His sister neglected to mention who her son's doctor was. At least that's what Cassian tells himself when he walks into the office and gets told that Dr. Erso will see him shortly.
Erso is not exactly a common name, but he thinks he would have known it was Jyn before walking in. Then again, Cassian has not seen Poe for months. He couldn't have know who is doctor was! Shara kept him updated, but not to minute details. He has a lot of time to wait and wishes he didn't, because no amount of time tells him how he should react when Jyn walks in.
Still, his nephew is sick and he's on babysitting duty, so there's no complaints when he manages to squeeze in to see his regular doctor. Shara was very insistent. He's standing up with Poe in his arms, rocking him a little bit in the hopes of soothing all his poor little baby woes.
Poe's cough turns into a whine after Jyn walks in, and Cassian still can't quite believe it's her. He wasn't sure they'd ever end up seeing each other again. Hipster Brooklyn brings people together, apparently. She doesn't even notice it's him standing there, which is... probably fair. His sister is tall and dark just like he is.
He coughs, the sound very clearly not a woman, but it's meant to give her a warning of her mistake. He still has no idea what to say in this situation whatsoever. "Not Shara, I am afraid. Sorry to disappoint. But I have heard the bark too."
Jyn's head snaps up with a whispered "what the fuck!" of startlement, fingers quickly enlarging Poe's patient file. Father: Kes Dameron. Andor, he must be Shara's brother then? Brother in law through her husband? No, Cassian said he had a sister, he must have meant Shara. Get it together, Erso, this is a place of business, focus on the patient.
She nods once. "I answered when she called his morning, she didn't say someone else was coming so I assumed..." A shrug, she seems to get her shit together when she steps forward to set the tablet down on the table and hold her arms out for Poe. He looks so unhappy, sick babies break her heart.
"Not important, is it, love?" Her voice softens the moment she starts to address the baby, the same way it had done when she spoke to the children they immunized. Kids make her melt. "I hear that you're feeling a bit poorly, is that so? I can't promise you'll feel better when you leave, but I can promise we'll sort out a plan to make you feel better. How's that sound?"
No matter the age, Jyn's babies are her patients, they get the questions. Even if it's their guardians that do most of the answering. The shift in her tone is apparent enough when she gives Cassian a brief once over. "You look well. Holiday suits you."
Cassian tries to swallow back any amusement at her whispered what the fuck and the way she double checks undoubtedly on just who Poe's father is. He can't say he blames her, but he does make a mental note to chastise his sister later.
"It was last minute. He got a lot sicker overnight, and I was meant to have him today. If it will be a problem, we can call her for any kind of permission you may need. She was preoccupied with worry, I imagine." He's not sure Shara has him listed as any sort of approved adult to make any decisions, but he passes the baby over easily.
The way Jyn speaks to Poe is very familiar. She has zero sense of manners towards adults, but she's so good with children, that when he'd found out she was a pediatrician it wasn't a surprise in the slightest. What's more of a surprise is how they all ended up in Brooklyn.
Poe whimpers and yelps, so very unhappy at being sick but he likes Jyn very much, evident from the way he tries to burrow against her. He can't understand her, but her tone is still very soothing. Cassian's face falls sympathetically, and he brushes his hand over the curls on his tiny head. He lets out a very sarcastic sigh of a laugh. "I am not sure about it suiting me. But it is good to see you too."
Oh it's good to see her. She didn't say that -- those weren't her words even if it is what she meant -- and it makes her feel a little... something. Something! Her fingers prod at Poe's neck, tipping his chin up to check his glands.
"I think it's just croup, with his little bark and wheeze, it's been going around." Poe tries to jerk his head out of her hand and Jyn lets him, letting him tuck his head against her chest. Poor lamb. "But I'll check for the flu, too. Luckily, my little bear, you've already had your vaccine so if it is the flu you shouldn't feel ill much longer."
She looks up at Cassian. "Has he been having occasional hyperventilation or look like he's struggling to breathe?"
She doesn't acknowledge what he says about her, but he's not sure if it's because she feels awkward or she's just being professional. Either way, he doesn't bring it up either because Poe is the more important part here.
He wants to reach out and brush his fingers over his nephew's head again in comfort, but he's tucked in too comfortably, already drawing plenty of comfort from Jyn. He crosses his arms instead.
