YESTERDAY, TODAY, FOREVER (PART 5/?)
by Michelle Creek
(missy@ipax.com.au)
Started: 28/8/98

DISCLAIMER: The characters of ER are the property of Michael
Crichton, Warner Bros. Constant Productions and Amblin
Television and the actors who so marvellously portray them.

Any comments and/or constructive criticism will be gratefully
received at the above e-mail address.

          
FOUR MONTHS LATER


Kerry finished the last chart for the day.  It was also her last day
before flying out to Ethiopia late the next afternoon.  She had tried
to get another shift for the next day just to keep her mind off the
impending flight but a carefully devised plan between Mark, Carol,
Jeanie and even Doug, had ensured that this was her last shift.   
She had been lucky to even work this shift, having to finally assert
her own authority, which she officially lost at the end of today.

Mark now had the dubious role of 'Acting Chief' and from his
frazzled look, as she took him through all his administrative duties
as well as committee's he had to attend, she didn't think he would
be applying for the position permanently.

The next four weeks were going to be a big change.   No work to
attend and a child to look after instead.  Dropping the chart in the
filing bin, she looked around to see if there wasn't any more work
for her to do.   At home, her case was already packed together with
a smaller one containing clothing for Alemsehay.   

Jeanie had gone with her to help pick out some clothes.  It had been
difficult to choose and they had bought a couple of sizes because
until she saw her daughter, she had no idea as to how tall and big
she was.  Having spoken with other adopting parents, she knew that
this was sometimes a complete shock to find a five year old who
looked more the age of three.  This could be an error in ages but it
was amazing at their growth once they arrived and received
nourishing meals.    They had decided to wait until she arrived
home before buying too many and then Alemsehay would get a
chance to choose some clothes for herself.

Both Carol and Jeanie had pitched in decorating Alemsehay's room
and it was an array of colours in a border print adorning the cream
walls with matching curtains.    Jeanie had made a quilted
bedspread incorporating similar colours.

"Do you need me for any thing?"  Kerry asked, hoping for a
positive answer.

Randi continued with her telephone call, waving her off and
shaking her head.   

Lydia shook her head also.  "Dr. Weaver, you're officially now on
your holidays." She nodded at the clock above the central work
station, the hands had just ticked over 3.06 p.m.  

"Where's Mark?"  

"Gone for his break."  Lydia replied and then turned her attention
back to the file in front of her before heading off to her patient.

Kerry shrugged her shoulders.  There didn't seem to be anything
she needed to do.  All ends were tied up, no major trauma was
coming through the door.  It was really too easy.  She never
managed to leave her shift on time, either an administrative matter
or a patient requiring her attention.  But she also knew that she
hadn't had the usual number of patients she would normally treat,
Mark jumping in and allocating them to other staff.   Usually, she
would have challenged Mark on this but  was touched by the fact
that he was even attempting to lighten her load on her last day.

Heading for the doctor's lounge, she noticed that her leg was better
than usual at the end of a shift.  There were some consolations for
not having worked a hard and stressful day.    Opening her locker,
she removed her lab coat and stethoscope, hanging them neatly on
the coat hanger.   Slipping her bag over her shoulder, she closed the
door for the last time for four weeks.  It seemed like an eon to
Kerry.

Walking slowly towards the exit, she took one last glimpse of the
place which she had been her second home for the last four years
and knew it was going to be different when she returned.  

"Dr. Weaver!"  Chuny came running down the hall, her voice
urgent.  "Carter's got a full arrest in Exam 4."

"How long has he been down?"

"Ten minutes."

She turned sharply on her heel, her crutch maintaining her balance
as she raced down towards Exam  4, her bag hitting her left hip
rhythmically with each alternate step she took.  
 
"What was Carter doing?  Why didn't he call for me earlier." 
Kerry was angry that Carter had once again tried to manage a full
arrest without calling for an attending.  He was an outstanding
intern but his year in surgery had given him an advantage over most
interns.  She tried to give him a bit more responsibility as a result
but he had to know when to call for assistance.

Chuny didn't answer and followed Kerry down to Exam Room 4. 
  Hitting the door heavily with her left hand, she barrelled into the
room, ready to reprimand Carter.    Her jaw hung open in
amazement at the sea of faces before her, the room decorated with
balloons and streamers with a large 'Bon Voyage' sign decorating
the wall above the window.

"Surprise!"

Jerry had his camera ready and snapped the picture of her standing
there dumb-founded in the doorway, her mouth wide-open in
surprise, her bag hitting the floor as it slid down her arm which
dropped to her side in shock   Chuny stood behind her with a broad
grin across her face.  

"Don't you dare print that" Kerry warned with an impish grin at
being caught out.  

"Happy flying, Kerry."  Mark said gently with a smile, handing her
a glass of spring water.  

