Chapter 9

"AJ!" Katie gasped as the young student stumbled into the hospital blood smeared over his hands and face. "My God, AJ, what happened?" the nurse asked as she helped him sit down. "I thought you were going home?"

"I was," he coughed out. "But I ran into a little trouble on the way."

"What trouble?" she questioned obcerving his injuries.

"Hazel's boyfriend," he sneered.

Her eyes widened. "You didn't?"

He lifted up his bloody hands. "I did. I gave him a piece of what he gave her."

"Shit...." Katie sighed bringing her palm to her pale brow. "Come on," she directed steering him through the crowded hospital. The small woman opened the door to lounge making sure it was empty. "Go sit in there and be quiet," she told him hurrying away to get the supplies she needed.

"No wonder this is where Richardson is always hangin' out," AJ mocked as he entered the plush room taking a seat.

"Okay, here we go," Katie breathed as she returned dragging the items needed behind her. She took a sit infront of him. "How do you feel? Did you hit your head?"

"Like shit, and no I didn't hit my hard head."

She rolled her eyes. "That's very helpful." Katie quietly began cleaning the wounds. "Why'd you do it, AJ?"

He shrugged. "It felt right. Hell, I really don't know why, Katie. I just saw the bastard and I don't know what came over me."

"It was probably adrelin," she sighed cleansing his skin with the rubbing alcohol. "You lost your first patient, AJ, you're sick.... It's a lot to take on. Sometimes, tempers get the best of anyone."

AJ winced at the sting of the liquid. "What about Kevin and Annie?"

Katie shook her head. "Who knows what goes on with those two. Annie's my best friend, but I never know what she's thinking. She's the sweetest person I know, but there's just this little part of her she'll never let go of to show anyone."

"I think she's damn brave," AJ added.

Katie pushed her brown hair out of her. "That's what I'm afraid of." She finished taping the bandage to his hand. "All right, let's take a look at that head of yours'."

AJ shut his eyes as she examined the scrapes. "I don't know what's wrong with me anymore."

"What do you mean?" Katie asked softly.

"I..I.." he paused his voice breaking. "I punched out a drunk, I'm always in a fight with Richardson, I yelled at that guy for treating his girlfriend like crap...Now, I beat him up. Let's face it, I'm not cut out to be a doctor!"

"Stop talking like that," she whispered resting her hand on his knee. "I happen to think you're very talent. Maybe more doctors need to be like you, more involved, more direct."

Tears suddenly found his eyes. "I just can't take this!"

"I know," she sympathized wrapping her arms around him pulling him into a hug.

"God if Richardson knew....Why does he hate me so much?"

"Shh...He doesn't hate you." Katie sighed. "He hates everyone."

"I think Dr.Turtle should prick him during surgery with her scallop," AJ grumbled.

The brunette grinned patting his back. "Don't give her any ideas. Now, let's finish up fixing that head of yours'. Then, I can insert an IV."

"An IV?" AJ groaned pouting like a small child.

"Yes, an IV," she repeated grabbing the equidment. "Brian wanted me to put you on one earlier, and now that you're back I'm going to." She grimaced at the one lodged in her arm. "They're not exactly fashionable or practical, but they should help to keep you from passing out."

AJ gazed up at her the tears slowly drying from his chocolate- colored eyes. "How do you do it?"

"Do what?" she asked searching for a suitable vein.

"Be so strong? I mean, you're really the type of person anyone could depend on. I've never cried infront of anyone before," he whispered his face flushing with embarrassment.

She shrugged. "I just try to be there for people. It's obvious someone needs to take that role here. Brian was kind enough to help me, and it really made a difference, so I'm going to help anyone I can."

"I appreciate it," he told her honestly a small grin surfacing.

"Well, I'm glad to help."

"Ouch!" he whistled as she inserted the IV. "How are you feeling anyway?"

"Really rundown. I think I could sleep for two days straight and still be tired," she sadly admitted checking the position of the IV.

