Kaz Atrpt

[Lovely]

December 28, 2008
9:30pm

The jeep had seen its share of muddy offroads still wearing them proudly on the out-of-state plates and splash guards. The doors were off despite the rainy cold weather, but the hard top was screwed down, looking like it may have had to stay that way if the dent over the rollbar was any indication. It hummed nicely at the light before turning in to the lot and shutting down. The droning thump of the music inside the club was just barely audible and it pulled all six feet four inches of stranger toward the door, putting a smile on his face. Kaz needed the break and this was right up his alley... girls... pretty ones... and lots of them. The bouncer ID'd him and the look he gave alone was enough to let him pass, but he pulled out his wallet and had his purple bruise stamped on his hand for good measure. He moved in a glide like a hunter, silent and purposeful, but amused and hardly dark, offering an eager smile to the girls at the front and the bar where he headed first to let his eyes adjust to the dark and haze of 'the palace'. He ordered a simple brown bottled beer to start off and took in everything he could grab hold of with his eyes... for now.

The girl on stage was a dark haired goddess with a charge that held the room mostly enraptured. There were a handful of girls who danced regularly who had a similar effect though many of the dancers were just nice to watch. Talia Miles was one of the few and every move, turn, twist and thrust had the tongues hanging out and eyes locked on her.

The blonde who walked up and took the seat beside Kaz was a bubbly pretty, friendly sort.. somewhat the opposite of the tough girl who smouldered on stage. "Hey.." Nevaeh smiled at the large man and took the bottled water that was brought to her without her asking.

"Evenin'," he turned his attention from the stage and smiled as he looked over the girl beside him. She was as stunning as the dancer on stage, but in a different way. She must have been a regular, maybe a dancer herself for the bartender to hand her water off without a word. "You work here?"

She took a swig of the cool water before nodding and giving another smile. "Sure do.. I haven't seen you around before.."

"Sure haven't," he nodded. "New in town and just getting settled. Thought I'd come make a few new friends. Found one so far," he remarked, holding up his bottle and taking a sip. "This place is a little different than I'm used to. Boys are well behaved."

Neva chuckled and crossed her legs but let them stretch a little. "Oh they know betta.. Carl doesn't put up with any crap from them.. takes real good care of us girls and we have a couple of real ball breakers." She pointed to the girl standing off to the side of the stage, watching the crowd as well as a few other bouncers, men though. "Also.. that girl up there.. woo you don't want to mess with her or her act. She can handle herself as well as the bouncers can.. boys around here know.. this is a place to enjoy fine things, but not be crazy and nasty.. they get rowdy sometimes but it's all good."

"Fine things... is a good way to put it. I hadn't expected things that fine in a town this size. Thinking I may like it here," he agreed, turning to watch the girls she indicated. "So I missed her name... and yours. I'm Kaz."

She perked up further and took another sip of her water. "I'm Nevaeh.. Neva or whatever for short... nice to meet ya!" She offered her hand in a friendly gesture, hardly taking a breath before going on. "That's Talia.. she's real good.. I wish I could be.. I'm good but not like her.. "

"I'm sure you got your something special, too. She is really good," he chuckled, taking another sip and trying not to let the show affect him too much just yet. The night was still real young. "You don't sound like you're from around here, either. That's something special already."

"Me? Oh.. followed my heart here.. apparently my heart didn't have good directions and I ended up stuck here alone and well.. hey I made my way alright."

"Alone is not a good way to ever find yourself," he consoled. "But I'm glad I found you. You're all smiles and seem to be glad you're here. Are you on tonight or did I miss out? And... do you girls sign autographs?" He teased a little, but damn, the one on stage, she had to be more than just pro.

"Me.. I'm on.. there is another act after Tal and then I get ready.. So if you stick around.. As for autographs.. I suppose something could be arranged.. you let me know who and I'll put in a good word.. see if I can get you a little something. Most the main girls, headliners and such are real friendly. It's the others that you gotta steer clear of..real b*tches.. nasty things.. oy!"

"Music to my ears," he grinned, not sure she knew what her offer sounded like. A 'little something' tonight would make coming to town now a godsend. "Don't mind b*tches and nasty girls... if they know what they want. But you and that one don't seem to be one of those. Talia, you said? What would it take to put in a little word for me with her?"

