THIRTY-SIX

“Hey, Beautiful.”

Cate felt warm breath in her ear as the silky murmur floated through her dream.  A tingle ran down her spine, making her shiver in her light slumber.  She smiled, grateful her alarm had not yet roused her.  She wanted to enjoy this dream a little bit longer.

“Good morning.”

“Mmmmrrrrrfffff…” Cate growled.  She wasn’t going to let the sexy voice trick her into letting go.  She was snug and warm and happy in her soft cocoon of sleep.  As soon as she opened her eyes it would all be gone.

“Baby...”

The warm nuzzle against her cheek invaded the filmy haze of dreamland.  Slowly Cate cracked open a long-lashed eye.  

The room was shrouded in the pre-dawn violet-gray of winter, making everything look as if it was part of a grainy black-and-white photograph.  Only the figure perched next to her on the mattress’ edge was in clear relief.  Her lips curved into a pout as she realized she was now awake, her lovely dream vanished.

But it wasn’t a dream.  It was better.

My funny Valentine…

Sweet, sexy Valentine…

You make me smiiiiiiiile….. with my heart….

Jon’s sultry croon in her ear made Cate sigh.  A sleepy smile again curved her lips as she snuggled against her pillow, burrowing a little further down into the warm linens.

“It’s too early…” she mumbled.  “My alarm hasn’t gone off yet.”

“I know.  Sorry, Baby.”  Jon smiled and with a gentle finger swept a thick mahogany strand from Cate’s cheek.  “But today’s a big day.  I want to start it out right.”

Cate sighed softly, her eyes still closed as her foggy brain processed his words.  “Mmmm… Sorry.  Can’t.  Doctor today.”

Jon chortled throatily.  “Not that, Silly Goose.”  He leaned closer to again nuzzle at her ear.  “Happy Anniversary, Baby.  I made you breakfast.”

“Hmmm?”  At that Cate again cracked her lids.  She gave him a wary look before slowly raising her head from her pillow.  Her auburn locks slipped over her bare shoulders as she turned her head to glance at the clock on the bedside table.  As she noted the early hour Cate pulled in a deep breath, the sweet aroma of cinnamon and sugar filling her nose.

"Breakfast?"

Jon grinned and straightened up, for the moment keeping his perch on the edge of the mattress.  "Cinnamon roll pancakes with fresh raspberry puree -- NO syrup.  And whipped creme fraische.  Your favorite."

“You made them?”  Cate’s husky voice didn’t mask her surprise.

“Yes, I did.  All by myself.”  Jon smirked proudly.  “But they were from a mix, so….   Oh, and don’t go in the kitchen for awhile.  It ain’t pretty in there…”  He chuckled at his self-deprecating tease, mentally picturing the enormous mess he had produced through his effort. 

“S’okay. Cleaning service comes today.”

“And I brought you coffee.  Don’t worry…” he immediately responded to her little squeak of disagreement.  “Decaf, organic.  With raw sugar and fresh cream.” 

Cate sighed and dropped her cheek again to her pillow, blinking slowly as she awakened more fully.  “I should have my tea.”

“Not today, Baby.  Treat yourself.”

“Mmmm… Well….”  The sheets rustled as Cate slowly shimmied around under them, turning from her stomach onto her side and propping herself up on an elbow.  She smiled weakly.  “I do miss coffee…”

Jon slipped gracefully off the edge of the bed.  He padded silently over to the dresser and picked up the tray he had left there just a few minutes ago.  Careful not to jostle the dishes and glasses, Jon carefully carried their breakfast back to the bed.

Cate rubbed her eyes and yawned, then pushed herself up to sit.  A gentle smile warmed her expression as Jon settled the tray across her lap before rounding the bed to crawl back onto the mattress.  He slipped under the sheet and sidled over to her, then ducked his head to give her a tender kiss.

“Morning,” he murmured, renewing his greeting.  “Happy Valentine’s Day, Baby”

Cate smiled and nuzzled his cheek as Jon pulled back from the kiss.  “Happy Anniversary.”  She turned her attention to the breakfast tray, humming happily as she reached for the metal travel mug.  Its warmth in her hand made her sigh as she raised it to her lips for a sip.

“Ohhhhh… God, that tastes good,” she groaned softly, savoring the rich flavor.

Jon chortled and slipped his arm behind his wife, curving his hand around her side.  “Sometimes it’s the small pleasures, huh?”

