Who: Alec Vaisey & Nora Flint When: Monday, June 19th, 2002 (evening) Where: The clinic What: Two wayward souls meet, and an unlikely bond is forged. Also, makeouts. Warnings: N/A
He hadn't been working at the clinic for too terribly long, but he'd found that working shifts opposite those of Dr. Flint seemed to work particularly well. People had more or less around-the-clock access to care, and it meant that Alec's night-owl tendencies could actually be somewhat productive, with Dr. Flint readily taking the morning shift.
What he hadn't expected was for a patient to have been left behind in his wake upon entering the clinic for his shift. Taking the woman's pulse, he frowned. Alarmingly slow. Still breathing. But completely out cold. Grabbing his wand, he lifted one of her lids to try and get a look at her eye. Hm. Maybe she'd just fainted? But-- no. The distinct smell of alcohol that hit the room when he opened her mouth was almost overwhelming, and he slowly began feeling her lymph nodes, starting at her jaw before working his way slowly down her body.
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If someone asked Nora why she had decided to get so incredibly day drunk, there would be no answer to give. Why not? It was the best she could come up with, other than, well, I hate my life, so what else is there to do? But instead of verbalizing her misery, she drank it away. Her boss didn't give a shit when she left, and if Joseph was going to be so adamant to pay off her tab, then she was going to abuse the shit out of it as often as she could. Hopefully along the way she'd get cirrhosis and die a slow, painful death. Somehow that would still be oodles better than her current reality.
After a solid four hours, and an entire bottle of whiskey later, Nora had been moved from the bar to a booth, and eventually, someone saw her and alerted Joseph. It wasn't long before her passed out form had been dumped in the exam room and several potions administered by Joseph to aid in filtering out the alcohol in her system. It wasn't an absolutely immediate process though, which is why she was still very much passed out when Alec entered the room.
Honestly, he was about to her tits when she finally managed to pull herself back into confidence the slightest bit. Instead of shying away though, she turned her head, looking over at this... person, a curious look on her face.
"You know, if you're gonna feel a girl up, you should ask permission first," she mumbled before chuckling darkly to herself. Fuck... her head hurt, and she groaned slightly, pressing one of her hands to her forehead.
&
He hadn't expected her to awaken quite so soon, a soft chuckle leaving Alec. "Sorry, love, much as I adore assaulting women in their sleep, I was actually checking your vital signs. Stress can make lymph nodes swell up... let me know if any of this is tender, mm?"
He'd finished with her elbows, armpits... all that was left was her groin. "Would you mind telling me why you were drinking?" Of course, her groin did present a quandary. He was a doctor, so this was professional, but he also didn't know this girl...
"Would you feel comfortable lifting up your skirt? I won't be offended if you say no."
&
Well then, he seemed… oddly charming. How in the hell had he ended up working for Joseph? Her brother in law knew decent people? Merlin, her mind was being blown. Maybe it was just an act. That seemed like the most likely scenario, anyway. But she supposed she could enjoy it, if only for the moment.
“I was drinking to get drunk. Why else would you drink?” she asked, as though it was the most apparent answer in the world. But instead of contemplating how stupid this person could really be, she decided, for once, to let it go. Rationally, Nora knew most people didn’t behave like her. To him, without prior knowledge of who she was, she would have been an anomaly.
“I think, Doc, that’s the nicest way anyone’s ever asked to look at my private parts…” half laughing to herself, Nora ran a hand through her hair and over her face before she gave him a defeated shrug. “Do whatever. I honestly don’t care.”
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Chuckling, he cast her a small grin. "Don't get smart with me, young lady. I was asking what your motivation was-- if you even had a motivation. Was this just... recreational? Grieving? Loss of a job? Trying to get over an ex...?"
Okay, so maybe that question wasn't entirely professional, but he'd certainly given her enough options to choose from that ignoring it wasn't out of the question in the least. She wasn't wearing a wedding band... and she was cute. A bit on the smarmy side, sure, but, then again, he liked that, too. There weren't a lot of women who could keep up with him-- conversationally or otherwise. It was refreshing.
Of course, that was when she decided to surprise him again, his eyes widening somewhat as his brows rose. "Really?" Now that was... alarming. Glancing down, he shook his head. "You know what, don't worry about it." Tugging off his gloves to discard, he turned away from her for a moment to wash his hands. "Uh, if I may be so bold as to ask... in a professional capacity," he started, turning to glance back at her, "are you implying that you've been sexually assaulted? You don't have to answer if you'd prefer not to, but..." But that was a serious thing he would have wanted to talk about with any patient of his. And given that she'd drunken herself into a stupor... well. It just so happened to be particularly relevant all of a sudden.