"A lot of labored breathing, from what I have seen. Shara said when he cries, it is almost like he's struggling a little - He was up half the night with the wheezing. Signs of croup, right? It did not seem like the flu, but it's been quite bad this year."
"No, his breathing is croup," Jyn agrees, smoothing her hand over Poe's downy soft hair. "As of right now I don't think he will need a steroid or nebulizer, but of course if it gets worse you should bring him back. It's just the usual wait and see: acetaminophen, cool mist humidifier, Vicks, loads of liquids."
She shrugs a little because unfortunately that's all there is to it, croup gets better on it's own.
"Poor excuse for a reunion, isn't it?" There, she acknowledged seeing him. Nailed it.
She's a doctor! So is he, but she's far more specialized in this than he is, so even though he'd had his own suspicions, it's a relief to hear it from a more professional professional. He nods, a little more at ease. "Shara has plenty of Vicks. I will pass along the rest too."
Their mother is always bringing it over, as though they don't buy some themselves every time they make a medicine run.
His mouth twitches like he wants to smile. "I would say it's better than no reunion at all."
Is he allowed to say that?? Is it too flirty? He wasn't trying to be flirty, but he's still... glad to have run into her again, regardless of circumstances.
Poe sits up suddenly in her arms, but Jyn keeps her eyes on Cassian, rubbing Poe's back while he coughs directly into her hair. She doesn't seem to notice, smile slowly fighting to life on her expression.
"Yeah?" If Bodhi finds out that she saw Cassian and didn't put into action anything he told her to do when she could not because technically she was Cassian's superior and Bodhi did shut up after Jyn's power-point presentation about power imbalances.
But he won't shut up again.
"Do you wanna get pizza later?" Poe finishes coughing and lays his head back on her shoulder, snuffling snot all over her shoulder. "I can bring it over, if you're still nephew-sitting."
They're both doctors. If little things like someone coughing into your hair grossed them out, they would be ill suited to their jobs.
But he doesn't really notice either, distracted by the tiny smile they slips onto her face. He thinks something... might have happened between them over the summer, if she wasn't his boss. And now here she is, offering a chance.
His face lights up too. "I know a good corner place, free from hipsters. Shara picks him up at 5 today, if you want to meet after that."
Not that he would mind her coming over with Poe around, but he also just... wants the chance to really be alone with her. See if they do still hit it off, especially without other eyes just over the hill or behind the bushes.
"Yeah." She nods and the smile comes easier, brightening her face. "Yeah, I'd like that. And it'd gimme time to change and wash the snot out of my hair."
Which is really not a very fashionable statement.
Poe closes his eyes and even though Jyn isn't watching him, she can feel the way his little body seems to soften against hers and she knows he is a minute from falling asleep so she starts idly swaying, the smallest rock, continuing to rub his back. He's a sick, coughing bean, he deserves a nap.
Oh, she's smiling. She is definitely still interested in hanging out at the very least, and he immediately forgives his sister for not telling him who her son's doctor was. Anything that might have changed the trajectory of this encounter is forgiven!!
"Perfect, because I am sure I will get my own layers of snot to wear too before the day is out."
He should probably take his nephew before he passes out, just in case being jostled from one adult to another wakes him, but the baby looks so peaceful that Cassian hesitates anyway.
"That would be far easier to do if I had your number." Smooth af. But also the phone he had overseas is not the same one he has now. He wasn't quite settled back in the States yet then, so it was easier to just set up something there. He pulls it out of his pocket. "New phone. Then I can take him home to rest."
That was so smooth Jyn doesn't even think to question any of it, just bleating out the number automatically when he pulls out the phone.
"I'll fax a script for Vicks and nighttime cough medicine over to Shara's pharmacy so you won't have to pay for it." Insurance companies hate it, but they can suck Jyn's dick. You bet your ass she will write scripts for tylenol if she feels like it, if her patients can't afford it, if an insurance company in particular has irritated her that day. "I do suggest investing in some saline wipes for his poor nose and if you have a chapstick you don't mind sacrificing, just slather that all across his cheeks and nose and mouth, it'll keep it from drying out from constantly cleaning his nose."
The chapstick is key because of the easy application.