Cate nodded.  “You don’t realize how good they are until you can’t have them.”  She sipped again, then reached  to dip her finger in the whipped cream that adorned the stack of golden-brown pancakes covered in bright red glaze.  She hummed again as she licked the sweet foam from her fingertip.

“Jon?  Why did you get up so early to do all this?”  Cate sighed and tipped her head against Jon’s bare shoulder.  “We could have had breakfast together after my workout.”

“Because.”  Jon wrapped his fingers around the little electronic box at his side.  “I thought it would be nice to watch the sunrise together.”  He raised the remote and aimed it at the sensor in the corner, pushing a button.  A quiet whir filled the bedroom as the curtains slowly parted, revealing the spectacular panoramic view from the Manhattan penthouse’s floor-to-ceiling windows.

“But Baby, the sunrise won’t be for another hour or so yet.  It’s winter.”  Cate’s eyes scanned the skyline, which was just beginning to glow faintly pink through the velvety pre-dawn gray.

“So we’ll just stay here in bed and cuddle and talk and take our time with breakfast.”  Jon again ducked his head to nuzzle at Cate’s neck.  “No workout today.”

“Well…” Cate’s reluctance lasted all of a second.  “Okay, I guess.”  She smiled and turned her face to again capture Jon’s lips with hers. 

“It’s a big day today,” Jon murmured softly.

“Mmm Hmm.”

“You’re only going in to the office for a few hours, right?”

“Yes.”  Cate smiled and reached for a fork, unable to resist the tantalizing aroma of the cinnamon pancakes any longer.  “Just ‘til noon.  I took leave for the rest of the day, and for tomorrow.”

“And you’re turning off your phone, right?”  Jon arched a brow with his question.

Cate chuckled gently.  “You know I can’t do that, Baby.  But I promise I won’t answer it when we’re at the clinic.” 

“Well, alright,” Jon conceded with a little smile.  He chortled softly as he watched Cate cut a piece from the pancake stack and spear it on her fork, then dab it with raspberry sauce and whipped cream.  Willingly he opened his mouth for the bite when she raised the morsel to his lips.

“Mmm.”  Jon chewed and swallowed.  “Damn, that’s not half-bad if I do say so myself.”  He smirked at Cate.  “You totally just tested that out on me, didn’t you?”

Cate giggled.  “Yup.”

“Like the old kings used to have some poor servant taste their food to see if it was poisoned?”

“Exactly.”

“Gee, thanks.”  Jon’s fingers curled against Cate’s side, giving her a playful tickle.  She squirmed lightly.

“Hey, survival of the fittest.”  Cate chuckled as she lifted her own bite of breakfast to her lips.  She hummed happily as the flavors awakened her taste buds.  She chewed and swallowed slowly, then washed the bite down with another sip of hot, sweet coffee.

“Seriously, Baby… this is delicious.  Thank you.”  Cate smiled and offered Jon another sweet kiss.  He chuckled upon discovery that her lips tasted like raspberries and cinnamon.

They ate slowly, sharing the pancakes and savoring the quiet.  When they finished Jon carried the tray back to the kitchen, returning with a fresh cup of Valentine’s coffee for Cate.  She sipped at the rich beverage while Jon settled back into his place on the bed, then she set the cup aside and curled into his arms. 

Cate sighed happily as the warmth of Jon’s embrace enveloped her.  She could easily stay here in bed with him all day, all week, forever.  But that couldn’t happen, especially not today.

Reading her thoughts, Jon reached up to stroke Cate’s hair.  “A little nervous?”

“Yeah.  A little.”  She sighed softly.  “Not so much about the appointment.  About… after.”

Jon’s heart squeezed.  He didn’t want to hear the thought any more than Cate wanted to voice it.  But he knew their recent disappointments had made her gunshy, afraid to allow herself to hope for a pregnancy this time.  

“Our life’s about to change, Cate,” Jon murmured softly.  “When the sun comes up tomorrow, things will be a little different.  It may not seem that way, but we’ll know.”

Cate nodded, her cheek brushing against Jon’s firm chest.  Her arms tightened around his waist.  “So it’s good to enjoy it today.  Together.”

“Yeah.”  Jon’s reply was barely a whisper as he pressed a kiss against the crown of her head.

Their words ceased but their hearts spoke as they lay together, watching the sky lighten over the city.

