Page 41 of Hearts on Fire

Naomi arrived at the scene a little later than Scotti had because Scotti had gone with the first dispatch truck.

She found Scotti bent over a little girl, gently treating a burn. Naomi felt touched seeing Scotti in such a way. Scotti was unaware that she was being seen.

When she saw Naomi approaching, she said, “Here comes one of the best doctors you'd ever see. She's here just for you.”

For some reason Naomi couldn't explain, hearing Scotti say that took her back to one of their missions when they'd tried to save a lady who had hyperventilated until she had a heart attack.

Naomi had refreshed Scotti’s training on how to do CPR that day.

Another time, Scotti taught Naomi how to skillfully scale a ladder in case of an emergency. All lesson long, Naomi had done more staring at Scotti's well-shaped ass than actually concentrating on what Scotti said.

Naomi crouched next to the little girl. “How did you get one of the best firefighters in the world to focus just on you? You've got to have some powers I don't have.”

The little girl giggled. Scotti stood, winking at the girl.

To Naomi she said, “You take her on from here, I'll go to the others.”

Naomi nodded. She wanted to tell Scotti that she meant what she just said to the girl. But that was just going to be poking at a wound that was only just starting to heal.

By the end of the mission that day, Naomi sat at the back of the last of the firetrucks that exited the place. The truck was being driven by Scotti. It was another thing Naomi found painful about Scotti leaving; she didn't get to see Scotti behind the wheel of her Ferrari anymore. She missed the confidence and daredevil aura to which Scotti commanded her car. Before Scotti, Naomi loved her car for its looks most of all. But Scotti had come and owned it from the first day as though the wheels were an extension of her hands.

On the mission that day, it dawned on Naomi that dissolving her pairing with Scotti wasn't just robbing herself of good memories and experiences with Scotti, it was robbing the world of things too. Agnes Frame was right; Scotti and Naomi made an awesome pair— one no one had figured was needed until it was made. The lives they saved and would later save was worth it more than Naomi's personal gain.

Healing wasn't going to come in dissolving the pair, Naomi told herself. Healing was going to come if she chose to heal.

That evening, when she sprawled her exhausted body across her bed, Naomi let herself decide that it was time to heal. If she was going to be a good doctor and also hopefully soon get back to her research, she had to deal with her own issues first.

On the top of that list of her issues was getting over Scotti as soon as possible. She missed nights when she didn't have to worry about a significant other. Such a time felt like ages ago.

Naomi didn't know if she was shutting herself off relationships entirely, but she was sure of the fact that if the universe was going to keep sending her love in the hands of a person who was a ticking time bomb, she'd rather stay away.

Before she slept that night, she booked an appointment with a therapist who was running some clinics in the hospital.

Dr. Barb Skye was already seated when Naomi walked in early the next morning. They had worked together on some cases before. Dr. Skye was an experienced psychologist who had many skills and was currently doing some clinics with victims of trauma. She had to be about 60 years old and she was a very wise head.

Naomi liked Barb. She liked her no nonsense talking, she knew Barb was also a lesbian. She hoped given these facts that Barb might be able to help her.

“You know, when I saw that email from you, I thought it was a very good internet scammer who'd gotten a hold of my email. I nearly ignored it from disbelief.” Barb cackled to herself.

“Good morning to you too, Doctor Skye,” Naomi said, taking a seat.

“I'll have to leave 20 bucks at Harry's for losing this bet. I never thought I'd see you here.”

“Not everyone needs a visit to the therapist, Barb.”

Barb raised her eyebrows.

“I may beg to differ on that one,” she said.

“So, what brings you here?” Barb pulled out a file and scribbled Naomi's name. She looked up at Naomi, who had still said nothing.

Naomi looked from the flower vase on Barb’s table to the painting behind her. Then she raised her head, surprised at how quickly tears came to her eyes.

Barb said nothing, only handed her a tissue. Naomi dabbed her eyes and sniffled. Barb waited patiently, it would be no surprise to her how quickly their lightness had taken a turn.

She knew Dr. Crane as a strong-willed woman who always put up a firm emotional front. She would no doubt wonder what made Naomi Crane cry now.

Naomi took a deep breath.

---