DISCLAIMER: ER and all its characters are property of Michael Crichton, Constant C Productions, Amblin Entertainment and Warner Brothers. I only borrowed them for a little while and promise to return them unharmed. I also used the song Your Love Is A Miracle by Vincent James, which I don't own. Lovely song, beautiful lyrics.

I'm putting a warning on some content, as parts could be considered violent and depressing. But I assure you 'they all live happily ever after' in the end.

Many deserved thanks must go to VaiL for her invaluable medical expertise. I couldn't have pulled it of without you! That whole CAOx2 part was explained beautifully!

I haven't written a fic for about two years because after losing all my 'masterpieces' my enthusiasm was gone due to sheer depression and wallowing in my sorrow (all my babies: gone!). But this idea sprung into my mind and I got motivated (yay!)

Hope you like!

Journey

By Casey

PART 1

Locked in the dark. It was normal. She sat, curled in a tight ball. The floor was hard with no carpet covering the bare boards underneath her. Water dripped from a rusty pipe above her head. Footsteps were coming towards her. Louder and louder. A key was pushed into the lock, then turned. The door creaked open, and a ghastly figure stood there. She stayed silent with horror as he reached into the cupboard and roughly dragged her out. He held her by the arm, not knowing anything about the care of children. "Are you going to be quiet now?" he asked in a hoarse voice. She could

smell the alcohol in his breath and see his bloodshot blue eyes. He demanded a response. Powerfully grabbing her delicate wrist, he twisted it, as if answers would come because of the pain. "Stubborn bitch, just like your mother" he said before roughly throwing her back into the cupboard.

She refused to talk to him. No matter what happened, she had vowed never to speak to her father, ever again. After everything that she had seen, all that she had heard, there was no reason to talk to him. He did not deserve the joy of hearing her speak. One day she planned to break free, to find her mother. Her father would know where her mother was, he knew a lot of things. But she could barely read or write. She had no money. How was she ever going to get to wherever her mother lived in this entire world? Her thoughts were about her mother, they often were. 'Is she pretty? Did she have a nice house with bright and happy things? Did she have any pets?' All these questions she wanted answered so badly, but she knew that her father would never hear of it. She knew a lot for her age, considering the rare contact with anyone on the other side of the house walls. Her mother sent books with pictures and words in them, from which she had learnt her colours and shapes. There were the clothes and toys that she sent also. But her father never let her have any of that. He got rid of them as soon as they arrived. He was such an evil man.

"Lunch" was the word that awoke her suddenly from sleep. A plate was shoved in the door, which slammed shut abruptly. The food was eatable, compared to some of the other atrocities that her father tried to cook. It tasted good, so she kept eating. She ate in a hurry, knowing he would be back soon to take the plate away. Sure enough, he returned, but this time unlocked the door. "Get up" he demanded. She stood, her legs weak and disused. She took too long to get up for her father's liking, so he grabbed her by the arm and hauled her up. Refusing to let go of the tight grasp, her father walked through the house. "This is your room" he barked. The door was opened for the first time in many years. "Stay there until I get back" he ordered then left. The key could be heard in the lock, and his footsteps softened, then disappeared.

Gazing in awe at her bedroom, she crawled around, unable to support her weight on feeble legs. She opened the drawers, and found clean clothes folded neatly in piles. 'Daddy didn't do this'. She knew all too well who had been the last person in the room. Her mother had obviously left soon after she had finished decorating her daughter's room. 'I wonder why mommy went'. There could be many reasons, but she was too young to know any of them. The bed had a dainty doll propped against the pillow. She laid her fatigued head down on the pillow. The soft, clean bed was so inviting, and she soon fell asleep, able to rest in comfort for once. She dreamed that her mother came and rescued her from the disaster known as her father. Her pleasant dreams were interrupted by the noise from the window.

Pulling back the curtain, she saw the road outside. There were lots of cars zooming down the road, all different types too. The sun shone down on the green grass, and she had the urge to get out there. 'If only I could open the door'. She tried to stand, her vain attempts getting somewhere. She stumbled towards the drawers and opened them again. Choosing the three nicest sets of clothes, she laid them on the bed. She selected a pair of pink pyjamas, and added them to the pile. Then she changed into a blue dress and pulled on some shoes. She took some books from the shelves, but when turning away, her eye caught something. The only photo that was in the bedroom sat on the top shelf. She could just reach it, with the help of the chair from the desk. It was her, her father and her mother. 'Mommy'. Her mother had straight red hair, just like she did. She had a pretty smile and her cheeks were rosy pink. She took the photo and put it with the growing pile of belongings on the bed. There was a backpack in the bottom of the drawer. Retrieving it, she began to pack all her items into the bag.

The next task was getting the door open. She pulled and tugged and twisted till her arms hurt, but the door refused to budge. The only other way out of the room was through the window. 'I wonder where it goes to'. She lifted the window, and with great delight, it opened. The window was only a short drop from the deck that surrounded the house, so she wasn't scared to climb out. Her eyes took in every feature, every detail of the house she had never seen. There was a window that was near the cupboard. She saw that it was ajar, and carefully placed her tiny fingers in the crack. She lifted, putting all her strength into opening the window. It ever so slowly opened, and she climbed in. The room was big, and there was a fireplace in the corner. She saw a desk that was piled with papers. But which one would she grab? She knew how to write her name, it was one of the few things that her father had taught her. There was a package resting on top of all the papers, and she lifted it down onto the floor.

Cautiously opening it, she found the contents intriguing. There was a book, some clothes, and a letter. There was an envelope which contained money, and she gathered it up. 'This must be from mommy'. Taking the package with her, she placed it in the backpack and exited the house for the first and last time.

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PART 2

Her little legs may have been weak, but they weren't useless. She walked down the road, taking in everything. There were so many things she did not know. Things that her mom would be able to teach her. A car drove past, but stopped up ahead of her. 'Why did that car stop?' she wondered. An elderly man climbed out, and he waited for her to reach where he was. "Hello down there" the old man greeted her with a warm smile. "Where are you headed?" he questioned. "I go to see mommy" she answered sweetly. "And where is your mommy?" the aged man asked. "She is here" she pulled out the envelope, and showed it to him. "You mean all the way to Chicago?" the man asked astounded. "Uh huh" she nodded her head. "Does your daddy know you're going?" he queried. "Yes, but he has to work" she explained. After a long, awkward silence, she stated "bus", hoping the word might help. "Oh, come along. I'll get you on a bus" he welcomed her into the vehicle.

"A ticket to Chicago please" the man smiled at the attendant in the booth. "That will be 43 dollars" the attendant said, and the elderly man handed over the money that she had given him. "Thankyou" he said before leaving. "Now, you call your dad when you get there" he told her. "I will" she said, beaming. "Thankyou for the bus" she stated, them hugged him around the knees. "Oh, well your welcome. Your daddy must have dropped you at the bus station, when you're meant to go to the bus port" the man said to no one in particular. He saw her onto the bus, then left. She sat quietly, looking in fascination out the window. The countryside raced past her eyes, animals grazing in the paddocks. Over the speakers the bus driver announced, "we are about to leave Minnesota. Say goodbye everyone". She grinned, knowing that she would never see that horrid house ever again. 'Bye daddy'.

There were so many things to think about on the bus trip. 'How will I know where to go?' She sat in silence for the whole trip, just thinking. The scenery outside changed dramatically, and she sensed that the bus would soon be stopping. The road widened, and more cars were on the asphalt. She could now see the cityscape ahead. There were enormous buildings that were touching the clouds and the sky was smoggy. She saw streets lined with trees and people walking in the park. There was a school full of children playing happily in the yard. How she wished she could be outside playing with them! 'I will be soon'. A cat sat on top of a garbage can down an alley. A man was walking his dog. Soon she could see a place similar to where she had gotten onto the bus, and assumed that the bus would stop there. Her assumptions had been right.

The bus finally stopped for the last time. She stepped out of the bus, not knowing where to go. She approached the desk in the bus port. "Where is this?" she asked, holding the package. "Oh sweetie, that's on the other side of town. It will take you ages to get there" the clerk sympathised. "Which way?" she asked. "That way" the clerk indicated with a wave of her hand. She set off, walking in the direction that had been shown to her. The weather outside was colder than back home. She had noticed the difference in temperature, and was beginning to grow cold. Her head was spinning, and her legs ached. But she continued on, knowing that if she kept walking, she would find her mom. 'I will find you mommy, I will'. She forwarded on, but was stopped when everything was suddenly falling from beneath her.

"Are you alright sweetie?" a lady knelt by her side. "Don't you move, I'm going to call an ambulance" the lady produced a phone from her pocket and dialled. After a few words were spoken, an ambulance was on the way. "Where are your parents?" the lady queried. She did not know what to say. Her father wasn't even in the state and her mother was somewhere in the big city. After no response, the lady figured that she might not understand her. Soon enough, the ambulance arrived, and two paramedics jumped out. "The girl just collapsed" the lady explained. "Okay, we can take it from here" one of the paramedics thanked the woman for her concern, while the other checked the girl for any injuries. "ABC's seem fine" the male paramedic said. After quizzing the girl, the female paramedic stated, "CAOx2, slight hypothermia and dehydration". After finding no injuries, the paramedics carried her back to the rig and took her to the hospital.

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The morning had been busy at Cook County General Hospital. As the city approached winter, more and more people were entering the bay doors by the minute. It was a fairly routine day for the staff, but little did they know a truth would soon be uncovered. The bay doors crashed open, a gurney and two paramedics entering. "What've we got" Dr Luka Kovac queried while snapping on some gloves. "Hypothermia and dehydration. Young girl guessing 4 years old" the paramedic explained. "What do you mean guessing?" Luka asked perplexed. "We couldn't get anything out of her. No name, age, anything" the female paramedic said despairingly. "What about her backpack?" Luka questioned. He spotted the backpack clutched tightly in the girl's fist. "She wouldn't let go of it" the paramedic stated. Luka thought about this, wondering what he could do. "I've got it from here. Thankyou" Luka took the girl to an exam room, hoping to cure and find some answers to the many questions.

"So, what's your name?" Luka asked the girl. She was only young, probably turning four sometime next year, he thought. She refused to talk to him. Her lips were pursed shut, her grasp never loosening on her bag. "Where is your mom? Were you with her before?" Luka tried to at least get a word out of her. The girl's face crumpled, and she was obviously about to cry. Before her tears were going to spill, she grabbed her bag and rummaged through it. Luka tried to peer in, but she snatched it viciously out of his sight. She pulled out the photo, and handed it to Luka. "Mommy go bye bye" she explained with a frown. The instant Luka saw the photo his heart stopped with shock. He couldn't believe the photo in front of him and the child that sat upon the bed.

After getting the girl some fruit juice to drink, Luka disappeared for a while. He watched the guilty subject for some time while pondering what to do. The girl must have travelled a long way, but why? What were the circumstances within the family? Why had this person abandoned her child? She didn't seem the type that would disown a responsibility. 'It's not for me to judge' Luka told himself. He stood, and returned to the pedes room to check up on the girl. Entering the room, Luka saw that she had fallen asleep. Now was his chance to get her bag. "I'm sorry sweetie, but I need to know something about you" he whispered to her before gently taking the bag out of her grasp. The bag was quite heavy, and he realised why when he opened it. There were books, clothes, a doll and a postal package inside the bag.

Without invading the suspect's privacy, Luka refrained from opening the parcel and viewing its contents. He looked at the postal address. 'All the way from Minnesota' he marvelled at the courage of the sleeping child in front of him. She had come so far, but for what reason? It must have been something so very drastic, he assumed. But now for the moment of truth. Luka slowly turned the parcel over. He knew that his suspicions were correct, but just needed to be sure. And there, printed neatly on the back of the parcel, was the name and address of the person he had suspected. "I think I've found your mother little one" Luka murmured, a small smile on his lips that was itching to become a triumphant grin.

"Could I talk to you for a moment?" Luka asked, tapping the suspect on the shoulder. "Sure Dr Kovac, what is it?" she queried. Luka directed her towards the pedes room. "I believe that you have a visitor" he started. "What do you mean?" she asked, bemused. "Do you have any relations in Minnesota?" he questioned. Her reaction to the query was instantaneous, but covered up in a split second. Luka knew that reaction well. It was a flash of horror that had crossed her now pale face. "No, why?" she asked, her voice slightly wavering. "Well this visitor travelled all that way to see you" he said, opening the door quietly. Luka guided her to the bed where the child lay, still fast asleep. She knew it was her, but couldn't believe it. Taking a seat before she fainted, Dr Kerry Weaver took her daughter's tiny hand in hers, and cried.

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PART 3

She could hear someone crying. 'Where am I?' She opened her eyes and could make out a person sitting by her bed. Taking a few moments to focus, she saw the person and had a suspicion. "Don't cry" she stated, sitting up. Kerry wiped away the tears, only they were not of sadness, but happiness. She showed this by giving a reassuring smile. The girl became alert, and gasped in surprise. It was her, the smile proved it. "Mommy?" she asked, her voice a mere whisper. "Yes baby, it's mommy" Kerry replied. The girl flung her hands around Kerry's neck, and cried with happiness. She could feel her heart soaring. 'I've finally found you mommy'. Both mother and daughter stayed held the embrace for sometime, just holding each other as if the world was about to end. But for them, it was just beginning.

Leaving the room for the first time in an hour, Kerry returned to the admit desk. "Mark, have you seen Dr Kovac anywhere?" she asked the doctor who stood by the computer, a frustrated frown on his face. "No I haven't, sorry. Try the lounge" Mark suggested. Taking heed of the suggestion, Kerry entered the lounge, which stood empty. 'Outside' she thought. The autumn air was becoming crisp and cold. Luka stood in the ambulance bay, hugging his coat around his body. "Dr Kovac" Kerry approached the man who was obviously in great thought. "Oh Kerry, how are things?" Luka asked, still distant. "Good" answered Kerry. They stood, an awkward silence filling the air for a moment. She knew what he was wanting to know, and didn't see the need not to let him know. "Josephine" Kerry stated. "Excuse me?" Luka queried, bemused. "My daughter. Her name's Josephine. You can call her Josie for short" Kerry explained. An unexpected smile crossed her lips, and Luka followed the action.

"May I ask what happened to Josie's father?" Luka asked, a bit edgily. He wasn't sure of the reply he'd receive, and didn't want to sound too pushy. "It's a very long story. That's why I need to ask you a favour" it wasn't often Kerry asked people for a favour, but the situation was one that needed help. "Would you be able to keep Josie's admittance quiet? I can't let her father know she's here" Kerry told him, a stern look across her face. "I'll think about it. But for now, let's get inside" Luka suggested. They both left the privacy of the ambulance bay, and stepped through the doors into the admit area. The pair walked in step down the hallway, and into the room where Josie sat, playing with her doll. "How old is she?" Luka questioned. "She'll be turning six in a few months" Kerry replied. There was an eerie silence. The pair then proceeded into the room.

Taking a seat beside the bed, Kerry watched as Luka performed a final examination of Josie. "She seems fine to me" Luka stated. "I'd say you're right to go home now" he signed the chart. A horrified look crossed Josie's face. "Home?" she asked, terrified. "No baby, you're coming to my house" Kerry explained. Immediately the worry washed away from Josie's face, knowing she would be safe with her mother. Luka was about to leave the room, but before he could, Kerry stopped him. "Please Luka, I need you to keep this quiet. These walls have ears, and I don't want the wrong people finding out" Kerry practically begged. She knew there was going to be trouble when 'he' discovered Josie was in Chicago. "I promise you I won't let anyone know" Luka vowed. He sensed the desperation and worry in Kerry's voice, her need to protect her daughter. Luka remembered when it was he who felt that. But that was such a long time ago.

Stepping out of the room, Kerry sneaked along the halls. Josie was by her side, she had been discharged 15 minutes ago. The pair crept into the lounge, and Kerry gathered her belongings. Then, cane in one arm, daughter in the other, she exited the ER and was for once happy to be leaving. Kerry had always had the maternal instinct, even though she didn't show it often. It was something people would never have guessed. 'What will they say?' The next time Kerry would arrive at work, she knew they would all know. Their reactions to the news would be so hard to deal with. Mark. He would probably be appalled. Being a parent himself, he'd be anti-abandoning, and would look down on her. But he wouldn't understand. 'I didn't have a choice. You did' Then there were the others…"Mommy, are we going?" Josie asked from the passenger seat. Snapped out of thought, Kerry turned the key, and the car roared to life.

"Who was he?" Josie asked. Kerry sensed her vocabulary was limited, only she didn't understand why. Surely 'he' would have put her into a kindergarten, let her run about the town with other children. But then again… "Who was who sweetie?" Kerry didn't know who she was talking about. "That man. Nice man" Josie tried to describe him. "Oh, that is Luka. Can you say Luka?" Kerry asked. "Loo-ka, Lu-ka, Luka" Josie let the name roll around on her tongue. "I like Luka" she grinned. "He is nice, isn't he?" Kerry stated. Knowing that she had something to live for, someone who would always love her. Josie was the greatest thing that had ever happened in Kerry's life, and when she was taken away, everything had crumbled. Her life was worthless. But to have the loving little girl by her side now, even if it were only for one night, was priceless.

