by Doc
'Hi Kerry.'
The words hit Dr. Kerry Weaver harder than a freight train ever could. Standing, not moving, her back remains to the source of the voice. So many times she heard that voice. Everywhere she went she heard that voice but when she turned round it was never her, always someone else. And everytime her heart broke just a little more. But this time, she knew for sure. This time was different. This time her heart skipped a beat. This time her breathing stopped. This time she knew, this time was real.
Slowly, so slowly Kerry turned. A thousand thoughts ran through her head. As soon as her eyes fell on her ex-lover all thoughts ceased. She searched for the words. She looked into those eyes, those eyes that signaled so much to her once before. Love, happiness, pain, hurt now what were they saying? Silently she cursed herself for not saying anything. She saw her watching her.
Almost a whisper Kerry found her voice. 'Hi Kim.' That over they both smiled and let out an unknown held breath. Both had thought about this moment since they last set eyes on each other. Nothing more was said between the two which after a moment caused the two women to laugh out loud. That helped ease the remaining tension.
All of a sudden Kerry wondered why Kim was there. Why was she back at Cook County General? Before Kerry could ask Kim had already seen the question form on Kerry's face and spoke before her ex-lover did. 'Is there somewhere we can talk Kerry?' Kerry looked at her. What could Kim possibly want now, after all this time? 'Somewhere a little more private than the middle of the ER?' Kim added.
'Why are you here Kim?' Kerry asked.
Kim knew Kerry was going to ask her that, the question never left Kerry's face. On the plane ride she wondered if after a few years she would still be able to read Kerry. It had taken so long to learn all the subtle changes on Kerry's face, so subtle that to most there was no change at all, but she had learned and was able to read the very closed Kerry Weaver. Kim was sure that people who had known Kerry longer, much longer than she probably still couldn't read her. Part of her was overjoyed that Kerry was still open to her, she feared that was over when she and Kerry split or the shock of Kim's return might cause her to react negatively and close up but to know that Kerry hadn't forgotten her was a comfort.
'I'm here about a patient Kerry. I'd rather we spoke in private.' Kim sensed a mood change in Kerry. That fear that Kerry's openness might disappear, Kim feared was coming true.
Kerry looked away from Kim and then back at her, trying to figure out why Kim would travel all the distance she had to speak about a patient.
'Why do you want my help? I'm sure there is an ER close to your practice.' Kim was a little surprised that Kerry knew she had a practice. Had Kerry been checking up on her? Maybe someone had told her. Kim had met up with a few old colleagues from County General at Medical Conferences, she had told them about setting up her own practice with an old friend she had met up with in San Francisco. That must be it Kim thought. Kerry wouldn't have been checking up on her, would she?
Kerry waited for an answer but Kim was lost in her thoughts. 'Kim.' Kerry said a little more force. Kim was pulled back from her thoughts. When she was sure she had Kim's full attention Kerry asked again, 'Why do you want my help?'
'It's Stevie. It's about Stevie.' Kim watched Kerry for a reaction. She got one she didn't want. To most people Kerry's face would have looked the same, no change. To Kim she saw that last shutter come down and close.
'Who?' Kerry asked. Again, Kim thought most people wouldn't notice any difference in Kerry, her voice, her facial expressions and most would assume Kerry didn't know Stevie but to Kim she saw it. She saw the brief flash of recognition and what she could have sworn was pain. She wasn't sure about the pain, it had been a while and maybe she wasn't as good at reading Dr. Weaver as she once was.
'Kerry, she's in trouble and I think you could be the one that will get her out of it.'
'Kim, I don't know who you're...'
Kim cut her off. 'Kerry you know who I'm talking about. You know, I can see it on your face.' Kerry flinched a little. She had hoped Kim wouldn't be able too see but knew she should have known better.
'I've tried to help her but it's no use. I think you're the key to this young woman's future.' Kim said in hushed voice. 'Kerry can we please go somewhere and talk in private. This is a patient we're talking about and she deserves the same level of privacy as any other patient would.'
Kerry agreed, reluctantly, but she agreed. 'Can we go to your office Kerry?' It was Kerry's turn to surprised that Kim knew she had an office now. Did Kim know about her promotion she wondered. Had Kim been checking up on her? No she thought, someone probably told her.
'Fine. After you.' Kerry said indicating that Kim should go first to the elevators. As both women came out of the little bubble that they had both been lost in for 10 or so minutes they noticed for the first time the audience that had gathered. All members of staff who passed the ex-couple stopped after doing a double take to make sure it was Dr. Kimberly Legaspi they were seeing. Both women looked at each other with a smile. They knew as soon as they were safely in the nearest lift the rumor mill and gossip patrol would be a frenzy. The truth would become half truths which would become distorted versions of the truth until truth would be non extent and become blatant lies which would have the last person to be told of Dr. Legaspi's return would hear how Kerry and Kim 'got it on' right there in the middle of the ER.
The doors hadn't even closed when the eerily silent ER burst into lively conversation. They looked at each other, both having that knowing look of what the ER's reaction to them both disappearing into an elevator. Both women burst out laughing and then fell silent.
As the doors opened Kerry looked at Kim. 'It's good to see you again Kim.' Kerry walked out the lift and Kim followed. She smiled to herself, it was good to hear Kerry was glad to see her.