Your phone buzzed.

Stuck - incoming trauma. Come in once you get here.

You were just about to respond when another message came through.

Dana said it's ok

He always knew exactly what you were thinking.

The automatic doors slid open for you with a soft hydraulic sigh, letting in a brief breath of night air before sealing the chaos back inside.

You'd met enough of Frank's co-workers, either within the walls of the ER or outside of them at social gatherings, to feel relatively comfortable with coming in and waiting for him.

But still, even after all this time, you had never quite gotten used to the whiplash of stepping into the pitt.

You were used to the clacking of keyboards, the never ending drone of co-workers on calls in their offices next to you, the clink of coffee cups at client luncheons.

Here, monitors chimed in uneven rhythms, gurneys rattled over polished floors, voices overlapped, sharp and urgent, the smell of antiseptic and burnt coffee settled over everything.

The click of your heels made people glance up.

Your tailored outfit contrasting against a sea of scrubs and hospital blues made them steal a second look. The way you walked with the kind of composure that made people move half a step out of the way without realising why, made them stare.

"Well well well." Abbot was the first to clock you. "To what do we owe the pleasure, your honour?"

You flashed him a grin. "Pleasure's all mine, doc."

"What did Abbot do this time?" Shen teased, taking a sip of his coffee as he eyed you.

"No need to worry gentlemen, you’re safe. I'm not here on business today."

"I knew she missed us." Shen nudged Abbot in the ribs as you walked past which made you roll your eyes affectionately.

The others were quick to notice you after that, some calling out greetings, others talking in low murmurs as you headed towards the nurses station.

Dana glanced up, a wide smile spreading across her lips at the sight of you.

"If it isn't my favourite wag," She slid her glasses off as she rounded the desk to meet you.

"If it isn't my favourite charge nurse."

"Don't tell Lena you said that." Dana teased as you embraced her in a warm hug.

"Oh- I got you something." You exclaimed, reaching into your bag as you pulled away.

"What-"

"-remember that pastry place you love right near my office?” You said as you fished a container out of your bag. The scent of pistachio hit you instantly.

“Of course I remember.” She shook her head, unable to fight the smile on her features as she tried to look stern. “You shouldn’t have.”

“But I did.” You grinned. “Don’t worry, I got more so no one thinks I’m playing favourites.”

You pulled out several more containers, placing them onto the counter.

“Alright, lawyer barbie coming in with snacks.” Mateo called out, jogging over at the prospect of sugar right at the start of his shift.

Dana slapped his hand away as he reached for a croissant. “You’ll start a feeding frenzy in here. Take them to the break room.”

You shot Mateo a grin as he huffed before begrudgingly complying.

“Thanks barbie!” He shouted out over his shoulder.

"I wouldn't let Langdon find out you're putting crumb prone items in your birkin." McKay teased as she and Whitaker wondered over.

"What's the point of a bag if you don't actually use it?" Whitaker queried, glancing down at your bag on the counter.

"Exactly." You emphasised. "I'm pretty sure that's almost a direct quote from Jane Birkin herself."

Dennis blinked. "Who?"

McKay and Dana giggled at the look on your face.

"Never mind." You said, shaking your head.

Dennis just shrugged and followed after McKay towards the breakroom.

"You might have a different view when you find out how much that bag costs." McKay muttered to him.

Javadi spotted you next.

Your name left her mouth with immediate excitement, her face lighting up.

“Hey you.” You smiled. “What are you still doing here?”

"Oh- it's busy." She gestured vaguely. “Just helping out with a few things."

“Hmm.” You glanced over pointedly in Mateo’s direction. “I’m sure that’s the reason.”

“Shh.” She swatted you playfully, her eyes lighting up at your attention despite the heat creeping up her neck.

“Javadi, we need you in Room 7.”

“Coming!” She called back before whipping around back to you with a finger pointed. “Do not say anything to him.”

“I would never.” You said solemnly, your lips twitching as you tried to stay serious.

“But this conversation isn’t over missy.” You called out after her as she hurried away.

Garcia, who had just finished up in Trauma One, made a beeline for you instantly.

