In the sterile environment of the hospital on a drab Tuesday, Christopher found himself struggling to focus. His thoughts were constantly pulled towards Skye. Ever since the stormy night they spent together, his feelings for her had intensified. He yearned to be close to her, to touch her, but at work, she maintained a professional distance, as if they inhabited separate worlds. He understood the necessity for this – they both did. They couldn't afford another awkward meeting with HR.

As they collaborated on a project that day, both were visibly tired and irritable. The project was progressing well, but the strain of the day was evident. Then, they encountered a difficult patient, and tensions that had been simmering beneath the surface erupted.

"This approach isn't going to work, Christopher," Skye said, her voice strained with frustration. "We need to rethink our strategy."

"I don't agree," Christopher countered, feeling his own irritation rise. "We've already laid out a solid plan. Why second-guess it now?"

"Because it's not the best for the patient," Skye insisted. "We need to consider other options."

"Skye, we've gone over this. Changing course now would just cause more confusion," Christopher argued, his patience wearing thin.

Skye took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. "I'm just saying, we need to be flexible. We can't be rigid when it comes to patient care."

"I'm all for flexibility, but not at the expense of a well-thought-out plan," Christopher shot back.

The argument continued, each firmly standing their ground. Finally, Skye, her expression a mix of exasperation and defeat, said, "Maybe this isn't going to work out, Christopher. Working together, I mean."

Christopher felt a pang of disappointment. "What are you saying? That we can't work together professionally?"

Skye shook her head. "No, I just... I don't know if I can do this. It's too complicated."

Christopher took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Are you talking about us working together, or...us?"

Skye avoided his gaze. "Both, maybe. I just think it might be better if we kept our distance."

Christopher's heart sank. "So, what? We just pretend like nothing happened?"

Skye sighed, her voice softening. "I don't know, Christopher. I just don't want things to get messy."

Christopher ran a hand through his hair, frustration and confusion evident on his face. "I thought we had something, Skye. Something worth exploring."

Skye looked at him, her eyes filled with conflict. "Maybe we do, but it's not that simple. We work together, Christopher. We can't just ignore that."

Christopher felt a mix of emotions – disappointment, frustration, and an underlying current of desire. "So, that's it then? We just go back to being colleagues and nothing more?"

Skye's response was quiet, almost inaudible. "I think that's for the best."

Christopher stood there, watching as Skye walked away. The finality of her words hung heavily in the air. As he returned to his work, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts about Skye. Despite the professional facade he maintained, Christopher couldn't deny the impact she had on him, both personally and professionally. And as the day drew to a close, he couldn't help but wonder if there was any way to bridge the gap that had formed between them.

Skye's mind was in turmoil as she left the hospital. The decision to go back to school to pursue a medical degree had been weighing heavily on her, and the recent tension with Christopher only added to her stress. She needed a break, a chance to clear her head, and visiting her parents seemed like the perfect escape.

Her parents, Elaine and Marcus Johnson, lived in a cozy house in the suburbs of Queens. Skye had always found comfort in the familiar surroundings of her childhood home. As she drove there, she tried to push thoughts of Christopher and her future career out of her mind.

When she arrived, the smell of her dad's famous smoked hamburgers greeted her. Marcus had a passion for cooking, especially grilling, and he cherished the old smoker that had been passed down from his father. But today, as Skye took a bite of the burger, a wave of nausea hit her hard. Confused and feeling unwell, she excused herself and rushed to the bathroom.

Inside, Skye stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her skin was splotchy, with small patches of hives on her cheeks. Her head throbbed endlessly with a pounding headache. She looked, and felt, like a complete mess. "What's happening to me?" she whispered to herself, the stress of her life choices, work, and health issues merging into a storm of anxiety.

After a few minutes, she returned to the dining room, trying to appear normal. Her mother, Elaine, gave her a worried look but chose not to say anything.

Meanwhile, her dad was happily munching on his burger, completely oblivious to Skye's distress. "These are some of my best yet, don't you think?" Marcus said cheerfully, unaware of his daughter's discomfort.

Skye forced a smile. "They're great, Dad. You always make the best burgers."

Elaine, still eyeing Skye with concern, finally spoke up. "Honey, are you alright? You look a little pale."

Skye hesitated, then decided to brush it off. "I'm fine, Mom. Just a long day at work, you know."

Elaine nodded but didn't seem entirely convinced. "Well, if you say so. But remember, your health comes first, no matter how busy you are."

Skye nodded, appreciating her mother's concern but not wanting to worry her. "I know, Mom. I'll be careful."

As dinner continued, Skye tried to focus on the conversation, but her mind kept drifting back to her own problems. The decision to go back to school felt overwhelming, and her recent interaction with Christopher had left her emotionally drained. She needed to find a way to manage the stress and uncertainty that were becoming constant companions in her life.

After dinner, Skye excused herself early, claiming she was tired. In truth, she needed time to think, to process everything that was happening. Lying in her old bed, she stared at the ceiling, wondering what the future held for her. It was a crossroads in her life, and the choices she made now would shape everything that was to come.