She jiggles Poe on her hip so he lifts his head again and she can talk to him. "You'll all done, my brave little lion. Time to go back to Tio Cassian." Yeah, that's right, she knows uncle in Spanish. She glances up at Cassian, smile playing at the edges of her mouth. "I guess I'll see you tonight."
He's so delighted to have her number, he too virtually immediately forgets how smooth he was. He sticks his phone back in his pocket, a very easy half smile on his face. "I will let her know all of this, and I am glad it is not something worse. I am surprised she has not tried calling me already for updates. Thank you."
Insurance companies are garbage and Cassian hates them. American health care is terrible.
Jyn is so good with Poe, he almost doesn't want to take the baby from her, but alas. He reaches out to snag him back, tucking him neatly against his chest. He curls in comfortably against his uncle, snuffling a little and making tiny unhappy noises, but he seems content otherwise to snuggled. "You did so good, pájarito."
He looks over at Jyn again, his grin turning much wider. "I can't wait."
He can say that right?? Too late if not! He lifts Poe's little hand in a wave. "Say goodbye, Poe. Dr. Erso is really looking out for you."
"Pájarito?" Her eyebrows lift in question at Poe's little nickname. Cassian has to go but she's curious and if she waits she might not remember to ask later and also maybe she doesn't want to talk about babies on their date.
Date, holy shit, they're going on a date.
Wow.
For the record, she still stumbles over the word even having just heard it. Her mouth isn't used to Spanish.
"Little bird. For whatever reason, he just loves to be up high. It drives Kes crazy, but Shara thinks it is hilarious."
He is infinitely amused by her Spanish, but he doesn't tease her for it. It's a weird word, of course she stumbles over it. Besides, he doesn't want to make things weird or cross a line before their date.
Little bird. That's so cute and Jyn's smile softens before she dips her head in a nod.
"Yeah, yeah, that'll be great. Feel better, Poe. Hopefully next time I see you is for a well baby visit." No more sick baby Poe is the ideal. She glances back up at Cassian, feeling an outpouring of butterflies suddenly.
He supposes he can't linger much longer. There are other sick children Jyn needs to see, and he should get Poe home so the poor thing can rest. Besides! He'll be seeing Jyn again later. With another quick smile and thank you, he ducks out of the room and heads to the front to finish out the last of the paperwork.
He finally manages to text Jyn the address a little after three, when Poe dozes off for a nap. He sends her a picture of the sleeping baby too, just so she knows for sure that it's him.
Shara picks up her baby boy only a couple minutes late, rattling on about how Kes is going to pick up everything at the pharmacy, including the chapstick, thanking her brother for all he's done today. He tries not to rush his sister back out the door, but he doesn't want to tell her he has a date, so it isn't until 5:30 that Cassian manages to text Jyn that he's free at last, and they agree to meet up around 6:15.
Cassian is lucky he's not late, considering he labors over what to wear, which is stupid because they're just meeting up for pizza. He settles on a nicer pair of jeans and a black three-quarter sleeved henley, after washing and cleaning himself up. Goodbye baby germs. He even puts on a nice cologne. He gets to the restaurant first, taking a little corner table right by the window. It's a battle between looking at his phone and looking out the aforementioned window, not sure which is the least awkward.
But he catches sight of her walking in and his face lights up. He lifts his arm up in a wave, as if she hasn't already seen him. This is dumb, it's pizza! Pizza with a girl he's apparently been really into for a while.
Jyn gets puked on twice so when her last patient cancels she sprints home to take the world's longest shower to get the ick off of her. By the time she is done, she smells like a woman again -- like roses and honey -- and hurriedly grabs a pair of skinny jeans and a tank top out of her closet. Once she's yanked it on she figures she should probably wear something suitable for being briefly outside and she tugs on an oversized jumper in palest lavender cashmere that she's never had a chance to wear since Bodhi bought it for her five years ago.
He'd be so proud.
She shoves her feet into her worn boots and sprints out of her apartment, looping her hair into a disheveled top knots as she hurries to the pizza place, double checking that she has her phone and keys and money. Should she have checked before she left? Of course. But she lives dangerously.
Walking right past the door, she has to double back when she realizes she's in the right spot, grinning when she spots Cassian waving her over. "Hi!"
Oh god, she's like a freshman in high school level of disaster.
Cassian honest to god debates if he should get up and pull her chair out, but it's not like they're in a fancy restaurant. It's just pizza!
