Hey everyone, I'm back! It's been so long since I've been inspired to write Night Shift stories, but I read a one shot by NatalyaShae, called Drafted, and it immediately sparked some creative juice.

Summary: TC gets called up to active duty. A little back story and timeline clarification: there's not a real definite point where this story begins. Most of the events of season 2 have happened, except Jordan doesn't find out she's pregnant, and TC and Topher don't make that trip to Afghanistan together.

When TC was discharged as he explained in season 1, he was not officially discharged, though he thought he was. He should have been, based on the mental issues, including a breakdown, but we'll just site incompetence and pretend that's the way things work (if it's not clear, I have never been in the army/have no idea what it's really like). Also, I'm not sure what rank TC was in the army – I know he was a medic with the Rangers, but I don't know if he had a rank. I tried looking online, but couldn't find anything. So we're making him a captain.

The name of this story is taken from Avril Lavigne's When You're Gone.

And now, on with the story! Oh yeah, and the disclaimer: I don't own The Night Shift

TC stared blankly at the piece of paper in his hands. He kept trying to make his mouth say words, but his mind was just not cooperating.

The man in army fatigues standing in front of him cleared his throat. "Captain? I need verbal confirmation, sir."

TC blinked and shook himself off. "I don't… I was discharged. What the hell is going on, Lieutenant?"

The Lieutenant did not allow himself to show any confusion. "Sir, I'm just delivering the orders."

TC swallowed harshly and nodded, forcing himself to focus. "You've done that. You need me to sign off?"

Even after years out of the uniform, that training kicked in automatically, and he knew it was no good to argue with the man simply delivering the letter. Lieutenant Wallace, as the name on his fatigues read, had no idea what was going on. His orders were to simply hand TC a letter, get a signature, and leave.

Once that was done, the Lieutenant snapped off a sharp salute, which TC returned on autopilot, his mind still focused on the innocent piece of paper in his hands.

Captain Callahan, you are hereby ordered to report to Fort Hood for active duty.

The date listed on the letter was five days away.

Five days to say goodbye to his friends. The closest thing to family he really had, ever since Thad had died. Their parents had been killed when TC was a teenager. Thad, being three years older, had taken care of his brother after the car accident had claimed the lives of Michael and Jolene Callahan.

Five days to say goodbye to Jordan. The love of his life. The woman he wanted to marry, to have a real family with.

TC wanted more than anything to rip the letter in his hands to shreds and pretend it had never arrived. His life was finally on track. He and Jordan were back together, and it really looked like it was going to work out this time.

He had even been planning on proposing. The ring he had bought before his last tour was still sitting in his sock drawer, but he had been thinking about bringing it back out soon. He wanted to see it on Jordan's finger.

He wanted to watch her walk down the aisle. He wanted to be her husband.

He hadn't asked her before he had left last time because he hadn't wanted to risk making her a widow. Would he do that again? Could he ask her knowing that there was a chance he wouldn't come back?

Would she forgive him if he did?

Would she forgive him if he didn't?

Groaning in distress, TC realized that he had to leave now, or he would be late for his shift. How was he supposed to get through this night knowing that he only had five more days?

Grabbing his cell phone, TC stuffed the letter in his pocket and hurried out the door, stopping to snatch the keys to his car on his way out. Today was one day when he was glad he had the four-wheeled vehicle, because he was planning on using the commute to make a few phone calls. TC knew that he should not have been recalled. For Christ's sake, he had jumped up on a stage and dumped a whole bunch of army boots that had belonged to soldiers who had lost legs and feet in front of the political asshole giving some speech about something not even remotely interesting to the crowd of soldiers watching. Sure, the soldiers had loved it, and he had been right, but the bigwigs upstairs hadn't been amused.

They called it a mental breakdown, and he had been shipped stateside less than two days later. Wasn't that grounds for discharge? TC was sure he had gotten that paperwork.

Right?

XXX

When TC pulled into the parking lot, he was ready to tear his hair out. He had spoken with no less than four secretaries, a Lieutenant, two Captains, and even a General, and he had not gotten the answer he needed.

Lieutenant General Petrollis had informed him in clipped tones that they had received confirmation that he was fit for active duty, and that his country needed him. He had been put back into play because he was supposedly 'fixed'.

