Disclaimer: This ER/X Files fanfiction has a disclaimer to: Michael Crichton, Chris Carter, Constant C Productions, 10/13 Productions, Amblin Entertainment, Warner Brothers Entertainment, 20^th Century Fox Entertainment. A section from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, was borrowed as well. No harm is ever meant to any of the characters from my two beloved shows. Now, this was written during season four, and there are no spoilers that are drastic. Dedicated to the child inside all of us. Enjoy!

What If?

By Casey

"Special Agent Fox Mulder, FBI" a tall man flashed a badge at the security guard standing at the bay doors. "We came as soon as we heard" his partner, Special Agent Dana Scully added, also showing her ID. "God, that's it, I'm going home" the large man groaned, and left hurriedly. "The snow is pretty heavy" Mulder stated. "Thanks for the tip" the guard said sarcastically. "They are predicting a snow storm," Scully added, backing Mulder up. "I couldn't care less. I've been here for 13 hours. I just want to leave" the security guard grabbed his jacket. "Have a merry Christmas" Mulder and Scully called as the guard left in a huff. "Could it really be that bad?" Scully asked. "I don't know" Mulder replied. "Okay, we are looking for...who was it...? Three attendings, a head nurse, a doctor, an intern, a physician assistant, and two surgeons?" Mulder asked. "Yep. Nine staff members have been affected" Scully read out of the case folder.

A six-year old girl came tearing down the corridor, her curly black hair tied back with a green ribbon, and a red Christmas hat pulled over her head. "I bet that's one of them," Mulder said, setting off after her. Scully stood, confused at the admit desk, wondering what to do. Suddenly, a boy with dark brown eyes and jet-black hair whooshed past. "Whoa there! Slow down little one!" Scully grabbed him by the shoulders, the boy stopping in his tracks. "Hey! Now she'll get away!" he cried. "What's your name?" Scully asked the fidgety boy. "Doug Ross" he replied proudly. "Okay Doug, why don't you come with me. My friend has gone to get your friend" Scully took Doug's hand and led him into the lounge. "This is going to be a long Christmas" Scully mumbled annoyed.

"This is Carol Hathaway, the head nurse" Mulder came into the lounge, the girl behind him. "I'm not staying in here with HIM!" she shrieked. "Carol, sweetie, what's wrong?" Scully asked childishly. "I was playing chasey with my other friends, when HE decided to make it KISS chasey" the pretty girl said angrily. "Calm down, it was only a game. He won't do it again, will you, Doug?" Scully eyed the boy sitting innocently on the couch. "No, I'm sorry Carol" Doug apologised. "It's alright. Come on, let's go!" Carol stood up, eager to leave the lounge. "Oh no you don't! You two are staying right here" Mulder grabbed Carol by the shoulder, stopping her. "This is going to be a very long Christmas" Mulder groaned.

Two children sat, their arms folded in anger, their eyes furious. "I'm not staying here, you can watch them" Mulder debated. "No way buster, I'm doing the searching, you are doing the baby-sitting" Scully argued. "Fine. We'll lock them in. They'll be alright" Mulder suggested. "Oh, alright then, as long as it means I won't have to do the watching" Scully agreed, and they both left the lounge, and quickly locked the door behind them. "Okay, we are looking for seven more" Mulder stated. "I think they were playing chasey or something," Scully added, and the pair split up. Mulder jogged down the corridor, not knowing where to turn. As he raced around the corner, he slammed into a boy with brown hair and timid brown eyes. "I'm sorry, sir. Please forgive me" the boy apologised. "It's alright kid. What's your name?" Mulder asked. "John Carter" the handsome boy replied.

"Now, you wait here with your friends Doug and Carol" Scully put a girl with light brown hair and brown eyes into the lounge. "Ha, ha! We caught you Lucy!" Doug and Carol chimed at the same time. "John, I was looking for you, but I got lost!" Lucy cried, hugging the timid boy. "Eeww!" Carol squealed. "Go John!" Doug chanted. "I'm scared" John whimpered. "Don't worry, I'll protect you!" Doug heroically cried. "I'm thirsty" Carol whined. "There's a fridge over there, maybe there's drinks or something" Lucy hoped. She and Doug took off, tugging at the handle. "Nearly there, almost, come on...yes!" Lucy grabbed a coke out and sculled the can. "I want some!" Carol came running over and grabbed a bottle of orange juice.

Scully stalked the halls, in search of her prey. "Ah ha! Caught you!" a sweet English accent cried. "Think again, I caught you, both!" Scully grabbed a girl with curly light brown hair and a boy with dark skin. "Hey! You just ruined our game!" the boy cried angrily. "Come on, I'm trying to find your friends. What are your names?" Scully asked. "Elizabeth Corday is the name" the English girl politely extended her hand, Scully who was taken aback, shook it anyway. "I'm Peter Benton," the boy said, turning away angrily. "Well, come along, your friends are waiting" Scully ushered the children back to the lounge, where she locked the now six children in.