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“Young lady?” she asked incredulously, laughing out loud at that. Now he was really just being a brown noser, wasn’t he? It had to be because he knew who she was. The boss’ sister-in-law, it was the only explanation. But then… that wouldn’t explain that last question, would it? Suddenly, she was extremely confused, and her mind was still a bit sluggish, even with the potions Joseph had administered finishing their job of cleaning out her bloodstream…
“Not really. This is just Saturday, honestly. If you think this is bad, you should see me on Mondays.” Because didn’t everyone hate Mondays? “Besides, I wouldn’t be drinking to get over an ex. I’d be drinking to celebrate a divorce. Or death.” Her eyes grew a bit dark at that. Though once again, he managed to surprise her, his line of questioning causing her brows to crease, and Nora sat up as he walked away, her eyes staring after him as the room spun in the slightest bit. Was he being serious? “Come on, Doc. Now I feel like I’m missing out on some wicked treatment…” Okay, maybe that was a bad comment to make right now, but she honestly didn’t give a fuck.
“I’m implying the people that I know are dicks. Like hey.. take off your fucking pants. Or hurry up and bend over. Thought there’s the occasional sweet talk like… I’m going to make you scream.” Shrugging as though it was no big deal, she ran a hand through her hair, tugging gently at a small knot and knowing eventually, she was going to have to make her way back home. It had been a nice little vacation, that was for sure. “You’re definitely new here, right?” He had to be. To not know her, to be so… what was the word, concerned? He was obviously fresh blood.
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He shrugged, a smile continuing to tug at his features. "I have no idea how old you are; it just seemed fitting in the moment."
Okay, so maybe his stomach did drop just a bit when she mentioned divorce, although the fact that she would be celebrating certainly did seem to imply a few things... "I'd feel bad for violating you when apparently lots of people have done so in the past...?" He leaned back against the counter, his hands wrapped around the edge of it as he shrugged. "Besides, I try not to make a habit of looking... quite so clinically at women I'd much rather ask out."
Well. Wasn't he ever the shameless one.
Her words made him frown, and he shook his head at her nonchalance. "None of that sounds normal or acceptable, from where I'm standing. Just who, exactly, is doing this to you? Because you'd probably have cause to at the very least report them, though I know how iffy that can be when domestic violence is in the picture..." Because truly, it did concern him a good bit. "And I'm not new here, no. I work the night shift. The... other doctor. Don't see Dr. Flint much; we mainly just share the office space and split the hours between us."
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“A woman never reveals her age,” Nora said in a mock, holier than thou tone before rolling her eyes. Though that was stopped instantly in its tracks. Did he…. Really just say that? She stared at him dumbfounded for a moment, knowing in the back of her mind she probably looked fucking ridiculous, but she couldn’t help it. First and foremost, even before she was forced into a marriage she didn’t want, people didn’t exactly ask Nora out. I mean, in their defense, half of them were too afraid to but… He didn’t exactly strike her as the overly brave, Gryffindor type. Yet here they were.
And because there wasn’t going to be a better time than now to ruin everything, Nora took a deep breath and held out her hand. “I think I should probably introduce myself, Doc.” Even though she didn’t want to. Even though she longed to be someone else, even if it was just pretending, for only a moment. But he seemed like an actual decent human being, and she couldn’t bring herself to do that to him.
“Mrs. Lenora Flint. Doctor Flint is my brother-in-law. Though I insist you call me Nora.” God, this was the fucking worst. Why couldn’t she be anyone else? Why couldn’t she have good things in her life like a seemingly normal doctor asking her out on a date? Fuck, she hated this. But at the same time, now that he had such a negative opinion of some things… in a small way, that was a win. In a small way, maybe he’d realize she wasn’t living in a fairy tale. Right now though, she really needed another drink. A strong one.
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Well, at least he hadn't assumed incorrectly. Married, then. That was a shame. Still, he didn't mind. The company was nice, but he had initially intended on actually helping her... well, wasn't he just the very picture of professionalism...
"The pleasure is all mine," he nodded slowly. "Dr. Alec Vaisey. If you do end up getting divorced, or your husband dies, or you decide you're really in the mood for an affair..." He was smiling, and maybe there was just a touch of tongue-in-cheek humor there, but he was also being very much serious. Especially considering the fact that she was apparently getting abused at home, implied that she'd celebrate her husband's early demise...
Only way to go was up, from the looks of it.