The car came to a halt alongside a row of townhouses. "Well, this is where I live" Kerry locked the car, and holding hands, she and Josie walked up the steps. 'I love how you take one step at a time' Unlocking the door, Kerry watched as Josie rushed inside, gazing in awe at what surrounded her. "It's big!" she gasped. Josie walked over to the couch, and sat down. Her eyes were vividly taking in every colour, every object, every detail. "Are you hungry?" Kerry asked from the kitchen. "A bit" Josie wandered into the kitchen, running her hand along the bench. "Would you like a sandwich?" Kerry asked. She knew it wasn't the right time to be eating, but Josie must have been hungry. Josie nodded her head. "Yes please" Kerry told her. "Yes please" Josie repeated the phrase. It still confused Kerry as to why Josie knew few words, no manners. Something that would have to be looked into.

"Now, how about a bath" Kerry suggested. She knew Josie would calm down after a warm bath, and it would hopefully help her sleep better. "Okay" was Josie's reply. Kerry disappeared into the bathroom, and started to fill the bathtub. She gathered soaps and shampoos, knowing there were certain types for children. Something she would have to buy tomorrow. "Josie, come here" Kerry called. The girl came running into the bathroom. Kerry helped her to undress, then carefully lifted her into the bath. It was a physical strain, taking a good deal of balance and strength, but they were things that Kerry let slip from her mind. She pulled a chair to the side of the tub, and shampooed Josie's hair. "Cover your eyes" Kerry instructed. She poured a pitcher of clean water over Josie's head. Josie giggled, and Kerry just smiled. 'I love the sound of your laughter'

After drying Josie's hair, and putting her pink Tigger pyjamas on, Kerry entered her bedroom. She pulled the sheets back, and Josie scooted under them. "Good night Josie" Kerry kissed her on the forehead. "Night mommy. Love you" Josie replied, and snuggled into the sheets. "I love you too baby" exiting the room, Kerry couldn't help the tears that were bound to fall. To hear her little girl say goodnight for the first time had been joyous. There were so many things that Kerry had missed out on. Her first words, her first steps. Kerry stood by the door and watched her baby sleep. So innocent, so pure. Yet she had seen so much hate and anger from such a young age. Kerry pulled herself away from sleeping beauty to work on a list of items she would have to buy tomorrow. "Shampoo, toothbrush, clothes, shoes, food, toys, books" the list went on and on! There were so many things to consider, but they would all hopefully be sorted out the next day.

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PART 4

"Where we going?" Josie asked. Following a breakfast consisting of toast and orange juice, the pair were going shopping for the day. "We're going to buy you some clothes" Kerry explained. Her next shift started at 7 that evening, and she wanted to get as much shopping done that day. Gathering her coat and heading towards the door, Josie felt her excitement brewing. She had never been shopping before. The car came to a stop at a set of traffic lights. Josie saw the children running about behind the fence. "What's that?" Josie asked, pointing to the children. "That's a school. Where you learn" Kerry told her. School. Another thing Kerry would have to consider. But

there would be many problems that would affect Josie's stay in Chicago. Pushing them out of her mind, Kerry debated where to go first. How was she supposed to know where to buy children's clothes?

The car was parked in the enormous parking lot near the mall. 'Surely they sell children's clothes somewhere in here'. Walking into the pharmacy, Kerry glanced around, looking for the children's shampoo. "Is there anything I can help you find?" a young shop assistant asked. She was of average height and build, with brown hair that was held back by a bulldog clip. "Yes, I'm looking for children's shampoo" Kerry replied. The girl set off, through endless isles of perfumes and facial creams. Finally reaching the shampoo section, Kerry thanked the girl and debated the many choices. She chose carefully, and came up with a tear free, sweet smelling two in one shampoo/conditioner. Josie came running from around the corner, holding a toothbrush in her hand. "Good girl" Kerry took the toothbrush from Josie's little hand, noting the Tigger on the package. 'Advertising'.

"Let's say we get some lunch?" Kerry suggested. Josie enthusiastically nodded her head. "What would you like?" Kerry asked. Josie looked around the food court, not knowing what she would like to eat. "How about we get a pizza" Kerry stated. She and Josie wandered over to the pizza parlour, and they both took a seat. After placing their orders, the pair sorted through dozens of bags. They had bought everything! Clothes, toys, shoes, everything medical, as well as a bed that was being delivered that afternoon to the house. "We'll have to go soon" Kerry told Josie. She sighed, obviously enjoying her day at the mall. "Don't you want your bed? How will the delivery man get inside?" Kerry joked. Josie giggled, picturing a bed on the sidewalk. The pizza came, ham and pineapple, and both mother and daughter ate. 'I'm going to have to teach you some manners'.

The most annoying thing of that day had been the anticipated phone call. Kerry knew she would be hearing from 'him' soon. 'He' wouldn't let something as precious as Josie slip. Oh no, that would be terrible. It would mean no more child support, not that 'he' was doing much of the subject. Kerry knew the true man behind her daughter's father. 'He' was a sleaze, but had known people in that town longer than Kerry had. People doubted her, they always had. No matter what she had done, people looked at her through suspicious eyes. They wouldn't let their beloved accountant be mistreated by some evil woman out to cause harm. That was what had hurt the most. People having doubts about her. Kerry was living in a town where nobody had entire faith in her many capabilities. They thought they knew so much of what occurred in that house upon the hill, but they knew absolutely nothing.

"Josie, come up here please" Kerry beckoned. She had just finished making Josie's bed. The cast iron cream bed matched well with the pale yellow walls. The purple doona with bouncing Tigger all over it matched the rug that covered the stained floor boards. The cream curtains that blocked out the setting sun were the finishing touch for that evening. The room would have many other features added later on, but the achievements of that day were quite pleasing to the eye. Josie bounded through the door, and instantly jumped onto the bed. Her brown eyes were filled with excitement as she giggled with delight. Josie skipped to the cupboard and was astonished by the clothes that filled the shelves.

"Where's your coat?" Kerry asked. She had not only her briefcase and laptop but a backpack loaded with assorted colouring books, videos, dolls, cars and other toys that would possibly keep Josie entertained for the few hours between then and her bed time. Kerry regretted having to work. She wished that she and Josie could have stayed home that night, but there were some things that just couldn't be changed. 'Maybe I could leave earlier' Josie came tearing down the staircase, coat in her arms. "Okay then, let's get going" Kerry urged. She was already 5 minutes behind, and didn't want to be any later. Bags were tossed in the boot and a few minutes later the car was rolling. "I'm sorry I had to work" Kerry apologised. She knew Josie probably wouldn't understand, but hopefully the more words Josie heard, the quicker she would pick some up.

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PART 5

The ER wasn't quite as busy as Kerry had first expected, but that wasn't to say it was quiet either. She stepped out of the empty elevator, Josie clinging to her side. 'Well, here goes nothing' Kerry could feel the curious sets of eyes watching her. Pushing the feelings of worry aside, she held her head high and proceeded to the lounge, which was empty. After retrieving her lab coat and stethoscope from her locker, Kerry sat down on the couch, Josie in her lap. "Now, mommy's gotta go, so can you be a good girl and stay here?" Kerry asked the girl. Josie got the idea, her eyes watching Kerry's hands signalling certain things. Josie nodded, but her eyes caught sight of the 'shiny thing' around her mom's neck. "What this?" Josie asked, full of curiosity. She held the stethoscope in her hands, trying to figure what it was for. "This is a stethoscope. Can you say stethoscope?" Kerry asked. Josie attempted the words, but failed miserably. Kerry placed the stethoscope in Josie's ears, and placed the bell on Josie's chest. She giggled at the sound of her heart beating.

"So Josie, how are you today?" the voice with a thick accent startled the pair. Luka stood at the door, a warm smile playing on his lips. "Good" Josie said, and hopped off her mother's lap. Kerry noticed that Josie had suddenly gone shy around Luka. She didn't understand why though. Luka had been the first person that Josie had come into contact with, yet she disappeared from sight when she saw him. "And how are you handling this?" Luka asked Kerry. "Fine, so far" Kerry grinned. She knew that night was going to be the most trouble she would have had to overcome so far, and wasn't looking forward to it. "I see you've got the child emergency bag over there" Luka noted the bag and its contents scattered all over the floor. He watched as Josie played with the cars, driving them along the plastic road mat. "You name it, I've got it" Kerry replied with a knowing look. "She likes her cars" Luka commented. "I don't know why. When we were in the toy shop she ran to the cars and refused to put them down" the pair watched as Josie played in silence on the floor.

Mark wandered into the lounge, desperate to escape the rowdiness of the ER. He was surprised when he saw the little redhead sitting at the table with her colouring book. At first Mark was edgy, but when she looked up there was no mistaking who the child belonged to. "Hello there" Mark said while pouring a coffee. "Hi" Josie replied. She was unfazed by Mark's presence in the lounge, even when he sat down opposite her. "So, what's your name?" Mark asked. "My name is Josie" she replied. "What's your name?" Josie queried. "My name is Mark" he told her. "That's a very good picture you've drawn" Mark looked at the scribbles on the page. He could make out three people, one was red, one was yellow and one was black. Mark knew that black usually meant something bad, and was ready to start quizzing.

"Who's this?" Mark asked, pointing to the black person. "Bad man" Josie said angrily. "Is that you?" Mark queried. "That's me, and that's mommy" Josie explained, pointing to each in turn. "How about we go and find your mommy?" Mark asked. He was bursting with curiosity, and needed to talk to Kerry anyways. "Okay" Josie put down her crayons, and stood up. Mark walked out of the lounge and wandered down the hallways, Josie skipping by his side. Catching on to a yelling match that would most likely involve Kerry, Mark entered one of the exam rooms. Dave Malucci stood, red faced and angry, letting his thoughts be known. When the door cracked open, Dave stopped mid sentence and watched the little girl skip in, innocence covering her face. "Well what do we have here? It's Chief Junior!" Dave jested with delight. Kerry turned to see Mark by the door. "Mommy I drew you a picture!" Josie squealed joyously.

Storming out of the exam room, Kerry chased after Mark. "Mark, I do not appreciate you leading my daughter about the hospital without asking me" she told him, fury in her eyes. "Look, I'm sorry Kerry. I didn't realise it meant so much to you" Mark apologised. "Mark, Josie isn't even supposed to be here" Kerry explained, her tone softening. There was even had a hint of defeat that Mark had rarely heard. "What do you mean?" Mark asked, genuinely concerned. He could immediately tell that Kerry was bothered in telling him, but it was something that would eventually be known by everyone. "Kerry, you can tell me. I'll listen as a friend" Mark said comfortingly. He saw the indestructible walls crumble away, and knew Kerry was going to openly talk to him.

"Josie's father got a court order that allowed him full custody. He claimed that I wasn't fit enough to be a mother" Kerry told, her eyes beginning to water. "It was the worst day of my life, Mark. To be told that you can't raise your child because it's believed you are inadequate for the job is debilitating. It feels like a knife is being plunged into your heart, shredding you apart" it was then that Kerry physically broke down. She sobbed in Mark's arms, not caring if the entire ER saw her tears. The memories of standing in a court room full of people looking down at her were too much. Disgusted glares people gave her while walking dejectedly out of the grocery store made her want to cry 'why me? What did I ever do?' Kerry loved her daughter more than life itself, yet people listened to 'him'. He was the mistake in the equation.

Dave sat in the empty exam room with Josie next to him. "So, what are you doing here?" Dave asked, not too sure how to react around his boss' daughter. Not that he had even known Kerry had a family, let alone children. "Visiting mommy" Josie replied shyly. "Where's your dad?" Dave questioned. He knew he could get a lot out of a kid's mouth, and intended on doing just that. Josie's body visibly shuddered at the query of her dad. Dave had enough sense to steer away from that topic. "Hey, that's a pretty good picture you've drawn" Dave looked at the drawing. 'It's just a bunch of scribbles' He felt bad about asking a question that had made the girl upset, and was trying to make up for it. "Me, mommy, bad man" Josie explained. Dave was about to leave the room, but Josie followed him. "I like you" she giggled. Dave grinned smartly. "Well let's go" he lifted her onto his shoulders and the two left the exam room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART 6

"Josie, time for bed" Kerry and Mark entered the room a few minutes later, only to find it empty. "I'm going to throttle that Malucci" she snarled under her breath, and set off in search of Josie and a disobedient resident. Kerry checked the desk and the halls, but found herself back in the lounge. She could hear the giggles that infamously belonged to her daughter. Lying down on the floor, driving an ambulance along the ground, Dave Malucci was thoroughly enjoying himself. "I thought you were too old to play with cars, Dr Malucci" Kerry said, trying to be stern. Dave jumped up, startled by the voice of his boss. "Chief, I, err…I've found myself a girlfriend" Dave joked. Josie was now at Dave's side, clinging onto his hand. "I like him mommy" she stated. "I'm sure you do, but now it's time for bed" Kerry replied. "Aww!" Josie whined. "Don't you 'aww' me young lady. Come on, bedtime" gathering the backpack, Kerry led Josie towards an empty exam room.

Slipping on her Tigger pyjamas, Josie queried, "how did you know I like Tigger?" Kerry smiled, remembering when she had bought the pyjamas. One time when she had been passing through a department store the pyjamas were hanging there, desperate to be bought. Kerry had known they would suit Josie. "I just knew. I know a lot of things" she replied with a knowing smile. "Is that why you are the boss?" Josie asked. Kerry just laughed. "Now you stay here. If I see a Tigger girl bouncing around the halls I will be cross. Got it?" Kerry put on her stern voice, but Josie knew she was just being silly. "Okay. I love you mommy" Josie hugged her mom tightly, before crawling under the sheets and laying her head down to sleep. Moments after exiting the room, Dave came to Kerry's side. "She's a good kid" he stated. Kerry smiled, loving the compliment.

While sitting at the admit desk, finally able to catch up on some paperwork, Kerry got a dose of the expected at the wrong time. The bay doors slammed open, and a powerful looking man stepped through. He sauntered up to the desk, and was greeted by Randi. "Sir, take a seat, a doctor will be with you in a minute" Randi told him, the words automatically flowing from her mouth. "I'm not in need of a doctor, I'm looking for one" he said quietly. "Can you point me in the direction of Kerry Weaver?" he asked, the words sounding bitter. Randi stood, and walked over to where Kerry sat, intently working on charts. "Dr Weaver, there's a man here to see you" Randi stated. Kerry stood, and turning to see exactly who it was she gasped. "I need to talk to you" he said , jaw set in place. Kerry could feel her nerves brewing. What if Josie came out of the room now? Catching Mark by the elbow, she whispered "don't let Josie come out of that room". Mark followed out the instruction with concern, knowing who stood at the desk.

"We can talk in here" Kerry led him into the empty lounge. "Josie's gone" he bluntly told her. 'How should I react?' Pretending to be shocked, Kerry began the story of lies. "Trust you to let this happen" she spat disgustedly at him. "It isn't my fault! She climbed out the window!" he yelled. "And where were you?" Kerry asked angrily. "I was at work!" he bellowed. "And you left her at that place all alone?" Kerry shrieked. "She's trying to find you, I know it!" he concluded. "She took the parcel you just sent, and is roaming across America trying to find you" he glared annoyingly at Kerry. "That girl is the image of you, disobedient, rude and hideous!" his anger rose once again. Kerry was taken aback by what he had just said. She stood quietly, unable to reply to his burst of anger. Something in his mind clicked. "You've got her, haven't you? She's already here!" he screamed, grabbing Kerry's wrist and twisting it. "You give the kid back to me or you won't hear the end of me" he told her in a low whisper.

The lounge door burst open and in stepped Luka. "…What do you think you're doing?" Luka demanded, rushing to Kerry's side. He dropped Kerry's wrist, and not knowing what to do, he ran out the door, leaving the hospital as quickly as possible. "Who was that?" Luka asked. He didn't need an answer though. He saw the resemblance between the man and Josie. "It was Josie's father, wasn't it?" Luka stated. "That was Paul Hughes" Kerry shuddered at saying the name.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART 7

A few hours later, perched upon the desk top, Josie watched all that was going on around her. She didn't want to sleep when there was so much going on. "Your mommy's not going to be happy when se sees you're not in bed" Mark told Josie, who was absently pressing all the keys on the computer. Mark watched as Josie picked up a stethoscope that was lying on the desk. She turned it over in her hands, studying it intently. She then placed it around her neck, just as Mark had his. Noticing this, Mark began laughing. "Who is this little lady?" Elizabeth crept up behind Mark. "Chief Junior" Dave grinned, waiting for the reaction. "What?" Elizabeth asked, not knowing what Dave was talking about. "This is Kerry's daughter, Josie" Mark explained, introducing the pair. "Oh…hello there" Elizabeth smiled warmly at the girl. She could see the resemblance between Josie and Kerry, even if it was only minor. Both had red hair and a slight frame. "Hi" Josie replied, observing Elizabeth through curious brown eyes.

