Thanks for all the reviews. They mean a lot to me :) By the way, I think it's pretty clear by now I don't own them :p
Part 7
Pacey's POV
I had been anxious all day. Today I was going to talk to Joey, but I was not so sure where this conversation would lead. Ten years differences wouldn't be solved with a two hour talk, and I don't know how much I'm ready to tell her. I don't know what she's gonna tell me, I feel that the charts flying that I expected the first day could happen today. The fact that seeing her again woke up some feelings I thought dead wasn't making me feel more comfortable either. I was tired, double shift can kill a man, but I couldn't say no when Gallant asked me to cover for him, and work usually keeps my mind busy enough to not wonder. Some days I wish I could feel nothing, like when I was too shocked to realize what happened, the pain so overwhelming that it was like seeing life after taking an overdose of pain killers. Too numb to process the pain. I know people here are starting to talk about me, wondering what is wrong with Dr. Witter; he never talks about his life outside the hospital. But I'm not ready to tell my secret to anyone, not yet. I don't wanna feel the pity, commiserated looks I was receiving when I was in NY, I don't wanna people trying to comfort me, I feel I'm not worth it. I'm alive.
I saw Joey discussing something with Dr. Pratt, the most annoying intern I ever met. He must have paged surgery without consulting Carter or an attending first, again, and that usually made Potter react like well, Joey Potter. I got closer enough to hear their talk.
"Pratt, how many times do I have to tell you: don't page me before discussing with Carter or Weaver, or Kovac. Are you sure this is appendicitis?"
"That's why I paged surgery, Potter." He answered arrogantly.
"Fine, I'm already here. Go ahead, I'm all ears."
"Linda Thompson, 41, married, chief complaint is abdominal pain since 6 am, getting worse for the past half hour. Tender abdomen."
I take a look at the patient, and I do my best to hold my laughter. This time Pratt is in real trouble.
"So, Mrs. Thompson. When did your pain start?" I heard Joey asking.
"Since, this morning, dear. It's like cramps, it softens from time to time, and then it starts again."
"From time to time? How much time?"
"Hmm...About five minutes." She tells.
"Mrs. Thompson, when was your last period?"
"I don't remember, they have been irregular since last year...but I had some bleeding today."
"Excuse me, I will examine you now, ma'am." I decide to join them; I know they'll need help in this.
"Everything fine, Potter?" I poke my head inside the curtain.
"Dr. Pratt, page OB, now." Both of us talk at the same time.
"What?" the intern looks at us like we were crazy.
"You didn't notice Mrs. Thompson here is pregnant, in labor, Pratt." I tell him. "And get one of the staff here to help us." I watch him leave, still confused.
Joey and I turn our attention to the patient, who looks at us in disbelief.
"I can't be pregnant, I thought it was menopause."
"Mrs. Thompson, Linda, it might be shocking but you are pregnant, fully dilated and the baby's head is almost crowning." Joey tells her.
"Jo, do you think we'll be able to remove her to the maternity ward."
"No way, Pacey, the baby is here."
I turn my attention to Mrs. Thompson.
"Linda, you will have to help us here. Are feeling the need to push?"
"Yes" She mumbled.
I looked at Joey, and she silently nodded."
"Ok, Linda, push now." I tell the lady.
"Good job, Linda, I see the head."
Pratt arrives with Carter and a tray that had clamps and everything else needed.
"Do we have time to wait the OB?" Carter asks us.
"No, the head is here. C'mon, Linda, one more push." And in few moments we hear the healthy wailing of the newborn.
Memories fill my head, and I excuse myself, leaving them like I had a ghost after me. I take deep breaths, trying to compose myself, knowing that everybody was surprised with my behavior. I go to the bathroom, wash my face, not noticing that Carter had followed me.
"Witter, are you ok?" He asked me concerned.
"I'm fineā¦it just got too hot there."
"You should go home, you don't look fine."
"My shift is almost over, I can handle it."
"Ok, but take a good rest at home; you seemed you were going to pass out there."
"Thanks, Dr. Carter." I wonder if he knows I'm going to have dinner with his girlfriend tonight and that makes me feel even worse.
After finishing my shift, I went to Ike's and waited for Joey. I was sipping my beer when she came in, her hair falling on her shoulders; she always has it on a pony tail or a bun while working, but now it was free, soft brown strands around her face, as I remembered. I shake my head trying to put the other images of her my mind was creating. She sat with me with a smile.
"What happened there, Pacey?" the Inquisition was starting earlier than I thought.
"Nothing, Potter, it was too hot, just that." I give her the same lame excuse I gave to Carter. "So, what do you wanna talk about?"
"When did you get married, Witter?" She is pointing to my left hand, pointing the wedding ring I still wore, and I know I'll have to tell her everything.