"Shouldn't you go home?"

"Nah, I couldn't leave Brian in this kind of outbreak with all those sick little kids." She placed her hands in her lap. "All finished. Just stay here, rest and keep quiet, okay?"

He nodded. "Okay."

Katie chewed on her bottom lip. "AJ, maybe you should consider seeing Hazel."

"After what I did to her boyfriend?"

"Well, you don't have to tell her that part. But maybe if you see her it'll help you."

"I'll think about it," AJ promised.

"KATIE! KATIE!" Brian threw the door open. "Oh, Katie, there you are!" Brian breathed in relief. "I could really use your help!"

"I'm coming," she replied standing rushing to the door.

"AJ, what happened?" Brian gasped viewing the med student from a distance.

"Oh, you see, AJ was leaving, but he was a little dehydrated and collapsed in the parking lot. So....I brought him in here, so, he could rest and get some nutrients through the IV and save us the extra room for patients," she fibbed giving a AJ a quick wink.

"Oh, good thinking," Dr.Littrell praised. "Rest up, AJ."

****************************

"Hey, Dr.Turtle!" Nick greeted taking a seat beside her in the cafeteria.

She glanced up at him speaking softly. "Hi, Nick."

"Could I ask you a question?"

The redheaded lady nodded. "Of course."

"Do you think I could take on more cases by myself? Small cases, that would really just slow more experienced doctors down."

"I think you could handle that, Nick. And I think it would be very helpful to the others," the doctor agreed. "Just find someone to sign off your charts and never hesitate to get help when things get out of control. Okay?"

"Okay," he beamed suddenly feeling he was truly a member of the team.

Dr.Turtle continued picking at her lunch. Nick studied her. "You look kinda' pale, Doc. Well, I mean you're always pale. Ya' know, you're actually the palest person I think I've ever met."

"Thanks," Annie replied her voice monotone.

He fidgeted with his hands in embarrassment at his comment. "Is this about yesterday? With the dog and the old lady?"

"No," she responsed quickly pushing her long red strands away from her eyes. "I'm just not very hungry. Here," she said passing the tray along to him. "You might as well eat this."

"Are you sure?"

"It's fine," she assured him. The doctor stood suddenly as her beeper sounded. "I have an emergency upstairs!" she sighed running off.

"Another lunch alone," Nick sighed.

****************************

"Hazel?" AJ whispered as he entered the dark room.

The teenager faced him. Her face covered with bandages and bruises. "Hi," she croaked. "I remember you."

"Yeah, um...I remember you, too," he replied slowly making his way closer to the bed.

"Sit down," she offered pointing to the chair. "You have an accident?" she wondered gazing at his presence.

AJ glanced down at his bandages and IV. "Yeah, something like that. How you feelin', sweetheart?"

She bit her lip as tears came near. "Could be better."

The med. student started at the floor. "Um, Hazel, I'm really and truly sorry about your baby."

"Me too," she choked tears freely leaving her eyes. "They didn't know if it was a boy or a girl, so, I just named it Jessie. That's a boy/girl name. You like that name?"

"It's a nice name," AJ answered.

She took a deep breath. "I'm pressin' charges against Joe. I won't let him hurt me or anyone else again!" she declared.

"That's a very wise thing to do, Hazel."

She wiped her eyes. "Maybe this was God's way of helping me. Just like you help people here. Maybe He didn't want my baby to be hurt by Joe, so, he took my baby to Heaven."

AJ nodded. "I bet so."

Hazel grinned. "And I'm getting stronger. God's giving me the strength to fight back and help myself and other people. God works in mysterious ways, doesn't He?"

AJ took a deep breath. "Yes, He does."

*******************

"Dr.Littrell!" Howie Dorough yelled as he hurried through the halls dragging a stretcher behind him. "We've got an assload of kids!"

"What happened?" Brian yelled helping pull the first stretcher through.

"Bunch of kids were ice skating on the pond near the school. There was a weak patch in the ice, everything started caving in! Five fell through."

