A Florence Nightingale
Standard Disclaimer! I Do NOT own Inu Yasha.
Ch. 1 A Familiar Face
** Hello! I am not dead.. almost.. but not yet :D Anyway, I had this idea for my next story.
Here is some background:
This is based off the idea of the Florence Nightingale Effect. It is, "The Florence Nightingale Effect is a psychological complex where people who are entrusted with the care and wellbeing of vulnerable patients begin to form a romantic attraction and often erotic attraction toward their charges. Medical workers, such as nurses, are typically at risk, and it is a form of psychological counter transference. The effect can also occur in patients who see medical workers as their protector and then develop feelings for them. It was named after nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale." (.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale_Effect)
There is some back ground just in case not everyone is aware of what it is exactly. I really hope you enjoy the first chapter, let me know what you think.
Enjoy!!
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The city's monumental clock tower gonged it's last chime alerting the scattered individuals wandering around the empty late night streets that it was half passed one a.m. on a cool clear still spring night.
Some distance away a black sleek BMW 750i pulled out from the parking garage attached to a prestigious multi-million dollar company. The occupant inside was just leaving work after a long day of listening to his hair-brained secretary talk about things she had no clue how to do.
Casting a quick glance in the rearview mirror, dark circles could be seen under the eyes, marring his smooth skin complexion. Drawing in a deep breath, he placed a hand around the expensive tie tied around his neck and pulled it loose; in hopes it would relax him.
He was in a hurry to get home and get to bed; but he knew enough to not drive recklessly and endanger himself or others. Taking his left hand from the steering wheel, he brought the strong hand to his left temple and tried to smooth out the tension building there.
Approaching the red stop light ahead he decreased the car's speed bringing it to a stop. He swiftly looked to his left and right; as always there were no other cars on the road this late at night in this part particular of town. 'Just go, no one is here,' He thought to himself. Slowly lifting his foot off the break, paused, and replanted it back onto the break, "With my luck there would be a Police man down the road." With that said to no one in the vehicle with him, he decided to wait for the light to change. He wouldn't lower himself to think he was above the law.
About thirty seconds later the light changed and he continued on his way home. As he drove, he casually thought, 'Maybe I will call in sick tomorrow and just work from home. I can do much more work that way and there is no need to go in anyways' Remembering the events that transpired earlier that day, he growled his annoyance low in his throat.
**Flashback**
The high pitched chime alerted him that he had reached his destination: the top floor of his office building. Dark marbled floors with a rich dark red carpet interwoven with gold designs lead the way to the large office doors ahead. On his right, large glass windows allowed the light from the early morning sun shine it's way into the building, illuminating the entire room. Stepping out he walked briskly to the double doors at the end of the elaborate hallway decorated with plants to bring in a fresh "homey" feeling for his clients.
As he entered the red oak doors, he noticed his secretary sat at her desk, head bent to the flat surface. Watching her back rise and fall, he realized that she was asleep. Sneering to himself, he rolled his eyes in disgust.
'Apparently eight o'clock is still too early for her,' he thought to himself. With one more scoff at her, he continued his way to his office.
He was a very busy man that had work that needed to be finalized, clients to call and proposals that need his undivided attention; time is money and time wasted is money being burned.
Sitting in the comfortable chair at his desk, his hands searched through the files and papers scattered everywhere for a phone number. Fed up with looking, he pressed the intercom button and growled out, "Yuka."
After no response he pressed the button once more and yelled, "Yuka!"
On the other side of his doors he heard a "thud" and suspected that Yuka, his dozing secretary had fallen out of her seat.
"Yes?" replied a voice that sounded a lot like nails on a chalk board. It was anything but attractive and it drove him crazy.
"Get me Mr. Takahashi's number." Tilting back in his chair and closing his eyes, his mind wandered to his secretary just thinking about his inept secretary falling out of her seat formed the smallest of smirks on his angelic features.
