"Squirt were really short handed for vaccinations," Nathan said.
"Crowd control got it," Nikki said.
"Nope come with me," Nathan said.
"Nate," Nikki asked.
"Your learning to give a vaccine," Nathan said.
"I'm a teacher, I'm not medical," Nikki said wide eyed.
"We'll practice on an unsuspecting orange first," Nathan said, "do you trust me?"
"What if I mess up," Nikki asked.
"It's hard to mess this up," Nathan said, "you've got this."
Nikki followed Nathan and did exactly what she was told.
"You're a natural," Nathan said.
"I guess I can help. It's better than listening to the gossip about you and Dr Eberly," Nikki replied.
"She's a friend," Nathan said.
"My group doesn't believe that," Nikki retorted.
"Come on we have polio shots to give," Nathan said, "you know I don't date."
"That was one Owen made me get," Nikki said.
"I think we made you get every possible vaccine," Nathan said.
"Bullies," Nikki teased.
"We're the bullies you made me howl like a wolf," Nathan said.
"Come on that was fun," Nikki said.
They made their way to where they would be doing vaccines and Nathan helped Nikki with her first ten.
"You've got this," Nathan said, taking the next station.
"I can do this," Nikki agreed.
Seeing Nikki totally focused Nathan snapped a picture to send home later.
"Riggs are you sure about pulling a teacher to do that," another doctor asked.
"That one yes," Nathan replied.
"How do you know," the man asked.
"Johnson do you remember the Hunts," Nathan asked.
"Major Hunt and he had a sister," Johnson said.
"Owen and Meghan," Nathan replied, "that's Nicole Hunt, their little sister. The youngest of the three."
"They have a sister," Johnson said.
"She's 17 years younger than Owen and I," Nathan said.
"You and Meghan were together about what happened," Johnson asked.
"She disappeared on our last tour," Nathan replied, "she was 28."
"She talked about a sibling she called squirt," Johnson said.
"That's Nicole we call her Nikki or squirt," Nathan said, "Nicole is only when their mom wants to get her attention."
"Does she know what she's doing," Johnson asked.
"Enough to do this," Nathan said, "she's smart. Math and physics major. She's good. She's getting more like Meg as she gets older."
"You were friends with the Hunts and there was something between him and that blonde major," Johnson said. "What was her name. Tall thin blonde. She was a surgeon as well."
"Teddy Altman," Nathan said, "her and Owen have been married a few years and have two daughters."
"They did get married," Johnson said, "how long after they got home?"
"A couple years," Nathan said, "I'll ask Nikki."
"I heard my name," Nikki said walking past, "I need more of the medicine."
"I'll get it for you," Nathan said, "when did Owen and Teddy get married?"
"Allison is 5 so almost 4 years ago," Nikki said.
"Nikki this is Matt Johnson we served together, he's an orthopedic surgeon," Nathan said, "he knows Owen and Teddy. Matt this is Nikki, she's one of the teachers in the University of Washington group."
"Riggs said you're the youngest of your siblings," Johnson said.
"I am by a lot," Nikki said, "this is my last semester of my teaching program."
"You're getting college credits for this," Johnson said.
"Two courses," Nikki said, "a social justice and a global education course."
"What does it take to be a teacher," Johnson asked.
"I'm a middle school math teacher," Nikki said, "I know every kids favourite subject. I have my degree in math and physics. Then I spent the last year doing a full teachers degree. I'm waiting to get the results of my praxis exams. I took them two days before we left."
"When will you hear," Nathan asked.
"They get snail mailed," Nikki replied, "Teddy promised to send me the results when they came."
"You're trusting Teddy Altman with your results," Johnson asked.
"She's like my big sister," Nikki said, "and Owen refused to open any of my mail on principle. Teddy knows which envelope to open."
"Teddy will let you know when she gets your results," Nathan said, "I'm sure you passed. Your report from your attending was good."
"School advisor," Nikki said, "for the millionth time. It was a practicum working with a school advisor. Stop comparing this to residency."
"Only point of reference we have," Nathan said.
"I get all 120 credits of class work plus my 16 weeks of practicum done in a year," Nikki said, "this trip is my last 8 credits and will look great when I apply to my masters."
"Masters," Nathan said, "already?"
"I have to teach a year before I can apply," Nikki said, "but masters first then PHD."
"Another doctor," Nathan said.
"Education," Nikki said, "with the masters I can be the principal and the PHD I could teach in a university and train teachers or work my way up to being the superintendent."
"Ambitious," Nathan said.
"I have a plan Nate," Nikki replied.
"You always do," Nathan said, "let's get that vaccine then when we're done come walk with me?"
"Sure," Nikki said, "can we tell mom, Owen and Teddy what I did?"
"You can tell them. I took a picture so we can send it home," Nathan said. He grabbed the eight vials of vaccine and handed three of them to Nikki.
"You're close to her," Johnson said.
"I'm close to the whole family," Nathan said, "she's like my little sister."
"But you were dating Meghan," Johnson said.
