Across the Pond Ch. 02

"Would you give me a moment?" He asked them. Sharon grinned.

"Of course, love. You'll be all right?"

"I think I can handle a few steps." He said and headed over toward Sam.

"You caught me." Sam said with a guilty smile. "I've been meaning to give them up."

"Ah sure, five year olds smoke in Ireland so it's fine." He answered, then wasn't sure where to go from there. Sam apparently wasn't either and just nodded.

"Come back if you have any trouble or you're still in pain after a few days." Sam added.

"Right. I will. Thanks."

"No problem. It's the job."

"Right..... the job....."

"Well, it was nice meeting you Cion." Sam said and tossed his cigarette to the street. "I'd better get in."

"Sam?" Cion called, just as the doctor was about to head into the hospital.

"Yeah?"

"I hope I'm not making a total ass of myself, which is probably a really good thing to say to make good and sure that I am, but...."

"But?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me at some point? I mean, I should be healed up nice and good in just a few days. At least that's what my doctor says and I trust him. He seems to know what he's talking about."

"Um..." Sam began.

"We could grab a cup of coffee or some lunch if you'd like. Or if I've made an ass of myself by assuming you're gay and you're not, than I'm sorry and hope that you'll take it as a compliment."

"No. You assumed correctly." Sam smiled.

"You have someone?" Cion asked with a sour stomach. He hadn't even thought of that option.

"No. I'm single. It's just that-." A nurse ran out and interrupted Sam.

"Doctor, we've got a mass casualty coming in. Five patients. E.T.A. six minutes."

"Thank you, Beth." The doctor turned back to Cion. "I'll give you my cell phone number. Give me a call tomorrow."

"I don't have a cell phone. You wouldn't happen to have a pen and paper?" Cion asked.

"I've one." Sharon said from where she had been listening a few feet away. She rushed over and took the doctor's number.

"I'll call tomorrow then." Cion assured Sam.

"Great! I'll talk to you then."

"Good luck with the casualty thing!" Cion called after Sam as he rushed into the hospital.

"'Good luck with the casualty thing'?" Sharon asked with a giggle. "Jesus, you'll have to go home and kiss the Blarney stone like a fecking tourist!"

"Ah that's enough from you." Cion said with a wide smile across his face. He rode home in the s.u.v. not minding the pain but waiting for tomorrow when he could call Sam.