Linda prepped the patient's arm with rubbing alcohol. She was going to give him a shot to combat any infection caused by the rusty metal that had been in his hand. The man had some sort of high status in the business game, meaning he got a private room. Linda had thought that was over the top. He just needs three shots, a few stitches, and he's getting a private room? I mean, come on! Danny's more important than him, and he doesn't get a private room!
"Oww!!" The man yelled at Linda. "Watch it, bitch!"
"First off, calm down. Second, I am not a bitch."
"You never said you were gonna assault me!"
"Sticking a needle full of antibiotics and such that'll keep you alive in your arm is not assault. At all."
"You can't do that to me!"
Linda closed her eyes, collecting herself. It was just an all around bad day. She was late for work because the car malfunctioned... again. She had been fighting a terrible migraine all morning; she had to skip lunch with her husband because of the busyness of the ER. "I'm trying to help you. It's just gonna be two more little pricks, okay?" She prepped the area once more, and quickly gave him the shot.
He yelled at her once again, abruptly standing up, knocking her into the corner of the cabinet. "I said no!!" He pushed Linda to the floor, surprising her long enough for him to grab a weapon.
Linda stood on her feet, "if you'd just calm down for a minute, you can be out of here in no time." There was no way she was going to tell him about the stitches. She'd have to give him a sedative first.
"You hurt me, so I'm gonna hurt you!" He quickly sliced the skin on her collarbone with the scalpel.
It stung as the blood trickled down, temporarily staining her green scrubs. "Sir, I really need you to- ah!" Her hand flew to her forehead where he had quickly slashed her.
Linda managed to get to the door, "security!" She yelled out, just barely ducking in time.
Three security guards came to assist, and they were quickly engaged in the battle. The patient had grabbed the scissors for the stitches, using them as a weapon as well. He jabbed and lunges at the guards, who quickly and expertly dodged him. Unfortunately, when the oldest guard ducked, quickly swinging around the man, the patient plunged both the scissors and the scalpel into Linda. The scalpel went into her soft hand, the scissors into her shoulder. She let out a pained scream, stupidly staring at the lodged scalpel. While the patient forcefully hit the older guard, the younger two were still trying to tackle him. One was able to cling onto his neck, putting him in a chokehold. The business man struggled for a little bit, slowly falling to his knees. He was finally out cold.
"Sedative. Give him a sedative," Linda was holding her hand, not sure why she couldn't move.
"Danny's coming-"
"No!" Linda complained, "he's gonna come riding in here on his high horse, yelling at everyone. Then he's gonna tell me that I can't work here anymore cause it's dangerous."
"He's already on his way. I don't think he's gonna be mad at you. At the security, yes. At the patient, most definitely. But not at you."
The curtain was pulled back, and in walked a very calm Danny. He walked straight up to Linda, and gathered her into a hug. He kissed her lips, pushed her bangs back, and kissed the cut on her forehead.
"Are you okay?" He asked softly, holding her tightly.
"I am now," Linda clung to him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Is she done?" Danny asked the nurse who had patched up his wife.
"Yes, she's all done. She's lucky. If those scissors were lower-"
"Thank you," Danny helped Linda off the bed, guiding her to the front desk. They walked to the parking garage together in silence.
"I, uh... I filed a complaint." Linda told Danny as he started the engine. "They're, uh, they're bringing him up on assault charges."
"What's his name?"
"I don't remember. He was a high-falooting business tycoon. Tall and big, like Frank."
Danny only nodded, distracted by his own thoughts. Never in a million years would he have thought his wife would get hurt on the job. He knew the ER was fast paced, but he figured it was safe. Who knew Linda would end up being hurt?
"Danny?"
"... yeah?"
"Are- can- I-... I'm still gonna work at the ER. Casualties like this happen all the time."
"I know you are, baby... it's just... I'm worried about you... I worry about you. All the time."
"I worry about you, too." She looked at him as he parked the car. She got out before him, meeting him on his side. "Danny?"
"What?" He slammed the door, the anger slowly building up in him.
She kissed him fervently, running her bandages hand along his chest. "I'm okay, I promise. There'll be no real scars, and it's just gonna be achy for a few days."
Danny nodded, pulling her close again. Silently he vowed to never let her get hurt in the ER again. He sort of knew he couldn't keep that promise, but he had no idea how she was going to get injured in the ER, years down the road.
