"Calm down, Ma. I'm on the way," Michelangeo 'Spike" Scarlatti said to his mother.
"Hurry, Mikey," his mother said.
Spike hung up the phone. He'd been doing drills with SRU Team One when his mother called the dispatch desk. Spike's mom had called the ambulance for his father. Spike had noticed his father's labored breathing lately, but they assumed it was the pneumonia he'd been diagnosed with a month before that was still giving him trouble. Apparently, his father told his mother he couldn't breathe and she'd called the ambulance.

Madison McKenna was on duty in the Emergency and Trauma Centre at Sunnybrook.
"Dr. McKenna, you're looking lovely today," Dr. Simon Hillard said to Madison.

"Thank you, Dr. Hillard. Are you ready to sign out," she asked.
"I am. There is a difficulty breathing coming in via EMS. Do you want to take or should I stick around," he asked.
Madison looked at the board that featured all the patients in the Centre. "I think I can handle it Simon. Besides, Ned, Thom and Rodger are on shift, too," she said.

Simon waved and headed toward the physician lounge.

"Good afternoon, Dr. McKenna. How are you today," Nurse Tina Pierce asked.
"I'm doing well," she said, signing in to the computer.

"How was your date last night," Tina asked.
Madison rolled her eyes. "Awful. I've decided I'm not going to date another doctor. It's just too much shop talk," she said.
"You're always here, Mac. Who are you going to meet if it's not a doctor or an EMT," Tina asked.
"That's true, but I'm not, repeat am NOT dating another physician. Maybe I could find myself a nice cop," Madison said before the ambulance pulled into the bay.

Madison picked up her stethoscope and pulled on her lab coat and started her shift.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen! Who did you bring for me today," she asked, taking a look at the run sheet on the stretcher.
"This is Dominic Scarlatti. He's complaining of difficulty breathing. Pulse ox is 80 percent on the non-rebreather. We've administered a neb treatment without change. All other vitals stable, except he's tachy at 135," the paramedic said.

"Thanks, Tina you want order those first day labs," Madison said.

"Sure. Do you want radiographs," the nurse asked.

"Chest for now, but I might change that after I get a history," Madison said.
She turned to the family.

"Hello, I'm Dr. McKenna, call me Madison. Can you tell me what happened," she asked.

"He was having trouble catching his breath. He had pneumonia a few weeks ago. Is that what's causing it," Michelina Scarlatti asked Madison.

"It could be. If his medication didn't treat the infection, it could still be hanging around. I'm going to get some bloodwork and some radiographs and see what's going on, OK? I'm going to examine your husband," Madison said.
She spoke to Dominic while she was examining him. She explained the plan of care to the two of them and exited the room while Tina got the blood work.

Madison picked up the phone and called radiology. She ordered the regular tests and hung up the phone. She started charting her exam on the patient.

Spike entered the hospital and went to the reception desk.
"I'm looking for Dominic Scarlatti," he said.
Madison heard him asked for her patient, so she stepped out from behind the desk.

"I'm Mr. Scarlatti's doctor. I'll take you to the room," she said, pushing the button to open the trauma doors.

Spike entered the trauma ward and stood in front of Madison.
"I'm Mike. I'm Dominic's son," he said.
"I'm Madison McKenna. I'm taking care of your father. I've ordered some tests and some radiographs and we'll see what's happening," she said.

Madison pulled back the curtain and Spike saw his mother and his father.
"Ciao, mama, ciao papa," Spike said in Italian.

"I'll be back as soon as I have some answers," Madison said.

She smiled at the family and went back to the desk.

Two hours later, Madison was looking over the test results. "Damn. Sometimes I hate being a doctor," Madison said.
"What's wrong," Tina asked.
"Mr. Scarlatti has lung cancer and it's big," Madison said.

Before Tina could respond, a call bell went off for one of her patients.

Madison picked up the phone and called the oncologist. Dominic Scarlatti needed to be admitted for a course of chemo and explore treatment options. After arranging for the admission, she signed the paperwork for the admission.
She stood up from the desk and went back into the room.
Spike was sitting in the chair next to his father's bed.

His dad was sleeping.