God damn it.

TC rubbed a hand across his face tiredly as he tried to compose himself. If he went into the hospital like this, everyone would know something was wrong.

He hated this.

He really hated this.

Oh sure, once upon a time he might have loved being able to go back. He was an Army Ranger, an elite soldier. He had hated being shipped back stateside, knowing that his brothers-in-arms had still been in danger.

But things were different now. He had a life here, and he didn't want to leave it.

His phone beeped, and he pulled up a message from Jordan, asking if he was already at the hospital, or if he could pick her up a bagel from a nearby bakery.

He smiled slightly, typing back a negative, saying that he had just pulled into the parking lot, and he would see her in a minute.

Knowing that he had to go in, TC exited the car. He waved a distracted greeting to Jocelyn, one of the nurses who worked the night shift, who was also on her way inside.

TC was still in a daze as he changed into scrubs and slammed his locker closed. The cursed letter was stuffed into his jacket pocket, and part of him wanted to carry it with him, but he knew he needed to focus on the work right now, and he wouldn't be able to do that if he had the letter on him.

"T, we got incoming," Drew called, slamming the locker room door open as he yelled for the assistance. "Car crash, two injured."

TC forced his heart to calm down, hating himself for jumping at the loud noise. He hadn't done that in a while, having gotten better after spending some time in his recovery group.

"On it," he answered, following the other doctor out into the ER.

The two crowded around the gurneys that Gwen and her partner were bringing in, and TC allowed his medical knowledge to take over.

No matter what that letter said, in here, he was a doctor. People lived or died on his knowledge and actions. He couldn't allow himself to become distracted.

Those thoughts carried him through most of the shift. Fortunately, it was pretty busy, and TC didn't have much downtime.

Unfortunately, the other doctors were all pretty intelligent, and knew something was wrong.

Fortunately, it was a busy night, and they didn't have time to question him.

Unfortunately, things slowed down around three o'clock, and TC didn't have the constant rush of people needing assistance to continue to distract him and everyone else.

He slipped away for a few minutes, grateful to find the locker room empty. Glancing around nervously, he pulled out the letter once more, reading it through as if hoping that the words would change, would no longer tell him he was needed.

"T?"

TC started, turning around quickly to see Jordan standing there curiously.

Jordan frowned; she hadn't seen TC looking so jumpy since he had gotten back from the war years ago. "Is everything all right?"

TC bit his lip nervously, glancing down at the letter in his hands. He looked back up at his girlfriend and took a deep breath. "Do you have a few minutes, J? I need to talk to you about something."

Jordan's stomach clenched nervously. "Are you OK?"

TC's lack of response only made Jordan worry more.

"I just really need to talk to you."

Jordan tried to keep her expression calm as she allowed TC to lead her out of the locker room, passed all of their friends, several of whom looked up confusedly as the couple made their way outside.

Jordan didn't speak as TC seemed to have a specific destination in mind. That destination proved to be a secluded corner of the parking lot. Close enough to the ambulance bay to be able to get back quickly if they were needed, but far enough that no one would interrupt them.

TC took a deep breath as he turned to face Jordan.

Jordan's eyes widened at the look of desperation she could clearly see shining through her boyfriend's gaze. "T, you're really scaring me. What's wrong?"

Instead of speaking, TC swallowed harshly and handed Jordan the letter.

Jordan read it through, confused. Her heart jumped into her throat as she took in the words on the page. Looking back up, she knew without asking that it wasn't a joke.

"But I thought you were discharged?" she whispered, unable to make herself speak louder.

TC drew in a shaky breath. "I spent the entire drive to the hospital this afternoon trying to get someone to tell me it was a mistake." Jordan tilted her head to the side, and TC shook his in response. "Two Captains and a General have informed me that it's not. If I don't report in five days, I'll be declared AWOL, and more than likely arrested."

Jordan felt a few tears leak from her eyes. "But you can't!" she cried, hating herself for breaking down when it was TC who was the one shipping back into a war zone.

TC immediately drew her into a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry," he whispered gently. "I'm so sorry."

Jordan sniffed angrily. "Don't," she growled, looking up into his tortured gaze. "Don't apologize. This isn't your fault. I just… I'm scared."

