 | ShatterStorm Productions
|
| ShatterStorm Productions
|
Timeline:
Missing scenes between “The
Letter” and “Lockdown”
Contributors:
Powder Skier, Yankee1, Juliana & Piney
Total
number of scenes: 4
Rating:
R
Disclaimer:
All ER characters belong to NBC, Constant C Productions, Amblin
Entertainment and Warner Brothers Television. We only lovingly borrowed
them for a while. No attempt is made to profit from them.
Scene
1
The
Lava Lounge
- by Powder Skier
The
El train rumbles from station to station. Inside, Sandy and Kerry
discuss the tragic circumstance of Mark's death.
"You've
lost a friend."
"I
think I have."
Kerry's
expression is one of deep regret and pain over the loss of her
colleague. Sandy has experienced this loss and understands exactly what
Kerry is going through. She reaches over and places her hand on Kerry's
knee, gently squeezing it in a sign of support and caring. Kerry
responds by placing her hand over Sandy's, gripping it tightly as if she
would not, and could not, let go. No more words are spoken, but Sandy's
expression speaks volumes to Kerry. I'm here for you, as your lover,
and your friend, and it's going to be OK.
Kerry
wrestles with the dichotomy of her emotions. She feels pain at the loss
of her long-time colleague, but at the same time the happiness of
knowing she now has a lover and a friend in her life who will support
her without judgement. A tear travels down the side of Kerry's face as
she leans her head back against the wall of the train and lets out a
sigh. Her furrowed brow relaxes as she stares at the ceiling, lost in
thought.
A
minute later, the train comes to a stop. Sandy releases her grip on
Kerry's knee. "This is us. Come on, Kerry. It'll be fine. You'll
see." Kerry's lip trembles a bit, but she cracks a slight smile at
Sandy's reassurance. They both get up and depart the train.
As
they reach the bottom of the station stairs, they can hear the slightly
muffled sound of island music coming from the bar up the street. Sandy
turns to Kerry, "Sounds like it's this way." Kerry notices how
the moon reflects brightly in Sandy's eyes and can't help but smile. She
nods in agreement, "um hmm," as they turn and head up the
block toward the bar. The closer they get, the louder the music sounds
until they finally reach the steps of the entrance. Kerry stops before
proceeding up to the door.
"Sandy,
I don't know if I am ready for this." Sandy stops and turns to face
her. "Ready for what? For us to be out together in front of your
co-workers?" There is a slight hint of exasperation in Sandy's
tone. Sensing this, Kerry retorts, "No, not us, me. I'm not sure
I'm ready for ME to be socializing with my co-workers. I've really never
done this before. I always try to keep my professional relationships
professional, not social. I've known these people for so long, yet I
have never socialized with them. It feels awkward, after all these
years, to suddenly just … um … well … spend time with them outside
the ER."
"Kerry,
it will be fine. They invited you. They wouldn't have done that if they
didn't want you here. Besides, I'll be right by your side. O.K.?"
Kerry is looking at the ground now. She nods her head in agreement,
"Yeah, O.K. I'm just glad you're here with me." Sandy winks
and smiles, "Then let's go."
Kerry
pushes through the swinging door into the bar. Sandy is a half step
behind with her hand on the small of Kerry's back, gently guiding and
supporting Kerry as she enters the bar. They see the gang sitting at a
table on the other side of the room. Seeing them enter, Susan calls out,
"Hi Kerry." Kerry replies, "Hi" as Sandy flashes a
huge welcoming smile to the group. They walk over to the table. Gallant
gets up, grabs a couple of chairs from a nearby table, and pulls them up
so Sandy and Kerry can sit down.
As
they remove their coats and sit, Kerry begins her introductions. "I
think some of you know Sandy Lopez. She works over at the 38. Sandy,
this is Susan, Abby, Gallant, Luka, and Haleh." They all politely
exchange hellos. It is obvious the crew has been at the bar for a bit
because the effects of the alcohol are already noticeable. Sandy spies
Susan's tropical drink and immediately pipes in, "Well, Susan,
that's quite a concoction you have there, what is it?"
Susan
laughs as she tries to respond, "It's a Coconut Mumba Wumba. But
don't ask me to tell you what's in it, because I have no earthly idea.
Whatever it is, it's potent." Sandy giggles and says, "I think
I'll just stick to beer, then. Do you think I can get a basic Budweiser
around here?"
Luka
responds, "Yes. That's what I'm drinking. I'll go get you one. Do
you want anything, Dr. Weaver?" Kerry asks, "Do they have any
red wine?" Sandy leans over, "Why don't you try one of those
Mumba Wumba thingies." She pokes Kerry lovingly in the waist with
her finger, and whispers closely in her ear so the others cannot hear,
"Loosen up, Kerry. Give it a try." Kerry smiles back,
"O.K. I'll try that, whatever it's called, drink." Everyone at
the table laughs as their normally uptight boss appears to be settling
in with them. Luka gets up to go get the drinks.
When
Luka returns, everyone is happily chatting. Sandy and Kerry thank him
for the drinks as the conversation continues. Sandy tells one joke after
another as everyone laughs hysterically. Haleh and Abby have tears
running down their cheeks because they are laughing so hard. Even the
normally reserved Luka can hardly contain his amusement.
Sandy
notices her beer is empty and decides to go up to the bar for a refill.
"Hey, I'm going up for another. Anyone need anything?" Susan
responds, "I'll take another coconut mumba wumba, or whatever this
thing is called." Everyone giggles. "Anyone else? "
Everyone shakes their heads no. Abby speaks up, "I'm good for
now."
Sandy
turns to Kerry, "How about you, honey. You need anything?"
