A Wounded Cop, A Stubborn Doctor, and a Love That Refused to Be Denied

the rhythmic hum of fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as Dr Fernanda Vasquez stitched up her last patient of the night it had been a grueling shift filled with the usual chaos of a Friday night at St Helena Hospital bar fights drunk driving accidents and the occasional domestic dispute gone wrong she exhaled slowly pressing the bridge of her nose to suppress the growing headache just as she was about to enjoy a well-deserved break the emergency room doors swung open with Force a stretcher rolled in paramedics flanking its sides a woman in a Blood Stained tactical vest lay

on it her arm pressed tightly against her torso gunshot wound to the upper arm one of the paramedics reported the bullet went clean through but she's lost a fair amount of blood Fernanda moved in swiftly already assessing the injury vital stable stable but she's resisting pain meds a scoff came from the patient I don't need them the woman 's voice was strong despite her obvious discomfort she tilted her head dark eyes locking onto Fernandez with a hint of amusement just Stitch me up so I can get back out there Fernanda arched a brow and let

you bleed out in the middle of a Chase no thanks figures the woman muttered wincing as a nurse applied pressure to her wound doctors always think they know best we usually do Fernanda grabbed a pair of gloves and you are Lieutenant Ana Costa civil police Polie Lieutenant Costa do me a favor and don't move you're making my job harder Anna smirked but complied not used to taking orders from a doctor then consider this a first Fernanda focused on cleaning the wound pretending not to notice the way Anna studied her with amused curiosity you're lucky no

major arteries hit I'll Stitch you up but you'll need to rest that arm for a few weeks Anna let out a sharp laugh rest that's not happening fernanda's lips tightened it was always the same with police officers stubborn Reckless acting as if their bodies were indestructible you do realize reopening the wound could cause more damage I do and a smirk didn't fade and you do realize that some of us don't get the luxury of taking time off Fernanda set her jaw she didn't have time for this let me guess you think you're Invincible Anna Shrugged

her good hand resting on her stomach never said that just doing my job Fernanda met her gaze her expression unreadable there was something about this woman something annoyingly compelling and I'm doing mine without another word she began stitching the wound with Precision Anna hissed but didn't complain watching Fernanda work with quiet intensity minutes later Fernanda secured the final Stitch and stepped back you'll be fine but I'm keeping you here for observation Anna scoffed not necessary not unnegotiable Fernanda peeled off her gloves and discarded them standard protocol Anna tilted her head grinning despite the situation you

always is bossy Fernanda crossed her arms only when I need to be Anna chuckled clearly amused noted a nurse approached with a clipboard Lieutenant Costa we just need you to sign off on the paperwork before you're admitted Anna side dramatically but took the pen fine but only because your doctor he is terrifying Fernanda rolled her eyes that's the pain talking sure it is Anna murmured her grin lingering as she signed the forms Fernanda turned on her heel and walked away ignoring the strange warmth in her chest she had no time for distractions especially ones that

came in the form of cocky Reckless police officers with infuriatingly charming smirks little did she know this wouldn't be the last time their paths crossed Fernanda had convinced herself that Lieutenant anac Costa was just another stubborn officer who refused to acknowledge their limits she had seen plenty of them before Brash Reckless always walking the fine line between Duty and self-destruction and yet as she made her rounds the next morning she wasn't entirely surprised to find Anna sitting up in bed looking far too alert for someone who had taken a bullet mere hours ago tell me

you're not trying to leave Fernanda said Crossing her arms Anna grinned would you believe me if if I said I just really like hospital food Fernanda side you're impossible she approached the bedside checking the monitor you need to rest I know that's a foreign concept to people in your profession but I get it document Anna lifted a hand in surrender wincing at the motion you're really committed to this whole rest and recover thing huh that's kind of my job Fernando replied dry Anna chuckled but before she could say anything else a voice came from the

door Lieutenant Costa ready to go a fellow officer fully uniformed stood in the doorway Anna straighten clearly ready to jump out of bed Fernanda moved instinctively placing a hand on her arm absolutely not Anna blinked glancing at fernanda's hand before looking back up at her doc I I said no Fernanda interrupted firmly you were shot last night you're not walking out of here like it was a scr I can handle it Anna said but for the first time there was something softer in her voice like she wasn't used to people arguing on her behalf Fernanda