The sound of doors opening and closing signaled she had found the number he had asked for. As she walked into his office, he noticed she didn't have anything in her hand; Yuka walked around the desk, stood beside him and leaned over his shoulder in an attempt to seduce him.
Resisting the urge to roll his eyes and sigh out loud, his gaze traveled up and down surveying her state of dress today. Starting from the ground up, he noticed the black mini skirt was barely covering her and was that... leather? A black leather mini skirt? This woman had no self respect. Looking at her shirt now, he couldn't decide which was worse, the skirt or the shirt.
The blouse was too small. He swore he heard the white shirt screaming bloody murder from being stretched too far over her breast. He also noted she was wearing a black bra, he wondered, 'Does this woman not watch, What Not To Wear? Perhaps I shall have to sign her up for it.' Finally, his eyes rested on her face, truly he thought she was pretty, but covered up in the layers of caked make-up. The mismatched foundation was just enough for him to want to smack himself for thinking she was ever pretty.
Taking a deep breath he tried to try and calm his temper that was building, "The number Yuka?"
"I've got it right here" she stated pointing to her head.
'This will be interesting,' he mused to himself.
He watched as she tried to seductively reach in front of him to the phone on his left, giving him a perfect view of her cleavage. Dialing the number Yuka held the phone to her ear. "I'm calling for Mr. Takahashi"
Cringing at the sound of her voice, he closed his eyes, trying with every ounce of will power he had to not cover her mouth with his hand and shut her up. He listened and waited patiently for her to hand the phone over to him.
He knew Yuka had been trying to get into his pants from the very first day he hired her, and her ridiculous antics were getting old. He was fed up with her childishness and unprofessional manner.
"What do you mean there is no Takahashi there? Of course there is, he's the CEO of Japanese Medical Company," Yuka sternly said into the phone, now trying to pull out the authority card.
Drawing his attention away from her appearance he could hear the male voice on the end say, "That's cool and all, but this a pizza parlor. Not Japanese Med. Like I said, there is no Takahashi here ma'am."
That was it. He was done with dealing with Yuka's behavior and complete lack of responsibility. He grabbed the phone from her hands and hung it up. Exasperated he said, "Yuka, you have been working for me for three months. And in those three months, I have had to do your job because you can't seem to do it yourself. My biggest regret is letting you work here for as long as you have, however that is about to change. You're fired. Pack up your things. I want you off the premises in fifteen minutes."
Watching Yuka close the door behind her, he resisted the urge to pat himself on the back for finally doing away with the troublesome girl. Now he had to find himself someone who was competent enough to do the job he required his secretary to do.
**End flashback***
Off in the distance he saw another red light. Slowing the BMW almost to a stop the light turned green, granting him passage without coming to a full stop. Smirking, he said out loud, "My luck must be changing already."
Approaching the next intersection a light flashed in the corner of his eye. Quickly turning his attention to his left he saw what appeared to be two cars, drag racing. Mesmerized by what he saw he found he couldn't turn his gaze from the cars racing towards him. He was frozen in shock. One car swerved out of his way, avoiding him, but before he could re-act the other car collided into him.
He did what any other person would do; he braced himself for the impact. The sound of metal upon into metal, molding one car to the other could be heard, along with shattering glass. Then all was silent.
Moments after the impact, the sound of screeching tires echoed through the streets as the other car sped away from the scene, leaving both driver's to their own fates. No movement could be seen from either car. Luckily, installed in the BMW was a safety crash system that alerted the proper authorities of the danger the car's owner was in. Hopefully the ambulance would arrive in time.
**Across town in the local hospital**
Footsteps echoed in the empty hallway as the graveyard nurse made her rounds. Everything seemed to be fine; all the patients in ICU and the Rehabilitation Center were sound asleep.
Making her way to the main desk all she wanted to do was finish up the rest of the book she was currently reading.
A few moments later, sirens could be heard off in the distance. Pausing in her reading, she marked the page and rushed to the ER entrance, anxiously waiting for the victim to arrive.