Kerry replies, "No I'm fine. I still have half of this drink
left." Sandy winks at Kerry, gives her a quick kiss on the cheek,
" O.K., I'll be right back with one Budweiser and one coconut mumba
wumba." She smiles back at the table where everyone is still
laughing thanks to their waning sobriety.
As
Sandy turns to go up to the bar, Susan leans across the table,
"Hey, Kerry. Where did you find her? She's soooo nice … and
funny." Kerry turns slightly red with embarrassment at the
question, not sure if she really wants to answer. Everyone at the table
leans in, wanting to hear the answer. Kerry stutters a bit, "Oh,
um… well…" Abby interrupts, "Yeah, Dr. Weaver, fess
up." Then Haleh chimes in, "Yeah. How did you meet her?"
The
drinks are now having an effect on Kerry, so she starts to give in to
the pressure. " Well, uh, remember the night of the big storm when
Gallant and I went out to that accident site?" The group responds
in unison, "Yeah?" "Well, Sandy was at the scene and we
worked together to save that lady and her baby." At this point,
curiosity starts to get the better of Abby, "So, how did you hook
up?" Kerry really doesn't want to answer this question. It's too
personal and she is not used to sharing personal details with the staff.
But they are all drunk and trying to egg her on. They have worked with
this doctor for so long, yet they hardly know her. She has remained so
private. This is the perfect opportunity because they are all relaxed in
a social setting. Kerry is very hesitant, "Well, umm, I don't know
… I don't want to talk about that." Kerry is turning beet red,
but the group won't let her off the hook. They all start in, "Oh
come on, Dr. Weaver. Yeah Kerry, tell us." Kerry starts to cave to
the pressure, " Well … uh … well."
Just
then Sandy gets back with the drinks. "phew … saved."
flashes through Kerry's mind. Sandy places the huge tropical drink in
front of Susan. "Hey. Here's your mumba wumba." She can hardly
say it with a straight face. "Thanks," Susan laughs. "No
problem. Sorry to interrupt. What were you all talking about?" Abby
quickly jumps in, "We were just asking Dr. Weaver …" But
Kerry interrupts, "They weren't talking about anything
important." Susan counters, "We were talking about you two.
How did you meet?" Sandy laughs out loud. "Oh, no wonder Kerry
looks a little flustered." She laughs again. "Yeah we met at
that accident scene in the storm. I had to literally throw myself on top
of her so we could mud wrestle in the rain. She couldn't resist my
charm."
Everyone
starts laughing. Kerry's face turns redder as she cries out,
"Sandy!" But it's too late. Susan prompts for more, "Mud
wrestling? What?" So Sandy explains, "Yeah, a huge electric
wire came down and I had to jump on top of her to save her from becoming
a crispy critter." Luka is surprised, "Kerry, you never
mentioned that." But Kerry is still somewhat speechless, "Yeah
… well …"
Abby
now realizes that Sandy is willing to reveal the juicy details and
redirects her questions. "So when did you hook up? Who did the
asking?" Sandy laughs, "Oh, Kerry asked me to go ice
fishing." Everyone laughs loudly at this surprise response. Luka
actually snorts beer through his nose, which makes everyone laugh even
harder. "Ice fishing?" Susan practically cries she is laughing
so hard. Kerry finally realizes the humor of the whole situation and
starts laughing with everyone. Sandy very matter-of-factly replies,
"Yup. Ice fishing." Abby responds, "Never had anyone use
THAT pickup line on me." Luka is still fascinated by the approach,
"And it worked?" Sandy responds, "Well, I'm sitting here
aren't I?" Luka is in disbelief. "Ice Fishing. I'll have to
remember that one."
Everyone continues laughing and drinking, and Kerry suddenly looks very relaxed. She exchanges a very loving glance with Sandy, mentally thanking her for all she has done. Making her go out, helping her feel comfortable with her staff, helping her feel comfortable in her own skin. Sandy smiles back and rests her arm on the back of Kerry's chair. They both then turn to rejoin the conversation at the table.
(Author’s note: Many thanks to Trinity, Treelint, Snack-Sized and Iceturkee for their editorial guidance.)
Scene 2
Restless
in Chicago
- by Yankee1
Kerry
and Sandy left as they arrived: arm in arm.
They
walked in silence, listening to their own closeness. Sandy thought how
well they fit together. And how good she felt about being with Kerry
tonight, when she needed her. Sandy glanced over towards Kerry and a
gentle smile crossed her face. They had come a long way since “The
Kiss.” Kerry was becoming more comfortable in her relationship with
Sandy. And Sandy adored Kerry.
Sandy
spoke first. “Nice bunch.”
“Yeah.
Well, we go through a lot together. Life. Death. Despair. Hope.
They’re good people.”
“They
seem to genuinely like you Kerry.”
“Honey,
they liked you, especially, Luka. Should I be jealous?” Kerry said
with a slight giggle.
Sandy
flashed her glorious smile and with a twinkle in her eye, replied
“Sorry, my heart belongs to this doctor who has this great butt. You
know the one, the red head that loves to be a hero at accident
scenes.”
“Yes,
I know who you’re talking about. She’s taken though.”
‘You
better say that.” Kerry’s forehead tapped Sandy’s forehead and the
two women laughed at their mutual understanding.
They
made their way to the train station.
“Your
place or mine?” Sandy said without much thought.
“Anywhere,
with you.” Kerry said softly.
“And
just what is that supposed to mean?" "I think you know, "
Kerry said. "Humor me." So Kerry turned to Sandy and gently
touched her hand. Their eyes locked. "I just . . . I adore you. . .
you . . .and me.” Kerry reached up and gently stroked Sandy’s
face. No words were needed to explain how the two lovers felt about one
another. They were communicating without uttering a word and for a
moment their world stood perfectly still.