*****

“And there they are… The Lucky Val-en-tines…”

Cate giggled at Edie’s sing-songed greeting as the cheerful nurse sashayed into the consultation room.  She was dressed for the holiday in festive red scrubs under her white lab coat.  A pink ribbon sash draped across her chest, proclaiming her to be “Queen of Hearts.”  On her bottle-blonde hair gleamed a pink rhinestone tiara.

A wide grin split Jon’s face at the nurse’s getup.  “Look, Baby.  We got the pageant winner today.”

“Ta dah!”  Edie twirled slowly in front of Jon, then gave him a saucy wink.  “You rock star types, always flirting with us supermodels.”

“Nah, I only flirt with the prettiest ones,” Jon gave Edie his best sexy smile.  “And I’ve been savin’ up for you, Doll.”

“Pffft.”  Edie waved a hand at Jon as she sputtered at his attempted suck-up.  “You better have been savin’ up, if ya know what I mean.”  She gave him a dirty smirk.

“Oh, I know.  And I have been.”  Jon grinned back at Edie, then glanced at Cate.  His smile gentled.  “Gonna make sure we do this right the first time.”  Her nod affirmed his statement.

Edie chuckled.  “Well, you’ve had a little practice at this, so I’m pretty sure you’ll do just fine on a ‘one-shot deal’.”

Jon laughed at her pun.  “Yeah, well.  I just hope you got some better porn in there this time.  All that old stuff is gettin' kinda boring.”

“Well excuse me, Mister Sex and Booze and Rock-and-Roll!” Edie bantered back.  “Sorry we have boring porn in the Whackadoodle Room.”  She rolled her eyes playfully, then gave Cate a cheery smile.  “Actually, I think we might have a little something in there this time you’ll enjoy.”

“Oh really?”  Jon arched a brow at the nurse, grinning sexily.  “You got somethin’ special in there? Just for me?”

“I sure do.  Just for you.”  Edie gave Jon another wink, then turned her attention to Cate.  “Okay, Missus… You want to head on down to the lab for your pee-test?  You know the drill.  I’ll jab ya with the needle when you come back.”

Cate nodded, exchanging a conspiratorial smile with the nurse.  She picked up her oversized tote bag and looped the handles over her shoulder before standing up from her seat.  “See you in a couple minutes, Baby.”

Jon tipped his head as he smiled back at Cate, mildly puzzled by her farewell.  “Okay.  I’ll be here.”  He watched her move quickly to the door and slip out of the room.

Nurse Edie stepped over to the counter, tapping at her electronic tablet to bring up the couple’s chart.  “Alright, Handsome.  Off with that sweater.  I gotta get your blood pressure before I send you down the hall to raise it a few points.”

Jon chuckled at Edie’s playful but accurate statement.  Uncrossing his legs and leaning forward in his chair, he reached behind his neck to tug his gray v-neck sweater up and over his head.  He heard and felt a crackle of static as the wool slid over his shaggy hair.  He absently smoothed a hand over his hair before draping the sweater across his lap.  “Which arm you want?”

“The Superman one, of course.”  Edie grinned, not looking up from the chart.  She had done enough pre-specimen exams with Jon to have noted the location of all his tattoos and distinguishing marks.

With a little grin Jon pushed up the short sleeve of his black t-shirt, baring his upper left arm.  He waited patiently while Edie made a few notations on the tablet, then pulled the blood pressure machine over to where he sat.  Jon passively offered his arm for Edie to wrap in the uncomfortable rubber cuff.

“So, how’s Cate doing with this?”  Edie’s voice was still cheery, but her question was more serious.

“She’s a little nervous.   Excited, too.”  Jon let his arm hang limply at his side as the nurse slipped the metal diaphragm of her stethoscope under the rubber wrap.  She pressed the switch to inflate the cuff around his bicep.

Edie nodded as the machine emitted a low hum.  “It’s been a long road for you two already.  But now we’re getting serious about this babymaking stuff.”

“Yeah.”  Jon nodded, his voice softening.  “She’s doing okay, hanging in there.  But she’s afraid, too.  We’ve had so many disappointments already…”

“I know.  But you gotta keep believing and supporting each other.”  The machine beeped, halting the inflation on the cuff.  Edie paused for a moment, looking at the numbers on the machine as she listened to Jon’s pulse thudding in her ears.  Satisfied, she tugged the stethoscope earpieces from her ears and pressed the pressure release button.  “Looks good, as usual.”

