clicking with purpose. “You like, look really unwell. Are you ok?”

“Never better.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“It’s just a cold.” You added, glancing back at your screen.

“I’ve seen you with a cold.” Amy shook her head. “This is not a cold.”

She studied you for a moment longer.

“Have you told hot doctor?”

You shot her a look. “No, I have not told Frank.”

“Why not? Isn’t that why he exists? To aid people… medically.”

You managed to huff out a laugh, although it sounded more like a cat being strangled.

"Because I don’t want him to worry, especially when it’s nothing serious.”

“Ok.” Amy placed her hands on her hips. “You need to do two things.”

She pointed one perfectly manicured finger up in the air. “Firstly, you need to go home.”

A second finger joined.

“Secondly, call your hot doctor boyfriend and get him to give you some serious pain meds.”

You blinked at her. “Or... I do none of those things and finish this advice which is due tomorrow.”

Amy folded her arms in front of her chest. “You literally insisted on dragging me to the ER when I fell and sprained my ankle.”

You stared at her blankly.

“So, this is me returning the favour.”

“Ames I can’t-“

“- you can.” She insisted. “Or I'll rat you out to Keith.”

You gasped. “You wouldn’t.”

Her expression turned smug. “Oh, I would.”

Keith was one of the most senior partners in the firm, and a notorious germaphobe.

He’d infamously once fired an intern in the middle of a firm wide meeting for sneezing without covering their mouth.

Amy, unfortunately for you, had him in her back pocket, dubbed by him as the most proficient (and clean) paralegal in the whole firm.

You held her gaze for a moment longer. You blinked as your vision started to blur.

“Fine.” You relented.

Amy hovered the whole time you packed up your things, like you might decide to sit down and keep typing if she didn’t.

“Call hot doctor boyfriend!” She called out to you as you stalked down the hallway, earning curious looks from half the floor.

You just waved her off without looking back.

-

By the time you got home, your symptoms had worsened.

Breathing felt tighter - each inhale catching slightly, each exhale ending in a faint wheeze. You could feel your body start to ache and shiver with a chill.

You collapsed onto your bed without changing, reluctantly pulling out your laptop.

You swore you had just closed your eyes to blink, and then you were waking up.

A damp patch of drool soaked into your pillow, your neck stiff from the angle.

“Fuck.” You cursed when you glanced at the time to see it was nearly 5pm.

You grabbed your phone from beside you to see endless emails and calls from work.

Frank’s missed call and text stood out like a sore thumb.

No need to call back, just had a break so wanted to see how your day was going.

Your chest tightened slightly - though whether from guilt or illness, you weren’t sure.

You typed back quickly.

Sorry I missed your call, I fell asleep :(

You were still typing out your next text when his contact photo lit up your screen.

You hesitated. He was going to clock that you were sick instantly, but not answering would be even more suspicious.

You pushed yourself upright, swallowing against the thickness in your throat, hoping that it might make a difference.

“Hey.”

“Hey you.” You could hear his smile as he spoke. “Did I misread your text or are you seriously telling me you fell asleep at your desk?”

“No, I left early.” You said, aiming for casual and missing by a mile.

There was a pause.

“You left work… early?”

“Yeah, I'm not feeling great." You admitted. "But it’s not a big deal." You added quickly.

“What are your symptoms?” You could hear the switch in his tone, going from boyfriend to doctor in a matter of seconds.

“Uh.. headache, cough, fatigue, I think maybe a fever?”

“And when did they start?”

“This morning but it’s gotten a bit worse.”

Silence met you.

“I’m fine really I-“

The sentence dissolved into a coughing fit you couldn’t suppress. It tore out of your chest, sharp and ugly, leaving your lungs burning.

“Baby.” Frank said gently after a moment, concern laced through his tone. “That sounds terrible.”

“I sound worse than I feel.”

Lie. And Frank knew it too.