"Me too," TC admitted. Jordan's expression invited him to continue. He had been so much better at sharing his emotions with her after he had begun attending group therapy sessions a few months ago. "I don't want to go back. I want to stay here, with you. With Topher, and Drew, and Krista and Paul, and Molly, and even Ragosa and Scott." Jordan snorted lightly, and TC shrugged. "I have to admit, they're kind of growing on me." He cupped her face gently and leaned down to plant a sweet kiss on her lips. "I love you, Jordan. I want nothing more than to stay here in your arms forever, but I can't."

Jordan nodded tearfully. "I won't make you promise to come back safe, because I know that's not a promise you can give. But please, don't take any unnecessary risks?"

TC smiled gently. "That's a promise I can make. I will do everything I can to come back to you." He bit his lip. "Will you be all right?"

Jordan sniffed, trying to smile as she nodded again. "Hey, I was an army girlfriend for years. I can do it again."

An ambulance screamed into the parking lot at that moment, and interrupted them. The two doctors rushed back to the hospital to assist, Jordan wiping the tears away as she ran.

They were so caught up in assisting the gunshot victim that neither Jordan nor TC noticed when the now very crumpled letter slipped out of Jordan's pocket and fell onto the floor.

XXX

Molly was on her way back from the restroom when she noticed the creased and folded piece of paper lying on the floor next to the nurse's station. She frowned slightly, and picked it up, wondering if it was trash or if she should see if there was any indication of who had dropped it, and whether or not they needed it back.

Not wanting to throw away something that might be important, she unfolded it. Her brow furrowed as she took in the army seal in the top left corner. Her eyes skimming further down the page, she caught the introduction. Captain Callahan. That definitely interested her, since she had never seen anything addressed to TC in that manner, but she didn't want to invade his privacy; she was about to fold it up and leave it at that, intending on returning it to TC as soon as he was finished with the gunshot victim in trauma three, but her eyes skittered across the first paragraph, and picked up a few words without even meaning to. Hereby ordered to report for active duty… Fort Hood… Rejoin 3rd Battalion, 75th Regiment… Fort Benning…

Molly blinked, startled, and immediately folded up the letter, looking around the ER nervously, as if someone had seen her snooping.

She glanced towards trauma three, her thoughts centered on the tall doctor behind the curtain. Was this letter true? Was he really going back?

Molly didn't know everything about the doctors she worked with, but she did know that TC had been discharged years ago, before she had met him. At least, she thought he had.

Why the hell was he going back? Based on the wording, she knew that it probably hadn't been his choice, and she knew it was more than likely that he had no say in the matter.

She knew she needed to return the letter, but she wondered if he had told anyone yet. What would Jordan say? Her mind latched onto the image of the two of them heading outside less than half an hour ago, and how Jordan had looked like she had been crying as they came back inside to help with the newest patient. Yeah, TC had probably told Jordan.

But what about everyone else? Topher would flip out. Molly knew that those two were more like brothers than friends. She didn't know all the history, but she was pretty observant, and there were times when she caught Topher looking at TC like he was afraid the man would disappear if he blinked. She caught worried glances and concerned looks that quite frankly scared her, because she knew that Topher more than likely knew something about TC that was worth worrying about.

But Molly didn't want to pry, not into her friends' private lives. She loved gossip and all that, but she didn't want to overstep any boundaries.

As if drawn by her thoughts, Topher chose that moment to appear, making a few notations on a clipboard as he leaned against the nurse's station.

"Hey Molly, are TC and Jordan still in three?"

Molly shook herself off and nodded. "They've been in there twenty minutes or so. Scott's ready when they get the patient up to the OR."

Topher inclined his head. "Thanks."

He was about to walk away, but Molly called out, gesturing for him to stop. He turned around, confused.

Molly swallowed and held out the letter. "Can you get that back to TC when he's done?"

Topher frowned. "What is it?" he asked, taking the letter from the nurse.

Molly shook her head. "Just… give it back to TC when you get a chance."

She walked away quickly, trying to keep her expression neutral as she hurried down the hall. If anyone asked, she was definitely not about to go cry her eyes out in the bathroom.

Topher was still confused as he watched Molly walk away; if he didn't know any better, it would look like she was running. But what was upsetting her so much?