"What have you got?" She countered with a smile that was teasing and relaxed. "I need something to lure her over.. " Her eyes swept over him twice slowly and she saw plenty of reason but to get Tal to come talk to the guy.. It was a litle iffy. Tal was friendly but didn't usually go out of her way to meet men.

"Hmm... that's kinda tough since I just got here. I got me... how about an open invitation for whatever she'd want in exchange for showing me and my Jeep where the best places are in town?"

"Or I could just tell her you thought she was amazing and would like to buy her a drink." Neva winked and watched Tal for a moment. "She'll want a water when she first comes off.. it's quite a workout and those lights keep you very warm at times.. so if you have a cool bottle ready when she comes out.. definate points in your favor. Where most would just have alcohol and want to get her drunk.. you know? I mean she'll drink.. " Neva shrugged, laughing that she'd started rambling again.

"Hm... I don't think it... I feel it," he winked. The act certainly had its affect, but the beer and the beat helped. "I don't drink to get myself drunk, have no intentions to do that to anyone else either - can't - gotta stay ready for my job."

"Your job? What do you do?" She asked with a soft and curious smile.

"Er... well.. that's kinda tough to answer, but at the moment, it's being a substitute coach down at the University for their ball team," he said, almost apologetically that it wasn't anything big.

"oo big strong and athletic.." She grinned, teasing him a with a bit of a smile and then breaking into a hoot and whistle as Tal finished, the crowd did get a little rowdy as she was moving off stage, wanting her to stay longer.

And low-paying, he could have added, but didn't. It really wasn't anything big, but it was a start and certainly a step up from bouncing in places like this, though he was having second thoughts about that seeing what the place had to offer. He let out a whistle, himself in appreciation of the act, and it was as big and bold as he was, ringing out from the bar.

"It is what it is," he shrugged, finishing the beer and ordering two waters. "I'll have one waiting for her... if you don't mind?"

"Sure thing.. I'll be back.. " She scooted off the stool and flashed him a grin before disappearing into the crowd and then out back.

"Two waters.. guess I'm thirsty enough," he sighed, turning his back to the stage as Neva vanished. He was going to have to drink it himself, but the lights were warm and the place smokey enough that he didn't mind. He mused a moment over the pretzels in the bowl, grabbing a couple in his large palm and nibbling them slowly.

It was a few minutes to talk her into it but with a bright smile, Nevaeh came out with Tal in tow. The dark haired dancer had not even had time to fully change before the bubbly blonde dragged her off to meet this man. "Hey!" Neva greeted him with a grin and motioned to Tal. "Ok.. play nice.. I gotta go!" She giggled and darted off before either could get a word in whether to protest or not.

Tal watched Neva run off with a bit of a dropped jaw. "Damn it." She muttered, plotting some sort of payback for later. Turning to Kaz with an apologetic smile she smoothed her hands to her hips. At least half of the skimpy costume was covered, her shirt on but unbuttoned over lace and cleavage. "I'm sorry.. this is a tad.. well it feels like a set up to me.. how about you? She mentioned a drink.. I'm not sure if we're both being set up here or not."

Neva's sudden reappearance had caught him off guard with a pretzel poised perfectly to cause him to cough on it. Way to ruin a first impression, he thought, his cheeks deepening in a red tone as he held up a finger and fought for air, reaching for the waters to offer her hers as well. The cough was short lived, but it clamped off his voice for a moment, pulling only a squeak at first. "No, I'm the one who's sorry... just a second." He came back to breathing after only a moment, but it seemed he kept her waiting for ages. "It's not a set up. Not really. I just wanted to tell you how good your act is up there. I used to work in a joint like this... never seen class like that... please... that one's yours - you probably need it." He nodded to the other bottle meant for her.

Her nails recently manicured lifted and ran through her layers of dark waves. "Thank you.. it's very considerate of you." She gave him a small less tense smile and motioned to the stool next to him. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all. Please," he said, a residual cough causing him to take another sip that allowed him to watch her as she took the neighboring stool. "And I'm not really. Purely selfish - I wanted to talk to you without having to stuff your strap with ones."

Tal gave him a cocked eyebrow look and grinned. "Well to tell the truth it's not easy to talk when I'm having my strap stuffed with ones.. so this is probably better.. thank you. Cheers." She lifted her water bottle to toast with him.

Tal curled a long leg up along his as they sat on the stools next to each other. "So.. do you like the boots? I'm not sure on the rest of the outfit.. but I think I might keep the boots on." She gaves him a little wink and laughed as she teased to lighten the initial awkwardness of their meeting.