"Hi," he says. Just pizza doesn't stop him from smiling like an idiot while she makes her way over. They are literally behaving like teenagers, not very accomplished medical professionals. So much so that he doesn't know what to say for a second, struck by the simple momentum of being out on a date with her and excited to be here.
This is ridiculous.
He huffs a little laugh while she sits down. She looks... cute. It occurs to him that he's never really seen her in nice casual. It's always been med-coats and camping clothes. "You look nice. I hope the rest of your afternoon was not so bad."
"It was rubbish, actually. Poe was definitely a high note." He's a sweet baby, okay. The ones that puked on her were sweet too and she'd rather be puked on than their poor parents so it was fine, just gross. She hasn't been puked on in a while, she did not miss it.
"I want to ask about Poe, but I don't want to talk about babies on our date." She makes a face like SO YOU FIELD THAT FOR ME, please.
Also now it is officially a date since she said it out loud. They're on a date, deal with it.
"How about I just tell you he seems about the same? Shara says thank you, for all the prescriptions too."
He did not tell his sister he was going to see Jyn for her to say so specifically, it was more of a broad thank you universe statement that Cassian decided to pass on. Poe is a good bean, he does not mind talking about him briefly.
Date! She used the word date! On the date! He's so distracted by the word that he completely misses her throwing the conversation into his field and there are a few moments of weird quiet, before he just puffs out a little laugh.
"I had no idea you worked so close. I remember that you had an office in New York, but it was not like we talked about details. I really lucked out today." A beat. "How long have you been here?"
She nods, pushing back the urge to ask more questions about Poe. This is not a work thing, she doesn't want to talk about work.
"I'm still up at the hospital a couple times a week, but honestly I prefer my office." It's her space! And usually the kids are healthy, she needs those well baby visits to make up for the heartbreaking outcomes at the hospital. "It's been a few years, I think. My parents teach in the city so we've been here since I was... 21, I think? Maybe 22. I went to school in the city, Bodhi and I shared a flat for years. But I've been here here for just a few years."
Here in her own apartment without her brother, here at this hospital, here in the hipster part of town. Brooklyn, her true love.
"We came here when my sister was a toddler, and so her accent is much weaker than my parents and mine. They still live in Sunset Park." A beat. "My parents. Shara and I live around here now, but she has been with Kes for so long the most I ever lived with her was crashing on her couch."
He and Shara both went off and did their own thing for a while, and yet here are, back in Brooklyn. It was very hard to resist his mother's not so subtle demands that they both come back home until they got married, which Shara circumvented nicely with the birth of her son. Cassian used the excuse of wanting to be near Shara in case she needed anything, and Carina could not agree more!
"I start work here in two weeks. My first time in a steady hospital trauma center. I almost wish I had an office like yours." So, still plenty of trauma to be had, but at least it's not out and about and being stationed overseas away from his family anymore. It doesn't occur to him it could be the same place Jyn works part time - there are plenty of hospitals in Brooklyn, and his is going to be about a twenty minute commute. "It used to be St Rosa's, now it is the Rosa Santiago Medical Center?"
It treats high levels of immigrant populations and his fluency in Spanish was a big old bonus.
"Rosa's? You're at Rosa's?" Her eyebrows lift, bleating out a soft laugh. "Bodhi and I are at St Rosa's."
The name might have changed, but it's always going to be St Rosa's to the majority of the people in the city.
"Bodhi's there full time, I'm more of a consultant at this point, but I'm there a couple days a week. And I bet you anything that Bodhi knew that." He gave in too easily when Jyn refused to make a move on Cassian during their trip. He must have known that they would inevitably run into each other again at the hospital.
His face lights up. He does not bother to hide it. Not only did his nephew facilitate their reunion, now he finds out they work - at least part time - in the same place. He is having the best fucking luck today!
He huffs his own quick laugh. "I will be there soon, yes. He mentioned it over the summer to me, when we were talking about what to do after the trip. I had nothing lined up and he thought it would be perfect for me after he discovered I was planning to move to Brooklyn."
So. Yeah. Her brother definitely knew, but Cassian can't say he minds. "We will have to grab a vending machine lunch sometime."
