5.8. "Sex is as important as eating or drinking and we ought to allow the one appetite to be satisfied with as little restraint or false modesty as the other."
Marquis De Sade

Co-written with scrubbedup

After spending some time with Mel the previous night, Matt did end up going home and getting drunk with Woody. It wasn't a bender by any means, but they went through a couple of six packs together and passed out on the sofa in probably a scene that would have some sniggering and accusing them of being gay, Matt's head on Woody's shoulder and Woody's head on top of Matt's. That's how Matt woke up the next morning, though the hangover had been tolerable. One round with the Porcelain Goddess, greasy bacon and eggs for breakfast with a whole bottle of orange juice chased by four Tylenol, and he was ready to rock up to work for his afternoon shift at lunch time. Woody was still passed out on the sofa when Matt left. They had known each other since they were in diapers, so Matt really had no issues just leaving his friend there. It wasn't the first time this had happened, and it wouldn't be the last.

Matt felt better having breached the gap and spoken to Mel, even if he was still feeling like he failed her hearing she was pregnant. The thing was, she did seem to be in love with the guy, and from what she was saying, the guy seemed to reciprocate wholeheartedly. Matt had left realising he probably couldn't smash the face in of the father of his niece or nephew. Or nieces or nephews. Mother and father were identical twins and that was as freaky as all fuck. Matt shook his head as he approached the coffee machine near the visitors lounge. He didn't want to think about that, if he started on that track, he would send himself mental. At the moment, he had grudgingly agreed to Mel to at least give the guy a chance and meet him when he was feeling better. Matt knew how crap it felt to have the stomach bug, so he wasn't going to demand the guy drag himself out of bed for a big brotherly confrontation. As it was, news had come that Patrick had been admitted overnight with the same thing, meaning George was back in the driver's seat of the ward. Matt had been met with this news when he clocked on for his shift and it was the first time since they split that she had technically been his boss again. He had so far done a good job of avoiding her and not needing to speak to her. Whenever she was free, he was interestingly busy with a patient or a colleague.

But it was his break now, and he needed coffee, the hangover and boozy night starting to catch up with him. He was digging some coins out of his scrubs pocket, contemplating what of the machine coffee was going to be the best. Slim pickings when it usually sucked, but he couldn't be bothered walking all the way down to the cafeteria.

Kara Harvey had made it back to Princeton for the first time in a couple months. It felt strange knowing Alex wasn't the reason she was there, even while she was at the hospital. There was no doctor in Toy Story scrubs to meet up with. Just Harri and Aiden. She'd come with Harri to catch up with Aiden, and make sure his husband was okay. And to make sure Aiden was okay. She knew that it had to wear him down occasionally with Pat being in and out. Sometimes you just needed friends around.

She was giving Harri and Aiden some alone time as she wondered the corridors, also in search of coffee, and maybe just to see if she could catch a glimpse of Alex. They had parted on mutual terms, and it wasn't like she was avoiding him. It was just better in her mind to know if he was here so she wouldn't be caught off guard. Keeping in touch via email was one thing. Seeing each other in person again was something else. She turned the corner and found the coffee machine, and didn't notice the man at first standing in front of it. Then Kara looked, and she couldn't help but think he was cute. Especially with the furrowed brow look of concentration, and the curly hair.

She cleared her throat softly and pointed at the machine. "Believe it, or not, the cappuccinos actually safer. The black coffee just tastes like dirt - not that I'm in the habit of eating dirt - and the white coffee's more like milk with a granule of coffee." She gave him a smile as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "Not that I have much experience with these, of course."

Matt managed to dig the coins out of his pocket, thankfully this time without dropping his arse out of his scrubs. The last time that had happened, look how it turned out. At first he had to do a small double take to make sure the voice was addressing him, and when he did, he realised it was coming from a pretty hot looking chick. With Matt dreaming of some stress relief via a good hard fuck, he couldn't help but appreciate the fact she had approached him. If he could at least cop a bit of a perve, it was better than nothing, right? He leaned in with a flash of a smile. "I've got a secret for you. Dirt tastes nicer. Take it from me. I was once a pain in the arse kid boy who did things like eat dirt and fry bugs. You would probably get more of an energy hit hanging out by the pharmacy and hoping to catch an aroma of some upper or another." He flicked through the coins, making sure he had the right change and threw her a smirk. "Do you work here or you've had a long term loved one in her?"

