A/N: Hey everyone! I thought my break was going to last longer than a few short weeks, but this story is calling to me!
Ok so to set the scene, this fic is set 10 years after the events of 'Painful Education' (PE). Katara is a qualified doctor working in the accident & emergency department (A&E). Aang is a fully realised Avatar & has mastered all the elements. He has a good handle of his Avatar State, but if he gets too emotional it can be triggered. What everyone else is doing 10 years on is something you'll find out as you read along.
While there is a solid plot to this fic, it takes slightly less precedence than my previous fics. This fic was mainly created as a truckload of angst for everyone that enjoys that sort of thing, so if you're looking for an elaborate plot like my previous fics, it might not be quite the same. That being said, I do keep you guys guessing in quite a few things to keep it exciting. Really, this is partly for my own self-indulgence, I've never written a fic that solely focusses on Kataang angst, so I'm hoping it packs the punch I'm aiming for. The other characters in PE will be included, but again they're not the focus. Katara & Aang is. Having said that, Aang kinda took over in PE, so my aim for this fic is to let Katara be in the spotlight most of the time which isn't something I've done before, so we'll see how it goes. If it proves to be a sinking ship, I'll return to writing in Aang's POV.
I can't imagine this story being anywhere as long as PE or 'Tribulations on my own' (TOMO), but I never expected PE to be as long as it was, so we'll see. I'm aiming for 20 chapter or so margin, but that will prob change. I think that's everything I wanted to say, so I guess here we go! I hope you enjoy the journey!
10 Years Later:
Katara POV:
I'm in mid-conversation with a patient when the MET call suddenly goes off on the ward.
"I apologise, I must see to this, but we will continue to monitor you." I say calmly as I push open the curtain before dashing to the resuscitation unit. The alarm continues to ring and I get the feeling it's probably another code red. 'Weird. We usually only have one every so often, but two in one day? That doesn't tend to happen.' I think to myself as I continue sprinting and dodging nurses.
I can already see a large crowd around the patient, but there's too many people for me to make out the person lying on the bed. I catch sight of my favourite nurse, Kiki, and go to stand beside her.
"Things look under control here." I say as she shoots me a half smile.
"I suppose, but you know how the saying goes, all hands-on deck." The nurse jokes, but her eyes remain fixed on the huddle of doctors and nurses in front of us.
"Do you know what happened?" I ask, only half curious. After working a few years in the emergency department, nothing seems to faze me like it used to when I first started. Kiki shakes her head with a sigh.
"Poor guy got run over by a car that was speeding at 80mph. His bending saved him from being killed, but he's bleeding a lot. He's probably going to be rushed into theatre soon." Kiki explains and I can't help but wince at how terrible that sounds. Even if the years have somewhat sensitised me to all the disasters and pain, my naturally empathetic nature still cares deeply for every patient.
"What type of bender is he?" I query offhandedly. My mind is already thinking it's probably an earthbender, any other bender would've surely died from the impact, bending or not.
"An airbender. We don't get many of those in the hospital." The nurse answers with a slight head shake. I pause at her words and chew my lip.
"An airbender?" I echo back. Kiki blinks at the hollow sound in my voice and turns to face me.
"Are you ok? You sound surprised." She queries with furrowed eyebrows, but I just wave away her concerns.
"Fine, fine. Have they identified him?" I question as I try to crane my neck to see above the heads of the doctors in front of me.
"They did, I think they said his name was Aang something." Kiki voices with a half shrug, but I instantly freeze and without another thought, I start pushing past the clinicians in front of me to reach the hospital bed. "Dr Aqua!" Kiki calls out after me, but the only thing I'm paying attention to is the loud thudding of my heart against my ribcage as I finally catch sight of the patient in the bed.
My hands shake as I instantly recognize the man swathed in blankets and bandages as a doctor hooks another bag of blood on the stand. It's my husband that I haven't seen in nearly 5 years and he's just lying motionlessly in that bed. I suddenly feel nauseous.
"What's the status?" I ask the nearest doctor to me.