"Oh... yeah... *shakes head, agreeing*..."yeah, the outfit may have to go... I'm teasing. I like it and if you're cold, I have a sweatshirt if you want."

She laughed softly. "Do I look cold?"

He'd been trying not to stare, but it was apparent it was cooler off the stage than on and the fabric was a little thin. He smiled warmer if it would help, "Depends on your perspective. I'm in trouble no matter what I say, so how about I ask if you want to get your coat and come with me for a cup of coffee?"

Tal chuckled some and leaned towards him, setting her hand to his thick arm as she spoke softly. "Sure.. I'll grab some pants or something too.. most places require them."

"Really?" He shook his head again. "Sorry, I mean, you will? That's great."

"Yeah.. I will.. don't run off on me okay.. might take me a few minutes to find pants, I don't usually wear them."

"No hurry on my account," he grinned. "I'll be here, so take all the time you need." He was astonished. He glanced around a little now, looking for the boyfriend she was going to tip off to come break his ribs.

She brushed against him, her breath warm on his cheek and neck as she slid out to walk across the club, heading back to the dressing rooms. She disappeared for a few minutes, but no boyfriend came to break Kaz's ribs. There was no boyfriend, she'd dumped her last one a few months before.. got tired of his crap and kicked him to the curb.

After the first minute he expected she would be gone, doubt started to tickle his nerves and he found himself absently tapping the top of the bar and nibbling pretzels. Any of the guys that came past made Kaz bristle a little, but he settled a bit when the next show started getting loud and diverted everyone else's attention. He half looked at the stage, half to the door, wondering if she'd even bother to come back. She'd left the water and he took up his own, ignoring the beer now.

She wasn't kidding when she said it might take her a little to find some pants. She growled when she finally located her well worn, faded jeans. They were soft, had a tear in one knee, they fit like a glove though -so soft and comfortable, Tal swore she would keep them till nothing was left. The thigh boots were replaced with shorter ankle high ones that tucked under the hem of her jeans, they were just as comfortable as the jeans but still all in one piece and nearly new condition. She kept the shirt she had on, and pulled off the wig, running a brush through her long layers and letting them fall natural and soft. She was humming softly as she grabbed her small purse, making sure her money was tucked safely away,

Tal headed back out. She came around to the bar at a casual gait, reaching for her water before speaking in her natually husky voice. "I found pants." She grinned, half sitting on the stool and sipping from the water bottle.

She'd managed to sneak up on him and he turned suddenly, his nerves being wound up and waiting for a heavy hand on his shoulder instead. "Hey," he smiled, trying not to look as rattled as he felt. "Yeah, you did. A little warmer and still hot."

Her smile was brief but warm as she shook her head a bit. "Well.. you did offer a sweatshirt if I was cold.. I didn't want to dress too warmly and miss out."

"Well there is a little catch with the sweatshirt... it's with the water, back at my place, but you can borrow my jacket. Here."

"Oh.. it's okay.. you don't have to." She protested, mildly, not expecting him to forgo his own coat for her.

"Alright. Just don't be bashful. Take it if you need it," he said, offering a wink as he slid it back on himself. "So, coffee is cool or are you hungry?"

She shrugged, she was a little hungry but not starving or anything. "Coffee is fine." Tal studied him a moment with an inquisitive gaze that hinted her interest in getting to know him better. She was a bit of a wild child, liked a party when there was a good one and went on dates, but when it came to connections.. well she faltered a bit with relationships.

He caught the way she studied him. He'd been doing his own share. "What?" He tugged on his jacket, straightening the collar behind his neck. He grinned, wondering what she was thinking... or whether he just brush his nose anyway, just in case.

Tal shrugged in reply and smiled again, reaching to slip her hand over his arm near his elbow as they started for the door. "Does there have to be a reason.. can't I just admire?"

"Sure, but you'd be the first. Seriously. It's my hair, isn't it? I knew it was getting too long," he winked. His comments and demeanor couldn't be more opposite. He was relaxed, gentle, confident, though he was curious just the same.

"The first? Oh honey I seriously doubt that.. mmhmm.." She winked back at him, lifting her hand with gentle fingers and short done up nails to ruffle his hair. "Nah.. it's perfect.. keep it just like that."