"Josie, I thought you were in bed. Asleep" Kerry returned to the desk to find her daughter creating a scene in front of the nurses. "Oh, Kerry, she's a doll! Why didn't you ever tell us about her?" Haleh said in her loud, cheerful voice. Mark hovered in the background, knowing he was going to be busted. Brushing off the statements, even if they were compliments, Kerry helped Josie off the desk, and walked her back to the exam room. "Now, you stay here. I don't want to be mean" Kerry explained. "Story?" Josie begged. Kerry saw the desperation in Josie's eyes. She didn't want to be alone. It was something that she had already had too much of. "Alright then" Kerry gave in to the pouting, and began her story. "Long, long ago and far, far away, there was a little girl. Her name was Olivia…"

"…And Olivia became all she wanted to be, and she lived happily ever after" Kerry ended the story, and smiled at the sight of her sleeping five year old. "Nice story" Mark said, leaning on the door frame. Kerry was startled by his presence, but didn't allow it to make her feel self-conscious. "Sorry I let Josie out of the room" Mark apologised. It hadn't been his fault. One minute he turned his back on the door, and the next the girl was standing by his side. "It's okay" Kerry accepted his apology, something she rarely did. Mark dragged a chair alongside the bed, wanting to talk to Kerry. "I want you to talk to me. Tell me about the past" Mark began. Before Kerry could put up an argument, Mark intervened with, "I'm not asking you to, I'm demanding you to". Refusing to open her mouth, Kerry looked away. She would never tell anyone about the horrible past. "Kerry, I know we don't often agree on some things, but I still regard you as a friend. And when you're in trouble, I'll listen" Mark spoke with such compassion. Kerry though about his words, and realised just how supportive Mark had always been, even if they had some problems that still needed to be sorted out. Mark was a trusted friend who was willing to listen.

"I was looking to take up a position in a hospital as an attending, and a job came up in Fairbault, so I headed that way. I met Josie's father, when he came in with a fractured wrist. It took off from there, and our relationship continued for two years" Kerry told Mark, smiling at the good memories. "Did you end up marrying?" Mark queried. "Good heavens no! he was, and most likely still is, an alcoholic. He had a good reputation in the town, everyone knew and trusted him. Paul always told me that if I told anyone about his 'supposed' drinking problem he'd have me locked away in a mental house" Kerry paused, knowing the worst was yet to come. "Then there was the abuse. The abuse that continued even while I was pregnant with Josie. The abuse that was his way of 'keeping things under control'. He was the one that was screwed up in the head, not me" Kerry could sense her emotions rising. She gently stroked Josie's hair, concentrating on what she had now, not then. "Not long after Josie was born, he got a custody order"

Mark listened intently to the story being told. He knew that an opportunity to hear about Kerry and her past was a rarity within itself. "He accused me of being a workaholic, not spending enough time at home. He claimed I wasn't physically capable of caring for a child. There were numerous other things, but I don't want to talk about them" Kerry steered away from the topics that had crushed her back then. They were too horrid to even think about. "He won, mainly because no one within the town trusted me. They were disgusted that I had a child with a man that I wasn't married to. They believed I didn't deserve the joys of being a parent, so they let him take control and it ruined my life" Kerry began to sob. Every memory grasped at her throat and left her unable to breathe. Mark placed a supportive arm around her shoulders, and talked in an encouraging tone. "But you've got Josie now, and I won't let him take her away from you, None of us will. We'll all support you through this, Kerry" Mark soothed, speaking the whole truth.

'I cannot believe it' Mark let Kerry sleep, he knew she was exhausted, both physically and mentally. Mark knew that it was going to take a lot of guts to get the whole ER on their feet and fighting, but he would do it. Somehow. The past days had brought so much change to Kerry and everyone's opinion about her. They were beginning to see the heart that existed within their boss. Mark watched Josie sleep. Her hair was tousled, and her pyjamas creased, but she was asleep. Mark reminisced to when Rachel was this age. Inquisitive and full of energy and creativity. The innocence of children was simply beautiful. Mark knew why Kerry was so determined to fight 'him' and regain custody of her daughter. She had nothing. Kerry had no family, no one to go home to. Mark had known this for some time, but never saw the need to make his thoughts known. Mark felt the pain that Kerry must have felt when Josie was snatched out of her arms. He had experienced it when Rachel disappeared out of his life. It was like an empty room, vacant and lonely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART 8

The morning came, and Kerry opened her eyes for the first time in 8 hours. She took a few seconds to recollect where she was, and when she did it wasn't good. "Oh god!" Kerry bolted out the door, hurrying towards the admit desk. "Dr Kovac, where's Mark?" she queried. "He told me to tell you not to worry" Luka stood, and walked over to his boss, then led her back to the exam room where she had spent the night. "Kerry, Mark told me about what had happened. He explained what would happen, and I will help you. Mark and I will fight for you" Luka said supportively. Kerry softened, a smile escaping. "But Luka, why? Why would anyone want to help me? What have I ever done for any of you?" Kerry asked, not wanting an answer. It was true that she had never done anything for the good of her staff. She had always been overpowering, stern. 'Stern' that made Luka smile. "Your strictness has kept us in line. If you didn't run the ER then who could? You do such a good job at keeping us all in control. Strictness has a purpose, and although some people probably don't show it, they appreciate it" Luka explained.

"Mommy, can I go home?" Josie was awake, and wandering about in her slippers. "I'm sorry baby, but I've got to stay here for a little longer" Kerry sighed, wishing she could go home also. Her shift ended in five hours, and until then Josie was stuck in the boring hospital. It was then that Luka spoke up. "We'll take it in turns to watch her. I can ask John and Dave and Abby if they can help" Luka suggested. At first, Kerry was dubious of the idea, but the more she thought about it the better it sounded. 'I won't have to worry and she'll be around people' Smiling, Kerry told Luka, "all right. But it will only be for a few hours" Luka then set off to find people who would volunteer some time to babysit. He knew John would agree instantly, and Dave and Abby would be happy to give a helping hand.

The day swung into action with a three car MVA arriving in the ER. Josie watched with curiosity as the patients were wheeled in, covered in scratches and blood. "Dr Dave, what is wrong with them?" Josie asked. Dave spun around, diverting himself away from the computer to answer the little girl's question. "Well…they were in a crash" Dave explained. "What crash?" Josie continued her questions. "A car crash. They got hurt and had to see the doctor" Dave tried to keep up with the questions but couldn't. "Why don't we go and watch a video?" Dave suggested, if it was the only thing that would stop questions. "Yeah!" Josie leapt off the chair and ran into the lounge. She foraged through her bag, which was near empty because all her belongings were scattered about the floor. Dave watched as Josie speculatively looked at the various videos she had chosen. Peering over her shoulder, Dave's eyes lit up when he saw a particular one. "You've got Toy Story?" he asked overenthusiastically. Dave then picked the video out of the pile and proceeded to load it into the VCR. "You'll like this one" Dave said, sitting on the couch, Josie beside him.

"I hate to admit it, but I actually had fun watching this monster" Dave grinned when John walked into the lounge. He had not yet had the opportunity to meet Josie, although he had heard a lot about her already. "Well, most people expect you would have fun playing with kids. You are one" John mocked. "Ha ha ha. Whatever" Dave lurked off, leaving John alone with Josie. He noticed how shy she had gone as soon as Dave had left. "Hi, my name's John. I'm a friend of your mom's" he knew that would get her trust. Josie gave John a dubious glance, before returning to her dolls. "That's a pretty dolly you've got. What's her name?" John asked. Josie soon turned her attention away from the doll and onto John. "This is Matilda" Josie introduced her doll to John. He sat down next to her, and picked up one of the dresses on the floor. "Why don't we put her in this dress?" John suggested. He and Josie then set about changing Matilda's dress and doing her hair.

"She's been in a car crash!" Josie squealed. "Get a bandaid!" she demanded. John hurried about, getting a bandage for the injured doll. "I'll do the surgwi" Josie failed miserably at the word, but knew what she was talking about. "Did your mom tell you about all this?" John asked. Josie absently nodded her head while bandaging Matilda's leg. "How come you came here?" curiosity got the better of John, and he couldn't resist. "Daddy bad, mommy good" Josie mumbled. John knew he had hit a rough topic. There were so many things that he didn't know about Kerry and her past, Josie included. "How about we go for a walk?" John asked Josie. Her eyes lit up at the idea. "Yeah!" she stood up, forgetting about her doll. "But first of all we must clean up after ourselves" John said sternly. Josie set about gathering her crayons and cars, before returning them to her bag which sat in the corner. "Done" she stated. John retrieved his coat from his locker, and helped Josie put hers on. "Did you choose your coat?" John asked. He knew it was such a Kerry type coat, navy blue corduroy with a matching hat. "Yes" Josie replied, smiling proudly.

The pair walked towards the lake, John knew it was a nice place to take a child. He watched as Josie ran enthusiastically towards the playground that was crowded with children. Taking a seat on a park bench, John kept his eyes on Josie. He had heard about the circumstances and didn't wish to be the one to lose the girl. John watched as Josie played by herself, first climbing about the monkey bars, then sliding down the slippery dip. A young boy the same age as Josie, John guessed, wandered over to where Josie sat in the sandbox. He saw the two play together for a while, running about the playground in such a hurry. Before long, the boy's mother came to take him away. Josie saw John coming towards her, and grabbed hold of the boy's coat. "John, Clancy" Josie introduced the two. John said hello to the boy, before turning to the boy's mother. "It appears your daughter has become friends with my son" she smiled warmly. "Oh no, I'm babysitting for a friend" John corrected her, but smiled at the thought of himself being a father.

"My name's Georgia Banks. Maybe I'll see you around" the woman introduced herself. "John Carter. Nice to meet you" John shook hands with Georgia. "Could you get Josie's mother to give me a call? I wouldn't mind having a chat to her" Georgia requested. "Will do" John replied. They held a difficult silence, which was soon ended by Josie crying. "John! I felled over!" Josie held out her grazed hands, which were beginning to bleed. "Hey, don't have a cry about it, we'll go back and I'll get you cleaned up" John replied, brushing the dirt off Josie's pants. "Bye Clancy" Josie bid her new friend farewell. "Bye bye!" Clancy sang. "Here's my card, call me" Georgia handed John her business card, then left, Clancy clinging onto her gloved hand. "I think it's time for some lunch" John suggested. He knew Kerry would want to have lunch with Josie, and figured that he better start doing some proper work.

John walked along, Josie clinging to his left hand. He could sense she was beginning to tire as her stride was shortening and she had slowed down considerably. "Hey Jose, are you okay?" John stopped and turned to face the girl. "I'm fine" Josie replied, trudging along with strength gathered from her insufficient resources. John shook his head in dismay. 'I'm fine' the phrase used by both mother and daughter. "Would you like a piggy back?" John asked, hoping she would agree to this. Josie's face lit up, and she let an excited grin escape. "Up you go" John hoisted Josie up onto his back, and the pace quickened. Before long the pair had returned to the ER, which was bustling with people. "We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo. How about you, you, you" John sang. Josie begin giggling insanely as the pair walked through the bay doors.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART 9

He turned to the laughter. It was the laughter that unmistakably belonged to his little baby. He became silent, anger building with every passing microsecond. It was true! He had been right from the very beginning. Putting on the 'within public eye' act, he turned to the doors. "Josie" he smiled warmly at the girl. She screamed with sheer horror and ran into the lounge. Josie saw right through all the smiles, the kisses and hugs that meant nothing. They were all a show of affection that was fake. He knew that he couldn't take the anger out on Josie in public, so he set off in search of the liar. He saw her discussing something with a patient. He saw the way she so calmly dealt with the situation, and the evil smile on his face only grew. 'You're going down' he thought, fury in his eyes.

Waiting, waiting. Suddenly the door swung open and out stepped the liar. "You bitch" he whispered low enough for only her to hear. Kerry whirred around and gasped. The man in front of Kerry left her shaking at her knees. "Paul" Kerry stammered. "You lied to me" he spoke through gritted teeth in a husky voice. All the times that Kerry had allowed herself to back down were flashing before her eyes. Suddenly a switch flicked inside her mind. "I'm not letting you take her" Kerry stood her ground. "Well you can't have her! I've got custody!" Paul yelled. "Josie is my daughter and I'm not allowing you to leave with her" Kerry firmly stated. "I'll call the cops. Have them arrest you for kidnap" Paul spat. "Not when Josie came here, unaccompanied by anyone. You obviously weren't watching her!" Kerry shouted. Her temper was becoming too much. "How long did you leave her alone? Two, maybe three hours? And where were you? At the bar, scoffing down the booze" Kerry calmed herself, now speaking to Paul, not the entire hospital.

"I saw the bruises, Paul. Don't pretend I don't know" Kerry glared at him. Paul was taken aback, knowing the cause of those bruises. He pushed it out of his mind, before retorting. "I can take you down. I mean look at you! You're a shift worker, you're obviously wrapt up in your job, and you're a cripple! How is a cripple supposed to care for a child?!" Paul screeched. Kerry felt her heart sink. That word, how many times had she heard it? She cringed, refusing to let it bother her. "I've got more people on my side this time. I can, and will, take you down. You don't have your town to back you up. Your 'reputation' won't save you this time" Kerry hissed. She was determined to fight back, now that the battles would not be so one sided. Paul didn't know what to say. He knew that calling the cops would only get himself busted, and physical violence would land him in a cop shop for the night anyway. A silence unable to be filled with any form of words was soon ended. "I'll be back" Paul grunted. "This is just the beginning, Dr Weaver" Paul glared long and hard at Kerry, before turning his back on her and leaving.

Josie hid behind Mark. She trusted Mark. He reminded her of the elderly man that had gotten her to the bus port. Josie watched as her daddy stormed out of the hospital. It terrified her to see him. Josie knew that he would be looking for her, and that he would be mad at her mom. But Josie refused to leave with him. If it meant she would have to be mean to him, Josie would do it. "Josie baby, come here" Kerry beckoned to her. Josie ran into her mother's open arms and hugged her. She knew that her mom was scared. "Mommy, I'm scared too" Josie told her. "Don't be scared sweetie. I promise I won't let daddy take you away" Kerry whispered, hugging Josie tightly. Paul had scared her greatly. She knew that tears would begin rolling down her cheeks at any moment. "Kerry, why don't you go for lunch?" Mark suggested. He could sense the tense air that hung over Kerry's head. "Thanks, Mark" Kerry forced the tears back, and taking Josie's hand in hers, walked into the lounge.

Once reaching the privacy of the empty lounge, Kerry let her tears fall. Seeing Paul had made it all come home. Paul; the alcoholic, but Paul; the trusted accountant at the same time. "Mommy, what's wrong? Is daddy being bad?" Josie asked. She crawled up onto the couch, and hugged her mother around the neck. "Yes, Jose, he's being a bad daddy again" Kerry wrapt her right arm around Josie's waist. "I want to stay here" Josie whimpered. She knew that a 'bad daddy' would mean he was going to take her away. Back to that place, into the darkness. "I don't want the dark" Josie whispered. 'The dark' Kerry didn't comprehend. "What do you mean, 'the dark'?" she asked. Josie frowned, her eyes showing sadness and fear. "The dark. Small, wet, hungry" Josie tried to explain what the dark was. Kerry didn't understand. She did a walk-through of that 'house', wandering through the kitchen, then the lounge/dining room, down the hall, through bedroom 1, bedroom 2 and the study. Passing the laundry and the bathroom.

"Noisy, hard floor, cold?" Kerry asked. Her mind had stopped at the linen closet between the laundry and the bathroom. It was the smallest space in the 'house' and the description Josie had given sounded about right. Josie frowned, her lower lip quivering. "Oh darling, don't cry" Kerry felt her heart shatter when Josie began to cry silently. "You're not going back there, I promise" Kerry kissed the top of Josie's head, hoping to calm her. Kerry had never been more determined than at that moment. She would not allow Paul to take Josie away from her this time. Josie was all she had in life and no one was going to take her away. After a few minutes on their own, someone else entered the lounge. "Kerry, I thought you might want to go to lunch with Josie" John walked in and saw the two sitting on the couch. "Thankyou, John. Thanks for watching Josie for a while" Kerry was grateful for John's help. "You're welcome. We had a good time, didn't we Jose?" John asked the girl, who smiled at him. "Yep" she grinned, all worries forgotten, for now.

"My friend is Clancy" Josie boasted. "Yes, a lady named Georgia Banks has a son named Clancy who is Josie's newest friend" John stated, retrieving the business card from his pocket and handing it to Kerry. Reading it over, Kerry noted that Georgia was a real-estate agent. 'I'll have to give her a call' Josie giggled at John, who didn't know what he was doing wrong. "Mommy, John likes Clancy's mom" Josie told. John blushed uncontrollably, before admitting the truth. "You weren't the only one she wanted to talk to" he grinned smartly. "Get back to work" Kerry shooed him out of the lounge, shaking her head. "Trust John to meet someone when he least expects to" Kerry said to herself. Turning back to Josie, she stated, "well, let's go and get something to eat". Josie stood wearily, obviously not satisfied. "Hey, why the long face?" Kerry asked. "Mommy, I wanna go home" Josie sulked.