He looked down at the piece of paper in his hands. Was this what had Molly so rattled?

Knowing that he shouldn't mess with it, and just give it to TC when he was finished with his patient, Topher wavered. Molly had wanted him to open it. That's why she had given it to him, rather than waiting for TC to be done so that she could give it to him directly.

Years of working with the spunky nurse had given him a good insight to her character. She wanted him to read it.

Most likely because it was something to do with TC, and Molly knew how much he worried over his best friend.

Feeling like he was betraying his friend's trust, Topher hesitantly unfolded the letter.

His eyes widened as he took in the words on the page. Recalled? TC was going back?

What the hell? He remembered very clearly the incident that led to his discharge in the first place. He remembered comforting TC when the man realized just what he had done, and that he would no longer be able to watch Topher's back, to protect his brothers-in-arms.

He remembered all the crap TC had dealt with; Thad dying, being unable to even go home for the funeral, the army refusing to allow him the grievance leave, no matter that Thad was the only family he had had left. That had definitely been a contributing factor to TC's breakdown that had incited the discharge in the first place.

He remembered coming back and seeing TC, but not the same TC he knew. He had changed. He was no longer the optimistic man that Topher knew would do anything for his fellow soldiers.

A dark night, a panicked call, talking him into lowering the gun… Topher had never told anyone how bad things had gotten with TC. Especially at that time, when Ragosa and the board of directors would have gladly used any excuse to fire TC.

Topher was pretty sure that Jordan knew the truth, though he had never asked her directly. But TC had never been able to keep things from Jordan; even after they had broken up, they had been able to get back to friendship, and TC had always been able to tell her anything.

The paper in his hands crumpled as he tightened his grip unintentionally. Forcing himself to relax, he wondered when TC had been planning on telling him. Most likely, he had just received the orders yesterday, and hadn't had a chance. At least, that's what he told himself. TC would tell him when he had a moment.

Topher knew that if he stayed here any longer, he would probably do something stupid like storm into the trauma room and demand answers, and TC was busy trying to save a guy's life, so he didn't need the distraction.

He took a shaky breath, and quickly retreated to find a deserted hallway where he could collect himself.

XXX

Jordan flopped wearily onto one of the couches in the break room, pulling TC down with her as they unwound after an hour of trying to get their patient stable enough to hand off to Scott for surgery.

The guy was now up in an OR, and their job was done.

TC wrapped an arm around his girlfriend's shoulders, and pulled her close. Jordan snuggled into his side gratefully. She wished they could just stay like this until he had to leave.

Oh God, TC was going back into a war zone. Jordan knew that he had done this before, but she had thought it was over now.

She had been so relieved when he had been discharged, even if the circumstances had been less than favorable. TC had been blaming himself for Thad's death, blaming himself for not being able to go back for the funeral, and just blaming himself all around.

It had been that guilt that had caused him to break up with her, and though she hated it, she had understood. TC hadn't wanted to drag her down with him. He thought that if they stayed together, he would ruin her life. She didn't think he was right, but she knew she wouldn't be able to change his mind. She was glad that they had been able to be friends even after they had broken up.

Jordan was terrified of what going back would do to TC. The last time, he had been a wreck. He had spiraled down a dark hole that had nearly ended with a bullet in his skull. She shivered involuntarily at the reminder of that horrible memory. She hadn't been there, Topher had been the one to talk him off the metaphorical ledge, but Jordan had been the one to get TC to agree to see someone, just for a little while. He had stopped attending those therapy sessions after a few weeks, but it had definitely helped. This most recent go around with therapy, however, was the reason she had agreed to give the two of them another shot. TC seemed really committed to getting better this time, and she thought it was working.

And now he was going back. He was being ripped from his family at this hospital, from Jordan. He was being sent back into a war zone, and she would go back to wondering every day if she was going to get that call, the one that would tell her that the love of her life was never coming home.

TC sighed softly and tightened his arm briefly, giving her a sideways hug. "I know what you're thinking," he whispered, closing his eyes against the onslaught of emotion that threatened to overwhelm him.

Jordan sniffed, burying her face in his chest. "I remember what happened last time," she replied, her voice muffled by his shirt. "I don't want us to go back there."

