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jerzwriter · 2 years

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What Happened In Vegas Chapter 3 - Winners and Losers

Book: Open Heart (Book 2)

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Casey MacTavish)

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Alcohol consumption, mild sexual content

Category: Series - AU

Words: 6,200 (sorry, but we cover a lot 😊

Series Summary: Casey & her roommates are heading to Vegas, intent on taking down Declan Nash and Panacea, but this time, Dr. Ethan Ramsey is in tow.

Chapter 3: Casey makes herself scarce as Ethan sets his plan in motion, earning the suspicion of many, including Casey. Before the night ends, it appears celebrating is in order, but another revelation awaits. @choicesdecember2022 - Day 1 - Love Spiral

SERIES MASTERLIST

Ethan moved across the packed floor of the lounge. Although slithering may have been a more fitting term given the crowd assembled. Pharma executives in hand-tailored suites, an occasional politician or two, most likely on the take, and of course, a swarm of doctors.

Doctors.

He grumbled to himself. These weren’t worthy of the term. As far as Ethan was concerned, being a doctor ceased to exist the moment making a buck became more important than patient care. The crowd here? They weren’t doctors to him. He was trying to think of places he would less rather be, but he couldn’t think of many. Thoughts of bolting played over and over in his mind, and he swore he felt his body moving toward the exit. But it was too late.

Charlotte’s lips curled into a coy smile when their eyes locked. She studied him intently as he walked her way, taking him in the way an animal surveys its prey. He felt his stomach churn, the desire to flee increasing tenfold. But he felt the need to make things right as much as Jackie did. For all his loathing of the “doctors” in attendance, he was responsible for bringing Panacea on board at Edenbrook. When push came to shove, he also put his own desires above the greater good. He needed to right that wrong. So with a deep breath, he produced the most sincere smile he could muster and stepped in front of a simpering Charlotte.

"Dr. Ramsey?" she purred, doing nothing to conceal her adulation. "Can you reassure me this isn't a dream?"

"With the caliber of scotch they're serving? If this is a dream, you’ll have to reclassify it as a nightmare."

Her face soured, and she glared at the bar with fury in her eyes. "I’m disappointed to hear that. Panacea has spared no expense on this event, and our intention is to impress our most distinguished guests. I will speak with management.”

“No need,” Ethan reassured. “I’m confident that the majority of your guests are not as discerning as me. A fancy bottle and a high price tag, they’ll be easily convinced that the swill they’re drinking is top shelf. So, Panacea’s goals will be met.”

“Hmmm,” she hummed, eyeing him salaciously from head to toe. “The thing is, I’m not really concerned about what most think, but I am…” she stopped short with a coy smile. “You know, I was in the VIP sportsbook earlier, and they were serving Balvenie 40. Would that be to your satisfaction?”

“It depends,” he replied with a cocked eyebrow. “Are you buying?”

Charlotte’s head tilted back in a fit of laughter far more enthusiastic than the situation merited. As she drowned out the jazz quartet and the hum of dozens of conversations around them, heads began to turn their way. Unbeknownst to Ethan, two of those heads belonged to Jackie and Sienna.

“I’m happy to treat you this evening,” she enticed. “Well, Panacea is. In any case,” she inched closer, locking her eyes on his as she caressed his forearm with a well manicured hand. “You won’t have to pay a cent to enjoy the finest things Vegas has to offer tonight. What do you say, Dr. Ramsey?”

He stood silently, partly to maintain an air of mystery but mainly to prevent himself from saying what he wished he could say. Only after Charlotte looped her arm into his did he reply.

“I say, lead the way.”

~~~~~

“Did you see that!” Sienna shouted.

Jackie twisted her lips, “I did.”

“Tell me that’s part of the plan! Where is Casey? This better be part of the plan!”

Jackie stretched her neck to search the room. “I don’t see her. But she did say she was making herself scarce...”

“But the minute she’s gone…he’s… he’s….”

“Sienna, stop preparing to bite his ankles. It’s probably part of the plan… Ethan doesn’t strike me as the type who would have a thing for that rattlesnake. Besides, we’re not even sure if he and Casey are together.”

Senna looked at Jackie with a knowing smirk.

“Yeah, I know… why don’t you text Casey.”

“I already did,” Sienna declared.

“I should have known! Why don’t we head to the sportsbook ourselves? We can watch what’s happening and maybe get some dirt on Charlotte.”

“But isn’t it VIP-only?”

Holding up a gold-plated pass in her hand, Jackie started to pout. “And who do you think you’re hanging out with? I’m one of Panacea’s favorites, remember? Just stick with me.”

