Maya decided to leave her car parked at the station. She felt it was safer to leave it there overnight instead of a downtown bar. She would just Uber to work the following shift. During Maya's quick walk to Joe's she pulled out her phone and scrolled through her Instagram feed. After a few minutes of scrolling she noticed a new post from Miranda Bailey. Miranda was the wife of Ben, a fellow firefighter at the station. Miranda and Maya had interacted on several occasions, even though Miranda scared the absolute daylights out of her. Miranda was the definition of a girl boss, she ran a tight ship at home, and she also happened to be the chief of staff at Grey Sloan Hospital. Ben often came into work bragging about her successes. It was clear how much he loved her. Maya admired their love, but she was certain she never wanted to be as tied down as he was. 
                          
Maya zoomed into the photo and held it up close to her face so she could see the people in the picture. From what she could tell they were celebrating something or someone. As she scrolled through the images she lost track of where she was walking. Just as she stopped on a photo, she also stopped dead in her tracks as she ran into a light pole. The collision caused her to fall backwards and drop her phone.
                          
She laid flat for a moment before shouting to the sky, "Seriously? Seriously?!" The only thing that was hurt was her pride. As she started to sit up, she saw a dark figure run across the street towards her. 
                          
"Oh my goodness, bambina, are you okay?" the woman asked as she knelt down to assist Maya. 
                          
It wasn't too dark because of the light pole, but Maya did have a little blurriness to her vision. However, she knew the woman's voice as soon as she heard it. Maya looked up to see the mysterious Italian doctor hovering over her. 
                          
Once her eyes adjusted to the light, Maya nodded yes and began to stand up. The brunette placed her hand behind her back and helped guide Maya to her feet. Maya couldn't help but get flush in the cheeks as the Italian's hand grazed the skin of her lower back.
                          
Carina knew who Maya was of course, but she wanted to play it cool. As Maya stood up and brushed the gravel and dirt off her pants the brunette spoke, "You look familiar. Have I seen you before?"
                          
Maya was a little hurt that she didn't recognize her right away. She was sure that she felt a connection between the two of them. God, even Jack said he saw it. 
                          
Maya spoke, "Yes, I was the firefighter you worked with this evening with the pregnant car crash victim. How is she by the way?"
                          
"Si, now I remember! The mother is doing great, we did not have to deliver and she will rest at Grey Sloan until natural delivery occurs," Carina shared.
                          
Maya was thankful for some good news on this shitty night. First, her friends ditch her, and now the connection she thought was there was clearly not mutual.
                          
Maya looked around, careful not to look the Italian in the eye. She knew if their eyes locked that it would give away the butterflies she was currently feeling. "Thank you for helping me, you didn't have to do that," Maya whispered, still embarrassed by the fall.
                          
Carina kept staring at Maya, wondering why she was looking at everything but her. "Are you sure you are okay? You can't seem to focus. I can take you back to my office at Grey Sloan and give you a quick exam if you would like," Carina offered.
                          
Maya wanted nothing more than to spend alone time with this woman, but not in a hospital gown getting a head exam. "I am good, trust me," Maya said, finally looking the woman in her dark chestnut eyes. 
                          
"Okay, but if your headache gets worse, please call me and I will take a look free of charge," Carina added. "Here give me your phone, so I can add my number."
                          
Maya hesitantly handed her phone to the woman. She then realized she didn't even know her name. "Um, I'm Maya Bishop by the way. I usually don't have such terrible Wednesdays. In fact, they are normally my favorite day of the week."
                          
"Dr. Carina DeLuca," the brunette rattled off quickly in her thick Italian accent as she grabbed the blonde's phone. "Uh, Maya, why do you have a photo of me pulled up on your phone?" the brunette asked.
                          
Maya was confused. "What are you talking ab-. Oh." Then she remembered. Right before she ran into the pole, she noticed the woman in the photo with Dr. Bailey was the mysterious brunette from the hospital. That was the photo she was staring at as she hit the pole. Chief Bailey had posted photos from the welcome party they had thrown Dr. DeLuca that afternoon.
                          
Carina waited for a reply from the confused blonde. 
                          
"Um, I know it sounds weird, but it really is just a coincidence. I am friends with Dr. Bailey's husband, and I just happened to be looking through her post as I hit the light pole," Maya said quietly. 
                          
The Italian woman laughed and said, "I am just giving you a hard time, bella. I know her husband is a firefighter so I made the connection."
                          
Maya, embarrassed, just shook her head and looked towards the ground as Carina entered her number into her cellphone. Maya asked, "Where were you headed before I so rudely interrupted your evening?"
                          
Carina looked down at her, she could tell she was flustered. "You did not ruin my evening. I was headed to Joe's Bar for a couple of drinks since I do not have to work tomorrow. Where were you off to prior to the light pole taking you out?" 
                          
"Same," Maya added shyly.
                          
"Well perfetto, bella. It looks like we can have a drink together. Let's go," Carina said as she started to walk towards Joe's.
                          
Maya stood there in a daze under the light pole for a moment before realizing that Carina had just invited her for drinks. She knew it probably was not the best idea to head towards a loud bar with a minor head injury, but she was willing to risk the headache for the brunette doctor in front of her.