Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
Hello again. After a Lorelai chapter, here's an Emily chapter. Hope you'll like it.
Lori, thanks for putting up with me. I'm forever grateful!
This is dedicated to lilienprinzessin ... You wanted something new to read? Here you go. *lol* I hope you'll enjoy it.
Flipping through the magazine, she tried to find something of interest. Why on earth had she forgotten her book? And why did this hospital only have gossip magazines here?
"Hello." A chipper voice greeted her ears.
Emily looked up in confusion, coming eye-to-eye with a nurse.
"Can I get you something?" The brunette smiled broadly.
"No, thank you." She smiled politely. Turning back to the magazine, she fixed her eyes on the page, even though there was nothing interesting written on it. Recognizing that the young woman was still standing next to her, she looked up again.
"I'm new." Her dark eyes sparkled.
"I know," Emily stated flatly.
The nurse seemed to be surprised at her statement. "Is it that obvious?"
"Actually, it is." She tried hard to keep the annoyance out of her voice.
Looking surprised, the girl cocked her head to the side. "Oh... uhm... why?"
"Because usually the staff here know that the majority of the people receiving dialysis prefer to be left alone while they're hooked to the machine." She glared at the young woman, hoping she would understand her hint.
"Ah, I see."
Emily once more pretended to be reading but the girl did not leave. Putting the magazine down forcefully, she shot the nurse an angry look. "Excuse me, but do I look like a people person to you?"
"Duh..." The girl's confusion was clearly written on her face.
"Well, since you don't seem to have noticed yet, let me help you: I am not."
"Uhm, I .…" She backed off a bit. "Okay." Pointing towards the opposite direction, she walked backwards while speaking. "I'll be right there if you..."
"I will call you when I need you." Emily nodded. Watching the younger woman turn away from her, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. At least sleeping was more productive than reading these silly magazines.
Five minutes later, she felt a slight movement on the catheter in her arm and snapped her eyes open.
"I'm sorry." The nurse grinned sheepishly. "I did not mean to..." Pointing towards Emily's arm, she trailed off. "You see, I knocked against the machine when I moved and--"
"If I throw a stick, will you leave?" Emily snapped, her annoyance was clearly audible.
"Excuse me?" The nurse gave her a confused look.
"Since you don't seem to understand subtle hints, you leave me no other choice but to be blunt with you," Emily answered angrily. "I don't care how good your intentions are but you are making it hard for me to relax at all. I am hooked to a machine that is supposed to clean my blood. I do not need anybody to keep me company. I want to be left alone and I don't care if you're new here or not. All I want is to lie here, by myself, during this procedure, so go and bug someone else!"
"What's going on here?" A gentle but firm voice asked, making both women's heads spin in its direction.
"Thank God, Irma." Emily rolled her eyes. Motioning to the nurse still standing next to her bed. "Would you please make sure this woman stops harassing me?"
Smiling, the dark skinned woman nodded. "I am sorry, Mrs. Gilmore. Anne has just been transferred to this unit and does not know the proper procedures yet."
"So I noticed." Emily glanced at Anne, who blushed and looked down.
"Anne, would you mind checking on Miss Amberson?" Irma turned to the younger woman, who nodded and left without another word.
Looking after the girl, Emily shook her head, and then turned her attention back to Irma. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." She nodded, knowing her patient well enough by now to understand her motives. "If you'd excuse me now?"
"Of course." Nodding, she watched the head nurse turn around before she checked her watch and decided to close her eyes for another five minutes.
~*~
"Mrs. Gilmore?" A faint voice woke her.
Opening her eyes, she took a deep breath, realizing she had fallen asleep. Emily turned her head to meet the young nurse's shy smile.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep." Sitting up slowly, she tried to shake off the fatigue.
Anne felt relieved at the older woman's reaction. She had expected to receive another angry glare. Reaching for her patient's arm, she shook her head. "No need to apologize. I'm sorry I had to wake you though."
Watching as the nurse took hold of her arm, she pulled it back. "Your hands are shaking."