"As long as you keep it just like that...," he said, curling into her fingers a little. "That feels kinda nice. Okay, so maybe not the first, but I'm supposed to be the one admiring you, if that's okay. You like Jeeps?"

"You're cute.." She chuckled, meaning not just his looks, her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Jeeps.. sure love 'em.. don't tell me you have one?"

"Okay, we'll just steal this one, then. Think the owner will mind much?" He pointed to the red jeep right out front. "Cute, huh? Well... I don't know what to say. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Her fingers played for a moment and her eyes lit way up as she looked over the red jeep. "Wow.. and it's red.. pinch me.. cause you're not real."

"Can I pinch you even if I am real? I just don't want you to slap me." He reached a hand over hers and pulled it down to 'tug' her over to her side. "I'd open the door for you, but... well, it's a Jeep."

[Lovely]

Feb 10, 2009
2am
Mercy Hospital - E.R.

Doctor Caleigh walked down the short stretch of hall to the next exam room and patient she needed to see. The petite brunette pulled the chart from the small bin on the wall and started looking it over before she knocked on the door lightly to announce her pressense and enter the room.

She was working an over night shift in the emergency room tonight, something she hadn't done in awhile but she was new here and she had to pay her dues so to speak. She was smiling as she stepped into the room. "Morning Mister Laurentiu.. I'm Doctor Caleigh."

His clenched jaw almost made it look like he smiling. "Yeah? Still looks like night to me. Longest f*cking... You're a doctor? Looks like I might just need a brain surgeon cuz I've lost my mind," he gritted out, trying to sit up and spit some more about how bad his night was going. He didn't get far, reminded that his ribs weren't where they were supposed to be. He laid back down carefully. "Seems it left in my jeep without... damn near ran me down... b*tch," he said quieter and quieter, trying to overcome the pain in his side... and face and shoulder and most everywhere else.

He wasn't the first grumpy or angry or riled up patient she'd ever dealt with and her smile curved up a little more warmly as he spat out his remarks quietly. "I suppose for some it is night, it's about two in the morning. I am a doctor and I have done several brain surgeries.. during my intern days at the last hospital I worked at.." She walked slowly toward where he lay on the bed. "So I'll see what we can do for you on the brain replacement. Sounds like you had a rough night.. looks like it too. Someone tried to run you down with a jeep.. your jeep? A woman? Someone you know?" She asked fitting in some of the pieces about his injuries as she got the story straight. Cady set the chart to the side after making a couple initial notes and leaned over him to start the basic examination.

"Not just a woman... damn viper. She -stole- my jeep. Among other things." He gave the doctor a cursory looking over as she leaned over him. "Yeah.. well I thought I knew her. I thought a lot of things. Past two hours I been thinkin' a lot about jail, sendin' her there if I ever catch her, or spendin' time myself if I get my hands on her. What? Whatcha see?" He was mad and uncomfortable but having the doctor that close made him nervous as well. He wasn't happy with any woman right now, even if the doctor was pretty... and didn't take it personally that he was buzzed up like a hornet.

"I see.." She spoke quietly and leaned back, reaching to write down a few more things. "I see a man who has every right to be angry and who needs a bit of patching up from the damage that viper did." She set the chart down again and licked her lips. "Would you like a male doctor instead of me? Considering your circumstance I will understand if you'd feel more comfortable." Some of it was a good bedside manner and being able to read people and part of it was a general offer seeing as he'd been attacked by a woman and she happened to be a woman doctor, it might cause him more discomfort and that was the last thing she wanted.

"You into stealing jeeps, doc? If so, then send Quincy on in here now, cuz I'm not getting burned twice," he reasoned out loud, not that any of it was her fault, or that it mattered that Quincy was a coroner. Maybe he did have more of a vendetta in mind right now. "To tell ya the truth, I just wanta get patched up and go have a beer, maybe twelve of 'em, and forget any of this ever happened. And camp out on the lawn of the impound lot, hoping they bring her home."

"I have my own jeep, I don't need to steal anyone else's. Besides, you know doctors make pretty good money.. there are all those med school bills.. how much money do you have in your wallet?" She chuckled and shook her head, stepping back to his bedside. "Don't worry my med school bills are paid and Quincy has the night off.. so if you're alright with it, then I'd be happy to get you fixed up."

