>> Hold me close && Don't let go, Brock

[dr. audrey campbell]

Give me the chance to show my heart





Audrey was nervous, there was dancing involved and talking. She had to linger in a small cocktail dress. It just gave men the reason to stare at her. Looking at herself in the mirror, she ran a hand though her curls. Sitting down at her vanity, she looked at herself. What type of make-up? She was never the girl to wear make-up, let alone wear a lot of it. Picking up the eye liner she started to apply it lightly. As she finished up, she walked towards her walk in closet, looking for her little black dress. Before she slipped into her dress, she looked into the mirror once more. Audrey smiled softly, the make-up looked natural on her. Audrey also liked the way her hair flowed gently towards her shoulders.

Audrey walked down her stairs, grabbing a small black purse to match with her dress. It was harder than it looked. She usually never put this much time into her appearance. Usually she would rush in the morning. She'd grab her scrubs and pull her hair up and that was it. She wasn't one of the doctors to adorn herself in make-up and jewelry. Plus the hospital advises not to do that. Smoothing out her dress she walked out the door into the garage. This was going to be one fun night.

The place was packed. She cursed at herself for not coming a little early to grab a parking spot. The usual spot she parked in was already taken up by a rather large SUV. Oh well, it wasn't as if she was on duty, but still, they shouldn't be parking here. Pulling in along side the SUV, Audrey tucked her hair behind her ears, before looking into the rear view mirror. Her stomach gave a lurch, why does it have to be nerve racking? Closing her eyes, she hoped Brock was coming. Audrey already knew, but something could have come up, lets hope not.

Walking into the large room, she slipped off her black coat.

"You're gift miss?"

She turned suddenly, damn. Only she'd forget. Audrey opened up her purse, giving the man a fifty. "Of course. I wouldn’t forget." The man's eyes lit up, "Bless you." Audrey smiled, patting the man on the shoulder before moving into the large room.

Everyone she knew from work was already here. Crossing her arms, she pressed her lips together searching the crowed for Brock. Yes, she was desperate, but the man was not only her really good friend, but a comfort as well. Or maybe she'd see Wilson. Itching her elbow, she tucked her hands behind her back, holding her purse to the side of her hip, incase of pick pockets. You never know at a hospital event. Then she spotted the wine. Audrey has always had a weak spot for the fine wine. She wasn't a heavy drink, God no! She only had a glass and that was it. She'd never think about getting drunk. It wasn't her thing. Plus, having one glass a day was good for you. Or so the studies show.

"Red or white, miss?"

Audrey smiled, grabbing the red. "Ah red, I've always liked the strong taste." The lady smiled and walked off offering wine to others. Taking a sip, she continued to look around for Brock, where was that man? Holding the glass with one hand, she walked towards the vault room. "Ah, sir, can I leave my purse in one of the safes?" The man nodded, taking her purse, "Here is your card miss, bring it back when you wish to pick it up." Audrey smiled, turning around to walk towards where the music was playing. She might as well get some good entertainment, as she watched other colleagues trip over the other's feet. Audrey on the other hand, knew how to dance. The only time she wasn't clumsy.

Sitting down at an empty table, she watched as Dr. Heffernan stepped on Sandra's feet. Laughing, she took another sip of the wine waiting for someone to 'linger' with. If she was so capable.

[dr. brock marks]

Brock walked over to his closet, and looked through it to find his suit. He had wanted to look presentable for the party, despite not wanting to go to it. He would have much rather stayed at home with a good book, or movie, but he knew that the party was for a good cause, so it was only fitting to go to it. That, and it was mandatory, so he would have had to be there whether he wanted to, or not. For that reason, he decided to make the best of it, and look his best. He would be representing not only the hospital, being a surgeon there, but also himself, and knew that the philanthropists who gave to the hospital, and the administration would be there, so it would not hurt to meet them. Perhaps if he showed them that he was not only a great surgeon, but also one that was friendly, and really cared about the hospital, and its patients, then there could be a promotion in his future. He really did care for both though, or at least in most cases. The few patients that got on his nerves he just chalked up to them being crazy, or just annoying people, and it not being his fault in any way.