Determined to make Josie happy, Kerry approached Mark, who was by the desk reading over a chart. Suddenly Josie ran off to find Dave, who was with a patient in curtain area 3. Before Kerry could grab Josie by the arm and tell her 'no', the girl had disappeared and was already by Dave's side. "Leave her be" Mark grinned. Kerry threw her hands in the air, exasperated. "How do you control them?" she asked. "You don't. Let her run wild now and she'll grow to be a mature and responsible young lady" Mark joked. The pair watched as Josie tagged along after Dave, who was now heading upstairs. "I wonder why she latched on to him, him of all people?" Kerry thought. "She probably relates to him the best. I mean, he is a kid himself" Mark replied. Kerry turned serious, and began her sweet talk. "Mark, I was wondering if you could do me a favour…"

"Dr Malucci, I've come to claim Josie from the lost and found" Kerry stated as Dave returned to the ER. He jumped, not expecting to be faced by his boss after stepping out of the elevator. "Are you leaving us now?" Dave asked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Yes, so you can do whatever you like now. Play football in the hallways, whatever" Kerry told him what he was going to do. Dave didn't know how Kerry had known about that. He could only smile, and finish with, "gee, thanks Chief!" Then, turning to Josie, he turned serious. "And I'll see you at 0700 hours tomorrow, Soldier" Dave stated, then saluted her. Josie returned the mock salute, before tottering off after her mother.

"Are we going home now?" Josie asked when she reached Kerry, who stood at her locker in the lounge. "Yes, we are. So that will make you happy, won't it?" Kerry said. Josie giggled, then began picking up her toys that had 'mysteriously' become scattered over the floor again. Kerry watched as Josie neatly packed everything into the backpack. "Who taught you to do that?" she asked. Josie placed a video into the backpack, before replying with, "John said 'we must clean up after ourselves'" Josie informed her. Kerry smiled, pleased with John's intentions. Both pulled on their coats, then walked out of the lounge. "See you later Josie" Mark sang from the desk. "Bye!" Josie called back. She waved to everyone who bid the pair farewell. Kerry knew that the situation was different. She had just realised how much she herself had changed within 24 hours. 'I don't want anything to change now'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART 10

Back at home, Josie played in front of the TV. She had her dolls all bandaged up, just like what all her new friends did. Kerry watched her daughter from the kitchen. She was so innocent, yet so vulnerable at the same time. "And you got a boo boo on your arm" Josie talked to herself (or maybe to her dolls) while bandaging Matilda's arm. Setting the oven for another 10 minutes, Kerry wandered into the lounge. She sat on the couch behind Josie, and decided to teach the girl a few things about doctors. "Jose, do you know what I do at work?" Kerry asked. Josie forgot the dolls and clambered up onto the couch and sat next to her mother. "Not really" she replied. "Well, when people get hurt, like Matilda's arm, I have to fix them. People who fix hurt people are called doctors" Kerry explained. Josie attempted the word a few times, and soon was able to say and understand it well.

"And when they have a really big cut, we have to suture it up. Like a sewing machine does stiches" Kerry had widened the talk. "Daddy had stiches on his head. Here" Josie indicated with her finger. Kerry just nodded, knowing that it would be something that would happen to Paul. The one thing that struck Kerry the most was Josie's speech. Even spending time with different people at different times had improved her vocabulary and speech greatly. The timer on the oven began to squeal, and Kerry stood, leaving Josie to follow her. "What's that?" Josie asked curiously. "This is an oven. You cook food in it. The noise is a timer. That tells you when the food's ready to eat" Kerry explained. "So tea is ready to eat?" Josie asked. "Yep" Kerry took the tray to the table before setting it down in the middle. "What is it?" Josie questioned, her eyes studying the creation that lay before her. "This is lasagne" Kerry answered. Josie tried the word numerous times, but couldn't manage to get it right.

The pair ate slowly, mainly because they were too busy talking. "Can you hold your fork like this?" Kerry asked while demonstrating how to grasp a fork. Josie fiddled with the tool for some time, but couldn't handle it. The children's dinner set was new, with a smaller knife and fork, and plastic plates and bowls. All, of course, were decorated with Tigger. Kerry held Josie's hand and positioned the fork in her fingers. "You got it?" she asked. Josie nodded, and carefully picked up the lasagne that had been cut up into small squares courtesy of Kerry. They eventually moved on to desert, which was vanilla ice cream with sliced peaches. Josie slopped the ice cream all over her clothes, but was obviously enjoying the desert. "This is yum" she said between mouthfuls.

"Now we have to clean up" Kerry instructed. She walked to the kitchen and placed the dirty dishes in the sink. "I want to help" Josie said determinedly. She dragged a stool over to the sink, and watched as her mom washed the crumbs off the plate. "Then you put the plate into the dishwasher" Kerry demonstrated by placing her plate on the bottom rack. "Now you try" Kerry told Josie. She washed her plate, and put it alongside the one already in there. "Very good!" Kerry praised. The pair worked quickly, Kerry washing and Josie loading. Soon the job was over. "I want to push the button" Josie begged. "Okay then. Push the green, round one" Kerry watched with interest as Josie thought. Running her fingers over the various shapes, Josie stopped when she came to the button of her choice. Josie pushed it, and grinned when she heard the water swishing around. "It's cleaning now" Josie explained. "And speaking of cleaning, look at you!" Kerry said, shaking her head in disgrace. "I need a bath" Josie admitted, guilty. She marched herself upstairs and towards the bathroom.

After a warm bath, Josie was ready for bed. "But mommy, I don't wanna go to bed" Josie whined. "No buts about it, missy" Kerry was stern, knowing that Josie needed sleep. "Don't you want to sleep in your new bed?" she added. Josie snapped at the word 'new bed'. "Oh yeah! Night mommy, love you" Josie quickly hugged Kerry before rushing down the hallway. Shaking her head, Kerry returned downstairs to complete some paperwork. Before starting she decided to clean up the now messy house. Cars were scattered everywhere, dolls were perched atop of the table and crayons littered the floor. Kerry loaded all Josie's belongings into the plastic crate that sat beside the entertainment unit. Just as Kerry was about to sit down and begin the piles of paperwork waiting at her desk, the doorbell rang.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART 11

"John, what are you doing here?" Kerry asked, completely bemused as to why he would be on her front doorstep. "I just dropped by to see how you were going" John explained. "Oh, well come in" Kerry opened the door and allowed John inside. Kerry and John had quite a good friendship, and one could rely on the other if they were having any troubles. "Would you like a coffee?" Kerry asked, already on her way into the kitchen. "Uh…if you're having one" John replied. He hung his coat up by the door and headed after her. "Is something bothering you?" Kerry asked while pouring out the drinks. "Nothing more than usual. I actually came around to ask you about Josie" John admitted. Kerry returned to the couch and handed him his coffee before sitting down beside him.

"I know about Josie's father. I saw him earlier today, and Mark filled me in" John replied. He saw Kerry scowl, she obviously didn't want anyone to know about Paul. "He told me not to tell anyone, and I haven't. Why didn't you tell any of us, Kerry?" John demanded, but in a soft, caring manner. "I couldn't. At night I'd lay awake, just thinking of what Josie would have done that day. The new words she'd learnt, the pictures she'd drawn. Even the most insignificant things like what she had eaten for dinner" Kerry began, her voice breaking. "It hurt, John. Every time I come across a child in that ER, I immediately think about Josie. I wasn't there when she took her first steps. I never saw anything like that!" Kerry cried, the anger obvious in her voice. "And it was because of Paul. That selfish, arrogant bastard! I won't let him near Josie ever again" Kerry stared angrily at an empty space on the wall.

John and Kerry sat in silence for a long time. It was something they could comfortably do without feeling awkward. John was the first to break the silence. "How are you planning on keeping Paul away if he's got full custody of Josie?" John queried. "I'm taking him to court. I've contacted my lawyer, and he said I've got a very good chance of gaining custody" Kerry explained. John nodded his head thoughtfully. "If you do get custody of Josie, what will happen after that?" John asked. "I really haven't thought that far" Kerry admitted. "Well, if ever you need a babysitter, just give me a call. I'd be happy to watch Josie for you" John offered. "I'd love you to babysit!" Kerry replied, delighted. "I don't want anything bad to happen to her. For her sake, as well as yours" John smiled. "You've been such a great friend to me, and now, if you need any help at all, I'll be there" John said before taking a sip of his coffee.

"John I don't know what to say" Kerry replied moments later. She knew that they both got on well together, and she did consider him a friend. But hearing him say such meaningful words was beautiful. "I'll help you raise Josie" John said, a bit too eagerly. Realising his mistake, he quickly added, "we all will. We're all one big family". Kerry smiled, hearing the word family. It was something she hadn't had much of throughout her life, and to be told all the people she worked with were like a family was heart-warming. "Don't spoil her, Kerry. And don't let her get her way with everything" John offered his advise. "Teach her to be acceptant, courteous, individual and giving. Don't let her be pushed around, tell her to stand her ground" John stated. 'Not that you should have much trouble with that one' he added mentally with a sly smile.

Wondering how John could know all these meanings of life, Kerry decided to question. "John, how do you know such important things? You're still so young, and those ways of living life are something that most people don't learn until they're in their late 60's" Kerry stated. She knew about the values of life, and knew how to let all the pathetic things pass her by. "I stayed with Gamma often, as my parents were always away with business" John began. "Because of my family, I had everything I could have ever asked for. All the toys, games and proper schooling a child could ever need. But I didn't have many friends" John sighed, slightly saddened at his words. "My friends were the adults, the staff of the house. I thought they were so normal. They lived in a house with a backyard and a big dog. Their kids went to the school down the street, and they had chats over coffee with their neighbours. They were all things that I'd never experienced" John stated.

"I knew the differences between my life and theirs, and they were constantly telling me to be kind and giving. I knew that they represented the majority of people in the world. I knew that not everyone's grandmother was on a magazine cover. I knew that not everyone lived in a mansion with people to wait on them. That's how I established all those facts" John concluded. "I knew how lucky I was to live how I did, and how grateful I should be. There are people in the world who suffer, and we although sometimes it feels like you're the most unfortunate person in the universe, there is someone out there who is doing it tougher than you are" John stated. Kerry sat in silence, thinking about John's statement. "You would have to be the smartest person I've ever met" Kerry finally spoke. John blushed profusely, before standing up. "I really should be going now" he stated. "Thankyou for coming around, John" Kerry stood and walked with him to the door.

The pair stood at the door, neither wanting the night to end. "Will I see you at work tomorrow?" John asked, retrieving his coat from the hanger by the door. "No, I'm off and I've got to see my lawyer" Kerry replied. "Well, I hope it all goes well" John wished. He knew how much Kerry wanted to keep Josie. "I might call into the ER afterwards" Kerry added. John's heart warmed knowing that he could see Kerry tomorrow. "Thankyou for being such a good friend" Kerry said before she and John held a tight embrace. "I'll see you later then" John smiled, before stepping out the door. "Bye" Kerry said, and watched him walk down the steps to his car. She closed the door after his car pulled away from the curb, and smiled. 'I'm so lucky to have such a good friend'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART 12

Seated at the desk in the study, Kerry was intensely working on the papers. The papers were not to do with the hospital, but from her lawyer. Kerry had him fax over some information on what she could now do to gain custody. 'I'm going to win this' There were so many forms to fill out, so much print to read over. But it was all going to be worth it. Kerry couldn't believe how suddenly everything had happened. It had only been that very morning when Josie arrived that Kerry had been thinking about her. The thoughts of today had been schooling. Whether Paul was going to put Josie through a public or private schooling system. Kerry had a few thoughts as to where Josie was to attend school. In particular, there was a school not far from the hospital that had a very good reputation. Suddenly there was a rapid knock at the door, and wearily standing up, Kerry headed to answer it.

Normally Kerry was a very security-conscious person, but after John had called by, she was sure that it was going to be someone else from the ER. People rarely stopped by her house, that was how she liked it. But little did she know, there was trouble standing on the other side of the door. Kerry opened the door, and was knocked back as a broad-figured man forced his way inside. "Hi honey! I've come to take Josie for a ride" Paul staggered through the hallway, and into the lounge room. "I don't know what you're talking about" Kerry replied. She knew full well that he was drunk, there was no doubting it. "I saw you and my Josie, and I want to take her to the park! To play on the swings!" Paul slurred. "It is 38 degrees out there and you want to take Josie to the park?" Kerry shrieked. Before Paul could fling an argument back, the phone began to ring.

"Hello? Who is it?" Paul yelled into the phone. He had foolishly picked it up, and would soon realise his mistake. "No you can't talk to her! She's busy!" Paul spat into the phone before slamming it back down on the receiver. He yanked the cord out of the socket, and sat down on the couch. "There. No more interruptions" Paul smiled in a sickly way. He patted the space next to him. "Come and sit next to me" he ordered, still smiling. Kerry stood in the kitchen, unable to move. The events before her had occurred so many times before, and to suddenly face them head on was far too daunting. "Now!" Paul demanded. Kerry walked slowly towards him, and sat down as far away from him as she possibly could. Paul placed his robust arm around Kerry's shoulder, making her shudder. "Kerry, dear" he began. "I just want to take my Josie home" Paul pleaded. "She is home" Kerry replied, her voice icy. Paul slammed his fist on the coffee table in front of him. "Her home is my home! Not yours!" he yelled.

The pair sat, arguing for some time. Kerry knew that if she could get him to talk for long enough he would soon hopefully flake out on the couch. The she could call the cops. But until then it was conversations. "So, Paul. How is the accounting business going?" Kerry forced the words out of her mouth. Brightening at the question, Paul smiled warmly. "Great! I've 'borrowed' some money from my clients and they don't know!" he grinned with delight. "But you can't tell anyone" Paul turned serious, knowing he had let out a secret. "I won't" Kerry replied deviously. 'There's some information I can use' "But getting back to my Josie. Where is she?" Paul asked the question again. "I told you Paul, I don't have her here" Kerry sternly enforced. "But you do! I saw you!" he accused. "You were shopping, buying stuff! I saw you!" Paul was growing angry, and Kerry knew what happened when he became agitated. 'How many times must this have happened when it was just Josie'

"I want you to get her now, or I will!" Paul said, standing. He wobbled about, but steadied himself just in time. Kerry hurried after him, knowing which direction he was headed. "I'll go and get her. You stay here" Kerry told him sternly. Paul sat back down, excited like a three year old getting a candy. Regretting what she was about to do, Kerry ascended the stairs, hoping something would happen to Paul while she was gone. Kerry approached Josie's bedroom. Kerry knew that bringing Josie into the situation wasn't the wisest thing to do, but it was all that may distract Paul. "Josie, baby. Wake up" Kerry gently placed her hand on Josie's shoulder. Stirring ever so slowly, Josie awoke, rubbing her eyes. "What is it, mommy?" Josie asked. Kerry really didn't want to have to do this, but she had no other choice. "You know when daddy sometimes came home and he was falling over" Kerry described the situation as best as she could. Josie nodded her head, fear in her eyes. "Well he's here, and he wants to see you" Kerry explained.

"No!" Josie stated, refusing to move. "Sweetie, please. I need your help on this one" Kerry begged. Josie still did not budge. "If you can distra…I mean, if you can make him look at something else, I can get him back" Kerry tried to compromise. Hopefully the plan would work, because if it didn't, there would be a no win situation afterwards. "No!" Josie repeated, and dived under the doona. "Josie, we need to work as a team on this. Fight him together" Kerry begged. Giving it a though, Josie reluctantly climbed out of her warm bed and tottered downstairs with her mother. "My baby! My Josie!" Paul stumbled to where Josie stood, stiff scared. He wrapt his arms around her petit frame, lifting her up. "I missed you!" he cried, strolling back to the couch. Kerry watched from the kitchen, searching for something to distract Paul with. 'Please God, don't let my Josie get hurt' Kerry watched as Paul sat down, his back to her. The perfect opportunity! Kerry walked silently to where he was seated, and raising her arms above her head…

"Phwop!" Kerry swung her cane into the back of Paul's head. Paul did falter for a second, but only that. He stood on shaky legs, and staggered towards Kerry. "Bitch! Don't do that!" he hollered. Paul returned a hit in Kerry's direction, which sent her to the floor heavily. She winced at the impact, landing badly on her leg as well as making contact with the table behind her. "Mommy!" Kerry heard Josie shriek. "Run Josie!" Kerry yelled. Scrambling to her feet, Kerry put all her energy into taking Paul down. He was twice her size and strength, and her vain attempts meant absolutely nothing to him. "Get off me!" Paul swiped another blow at Kerry, who was once again forced to the ground. He was too strong for her. It was then that the feeling came back. The feeling of defeat. 'I can't beat him. I can't' Giving herself up to the abuse, Kerry awaited another hit, but before it came she clearly heard another male voice in the house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART 13

Mark Greene rolled about the floor, determined to bring Paul Hughes to his knees. "You bastard!" Mark punched the offender, before having to surrender the fight. Not by choice, but by default. Paul had finally passed out. "Kerry" Mark dropped to his knees beside her. "I'm fine, Mark" Kerry pulled herself up, leaning against the couch for support. She suddenly became aware of something. "Josie" she stammered. Mark looked about, trying to find the terrified girl. "It’s okay now, you're safe, Josie" Mark called, hoping that those words would reassure Josie. "Mark" Kerry, who had joined in the search, beckoned Mark to the closet. He gasped upon peering into the neat closet. Curled into a tiny ball, eyes shut tightly, Josie sobbed. "Come here" Mark reached in and lifted Josie out. She was visibly shaking, and had become extremely pale. The three walked into the living room, and sat at the table.