exhaled you may not care about yourself but I do professionally she quickly added the last part as if to erase any hint of personal concern you need to let yourself heal Anna hesitated the officer at the door side Lieutenant the chief said you could take a few days if you needed it a few beats pass asked before Anna finally leaned back against the pillows fine but only because your doctor here looks ready to strangle me Fernanda shook her head suppressing a smile smart choice later that day fernandoa was finishing her shift when she spotted Anna

again this time sitting outside on a bench near the hospital's main entrance dressed in a fresh pair of civilian clothes she had one arm still wrapped in bandages but held herself with the same unwavering confidence you're supposed to be resting Fernanda called as she approached Anna smirked I am sitting as resting Fernanda sighed shaking her head you really don't know how to stay put do you not in my nature Anna leaned back against the bench watching as an ambulance sped by besides I hate hospital rooms too quiet Fernanda glanced at her intrigued despite herself most

people would find the quieter relief Anna's expression flickered just for a second not me too much time to think Fernanda hesitated it was rare for people like Anna to admit anything remotely vulnerable and yet she had done so effortlessly as if it wasn't a secret at all I suppose you'd rather be chasing criminals than sitting still Anna chuckled pretty much but I guess I can make an exception for a good doctor Fernanda pulse skipped though she kept her expression neutral flirting with your doctor isn't going to get you discharged faster Anna placed a hand over

her heart in mock offense who said I was flirting I was just acknowledging excellent Medical Care Fernanda rolled her eyes but found herself suppressing a small smile she should have walked away should have ended this conversation before it veered into dangerous territory but against all logic she lingered you're stubborn she finally said and your boss e on countered but I think I like that about you Fernanda gave her a long unreadable look before shaking her head go home Lieutenant rest that's an order an a Gren yes ma'am as fanda walked away she knew this wouldn't

be the last time their paths crossed what she didn't know was how much she was starting to hope for it it started with small things Anna wasn't supposed to be at the hospital again so soon but somehow she kept finding reasons to show up a bruise from training a checkup she forgot to schedule a coffee run that just so happened to to bring her past the emergency room and Fernanda she noticed you again Fernanda said folding her arms as Anna leaned casually against the nurse's station let me guess another minor injury Anna smirked holding up

her arm with exaggerated caution relax document no gunshot wounds this time just a friendly visit Fernanda narrowed her eyes friendly well yeah Anna gestured around hospitals are great place to hang out Bright Lights antiseptic smell overworked doctors who enjoy telling me what to do Fernanda exhaled exasperated you do realize this is an emergency room right not a cafe Anna leaned in slightly voice playful and yet here you are still talking to me instead of kicking me out Fernanda pursed her lips but the truth was undeniable she wasn't making her leave she wasn't ignoring her either

the realization was frustrating the next time Anna showed up it was different it had been a brutal shift a pile up on the highway had sent dozens of critical patients through St Helena's doors and Fernanda had been on her feet for hours by the time she finally stepped out of the hospital exhaustion clung to her like a second skin and there was Anna standing outside near the ambulance Bay hands in her Pockets waiting what are you doing here Fernanda asked surprised Anna lifted a coffee cup figured you could use this Fernanda blinked you brought me

coffee Anna Shrugged you looked dead on your feet last time I saw you thought I'd do something nice the gesture caught her off guard and for a moment she didn't know how to respond finally she sighed and took the cup thanks Anna grinned so you do have a soft side Fernanda gave her a pointed look don't push your luck they stood in comfortable silence the city humming around them the hospital for all its chaos seemed quieter at this hour then Anna spoke I meant what I said you know about liking bossy doctors Fernanda rolled her

eyes but took a sip of a coffee and I metant what I said about Reckless cops Anna chuckled fair enough another pause then without thinking Fernanda asked you really just came here to bring me coffee Anna met her gaze I did something about the honesty in her voice made Fernandez pulse stutter she looked away hiding behind her cup well don't make a habit of it Anna smiled no promises the next time Anna didn't show up at the hospital Fernanda told herself she didn't care she repeated it in her head as she worked through her shift

checking charts treating patience keeping her usual sharp Focus but by the time the night ended and she still hadn't seen Anna no sudden injuries no playful excuses no casual visits she felt something unsettling settle in her chest she wasn't worried that would be ridiculous at least that's what she told herself but then the news came in fernandoa was finishing her rounds when she overheard two nurses talking there was a police raid in the South District earlier huge operation they brought in some officers to St Mary's but I heard a few were in bad shape her