Finding his suit, he put it on, and walked over to the mirror. He thought it looked very nice, especially with the matching blazer, and tie. He did not want to show off, but was not planning for people to think he was not dressed well for it. While it was a little more uncomfortable than he intended on wearing, Brock felt it would be worth it if he had seen Audrey at the party as well. He intended on seeing her there, since it was mandatory to come, and she always looked so very beautiful even in scrubs with her hair in a ponytail. Despite not wanting to admit it, he was falling for her head over heels, and knew it very well. He just did not want to admit it, since he was afraid of being hurt, so Brock felt his best tactic was not to say anything, yet that was something he was determined to change very. In fact, he had planned to tell Audrey his feelings for her at the party, but also in a quiet spot, so they could be alone for him to get out his feelings without the fear that anyone might overhear them, and start gossiping about them. Even
with it being a hospital, a lot of people gossiped in it as if they were teenagers. It was weird, but he knew it was just office politics, so it did not bother him too much.

Walking out of his house, he went over to his car, which was a hybrid. He liked the environment too much to just drive a regular car, and it was also cheaper to drive it, since it got very good mileage to the gallon. Getting into the car, he started to drive towards where the party was held, with several pairs of clothing that he had in the back he had outgrown. His parents had also given him some of his childhood clothes to give to the fundraiser. He had also intended on giving a thousand dollars, since it was not that much money to him, but those less fortunate would probably be more than happy to have it, and use it for whatever it was they needed.

Trying to find a parking spot, he had managed to get one, but it had been near the end of the parking lot, and he was glad for it. After parking his car, he got out of it, and took the bags with the clothes in them, and walked towards the place where the fundraiser was held. Getting inside, he had looked towards the doorman, and before the man could say anything, Brock held up the bags, and the man pointed him as for where to go. Putting the bags where they were suppose to be, he walked back to the man at the door, and took out his checkbook. Taking out the check he had written to the hospital before he came, Brock gave it to the doorman, and smiled at the man, before going off to see who was at the party, and if he would see Audrey around the fundraiser.

Looking around, he had not seen her, and was getting a little worried that she might have decided not to come when he finally saw her. Smiling to himself, he walked over to where she was, and saw how beautifully she was dressed. It took his breath away just seeing her dressed as she was, and looking that beautiful. While she always looked beautiful to him, she was looking even more beautiful in the make-up, and dress. It made him realize that he needed to tell her how he felt about her soon, before anyone else would realize what he had, and decide to ask her out before he had. That was not something Brock wanted to see happening, and was just planning the way to tell her, and at the right time. He was not still sure what either of those were, but thought that the plan would somehow come together, and that was when he would tell her. "Hello Audrey. Do you mind if I sit at this table with you?" He hoped the answer would be no, otherwise his plan would be ruined.

[dr. audrey campbell]

Audrey had to laugh. She never saw so many doctors, nurses, and surgeons attempt to dance. They were everywhere, but she knew they didn't care. They were here to have fun, just as Audrey is. Or so she hopes 'fun' will be her friend tonight. Taking another sip of her wine, she glanced around the room. Where was Brock? Her heart was pounding a mile a minute. She was nervous, but she didn't want to admit why. She was falling hard for Brock and Audrey didn't have the words or way to show him. Audrey was thinking of just blurting it out, but she wasn't sure how Brock would take it. Biting her lip, she set the glass down folding her arms. Waiting for something exciting to happen. Maybe one of them would fall. Okay, that was mean. Ah...No it wasn't. They'd laugh at her if she fell, Audrey won't let any of them live it down.

"Hello Audrey. Do you mind if I sit at this table with you?"

