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“Shoot," Villanelle replies.

“I am nominated for the upcoming Catherine Fox Award and I was wondering if you would like to be my date?" Eve asks, reluctantly.

Villanelle stares at her for a few minutes. Did I misread the whole situation? Is she trying to find a polite way to say no? Gosh, she's my patient. What am I thinking?! Eve mentally kicks herself.

"Villanelle? You can say no if you don't want to, it's fi--"

"Eve," Villanelle says, grinning. "Are you really asking me to be your date to receive an award for 'Outstanding doctor in Neurosurgery'?"

Eve rolls her eyes with a wide smile she cannot seem to hide.

“This is not a movie, Villanelle. Only the best of the best is recognized in this field. A nomination is an honor already and being awarded is like winning an Oscar. Anyway, it doesn't matter, I am not expecting anything," she waves her hand dismissively.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Eve," Villanelle shrugs, "but the whole hospital is talking about you, they think you deserved it."

"I know, it's a big deal but I don't want them to be disappointed."

"They will never be disappointed in you. St. Thomas are only proud of you and so am I!" Villanelle says, opening her arms as if the whole restaurant is proud of her as well. Eve's cheeks flush.

"Thank you. So, is it a yes or no for me?"

“I would be honored to be your date, Dr. Park,” she winks at her.

If Eve is being honest with herself, she doesn't think this one through. Catherine Fox award is once a lifetime experience, a dream come true. And when she heard the news, she can only see herself celebrating her biggest achievement in life with the beautiful Russian buying champagne for everyone in the restaurant, announcing to everyone how proud she is of her favorite doctor.

Halloween turns up to be a better day for them and Eve thanks to the universe for it. It could have been worst, she knows from the start that her memories will soon come back to her and it might break the blonde. Maybe the universe is giving a little push after hearing her thousands of thoughts about the blonde she keeps to herself, a chance she doesn't know she will ever get. But here they are, not a day passes by without texting, calling, or seeing each other when they can.

Eve's schedule becomes hectic than usual, surgeries are adjusted earlier for her to attend the event. One day, she does three consecutive long hours of surgeries without eating or sleeping. Villanelle, despite her busy schedule due to her house's renovation, sneaks Eve out of the hospital for two hours to let her eat a home-cooked meal and nap in her EarthRoamer truck camper she uses during her shootings or road trips. After her shift, Eve has only one day-off before she spends another week of non-stop scheduled and emergency surgeries until the event. Nonetheless, she goes to the blonde's flat to give her late house-warming gift only to be welcomed with a wasted Villanelle due to the party held the night before. She puts an IV line and gives her a dose of banana bag to cure her hangover, prepares a brunch for both of them, and spends her day cleaning the blonde's house. As the sun sets, Villanelle wakes up with a clean house and a beautiful doctor sleeping on her couch.

Villanelle ordered pizza for their dinner. They are eating in her living room while watching random episodes of Friends.

"Eve, they are still offering me the project I left unfinished before. Everyone is willing to come back," she blurts out.

"How about you? Are you willing to come back?"

Eve doesn't know the story behind the blonde's life in show business, leaving it to her if ever she wants to share it with her. According to Elena, Villanelle left showbiz for personal reasons, but she has remarkable performances in the industry.

"Honestly, yes. Even if they keep on telling me to take my time and not to rush anything," Villanelle swallows a half-rolled pizza in her mouth.

"Irina and Konstatin?"

"And GIna."

"You mean Dr. Lopez?"

Villanelle shrugs, grinning.

"I understand, you don't want to put your life on hold for something uncertain. You want to move on wi--" Eve adds.

"And maybe it's even better? I'm satisfied with what I know and what I have right now. I'm happy," Villanelle continues.

"Maybe or maybe not, I don't know the answer. As a friend, I'd say do what you want to do. Life has taken a year of life already. If you say you're happy, then maybe it will work out for good. If something bad happens, then we will deal with it when it happens."

"That more I like it," Villanelle smiles, satisfied.

"Do you still want to come a day earlier before the event?"

"Are you kidding, Eve? That's non-negotiable!"

"Okay, fine! Why are you shouting at me?! I'm just making sure!"

"I don't know!"

They burst into laughter, the night ends with both of them falling asleep on the couch until Eve's pager wake them up in the middle of the night. Villanelle insists on driving her to the hospital for her to get some more sleep according to the blonde. The next few days, Villanelle comes back straight to her shooting locations. She once told Eve how she missed the rush she feels every time she has to be in the zone for every shot and she can't even think why she chose to leave this lifestyle if it makes her so happy. Most of the time, Villanelle is texting or calling her in between her takes complaining how annoying Irina is, following her to anywhere she goes like a dog. It warms Eve's heart every time she receives a text message, a call, or voice mail from Villanelle; no matter how chaotic the blonde is. Listening to her after a long surgery or when she's about to start her day become her favorite part of the day. It still amazes her how Villanelle finds time to update her, the way she laughs at her own ridiculous stories when Eve can't answer due to her surgeries. It never fails to make Eve smile.

