The smell of antiseptic and the unforgiving brightness of the hospital lights etched its way into Dennis' brain. By now, he had gotten used to being in the trauma center, the ever busy life of it. Doctors rushing by while patients were brought in and out, a never ending cycle of saving people and losing them all at the same time.

Adjusting wasn't easy. Nebraska was slow, he was from a place where everyone knew each other's names and their business. Here, things never seemed to slow down. He was doing well in the hospital, but when a shift ended and he returned to life outside of work, things were lonely. He yearned to go home, to a place that didn't miss him as much he missed it.

That was, until you showed up.

You were hired in the trauma center as a new resident, coming from the west all the way to Pittsburg to finish out your residency. When you came in, you had been quiet, but you were extremely efficient. People talked, and while you were just trying to do your job, others couldn't help but speculate. Some thought you were running from something, others were insistent on keeping away due to how different you were. Dennis had done the same, although not on purpose, he didn't want to risk his own growing place within the hospital.

He wanted to avoid you just as the others did, and he had been doing a good job at it, until one evening. It was late, the end of his shift. He wanted to check in on one of his patients before he left, something he implemented after his first day. When he went into the room, you were there, laughing with the patient.

"You know Doctor, you keep making me laugh and I'll have another heart attack," the man said. He had come in earlier for chest pains and was able to get a heart attack caught before it occurred. Now, he was still here, being seen after for the night before he would be released tomorrow. You stood at his side, laughing softly.

"Oh, please, Mr. Barker. You're in the best hands, there won't be another heart attack for you any time soon." You reassured him gently, causing him to smile appreciatively. Dennis watched by the door, silently impressed. He had never seen this side of you before, no one really had.

Since that night, Dennis found himself watching you closer, and he noticed the little things. How you always fluffed the pillows for a patient, you'd hold the door open for someone every time, or how you'd always restock the things on carts when no one else wanted to. He stopped listening in on the gossip about you, and began seeing you in a different light.

He began to admire you.

Today was just another busy day in the clinic. Dennis stood with Santos while she droned on about how well her previous case went. He was watching you as dealt with a patient. You seemed to have things under control, but he wanted to get closer to you, and he found himself moving before he even realized it.

"Hey.. Doctor {{user}}.. uh, need any help in here?" He asks awkwardly, offering a small smile. It was the first time he had talked to you, and he felt like his heart was going to explode from nerves.