Author's notes: Huge thanks to my beta reader Jen. You rock!
Jing-Mei looked across the counter at Abby who was looking up a previous chart for Dr. Kovac. The nurse yawned tiredly.
"Long night?" Jing-Mei asked lightly.
"Yeah. Faith was up half the time with a upset stomach."
"Really? Is she okay?"
"For now. She was asleep when I left. Hope was playing nurse." Abby smiled.
"Hope's the younger one right?"
"Yep."
"Al you ready for lunch?" Susan asked as she came up.
"Gimme a few minutes, will ya? I have to wait for this file copy to print out."
"Sure. Meet you in the lounge."
"Okay." Susan left.
"How old are they?"
"Who?" Abby looked at Jing-Mei.
"Your girls."
"Oh. They just turned three in April."
"Were they born in the states?"
"No they were born in an army hospital in Inchon."
"Where's that?"
"South Korea. It was where I was stationed the first year I was in A.I." Abby took a print out from the printer and cleared the screen. "I'll see you later Dr. Chen."
"Bye Abby." Jing-Mei said. "And thank you." She said under her breath.
"Al you okay?" Susan asked as she watched her friend pick at her food.
"Yeah. I don't know. I've just been pondering something."
"Do tell."
"Before I was talking to Jing-Mei and she was just asking me all these questions."
"About?"
"The girls. I didn't think anything of it at the time but it was like she was probing me."
"Sounds painful."
Abby grinned wryly. "Very funny. I'm serious. She's been watching me a lot lately."
"Maybe she thinks you've got it bad for Dave."
"Right."
"Al, relax. It's nothing. She's probably just being friendly."
"Yeah."
"Susan?"
Susan looked up. "Hi."
"I thought that was you."
"How are you Ava?"
"I'm good." Ava shot a look at Abby. "You look familiar."
"I gave you directions to Dr. Carter the other day."
"That's right. I'm Ava Carter and you're Al? That is what Susan called you, right?"
"Right." Susan said, shooting a look at Abby.
"You're Dave's sister right?"
"And John's wife."
"Of course."
"Dr. Carter? Your order's ready." Someone behind the counter said.
"Okay." She looked at Susan. "Good to see you again Susan."
"You too." Susan smiled.
"Nice to meet you."
"Yeah you too." Abby said. Once Ava was gone Abby looked at Susan. "What was that about?"
"Long story which may or may not be true. It was just a bit of gossip I heard from Malik."
"Nurses always know the best gossip." Abby said.
"I know. Look, just trust me on this. Stay clear of Ava Carter."
"Done."
"Okay. C'mon we better go back."
"Hey Carol. Something coming in?" Abby asked as Carol came into the drug lock up.
"Yeah. A little boy hit by a car."
"Need some help?"
"I wouldn't refuse it." Carol grabbed a central line kit and Abby grabbed a lavage kit.
Dave and Carter were standing in the bay waiting for the ambulance.
"Kinda cold." Dave commented.
"Yeah." Carter said. "Fall's coming."
"Don't rush it. It's only the middle of August." Dave grinned a little.
The ambulance backed in and the two men rushed to greet it.
"Gimme the bullet." Dave said.
"Four year old boy playing in the street was hit by a car. Been down for about ten minutes. Breath sounds are shallow and pulse is thready. BP's 110/170." The medic said as they rolled the gurney down the hall.
"Randy?"
"Trauma two." She yelled after them.
"Parents?" Carter asked.
"No one claimed to be or know them."
They rolled in and unstrapped the boy.
"On my count, nice and easy. One, two, three." Dave said. "Abby you got the O-?" He asked as he grabbed the intubation kit.
"Set up and ready to start." Abby said as she injected a needle.
"Carol, get x-ray in here." Carter said.
"On their way."
"Foley?"
"Right here." Chuni said coming in. "There you go."
"Pulse-ox is low."
"How low?"
"46."
"Damn."
"Films are clear. We can take the collar off." Carter announced.
"I got it." Abby said.
"This kid's bleeding from somewhere."
The monitors went crazy.
"V-Fib."
"Start compressions."
"Paddles."
Abby paused when her fingers slid together after she removed the collar. She lifted her hand. It was blood. Looking she saw the collar was covered in it. "Dave?"
"What?"
"I think I just found the bleeding."
"Roll him." Dave said. "Dammit. Forget the paddles. There's gray matter all over the back board."