"Mark, don't be scared, someone will find us soon" Jeanie Boulet comforted the scared boy. Seeing Mulder coming down the hall, Mark stood up. "Hey, mister!" Mark ran hurriedly, desperate to be cared for. Mulder stared down at the queer boy, his forwardness striking Mulder off guard. "What about your friend?" Mulder asked, pointing back to the girl. "Come on Jeanie!" Mark waved her over. "Are you going to look after us?" she asked. "Of course I will. I've been asked to look for you" Mulder said reassuringly, persuading the girl over. "Okay, what are your names?" Mulder asked. "Mark Greene" the boy said shyly. "My name is Jeanie Boulet," the girl said loudly. "Okay. Your friends have been looking all over for you" Mulder took both children's hands and led them back to the lounge.

When Mulder and Scully finally met up, they were exhausted. "Okay, that's everyone" Mulder sighed, shutting the lounge door behind him. The children sat in front of the TV, watching a cartoon. Every so often there would be childish laugher filling the room. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight" Scully counted. "Didn't you say there were nine?" Mulder asked. "Yes...oh great. Listen, we can't leave them all together alone, now that there's eight of them. You go and look for the last one, and come back in five minutes. We'll rotate the job" Scully arranged. "Alright then. Who am I looking for?" Mulder asked. "Um...the female attending, Dr Kerry Weaver" Scully flipped through the folder. "Thanks. I'll be back soon" Mulder farewelled as he exited the lounge.

Mulder ran silently through the corridors, looking for the last child. "Kerry, come here" he called in the best 'childish' voice he could. Silence followed his call. Corner after corner Mulder turned, nothing. The frustration brewed in his system. "Why won't this child come out?" he mentally shrieked. Mulder's face turned a shade of red, the anger and frustration annoying him. 'That's it, I'm going' Mulder mentally decided. Just before he turned to leave, a petit six-year old girl came around the corner. Her long red hair and deep brown eyes seizing Mulder's gaze. "I demand you to bow before me" she commanded. Mulder stared in awe at the contrary child. A six year old saying this? "Do it! Now!" she shrieked. Mulder dropped to his knees, bowing at the child. "Good, so I can trust you. What is your name?" the girl glared at Mulder. "I am Fox Mulder. I'm here to look after you," he said in a caring tone. "I do not need someone to look after me. I can manage on my own" Mulder was stunned at what he had just heard.

"Come with me" Mulder said persuasively. "No, you shall 'care' for me. I did not demand for carers," the girl said arrogantly, her navy blue pinafore swishing as she paced the hallway. "If I get my friend, would you trust her?" Mulder asked. "I do not trust anyone," the child said wisely. "I know who you are, Kerry Weaver" Mulder scared the girl dreadfully. "You...you are going to...hurt me?" the suddenness in which her manner had changed shocked Mulder. "No, no I'm not going to hurt you. I told you, I'm going to protect you" Mulder said, Kerry barely trusting him. Giving him a dirty look, Kerry studied him over, seeing the gun in his holster. "You walk ahead of me" Kerry demanded. "If you wish" Mulder walked ahead, knowing what the child would be doing. The silent, steady footsteps that Mulder listened intently to indicated how Kerry must have been raised. Her manner, strict and posh, suggested that she had been neglected, bought up by servants and told off by her parents for every tiny detail.

Collapsing on the couch, Mulder's eyes drooped. "You have no idea how hard it was to get that rascal" Mulder told Scully. "Oh, that is such a terrible thing to say! Look at how content she is" Scully watched Kerry, her hands folded elegantly in her lap. "Well, you look at all the other kids! They are at least normal" Mulder scoffed, noting the four boys and four girls watching movies. "That Doug kid, he's pretty cool" Mulder grinned, watching Doug. Sitting between Carol and Lucy, now he had to be a lady-killer! "I bet you any money that he and Carol are either engaged or married" Scully betted. "You're on!" Mulder laughed. "Sshh!" eight children turned and glared at the noisy Mulder. "Jeanie seems polite, and Elizabeth" Scully pointed them both out. "Yes, I got to find Jeanie, she's looking after Mark who was 'scared'. And she introduced herself so politely!" Mulder said amazed. "Elizabeth even shook hands with me!" Scully added, stunned.

"Mr Mulder, I'm hungry" Doug tugged at his overcoat sleeve. "Oh, you mean you haven't had anything to eat?" Mulder asked stunned. "Scully, you're the chef, get in that kitchen" Mulder shooed his partner to the fridge. Scully fossicked through the fridge, hoping at least for some form of food that wasn't stale. "Well, we have some yoghurt, some coke and some jam" Scully picked the eatable food out from all the off-colour food. "Well, there's some bread, hot chocolate and salt and vinegar chips here" Mulder stated, pulling everything out of the cupboard. "Okay, sit down and we'll bring something over to you" Scully told the eight eager children.

