Okay- so I know it has been a while. Personal Crisis- and all that good stuff, give a girl a break!

Please read and review! I swear it is motivation!

About the characters: I don't own them, I don't worship them, maybe it's more of the fact that THEY own me?

Chapter four:

"Okay People! Let's get this thing started! I don't want to get interrupted by a trauma!" Kerry Weaver called.

Melissa and Carter were sitting in the front row, waiting for the staff meeting to start. "How often does she have these?" Melissa inquired. She was halfway through a double shift, covering for Cleo, and wanted nothing more than to go home, and sleep for about a week.

"Often enough to throw her weight around." Dave interjected, from his seat directly behind Carter.

"Dr. Malucci, do you have something to say?" Kerry looks directly at him.

"Ooh, called down by the woman in charge!" Melissa gives him a false scowl, and pokes him, behaving like a child in a large schoolroom.

"Yeah, Dave, I'd behave if I were you. She probably carries a large yardstick!" Carter says, encouragingly.

Mark walks to the front of the room, trying to get this meeting to some semibalance of order. "Really, let's get going on this. We all have work we need to be doing."

Kerry passes out the agenda of the meeting. The half sheet of the paper covered several different topics: nurses hours, supply rationing, lunch breaks, and annual fundraiser.

Melissa was looking over the sheet. She whispered to Carter, "What fundraiser?"

Carter whispered back, "Every year, County has a bachelor bachelorette auction as a






fundraiser for the clinic. Every department takes turns organizing it. It must be our year to be in charge of running it."

"Really?" Melissa arched a brow. This was the first she had heard about this.

Abby caught Melissa's eye, and put her finger to her lips. Melissa winked back at Abby, and resumed paying attention to the meeting.

An hour later, Kerry was still rambling on about the staff taking too long on breaks and lunches, and the natives were getting restless.

Melissa was just about asleep, Luka and Abby were writing notes to each other, Carter was trying to tune Kerry out, and Dave was struggling to keep up, and just dying to make trouble.

Kerry continued, "And now, the Annual County General Fundraiser is going to be in 10 weeks. We have a date picked out, the hotel ballroom booked, and the advertising taken care of, but the ER staff is in charge of getting volunteers to set up, break down, get the employees to sign up for auctioning, etc. Do I have someone willing to oversee this process?"

Dave picked that exact moment to reach around, and tickle Melissa's ribs.

"YAH!" She jumped a mile in the air, scared to death, going from a state of dozing to panic in about 0.5 seconds.

"Oh good! We have a volunteer! Melissa will be the organizational chair for the fundraiser. I am sure she'll do a great job!" Kerry gushed.

"What? I didn't mean…."

Mark interjected, "You're perfect for the job Melissa."

Melissa turns around to Dave, menacingly, "I'll only do it, if Dave is my assistant."

Dave opens his mouth to voice his objection, but Kerry overrules him. "Done."

"But Doctor Weaver!"

"Dave, do you really want to argue with me?" Kerry glared at him. "I didn't think so. Meeting adjourned. Melissa, please see me for all the information. And everyone in the ER will be involved in this. You can volunteer, or you can be volunteered. Your choice."


It was absolutely slow that afternoon in the ER. Nothing was going on. No kids crying, no patients dying. Some of the staff has gone to lunch at Magoo's. Most were catching up on charts, or doing some of the backlog of paperwork.


Abby came back from lunch, and walked by the desk.
"What's on the board?"

Melissa was sitting at the desk, looking over some of
the fundraising information Kerry had given to her,
and rolled her eyes. "Lots of men wanting loose women
for a night. Wanna volunteer?"

Abby smiled, "I am not sure about all that…"

"Abby, you've got to. I have to have five
representatives from the ER, and I am guessing two
need to be women. And since I am the only woman who
will sign up, I have to recruit someone close to me so
that they can hate me forever."

Carter strolled up. "Hey, what are you talking about?"

Melissa replies, "The outfit you are going to wear in
this auction."

"Oh, no, not me, I couldn't possibly…."

Abby pipes up, "Want to bet, Carter? You have to have
the opportunity to hate her forever. Who else are you
recruiting, Melissa?"

Melissa sighs. "Well, with you two, me, and the
obvious Dave, I only need one more. That one will
take some thought."

Kerry walks up. "Do you guys need something to do?"

Melissa yawned. "Absolutely. Assign me to do
something now, besides work on this auction mess. I
just can't sit here quiet. Falling asleep is what got
me into this."

"Well, you could go do anything really…." Kerry
started, and then was inspired, "How about the
supplies room. Could you organize it?"

Melissa inwardly groaned. The place was a disaster
area. But it had to be better than this. "Okay, but
can I at least take my cd player in there? Be
entertained while working?"