"Call it."
Dave looked up. "Time of death, seventeen thirty-four."
"I'll get the death kit." Carol said quietly.
"Chuni would you tell the police we'll be out in a second?" Carter asked.
"Sure." Chuni said quietly before she left too.
"I'll clean him up." Abby said.
"No. The coroner will want to see him first." Carter said.
Abby nodded before she left too.
Leaning against the wall, Abby held her face in her hands, trying to gain back the composure that had fled her moments earlier. She mentally berated herself, knowing that the little boy back on the table in that room was not one of her beautiful daughters.
But the panic, the fear that it could have been, remained strong within her.
She ran her hands through her hair, struggling to pull herself together. She still had work to do, and her erratic state would only complicate matters.
She heard the door to the trauma room squeak lightly open and glanced up to see Dave approaching her, concern and understanding visible.
"Ya doing all right there?"
Abby smiled wryly. "I will be."
He nodded knowingly. "Hit a little close to home, huh?"
The mention of home brought with it the images of her daughters, playing in the yard, running, screaming, laughing. And Abby felt the power of her emotions begin to overtake her again. The prickling sensation in her eyes and the lump of fear in her throat swiftly growing larger.
She managed a slight nod before the tears escaped, flowing gently down her cheeks only to be brushed away by her hands.
"Hey Abby, it's okay." He stepped in close to her, his hands wrapped around her arms. Comforting, but trying to help her remain in control of her wild imagination.
"I know�it's just�"
"It could have been one of them."
A soft sob breathed from her lips as she nodded again. "Yeah."
Dave released her arms, and pulled her into an embrace, helping her to fend off the terror. "But it wasn't them. Abby, they are safe and healthy. And although you can't protect them from everything, you do a damn good job. Those kids probably can't even get within a mile of the chicken pox."
Abby smiled into his scrub top, appreciative of his humor. "Two miles, actually."
"You see!"
She looked up at him. "It just gets so scary sometimes."
He nodded. "I know. But that's why you have to be strong for them."
Abby smiled. "That's true." And then she frowned, thinking of the small boy lying cold and motionless on the operating table. "Just doesn't seem fair, does it? The way some make it and some don't. Not even a little child."
Dave shook his head, saddened as well by the loss of a young child's life. "We do the best we can. Always do. But sometimes, we just can't save them all."
She leaned her head against his shoulder; taking a brief moment to regain her strength, glad for the company. Glad for the support. "Yeah, but we should have been able to save that one."
Carter pulled the bloodied gloves off his hands, trying to keep his eyes averted from the small body on the table.
He hated being unable to save a patient. The pain of unjustness, the knowledge that he did everything he could have, but the slight guilt that a life was still lost, sat within him.
His gaze lifted from the floor, and traveled to the trauma room door, knowing that it was still imperceptibly swaying from Dave and Abby's recent exit.
Carter longed to go out that door. Follow in the wake of the two into the hallway. Knowing that Abby would be there. Wanting to just say something to her.
He shrugged, working tension out of his muscles. What could he say? She hadn't exactly started up a conversation with him, and he doubted that she even wanted to.
But the tears that had been in her eyes when she left the room had pulled at his heart in a way that Carter had forgotten. And missed.
Shocked at the notion, Carter quickly dispelled the thoughts. Reminding himself that he had a wife, and a baby on the way. The relationship with Abby was far in the past, all that he could ask for now was her friendship.
He pointlessly debated with himself for a few moments until he had worked up enough courage to risk stepping outside the trauma room doors.
But the sight of Abby wrapped within Dave's arms stopped him cold, his hand stiff against the swinging door, stopped in time before he'd pushed. He watched, unmoving, as Abby rested her head against Dave's shoulder, a calm, but pained expression on her face.
Carter tried to ignore the pangs he felt, telling himself that he just missed being the friend that helped her through. But his quick pulse and tightened stomach played with him, preventing Carter from really believing the lies he told.
He missed her.
And now she was looking at Dave the same way she'd looked at him. Relaxed in his embrace, taking strength from his presence, smiling at his remarks.
Carter wanted more than anything to pull himself away from the doors, to forget about what he'd seen. But just watching her now, seeing her...it was as though all their years apart had been swept clean from his life.