~~~~~

The two women waited impatiently at the entrance of the sportsbook while Ethan and Charlotte settled into a small table in a darkened corner of the room.

“We should just go in,” Sienna insisted.

“They’re not going to have sex on the bar in the next five minutes, Si! Relax.”

“I didn’t say they were! But I’m anxious to get on with it!”

A relieved smile spread on Jackie’s face when she saw Bryce leading the rest of the gang their way. “Well, it looks like we are on our way to doing that!”

“You summoned, Jackie?” Bryce grinned.

"I did. Ethan’s in there with Charlotte, and we think he’s trying to cozy up to her for info, but….”

“Cozy being the operative word!” Sienna scowled.

“Well, just ask Casey,” Elijah interjected.

“We would, but she’s nowhere to be found,” Jackie sighed. “She hasn’t replied to our texts, and… I’m getting worried.”

“I’m sure she’s fine, but we could spread out and look for her,” Aurora offered. “One of us is bound to run into her.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Jackie agreed. “Since I’m the only one with a VIP pass, I’ll stay here and scope out Charlotte and Ramsey.”

“I’m staying too,” Sienna insisted.

“I will, too,” Elijah grinned. “It’s not every day I get to conduct a heist in a place this swanky!”

“It’s not exactly a heist,” Jackie clarified.

“No matter; it’s still swanky!”

“I guess I’ll take Bryce, then. We’ll keep an eye for Declan and hopefully find Casey in the process.”

“Good plan!” Bryce nodded. “I’ll be your handsome arm candy, disarming people with this million-dollar smile.”

“On second thought,” Aurora cringed, “I’ll trade you for Elijah.”

“Oh, hell no!” Jackie retorted. “You wanted the meathead? He’s all yours! Just keep your phones on. We have to be able to reach each other.”

“Don’t worry, Jackie,” Bryce winked, “With us on this… we’ll be done in no time.”

