Chapter Text
The last place Me thought she'd be was at a bar down the street from the hospital. After today, she fantasize about going home, doing her usual routine with Becca, and taking a shower so hot she got first degree burns. Today was a mess, from a patient shoving her to the ground, to her deposition, to Becca being in the ER, and having one of the worst mental breakdowns she's had in a while. All she wanted was to go home, but she found herself agreeing to going out instead.
Becca had begged to let her stay over night at the center. She had a pretty nasty gash on her head, but she was going to stay overnight anyway. That was her main argument, and she didn't want to change plans so soon. After Mel tearfully talked to the two caregivers that brought Becca, they agreed to let her stay overnight.
Mel didn't realize how badly she needed a drink until Mohan was shoving one in her hand. Tonight was Javadi's 21st birthday, so they dragged her out to celebrate. Mel was nervous about going at first, she hated going to new places without looking them up on Google. The bar was busy but the lights were dim and the mix of people talking, the balls at the pool table hitting against each other, and the music balanced things out. That didn't mean she still wasn't on edge though.
"So, you think the deposition went well," Mohan asked before taking a sip from her drink.
It took all of Mel's will to not gulp down her drink, "I think. I mean, I don't think I missed anything. I gave all the information step by step with why I did it, talked about how I had the father's consent," Mel paused to really think, "Yeah, I think I was good."
"You think they'll drop the charges," Mohan asked, "Especially if the dad gave consent to do the spinal tap."
Mel didn't want to talk about this anymore, "We'll see."
Mel took the time to take her surroundings in more. She was in the corner booth so she could see everything, however that meant that eventually when more people came she wouldn't be able to get out. Depending on who it was, she might be okay with that. Honestly, there was only one person she'd be okay with squishing her against the wall.
Javadi, Santos, and Whitaker joined them moments later. Mel and Santos gave each other an awkward smile. Unfortunately, Santos was the one who discovered Mel's crying form in the locker room earlier. She tried her best to calm her down, but as hard as she tried, Mel couldn't trust her. Santos eventually ran off before coming back with Langdon, which forced the two to actually speak to each other. Langdon, even though he knew Mel for only two days, not even, knew how to help Mel.
He was the one who stitched Becca up. Mel couldn't so anything to help her sister, she couldn't help family, so Langdon quickly swooped in to help. Mel had to walk away to do something else to keep her mind off of her sister being hurt. She was so angry in the moment, she pays so much for her to be taken care of at the center, and they let her get hurt. Langdon explained the situation to her though, how it was an accident and the caretakers feel horrible for what happened. Luckily, the center would be paying for the medical bill in full.
Mel finally came back to the present day, Whitaker in the middle of telling a story about the medical students that were following him around all day. Mel didn't really talk to either of them, but she heard the taller one was a bit of a teachers pet and make a really big mistake today.
"I invited Joy out tonight but she seemed less than interested," Whitaker said, "I don't know if the ER is for her, but she did pick up on some things and seemed more enthusiastic about learning when she was alone."
"That other one was," Santos hesitated.
"A kiss ass," Javadi stated before giving an awkward smile.
"And crash is already drunk," Santo slung an arm around her, "And she's also right."
Santos' demeanor changed when a figure walked in. Langdon was changed into his regular clothes, a black teeshirt, jeans, and a penguins hat. He gave an awkward wave before making his way over.
"Who invited him," Santos asked.
"Sorry," Javadi said, "He said that he didn't have any plans, and I felt bad."
Santos didn't say anything, but Whitaker still switched seats so there would be more distance between them. Langdon gave an awkward greeting before sitting next to Mel. Mohan gave her a bright grin as Mel moved closer to the wall to make room.
"Are you okay," Langdon looked down at Mel.
Mel could never get annoyed over hearing that, "I'm fine."
The next few hours were filled with gossiping, taking shots, and laughter. Langdon wasn't drinking, opting for a diet coke instead. He made an awkward joke about how caffeine was the only thing he was allowed to be addicted to. Mel and Whitaker were the only two who gave awkward puffs of laughter. The longer the night went on, the more relaxed Mel got. Admittedly, the alcohol was helping a lot too.
"And he said I looked like his mom, which kind of ruined the vibe," Mel was talking about the patient who was hitting on her.
"You didn't say that part," Santos laughed, finally relaxing herself, "God Mel, you need to get hinge now."
"I really don't need that in my life," Mel shook her head, "I've tried but no offense, everyone here is the exact same. They're obsessed with the Steelers-."