stomach tightened she forced herself to keep walking to focus on her work but the nagging thought wouldn't leave her alone Anna worked in those kinds of operations could she have been no it wasn't her business it wasn't her problem except it was because 15 minutes later she found herself at the front desk pulling up a list of recent emergency transfers and there it was Costa Anna gunshot wound fernand's heart stuttered by the time she reached St Mary's Hospital she had told herself a hundred times that she was only there to check not because she cared

not because the thought of Anna bleeding out on an operating table made her stomach twist just to check but when she finally found Anna's room and saw her lying there bandaged but alive relief crashed over her like a tidal wave Anna's eyes flickered open and despite the obvious pain she was in her lips curve into a smirk document Fernanda exhaled sharply stepping inside you're an idiot Anna chuckled weakly good to see you too Fernanda sat down beside to bed her pulse still unsteady what happened Anna Shrugged slightly wincing got caught in the crossfire nothing serious

nothing serious fernand's voice sharpened you were shot on a side shifting slightly I'm fine you always say that Anna looked at her then Amusement fading slightly and you always act like you don't care Fernanda opened her mouth but found she had nothing to say because Anna was right she had been acting like she didn't care like Anna was just another Reckless cop she had no personal investment in but sitting there watching her in that hospital bed she knew that was a lie she cared more than she should she clenched her jaw pushing herself up get

some rest try not to get shot again Anna watched her carefully Fernanda she stopped at the door Anna's voice was quieter this time you came all the way here why Fernanda didn't turn around if she did she wasn't sure she could hide what was written all over her face instead she exhaled and said the only thing she could just checking and then she walked away ignoring the way her heart pounded like a war drum in her chest Fernanda tried to convince herself that the visit to Anna's hospital room had meant nothing she told herself that

she would have done the same for any patient that she was simply uring someone she had treated was recovering properly but as the days passed that excuse held less and less weight because she wasn't just thinking about Anna's recovery she was thinking about Anna's voice the way she had looked at her the teasing smirk even when she was lying in a hospital bed and worst of all she was thinking about the question Anna had asked you came all the way here why Fernanda didn't have an answer or maybe she did and she just didn't want

to admit it days passed before she saw Anna again she had expected Anna to take take time off to rest but apparently Lieutenant Costa didn't know the meaning of the word Fernando was leaving her shift when she spotted her standing near the entrance of the hospital arms crossed looking as if she had been waiting for someone their eyes met Fernanda hesitated but Anna smirked thought she'd never get out Fernanda side walking over you're supposed to be resting Anna grin you and I both know that wasn't going to happen Fernanda shook her head Reckless as always

bossy as always Anna shot back then more seriously she added I wanted to see you fernanda's stomach did an annoying little flip but she kept her expression even why Anna tilted her head why do you think Fernanda looked away she wasn't ready for this conversation you shouldn't be here neither should you Anna said it's late you should be home Fernanda frowned that's not the same thing Anna Shrugged still if you're not busy want to grab a coffee Fernanda hesitated every logical part of her brain screamed at her to say no to walk away before she

let herself sink any deeper but instead she found herself saying fine just one Anna grinned I'll take what I can get and as they walked down the quiet street together Fernanda knew she was in trouble Fernanda had spent most of her adult life avoiding unnecessary risks she made calculated decisions wait every possible outcome before acting it was what made her an excellent doctor she never let emotion Cloud her judgment but anac Costa was not a calculated decision she was unpredictable Reckless and entirely too Charming for her own good and worst of all Fernanda liked it

the coffee outing had turned into a habit it started as an occasional thing Anna would show up after a shift casually suggests grabbing a coffee and Fernanda against all reason kept saying yes they never talked about what they were doing never acknowledged the growing familiarity between them but it was there in the way Anna always ordered fernanda's coffee exactly how she liked it in the way Fernanda always lingered just a little longer than she needed to in the way neither of them ever wanted to be the first to say good night it was dangerous and

yet it felt inevitable then everything changed it started with a phone call Fernanda had just finished a late shift when her phone buzzed she almost igned igned it but when she saw the name on the screen her stomach dropped officer Mendes Anna's partner her fingers tightened around the phone as she answered Mendes his voice was tense Fernanda it's Anna her blood ran cold what happened she got caught in an ambush we were responding to a call but it was a setup she's alive but she took a hit Fernando was already grabbing her coat where is

