what the hell am i doing here, what do i deserve?

[coppelganger]

WHO: Sarah Manning and George O'Malley
WHERE: Nonah, #007 > Some bar
WHEN: Backdated to September 7
WHAT: A ~DATE~
WARNINGS: Language, probably. Thanks, Sarah.



[ Sarah has never really done dates. Not the kind where the guy picks you up at the door at a prearranged time, anyway. Her romantic life has always been less… structured. Yeah, that's a good word for it. God, what a joke. Even with Cal, arguably the most sane relationship she's had in a long time, things have been so hectic and filled with clone drama that they hadn't had a chance to do much of anything together before she got Ported in. And now this seemingly normal guy. He's a nurse, for god's sake. Well, surgeon-turned-nurse, anyway.

She's not sure which bar they're going to, but she has a feeling punk rock's not George's style, so she dresses a bit nicer than she might be otherwise. Better to save the real punk stuff for later. Assuming there is a later. She can't help but be nervous as she answers the door—for a lot of reasons—but she manages to hide it well. Acting's always been her thing, after all. ]

Hey, man.

Comments

[coppelganger]

You'd like him.

[ Actually she's pretty sure that Felix would take immense pleasure in trying to freak George out as much as humanly possible, but shhh. ]

He's an artist, lives in a complete shithole of a loft over on Queen Street, all of that.

[puppydoctor]

If he's anything like you, I know I would.

[That came from nowhere.]

Oh man, I bet I could beat him in shithole apartments, though. My roommate and I actually called ours the Crapartment. She stole furniture from the hospital for us.

[coppelganger]

[ She smiles at that. Such a flatterer, George. ]

Yeah? Like those waiting room chairs?

[ That's totally what she's picturing, anyway. ]

[puppydoctor]

Yeah, and worse. She tried to use a bedpan as a fruit basket.

[He gives a dramatic shudder.]

[coppelganger]

Okay, that's just disgusting.

[ She's laughing, though. ]

I thought surgeons were supposed to have money.

[puppydoctor]

Yeah, once they're attendings. We were making about $50K as residents, but it's downtown Seattle, and I was paying for the divorce, and she was out on her own for the first time...

[He shrugs, smiling fondly at being able to talk about Lexi. He's been feeling guilty about leaving her alone.]

It was good, though. And home's not about the place, it's about the people.

[coppelganger]

[ $50K a year still seems like a hell of a lot of money to her, but she nods like she gets what he means. ]

Yeah, I suppose you're right. How are you liking where you live right now?

[puppydoctor]

[He shrugs and taps at his drink, thinking about the old wood floors and white kitchen cabinets he really calls home.]

I don't know, it's a roof over my head. I've always lived with a lot of roommates, but it's not the same here. What about you?

[coppelganger]

It's not really my thing.

[ Which is her way of saying she hates it and wants to move out. ]

[puppydoctor]

Yeah? Are you going to go vigilante and live in a cave somewhere, then? Because I'd definitely visit.

[He isn't surprised, she doesn't seem like an assigned roommate kind of girl.]

[coppelganger]

I might, yeah. I ran into a guy a while back who said something about getting me a different job, but I dunno if I trust him.

[ She sips at her drink. ]

Would you really come visit me if I moved into a cave?

[puppydoctor]

Yeah, you'd better be careful there. Please don't wind up in a ditch.

[He says it jokingly, with the knowledge that she could handle herself, but there's still a bit of gravity there.]

And of course I would. I'd even bring, like, a cool torch.

[coppelganger]

Well, then, you'll be the first person I invite. To my... cave, or wherever.

[ She's getting kinda buzzed at this point. Whoops. ]

[puppydoctor]

[That's good, because usually George started feeling buzzed long before his date. Which is why he generally orders beer. But he's starting to feel a warmth in his stomach, and can't help but waggle his eyebrows at Sarah's comment.]

I would be honored to be invited to your cave.

[coppelganger]

[ She laughs, half "oh god a guy would say that" and half finding his eyebrow waggling legitimately cute. ]

Shit...

[puppydoctor]

Sorry, I couldn't pass that up.

[He grins, full and genuine, and so happy to see her laugh like that.]

[coppelganger]

S'alright. I walked right into that one, didn't I?

[puppydoctor]

I'd say you spelunked into it.

[coppelganger]

[ Yeah, fair enough. Finishing off the rest of her drink and then putting the glass down on the table, trying not to smirk. ]

Let's get out of here. Eh?

[puppydoctor]

[George has a bit more left than her, but at her suggestion he quickly sips it down and nods.]

Yeah. Yeah, let's do that.

[coppelganger]

[ Cool. Cool cool cool. Sliding out of her seat as he finishes his drink. ]

My place or yours?

[puppydoctor]

[The flush comes back just a little bit, but it's not 100% shyness this time.]

I, uh. Mine's good. Pretty Spartan, but I've got hot chocolate.

[coppelganger]

Oh, we've got a winner.

[ Because her place is probably just as empty, but with nothing to drink except water and maybe half a bottle of bourbon, and she figures getting completely trashed on a first date wouldn't be the greatest plan. ]

[puppydoctor]

[He grins and offers his arm to her as they leave the bar.]

And I might possibly make some of the best hot chocolate on the planet.

[coppelganger]

Yeah? What about in multiple universes?

[ She takes his arm, leaning closer to him this time as they walk, enjoying herself. ]