“We’re trying.”  Jon smiled as the nurse unwrapped his arm, the Velcro making a sharp ripping noise.  “Sometimes it’s hard, but we get through it.”

“Good.”  Edie gave Jon a genuine smile, then pushed the machine back to its corner.  She paused to note his blood pressure on the electronic tablet, then turned back to face him.  

“Okay, so.  You know the procedure.  Wash your hands first, sterile cups are on the shelf above the sink.  Don’t open the cup until you need to; just loosen the cap for easy access in a hurry.”  She smirked slightly.  “Don’t touch the inside of the cup, cap it immediately and get it over to the window as soon as possible.  After you take a minute to get yourself cleaned up, of course.”

“And Doris takes it from there.”  Jon nodded his understanding.  He had already been through this process more than a half-dozen times.  The indignity of it had worn off.

“Yep.  But tonight we’re gonna set those little swimmers free upstream, after they have a nice little bath.”  Edie chuckled softly.  “I assume you’ll want to be with Cate when Dr. Klein does the insemination?”

“Of course.”

“Okay.  After you provide your sample you’ll have about an hour to wait while it’s processed and we prep Cate for the procedure.  It’s not a big deal, but we don’t do it in a regular exam room, just to be on the safe side.  We want to keep everything as sterile as possible, so we use what we call a ‘clean room’.   Kinda like an operating room, but a little fancier.” 

Edie paused and gave Jon a sympathetic little smile.  “So, I hear you had to cancel your Valentine’s Day plans for tonight, huh?”

Jon shrugged.  “Yeah.  Actually, it’s our wedding anniversary today, too.  So it was more anniversary plans than Valentine’s.”

“Aww.  That’s sweet, that you were married on Valentine’s Day.”  Edie grinned.  “You’re just a big Sap, aren’t ya?”

Jon laughed, nodding agreeably.  “Yep, I admit it.  I’m a total, hopeless, starry-eyed romantic.  Moreso than my wife.”

“Really?  Usually that’s the other way around.”  Edie chortled softly.

“Oh, Cate’s mushy, too.  She just doesn’t really wear it on her sleeve.”  Jon’s blue eyes gleamed, his voice gentling as he described his wife.  “But she actually has a truly romantic heart.”

Edie smiled at Jon’s obvious affection for the woman who shared his life.  It always warmed her heart to hear a man talk about his wife with such reverence.  While she dealt with loving couples on a daily basis, it wasn’t often she saw such devotion from the man during private conversation.

“I’m sure she does.”  Edie’s smile turned to a little smirk as she stepped over to the consultation room door.  “Okay, Loverboy… you ready?”

Jon stood, draping his sweater over his shoulder rather than pulling it back onto his torso.  Considering where he was headed there really was no point.  “I was born ready, Darlin’.”   

“Oh, Lordy.”  Edie’s swear was delivered with a little chuckle as she gave her eyes an exaggerated roll.  She led Jon out of the consultation room and down the hallway toward the laboratory wing of the clinic.

Jon chuckled, following her.  “You realize I do know where I’m going, right?”  He didn’t normally get a personal escort to the specimen collection suite.

“I know.  But you were the one whining about the boring porn in the collection room.”

Jon snickered.  “What, you got some private stash you’re gonna break out for me?  The good stuff?”

“Something like that.”  Edie smirked cryptically as they turned the corner from one hallway to another.

Jon’s blue eyes narrowed as he detected the smugness in her reply.  “Alright, Nurse Ratched… What are you up to?”

“Me?  Nothin’.  Just doing my job.”  Edie kept her eyes straight ahead as she marched down the hall.  She couldn’t control her grin, though.

“Edie…”

The nurse ignored Jon’s suspicious half-plea.  She didn’t stop moving until they arrived at the dark-paneled door to the private specimen collection room.  Reaching up to the gold-framed sign attached to the wood, Edie slid the plaque from left to right, changing the room’s status from “Available” to a discrete “Reserved.”

“Alright, Mister Bon Jovi.  Let’s see what we’ve got in here to help you along.” 

Nurse Edie turned the knob and stepped into the room.  She held the door open just far enough for Jon to follow her in, then she pushed it closed behind them.  She smiled, watching Jon’s reaction to his unexpected surroundings.

“What the fu…???”  Jon stopped his curse just in time as his eyes widened with surprise.  He had been in this very room  more than a handful of times, but never did he recall it looking like this.  The sleek, modern-furnished room had always been dark, manly, and somewhat austere.  But now… now it looked like a private room at a high-end Gentlemen’s establishment.

