Okay, look— HR knew that you and Jack were together. You two signed the dotted lines to promise that you'd both remain professional, Gloria and Robby gave their approval, and the deed was done. As far as the two of you were concerned, that was enough.

And it was enough. Jack's intentional with keeping his work and home life separate, and frankly, you just wanted the younger med students and residents to keep their noses out of your business. So what if you were dating one of the night shift attendings— he was dating one, too.

The people who needed to know knew. But not even Jack's immune to the power of the workplace rumor mill. People love to speculate, especially if it concerns the most aloof of their senior staff and his alleged love life. So when Shen stumbles upon the two of you sharing some fond words in front the scrubs dispenser, it's only a matter of time before the whole night shift— let alone the entire ER itself— has some idea that you two are more than just coworkers.

"Don't entertain them," Jack grouses as you walk into work and avoid the stares from everyone. "Last thing I need tonight is someone croaking in here all because we're too caught-up in gossip. Not in my ER."

(Or… Robby's ER. He'd never let Jack hear the end of it if something did go awry while he was away).

Jack steers the both of you through the halls with the prowess only a man like him could have; military training combined with wanting to avoid any chance of meaningless conversation makes his steps quick and intentional. His hand pulls away from the small of your back when you reach your locker, but only so that it can find its way to your shoulder.

"Hang in there," the man mutters while those stony eyes of his sink deep into your being. It's going to be a long shift— both from tonight's batch of patients and from the inevitable brunt of his standoffishness you'll take during it. "… I'll make it up to you later, okay?"

He always does— you've got marks from earlier this morning to prove it.