"Five?" Brian sighed. "Katie!" he hollered behind him to the nurse bringing in another patient. "Start getting some warm saline and stock up on blankets!"

"I'm on it!" she shouted rushing down the opposite hall.

Brian took a deep breath finally getting a good look at his first patient. "Hey, buddy, what's your name?"

"C-Charlie," the boy managed to mumble out of his trembling lips.

"Can you tell me how old you are?"

"Seven."

"Seven? That's a fun age," Dr.Littrell commented as he helped the child out of the wet clothing.

"Why a-are you t-takin' off my clothes? I'm cold," the patient complained.

"I know you are, Charlie, but if you stay in those wet, cold clothes you could get really sick. You don't want that, do you?"

"No."

"Okay, then, we'll get you out of these and start making you feel better, okay?"

"Okay."

"How's he doing?" Katie asked as she joined the doctor and young patient.

"Temp's 91, but he's holding strong. Start him on warm saline and give him some warm blankets. Let's warm him up slowly. I don't want to give him too much all at once."

"I can handle it," Katie promised as she took over helping the child into a gown. "Why don't you go check on someone else? We're okay here."

"Okay," Brian sighed returning to the crowded halls. He paused as he viewed the scattered freezing children and now accustomed vomiting patients stalking the waiting room. He hung his head. "What I would give for a sedative!"

"Dr.Littrell, we need you!" a voice called.

"I know....I know," Brian whispered massaging his brow. "I'm coming," he answered taking over the care of another child.

"Need some help?" Nick asked as he finished with his patient.

Brian nodded. "I need a lot of help. There's a case in two, can you take it?"

"Sure," Nick granted taking the chart. "Pain in the adomen, nausea....Sounds familar," he grumbled opening the door. "Hello," he greeted as he entered.

"Hi," a meak voice replied.

Nick sat down giving the little girl a smile. "Hey, Marcy, I'm Nick."

She sniffled brushing her black hair out of her eyes. "Are you gonna' make me better?"

"I'm going to try," he promised. "So, your tummy's been hurting?"

"Yeah."

"Your Mommy and Daddy been taking good care of you?"

"Uh huh."

Nick examined her stomach. "Have any of the kids at school been sick, Marcy?"

She nodded. "Yeah, a lot."

Nick retrieved his hands. "Well, honey, I do believe you've caught yourself this nasty stomach bug."

"Mr.Nick?" the girl suddenly called out.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm gonna'.....gonna' AGGGGHHHH!"

Nick looked down at the vomit that had contacted his shoes and pants. "Will wonders never cease?"

**************************

Nick Carter stood uncomfortably at the front desk in complete exhuastion. "Katie?" he sighed.

The weak nurse lifted her tired head. "What, Nick?"

He stared at her his eyes slightly glazed over and his expression blank. "Ten children hurled on me today."

She fought not to smile. "I'm sorry, sweetie."

He sat down beside her resting his head against her shoulder. "Am I some kind of target? Do kids hate me? Do I smell like vomit and target a chain reaction?"

Katie patted his back. "You are not a target, kids do not hate you and you don't smell like vomit."

He buried his face further into her shoulder. "Am I just kidding myself by even trying to make it here? Maybe I should've stayed in Chicago, instead of coming to this tiny town."

"Nick, if you had stayed where we worked you'd have kids throwing punches and blades at you instead of vomit."

The blonde lifted his head. "That does sound worse."

"That's because it is, silly," she chuckled continuing her paperwork.

"How are you feeling?" he asked standing up.

"My stomach feels a lot better accuatly," she answered filing another chart. "But I'm still really tired."

"Maybe you should go take a nap on one of the spare cots?" he suggested.

Katie grinned. "That sounds Heavenly, Nick, but unforunately I have to file all of these charts and get them organized before Richardson has my ass for it."

Nick rolled his eyes. "He's always on someone's ass. I don't know how Dr.Turtle puts up with him."