“Look." He said after a moment, gentler now but firm underneath. "I know you won’t want to, but I think you should stop by so I can check on you.”

Panic coiled in your chest. Your relatively new boyfriend seeing you pale, sweaty and wheezing wasn't exactly on the top of your list of priorities.

“No no no-" You began. “I can’t take up a bed in the ER Frank, this isn’t an emergency.”

“I’ll have you in and out in under an hour.” He assured you. “I’ll just run a few tests and give you a physical.”

You opened your mouth to protest.

“I’ll be able to prescribe you something stronger than your over the counter meds, which will have you back to work much quicker.”

That idea put you on the fence.

As if he sensed your hesitation, he went in for the kill.

“And-“ he said softly. “It will put my mind at ease. Please."

You sighed. Why did he have to know you so well?

“You sure I won’t be in the way?”

“That's literally impossible.”

You relented. “Fine. I’ll have a shower and head over.”

“Thank you." Relief slipped into his voice. "Come in through the ambulance bay entrance."

He paused. "I think you’re familiar with it.”

Despite how shit you felt, you smiled. “I am.”

-

By the time you got a taxi to the ER, your whole body felt like lead.

Your chest had gotten heavier, your breathing tacky. A chill had settled deep into your bones, making your hands tremble despite the warmth of the evening.

You wrapped your arms around yourself as you walked through the doors from the ambulance bay - spitting you into the department that never slept.

Dana was the first to notice you, doing a double take when she saw you shuffling over in a loose t-shirt and sweats.

“Hey sweetheart.” She called, already moving toward you. “Langdon said we’d be seeing you today.”

“Hey Dana.”

“He’s just with a patient.” She frowned as she watched you shiver. “Come with me, why don’t we get you to a bed so you can lie down in?”

“Oh no that’s really-“

Before you could finish your sentence she had your shoulders in a surprisingly strong grip as she firmly guided you down the hall.

“Lay down.” She said gently once you reached the bed.

You found your body complying with surprising ease, like it was desperate to conserve energy.

“I’ll get someone to bring you some water, Langdon won’t be long.”

“Ok, thanks.” You shot her a weak smile.

A few minutes later, Robby walked past your room, slowing mid-stride as he looked in through the glass.

“I thought room 4 was free.” He thumbed over his shoulder towards your room.

“It is.” Perlah answered.

“Then why is someone lying in there?”

“Langdon’s girlfriend is in there.” Dana answered, not looking up from her chart.

Robby and Perlah blinked in unison.

Javadi’s head shot up.

“The lawyer?”

“Yes, the lawyer.” Dana finally looked at Robby over her glasses. “She looks in rough shape. Langdon said he convinced her to come in to get checked out.”

Robby scoffed. “This is an emergency department, not a GP.”

Dana’s expression hardened. “Why don’t you go look at her yourself before you make assumptions? The poor thing could barely keep herself upright.”

Robby muttered something under his breath, throwing his hands up in defeat.

“Langdon!” Dana called out across the pitt just as Frank emerged from another room.

She inclined her head. “Your girlfriend’s here. Room 4.”

“Oh, thanks.” He was already moving.

“Woah woah woah.” Robby stepped into his path. “Where are you going?”

“Just to go check-“

“You’re her boyfriend, you can’t be objective if you treat her.”

“I know that.” Frank said tightly, already trying to look past him.

“Dr King's assessing her.”

Robby studied him for a moment, like he was trying to find a reason to scold him.

“Can I at least go and say hello?”

“After Dr King’s done her initial assessment. Prevents her from being influenced by any observations you might be inclined to make.”

Frank held his gaze for a moment, jaw tightening like he was debating whether to push it.

“Fine.”

Mel, who had been hovering nearby, stepped in quickly.

“I’ll go check on her now.” She reassured Frank, shooting him a small smile.

Frank exhaled, “ok, thanks.”

-

You glanced up as the door opened.