Audrey looked up and for a moment her whole body froze. Brock in his suit. It was different from seeing him in blue scrubs all day to this, a very handsome man. Even without the suit he was still very handsome, everything about him was simply perfect to her. Audrey smiled, pulling out the chair closer to her. For one main reason, to be extra close to him. When she was pushing it out, she pulled it towards her slightly, but didn't make it too noticiable. "Hey, how are you?" Audrey smiled, looking around the room. She was now wondering if he would like to dance, but she really didn't know if he liked to or not. Smiling she reached for his tie, fixing it a bit. "You look awfully sharp." Audrey winked, running her hand down ths side of his jacket. It was a nice suit. She was sending all the signals she could to him, hinting that she liked him, but she always wondered if it was enough to make him think about her. Audrey sat back in her chair and grabbed her glass taking a light sip.

Looking back towards him she smiled lightly, "I am guessing this really isn't your thing?" Audrey had to agree with that one. She hated being around people.. people that talked way too much. Something Audrey does when she gets nervous or the person next to her listens to her, but doesn't say anything. So she tends to ramble and giggle, but she can't help it. It's natural to behave in such a way, the human mind just functions that way. Blinking, she let her thoughts flow towards the back of her mind. Today wasn't the day for logical thinking.. okay re-word that, today wasn't the day to be overly logical and just be Audrey. Or so she will try to attempt without being weird to her fellow colleagues.

Audrey sat at the edge of the seat so she was facing Brock. She was close enough to smell him. Okay, not that close, maybe a foot away from his face. Oh well, they were close as it was, even though it felt a little out of place. "I love the Holidays though. Best time of the year." Winking, she rested her elbow onto the table. By this time Audrey had finished her wine and it would be the only one. She wasn't the drinking type. Studying Brock for a moment, she smiled to herself. She couldn’t muster up an explanation to why he was just so perfect to her, flaws and all. He was Brock and to her that name meant the world. So it sounds corny? But someone in love can't help the corny-ness. Laughing at her thought mentally, she remembered he was going to take her dancing a few nights after this. Well Audrey invited him. A day ago he'd hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. Closing her eyes for a moment, she remembered that moment. If only there was more. Opening her eyes she examined him once more, before pressing her lips together.

Her friends tried to coach her on trying to be.. well.. more human or so they would say. So she had to at least make progress with Brock or they would hide the chocolate cake. Not such a big deal, but Audrey loves Hannah's chocolate cake! It's the best in the world. Or to her knowledge. Audrey hesitated for a moment before gathering enough courage, she wrapped her arms around Brock, lightly. She rested her head underneath his chin, "Thanks." She whispered. "For agreeing to come to my friends.. dancing Christmas Party thing." Pulling away she smiled, settling in back into her chair, she felt her whole cheeks flush. Turning around she spotted one of her friends, she threw her a quick glance. Audrey had to suck it up either way. She needed to be a girl for once. Okay, sounds odd, but hey, she just needs to be bold just as Hannah said. Looking at her hands, she got up taking another wine. Yep, Audrey all of a sudden felt a nervous rush. She wanted to scream, even though that wasn't such a big deal. To her it was, she just hugged the man she is desperately falling in love with.

[dr. brock marks]

Brock stood there waiting for a reply from her about being allowed to sit at the same table as her. Looking at her, Brock could not help but think about how nice of a couple they would make, especially because she was just so beautiful, and sweet. In fact, every time that he saw her, Brock wanted to just confess his love to her, but was not certain that she would say it back to him, so he wanted to wait until he knew she was. He then started to imagine them going on dates, and having candle-lit, intimate dinners together. He also imagined marrying, and having kids with her, knowing that they would definitely be sweet, and beautiful with a mother as beautiful as Audrey. It was definitely very early to be thinking those things, since he did not know how she felt about him, but he could not help but thing that, since she just brought that out of him by just being her sweet, and beautiful self. He was hopelessly in love.