The back doors of the ambulance flew open; as an EMT began to pull out the victim strapped to the stretcher. Glancing over his shoulder the black haired, violet eye colored medical personal saw the nurse before him he was washed with relief.
"My dearest Sango, as always it is a pleasure to see you." He said with a grin growing on his face.
Wanting to roll her eyes, she could only shake her head as she helped him unload the stretcher to wheel the victim inside the hospital
"Miroku, why am I not surprised you are working the same night as I?" she replied to the EMT she had known for a few years now. "Have you stooped as low as to stalk me at work now?" she added with a chuckle.
Feigning hurt; Miroku took a free hand and delicately placed over his heart, "Why Sango, what man wouldn't do it for the woman he loves."
She held up her hand to silence him. He was there for a reason and it certainly was not to ask her on a date. "What happened here?" she asked, referring to the person they were pushing towards the elevator.
Switching from the flirtatious lecher, Miroku was known for, he answered her. "Male; mid to late twenties; car accident, he was T-boned pretty bad on the driver's side. When we found him he was breathing, but unconscious and hasn't come out of it."
"Where is the driver to the other vehicle?" she asked him, puzzled that only one person was brought it. Shaking his head he replied, "Dead on the scene, his blood alcohol content was a .85. Found his body a few yards away from the scene, he never had a chance."
Nodding in understanding she brought her attention back to the patient in front of her "Any other injuries that I need to be aware of," she asked as she began to wheel the stretcher off the elevator onto the correct floor.
Taking a deep breath Miroku answered, "We suspect some major head trauma, and you might want to run a CAT scan on him for any signs of hematoma. A concussion is very likely. His torso is pretty banged up, some bruising for sure. His left femur is broken. We managed to place it into a vacuum splint and got the bleeding to stop."
Offering a friendly smile, Sango thanked Miroku for the information. "I'll be sure to pass the news, I'll take him from here to get that CAT scan and check out any damage to the brain."
Taking her small, delicate hand into his own, the dark haired EMT kissed the top of it. "Until I see you again, my dearest, maybe next time it'll be over dinner?"
"Don't hold your breath Hentei." She replied as she took her snatched her hand back. Sango continued on her way down the hall leaving Miroku at the elevators to show himself out. Before she could turn the corner, she glanced at him once more and winked at him then disappeared.
Miroku smirked to himself. He loved her games of cat and mouse. 'A good chase is always worth the prize at the end,' he thought to himself. Entering the elevator once more he made his way down to the ambulance, got in and drove away into the early morning hours.
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Morning finally arrived; Sango stood up and stretched her tight, aching body. Last night had been eventful. It was a nice having excitement around the hospital. Her shift was now at an end, she could finally go home.
The patient from last night checked better than she thought he would. Luckily, no hematoma was found. However, after the CAT scan it showed that some damage had been done to the brain. Not a lot, just some deep bruising. Unfortunately nothing can be determined until he wakes up and is evaluated thoroughly.
Making her way to the main nurse's station yet again, she arrived in time to see the nurse working the next shift after her setting her personal things down. Slowly sneaking up behind the girl Sango chirped up, "Kagome! Good morning!"
Scarring the poor girl to death, Kagome screamed and almost lost the contents from her bladder.
Sharply turning around Kagome scolded her friend, "Sango! You know I hate it when you do that to me! Ugh... You are so mean you know that."
Sango couldn't contain the laughter coming from her, "I'm sorry, ever since you got this new shift during the day time I haven't been able to hang out with you. I miss my best friend." Sango said as she gave her companion a sad puppy eyed look and a quivering chin in attempt to convey her loneliness.
Kagome and Sango had gone through medical school to become registered nurses. They had been lab partners and became fast friends. The two did everything together, they were more than friends they were sisters. Eventually, after graduating with the certifications needed, they moved into an apartment and spilt the cost of rent.