“Frank honey, you look different.” You teased, your voice croaky.

Mel let out an awkward laugh as she stepped inside. “I’m Dr King.”

Your eyes brightened. “I’ve heard a lot about you Dr King.”

Mel watched as you feebly tried to sit up.

“And I've heard a lot about you.” She smiled kindly. "And I mean a lot.. Langdon never stops-" She cut herself off. "I probably shouldn't be telling you that. Sorry."

"No, no keep going." You said. "Good for the ego."

That earned a genuine laugh as she adjusted her glasses, before she slipped right back into professional mode.

“I’m going to be examining you today because Frank can't treat you given he has a personal relationship with you. Is that alright?”

You smiled faintly. “If Frank trusts you, I trust you.”

She nodded curtly, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks at your praise.

Mel listened attentively as you listed your symptoms. Then, she gently examined your throat, feeling around your glands, before pressing her stethoscope to your back.

“Take some deep breaths for me.”

Her brow furrowed as you inhaled and exhaled deeply.

Mel glanced toward the window just in time to catch Frank watching. His expression had shifted - tight, alert, already reading her face.

“Ok.” She moved to stand in front of you, blocking your sight of the window. “By the sound of your breathing, it looks like maybe a viral infection or the flu but I’m going to get your bloods taken and a chest x-ray just to be sure.”

Your brow furrowed. “A chest x-ray? Should I be worried?”

“No no.” She assured you. “I just want to be thorough, Dr Langdon will want to make sure we check every possibility.”

That seemed to settle you.

“Ok.”

She moved to leave before pausing at the door. “Are you ok with me sharing your medical information with Dr Lang- Frank?”

You huffed faintly. “Ah yes, confidentiality.”

“Something I'm sure you’re familiar with.”

“Very.” You coughed, wincing as your chest tightened.

You would usually have made a witty remark, but you just found yourself nodding. “That’s fine.”

“Ok, one of the nurses will be in shortly. They'll give you some fluids and take your bloods."

The door clicked shut behind Mel, and for a moment, the room was quiet again - save for the soft, ugly rattle in your chest every time you breathed.

You sank back into the pillows, staring up at the ceiling, trying to ignore the way each inhale felt… wrong. Too tight. Too shallow.

Maybe this wasn’t just a cold.

The thought barely had time to settle before the door opened again.

This time, it was Frank.

You didn’t even realise how tense your body had been until you saw him - until something in your chest loosened that had nothing to do with your congested lungs.

"Hey." You rasped.

He was at your side in seconds, eyes scanning you like he was cataloguing every symptom all at once.

"Hey." He echoed softly, but the smile you were expecting didn’t quite land.

His hand came up to your forehead, then your cheek, then gently under your chin, tilting your face toward the light.

"You look worse than you sounded." He murmured.

"Wow, romantic."

That earned you the smallest huff of amusement - but it didn’t reach his eyes.

A knock interrupted you both.

“Hi, I’m Donnie. Dr King sent me in to do your bloods.”

You mustered up a smile as you introduced yourself.

“Oh I know who you are.” He grinned like the concept of you having to explain who you were was a novelty.

“I’m a big fan.”

“Fan?”

“Anyone who can make ER Ken here this whipped has my total and utter admiration.”

Frank went to shoot him a glare but stopped when he saw the smile on your face.

“I like you already Donnie.” You answered before breaking out into a coughing fit.

Frank reached for your hand, squeezing tightly as your lungs settled and Donnie set to work.

Another nurse, who introduced herself as Princess came in not long after to take you to get your x-ray.

“McKay's looking for you.” She added to Frank.

Frank glanced down at you, his grip on your hand tightening.

“I’ve got her Langdon.” She reassured him, her usual humour gone from her face when she saw the panic in his eyes.

“Go.” You urged him, squeezing his hand back. “I’ll still be here when you get back.”

“Ok baby.”

And then, like he forgot where he was - who was watching - he leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to your lips.

