Chapter Text
Beatrice loves the taste of coffee. She loves sitting at the hospital cafeteria, waiting for her it to get cold. She loves being under the fluorescent lights of the hallways in the middle of the night, feeling like she is all alone in the world.
She likes her peace and quiet.
So when she hears a big tumble coming from one of the on-call rooms, she can’t help but feel slightly annoyed. She quickly gathers her things to go investigate.
When she opens the door, she can hear the Taylor Swift quietly playing in the background. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22.
“Hello?”
“Oh hi! Was I being too loud? I didn’t mean to disturb anyone,” a certain brunette answers, and Beatrice doesn’t have to guess who she is speaking to. The new head of neuro, Ava Silva is standing in front of her, looking at her like she’s a dear caught in headlights.
“No, I was just worried. I heard some noise, thought someone needed help,” she responds.
Ava’s facial expression stays the same but Beatrice can see a small smile forming underneath.
“Yeah..that was actually me falling off the bed. I’m still trying to get used to these new on call rooms,” Ava responds and scratches the back of her head. Beatrice can’t help but think she looks adorable.
There is a beat before Beatrice speaks again and for some reason it feels heavy. Beatrice shakes it off.
“Beatrice Cohen. Head of cardiology,” she offers, reaching out for a handshake.
“Ava Silva. New addition to the neurology department,” Ava takes her hand, the handshake lingers for more than necessary and Beatrice can feel a blush forming on her cheeks. Why is she so nervous?
“More than an addition I believe, you’re the new chief of neurology right?” Beatrice asks, she can see Ava is full on grinning now.
“Yes, I am. An observant women, I like it.”
“You’re kind of a big deal in the medical world, Dr. Silva. Your arrival has definitely been anticipated throughout the hospital,” Beatrice offers, trying to keep it professional.
“Ava. Call me Ava,” Beatrice takes the moment to study the other women’s face. She can tell that Ava genuinely means it, but Beatrice can’t help but notice a little sadness behind her eyes.
“Okay then Ava,” Beatrice leans against the door. “I will leave you to it. I hope you enjoy your time here, it really is a great hospital.”
“Oh and I think you might be a little too old to be feeling 22.”
Ava audibly gasps and puts her hands on her chest like she is offended.
“You know Taylor Swift is ageless,” Ava shoots back. Beatrice can’t help but smile as she walks out.
“Ugh, can today get any worse?” Lilith slams a stack of papers on the counter and looks at Beatrice signing a release form for one of her patients.
“What’s the matter?” Beatrice offers dryly. She’s already exhausted and it’s not even 12pm.
“First Duretti, takes me off the Glendale case, you know the one with the tumor?” Beatrice nods. She’s heard about the Glendales, Duretti’s high school buddy and his wife.
“It’s like nobody’s worthy to touch the woman. It’s insulting,” Lilith continues. “And then I had to sit through Ms. Dr. Silva’s pep talk to the whole department,” Beatrice perks up at the mention of Ava’s name.
“Oh come on she’s not all bad,” Beatrice offers. Lilith has a confused look on her face.
“Since when are you a supporter of Silva? Did I miss something?”
“All I am saying is just give her a chance, she seems nice.” Lilith still has the annoyed look on her face so Beatrice knows not to push more.
“Once she proves to me she deserved the chief spot more than I did, then I will be nice. The nicest.” Lilith throws back and walks away with her big stack of papers.
Beatrice takes a deep breath and checks her watch. It’s almost lunch time and she actually has free time for once. With that she heads to the cafeteria.
When she has her lunch tray filled with an apple and a caesar salad, she turns around to find a spot to sit at. Sometimes she feels like a loner in this hospital, where she is the cold hearted head of cardio, and every single intern purposefully avoids her. While she is in deep thought she hears her name being repeated. A bunch of times.
“Dr. Cohen! Here! Beatrice!!” Beatrice turns around to see Camilla, the head of peds waving at her very intensely. Camilla has always been the sunshine amongst department heads in this hospital, thus friends with everyone. Beatrice usually enjoys spending time with the excited women and finds their conversations quite fun. When Beatrice approaches the table she can see that Camilla has made herself yet another friend, and this time it’s no other than Dr. Silva. Ava.
“Hello there, Camilla. Dr. Silva,” Beatrice nods as she sits down.
“Ava.” the other woman is quick to correct her.
“Wait you two met already?” Camilla asks and Beatrice can still feel Ava’s eyes on her. It’s unnerving.
“Yes, actually. We had a run in the other night,” Ava says with a smile and Beatrice can see the other woman is almost daring her. She takes the bait.
“Dr. Silva over here,” Beatrice stops herself. “Ava, was having a little Taylor Swift party in one of the on-call rooms.”
“Oh, how fun! I’m a Swiftie myself,” Camilla says and both women chuckle on cue.
“We should all go to the Martian’s one night. I heard they have a great selection in music. Including Taylor,” Ava offers.
“You’re already getting into the St. Lincoln’s traditions, I see,” Beatrice says but it comes out more like a question.