"He's lost a lot of blood. We're hopeful he'll pull through, but it's too early to say right now. He had a tension pneumothorax and fractures to the acetabulum, neck of femur and humerus. We've put in both a needle aspiration and a chest drain. His blood pressure is still at 80 and his haemoglobin isn't too great either. Hopefully this second bag of blood will do the trick and then we're whisking him into theatre." The doctor explains smoothly. When I eye his name badge, I realise he's an orthopaedic surgeon, but all I can do is nod my head numbly.
"Thank you. Is there anything I can do?" I ask, my voice wavering. The man scrutinises me before shaking his head.
"I think we've got it from here. After surgery we'll move him to another ward, probably the acute unit, so you don't need to worry about doing anything else." The consultant reassures. I bite the inside of my cheek because right now, doing something is exactly what I want to do. 'I need to do something.'
"Are you sure? I can help stem the bleeding until he needs to go to theatre." I insist. The man looks ready to wave me off, but he thinks better of it and jerks his head to the side.
"Be my guest. We've already got two nurses on the case, but if you have nothing better to do, then why not." He permits with a shrug and then goes to talk to a vascular surgeon. I don't delay and rush towards Aang's side. The doctor in me is already reaching for the silk dressings and pressing them to the open gash at the man's shoulder. The other two nurses share a glance before focussing on their own jobs. I can almost hear their silent question: 'You're a doctor, why are you bothering with dressings that we can be doing instead?'
I ignore them and fix my eyes on my unconscious husband. There's a huge cut at his temple and I know that head wounds always appear worse than they actually are, but this still looks really bad.
"Has a CT head been done yet?" I call out to the nearest doctor which happens to be the same orthopaedic surgeon. He shakes his head.
"He's still in critical condition. Why? Found something?" He utters with furrowed eyebrows as he leans over to examine Aang's head. His eyes immediately fall onto the wound and he clucks his tongue. "It could be nothing, but then it could be something. We'll order one now." The surgeon says with a nod of his head in appreciation before he goes and flocks another physician.
My eyes return to Aang and I can't help the subtle flip in my stomach at how long it's been since I last saw his face. We had such a huge fight and then he walked out and disappeared for years. Until now that is. His features have matured, somehow making him more handsome than he already was, especially with the little stubble that he's sporting on his chin.
Blood dribbles over the blue arrow at his forehead and I instinctively flick my hand across to wipe it. So many feelings rise up within me at finally seeing him - fear, anger, sadness, loss and frustration. None of which are a good combination for a sharp mind.
"We're taking him for a CT now and then straight to surgery." That same surgeon announces to the large huddle of healthcare professionals. My hand clasps tightly at the edge of the bed as they take off the brakes.
"Doctor, you need to let go so we can move the patient." One of the nurses points out mildly. I swallow and release my grip on the mattress and watch as they wheel Aang away.
"Dr Aqua? You're looking rather pale, maybe you should take a break." Kiki suggests as she takes hold of the crook of my elbow and starts steering me towards the staff room.
"You know you can just call me Katara." I chide lightly. Kiki smiles as she sits me down on one of the plush couches and goes to fetch some water.
"I'm worried I'll let it slip in front of the patients, so best I stick to your surname." The nurse explains as she pushes a glass of water into my shaking hands.
"The patients won't mind." I stress, but she shakes her head.
"I know, but I suppose it adds to the professional image." Kiki points out as she takes a seat beside me. I sigh and opt to take a sip from the glass. The liquid barely touches my lips before Aang's bloody and battered form flashes in my mind's eye and I almost want to hurl. "Spirits, you really don't look well, should I get one of the doctors to check on you?" The fire nation nurse offers as she half rises from her chair, but I snap out a hand and clasp her wrist.
"No, no. It's busy enough as it is. Besides, I'm fine. I probably just pushed myself too hard." I reassure, but the young woman squints at me with unsure eyes.
"Are you sure it's nothing else? You looked really shaken up back there. I'd ask if it were the blood, but I know you've seen much worse accidents than that." Kiki asks as she tilts her head to the side. My stomach flips again. 'She's right. I've seen far worse than that. What is it about seeing someone you know in such a position that elicits such a strong reaction?'