After eating, Mulder and Scully decided it was time for bed. "Okay everyone, time for bed" Scully announced, turning off the TV. Eight children groaned. "Do we have to?" Carol whined. "Yes, Carol, we have to go to bed" Kerry informed her. "Where do we sleep?" Peter asked. "Okay, um...boys with Mulder, girls with me" Scully decided. "Okay then, see you tomorrow John" Lucy hugged John, and they both went their separate ways. "We have to sleep near each other" Mark stated. "Rooms next to each other" Doug added. "Of course" Mulder ushered the four boys out of the lounge, and down the hall to a room. "See you all in the morning" Mulder wished everyone goodnight, and closed the exam room door.

"I'm sleeping next to Lucy!" Carol cried, grabbing Lucy's orange jumper sleeve. "I'm sleeping next to Jeanie" Elizabeth and Jeanie stood next to each other. "Well, you decide" Scully watched as the four girls figured out their sleeping arrangements. "Kerry, where are you going to sleep?" Scully crouched beside the consoled child. "I don't mind. Everyone else can choose first, it doesn't bother me" the manner in which Kerry spoke disturbed Scully very much. "What's wrong?" Scully asked. "Nothing is wrong. I just miss my dad" Kerry sighed. "Don't worry, he'll be here tomorrow" Scully replied optimistically. "No he won't. My nanny will be, my dad works all around the world and my mum travels with him" Kerry informed her, not a trace of sadness in her voice.

"Hurry up Scully" Lucy beckoned. "Yeah, don't worry about Kerry, she's always like that" Carol added. "I know! Remember when we first met? She goes 'I command you to bow before me'! That was so dumb" Jeanie laughed. "That is a horrible thing to say! Now you say you're sorry" Scully couldn't stand the hatred that everyone had for Kerry. "Sorry" all four replied together. Kerry knew they didn't mean it. She gave them all a dirty look, all four sticking their tongues out, Scully being unaware of this battle. Scully climbed on to a gurney, serving as her bed for the night. "Goodnight girls" Scully wished them all good night before falling asleep herself.

Mulder lay awake in bed, listening. He was waiting for the lights, the screams. 'Where are they'? Mulder asked himself. "Mmm, Carol come" Doug mumbled in his sleep. "Oh Carol! Carol!" Mulder was petrified! A six-year old saying this? "No mum, I'm eating the potato" Mark yelled. Mulder chuckled to himself. "Please daddy, don't go away! You never come and watch my plays" John cried. Mulder frowned. The boy was so polite, and it was obvious why. Nannies. "Henry, that's my car!" Peter growled. 'Typical' Mulder thought. After the mumbling softened, Mulder realised that it would be another day with these 'young' doctors. He curled up, trying to get comfortable. Without success, he gave up and slept an uncomfortable night.

"Rise and shine one and all! It's Christmas Eve!" Lucy cried, bouncing around on the gurney. "No, just five more minutes" Carol mumbled, pulling the sheets over her head. "I had the best dream last night!" Jeanie cried. "Tell us!" Lucy begged. "Well, we were playing chasey in here, and there was this alien dude chasing us. He didn't catch any of us," Jeanie excitedly said. "Wow!" Carol, now fully awake and alert said in awe. "That is like the dream I had!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Me too" Lucy said uneasily. "What could it mean?" Jeanie asked. "I don't know. Hey, where's Scully?" Elizabeth asked. "I don't know" Carol replied. "Scully? Scully?" the girls called. "Maybe she's making some breakfast" Lucy suggested. "Yeah! Why didn't we think of that earlier!" all four cried with delight and ran off to the lounge.

Mulder and the boys were just waking up. "Come on guys, time to get out of bed, come on" Mulder, who was already up and awake called. "No, please let us sleep in" Doug whined. "Oh well, I was awake anyway" John stated, getting out of bed and making it. "My, you are a very well-mannered boy" Mulder exclaimed, watching John make the bed himself. "I have to be, I don't want to make the servants have to do everything for me, they are too nice" John replied, plumping the pillow. "Well, whose up for breakfast?" Mulder asked, and the four boys charged out of the room and ran down the hall. "I take it that was a yes," Mulder said to himself, running after them.

"Hi John!" Lucy squealed with delight when the two groups met up. "Oh, not you!" Carol said disgusted when she saw Doug's face. "I'm back!" Doug shrieked and ran after Carol. "That's it you two. Calm down or no breakfast" Mulder grabbed the pair and separated them. "Where's Scully?" Mulder asked. "We don't know. We thought maybe she was making us breakfast" Jeanie explained. "Oh well, come along" Mulder walked down the hall like the pied piper, children in tow.