He knows how hospital shifts are! But it doesn't mean he won't use it as an opportunity to hint that he already wants a second date when the first one has barely started and they haven't even gotten their pizza yet.
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ohnofeelstho2017-06-26 08:50 pm
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Erso is not exactly a common name, but he thinks he would have known it was Jyn before walking in. Then again, Cassian has not seen Poe for months. He couldn't have know who is doctor was! Shara kept him updated, but not to minute details. He has a lot of time to wait and wishes he didn't, because no amount of time tells him how he should react when Jyn walks in.
Still, his nephew is sick and he's on babysitting duty, so there's no complaints when he manages to squeeze in to see his regular doctor. Shara was very insistent. He's standing up with Poe in his arms, rocking him a little bit in the hopes of soothing all his poor little baby woes.
Poe's cough turns into a whine after Jyn walks in, and Cassian still can't quite believe it's her. He wasn't sure they'd ever end up seeing each other again. Hipster Brooklyn brings people together, apparently. She doesn't even notice it's him standing there, which is... probably fair. His sister is tall and dark just like he is.
He coughs, the sound very clearly not a woman, but it's meant to give her a warning of her mistake. He still has no idea what to say in this situation whatsoever. "Not Shara, I am afraid. Sorry to disappoint. But I have heard the bark too."
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She nods once. "I answered when she called his morning, she didn't say someone else was coming so I assumed..." A shrug, she seems to get her shit together when she steps forward to set the tablet down on the table and hold her arms out for Poe. He looks so unhappy, sick babies break her heart.
"Not important, is it, love?" Her voice softens the moment she starts to address the baby, the same way it had done when she spoke to the children they immunized. Kids make her melt. "I hear that you're feeling a bit poorly, is that so? I can't promise you'll feel better when you leave, but I can promise we'll sort out a plan to make you feel better. How's that sound?"
No matter the age, Jyn's babies are her patients, they get the questions. Even if it's their guardians that do most of the answering. The shift in her tone is apparent enough when she gives Cassian a brief once over. "You look well. Holiday suits you."
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"It was last minute. He got a lot sicker overnight, and I was meant to have him today. If it will be a problem, we can call her for any kind of permission you may need. She was preoccupied with worry, I imagine." He's not sure Shara has him listed as any sort of approved adult to make any decisions, but he passes the baby over easily.
The way Jyn speaks to Poe is very familiar. She has zero sense of manners towards adults, but she's so good with children, that when he'd found out she was a pediatrician it wasn't a surprise in the slightest. What's more of a surprise is how they all ended up in Brooklyn.
Poe whimpers and yelps, so very unhappy at being sick but he likes Jyn very much, evident from the way he tries to burrow against her. He can't understand her, but her tone is still very soothing. Cassian's face falls sympathetically, and he brushes his hand over the curls on his tiny head. He lets out a very sarcastic sigh of a laugh. "I am not sure about it suiting me. But it is good to see you too."
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"I think it's just croup, with his little bark and wheeze, it's been going around." Poe tries to jerk his head out of her hand and Jyn lets him, letting him tuck his head against her chest. Poor lamb. "But I'll check for the flu, too. Luckily, my little bear, you've already had your vaccine so if it is the flu you shouldn't feel ill much longer."
She looks up at Cassian. "Has he been having occasional hyperventilation or look like he's struggling to breathe?"
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He wants to reach out and brush his fingers over his nephew's head again in comfort, but he's tucked in too comfortably, already drawing plenty of comfort from Jyn. He crosses his arms instead.
"A lot of labored breathing, from what I have seen. Shara said when he cries, it is almost like he's struggling a little - He was up half the night with the wheezing. Signs of croup, right? It did not seem like the flu, but it's been quite bad this year."
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She shrugs a little because unfortunately that's all there is to it, croup gets better on it's own.
"Poor excuse for a reunion, isn't it?" There, she acknowledged seeing him. Nailed it.
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Their mother is always bringing it over, as though they don't buy some themselves every time they make a medicine run.
His mouth twitches like he wants to smile. "I would say it's better than no reunion at all."
Is he allowed to say that?? Is it too flirty? He wasn't trying to be flirty, but he's still... glad to have run into her again, regardless of circumstances.
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"Yeah?" If Bodhi finds out that she saw Cassian and didn't put into action anything he told her to do when she could not because technically she was Cassian's superior and Bodhi did shut up after Jyn's power-point presentation about power imbalances.
