Story: In The Wake Of
Summary: JD's life is hitting an all time low. But even then, he couldn't possible have seen coming what life was preparing to throw at him next. When the mysteries start piling up, the last person JD would expect help from turns out to be the only one who can get him through each hit as it comes. But who will still be intact by the end of it all?
Warnings: Slash, of the JD/Cox kind. Some violence, and angst.
Rated M, there will be fairly graphic slash scenes and violence later on.
Disclaimer: I do not own Scrubs. I am merely a devoted fan twisting the plot to her own means :D
This is a bit of a trial for me, to see what I can do with this story, and how well this or any other story might turn out. Obviously this is my first, and it's not a definite yet that I'll keep it going. But If I find that enough people like this, than I'll definitely continue.
Chapter One: Death
"She'd been sick for a while, you see. But she never let on to me how sick she actually was." Dan slurred, under the influence of the many beers he'd consumed. "She had- 'Idio- Idopathic...pulmry Fiber... Fibro...'"
"Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis" JD whispered.
"Yeah that." Dan took a swig from his newest beer. "She looked bad I mean, like she was sick, don't think I was just ignoring it! But then she took off. With her new boyfriend apparently. Thing was, there was no 'new boyfriend.'" He looked woefully at JD. "I mean, why'd she lie like that? Did she really think I couldn't help her at all? I could've done something, right? But then these people just showed up one day, and told me she was dead..."
"People Dan, what people? Where did she go? Who was she with if there wasn't a boyfriend?"
"Apparently, it was an experimental sort of therapy, or something... It was supposed to cure her." Dan was slipping away, JD could tell.
"Cure her? But that's not possible! She was diagnosed, surely the doctors must of explained some things to her? She couldn't have really thought that that was possible!"
"Dunno, lil' bro. But one way or another, she was dead. They said- They said something had gone wrong, and she died before they could help her."
"Who are 'they'? Who was she with? Tell me Dan!"
"I don't know, they said they were from- from..." He was drifting off, the alcohol potent in his system.
"From where, Dan, where?"
JD was not having a good day, but he'd be kidding himself if he said he was surprised. Poor luck, it seemed, was quickly becoming a trend in his life. Originally, it had all started with his most recent break up. But the failed relationship became inconsequential in the mess that succeeded it. He was single again, fine, the ladies were probably rejoicing! But everything had gone downhill from there. Maybe it was some sort of karma, inherited from a former life. Or maybe fate had gotten bored. JD wished he knew, he'd like to give the finger to whatever grand deity had decided to fuck with his life. Especially today. Especially now... that his mom had died.
There, he'd said it. Not out loud, and not to anyone but himself, but it was the first time he'd actually admitted it. First time he'd really had the time to, was more like it. When Dan had shown up at JD's apartment last night, he had been unexpected, red-eyed, and bearing a cake. Like always, JD had known something horrible had happened. It'd been extremely late when Dan had shown up though, and JD had had to get up early for work the day, so he hadn't even had the time to let the thought sink in. His mom was dead.
And the world was truly conspiring against him, why else would it be now of all times that this would happen to him?
It was Turk and Carla's anniversary this week. It also Elliot and Keith's 'nine-months-two-weeks-five-days' anniversary, and why wouldn't they all be celebrating it? Elliot had gotten the idea from talking with Carla, and the conversation had gone something like this:
"Ohmygod, Carla! I was just talking to Keith and hetotallyaskedmeifhecouldmaybemeetmyparents!"
It had taken several moments for JD to dissemble what Elliot had said and turn into something comprehensible. By the time he had, the two woman had moved on in their conversation to-
"Oh my god, you don't think he might actually be-"
"Yes!" It was amazing how Elliot could go so long without breathing even once, JD thought. "I think that might be why! ButwhatamIgoingtosayifheactuallydoes?"
That one took a bit longer to JD to work out. Translating Elliot was usually easier for JD, but he wasn't usually so tired...
"-It's totally perfect! Don't you see? Turk and I have already starting planning it, and don't your parents own a mansion Elliot?"
JD was at a loss at what they were talking about now.
"Yes, but do you think it'll really help? What if it turns out that-"
"Elliot! I'm telling you, this is the best way to figure it out. Turk and I may be married, and we may already have a kid, but that doesn't mean we don't need some time to renew our relationship and enjoy some time as only a couple. Trust me, you'll be able to figure this out."
They were going on vacation, as JD later found out. How they had managed to get the time off all at once he had no idea. Either way, Turk and Carla had elected for a Resort Spa trip (how had they afforded that anyway?) and Elliot had decided it was high time Keith be introduced to the family. Though how that counted as a vacation, JD had no idea, even if her parents did own a huge mansion. Even if he'd heard there was even a pool and their own personal spa... Anyway, as luxurious as each of their trips were sure to be, JD himself was left virtually alone. Who was he supposed to go to? Dr. Cox?