Princess watched as he left the room, shaking her head slightly.

-

By the time you were back in the room after your x-ray, the chills had worsened. Your teeth were chattering, your vision blurring at the edges.

Frank was leaning against the counter when you came back in, arms crossed, but the second he saw you - he straightened immediately.

"Oh sweetheart." He murured, stepping closer as he helped you back into bed.

You barely had the energy to respond.

"Cold?" He asked, already reaching for another blanket.

You nodded, too tired to argue when he tucked it around you himself.

Frank adjusted it.

Then adjusted it again.

Then frowned like it personally offended him.

"It’s uneven."

"It’s a blanket." You mumbled.

He ignored that, tucking the corner in with unnecessary, surgical precision.

Only when he was satisfied that you were adequately comfortable, did he finally glance back at you, brushing a piece of hair from your face.

"I've got to go check in on my other patients."

"Ok." You murmured, your eyes drooping.

"I'll be back." He placed a chaste kiss to your forehead.

“Man." Princess said after a moment, watching him go. "That boy loves you.”

You smiled sleepily “I know.”

-

By the time Mel came back, you had started drifting in and out of sleep, so you had no real sense of how much time had passed.

Frank was not far behind her.

“How are you feeling?”

You forced yourself to open your eyes, although they quivered like they were threatening to drop at any moment.

“Peachy.”

Frank leant forward, brushing a hand over your forehead, his touch cool against your burning skin.

“She’s burning up.”

Mel glanced at you first, then at Frank.

"I've had a look at the x-ray of your chest. There are white spots showing up on your lungs. Which indicates the presence of an infection - where pus and fluids have replaced air."

Your brain lagged.

“Meaning?”

Frank’s hand found yours before Mel answered.

“You’ve got pneumonia.”

You blinked slowly.

“…like,” you swallowed, throat dry. “Pneumonia pneumonia?”

Mel gave a small, sympathetic nod as she wringed her hands together.

“I thought that was something people got from like... standing in the rain too long. Or...back in the bubonic plague times.”

They both offered you a laugh at your attempt at humour.

“It’s more common than you think.” She reassured you. “Have you had a cold recently?”

You offered a weak shrug. “I’ve always got something on board.”

“Right. Well, pneumonia is often triggered by a cold or flu. You’re more vulnerable if you’ve got a weakened immune system which of course can be exacerbated by stress, lack of sleep, improper nutrition…”

“Gee." Frank murmured, glancing down at you. "I wonder who that reminds me of?” There was no bite to it, only concern.

“We caught it early, which is good. But you’re going to need antibiotics, fluids and lots of rest.”

Your head lolled back against the pillow.

“How long do the antibiotics take to kick in?”

Frank’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Uh- it can depend. We usually recommend coming back after 5 days if your symptoms haven’t improved.”

“So I’ll be ok to go to work tomorrow?”

Frank closed his eyes briefly.

“Baby-“

“What? I’m just asking.”

“You’re not going to work tomorrow.”

“I have a deadline.”

“You have pneumonia.”

“I’ll take the antibiotics-“

“You can barely sit upright.”

“I’m sitting right now.”

“You’re horizontal.”

You gestured weakly. “…semantics.”

Mel pressed her lips together, clearly trying not to smile.

“I’ll give you two a minute.” She said, slipping out.

The second the door shut, Frank turned back to you fully.

“Did you drive here?”

You shook your head.

“Ok.” He nodded. “You’re staying at mine tonight.”

This time there was no room for negotiation in his tone.

“You don’t need to do that.” You shot back weakly. “I just need meds and I’ll be fine.”

“You are not fine.”

“I’ve worked through worse.”

“That’s not something to be proud of.”

“It’s reality.”

“And this." He gestured to you, to the oxygen monitor now clipped to your finger, to the way your chest rose unevenly, “is also reality.”

You hesitated.