As they neared the lounge, laughter could be heard. Mulder told the children to wait behind him, not knowing what to expect. He peered in through the window, and saw Scully dancing merrily with Kerry, both smiling and laughing. Mulder smiled, the look on both of their faces making his heart soar. 'There is some sort of normality in that child' he thought. "Good morning" Mulder cheerfully entered the lounge. Both stopped dancing, startled by Mulder's entrance. "We were just up early" Scully stated. "Everyone was still asleep" Kerry brushed a loose strand of hair out of her face. "So we came to make some breakfast" Scully added. "Well, where is breakfast?" Mulder eagerly asked. "Right here" Scully produced some cereal and fruit from the cupboard.

"That was a pretty good breakfast!" Elizabeth cried. "Yeah! Thank you Scully! Can we go and play in the snow now?" Doug asked eagerly. "Please! Pretty, pretty please?" all children begged. "I don't know…" Scully said uneasily. "Oh, come on Scully, they'll be fine" Mulder debated. "But they'll catch a chill!" Scully argued. "No they won't. You all have coats, don't you?" Mulder asked them. "Yes!" every child grabbed their coats, red ones, blue ones, green ones, purple ones and yellow ones. "Okay then! Let's go!" Mulder ran out the bay doors, nine children chasing after him.

11 people ran out in the thick snow. "Can we play war?" Peter asked. "No! That's a silly game!" Jeanie cried. "Let's make a snowman" Elizabeth suggested. "I want to! Come on, let's go!" Carol, Lucy, Jeanie and Elizabeth ran off to make a snowman. "Mulder, will you play war with us?" Mark asked. "I don't see why not. Okay, Doug and Mark on one team, Peter and John on the other" Mulder directed them off. "Whose team are you going on?" John asked. "I'll be the judge" Mulder stated. "No! I want you on our team!" Doug shrieked. "You are on our team!" Peter argued. "I don't mind, you can go on their team," John said quietly. "Great! Come on Mulder!" Doug grabbed his overcoat sleeve and dragged Mulder off.

"Scully, can I play war with them?" Kerry asked, pointing to the boys throwing snowballs. "Why don't you want to build a snowman with the girls?" Scully asked. "Because they don't like me. They never talk to me, and they always tell stories behind my back" Kerry replied sadly. "How do you know this?" Scully asked. "I can tell. People call me a snob, but I'm not! I don't have any kid friends, only adult friends. It's because my parents have a private tutor for me, a private nanny for me and their private staff. I have rarely left our house since the day I was born!" Kerry shrieked, and burst into tears. "Hey, hey" Scully cradled the girl in her arms. As the tears subsided, Scully asked "so, are you going to play war with the boys?" Kerry grinned, wiped her face, and replied "you bet. Thank you Scully. You are so nice" Scully was touched by the remark.

As the end of the day drew close, Scully decided that it was time for everyone to come inside. "Okay, time to come inside!" she hollered from the bay door. Everyone sighed and whined, not wanting to come in. "Well, I was starting to get cold anyway" John came in first, and hung his red coat up. "I guess you're right" Elizabeth hung her green coat up, next to John's. As every child came in, by choice or not, they took of their boots and hung up their coats. "What can we do now?" Jeanie asked. "I want to go home!" Mark whined. "Yeah! It's Christmas Eve!" Lucy yelled. "I miss my mamma and papa!" Carol howled. Sure enough, Mulder and Scully had eight howling six-year holds. "Calm down!" Scully cuddled as many children as she could. "I won't cry" Mark wailed, trying to control his tears.

"Mulder, tell us a story please" Peter begged. "Oh, alright. I'll tell you a Christmas one, seeing as it's Christmas Eve" Mulder replied, sitting at the table. "'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse" Mulder recited from memory. As heads drooped, Mulder kept reciting. His voice grew softer as more children fell asleep. "Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night" Mulder ended as nine children slept silently. "You're getting pretty good at this father thing" Scully whispered. "Oh yeah? Speak for yourself" Mulder whispered back. "Go and get some blankets" Scully instructed Mulder. "Why do I have to go?" he whined. "Because I have to clean up all this mess!" Scully hissed. "Leave it" Mulder signalled her over, and both set off in search of blankets.

Upon returning to the lounge, Mulder and Scully found the nine children still asleep. "Told you they'd be fine" Mulder whispered. "Hurry up and get them wrapt up" Scully urged. Both set to work at making sure that everyone was wrapt up, snug as a bug in a rug. "So, we stay here?" Mulder asked. "It looks that way" Scully sighed. "But what about tomorrow?" Mulder suddenly remembered. "Oh, dear Lord, what will we do?" Scully was heartbroken. "We can't get out of here, they're predicting another blizzard" Mulder reminded her. "There wouldn't be any shops open anyway" Scully sighed. "We'll just have to hope for a miracle," Mulder said glumly, curling up n the couch. "Please God, let there be a Merry Christmas in this ER tomorrow" Scully prayed.