"I'm so sorry baby. I didn't want to do that to you, but I had no choice" Kerry held Josie in a tight embrace. Mark watched from the lounge room, while making sure Paul wasn't about to move anytime soon. He was out cold. Mark placed a call to the cops, who would be arriving any moment. Walking back into the living room, Mark took a seat opposite mother and daughter. "I called the cops. They'll be here soon" Mark told Kerry, who silently thanked him. Mark noticed the gash on Kerry's forehead. "Oh, how did that happen?" he asked, before switching seats to be alongside Kerry. "I think I collected the table" Kerry reflexively put a hand to her forehead, which was steadily seeping deep red blood. "Is there anything else bothering you?" Mark asked while studying the wound. "No, nothing else" Kerry lied. She wasn't about to admit that her leg was absolutely burning with pain. There was a knock at the door, and Mark stood to answer it.

The police came, gathered a statement from Kerry and Mark, and soon left, taking Paul with them. Josie watched her father being taken away. It didn't bother her anymore. She knew that the police were 'goodies', and that her dad was a 'baddy'. "Let me look at that cut now" Mark urged. Kerry took a seat, and Mark carefully cleaned it. "I don't think you'll need any stitches" Mark stated. Josie watched from the other side of the table as Mark took care of her mommy. She saw how gentle he was, and how much he cared. The trust barrier Josie had with Mark was now built of brick. The three sat in silence the whole time, running the scene of events through their minds many times. Soon the job was done, and Kerry was the first to speak. "Josie, come on, back to bed" she stated, about to stand up. Mark gently pushed her back down, and stated, "I'll take her up". Kerry agreed, but not before asking Josie if she was alright with that. "It's okay" Josie replied, and allowed Mark to carry her to bed.

Mark gently put Josie in her bed. "Ouch" he heard Josie groan quietly. 'I wasn't that rough' Mark knew that something was wrong. "Josie, are you okay?" Mark asked the girl, who was sitting on the edge of the bed. She didn't reply, only crawled under the sheets. Mark sat on the end of the bed, and pulled the sheets back. "Come here" he told Josie. She obediently climbed out of the bed and sat beside him. Mark lifted Josie onto his lap, and lifted up her pyjama shirt. He could only gasp at what he saw. Mark was left speechless by the various black and blue bruises that covered Josie's back. "Who did this?" Mark asked astounded. He saw Josie shudder, and she then turned to face him. "I felled over" she lied. Mark saw through the lie, and proceeded to ask, "did your daddy do this?" After a few moments of worry, Josie nodded. She knew that if her dad found out she'd told someone, he'd get really angry.

"Don't tell my daddy" Josie begged. Mark could see the desperation and fear in her eyes. It hurt him to think that someone would want to bring so much fear to a child. "I promise I won't" Mark told her. He helped Josie get into bed, and then turned out the light. "Good night, sleep tight" Mark said to her. "Don't let the bedbugs bite" Josie replied. Mark chuckled quietly, before leaving. He stood by the door, watching Josie sleep. The instant her head had hit the pillow, she was out. Mark smiled, reminiscing when Rachel was as young as Josie. 'Poor kid. Must've been through so much' Mark knew the strains that separation between parents left on the children. They were ultimately the ones who suffered the most. He often wished that things could have worked out differently form himself and Jen, but some things were not meant to be.

Leaving the door ajar, Mark returned downstairs to find Kerry in the kitchen. "Kerry! Sit back down!" Mark cried. Kerry visibly jumped, not aware of his presence. Mark hurried down the stairs and to her side. "Why didn't you ask me for help?" he asked, gently guiding Kerry back to the table. He saw the box of painkillers lying on the bench. "I'm fine" Kerry pushed Mark away from her side, and limped unaided into the lounge. She retrieved her cane from the floor, and propped it against the couch. Mark could only stare in disbelief. Even something so extreme as the past half hours events would not stop Kerry Weaver from being so independent. Mark often wondered why she was so stubborn towards help. He knew people much more able than Kerry who were far more reliant on others than she was. Mark collected the coffees that sat on the bench, and followed her into the lounge.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Mark asked, bringing two mugs of coffee into the lounge. "Not particularly" Kerry replied, taking her mug and wrapping her cold hands around it. "It will help. I assure you" Mark urged. Kerry sighed, knowing that once Mark had a thought in his mind the decision was set. "I answered the door and he barged in, and I knew he was drunk. It's a trait of Paul Hughes" Kerry began. "I know what happens when he becomes annoyed, and I didn't want him to find Josie. He knew she was in the house, and demanded to see her" Kerry stopped, taking in a sharp breath. "I didn't want him to touch her, but if I didn't get Josie from her bedroom I knew he would find her" Kerry then broke down. She sobbed, allowing Mark to comfort her. "It's okay, Josie's fine. Paul's gone, you're safe" Mark reassured Kerry, who calmed after a few minutes.

Kerry wasn't crying just because of the traumatic happenings of the past hour. It was the fact that she'd broken a promise to Josie. Paul had found her, and he had hurt her. Maybe not physically, but mentally. Kerry knew that Paul had that affect on people. He was of a strong, solid build that would intimidate people at first. But when he was acting the 'Mr Caring Accountant', butter could melt in his mouth. Kerry sobbed because of the pain that shot up and down her leg. Kerry sobbed for the injustice that the world was full of. 'Please, don't let them take Josie away from me. She's all I've got' Mark finally spoke. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked. Composing herself, Kerry sat up, wiping her red eyes. "No, Mark. Thankyou for being here" she said. After a second's silence, something occurred to Kerry. "But why did you come?" she questioned. "I called you from the hospital. My shift had finished and I thought I should drop by and see how you were. And when the phone wasn't going through, I thought something was up" Mark explained.

"How did Josie end up with so many bruises?" Mark asked straight-pointedly. Kerry felt her heart sink once again. She put her head in her hands, trying in vain not to lose control of her emotions once again. 'I have to tell him. It will help later'. "Josie's father is an abusive parent" Kerry stated, shaking her head in despair. "How did he get custody then? I thought that abusive parents lost custody like that if they were found guilty" Mark stated. "No one believed me when I told the courts that. They said 'I was speaking rubbish', and 'how would I know if I was never there'. It was so frustrating" Kerry couldn't look at Mark. She knew if she saw the sadness that he felt for her she would begin to cry. It was his compassion towards the subject that she loved. Nobody had ever cared back then, and to know someone was concerned about her case was so delightful that it was upsetting. "I'll back you up when it comes time" Mark stated. He knew that Kerry was going to need all the support she could get. "I'll have to go now, my next shift starts at 7" Mark began. "Will you be all right now?" he asked. Kerry thought for a second, before replying, "yes, everything will be fine now" The pair stood, and walked to the door. "Thankyou for dropping by, Mark" Kerry said before opening the door. "I'm just glad he didn't do anything too horrid" Mark stated. He walked down the stairs and entered his car, before driving off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART 14

'What is that?' Kerry could feel someone beside her. She rolled over to find Josie still asleep. Her face was pink, her hair dishevelled. Kerry smiled warmly. It was her beautiful daughter who lay beside her. The most perfect creation of the world. Josie's eyes fluttered open, and she slowly sat up. "Good morning, sleepyhead" Kerry said. Being such a lively child, Josie soon became fully awake, and climbed out of the bed. "I'm hungry" she stated while slipping into her purple dressing gown. Kerry wearily dragged herself out of bed, knowing that Josie wouldn't give up until she got what she wanted. One of the traits that Josie had inherited from her mother. "Come on, mommy!" Josie squealed from the door before bounding down the stairs. "Alright, alright. I'm coming" Kerry pulled on her slippers, before following Josie downstairs.

"Who's a smartie?" Kerry asked when she reached the kitchen. Josie had already turned the toaster on and had two mugs on the table. "Me!" Josie giggled. She and Kerry then proceeded to make breakfast, which was going to be toast with peanut butter and fruit loops cereal. Josie carefully carried the milk over to the table, then returned to the kitchen for the cereal box. "Toast's ready" Kerry announced, placing the four slices onto a plate. She and Josie sat down at the table, and they both ate in silence for the first few minutes. "Today we're going to visit some people" Kerry explained. "Okay" Josie absently said while munching away at her toast. "So you have to be a good girl" Kerry added. The meeting was very important, and there was no saying what was going to happen that day.

Something suddenly clicked in Josie's mind, and she began to ask questions. "Where did daddy go?" she asked. Kerry put down the mug she held in her hands, and was about to try and explain what had happened. "Well, Jose, daddy went to the police station" she began. "Why?" Josie queried. "He wasn't being a good person" Kerry stated. Josie nodded in agreement. "How come daddy didn't go to the police station when he was bad before?" she asked innocently. Kerry could feel the anger brewing inside her. Paul had never been dobbed in before, and it was wrong. "People didn't know he was being bad. You have to tell the police if someone is bad. They punish bad people" Kerry explained. "What's punish?" Josie asked. "When someone is bad, then they get punished. Like if you broke a vase, you'd get in trouble" Kerry did her best to define the word. "Oh" Josie said thoughtfully.

"Josie, I hope you're not making a mess" Kerry said as she came down the stairs. She dressed Josie before, and then had proceeded to do the same herself. "No, mommy" Josie sang back. Kerry stood at the bottom of the steps watching her daughter sitting by the TV. She was watching a cartoon of some sort, and obviously enjoying it. "What are you watching?" Kerry asked as she approached the lounge. "Blues Clues" Josie replied absently. Her eyes were transfixed on the TV screen which was covered by a big blue dog and lots of bright, happy colours. Gathering her bag, Kerry remembered a phone call she had to make. She retrieved the business card, and proceeded to call Georgia Banks.

After an unsuccessful attempt to contact Georgia at her office, Kerry tried her cell phone. The phone rang for three rings, before being answered, "Georgia Banks" in a confident voice. "Hello, Georgia. My name's Kerry Weaver. I'm Josie's mother" Kerry introduced herself. "Oh! Hi! I was hoping you'd call me" Georgia said in a bubbly voice. "I was wondering if you'd like to meet one day, you know, have a bit of a chat" Georgia continued. "I'd be delighted. When are you able to?" Kerry asked. "I'm free this afternoon, say 3 o'clock?" Georgia suggested. "That sounds fine" Kerry agreed to the time. "How about I meet you at the cafe on Boston Road? Outside, beside the post box" Georgia proposed. "Okay then. Are you going to have Clancy with you?" Kerry asked. "I will. Is Josie with you?" Georgia queried. "Yes she is. I'll see you later then" Kerry stated. Both women said goodbye before hanging up.

"Josie, we're going to see Clancy and his mom after we go and visit some people" Kerry announced as she entered the lounge. "Yeah!" Josie jumped off the couch, and started squealing excitedly. "Can I take Matilda?" Josie asked, picking the doll up off the floor. "Yes, of course you can take Matilda" Kerry agreed, and watched as Josie set about straightening the doll's clothes. "Come along, out to the car" Kerry shooed Josie outside, and locked the front door behind her. She unlocked the car and Josie scrambled into the passenger seat. A few minutes into the drive, Josie asked, "who are we visiting?" Kerry replied with, "a person who will help me keep you". Josie smiled, satisfied with the answer her mother had given. 'She will let me stay! No more bad daddy!' Josie was so pleased. She was going to see Clancy today, and her mom was going to see a good person who would let her stay in Chicago.

The pair walked nervously into the office. Josie saw a broad-shouldered man sitting behind the desk, and trembled. She ran to the security of her mother, and hid behind her legs. "Jose, what's the matter?" Kerry asked. "Bad man" Josie whispered, pointing to the lawyer. "No, sweetie. He's a good man. He's going to let you stay with me" Kerry explained. Josie was still wary of the man, but soon became less conscious of him. "Now, Kerry. I'm doing my best to get you full custody" the lawyer began. "And I think we've got a very good chance of winning" he added. Kerry felt hopeful. "But there are going to be a few problems" he said regretfully. "What could be a problem? I can support her financially and I've got a steady, well-paying job. Plus I can give her all the love in the world. Where is the problem?!" Kerry demanded. The lawyer was taken aback by her outburst, but wasn't about to lie. "You're a shift worker, so that won't swing in your favour. And I hate to say it, but they're going to question your ability to be a parent with your disability" he said, waiting for the end of the world. "I am more capable at caring for Josie than Paul will ever be" Kerry spat angrily at him.

Minutes rushed by, with hundreds of important words being shared between lawyer and client. "Richard, I don't care how much money I have to spend. My daughter is priceless" Kerry said determinedly. "It's not a matter of money, Kerry. It is up to Paul. He has to agree to giving you full custody. And unless we find something that will put him away, he will always have full custody" Richard explained. "But I've already told you he's an alcoholic!" Kerry yelled. "That isn't going to put him away unless he is charged for something that will make the courts see he is an inadequate parent" Richard explained, remaining calm. Kerry turned silent, not knowing what else to say. "I will do everything to keep Josie with me. I don't care what happens to him, I just want to know that he is far, far away" Kerry concluded. She stood, and Richard joined her. "I'll be in contact with you" Richard and Kerry shook hands, then she and Josie left.

"Mommy, can I stay with you?" Josie asked while the pair were eating lunch. "I don't know yet sweetie" Kerry told her, a waver of doubt in her voice. "I don't want to go to daddy's house again" Josie stated, and placed the toasted cheese sandwich she was eating back on the plate. "Well I'm going to do everything so that you can stay here" Kerry declared, before taking a sip of tea. The pair ate in silence for the majority of lunch, but the silence was broken when Kerry asked, "So, what would you like to do now?" Josie sat in thought. She had never been asked what she wanted to do, so she wanted to decide on something good.

"Can we go to your work?" Josie asked. Kerry smiled, wondering why she'd chosen the ER of all places. "I guess" Kerry said, slightly weary of the prospect of entering the ER on her day off. But after a few moments of thought, Kerry came to the reason for the choice. "You want to see Dave, don't you?" Kerry asked Josie, who nodded enthusiastically. "Finish your sandwich and then we'll get going" Kerry told Josie, who began shovelling the food down into her mouth. Kerry was about to tell her to slow down and eat like a lady, but Mark's words came back to her. 'Let her run wild now and she'll grow to be a mature and responsible young lady'

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PART 15

The ER was buzzing with patients that afternoon. Kerry felt guilty that she wasn't there to help out, but had other priorities that were far more important. Within seconds Josie had run away to find Dave, much to Kerry's dismay. "Good afternoon, Kerry" Luka was the first to greet her. "Hi Luka. Have you seen Mark about?" she asked. Luka responded with a straightforward "no" and returned to his x-rays. "John, have you seen Mark?" Kerry approached the young man who was returning to the desk. "No, I haven't" John replied, but not in a finishing manner. He turned to Kerry, and led her to a more private place. "I heard about what happened last night" he stated. "Are you okay? Is Josie fine?" John questioned. "I'm fine. A little shaken by it, but fine. Josie seems okay, but I don't know. I'm hoping Dave might get something out of her" Kerry said. "So you are safe. He's not going to come after you two again?" John questioned. For some reason he felt the need to protect Kerry and Josie, and he wasn't going to back down from a gut feeling. "We're totally safe. Nothing will happen, I promise" Kerry assured him.

"I seem to have found a monster lurking the hallways" Mark intervened the pair who were still talking quietly. Kerry turned to see Josie by his side, sucking away on a lollypop. "Thankyou, Mark" Kerry said, before looking to Josie. "And what were you up to? I thought you were only going to find Dave" Kerry stated, slightly agitated. "I couldn't find him" Josie sulked, knowing she was being punished. "Dr Malucci has gone home for the rest of the day. Down with a stomach bug" Mark explained. "I've got to get back to this patient" John excused himself from the group, and took off down the hallway. "Dr Greene, I need to present a patient to you" Abby Lockhart came as quickly as John had left. "Okay, I'll be there in a minute" Mark told her. "You'll be in tomorrow, won't you?" Mark questioned. "Yes, back into the swing of things" Kerry sighed, enjoying her time of for once. Mark left, and Kerry turned to take Josie with her, but there was no sign of her.

