Chapter 1
"Let's get a type and cross, CBC, and chem 7." Joe Martin said to the nurse on his right.
"I'm not one to complain Joe, but my arm is killing me. Do you think I could get some morphine anytime soon?" David Hayward asked, clutching his left arm.
"Nurse, 3ccs of morphine IM."
"I'm bleeding pretty good Joe. Don't you think I should have an IV or two going?"
"Yes, I know. Karen is trying to put one in, but you need to give her your right arm. Do you know your blood type David?"
"AB negative. I don't know why you didn't ask me that first."
"The blood bank has a shortage of that type Dr. Martin."
"I guess O neg will have to do for now."
"That's just great. I'm going to either bleed to death or suffer multi-system organ failure because you don't know how to run this hospital."
"David, please. If you don't shut up, I'll sedate you."
"Dad, what's going on in here?"
"Did you come to finish the job your brother started?"
"What's he talking about dad?" Jeff asked his father.
"Dr. Hayward here was shot by you're brother Jake."
"And now this substandard hospital your father runs is going to kill me."
"What's he talking about?"
"The blood bank is out of his blood type, AB negative."
"That's my blood type. I can donate if he needs it."
"I don't remember you being AB negative Jeff? That's an extremely rare blood type."
"Well his pressure's down. It looks like the bullet hit the brachial artery."
"I'm right here. I can hear you. And thanks but no thanks. I don't need a...Martin...saving... me." David retorted, only to pass out from blood loss.
"Looks like he needs that blood after all."
"Even though it's a through and through, the damage to the artery is severe. Nurse, set up for a transfusion. Dr. Martin will be the donor."
"Did you clamp the artery?"
"Yes. I'm going to go call surgery and make sure his wife has been notified. We're going to need her consent for surgery."
"Alright, I'll keep an eye on him."
It only took a few minutes for her to get there. Joe had called her and told her David had been shot. If he wouldn't have told her not to panic, she would might not have made it to the hospital except for in an ambulance.
"Joe, where is he? How is he?"
"Calm down Erica. David is stable for now, but the damage to his arm will require surgery."
"Surgery?"
"Why don't you have a seat? The stress isn't good for you, but unfortunately there is no avoiding it."
"I'm may be pregnant Joe, but I can handle it."
"Ok. This surgery is just to clean out and repair the damage, but it is necessary. Erica we need your consent for the surgery."
"Why? David's the doctor. I don't know anything about this kind of thing."
"He's unconcious from the blood loss he sustained so that means as his wife, we need your consent."
"Unconcious? What the hell happened? No one's told me how this happened."
"With Proteus on the loose, Jake was going to his car in the parking lot. He heard a noise, got out his gun and the gun went off. He accidently shot David."
"What? Jake shot my husband?"
"It was an accident, Erica."
"I'll talk with the police later. Can I see David?"
"You can sit with him for a few minutes before the surgery. Right in there."
"Thank you." She said before waking through the door in front of her. After only one step into the room she saw the man she loved, lying in a bed unconcious and covered in blood, but it was the man sitting beside him that surprised her. "Jeff?"
"Erica? What are you doing in here?"
"I'm here for my husband, but you, it's been years since you left Pine Valley. And now your'e back?"
"I'm back to see my father, and brothers. Wait, you said husband? And you're pregnant?"
"Yes my husband, and the father of my child."
"David Hayward? I know I don't know the man real well. I mean I just met him yesterday, but from what I hear from my family..."
"I don't think you have the right to pass judgement on someone you met yesterday. Alot has changed since you've been gone."
"I can see that. So what husband number is this? 8 or 9?"
"Really Jeff? You're going to play games with me while my husband is lying unconcious on this bed from a gunshot wound inflicted by your brother?"
"I'm saving his life Erica, what more do you want from me?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You see this? This here is my blood, going to your husband." He told her, holding the IV tube that connected the two men.
"Why does he need your blood?"
"Because he has a rare blood type. Rare enough that the blood bank doesn't have any. Good thing I'm a match."
"Well thank you, but must you be so arrogant? I mean I always thought of you as one of my nicer husbands." He laughed at that. Joe and the surgeon had just walked in the room.
"Dr. Benton is taking David up to the OR now."
"Dr. Martin, if you wouldn't mind donating another pint or so for the surgery."
"Yeah, sure. I've got a couple more to spare."
"Thank you doctor." Dr. Benton said to Jeff
"David, it's Erica. Dr. Benton is taking you to surgery now, but Dylan and I will be here when you wake up. We love you." Erica told her unconcious husband before kissing his forehead.
