Part Eleven
The song "When You Believe" is from "The Prince of Egypt" I don't own it, I believe it's licensed to DreamWorks.
------------------------
Luka sat outside, pondering the events of the last few hours. A soft snow had begun to fall, but Luka barely noticed it. He couldn't believe what had happened. Tears ran down Luka's face too. Flashbacks of the earlier hours blazed through his mind. The look of Harmony's eyes when they discovered the bullets weren't blanks. The naïve look when she was rushed into the trauma room. The soft, musical quality her voice possessed when she told him she loved him. The tears that ran down her face, when she figured out that little could be done to save her. The sound of the monitor when her heart stopped. The hollow, lifeless sound of his own voice when he shocked her heart. The waiting. The waiting for the inevitable. Every single person in that trauma room knew what was destined to happen, but no one wanted to acknowledge it. He knew there was almost no way that Harmony would make it out alive. He had seen it with his own eyes. It wasn't that he didn't have faith in Romano and Elizabeth - they were the best surgeons at County - he just didn't have faith in Harmony's body. Her mental will would not be lacking anything, but her physical stamina wouldn't be enough. He couldn't help but think that he had brought this on. Every time he loved someone, they either died or left him. He had to be cursed.
------------------------
"Doctor Weaver?"
Kerry looked up from Harmony's medical record. She was just filling out what had happened. "Yes?"
"I'm Detective Curtis," the man said. "I'm here to investigate the shooting."
Kerry nodded. "Thank-you for coming."
"Can I ask you a few questions about the shooting?"
"Uh, sure," Kerry said, motioning to the chairs. "Do you want to sit down?"
The detective took a seat in one of the plastic chairs. "How is Doctor…?"
"Morris. She's in surgery right now." Kerry said sitting down next to him.
"Did you see the man who shot her?"
Kerry shook her head. "No. It all happened so fast."
"Nothing at all?"
"Well, he was wearing a black ski mask. He was maybe your height, just barely. I also noticed that he wasn't wearing any gloves. If you find the gun, you may be able to trace it to him," Kerry said.
"It's highly unlikely that the weapon would be found. In truth, it would be very difficult to find this man, with the limited information we have."
"I understand," Kerry said. She sighed. "Are you sure there is nothing you can do?"
"It's almost certain. I'm dreadfully sorry, Doctor Weaver."
Kerry nodded. "I hope the information I gave you will help."
"It will," the detective assured. "In fact, here's my business card. Give me a call if you find anything else."
"Thank-you," Kerry said. She sighed. She longed for revenge. Longed to avenge her friend.
------------------------
"Is she going to be okay?" Selena asked when she noticed Carter and Malucci approaching the small group. Kathryn and Katelyn looked up. Each had a hopeful look on their face, optimistic that the two residents would have some satisfactory information for them.
"Well, she's up in surgery right now," Carter began.
"Is that good?" Katelyn asked.
"Uh, well, she's not dead," Malucci said.
"But…" Carter started.
"But what?" Selena snapped, the stress of the evening wearing on her.
"She sustained quite a few serious wounds…"
"…And she stopped breathing for a few moments…" Malucci continued. Kathryn gasped.
"Oh, god," Selena muttered.
"Is that going to affect her?" Katelyn asked.
"Of that, I'm unsure," Carter admitted. "She wasn't out very long but that doesn't mean that it didn't cause brain damage."
"Brain damage!"
"That's very rare, I doubt it will happen to Harmony," Malucci said in assurance.
Carter looked up and noticed Kerry talking to the detective behind Katelyn. The shared a glance for a moment. Kerry's eyes were filled with pain and her face was pained as well. Then they both returned to the conversations they were engaged in.
"Can we see her?" Katelyn asked.
Carter shook his head. "Doctor Romano instated a new policy. No one can watch surgeries save medical students."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"How long will surgery take?" Kathryn asked.
"Hard to say," Malucci said. "Normally, it can take anywhere from two to four hours, but that is excluding complications."
"Complications?" Selena gasped.
"PEA is a very serious case," Malucci explained half-heartedly
"What exactly is PEA?"
"Well, it's rather like a blood clot, but larger and more dangerous," Carter explained. "But don't worry. Doctor Romano and Doctor Corday are the most qualified surgeons in the city, maybe even the county."