She sat just on the edge of his bed pulling her little light out of her pocket. "We'll start easy, making sure she really didn't hurt your noggin too bad. Look up." Cady brought the light to shine in each eye for a moment. "You said she almost hit you with the jeep.. it looks like she hit you with a blunt object." She motioned to a bruise on his arm. "Have you spoken to an officer? Filed a report yet?"

Was she kidding? When? "Kinda not had a chance. I've been busy bleeding and trying not to be unconscious. At least the blunt object wasn't a bumper. Where the hell she got the bat, though, I dunno, but it wasn't mine."

"Well sometimes when someone is brought in by ambulance like you were, there are officers waiting to pester you while you're trying to not be unconcious. A bat? Sounds like a sweet girl. Look straight ahead and tell me when you can see my fingers." She set her hands just behind his ears and slowly started to move them forward, her index fingers pointing up.

"Whoa. I mean stop, I see 'em. All fifteen of 'em." He said, glancing over at her a moment later with a wink. "Sorry, it was a trick I used to pull on my dad at practice when I was too hung over to play. She missed my head... at least on the second and third time. That's not what hurts."

Cady chuckled and shook her head a little as he joked with her, glad that he seemed a bit more relaxed and comfortable with her. Though he had every right and reason to be upset, being all worked up was not going to help him get better. "It looks like quite a few things hurt, she had a bat and a jeep, I don't think it was a fair fight." She pulled the chart over, to take notes and flashed him a smile. "Alright, how about you start telling me where and how it hurts, since we've determined your head is mostly alright." She motioned to his torso as she set the chart down and stood to be able to reach him better, he was muscular guy. "I'm going to do some poking and looking while you fill me in."

[Lovely]

Feb 17, 2009
1:15pm
Linkin Park


Cady had the next two days off, and did it feel good to be out of the hospital for awhile. She'd had a meeting and then was done, she was in her usual skirt and heels but the day had been so gorgeous that she couldn't resist the park when she'd been driving by it on her way home. She knew that blanket in her trunk would turn out to be more than wasted space someday and that day was here. In the dapled sunlight beneath a tree is where she sat, on her blanket, a book in her lap, her shoes slipped off and her ankles crossed. Instead of reading at the moment she found herself playing gently with the valentine she was using for a bookmark and watching others in the park.

If grumpy was a kind of walk, that's how he was moving. Kaz was still stiff but damned if he was going to miss his usual run, even if the run was a shuffle and frequent stop for a breath against his ribs that just wouldn't quit. There was nothing else to be done for the bruises. He was told to go home and keep active. This was it. Actively walking like his grandfather and looking for a bench to park himself on while his lungs thought about working again. The nearest bench was occupied by an ice-cream coated pair of kids and their dog waiting patiently for them to be done so he could lick them clean while mom talked to another lady with a stroller. No room at the inn there and he kept walking toward the next one that was down near the slides... all the way down near the slides. His feet started in motion again, with more determination now though he still looked like he was walking on marshmallows. "Need more damn benches in this place," he grumbled, probably even sounding like his grandfather now, as he passes a few trees and their leaned-up visitors soaking up the shade.

Cady happened to look up at just the right moment to see one hunk of a man hobbling along the walk and she smiled, before she could stop herself she let out a whistle. It was followed by a blush and her quickly grabbing her book to make it look like she was reading, only the book was upside down and she was peeking to see if he'd seen her.

The whistle was the kind that said 'cute ass' and he looked up hoping to catch a glimpse of whosever it was walking by. He still only saw a bunch of kids and he was already busted for looking up, he looked around behind him too. "Damn.. missed her," he could visibly be seen cursing even if she couldn't hear what he said. The turn was a bad idea and he cursed again against the bruises, trying not to let his eyes well up as he looked skyward a moment, then back around at the walk to make sure a cyclist wouldn't run him down, or a granny with a rolling walker. The second image made him laugh to himself and he shook his head, glancing over at the trees when he noticed the stroke of dark hair from the corner of his eye. Whistle... ? Book....? Familiar face.....? He turned course and wandered over slowly. "So.. don't throw that at me for asking, but what's up, Doc?"

The blush returned more gently this time though, as she laughed and looked up at the tall man and all his muscles. "Aw do you have a carrot to go with that up?" She lowered her book a little and let the smile show. "I can't throw the book.. you see it goes against my oath as a doctor. I can't hurt you.. " She bit at her lip a little and then licked it, nodding her head to the empty space of blanket next to her. "Care to share a little shade?"

