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It was very difficult to say who was the one that started it. In analyzing the moment after the fact, Lady Belle Fox would forever be unsure as to who made the first move. It was a very romantic notion, to think that her first kiss- her first real kiss happened during a moment of such mutual connection that both parties involved had made an effort at the same time. And it had happened in her favorite place- the surgical theater, no less. It was perfect.
Except of course for the fact that an unconscious Doctor Sneed was laying on the operating table between Belle and Jack, which made it slightly difficult to enjoy the experience to its fullest. But after so many weeks of tension between the two of them, it was only a matter of when and how they would kiss for the first time- and judging by the look he had given her just a few seconds ago, as he handed her the scalpel and asked her to make the first incision, he very much subscribed to that notion.
“Belle.” Jack mumbled, at last putting a stop to their kisses, but moving one of his hands from the edge of the table to the back of her head.
“Hm?” Oh yes, she sounded so coherent and composed at that precise moment.
“We need to get this bullet out of Sneed’s leg before the effect of the ether runs out.”
“Oh! Right, yes. Of course, let me just-”
They both laughed then, with blushed cheeks and embarrassed looks. But at the same time it was a good feeling- giddy anticipation of things to come, not an end to their banter.
“You know, my sister… She is convinced that she will marry Sneed.” Belle was babbling, but that was only due to the fact that she was dealing with the combined nerves of being so thoroughly kissed just seconds before performing surgery by herself for the first time.
Doctor Dawkins remained with a stoic expression on his face, hands now deep in his pockets as he watched very carefully as the first cut was made. Belle deeply wanted to make a jibe about how she had read every single anatomy book she could get her hands on, and thus he didn’t need to watch her so closely, but refrained from doing so. When it came to the real thing, it was very different- as her slightly trembling hands indicated.
“I’m sure they’ll be very happy together. Especially once he becomes Head Surgeon. Belle, hold the scalpel a bit straighter. Yes, that's right.”
“You should be the one to become Head Surgeon. If only the Prof. could see-”
“Belle. Let’s not have that discussion again, please. Just focus on getting that bullet out.” He made a gesture towards the scalpel she was holding that indicated they would not be revisiting that topic anytime soon. And for once, Belle listened.
It was a very quick surgery, in the grand scheme of things. The bullet was taken out and put away on a little tray, since no doubt Doctor Sneed would want to keep it for future gloating. From then on it was pretty standard procedure: stitch him up, spray some more carbolic acid for good measure. It was over rather quickly.
But something was making them both linger there, washing their hands in the little water basins kept in the backroom. Oftentimes one would sneak a little glance only to find the other already staring, which would then cause both to look away with shy smiles and very flushed faces.
“Thank you for… well, for letting me perform the surgery.” She said it in a low tone, while passing Doctor Dawkins a towel so that he could dry his hands as well.
“You did it perfectly.” Jack casually rested his hand on her waist while making that comment before moving to the table in the middle of the room to finish gathering his instruments. “Maybe too perfectly, if I’m being fair. There’s still time to shave one of his eyebrows off, if you do feel so inclined.”
Belle laughed, turning to face Doctor Dawkins while still maintaining her hands holding onto the edge of the table with the basins. He raised his head, as if the sound of her laughter was summoning him, and turned around to face her, his medical bag now abandoned.
“Though that offer is very tempting indeed, I am afraid that if I did that you would be the one to suffer the consequences.”
“And you are perfectly correct in making that assumption, Lady Belle.” His tone was very good-humored, even if they both knew that even the smallest of mistakes could result in the end of Jack’s time at the hospital.
Their conversation died out then, now that they were both standing face to face and no longer had a patient bleeding out between them to stand in the way of their tension. Jack seemed to be thinking the same thing as Belle, because he stepped forward almost as if in a haze, his eyes drifting downwards in a way that made Belle blush so intensely she was convinced her face was set aflame.
But just as quickly as it had started, it was over. Jack gave her a brief smile, one that only appeared when they were alone together, and turned back around to finish packing away his things. Belle tried her best not to look extremely confused, since she was so sure they were about to kiss again, but fully alone this time. A thousand different thoughts were flying through her head, wondering what was the meaning behind Jack changing his mind so suddenly.
She could have sworn he was going to kiss her again. His eyes said it all- Belle was not one for reading romances with the same frequency as her sister Fanny, but she swore the way Jack kept glancing at her lips while they spoke was something straight out of a book. Maybe she should be the one to kiss him. If only he would turn back around and start talking once more, then maybe Belle would be able to work up the courage she needed.
With all of his things now finally gathered, Doctor Dawkins no longer had a working excuse to avoid going to see his other patients, and thus had no choice but to say goodbye to Belle for the day. Ever the gentleman, even if only a couple hours ago he was not behaving in such proper manners, he remained a few steps away from her- which proved to be a futile attempt quite immediately, since the governor’s daughter closed the distance almost instantly.
“We should talk about the kiss.” It came out of her lips quicker than she could have anticipated. Being blunt, Belle found, was often the best policy. Also, it was fun to watch the tips of his ears become flushed with pink.
“And we will. I promise.” Jack recovered from being confronted with remarkable speed, reaching out and taking one of her hands in his, squeezing it softly before letting go. “But you must admit today was full of excitement. I’ll talk to Hetty and the other nurses so that they can bring Sneed to his room before he wakes up. You should go talk to your sister and tell her that Sneed will be fine.”
“Right.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” He inquired, and the eager look on his face just about melted Belle, even if she would never admit it.
“I… Perhaps.”
“Alright. Until tomorrow.”
And just like that Jack was walking out of the backroom and into the surgical theater so that he could go find Nurse Hetty, leaving a still thoroughly confused Belle behind. What would become of their relationship now that they had kissed? Would she still be able to come to the hospital and learn practical medicine?
She was so deep in thought she didn't even hear the door opening back up until she saw Jack rush in, drop his back on the table with the wash basins and take her face in his hands so quickly it could have passed for a hallucination.
The kiss was so quick and intense that Belle was utterly disoriented by the time it was over.
“What was that for?” She asked, trying and failing to fight the smile that was making its way to the surface.
“I felt like I didn’t say goodbye to you properly.”
“Now you certainly have.”
“Indeed, I have. Goodbye, Lady Belle.”
“Goodbye, Doctor Dawkins.”
Damn him. Now Belle was going to spend every waking moment until they saw each other again thinking about that kiss.