TC nodded slightly. "Me neither," he agreed. "I can't lose you again, Jordan. I was an idiot last time, and I thought it would be better for you, but I can't go through that again."

Jordan glanced up at him. "So don't. We're better together, T. If you try to break up with me because it will be 'better for me' again, I will slap you."

TC snorted, nodding again in agreement. "Duly noted. I'm not going to try it again. Promise. I love you."

Jordan felt a few tears leak from her eyes as she smiled. "I love you, too."

TC leaned down to kiss her, and the two lost themselves in the moment.

It was the slamming open of the break room door that startled them out of their own little world, several minutes later.

"What the hell, man?" Topher shouted as he stormed in.

He had tried to calm down. He had tried to just let it be and wait until TC told him. But he couldn't. As soon as he had heard that the patient was on his way up to surgery, he sought out TC, looking for answers. Wanting to be told more than anything that it was just a mistake, or a joke.

TC and Jordan sat up quickly, watching their fellow doctor warily as he came to a sudden stop in front of them.

Topher took in the couple, both looking distressed, worried, resigned, and knew that he wasn't going to get his wish. This was really happening.

TC stood up, his left hand still clasping Jordan's right, even as she remained seated. "Toph? What's going on?"

"Maybe you could tell me!" the older doctor griped, throwing the crumpled up paper at his friend. "Molly gave me that."

TC caught the letter in one hand, and the color drained from his face. He glanced back at Jordan, who put her free hand to her pocket, realizing that she no longer had the letter TC had shown her earlier.

She looked at him apologetically, and TC turned back to his friend. "I was going to tell you," he said softly, his expression earnest. "I got the letter right before I left for work last night."

Topher's shoulders slumped, the fight draining out of him. "It's not a joke, is it."

It wasn't a question, despite the phrasing. TC shook his head. His gaze was tortured with the memories of his last few tours. "No."

"Damn it, T, I thought you were out!"

They probably should have closed the door. It was never a good idea to have private conversations in public places with an open door that wouldn't stop anyone from overhearing or coming in to witness the confrontation.

Drew, Michael, Paul, Krista, Molly, and Kenny were all nearby, and heard Topher's strangled cry. Curiosity piqued, they wandered towards the open break room door, and crowded around with interest, seeing Topher squaring off against TC, while Jordan sat on the couch, watching the pair with worry. Molly winced at the confrontation, knowing that Topher had taken the hint and read TC's letter. She had hoped he would be a little more subtle, but she should have known better than to expect rational thought, not when Topher knew TC could be in trouble.

The trio inside didn't seem to notice the audience, as TC winced. "Apparently not," he admitted. "Believe me, I've been trying to figure that out myself. But I have to go, Toph. I'm back in."

Topher shook his head. "Don't they remember why you were discharged? I thought that was it. That was supposed to be it!"

TC shrugged, looking at the floor as he was unable to meet Topher's terrified gaze anymore. "Please, Toph. Don't do this."

Topher was about to start yelling again, but he collected himself and realized how close TC was to falling apart in front of him. He let out the air he had been about to expend, and took a hesitant step forward. "Shit, man, I'm sorry." TC shrugged, still not looking up. Topher swallowed. "Five days, huh?"

TC nodded, finally glancing up as Jordan stood and wrapped her arm around his waist.

"How long?"

TC drew in a shaky breath. "Probably at least a year. I'll receive official orders at Fort Benning after I rejoin the 3rd."

Topher grit his teeth. "And it's probably going to be one of those 'I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you' kind of assignments, right?"

TC's mouth quirked up in a facsimile of a smile. He had participated in quite a few of those missions during his first three tours. TC had always taken pride in his ability to act as both a combat Ranger as well as a medic. He had been a doctor in the army, but as a Ranger, he had had to be able to adjust his position as the situation called for it.

"I'll be in touch as much as possible," he assured the older man.

Topher blinked quickly, trying to keep the tears from falling as he stepped forward and grasped his friend in a tight hug. "You better come back," he ground out, closing his eyes as TC returned the hug.

TC knew better than to say anything. He couldn't make that promise, but he would do his best to make sure it happened.

A hesitant cough alerted them to the fact that they weren't alone, as Topher stepped back and tried to wipe his eyes surreptitiously.

"Am I really understanding this right?" Drew asked, wide eyes seeking out TC to get the truth. "Are you going back?"