But he won't shut up again.
"Do you wanna get pizza later?" Poe finishes coughing and lays his head back on her shoulder, snuffling snot all over her shoulder. "I can bring it over, if you're still nephew-sitting."
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But he doesn't really notice either, distracted by the tiny smile they slips onto her face. He thinks something... might have happened between them over the summer, if she wasn't his boss. And now here she is, offering a chance.
His face lights up too. "I know a good corner place, free from hipsters. Shara picks him up at 5 today, if you want to meet after that."
Not that he would mind her coming over with Poe around, but he also just... wants the chance to really be alone with her. See if they do still hit it off, especially without other eyes just over the hill or behind the bushes.
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Which is really not a very fashionable statement.
Poe closes his eyes and even though Jyn isn't watching him, she can feel the way his little body seems to soften against hers and she knows he is a minute from falling asleep so she starts idly swaying, the smallest rock, continuing to rub his back. He's a sick, coughing bean, he deserves a nap.
"Text me the address and I'll meet you there."
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"Perfect, because I am sure I will get my own layers of snot to wear too before the day is out."
He should probably take his nephew before he passes out, just in case being jostled from one adult to another wakes him, but the baby looks so peaceful that Cassian hesitates anyway.
"That would be far easier to do if I had your number." Smooth af. But also the phone he had overseas is not the same one he has now. He wasn't quite settled back in the States yet then, so it was easier to just set up something there. He pulls it out of his pocket. "New phone. Then I can take him home to rest."
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"I'll fax a script for Vicks and nighttime cough medicine over to Shara's pharmacy so you won't have to pay for it." Insurance companies hate it, but they can suck Jyn's dick. You bet your ass she will write scripts for tylenol if she feels like it, if her patients can't afford it, if an insurance company in particular has irritated her that day. "I do suggest investing in some saline wipes for his poor nose and if you have a chapstick you don't mind sacrificing, just slather that all across his cheeks and nose and mouth, it'll keep it from drying out from constantly cleaning his nose."
The chapstick is key because of the easy application.
She jiggles Poe on her hip so he lifts his head again and she can talk to him. "You'll all done, my brave little lion. Time to go back to Tio Cassian." Yeah, that's right, she knows uncle in Spanish. She glances up at Cassian, smile playing at the edges of her mouth. "I guess I'll see you tonight."
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Insurance companies are garbage and Cassian hates them. American health care is terrible.
Jyn is so good with Poe, he almost doesn't want to take the baby from her, but alas. He reaches out to snag him back, tucking him neatly against his chest. He curls in comfortably against his uncle, snuffling a little and making tiny unhappy noises, but he seems content otherwise to snuggled. "You did so good, pájarito."
He looks over at Jyn again, his grin turning much wider. "I can't wait."
He can say that right?? Too late if not! He lifts Poe's little hand in a wave. "Say goodbye, Poe. Dr. Erso is really looking out for you."
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Date, holy shit, they're going on a date.
Wow.
For the record, she still stumbles over the word even having just heard it. Her mouth isn't used to Spanish.
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He is infinitely amused by her Spanish, but he doesn't tease her for it. It's a weird word, of course she stumbles over it. Besides, he doesn't want to make things weird or cross a line before their date.
A real date! He has a real date with Jyn!
"I will text you later."
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"Yeah, yeah, that'll be great. Feel better, Poe. Hopefully next time I see you is for a well baby visit." No more sick baby Poe is the ideal. She glances back up at Cassian, feeling an outpouring of butterflies suddenly.
"See you."
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He finally manages to text Jyn the address a little after three, when Poe dozes off for a nap. He sends her a picture of the sleeping baby too, just so she knows for sure that it's him.
Shara picks up her baby boy only a couple minutes late, rattling on about how Kes is going to pick up everything at the pharmacy, including the chapstick, thanking her brother for all he's done today. He tries not to rush his sister back out the door, but he doesn't want to tell her he has a date, so it isn't until 5:30 that Cassian manages to text Jyn that he's free at last, and they agree to meet up around 6:15.