Just
at that moment the train blared into the station.
Sandy
couldn’t quite figure out what to say in response to Kerry. Sandy came
to the realization early on in their relationship that she had fallen
hard for this brash, sensitive woman but now their bond had blossomed
into something more, something stronger than a physical magnetism. She
wasn’t really sure if Kerry wasn’t simply reacting to the emotions
of the day, Mark’s death or if Kerry was acknowledging the same bond.
All that Sandy knew was that when she was with Kerry she couldn’t get
enough of her and when she wasn’t with Kerry she couldn’t wait to
get to her.
Sandy
let out a big sigh that got Kerry’s attention. She turned to face
Sandy, her head slightly tilted, as if she were about to rest her head
on Sandy’s shoulder. “Me too.”
They
made their way home in relative silence. Kerry seemed about a thousand
miles away and Sandy wanted to give her the time she needed.
“Sorry,
tonight was such a downer, Sandy. You were expecting more
festivities.” Kerry apologized not expecting a response.
“You
don’t really think that I’m in this just for just the good times?
Kerry, you’re the one. The only one.”
“How
many times are you going to save my life?”
“As
many times as it takes, baby.” Sandy smiled as she turned her palms up
to the sky.
They
made their way from the train station to Kerry’s place and were
officially greeted by Stinky as soon as they entered the house.
“Hey,
boy. You miss us? Sure you did.” Kerry and Sandy pummeled Stinky and
Stinky approved. It was hard to tell whose tail was wagging with more
fury: Kerry’s, Sandy’s, or Stinky’s. “I’ll take him out Ker,
you had a long day.” “Thanks.” Kerry took her jacket off and
worked her way to the bedroom. Even though she knew that Sandy and
Stinky would be back shortly, Kerry didn’t like being alone. The house
that she had always felt so comfortable in, her home, just wasn’t the
same without them. She looked at her reflection in the mirror for what
seemed to be a lifetime her thoughts were scrambled but finally landed.
“Face it Weaver, you love her. And don’t blow it. Live a little.
Right Mark? Oh Mark, poor Mark.” She closed her eyes.
Kerry
could hear her two loves bounding up the stairs through the front door.
“C’mon buddy, good boy. Here’s a biscuit for my good boy. Give
mama a kiss. Yes, boy. Yes, good boy.”
Kerry
could only smile.
Suddenly,
she felt Sandy standing behind her. She listened to the sound of Sandy
breathing behind her. It was a ragged, uneven sound. “Kerry?” She
turned around slowly and met Sandy's gaze. Something in those eyes made
her lips tremble. Kerry felt very vulnerable and began to visibly
quiver. Those eyes were so warm. Sandy surprised her by reaching out and
touching her hair. Kerry found herself drawn forward, her heart racing.
She wanted this woman. “I love you, Kerry. You’ve stolen my
heart.” “You’re lucky I’m a doctor then, because I’ll take
good care of it.”
For
a brief moment Kerry thought maybe she should be more careful with her
words, with her emotions. Why does everything have to be so serious, so
permanent? This is a mistake. Yet, as the thought crossed her mind she
closed the space that remained between them as small as it was, and
their mouths came crashing together. “I love you.”
It
was like the first time they kissed and Kerry was thoroughly entranced
by the lushness of Sandy's full, sweet, tender lips. There was softness
in them that delighted Kerry.
She
felt hands on her hips, just resting there, nothing more, but the touch
warmed her insides so much she began to perspire. Then Sandy's tongue
found hers and the heat inside of her flared out of control. Kerry
moaned. She cupped Sandy's face in her hands and the kiss deepened,
mouths opening wider in growing hunger. Their tongues engaged in a
frenzied tango. Kerry finally pulled back, still holding Sandy's face in
her hands. She stared into the other woman's eyes, finding a longing in
them that generated an uncontrollable heat.
She
had never wanted someone like she wanted Sandy. The two of them stood
there for a long time transfixed, just looking at each other.
Kerry
pulled Sandy's mouth to hers, taking those delectable lips in a fierce,
demanding kiss. Kerry slipped off her shoes while Sandy tugged anxiously
at her blouse. Hands moved fast and furious. Both in step with the
other, like a well-choreographed ballet. Their mouths were fused
together in a searing kiss.
Gasps
and sighs . . . grunts and moans . . . wordless affirmations of their
yearning for each other.
Kerry
felt light-headed. Sandy's hand was running up her thigh, stroking
Kerry’s firm buttocks, kneading the firm rounds until she was
breathing fast and hard. The touch sent tremors through her body. She
broke free of the kiss and cried out, catching her breath then moving to
nibble on Sandy's ear. Her lover moaned. "Kerry . . . Oh . . .
Kerry . . . I love that." "Then I'll keep doing it, "
Kerry whispered seductively. She nibbled on Sandy's earlobe a little
more, sucking it. As Sandy was drinking Kerry in, she dropped her shirt
from her shoulders and Kerry’s hand found Sandy’s bare breast and
she gently stroked Sandy’s firm, erect nipple.
Fingers
immediately went to work on the buttons of her blouse and Kerry moaned
softly, her own fingers tracing the shape of Sandy's breast. The supple
mounds felt delightful. She cupped one in her hand, squeezing gently.
Now it was Sandy that moaned. Her head bending back with desire. Hearing
the need in that voice made Kerry stir with excitement. Sandy reached
the last button and pushed Kerry’s blouse off her shoulders. Her bra
soon followed after it. Hands found her bare breasts, caressing them,
and Kerry whimpered with need.