Just for a second, but he caught it.

His expression shifted, something softer breaking through the control.

“Hey." He said quietly. "Look at me.”

You did.

And there it was - that shift again. Not doctor. Not entirely.

Just… Frank. Your Frank.

“I’m not going to be able to sleep if I don’t know you're ok.”

Your throat tightened, and not from the infection.

“You just want to make sure I’m not working.” You muttered.

“Absolutely." He said without missing a beat. "I’ll be hiding your work phone the second we get home.”

You huffed weakly.

"…I wasn’t going to-"

"-Liar."

"...maybe a little."

His thumb brushed over your knuckles.

“Let me look after my girl.” He murmured. “Please.”

You held his gaze for a long moment.

Then sighed.

"...ok."

Relief flickered across his face so quickly it almost hurt to see.

“Thank you.”

You broke out into a coughing fit before you could say anything else. Frank's grip on your hand tighter instinctively, waiting patiently as your body worked through it.

“Sexy, huh?”

His mouth curved faintly, brushing a thumb across your cheekbone.

“I’m pretty sure you’re the only person on the planet who can make pneumonia look sexy.”

“You flatter me.”

“Just stating facts."

He pressed a kiss to your brow, almost reverently.

“Rest. I’ll be finished soon.”

-

Like most gossip in the pitt, word that you were here had spread like wildfire.

Staff suddenly found themselves with urgent, completely necessary reasons to pass by your room - each one conveniently slowing just enough to peer through the glass at the woman who had reduced Frank Langdon to a love sick puppy.

Dana was walking and writing at the same time when she happened to glance up.

"Hey!" She roused.

A cluster of nurses froze mid-creep outside your door.

They turned slowly.

“Leave her alone for Christ's sake. This isn’t a zoo!”

They exchanged glances before sheepishly dispersing.

“Unbelievable.” Dana muttered under her breath, shaking her head as she kept walking.

Whitaker and Santos both looked up as Dana passed.

“So what’s the matter with lawyer barbie?” Santos remarked after a few moments.

Mel didn't even look up from her screen. “Pneumonia.”

McKay paused behind her, leaning slightly to get a better look toward your room.

“She had pneumonia and still looks like that?” She let out a scoff. “Why do I even fucking bother.”

“They are so cute.” Javadi added dreamily, still staring at your door.

“Princess said that he called her baby.”

Santos’ nose wrinkled. “Gross.”

“And-“ Princess chimed in, stepping closer. “You guys should have seen the way he tucked her in. Honestly it was like he was nesting.”

Perlah and Javadi let out matching awws.

“That is quite sweet.” Whitaker murmured, causing Santos to shoot him a glare.

“Traitor.” She grumbled.

But even she couldn’t completely hide the way her expression softened.

“Should we start a betting pool on how many times he’s going to go check in on her between now and the end of his shift?” Donnie grinned.

“Guys." Mohan interjected. "We should show him some grace. He’s really worried about her.”

Robby, who had of course been eavesdropping, shifted slightly at his desk.

Guilt pawed at his chest as he thought about his interaction with Langdon earlier, the clear distress that had been evident on his features.

“Mohan's right.” He said without looking up.

Everyone turned to him.

“Be nice to Langdon.”

In turn, they all blinked, then exchanged glances to confirm if they had all collectively misheard.

“What the fuck?” Santos whispered under her breath.

Whitaker just shrugged. "I'm not even going to ask."

—

When you came to, you were completely disorientated.

For a split second, panic surged through you as you tried to sit up too quickly, disoriented by the unfamiliar room.

Then, your brain caught up. The hospital, Frank, pneumonia.

You stilled.

Frank had pulled a chair up beside your bed, one arm resting near yours, like he needed the proximity just as much as you did.

He’d changed out of his scrubs, the soft glow of his phone illuminating the shirt you’d helped him pick out a few weeks ago.

You shifted slightly, wincing.

