Who: Will Graham and Leonard McCoy When: Mid July Where: Irvine General What: Meeting Rating/Warning: Low/None (Mentions of detective work) Status: Complete
McCoy was going over some paperwork in his office. He glanced at the clock, and then again at his calendar. The appointment that Will had made was coming up in a few minutes, and McCoy wanted to make sure he was prepared to discuss the case, if he needed to answer any questions. It was all in the report. All the answers were right there on the page. McCoy didn’t really have to do anything, he could just hand the paperwork over. But they often chatted a bit when their paths crossed. Funny how many people in Orange County McCoy interacted with because of his job.
Will couldn’t necessarily say he liked a lot of people, but he’d grown to like McCoy as much as Will could like anyone. There was a professionalism about the doctor that Will respected and found refreshing, especially when it meant speedy reports and answers. Will wasn’t exactly known for his patience. And this latest case was driving him up the wall, what with his partner being busy on other things, and Will needed a report from all major hospitals. McCoy’s readiness was appreciated.
Will knocked on the door to the office, then headed inside with a slight nod. “I hope I’m not late.” Will was never late for appointments.
McCoy stood from his chair as soon as he heard the knock. He’d been expecting it, so he was prepared. He wasn’t exactly bright and bubbly at the sight of a work associate, but he wasn’t scowling. A hand reached out across the desk to Will so they could shake in greeting. “No. Not late at all. Come on in.”
Giving the offered hand a firm, but brief, shake, Will took a seat in the chair opposite McCoy. He fidgeted momentarily and then sat up straight, then leaned in toward the desk. “Thank you for taking the time to do this,” he said. “I know writing reports for the police isn’t exactly what you’d want to be doing, but. It makes our job a lot easier.”
“Anything I can do to help,” McCoy responded. He sat when Will did, and was now shoving papers into the folder. “I was just checking to make sure all the t’s are crossed. That sort of thing.” Of course, everything was already in order, he was just being thorough. “...I can’t imagine that your work brings you to the hospital for reports all that often…?”
“I appreciate your thoroughness,” Will commented, and he meant it, too. But then he couldn’t help the wry smile that crossed his face. “Thankfully not as much as it used to.” When he’d worked homicide he’d been in and out hospitals more than he’d care to count. Usually down to the morgue. It was nice to be someplace that didn’t stink of sterilization and disinfectant so much.
“Oh?” McCoy didn’t have many interactions with Will before he was in his current department, so the comment was intriguing. “When did that change?” He asked, genuinely interested. Talking with someone outside of the hospital was like a breath of fresh air.
Will shrugged. Talking about himself was not his strong point. He preferred, if he could, to disappear into the background. “I needed a change of pace,” he answered. Nice and simple.
“Understandable.” McCoy responded with a nod. “This place is full of some pretty weird changes. It’s hard to keep up sometimes.”
“You’re telling me.” Being a cop in Orange County was definitely never dull. Will slipped the report into his briefcase to bring back to the station, then sat in an uncomfortable (for him) silence. “I guess that’s all I needed.”
“I guess so.” McCoy stood up from his desk chair, reaching a hand out to shake Will’s again. “If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to call my office. My direct line is on the forms.”
Will shook McCoy’s hand with a bit more ease this time around, but it was still brief. “Of course. Thank you again. Enjoy the rest of your day, doctor.” He turned to leave, already breathing a sigh of relief to be about to leave the hospital.
“And you.” McCoy responded. Then he slipped back down into his chair. He had a long few hours left until he could go home.