"But on a more professional note... would you like to talk to me about what you've been dealing with at home? Any bruising, lacerations... you'd like me to look at? I'd also take anything that isn't physical abuse, but psychological, as well, if that's what's going on here." Because he certainly didn't need Dr. Flint's approval. Hell, he could open his own practice. Sure, this was more cost-efficient, but it wasn't like he was worried, should he be forced to relocate.
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It was interesting, the way he just took everything in stride. Alec… That was a nice name. And his humor was even more appreciated, though she couldn’t help but bite her lower lip as she quite obviously looked him over. Merlin, he had a wonderful jawline. And even more wonderful eyes. A girl could really get lost in those…
“I’m always in the mood for an affair,” she said quite seriously. “What’s the sense in living if you can’t continually backstab one of the individuals who is the bane of your existence?” Plus… Marcus had to do… something. Hell, she had no idea what, but she was fairly certain he had some sort of sexual drive. Whatever his likes though, she tried her best not to really worry herself much on it. On occasion, she had to perform her duties as a wife, but that was only because she was supposed to produce an heir. Lucky for her, she truly tried to make her body the least appealing place for a fetus to make its home.
His concern continued, and Nora couldn’t help but find herself slightly fascinated. Just… why? It didn’t make any sense to her. And while part of her considered telling him something, anything, he was still.. an anomaly. An unknown. Nora couldn’t trust that, not in this world. Because opening up meant admitting that she was one of the Ministry’s Most Wanted, in a sense, and she was not prepared to deal with the multiple paths that discussion could take.
“I appreciate your concern, Doctor Alec Vaisey. Truly. But the last thing in the world you want to be doing is getting yourself caught up in my business. It’s not good for anyone, and you seem like a decent enough human being. And while I wish misery and pain on most of the world, so far, you haven’t made that list.” Shrugging she tacked on, “Though I do suppose the day is still young.” That was mostly a joke, at least.
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"I'd enjoy that," he said, his smile slowly widening. Most women wouldn't have been so open, or so willing, he knew at least that much, but that was precisely what made it so refreshing. This was... nice. Unattainable, sure, but definitely nice.
She was an interesting girl, this Nora. He knew next to nothing about her, except for the fact that she regularly drank herself into a stupor like a lush, and seemed to have plenty of reasons as to why she'd want to do such a thing in the first place. But she wanted to talk about none of them for whatever reason she was unwilling to talk about... It was strange. If she'd been hoping to ward him off with her words, she must have known-- she certainly seemed intelligent enough-- that it would do rather the opposite.
"Considering all this talk of affairs and abuse, I'd say I'm already pretty caught up in your business. You're telling me that this is just the tip of the iceberg?" He shrugged. "A man can't help but be intrigued. Even if the only pain I enjoy is located firmly in the bedroom. Maybe in the way of a good spanking." Something told him she was experiencing something an entirely different category, though. "And I'd hate to miss out on any of that when it could involve such a beautiful woman." A beat. "Perhaps you'd let me take you out sometime? We can call it a business dinner, if you have those. Or business drinks; I'm not particularly picky."
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“Mmmm.. maybe that’s just all part of my master plan,” she said ominously, giving him a mischievous look. “Get you all concerned and invested… draw you in like a moth to the flame. You might get burned though, Doctor Alec. Perhaps you should be careful,” she warned, her voice an unknown mix between teasing, and serious. Mostly because getting involved with her could be a dangerous thing, and she didn’t want anyone to enter that sort of existence unprepared. She was a mess, and her life was even worse.
What really surprised her though, and Nora was not surprised often, was his offer to take her out. Was he being serious? She had to look him over for a moment to see if she could find any hint of a good joke… because that’s what this had to be. But she was decent at reading people, and she found him to be completely sincere. Odd.
“We don’t need to go adding any sort of business titles, I assure you. Drinks.. dinner, I can agree to such terms. But I just want you to be fully aware of what you’re getting yourself into..” Hopping down off the exam bed she had been laying on, Nora cracked her neck before walking up a bit closer to Alec, looking up at him, his eyes drawing her in. “I’m not good for anyone. Just know that, alright?”
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"Burned, huh?" He cocked a brow. "I guess it's a good thing I'm a doctor, then, huh."
She seemed extremely concerned with keeping him, what, safe? From whatever it was that was affected her to this extent, he supposed. But he was a big boy; it wasn't as though he was particularly concerned that their going out was going to end up with him violently murdered for some bizarre reason.
"I was moreso thinking about it being a suitable cover-up for this husband of yours, but I imagine that would be your call."
Licking his lips as she approached, he couldn't help but side-eye her somewhat. "You don't seem nearly as scary as you're making this sound, you know. Tell me," he inclined his head at her. "What makes you so sure that you're bad news?"