His head snapped up the second he registered your movement, his phone discarded in his lap.

“Hey sleepyhead.”

You let out a soft groan as you rubbed your eyes. “How long have I been asleep?”

“It’s about 9 pm.”

Two hours since his shift finished.

Your gaze lingered on him. “You should have woken me up.”

It came out half-scolding - but the warmth in your voice gave you away.

“I wanted you to get as much sleep as possible.”

“What if I hadn’t woken up until tomorrow?”

“Then I’d have stayed right here all night.” He said it immediately, simply, like there was no other option that existed.

You felt an insurmountable amount of love threaten to burst out of your chest.

You just looked at him for a moment, something quiet and overwhelming settling between you.

“Come on." He said gently as he stood. "Let's get you home."

The teasing you’d expected as Frank all but carried you out of your room towards his car was non-existent.

Instead, the night shift and day shift stragglers offered you their ‘hope you feel betters’ and goodbyes as you passed.

Voices continued to follow you down the corridor, softer than usual, threaded with something that sounded suspiciously like fondness.

“Rest up lawyer barbie.” A doctor you hadn't met before said as he passed, iced coffee in hand.

Your brow knitted. “What did he just call me?”

Frank huffed under his breath, adjusting his grip on you.

“I think it’s better I explain that when you’re feeling better.”

-

By the time you got to Frank’s apartment, you were exhausted.

Not just tired - bone-deep, heavy, the kind of exhaustion that settled into your body and refused to let go.

With no fight left in you, you gave in to Frank’s wishes without complaint - finally finding yourself letting him fuss over you.

He guided you through a quick shower, steadying you when you swayed, before helping you into one of his shirts and a pair of track pants that hung loose on your frame.

You had no appetite, but he hovered just enough that you managed a few reluctant spoonfuls of leftovers from his fridge.

Then, he got you into bed.

A warm compress rested against your forehead, and by the time you blinked your eyes open again, your bedside table had been transformed - water, tea, pain meds, everything lined up within easy reach.

You shifted slightly.

Frank was there instantly, adjusting your pillows with quiet precision, movements gentle, practiced.

You watched him for a moment in the dim light.

“You’re good at this.”

He glanced at you, a crooked smile tugging at his mouth. “Occupational hazard.”

As your eyes started to droop, you patted the bed next to you.

“Will you lie with me?”

You didn’t have to ask twice. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t even pretend to. Frank didn’t think he was capable of denying you anything, ever.

You turned just enough to face him.

“Thank you for all of this. Taking care of me.” You murmured.

Frank smiled softly. “Thank you for letting me.”

You could see it - the lecture sitting right there on the tip of his tongue, ready to go. About rest, about burnout, about how you ran yourself into the ground like it was something to be proud of.

But he swallowed it.

A conversation for a later date. You let your eyes flutter shut.

“I think I’ve found your one flaw you know.” He said after a few moments.

You peaked an eye open. “Just one?”

He studied you, something warm and tired in his eyes.

“You’re a terrible patient.”

You let out a weak laugh at that.

“Pretty fatal flaw for someone dating a doctor.”

Frank shook his head. “Somehow you make it endearing.”

Your lips curved faintly, your eyes drifting shut again.

“I love you.”

The words slipped out easily. Soft. Unguarded. Like they’d been there for a while. Like you hadn’t just shifted the course of his life.

Frank froze beside you momentarily.

You didn’t see it - the way it landed. The way his eyes turned glassy. The way his breath caught. The way something in his chest shifted all at once.

He’d been holding onto those words for weeks. Turning them over, waiting for the right moment - worried he’d say them too soon, that he’d scare you off.

And you just… said them.

Like it was simple, obvious, something that was inevitable between the two of you.

Frank supposed it was.

“I love you.” He whispered back. “So much.”

You hummed softly, already half asleep.

“Get some rest baby.”

Your fingers curled loosely around his.

And for once, you listened.

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