"Sure, no patients are really near there, go ahead.
Now, Carter and Abby…" She turned around to assign
them to do something, but they were suddenly gone.

Melissa laughed to herself at their narrow escape, as she walked toward the lounge to get her CD's. Flipping through the narrow holder, she found exactly what she wanted to listen to. Whistling to herself, she made her way to the supply room.


Luka was in exam two, checking the equipment, when he heard Carter and Abby walk by, laughing. He stuck his head out in the hall, and said, "What's so funny?"

They looked at each other, guilty as children, and said at the same time, "Nothing." Abby laughed, but Carter looked a little disappointed. He liked Abby a great deal, but he had no warmth for Dr. Kovac.

"No seriously," Abby began, "We were laughing about this auction. We were wondering what crazy costumes Melissa's going to come up with."

"We?" Luka raised an eyebrow. "Who is We?"

"Carter and I. Melissa asked us to be in the auction."

"Oh really?" Luka gave a glance at Carter, and then back at Abby.

"Yeah, what's the harm? It's for a good cause." Carter added. He knew Luka wouldn't be happy about Abby in this- but he didn't care. Luka was an ass.

"Besides, it's one night." Abby interjected.

"Abby, make I speak to you privately, please?" Luka said.

Abby glanced at the floor. "Sure."

They entered exam two together. "How could you do that, Abby?"

"Do what Luka? Offer to help out a friend? It's one night. It's not like it's serious or anything…"

"Don't I mean anything to you?"

"Luka, don't make this into more than it is. I mean, you could always bid on me." Abby smiled at that image.

"I won't. I won't support you selling yourself like this."

"It's just for fun, Luka. Nothing more. To support charity. It should be fun. I am sorry you don't agree." Abby gives him a scathing look, and then walks out of exam two.



At his small, makeshift desk, Peter was trying to get mentally motivated to do chart reviews. He was working steadily, pen never faltering, face grimaced in a concentrated stance.

"Peter?" Randi chirped, trying to get his attention.

"What?" Peter nearly growled.

"Cleo's on line one." Randi took a step back, and made her way back to the admit desk.

Peter got up, and made his way to the lounge. No way did he want all the staff starting more gossip about him.

He went in, shut the door behind him, and picked up the phone, "Cleo?"

"Yes, Peter, it's me. I didn't mean to call you at work, but…"

"No, baby, it's okay. How are things there?"

"Not good." Cleo choked on her words. "My mother's dead."

"Oh, Cleo, I am sorry. Terribly sorry."

"No, Peter, it's okay. But I have no idea when I am going to get back. I have to settle the estate, take care of all the legalites," she sighs, "They are talking at least a couple of months."

"Months? You're kidding."

"No, I am not. I wish I were. Kerry's going to have a fit. I'll have to take a leave of absence." She paused, thinking, "So how is County?"

"It's fine. It misses you, Cleo. I miss you." His voice grew husky on the last words.

"How's Reece? I bet he's growing like a weed." Cleo was trying to lighten the mood.

"Maybe I could come out."

"No, Peter. I'll be home, soon enough. Besides things are crazy here. I wouldn't want you…"

"I don't mind. Really."

"Peter- I have to go. The lawyers are here. We'll talk about this later, okay?"

"I love you, Cleo."

"Me, too. Bye Peter."

He sat, and listened to the silence on the end of the phone line. It seemed a very telling sound.



The phone rang at admitting, and Mark happened to pick it up. "County General."

An impatient voice boomed. "Mark, it's Robert. I just found out that we are running low on exam gloves up on the surgical floor. We have some on order. Could I get someone to come down there and get a few boxes?"

"Sure, Robert. We can give you some."

"Thanks." The phone cracks in his ear. Romano had hung up on him.

"Short little prick." Mark commented, as he went back to his paperwork.

Dave was on the roof, taking a break. As long as he wasn't paged, he should avoid the wrath of the evil Weaver.

He sipped his coke, and was just enjoying the sunshine, when he heard the door open, and suddenly, there was Kerry.

"Damn." He said to himself.

"Dave? What are you doing up here?"

"I am on break, Chief."

"That's fine. It's nice up here, isn't it?"

What? Kerry being human?

Dave responded. "Yes, on a day like today."

"I am glad you are going to work with Melissa on this fundraiser. You two seem to get along really well."

"Yeah, we're friends." Why was Kerry acting so chummy?

There was an awkward silence, then Kerry continued.

"Dave, I've seen vast improvement in your work the last few weeks, and I wanted to compliment you on it. Enjoy the rest of your break."

She turns to walk away, and Dave calls, "Thanks, Dr. Weaver."

Her praise makes him smile.



Kerry walked around the hospital for a while- she didn't want go back to the ER just yet. She made her way to the fourth floor, the birthing suites. She made her way slowly down the hall, until she found herself looking in the nursery window.