Caller ID: V

“Dr. Park, Someone’s calling you, it's V. Should I pick it up?” a nurse asks her.

Eve along with Bill and Hugo is in the operation room for straight twelve hours. The patient’s condition is critical that requires Eve to get in and out as soon as Bill finishes stopping her bleeding abdomen. Eve is been operating for more or less 5 hours due to complications rising one after another. She lost track of time, struggling to find a way to fix the woman’s C5 spine without paralyzing her.

“What day and time is it?” she asks without taking her eyes off her patient.

“November 12, 18:45,” Bill says and gives her a knowing look.

“Shit. I’m supposed to be at going to the airport right now,” she can see in her best friend's face through her peripheral vision. “Bill, stop it.”

“Not saying anything, Dr. Park.”

“Pick it up. Tell her I’m in the middle of a surgery and I’ll call her right after,” she hesitates to say the next few words, feeling everyone's eyes on her. “Tell her I’m sorry and I’ll make it up to her.”

After a few seconds, she figured out how they will proceed with the surgery. An hour later, the patient’s out of the OR and into the recovery room.

She’s scrubbing her hands beside Bill after the grueling operation.

“Too loud, Eve.”

“I’m not saying anything, Bill.”

“I can hear you thinking. Go and win the Catherine Fox award, be with you girl. I’ll be with the patient through the night for both of us. Just to make sure.”

Eve stops washing her hand and looks at her friend.

“Not my girl, Bill.”

“Not yet?”

Eve rolls her eyes. Bill finishes washing his hand and faces her best friend.

“Too soon?” he smirks.

“Funny, old man. She still can‘t remember some important events in her life and still recovering. I won’t do anything to jeopardize it. I just want to enjoy this event with her. I don’t know exactly why.”

Bill just smiles and sprinkles water on her face.

“What the---”

He laughs at her. “Call her and go away already. A trauma or something might turn up and you’ll end up never leaving this premises.”

They both finish drying their hands and part ways. She immediately dials the blonde’s number while she sits on a chair in one of the hallways.

“Hey, everything went well?”

“Hi. Sorry for not calling you. I just finished from thirteen hours of surgery. It’s not an excuse though. I hope your not mad at me or something,” she says as she massages her temple, leaning her head on the backrest of a very uncomfortable steel chair.

“Where are you? Come here at the back parking lot before I freeze to death.”

“What? Right now?”

“Yes.”

She’s been waiting for Eve to reach her for the past twelve hours. Villanelle can’t explain it, she’s excited and nervous at the same time. If she packs three dresses and suits, she convinces herself that she just can’t choose which one looks better on her; certainly not because she’s a little bit conscious of what Eve and her people will think about her. Villanelle never felt conscious before. She likes to be seen and be the center of attention, naturally confident with herself. However, when it comes to Eve, she's turning into a teenager picking up her first girlfriend for a prom night, dressing up to appear as the right woman for Eve's parents. Except, this is not a prom and the people around Eve are professionals. She's been pacing around her room until she hears that Eve is still on surgery. They won't be able to catch their plane and she won't just watch it to happen.

Villanelle makes some calls and proceeds to pick up her date. She’s casually leaning on her black Lexus at the back parking of the hospital while waiting for Eve. Without further ado, Eve comes out of the door wearing her usual dark blue scrubs, looking exhausted. They smile at each other the moment those hazel green eyes catch the brown ones.

“Hi, Eve,” she says as the corner of her lips turn up a little bit more.

“Hey. What are you doing here? I told you I’ll call right after.”

“Tired?”

“Oh god, yes,” she mirrors Villanelle's position and stares at the moon above them, “I think it’s weird to say this but I’m going to say it anyway. You smell fresh and powdery, it's intoxicating all of my senses,” she groans, “I envy you. You look so comfortable. I would do everything for a hot shower right now.”

Villanelle laughs at her misfortune. She is comfortable in her plain black Adidas tracksuit, a pair of white Gucci sneakers, and a plain black cap.

“What if I told you can take a hot bath while we travel to Santa Monica? If you’re still up to travel tonight, that is,” she looks at Eve. The brunette looks at her with eyebrows intersecting in the middle of her forehead.

“Sorry what?”