"Wake up everyone! It's Christmas!" Doug shrieked. "YEAH!" everyone cried. Mulder sat up, rubbing his eyes. The scene in front of him was-was impossible! "Wha…? Scully! Wake up!" Mulder frantically shook Scully. "I'm up, I'm up!" Scully sat up, still half-asleep. "Oh my…" Scully gazed in awe at what she saw. Nine children, sitting gleefully around a Christmas tree, digging in to hundreds of presents. "What? How? When?" Scully was completely bemused, as was Mulder. "I don't know Scully, I don't know" Mulder smiled happily. "Merry Christmas everyone" Scully said tearfully, the sight in front of her too much.

"Okay, time for a photo!" Scully cried. Everyone gathered around the Christmas tree, and Scully positioned her Christmas present-a camera and stand. "Okay…smile everybody!" Scully set a five second delay and ran to her position next to Mulder. The camera flashed, and everyone smiled. "I'll take another one for good luck" Scully took another photo, and another. "So, has everyone had a good Christmas?" Mulder asked. "Yes Mr Mulder, Mrs Scully! Thank you!" all the children swamped Mulder and Scully with hugs and kisses galore. "Don't you just love this?" Mulder asked through gritted teeth. "They are so sweet!" Scully replied adoringly.

As the day progressed, the Christmas cheer grew. "I got you Lucy!" John squealed. "No you didn't!" Lucy raced off down the hallway. "You're it Doug!" Carol poked her tongue out at him and ran off. Mulder and Scully watched as everyone ran around the hospital, playing chasey and childish games. "This has been the best Christmas ever," Scully said happily. "You know what? I first thought, 'this is going to be a long Christmas', but now it's turned out to be the best Christmas I've ever had too!" Mulder told Scully, and took a sip of his water. "I wonder how much longer?" Scully stated, getting back to business. "This is the longest case so far" Mulder sighed. "You wanna start the report?" Scully asked. "I suppose" Mulder groaned, but took out his notepad.

"Nine staff of Cook County General Hospital in Chicago, Illinios, were affected by the unidentifiable age reversing drug. Tests on previous victims show the drug to be of alien culture. Victims have experienced difference in personality and memory, having been affected. Every victim has made claims of 'blinding lights' and a 'tingling sensation' over their body. The nine staff affected are currently six-year old children, all of whom were stuck in the hospital's ER for in total, 38 hours" Mulder wrote. "Mr Mulder! Come and play!" Jeanie sweetly urged. "Just a minute" Mulder replied. "Now! Please?" Carol whined. "Just a sec" Mulder added, busily scrawling his report down. After a few minutes, the girls got sick and tired of waiting, and ran off, squealing with delight as Doug chased them.

"This report was written while Agent Scully and myself were investigating the staff and hospital, while looking after them at the same time. We have spent 25 hours in the ER, due to a blizzard on Christmas Eve. The police also wanted the ER to be closed down to the public at present. There appear to be no visible affects on these victims, though an in-depth investigation will clear up any queries that-" was all Mulder had written before a blinding light forced him to his knees. His vocal chords were paralysed, and he could only hear the terrified screams from nine frightened children…

Nine staff members were sleeping in the lounge. "Doug? Doug, what happened?" Carol groggily asked. "I do not know" Doug replied uneasily. "Mark, wake up" Doug shoved Mark in the side, making him sit up immediately. "What the hell happened?" Mark gazed around the room. "Why am I wearing these clothes?" Lucy asked herself, staring at the red and white checked dress she had on. "Nice shirt Carter" Peter glared at Carter's blue checked shirt and cream pants. "Me? What about Jeanie?" Carter shrieked, looking at Jeanie's purple floral dress. "I never chose this! Anyway, look at Kerry!" Jeanie pointed at Kerry who was wearing a navy blue pinafore with a yellow shirt underneath. "I look alright, compared to Carol" Kerry stated, Carol frowning. "Yes, the Santa hat really tops it off" Doug chuckled, his fiancee looking quite the part with a red and green dress on. "Oh shut up Doug" Carol slapped him on the arm.

"Oh my God!" Elizabeth roared with laughter. "What is it?" Peter asked. Jaws hit the ground as everyone's eyes seized the picture in front of them. "What? That's us…in here…as kids" Carter stammered. "Oh, isn't Carol a cutie!" Lucy squealed. "Okay, get over the cuteness and get down to business. Why is that…here?" Peter asked edgily. "I don't know, but I just had a weird dream" Mark stated. "Was it about this picture…and those people…and a snow fight?" Elizabeth asked. "Oh my god, yes!" Mark cried. "I had that dream too," Kerry added, a worried expression crossing her face. "Actually, this is sort of funny" Doug laughed a little. "It is not funny Doug Ross!" Carol slapped him again. "Something fishy is going on, and I don't like it" Jeanie said. "You know? Doug is right. We got some good kicks out of this, so let's just leave it that way" Mark decided. "I'm happy to leave it at that" Peter agreed. So, now that everything was settled, everyone calmed down and discussed their dreams, and their life as a six-year old.

