"Oh Elizabeth Lynn Callahan your a lifesaver" Kenny says as Liz sits the bag down on the counter "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse, it's been a long night"
"I saw the pile up on the highway when I was watching the news" Liz says continuing "Just wanted to do my part" she says with a smile as Kenny pulls out a burger as he continues to dig through the bag "save some for the rest, how's everyone holding up?"
"Exhausted and we're not even halfway through the shift" Kenny says looking at her
"Well I brought some coffee" Liz says holding up a travel mug "But I only have enough for Daddy"
"He's had a very hard night" Kenny says looking at her "Last time I saw him he was heading for the locker room"
TC is sitting on a bench with his head down as Liz holds the travel mug in front of his face as he looks up to see Liz looking at him as he takes the mug
"I thought you could use some coffee" Liz says as she sits down next to TC as he takes a sip out of the mug
"How do you always know what I need" TC says as Liz puts her head on his shoulder as he continues to sip on the coffee taking a breath as he looks straight forward
"Well you always say I have Momma's good instincts, when it comes to you, Chris and Alex" Liz says looking back at him noticing his gaze "What happened?" she says continuing "Kenny told me that you've had a espically hard night"
"There is this girl that was in the pile up with her mom tonight" TC says looking at Liz "She's actually around your age, she has some scrapes and bruses, couple cracked ribs, and a concusion but she's okay" he says continuing "but her mom was DOA from her injuries and I just had to tell her earlier" he says as Liz sits back up "And now she hasn't said a word since I told her and I just don't know how to reach her"
"Even though I was only five when Momma passed away I still remember everything" Liz says looking at him as TC turns to look at her "I remember how hard the following days were, I remember you asleep on top of Alex's incubator and Chris and I camping out in the on call room"
"Only because anytime someone tried to take either of you home the two of you would start pitching a fit" TC says looking at her "And half the time you were sleeping on my lap in the NICU"
"But I also remember just wanting to crawl into a hole" Liz says looking back at him "Can I have a shot at talking to her?" she says continuing "Since I have had experience in that area"
"I wish everyday that you and your brother's never had to experience that but you did" TC says looking at her "But maybe it would help coming from you"
"I'll go see what I can do" Liz says as her and TC begin to stand up
"I have some other patients I have to see" TC says as they walk out of the locker room "She's in the room straight down the hall" he says continuing "I'll come by and check on you later" he says kissing Liz on top of the head before she goes off in the opposite direction
"Kate" Liz says as she pushs the door open as a girl looks over at her as she enters the room as she walks over to a chair near the bed "My names Elizabeth but everyone just calls me Liz" she says continuing as the girl continues to look at her "And I think you and I have something in common"
A little while later Liz continues to sit in the room with Kate "I just don't understand how you get over something like that" Kate says looking at Liz "I mean the shock"
"You never really get over it" Liz says looking at her "I'm going to miss my mom for the rest of my life" she says continuing "But at some point it becomes easier and you remember the good memories" she says as Kate continues to focus on her "Like my mom getting me this beautiful doll for my fifth birthday and teaching me to braid my hair just like my dolls" she says with a half smile "Even now at 17, I still sleep with that doll every night and it helps me feel close to her" she says as she sees TC at the door as she gives him a smile as he continues to walk on
"That was the doctor that treated me when I first came in" Kate says as she notices TC walking away
"Also known as my dad" Liz says looking at her "He's worried about you too"
"He seems very sweet" Kate says looking at Liz "It must be nice having him, my dad ran out on my mom and I when I was just a baby" she says continuing "Just been my mom and I ever since"
"What's going to happen to you?" Liz says as she looks at her
"I'll be 18 in three months and then I'll be a legal adult" Kate says looking at her "But till then I don't know, and that scares me Liz"
"I have an idea" Liz says looking at her as Kate gives her a curious look "But I'll need to talk to my dad first"
The next morning Liz is asleep in the chair by Kate's bed as TC comes into the room rubbing his eyes as he checks Kate's vital's as Liz begins to wake up
"Hey Baby" TC says as he turns around noticing that Liz is waking up "How did the rest of the night go after our talk"
"Better" Liz says looking at him "I think it helped her feel better knowing she's going to have a place to go once she gets out of the hospital she says getting up walking around as she gives TC a hug as he looks down at her
"What is that for?" TC says as he puts his arms around her hugging her back
"I just never realized how lucky we are to still have you" Liz says looking at Kate and then squeezing TC tighter as a tear rolls down her cheek "She has no one and we have you" she says continuing "I love you daddy"
"I love you too sweethart" TC says continuing to hug her "And she does have someone, she has you now" he says as they come out of the hug "Let's go home I can barly keep my eyes open after last night"
"Okay I'll drive" Liz says as they begin to walk toward the door "You can pick up your bike later"
"That is probably a good idea" TC says as they leave the room
Later that morning Alex walks down to the bottom of the stairs "Liz? Aunt Annie?"
"Quite Squirt" Liz says as Alex walks into the living room as she motions where TC is asleep on the couch as Alex follows her into the kitchen
"I take it was a rough night" Alex says as he sits down at the kitchen counter as Liz puts a plate of food in front of him "He usually at least makes it upstairs"
"Yea you could say that" Liz says as she continues to look at him "Now eat your breakfast we have to get to school"
"I talked to Chris last night" Alex says as he takes a bite of food as Liz looks at him
"And what did he say?" Liz says as she takes a bite of a strawberry
"He's back stateside at the debriefing center" Alex says smiling at her
"Yes!" Liz says as TC tilts up turning in their direction "Sorry daddy"
"Good news" Alex says turning around on the bar stool "Chris is back in the states"
"That's good" TC says tiredly before falling back down on the couch asleep
"I'm sure he'll be more excited after a few hours of sleep" Liz says looking at Alex "I'm going to put this plate in the microwave for him and then we can get going"