Their
mouths came together again. The feel of Sandy's naked breasts pressed
into hers made Kerry absolutely dizzy. It was heaven. Sliding her hands
over Sandy's waist, she lingered their a moment before moving up to cup
both breasts this time. Sandy sighed between kisses. Kerry brushed her
thumbs over Sandy's nipples and her lover sighed again, feasting on her
lower lip while she rolled the soft nipples between thumb and forefinger
until they hardened. Her own nipples ached. Then, as if reading her
mind, Sandy moved down her neck with kisses to suckle her breast. Kerry
tossed her head back and cried out, raking fingers through soft brown
hair as Sandy eagerly tongued her nipples.
That
soft, pink tongue flicked over them wildly, taking each in turn, licking
them for a long time then sucking them again. It was making her crazy!
Kerry ripped Sandy's mouth from her breast and smothered it with hers.
The ferocity of the kiss left them both gasping for air. Stepping back,
Kerry unbuttoned her pants and let them fall to the floor. She took
great delight in the hunger that flared in Sandy's eyes and even more
delight in the little whimper Sandy gave when she slowly rolled her
panties down over her hips to stand there naked.
Heat
flushed her cheeks under the other woman's appraising stare. "You
are so beautiful, " Sandy whispered.
Now,
it was Kerry’s turn to admire. Kerry hooked her finger in the
waistband of Sandy's jeans and pulled the woman to her again, kissing
those soft lips as she worked at getting Sandy's pants off. Hands moved
up and down her back in long strokes, hovering for long, delicious
moments over her bare buttocks. She unzipped Sandy's fly and with great
strength pulled the jeans open, getting her own eager hands inside. Her
lover wore a pair of loose-fitting boxers and Kerry pulled them and the
jeans down in one fluid motion. Sandy stepped out of them just as
smoothly. The two of them stood there admiring each other's nakedness
for a long time, tension brewing to intolerable levels.
She
took in the sight of Sandy's round, shapely breasts then her gaze moved
lower, over that flat tummy, to rest on the curls that covered Sandy's
mound. The woman was gorgeous. Her attention lingered there for a long
time then began the slow journey up again. She found Sandy staring back
at her in much the same manner a lion watches a lone gazelle. That she
could elicit such a look made Kerry shudder.
Sandy
pulled her close and kissed her, their nude bodies fitting together like
pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Hands roamed bare flesh for several minutes
then Kerry felt herself being nudged backward. She tumbled into bed,
laughing, getting on her back and pulling Sandy on top of her. Sandy
pinned her down with a deep, passionate kiss, moving against her,
rocking back and forth.
Their
legs intertwined, Kerry could feel the wetness of the other woman's sex
against her thigh and arched against it. "Oh . . . Kerry, "
Sandy moaned. Sandy never looked more beautiful. Her lover reached up
and put a hand on her cheek. Kerry nuzzled against it. She covered that
hand with hers and held it there for a long moment before guiding it to
her breast.
Sandy
writhed between her legs, undulating like an ocean wave, thrusting those
hips against Kerry’s wetness as she guided the other woman's hand from
one breast to the other. She circled both their hands around her
rock-hard nipples, teasing them, then bent forward so Sandy could get at
them with that hungry mouth. The firefighter latched onto a nipple and
sucked it ardently. Kerry moaned. She arched her back, offering more of
herself, and Sandy willingly accepted, again and again.
Her
nipples were aching from Sandy's attention, and while she would have
enjoyed having Sandy suck on them all night there were other things she
wanted to do first. Inching down the bed, Kerry met Sandy face to face
and kissed that lush mouth. She steered her mouth and tongue down the
other woman's throat, moving lower in search of a breast. Sandy had
firm, plump nipples, like sweet, ripe berries, and Kerry took one
between her lips and sucked it. Her lover whimpered.
She
moved from one breast to the other, lavishing them with attention and
kisses. The firm mounds get more delicious with each taste and Kerry
gorged herself on them, flicking the nipples with her tongue, nibbling
them, sucking on them hard. Sandy cried out under her ministrations,
wriggling anxiously. The urgency Kerry heard in that voice was
unmistakable.
Kerry amused herself with Sandy's breasts for a while longer than began working her way down the curves of that body –that beautiful body- with soft, nibbling kisses. Sandy willingly and with desire spread for her. Kerry stared in wonder at the sight of Sandy's essence, so wet, so pink, so swollen. Reaching out feeling something akin to reverence, Kerry brushed her fingers over Sandy's sex. Her lover sucked in a sharp, hissing breath. "Touch me again, Kerry . . . Touch me again . . . "
Scene 3
Birthday
Gift
- by Juliana
Kerry
sat on the edge of the bed and just stared, glad she was ready for work
early. She didn’t want to wake Sandy up, not even for the privilege of
holding her one more time, kissing her goodbye, or saying “I love
you” and having the thrill of hearing it back. Something about the raw
emotion in Sandy’s voice, and the way she looked at her when she said
it, was so thrilling. Like the first time, every time.
“I
love you, Sandy,” she whispered.
Sandy
almost reached consciousness, stirred a little, turned more to her side
and snuggled closer to Kerry’s knee. “Stay here with me.” It was
an almost coherent plea. Kerry laid back down for just a moment to try
to share the warmth that filled her heart. But she could not close her
eyes, for fear of being swallowed up.
As
she drove to work that morning, she thought of all the reasons it was so
hard to get up and leave. She’d been having long nights. Very
long nights, but such good nights. Such a shame that at her age,
this was novelty. She regretted having to be told, “Don’t let
your work become your life, Kerry. Live a little.”