Kara felt her stomach give a tiny, excited clench when she caught the smile, and it made her realise just how much she'd been missing male company. Even if it was a once off. She smiled again as she ducked her head briefly. "Well, I've sort of had some experience with the loved ones, unfortunately. Or rather someones loved one. And then there's my, ah... ex. He showed me some vending machine secrets. So dirt really tastes better? I'll remember that for next time. Too bad you can't get dirt as an option."

"Someones loved one? A pal? Sorry, you might need to elaborate on that one. I'm operating on half a brain at the moment and I have to save that for my patients so I don't get myself de-registered. I've come to like the pay packet," Matt joked and slotted some coins into the machine. He pointed at the display. "Can I get you something? If you're willing to brave it. Ex, huh? Trust me, I know the feeling. More coordinated side-stepping than a drunken version of the Macarena... though, in this case, technically not even an ex." He smiled at her again and then laughed. "Lets go cappuccino. Just a step down from dirt. We wouldn't want to spoil ourselves now."

"Cappuccino's good for me," she agreed. Kara watched him for a moment, her gaze sweeping over the profile of his face and then down his arms. He had nice arms, like he worked out enough to keep fit, but not so much that he was bulging. She'd never liked the bulging muscles. "That's understandable, and I really don't want you thinking too hard so that I inadvertently get you de-registered. I work for a woman who's best friend's husband is in here. But the best friend is also one of my friends. We've known each other professionally for a while, and he's just a great guy. Hard not to care about, you know? And his husband's gorgeous as well. You can't not want to be here for them." Kara's eyebrows rose a little. "I'm sorry about the not quite ex, and we can definitely side-step all you like."

Matt pocketed his change, watching to make sure the coffee was going to go into the cup. It had a tendency to miss sometimes, leaving you with only half a cup and feeling cheated. "I have a psychic sense right now that you're talking about my boss, because this place feels about as cosy as a shoebox some days with it's six degrees of separation. And if you are, that would make your great guy pal Aiden?" he guessed and handed her the first disposable cup of rather uninspiring looking coffee. The froth was already starting to disappear and she hadn't even gotten it to her lips yet. Really nice lips, too... He cleared his throat. "You don't have to be sorry, I'm pretty sure it was a big mistake on my part. I want to lay all the blame on her, but it's not fair. I should have kept my place and not pursued anything. One of those times life gives you a firm chomp on the butt to make sure you're still awake, you know?"

Kara's really nice lips curved into a smile, something she really didn't find hard to do around the nice man offering her coffee. Even if it was anti-climatic coffee. She took in the scrubs again, realising they were a little different to the ones most doctors wore. Definitely different to any of the paediatricians. She frowned a little when he mentioned his boss, and Aiden, and then her eyebrows went up with surprise. "Yeah, that's right. Aiden is my great guy pal. So that would make your boss Pat. Wow, this place is crazy. I always feel like I'm walking into a black hole. It's like you can't escape without knowing someone that knows someone. Not that I'm complaining. I'm also Kara, by the way." She offered her hand as she held the coffee with the other. "I'm still sorry since you know feel like it's a mistake. It's never easy regretting something. But yes, I know. With me and my ex it was always about schedules."

Matt nodded and picked up his coffee. His didn't actually even have much froth at all and the chocolate powder was already congealing on the surface of the coffee. "Yep, that's it. Pat's my boss. He's the Nursing Manager of our ward, the one who interviewed me over the phone when I got this job. When I actually got to Princeton and started working here, I realised that basically everything with boobs here wanted to collect him for a pet because he's so lovely. But at the time, he was actually unconscious in hospital and I made a dick of myself going up to visit him when I didn't even know him. I don't have a lot of tact sometimes," he warned with a laugh. He shook her hand, giving it a small squeeze. "I'm Matt. I've lived in Princeton most of my life, but only really got swept up in the black hole when I got back from college and started working here. Some of the nicest and most caring people I've ever come across in my life are here. It was nice. Schedules can suck when they don't met. Does that mean you're still... um... interested in him?"