“Yes or no, Eve?”

“Yes. Whatever. You got me at hot bath, anyway,” she rolls her eyes at the blonde but smiling as she says, “give me ten minutes to change and get my suitcase, you can take me wherever you want afterward.”

She sleeps throughout the ride to the London City general aviation ramp. Villanelle takes their suitcase out before she wakes Eve up from the door of the passenger seat. The brunette slowly wakes up but when she realizes where she is, she looks like she's still dreaming. She gets out of the car and stands beside the blonde. Villanelle holds their suitcase in each hand.

“Ready?” she asks Eve, satisfied seeing the surprised look on Eve’s face.

“Really? A luxurious private jet, V?”

Villanelle shrugs, “Figured it’s much comfortable traveling with The Hawk than any first-class in other planes since you’re tired. I remembered I promised you a hot bath, didn’t I?”

They walk towards the black matte jet and a pair of pilot-stewardess welcomes both of them. The pilot hugs Villanelle and the stewardess takes their suitcase.

“Welcome back, V. We missed you! I supposed you are Dr. Park, nice to meet you and welcome.”

“So? You like it?" Villanelle asks, smirking.

“Yes! I have one question though,” she raises an eyebrow at her, “Why the hell would you let me pay for two first-class tickets when you have a private jet all along?!” Eve says and playfully hits her shoulder.

“Aw! I told you I can pay but you still insisted to do so," she shrugs.

The Hawk has four black modern chairs that are better than any first-class ride with two tables in between; one black minimalistic bathroom with an elegant tub and full rainfall showerhead. The stewardess assists Eve to the bathroom where she takes her time enjoying the hot bath relaxing her aching muscles. When she finishes, dinner is served. Grilled beef with broccoli paired with a glass of expensive red wine.

They are watching a movie until Eve falls asleep in the middle of it. Villanelle turns it off and lets the brunette get her much needed sleep. She covers her with a comforter and adjusts the chair to the optimum position for sleeping. She watches eve for a little while across her until the light snoring from the brunette lures her to sleep.

Santa Monica, CA
Midnight, Friday

As they walk down the stairs, she sees her baby waiting for her nearby.

“Oh. Don’t tell me this is our ride, Villanelle,” Eve says, amused at what she’s seeing in front of her.

They reach the car and she enjoys this indescribable look on Eve’s face, Villanelle leans on the hood of her car.

“Eve, meet my baby. Ellie,” she grins.

“No, you own a Chevrolet Camaro RS 1967 Bolero convertible with 4 speed, 396 ci engine?! IN. SANTA. MONICA,” Eve rolls her eyes for the nth time.

“Yep. One of the original models. You know your car, huh?”

“Why am I even surprised? You own a private jet."

“It's the family’s jet, Eve. For business. Don’t be ridiculous,” she waves her hand dismissively and takes their suitcase inside the trunk, “Want to drive? I can give you directions to our hotel,” she adds.

“You know it!”

She tosses the key to Eve and the doctor catches it like they are in a spy movie. Villanelle feels like in a movie anyway, she can’t believe this is happening.

“Ready?” Eve asks as the blonde pushes the button for the top to go down.

The cold sea breeze hits their faces as Eve drives towards the ocean side hotel they are staying at. Some of the roads look haunted on the way because it’s midnight. Not for Eve though, it looks like her race track because that means she can drive as fast as she can while enjoying the view they pass by without violating any traffic rules, of course. Nightlife in Santa Monica is surely one of the best one can ever experience. As they pass by the Santa Monica Pier, pumping music and neon lights welcome them.

“God, I miss this!!!!!!” she shouts at the top of her lungs. She looks at the brunette in her driver’s seat. Her hair is down and the sea breeze moves her gorgeous hair away from her face. She looks stunning and happy. “It’s a beautiful night,” she whispers to herself while looking at Eve.

“What. Are. You. Saying!?” she shouts for the blonde to hear her.

“Nothing! Just keep on driving! 2 minutes more!”

She takes out her vintage Canon Canonet camera and snaps some pictures of the nightlife. A few minutes later, they arrive at the hotel’s parking area.

“Eve."

She looks at the blonde when---

Click. Flash.

“What the? My hair looks messy, Villanelle! Delete that!”

“Can’t. It’s a film camera, Eve,” she shrugs and shoots the brunette a wink.

“You’re unbelievable,” Eve locks the car and follows her to the entrance of the lobby.

“I know.”

When Eve walks into their suite, she’s not even surprised anymore. The young woman has very good taste so she expects nothing less. It consists of an adjacent living room in between two bedrooms with a 42-inch TV, a hydrotherapy spa tub in each room, a mesmerizing ocean view, and a pantry. A perfect place to unwind and forget the whole world exists.