Seeing her pull out a chair close to her, he smiled at her, and sat down in it, being glad to be close to her. Having seen her pull the chair close to her, he was glad, since it was a sign that made him think she did like him as much as he liked her. Hearing her ask how he was, Brock thought about it for a second to think up a good answer, since he was fairly certain that he would babble if he were to answer immediately. "I am good, but better now that I am sitting here with you." It was the truth, since she made his days better just by being around him. It was something that only she could do to him, without having to do anything, but be there, so he knew that it meant she was the one. Feeling her hands on his tie, and her compliment, along with the wink, had made Brock smile some more, and look into her eyes. All of these things were building his certainty to her caring about him as much as he cared about her.

Looking at her face, he shook his head at her question, not having wanted to come to the party, and only being there because it was mandatory, and to see Audrey. "Yeah. I would much prefer just sitting at home, reading a good book, or watching television. If not those, then I could have gone out, and done something more fun, like with you." That was his subtle way of telling her that he wanted to go out with her, and hoped that she got the message. If not, it would not matter, since he intended on asking her out soon. Every second near her, and not telling her how much he cared for her made him impatient, and almost unable to keep it inside. There just had to be a way to make the moment feel right for asking her out, and telling her how he felt about her, since he did not just want to say it at a bad time. Then it would have just been bad, and ackward, which was what he hoped to avoid. It had been what he was thinking about for the party he was going with Audrey, but now felt like he would not be able to keep from telling her earlier. It was just killing him inside to keep his feeling from her bottled up, and he did not intend on doing it for much longer.

Seeing her sitting so close to him, he started imagining himself pulling her close to him, and giving her a passionate kiss. From the close proximity they were sitting in, he could almost smell her, which he wanted to do in order to be closer to her, but knew it was not the right thing to do, especially since there were lots of people there. Hearing her talk about how much she enjoyed the holidays. "Yeah. Me too. Spending time with loved ones, and especially those who we are involved in romantic relationships with." His imagination then shifted to them spending the holidays together snuggled up in front of a roaring fire. That would have just been such a great thing in his opinion, and was hoping for that, but knew that reality could turn out to be different if she ended up not reciprocating his feelings. He was not even sure if she would want to take him dancing to the party for her friend. It could end up that she would not even want to ever speak to him if he confesses his feelings for her, but Borck just had to know, or he would be dreading it until he did.

Brock was just not able to keep it in any longer. He was too tired of holding in his feeling, and had decided to tell her then, and there, but just waited for a moment that he felt would be the best time to tell her what he wanted to. When he suddenly got up all his courage, and felt like it was the time to tell her how he felt, he suddenly felt her wrapping her hands around him, and thanking him for agreeing to go with her to the X-mas party thing. There went the moment. Now he was starting to think about whether it was really that important to tell her how he felt if it might ruin their friendship. She was such a big part of his life, and he wanted to keep it that way, but on the other hand did want to tell her how he felt. Decisions decisions. Seeing her going to get another glass of wine, he also got up, and took a glass of wine, before drinking a little of it. That was when he summoned up his courage again. Leaning in close to one of her ears, he hoped it would not be ackward, but did not want the whole hospital knowing his feelings towards her, so he whispered it to her. "Audrey...uhh...I really like you. I mean I really, really like you, and have been falling in love with you ever since I saw you. I understand this is definitely a lot to take in, and I understand if you do not feel the same way about me. I hope we can at least remain friends. If you do feel the same about me, would you like to go out on a date sometime?" He knew it was a lot to take in, but Brock felt better to have gotten it out. Taking another drink of the wine, he hoped for the best, but anticipated the worst situation happening.

[dr. audrey campbell]

Audrey looked towards her wine glass. She watched as the liquid swished back and forth. Her heart was still pounding from hugging Brock. What was she all worked up about? She shouldn’t be, Audrey just did something she should have done a while ago. Try to just be Audrey and try to at least hint that she likes him, well correct that, loves him. Audrey swirled the glass a bit watching the liquid fall back and forth, she needed to think of something to say.