"It's true, we all want to become instant fag hags with him," Kara admitted with a laugh. "Although I'm not sure I'd ever think of him as a pet. Aiden would never let me. I'm surprised you've lasted this long without the black hole, but I think it's really just started to snowball this last year, or so. The group's slowly getting bigger, and more people are getting dragged in. I'm actually glad you did. Even if we managed to meet by chance." She bit her lip and rubbed her thumb briefly against the back of his hand before letting it go. "Nice to meet you, Matt. And I'm only swept up by association, I think. I'm really a New Yorker, but I agree with you. The people here are pretty amazing. And no, it doesn't mean that. It was a mutual split, and we're just... friends, I guess. I'm a free woman."

"Half of them are New Yorkers," Matt reminded her with a laugh. "Aiden's technically a New Yorker, then there is the paramedic and his wife, and the FBI dude and his wife, who is Aiden's bestie, so you probably know her anyway. Then you have Luke, who used to be a New Yorker, but is now a Princetonite, and his cousins, who is the paramedic, and his other one, who married the soldier who got hurt. I'm stopping now before I get a migraine. Needless to say, I'm a little more familiar with the Princeton natives. The London here has become our local, more or less. My sister is-" He paused, hesitating as he cleared his throat again. "She's dating the DJ there, who works here as a kid doctor also. It's a small world, but I guess when you're as welcoming as that bunch, it's inevitable. You said your ex works here? He must if he showed you the coffee tips. Mutual split definitely does make it easier, especially if he's linked to your friends and stuff. How free?" he found himself adding with a smirk. He had always been a flirt, never had much issues pulling women, he just couldn't decide if he was trying to hit on her or not or if he was worried about the ex and maybe the connection to the bunch.

"This is true, and that would be the woman I mentioned before. Harri. She's actually my boss. It's how I met Aiden. I'm a graphic designer with the magazine. I help make it a piece of art." Her nose scrunched slightly, but she was laughing. "It really is head hurting, isn't it? So many links and crossovers and connections. But I kind of love it. Just fell out of the group for a bit. Your sister's dating the DJ? The kid doctor DJ? Huh. The London is pretty great. But I can't imagine a kid doctor DJ has a lot of time. Just like my ex kid doctor." Kara's gaze travelled down the length of Matt's body. She couldn't help it, she just wanted make sure what she thought was under the scrubs was still there. "Very. Really can't say no to a man in uniform. Especially scrubs. They're very... freeing."

Matt raised his eyebrows. "Seriously? That's some talent. Not that I read it intently, but I have two younger twin sisters, so if they leave the mag lying around in the bathroom, you can't help but pick it up for a look, you know?" he laughed and waved his hand. "Sorry, TMI. You actually probably know the DJ if you're a New Yorker. He had a regular gig at The Bondi before Luke took him on here. Mel gave him good ol' Princeton hospitable welcome by sticking her tongue down his throat at the New Year's party... Aiden's birthday. Were you there? I feel like I would have noticed if you were, or were you just hiding behind one of those booths in case your ex showed up?" He did then become starkly aware she was blatantly perving on him, and because he was a typical guy, he couldn't help but like it. "Easy access, too..." he flirted back, smirking cheekily at her as he rested his hand on his hip, drawing her attention to his nether regions again.

"Seriously," Kara responded with a laugh as she raised her hand. "And not TMI. I know it's not really a magazine for men. Well, the straight ones. So hearing you read it on the toilet really isn't a problem. Oh? DJ at The Bondi? Oh wait, cute and blond? Kinda tall? I think it's coming back to me. Lucky sister of yours. That DJ's cute, but not really my type. And yeah, I was there. Just kind of keeping my distance, I guess. I would have thought I'd have remembered you too, but I guess we weren't meant to meet then." Kara wasn't going to turn down an open invitation to look, and she shifted her weight to her other foot as her body started to respond. "Mm... So how long's your coffee break? Or is it too soon?"