The trio didn't look anymore relieved. Carter didn't feel any more relived. He didn't really believe the Harmony would make it out of surgery. Lucy had died from PEA. He now didn't think that anyone could make it out of PEA.
"Should we stay here?" Katelyn asked.
Malucci shook his head. "No. It's very late and I don't think Harmony will be out anytime soon."
"Dave's right," Carter added. "Who knows when she'll get out? And she may not be conscious right away. You girls need your sleep. We'll call you if anything happens or when she gets out."
The women nodded. The stood up and left. Not one of them could believe what had happened. It seemed so strange that a couple of hours ago, they were prepared to go to dinner with Harmony. Now she was as good as dead. The next rendezvous they would be having with Harmony would probably be her funeral.
"You handled that well," Malucci said, watching the trio leave.
"Thanks. I wasn't so sure I was going to make it with out breaking down, " Carter admitted. "You did well too."
"Thanks."
Carter shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe this happened. God damnit, it's so much like Lucy."
"I know," Dave said. "Come on. Let's go over to Doc Magoo's or something."
Carter nodded and the two left the ER in silence.
------------------------
"How's her pressure?" Elizabeth asked.
"Low," Lisa - a nurse - responded.
"Damnit," Elizabeth muttered, glancing at Romano. "I can't believe this," she said.
"Neither can I, but disbelief isn't going to save Doctor Morris's life," Romano snapped. He discovered that he liked the young doctor. Ever since he had met her on the day of her interview, he had known that she would be a valuable addition to the ER staff. He didn't want to loose her now.
------------------------
Lanai Tucker walked sluggishly into Doc Magoo's. She was tired but she knew she wouldn't be able to got to sleep. She was beginning to question her career choice. Harmony was the doctor in charge of her instruction while she was at County General. She had considered Harmony a friend. She could believe that the woman was dying. She sighed and slunk down at one of the stools.
"Black coffee with sugar please," she muttered to the waitress.
"To stay or to go?" was the curt reply.
"To stay," Lanai said.
"Hey, Lanai!"
Lanai turned around to see Doctor Carter and Doctor Malucci at a corner booth. Malucci motioned at her to sit down. She walked over. "How's it going?" she asked, sitting next to Malucci.
"Okay, I guess," Carter replied. "We just talked to a few of Harmony's friends."
"God, that must have been rather difficult," Lanai commented. The waitress brought her the coffee. "Thanks," she muttered and began to dig in her pocket for the money she needed.
"Put it on my tab," Malucci said, tying to grin at Lanai. She did her best to smile back.
"Yeah, it was. Especially since this case is so similar to one last year," Carter commented.
"What type?" Lanai asked.
Malucci and Carter exchanged glances. They often forgot that the new med-students didn't know about last February.
"Well, last February, a med-student and a resident were attacked by a schizophrenic patient. The med-student was killed. And, the resident sits before you," Carter explained quickly.
"You?" Lanai asked in shock.
Carter slowly nodded. "Lucy - that was the med student's name - went into PEA right before she died. I guess Harmony's circumstance reminds me of Lucy's death."
"It's very similar," Malucci added. I was even here - at Doc Magoo's - when I heard the news that Lucy…hadn't made it."
"Wow, I never knew that happened. Is that why Doctor Weaver and Doctor Romano and Doctor Kovac were all so tense?"
"Partly. Kerry has become good friends with Harmony over the past few months, Romano didn't want to lose another employee because we're already way understaffed. And Luka loves Harmony so much, this is like watching his wife die," Carter explained.
"Doctor Kovac was married?"
"Yes. When he lived in Croatia. She was killed during the war."
Lanai sipped her coffee in shock. She was shocked. She had learned so much about her co-workers in the past fifteen minutes. "Wow," she murmured. "I guess everyone isn't as happy as they look.
Carter smiled at the girl's innocence. "No one is every as happy as they look," he said, picking up a menu.
"How can you eat at a time like this?" Lanai asked.
"I don't know," Carter said with sincerity.
------------------------
In our hearts a hopeful song
We barely understood
Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
------------------------
"Hey."
Luka looked up to face Abby. "Hello. Are you going home?"
"Nah, I couldn't. Are you going to be all right?" she asked. "I'm going over to Doc Magoo's. Want to come?"
"Sure." Luka stood up and they began to walk to the café.
"I know this is heard for you," Abby began.