Kaz's mind went all shades toward 'wrong' as he tried to come up with a clean answer and it wasn't happening. "Yeah... I do, but I can't show you right now," he chuckled it away, pulling up as much shy boy as he could manage so she wouldn't change her mind. "I'd love to sit down, but I'm not sure if I'll get back up. Still a little stiff," he mentioned.

Cady bit her lip to hold back the laugh at the stiff comment following so closely after the carrot one. "Mmm you poor thing. Well, if you'd like to sit down, I'd love for you to join me. I do happen to know of a very good doctor who is close by if we end up in trouble.. or I could get up and walk with you.."

"You look pretty comfortable," he pointed out, glancing down to the bare feet and back up. The skirt was nice and everything it didn't cover was too. "But... if you're up for taking a walk, I'm trying to make it to that bench. Might even make it by sundown." He said, looking at the thing he could see like it was a viper he was ready to wrestle to the ground.

Cady turned her head to look at the bench he was working on getting to and then back up at him. "A walk sounds lovely.. but how about over there, to my car?" She pointed to her car which was parked a short distance away, near the same length as the bench was. "Have you had lunch yet?"

Now why'd she have to go and mention food? Since Tal had made off with nearly everything useful he had to replace, he didn't have a lot of cash and still had that hospital bill to take care of. His stomach answered for him before he could deny it. "Soup," he grimaced, running a hand over his stomach to shush it. The car was nearly as menacing as the bench, but if one was a meal ticket, especially with those legs and the nice lady attached to them, he was going for car door number one. "You really don't have to, but... I'd love to go."

Cady tucked her bookmark into the page as she closed the book and curled up to her knees so she could get to her feet. "I want to.. and actually I do have to, I'm starving and all I have is this yogurt. This way I get to eat and I get your company." She smiled as she gathered up her blanket and slipped her shoes back on.

"You might still starve unless you have something with you for pain or maybe a magic wand or something. Still bruised, but like you said, there's not much you can do. You said to keep myself occ-u-pied. Well. I been occupying myself watching the nails rust around where my limited edition prints used to be... and cleaning the counters around the spot where my stainless steel blender and microwave used to be.. and thinking how great it would be to have a burger and a margarita, but no dice. No margarita, no pain killer, and no company. And a looong walk at this rate. Sorry. Wooo, now I got that off my chest," he said, smiling a little embarrassed about venting.

Cady just nodded her head in understanding and reached to gently loop her arm around his. "How about I either make us lunch at my place or if you're not comfortable with that.. we can go to that diner everyone raves about? Hmm what do you think? I mean there's really no point in me going to your place if there's nothing left for me to take.. guess I'll have to be happy with taking you.. "

"Taking... m... I uh... yeah." She was hooked around his arm and he was trying to figure out what she just said that sounded like a flirting come on? "Um... your place?" He hoped that was the right answer and his stomach rumbled again. It knew what it wanted... and he was beginning to think about what he wanted to replace what had been taken from him.

"Brave man.. you don't even know if I can cook!" She was teasing and her laugh floated out softly. "It's a good choice, really I can operate almost as good as I cook." Yeah she wanted to cook up something with him and she already felt like she could spend hours flirting with him.

"Brave girl. You don't know how well I can eat," he grinned back, a wiggling eyebrow saying he was ready to go and try putting her to the test if she could keep up with him. Maybe even getting around to lunch at some point in the process. He took a step that jarred everthing north of his hip and he stopped. "Just... give me a head start. You want to read the rest of your chapter before we go?"

[Lovely]

She almost winced for him but bit it back not wanting to make him feel coddled and resent it since he was a strong man, but instinctively she want to take care of him.. maybe even baby him a little. Cady smiled a little and gently ran her hand over his arm. "Honestly I'm impressed at you getting this far, you must be so sore. We'll just take it slow to the car. Okay?"

"Mm, yeah, you could say that. Just don't say it too loudly," he said quietly, looking around them. She was his doctor after all, but people around here probably knew her, or him, or both. Either way, staying in the park in the open wasn't a good idea. He didn't exactly want to let on that he had this recurring nightmare of his jeep jumping the curb like Christine and coming after him. He also figured Tal was long gone by now and even if she did see him, she'd drive the other way. "I'm good. Let's go. One step," he said, taking one and feeling okay with her to lean against a bit. "Then another. Great."