She
missed Mark Greene. Some people just come and go, day after day,
breathing the same air and imparting wisdom with such subtlety. She
hadn’t even known she was being taught. She had taken for granted he
would always be there, until he wasn’t anymore.
Time
was not on her side. Life was too short. But she had been given life’s
greatest gift. The simple appreciation of every second.
She
parked her car and thought of Sandy, curled up like an innocent child in
her bed, so safe and lovely. It was her day off. Tomorrow would be
Kerry’s day off, and Sandy would be the one to drag herself out of bed
to go put herself, quite literally, in the line of fire.
There
had to be a place where only the fires of passion burned. Where the only
sickness was love sickness. A place where it was perfectly appropriate
to stay up laughing and dancing until four in the morning-- with nowhere
to be three hours later. She rolled her eyes and stepped into the real
world, the ER.
Hopefully
the formidable Chief of Staff was not already there. She needed to brace
herself for the inevitable confrontation. She was very surprised to see
him heading her way up the hall, still dressed in the same scrubs he’d
had on last evening. He’d obviously pulled another all-nighter and was
sure to be in a rare mood. Oh, but it was now or never.
“Robert...
Hey Robert...” Apparently ignoring her, Romano sped up and increased
his stride, brushing past her toward the door. Kerry Weaver was not a
woman to be outrun. She pivoted and caught up with him. “What, Romano,
are you hard of hearing?”
He
spun on his heels. “Only to the ever-endless drone of ER staff,
yes.”
His
sarcasm gave Kerry the jolt of irritation she needed to state her
business without feeling guilty. “I'm going to take some time
off." There. It was said.
He
shook his head, dismissed her. "I've been here way too long, Kerry.
Call my office for an appointment."
Appointment
my ass, thought Kerry. He never mentioned the word appointment on the
phone at 3 a.m. when he needed her to fill in for someone at 5! Perhaps
she hadn’t made her intentions clear enough. It was not a request. She
raised her voice a notch. “Two weeks immediately!”
“It's
not a good time for you to take off!"
“It’s
never a good time.”
“Seven
days, in July!” He spoke as though his “offer” was final.
July?
And seven days didn’t cut it. She wanted to give Sandy the best early
birthday present in the world, and couldn’t wait to get both of them
away from the stress. “Nine days starting Saturday! You owe me three
times as much."
She
was right, and he knew it. No one worked harder than Kerry Weaver. But
lacking the presence of mind to relent gracefully, he chose the low road
and retorted, “Not my problem you have no life.”
No,
Kerry thought. Not my fault you haven’t had any sleep. Those undying
words of Mark Green had been playing on loop in her head. Don’t let
work become your life... Instead of getting angry, she smiled. “I’ve
decided to get one.”
Romano
threw his hands up in the air. “Great! I suppose you want my first
born child too!”
She
shrugged, as he continued on up the hall. “Just thought it was about
time...”
He
yelled back over his shoulder, “Seven days, in June. That’s
my decision. I want it in writing, on my desk by tomorrow morning.”
*****
Sitting
in the lounge drinking coffee, she thumbed through several brochures
she’d picked up from Triple A just the day before.
Susan
dragged herself in with a bag of McDonalds and plopped herself down in a
chair across the table. Carter came in behind her, looking like he’d
been run over by a steamroller. In the last few weeks he’d been going
overboard, it seemed, to prove to the hospital he was up to the
challenge of filling Mark’s shoes. And being quite humble about his
efforts. His behavior impressed Kerry.
“How
much overtime have you been working, Dr. Carter?” she asked, though
she knew the answer. She wanted him to know she noticed. Everyone
deserved to feel valued.
He
just shook his head. “I do what needs to be done, when it needs to be
done.” He looked down. “Any other doctor would do the same.”
Susan
was suddenly blinking back tears. Carter’s statement was true of few
doctors, but specific to one she could think of. To distract herself,
she turned her attention to Kerry’s brochures. “What’s up? What
are those?”
Kerry
figured it wouldn‘t hurt to explain. The level of disclosure had risen
among the small group of ER doctors learning to live without one of
their own. Life was definitely too short to deprive herself of friends.
“I’m taking Sandy to Barbados.”
“No
kidding!” Susan’s eyes widened. “I heard you and Romano had a
blowout in the hall about an hour ago!”
“A
blowout?! Well, people really must like to talk!” She
paused, and cracked a smile. “I simply told him the way it was going
to be.” This was true, to a degree.
*****
Sandy
held the door for Kerry as they entered Lost Chicago. “So what’s
going on?” Her curiosity had been piqued when Kerry had requested they
meet for lunch, and a really big surprise. “And what’s with the
suitcase?”
Slung
over Kerry’s shoulder was a black shoulder bag, bigger than a book
bag, which bulged to capacity. “The question is,” Kerry drew out the
mystery, “Do you have a suitcase?”
“What
do you mean?” They were seated quickly. In the booth, Sandy noticed
Kerry’s starched lab coat peeking open to reveal that shiny St.
Florian’s medal, worn with pride. She reached for her hand under the
table.
The
waitress arrived. “My name is Arlene. I’ll be your server. Can I get
you something to drink?”
Kerry
let go of Sandy’s hand in a fit of excitement and blurted out, “Two
Pina Coladas!”
Sandy
was shocked, but didn’t protest, merely added, “Better make them
virgins...” When the waitress left to get the drinks, she demanded
with more interest than disdain, “What in the world is on your
mind today?”
"I've
been dropping clues left and right, here's a few more." Kerry
reached into the monstrous shoulder bag and took out a lime green gift
bag with orange tissue paper and a pink envelope sticking out of the
top.
