“There you are.” Asta stepped through the door of the little clinic and immediately set a beeline for her friend lying in one of the medical beds.  As she went, her heels clicked over the floor, and she removed her hands from her coat now that she was out of the cool, autumn air.

“Here I am,” Stelle replied with a smile on her face.

“Cheery as ever too, even after getting injured.”

After she came to a stop next to the bed, Asta looked over the other girl intently. Stelle had a compress on her forehead and a bandage over a portion of her temple. On the right side, just by the hairline. The area around it was swollen, and Asta could make out the bruise that was still developing. It would no doubt be an impressive one by the end of the night.  “March is going to be worried when she sees this,” she commented after leaning in closer.

“Yeah,” Stelle admitted, and her grin shifted to something a little more sheepish. “I didn’t want to distract her from class, so I haven’t even told her yet. Thanks for coming to get me, by the way.”

Asta shrugged and finally smiled before standing straight. “It’s no problem. Someone has to look out for the freshman.”

“And here I thought that was my job.”

Asta turned at the new voice and opened her eyes wider after finding the owner at the foot of Stelle’s bed. From the white coat, it was easy to deduce she was the doctor on duty, but there was so much more to the woman. Her eyes were kind but sharp, and her smile had a comforting quality to it. Beneath the coat, she wore a simple black sweater, complementing the dark blue skirt that ended just before a pair of black leather boots. Overall, the outfit screamed practicality, but on her, it seemed…elegant.

“You must be Stelle’s friend,” the stranger continued.

The guess caused Asta to jolt from her silent appraisal, and she finally brought her eyes up to the bright, pink ones across from her.

“Oh, yes! I’m Asta.”

“I was wondering who might come to pick up Stelle if March wasn’t available. I’m Natasha, the doctor around here. Are you perhaps a university student too?”

“Yes,” Asta nodded before bringing a hand up to indicate Stelle where she lay. “I’m a senior, though. I met Stelle and March when they came to help with some things around the Observatory.”

“They are very helpful, those two.”

“We try to be,” Stelle interjected before sitting up. “Speaking of which, I’ve got things to do. Thanks, Nat, I-” Whatever else Stelle was about to say was abruptly cut off as Natasha placed a hand on the young woman’s shoulder and shoved her back down into the soft embrace of the pillows. All with that smile still on her face.

“I don’t think so. You’re not doing anything other than resting today. Starting with at least another hour in this bed.” She removed her hand once Stelle was down and crossed her arms before fixing her patient with that stare. One that made it clear there would be no negotiation.  “After that, I’ll come take another look, and Asta can take you home if I’m satisfied.”

“Aw, come on, Nat. I just-”

“Uh-uh, none of that. Doctor’s orders.” She looked up at Asta then, and her expression softened. “I’m sorry she called you a little early. You’re welcome to wait here or come back later.”

Of course, Asta should’ve known Stelle would try to get away before being cleared. Well, she could run some errands in the meantime, even if she wasn’t as familiar with this side of town. However, there was something in Natasha’s smile that made her want to stay instead.

“I’ll wait,” she finally announced.

“You will?” Stelle asked. “But you’re always busy.”

“I’ll be fine, thank you.” Asta practically glared at Stelle for a moment before Natasha spoke up.

“Always busy but still enough time to help, that’s a good friend. Well,” Nat started and looked between them both. “Miss Asta is not the only one who is busy. If either of you needs anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Before she turned to go, Natasha gave Asta her full attention and extended her hand. “It was very nice to meet you, Asta.”

Asta couldn’t help but smile in response and then reach out to take hold of the offered hand. Natasha had a firm grip and, much to Asta’s surprise, her hands were soft and warm. Inviting, just like her smile. “Yes. Likewise, Natasha.”

Greetings exchanged, the doctor nodded and dropped her hand away before turning and heading off to another bed and another patient. Asta’s eyes followed her the whole way, curiously affixed to this mysterious woman.

