Zosia opened her eyes slowly, the harsh light from the window glaring at her.
Her mind was trying to figure out where she was, but it wasn't having much success.
Then, it dawned on her just like the sun.
She was in Jac's house, in her spare room.
But how did she get here?
Then in a sudden rush of memories, it came back to her.
She remembered being on Darwin yesterday, her mobile ringing.
She didn't remember who was calling, but she did remember what they said.
"Arthur's gone."
She remembered slamming her phone to the counter, not being able to breathe.
And hunching over as a sob escaped her.
Then her legs giving out.
And she remembered what happened next.
In the middle of the ward, no one else around, someone came to her.
And held her as she sobbed for her friend.
"Jac," she whispered as her eyes closed.
And after what seemed like forever but was mere moments, Jac helped her to her feet and brought her into her office.
And after finally calming down, Jac's words.
"You're coming back to mine. I figure you don't want to go home right now."
And no arguing allowed.
As a sudden tear fell with the memories, a knock came at the door.
"Come in," Zosia said a little reluctantly, not wanting to face her boss.
But it was someone else.
"Hi Zoshi," Emma said with a smile as she entered.
"Hi Emma," Zosia replied.
"Mommy asked me to wake you," Emma says as she toddles over. "She's in the kitchen. But she doesn't look good."
"She doesn't look good?" Zosia asks surprised. "How does she not look good."
"She said...head...headache," Emma replies remembering the big word.
"Oh, okay let me go see her," Zosia says as she gets back into her scrubs and heads out of the room holding Emma by the hand.
_
She found Jac sitting at the kitchen table, her head in her hands.
"Mommy, Zoshi was already awake," Emma announced as they walked in.
"Good morning," Jac said with a small smile as she lifted her head.
Zosia then turned to Emma.
"Isn't it time to get ready to go Emma?" she asks as she bends down to the little girl.
"I just have to get my bag ready," she replies. "I'll get it. You talk to Mommy."
As she leaves the room, Zosia gets up and moves next to Jac.
"You okay?" she asks.
"I'm fine. Just a headache. I should be asking about you," Jac replies as she goes to get up but then stops, her eyes closing.
"I'm okay, I'm concerned about you," Zosia replies worriedly as she puts her hand on Jac's arm.
"I didn't just lose a dear friend, you did," Jac replies as she turns to her.
"Yes I did but you helped me through one of the most horrible nights of my life, let me help you," Zosia says as she gets her to sit back down.
"Dr. March I'm fine," Jac snaps loudly, actually making Zosia jump.
She then turns to Zosia, feeling bad for the outburst.
"I'm sorry," she says softly. "I'll be fine. I just need 2 paracetamol."
"Okay, I'll get it," Zosia replies as she heads to the bathroom, figuring that's where it would be.
Minutes later, after taking the paracetamol, Jac got up again from the table. Still slowly. To slowly for Zosias' liking.
"I have to finish getting ready," she states. "I can drop you home if you want."
"I don't think you should go anywhere today," Zosia replies."I was still going to go to work today. Why don't I take Emma to the creche and bring her home tonight?"
"Zosia, I appreciate it but I have a ton of paperwork to catch up on for the stent and a few patients," Jac replies. "I don't have any surgeries scheduled so it'll be
an easy day."
Zosia realizes the infamous Jac Naylor stubbornness and gives up.
"Okay, you can drop me home, but when I get to Darwin, if you are no better, I'm sending you home," she says.
And Jac chuckles.
"An F2 cannot send a CT consultant home," she says softly.
And with a smile and a wink, Zosia leaned closer.
"Watch me."
_
After dropping Zosia home and dropping Emma at the creche, Jac made it to Darwin.
She was greeted by Oliver at the desk.
"Ms. Naylor, have you heard from Zosia since yesterday?" he asks.
"Mr. Valentine, Zosia will be in before noon," Jac replied.
"Oh, how is she doing?" he asks.
"About as well as can be expected," she replies.
He then looks at her more closely.
"Are you alright?" he asks.
"I am doing as well as can be expected as well with this maddening headache I have," she replies.
And Oliver is surprised by her actual response.
"Yes, I know you were expecting a dismissive remark, but like I said this headache is making me mad," she says.
And Oliver still cannot reply.
And Jac smiles.
"I will be in my office not to be disturbed unless a massive emergency happens, understood?" she asks.
And this time he replies.
"Yes Ms. Naylor."
And Jac just smiles and heads to her office.
As she closes the door, she drops her bags on the chair near the door and walks to her desk.
And immediately puts her head down on her arms on the desk.
_
2 hours later
Zosia got to Darwin and started to head right to Jacs' office.
"She doesn't want to be disturbed," Oliver announces behind her.
"I just want to check on her," she replies as she turns to him.
"Only in a massive emergency," he says with a grin.
She looks at him confused.
"Her words, along with maddening headache," he says.
Zosia gives a frustrated sigh.
"I told her to stay home," she says.
And she gets a raised eyebrow and surprised look from Oliver.
"Um, long story," she replies.
She then turns to knock on the door.
But there's no answer.
"Uh-oh," Zosia whispers to herself.
Her hand goes to the doorknob and starts to turn it.
"She'll kill you," Oliver says.
Zosia ignores him and opens the door.
And the sight that greets her actually breaks her heart.
Jac, head down, asleep.
She walks in quietly and closes the door, noting the unopened bags, the closed blinds, the computer not on.
"Came in and just put your head down," she whispers as she approaches the desk.
She then reaches for Jac's arm and as she's about to touch it, Jac jumps up in her chair.
"Woah, easy Jac," Zosia says startled as she takes hold of the consultants shoulders.
"Whe,, where am I?" she asks, her breathing heavy and loud.
"You,, you're in your office at the hospital Jac," Zosia replies, getting more and more worried.
"Oh, Zos,,, Zosia wait,,, I," Jac starts to say but then she stops, then tries to stand.
"Jac, Jac does your head still hurt," Zosia asks, almost in panic mode.
Jac turns and looks at her.
"Y,,, yes,,, ittt,,," she starts to answer, and suddenly, her speech starts to slur.
"OLLIE I NEED HELP!" Zosia calls out to the ward.
"Yesssss,, I,, neeeeed,,," Jac tries to speak, but then her left hand goes to her head.
And Zosia just catches her as she collapses.
Unconscious.
Barely breathing.
And the right side of her face, starting to droop.