Aurora shook her head as she dragged him off. “Forgive me if I lack his confidence.”

~~~~~

The three friends commandeered a perfect spot just feet away from Ethan & Charlotte, but obscured by several large plants, they could listen in without being seen.

“So, do we get to bet while we wait?” Elijah grinned.

“We’re not here to play!” Jackie reminded. “Let’s do what we’re here to do, and if we’re lucky, we can enjoy Vegas a bit before we head back to Boston.”

Sienna peeked through the leaves to spy on the couple as their copious laughter filled the air. Ethan swirled a crystal glass of amber liqueur in his hand, and the server poured a fresh flute of Dom Perignon for Charlotte.

“How much does she drink?” Sienna whispered.

“If it helps the cause, I hope a whole lot more,” Jackie replied.

Charlotte raised her glass with a smile. “Cheers,” she beamed, bumping her glass against Ethan’s.

“Again?” He sneered. “How many times are we toasting?”

“Are you complaining? I hope your beverage is to your satisfaction.”

“It’s quite good,” he stated. “But it takes more than this to satisfy me.”

“Well,” Charlotte cooed, “luckily for you, the night is still young.”

Several feet away, a red-faced Sienna jumped to her feet. “That’s it, I’m going to….”

“You’re going to sit down and shut up,” Jackie instructed.

“Order another. Remember, it’s on me.”

“One doesn’t gulp this sort of thing. It isn’t, say, Dom Perignon.”

Once again, Charlotte drew attention, laughing much more than she should, as Ethan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Looking up, he caught Jackie’s eye, and with a slight nod, Jackie felt some reassurance.

“Did you see that!” she whispered to his friends. “I knew he was just trying to get her to spill. But, God knows if the old fool knows how to use his phone to record.”

“Jackie, he’s not old, that’s really rude, and I….”

“Not the time, Sienna!” Jackie spat. “Just get your phones ready. I’m putting mine in this plant; I’m not leaving this to chance.”

The three friends sipped their drinks and did their best to endure the nauseating conversation –Charlotte speaking in sexual innuendo and Ethan doing his best to keep her reeled in, yet far away – as the clock ticked on.

“This could go on all night,” Sienna complained.

“Well, the server just brought over another bottle of Dom. She’s either going to be passed out or signing soon. Hopefully the latter.”

Once Charlotte began to slur every third word, Ethan suggested they step out onto the balcony for some fresh air. Relishing the idea of sharing a more private venue with him, she eagerly complied. Jumping onto her stiletto-heeled feet, she lost her balance, and Ethan quickly offered his arm to assist. Charlotte rubbed against him provocatively, her hands caressing the lapels on his jacket. Plan or not, Sienna was seeing red.

“Dr. Ramsey, who knew you were such a knight in shining armor,” Charlotte giggled.

“If I’m your knight in shining armor, you needn't be so formal. Ethan will do just fine.”

“Oh, but Dr. Ramsey,” she purred, “this all plays into my little fantasy. You can’t deprive me of that.”

“I’m going to throw up,” Sienna cringed.

“No, we’re going to follow them… quietly,” Jackie stated. “If Ethan’s suffering this much, we have to at least make it worth his while.”

“But is he suffering?” Elijah asked in a pained voice. He was standing too close, they were laughing too much, and friends grew a little warier with every Dr. Ramsey that fell from Charlotte’s lips.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this, guys,” Sienna frowned.

“And we can’t even hear them anymore,” Elijah sulked. “So who knows if he’s even getting any information.”

“I know,” Jackie agreed. “I hate to admit it, but I’m getting a weird feeling too. Si, maybe you should tell Casey not to come. We’re not sure what’s going on and….”

“Why shouldn’t I be here?”

The three friends turned at the sound of Casey’s voice, each one of their eyes wider than the next.

“What’s going on?”

“How did you get in here?” Jackie attempted to deflect. “It’s VIP only.”

“Really,” Casey smirked. “This dress, these heels, and the right amount of flirtation? I’ll get into any VIP lounge in Vegas. Now, what are you trying to….”

Her jaw dropped as she peered onto the balcony, catching Ethan and Charlotte inches away from what appeared to be a kiss.

“He wouldn’t!” she gasped, taking a step toward them, but Jackie quickly pulled her friend back.

“We’re pretty sure he’s just trying to get information out of her.”

“Even if he is,” Casey fumed. “This is taking it too far!”

“But if he is and you barge out there now, you could ruin any progress he’s made,” Jackie reasoned. “And, honestly, I view this as a sacrifice on Ethan’s part.”

“I don’t care what you view it as! This is just….”

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” the manager interrupted as the group began to attract attention. “What seems to be the problem.”

Casey turned to the man with fire in her eyes. “My problem is that my….”

“Casey?” Ethan called from behind, looking mortified as he bumped into Casey with a leering Charlotte on his arm.

“Ethan…I…” her face turned from shock to rage before their eyes. “I can’t… I can’t believe you! I’m gone an hour and… and this!”

“Casey, wait,” Ethan pled, dropping Charlotte’s arm. “I can explain!”

“Explain what? I have eyes! You know what,” she said as tears of frustration sprang to her eyes, “You’re welcome to her. Just don’t think you’re coming anywhere near me again.”

Charlotte yanked Ethan’s arm when he attempted to rush after her.

“Where do you think you’re going? She has her friends. She’ll be fine.”

“Charlotte, I…”

Her eyes narrowed and lips pursed; she wasn’t a woman used to not getting her way.

“Look, she’s not just… she’s… she’s my intern,” Ethan breathed.

Charlotte’s demeanor changed at once.

“Screwing your intern? So, that’s the intern!” Charlotte laughed. “Dr. Ramsey, you’re far more naughty than I gave you credit for… I like this side of you. But I assure you… you will be better entertained by a real woman tonight. Go,” she motioned to the door. “Go chase the pathetic child. You have to make things right so she doesn’t squeal, and then you have issues. Hell, give her $50 to get ice cream with her little friends, but when you’re done… I’ll be waiting right here.”

It took all his power to conceal the array of emotions welling inside him. It took more strength than he thought he possessed to restrain himself from telling her exactly what he thought of her. But thinking of the conversation recorded on his phone helped him keep his composure. Imagining Charlotte’s face when she realized he wasn’t returning tonight gave him conviction. H could see this farce through a moment longer.

“I’ll be back,” he lied convincingly.

“I’ll be waiting,” she cooed, as she took a seat at the bar.