she St Helena her hospital she didn't didn't even remember the drive there her hands were shaking by the time she rushed through the yard doors she barely had to ask the nurses knew why she was there trauma room three her heart slammed against her ribs as she entered the room Anna was on the hospital bed a deep gash on her side a bandage already pressed against it she looked pale but awake her eyes flickering toward Fernanda the moment she walked in hey document her voice was horse Fernanda ignored the heat in her chest and step

closer what the hell happened Anna Winsted as she shifted slightly turns out some criminals don't like getting arrested this isn't funny Anna Anna smirk faded I know Fernanda exhaled sharply checking the monitor beside the bed her pulse was steady her vital strong it wasn't life-threatening but it was close too close she hadn't even realized she was gripping the side of the bed until Anna's good hand covered hers I'm okay Anna murmured Fernanda swallowed hard you could have died Anna squeezed her fingers but I didn't fernanda's throat tightened this was a real danger not Anna's job

not the criminals it was this the fear of losing her the realization that no matter how much she tried to deny it she cared more than she ever should more than she could afford to Anna studied her carefully you came straight here Fernanda hesitated then finally she admitted I had to Anna's lips curved into a soft tired smile I like hearing that Fernanda exhaled shaking her head you should be resting not until you admit it admit what that you care Fernanda looked at her for a long moment then without a word she let her fingers

tighten around Anna's hand she didn't have to say it Anna already knew Anna was discharged 2 days later she had argued of course insisted she was fine and could return to work as immediately but for once even her usual stubbornness hadn't been enough to overrule the medical orders Fernanda made sure of that you're taking at least a week off she had said firmly arms crossed as Anna sat on the hospital bed dressed and ready to leave Anna had sighed dramatically you really like bossing me around don't you it's the only way to keep you alive

Fernanda shot back Anna grinned so you do care Fernanda rolled her eyes but the truth was already out in the open there was no denying it anymore and that terrified her they didn't see each other for a few days after that Fernanda told herself she was busy she picked up extra shifts avoided coffee shops where Anna might casually appear and convinced herself it was just another patient doctor Dynamic that had lasted too long but it wasn't because every time she closed her eyes she saw Anna's face in that hospital bed heard her voice teasing but

laced with exhaustion felt the warmth of her fingers squeezing her own and every time she reminded herself that this wasn't a good idea that she was risking too much she hated the way it felt like she was lying to herself so when her phone buzzed one night and Anna's name appeared on the screen she didn't ignore it Anna doc if you're avoiding me you should know I'm very persistent Fernanda hesitated before typing back Fernanda I'm not avoiding you I've been busy anaha convenient and side already regretting replying but then another message popped up Anna meet

me for coffee no excuses she stared at the words a dozen reasons to say no filled her mind instead she typed fine just one coffee Anna's response came instantly Anna that's what you always say the cafe was quieter than Fernanda expected Anna was already there when she arrived sitting at a corner table dressed in casual clothes instead of her usual uniform form for a moment Fernanda hesitated at the door but then Anna looked up met her eyes and smiled and just like that the tension in fernanda's chest loosened she walked over and sat down you

shouldn't be drinking coffee you're supposed to be resting Anna smirked good to see you too document Fernanda shook her head but there was no real annoyance in it you're impossible and yet here you are Anna leaned forward slightly her voice softer tell tell me the truth you missed me didn't you Fernanda exhaled looking away you almost died Anna Anna smirk faded I know for a long moment neither of them spoke then Fernanda finally said what had been haunting her for days I don't want to lose you and as I softened then don't it was the

simplest answer in the world and yet for the first time Fernanda didn't want to argue the cafe was warm the low hum of conversations filling the space around them but for Fernanda it felt like the world had quieted Anna was watching her carefully eyes steady unwavering she had never been afraid of danger never hesitated in the face of risk but this whatever was happening between them felt like Uncharted Territory and for the first time in a long time Fernanda didn't know what to do Anna leaned back in her chair fingers drumming lightly against the table

you know for someone who doesn't want to lose me you're sure good at keeping your distance Fernanda exhaled it's complicated Anna raised an eyebrow is it yes Anna tilted her head studying her then explain it to me Fernanda hesitated you're reckless Anna smirked I've heard that before and that's exactly the problem Fernanda snapped before she could stop herself you walk into danger like it's nothing you take risks that could get you killed and I she stopped herself just in time Anna didn't let it slide died and you what Fernanda looked away I don't want to