"No, it wasn't the blood." I confirm, but refuse to elaborate. 'Doctors aren't meant to be involved in their loved ones' care. It's a strict rule due to the likelihood of emotions distorting your thinking. But I haven't seen the man in years, I need to at least know what's happening to him. Even if I'm still angry at him and never want to talk to him again. I need to at least know he'll be ok.' I think to myself as I stare at the ground.
"Then what...oh my gosh you know him!" The nurse blurts out suddenly and I cringe at her accurate deduction, but I shouldn't be surprised. She's my favourite nurse because of how sharp she is. 'Sometimes I wonder why she didn't choose medicine instead. She would've made a wonderful doctor.'
"Shhh, I don't want anyone knowing." I hush as I glance around us, expecting anyone to walk in on us at any moment. She blinks and huddles closer to me.
"But who is he? A friend?" She asks curiously. I click my tongue against the roof of my mouth before shaking my head.
"He's supposed to be my husband." I mutter and try as I might, the bitterness still seeps into my words. The nurse's eyes widen to the size of saucers.
"I didn't know you were married?!" Kiki exclaims in disbelief. "I thought Aqua was your maiden name. And what do you mean by supposed to be?" She babbles and she's not wrong. I haven't told anyone for a long time that I'm married. I might as well not be.
"It is. I changed it after he walked out on me 5 years ago. I haven't seen him since." I explain neutrally. It might've been a long time, but the hurt and anger I felt over what happened is still very much present. A deep frown takes over the woman's features as she gazes at me.
"I'm sorry, that must've been a shock to see him then." She apologises empathetically. I exhale heavily and slump against my chair.
"It was. Listen, I understand if you have to tell someone..." I start, but Kiki interrupts me quickly.
"No, don't worry, I won't tell a soul!" The nurse swears, I open my mouth in protest.
"But!" I argue, only to stop when she raises her palm firmly.
"You weren't even involved in his care so there's nothing to tell." She states with a tone of finality and I slump backwards.
"You're too kind Kiki." I say with a tired smile as the woman digs in her pocket to hand me a crumpled paper with a random number. I shoot her a questioning look.
"That's Aang's hospital number so that you can monitor him if you want." She provides helpfully. My eyes well up with grateful tears.
"Kiki, thank you so much." I murmur as I pull her into a gentle hug. She pats my back beforehand releasing me.
"Take your time. There's other doctors that can cover for you until you feel up to it. You can even take the day off if you need. You've always worked so diligently, so I don't think the ward manager will mind." The nurse suggests. I nod my head slowly and with a final squeeze of my hand Kiki is gone, leaving me with my thoughts. I drop my head into my hand as old, suppressed memories floods my mind.
"You've been lying to me this entire time!" I had shouted, blinded by rage as Aang walked towards the door.
"I need some air." He muttered angrily.
"But you're an airbender!" I had retorted snidely.
"Well, airbenders can suffocate too!" Aang had said, raising his voice at me loudly. The first time he had ever done so. A few more minutes of heated exchange and terrible actions led to him slamming the door and out of my life forever.
I clench my hand around the small strip of paper, crumpling it further. 'No. Him being here doesn't change anything. Aang is just a patient and that's all he is.' I think sourly as I rise to my feet and stuff the very crumpled paper in the pocket of my scrubs. 'He'll be ok and then gone again in no time.' I voice silently as I leave the staff room and return to the patient that I had left in mid-conversation.
A/N: Andddd first chapter is done! I hope I caught your attention with this introduction XD More on what happened during the last 10 years will be revealed over time, but for now just enjoy the angst and drama.
I'm currently writing chapter 9 at the moment, so I'll prob do weekly-fortnightly updates, but I re-start uni next week, so we'll see how do-able that will be. Please leave a review and let me know what your thoughts are on this first chapter and I hope you stay for the ride.
Med Terms:
Code red = a serious/life-threatening emergency that calls for more than one healthcare professional.
Tension pneumothorax = a severe lung collapse
Acetabulum = the socket where your leg bone (femur) attaches to the pelvic bone
Humerus = upper arm bone
Needle aspiration/chest drain = removes the air around the lung to allow it to re-inflate
CT = a donut scan that uses x-ray
Normal blood pressure is 120/80 in adults.