“Sorry about this.”

Stella’s apology drew Asta from her mind, and she shrugged before moving to sit in a chair conveniently placed nearby. Before she did so, she undid the front of her jacket to reveal a white dress beneath it. Layered both for appearance’s sake and for warmth. “That’s alright. I have time.”

Stelle looked over at her like she’d just heard Asta speak a foreign language. “Since when?”

“Do you want a ride home or not?”

Stelle brought her hands up in surrender and then lay back on the pillow to comply with her instructions once more. “Yeah, yeah. It’s just surprising, that’s all.”

If Asta was being completely honest with herself, she was also a little surprised at her answer. There were probably multiple things she could knock out in an hour instead of sitting here. “Mhm. What happened, anyway?”

“I got a little too close to the batter during practice. I was only trying to help her adjust her swing, and she only caught a piece of the ball on the next pitch. Which sent it right into the side of my head.”

“Jeeze,” Asta said, shaking her head and trying to picture it. “Literally giving blood, sweat, and tears to the team.”

“Yeah, but it’s worth it. If I weren’t volunteering, the team wouldn’t have anyone else to coach.”

Asta smiled at her friend and chuckled slightly to herself. “I expect nothing less of the galactic baseballer. Honestly, between your own practices and studies, I’m amazed you can find the time.”

“It’s not so bad,” Stelle hummed before closing her eyes. “Hard to be a hero all the time, though.”

Asta rolled her eyes at the comment but chose to remain silent so her friend could finally get some rest. And without anything to focus on, her eyes wandered the interior of the clinic. Everything was very tidy, but the equipment had clearly been put through its paces. Like they were trying to eek every ounce of usefulness out of each piece before it finally found its way to the dump. Still, for being located where it was, Asta was pleasantly surprised.

Of course, her eyes also found their way back to Natasha, who was currently standing at the foot of another bed, going over a chart. The patient, an older man, apparently was having trouble understanding the results of whatever tests had been run. Worry was plain on his wrinkled face, and Asta couldn’t help but be curious why exactly that might be. Still, throughout it all, Natasha maintained an air of warmth and professionalism.

Asta watched her all the way until she finished with the man and only turned her head once Natasha stepped away and caught her staring. Again, the smile appeared, but Asta hastily averted her gaze before offering her own. Okay, she needed to focus. She could still get some work done, right?

So, she pulled out her phone and opened her email to see that at least three new messages were in the Observatory’s main account. All unread, of course. Seriously, what were they going to do when she was gone? With a sigh, she opened the first one and began typing a response not thirty seconds later. That one was straightforward enough, a matter of aligning schedules for the other scientists and students to host a delegation from another university. The second made her grab the bridge of her nose in frustration, though. However, before her fingers could start tapping out a response, an abundance of blonde curls framed her phone from behind.

“Watcha doin’?” The question came a moment later, and Asta raised her hands to find the amber eyes of a little girl staring up at her.

“Pardon me?”

“I said, ‘Watcha doin’?”  The girl’s eyes followed the phone for a moment before she brought her hand up and indicated it with an outstretched finger. “You seem pretty mad at your phone.”

“Oh,” Asta looked up at it for a moment and then shut the screen off before dropping it back to her lap. “I was just answering messages from work.” And apparently looking disgruntled while doing it.

“That sounds boring.” As she spoke, the girl’s hand dropped to join its twin on her hips, and her expression changed from inquisitive to something livelier. “You should come play with us instead!”

“Us?” Asta asked, before looking up and seeing that at least three other kids were currently milling about the clinic.

“Yeah! We know lots of great games!”

“Hook…” There was a sing-song cadence to the way Natasha said the name, and she quickly appeared behind the girl before placing two hands on her shoulders. “It’s not nice to bother Miss Asta while she’s working. If you want to play, go ask your friends.”