"Meghan and I were engaged and I've been friends with Owen since high school," Nathan said, "I've known Nikki her whole life. This is Nikki's big adventure."
"She's a teacher willing to do this," Johnson said.
"She would," Nathan said, "it took some practice on an orange first and some convincing. But she can do it."
"She's capable," Johnson asked.
"She is," Nathan said, "smart kid. Doesn't believe in herself or see how smart and capable she is. She needs some confidence."
"If Owen's anything like I remember him that could be intimidating," Johnson said.
"She's actually close to him and Teddy," Nathan said, "she lives in their basement suite. They have a great relationship. It was Teddy that helped her get organized to come."
"What are they doing," Johnson asked.
"Teddy runs cardio and Owen runs Trauma at Grey Sloan in Seattle," Nathan said, "they have two girls Allison is 5 and Amber is 2. They spend a lot of time with their girls. Allison is dancing and playing soccer now."
"Everyone knew those two would get together," Johnson said.
"It was a give," Nathan agreed, "they were just too stubborn to see it. I didn't know they were together until I took a short term cardio position at Grey Sloan for a maternity leave and walked in to meet with Teddy. I had no clue until I saw them both there."
After all the vaccines had been given Nathan found Nikki again, "good work today squirt."
"That felt good," Nikki said, "I'll help with the next one."
"We may need you," Nathan agreed, "grab some water and walk with me?"
"Sure," Nikki replied grabbing a bottle of water.
"First month done what do you think," Nathan asked.
"I really like it its so different from home," Nikki said.
"How are the people on your team," Nathan asked.
"Pretty good," Nikki said, "a few of the girls in my tent are on my nerves."
"Whats going on," Nathan asked, he knew Nikki had never had huge circles of friends and had always liked her space.
"Bickering," Nikki said, "constantly. Whose space is whose, whose leggings. It would be a problem if they put things in their crates like we're supposed to and labeled their clothes like was in the packing directions. Music choices anything they can bicker about they do."
"Stay out of it," Nathan said, "your a month in people are getting over the honeymoon phase and starting to settle in. Usually weeks 4-6 on a trip are the worst for this. Keep your head down and work, do your best work every day give your kids everything you can."
"It was so bad last night I couldn't sleep," Nikki said, "they bickered all night."
"Put your head phones in," Nathan said.
"I miss mom," Nikki admitted, "I don't get all this girl stuff and want mom and Teddy."
"You could phone home if you wanted," Nathan said, "I have the sat phone."
"I can do this I'm just homesick for a minute," Nikki said, "this is helping."
"You've been hanging out a lot with a guy whats going on there," Nathan asked.
"Brett is just a friend," Nikki said, "he knows I have Jeff. Brett is the other math teacher we've worked together all year. He did his practicum across the hall from me. Nate we're just friends. He's the only other teacher taking this seriously and actually giving it full effort."
"You and Julie got split up," Nathan said.
"She's in the other girls tent," Nikki said, "those girls are high school levels of cliquey."
"Just join them," Nathan said.
"Making new friends is hard," Nikki admitted.
"Just be you squirt," Nathan said, "stop being shy."
"Their all english, socials, PE, cool subjects and I'm over here the math nerd," Nikki said.
"I've been in your classroom," Nathan said, "I thought they were having fun."
"It's not hard to make math fun," Nikki said, "dice, cards, some creativity."
"You've also been spending time with other aid workers and helping in other areas when you're not teaching," Nathan said, "really seeing what this is."
"I like it," Nikki said, "there's so much to do and so many people that need help. I can help with paperwork or reading documents, tracking down families. If I can do something why shouldn't I help."
"Help where and how you can, that's why you're here," Nathan agreed, "people notice. There's a few doctors around that know Owen, Teddy and Meghan. I've been calling you a Hunt for ease."
"I heard that today," Nikki said, "I should have been given that last name when my dad walked out."
"I'm sure ma had her reasons," Nathan said.
"She didn't want my dad around at all, it was to keep all of us safe," Nikki said.
"I know," Nathan said, "Owen used to come to my house when your dad was drinking, a few times he brought Meg and even you in the stroller."
"It was never me he didn't like, was it," Nikki said.
"No," Nathan said, "he always loved you. Your dad did a number on him. Told him he would never be a man, would never amount to anything."
"Why didn't he tell me," Nikki asked.
"To protect you," Nathan said, "he's always tried to protect you."
"He thinks he is," Nikki said, "but he can't."
"What can't he protect you from," Nathan asked.
"I think Jeff might be cheating," Nikki admitted.
"Why," Nathan asked.
"He's been distant when we facetime and he's not texting or emailing me back," Nikki said, 'he was really short tempered yesterday and yelled at me that's not like him."
"I don't know," Nathan said, "you know what I think of him. I'm not going to say anything."
"How do I know if he's cheating," Nikki asked.
"Best would be to ask him," Nathan said, he knew that he couldn't say anything about cheating, he had cheated on Meghan. Owen knew, so did Teddy and they had all agreed never to tell Nikki. It was part of their agreement to protect her from knowing what had happened in the 24 hours before Meghan had disappeared. They didn't think she needed to know. They had agreed on that when Nikki had her accident 5 years before and it had never come up again.