TC grimaced and nodded, realizing that practically the entire night shift was crowded around the doorway. "Yeah… guess I don't need to have a whole bunch of awkward conversations now," he muttered the last part under his breath. "Get it all done in one go."

Michael frowned, his mind flashing back to all the issues TC had had back when he had started at the hospital, right around the time he had returned from Afghanistan. As an Administrator, the army vet had been the bane of his existence. He had been sympathetic, of course, but he had been more focused on the crazy doctor who didn't listen to authority.

"Wait, you reenlisted?" Paul asked, confused. He thought TC had been discharged several years ago, and that was the end of it. He didn't know how these things worked, though, since he had never had any interest in joining the army.

TC let out a nearly inaudible groan as he sunk back down onto the couch, the letter in his hand crumpling into a ball as he gripped it tightly.

Jordan glared at the young Resident. "He's not being given a choice, Paul. He's been recalled to active service."

"But you were discharged," Drew said, still confused.

"That's what I thought," TC mumbled, his face buried in his free hand, the one holding the letter. His other hand was still firmly ensconced in Jordan's, and she didn't seem to be willing to let go any time soon.

Everyone looked to Jordan for clarification, sensing that she would probably have the best idea of how this had happened, since TC didn't seem to be able to deal with all of their questions right now.

Jordan sighed, her eyes filling with tears yet again. She hated this. She wasn't a weak girl, she was stronger than this! "He's already spoken with several Captains and a General, and apparently, he's passed the qualifications for active duty, so they're sending him back. He reports to Fort Hood in five days." She leaned into his side, resting her chin on his shoulder.

There was a heavy silence as they all absorbed the information. Topher sat down on the couch next to TC and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Do you want to take the rest of the week off?" he asked cautiously, knowing what the answer would be, but still needing to make the offer.

As predicted, TC shook his head. "What else am I going to do?" he asked, glancing over at his friend.

And Topher knew it was true. The only family TC had was at this hospital. He would probably spend the next five days sitting on his sofa at home and imagining worst-case scenarios, if he wasn't working.

"Incoming!" the call came from the ER entrance, and Drew and Paul immediately turned to take the patient from Gwen.

"Breakfast after shift?" Kenny queried hesitantly, as the rest of them began to disperse.

TC nodded, smiling weakly. "Sounds great," he said softly.

The others all nodded their consent, and headed back to the ER. Kenny snagged his girlfriend before she could go looking for Jordan, so that he could bring Gwen up to speed, wanting to spare TC and Jordan having to break the news again.

Similarly, Krista decided to head up to the OR to check on the patient Scott was operating on, since he should be done soon, and hoping to let him know the situation so that he knew what he would be walking into when he returned to the first floor.

XXX

"I really want to punch someone," Topher commented idly, as he leaned back into the couch.

Jordan nodded and TC snorted. "Get in line," he replied, though there was no venom in his voice.

Topher glanced at his friend worriedly. He was really afraid of what this would do to the younger man. He hoped that, at the very least, he didn't try to break up with Jordan out of some misplaced need to save her, or something.

Based on the actions he had witnessed between the two tonight, he didn't think that was going to be an issue.

They sat in silence for a while longer, not needing words to fill the air. Topher tried not to think about how in five days, TC would no longer be at the hospital every night, making him laugh, helping him figure out tough medical cases, planning pranks on Drew and the other doctors.

Eventually, the real world had to butt in, and all three doctors were swept up in their jobs once more.

TC was relieved when morning rolled around, and he could leave. He truly loved his job, but it was getting hard to hold himself together, and he knew he still had to get through breakfast with his friends before he could go home. He wanted to spend the time with them, he wanted to spend as much time as possible memorizing everything about them before he had to leave, but the way they kept looking at him after hearing the news was starting to get on his nerves.

Scott found him as he was changing back into street clothes. Fortunately for the surgeon, the locker room was empty except for the two of them. He and TC didn't really get along great, but they had managed to find a rhythm that worked for them. As long as they didn't have to interact too much, they were fine. Scott didn't know if he would ever really be able to like the ER doctor, mostly because he had uprooted his life to spend more time with Jordan, and she had broken up with him to get back with TC.