“Lawyer barbie.” She smirked as she approached, her eyes dragging down your figure. “You here to pick up ER Ken?”

“Luckily for him, yes.”

A few scattered laughs. Someone muttered something about date night. It wasn’t new - you’d been around enough that your presence didn’t raise eyebrows anymore, although the stares were definitely here to stay.

She inclined her head. “He’s descrubbing in bay one.”

"Thanks."

She watched as you walked away, shaking her head slightly.

"Lucky bastard."

-

He didn't see you at first.

He was sliding off his gloves, goggles pushed up into his hair, a few strands falling across his forehead. A crease sat between his brows - evidence of hours spent thinking too fast, too hard.

You leaned against the doorway, watching him for a second - just long enough to feel that familiar flutter in your stomach that was yet to go away.

"Dr Langdon."

He turned immediately.

There was a flicker of surprise, then warmth, then something softer - something that always felt like it belonged only to you.

"You're early."

Your heels echoed off the walls of the bay as you walked towards him.

"Actually, I'm on time."

"For you, this is early."

You raised a brow. "For your sake, I'll let that one slide."

"Because you know it's true."

"Because-" You countered lightly. "I missed you."

Frank smiled, sliding a hand around your waist, tugging you in closer.

"I missed you too."

He glanced through the glass toward the board and winced.

"So." You pursed your lips slightly as you looked up at him. "Are we making this show or what?"

"We're making it." He said firmly. "I just have to wrap up a couple of things."

He glanced down at you. "Is that ok?"

"Of course. I've always got emails to read."

He squeezed your side before spotting something behind you, his brow furrowing.

"Why is everyone crowded around the breakroom?"

"Oh, I bought pastries from that place Dana loves."

He huffed out a tired laugh. “What is it with you and feeding people in here hm?”

You shrugged, a smile spreading across your lips. “Maybe it’s my love language.”

"Well-" He started, his mouth twitching. "I'm glad they're distracted because that means I get to do-"

He leant down and captured your lips in a brief kiss.

"-this." He murmured against your lips before kissing you once more.

"Ok." He moved back like he had to physically pull himself away to stop himself from kissing you again.

"I'll be back."

His eyes darted down to your lips once more, making you smirk.

You inclined your head.

"Go on. The quicker you get done here, the quicker we can make out in the car before dinner."

Frank Langdon had never moved faster in his life.

-

You folded into the rhythm of the pitt with surprising ease.

You settled into one of the chairs at the nurses station, typing emails on your phone. Every now and then one of the staff would stop by for a chat or to ask a legal question (totally hypothetically of course).

Eventually you put your phone down and quietly observed the ebb and flow of patients, the unspoken communication between staff, the way tension built and broke in waves.

In particular, you watched Frank.

There was something grounding about it - the way he worked, the way people responded to him. Calm in the middle of noise. Precision in the middle of chaos.

Every now and then he'd find your eyes, the ghost of a smile appearing on his lips.

"I'm done." He eventually announced as he walked past you towards the lockers.

"I'll be quick." He assured you before you could say anything.

You shot him a knowing look, slightly shaking your head before turning your attention back to your phone.

Frank had only been gone for a few minutes when the energy shifted.

It started as a raised voice, muffled by a curtain.

Then it sharpened.

Then it was loud enough to cut through everything else.

"I said I don't want her fucking touching me!"

The words snapped through the department, turning heads in unison.

You straightened slightly, eyes tracking the source.

One of the curtained bays, half open. A patient, male, late thirties maybe, sitting upright, agitation radiating off him in sharp, restless movements.

And standing in front of him - Javadi.

"I've been waiting all this time, just for you to tell me that all I need is some stitches, and she can't even manage to do that?"

"I just didn't get the needle deep enough the first time, it won't happen again." Javadi assured him.

"-I don't care!" He barked. "I've been stuck down here for five hours and you're not even sending a real doctor to check on me? It's bullshit."

His eyes stayed on Mateo as he spoke, like he couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge the woman in front of him.

"Sir, she's just trying to-" Mateo began.