The gurney in the middle of the room was dressed with a table
cloth and laden with a cake and a selection of chips, nuts and dips. 
 At each end there was a colourful array of presents piled up.

Kerry couldn't say a word.   Emotion clogged up her throat and she
didn't dare say a word, even if she could, because her voice would
betray her.  She could feel the tears welling in the corners of her 
eyes.

"We'll miss you."  Doug said, breaking the awkward silence.

"Yeah, right."  Kerry answered with a touch of sarcasm, giving him
a small smile of gratefulness at his tact.

"Carol and I got this for you" Doug shifted on the spot, having been
thrust forward by Carol with their present for her to open.

Kerry was overwhelmed by their generosity.  "I don't know what
to say.   This is such a surprise....."

"Well, don't say anything just open the presents."  called out
Elizabeth.

"Here Kerry, have a seat."  Jeanie pulled up a stood for her to sit on
and removed her bag from the doorway.  

Doug placed the package in her hands and Kerry held it up to her
ear to check it wasn't ticking.  "No bomb?"  

Doug smiled..  "I tried but I just couldn't find the instructions on
the 'net." 

Both of them could still see the humourous side of their
aggravating relationship.    Kerry began gently easing the cello-tape
from the numerous places it could be found across the unusually
shaped package.  

"Come on, Kerry.  We don't have all day.  Rip into it."  Doug was
impatient with her care, wanting to see her reaction to the present.

Looking up at the curious faces, eager anticipation etched to see
what she thought of the presents, she gave into her neat and ordered
way and began tearing the paper apart.   The top part of the present
fell to the ground with a bag and bounced before she had a chance
to capture it.  

Kerry shook her head and laughed.  Doug and Carol had given
Alemsehay a basketball and a pair of Reeboks.  "You've just roped
yourself in for giving her basketball lessons, Doug."  


Doug smiled and nodded.  He would be quite happy to teach
Kerry's daughter basketball.  

"They can be exchanged if they're the wrong size." Carol
commented as Kerry pulled the Reeboks out of the box.  They had
bright pink, teal and black markings on a white background.  

"Carol, Doug, this is great.  Thanks."  She smiled at the couple,
Doug's arms resting comfortably around Carol's waist as she
leaned back on him.

Elizabeth handed her gift to Kerry.  "This is from Peter and myself. 
 We're going to have to get back to surgery in a moment."   She
took the box from Kerry's lap and put it on the ground beside her.

Reaching into the gift bag, she pulled out a beautiful fluffy brown
teddy bear.  "Elizabeth, it's beautiful."  As she picked it up by it's
paw, she jumped when a battery-operated English accent informed
her "I'm sleepy."

"It talks!  And with such a lovely accent.  My daughter's going to
be totally confused."   She began pressing the different spots on it's
belly, ears, cheeks and feet, which all said different phrases but she
loved the knowledgeable way it said  "I'm so smart."

"Thank you."  Once again a tear began to fill her eye as she realised
the care and thought that had gone into the presents.

"You're welcome but we really must get back."  Elizabeth gave her
a quick hug.  "Have a safe trip."

Carter was a bit embarrassed as he came forward and handed his
small package.  He would have preferred to have given her his
present privately and hoped gotten the right thing.    He watched as
Kerry opened the gift paper and was pleased to see the smile come
to her face as she read the inscription on the small child's bracelet. 


"I did spell her name correctly, didn't I?"

"Yes you did Carter.   It's lovely."  She gently fingered the delicate
gold bracelet and the swirling name on the flat plate in the centre.

Randi, Chuny and Haleh gave her several packages all at once. 
"These are from all the nurses and administration staff."  

Opening the paper, she found her daughter was going to be dressed
in 'Randiwear'   There was a collection of dresses, leggings,
various tops for both winter and summer, all bearing Randi's own
logo and with her distinctive colours.

"These are absolutely beautiful."  Kerry had to brush away the tears
of happiness that had finally spilled over.  

"There's also an I.O.U included in there was well.   You only get
to receive that one when you bring Alemsehay in for a visit once
you get back."  Haleh informed her, her tone indicating that they
wouldn't be impressed if she didn't bring her in for a visit or two.

Mark was the last to hand over his present.   Once again it was a
strange shape which gave no idea to its contents.  Pulling back the
paper, she was surprised at the amount of things in there.  There
was  a traditional bluebird necklace with matching earrings that
nearly every little girl got to wear.   A children's toy medical kit as
well as the essential parent's guide "Parenting with Love".  

Jeanie handed her a tissue as the tears continued to fall with no
chance of stopping and put her arm around her shoulder in support. 
"I'm sorry.  You have made this a wonderful surprise and the
presents are beautiful.   I don't know what else to say but thank
you."

"Nothing to say, Kerry.  We're all family and we love that you are
getting a daughter but I resound Haleh's comment.  You had better
bring her in for a visit.   Now how about a piece of cake."  Mark
said.

End Part 5/?