Sandy
was perplexed. Did Kerry think it was her birthday? It was more than a
month away. June 13. And she thought Kerry would know. “This is really
sweet. But it’s not my birthday, Ker.”
Kerry
pushed the gift across the table. “Oh, I know. Open this first, and
then the envelope.”
Sandy
reached inside the bag and pulled out a bottle of coconut oil. She
opened the bottle. “This smells so good.” But that didn’t explain
anything. She reached inside again and pulled out a New York Yankees
beach towel. “My favorite team! Where did you find this in Chicago?
Thank you!” She hugged the towel and lunged forward to hug Kerry from
across the table, before the confusion set in once again. “Can I open
the card now?”
“Uh
huh.” Kerry could barely sit still. Her face exploded into a thousand
smiles as Sandy slowly looked over the brochure she found inside.
“Tamarind
Cottage?”
The
waitress arrived with the Virgin Pina Coladas and set them down.
“Going on vacation?”
Sandy
looked up, as if to wonder the same thing.
Kerry
was impressed with the perfect timing. “Hopefully!” She smiled at
Sandy, whose jaw dropped. “And I will have a Cajun Chicken Salad, with
ranch dressing on the side.”
Sandy could barely speak. “I’ll have the same.” The waitress went away again. A small card fell out of the brochure. Sandy picked it up and read it.
Dear
Sandy,
You
have been here for me through so much change. I don‘t know what I
would have done without your loving support. I have never been as happy
as I am with you. I want to be with you forever, and I want every day to
be filled with joy and laughter. All this time, I’ve been alive but
never really lived. We’ve both seen enough to realize we shouldn’t
waste even one moment. It’s time for us to get away and spend some
time together, to have the fun we both deserve. This was supposed to be
an early birthday present, but I can’t get the time until June. So it
can be an on-time birthday present instead. Will you join me in
Barbados, from June 12-19? I love you.
Kerry
Sandy
was almost in tears. She took a deep breath to regain her composure,
then jumped out of the booth, practically knocking over someone as they
passed in the aisle. She slid into the booth beside Kerry and hugged her
hard. “Of course I'll go, it’s going to be great!” She shook her
head in disbelief, touched to realize how much Kerry did love her. “I
can’t believe you would do this for my birthday! You just get more and
more amazing every day.”
“Maybe
I did it for selfish reasons. Maybe I wanted you all to myself. Maybe I
wanted to rub coconut oil on your back all week,” Kerry teased.
Sandy
laughed. “You’re the one who needs the tan, Dr. Weaver!”
As their laughter became tender smiles, Sandy gently caressed Kerry's face, kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear. “Thank you, Kerry. And I love you too.”
Scene 4
Bullet
Proof
- by Piney
“You’re late.” Kerry remains focused on her patient file while Carter mumbles an apology and inaudible excuse as he stands scouring the board for a patient.
“Yeah, Carter. I think that should earn you the night shift next week while Dr. Weaver is gone.” Susan chimes in hoping she has correctly read Kerry’s mood this morning. “What do you think Dr. Weaver?”
“I
think you are right! Dr. Carter you are acting Chief on the nightshift
next week. Dr. Lewis you have days.”
“What?” Carter whines. “Just for being five minutes late?”
“Dr. Lewis has to cover three meetings for me.” Kerry is firm but clearly enjoys teasing Carter. “I’ll assign Abby to nights to make it a little easier. Thanks for volunteering Carter.” Carter turns back to the board then spins on his heel to grab a file.
“Sure,”
he says, smiling over his shoulder as he speeds off to Exam 1. Kerry
swallows her smile.
“Frank, What happened to that request for maintenance on these lights? This hum is driving me crazy!”
“They have it in their hot little hands they just haven’t shown up yet.” Frank spins in his chair, papers in hand, trying to look busy and moderately responsive.
“Well,
call them. Gallant, you’re with me. There’s a classic appendicitis
in Exam Three.” Kerry hands the intern an open file just as the
ambulance bay doors burst open.
“Pressure 160 over 90, smoke inhalation, possible fracture of the clavicle, head lac, pain in the left knee,” the young woman says in one breath. “There are more I have to get back.”
“How many?” Kerry checks the firefighter’s badge. He is from the 75th.
“Don’t know. The roof fell in.” She grips the sheet under the man’s head and shoulders. “They’re still pulling people out,” she grunts as they lift the battered firefighter off the ambulance gurney onto a trauma bed.
“Who’s there? Which divisions?” The EMT is already heading for the door.
“Don’t
know. Lots,” she calls without turning. The doors close behind her
leaving Kerry staring into their slow swing.
“He’s lost consciousness,” Abby reports to the room.
“Go
Kerry, we’ve got this.” Susan checks his pupils. Each eye is a white
slit against a soot-blackened face. Kerry looks from Susan to Abby. Each
wears a look of insistent compassion.
Out in the lobby Kerry shouts to Frank as she receives a gurney carrying another soot-covered firefighter. “Call the 38th. Find out where they are. Find out how many are coming.”
“What? I thought he was from the 75th?”
“Call them too.”
“We could call all the divisions…?”
“Just
do it, Frank!” Kerry follows the gurney to Trauma Two listening to the
EMT’s report. Everyone is now checking the division badge. This one
reads “24.”
“Seventh intercostal fracture and collapsed lung. Chest tube!” Kerry works the tubing through the incision and begins to inflate the lung as Frank shouts though the half-opened door.
“How many can we take?
“What?” Kerry is aware another firefighter has replaced the first one in Trauma One.
“There are a lot of guys down. Four divisions. Including the 38th. They want to know how many we can take.”