"Hey," Langdon teased, "Talk to me when your team wins a superbowl."
"I don't care about the Vikings like that," Mel giggled, "I guess sports can be fun, but God, people take it to the next level here."
"What about having a friends with benefits deal," Javadi asked before Langdon could speak up again.
"That's not my thing," Mel said, "I'm okay with being single right now anyway. I'm so busy with work and Becca, I just don't have the time."
Langdon gave an awkward glance over at Whitaker as the girls tried to come up with a way to get Mel fucked. Whitaker didn't seem to mind, he just ended up playing on his phone, ignoring it all. Langdon messed with the ring on his finger, wanting to take it off. He thought about how good it would feel to fuck Mel himself. He could be the one to help her relax. Help her in ways that aren't at all sexual. If he and Abby had gotten the divorce instead of marriage counseling, he'd swoop her away.
Garcia ended up joined the group, and Langdon had to contain his jealousy when he watched her plant a kiss on Santos' cheek. He looked over at Mel who was listening to Garcia's story on why she was running late but he couldn't pull apart any words.
His eyes trailed over her hair that was now in lose waves from her braid. She had on a dusty pink top that hugged her breasts perfectly and black leggings. Leggings that hugged her so well. Her lips were glossy and even though she looked tired, her eyes still sparkles. He never stopped thinking about her sparkly eyes and her rosy cheeks in rehab. Her face and personality were the only things that got him through rehab. He had to get back to her.
"Dr. Langdon," Mel noticed his staring.
He snapped out of it, "Shit, I'm sorry Mel."
"You're fine," she drunkenly smiled.
"And by the way," Langdon hesitantly rubbed her shoulder, "You can call me Frank."
"So not captain scurvy," Mel joked and leaned into him, "Okay Frank."
He got a good whif of vanilla. It was enough to make him hungry for more. He'd never be able to even think about vanilla again without thinking of Mel. It was going to be his new favorite scent.
The night was winding down. Garcia offered to take everyone home. It would be easier that way, since Javadi wasn't going to call her mom and would just sneak up to her room, and apparently Santos begged her to spend the night with her and Whitaker. Mohan was fine with getting home on her own. That left Langdon with a semi drunk Mel in his hands. Garcia gave him a knowing look and a small wink, and Mohan gave the same to Mel before they left.
"Alright," Langdon shifted out of the booth, "Let's get you home."
"You don't have to do that," Mel clearly didn't like to be taken care of. She wasn't use to it.
"I know," Langdon was about to put an arm around her but that would have been too much, "But I want to. It's late anyway and you've had a lot to drink."
Mel shrugged, "Lots to celebrate," she paused as they walked outside, much more relaxed, "I'm happy you're back."
Langdon lead her to his SUV and help the passenger door open, "I know. I'm happy I was here for you."
Mel thought about what would have happened if Langdon's first day back was any other time in the future. She would have been so trapped and probably wouldn't have been able to get out of the hole she was in today. He saved her and she hopes he knows that. Langdon handed his phone over so that she could put her address in.
The drive to her townhouse was quiet. Langdon checked in every now and then to see how she was doing. Mel was growing increasingly more exhausted and she couldn't wait to curl into bed. She had to be back into work tomorrow, and she promised Mohan that she would go to a workout class before work. Mel started to set her alarms so she wouldn't forget. Before she knew it, Langdon slowed down in front of her house.
"Thanks again," Mel tucked her hair behind her ear, "I really appreciate everything you did today."
"I only did what I had to do, and I was happy to do it," Langdon put it simply, "Mel?"
"Hm," Mel looked at his bright blue eyes. She didn't realize how much she missed them until right now.
"Can I hug you," Langdon asked.
Mel smiled before nodding, moving in to fill the gap between them. Langdon's arms were strong, and Mel felt so good being wrapped up in them. He smelled woodsy, a scent she remembers from their first day together. He had gotten so close to her physically, something that she usually hates but with him it was something she craved.
She was admittedly devastated when she learned he was still married.
Langdon held Mel close to him, taking in her scent one last time. He'll get to see her tomorrow, and he's already thinking of ways to be close with her like this so he could take in her scent even more. When she finally let go, it took everything in him to not kiss her.
They said their final goodnights and Langdon waited to leave until she was inside her house. She walked to her door, and Langdon couldn't stop himself from thinking how incredible her ass looked in those leggings. He was sad when she gave a final wave and disappeared inside, and his mood didn't change as he made his way home.