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that would be amazing . ''
`` anything for the woman who is willing to risk her life for me . ''
megan laughed .
`` it was nothing . ''
`` what about your hand ? ''
`` i 'm not going to lie .
it hurts .
i kinda forgot what punching someone felt like . ''
pesh could n't help his brows from rising in surprise .
`` have you done a lot of fighting ? ''
she grinned .
`` not exactly mma material , am i ? ''
when he merely shook his head , she replied , `` i may have thrown a few punches in my early college partying days when a guy overstepped his bounds . ''
with a smile , pesh said , `` good for you . ''
`` yeah , my dad was really big on teaching me self-defense moves .
you know , with him being ex-military . ''
pesh could n't help liking megan 's strength and spunk .
he had n't known a lot of women like her .
in his world , women were bred to be demure and obedient .
even though jade was n't indian , she would 've never dreamed of throwing a punch to defend him against dev .
but megan , she was so refreshing with her ability to stand up for herself and others-to voice her mind whether it was good or bad .
`` you would have made your father very proud today . ''
`` thank you .
i 'm sure later on today when my knuckles are bruising , he 'll want to know why . ''
`` i 'm very sorry . ''
he took her hand in his before bringing it to his lips .
`` here 's a kiss to make any bruises go away . ''
she gave him a teasing smile .
`` is that the best medicine you can do , dr .
nadeen ? ''
his mind went wild with illicit images of all the `` medicine '' and `` healing '' he could give her .
a chaste kiss to alleviate her pain was all he could really offer .
his pager went off before he could reply .
`` i better go . ''
he hopped off the table and started for the door .
as his hand hovered over the doorknob , there were so many things he wanted to say to her .
but finally , he just said , `` thanks again for taking care of me . ''
`` you 're welcome . ''
`` and you should probably ice your hand during your break tonight . ''
`` yes sir , '' she replied , with a mock salute .
he shook his head at her with a smile before heading out the door .
chapter twelve days melted into weeks as megan immersed herself in her clinicals .
every day she found a new challenge to conquer .
she had n't imagined how hard it would be , or how exhausted she would be most nights when she crawled into bed .
but it was a thrilling exhaustion because she was doing what she felt like she was called to do .
each day , she spent more and more time with pesh .
she loved working beside him on cases .
he had the best bedside manner of all the residents and interns .
patients , both young and old , adored him .
and the more she was with him , the more megan began to adore him as well .
she had just left an examining room where he had charmed a little boy into finally letting them run the tests they needed when kristi beckoned her from down the hall .
after hustling to join kristi , megan was quickly ushered inside one of the trauma rooms .
immediately , her entire body switched gears as she prepared herself for what she might face .
`` female , thirty , car accident , '' the paramedic began before rattling off her vitals and other information .
after megan had absorbed the information , she turned to the patient .
`` hi , i 'm megan .
i 'm going to get your iv started . ''
the woman gave megan a weak smile .
`` i 'm mary . ''
`` i guess it would be wrong to say it 's nice to meet you , huh ? ''
megan said , trying to talk as normally as she could to put the patient at ease .
`` yeah , i guess so , '' mary replied .
when megan reached for mary 's arm to find a place for the needle , mary winced .
`` ouch . ''
as megan surveyed the forearm , she shook her head .
`` looks like you 've got a break there . ''
`` my arm is broken ? ''
mary asked in a panic .
`` we wo n't know until we get you into x-ray .
i 'm going to try this vein here in your wrist . ''
the needle slipped easily into the vein , and megan started the iv .
pesh appeared in the doorway then .
he smiled at mary on the gurney .
`` hello , mary , i 'm dr. nadeen .
i understand you had a little accident today ? ''
she nodded .
`` this car came out of nowhere and hit me head on . ''
`` i 'm so sorry .
why do n't we start by you telling me where it hurts ? ''
`` my chest , '' she said , with a grimace .
pesh pulled back the hospital gown .
`` were you wearing your seat belt ? ''
`` yes , i always do . ''
`` from the dust in your hair , can i assume the airbag deployed ? ''
`` yeah , it did . ''
`` is this where it hurts ? ''
he asked , running his fingers down an angry red whelp .
it started at her neck and crossed over her chest .
some of it was hidden by the many leads coming from the heart monitor .
`` yeah . ''
`` it looks like the seat belt and the airbag did a number on you . ''
mary winced .
`` i thought they were supposed to help you , not hurt you . ''
pesh smiled .
`` trust me .
you 're much better off with a little burn than if you had n't been wearing it . ''
after eyeing the monitors mary was hooked up to , he turned to megan .
`` blood pressure is low .
let 's administer some blood products to raise it . ''
megan nodded .