“What can I say, I can’t wait to befriend some locals,” Ava says and Camilla jumps in excitedly.
“Yes definitely! I can’t wait, it will be like a girls night out! Let me organize.” With that Ava’s pager beeps and she excuses herself from the table. Camilla makes a sad face.
Beatrice can’t help but watch her walk away. There is something mysterious about Ava and she has to figure it out.
The next time she sees Ava, there are two things that throw her off. First is the fact that the younger doctor is lighting up a cigarette in the designated smoking area. Second, Ava seems to be in a heated discussion with one of the cardiology fellows JC. Beatrice doesn’t have anything against JC, in fact she is quite fond of the guy, who joined the program two years after her. That’s why Beatrice is now intrigued to figure out why these two seem to be upset with each other. At least that’s what she tells herself.
So when JC storms off inside the hospital, Beatrice approaches the smoking area.
“That’s not very healthy of you,” Beatrice offers.
“Well we all have our flaws,” Ava takes a long drag out of her smoke. She doesn’t seem fazed by her conversation with JC one bit.
“I didn’t realize you two knew each other,” Beatrice questions, expecting Ava to tell her what’s going on. Ava opens her pack of smokes and nods her head to offer Beatrice one, but the older woman shakes her head no.
“You know how passionate we get about cases here,” Ava jokes putting her pack back in her pocket. Something in Beatrice’s head clicks.
“You’re sleeping with him,” Beatrice says in realization, but her tone remains cold and calculated.
“I-Me?..Okay, yes I am,” Ava says and Beatrice enjoys seeing the other woman flustered for the first time.
“He didn’t like the fact that I saw this very casual. But I think we are on the same page now.”
“I actually like JC, so be careful don’t break his heart,” Beatrice says but Ava can tell she means well by the way she is smiling.
“Never my intention. Just trying to feel something in the chaos of this hospital, you know?” Ava says and Beatrice surprisingly understands. Maintaining a good sex life let alone dating is almost impossible when you are the head of cardio at one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country.
“I hear you,” Beatrice says with her head down, suddenly the pavement underneath her feet is very interesting.
When she looks up she can see Ava staring at her with a look in her eyes she hasn’t seen before. She is almost smirking.
Ava puts out her cigarette with her shoe and looks at Beatrice again.
“I’m gonna go to the on-call room now,” Ava gestures behind her and before Beatrice can respond Ava starts walking away. Somehow Beatrice knows what she means and somehow Beatrice can’t stop herself from following her inside.
Once they reach the on-call room everything happens really quickly. She steps inside and feels a hand reach out around her waist to lock the door. Two seconds later she is slammed against it and Ava’s lips are on hers. Although she is taken back by the way Ava feels above her, she welcomes it. She opens her mouth to deepen the kiss while Ava’s hands come up to hold her face. This feels strangely intimate. More than a fast hook-up. Beatrice swallows, and pushes Ava back.
Ava looks confused for a second till Beatrice starts taking off her scrubs, then she follows suit. Both women are in their underwear now, and there is a beat of silence before either of them speaks.
“Of course you are made of marble,” Ava says staring at Beatrice’s stomach and its Beatrice’s time to take charge now. With that she kisses Ava and turns them around. Ava’s hand roams the sides of her waist. Beatrice can taste the cigarette in Ava’s breath, and it only turns her on more. She lifts Ava off the ground and carries her to one of the beds. Ava quickly undoes her bra and sits on Beatrice’s lap. Taking that as an invitation Beatrice places kisses all over Ava’s collarbone, her chest and her breasts. When her hand reaches Ava’s core, Beatrice can’t help but gasp. It’s definitely been a while.
Ava feels so good in between Beatrice’s hands that Beatrice knows she has to do her best to satisfy this woman or she will die as a disappointment. She enters Ava with two fingers and the other women is a gasping mess above her now. Usually Beatrice likes to take her time, but she knows this is not the situation. Still, she can’t help but tease so she slowly pulls out. Ava immediately comes up for air, but she has desperation in her face. “Please, Beatrice,” she says and Beatrice complies. She picks up her pace and brings her hands to Ava’s clit now. She can tell the other woman is close. Ava’s head is buried deep in Beatrice’s neck and Beatrice thinks this is what heaven must feel like. Her hands deep in Ava and Ava’s hot breath on her. One more stroke of her hand and Ava’s coming with her head thrown back. Beatrice can’t help but admire how pretty she is.
Once she comes to her senses Ava holds the back of Beatrice’s neck to pull her in for a kiss. It feels slow and calculated, like Ava is trying to tell her something. Before Beatrice can read more into it, Ava’s pager beeps.
“Oh shit,” Ava says, slowly getting up from Beatrice’s lap. Beatrice can’t help but feel upset because the other woman has to leave.
“I need to go.” Ava puts on her scrubs. She looks up at Beatrice while tying her shoes. “I promise to pay you back for this later,” she winks, and just like that she is gone.
Beatrice lays down and lets out a deep breath. What has she gotten herself into?