Title: Shades of Hope
Disclaimer: Toby Ziegler, CJ Cregg, Leo McGarry, Jed Bartlett, etc. are all property of Aaron Sorkin, John Wells Productions, and NBC. Jeffrey Geiger, Phillip Watters, Aaron Shutt, etc. are all property of David E. Kelley and CBS. No harm intentional or otherwise is intended with my use of these characters. Cecilia and Maria Watters along with Rebekkah Ziegler are my creation.
Chapter One
"You need to go to Chicago."
Toby looked up at Leo who had mysteriously appeared in his doorway.
"I'm sorry?"
"Chicago. You need to go."
"And what is in Chicago?"
"Besides Wrigley Field?"
Toby looked at the chief of staff as if he had just grown a third eye.
"Wrigley Field? Leo, what the hell. . .?"
"The President wants you to talk with the mayor about this whole Meigs Field debacle."
"Why?"
Leo rolled his eyes. "Because he thinks you're the best person to handle it."
Toby sighed, annoyance in his voice, "Leo?"
"Because he needs a break from you, Toby. We all do."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Your attitude lately has sucked. You need to get the hell out of here so you can get a new perspective on…everything. You know I'm right."
Toby hesitated for a moment, not wanting to admit that perhaps Leo was right. He'd been feeling a little rundown recently and he'd lost his
temper in front of the President on more than one occasion.
"I need to pack, Leo, I need to prepare, I need to get a ticket."
"I sent Ginger to your place to pack, you can prepare on the flight. Your first meeting isn't until tomorrow afternoon and Margaret's
arranging your flight, now."
Toby just looked at Leo and sighed. "Leo."
"Toby, go. It'll be good for you. You need to see something other than these four walls. And besides, don't you have a friend who lives there?
When was the last time you saw him?"
Toby looked down at the wood grain in his desk as he mentally thought back.
"A couple of years at least. He called after the election."
"Go."
Toby looked at him, about to argue again, when he saw something in his eye that told him to think different. He sighed and nodded.
"Alright, fine, I'll go to Chicago."
Leo nodded and gave him a small smile. "Good. While you're there, take your friend out for a beer."
"My friend is chief of staff for a hospital, Leo. He's a little busy."
"Toby, I'm the White House Chief of Staff and yet I manage to have a drink with my friend-who's the President of the United States, by the
way. He'll make the time. Have a safe trip."
Toby just watched him go and shook his head, sighing as he threw some files into a briefcase. He grabbed his laptop and left.
~*~
Chicago Hope Hospital
Chicago, Illinois
~As I walk this land of broken dreams
I have visions of many things
Love's happiness is just an illusion
Filled with sadness and confusion
What becomes of the broken hearted
Who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find
Some kind of piece of mind, maybe
The fruits of love grow all around
But for me they come tumbling down
Everyday heartaches grow a little stronger
I can't stand this pain much longer
I walk in shadows searching for light
Cold and alone, no comfort in sight
Hoping and praying for someone to care
Always moving and going nowhere~
"I can't believe he didn't throw a fit when Vonda Shepard came on."
Nurse Maggie Atkisson nodded to Nurse Camille Shutt. "No kidding."
"Ladies, do you think you can discuss my current state of mind after we have Mr. Douglas stabilized and in recovery?"
Camille and Maggie blushed softly as they quickly got back to work. For a minute it was quiet until Vonda Shepard went into the chorus again and the doctor started to sing along. It was a pure tenor voice, one that made Camille and Maggie roll their eyes.
"Jeffrey."
Dr. Jeffrey Geiger looked up at Camille over his face mask. "You know the routine, Camille. If it isn't the original artist, than I need to
improvise. Hand me the scalpel."
Camille sighed softly and handed the instrument over.
~*~
Doctors Aaron Shutt and Phillip Watters looked down into the OR from the observation room.
"He's singing again," Phillip remarked.
"It's how he relaxes."
"It drives the nurses crazy."
"It's how he relaxes, Phillip."
"Isn't anyone concerned with the fact that Jeffery keeps locomotives in his office? I mean, how does he bring a patient in there and tell them
they need a heart transplant, or a pace maker or that they're going to die with a locomotive choo-chooing between their legs?"
Both men turned their heads and were surprised to find Hospital Counsel Alan Birch, who was standing in the door.
"'Choo-chooing between their legs'?"
Alan rolled his eyes as he walked in.
"It's Alicia's favorite word now. Especially since he bought her a pink train for Christmas."
"Jeffery bought Alicia a Christmas present?"
"Yes."
"Jeffery's Jewish."
"What's your point?"
"Jews don't celebrate Christmas."
Phillip sighed softly. "Guys."
Before anyone could respond, a nurse walked into the room. "Doctor Watters?"
Phillip turned and looked at her. "Yes?"
"Phone call from Washington."
Phillip nodded and quietly dismissed the nurse before turning back to the two men.
"Excuse me, I need to go have a conversation with someone I, quite frankly, like a lot better than either of you."
That said, Phillip left the observation room, leaving Aaron and Alan dumbfounded.
"This is not respect."
Aaron nodded in agreement and they both turned their attention back down to Doctor Geiger in the OR.
Phillip walked to his office, pausing to ask his secretary to hold his calls. Inside, he sat down in the leather chair behind his desk and leaned back, picking up the phone as he did.
"Toby, how's it going?"
"Not bad. How are things with you?"
"I've got a doctor singing in an OR, another surgeon who's still recovering from an aneurysm and my house counsel was just in court proclaiming to the judge that he's 'not a toad'."
Toby laughed. "A toad?"
"Don't ask. The judge is a nutcase to begin with. So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call?"
"I'm going to be in Chicago for a few days and was hoping that we could get together for a beer or something?"
"You're coming to town? That's great! When do you get in?"
"Six fifteen tonight."
"Wonderful! Why don't you check into your hotel and then come by the hospital? Tonight's our weekly poker game and you can sit in for a few
hands," suggested Phillip.
"You're sure the other doctors won't mind me being there?"
"Not at all. They're always ready to welcome fresh money," Watters joked.
"Well when you put it that way. Count me in. I'll call from the hotel."
"Terrific! I'll see you later, Toby."
"See you later, Phillip."
Watters hung up the phone and smiled. It was going to be a great night. Not only was one of his best friends coming to visit but one of
the best poker players he knew was going to trounce his doctors. He couldn't wait.