Every so often she would walk by, and look at the babies, and wonder if she was destined to be alone the rest of her life. She didn't have a mother or father, her adopted parents were both dead, and her relationship status seemed to be perpetually single. No men would have her, no women seemed to want her. Kim wouldn't even look at her anymore. Yeah, her job was going well, she had a cute little townhouse on the good side of Chicago, she had some good friends, but she was constantly searching. For something else.



Robert Romano made his way down the stairs, slightly irritated at the fact that he was coming downstairs to get gloves for the surgical staff. He was the leader of this hospital, and there was a serious problem when he couldn't get the supplies he needs! "I am going to fire that incompetent woman, can't even order gloves!" he fumed to himself as he hit the bottom floor.

He stalked through the ER, a man clearly on a mission. Carter saw him, and tried to be cordial. "Hey, Dr. Romano, what are you doing down here?"

"Compensating for the absolute imbeciles that I work with. Where's the supply room? Dr. Greene said that I could have some of your gloves."

"Right around the corner, but…"

"But nothing Carter. I am needed back upstairs."

Robert continued around the corner- saw the door closed, and pushed it open. He heard the wafting sounds of music, and wasn't aware of what was going on.

"Wasting away again in Margaritaville, searching for my lost shaker of salt…"

Melissa was singing along with the lyrics, dancing as she was putting up the supplies- and seeming to have a grand time.

Robert could see her through the cabinet facings that held all the equipment, and he couldn't help but smile.

"Some people claim that there's a woman to blame…but I know…it's my own damn fault!"

She was really starting to belt it out. Her movements exaggerated, almost if she were dancing for a crowd, or were at a concert. As it went, it was totally unprofessional.

Robert walked through the aisle toward her, but she was totally oblivious to him. So he cleared his throat, quite loudly.

She whipped around, eyes as big as saucers. She reached for the radio and turned it down. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to know that you aren't Jimmy Buffett. What do you think you are doing? You're supposed to be working!"

"I am working. Since it was slow, I told Kerry I'd reorganize and inventory the supply room. And that's exactly what I was doing until you came in and interrupted me."

She turned her back on him. "Since we're asking questions, what are you doing down here?"

That stuck him oddly. No one ever questioned… "I am down here to get some gloves."

She grabbed a box off the shelf, and threw them at him. "Well, here you go. I'll get back to Jimmy now." She reached over, and cranked up the radio again.

He reached over and turned it down. "Ms. Bynum- I understand you are in charge of the fundraiser…and I would hate…"

She interrupted him. "Don't worry Dr. Romano. I won't embarrass the hospital or anything. Now, I think you have a job to do don't you?" she slightly chided.

"Lecturing me, are you?"

"Well, someone needs to." The smile that popped up on her face couldn't be seen by anyone but the wall. But she was amused nonetheless.

"Keep Margaritaville down to a dull roar, okay?" Robert headed toward the door, and as he was opening it, he heard her call-

"Whatever, Bobby!"



A couple of hours later, Melissa surfaced to the admin desk, hot and dusty. That room hasn't been properly organized in years.

"Wow, you look extremely sexy."

"Thanks a lot, Dave. I am off in 30 minutes, thank god. All I want is a shower."

"Oh, I found out some really good information today, from Luka." Dave confided, a wicked smile on his face.

"Luka with good information? Do tell!"

"Abby's Birthday is next week. Thursday."

Melissa's eyes grew wide. "You're kidding. We've got to do something for her. A party!"

"A party? Here?" Dave asked.

"No…something a little less work oriented. Maybe at that little bar by our apartment. O'Reilly's? They have dancing on Thursday night."


Kerry was dying for a slice of pizza, a glass of wine, and comfy pajamas. Waiting for the L train to take her home was maddening. It had been a long, slow day, and she was glad it was over.

Luka walked up the train platform, wanting to get home himself. He was tired, not just physically, but emotionally as well. The last year had been hard on him. He was basically alone, except for Abby, and they weren't exactly on the best of terms as of late.

He saw Kerry, standing there alone, and walked over to her. "Hello Kerry."

She smiled up at him. "Hi, Luka."

"I wasn't interrupting your thoughts, was I?"

"Oh, no. My thoughts are just getting home, ordering some pizza, putting on some classical music, and relaxing. Nothing of major importance."

"How have you been, Kerry?"

She sighed. Luka had been there in a weak moment, and knew about Kim. "I'm okay, Luka."

"That sounded convincing, Kerry."

"Well, there's really nothing else to say."

Luka was quiet for a second. He really didn't want to go home, and Kerry didn't sound like herself…maybe… "Kerry- would you like to go get that pizza? Just to talk?"

She thought about it for a minute. And then she sighed again. She knew he wouldn't leave her alone. "Yes, Luka. I would.

He smiled at her. "Let's go."