"Alright.. here we go, nice and easy." She smiled at him again, glad she was tall enough not to have to crane to see him but it was also nice that he was a little taller than she was. "I'd offer to kiss it better but I don't want to put you on the spot. "

He smiled back and almost blushed. "I don't think I'd be puttin' up too much of a fight if you wanted to try."

Well then, she thought to herself, her smile curling up brighter and more playful for a moment as she stopped walking. She turned and leaned up, putting her hand lightly on his cheek as she kissed him tenderly.

For a moment nothing hurt, or he simply stopped caring whether it did or not. Kaz leaned into it little, not fighting, but encouraging it, though it was only a little kiss. "Is that on the menu? I think I'll have to come back and try that again," he muttered, looking at the car and back. "I'll get there. I'm getting there. Let's go."

"That's part of the appetizer.." She turned to start walking again, slowly making their way toward the car. "You know if you need to stop again... or anything hurts that you need me to kiss better.. I won't mind giving you a little mouth to mouth on the way.. that car is pretty far away.."

"Whatever you think I might need, doc. That's a pretty fine medicine already to keep me going further than I've made it in a while." He stopped again, but not because it hurt. He had a teasing revelation to share. "A guy can't OD on that, can he? Cuz... I think I might already be hooked."

"Never heard of anyone dying from it.. " She shook her head but her smile shone warmly for him, making her eyes light up as well. "I may have to insist on a high dose of this medicine.. it seems to work wonders." With that she leaned to kiss him again, letting it last longer this time.

"You don't see all your patients after work like this do you? I might have to get banged up all over just to keep you busy," he winked. "I think I might be able to get to that car now."

"You're definitely the first one I've tried this method of treatment on." She chuckled a little and nodded to his comment of being able to get to the car. Cady wasn't sure she could, being distracted by thoughts of kissing him again.

"Experimental or tried and true, it seems to work real well, Doc. Do I still have to call you doctor, doctor? It's a little like..." He bent down as much as he could against the stiffness in his side. "It's like kissing the teacher... but it feels real good being bad."

Oooo boy she was having all sorts of ideas about being bad and playing doctor with him. "Well if you like being bad so much.." She teased as if she might tell him to keep calling her doctor. "My first name is Cadence."

"Not a matter of like so much as it can't be helped. That medicine.... tch... it's doing the trick. Well, I mean I do like it... yes ma'am I do," he nodded and laughed. He felt like he was back in high school and almost missed his skateboard except for the falling off it part. He felt a little like he was falling anyway, but not from losing his wheels.

"I think I like you calling me doctor more than I like you calling me ma'me." She pouted a little, still playful though. "Well you know about that medicine.. a little sugar makes it go down better, you know?" They were almost to the car now, taking it easy but distracting him a little seemed to help.

"That's good since I do have a sweet tooth," he said, sucking in a little air and maybe trying to keep the drool off his lip thinking about it too much. The car was closer than he'd remembered walking - a definite improvement if he wasn't aware of every step now. "Would you like me calling you for dinner to make up for the lunch today?"

"No need to make up for anything... but if you'd just like to have dinner with me, then by all means.. call." She chuckled and it had the sound of playful plotting behind it. "That is... if I let you leave once I have lured you in.."

He chuckled a little and it actually didn't hurt too badly. Maybe there was something in that medicine after all. "All I have left worth stealing is me... can't say I'd put up too much of a fight about that either. Long as you got ketchup."

"Well that's the best thing you had to steal.. hard to believe anyone would be stupid enough take everything else and not to snatch that up. There is just no accounting for taste. I'd be happy to take care of that for you, so no else comes along and takes it. Promise it'll get plenty of tlc." She stopped near the car and turned to look at him. "I'll get two bottles of ketchup on the way home just to be extra sure."

He chuckled and shook his head. "No, you don't need to do that. I'm fine. Thanks... I mean it. That's pretty nice to say. Not sure I deserve it, though, but thanks." He wondered what a smart doctor would see in him that she didn't find in some other smart doctor or smart lawyer, or simply just someone smarter than him. He stood there watching back, his eyes glistening with that wonder. "Just you," he said after a moment, before looking at the ground and wondering if he was going to feel it close up and personal again if she had a bat, too. "Just someone I can talk to, someone who smiles like that. That's the best medicine I know."

"You deserve it." She insisted quietly and gently took his hand. "This might sound like a horrible thing to say but.. In a way I'm glad that woman was.. so awful and left you.. so I'd get a chance to meet you.."