Audrey looked up, but before she could say anything he was whispering in her ear. A soft shiver went through her body. The thought of his lips near her sent her whole body into a love attack. Breathing in his scent she closed her eyes and let him say what he needed. At first he was stumbling a bit, then it came out. Her eyes flew open. What she heard took her own thoughts away. Her mouth slightly hung open, Audrey lost her words. Grasping the glass with both hands, she moved a bit to get a good look at him. That was hard for him to say she could tell by his face, he looked pale. Brock was nervous and Audrey was jumping for joy. All of her thoughts set at ease, he likes her, okay loves her. She didn't have a clue, nor did she even know that he liked her back. Everything at that moment just spin in circles, for a few minutes she just stood there gazing at him. What was she going to say?

Cleaning her throat a bit, she managed to smile through her shock. All she wanted to do was scream for joy, but she had to keep her composure. Audrey wanted this to go smoothly. Placing her wine glass down she moved closer to Brock, "I think this will work," She whispered softly. Peering into his eyes, she place one hand upon his cheek. Audrey traced his jawbone, smiling. "You have some courage, I've been told that many times," She winked lightly, trying to make him laugh. "The difference from the others, I actually love you, too." She didn't want him to feel nervous at all. There was nothing to be afraid of. Audrey accepted him with open arms. "I think, I am falling for you, too." She whispered, leaning in her lips brushed against his softly. Pressing her lips into his softly, she gave him a quick peck. Audrey didn't want to make a huge scene.

In that moment her whole world changed. They went from a casual conversation to a whole new view on their relationship. All Audrey could think of was all this time he had been falling for her. Smiling to herself she grabbed his hand. "I say we leave. We've been here a while no?" Audrey ran her hand along his arm. It was hard not to leap at him. Biting her lip, she pulled herself to him, hugging him once more. Audrey never wanted to let go.

Sorry, it is short.

[dr. brock marks]

Looking at Audrey, Brock was starting to get worried even more. He was also starting to think that he might not have been thinking enough when he told her his feelings for her. As far as he knew, she was engaged to someone, or at least seeing someone. She could have even been married for all he knew, but he doubted it. He had not heard her talking about dating anyone, so he doubted that she was even dating anyone, but maybe they had not been as close as he thought. Several thoughts of doubt ran through his head. There were so many things she could say to him that would hurt him, and one of them would be her spurning his love, and laughing at him, or doing something else that would have made him feel she did not care for him like he cared for her. Now, there was no going back. She either did, or did not care for him like he did for her.

After telling her his feelings for her, and spilling his heart, he waited to see what she would do. Studying her face to see any sign of what Audrey would say to him, Brock was worrying a little. Even if she said that she did not like him, it would have probably been easier on him than having to stand the suspense of seeing her decide what to say to him. He could not tell what she was thinking, and it was making him feel sick in the pit of his stomach. He just wanted to get an answer from her, and would have been happy for any answer to just make the horrible feeling go away. Sure, he wanted to hear that she felt about him like he did about her, but the suspense was nearly driving him crazy.

Seeing that she looked like she was going to say something, Brock concentrated on her, and whatever she was going to say. He was still afraid that it would be what he dreaded hearing, but he also just wanted to get a reaction, so he could move on with his life in whatever direction this would lead to. Hearing her say about it working, he was pleasantly surprised, but still very surprised. He was prepared for the worst, but was glad that the best situation was what happened. Continuing to listen, he smiled at her when she had traced his cheekbone, and was then surprised even more when she said that she loved him too. That was exactly what he wanted to hear from her, and was overjoyed. Feeling her lips brush against his, he immediately wanted to give her a real kiss, but knew that the quick peck was all they could do without getting attention on them, so he gave her a quick peck back.

The knowledge that Audrey loved him like he did her made Brock feel like nothing could go wrong in his life ever. Now that he knew this, Brock could not think of anything ever being able to bring him down. Although, he did want to get out of the party, and go somewhere else with her. Maybe going somewhere to eat, or something. Anywhere was better than at the party. Feeling her take his hand, he nodded, and got up. "Okay. Let's go. Want to go get something to eat?" When he felt her arms hugging him, he hugged her back, and walked with her outside of the place.