~~~~~

People in Vegas aren’t easily phased. But even in a city where anything goes, the sight of the handsome, six-foot-four, tuxedo-clad man hurdling through the halls like he was going for the Olympic gold… that turned some heads.

“Excuse me,” he said as he plowed through the crowd. Concerned, but not enough to see if anyone had toppled. Only two things mattered to him now: listening to the recording and clearing things up with Casey. He was hoping she was just a better actress than he realized.

Back in their suite, Jackie and Sienna tended to their weepy friend while Elijah was assigned to the door. They all knew it was only a matter of time before Ethan showed; at least, they hoped so. So when the bell rang, the door immediately opened.

“I was wondering how long it would take you to show.”

Ethan had no time for small talk. “Where is Casey?”

Elijah gestured toward the door leading to the east end of their suite. “She’s over there,” he started as Ethan bolted past him. “But, wait, I’m not sure she wants to see you!”

Ethan burst into the parlor to find a red-faced Casey flanked by her two friends. Jackie offered Ethan a sympathetic grin, but Sienna wasn’t as kind.

“You really shouldn’t be here,” her defensive friend barked, but Ethan remained undeterred.

“Casey, we need to talk. You understand I was just trying to get information out of Charlotte, right? You can’t believe that I would….”

“Save it,” she snapped, silencing him. The fire that had been her eyes had been replaced with a steely resolve.

“Casey….”

“I said I don’t want to hear it! There are lines, Ethan; no matter your reason, you crossed them!”

“Do you think I wanted to? I’d rather be mauled by tigers. But I got it!” He pulled the phone from his pocket with a flourish, but Casey remained unimpressed. “Here, please. Listen…”

Casey looked at the phone lying in his palm, then fixed her angry gaze on him before wordlessly retreating to the other side of the room.

“Well, if you’re not listening,” Jackie interjected. “I am. I don’t know the deal between you two, but you can sort it out later. We have bigger fish to fry. May we?” she asked.

Ethan unlocked his phone and placed it on the table for all to hear. Sienna and Elijah cautiously gathered around as well, but Casey didn’t budge. With her arms crossed defiantly in front of her chest, she stared at the lights of the glittering city below with her back to everyone. Still, she could feel that Ethan’s eyes never left her.

Bryce and Aurora stumbled into the room and joined their friends at the table, curiously looking between Casey and everyone else. “Later,” Jackie mouthed as the recording began to play.

“I’m afraid I misjudged you, Dr. Ramsey. I thought you were an uptight, boring, do-gooder.”

“That’s what you thought?”

“It is… and I thought it was a shame. After all, anyone as handsome as you should never be that boring.”

“So what tipped you off that you were wrong?”

“The time you punched Declan! That was delicious! I’ve wanted to do that countless times!”

“So one sucker punch was all it took?”

“Of course not! I chalked it up to some savior complex… still part of your good boy persona.”

“So what changed?”

“When I heard about you and that little intern of yours… hiding Naveen, breaking every rule… I knew there was more to you than meets the eye.”

“That could have been because Naveen is important to me.”

“Pfft. Please! If you cared about Naveen, you wouldn’t have him holed off in an abandoned hospital corridor. You wanted the acclaim, Dr. Ramsey… and were willing to do anything to get it. That’s… fabulous! And selecting that nubile little intern… well, it doesn’t take the best doctor of a generation to figure out why she’d be your choice. I started to realize I might be wrong about you.”

“You’re more perceptive than most, Charlotte.”