JD and his self-proclaimed mentor had been miles apart lately. Work had them all over the place, and rarely would they wind up in the same vicinity. Even when they did, it was brief and to the point. And JD was becoming increasingly frustrated. Frustrated with Dr. Cox, and with all the other pressure his work exuded. He had never asked for the all the extra paperwork, the extra patients,the extra everything that had been coming his way recently. It wasn't as if he had a mourning brother to go home to, or a funeral to arrange... Dr. Cox was only adding to his work load, and therefore his stress. He wasn't truly angry with the man though. How could he be? He was honored really, that Dr. Cox was confident enough in JD's ability as a doctor to rely on him more. JD just wished he could find the opportunity to have someone help him with his ordeal.
"Newbie! Stop wasting time and get up to room 352, This here's a chart with your name on it, and damn it all if today's going to be the day your incompetence gets a patient here killed!"
Dr. Cox swept by him, scowl in place, and stormed off to one of his patients room. JD sighed, clutching the chart that had been shoved in his grasp. Seemed like Dr. Cox was having a bad dad as well.
Two weeks... Two weeks until the others came home, and JD already knew, it was going to be the longest two weeks of his life.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I want you all on your best behavior, understand!" It was a rare sight indeed, to see Dr. Kelso actually involving himself with the staff of Sacred Heart. But naturally it all had to do with-
"An old college friend of mine is coming to visit the hospital, and this is no social affair!" He huffed once before continuing, "He is here to observe and take note on the affairs of the hospital on the behalf of the hospital board. Apparently, there have been some concerns as to how well this hospital is run! Well, I expect each and every one of you to prove these claims false. There is no better hospital than Sacred Heart, and I expect all of you to prove it, or consider yourself fired!" Without waiting for a reaction from the gathered crowd he strode off, most likely to return to his office to yet again bathe in the mortal glory of being the biggest and greediest fish in a pond full of fellow minded asses, all concerned with numero uno only. Dr. Cox growled under his breath- Dr. Kelso never failed to ruin with his very presence, what admittedly would have most likely been a horrid day anyway, but his day nonetheless.
He left the others where they stood, not caring to bother himself with fretting interns and other worthless staff members. He had a job to do, and god knows what would be left of Sacred Heart the day Perry Cox didn't pull his and everyone else's weight around the place. He had patients to care for, and he needed his charts... He took off down a random route, one to bring him towards the nurses station, just waiting for the person who was fated to bare the brunt of his anger, just one incompetent person... Ah, and there she was now.
"Newbie! As much as we all enjoy gossiping with all the other gals, and trust me, I do so enjoy a good gossiping, but there is such as a thing as actually working while you are here at your job. For example-"
"I get it already, Dr. Cox! I'm going!" Scowling more than was customary for the kid, JD stiffly walked away.
Well that was unusual. It had almost looked as if the kid had shown a little backbone.
Hm, guess it must be someone's time of the month.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
JD had known what would probably be waiting for him when he got home, but he couldn't help but sigh anyway in exasperation at the state he found his brother in. Sure he hadn't decided to drown himself in dirty bath water mixed with beer this time (though it had probably been more like beer mixed with dirty bath water at some point), but he sure hadn't decided to lay off on the drinking. JD kicked the empty cans and bottles that littered the living-room floor out of his way as he approached his brother. When he stood above Dan's prone form at last, he could only stare for the first few moments. It wasn't as if his brother was lucid enough to care, as inebriated as he was. JD wasn't even sure if he was conscience or not. He leaned over to wave his hand in front of Dan's slouched form, but got no response. Sighing yet again, he straitened his brother's body on the couch and relieved him of the can he still clutched in his hand even in unconsciousness. He grabbed an extra blanket from his room and covered his brother with it, then fetched a garbage bag from the kitchen and set about unhappily cleaning his brothers mess.
"Oh Dan..."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Meanwhile, at the closest airport, an important visitor was arriving. He might have seemed un-noteworthy to the average eye, all but invisible among the crowd, but he carried with him the latent threat to change the lives of a great many people, should he chose so. Literally speaking, he carried with him only a small and equally non-special looking briefcase, but beneath ice blue eyes there was carried a purpose, a will and ambition carefully cultivated by an aspiring mind . His body was frail, his hair white and disappearing by the day, but there was nothing in Dr. Paul Boucher that imbibed a weak intellect. He was smart, cunning even. And he knew what he wanted, and knew just how to get it.
But first, he had a cab to catch and a Chief of Medicine to meet.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
(A/N) So! This is the first chapter of my first scrubs story 'In The Wake Of' and I think (hope?) that it went rather well. I've no idea how long this will be if I stick with it to the end, but currently I have 13 chapters roughly mapped with the second already underway. Is it good? Do I continue? What do you think of it so far? Leave a review and tell me!
ps, the name of each chapter is a continuation of the tittle itself. Chapter one is 'In The Wake Of Death.' Next up: In The Wake of... Depression.