She looked down before meeting her eyes again. "I'm sorry... I'm just..."
"Nervous." Emily nodded.
"I know we didn't have that good a start, but..." shrugging, she held out her hand, "Irma told me to unhook you from the machine."
Eyeing her suspiciously, Emily raised her brow. "And you think you can do that?"
"I was trained to." It sounded a little too uncertain.
Emily sighed, trying to be patient with the new nurse. She looked down on where the catheter in her arm was still attached to the hose that ran from her arm to the machine. Taking a deep breath, she looked the young woman deep in the eyes. No matter how annoying she had been, she was a trainee and she would have to deal with her in the future. Since this nurse was going to be on the right end of any needle Emily would correlate with in the future, she should try to stay on good terms with her.
Seeing the emotions the younger woman seemed to go through at the moment, she felt something close to sympathy when she looked into eyes that suddenly reminded her of her own. "Listen," she tried to remember her name, "Anne?" When the nurse nodded slightly, she went on. "You are right, we didn't have a very good start and I realize it was partly my fault." Before the young woman could say something, Emily held up her hand and went on. "I know you have only begun in this field and as far as I can tell, you are trying your best, but I need you to get this straight." She made a short pause to see if she had the girl's full attention. "I have been on dialysis for some time now; therefore, there have been a lot of people sticking needles in this arm." Emily pointed to her bruised skin. "I am sure you understand when I say it is more than a little sore." Seeing the new nurse nod, she smiled mildly. "I understand that you need to learn this but taking out the needles is a process I am not very fond of, since it can be very painful if not done right."
"I understand you completely." Anne nodded, glad that Mrs. Gilmore was so kind to her. From her initial impression she had thought that the woman would rip her head off next time she came near her.
"Would you mind getting someone more seasoned? I am sure you would try your best, but I would rather you don't come anywhere near me before you've had the proper training." Emily was surprised by the calmness in her own voice.
"Okay." Nodding, Anne smiled in relief. "I'll be right back."
She looked down at her arm. Maybe this girl was not as awful as she had thought at first.
When Anne came back a few minutes later, Emily recognized the deep blush on her cheeks immediately. "Is something wrong?"
"Mrs. Gilmore, I'm going to take out the needles now." The young nurse said, her voice showing traces of anger.
"You most certainly will not!" Emily retorted. Sitting up straight, she was taken aback by the sudden harshness in the other woman's demeanor. She saw the unnatural shimmer in Anne's eyes, wondering what had happened while she had been gone
Anne forced herself to make eye contact with her patient. "Mrs. Gilmore, I was told to unhook you from this machine and I am going to do just that." She took hold of her arm.
"Ouch!" Emily pulled her arm back, regretting it when Anne's steady grip pulled at the needle. "Let go of me!" She was half yelling by now, grabbing the nurse's wrist.
"Mrs. Gilmore, I am only trying to do my job here." Her voice was harsh.
"Are you out of your mind? You will let go of me this instant or I'm going to sue the goddamn hospital!" Emily glared at her, angry fire burning in her eyes.
"Anne!" A harsh, female voice cut through the air like a leash.
Both women froze at the sudden sound, looking towards a slim, grey haired woman dressed in white.
Anne took a step back, trying to regain her composure. "I'm sorry, Doctor Bernstein, but …"
"I don't need your excuses," the doctor spat, not seeming to care that a patient was present.
"I was not about to …"
"Enough nurse Goodwyn!" Doctor Bernstein's voice was harsh and demanding, a strange half-smile playing around her lips for a second when Anne looked down in shame.
Emily watched the interaction between the two women closely, one slim eyebrow arched.
The doctor looked familiar. She quickly scanned through her mental files and found her after a moment. Jezbel Bernstein. Of course. It had been years since she had last seen her. Time certainly had taken its toll. Well, if there was one woman who deserved it, it most certainly was her. Emily remembered the time they had gone to school together and wished she wouldn't have. No matter how long ago it was, she still felt the rage.