“I know, and I was delighted to know you had that… edge. Most forget that humans are designed to thrive on adrenaline. The greater the risk, the greater the payoff….”

“I couldn’t agree more. Do you know that when I was younger, before I finished my first year of med school, I bought a police radio to beat the paramedics to medical calls. I would show up and tell them I was a doctor!” ”

“You didn’t!”

“I did!”

“But what if someone had… died?”

“They didn’t. But it was a rush.”

“When I was around that age, I snuck into the Lion exhibit at the Atlanta zoo.”

“And you got out with your life?”

“At the end of the day, they’re just big kitties. Nothing I can’t handle.”

“When I was in high school, a buddy and I filled a hundred empty beer bottles with water and sold them to a local frat.”

“If you’re trying to impress me, you’ll have to try harder! Call me when you’ve increased your company’s quarterly profits by 60% by inflating the wholesale prices of your most used drugs.”

“You’re lying! There is no way you could pull that off.”

“Wanna bet? It’s easy. We officially price the product at ten times retail. When Medicare pays for it, they pay the full amount. And we just offer it at 90% wholesale discount to all our other buyers. But that stays between us, of course.”

“Of course…”

“What is that commotion inside?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Well, I don’t appreciate the chaos. Why don’t we head someplace more… private… Dr. Ramsey?”

“After you…”

“Holy shit!” Bryce exclaimed after Jackie pressed pause.

“This is huge? Right?” Sienna asked. “This sounds huge!”

“Oh, it’s huge, all right,” Jackie confirmed.

Ethan nodded. “It’s classic Medicare fraud. This is the best thing she could have given us. The government only cares about bilking patients, cutting corners on research, or intentionally causing patient harm during election years… if it behooves them. But this, this will always get their attention and action.”

“It’s like getting Capone on tax matters,” Jackie chimed in.

“Exactly!” Ethan concurred, “and she provided a road map. It won’t be hard to follow this trail.”

“So what do we do next?” Aurora asked.

“I have an old Hopkins friend that works in the healthcare division at the DOJ. I trust him. I think I need to give him a call.”

“But we need more insurance,” Jackie interrupted. “You have your friends, but I have mine. Are you familiar with Angela DeJesus?”

“The reporter that got those two senators indicted?” Aurora asked. “She is badass!”

“She is, and she was also my college roommate. She was my BFF before I met any of you losers.”

Ethan’s smile grew to double its size. “Then I think we have some calls to make.”

The mood in the suite changed visibly after the calls were made. That is for everyone except Casey.

“I can’t believe this!” Jackie yelled as Bryce poured champagne for all.

“I can!” He grinned. “We have the damn dream team here, and we were going to do whatever it took to get this done!”

He handed Ethan a flute, “To the MVP!”

“The MVP!” Aurora yelled as the other three friends turned to Casey.

Sienna placed her champagne aside and joined her friend on the oversized leather sofa. “Case, you heard the recording. I think it’s pretty obvious he was just trying to get information. Maybe you should talk to him.”

Casey glanced at Ethan, quickly lowering her eyes when they met his. “Maybe… but not today. It’s been a long day, and….”

“But Casey, I think….”

“Sienna, I think it went too far. And do you have any idea how it felt to see him on someone's arm, kissing them… when I’ve had to be relegated to nothing but his little secret. I just… I have a lot to think about.”

“OK. But we’re about to go out and celebrate. Why don’t you come along and get your mind off of things? I doubt Ethan will want to join us.”

Casey smiled softly. “I appreciate it, Si. But I really want a hot bubble bath, then I want to slip between those Egyptian cotton sheets and sleep on that mattress that will forever be out of my price range. Can you convince the others to go without me? I’m not up for explanations right now.”

Sienna wrapped Casey in a hug. “Of course, you can count on me. Why don’t you sneak off to your room now? I’ll talk to them once you’re gone.”

With that, Casey stood up and stealthily made her way to the hallway; Ethan was the only one who noticed. Again, their brief eye contact gave him no direction; he had no idea where things stood.

“OK, I dropped a few names and got us a VIP booth at the Hakkasan Nightclub,” Bryce grinned, “Let’s go take this party to the next level!”