"Do I just ask him if there's another girl," Nikki asked.
"You could," Nathan said.
"Should I just leave it until I get home," Nikki asked, "he's supposed to move in with me."
"Owen is okay with that," Nathan asked.
"He can't say anything," Nikki said, "they hadn't told us they were dating and were living as roommates when she got pregnant with Allison. They were dating they just hadn't told us. They were going to tell us then mom had found the letters in Meg's bookshelf so we read those and cried together. It was the first time Owen hugged me and meant it. The next day Teddy told me they were dating when she took me to pick out a dress for my first ever date, he was my pas de deux partner and I was in 11th grade."
"He made Teddy tell you," Nathan asked.
"She'd been home six months," Nikki said, "I still liked her better. It took him a few months to earn my trust. She helped."
"Current favourite," Nathan asked.
"What am I talking to them about," Nikki asked, "boys are always Teddy it's a heart issue."
"I'm a bit of a heart expert," Nathan said.
"You don't date," Nikki countered.
"I have my reasons," Nathan said.
"Not Meghan," Nikki said, "Nathan you can be happy. You should be happy."
"It's not that," Nathan said, "I could never love some one the way I loved your sister."
"Have you tried," Nikki asked.
"I have," Nathan said, "I just dont want to introduce anyone to you until I'm sure."
"Nate you can live," Nikki said, "you've been flirting with Dr. Eberly. She's told us about losing her husband."
"Kristen is nice and she shares my passion for this type of work," Nathan acknowledged.
"Then when we get home ask her to go to dinner," Nikki said, "spend some more time with the teachers and get to know her."
"She's your teacher," Nathan said, "she's nice and I like talking to her but she's your teacher. She knows I think of you as my baby sister squirt."
"Doesn't mean you can't flirt," Nikki said, "don't think I didn't notice."
"I'll keep talking and see what happens we're both working," Nathan said.
"It's time for you to be happy Nate," Nikki said, "we all need to be happy."
"Are you happy," Nathan asked.
"Yes," Nikki said.
"Jeff," Nathan pressed.
"Most of the time," Nikki said, "we don't do distance well."
"Long distance is hard but he'll be there when you get home," Nathan said.
"When we get home what will you do to make sure you're happy," Nikki asked, "more than work and family time?"
"Maybe it's time I went on a few dates," Nathan said.
"Dates," Nikki said, "let yourself love Nate. It doesn't mean you didn't love her. She would want you to be happy. She wanted all of us to be happy."
"When did you get so wise," Nathan asked.
"I learned it from all four of my siblings," Nikki smiled.
In Seattle Teddy was cleaning up dinner while Owen checked his emails.
"Teddy did you see this," Owen asked.
"Nathan's email or Nikki's," Teddy asked.
"I've only read Nathan's," Owen said, "did you watch the video?"
"That was cool, her in her classroom with the kids they were having fun," Teddy said, "did you see the photo Nathan sent. He's taught Nikki to help with vaccinations."
"Nikki actually giving a shot that was cool," Owen said, "she looked so much like Meghan in that picture her hair up and in the green shirt like that."
"She did. Your sisters look more alike as Nikki gets older. Nikki's hair will always be the reddest of all of yours," Teddy said, "we should show your mom."
"It was sent to all of us," Owen said.
"She's home in three months but it sounds like she wants to stay," Teddy said.
"She can always teach here during the year and go over her summer breaks," Owen suggested.
"Do you ever miss it," Teddy asked.
"The rush of field work," Owen said, "some days I'd like more than car accidents and motorcycles. Something unexpected. "
"Maybe when the girls are in high school we could take a summer and go they could come with us and help where their needed," Teddy said, "show them what we've always talked about."
"The church does Mexico every year," Owen said. "Go with them?"
"We could," Teddy said, "Nikkis gone a couple times."
"She works with orphans," Owen said.
"Maybe next summer," Teddy said, "one of us could go."
"We've never had a trip just the two of us. The only night we've had is our wedding night," Owen said.
"We're parents," Teddy said, "we have two kids."
"Sticking with two," Owen said.
"I think so," Teddy replied, "it's been a year and it hasn't happened. Maybe I'm just too old."
"We could talk to Addison," Owen suggested.
"I'm not going to worry," Teddy said, "maybe the plan for us was two. We could just keep doing what we're doing."
"Which is," Owen asked.
"You, me, bed," Teddy replied.
"I could do that," Owen said, "the kids are in bed."
"They are," Teddy replied.
"Do we have wine," Owen asked.
"We do," Teddy said.
"A bottle in the tub," Owen suggested, 'the girls are down for the night."
"I like how you think," Teddy smiled, "I'll finish up here and see you upstairs."
"See you in a few minutes," Owen smiled over his shoulder as he walked towards the stairs. Teddy watched him as he walked up the steps. 6 years together now, friends for 14 and he still got to her.
Please Review. I have a couple ideas for Nikki's first year teaching then will start the steps for reuniting the three siblings.