"You have no idea," Luka muttered. "I feel that every time I fall in love with someone, that person dies or leaves me. I don't know what to do."
"Harmony's not dead yet," Abby pointed out. "I bet she'll make through and shock all of us," she prophesied.
"I think you're the most optimistic person here," Luka commented.
"You know she'll give 'em hell before she gives up."
Luka sighed. "You're right. I just wish we knew something about how she's doing."
"Damn Romano's policy."
Luka smiled a half smile. "That's right, damn Romano's policy." They walked into the café.
"Hey guys!" Malucci yelled.
Abby and Luka walked up. Abby slid in next to Carter and Luka pulled up a chair.
"So, what do we do now?" Abby asked.
"Wait, I guess," Carter said, glancing out the window at the hospital. The snow had gotten a bit heavier and an ambulance rolled up.
"Think they'll need us?" Lanai asked.
"They'll page us if they do," Malucci pointed out.
"True," Lanai said. The mood was tense as they waited for some sort of news to come concerning Harmony.
------------------------
"Good work Lizzy," Romano said as he and Elizabeth scrubbed out. Harmony had been moved to a post-op room and was still unconscious.
"Think she'll be all right?" Elizabeth asked softly, glancing back at the post-op room.
"Lizzy, she'll be fine," Romano said with assurance.
"We thought that with Lucy too," Elizabeth pointed out.
Romano nodded. "Don't worry. Harmony is much more stable that Lucy was," he pointed out. "How about you run down to Doc Magoo's?"
"Why?" Elizabeth asked, confused.
"I have a feeling that's where most of the ER is right now."
Elizabeth nodded and ran downstairs.
------------------------
"Here comes Elizabeth," Luka announced. Elizabeth was pushing against the wind, her eyes closed and her arm up, shielding herself.
Elizabeth came in and stomped her feet.
"How is she?" everyone asked simultaneously.
"She's going to make it," Elizabeth said, a smile crossing her face.
A sigh of relief rippled through the group and Luka felt as if a huge stone had been lifted from his shoulders.
Abby leaned over to Luka. "Told you so," she said, a smile creeping across her face.
Luka smiled back. "You were."
The song "When You Believe" is from "The Prince of Egypt" I don't own it, I believe it's licensed to DreamWorks.
------------------------
Luka sat outside, pondering the events of the last few hours. A soft snow had begun to fall, but Luka barely noticed it. He couldn't believe what had happened. Tears ran down Luka's face too. Flashbacks of the earlier hours blazed through his mind. The look of Harmony's eyes when they discovered the bullets weren't blanks. The naïve look when she was rushed into the trauma room. The soft, musical quality her voice possessed when she told him she loved him. The tears that ran down her face, when she figured out that little could be done to save her. The sound of the monitor when her heart stopped. The hollow, lifeless sound of his own voice when he shocked her heart. The waiting. The waiting for the inevitable. Every single person in that trauma room knew what was destined to happen, but no one wanted to acknowledge it. He knew there was almost no way that Harmony would make it out alive. He had seen it with his own eyes. It wasn't that he didn't have faith in Romano and Elizabeth - they were the best surgeons at County - he just didn't have faith in Harmony's body. Her mental will would not be lacking anything, but her physical stamina wouldn't be enough. He couldn't help but think that he had brought this on. Every time he loved someone, they either died or left him. He had to be cursed.
------------------------
"Doctor Weaver?"
Kerry looked up from Harmony's medical record. She was just filling out what had happened. "Yes?"
"I'm Detective Curtis," the man said. "I'm here to investigate the shooting."
Kerry nodded. "Thank-you for coming."
"Can I ask you a few questions about the shooting?"
"Uh, sure," Kerry said, motioning to the chairs. "Do you want to sit down?"
The detective took a seat in one of the plastic chairs. "How is Doctor…?"
"Morris. She's in surgery right now." Kerry said sitting down next to him.
"Did you see the man who shot her?"
Kerry shook her head. "No. It all happened so fast."
"Nothing at all?"
"Well, he was wearing a black ski mask. He was maybe your height, just barely. I also noticed that he wasn't wearing any gloves. If you find the gun, you may be able to trace it to him," Kerry said.
"It's highly unlikely that the weapon would be found. In truth, it would be very difficult to find this man, with the limited information we have."