“Four critical, six non-critical. And bring any from the 38th here.”
“Got
it. And Captain Shaw is on the phone for you.” Kerry removes the tube,
patches the opening and watches to see if the newly inflated lung holds.
“He called us. Wants to talk to you personally.”
Kerry walks quickly to the relative quiet of the admission desk. She watches as a fourth firefighter is pushed through the bay doors. The emblem of the 38th is clearly visible on the shoulder of a large man.
“Hello, This is Dr. Weaver.” She listens for a long moment looking only at the phone and the desk; wiping imaginary dust from the number pad.
“Thank
you. Yes, I will. Thank you.” Kerry puts the receiver down slowly. She
ignores Frank’s curious glance and returns to Trauma Two.
Susan is working on the latest firefighter, the one from the 38th. He is conscious and his pain medication is taking hold.
“Hamilton,” she reads his name from the back of his St. Florian's medal. She wonders if she will ever meet them all. “Were you with Lopez? Do you know where she is?” Kerry is very near his face. She knows the medication is making his room smaller and smaller.
“Yeah. We went in together but then I lost her. She was ahead of me. We still had two kids to get.” He coughed and worked to catch his breath. He would be sleeping soon.
“Can she get out?” Kerry’s voice is tight and impatient with the groggy man.
“Don’t
know where she was...roof collapsed…” Hamilton is no longer able to
answer. Kerry backs away to lean against the wall while he is wheeled
out, and another member of the 38th is rolled in. This man is screaming
in pain. His arm is crushed and bleeding through the bandages. Kerry
stands frozen against the wall as Susan asks for vital signs and orders
blood and drugs to stabilize him for surgery.
“Kerry what is it? What do you know?” Susan stops the bleeding and wraps the arm in fresh bandages for the trip to the OR. Kerry isn’t responding. “Kerry!” Kerry hears her name and looks up at Susan and then to the patient not knowing where her attention is being called. She steps forward to assess the patient but her hands shake uncontrollably. She makes two fists and puts them in her pockets.
“Chuny
will you finish wrapping this?” Susan takes Kerry by the arm gently.
She walks her out of the Trauma room and into the lounge.
“Kerry, are you okay?” Kerry sits and breathes slowly in and out until the trembling stops.
“Sandy’s missing. She was in the building and they haven’t found her yet.”
“It hasn’t been very long Kerry. They are still bringing people out faster that we can care for them. It is too soon to think the worst.” Malik pops open the lounge door.
“We’ve got another one.” Kerry and Susan both look up with the same question. “It’s another guy,” Malik says quickly.
“I’ll be right there.” Susan stands to leave.
“I am coming too. I need to be busy.” Kerry starts up to claim rank but sits just as quickly, dizzy.
“Kerry
you’re preoccupied and Carter and I can handle it. If we need you
we’ll come get you.” Susan’s voice is soft. She is mindful of her
place in the hierarchy but she knows she is right. “For now stay here
and try not to worry.” Susan disappears and the noise of the ER
follows her out the door.
Just
like Mark and Ella, Kerry broods. Susan has pulled her out of the ER
just as she had pulled Mark from Ella’s care. It seems long ago now.
So much has happened. If Mark were here today he would be my first
choice to care for her. “Would have been.” she reminds herself. She
wouldn’t take his life so for granted given the chance again. She
won’t take Sandy for granted she reminds herself over and over. That
resolve was woven into their relationship when Sandy cared for her after
Mark’s death.
Kerry
finds her feet again and wanders to the window to look out on the sunny
spring day. After Mark’s funeral, she had little energy for the most
mundane of tasks. Sandy performed them all without asking. She held
Kerry when she cried in the night, weakened by half sleep and regret.
When it was time to end the mourning, when looking back had served the
last of its purpose, Sandy came into her bath of self admonition, her
guilt for putting her ambition ahead of Mark’s humanity, and washed
her back, her arms and her face. She forced Kerry to smile and to face
forward. She gave Kerry peace. What would I be if I lost her? Kerry
could feel the tension in her body rise again.
“Kerry, she’s here.” Abby guides Kerry, barely keeping pace, to Trauma One where Susan and Carter were already at work.
“BP 90 over 60. Respiration shallow at 120.” The words echo in the room. Susan is working quickly.
“Two liters of O-neg!” She cuts through the bandages on Sandy’s thigh and inspects the open wound while Carter slowly releases his weight from the pressure point at the bend of her hip.
“There
it is.” Susan watches for fresh color in the wound. Abby watches Kerry
lean into a rush to the table steps in front of her quickly. Kerry
pushes past her to stand next to Susan.
“Get Romano.” Susan calls. “Chuny, call him now! Tell him it's Sandy Lopez.” “Carter, what about the head lac?”
“Slight
concussion.”
“Kerry,
she has an exposed femur fracture that nicked the femoral artery. I will
close the artery but I want Romano to look for any other damage. OK? We
need to get her stable for surgery. She has lost a lot of blood.”
Kerry nods knowing better than to make Susan’s job more difficult. She
watches the monitors and the blood flow into Sandy’s arm. Sandy’s
uniform is partially cut away and Kerry stares at the exposed leg, and
the pale bluish foot.
-------------------
Romano strides into the room in full scrubs as if he has just walked out of surgery.
“What do we have? I see someone has hacked their way through the artery repair. Can I take her now? Call my office tell them to find Davidson.” Susan asks for another round of vital signs.
“BP 100 over 70, Respiration 80,” is called from the middle of the small crowd that has formed in the room.
“What do you think this is people? A monster truck pull? Give us some room.”
“Dr.
Romano it is your office.” Chuny stretches the receiver to Romano’s
ear as he inspects Sandy’s lower leg.