care about someone who might not come back one day Anna was quiet for a long moment then she spoke her voice softer than before you think I don't feel the same way Fernando looked up surprised Anna's gaze was steady do you know how many times I thought about what would happen if I walked into something I couldn't get out of she exhaled I don't get scared often document but the idea of leaving something unfinished of not getting to see where this goes her lips quirked into a small almost sad smile that scares the hell out

of me Fernanda felt her chest tighten this was real this was happening and suddenly all the reasons she had to run didn't seem to matter anymore neither of them moved at first the air between them felt charged like a wire stretched too thin then Anna shifted forward resting her arms on the table tell me you don't want this she said quietly and I'll walk away Fernanda knew it was a lie anacosta didn't walk away from anything but still she held fernanda's gaze waiting for an answer Fernanda swallowed hard I can't Anna smirk was slow deliberate

good and then without another word she stood up Fernanda barely had time to react before Anna was there standing beside her chair looking down at her with an expression that sent a shiver down her spine come here anna murmured it wasn't a command it wasn't a request it was something else entirely something Fernanda didn't want to resist anymore slowly she stood and then Anna kissed her it wasn't slow or hesitant it wasn't careful or unsure it was inevitable a collision waiting to happen Fernanda felt herself sink into it felt the warmth of Anna's hands as

they gripped her waist the way she tilted her head to deepen the kiss and for the first time since she had met Anna she stopped thinking stopped analyzing stopped planning she just felt when they finally broke apart Anna's lips were curved in a satisfied smirk took you long enough she murmured Fernanda rolled her eyes but she was smiling you're insufferable and yet here we are Fernanda shook her head but as she looked at Anna at the way her smirk softened just a little she knew there was no turning back not anymore the kiss changed everything

not in an explosive life faltering way but in the quiet certainty that there was no turning back Fernanda had spent weeks convincing herself that whatever existed between them was temporary something she could ignore if she tried hard enough but now now there was no more pretending they started falling into something that resembled a routine Anna would stop by the hospital when she could sometimes with coffee sometimes just to steal a few minutes of conversation between Fernanda shifts and Fernanda stopped pretending she didn't like it their time together wasn't defined by anything yet no labels no

expectations but it was something something neither of them wanted to lose one evening Anna showed up at Fernando's apartment unannounced Fernando opened the door surprised what are you doing here anna Shrugged hands in her Pockets thought I check in you left work earlier than usual Fernanda blinked you're keeping track of my schedule now Anna smirked maybe fern a sigh but stepped aside letting her in you're impossible Anna grinned and yet you still let me in Fernanda didn't argue because it was true they sat on the couch comfortable in a silence that should have been strange

but wasn't eventually Anna spoke so what now Fernanda glanced at her what do you mean Anna stretched her legs out this Us Where Do We Go From Here Fernanda hesitated for the first time she let her s really think about it she could push Anna away could tell her this was a mistake that they were too different that her job was dangerous that it would never work but she didn't want to she wanted this she turned to Anna voice steady I don't know where we go but I know I don't want to walk away Anna

studied her and for once there was no teasing in her expression just quiet understanding good Anna finally said and that was enough for now now it was enough weeks passed and the transition from whatever they were to something more solid happened so naturally that Fernanda barely noticed the shift Anna still showed up at the hospital with coffee when she could Fernanda still rolled her eyes but secretly loved it they still argued over Reckless decisions and stubbornness but now the space between them had changed it was no longer about wtif it was about what's next one

evening after a particularly grueling shift Fernanda found on waiting for her outside the hospital it wasn't unusual but something about the way Anna leaned against the car arms crossed made Fernanda pause she approached slowly what's with a serious look on a side pushing off the car I've been thinking Fernanda raised an eyebrow that's dangerous Anna smirked but then grew serious again I don't want this to be temporary fernand's stomach flipped Anna continued I know my job is dangerous I know yours is exhausting but if there's one thing I've learned it's that I don't want to

waste time pretending I don't know what I want Fernanda swallowed hard and what do you want on a step closer you the Simplicity of it stole fernanda's breath no hesitation no conditions just certainty Fernanda felt her chest tighten but for once it wasn't fear it was relief she exhaled slowly then stay Anna's lips curved into a slow smile that's the plan and when she kissed her it wasn't desperate or rushed it was steady certain like a promise because this time there were no more doubts no more reasons to walk away just them and whatever future

they were about to build together