"I understand," Kerry said. She sighed. "Are you sure there is nothing you can do?"
"It's almost certain. I'm dreadfully sorry, Doctor Weaver."
Kerry nodded. "I hope the information I gave you will help."
"It will," the detective assured. "In fact, here's my business card. Give me a call if you find anything else."
"Thank-you," Kerry said. She sighed. She longed for revenge. Longed to avenge her friend.
------------------------
"Is she going to be okay?" Selena asked when she noticed Carter and Malucci approaching the small group. Kathryn and Katelyn looked up. Each had a hopeful look on their face, optimistic that the two residents would have some satisfactory information for them.
"Well, she's up in surgery right now," Carter began.
"Is that good?" Katelyn asked.
"Uh, well, she's not dead," Malucci said.
"But…" Carter started.
"But what?" Selena snapped, the stress of the evening wearing on her.
"She sustained quite a few serious wounds…"
"…And she stopped breathing for a few moments…" Malucci continued. Kathryn gasped.
"Oh, god," Selena muttered.
"Is that going to affect her?" Katelyn asked.
"Of that, I'm unsure," Carter admitted. "She wasn't out very long but that doesn't mean that it didn't cause brain damage."
"Brain damage!"
"That's very rare, I doubt it will happen to Harmony," Malucci said in assurance.
Carter looked up and noticed Kerry talking to the detective behind Katelyn. The shared a glance for a moment. Kerry's eyes were filled with pain and her face was pained as well. Then they both returned to the conversations they were engaged in.
"Can we see her?" Katelyn asked.
Carter shook his head. "Doctor Romano instated a new policy. No one can watch surgeries save medical students."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"How long will surgery take?" Kathryn asked.
"Hard to say," Malucci said. "Normally, it can take anywhere from two to four hours, but that is excluding complications."
"Complications?" Selena gasped.
"PEA is a very serious case," Malucci explained half-heartedly
"What exactly is PEA?"
"Well, it's rather like a blood clot, but larger and more dangerous," Carter explained. "But don't worry. Doctor Romano and Doctor Corday are the most qualified surgeons in the city, maybe even the county."
The trio didn't look anymore relieved. Carter didn't feel any more relived. He didn't really believe the Harmony would make it out of surgery. Lucy had died from PEA. He now didn't think that anyone could make it out of PEA.
"Should we stay here?" Katelyn asked.
Malucci shook his head. "No. It's very late and I don't think Harmony will be out anytime soon."
"Dave's right," Carter added. "Who knows when she'll get out? And she may not be conscious right away. You girls need your sleep. We'll call you if anything happens or when she gets out."
The women nodded. The stood up and left. Not one of them could believe what had happened. It seemed so strange that a couple of hours ago, they were prepared to go to dinner with Harmony. Now she was as good as dead. The next rendezvous they would be having with Harmony would probably be her funeral.
"You handled that well," Malucci said, watching the trio leave.
"Thanks. I wasn't so sure I was going to make it with out breaking down, " Carter admitted. "You did well too."
"Thanks."
Carter shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe this happened. God damnit, it's so much like Lucy."
"I know," Dave said. "Come on. Let's go over to Doc Magoo's or something."
Carter nodded and the two left the ER in silence.
------------------------
"How's her pressure?" Elizabeth asked.
"Low," Lisa - a nurse - responded.
"Damnit," Elizabeth muttered, glancing at Romano. "I can't believe this," she said.
"Neither can I, but disbelief isn't going to save Doctor Morris's life," Romano snapped. He discovered that he liked the young doctor. Ever since he had met her on the day of her interview, he had known that she would be a valuable addition to the ER staff. He didn't want to loose her now.
------------------------
Lanai Tucker walked sluggishly into Doc Magoo's. She was tired but she knew she wouldn't be able to got to sleep. She was beginning to question her career choice. Harmony was the doctor in charge of her instruction while she was at County General. She had considered Harmony a friend. She could believe that the woman was dying. She sighed and slunk down at one of the stools.
"Black coffee with sugar please," she muttered to the waitress.
"To stay or to go?" was the curt reply.
"To stay," Lanai said.
"Hey, Lanai!"
Lanai turned around to see Doctor Carter and Doctor Malucci at a corner booth. Malucci motioned at her to sit down. She walked over. "How's it going?" she asked, sitting next to Malucci.