Looking at Anne, she almost felt sorry for her. True, she had hurt her and she was still somewhat mad at her for that. On the other hand, Emily thought the way Jezbel treated her was highly improper, especially in front of a patient. It was just like they said: Old habits die hard.
She suddenly wondered if the other woman remembered her as well.
"I'm sorry." The doctor's smile was sweet at sugar, showing clearly that she didn't remember Emily at all. "Nurse Goodwyn is new here." She glared at Anne. "Isn't that true, nurse?"
The young woman shrunk back involuntarily and curtseyed like a school girl. "Yes, Ma'am." Her head snapped up when she realized her mistake. "Doctor Bernstein." She quickly corrected herself, fear in her eyes.
Emily furrowed her brow for a second, before she put on her most brilliant fake smile and nodded at the doctor. "Well, I guess I overreacted a little." Out of the corner of her eye she saw the dark waves of Anne's hair move, revealing her surprised gaze.
Doctor Bernstein's eyes hardened for a split second.
"I am sure Anne is more than capable. Now that I know you're her tutor, I am most confident I will not even feel a sting when she removes the needle now." Emily's voice was as sweet as her smile as she held the doctor's gaze. It was never too late to get back at someone as nasty as Jezbel Bernstein.
She could see the façade of the other woman crack; the slight waver in her faked smile while she tried to keep up appearance. She had seen this often during her life. Doctor Bernstein finally realized that she was not superior. Emily's smile widened ever so slightly as she mentally marked another won battle in her books. Yes, she knew she had won; it was time to generously dismiss the doctor now. "I'm sure you have a million important things to do, so we will not occupy your time any longer."
Getting the hint, the silver haired woman nodded curtly, turned on her heels, and left without another word.
"Why did you do that?" Questioning dark eyes met their confident twins.
"Let's not talk about it." Emily replied and then looked down at her arm. "I am still attached to a machine and though I'm quite sure that it is not bad for my system, it is getting rather uncomfortable."
Anne's eye widened. She had obviously forgotten about the initial reason for her presence. "Oh, right!" Reaching for her patient's arm, her hands stopped mid-air. "But," she looked at Emily, "you said I might hurt you. And … I don't want that."
"You don't have much of a choice now." The older woman shrugged. "I'm rather sure Doctor Bernstein is still around here, waiting for what's to happen next."
The nurse's eyes immediately scanned their surroundings. Looking back at Emily, she nodded. "You're probably right."
"I most certainly am." Emily countered. "Well, as far as can tell, we're going to have to work together now." She looked at her arm. "In the past, the best way has been to do this quickly and parallel to the arm. Do you think you can do that?"
Anne nodded and reached for the catheter.
"Anne?"
Her head snapped in her direction. "Yes?"
"The band aid." She reminded her.
"Right. I'm so sorry."
Emily watched her getting the small cotton dressing she would press to the wound and braced herself for what was to come next. Smiling at the younger woman, she moved her arm in her direction, waiting for her to take hold of it.
Anne took a deep breath and gently wrapped her slim fingers around Emily's wrist while she exhaled slowly.
She surprised Emily by pulling the needle out in one swift move before their eyes met again. "Did I hurt you?"
Emily had to smile at the uncertainty in the young woman's eyes. "Nurse Goodwyn, I will always cherish my initial misconception of you."
Anne furrowed her brow for a moment before the slight upturning of Emily's lips told her she had been teasing. "I will take that as a compliment."
"You should," her patient smiled. "If you'd excuse me now." The other woman nodded and left; a slight bounce in her step. Yes, this girl was not bad at all.
~*~
When Emily arrived at home, she furrowed her brow. There was loud music playing. She knew Richard was not home yet, which made the situation even more peculiar.
Putting down her purse, she decided to inquire further.
Walking into the living room, she found it empty. The stereo was playing some strange pop song. Emily decided not to turn it off in order to not make her presence known.
When she didn't find anybody downstairs, she climbed the steps to the second floor.
There was the same music coming from some other source.
She opened the door to one of the guest rooms and furrowed her brow; the vacuum cleaner was lying on the floor.
