"Kagome, we have a new patient to be admitted from the Emergency Room." The charge nurse at California Valley Care Hospital approached her work area and handed her a report sheet.

Kagome looked at the papers handed to her and attempted a smile. "Thanks Maggie."

Maggie looked at her quizzically. "Are you ok? Do you need me to help you with anything?"

"Oh no" She smiled. "I just have to finish up my charting and then I'm good." With that Maggie nodded and walked away. Kagome looked at the clock. It was 5 pm. Just 2 and a half more hours before it was time to leave. This was her third twelve-hour day shift. Doing three in a row wore her out, but it allowed her to have the rest of the week off.

Hmmm. Chin in hand, she conjured up herself cozy in bed with a good book, wearing her favorite P J's. Oh and can't forget some hot chocolate. I wonder which novel to start tonight.

Riiiinnnggg. Reality check. She looked down at her mobile work phone. The caller ID showed room 1106. Mrs. Bernstein. "Hello, this is Kagome can I help you?"

Cough. Cough. "Hi, um…could I have something for this cough please?"

"Sure, let me look at your medication record." She punched some keys into the computer and a list of medications appeared on the screen "OK, looks like you can have Robitussin Dm, is that ok?"

Cough, hack, sniff. "Yes, thank you."

"Your welcome. I'll be right in"

8:00 pm.

"Bye everyone. Have a good night." Kagome waved farewells to her co-workers. Their night was starting, while hers was ending. With Baby Phat coat and bag in tow she headed out the double doors. Walking down the corridor, Kagome Higurashi smiled to this person or exchanged hellos to that person. She was very proud of herself and how far she's come. Her first job right after graduation two years ago, at the age of 23, was a joy and blessing. Nursing had been second nature to her. I was born to be a nurse, a healer. What a humbling and fulfilling profession.

Arriving at the main hospital entrance. She stopped in her tracks. Mouth slightly ajar. Looking through the glass door, the sky was gray and bleak. Rain was pouring down in copious amounts. There were mud puddles everywhere…but to her it was perfect. Just the weather for cuddling…with someone. She physically shook her head. Where did that come from? Before any more unwelcome thoughts could permeate into her brain, she pulled a hat out of her bag, and placing it on her head, pushed through the glass door.

A sudden burst of wind sliced through her sending chills up her spine. Wrapping her arms around herself, she marched out the door and headed towards the parking area. Pushing against the wind or being pushed by it, however one may choose to look at it, her hair, which was wrapped in a bun at the nape of her neck, suddenly came loose. Just as luck would have it, her hat flew off. She turned back to see her hat rolling into the mud and off into hat heaven. She turned back around. Her hair was blowing in every direction. Using her hand as a shield she walked as fast as she could, being careful to avoid any mud puddles. Just what I need is to be a wet muddy mess.

Identifying her Burgundy 1998 Nissan Altima, she opened the driver's door and practically jumped in. She breathed a sigh of relief. Thank Goodness. Reaching for her keys, she placed it into the ignition and got ready to make her 17-mile journey home. Eeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. No! No! Damn it! This is not happening to me! She tried again to start the car, and again, but heard that same pitiful sound from her car engine.

A sudden overwhelming feeling of defeat overcame her. Resting her head against the steering wheel, she bit her bottom lip and fought back the urge to scream. OK, Think. Think. Think. She punctuated each thought with a small head bang against the steering wheel. She needed a jump start. As far as she could see, the other nurses that got off had already left ahead of her. She thought of her roommate, Sango. There's no way I could ask Sango, to drive 17 miles in this weather. I could never forgive myself if something happened to her.

Kagome, head now back against the seat, closed her eyes for a moment. Maybe I'll just wait till this storm passes, and then I can catch a cab.A loud burst of thunder sounded above her. Nature's way of laughing and telling her, this storm is only beginning. Reaching into her bag, she got out her red cell phone and scrolled through the names on the touch screen. The closer she got to the letter 'I' the slower she scrolled. Kagome sighed. The one person she didn't want to call is the one person she had to.

Inuyasha. She hadn't spoken to him in almost 6 months…after what happened between them. But he lived only 8 miles from here and therefore the only logical choice. She didn't know whether he had the same cell number, but she was about to find out.

She dialed.