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“Your lasagna smells almost as good as you.” Maya's face lit up with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with delight.
“Does it?” Carina let out a soft laugh as they leaned into each other, their lips meeting sensuously. With her hands gently cradling Maya's face, their tongues danced playfully, engaging in a delightful duel that left their kiss even more intoxicating, their lips swollen and smiling from the passionate exchange.
“As much as I’m enjoying this,” Maya takes a moment to lean in closer, gently pressing her lips against Carina’s tender, swollen ones, savoring the warmth and softness of the connection. “I have to get back to work.”
Carina hesitates, her heart racing as she gently withdraws from the kiss, a mix of emotions swirling within her. “I know.”
“Thank you again. For the Lasagna, it smells amazing.” Maya's gaze flits back and forth between Carina's deep brown eyes, shimmering with unspoken emotions, and her lips, plump and tender from their recent kisses, creating a magnetic pull that draws her closer. The air around them is thick with anticipation, each glance a silent conversation filled with longing and desire as if the world around them has faded away, leaving only the intoxicating connection they share.
“Taste it.” Carina playfully scooped a generous portion of the lasagna, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she leaned closer to Maya, a teasing smile dancing on her lips. With a flirtatious glint in her gaze, she extended the fork, inviting Maya to taste.
Maya pauses for a moment, feeling a twinge of uncertainty as she thinks about letting Carina down once more. When she was younger, she had an unfortunate reaction to tomatoes, and ever since then, she has steered clear of them. Logically she knew she could have outgrown her allergy as often the case with adults, but she had been weary of the tomato since. She reasoned that the allergic reaction wasn't too severe, just a bit of an annoying tingling sensation in her throat and a few hives. It wasn't anything that could put her life in danger. She figured that accepting the bite would really help her relationship with Carina, and if things got worse, she could always grab some Benadryl from the storage closet to ease her symptoms if needed.
Maya took a bite of the lasagna, savoring every moment as she let it glide past her lips in the most alluring way possible. She couldn't help but let out a playful and sultry "Yum," her smile radiating charm and mischief. "This is absolutely delicious," she added, her eyes sparkling with delight.
Carina chuckled softly as she set the meal back on the desk. "Alright, Captain," she said playfully. With a teasing smile, she glanced over her shoulder as she headed toward the door. "Don't forget to call me," she added with a wink before she shut the door, leaving a hint of mischief in the air.
Maya couldn't help but wear a blissful smile, reminiscent of a lovestruck puppy, until an irritating scratch in her throat interrupted her daydream. She instinctively tugged at her collar, trying to create some space around her neck as a wave of warmth began to rise, accompanied by a prickling sensation on her skin. It was clear that her allergy to tomatoes was still very much a reality, and the thought of this being a problem weighed heavily on her mind, especially since she was eager to keep seeing the charming Italian. As she continued to clear her throat, battling the discomfort, she decided to step out of the office in search of something to alleviate her allergy symptoms.
Travis Montgomery noticed the Captain descending the staircase and quickly averted his gaze. He stole a quick look at her before turning his head away.
Maya shot him a quick look, her annoyance from the earlier incident in the barn still fresh in her mind. She turned away, trying to avoid any attention that might highlight her discomfort. Her fingers gripped her shirt collar tightly as she moved past him. She struggled to maintain a calm breath, but each breath felt more like a desperate gasp than a steady inhale. It felt as if the ground was shifting beneath her feet, causing her to wobble a bit as she continued her way toward the storage room.
Maya was now struggling to breathe, the wheezing sound escaping her lips betraying her distress. She fought against the overwhelming discomfort, contemplating whether she should seek out Travis for assistance. As the world around her began to blur, a sense of panic gripped her; the fear of slipping into full anaphylactic shock loomed large in her mind. She couldn't help but berate herself for not being more cautious, wishing she had been honest with Carina in the first place, she swiped her arms across the shelves seeking out the tablets.