The black leather couch and chrome-and-glass tables were still where Jon remembered them, against the wall opposite the large television.  The small sink and vanity were still tucked in the corner of the room, plastic specimen cups and rolls of paper towels neatly stacked in the open shelves above the mirror.  A dark, low bookcase still stood against the wall beside the TV, holding a selection of magazines and DVDs that catered to a variety of carnal tastes.  But everything else was new.

Soft violet-hued light glowed from black-shaded lamps on the end tables.  On the black leather couch was draped a dark, clearly plush blanket made of what looked like some sort of fur.  In the center of the room sat a huge round black-leather ottoman, its top inset with a smaller round dark wood table-top.   A violet spotlight streamed down onto the ottoman-table from directly above, illuminating the wood with a purplish glow. 

The spotlight drew Jon’s gaze upward to the source of the beam.  He noticed the other usually-dimmed recessed lights had been replaced with dark purple bulbs as well, adding to the sultry mood of the room.  In between the light fixtures hung large clusters of black paper hearts in varying lengths, subtly hinting at a romantic theme.

 

Most striking, the room was filled with roses.  Dark burgundy blooms overflowed sleek silver cylindrical vases on almost every surface, their rich perfume scenting the air.  Jon counted eight bouquets of at least two dozen roses each in his quick, wide-eyed scan of the room.  The combination of the flowers with the sultry lighting and the subtle heart motif made the room look like the site an elegant gothic Valentine celebration.  Soft saxophone music drifting from concealed speakers emphasized the dark romance of the setting.

“Edie… what the Hell?”  Jon’s question was a wondering murmur.  He stepped further into the room, pulling his sweater from his shoulder and dropping it onto the sleek round ottoman.  His gaze continued to glide over the decor.  Surely this obviously specially-prepared love den wasn’t for him.  He was only here to provide a medical specimen.

“Surprise, Baby.”  Cate’s soft voice floated through the room, over the music.  Jon’s eyes widened as he turned to look at the one place his gaze had not yet covered, the space behind the now-closed door near the little ledge and window to the adjoining laboratory. 

Jon’s pulse raced as Cate stepped forward, from the shadow into the violet light.  He realized she wasn’t wearing the dark sweater and jeans in which she had been earlier attired.  Now she was wearing a white lab coat that glowed purple in the room’s colored lighting.  Her thick auburn tresses shone with violet highlights, and her creamy pale skin looked almost porcelain while her painted lips glowed the deep burgundy of the roses.

“Cate...? What…?” Jon couldn’t form a full question; his mouth kept falling open in wonderment.

Nurse Edie came to his aid.  Still smiling, she spoke quietly to her tongue-tied male patient. 

“This was all your wife’s doing.  She called this morning and explained how you had to cancel your romantic plans for tonight because of this appointment.  She asked if there was something she could do for you here…” Edie paused to swallow a little lump that rose in her throat at the romantic gesture.”  “…Something to thank you for being so understanding and supportive.  We were happy to oblige.  She had everything sent over this afternoon.”

Jon’s blue eyes glowed brightly as he gazed at Cate.  “This is all… all from you?”

Cate nodded.  “I know it’s not exactly traditional.”  She chuckled throatily.  “But since we can’t really consummate our anniversary, this is the next best thing.  I’m… I’m here to help you.”

Jon’s eyes widened as he realized what her presence in this room meant.  He swung his disbelieving stare to Edie, then back to Cate.  “Help me?  You mean… in the cup…?”

“Jon, it’s actually pretty common for a male patient to have assistance from his partner in producing a semen sample.”  Nurse Edie’s explanation was simple and professional, without any hint of judgment.  “In fact, we encourage it.  Many couples going through fertility treatment find this practice enhances their intimacy as well as bolsters their confidence in the process.”

Cate gave Jon a little smile.  “Since we’re not going to be able to do this the traditional way… well, I thought we should at least share as much of it as we can.”  She felt her cheeks heat with a blush as she gave a little shrug.

A slow grin stretched Jon’s lips as the idea registered in his brain.  Now that he thought about it, having Cate’s assistance with this task would be beneficial.  And much more pleasant than doing it alone, staring at the television.