"Hi, Dr. McKenna. Do you have any news," Spike asked, flashing a smile and some of the biggest dimples she'd ever seen.
"I do. Where's your mom," she asked.
"She'll be right back," Spike said.
Just then, Michelina came into the room and Spike hugged her. "Dr. McKenna has some new information for us," he said.
Madison gave a small smile.

"Well, the good news is that we know what's causing this difficulty breathing," she said.
"Great! What do we do," Spike asked.

"We're going to admit him to the hospital and run some more through tests just to make certain. We're giving him a stronger antibiotic for his pneumonia. I'm getting an oncologist to come and see him and discuss what will happen during the admission," Madison said.
Spike's eyes widened. "Oncologist? Pa has cancer," he said.
Madison nodded. "I'm sorry. It looks like lung cancer. The oncologist is going to know what to do," she said.
"Am I dying," Dominic asked.
Madison patted the top of Dominic's hand. "Not right now. I'm going to let the oncologist talk to you," she said.
Madison let the silence fill the room before she stepped backward and exited the curtain area.

She went back to the desk and started filling out paperwork.

Twenty minutes later, Dominic was taken to his room on the oncology floor.

Madison watched the family head to the elevators. Michelina thanked Madison and Madison smiled. "I wish I had better news," she said.

Michelina gave her a hug and followed the stretcher to the elevator.

She went back to the desk to chart on the patient.

Spike stopped in front of Madison.

She was still looking at the chart and Spike had a chance to observe her.

She seemed rather petite. Maybe five foot four or five. She had long ash blonde hair that she had in a pony tail. One piece had found it's way out of the ponytail and she kept brushing it out of her way.

He remembered her bright green eyes when talking with him and his mom. She was wearing scrubs, but Spike could tell she was fit. She definitely had curves. Spike smiled as she looked up.

"Hey," he said.
"Hey, I am sorry, Mr. Scarlatti," she said.
"Call me Spike. And I know, I'm just glad we know what's wrong and we can do something about it. Thank you, Dr. McKenna," he said, giving her a small smile.
"It's Madison," she said.

"Madison," he said. His mom called for him and he waved at Madison before jogging to meet the elevator.

Seven hours later, Madison was ready to finish her shift. She signed out her patients to the next group of physicians.

"Plans after shift," Tina asked.
"Yep. A date with Rocky," Madison said.

"That's one lucky guy," Thom said as Madison headed to the locker room to change.

"He's perfect," Madison said.

"Mikey, go home. I'll stay with papa," Michelina said.
"I can stay mom. You don't have to," he said.
"Michelangelo. I've never spent a night away from your father and I'm not about to start now. Go. There's lasagna in the fridge," she said.
Spike leaned down and kissed his father on the forehead. "I'll be back pa. We have a soccer match to watch tomorrow since I'm off duty tomorrow," he said.

"Ciao, Michelangelo," Dominic said.
Spike kissed his mom and exited the room.

Sighing, he walked down the hall to the elevators.

Madison hoisted her bag on her shoulder and to the elevator. Her car was in the parking garage.

She stepped into the elevator.

"Dr. McKenna," she heard someone say.

She looked up and smiled at Spike.
"Spike. How's your dad," she asked.
"Resting. I'm coming back to watch to soccer game with him tomorrow," he said.
"Soccer, eh? I enjoy soccer, but I like hockey a lot more," she said.

"Hockey? I'm impressed," he said.

The elevator dinged and Madison stepped off the elevator with Spike right behind her.

"You heading home," he asked.
"Yeah. I have a date with Rocky," she said.

A look of shock crossed Spike's face, but he recovered quickly.
"The movie or an actual guy," Spike asked.
"Rocky's my dog," she said.

"What kind of dog is Rocky," Spike asked as they headed it to the parking garage.

"He's a St. Bernard," she said.
"Big dog," Spike said.
Madison smiled. "Go ahead. You can't say something I haven't heard before," she said.

Spike just laughed and smiled.

Madison stopped in front of a Mini Cooper.

"This is my car," she said.
"Well, thanks for what you did for my dad," he said.
"No problem. It's my job," she said.

"Thanks," he said, again.

