Title: In the End
Author: Girl with Issues
E-Mail: Buffy38841@aol.com or AngieMcKendrick@aol.com
Rating: Probably R
Disclaimer: Not mine…*sniffle* I don't even own that nifty backboard they use all the time.
Timeline: After "Rampage"
Summary: Dave goes too far in avenging the abused.
Author's Notes: Hey guys! I'm baaack! First off, I'd like to thank everyone who read and reviewed "A Day with Dr. Dave." Your questions and comments have really been helpful to me (why do I feel as if I'm accepting an Oscar?). Oh well. I got a few questions and complaints about the "antagonistic caterwauling" line. It means, "annoying sound," I used it 'cuz I like big words, and yeah, I kinda do talk with big phrases sometimes. Heh. Also, people have been asking for another chapter. Sadly, I wrote it as a one-shot fiction. I thought about adding another chapter, but decided just to move on. Thanks again for the reviews.
Now, this story is a chapter story; my first attempt at one. Sorry it took so long in coming-finals and stuff. Anyway, read! Review! Enjoy! Oh, and the stuff written in italics are (probably Dave's) thoughts.
*~*
Chapter 1: "Just a Little Change…"
The sudden, sharp ringing of the telephone startled him, causing him to drop the chart he'd been working on. With a reproachful look at the clerk on duty, Randi (a look which she returned), Dave Malucci hopped off the counter and retrieved the chart.
With a quiet sigh, Dave settled at the desk to work again, only to begin to allow his mind to wander. He was quickly brought back to reality by the quiet murmuring of people nearby the desk.
Raising his head, Dave noticed Randi clutching the phone, surrounded by a flock of nurses. Randi seemed to be getting information from a person on the other end of the line and reporting it to the waiting group, "…and she just told me that Weaver chewed out Romano over his firing Legaspi.." Randi paused briefly to listen, then let out a half-giggle, half-gasp, "And, she says that Weaver stormed out, AFTER telling Romano to deal with the fact that she too, is gay!"
With a roll of his eyes, Dave was once again filling out his chart. He'd never been one for office gossip; besides, to him, the Kim/Kerry thing wasn't that big of a deal. True, they were both chicks, but hey, whatever made them happy.
Plus, Dave thought, if he was Kim, he'd pick Kerry. Or vice versa. Or Randi. Or Abby. Or Jing-Mei. Or-Back to work, Malucci, he told himself, scribbling more information onto the chart.
As if talking (and thinking) about her summoned her, Kerry Weaver appeared, a scowl pasted to her face. The sight of Kerry caused the nurses to scatter and Randi to hurriedly hang up the phone.
"Randi," Weaver hissed, "Unless your house is burning down or you're dying, personal calls are not to be made while you're on duty. Understood?"
"Yes Dr. Weaver," Randi replied, before suddenly becoming very interested in a nearby stack of papers.
Weaver then turned her agitation to Dave, who was still working, but had been listening to Kerry berate Randi.
"Malucci, it's not a Mad-Lib. Try actually reading the chart. Better yet," Weaver continued, "Try working. Chicago's injured and sick haven't miraculously healed themselves, you know."
"Yes, Chief. Right away, Chief," Dave muttered, not wanting to piss Kerry off any more. With a sigh, Dave stood and stared at the board. He was distracted by Jing-Mei, who was walking down the hall with a stack of charts and her jacket, slung over an arm.
Yep, if he was Weaver, he'd pick Jing-
"MALUCCI!" Weaver yelled. "I'm gone, Chief!" Dave replied, looking for a quick escape. With a mischievous smirk, he slunk up to Jing-Mei, "Hey, Jing-Mei."
Hearing Dave's voice, Jing-Mei turned and looked at him as if he'd made some sort of lewd comment.
Was she some sort of mind reader?
"Uh…" Dave fumbled for the right words, settling with, "Need some help?" He noticed that she relaxed a bit, even ventured a slight smile.
"Actually, Dave, that'd be great. My shift ends at 3, but I have a meeting and need someone to cover for me,"
Dave considered this. His own shift ended at 1:30 and it was 12:40 now. But, it's a way to get on her good side. "Yeah, no problem."
Jing-Mei looked like she wanted to hug him.
I can only hope…
Instead, she handed him the charts and slipped on her jacket, "Thanks Dave, I really owe you one."
Dave smirked, "Yeah. Dinner and a movie sound good?"
"In your dreams," she replied, heading for the bay doors.
"Ouch," muttered Malik, who was leaning against the desk, witness to the whole conversation. Dave turned to him, smirk still in place, and simply said, "She wants me."
With a shake of his head, Malik watched Dave stroll off down the hall.
*~*
3 down, 1 to go. A glance at the clock told Dave that he could've left the chart for the next resident that came along, but what the hell? He was feeling generous. He took his eye from the clock and moved them to the chart: "Miller, Daniel. 13 years old. School yard fight." 3 down, 1 to go, Dave repeated to himself, pushing the door to Exam 3 open.
*~*
A/N: That's it for tonight. I'm hurrying with the next chapter. Preview? Alright, if you insist: The real action starts; Dave + kid + family = Gotta read to find out!
Oh, and the chapter title was from that song in Beauty and the Beast, I heard a commercial for the Broadway show on the radio today and they were playing that song. Enjoy! REVIEWS MAKE THE WORLD GO 'ROUND! (And me type faster…heh.)