“We have also found the quality and quantity of the specimen is more robust with partner assistance.”  Edie read Jon’s expression.  “So there are some medical benefits to the interaction, too.  To put it simply, you’re happy, she’s happy, and you get happy sperm.”

Cate chuckled softly at Edie’s cheery description.  She gave Jon a little smile.  “So, Baby?  Willing to give it a try?  We have a little less than an hour.”

“Sure.  Yeah.”  Jon chortled softly.  “In fact, why didn’t you think of this earlier?”

Cate shrugged.  “I guess I was kinda wrapped up in all the other details.

Jon held out his hand.  “C’mere.”  His voice was gentle.  Cate obliged, moving over to stand beside her husband and slipping her hand into his.  She gave Nurse Edie a grateful smile. 

“So, you said there are some rules?”

The nurse nodded.  “Yes.  Like Dr. Klein told you yesterday, with IUI we want to keep the process as clean and pure as possible, without removing fertilization from the woman’s body.  To do that, it’s important we get as strong a sample as possible from you, Jon.”

Jon smirked.  “I don’t think that will be a problem.”

Edie chuckled at his macho boast.  “Yes, I’m sure.  But we also need this to be a clean sample, in that it has no contaminants.  That means you will have to be a little careful about the methods of stimulation you use.”  She paused, looking from Cate to Jon before continuing.

“First off, you both need to wash your hands before either of you have any contact with Jon’s genitalia.  Even something like hand lotion or antibacterial gel can be spermicidal.  Also, you must limit your activities to manual stimulation.  If you need lubricant, there is water-soluble, non-spermicidal lubricating gel in packets on the shelf with the specimen cups.   Use only as much as you need, and apply the gel to your hand, not directly to Jon’s penis.”

“Also, no vaginal, anal, or oral sex.  Avoid genital-to-genital contact such as rubbing or stroking, even while wearing underwear.  No other bodily secretions, including saliva, should be mixed with the ejaculated semen.” 

The nurse couldn’t stop a little smirk at Jon’s involuntary cringe in response to her blunt directive.  Edie glanced at Cate and saw her smile had faded as well, but she maintained a stoic expression.  

“Bottom line is…” Nurse Edie’s smile gentled.  “Take your time.  Enjoy yourselves.  Some couples like to watch the videos together, or read from the magazines.  Some like to role-play.  Some just like to talk.  You know what turns each other on… Consider this back-to-basics, Foreplay 101.”  She gave Jon a little grin.  “And then you get rewarded with a hand-job.” 

Jon chuckled throatily, turning his gaze to Cate’s.  “And hopefully we’ll both be rewarded, in about nine months.”

“Yeah,” Cate agreed softly.

Edie smiled at the couple’s affection.  “Okay.  Any questions, before I leave you alone?”

“Umm… yes.”  Cate spoke up, a little sheepishly.  “Is this room soundproof?” 

The nurse chuckled.  Cate’s query was actually one of the more common ones.  “For the most part, yes.  But there is a door and a window to the laboratory next door, so…”

“No screaming,” Jon finished the nurse’s sentence as a little tease for his wife.

Cate elbowed him gently in the ribs.  “I was thinking more of the music,” she clarified.  “I didn’t want to disturb anyone.”

“Jeez, Cate.  Guys watch pornos in here with the volume turned all the way up.  I seriously doubt a little music is gonna bother anybody.”

Edie laughed at the couple’s little squabble.  She could sense their nervousness, and knew it was time to make her exit.

“Okay, anything else?  I need to go get the room ready for your procedure.  When the two of you are finished here, just stay put.  I’ll come get you when the lab is done and we’re ready to prep you for the IUI, Cate.”

“Okay.”  Cate’s soft reply was accompanied by her gentle smile.  “Thanks, Edie.”

“My pleasure.”  The nurse turned and reached for the door.  “Have fun, and think positive.”

“Thanks,” Jon replied as Edie pulled open the door and stepped out into the hallway.  When the door closed after her, Jon and Cate exchanged a long look.

“Well, so….” Cate dropped her gaze, suddenly feeling a little awkward now that she and Jon were alone.  The realization that there were people in the clinic who not only knew what they were about to do, but waiting on them to finish, made her cheeks flush.

“So.”  Jon gave Cate’s hand a squeeze before releasing it from his.  He gave her a little shrug and a sheepish half-smile.  “What do you wanna do first?”

Cate paused for a moment, considering.  Then a muffled noise from outside made her spring into action.

“First we lock the damned door.”