"My dad was so concerned with his work. He owned this big manufacturing company, so he was always on different corners of the world trying to swap and sell with different companies. My mum went with him just because she could, my brothers, my sister and me always got left behind. My parents never had to do anything around the house, it was always the job of the house servants" John said sadly. "People always commented on how independent I was, that's because I did all my own jobs. I made my bed, my lunch, cleaned my room-everything. I didn't have the same heart as my parents, they loved the powerfulness, but I hated it. Bossing people around is terrible, and I wouldn't want to be bossed around, so I never did it back to anyone" John concluded…

"John, do you want to make a cake with me?" the Carter family chef, Murray asked. "Coming!" John ran down the stairs and into the galley, ready to mix up a creation. "Shall we make a chocolate cake or a banana cake?" Murray asked. "We made a banana cake last time, so let's make a chocolate cake!" John cried. "Good choice, we don't have any bananas" Murray tousled John's hair. As the pair mixed and stirred, John couldn't help but ask about his parents. "Do you know when mum and dad are coming home?" John asked, beating the eggs. "Not for a while. Your dad's decided to stop over in Japan again" Murray replied. "Oh…I was just hoping that he'd come and see the school play. I'm in it" John said sadly. "Well, if it would make you feel better, I'll come" Murray offered. "You would?" John asked. "Of course!" Murray cried. "Thank you!" John flung his arms around Murray's neck, appreciative of whom his parents thought of as the 'lowly' chef.

"My dad was an alcoholic. My mum was always in hiding because my dad would either be drinking or running around the town like a fool. She was afraid of him, and I ended up being the man around the house. When I was eight my parents divorced. I was fought over, because both of them wanted someone to carry on their family name. My dad, being the 'big powerful man', kidnapped me from my mother and took me to Mexico for his glory. But when my dad found another girl, much younger than himself, he stashed me on a train heading homeward bound, and all because his new wife didn't want kids that weren't hers" Doug stated…

The house was quiet. Doug's dad had left, ready for another drink at the pub. "Dougie, come here baby" Doug's mum beckoned. "Oh ,mum, I'm so scared" Doug clung on to his mother as if he would die if he let go. "Why does dad get like that?" Doug asked innocently. "I honestly don't know honey, I don't know" Doug's mum sunk her head into Doug's hair, kissing him lovingly. "Why can't we just be like a normal family?" Doug asked. "Because-well-some people live different to others. There are other people out there like us, just not here. We live in such a small town, that it's not common to live like us. But in other cities, there are people just like us" Doug's mum tried to boost her son's spirits. "I know" Doug sighed. "Can we go and visit William?" Doug asked hopefully. "I don't see why not" Doug's mother agreed. "Go and grab your jacket, okay?" Doug's mum stood up and left Doug to get ready to visit his best friend.

"My mother was so over-protective of me. She drove me to and from school, walked me to the door whenever I went to parties, and whenever I went into town with friends, she'd always be there, not letting me out of her sight. So, obviously by the time I was 14 I started to get really annoyed with her. I left home when I turned 22, just after I'd completed my nursing degree. I took off because I didn't want anything more to do with her. Took to the streets, and you know the rest. We've made up now-well, sort of, but it'll get there," Carol said embarrassed…

She was fuming! "God mum, why did you have to come in there like that?!" Carol shrieked. "Because dearest, I heard that some 'dirty' things were going on in that room" Carol's mum sat down on the edge of her bed. "Get off my bed! And get out of my room!" Carol hollered. "I'm sick and tired of you ruining my life!" her temper rose with every passing second. "I understand how you feel, but I was-" was all Carol's mum could say before Carol hit the roof. "You have NO idea how I feel! You NEVER have and you NEVER will!" Carol screamed. "Get the hell out of my room, and stop interfering with my life!" Carol threw her shoe at the door as her mum left. "Oh, please God, let me just live like a normal kid! All I want is to be able to go somewhere without the 'she-bitch' that rules both her and my life!" Carol sobbed.