Maya had reached a point of desperation, abandoning her search for the medication she needed. The tightness in her throat was becoming unbearable, and she felt herself losing the strength to stay upright as everything around her grew dimmer. In a frantic effort to get help, she tried to make as much noise as possible, hoping someone would hear her. However, the constant rush of blood in her ears made it hard to focus on anything else. Through her blurry vision, she thought she saw Vic in the distance.
Vic knelt beside the captain, her heart racing as she took in the sight of Maya, whose skin had turned a ghostly white, with the angry hives standing out starkly against her complexion. Panic surged through her as she noted the captain's sluggish movements and the unsettling stillness in her eyes. "Stay with me, Bishop!" Vic urged, her voice a mix of desperation and determination, as she reached out to offer comfort. In the midst of her frantic assessment, she shouted for Travis.
Travis had just stepped into the supply room when he heard Vic urgently calling for an epi-pen. Without hesitation, he sprang into action, racing toward the Aid Car to retrieve the necessary medication.
Maya lay there, almost completely unresponsive, her breath coming in sharp, labored gasps that echoed the struggle within her chest. Her eyes fluttered, rolling back as if retreating into darkness, while her body felt heavy and lifeless, devoid of any strength or movement.
Vic quickly began to unfasten the fire captain's pants, pulling them down just enough to expose the thigh, right as Montgomery burst back into the room, the EpiPen clutched tightly in his hand. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees and swiftly injected the medication into Maya's leg.
The two kept a close eye on Maya, monitoring her breathing and level of consciousness. Vic mentally counted the seconds as she carefully positioned Maya in the recovery stance, preparing for the possibility of vomiting. Meanwhile, Travis had retrieved the rescue bag and was applying the pulse oximeter and blood pressure cuff to the captain, who was beginning to breathe more steadily and was slowly opening her eyes. Maya, feeling the discomfort around her collar, instinctively tried to grasp it once more, her hands trembling with involuntary shakes as waves of nausea washed over her.
“Hypertensive and slightly hypoxic still. Watch her while I go get the stretcher.” Travis instructed Vic.
Maya tried to reassure everyone with a slurred, “I’m fine…” but the words barely escaped her lips. A wave of embarrassment washed over her; the last place she wanted to be was the hospital. The thought of possibly encountering Carina in the emergency room filled her with dread—how could she possibly explain her situation? As she made an effort to sit up, Vic gently but firmly kept her in place.
“You just experienced anaphylaxis; you’re not alright,” Vic said in a calming tone, keeping a watchful eye on Maya. “Do you have any idea what triggered this reaction?”
Maya emitted a soft grunt, her mind still foggy as she murmured, “Lasagna…” The sensation in her mouth was peculiar, a thick and tingling feeling that made her acutely aware of her discomfort. A throbbing pain began to pulse in her head, matching the rapid beat of her heart. “No hospital…” she insisted to Vic, allowing her body to sink back down as she closed her eyes, seeking a brief respite. All she needed was a moment to regain her composure before she could muster the strength to rise from the grimy floor beneath her. How had she overlooked this task on her chore list?
Travis inquired, "How is she?" as he returned with the gurney and retrieved a penlight, directing its beam into Maya's eyes, prompting her to hiss and instinctively turn her head away.
"Stop it," she mumbled, her words slurred. "I’m fine."
Vic chimed in, noting, "Her tachycardia and hypertension persist, but her oxygen levels are improving," while she carefully placed an oxygen mask over Maya's face, preventing her from swatting it away.
"Okay, Captain, you're getting a complimentary trip to Grey Sloan," Travis reassured her, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere.
Despite her weak protests, they successfully secured Maya onto the stretcher. Vic and Travis swiftly transported her, while Travis made a quick detour to the front desk, promising to keep Andy and the rest of the team informed. The journey to the ambulance bay was thankfully brief, and as they arrived, Maya began to regain her clarity, becoming increasingly defiant. Vic rolled her eyes at Maya's ongoing objections. “I’m fine, Vic; this is pointless,” Maya insisted, even as her body trembled and nausea washed over her. “As your captain, I command you to turn back.” She was convinced she didn’t need medical attention, feeling somewhat better—just a bit unsteady, but certainly not in any life-threatening condition.