“Let’s go!” Jackie hollered.

“What about Casey?” Aurora asked.

“Uh, she may join us a little later,” Sienna informed, “but she isn’t feeling up to it right now.”

“Are you kidding? Do you know how hard it was to get this….”

“Bryce!” Sienna glared. “No!”

“Uhm, OK,” he backed off. “So what do you say, big guy?” Bryce said, tapping Ethan too firmly on the back. “Care to join us?”

“No, I think I’m going to turn in. I accomplished what I came to Vegas for, now… I just want to sleep off the jet lag.”

“Are you sure, Ethan?” Jackie queried. “You’re the reason we have something to celebrate.”

“Trust me,” he smiled sadly, “you’ll have more fun without me there.”

“OK then,” Sienna frowned. “But if you change your mind….”

“I know where to find you.”

~~~~~

The silence in his room was almost deafening. He didn’t give much thought to how he would be spending this night, but it certainly wasn’t like this. He removed his bowtie with a sigh and tossed it onto the nightstand; his cufflinks quickly followed. He picked up his phone and considered calling Casey, but he thought it best to let her be… for now. He poured himself a Scotch and sat at the foot of the bed with the drawn curtains covering the beautiful view he had paid extra to see. It wasn’t worth taking it in alone.

He tried to take solace in thinking about Panacea’s future woes, even letting out a chuckle when he pictured Declan in handcuffs. Still, the victory was shallow without Casey by his side. He just hoped this was a temporary setback, nothing more serious.

He was about to turn in when someone was furiously knocking at his door. Startled, he jumped to his feet to answer.

“Hi,” Casey beamed, leaning seductively against the door frame. “YOU are impressive! That was some outstanding work, Dr. Ramsey….”

He looked both directions down the hall to be sure no one was around, then he wasted no time pulling her into his arms.

“You little minx!” He scolded. “Do you have any idea how worried I was? I know we discussed the plan with Charlotte, but the way you were acting… I thought I was in the doghouse for sure!”

“I’m just that good,” she bowed. “I needed to make it convincing, and if I convinced you, then hopefully I convinced the others too.”

“I’m impressed,” he exclaimed as his lips fell to her neck. “Butt you’re still going to pay for what you put me through.”

“Oh no!” Casey yelled, pushing him away. “I may have to suck up knowing where those lips have been for the benefit of greater society – but there is no way those lips are not touching me until they’ve been rinsed with acid! Have you rinsed with acid, Ethan?”

“Would Scotch suffice?”

“Absolutely not!” Casey asserted as she plopped onto his bed. “Go brush your teeth, use half a bottle of Listerine, and burn your toothbrush! After that, we’ll talk.”

Ethan turned and chuckled, more than content with the view of her sprawled across his bed.

“We’re going to do much more than talk, Rookie. I’ll be back.”

When he returned from the bathroom, Casey had set up champagne for the two of them to toast. The first thing Ethan did was open the curtains so they could share the view together, and it wasn’t long before they found themselves locked in a lingering kiss.

“So you’re not mad at me?” he asked, still needing reassurance.

“Are you kidding? You brought down the evil empire!” she teased, “Do you have any idea how sexy that is?”

“I don’t,” he smirked, “but you could always show me.”

“Oh, I plan to,” she sang, tossing herself back onto his bed. “Are we going to celebrate?”

The devilish look in her eyes and seductive smile was replaced with a look of concern when Ethan didn’t immediately follow.

“What’s wrong? You’re not pulling another Miami on me now, are you?”

“Need I remind you that we already broke this room in?”

“No,” she blushed, “I remember it quite well.”

“It’s just that… we’re in Vegas. I’m all for returning here for private debauchery later on, but we should go celebrate in style.”

“But we just staged this whole quasi-breakup so my friends won’t think we’re together. We can’t just go mingle in the casino now.”

“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but there is more than one casino in Vegas.”

Casey tossed a pillow in his direction. “I’m aware, smartass.”

“We can head to the Palms, Downtown… I doubt the crowd from this convention will be there when they’re being spoiled for free here. And Bryce got your cohorts a VIP booth at Hakkasan. They won’t be leaving. That means you and I can go out and have fun… like a real, regular couple. What do you say?”

“A real, regular couple,” she giggled as his lips were back at her neck, dragging down to her collarbone, his tongue gliding across her chest. “That sounds good, but you better stop it if you expect me to leave this room.”