But out of fear of Abby discovering his secret, he drew back to the corner of the room, watching her at an angle, feeling various emotions at once. Alarm at knowing Ava and an unborn child awaited him. An ache because it was Dave, not he, that was beside Abby. Joy because he had gotten the chance to see her smile. And nervous anticipation, knowing that she was once again nearer to him.
Dave looked down, slightly hesitant to ask Abby if she were okay. Again.
He knew that she just needed some time to compose herself, but since she had moved into his embrace, he was slowly becoming aware of the looks he was getting from the various doctors passing them in the hall. "Abby?"
"Hmmm?"
"Uh�Not that I don't absolutely love you or anything, but ya think I could let you go now? You're kinda ruining my reputation with the ladies."
With a laugh, Abby pushed him gently away. "Can't believe I didn't think of that!"
He shrugged. "Well, you know�I wouldn't have expected you to."
"And why's that?" She looked at him, eyebrow cocked, smile playing at her lips. "My popularity with the men going down?"
Dave grinned. "I do recall that just a few seconds ago, you were in the grasp of a handsome and charming young man."
"Funny�I don't seem to remember him."
"Oh! That's too bad. I hear he's a real lady killer."
Abby laughed. "Probably came up with that rumor himself!"
For a moment he paused, wracking his brain for a comeback. "Damn." Dave shook his head, smiling. "You are very good, Abby!"
She winked. "I had a brother."
They grinned, both knowing that she had won in their little game. He reached out and rubbed her arm. "You gonna be okay?"
Abby nodded. "Yeah. Thanks Dave."
"Anytime."
She didn't know what was going on with the connection in her brain from rational thought to emotion, but somehow a big gaping hole remained between the two.
Jing-Mei watched while Dave and Abby talked, unbelievably feeling twinges of jealousy pop within her.
She had no idea from whereabouts this feeling had come.
It was Dave for crying out loud. Dr. Dave. The doctor who had tormented her with his jokes and comments throughout all her years here.
Sure, on second thought, a lot of the jokes were funny, and his companionship was light-hearted, even welcome�
But really.
What was happening to her?
Clipboard pulled into her chest, she stared while Dave reached out and rubbed Abby's arm, the two of them sharing a laugh.
She clenched her teeth and looked away, knowing that a big part of her wished she were in Abby's spot.
Jing-Mei shook her head. I'm just crazy, she thought, totally irrational. Just a bit lonely and tired perhaps.
But glancing over at them again, seeing Dave as he smiled and flirted spoke mountainous volumes.
She was jealous. And of Abby. Because, irrational as it might be, she wanted Dave for herself.
"Hey Cleo are you on?" Abby asked the pediatrician.
"Nope. I just got off. Why?"
"I called home a few minutes ago and my sitter said that Faith started throwing up again. I told her to bring her in. Is Doug on?"
"Yeah. I think he's just coming on." Cleo said. "I saw him in the lounge. I hope Faith's okay."
"Me too." Abby headed for the lounge. "Doug. Good you are here."
"Yes I am."
"Are you staying?"
"Yes I am."
"Thank God. I will have a patient for you in about fifteen to twenty minutes."
"That's the ambulance's ETA?" Doug looked shocked.
"No that's how long I figure it will take my sitter to get my girls here with the lights. Faith's been throwing up."
Doug smiled. "Okay. No problem. I'll see her as soon as she arrives."
"Great. Thanks Doug." Abby said as she left the lounge again.
"Mommy I don't feel good." Faith said in a pitiful voice.
"I know honey. But Dr. Ross is gonna make you feel better."
"You bet. Chuni draw some blood will you?"
"Sure."
"Mommy will you hold my hand?" Faith asked.
"Sure will." Abby said taking Faith's hand. "You look at me okay? Don't pay any attention to the needle."
"Where's Hope?" Chuni asked.
"Oh I had Val take her across the street. They didn't get to eat with Faith being sick so Hope was hungry."
"Oh. What about you Faith? Are you hungry?" Chuni asked with a smile.
"Nuh-uh." The little girl shook her head emphatically.
"Chuni is just teasing Funny Face."
Faith smiled a little. "Okay."
"Chuni, I wrote down all the tests. All you have to do is get it to the lab." Doug said.
"Great. I wish more doctors did that." Chuni said taking the clipboard. "Faith how would you like a movie to watch?"
"Okay." She said softly. "I like Bambi."
"You got it. Oh I almost forgot. Abby, Carter wants you. He needs some help."
"I'm aware that Carter needs help."
"The other kind. The nurse kind."