“I don’t care if he is lunching with the queen! I want him scrubbed in 20 minutes!” he barks, then softens as he hands off the phone.
“Kerry, he is the best orthopedist in the city. We will do everything to make her good as new.” He reaches over to squeeze her arm and then barks again.
“Let’s
go, time is mobility.”
-------------------
Kerry peers through the recovery room window to see Romano leaning over the end of Sandy’s bed. She can see him checking the blood flow to Sandy’s foot and the wound closure for infection. She could enter and evaluate Sandy herself as an ER doctor but she waits at the door as a patient’s family would. Romano sees her but speaks with the recovery room nurse before coming out into the hall.
“Kerry, the reset went well. I was with her the entire procedure. I inspected and repaired every thing I could find. Davidson tapped in two pins but the break was clean. It appears to have been a fulcrum break not a crushing injury.” For the moment the ir war has stopped. Like children play-fighting until someone gets hurt and no one can remember the score.
“She was lucky, Kerry. She lost a lot of blood but she still had enough arterial flow to keep the leg oxygenated. She was lucky she didn’t bleed to death. Any longer and one or the other would have happened.
“Is she awake?”
“She will be soon.”
“Thanks, Robert. Really.” Kerry sees Mark’s shadow fall across the wall behind Romano.
“Well,
Kerry, lesbians are people too.” Romano signals the end of the truce.
“I’ll check back in an hour.”
“Hey.” Sandy steals Kerry’s attention from the blinking monitor and squeezes Kerry’s hand after 20 minutes of lifelessness.
“Hey.” Kerry answers softly. Her eyes are bright with love and are framed in the face of relief.
“I made it”
“Yeah Hon, you made it.”
“Did everybody get out? All the guys?”
“Yeah, everybody. The kids too. You were the last one out.”
“Sorry Kerry. I…” Kerry cuts her off.
“Shhh. Just rest. You have a fractured femur and a minor concussion but you are going to be fine. You’ll just have to learn to sit around for a while.”
“Not
me…” Sandy’s eyelids drop again and her breathing deepens. Kerry
will sit here holding Sandy’s warm hand until Romano returns.
--------------------
Kerry pushes the bedroom door open with her hip and sets her breakfast tray on the night table.
“Good Morning.” She places a kiss on Sandy’s forehead and waits sheepishly to see if she has awakened Sandy from a sound sleep. Sandy hums before opening her eyes.
“Hi.”
She says softly as she slowly pulls herself up on the pillow, her back
stiff from sleeping in one position all night. Her casted leg lies
slightly bent over a pile of pillows. Kerry reaches beyond the door to
retrieve a breakfast tray filled with coffee, and scones. One large
scone has a lighted candle, and a single plastic palm tree stands in the
corner of the tray. Kerry places the tray on Sandy’s lap and begins to
sing.
“Happy
birthday to you, happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Sandy, happy
birthday to you!” Kerry’s voice cracks slightly on the third line
causing them both to laugh. Kerry finishes on a strong note and gives
Sandy a hug and another kiss.
“It isn’t Barbados but I am glad to have you anywhere today.”
“Thanks, Hon. Me too. You’re the best.” Kerry sits on the edge of the bed to share the scones and drink her own cup of coffee. It was the first good night of sleep for Sandy without pain medication. Kerry holds a smile as she evaluates Sandy’s skin color and the brightness of her eyes.
“You slept hard last night. I was afraid I would wake you if I tried to snuggle but I don’t think you would have even noticed.”
“I feel good. I think I will tool around in the chair today—get out in the sun. It is my birthday after all.”
“It is and we have plans for you.” Kerry is lifted by Sandy’s good spirits and by her own relief.
“We?”
“Your mom called. Are you up for a small family party tonight?”
“Kerry, nothing in my family is small. I’d like that.” Sandy drops her smile and her focus. “I am sorry to ruin your birthday present. We should be sitting on a beach right now sipping guava juice smoothies or something.”
“It is Ok Sandy I have a new plan. I think we should go the last week before you return to the station. I have already talked with Capt. Shaw. He knows you will try to work before you are ready so we are plotting together.”
“Yeah. How’s that?” Sandy takes a long drink of her coffee and lies back into the pillow.
“By the time you’ve finished physical therapy you’ll be completely bored. Right?”
“Right.”
Sandy smiles at Kerry’s girlish mood and the fact that she thought to
talk with Shaw.
“You’ll drive Capt. Shaw insane begging to get back to work.” Sandy doesn’t try to offer an argument. “So that last week, when you’re recovered but not quite back in shape, you and I are going to the island.”
“Ahhh. So it’s decided is it?”
“Well yes, if you still want to go.”
“Are you kidding? Yes! Yes, of course I do. Kerry, it will be a great trip. I know I’ll be antsy to get back to work but I can work out with the guys before we go and I won’t feel so left out, if you know what I mean.”
“Shaw
and I talked about that too. And the Tamarind Cottage has access to a
full weight room and you can run on the beach every morning. Except
those mornings you decide to sleep in with me!”
Sandy pulls Kerry into a hug. Kerry puts down her cup and moves the tray off Sandy’s lap. She jostles and wriggles until she finds a place she can lay on Sandy that isn’t hard or painful for either of them and holds her closely. “We dodged a bullet, Hon.”
“I know baby. We were lucky, but luck counts too. I am here and safe. We are still together.”
Sandy delivers a scatter shot of kisses to Kerry’s face and neck. “I love you; I love you; I love you.” Kerry hums a laugh deep in her throat and returns kisses of her own.
“Happy birthday to me!” Sandy rejoices.
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