“What?” He teased. “I’m just giving you a taste of what will be waiting for you when we get back. But what will you tell your friends?”

Casey sighed warily. “They know a few of my friends from med school are here for the conference, and I can tell them I’m going to see them and convince them I’m staying with them for the night. It’s just….”

“Just?”

“I hate lying to them like this.”

“I know, baby. But it’s not forever.”

“I know. But tonight,” she said, jumping to her feet. “Take me out and show me a good time, Dr. Ramsey….”

“I’m going to show you a good time, all right, but… just for tonight… can you lose that Dr. Ramsey? Just for tonight. I’m having flashbacks.”

Casey smiled the brightest smile, and it was one he would never forget. “You’ve got it. Now let’s go!”

Ethan and Casey snuck down to the lobby and slid into a limousine he ordered.

“You know an Uber would have done the job just fine, right?” She winked.

“Yes. But we’re celebrating, remember?” Handing Casey a flute of champagne, he grinned. “It’s a big day; I want to go all out.”

“Considering this is our second bottle of champagne in twenty minutes, I think we’re off to a good start!”

And off to a good start they were, but it was only that… a start. Already drunk in love, neither was prepared for just how amazing it would feel to be out together. Alone, unencumbered, free to hold hands to kiss, to flirt… the rush was much greater than they expected. Casey happily sat on Ethan’s lap as they played the slot machines. Partaking in more bubbly, the two giggled and kissed ferociously until they earned harsh stares from fellow casino goers.

“Come on, it’s Vegas…” a tipsy Casey protested. “This is legal here!”

The next stop was the tables. Ethan wanted to show her how to play, and she was eager to learn. First up was roulette, then baccarat. They switched to martinis and attempted to keep their hands off each other as they played. But in time, keeping their hands off each other proved too great a burden. They found a quiet but still public corner of the casino floor, and the joyously inebriated couple began to make out like teenagers. Completely forgetting where they were, Ethan’s hands started landing on places they just shouldn’t in public. They were so enraptured with each other that neither noticed the security guard who had been summonsed to reign them in. Only parting when he gruffly coughed to get their attention.

“OK, you two… you should probably take this back to your room. You can’t be doing this here.”

“But it’s Vegas….” Casey whined.

“Yes, it is,” the guard laughed. “But we still have rules.”

“We’re sorry,” Casey couldn’t stop giggling as she apologized. “We’re just… we’re celebrating.”

“I see that, but you still can’t do that here. Come on, kids, take it back to your room.”

Casey’s giggles turned to full-on laughing as she shoved Ethan’s shoulder.

“He called you a kid! He’s drunker than we are!”

Exiting the casino floor, they swerved and swayed down the halls, intent on making it to the Rojo Lounge. After all, they figured they needed more drinks. Plus, they were sure they could find a dark corner to get frisky in without a guard ruining their fun.

But they never made it. Ethan sat on the side of a fountain in the lobby, and Casey sat next to him. Within minutes, Ethan was lavishing kisses on her wrist, her arm, her shoulder, and her neck. He stopped to whisper the risqué things he wanted to do to her in her ear. Eager to start what he was planning, Casey jumped up and quickly lost her balance, falling back into the fountain.

“It’s OK,” she insisted. If her cheeks hadn’t already red from alcohol, they’d be red from embarrassment right now. “I’m fine,” she said, trying to save face. “Only my legs got wet.” Taking off a shoe, she tilted it to empty water, and Ethan started to roar with laughter.

That’s when they noticed their old friend. The security guard from the casino was wrapping up his shift in the lobby.

“Look, kids… didn’t I warn you? Are you staying at the hotel?”

“Yes,” Casey slurred, “We are staying at a hotel.”

“Not a hotel, young lady. This hotel?”

Ethan shook his head vigorously, “No. Not this one.”

“Do you know which one you’re staying at?”

Ethan stretched his arms wide, nearly striking a passerby in the process. “A big one. A really, really big one,” he laughed.

Casey found it hysterical and began laughing, too, then she fell back into the fountain again.

“OK, that’s it!” The guard barked. “Fun time is over.”

“No,” Ethan leered. “Fun time starts when we get back to our room!”

Somehow they ascertained that they were staying at the MGM Grand, and the kind but increasingly frustrated guard got them in a taxi and sent them on their way. The two of them hung out the windows waving to him as they left… and that is all they could remember.