"Oh, I dunno. It's not too bad. Some guys could really do with taking some of the advice in that thing. Like my best mate, who thinks all chicks are allergic to him right now. Nothing a six pack and porn on TV won't fix, though. And I'll go with yeah on that. I assume the dude is blond from some old photos I've seen him, but in the flesh, I've only caught a glimpse of him from behind the tables and he was wearing a hat. I could trip over him right now and probably wouldn't realise it was him, ironically. Long story that I need to work on rectifying." Matt was sorely tempted, but starkly aware what rumours were circling about him and George, nevermind that they were true. It was be so easy for them to duck into the nearest bathroom and have a quickie in one of the stalls, but this was his workplace, and after the issues with George, it didn't feel right. Knowing his luck, George would catch them any way. Still, he was due a break... "Depends. Do you have a car?"

Kara looked at him with amusement. "Things really that bad for him, huh? I'm glad to hear you seem to have an action plan in place, though. I'm sure six packs and porn is the best treatment. He'll be picking up the ladies in no time. Once he grows a moustache and starts delivering pizzas. Or cleaning pools." She tilted her head as she thought about taking a sip of the coffee, but changed her mind. "That bad, huh? Must be hard when your sister's seeing someone you've never met. I have two older brothers, so I get it. Alex never actually got around to meeting them. You should definitely rectify it, though." Kara continued to watch him before giving a nod and fishing some keys out of the pocket of her jeans. "Good thing I was the designated driver, huh? Harri didn't feel up to it. She's still in Mom mode."

Matt rested his tongue between his lips and then laughed. "Yeah, so he says. He's not always had the best, uh, pulling skills... so to speak. But he is a print journalist, so we won't hold it against him," he added cheekily. He pointed at her. "If your brothers are anything like me, that's probably a good idea he dodged the bullet. One sister hooked up a couple of months ago and I had to give the guy a, um, polite talking to. Things with Mel, my other sister, happened a lot quicker than I could have anticipated and my brain is still trying to catch up on the whole notion. She's usually a bit on the quiet side, so this has just floored me a little. I'm trying to be tactful, but like I said, not always my strong point, especially when it comes to my sisters and penises being anywhere near them..." He scratched his head as his eyes landed on the keys and he pointed. "Ah... today must be my lucky day."

Kara's eyes had rested briefly on his tongue between his lips, and she had lost herself for a moment as she imagined kissing him. She blinked, and came back to the present with a small laugh of her own. "Poor guy. I know it's not always easy picking up girls. Sometimes we make it really hard. Print journalist, huh? Is he any good?" Kara grinned. "They really are. Probably more so. And there's two of them, so it's a bit more full on. Kind of what you have with your sisters, but reversed. I'm sorry to hear you're struggling, but I'm sure it'll even out soon. I hope it will. As for tact, sometimes it's overrated. Especially where penises are involved." Kara frowned a little. "Looks like it. If you're really sure."

"And funny, the girls always say it's not easy picking up guys," Matt laughed, shaking his head. "Personally, if something catches your eye, why not?" After a very quick glance around to make sure no one he knew - ie. George - was watching, he leaned in and claimed her lips with his in a surprise kiss, letting his tongue just swipe teasingly across her lip before he pulled away again. "Yeah, he's good. Wasted at the paper he's at, but he seems stuck in a vortex there. I'm really sure, and I'll worry about the brothers later."

"Probably because we don't realise we're sabotaging ourselves. Hard to get is fun until it's just stupid, and the boy gets tired. Your friend should get out of the vortex." Kara looked at him as her tongue ran over the same spot his had. Then she broke into a smile and dropped her coffee in the trash. She was about to get a much better pick me up. "Already willing to face the brothers? Well, this could definitely turn out very interesting. C'mon, then, Nurse Matt. I need a little... hands on care."

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