Hearing someone singing in the adjoined bathroom, she stepped closer to the half-opened door, carefully pushing it open.
Emily's eyebrows almost disappeared in her hairline as the young, blonde maid's eyes met hers through the mirror over the sink.
She dropped the hairbrush she had used as a microphone and spun around. "Mrs. Gilmore!"
Her employer did not say a thing, her eyes saying more than a thousand words.
"I… I didn't expect you home so early."
"I can see that, Agnes." Emily stated calmly. "I will go into my bedroom now and lie down for a while." She pointed to the messy room. "I expect you to have this room ready in ten minutes." Turning, she looked over her shoulder, "And I'd appreciate if you would turn off this dreadful music immediately."
"Yes, Ma'am." A deeply blushed Agnes curtseyed and quickly did as she was told.
~*~
Someone brushed her hair back gently.
"Emmy." His velvety voice whispered in her ear before she felt his lips brushing against her temple.
Taking a deep breath, she lazily opened her eyes. "What time is it?"
"Quarter past seven."
"Past seven?!" She raised her eyebrows in shock. "Oh… I didn't mean to sleep so long." She looked up at him.
"It's okay. I was just wondering why you weren't coming down for dinner." Richard smiled mildly, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "Would you like to stay here?"
Shaking her head, she sat up. "No." She returned his smile. "Why don't you go ahead? I'll be right there."
He nodded and leaned in to press a soft kiss to her hairline. "All right." Standing up, he smiled down at her. "Don't be too long."
"I'll hurry." Emily's lips curled up while she watched him leave.
Okay, I know. 'It's not very long.' Sue me. :op. Off to bed now. Leave some reviews, please.
Re-reviews from last chapter:
calleighsthebest - I'm glad you like it. Thanks!
Mary - I'm sorry for not giving you more Emily sooner. But I hope you liked this chapter.
lilienprinzessin - *applause* Yeah, 'surprise, surprise' indeed. Oh well, I couldn't help myself. It would have been too cruel if she hadn't been, right? I just hope my Joshua is not getting too 'Mary Sue'-ish. It's hard to introduce new characters or widely unknown characters and not make them 'God'. *lol* I'm sorry my chapters aren't longer, but it's just the way they come out. *shrugging shoulders*
Loridhhp - My particular style of writing. Now what would that be ... hmm ... 'crappy'? ;o) Kidding. And for once not fishing for compliments. Oh my, look at all the fragments, I'm glad you're not betaing my author's notes. *lol*
Just like I said before... I hope Joshua isn't too perfect. Oh well, I'll just have to make sure he'll put his foot in his mouth at some point in the future. ;o)
DramaQueen1103 - Hi Jacey! Well, I think Rory will be Rory. But you know the Gilmore Grudge. It lies deep and bites you int he butt once you feel safe. ;o)
Valerie - It's strange with Lorelai... I start writing a small scene, like a 'filler' to get back to Emily and Richard and then suddenly. Wosh! Chapter worthy. *shrugging shoulders* "Einnehmendes Wesen" ;o).
Branda - sunshine of my life! How ARE you?! You should really send me a PM and tell me all about it. Your MySpace is so empty *lol*. Thanks for taking the time to review both! Highly appreciated! Don't bother with passwords. That's what the 'annonymous' button is for. Muahahahaha! It's good to now that I still have enough skill to make you giggle. :oD And of COURSE she is a match. I mean, it could have turned out differently. But that would have completely messed up my original (pff, 'original', sure) story line. I just hope it's not going to get too soap opera-ish. I promise nobody is going to end up in a wheelchair with the doctors saying 'it's nothing physical', how's that? ;o) Yeah, I know it's not the most common. But it does happen. I read it online. My Muse thanks you for the cookie, but said that she'd like cake next time. Preferably double chocolate chunk with candles.
annonymous - Wow, you could have just said "me" or something. *lol* One way or the other, I'm glad you like my story so far. I'm always grateful for any kind of feedback, so thanks for taking the time to post!
Bella - Thanks. The next update might come sooner. Stay tuned. :o)