"I think she invested in a punching bag for her apartment," Katie replied allowing a smirk to surface.

"Hi, guys," Howie greeted as he came up to the desk a stack of papers in hand. "Here ya' go, Katie. I got these done," he said handing to her.

"Howie, thank you so much!" she thanked him a bright smile forming. "You have no idea how much you helped me."

"My pleasure." He leaned against the counter. "How are those kids doing that I brought in earlier from the pond?"

"They're all doing just fine. Thanks to Dr.Littrell, he was able to treat them all before they went into hypothermia or shock."

"Thank God," he sighed. "I was really worried when I got to the scene."

"I can imagine," Katie sympathized.

Howie scratched his stomach. "Anybody else hungry?"

"Not me," the nurse quickly replied burying her face back into the paperwork.

"I could use a bite to eat," Nick answered. "It would be nice to have some company when I eat for once." He faced the nurse. "Would it be all right for me to go grab some dinner in the cafeteria?"

Katie nodded her brown ponytail bopping up and down. "I don't see why not. Things have really calmed down. Besides, it would probably do you a bit of good to get away from here for a little bit. It's getting late and everybody's on edge."

"Even Bri?" Howie asked as he pulled out his wallet.

"Yes, especially Dr.Littrell," Katie responsed.

"Hey, who's that?" Nick asking looking over Howie's shoulder at the wallet.

"Oooh," Howie whispered his face turning a mild crimson as he blushed. He held up the picture of the Spanish beauty. "That's my Maria."

"Your girlfriend?" Nick asked.

"Yep, she's pretty, huh?"

"Very," Nick nodded.

"Does she live around here?" Katie asked taking a glimpse of the photo.

Howie shook his head. "No, she lives in Florida near my family, but once she finishes school she's going to move out here. We both want to live in a spacious area like this."

"I hope you see her soon," the nurse said sweetly. She groaned as she glanced at opening elevators doors seeing Richardson's form emerge. "Nick you better get out of here while you can."

Nick paled at the sight of the strict surgeon. "Let's go, Howie," he instructed rushing away.

"If it's not Scrooge in the flesh," Katie grumbled under her breath as Richardson came closer.

"Nurse Mist, I asked you to have these papers done hours ago. You've had all day!" the senior employee griped.

"It was a busy day," she sighed. "And nothing is very easy with this stupid IV hooked up to me."

He crossed his arms. "Would you prefer to pass out?"

She bit her lip. "I would prefer to end this revaulting conversation and finish my work, then we'll both be happy."

"It should have already been done to begin with!"

"I already told you it was a busy day, and I haven't been feeling well," the nurse argued.

"Kevin, would you lower your voice!" Brian hissed as he stood next to his anal cousin in apparent fatigue. "Patients can hear you! Now, what's the big deal?"

"The big deal, Brian, is the fact that your nurse on this floor couldn't get the work done that I asked her to, and she had all damn day."

Brian rolled his eyes. "Cut it out, Kevin. It's been a busy day, she's sick and had to help me due to an accident at the pond and staff shortage."

"Well, that's not my fault," Kevin spat.

"It's not her fault either!" Dr.Littrell shouted. "At least, she's been trying to help. What have you done except give Annie's a little help with the suction upstairs and boss people around?!"

Kevin opened his mouth but froze as he was at a loss for words.

Dr.Littrell continued to rant. "It has been complete chaos down here. AJ's too sick to work, I had five kids in an accident, I'm always near someone's who puking and I have to try to take care of my staff as well! Now, where in the heck do you find anything to complain about? Since, you're obviously not doing anyone any good why don't you go back upstairs and bug someone or go home and rest like the rest of us only wish we could do!"

Dr.Richardson's jaw tightened as his green eyes narrowed into mean slits. He turned on his heel without a word leaving the unpleasant situation behind.

Katie stared at the pediatric doctor in shock. "Dr.Littrell, are you all right?"