"Okay, I guess," Carter replied. "We just talked to a few of Harmony's friends."
"God, that must have been rather difficult," Lanai commented. The waitress brought her the coffee. "Thanks," she muttered and began to dig in her pocket for the money she needed.
"Put it on my tab," Malucci said, tying to grin at Lanai. She did her best to smile back.
"Yeah, it was. Especially since this case is so similar to one last year," Carter commented.
"What type?" Lanai asked.
Malucci and Carter exchanged glances. They often forgot that the new med-students didn't know about last February.
"Well, last February, a med-student and a resident were attacked by a schizophrenic patient. The med-student was killed. And, the resident sits before you," Carter explained quickly.
"You?" Lanai asked in shock.
Carter slowly nodded. "Lucy - that was the med student's name - went into PEA right before she died. I guess Harmony's circumstance reminds me of Lucy's death."
"It's very similar," Malucci added. I was even here - at Doc Magoo's - when I heard the news that Lucy…hadn't made it."
"Wow, I never knew that happened. Is that why Doctor Weaver and Doctor Romano and Doctor Kovac were all so tense?"
"Partly. Kerry has become good friends with Harmony over the past few months, Romano didn't want to lose another employee because we're already way understaffed. And Luka loves Harmony so much, this is like watching his wife die," Carter explained.
"Doctor Kovac was married?"
"Yes. When he lived in Croatia. She was killed during the war."
Lanai sipped her coffee in shock. She was shocked. She had learned so much about her co-workers in the past fifteen minutes. "Wow," she murmured. "I guess everyone isn't as happy as they look.
Carter smiled at the girl's innocence. "No one is every as happy as they look," he said, picking up a menu.
"How can you eat at a time like this?" Lanai asked.
"I don't know," Carter said with sincerity.
------------------------
In our hearts a hopeful song
We barely understood
Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
------------------------
"Hey."
Luka looked up to face Abby. "Hello. Are you going home?"
"Nah, I couldn't. Are you going to be all right?" she asked. "I'm going over to Doc Magoo's. Want to come?"
"Sure." Luka stood up and they began to walk to the café.
"I know this is heard for you," Abby began.
"You have no idea," Luka muttered. "I feel that every time I fall in love with someone, that person dies or leaves me. I don't know what to do."
"Harmony's not dead yet," Abby pointed out. "I bet she'll make through and shock all of us," she prophesied.
"I think you're the most optimistic person here," Luka commented.
"You know she'll give 'em hell before she gives up."
Luka sighed. "You're right. I just wish we knew something about how she's doing."
"Damn Romano's policy."
Luka smiled a half smile. "That's right, damn Romano's policy." They walked into the café.
"Hey guys!" Malucci yelled.
Abby and Luka walked up. Abby slid in next to Carter and Luka pulled up a chair.
"So, what do we do now?" Abby asked.
"Wait, I guess," Carter said, glancing out the window at the hospital. The snow had gotten a bit heavier and an ambulance rolled up.
"Think they'll need us?" Lanai asked.
"They'll page us if they do," Malucci pointed out.
"True," Lanai said. The mood was tense as they waited for some sort of news to come concerning Harmony.
------------------------
"Good work Lizzy," Romano said as he and Elizabeth scrubbed out. Harmony had been moved to a post-op room and was still unconscious.
"Think she'll be all right?" Elizabeth asked softly, glancing back at the post-op room.
"Lizzy, she'll be fine," Romano said with assurance.
"We thought that with Lucy too," Elizabeth pointed out.
Romano nodded. "Don't worry. Harmony is much more stable that Lucy was," he pointed out. "How about you run down to Doc Magoo's?"
"Why?" Elizabeth asked, confused.
"I have a feeling that's where most of the ER is right now."
Elizabeth nodded and ran downstairs.
------------------------
"Here comes Elizabeth," Luka announced. Elizabeth was pushing against the wind, her eyes closed and her arm up, shielding herself.
Elizabeth came in and stomped her feet.
"How is she?" everyone asked simultaneously.
"She's going to make it," Elizabeth said, a smile crossing her face.
A sigh of relief rippled through the group and Luka felt as if a huge stone had been lifted from his shoulders.
Abby leaned over to Luka. "Told you so," she said, a smile creeping across her face.
Luka smiled back. "You were."