"You have pretty hair" Josie told the woman she was standing next to. Elizabeth looked down to find a lively five-year old dressed in navy. "Why thankyou!" lifting the girl up onto the desk, Elizabeth smiled. "Can I play with your stefscop?" Josie asked, pronouncing the word wrong. Somehow, Elizabeth had managed to figure out the girl's language. She handed over the silver stethoscope that hung around her neck. Josie put it in her ears, and listened to her heart beating. Giggling, Josie gave the stethoscope back to Elizabeth. "I like doctor toys" Josie stated. Elizabeth had to laugh at that comment. "Do you want to see some more toys?" she asked the girl, whose eyes lit up at the word 'toys'. "Yeah!" Josie was very excited now. "Alright then, come with me" Elizabeth took Josie's hand in hers, and they left to play with the 'doctor toys'.

Upon reaching one of the trauma rooms, Kerry peered inside to see Elizabeth Corday and Josie fiddling with all the instruments in the room. Kerry smiled, loving the interaction that was occurring between the two. She stepped into the room, and both looked in her direction. "What seems to be the problem, Dr Corday?" Kerry asked in a mock voice. "I believe we have a five year old who has caught the doctor bug" Elizabeth played along. Josie, who had not picked up on the falsity of the conversation, was now rather scared. "What's the doctor bug?" she asked, fearful of the answer. "When you see too many doctors at once, and then you want to be one!" Elizabeth grinned, and began tickling Josie, who could only squeal laughter. Squirming out of Elizabeth's tickling fingers, Josie ran to her mother. "Are we seeing Clancy now?" Josie asked, her eyes full of excitement. "Yes, if you're done playing with the doctor toys" Kerry replied with a sly grin. "Let's go!" Josie bounded out the doorway and down the corridor.

"You're very good with her" Kerry told Elizabeth as the pair headed back to the admit desk. "It comes with being a doctor" Elizabeth stated, smiling. "As well as having a lot of younger cousins" she added. "Well that explains it" Kerry said. Josie was standing by the desk, trying to reach the stethoscope that lay on top of it. "You know, you're going to have to get her one of those" Elizabeth said, before picking up the stethoscope and placing it in Josie's hands. Kerry threw her hands in the air, bewildered. "Why? Why did I have to show her the world of medicine?" Kerry asked, sighing. "Come on, don't you want to see Clancy?" Kerry asked Josie, who had slung the stethoscope around her neck. "Yes, but I want one of these" Josie nagged. "Look, you can play with mine when we get home" Kerry told her. "But I want this one" Josie whined. "No, Josie" Kerry was stern, and refused to back down to her daughter's complaining.

"But mommy, I want one!" Josie demanded. Her eyes were full of anger and determination, but she didn't understand that no one could beat her mother in an argument. "Josie! Don't be like that! Stop being so bossy!" Kerry did her best not to lose her temper. She was surprised that Josie could be so demanding, but she knew where the temper had come from. Before Josie could sling another scream at her mother, a hideous man came waltzing towards the desk. "What do we have here? Kerry, you never told me you had one of those" Robert Romano declared, studying Josie as though she were an alien from Mars. Josie sent a dirty look to Romano, who tried to work his kindness trick, but failed miserably. "He looks like a weasel with a egg head" Josie remarked, much to the disgust of her mother. "Josie! Don't say things like that!" Kerry exclaimed, escorting Josie towards the door, but not without missing the sniggers from the delighted members of staff.

After the pair had left the ER, Kerry began to punish Josie. She had not let the events with Robert Romano cover up how rude Josie had been minutes before. "You can't be a bossy person. No one likes bossy people" she started. "You're bossy and people like you" Josie retorted. "They only like me because they know I'm your mom and they all like you" Kerry explained. She saw the small smile escape Josie's lips for an instant, but soon disappeared. "And if you're bossy they won’t like you" Kerry continued. After no reaction from Josie, she didn't see the need to continue.

Josie was in full sulking mode now. Her mommy had not given her a 'stefscop', when all she wanted to do was show it to Clancy! "Listen, I'll get you a stethoscope after we see Clancy and his mom" Kerry explained. She watched the grumpy five year old via the rearview mirror. "Hmph" Josie folded her arms and glared at her mom. "I just want to show Clancy" she mumbled, before looking out the window. "Wouldn't you rather have one of your own? Then you could say 'this is my stethoscope' and you could play with it all the time" Kerry tried to compromise with Josie, and her attempts appeared to be working. "Could I get one like Dr Dave's?" Josie asked, now looking hopeful. "You can get any one you want" Kerry replied, pleased that she had turned the situation into a good one. "Now, you have to be a good girl when we see Clancy and his mom" Kerry re-enforced the instruction from that morning. "I will" Josie groaned, sick of hearing the rules.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART 16

After parking the car in a side street, Kerry and Josie waited by the post box. They were there before Georgia and Clancy, mainly because Kerry always preferred to be the first person there if she had done the inviting. "Mommy, when can I get my stefscop?" Josie asked, walking on the edge of the curb. "Soon, baby. Maybe after we see Clancy" Kerry replied, before taking Josie's arm and directing her away from the curb. The wait was only for a few minutes, as Georgia came walking casually around the corner, Clancy by her side. Josie looked, and when she saw him, her face lit up. "Clancy!" she cried, running over to him. Kerry looked to where Georgia stood. 'Typical of John' Blonde, shoulder length hair, deep blue eyes, striking features, tall, slender body. "Hi, I'm Georgia Banks" Georgia walked over to where Kerry stood, and the pair greeted each other with a firm handshake.

Kerry could tell that Georgia hadn't expected Josie's mother to be someone like herself. It was that split instant when Georgia had seen the person that was Josie's mother. Kerry had seen the look of surprise in Georgia's eyes. It had hurt for an instant, too. People always had that moment's look of surprise when they were meeting her for the first time. But Kerry was surprised at the manner in which Georgia dealt with everything. She accepted Kerry for who she was and not how she appeared. Something a lot of people never did. It made the first awkward moments disappear from Kerry's mind, and the pair walked into the cafe.

"Can I take your order?" the waitress was quick to collect orders from the group. Both mothers instantly asked their children what they would like. "What are you having, Clancy?" Josie whispered to the boy sitting opposite her. "What are you having?" Clancy asked back. The pair conferred for a few minutes, and concluded their discussion. "We'd like a piece of chocolate cake and a drink of apple juice each" Clancy announced. "Please" Josie added. Georgia and Kerry smiled at their children, and placed an order for themselves. "It's good to see that Josie has manners. It's something that not many kids have nowadays" Georgia commented. Kerry could only smile at the remark. Josie's manners were obviously picked up from her day with the staff in the ER. "It's good that Clancy is very forward and self-confident" Kerry noted, watching Clancy be the boss.

"So, are you married?" Georgia queried. Kerry let the word 'marriage' bounce around her mind. It had been something she had always hoped for ever since she was a child, but unfortunately that dream had never been fulfilled. "No, unfortunately" Kerry replied abruptly. Georgia noticed the short answer, but did not press her for information. "What about you?" Kerry asked. She could sense that Georgia was one of those people who could blab on for hours about anything. "Clancy's father left me once he found out I was pregnant. He said he didn't wish to have children. But he was only 26 at the time. And I was only 24. We were both so unprepared, but I couldn't bring myself to have an abortion. So I continued on my own, and have somehow managed to survive" Georgia explained. Kerry listened intently to what the woman had to say. 'At least I'm not the only person who had a rotten choice of a father for my child'

"How long have you been in the real estate business?" Kerry asked. After Georgia had openly answered so many questions, Kerry couldn't help but feel slightly guilty. She had been so privative and Georgia had been so open. "I started my own business only a couple of years ago, but I worked with other agencies over four years" Georgia explained. "What about you? John told me you were a doctor. How long have you been in that field?" Georgia asked. Kerry was taken aback. No one had really wanted to talk about her medical career, let alone seem interested. "I've been practicing medicine for almost 12 years" Kerry replied, surprising herself. It hadn't seemed that long ago that she had been a med student. "That is a long time! What is your field?" Georgia queried. "I specialise in emergency medicine" Kerry answered. It was so good to be able to talk to someone who was willing to listen and remain interested!

After the group had finished their snacks, the children had insisted on going to the park. Since the park was only a few blocks away, they decided to walk. Clancy and Josie raced ahead, leaving their mothers to continue their discussion. "It isn't often I meet someone who understands the situation with Clancy" Georgia explained. "No one is perfect" Kerry commented absent-mindedly. "Oh I'm so sorry, how rude of me! What about you? Are you married?" Georgia asked, realising the one question she had not managed to ask. "No, I'm not. Josie's father and I never got married" Kerry replied, making it quite obvious to Georgia that she didn't wish to discuss Paul. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit a rough spot" Georgia apologised. "It's okay. My time with Paul wasn't the best part of my life, that's all" Kerry explained. The pair walked in an awkward silence for the rest of the way.

By the time Georgia and Kerry had reached the park, Clancy and Josie were already running about the playground. "Be careful, Josie" Kerry sang to the girl, who had just slid down the slide. "Yes, mommy" Josie sing-songed back. She was growing tired of hearing her mother constantly telling her 'be careful' and 'be a good girl'. As if she wasn't already! "Clancy, don't you be a bossy britches. Remember, you don't own the playground" Georgia reminded her son. "I know!" he yelled from the top of the monkey bars. Kerry and Georgia took a seat on a bench not far from the playground. "What school are you planning on sending Josie to?" Georgia queried. "I'm hoping to get her into one of the schools within the vicinity of the hospital. You know, just so it would be more convenient" Kerry explained. "I see. I've considered a few, I was hoping to get Clancy into one of the private schools. I just think he needs a strict education" Georgia commented.

"There is one private school that caught my attention. I think it was Lincoln Square. It had some history to it, and a very good program for elementary students" Kerry stated. Georgia nodded thoughtfully. "I've visited so many schools that I can't remember which is which" she said, a hint of laughter in her voice. "Tell me about it" Kerry found herself continuously lying throughout their meeting. 'I shouldn't be lying to her. It will screw things up' Georgia looked about the playground, and when she caught sight of her son, she smiled. "I really would like to see Clancy around a lot more children. He needs to know that he can't always be the boss" Georgia stated. Kerry thought about those words, and it suddenly struck her just how much she had missed out on without Josie around. "It will be good for both of them to have found a friend" Kerry managed to say. Her voice was choked with upsetting anger.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART 17

"What's the matter? Was it something I said? Oh, I'm so sorry" Georgia soon noticed Kerry's watery eyes. Placing a supportive arm around Kerry's shoulder, Georgia asked, "are you okay?" Trying to regain herself, Kerry swallowed the lump in her throat. "I've been so horrid to you. You've been honest, and I haven't even explained the whole situation to you" Kerry sighed, taking in a deep, controlled breath. "Georgia, I have only had Josie with me for two days" Kerry began. "She ran away from her father who lives in Fairbault to find me. I lost custody of Josie when he claimed I was an unfit mother" Kerry explained, speaking slowly if only to control her emotions.

Georgia sat, quietened by what she had heard. 'And I thought I had it tough!' Contemplating what to say next, Georgia's thoughts were interrupted by the heavy spots of rain that landed on her face. She wasn't the only one who had noticed the rain. Two dirty, yet happy children came rushing towards them. "Mommy! It's raining!" Clancy yelled. "Yes, honey. I know its raining" Georgia replied. She noticed pants with the dirty patches that were once cream, and caught sight of the muddy shoes. "Mom, why does it rain?" Clancy transformed into his questionable mood. "I'll tell you later" Georgia replied, and taking his hand, proceeded to run towards a rotunda. "Mommy, I've never seen rain" Josie admitted, looking skyward. It fascinated her how the water came from the clouds, drenching everything it touched. Amid the rain and squealing children, Kerry turned to Josie. "You haven't?" she queried, amazed by the statement. Josie shook her head, before spotting a puddle. Kerry saw the mischievous grin spread across Josie's face, and could only watch as Josie leapt into the muddy puddle.

"Come on Josie!" Kerry beckoned. But Josie refused to budge. She was having too much fun leaping about the puddles and dancing in the rain. Kerry knew that it wasn't going to help Josie health wise at all. "Josephine Weaver, come here right now!" Kerry yelled, her voice stern. The words caught Josie's attention instantly. Sensing that she was being uncooperative, Josie regretfully returned to her mother. "Mommy, my name is Josephine Hughes" Josie corrected. "Not anymore. When you are here with me your name will be Josephine Weaver. It always has been" Kerry stated, still perplexed by Josie's certainty. She was wondering how Josie knew the difference between surnames. Had Paul enforced his surname on her? All Josie could do was shrug her shoulders. Hughes, Weaver, what was the difference? "Kerry, what do you want to do? Should we stay here or head back to the cars?" Georgia interrupted Kerry's thoughts.

The rain eased, and the four decided to return to the cars. The group walked slowly, mainly due to Josie's infatuation with the puddles that covered the footpath. "I think you'll have to get Josie into a swimming club" Georgia commented, watching Josie jump in the puddles. "And I'd say you need to buy Clancy a book about weather" Kerry replied, watching as Clancy looked up to the sky for the hundredth time. "Mommy, where does the rain come from?" Clancy queried, his voice full of innocence. Georgia sighed, wondering why she had such a curious son. "Well, the clouds have water in them, and when they get too full the water runs out. That's when we get rain" Georgia did her best to explain the situation to the boy, who seemed happy with that response.

"Mommy" Josie tugged at Kerry's overcoat. "What is it, honey?" Kerry glanced down to the five year old wearing a satisfied smile. "Can Clancy come back to our house?" Josie asked, her eyes full of hope. "I don't know. Clancy's mom might be too busy" Kerry explained. She watched as Josie's hopes faded, and the smile turned into a look of disappointment. Not wishing to upset Josie anymore, Kerry asked Georgia what she had planned for the rest of the day. "Not much, actually" was the reply. "Would you like to come back to my place? Josie had her heart set on showing Clancy her bedroom" Kerry explained. Georgia liked the sound of that proposal, and agreed to it. "Guess what Clancy? You're coming to my house!" Josie exclaimed, overjoyed. "Now you can show me your cars. I'll bring mine too" Clancy stated, before leaving with his mother. "I'll just follow you, okay?" Georgia stated, before unlocking her car. "That's fine. It isn't too far from here anyway" Kerry said while opening the door for Josie to climb in.

Josie leapt out of the car the instant it pulled up beside the curb. "Hurry up, mommy!" she shrieked, already at the top of the stairs. Kerry lugged her briefcase and Josie's toy bag up the stairs, and proceeded to unlock the door. "Come on Clancy, I'll show you my room!" Josie beckoned, and Clancy obediently followed her upstairs. "Nice place you've got here" Georgia commented, hanging up her overcoat by the door. "Thanks. It isn't a mansion, but it's mine " Kerry stated, before dropping her briefcase into the study. "If ever you're in the market, I'd be happy to help you out. I've got my contacts" Georgia said with a sly grin. "I'll keep that in mind. Would you like a coffee?" Kerry asked as she entered the kitchen. "Yes, thanks" Georgia replied absently, too busy absorbing the new environment she was in. "Hey, isn't that John?" Georgia queried, intently studying the photo that was on the fridge. "Yes, it is. John stayed with me for a few months" Kerry explained while boiling the kettle. "Do you mean to tell me that you got rid of him?" Georgia exclaimed, disbelief covering her face. Kerry just nodded, not wishing to enter the details of the abrupt departure of John Carter.

"I'm meeting John tonight. His shift finishes at 7 o'clock. We're going to have dinner and a bit of a chat" Georgia stated, collecting her mug from the bench top. "That's nice" Kerry replied, hoping that the slight jealousy she had towards Georgia wasn't obvious. But, after the logic returned, Kerry banished the jealousy. 'As if John would even glance at someone like me when he can have someone like Georgia' There was a shrill scream that obviously belonged to Josie, which was followed with the thundering of feet down stairs. "Mommy! There's a monster in my closet!" Josie shrieked, obviously terrified. Kerry placed her coffee on the table, as did Georgia. "Clancy, have you been telling fibs again?" Georgia marched upstairs, ready to give her son a stern talking to. "There's no such thing as monsters, Josie" Kerry took Josie's hand in hers, and the pair followed Georgia upstairs.

Upon entering Josie's bedroom, Kerry watched as Georgia had a stern talk with Clancy. "Sweetie, I've told you before that you shouldn't lie. There are no such things as monsters and it isn't nice to fib" Georgia explained. Clancy put his sincere look into action. "But mommy, I was just playing!" Clancy whined, turning foul. "Okay, that’s it. Get your cars, Clancy. We're going now" Georgia stated, standing firm. Clancy gasped, but knew that he was in deep trouble. "No, mommy. I'm sorry. I was just being stupid" Clancy said honestly. Georgia saw the true sincerity in his eyes, and wished she could allow him to stay for a few more hours. "Clancy, I'm sure you were. But we've got to go now anyway. You're going to grandma's house tonight, aren't you?" Georgia asked, her voice bubbly. Clancy thought hard, before remembering. "Can we see Josie tomorrow?" Clancy asked hopefully. Georgia looked to Kerry, who mouthed 'no' to her. "I'm afraid not, sweetie. Josie's mom has to work and so do I" Georgia explained to her son.

