Anthony: “Hello Ms.— Mary? What are you doing here, is everything okay?”
Mary: “You haven’t called.”
Anthony: “What?”
Mary: “I would’ve called you, but I never actually got your number, and apparently you’re too busy saving lives at work to take a personal call. So here I am.”

The corner of Anthony’s lip twitched into a smile, and he quickly glanced down at Mary’s chart.

Anthony: “I never actually got your number, either.”

Mary hopped out of her chair and snatched her file from Anthony’s hand. She flipped through the pages until she found her personal information.

Mary: “There. It’s right there.”
Anthony: “I couldn’t very well use your medical records for non-medical purposes, could I?”
Mary: “Seriously? Are you always this proper?”
Anthony: “Would you prefer me to be the sort of person who blurs moral and ethical lines?”

Mary sighed and sat back down.

Mary: “I guess not.”
Anthony: “Besides, this number has been disconnected. I don’t believe your address is current, either. I stopped by the house I dropped you off at after our last ‘date,’ but you’ve never been home.”

This time it was Mary who smiled and then quickly looked at her feet.

Anthony: “So, you’re faking illness just to see me?”
Mary: “Are you kidding me? I don’t have insurance. Or a job. I’m going to be paying this appointment off for the next five years. I think I’ve got the flu or something.”
Anthony: “You do look a bit flushed.”
Mary: “So do you.”
Anthony: “Yes, well, I feel fine.”

Anthony sat down and read through Mary’s chart.

Anthony: “No fever, and blood pressure is good. You’ve been achy and tired?”
Mary: “Yes. Unnaturally tired.”
Anthony: “And where does it hurt?”
Mary: “Where doesn’t it? Fingers, toes, knees, wrists…”
Anthony: “And it wouldn’t have anything to do with regularly kicking the crap out of vampires?”
Mary: “About that, we’re going to have to talk. But no, this is different.”

Anthony: “Okay. I’m going to have the nurse come back in and draw some blood. We’ll see what shows up. You could just be fighting off a virus. Until we get the results back, just take it easy, okay? Get plenty of rest and fluids.”
Mary: “Easy enough what with no job to go to. As for fluids, you can buy me a drink at the Xenon tonight.”
Anthony: “I actually meant something more along the lines of water.”
Mary: “Okay, you can buy me a water.”
Anthony: “I believe the water is free.”
Mary: “Hmm. So I’ve heard. Maybe just a dance, then?”

Anthony: “You’re not actually going to listen to any of my medical advice, are you?”
Mary: “I will, I promise. But the band I used to do artwork for is calling it quits, and tonight is their last show. I promise, plenty of rest after tonight.”
Anthony: “Fine then. I’ll meet you there after my shift, I’m on until ten tonight.”
Mary: “Fabulous.”

Anthony: “Robin will be right in to draw some blood. I’ll have the results sent to one of my colleagues, Dr. Sebold, and she’ll set up a follow-up appointment with you.”
Mary: “Why another doctor?”
Anthony: “Because I can’t date patients, and I trust Dr. Sebold as much as I trust myself.”
Mary: “So… just to sum up, we’re dating? And I’ll see you tonight at the Xenon?”
Anthony: “So help me, yes.”
Mary: “Told you so.”

Anthony smiled and bowed out of the room, shutting the door behind him.