The rebuke came across as gentle, but Asta could detect the underlying firmness. To which Hook immediately chafed against. “Aww, I wasn’t bothering her. I swear! I just wanted to see if she’d rather play. That’s all!”

Natasha’s eyebrow rose, and she was about to say something else, but Asta stood from her chair before she could. “That’s alright, I don’t mind.”

The doctor’s eyes shifted up, and her head tilted to the side. “Are you sure? You don’t have to, you know. Hook here will be fine.”

“Really,” Asta affirmed with a nod. “Miss Hook is right, after all. I could use a break from work.” If anything, it would give her time to craft a better response to a more intricate problem. And…well, she had to admit she was curious about what kind of games Hook and her friends might get up to.

“Very well.” Natasha smiled and then dropped her attention to the girl once more. “Now, nothing rough, understand? You be nice to Miss Asta.”

“I promise!” Whatever warning was present in Nat’s words was no doubt lost to Hook’s excitement, and the little girl shot forward and grabbed Asta’s free hand. “Come on, let’s go!” With a tug, she pulled Asta forward, who struggled to keep up with the burst of speed in her current shoes.

“Whoa, easy! I’m coming, I’m coming!” How was this little girl so strong!?

In the commotion, she could’ve sworn she heard soft laughter coming from Natasha, but was through the door of the clinic before she had a chance to turn and see. Outside, Asta was quickly surrounded by the other children she’d seen in the clinic, and Hook took only a moment to gather everyone close before making an announcement.

“Okay, the name of the game is…hide and seek!” The young girl declared before throwing her hands wide. “And this lady…uh, Asta. Has to count first!”

“Me?” Asta asked before turning and trying to memorize as much as she could about the group. Who had blonde hair, who had brown or red. Sweater and pants colors, too. Anything she could use to identify them.

“Yeah, you want to be in the Moles, right? Well, you have to pass the test first!”

The moles? A test? What in the stars was going on!? However, before she could ask any further questions, the group of children ran off in all different directions. As Hook went, she turned her head and looked back over her shoulder.

“You have to count to 100. Oh, and no peaking!” Then she was gone, disappearing around the corner and into an alley.

“What have I gotten myself into?” Asta took in a deep breath and then slowly let it out for a moment to gather herself. Well, she said she’d play. So, she turned to the wall, braced her arms against it, and leaned forward with closed eyes to count in her mind. When only ten seconds remained, Asta turned around and started counting as loudly as she could, announcing that the time to hide was almost at an end. “Ready or not, here I come!” Now she just had to find these kids!

Twenty confusing minutes later, Asta managed to find, or stumble upon, every member of the group except for one. Hook. Wherever she was, it was a good spot, and Asta briefly considered the possibility that the girl got bored and went home. She must’ve wandered back and forth in front of the clinic one too many times because the next time she did, Asta found Natasha leaning against the wall in the doorway, an amused expression on her face.

“Having trouble?” She asked.

In response, Asta groaned slightly before coming to a stop in front of the clinic. “I can’t find Hook. She’s too good and they–” Asta gestured to the side at the group of other children who were currently playing hopscotch to pass the time. “Won’t give me any hints.”

“No hints, Miss Asta!” Said one little boy.

“Yeah, we won’t help you find Hook the Great. She’s the best at this!” Another shouted while pumping his fist into the air.

The proclamations caused more quiet laughter to slip from Natasha’s lips before she brought up a hand and gently laid it on Asta’s shoulder, pulling her closer. She even tilted her head slightly, placing her lips right by Asta’s ear.

“There’s a spot underneath the bleachers on the baseball field that’s particularly hard to spot. You have to be right on them to get a good look.” Her words were barely above a whisper, and her breath was warm on Asta’s skin. In close, Asta also picked up the subtle scent coming from Natasha. Not quite perfume, but something pleasant. Lavender, maybe?