You slowly stood up from your chair.

Across the floor you could see Abbot and Robby hovering, assessing if they needed to intervene.

Out of the corner of your eye, you could see Frank coming out of the locker room.

You were the closest one to Javadi.

"Sir-" Javadi tried again.

"What's your name?" The patient practically spat, finally turning his rage towards her.

You could see her trying to hold steady - but her wide brown eyes betrayed her, glassy now, like a startled, cornered doe.

"Sir I-" Javadi tried one more time, her voice cracking.

"No seriously, I want your name." He jabbed a finger into her chest as he rose to his full height.

Abbot, Robby and Frank all moved immediately, but you beat them to it.

"Because I'm going to sue you and this hospital for wasting my fucking time and endangering my health by sending me an incompetent student."

You knew this wasn't your business. But there something about seeing another woman be talked to like she was lesser than - something that you'd seen time and time again in your profession - that made you veer from your usual logical, calm approach.

And you'd be damned if a man was going to be the one to tell him off.

He needed to learn that women were not things to be pushed around, and you were more than happy to be the one to do it.

Your footsteps were measured as you crossed the floor - not rushed, not hesitant. Intentional.

The kind of pace that made people notice before you even spoke.

"Sir." You called out.

Your voice wasn’t loud.

It didn’t need to be.

It cut cleanly through the space anyway.

The man turned, irritation already loaded and ready to fire - until he actually looked at you.

"I'd stop talking if I was you."

You came to a stop beside Javadi, holding his gaze without flinching.

"Who the hell are you?"

"I'm her lawyer."

Javadi’s head snapped toward you, her mouth parting in shock.

Silence rippled outward.

Frank froze where he stood.

"Oh my fucking god." Santos breathed out.

"What the hell is she doing?" Robby muttered.

"Beats me - but I think we're about to enjoy a show." Abbot whispered back, a smirk on his lips as he watched on in open delight.

The man let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "Sure you are sweetheart."

You ignored that, folding your arms across your chest.

"You're not going to be suing anyone."

"Oh yeah?" He scoffed. "And why's that?"

"Because before you can even open up your phone to search up 'lawyers near me', you'll have already been served with your own lawsuit."

The man snorted, a smug look still on his face. "I haven't done anything wrong, I just want someone half decent to treat me - although clearly that's beyond this place."

You took a step closer, expression calm, almost disinterested.

"Per section 47 of the Hospital and Health Boards Act, harassment and obstruction of staff employed by a public health service while they are performing their duties is an offence."

"That's not-"

"Interrupt me again." You said lightly, "and we can skip straight to the part where you're escorted out."

He hesitated at that. Just for a second.

You continued smoothly, each word placed with surgical precision.

"Section 48 states that the maximum penalty for contravening section 47 is $150,000. Of course, it would also be open for us to pursue damages-"

You gestured around you.

"And judging by what everyone else in this room has witnessed - all of who I'm sure would be more than happy to testify on my client's behalf - is that your refusal to cooperate combined with targeted, aggressive behaviour has caused not only a disruption to this hospital but also significant psychological stress to my client."

You took a moment to study him.

“Based on that, I’d say she has very strong prospects of claiming aggravated damages in the sum of oh I don't know..." You trailed off, pretending to think.

"An additional $200,000?"

Javadi blinked.

Frank was staring at you now, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes.

The man shifted, uncertainty creeping in. “You’re bluffing.”

You tilted your head, just slightly.

"Maybe I am."

Then, softer - but sharper you added, “are you willing to test that?”

Silence stretched.

Long enough to make it uncomfortable.

Long enough for doubt to settle in.

You could see anger rising in him, could see the look you’d seen on the faces of so many insecure lawyers before him who couldn’t handle being bested by a woman.

“I’m going to find out your name.” He pointed at Javadi, his finger trembling with rage. “And I’m going to find out your name.” A wrinkled finger pointed at you now.

Frank's fists balled at his side, gearing himself up to intervene if the man so much as thought about touching you.

“And I’m taking this shit to the news, to social media, to anyone who’ll listen about how you’ve treated me here today. I'll ruin you.”