"Bye Clancy" Josie waved to Clancy from the steps. "Bye Josie! I'll see you later!" Clancy stuck his head out the window and waved back. As the car rolled down the street, Josie looked to her mother, a questionable look covering her youthful face. "Mommy" she began, "what is at school?" Kerry knew that Clancy would have been raving about starting elementary school, and poor Josie wouldn't have had the slightest idea what he was talking about. "Well, why don't we go inside first, and then I'll tell you about it" Kerry suggested, noting the setting sun. It would be time to start tea, giving her the perfect opportunity to explain to Josie the wonderful world of schooling.

Following dinner and a bath, Josie was tucked away in bed, fast asleep. There was so much work to be done. The trial was set to be on the 4th of December. Three weeks from that day. Kerry flipped through the mountains of paperwork and proceedings that the trial would soon begin. Recommendations, suggestions, do's and dont's. Kerry began to do a lot of thinking about the possible outcomes from the trial. 'What happens if I win this?' There were so many preparations that would need to be taken care of when Kerry won the case. She had taken to using the positive form instead of being doubtful. Kerry pushed the folios on court proceedings to the back of the desk, and opened a folder containing various brochures. "So many schools, so little time" Kerry murmured to herself as she read the information. She knew she had to make a decision as to which school Josie would attend. Enrolments for the next school year were about to begin, and Kerry had hoped to get Josie into the school a few blocks from the hospital.

After two hours of steady reading on school information and court proceedings, Kerry decided that it might be an idea to get some sleep. Her intentions on taking the next three weeks off would hopefully be fine, but some things were easier said than done when it came to the ER. While passing Josie's bedroom, Kerry caught the sound of a scuffle. Thinking the worst, Kerry burst through the door to find Josie tossing and turning in her bed. "No…I didn't do it" Josie mumbled. "Don't daddy! Leave me alone!" her voice changed to a shrill cry. "Aaahhh!" Josie screamed, absolutely terrified. Kerry rushed to the bed and gently wrapt her arms around Josie's sweaty body. "It's okay baby, you're safe now. Don't be scared" Kerry rocked Josie in her arms, gently stroking her damp hair. After regaining her sense of orientation, Josie soon realised where she was. And with that, she broke into a quiet sob.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART 18

Three weeks later…

"I'd like to call Dr Luka Kovac to the stand" the defendant's lawyer stated. Luka stood, and walked to the stand. His footsteps echoed through the silent room. "Dr Kovac, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" the juror asked, holding the bible in front of where Luka stood. He placed his right hand on the leather cover, and replied, "I do". Luka took a seat, and waited for the interrogation to begin. "Dr Kovac, were you the first doctor to see Josephine Hughes in the ER at Cook County General Hospital?" the woman asked. "Yes, I was. Josie was brought in by paramedics and I treated her" Luka replied. "And what were your findings that day?" the lawyer queried. "Josie was suffering from slight dehydration and hypothermia. She was alert but disoriented, that could be owing to reasons other than medical" Luka answered.

…"While examining Miss Hughes, did you find evidence of the bruising that Dr Weaver claims?" the lawyer was in full interrogation mode after having Luka on the stand for over half an hour. "I did see the bruises when Josie was admitted. Only I chose not to say anything because I didn't see it as an enormous concern at the time" Luka replied, his temper boiling. He had never liked lawyers, they were such rude people. "Did you make a statement on the chart?" the woman continued. "No I didn't" Luka replied, soon realising his mistake. "So there is no evidence to support you seeing the bruises?" the lawyer paced the floor in front of Luka. "I saw them. And you can't tell me that I didn't " Luka glared at the woman, who returned the glare. "I'm finished with this witness, your honour" the lawyer stated, before returning to her position behind the table.

Mark Greene nervously twiddled his thumbs, tensely sitting in the stand. "Dr Greene. You made a statement to the police on November 7th, claiming you found Mr Hughes inside Dr Weaver's home. Is this correct?" the lawyer began. "I did find him there. He was harassing both Dr Weaver and Josie" Mark stated. He knew that if he were to state too much, his words could be easily manipulated. "What state do you believe Mr Hughes was in at that time?" the woman queried. "He was drunk, there was no doubting it" Mark replied. "Was he in any way physically abusing Dr Weaver or Miss Hughes?" the lawyer asked.

"He had become physically violent towards Dr Weaver, and I believe he most likely would have done the same to Josie" Mark answered. "Apparently you attacked Mr Hughes. Is this true?" the lawyer began her interrogation. "Yes, it is true. Mr Hughes was, in my opinion, using violent acts that would cause both physical and mental problems for Dr Weaver and Miss Hughes. Both were terrified and I believe that I did what needed to be done" Mark stood by his beliefs. "Have you any evidence to support Dr Weaver and Dr Kovac in both their claims of bruising to Miss Hughes?" the lawyer asked, standing boldly in front of Mark. "I saw the bruises myself. Josie admitted to me that it was her father was the one who caused the bruises" Mark stated. "That's a lie!" Paul Hughes yelled accusingly. He had been quiet throughout most of the trial, that was until now. "Be quiet please, Mr Hughes" the judge stated, stern and demanding.

There were no words to describe how nervous Kerry was. She sat quietly, listening intently to the stories that many close companions were telling. Kerry couldn't believe that she had so many people willing to stand for her. 'I guess they all really care about me' It wasn't that she didn't believe they cared for her, because she herself had had a place in her heart that felt for Doug Ross. Although the pair bickered whenever they met, Kerry would have been supportive of him if the need had arisen. 'That is, only if I knew he wasn't guilty' Mark had been such a great person, he had taken all the rubbish that Kerry often threw at him, and he still supported her. Quite often she knew full well that Mark wouldn't tolerate the things she said to him, but he carried on. He was an admirable person who had enough dignity to help someone who he had battled against from day one. All those times that Kerry had manipulated him, turned against him. Yet he continued to assist her.

'I wonder what Josie is up to' Kerry thought to the events that occurred earlier that day. She remembered how Josie had howled when Kerry had tried to explain that she couldn't stay with her. "But mommy! That's what the good man's doing! So why can't I stay?" Josie wailed. "Listen, sweetie. You might have to talk to some good people about what you want to do. When they ask you questions, tell them the truth" Kerry had told her. She watched as Josie's anger turned to sadness. Her emotions were quite obvious, her eyes telling the story. Before Josie burst out into tears, Kerry told her, "now you be strong. You have to be a big girl, and be brave" Josie forced back the tears that welled in her eyes, before hugging her mother tightly. She understood how important that day was going to be, and that that moment may be the last time she would see her mother. As Josie was led away by a carer, Kerry felt her heart break. The little girl that should have been in her arms from the beginning could be taken away from her, once again.

After a recess, the judge returned to the court room to watch the plaintiff work his magic. Kerry watched as Richard Andrews put his many years of acquired skill to work. He took over the floor and paced the area in front of the stand. "Is it true that you had a romantic relationship with Mr Hughes?" Richard demanded, never breaking eye contact with the woman who sat in the box. "That is rubbish! I have never had any relationship with Paul other than business" the woman whined. Kerry knew that she was definitely Paul's type. Sleazy, trashy and dumb. 'I wonder what he saw in me' Contemplating that thought, Kerry shuddered. 'But then again, what did I see in him' Richard continued to interrogate the woman, his blue eyes slicing into the woman's mind. "Ms Walker, how often did you see Josie? Maybe once, possibly even twice a month? I bet you didn't even know Mr Hughes had a daughter. Were you aware of his situation?" Richard demanded, his voice deep and stern.

"I happened to know that Paul had a daughter. I saw her once or twice a week, actually. I often looked after her" Tami Walker replied, acting the intellect. "But didn't you just tell the court that you only had a business relationship with Mr Hughes? Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't businesspeople only confront each other in the office, not the bedroom?" Richard pushed Tami to the limit. "Alright! I did have a romantic relationship with Paul" Tami sighed, exasperated. She knew that Paul had lost one of his chances now. "That is all I need from you. Thankyou Miss Walker" and with that, Richard dismissed her. Tami slinked away from the box, and sat down next to Paul. It was obvious that she wanted to snuggle with him, and the pout on her face was the proof.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART 19

The tension within the court room was unbearable. Kerry could see how nervous everyone looked. 'They look about as nervous as I feel' Her palms were sweaty and her heart was thumping a million miles an hour. The room was so silent that if a pin were dropped, it would echo about the room like a smashed mug. Kerry watched as the verdict was passed over to the judge. He took a sip of water, and Kerry felt herself grow more and more anxious. It was quite obvious that he was stalling for time. The envelope was opened, the sound of paper tearing reminding Kerry of how her heart would feel if she lost this battle. The judge cleared his throat, and drew in a breath of air. "After hearing from both sides in this court room, and listening to many happenings throughout the past 5 years, the court has come to a verdict" the judge stated. He retrieved his gold rimmed spectacles from the desk before him, and proceeded to place them on his prominent nose.

"The court has decided to rule in favour of Mr Paul Hughes" the judge announced, his face unreadable for expression. Kerry felt the ground fall from beneath her. 'How could this happen?' Paul stood, a broad smile covering his face. He turned to shake hands with his lawyer. Kerry watched distastefully as he kissed Tami, both of them extremely pleased with the verdict. Kerry was speechless. There was nothing more she could do. All was lost. "No! I won't allow this! It isn't fair!" Kerry shrieked, tears rolling down her cheeks. All she wanted to do was slap Paul and return home with Josie. But that was not possible. She collapsed in a heap on the table in front of her. Kerry sobbed, both anger and sadness filling her. Paul walked past, Tami by his side.

"I knew you never stood a chance" he spat, a dirty grin on his face. "If you ever come near us again I will have you arrested" Paul stated. Kerry didn't understand. She hadn't gone anywhere near Paul! "But…but" was all that she could say. 'Why can't I tell everyone the truth?' He walked away, pulling Tami into his arms. Standing, Kerry turned to say something to Paul. Only her body refused to cooperate. Her mind was demanding that she chase after him and maul him into an unrecognisable pulp, yet her body was set on remaining in that same position, refusing to talk. "I hate you!" Kerry managed to scream. "I don't care! You can keep on hating me because I have your daughter" Paul smirked. "You don’t love her!" Kerry cried. Everything seemed to be lost. "But I can give her time! In her eyes, time is more important than love" Paul said in a haunting voice before stepping out the door.

Being suddenly jerked back to reality, Kerry sat up, struggling for air. The sheets were twisted and her damp hair was matted to her forehead. 'It was a dream' "It was a dream" Kerry said, if only to reassure herself. Climbing out of bed, Kerry stood on shaky legs. She retrieved her cane which leant against the bedside table. Pulling on her slippers, Kerry silently headed down the hallway. She opened the door, which creaked open on worn out hinges. She flipped on the light switch which sent a warm glow over the bedroom. Kerry heaved a sorrowful sigh, looking at the bed which lay empty. "Oh, Josie. You have to understand I love you more than anything in the world" Kerry murmured, walking over to the bed. She picked up the doll that laid on the bed. It was at that instant that Kerry realised just how much Josie had become a major part of her life.

Returning to her bed, Kerry was now unable to settle back down. The dream had held a meaning. With love, time was needed. If Kerry wasn't able to give Josie the time that she needed, the love would go unnoticed. It would ultimately come down to the choice between the job or Josie. There were some things in life that just weren't fair. Kerry loved both greatly, her rise to power in the ER proving to be a real achievement in her career. Yet Josie was the one part of her life that could never be equalled. Kerry knew the time would come to make the choice. And in her heart she already knew which road she would choose.

The shadows played on the walls, the streetlight casting a glow through the window. Kerry looked over to the photo that rested on her bedside table. The portraits that had been taken a couple of weeks ago had turned out perfectly. Josie wore her yellow and white checked dress, her hair resting just below her shoulders. The smile was what really seized Kerry's eyes though. It was the exact smile that Paul had. 'It was the smile. I adored his smile' Kerry reminisced the day when Paul came into the emergency room that afternoon. He had felt foolish after falling off the ladder while painting his house. The jokes he cracked were pathetic, but the smile compensated for that. Kerry just gazed at the photo, her heart yearning to have the perfect creation known as Josie in her life forever.

'It's strange not to be woken up by Josie' Kerry dragged herself out of bed, knowing that today was judgement day. It could be the end of the world as she knew it. And it all came down to a man who didn't know the truth behind the lives of Paul Hughes and herself. The judge didn't understand what had occurred previous to Josie's birth. It wasn't Kerry felt those details weren't significant to the court case, it was the fact that she didn't dare mention them, for fear of Paul being manipulative. Kerry knew he had behavioural problems, they were so severe that they could easily fit into the category of spilt personality. The previous court case hadn't been lost because they believed Paul was the better parent. Paul's abusive ways had left her so altered that it came across as if she was an unfit parent.

The all important day had only just begun yet Kerry was feeling weary already. After showering, Kerry dressed in her favourite power demanding beige suit. It not only emitted the respect that Kerry often demanded, but left her feeling confident and in control. The house lay silent, the emptiness being so lonely. Kerry almost expected Josie to come bounding down the stairs and running towards the TV. It was a regular morning occurrence now. Gone were the days of eating alone, reading the newspaper while sipping coffee. The routine in the morning for the past three weeks had been to be woken up by Josie, before eating a breakfast that usually was filled with questions from a very curious five year old.

After eating breakfast, Kerry sat down and carefully read over the proceedings that would take place within the court room that day. It was the day of the verdict, and Kerry knew that. She already sensed the emptiness of the house without Josie in it. The silence was enclosed by the walls which had housed a happy five year-old for three weeks. Over those three weeks so many changes had taken place that Kerry barely had time to notice. The changes had not only occurred within the physical structure of the house, but the changes that had taken place in Kerry herself were obvious. Kerry felt at ease when she spoke to her staff. She knew that she had a different respect for them now than she had three weeks ago. They also treated her in a different manner nowadays. The turn of events had been changed by one very special little girl that Kerry not only desperately wanted, but needed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART 20

"John, I’m so glad you could make it" Kerry said to John who sat down behind her. "I hope it goes well. I know you'll win" John stated, giving Kerry's hand a supportive squeeze. Kerry couldn't believe that so many people had managed to make it to the courtroom. John, Dave, Elizabeth, Luka, Abby, Mark. All these people that she could be so horrid to cared obviously a great deal about her. Richard Andrews took a sip of water, before starting a quiet discussion with his client. "Listen, Kerry. If we don't win, I don't want you to lash out or become irrational. I know that you can, and most likely will" Richard began. He watched Kerry's facial expressions, which showed she was disgusted. "I won't have to lash out. We are going to win this" Kerry told him determinedly.

There was silence throughout the courtroom. The final questions had been asked, and the court was ready to pass down a verdict to the judge. There were many things that had to be taken into consideration, Josie's best interests being the most vital. Kerry was terrified to say the least. Her palms were sweaty, and her stomach was twisting furiously. 'This is eerily like my dream' The similarities were not too comforting. Kerry's heart rate increased when the judge cleared his throat, sounding very similar as it had in her imaginary outcome of the day. "After hearing from all in this court room, the court has agreed to a verdict" Kerry nearly died. The words he so confidently stated practically matched those from her dream.

Kerry's stomach churned. She felt as though her knees were about to buckle beneath her. The judge picked up his chunky black glasses, that were thankfully not gold, and shifted in his red leather seat. Kerry watched, her heart drumming violently, as the judge slid his thumb under the fold of the paper. The opening of paper sliced through the air. After a few seconds of reading the brief statement on the paper, a smile twinged on the judge's wrinkle covered face. Kerry's heart jumped to her throat, her legs suddenly feeling like jelly. Who's side was he on? Was that smile meant for herself or Paul? Kerry felt as if she were riding a rollercoaster, her stomach flipping and her feet gaining the feeling of free-fall. Kerry sucked in a breath of air, said a quick, silent prayer, and readied herself for the outcome.

"We have decided to rule in favour of the of the plaintiff. Dr Kerry Weaver, you have full custody of Josephine Hughes. Congratulations" the words that sounded from the judge's deep voice were the words that Kerry wanted to hear. A broad smile covered her face, as she turned to shake the hand of her successful lawyer. "Told you we'd win" Kerry said, giving Richard a sly look. "I never doubted it. Would you like me to follow up on Paul's little accounting incident?" Richard queried, to which Kerry nodded. "I'd love to hear the outcome. Hope he gets busted for that too" she replied, her heart soaring. 'I've never felt so on top of the world' Turning to see the faces of her delighted co-workers, Kerry welcomed the kind words and handshakes. "I'm so happy for you!" Elizabeth cried, delighted. "Well done, Kerry" Mark smiled warmly, knowing that justice had been served.

