There was a pause in surprise and an emotion she didn’t want to acknowledge in those dark eyes, so she glanced away and stepped out of the elevator as soon as the doors opened.

Lena strode down the hallway, hearing his slow, measured steps behind her.  When she reached the door to the storage room, she raised a hand to the panel with her badge. The doors smoothly opened and she stepped inside, having use the time to steady herself.

“Please set the bag on the table.  We’ll be here awhile.”  She instructed, touching the inner panel by the door to turn on the light sand grabbing her tablet from his outstretched hands.

“How can I help?”  Brian asked, gazing at the neatly lined shelves of various equipment.

She weighed her options and decided it would be faster if she split the list with him.  Punching in a few codes into the tablet, a nearby printer printed a single page.  She walked over and attached it to a clipboard, which she offered towards him.

“Here are the items the lab will need replenishment for.  You should find what you need in here.  Everything should be labelled and the shelves will indicate the code marked beside each item.”  She instructed, already turning towards her own tablet to review the rest of the list.

He scanned the list and nodded.  “Can I use the cart?”  She followed his gaze towards the metal cart by the desk, recalling most of the heavier items were on his part of the list.

Lena nodded.  “Yes, please go ahead.”  She pointed to one end of the vast room.  “I’ll be over there.  Give me a shout if you need anything or have some questions.  I’ll come find you.”

After several minutes had gone by, Lena looked up from her list and peeked over the shelf.

“Brian?”

It was too quiet and she wondered if he had gone back after all.  But she knew he would have alerted her before going back.

“Brian?”  She walked towards the other side from where she recalled he should be based on the items at the tope of his list.

Peering into the empty aisles, she wondered if she should call his room to make sure he was okay.

“I’m here.”

She stepped back and felt a warm solid chest against her back and strong hands steadying her by her shoulders.

“You’re so quiet.  I was wondering if you had left.”  She managed, stepping away from him.  

She turned around to see him place the roll of bandages he had set on the floor before catching her.  He picked it up and placed it on the cart beside him.  Her eyes widened at the full cart.

“I keep my promises.  I will help you as long as you need me, Dr. Lee.”  He responded, pushing the cart as they exited the aisle.

Lena felt oddly disappointed to hear him address her in that way then immediately gave herself a mental kick.

You just told him to call you that, woman.  Are you going to be like this all night?  He’ll think you’re crazy.

She reprimanded herself. Forcing a smile, she nodded at the cart.

“Thank you.  I really appreciate your help.”

He leaned over to glance at her tablet.  Her breath caught in her throat, smiling the natural musk of him.  He smelled of pine and mint from the shower he must have hopped into before meeting her.

“It seems we need another EKG machine and we’re done.”  He murmured, oblivious of her frazzled behaviour at the moment, much to her relief.  He disappeared into the aisles, before returning with a monitor easily hoisted in his arms.

She gratefully smiled, not quite trusting herself to speak.  As he readied both carts, placing her bag on the one before him, he looked to her with a raised eyebrow.

Her heart clenched at the familiar expression.  

“Shall we?”  He asked, already opening the door.

She forced a smile.  “Yes, I think we deserve a break.”