Author's Note: I've been feeling rather nostalgic about ER lately, especially the time period following the stabbing up until the core group of Weaver, Carter, Susan, Abby, and Luke began to disintegrate. Actually, I've enjoyed watching all the episodes up until the whole storyline revolving around Africa again. If only the last few seasons could have been re-written to make ER not make a habit of 'jumping the shark.' I guess that's why we all write. -Jac
"I was hoping you'd be gone by now," she said as she pulled on a robe.
He propped himself up on his elbows and looked around trying to figure out where the hell he was and why his head was throbbing. She looked at him disapprovingly. He tried to search his memory for what her name might be . . . Melania, Mary, or something that started with an M. She looked so much younger than him. With the furnishings in her apartment, he was at least positive that she was older than twenty-one. He wasn't about to repeat how everything played out with Rena.
"I'm sorry," he fumbled.
"Use the attached bathroom. I'll go put some clothes on then escort you to the stoop," she replied as she gathered her clothes.
"I'm sorry about last night and that I'm still here. Jesus, I never do this," he cursed.
"Join the club. I'm not all that interested in helping you justify what you did and why. I have to get to work," she replied as she walked out of the bedroom.
He quickly gathered his clothes and dressed. He was thankful that he didn't need to be into work until noon. It would give him time to sleep off the rest of his hangover and figure out where the hell his car was. He had already decided that the hangover was a small price to pay for a night of sleep that was nightmare free.
"Carter," she said as she slowly opened the door.
"Are you always a frigid bitch in the morning?" Carter asked her as he finished buttoning his shirt and checking his pockets to make sure his keys and wallet were still in place.
"No, I'm just not interested in talking about how much I managed to degrade myself or trying to figure out what you are thinking. I'm far more concerned with getting to work on time and getting my head to stop pounding," she replied with a soft smile.
"Aspirin and water," he replied as he followed her to the door.
"Aspirin, water, and coffee," she replied.
"Touché."
"Don't you dare think about thanking me for last night or offering to take me out for drinks," she warned as she opened her apartment door.
"You know, I really cannot stand you. Does that make you feel better?""It does. I'd say 'likewise,' but it would feel much less satisfying. Good-bye, Carter," she said.
"You're more satisfied that I cannot remember what your name is, or you're trying to bait me into saying the wrong name. Good-bye, frigid bitch," Carter said as he walked down the hallway.
"Melina. My name is Melina," she called out before closing the door.
Carter walked down the hallway to the stairs determined not think about what led him to Melina. He wasn't going to rehash the fight with Abby, Susan, or Luka. He wasn't going to think about how it was easier to let people hurt him, than let them into his life. Carter was much more focused on figuring out if his car would still be outside the bar he impulsively stopped at last night on his way home.
Melina wasn't interested in thinking about the upheaval of her life, either. She was more content fixing her hair and getting her make-up perfect prior to leaving for work. She wasn't going to fixate on why she left her training program in Milwaukee to come save her brother from himself, again. Melina wasn't at all interested in dealing with the aftermath of yet another lost job, burnt bridges, or God knows what he did. She resented Dave for continuing to draw her back to Chicago, though this time, she was able to readily find a job at County. Melina nearly laughed when she thought about how she was probably filling his position. She hated Chicago.
"You look like hell," Dave commented as he slid into the booth across from his sister.
"Thank you. How's Andy?" Melina asked as she picked at the toast she ordered.
"I'm sorry, Mel. I know, call me a huge fuck-up or whatever it is you want to. Ask me about why I cannot hold a job," Dave said.
"I'm not going to. I just want to know how bad things are going to be this time," she replied.
"I'm applying for residency positions in internal medicine. God knows your new bitch of a boss probably has me blacklisted," he replied.
"And are you back on your meds?"
"Yes, I'll turn myself into a fucking zombie just to make you happy," Dave growled.
"You could always just man-up and go see someone. It might be healthy for you to deal with Emily and mom's deaths at some point in your adult life."
"I protected you. I was the one that was a fucking punching bag. I deserved Emily. After everything Dad did to me, I deserved her," Dave said harshly in a raised voice.
"You ran away to medical school. You left me with our mentally ill mother. I was the one had to take leaves of absence during college and medical school to try to keep her sober, while my twin ran off to Michigan and lived out my dreams," she coolly hissed.
