A/N: In case you're wondering, Dove and Moon are hippie names.

CHAPTER 4: Luka

As soon as I'd helped Abby get settled in, I told everyone, "Get a set of vitals, and I'll be right back."

I went to the lounge, opened my locker, took my tie and Abby's ascot, which we'd used to stablize the girl's leg, out of my pocket, and put them on the shelf in my locker. Next, I took my stethoscope off the shelf and put it across the back of my neck, then I put my lab coat on and returned to Curtain Three.

All the while, I didn't know who I should've been more worried about, Abby or Dove. I'd never seen someone I was close to get that sick before, and with her hysterectomy and all, I didn't know how she was going to get through this one.

"I just heard what happened," Tony said as he came out of Exam Two. "How is she?"

"Well, her temperature is going down, but she's still pretty out of it," I answered.

"Yeah, heat exhaustion will do that to you," Tony sighed. "I hope she's okay."

"Thanks."

"Dr. Kovac?" Lydia said just then. "She's starting to wake up."

"Thanks, Lydia," I said. "Tell her I'll be right there."

"Well, I've got to get this to the lab," Tony said. "I'll talk to you later."

I nodded and made my way to Curtain Three. Lydia was right. Abby was waking up, but she wasn't making any sense.

"Mom, why the hell won't you listen to me?" she was saying. "I've told you a million times that you need to stay on your meds, and these things wouldn't happen. At this rate, it'll take me a month to fix Mrs. Dawson's garage door."

"Abby?" I said, brushing her hair out of her face. "Abby, it's Luka."

I thought for sure hearing my voice would snap her out of it, but it didn't. "Carter?" she slurred. "Carter, what did you do with those x-rays?"

"Carter's not here, Abby," I said, pulling my pen light out of my pocket. "Your pupils are reactive, so it looks like you're going to be okay."

"Joe? What is it? What's wrong? Is he all right?" Abby asked anxiously.

"He's fine," I reassured her. "He's with the nanny."

That got her attention, and she opened her eyes and looked around. "Where am I? What happened?"

"You passed out outside the El station," I told her, putting on my stethoscope. "Remember? We found that girl in the crosswalk and helped her?"

"How did I get here?"

"I put you in the car, and we followed the ambulance," I told her. Then I put my hand on her head and said, "Just follow my finger with your eyes." Abby did so, then I continued, "You're suffering from heat exhaustion. But your temperature's going down, so you should be all right in a day or two."

Abby smiled weakly. "Who's going to do the laundry?" she asked as she settled back against the pillow.

"Don't worry," I laughed gently. "I think I can take care of that. And if I make any mistakes, I'm sure the nanny'll let me know."

"She'd better," Abby grinned.

"Well, I'll check back with you in a while," I said, patting her hand. "Now get some rest."

"Yes, Dr. Kovac," Abby said sarcastically. Then, she went back to sleep.

Well, I knew that Abby was going to be okay, but I was still worried about Dove. I got on the elevator, went up to the surgical floor, and made my way to the waiting room. I saw the girl's sister sitting on the couch. "Hi," I said, taking a seat beside her. "I'm Dr. Kovac."

"I know," she answered. "My name's Moon. I can't believe this is happening."

"I know you must be very upset, but we got your sister the help she needed very quickly, so there's a good chance that she'll pull through. Have you called your parents yet?"

"Our parents are dead," she said sadly. "I was only ten when they were killed in a fire. Dove and I have been living in a girls' home since then."

"Did you call someone there?"

She nodded. That's when Dr. Anspaugh came out. "Moon Salituccio?" he called.

In an instant, Moon was out of her seat. "Yes?"

"Your sister's going to be fine. She's in the recovery room. She had a broken left shin and a couple of broken ribs, but we were able to repair the damage."

"Oh, thank God," Moon sighed. "Can I see her?"

"Absolutely. I'll have a nurse come get you."

It's not often that you get good news twice in a row. And I was grateful in every sense of the word.