Asta remained speechless until the other woman pulled away, whereupon she hastily gathered her wits. “Oh, uh, thank you…”

“Any time.” Natasha offered a wink before turning and staring down the assembled group, daring them to say something.

All this was perhaps bringing a little too much warmth to Asta’s cheeks, and she used the opportunity the game presented to slip away toward the baseball field. Thankfully, it was right across the street, and not even a minute later, she was hunched over and getting a better look underneath the rows of seats. She’d given them a cursory glance from the sidewalk before, but didn’t see anything that warranted another look. If Natasha hadn’t said anything, she probably wouldn’t have come back. Sure enough, when she got to the end furthest away from the street, she finally spotted Hook hunched down in a corner.

“Gotcha,” Asta announced with a smug grin.

“Not yet!” In an instant, the young girl wormed her way from underneath and began running across the field, stomping on first base as she went. “You have to catch me first!”

What!? That hadn’t been part of the rules! However, Asta wasn’t about to give up now. She tried to take off running, but her heels were making that nearly impossible. Fine, no shoes then. After kicking them off, she really began to pick up speed, even though her skirt and the jacket made it awkward. Not to mention the cold ground on her bare feet. Thankfully, she caught up and tagged Hook before those issues had a chance to become impediments.

“Aww, you got me…” Hook pouted and then looked back at the clinic, toward where Natasha was standing. “Did that old witch tell you where I was hiding?”

“Witch?” Asta turned as well and found the other woman softly clapping in her direction. However, a new arrival shifted her attention, and Natasha ushered the new patient into her clinic a second later.

“Yeah! She’s always making us do stuff like help in the clinic and can’t play with us as much anymore.”

The complaints drew Asta’s attention back to Hook, and she nodded in understanding. “I see. Well, for your information, I found you all on my own!” There was no way she would give up her secret weapon!

Hook narrowed her eyes appraisingly and then shrugged her shoulders before extending her hand. “Alright, then. Welcome to the moles!”

“Thank you,” Asta laughed as she took the tiny hand and shook it a few times for good measure, like she would any other adult. “I look forward to being part of the group. Now, I just need to get my shoes…”

Once her feet weren’t freezing, she left Hook and the others to play whatever game popped into their minds next so she could go check on Stelle, much to their dismay. After arriving inside and finding her friend awake, Asta relayed the story of her latest adventure and had Stelle holding her in laughter by the end.

“You should count yourself lucky that you only had to play one game,” Stelle said as she finally calmed enough to speak. “But I’m glad to finally have another member of the Moles on campus.”

“I should’ve known you’d be a member.” Asta followed the statement with a brief shake of her head before pulling out her phone and clearing the growing list of messages flashing on her lock screen. “In fact, I’m surprised you aren’t the ring leader.” The quip was said with a smile, but before Stelle had a chance to respond in kind, Natasha appeared at the foot of her bed once more.

“Did they give you much trouble, Asta?”

“No, no. It’s fine. Fun, even.”

“Good. I’m happy to see them getting to play with others. Especially now that I don’t have as much time. Thank you for doing that.”

“It’s no problem, really.”

Natasha only hummed lightly before turning to Stelle. “As for you, try not to get too involved in the game next time. At least while the balls are flying.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Stelle offered a haphazard salute and then swung her legs over the side of the bed.

“Perfect. I’ll see you for next week’s game, then. And Asta…”

“Yes?”

“I know the students have a clinic on campus, but please don’t hesitate to stop by if you need anything.”

“Oh, of course. Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” And just like that, Natasha turned and walked over to check on the next bed, leaving the two young women to gather their things and head out of the clinic to Asta’s car.

It was a short drive to the dorms, and after Stelle hopped out, with promises of coffee on her at a later date, Asta drove to the Observatory perched atop the nearby hill. She had plenty of work to do today, schedules to align, correspondence to answer, and her own experiments to review and document. However, she found that her mind kept wandering back to the clinic and to the wonderful doctor who worked there.