Villanelle sits down on one of the couches and crosses her legs while she pours herself some coffee in the pantry.

“Eve, do you want to sleep already or do something? It’s 9 AM in London anyway.”

Eve walks to the shared living room and takes a seat across from the blonde.

“Up to you, I slept for 8 hours on the way here. Besides, it’s not like I have a regular sleeping schedule. I’m a surgeon, V.”

“Yes, kind of forgot that,” Villanelle stands up and walks into her room. “Want to watch a movie?”

“Now, that’s an idea.”

Eve follows Villanelle to her bedroom. She doesn’t mind though, she just feels like she’s in a sleepover with her best friend. She wasn’t able to attend any sleepovers as a kid because her parents are strict and traditional as any Korean parents are. It’s silly but is it what it is. Villanelle gets under the covers and she follows, then Villanelle pulls up their blanket up to their neck. It’s not even awkward, she feels like they have been doing this all along. The blonde turns on the TV and starts searching for movies on Netflix.

“Oh, Eve! Have you seen Modern family?” her face lights up like a child who’s about to get her favorite chocolate. “I know I said we should watch a movie but it’s really fun!”

Eve hasn’t seen any movies or series for a while now. It’s not something she can do all the time while being a surgeon. So, if she’s being honest she wants to watch something she can understand without having any context. However, seeing the grin on Villanelle’s face does something to her to a point that she will agree or give anything the woman-child wants. Also, she wants to know about her even more. What movies she likes, favorite chocolates, favorite genre of music to listen to, and other silly little things.

“Sure.”

She only sees Villanelle this enthusiastic when she’s about to eat her food or when there’s ice cream, it intrigues her what’s the fuss all about. Contrary to the popular belief of Villanelle’s fans, the famous actress is a sucker for a romantic comedy. She’s a softie and not a fan of the horror genre like her fans knew based on their blogs that she saw back when Elena told her that their patient was a famous actress. If Eve searched articles and watched movies of Villanelle, no she didn’t. She will never tell her that because it will make whatever in between them awkward. A risk she’s never willing to take.

Before the episode, Villanelle briefly explains the context. Eve is trying to listen to her but she gets distracted by how she tells the story with her comical gestures and killer smile as if she can vividly remember the story scene per scene. Little does she knows, Eve is smiling herself.

“Why are you smiling? Did you listen to everything I just said?” she asks but waves her hand dismissively right after, not giving Eve a chance to answer. “Doesn’t matter, you’ll see. Everyone deserves a Claire or a Phil!” she says contentedly and plays the video.

In the middle of the episode, Eve realizes that it’s not the first episode. Maybe the blonde picked it because it’s her favorite. She gets it even without Villanelle’s input though. It's hilarious. They burst into laughter when Jay caught Hailey trying to escape the house for a party but ends up staying because of her boyfriend wanting to stay and watch a stupid cowboy movie, or when Phil pretends that he’s happy with the five hug coupons that Claire gave to him as her anniversary gift. As the episode gets closer to the end, they also get closer to each other until Villanelle leans on her shoulder. Nonetheless, she leans her head to Villanelle’s and cannot stop herself from smiling even they are watching a scene where Phil is pretending that he knows Spandau Ballet and failing miserably for Claire not to feel bad.

“Awww, he loves Claire so much! Look, he will even pretend that True is their song even though he knows what’s their real song just to not make Claire feel terrible,” Villanelles says while pointing to the TV and making a babyface.

Eve laughs lightly. The episode ends with Phil telling Claire the truth but finds a way for his wife to not be sad by telling her that “True” will be their new song as they slow dance to the song. The next episode automatically plays.

“What? You don’t find it sweet?” Villanelle asks suspiciously.

“It’s cheesy, V,” she shrugs.

“It is but it only shows how much he truly loves her,” V pouts like a child.

“Okay, don’t give me that face,” she teases, “I only said that because it’s true but I laughed because I didn’t think it is the kind of thing you would watch,” she caresses the blonde’s cheek and smiles at her, “And it’s also true. Phil loves Claire tremendously. I kind of get it now why you’d think that everyone deserves someone like them or what they have.”

Villanelle looks convinced that Eve genuinely finds it funny and sweet.

“Oh! Let’s watch the episode when Phil and Claire are role-playing on Valentine’s day! You should meet Clive Bixby and Julianna, their alter ego.”

Villanelle plays the episode and leans on her shoulder comfortably again until they both fall asleep unconsciously in the middle of the fourth or fifth episode of the Modern family.