Logically, he knew it wasn't TC's fault, and he had seen those two together; Scott knew he really had had no chance. He had just been a rebound that had lasted too long.

"Hey," Scott cleared his throat uncertainly as he headed to his own locker a few down from TC.

TC glanced up and nodded absentmindedly, going back to buttoning up his shirt.

Scott pulled his scrubs shirt off and switched it with a plain t-shirt. "Krista told me what happened," he said lamely, wincing at the way the words sounded in the piercingly awkward silence between them.

TC raised an eyebrow, looking over at the surgeon.

Scott shrugged, pulling on his jacket before closing his locker and leaning against it, facing the other doctor head-on. "Look, TC, I know we don't really like each other, but I wish you didn't have to go. You're a good doctor, and I know how this is going to hit Jordan."

TC flinched at the thought of the pain Jordan would be going through. He knew how hard this was for her, as well.

Scott grimaced, knowing how that sounded. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it to come out like that. Just… stay safe over there, all right? I'll be waiting for you to come back, if only because I know I'll miss how difficult you make my life."

TC laughed softly, appreciating the attempt at humor. "You know, I think we could have been really great friends if it weren't for the fact that you used to date Jordan."

"Hey, you got her in the end," Scott threw back, smiling. He still was still a little hurt, but he was getting better. He knew that in time, he would find someone whose heart belonged to him; even when Jordan had been telling him she loved him, there was a part of him that knew she was lying. She might not have known it at the time, but she had always belonged with TC.

TC nodded. "Yeah," he agreed. "I'd say I'm sorry, but I'm really not." Scott laughed. Sobering, TC took a deep breath and let it out. "Look, I hate to ask you for anything, and I know you've got your own stuff going on, but can you just… keep an eye on Jordan and Topher for me? Don't tell them I asked, but I'll feel better if I know there's someone here making sure they eat enough, and don't spend too much time losing sleep over me."

Scott was surprised. If he thought about whom TC would trust to make such a request, he would have assumed Drew would have been the guy TC went to.

"Why me?" he had to ask.

TC shrugged with one shoulder. "I know we don't always get along, and I can admit that most of that is on me. I'm not the easiest guy to deal with, I've got a whole bunch of issues I'm still working on. But I trust you. Drew's got his own shit to deal with, and I know that you care about Jordan almost as much as I do." He smiled slightly, taking a little bit of the bite out of the 'almost' part.

Scott nodded slowly, understanding. Drew's partner Rick had lost his leg earlier this year, and he knew as well as TC did that Drew was busy making sure Rick had the medical care he needed.

"I'll take care of them," he promised.

TC turned his head away, trying to hold in the tears he knew were threatening to fall.

Damn, he really hated this.

Scott knew that TC probably needed some time alone, so he made to leave the room.

"We're all going to grab breakfast, if you want to come," TC offered, stopping the surgeon before he reached the door.

Scott turned back, surprised, but pleased. "Sure," he agreed. "I'll meet you outside?"

TC nodded quickly, and turned back to his locker, grabbing his wallet and jacket before he made his way back out to the ER.

Everyone was waiting on him, all changed and crowded near the exit.

Jordan quickly made her way to his side, grasping his hand tightly. She wondered how she would deal with months away from him, if she could barely even go five minutes right now.

"Ready?" Topher asked, attempting a smile that fell a little short.

TC nodded and was about to respond when Gwen blew her way passed Kenny and nearly launched herself at the tall doctor. TC was surprised, but he awkwardly returned her hug with one arm, the other still latched onto Jordan.

Gwen sniffed angrily, hating herself for showing weakness. She couldn't believe that after everything TC and Jordan had been through, finally getting back together after all this time, they had to be faced with another obstacle. It just wasn't fair.

"You better not die," she whispered into his shoulder, her voice a low growl.

TC's mouth quirked upwards, but he didn't respond, and after another moment, Gwen pulled away, seemingly melting back to Kenny's side, her thunderous expression promising pain for anyone who commented on her behavior.

Fortunately, everyone in the group valued their lives, and they simply headed out to the parking lot to grab their cars and head to a nearby diner that they had eaten at many times before.

All right, so that's chapter one. This is going to be a few chapters long, not sure how many, but probably three or four.

Please review and let me know what you think!