"I never had any problems, thank god. I had seven brothers and sisters, so, me, being the oldest got to go to college. I studied medicine, much to my dad's dismay, mainly because of the price. He was dedicated and loving, and he supported me all the way. Money wasn't really an affair in our family. I mean, we didn't have much of it, but we could survive with what we had. Everyone was resourceful, mainly because if we weren't, something would go haywire later on. But when I finished college I earned the money, and helped the family out. We aren't stinking rich, but we are just well enough off to be able to live well" Lucy happily told everyone…

"Good morning everyone!" Lucy's dad cried as he came down the stairs of their small home. "Papa!" Lucy's brother cried, running up and hugging his father. "Dad, can you drop me at school today?" Lucy asked, shovelling a spoon of cereal into her youngest brother's mouth. "Sure. Just be ready by 8:00" he grabbed the paper and started reading different articles. "Ah, who took the comics?" Lucy's dad asked sarcastically. No one said anything. Just then, a giggling could be heard under the table. "Matthew, what have I told you?" Lucy's dad pulled the boy out from under the table and took the comic section out of his hands. "Um-you have to read the comics first" Matt sighed, handed his father the paper, and went and watched some cartoons. "Okay everyone, I'm off to earn some money" Lucy's dad finished off his coffee, and kissed everyone goodbye. "Wait up dad!" Lucy cried, running down the stairs with her overloaded school bag. "What on Earth do you need all of that for?" he asked, opening the boot and putting Lucy's bag in. "Geography, Maths, English, Japanese, Science, History-" Lucy listed the numerous subjects that she had to learn. "You dag, I'll pick you up tonight if you like" Lucy's dad suggested as he pulled up at the lights. "Yep, that'd be great dad, thanks" Lucy gratefully accepted the ride.

"Me too, you know, I really love my family" Jeanie smiled. "I know it's rare that a family can get on so well, but I guess we were just lucky that everyone gets on so well. We cared for each other and we loved each other. My sister is a hairdresser and my brother is a mechanic. We are a simple loving family and it's a simple life for me. They have been so cool about everything that's happened in my life, and I just think that they are the best" Jeanie grinned. "Why did you become a PA?" John asked. "It went like this: I didn't want to be a doctor; too stressful. I didn't want to work in an old folk's home; too boring. So, it seemed that a PA was just right. Not stressful, but still fast-paced enough for me" Jeanie shrugged…

"Can we go to the beach today?" Jeanie's brother, David, asked. "It's not very hot" Jeanie's sister, Hayley whined. "It's getting hotter later on" Jeanie's dad replied. "Really?" Hayley asked, surprised. "Sure is. Go and get your bathers and towel, and we'll go to the beach for the day" Jeanie's dad announced. "Mum, can you make me a chicken sandwich?" Jeanie asked her mum. "Course. Hayley, David, what do you want?" Jeanie's mum asked. "Cheese please!" Hayley cried. "Peanut butter and jelly!" David chorused. "And what do you want?" Jeanie's mum asked her dad. "Anything that you are having" he replied. "Everyone happy to have green cordial?" Jeanie asked, grabbing a flask and five cups. "Thanks Jeanie, I'll get your towel" David said as he ran down the hall.

"My parents both wanted me to make the most of my life. They urged me to go in every activity at school. They really made me have the choice to do anything I wanted, which I think is good for a kid to have. When I was 11 my dad was in a car accident. He survived, thanks to the Doctors back home. It was from that day that I wanted to become a doctor, to heal people. My parents were so proud of me, the day I graduated. I can still remember it like yesterday. They were standing up, cheering like crazy, and saying 'that's my boy, Dr Mark Greene'. It was one of the best days of my life" Mark reminisced…

"Dr Mark Greene" the principal announced, handing Mark his degree. "That's my boy! Go son!" Mark's dad stood up and cheered immensely, his mother beside him with the camera. Mark grinned; happiness was something that he hadn't been getting much of mainly due to exams. "Congratulations to all our graduates" everyone tossed their hats into the air, cheering and excitement filling the spring air. "Could you please sign my year book?" was the most asked question that day. "Congratulations son!" Mark's dad came up and slapped him on the back. "I knew you would do it" his mum came up and tearfully hugged him. "Thanks. This is my friend Tom. Tom, these are my parents" Mark introduced everyone. "So Tom, do you have any idea what you plan to do now?" Mark's dad asked. "I'd like to travel and earn my residency, it'd be different and fun at the same time," Tom said politely. "What about you, Mark?" Tom asked out of curiosity. "To be truthful, I really don't know. I'm thinking of just staying here for a while, maybe travelling, even though it's not that important" Mark ummed about his future.

"I could write a book about my childhood" Kerry sighed. "I was born into a very up-class family, where so much was expected of the 'sallow little girl'. My parents literally threw me into the arms of nannies whenever something more important than me came up. That was usually all the time. Being an only child, I got bored, and the only way I kept myself entertained was by snapping at every person I came across. My parents noticed me more whenever I yelled at someone, and I just wanted their attention" Kerry said on the brink of tears. "I had everything a child could want and more, but my parents were never there to see me grow up. They never saw my first A in French, they never saw my first violin concert and they never saw me when I graduated from med school. I was imprisoned in my room. I got bored to insanity, all I ever did was clean my room, draw pictures, read books, write stories. Birthdays were 'just another day' as far as my parents were concerned" Kerry finished before she would burst into tears…