Robby moved forward at that.

Abbot grabbed him. “She’s got this.”

You could see Javadi’s panic rising again.

“Do that.” You said calmly. “And we will sue you for defamation.”

You leant forward just a fraction.

“And if you take it to trial, which I sincerely hope you do, I will hire a private investigator to track down your co-workers, friends, family, anyone you've ever even said so much as one word to.”

His face darkened, flushing an ugly red.

"Then I will subpoena them," You continued, voice steady, "drag them to court and put them on the stand - where I will slowly wring out every dirty secret, every mistake you have ever made until you are left with not a single shred of credibility in the eyes of the judge.”

Then you stepped back half a pace, giving him space.

Any trace of smugness had drained from his face.

“So let me make this very simple for you. Unless you want your dirty laundry aired in open court, I suggest you take one of two options.”

You held up a finger. “First option is you cooperate, apologise, and continue receiving care like every other patient here-“

You gestured towards the exit.

“Or your second option is that you apologise. And then you leave.”

The word landed heavier than it should have.

Final.

The man looked around.

At Frank. At Javadi. At the rest of the staff who were very much watching now.

No one moved to help him.

No one backed him up.

His bravado cracked.

“…This place is a joke,” He muttered, already rippping at the hospital band around his wrist.

“I’m going somewhere else.”

“Please do.”

He hesitated - like he expected someone to stop him.

No one did.

Mateo moved forward just enough to hand him some gauze, purely out of habit. He snatched it before turning toward the exit.

You cleared your throat.

“I think you’re forgetting something.”

You knew you were pushing it.

But there was something about the way that he looked at the staff with such disregard, at Javadi and you with so much contempt.

"And have the decency to actually look at her when you say it."

He opened his mouth like he was thinking about retorting.

He shut it reluctantly when he met your cool gaze.

He met Javadi's eyes briefly, like it was physically paining him to do so.

“…I’m sorry.” He mumbled reluctantly.

Javadi stood still, her body slightly behind yours now.

Everyone watched in silence as he walked out.

Abbot slowly made his way to stand beside Frank.

“Hell of a woman you’ve got there Langdon.” He murmured under his breath.

Frank's eyes stayed glued to you.

“…I know.”

You turned to Javadi the second you were satisfied he was gone.

She watched as your face morphed, softening into something more recognisable, more like the sweet girlfriend of her co-worker who brought pastries and gossiped with her about boys.

“Are you ok?” You placed a hand on her shoulder. “That was awful.”

She opened her mouth but no sound came out as she stared at you.

“There’s pastries in the break room." You added. "You should go have one.”

You turned back toward the rest of the room.

And froze.

Because everyone was staring at you.

And Frank- Frank looked like he was trying to replay the last two minutes in real time.

You blinked. “What?”

“That was-” Whitaker started, then stopped entirely.

Princess just pointed at you. “You just... did that.”

Javadi shook her head slightly as if finally coming out of her daze. “Is that actually… real? What you said? About the damages and stuff?”

A pause.

Then you shrugged, completely unfazed.

“Oh. No. I made all of that up.”

Dead silence.

Perlah's eyebrows shot up. “You - what?”

“Yeah." You shrugged again. "I don’t know anything about health law, but it sounded pretty convincing."

“What- but-weren’t you afraid he was going to figure it out?” Javadi asked.

“Are you kidding me?" You grinned. "That was so fun. I’ve always wanted to legally blonde someone.”

You glanced around when you got no reaction, blank stares reflecting back at you.

“You know… I’m taking the dog dumbass!”

Santos snorted at that.

Princess cracked immediately after, the tension snapping clean in half.

That loosened a shaky laugh from Javadi, like she couldn’t quite believe what had just happened.

Frank didn’t laugh.

Not at first.

He glanced over at Robby to see a frown threatening to appear on his features.

Like he was debating whether to chastise you for lying to a patient, or maybe chastise Frank for letting you in here.

“I think you might be the coolest person I’ve ever met.” Javadi stated.

