The next day Rose again appeared in front of Kate when she was headed to the cafeteria. This in spite of the fact that Kate was severely delayed for her lunch break due to issues that had come up with a patient.

"Would you look at that. We're headed for lunch at the same time again." Rose smiled at her.

Kate bit back a comment about her stalking being blatantly obvious at this rate.

"How come you're so interested in having lunch with me all of a sudden?" Kate asked.

"All of a sudden?" Rose tilted her head. "I seem to recall that we shared lunch the very first day I arrived here. You didn't exactly seem to mind getting hit on. Not to mention your reaction yesterday."

Arguing with that was hard, especially now that her mind was betraying her again and replaying all the pleasant memories connected to Rose. Even though she knew that was wrong. No matter how appealing her mind could make her seem, Rose was trouble. Kate groaned.

"Are those flushed cheeks I see? My, my." Rose giggled, holding a hand in front of her mouth as she did.

"I was just- It was a stressful morning, that's why."

"Oh come on, I'm just teasing you." Grinning, Rose looped her arm through Kate's and dragged her off in the direction of the cafeteria.

Kate didn't object, mainly because her mind had gone blank in response. All she was able to focus on was the smell of Rose's hair. Well, that wasn't quite true. In a deep, dark corner of her mind remained a small thought about her patients. The problem was, that thought felt more like a mirage at the present moment.

She somehow managed to order a hot meal for herself, if only by mimicking Rose's actions.

"You know, it's twenty degrees outside and sunny. I suggest we make use of that."

"Oh, yeah. Let's," was all Kate managed in response.

They walked outside and located a wooden picnic bench on the premises, but not before passing by several ones that were already occupied. The pleasant weather brought more people than just the two of them outside. Kate plopped down opposite of Rose, noting that someone had carved wooden hearts into the table.

By that time, Kate's stunned mind had finally managed to put together a new sentence.

"So, are you trying to say that you'd like to date me?"

Rose smiled as she leaned on the table. "Why not? A date or two couldn't possibly hurt. I'll have to leave in a while to observe at a different hospital, but-"

Kate's mind snapped back into gear at the mention of observation. "If the two of us were to date, wouldn't that get in the way of your observing? I mean, you wouldn't exactly be neutral and might subconsciously attribute good outcomes to my prowess where several factors were at work."

If that was the case she'd gladly take her up on the offer.

The question seemed to give Rose pause. She intertwined her fingers and wrung her hands for a while.

"Possibly. It's a valid point to be concerning at any rate. I'm not sure whether one or two dates would qualify, on the other hand I think we're past the point of denying that there exists a mutual attraction here."

"Please?" Kate attempted a cute expression, not that she'd be able to tell whether she was doing it right or not. "You know I'm not exactly fond of being observed, and you already have some data on me. There's also the matter of your professional integrity. I wouldn't want you to get in trouble because of me."

It took another moment of hand-wringing before Rose answered.

"You're right, I probably should just choose one over the other. It feels somewhat irresponsible, but there are more instances of highly qualified surgeons than instances of Kate Asters who just happen to be attracted to me as well." She smiled softly. "I figure my research will end up sufficiently solid either way."

She extended her hand across the table. Kate hesitated for a moment, then took it. As soon as they made contact she felt a warmth spreading through her. It was almost too good to be true. Her patient dilemma was solved and she got to date Rose. They sat like that for a while, just regarding each other and holding hands.

Rose eventually got up, but motioned for Kate to remain seated. She slid up next to her and took her hand again.

"I'd say this is a pretty good start already. Mind if I move closer?"

"Not at all." Kate nodded, a silly smile on her face. The next moment she felt Rose's warmth against the right side of her body. She was leaning against her, resting her head on Kate's shoulder.

"Mm. This is nice."

Figuring she wouldn't mind seeing how close they were already, Kate lightly brushed a hand through Rose's hair. It was the last thing she'd have imagined doing when she woke up in the morning, but it somehow felt right.

Her pager beeped, startling her and in turn startling Rose. Once she regained her composure she smiled apologetically at Rose, actually meaning it this time.

"Sorry, it looks like I've got to get going now."

Rose waved her phone in the air as Kate was about to leave. "Dinner date tomorrow at seven? I'll get your number from the front desk."

Another silly grin appeared on Kate's face. "Sure. We meet in front of your hotel?"

Rose nodded emphatically.

Later that day, Kate returned to her office and made a number of phone calls. Now that Rose had agreed to date her, and that a relationship would preclude observation, she could re-book her sickest patients. Even if things went south, she reasoned that she was bound to be safe for a couple of days. Enough to magically save some lives at least.

Even the dull hand hygiene poster on the wall looked somehow cheery in her current frame of mind.

She smiled to herself. Overall, she had gotten a pretty sweet deal.