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Alec’s confidence was most certainly a turn on. A woman would have to be insane to miss it, and Nora was a clever, perceptive girl. Though why he was wasting it all on her, when he had plenty of other fish in the sea to woo, was completely lost on her. Instead of taking too long to dwell though, it seemed her mouth was working far quicker than her brain. “My husband doesn’t pay much attention, I assure you.” Or maybe it was the other way around. They weren’t in the same room enough to really figure that out though.
With a small smirk then, Nora tilted her head, biting at her lower lip as she reached up to absently fix his tie, tightening it a bit around his neck in the process.
“Looks can be deceiving, you know,” she said gently, her voice almost a soft purr as she smoothed her hands over his chest. It was only fair, right? He had already gotten to cop a feel. “And what would be the point in answering your question. If you’re going to be the brave one, you can find out for yourself, right?
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"Your husband doesn't pay attention to you, you'd celebrate divorcing him, or even his death, you seem quite content to have an affair... why exactly are you still married?" Hell, he wasn't even bringing up the signs of abuse she was showcasing.
Glancing down at her hands at his front, Alec gave a soft chuckle. "Mm. Maybe." He wasn't the tallest person in the world, but she was short, and the difference in height was refreshing, though it did mean that he had to reach down to gently lift her chin before leaning in to softly kiss her.
If she was going to call him brave, the least he could do was prove her right and find out for himself all in one swoop.
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His question… now that hit on an incredibly sore spot. If only he knew the reason. If only she could tell him. But that was literally impossible, if only because she didn’t trust him enough with that sort of leverage, coupled with the fact his knowledge of her past would put him in danger. It was too slippery of a slope in that regard. “That… is a very complicated, impossible question,” she at least managed, and for once, Nora wasn’t lying in the slightest.
And while she usually wasn’t one to be surprised, his next actions caught her off guard in the best way. But instead of thinking on his actions too hard, she took advantage of the moment, her fingers bunching into the material at the front of his shirt, the other going behind his neck and drawing him in as she stood on her tip toes. If he was going to kiss her, she was going to make sure Alec Vaisey remembered it long after today.
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He nodded with a soft shrug, satisfied with her answer for the moment. Well, if he was going to take her out, he supposed they'd have plenty of time to talk about it all. It could wait.
Oh, it was going to be damn hard to get ready for work after this, but in his mind, that only meant that he should probably make it count. Lifting her up, his hands holding her up by her thighs, he turned them around and sat her down on the edge of the counter as he deepened the kiss, more than happy to give into her demands... for the time being.
Not that he was going to take this too far, no. He was more than content to take his time to tease her properly, keep going until neither of them could stand to wait any longer.
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Nora was small, but she always more than thrilled when someone picked her up as though it was nothing. Of course, that was basically every person ever, but the thought still stood as her feet lifted off the floor and she was sat down on the counter, Alec between her legs. Her fingers twisted in the strands of hair at the base of his neck as her tongue tangled with his, tasting him, committing to memory this one, blissful encounter. Because honestly, she wasn’t sure when the next time this would happen would be… Regardless of what she told him.
And though she wanted to press this further, as far as it would go, really, Nora knew she had places to be. At the last thing she wanted was Joseph showing back up at the clinic to check on her. So while her head was reeling and her body screaming for more, she eventually broke away, her forehead pressed against his as she looked back up into his eyes.
“I should probably go. And you should probably get to work,” she said, her voice a bit breathless and heavy.
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She thought he wouldn't be able to keep up with dangerous little her, but he just found her exciting. A rush to be around, better than any potions he could add into the mix, Alec pulling back with a small, telling smile. He'd gotten just a bit hard, but that was hardly a problem; he had more than enough time to get that particular problem to go away.
"Mm. I suppose we should," he said slowly, his gaze still alternating between her eyes and her lips...
Licking his own, slow and deliberate, as though he could still taste her, he slowly-- somewhat reluctantly-- let her go and stepped back with a nod to the door. "By all means. Ladies first."
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Nora caught his gaze, and she bit her lower lip, running her tongue along it just to savor the flavor of him for a moment longer. It took every ounce of self control not to lean up and kiss him again, instead managing to slip off the table. She ran a hand through her hair, her eyes lingering for a moment as she walked towards the door, her hand pausing on the handle.
“I look forward to you putting your money where your mouth is and writing to me, Doctor Vaisey. At the very least, you at least seem to have some guts to back yourself up. I like that…” With a smirk she opened the door, heading out and leaving him to his shift, and her to another night at Flint Manor.