“Then you need to get out more kiddo.” You teased, touching her chin affectionately as your eyes still scanned her face for signs of upset.

“Seriously, go eat something.”

Your turned to Robby and Abbot. “Can one of you tell her to eat and go home?”

Abbot raised his hands, “don’t look at me, she’s one of Robby’s flock.”

Robby studied you for a moment. Then glanced at Javadi, who was looking at you like you’d just rewritten the laws of physics. Then turned to you again.

The second you raised a brow teasingly, like you were daring him to try and fight back, his shoulders dropped as his resolve crumbled.

“Barb-“ He cut himself off, his nose flaring slightly in exasperated annoyance before saying your first name slowly. “-is right, eat and go home.”

Javadi huffed. "Fine."

You nearly toppled over as she unexpectedly embraced you in a tight hug. "Seriously, thanks."

You watched her go, co-workers immediately pouncing on her on the way to the break room to gossip.

The department settled slowly, like a shaken snow globe drifting back into place.

Finally satisfied your job was done, you turned to Frank.

You finally got a chance to properly look at him, letting your eyes run down his figure.

He had changed into a pair of dark grey slacks and the chocolate brown knit you had gotten him for his birthday.

Your eyes dragged back up to his face, shooting him a smile.

“Ready to go?”

He nodded numbly, like he was still in a daze.

You said your goodbyes to everyone, most of who were still staring at you.

Perlah, Princess, Whitaker and Santos watched as you and Langdon walked past, your birkin swinging at his side, your arm threaded through the crook of his elbow on the other.

"Did that really just happen?" Whitaker asked once the two of you were out of earshot.

“I don't know, but mark me down as scared and horny.” Santos answered, making Whitaker snort.

“So… I guess we definitely know who wears the pants.” Perlah observed after a moment.

Princess turned to her. "You seriously didn't know before this?"

“Langdon? A sub?" Santos remarked dryly. "Shocker."

-

Once you were outside you turned to Frank, glancing down at your watch.

“Ok we definitely aren't making dinner, but we might actually make-“

“Screw the theatre.”

You looked up at him, confusion knitting your brows.

“But you’ve been wanting to go for months.”

“You hate the theatre.”

“I don’t hate the theatre-“

“You fell asleep last time.”

“Because I’d worked a 16 hour day!”

Frank huffed, nothing but amusement shining in his eyes.

“I like the theatre because you like the theatre.” You insisted. “I’m happy to go baby.”

“I know, and that’s why I appreciate you.”

He paused.

“But I want to take you home.”

“Oh-“ You started, confusion clouding your expression.

Then you saw it - the shift in his gaze. The hunger, unmistakable, as his eyes traced the length of you.

“Oh.”

A slow, mischievous grin curled at your lips as the energy between you shifted.

“Did that seriously turn you on?”

“Yes." He said, his voice low. "Unbelievably so."

Your cheeks flushed as you held his gaze.

You were so used to tempering this side of you for other men, dimming your sharpness, softening your edges, driven by the fear of emasculating them.

As if he could read your mind, he pulled you closer to him.

"Do you have any idea what you looked like in there?"

"Terrifying?"

He let out a quiet laugh.

"Brilliant." He corrected.

His gaze softened, but didn’t lose its intensity.

“You are the sexiest, smartest, most driven woman I’ve ever met."

He lingered there for a moment, like he wanted you to really hear it.

"And you're mine."

Without another word, you pulled him flush against you, guiding his head down until your lips met in a deep, lingering kiss.

He exhaled shakily as the two of you pulled away, his tongue darting to wet his bottom lip like he was starving and wanted to savour the taste of you.

"I honestly don't even know if I can wait till we get home."

You smiled, slow and teasing.

"Well-" Your hand slid down the front of his sweater, fingers grazing deliberately. "If you get charged with public indecency, I'll get you off."

His eyes darkened at your double entendre.

Then he shook his head, more to himself than to you.

"I want to take my time with you."

Your expression softened just slightly.

"Well in that case, take me home just Frank."

He let out a breathless laugh before kissing you again - softer this time, but no less certain.

"Yes ma'am."

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