John leaned over the railing, and grabbed Kerry in a welcoming embrace. "I knew you could do it" he told her. "Thankyou, John. I can't believe it" Kerry stammered, still unable to come to terms with her victory. "Well you better start believing" John grinned cheekily, and received a playful slap on the arm. He knew that Josie would bring out the softer side in Kerry Weaver that he was fortunate enough to know. "Excuse me, Dr Weaver?" the judge had stepped down from his position and now ambled over to where the victorious side stood. "You're daughter is waiting for you" the judge announced, his face very serious looking. "Thankyou very much" Kerry said elatedly. "You're quite welcome. Congratulations" the judge then proceeded to shake hands with Kerry. "So" Dave stated, approaching his boss, a cheeky grin spread across his face. "Party at your house?"

The room was very quiet, considering the five year old who sat contently on a chair. "Time to go home, Josie" Kerry stated, the warmth in her voice evident. Josie snapped her head to the door, and her face lit up at who she saw. "Mommy!" she leapt up from the chair where she sat and raced towards where Kerry stood. Josie flung her arms around Kerry's legs. She looked up at her mother, eyes full of innocence. "Am I going to your home forever?" Josie asked, cheeks rosy red. "Yes, baby. You and me are gonna be together for a long time" Kerry told her, before lifting her into her arms. Josie wrapt her arms around her mother's neck, never wanting to be alone again. She was aware that her mom wasn't like all other people's mom's. But that didn't bother Josie. She knew that it didn't matter. "You're the best mommy in the world" Josie whispered in Kerry's ear, before giggling with delight.

"When can I see Uncle John?" Josie asked from the back seat. Kerry was quite bemused by the question. Who was Uncle John? "Who's Uncle John, honey?" Kerry asked the girl. "You know, from your work. He's my Uncle now" Josie stated. She continued to look out the window at the passing neighbourhood, knowing that it would be her home from now on. "Why?" Kerry queried. She wanted to know where the 'Uncle' thing had come from. It was interesting that Josie was going to think of John as an Uncle, and probably adopt a few Aunts along the way. "Maria said that family is people who love each other. And I love John, so is he family?" Josie asked, her attention now on an answer.

Kerry knew Maria was the carer that Josie was placed with for the few days of the trial. But it was unusual to have had a question like that come up. 'Well, she doesn't have any other relatives, so I guess it couldn't hurt' Kerry contemplated the reasons to say yes or no, and made her decision. "I guess he's your Uncle. Does that mean that Elizabeth is your Aunt?" Kerry asked, quite enjoying hearing the thoughts of her five year old. Josie thought about that one. She was obviously debating the options of who Elizabeth could be. "No, Lizbef is my big sister" Josie stated proudly. Kerry grinned, wondering how someone so young could figure out things that she wouldn't have learnt from her father.

Later that night, when the pair were eating lasagne, which was now Josie's favourite food, a few questions arose. "Mommy, why did you go?" Josie asked, wiping her mouth with her shirt sleeve. Kerry, who tried to ignore the shirt that was now spattered with chunks of meat and sauce, attempted to answer the question. "Well, baby, when you were born, daddy didn't want to share you with me" Kerry began. 'What a topic to try and explain' "So he got some people to tell me I had to go away" Kerry left out the parts that Josie didn't need to hear. "Like the people who got me to stay with you forever?" Josie queried, taking a sip of water. "Yes, like those people. If I could have stayed, you know I would have. I was so sad when I didn't get to see you anymore" Kerry told her. She was determined to make sure that Josie knew that she hadn't left because she'd wanted to.

"What was it like when I was borned?" Josie asked, now sitting in the bath. She had her yellow rubber ducky and green frog, along with an assortment of plastic bath toys floating about the bubbly water. "It was a very cold day, and I was at home" Kerry began. She saw the shudder visibly wash over Josie's body. The mention of 'the place' brought so many bad memories back for both of them. "Daddy was at work and then you decided you wanted to be born" Kerry had a difficult time trying to adapt to kid language. It meant using little words and explaining topics in an easy manner. "Did I hurt?" Josie asked, a pang of worry on her face. "All babies hurt when they want to be born. But all the hurt was worth it" Kerry said, kissing Josie on the forehead. "Come on, out you get" Kerry helped Josie climb out of the bath, then towelled her dry. "You didn't finish the rest of the story" the girl whined as she pulled on her pyjamas.

"Daddy came home, and he took me to the hospital" Kerry said, leading Josie to her bedroom. "To your hospital?" Josie asked. Kerry laughed, imagining what that would have been like. "No, to the hospital at daddy's home" she explained, before flicking on the light in Josie's room. "Then what happened?" Josie asked, intent on hearing all of the story. "Well, you were born pretty soon after" Kerry concluded the story, knowing that Josie wasn't satisfied with just that. "Was I cute?" she asked with a coy grin. "Of course you were! And you always will be" Kerry replied, before grabbing Josie in a big hug. "I love you, Josephine. You're the most important thing to me in the world" Kerry told her, sudden images of her dream flashing by. "I love you too, mommy" Josie replied, returning the hug.

Returning to her own room, Kerry was in deep thought. She knew that there was a big decision that needed to be made. After changing into her pyjamas and doing her teeth, Kerry pulled back the doona and climbed wearily into bed. The minutes ticked by, but she just couldn't sleep. Kerry stared at the roof, just thinking. Taking a deep breath, Kerry began to speak. "Okay, God, I know that I don't do this often, but I need your help. I promise to try to be a nicer person, and I promise that I won't be too critical on everyone. But you have to help me with this" Kerry paused, gathering her thoughts. "I need you to help guide me, help me make the right decisions. I'm all on my own and trying to raise my daughter. It's gonna be hard, I know, but I just need to know that you're going to watch over me, and help me make the right decisions. Please always look over my Josie, and protect her from anything that could happen. I'm trusting you on this one. Thankyou" surprisingly, Kerry felt a lot better after speaking all her thoughts out aloud. And not long after, she soon drifted off to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHAPTER 21

That morning, Kerry was scheduled to return to work. She dreaded going back, but knew that she would be unable to get out of her duties. Not surprisingly, Kerry found Josie sleeping next to her, blankets thrown everywhere. Josie was actually awake already, which surprised Kerry. She knew that Josie was an early riser, but to be up before she was? Kerry saw the look of deep concentration on Josie's face. "What are you thinking about?" Kerry asked. "I wonder what daddy's doing" Josie pondered. It really hurt Kerry to think that Josie was still thinking of the man. She knew that he was her father and nothing would ever change that, but after all the things he did…"I bet he's wishing you were there" Kerry replied, not knowing whether the words she had spoken were appropriate. "I don't want to be with him. I want to be with you" Josie stated, before crawling out from beneath the mangled sheets. Once again, Kerry's decision had arisen.

"Jose, I have to go to work today" Kerry said to the girl from the kitchen. Josie came running around the corner, a green jumper on back to front and blue pants that were inside out. "Really? So I get to see Uncle John?!" Josie asked, obvious excitement in her voice. "Well, for a few minutes. You are going to daycare with all the other children" Kerry explained, waiting for the outburst. "Other kids?" Josie asked, that distant, thoughtful expression once again on her face. "Can we go now?" Josie nagged, tugging at Kerry's shirt. "Not yet. You have to get dressed" Kerry stated. "But I am dressed" Josie remarked. "Wearing a jumper back to front and pants inside out? I don't think so" Kerry shook her head, a teasing smile on her face. "Whoops!" Josie realised her mistake and raced to her bedroom to get changed.

"Come on, Josie!" Kerry yelled from the lounge room. She watched as Josie came tearing down the stairs, backpack slung over her shoulder. "What have you got in your bag?" Kerry asked, curious to know what the girl had gathered. "Some cars and Matilda" Josie replied. "I got dressed again" Josie added, twirling around to let her mother see her skilled dress sense. Kerry studied Josie up and down, and found something that wasn't quite right. "Well…there is one little thing" Kerry mentioned, before sitting Josie down on the couch. "You've got your boots on the wrong feet" Kerry said with a slight laugh, noticing how odd it looked. "This is your right shoe, and it goes on your right foot" Kerry helped Josie change her shoes over. "And this is your left foot. Your left foot goes in your left shoe" Kerry explained. Josie nodded in thought, and intently observed her mother's teachings.

The car had a slight covering of frost over it, and the morning air was chilly. Winter had definitely arrived in Chicago. Kerry unlocked the car and opened the door for Josie to clamber inside. Putting the key into ignition, Kerry attempted to start the car, to no avail. The engine tried in vain to start itself to life, but the cold had taken the life from it. "Damned car!" Kerry cursed, before slamming her hand into the steering wheel. "Mommy, don't get cross" Josie said innocently from the backseat. "We can take the train" she stated, before returning her backpack to her shoulder. Kerry sighed in defeat. There was no point in calling for roadside assistance, they'd take ages to get there. Josie always seemed to come up with the logical reasoning, something that Kerry often ignored. "Okay then, it looks like we're taking the el" heaving her briefcase and handbag off the passenger seat, Kerry locked up the car and returned the keys to her handbag.

"Mommy, how does the train work?" Josie asked absently while gazing out the window. "Well" Kerry began. She had never understood why Josie needed to know everything about everything, and all the questions often became too much. "The el, or the train as you call it, runs on tracks. The driver is at the front and he drives the train" Kerry did her best to explain the mechanics of the el, but struggled to tell it in 5 year old talk. "Does it drive like a car drives?" Josie once again queried. "Yes, just the same" Kerry gave up, letting Josie believe what she wished. Her concept was roughly the same, so the conversation ended at that. "Mommy" Josie began. "What, Josie" Kerry heaved an almighty sigh. 'This is going to be a long day'

The el was packed by the time Kerry and Josie had reached their stop. Fighting her way out, Kerry nearly lost Josie several times before the pair managed to burst out onto the platform. "You can visit Uncle John for a little while" Kerry told Josie, who showed her joy with a smile. Kerry thought, and suddenly something struck her. "What is Dave? Is he an Uncle to?" she asked Josie, who was dawdling behind. "Um, he's my big brother. Only the fun people get to be my brothers and sisters" Josie explained. Kerry grinned, amused with Josie's way of clarifying things. "Well, you can stop by for a few minutes before I take you to daycare" Kerry stated. It seemed queer how she could go from being completely infuriated about something one minute, and be quite pleasant the next. "You know what, Jose? You're the only person who can make me happy" Kerry told the girl, who was now skipping beside her. "Really?! I'm special then, aren't I?" Josie asked, her brown eyes sparkling. "You're very special. Don't ever forget that" Kerry told Josie, who smiled pleasantly.

"Mommy, where do the ambulances go when they give you a patient?" Josie asked, spotting an ambulance parked by the entrance to the ER. "Well, you can ask one of the paramedics that later" Kerry told Josie, who frowned. "What's a paramedic?" Josie questioned, sounding out the word 'paramedic' slowly. "The person who drives the ambulance" Kerry told her. "Oh. Okay" Josie nodded, thinking about what she had just learnt. It seemed strange that Kerry was still teaching Josie about facts of life that she should have already known. But the advantage to being able to teach her anything was that Kerry could do it properly. Give Josie the proper values and teach her how to respect others. "Now, remember. You can't run away from me. If you do, you'll be in trouble" Kerry firmly explained this to Josie. "I know, mommy. You says that all the time when we come here" Josie part whined. She was obviously growing tired of her mother's constant nagging. The pair stepped through the bay doors and into the ER…

"CONGRATULATIONS!" everyone cried. Josie screamed, and hid behind her mother, terrified. Kerry was quite taken aback, and didn't know what to say. Before she did say anything, though, she wanted to explain another thing to Josie. "Jose, it's okay. This is a happy time" Kerry simplified the term into five year old talk. The pair had already been through the difference between 'happy time' and 'bad time', so Josie understood quite easily. Josie walked towards the desk, and climbed up on top of it. "Thankyou" she said, looking at all the people who stood before her. "I got you something" John pulled a long box from his pocket. Josie tore the paper off, and removed the lid from the box. She gasped in awe at what was inside. "Thankyou Uncle John!!" she screamed, and wrapt the stethoscope around her neck.

"But I'm not your Uncle" John stated, quite confused. "Yes you are. Family is people you love. And I love you. You're all my Aunts and Uncles!" Josie squealed, grinning with delight. Mark waltzed up to Kerry, and gave a quiet chuckle. "You'll have a hell of a time keeping the boys away from her" he joked. Both watched the scene before them, Josie ripping into boxes and finding them filled with lovely presents for her. Kerry turned to Mark, her face serious. "Mark, I'm quitting as Chief" she told him straightforwardly. Mark, who was quite shocked, did not know what to say. "My job was my life. But now that I have Josie, I don't need to live for my job" Kerry explained. Mark nodded thoughtfully. "You're not quitting completely, are you? You will stay in the ER?" he asked, a tinge of worry on his face.

"I'm going to stay here, hopefully I'll be able to return to being an attending" Kerry added, taking out her letter to give to Romano. "My, my, I never thought I'd ever hear Kerry Weaver saying she didn't need her job" Mark joked. "Well, I'm a changed person now. Don't expect to be seeing the old me ever again" she told him with a tantalising grin. "Dr Malucci, can I trust you with my daughter?" Kerry asked the man, who was busy playing with a red convertible car that Josie had received. Dave straightened up, and sent a mock salute her way. "Of course you can, Chief" he grinned, before returning to the cars. 'You won't be calling me that for much longer' Kerry took the elevator up to Robert Romano's office, not knowing what to expect. The storm would be brewing, and soon would be in full force.

"Ah, Kerry. Take a seat, please" Romano welcomed Kerry into his office with open arms. Little did he know, though, that his mood would be turned upside down with the news he was about to receive. "Robert, I'm quitting as Chief" Kerry stated, handing him the letter she had typed up the night before. Romano sat, straight faced and quiet. "I…I don't know what to say" he stammered, reading over the letter. "Why?" Romano looked up from his reading. "There are more important things in my life. If you'll allow me to continue as an attending, I will. But if not, I will leave" Kerry told him sternly. She wanted to pressure him to the very limit. Knowing he wouldn't want to lose her as a doctor, Kerry's last statement really sent him off. Romano sat, thinking about his options. "The ER won't be the same without you running it" he said regretfully. The pair shook on it, and Kerry stood to leave. "Thankyou, Robert" she told him. He nodded, a smile on his rigid face.

The shift soon ended, and Kerry returned to the daycare centre to collect Josie. "Look what I drawed for you mommy!" Josie squealed when Kerry stepped through the door. Studying the painting, Kerry struggled to identify what exactly it was that she was looking at. "What is it, honey?" she asked, seeing the look of disappointment on Josie's face. "It's me, and you, and that's a yellow flower and there's a cloud" Josie sighed, wishing that her mother had been able to understand the picture. "Oh! I see it now! Is that our house?" Kerry asked, hoping that the square with circles in it was what she though. "Yes" Josie nodded, pleased. The pair exited the building, and as they boarded the el, Josie ever so quietly asked, "mommy, do I have a song?"

"What do you mean, a song?" Kerry asked, the pair now seated and on their way home. "Well, Jamie says he's got a song, and so does his sister. So I want a song" Josie replied adamantly. In deep thought, Kerry pondered what she meant exactly by 'a song'. "I still don't understand what you're saying. What sort of song?" Kerry asked, her nerves becoming tested. Josie rolled her eyes, the impatience that her mother felt had obviously been handed down to her. "A song. Jamie's mom gave him a song, and it's his special song" Josie sighed. "Okay, I understand now. A song, a song" Kerry couldn't think of anything that really suited Josie as a song. There was one song though, from a CD she'd purchased only a few months ago…

Josie tottered back downstairs and flopped onto the couch. "Mommy, have you got my song yet?" she nagged, desperate to hear her song. "Be patient!" Kerry told her, but inwardly laughed at herself. 'Be patient. That would have to be the understatement of the year, especially coming from me' The CD's were scattered across the floor, Kerry very angry that she hadn't been able to find it straight away. "Aha!" she cried triumphantly when the CD she was after finally appeared. Josie leapt up off the couch and ran to where her mother stood. "What is it? Can I hear it?" Josie asked, extremely excited. Kerry loaded the CD into the stereo, and leading Josie back to the couch, lifted her into her lap. "Now, you just listen, and I'll tell you why later" Kerry told her, wrapping her arms around Josie.

Whenever I awake, I see your face
You start to smile, without a care to hide
Each day that you live, you learn and grow
You look at life with endless joy inside

All that I have
All that I know
Won't mean a thing without you here

Your love is a miracle
I can't believe your here with me
There's no more dreams to find
Your love's a miracle to me

"Oh, mommy. That's a pretty song" Josie smiled happily. "Don't you ever forget that. Those words are very true" Kerry told Josie. "What do you mean?" Josie asked, her eyes sincere. "I love you, Josie. Don't you ever, ever forget that. You're more important to me than anything else in the world" Kerry said, hugging her daughter tightly. She couldn't help but notice the tears that welled in her eyes. To have the little girl in her arms meant more than anything ever had before. "I love you too, mommy" Josie said. "Don't ever leave me again" she whispered. "I promise I won't, baby. I promise" Kerry felt the tears spill down her cheeks. The world couldn't have been a better place, and things were only going to get better from that moment on.

THE END