Cassian is lucky he's not late, considering he labors over what to wear, which is stupid because they're just meeting up for pizza. He settles on a nicer pair of jeans and a black three-quarter sleeved henley, after washing and cleaning himself up. Goodbye baby germs. He even puts on a nice cologne. He gets to the restaurant first, taking a little corner table right by the window. It's a battle between looking at his phone and looking out the aforementioned window, not sure which is the least awkward.
But he catches sight of her walking in and his face lights up. He lifts his arm up in a wave, as if she hasn't already seen him. This is dumb, it's pizza! Pizza with a girl he's apparently been really into for a while.
He's... pretty excited.
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He'd be so proud.
She shoves her feet into her worn boots and sprints out of her apartment, looping her hair into a disheveled top knots as she hurries to the pizza place, double checking that she has her phone and keys and money. Should she have checked before she left? Of course. But she lives dangerously.
Walking right past the door, she has to double back when she realizes she's in the right spot, grinning when she spots Cassian waving her over. "Hi!"
Oh god, she's like a freshman in high school level of disaster.
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"Hi," he says. Just pizza doesn't stop him from smiling like an idiot while she makes her way over. They are literally behaving like teenagers, not very accomplished medical professionals. So much so that he doesn't know what to say for a second, struck by the simple momentum of being out on a date with her and excited to be here.
This is ridiculous.
He huffs a little laugh while she sits down. She looks... cute. It occurs to him that he's never really seen her in nice casual. It's always been med-coats and camping clothes. "You look nice. I hope the rest of your afternoon was not so bad."
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"I want to ask about Poe, but I don't want to talk about babies on our date." She makes a face like SO YOU FIELD THAT FOR ME, please.
Also now it is officially a date since she said it out loud. They're on a date, deal with it.
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He did not tell his sister he was going to see Jyn for her to say so specifically, it was more of a broad thank you universe statement that Cassian decided to pass on. Poe is a good bean, he does not mind talking about him briefly.
Date! She used the word date! On the date! He's so distracted by the word that he completely misses her throwing the conversation into his field and there are a few moments of weird quiet, before he just puffs out a little laugh.
"I had no idea you worked so close. I remember that you had an office in New York, but it was not like we talked about details. I really lucked out today." A beat. "How long have you been here?"
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"I'm still up at the hospital a couple times a week, but honestly I prefer my office." It's her space! And usually the kids are healthy, she needs those well baby visits to make up for the heartbreaking outcomes at the hospital. "It's been a few years, I think. My parents teach in the city so we've been here since I was... 21, I think? Maybe 22. I went to school in the city, Bodhi and I shared a flat for years. But I've been here here for just a few years."
Here in her own apartment without her brother, here at this hospital, here in the hipster part of town. Brooklyn, her true love.
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He and Shara both went off and did their own thing for a while, and yet here are, back in Brooklyn. It was very hard to resist his mother's not so subtle demands that they both come back home until they got married, which Shara circumvented nicely with the birth of her son. Cassian used the excuse of wanting to be near Shara in case she needed anything, and Carina could not agree more!
"I start work here in two weeks. My first time in a steady hospital trauma center. I almost wish I had an office like yours." So, still plenty of trauma to be had, but at least it's not out and about and being stationed overseas away from his family anymore. It doesn't occur to him it could be the same place Jyn works part time - there are plenty of hospitals in Brooklyn, and his is going to be about a twenty minute commute. "It used to be St Rosa's, now it is the Rosa Santiago Medical Center?"
It treats high levels of immigrant populations and his fluency in Spanish was a big old bonus.
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The name might have changed, but it's always going to be St Rosa's to the majority of the people in the city.
"Bodhi's there full time, I'm more of a consultant at this point, but I'm there a couple days a week. And I bet you anything that Bodhi knew that." He gave in too easily when Jyn refused to make a move on Cassian during their trip. He must have known that they would inevitably run into each other again at the hospital.
That little meddling prick.
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He huffs his own quick laugh. "I will be there soon, yes. He mentioned it over the summer to me, when we were talking about what to do after the trip. I had nothing lined up and he thought it would be perfect for me after he discovered I was planning to move to Brooklyn."
So. Yeah. Her brother definitely knew, but Cassian can't say he minds. "We will have to grab a vending machine lunch sometime."
He knows how hospital shifts are! But it doesn't mean he won't use it as an opportunity to hint that he already wants a second date when the first one has barely started and they haven't even gotten their pizza yet.
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