Title: Breaking The Fall
Author: Triggersaurus
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Season 4
Genre: Doug/Carol/other characters
Disclaimer: Gosh officer, I don't know HOW these characters came to appear in my story…
Thanks: All the people who have listened to my ideas for this story that has been in my head since about May now, and to the employees at Kodak who unwittingly issued me with a summer job that meant I could write this in the stores and earn money!
Inspiration note: You know, I'm sure this was inspired by something but it's been so long since I had the idea that I totally forget what it was.
"Dr Greene, trauma on it's way in"
"ETA?"
"5 minutes – woman with AIDS"
"'Kay. Gown up people. Seen any gloves Randi?"
"Sure, here." She threw a box at him, which he caught
"Paramedics say there's a kid too"
"AIDS as well?"
"Didn't say – just said she was with the woman"
"Okay, page Dr Ross in case"
The wailing of sirens in the ambulance bay can be heard, and Mark, Haleh, and Lydia walk out.
"32 year old female, AIDS patient. Says she felt weak and dizzy all morning, fell down the stairs. Compound fracture of the left leg, pulse 58, BP 120 over 80, and she's nauseous, been uncommunicative for about 5 minutes."
"What's her name?"
"Surname's Sanders"
"Mrs. Sanders? Can you hear me? You're at the hospital"
As the gurney folded out of the rig and went into the ER surrounded by medical staff, a girl jumped out of the ambulance and followed, listening closely. Mark noticed her as he turned the corner to the trauma rooms.
"Hey. What's your name?"
"Casey"
"Hi Casey. Is this your mom?"
"Yeah. She fell down the stairs."
"Yup, well we're going to fix her up, don't worry. Are you hurt anywhere?"
"I'm fine. And you can't fix her, she has AIDS"
Mark looked at her for a long moment before turning back to the situation at hand.
"On my count. One, two…three." The paramedics hustled out.
"Open bore D5W. Mrs Sanders?"
"Hmm?"
"Mrs Sanders, you're in the hospital. You fell down the stairs. Your leg is broken, but we're sorting that out."
"Mmm"
"Haleh, give her 2 of epi."
Doug crashed through the trauma doors. "What have we got?"
"Fractured leg from a trip down the staircase, she's got AIDS. Called you down 'cause she has her daughter with her, but turns out she's fine."
"You got this?"
"Yup."
Doug looked at him and ticked his head towards Casey.
"Sure, thanks. Name's Casey"
Doug went to the side of the room where Casey stood. "Hey Casey. I'm Doug. You want to come and get a drink?"
"I'm not thirsty. Do you want these?" She handed Doug a bag full of medicine bottles and boxes. "She's on AZT, Donnatal, thorazine, compazine, and some new trial drug."
Doug glanced at the kid and then went back to Mark.
"These are the meds she's on. Her daughter knows them all by heart."
"Really? Thanks."
Doug went back to Casey.
"C'mon, let's go and get a drink." He put his hand on her back and directed her to the doors.
"Wait! What are you going to do with her? Is she being admitted?"
Mark looked up from the chart. "I don't think so Casey, maybe overnight. We're just going to take her to get x-rays of her legs, and then we'll get her into a nicer room okay? Then you can come and see her."
"Okay…you'll tell me where?
"'Course"
Satisfied yet hesitant they left the room.