"It was our dream. If I remember correctly, there was a time when we both dreamed of leaving Chicago and going to medical school. I just didn't feel bad enough to stay and make sure our emotionally abusive mother didn't drink herself to death."
"You always were the loyal one," Melina scoffed.
"You know what . . . you'll fit in at County beautifully. You and your new name. Mel, you did everything possible to make sure that we were no longer family or friends," Dave said as he slid out of the booth and walked away.
Melina had done everything possible to isolate herself from Dave. She considered it a protective measure, since she was nearly positive that the Mallucci name was nothing short of a curse. She was descended from a father that was a career criminal, an alcoholic mother, and a brother that couldn't get his shit together no matter what. It was easier to take her mother's maiden name and pretend that she wasn't falling victim to the Mallucci curse.
She allowed herself to runaway from her problems a year ago. Melina had left Chicago to start a residency in emergency medicine in Milwaukee. Milwaukee was the epitome of safe. No one had heard of the Mallucci name. She had settled into a life of non-stop work, a few close friends that were blissfully unaware of how her family ceased to function, and a small apartment that afforded her a view of Lake Michigan. It was the first time Melina felt at peace in years.
She smoothed a hand through her hair and silently prayed that the aspirin would kick in before she walked down the street to work. Melina was nearly positive that her life couldn't get much worse.
"Kerry, I can't come in to do an orientation. I have a headache and my back is damn near killing me," Carter said as he unlocked his Jeep.
He was pissed that he answered her phone call. Carter also still felt unsettled after his exchange with the frigid bitch. He wanted aspirin and his bed.
"You're the chief resident. This one is technically your responsibility. Wouldn't you like to get her on the schedule so she can fill in Mallucci's shifts?"
"Fine, when do I need to be there," he grumbled into the phone as he began to drive to his apartment.
"Half an hour," Kerry said before hanging up.
Carter swore as he threw his cell phone onto the passenger seat. He was still pissed about just how willing Susan was to kick his ass to the curb, Abby was to call him an arrogant bastard, and he just plain hated Luka. It was a seething anger that was just coming to its boiling point. He wasn't even going to think about how he got his job by default.
Carter showered and headed into County. The aspirin had only marginally improved his headache. He secretly was hoping that the frigid bitch's head was still hurting. Carter cracked his neck before getting out of his Jeep; the sensation was far less satisfying than a cigarette would have been.
"Carter, meet Dr. Stefani. She's the transfer from Milwaukee," Kerry said as he walked up to the nurses' station.
He nearly stopped dead in his tracks when she turned around. He politely extended his hand and wasn't about to comment that they knew each other. Carter was positive that she wouldn't want that.
"We already know each other. What he's already nick-named me frigid bitch," Melina said with a smirk on her face. She never again was going to doubt the gravitational pull of the Mallucci curse.
"I'm not going to ask because I have no desire to know," Weaver replied as she walked away.
"You are like a bad penny that keeps finding its way back to me," Carter replied.
"Found its way back to you. If I'm not mistaken, this is a singular occurrence," Melina replied. She walked with him to the lounge.
"You could have mentioned that you are a doctor," Carter said once he made sure that no one else was in the lounge.
"Is your opening line 'I'm a doctor at County, random hook up. Hope you don't work there too.' You will have to say my name eventually," Melina replied.
"Wouldn't want you to have the satisfaction. Are you going to play the role of the evil bitch the entire time we work together, or can we pretend that we've never met?"
"Considering you are going to essentially be my boss and responsible for teaching me . . . I could pretend that I'm not your frigid bitch," she replied with a small laugh.
"You sure have a flare for the dramatic," Carter replied finally giving in and laughing at her.
"My brother says that all the time. I've just gotten used to all the drama. This place is a real shit hole," Melina replied laughing.
"So the dirty mouth extends beyond the bedroom?" Carter replied.
"Just want to make sure that you hate me."
"You have a demented way of flirting," he said as he pulled a paper with her locker number and combination out of her orientation folder.
"You have a reputation that precedes you," Melina replied as she threw her satchel into the empty locker.
"State your source."
"Wouldn't you just love to know? He's confidential. I know about a certain medical student and a certain attending," Melina replied.
"I might just take to calling you Frigid Bitch. Seems to suit you," Carter replied as he rubbed his temples.
"No you won't. I'll make you say my name," Melina replied.