~~~~~

They never drew the curtains again, and while the view was just as beautiful during the day, Casey was not in a place to appreciate the sun. Lying on her stomach with her head at the foot of the bed, she groggily moaned as he attempted to raise her head. Her blonde hair was beyond unkempt as it shot in every direction, and the last thing she wanted to do was get up. But if she didn’t block out that sun, she was quite convinced that she would die.

So, with much effort, she sat upright and dangled her legs off the side of the bed. Ethan was still passed out, looking peaceful, without a care in the world. Casey attempted to smile before deciding it was too painful. Using the wall to prevent herself from falling, she made her way to the window and successfully pulled the curtains shut.

She made a mental note to figure out some things later. Like why they were both partially dressed. Why they were lying in different directions in bed. But, most importantly, what was this crap falling out of her hair. But right now, none of that mattered. She needed to go back to sleep.

What she wouldn’t give to have the ingredients for her special hangover cure in his room. Since she didn’t have that, she decided some Advil and water would help soothe her pounding head. She dropped the contents of her purse to the floor and found the bottle she needed. She walked to a table in the corner of the room and poured herself a glass of water when something caught her eye.

She adjusted the lampshade, so the light wouldn’t shine directly in her eyes as she gingerly lifted a piece of paper from the table. Confident her eyes were still too blurry to read, she blinked, hoping to get a better look. She blinked again, then again when she realized no amount of blinking would change what she saw.

“Oh my… God…” she gasped. “No, no, no, no, no, no, no!”

This had to be a joke. Something they picked up in a souvenir shop. There was no way… then she saw another sheet of paper that appeared much more official than the decorative one she held in her hand. Her hangover was suddenly gone, replaced with a headache that made the pain she was experiencing before pale in comparison.

“ETHAN!” she rushed to the side of the bed, shaking him vigorously when he didn’t stir. “Ethan! You need to wake up. RIGHT NOW! Something… something has happened.”

Ignoring her, he pulled a pillow over his head, muttering a string of unintelligible words. Becoming irate, Casey yanked the pillow away.

“I’m not joking! Something terrible has happened! We need to talk!”

“Rookie,” he groaned. “I’m very hung over. How terrible are we talking? Because if it’s less than a 9 on a scale of 1-10, it can wait.”

“Oh yeah? Well, how is a 200 on a scale of 1-10? Get up, NOW!”

“Fine,” he grumbled. “OW!” He cried, bracing his head as he sat up. Casey lovingly handed him a cup of water and two pills.

“Here,” she sighed. “Trust me… you’re going to need this!”

“Did we murder someone?” he asked facetiously.

“Not to my knowledge.”

“OK, then how bad can it be. Let it out.”

“What do you remember about last night?”

Ethan's eyes opened wide, then he shut them again, rubbing them as he continued. “You may need to give me a few… but the last thing I remember is that guard shoving us into the car at The Palms. Why?”

“Well, that’s the last thing I remember, too. I assure you,” she quivered, shoving the two documents into his hands. “I don’t remember this.”

Ethan’s eyes opened like saucers, and it was now his turn to be instantly cured of his hangover.

“WHAT!” He gasped. “We… we didn’t?”

“I mean, it would explain the confetti on the floor, the birdseed in my hair, and that bouquet on the chair.”

“What… what did we do?”

“Well, we may not remember it… but it looks like we got married.”

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Tagging others separately.

#ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #open heart fanfic #open heart choices #choices fanfic #playchoices fanfic #ethan x casey au #what happened in vegas

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