Page 17 of Rookie Days

Ellie had no one dragging her into bed or the shower for a round of welcome-home sex, or treating her to candles and wine when she arrived at her apartment. After convincing a suspicious Janet Fox that she was well enough to leave the hospital, she caught an Uber back to the east side of town. It was a part of Lewiston that fell under the current government renewal scheme. It had, apparently, a lot of‘untapped potential’, and would be‘awesome’for the residents once‘revitalized’. Meaning that it was currently pretty run down in parts, and rough. Well. Ellie did not mind a bit of spice. The Uber struggled on frozen snow over the last uphill, so she walked the final bit.Gave twenty dollars to a homeless guy on the corner and told him to get himself some hot food, and his butt to a shelter. She got in, frozen and sore, to an empty fridge and a resentful apartment. Depressing way to end the day. Granted, she didn’t spend a lot of time in here, often just grabbing her meals on the go or at the station. Now she ordered pizza. Nibbled on a slice while staring out the window at more snow, and resisted the urge to crack open a beer. Mainly because this would mean a freezing trip to the liquor store; only secondly because alcohol mixed with lingering traces of anesthetic in her system would probably not lead to the best results. Quinn had told her in no uncertain terms to clear her head, after all… Ellie fell into bed, face down. No dreams. Sunshine woke her up the next morning, as well as an incoming text.

‘How are you?’

The CO sure looked well after her crew. The message gave Ellie hope that she’d keep her place on the team. And with no one else to check on her, the text was welcome in other ways too. She started to answer with a simple‘A-Okay’,but decided that it sounded nasty. She went instead with a conservative but still grateful,‘Bit sore but not too bad overall. Thanks for checking.’

After an awkward shower, sticking her bandaged arm out to the side, she dressed up warm and headed to the beach for some fresh air and more sunshine. The local surfers were made of tough stuff around Lewiston. Even with snow on the ground and the temperature hovering just above freezing, they were out enjoying decent waves. A bit further on, Ellie spotted swimmers in the water. Had to be the ocean club... She stopped to observe, baffled as to what would make a sane person want to jump in the ocean on a day like today.

“Hey there! How are you doing?”

Ellie recognized the voice and rejoiced before she had time to be surprised or hold herself in check.

“Hello, doctor,” she smiled.

“Make it Janet, please. Hi!”

Fox was all wrapped up in a thick parka jacket with a fake fur hood over her head that made her appear like a member of some ancient arctic tribe. Woolen leggings, fur-lined boots… She fixed her with glittering brown eyes and two flaming red cheeks from the cold. She looked good, Ellie reflected. Really good. Her smile lingered.

“You seem ready for the Siberian steppe.”

“Totally. It’s what I need after a bracing ocean swim.”

“Wow… You’ve been out there today?”

“Me and some of my fellow penguins, yes.” Janet nodded, glancing at the remaining swimmers.

“Man, that’s brave.”

“Brave or insane. You’re looking at me like you’re not quite sure, Detective.”

“Insane all the way,” Ellie declared.

“Honestly,” Fox chuckled, “it was the last thing I wanted to do after coming off of a thirteen-hour shift at the hospital. But I gave myself a good kick and went for it anyway.”

“This is the way to go about training.”

“That’s right. I’ve learned that the more I feel like skipping a session, the more I’ll probably benefit from it.”

“Sounds like you enjoy pushing yourself.”

“I find it’s always worth it. Swimming in the ocean washes me clean of the stresses of the day, literally. Now I’ll be able to rest and recharge properly when I get home.”

The idea Ellie had formed in her head of the talented Dr Fox was of a high-intensity and driven woman who enjoyed living life on the edge, whether this was in the operating room, the bedroom... Or no room at all. Fox was an alluring woman who radiated vibrant sexual vibes. Based on a few candid moments Ellie had observed at social events, she could be anexhibitionist as well, whenever the mood struck. Now Ellie could add tough, cute, and captivating, to her mental image of the surgeon.

“Makes sense,” she commented. “I always feel a lot better after going for a run too, especially when I’m overly tired from work.”

“Good old endorphins, eh?”

“They’re the best drug, yes.”

“Hot coffee and a nice plate of waffles also work wonders for the mood,” Janet declared as she took her good arm. “Let’s go, my friend.”

Ellie almost stumbled at the sudden contact, even though it was through several layers of insulated clothing. It still packed a punch.

“Where are we going?”

“Something tells me you haven’t had breakfast yet,” Janet replied with a knowing glance. “You’re still a little too pale, and I know your arm must be sore. So let me treat you to something nice, okay?”

chapter 6

---