The man hung his head. "I apologize for snapping like that, Katie. I don't know what came over me. It's just been such a hard day," he explained massaging the brow. "Sometimes, I just don't think I can take anymore of this. Ya' know?"

She nodded. "Believe me, I can relate more than you will ever know."

He released a deep sigh. "I should go apologize to Kevin, shouldn't I?"

Katie shrugged. "I don't know about that. I wouldn't apologize for what you said, only the way you said it to him."

Littrell sat down his form slumply lazily in the chair. "Kevin's not exactly Mr.Popularity around here, is he?"

"Oh, he's something all right...just not popular," the nurse answered.

He glanced at her arm. "Want me to take that thing out? That is if you feel up to having it removed."

Katie happily extended her arm. "I'm proud to bid the IV ado." She frowned studying him as he began to remove the needle. "Brian, are you okay? You're really not acting like yourself today."

"Is it that obvious?" he sighed.

"I didn't mean to upset you," she apologized rubbing the tender area where the IV had been placed.

"I'm just very tired today. Too tired," he admitted.

"You don't look well," she observed.

He yawned stretching his shoulders. "I don't exactly feel well."

"Want me to rub your shoulders?" she asked watching him wince in pain.

"You don't have to do that."

"Don't sweat it." She assured him standing behind him. "I owe you for everything you've done for me."

"You don't owe me anything, I try to help anyone I can."

"Even Kevin?"

He took a deep breath. "I know I'd need a sedative afterwards, but yes, even Kevin."

"Your temperature's up a little," Katie said placing her hand on his cheek. "Maybe your just getting this disgusting virus."

"Yeah, maybe..." Brian yawned his voice trailing off. "I've got more patients to check on," he sighed getting up walking away. "Hey, Katie?"

"Yeah?" the brunette called back over her shoulder. "Thanks for just being there. I'm glad to know I have someone I can confide in."

She smiled. "The feeling's mutual, Brian." She ran her hands through her hair. "Apparently, everyone likes to confide in me lately," she whispered under her breath going back to the filing.

*******************************

"Great job in surgery, Dr.Turtle," the nurse praised helping the doctor strip out of her layers of protective clothing.

"Thank you, Didi" the redhead replied shutting her eyes for a moment. "It was good to have something run so smoothly after the day we had, huh?"

The nurse nodded.

"Everything going well up here?" Kevin Richardson asking in a booming tone entering the area as Dr.Turtle cleaned her hands.

"Everything is on schedule, Dr.Richardson, I just finished with Mr.Gogi's surgery and it was quite a success."

"Good," Richardson said giving a blunt answer as he took inventory of the supplies.

"Annie, were you all right in there?" the nurse wondered. "Your work was super as always, but your hands were shaking through out the entire operation."

Annie froze feeling two pairs of anxious eyes staring at her. "Well, you see, Didi, um....I was called out before I could eat lunch. So, I haven't eaten anything today." She jumped as she heard the door close behind her, Richardson exiting with his notes.

Didi shook her head at the man. "How do you like that? The man enters without a hello and leaves without a goodbye. What a prick." She waved to Annie. "See ya' tomorrow, Dr.Turtle. Get some food in your stomach, you hear me?"

The redhead smiled, Didi had almost become like a second mother to her. And the only member of the sugrical team that seemed to enjoy her presence and work in the environment. "My first surgery to go well after so many sad attempts to save life," she whispered to herself running her hands through her red strands. "If only life were like fairy tales....Then, people wouldn't have to die. Or even need surgery."

The doctor sighed falling into an empty chair drawing her knees to her chest. She bowed her head down wishing her intense headache would disappear.

"Here," a deep voice called the door opening.

She lifted her head to see someone's hands holding a bag of pretzels and water bottle out to her. "Kevin?" she whispered setting her legs down.

He gently tossed the items into her lap. "I can't have you passing out during surgery," he said blankly.

Annie stared at the items. "Thank you-" she paused realizing he had once again left without a goodbye.