"I know… I know… but I really want to go back to school to finish up my PhD and become a doctor. You know when I do I'm going to need a full time nurse to work for me" Kagome said encouragingly. The two have had this conversation many times, but they still talk about it teasingly to one another as an inside joke.
"Speaking of doctors and nurses, we got a new patient in last night" Sango commented. She then filled Kagome in with all the details concerning her new patient's condition, his medication and treatments thus far.
Gathering her books and purse, Sango reached behind the chair she had been occupying most of the night and grab her jacket. Turning to leave, she hesitated. She knew she was forgetting something. Then it dawned on her. "Oh Kagome, before I forget. Dr. Yamada wanted to see you right away."
Shocked that the head doctor wanted to see her, knots began to tighten in her stomach, "Okay, do you know where he is?" inquired Kagome.
Seeing her friend's distress she assured her, "Don't worry, you're not in trouble. When I last saw him he was heading to his office. Alright I'm heading out, see you at home later?"
"Yea, I don't have classes today so we can watch a movie or something later" Kagome offered, feeling a little bit better now. She couldn't help but let her imagination run wild with what Dr. Yamada wanted her for.
Nodding her head in agreement, Sango waved goodbye to her friend and headed out to her car. After bidding her farewell, Kagome headed up to Dr. Yamada's office on the fourth floor. 'I hope it's nothing to bad. Maybe he has extra hours for me too work. He knows I'm looking for more hours.'
Winding her way through the corridors, Kagome rounded the corner that brought her to his door, knocked and waited. "Come in," came the muffled voice from the inside of the room. Turning the knob, she pushed the door open and entered.
"Ah! Kagome, just the person I wanted to see," cheered Dr. Yamada. He was a jolly man, in his mid forties. A passionate doctor who was good at what he did, and a good hearted man. In the three years Kagome had been working for him, she had learned a lot from him, which was why she wanted to finish up and receive her PhD.
"Yes, Sango mentioned you wanted to see me?" croaked Kagome, her voice quivering.
"No, not at all. In fact walk with me." He stood up from his desk and they exited the office, heading towards ICU, the next floor down.
"Kagome, I am assigning you to a special case. You are the best nurse I have on hand aside from Sango. You also have outstanding experience in the ICU and Rehab Center."
Trying her best to hide the blush forming on her cheeks, she felt embarrassed the way he was openly praising her for her. She always did her job because she loved it and that was that. She wasn't in it for the recognitions or rewards.
"Don't be so modest. It's true, and I am happy to have an outstanding employee like you. You know your stuff, no doubt about it." Patting her softly on the back he continued on, "Last night we received a new patient. I am sure Sango has informed you?"
"Yes she has. He has possible brain damage, but nothing that can't be fixed." she quickly responded.
"Good, I want you to be his personal caretaker and help him with his rehabilitation training until he has fully recovered." He stopped at the door, and turned his head over his shoulder to look at Kagome.
"Of course Dr. I will help him in any way that I can." Smiling up at aged man before her, he smiled back. "Thank you Kagome."
Turning the knob, Dr. Yamada pushed the door opened and the two entered the dark room, and approached the bed with the patient sleeping peacefully. All that could be heard in the room was the steady beeping of the heart monitor sitting to the patient's right.
Seeing the person before her sent a shock of fear through Kagome's entire system. Her stomach knotted and she placed a trembling hand over it, trying to calm it down. She covered her mouth with her other hand to keep the bile that might rise from her churning stomach.
Dr. Yamada looked in Kagome's direction, "Kagome? Are you alright? Sit down," he sputtered out while he ushered her to the visitor's chair next to the unconscious patient lying in the hospital bed.
"Breathe Kagome, just take a deep breath," he calmly said to her in a hushed tone. He watched silently as she attempted to control her breathing and regain her senses.
"Kagome, what happened? Are you okay?" He watched her intently as she sat up straight and looked him in the eyes.
"He... That's my ex-husbands brother, Sesshoumaru Taisho."
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I'm going to stop it her for now. Let me know what you think!