He backed away and as Madison unlocked her car.

'You can't do it, Madison,' she said to herself. 'But he's not a patient,' she answered back.

"Hey, Spike," she called.
The guy with the amazing brown eyes looked back at her.
"I'm heading to get a cup of coffee. I usually get something before I go eat dinner," she said.

"Yeah," he answered.
"Well, I just wanted to say that if you wanted to come to the same coffee shop I'm heading to, I might share a cup of coffee with you," Madison said.
"Well, I just might have to follow you to the coffee shop," he said.
Madison smiled and got in her car.

Spike jogged to his truck and followed Madison's red Cooper out of the parking garage and down the road to a coffee shop.

Madison parked in the small lot by the shop and Spike parked next to her.

He jumped out of his truck and was around to hold her door open for her.

"Thank you," she said.
They went into the coffee shop and Madison ordered her drink. Spike ordered behind her and was shocked when Madison paid for the drinks.
"I asked," she said.
"My mother would never forgive me if she found out you bought my coffee," he said.
"Well, then, I guess you'll have to buy the next round," Madison said, heading for a table.

Spike pulled out her chair and Madison sat, shocked at the displays of chivalry.

He sat down next to her and caught the smile on her face. "What," he asked.
"I've never had a guy pull out a chair for me or hold my door open for me," she said.

"What! You must be hanging out with the wrong people," he said.
"Must be," she said.

She took a sip of her coffee and watched Spike over the rim of her cup.
"So a doctor," he asked.
"I wondered when you were going to ask that question," she said.
"I didn't mean anything. I think it's awesome," Spike said.
"Well, my father's not too happy that his daughter is a doctor and not a teacher or something 'woman related,'" Madison said.

"I can relate to that," Spike said, taking a sip of the coffee.

Madison raised her eyebrows in surprise.

Spike sighed. "My father wishes I'd become a doctor or a chemist instead of what I am doing," he said.

"And that is? Unless your some kind of super spy and telling me would only get me killed," she said.
Spike laughed. "Nothing that serious. I'm a cop with the Toronto Metro Police," he said.

"A cop!?," she said before she started laughing.
"What's so funny about me being a cop," Spike asked nearly offended.

"It's not toward you, it's about something I said at the start of my shift," she said.
Spike leaned forward. "Well," he said.
"I had a really rotten date, again, with a doctor and told my friend Tina that I was never dating another doctor. I said I should date a cop...Not that this is a date or anything...never mind," she said, embarrassed.

"A cop and a date," Spike said, teasing in his voice.

Madison, clearly embarrassed started looking around the room. "Maybe I should go," she said.
Spike reached out and grabbed her hand. "You should date a cop and this could be a date. If you agree to another," he said.
"You don't think that's weird. I mean, I took care of your dad. There's probably a rule about this," she said.

"Well, how about this. Stay right there," he said.

He got out of his seat and went to the counter. He ordered another two coffees and brought them back to the table.

"Hi. I couldn't help but notice you when I walked in the shop. I seem to have two coffees. Would you like to one," he asked.
Madison didn't know what he was doing, but she nodded. "Sure," she said.
"The only condition is that I share the table with you," Spike said.
"Have a seat," she replied.
He stuck out his hand and she took it. Shaking it, he said, "I'm Mike but all my friends call me Spike."

"I'm Madison," she said.

"Now that's a unique name, Madison," he said.
"My mother's maiden name was Madison. She liked the name. She was always unique," she said.
"It's beautiful," Spike said.
Madison blushed.

Spike smiled. Despite his father being in the hospital with cancer, Spike had made not only a friend, but he had a second date.

The man seethed. He saw the woman he'd claimed for his own, the one he'd asked out a few times, laughing and smiling. Seeing that look on her face softened the harsh feelings he was feeling for her at that moment. The guy she was with, wasn't going to be so lucky. He'd done his research and discovered the man was a cop. As a matter of fact, he was an elite SRU cop specializing in computers and bombs.

'Maybe that will get him out of the way. A bomb and an ambush,' the man thought gleefully.

"Soon you will be all mine, Madison," he said before snapping some more pictures and leaving his hiding place.