A/N: This takes place during UTK 2. I am in LOVE with Greg and Cybil and Sidney. Also, I've always wondered if Kari was ever in danger of contracting GUILT because her parents were infected with it, so I decided to implement that idea in this fic.

Trisha lovingly cradled the infant in her arms, watching as the baby's eyes drooped and she tucked her arms against her body. "I think it's time for a little nappy. What do you think Kari? Is it nappy time yet?" Kari's groggy gurgle was enough of an answer. Gently, Trisha placed Kari in her crib and pulled a blanket over her before heading downstairs. It had been a long morning filled with crying and a grumpy baby- Trisha needed a snack and some relaxation before the time came to rinse and repeat.

Two hours later, Trisha checked in on Kari. "How's the sweetie?" As she peered into the crib her smile faded. "Kari?" Kari's chest pumped up and down as she struggled to breathe. Her eyes were half-open and glazed over. And when Trisha tore the blanket off of her and picked her up by the underarms Kari let loose a choked sob, then a pained shriek.

Trisha ran downstairs and nearly tripped when she reached the phone. A warm wetness spread across her abdomen, prompting a shudder to rack Trisha's body as she frantically dialed 911.

When the phone rang, Sidney Kasal was eating lunch at his desk and reviewing some reports. He dropped his fork and pushed up his glasses with a sigh before answering. "Hello, this is—yes, I'm the Chief Director of Caduceus. … What?! Are you sure about the patient's identity? … Yes, I understand. We will be ready to accept the patient when you arrive. What's your ETA? … Thank you. Has anyone called the parents yet? … I will notify them. Goodbye."

Sidney hung up and put his head in his hands. He inhaled and held the air in his lungs, letting the pressure to exhale build up before giving in to the necessity of breathing. His hands lashed out before him, one reaching his cell phone and the other activating the intercom system.

"Attention all Caduceus staff, prepare for a critical patient to be transferred here from West Angeles Pediatric Hospital. The patient is infected with GUILT, strain unidentified. ETA: Five minutes. Dr. Stiles and Mrs. Thompson, please meet me in my office immediately."

He removed his hand from the intercom's ON button and slumped back against his chair. He'd sworn his voice cracked when delivering the announcement. At the very least there was evident distress in his voice.

The door opened and Derek Stiles and Angie Thompson rushed inside. "Director Kasal, you called?"

"Sir, is everything okay? Shouldn't we be preparing for the new patient?" Angie asked. "There isn't much time before they arrive."

"I called you both here because of the patient." Sidney allowed himself to take one more deep breath before squaring his shoulders and regaining his usual composure. "I'm sure you two remember Kari, correct?"

"Don't tell me that… You've got to be kidding!"

"No, Derek, I'm not… Kari is infected with GUILT."

"But Kari's just a baby!" Angie pressed her hands to her mouth and shook her head, her ponytail lashing back and forth behind her. "How could she have GUILT? Who would infect a child like that?"

"I don't know how she was infected, but I do know that she's in critical condition and a child her age won't likely survive surgery. I know pediatrics isn't your specialty Derek, but… I'm sure Greg and Cybil would want the best doctor possible to take care of Kari. I'm not asking you to operate right now, but if the situation arrives, I—"

"I'll do it. I'll be her doctor."

Sidney involuntarily breathed a big sigh of relief. "Thank you. Now go. Your patient should be here soon."

"Gotcha. Come on Angie, we need to go."

"Yes Dr. Stiles…"

As they left Angie's eyes lingered on Sidney, but he didn't meet her gaze. Sidney squeezed his eyes shut as he took his glasses off and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Now came the job of calling his brother and sister-in-law down to Caduceus to inform them of the situation. It's going to be a longer day than usual…

"Aw man…" Tyler brushed some of his blonde hair behind his ears. "This isn't looking good. Are they here yet…?" His eyes darted from Leslie to Derek to Angie. Leslie was the one to shake her head.

"No. I checked on Director Kasal a minute ago and they aren't here yet, but they're on their way. Apparently they were tied up with paperwork and briefing one of the other doctors on a patient."

"I can't believe Kari has GUILT," Angie murmured. "How could someone infect her? She's a baby!"

"Infect who?"

Everyone leapt to their feet and turned to face the open door. Cybil and Greg walked into the room, neither looking their best. They were pale and in obvious discomfort. When no one answered she repeated her question: "Infect who? Is everything okay?"

"Y-Yeah… No." Tyler faltered completely. There was no way he could lie to either of them. Not only would it feel wrong, but he knew they'd see right through it. "You two really need to go see the Chief; he's in his office. I'm real sorry you two. I really am."

"Sorry about what?" Cybil persisted. "What's going on?"

"Cybil, let's just go see Sidney." He reached out and gently squeezed her hand. "Come on."

"Fine."

After they left hand-in-hand Tyler dragged his hands down his face. "They aren't going to take this well."

"And the poor Director has to break the news." Leslie glanced to the hall. "It can't be easy for him either. She is his niece after all."

"Greg, Cybil, I'm glad you're here." Sidney stood from his seat and gestured to the chairs on the opposite side of his desk. "I really think you two should sit down."

"Cut the crap Sidney. What's this 'emergency' you needed to talk to us about?" Greg released Cybil's hand so he could cross his arms. "Is this about the infected child?"

Sidney's eyes narrowed. "How did you hear about that?"

"Tyler, Leslie, and Derek and Angie were talking about it right before we walked in," Cybil replied. "So this does have to do with the patient they were talking about."

"Regretfully, yes…" Sidney gave them a sympathetic look. "Greg, Cybil—Kari was brought here a little while ago. She has GUILT."

Their faces slowly fell as they registered Sidney's words. "Oh my god… Oh my god!" Greg grabbed Cybil and guided her to the closest chair so she could sit. She put her head in her hands and shook while Greg rubbed her back, but he appeared to need to need a seat just as badly as she did.

Sidney approached his brother and rested a hand on his shoulder. Greg looked away from him and kept his eyes on the ground. "We'll have the test results back soon on what type it is. Whatever strain it is, Victor will come up with a treatment plan. It'll be okay."

Greg just nodded and turned so he could hug his little brother. Sidney wasn't the one to show emotion in most cases, but this was family. There was nothing but emotion found in family. Somehow, some way, Kari would be cured. Sidney refused to let his brother and sister lose their daughter. He wouldn't accept it. Greg wouldn't either.

A/N: The next chapter will come soon. I have another fic or two I want to work on as well as this. (And I need to get to my GLTAS fics at some time, too…)

And thank you in advance for whoever reviews this, your comments help make me smile.