Vic struggled to suppress her eye roll, well aware of Maya's aversion to hospitals and her reluctance to accept assistance. “I promise, once the doctor gives you the all-clear, I’ll take you home,” she reassured her, expertly inserting an IV and draping a wool blanket over the shivering captain to provide some comfort.
As the two firefighters wheeled their captain into the emergency room, Dr. Miranda Bailey was there to meet them. Vic was rapidly relaying vital signs while Maya, visibly distressed, continued to voice her objections.
“Do you really think I want to see you here in my ER, Bishop?” Dr. Bailey retorted sharply as Travis helped maneuver Maya onto the trauma bed. “Stay still, or I’ll have to restrain you!”
Maya, defiant, tried to pull down her oxygen mask, but a single glance from Bailey—one that clearly warned against testing her patience—made her reconsider, and she reluctantly let her arm fall back to the bed.
Dr. Teddy Altman rushed into the trauma room after receiving a page from Bailey, who was concerned about Maya's elevated heart rate. The two doctors collaborated seamlessly with the nursing staff, meticulously overseeing the administration of medications to stabilize the fire captain's condition. As lab samples were dispatched for analysis, the atmosphere in the room was tense yet focused. Eventually, Maya found herself alone, connected to various monitors with leads attached to her body, an IV line delivering crucial fluids, and oxygen tubing encircling her face, a stark reminder of the critical care she was receiving.
Maya was completely worn out, her eyelids felt like they were weighed down with lead, the combination of medication and her past experiences finally taking a toll on her. She struggled to keep her tired blue eyes open, determined not to succumb to sleep and prolong her stay in the hospital any longer than she had to. Just as she was about to give in and allow herself a brief moment of rest, promising it would only be for a few minutes, the curtain was drawn back and Dr. Carina Deluca her current “situation” entered with a small frown on her face.
The Italian moved closer to the bed, his hand reaching out to clasp Maya's gently, offering a reassuring squeeze. “How do you feel, Bella?” she inquired with genuine concern in his voice.
Maya tried to muster a comforting smile, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and fatigue. "I'm okay," she said, motioning to her body as if to emphasize her point. "Could you help me get discharged? This is a little much."
Carina, concerned, cast a quick look at the monitors that displayed Maya's vital signs, seeking some form of confirmation. “Let Dr. Altman and Dr. Bailey help you then I promise when you’re discharged I’ll take you home.”," she remarked, her brow furrowing with worry. “Why didn’t you tell me you had an allergy?” Carina gently brushed her fingers through the soft strands of Maya's golden hair, savoring the silky texture as it slipped through her grasp.
Maya playfully remarked, "You have a way of leaving me breathless anyway." She tried to inject a sense of flirtation into the moment, hoping to ease the tension and bring a smile to Carina’s face, who allowed a small smile. “I hadn’t had tomatoes since I was four, I thought I outgrew the allergy. Your Lasagna smelled so good; I didn’t know this would happen.” Maya stifled a small cough and grimaced. “I feel fine now, can you please help me get out of this hospital?”
Carina gently filled a glass with water and brought it to Maya, who was still trembling a bit. She carefully adjusted the bed to a more comfortable position, helping Maya take small sips to soothe her. "Just relax and let your body recuperate; I'll be right here when you open your eyes again."
Maya gazed up at her, her eyes wide and filled with a sense of wonder as if she were seeking reassurance in a world that often felt uncertain. "Do you promise?" she asked, her voice soft and hopeful, embodying a purity that made the moment feel both fragile and precious.
“Si.” Carina gently pressed her lips against Maya's in a tender kiss, a soft gesture that spoke volumes of affection and warmth between them. “Get some rest and we can talk about your allergies later.”
Maya felt her eyelids gently drift shut as Carina's calming hand glided over her skin, a wave of tranquility washing over her. In that moment, the tension that had gripped her body began to dissipate, allowing her to rest. A ghost of a smile on her face as she allowed her “situation” to offer her comfort. She could get used to having a girlfriend.