"Miss Kerry, it's time for your violin lesson" Tess, one of the many housemaids announced. "Tell her I do not want to learn today" Kerry informed her, not even glancing at the maid. "But your father says you must attend all lessons, no matter what" Tess persisted. Kerry took her glasses of and placed them on the desk. She stood up, and glared at the maid standing in the doorway. "You were also informed never to talk back to me. Now leave, before I get angry" Kerry sourly spat at the timid maid. Tess closed the door and left instantly, not wishing to anger the tempered child. "I showed her," Kerry said to herself, picking up her book and continuing to read. 'My word, what a plain piece of goods!' she said. 'And we'd heard that her mother was a beauty. She hasn't handed much of it down, has she, ma'am?' Kerry read. 'Perhaps she will improve as she grows older,' the officer's wife said good-naturedly. 'If she were not so sallow and had a nicer expression, her features are rather good. Children alter so much.' Kerry suddenly realised something. "No, that couldn't be why. It just can't!" Kerry cried, and threw the book across the room. "I will not believe it! Never!" in a fit of rage she ran around her room, pulling books off shelves and clothes out of drawers. With the last ounce of energy left in her system, Kerry threw herself onto her bed and cried.

"No one in my family was rich, we only had the knowledge that was rare in our kind" Peter started in a matter of fact tone. "I was accepted in to so many schools because of how smart I was, so it turned out I could do anything I wanted with my life. My father grew ill, and because we couldn't afford the surgery he needed, he said to me 'be a surgeon, they make the money. You will start a name for our family'. The day after he told me that, he died. So, I took everything to heart, and here I am, rich family, smart family, loving family" Peter said proudly…

"Guess what? Today I got an A in social science!" Peter cried as he ran through the front door of his house. "Well done son! I knew you could do it!" Peter's dad slapped him on the back, proud of his son. "Oh yeah, Mr Sanders wants to speak to you and mum on Friday" Peter added, pulling an envelope out of his bag. "I wonder whatever about?" Peter's mum asked as she came out of the kitchen. "I bet it's about how wonderful you are in class" Peter's dad guessed. "It's about another school position. I've been offered a place at Grammar" Peter sighed, annoyed with the many changes he'd made in schools. "That's great! Grammar is the best school that you could possibly want to go to" Peter's mum stated. "That's what you said last time," Peter said annoyed. "I'm so sick and tired of swapping schools, I'll never be just like any normal kid" Peter yelled. "But you're special, you aren't like other kids" Peter's dad said supportively. "I guess you're right, but I wish that I could stay at one school for longer than six months" Peter sighed.

"I guess you want to know about me" Elizabeth sighed, not bothered to state her tale. "I was born into a family of doctors, so it was, in tradition, that all the males were some form of doctor. You know, a surgeon, a paediatrician, a nurse, etcetera. My dad didn't have any sons, so I was his next choice. The oldest female out of three girls. I remember when my littlest sister was born. My dad was disappointed that she hadn't been a he, but nevertheless, he was proud of us all. I was happy to continue the tradition, but I really wanted to travel at the same time, so here I am, for now anyway" Elizabeth told her simple story…

"Do we have a sister or brother?" Elizabeth and her younger sister Sarah asked. "A sister" Elizabeth's dad sighed. "Don't worry dad, I'll take on the tradition" Elizabeth said supportively, but in a jokingly way. "Well, aren't you going to come and see her?" both Elizabeth and Sarah ran into the room, anxious to see their new little sister. "Mummy! What's her name?" Elizabeth and Sarah asked eagerly. "This is Jessica Felicity Corday" Elizabeth's mum held up the baby wrapt in a pink blanket. "Oh she's so sweet!" Sarah cried. "I can teach her to climb trees" Elizabeth stated. "I'll play tea party with her!" Sarah jumped with glee. "But first of all she has to learn to walk and talk" Elizabeth's dad added, grabbing both girls by the arms and taking them outside. "I think it's time we go home" Elizabeth's dad pulled both girls out of the room after they kissed their mother and sister goodbye.

Everyone sat in silence, absorbing in what everyone had just told each other. "Well, I think we are our own family, right here" John finally spoke up. "You are right. Everyone here has done more for me than my parents ever did" Kerry sighed.

"You are my second family" Lucy smiled. "I've never had better friends than all of you" Peter smiled unexpectedly. "I bet if my mum was here she'd be envious" Carol grinned. "I'm glad I'm here right now, with my friends" Doug stated. "If ever I leave this place, I will always stay in contact with everyone" Elizabeth said. "I doubt I'll ever leave this place, so I'll see everyone every day until the end" Jeanie smiled. "This hospital is a big part of my life, and it is one of the most important things that make my life worthwhile" Mark concluded.

So, if ever you get the chance to go to Cook County General Hospital, be it as a patient or visitor, be careful. You never know what lurks around the corner. You may be treated by a 30-year old first, then a six-year old second. My advice to you is stay away from this hospital as best as you can.

THE END

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