"I'm coming, I'm coming. Doug, are you gonna stay?"
"Yep. Gonna try and get out of debt. What do you say Faith? Wanna play cards?"
"Mommy says no more poker."
"Aw Mom." Doug kidded.
"Just don't tell me about it." Abby said following Chuni into the hall.
"Think someone has a crush." Chuni teased.
"I know. Believe me I know." Abby grinned good-naturedly.
"Dr. Carter? You rang?" Abby said as she poked her head into exam four.
"Yeah. I need some help with this guy. He's being very uncooperative, aren't you Mr. Valmont?"
"Hmph." The burly man on the bed said. "And it's not Mr."
"Is it Mrs.?" Carter asked.
"No." Abby said looking at the chart. "It's Brigadier General Richard Valmont."
"I'm sorry?" Carter looked confused.
"He's regular army Doctor." Abby explained with a grin as she got out a pressure cuff.
"You army little lady?" The man asked, his eyes softening a little bit.
"No. I'm N.M.P. General. I was in A.I. I worked in three army hospitals. Come to think of it I knew a Valmont when I was in Inchon. Her name was Louise. She was head nurse."
"You knew my girl Lou?" He asked as he allowed his blood pressure taken.
"Yes. She was the one holding my hand in labor."
"You're Abby?"
"Ah she mentioned me?" Abby tied a piece of rubber around his arm and took a syringe. "This might pinch."
"You ever been shot?"
"Can't say I have." Abby grinned.
"That pinches. Needles don't faze me."
"Glad to hear it." Abby drew some blood. "I knew some M.P.'s in Chechnya who were such babies when it came to needles."
Carter watched in a little bit of amazement. Abby handled the general like a pro. He grinned at the sight. It was kind of sweet.
General Valmont smiled. "Now if I remember right Lou told me you had two girls."
"That's right. Faith and Hope. They just turned three. Lou has a few brothers doesn't she?"
"Four brothers. Lou's our baby. Her mother was so happy to have her."
"Are all of them in the army?" Carter asked.
"They're all in different branches of the service."
"I met Lou's brother, Billy when I was in Bosnia. He's an Air Force pilot right?"
"That's right. His grandfather, my father-in-law, was a flyboy too."
"Didn't he get married about a year ago?"
"To a medic in the Air Force. Nice girl."
"Good for him." Abby finished taking his pressure. "We'll run your blood to the lab and then we'll come back and talk okay?"
"Okay." The older man smiled at Abby. He looked at Carter and frowned a little.
Nurse and doctor left the room.
Abby started to head back to the pedes room but Carter stopped her.
"Abby?"
"Yeah?" She turned around.
"Thank you for your help. I'd probably still be in there arguing if you hadn't come along."
"No problem. You just have to know how to handle retired regular army. I just have more practice."
"Right. So you had your daughters in an army hospital?"
"Yep." Abby smiled. "In Inchon, South Korea."
"Long way from Chicago."
"Yeah it was." Abby said. "I better go. Faith is in the pedes room and I wanna make sure she hasn't taken Doug for every cent he has."
"Right. Bye." John started to walk in the other direction.
"Carter."
"Yeah?" He turned around.
"Let me know when General Valmont's labs get back. I'll go with you."
"Great."
"Doug? Labs back yet?" Abby asked when Doug came into the room. Faith was sleeping.
"Yeah. It would seem that Faith has the stomach flu."
"Bobby Newton."
"What?"
"My neighbor's little boy. He just came down with it."
"That would explain it. I'll give you some prescriptions for antibiotics and then you can take her home. Where's Hope?"
"Still across the street. Dave offered to watch her so Val could go home."
"Nice of him."
"Two hours of Doc Magoo's? I'll just be happy if she doesn't need her stomach pumped." Abby grinned. She looked back at Faith. The little girl was peacefully sleeping. "Doug, can I talk to you in the hall for a minute?"
"Sure." They went into the hall. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah. No. How was her white count?"
"Normal. Why? Is there any special reason you think it wouldn't be normal?"
"There's a paternal history of cancer. Leukemia to be specific and I was just wondering."
"She's fine. Well, as fine as someone can be who's been puking for the last couple of days."
"Thanks Doug."
"No problem. I'll go get those scripts."
"Right." Abby went back into the pedes room while Doug headed for the counter.
Neither of them had noticed Jing-Mei sitting at a desk the entire time.