Title: In the End
Author: Girl with Issues
E-Mail: Buffy38841@aol.com or AngieMcKendrick@aol.com
Rating: R-Language/Situations
Disclaimer: YES! THEY'RE MINE! I OWN THEM ALL! EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER! Heh..no, a girl can dream though, right? Right? Hello?
Timeline: After "Rampage"
Summary: Dave goes too far in avenging the abused.
Author's Notes: Welcome to Chapter 4 of "In the End." Hopefully, you're enjoying this story (well yeah, you are. Because if you weren't, then you obviously would be spending your time on something else that you deem worthy). I'm enjoying writing it…especially the cliffhangers. I know you all hate me because of the ending in Chapter 3, but continue reading. Find out how I torture Dave next. Oh…and REVIEW! Enjoy.
*~*
Chapter 4: Negotiations
Dave froze, stunned, "Fired?"
Kerry responded, "I said that there's a possibility."
"You said there was a good possibility." Dave interrupted.
"There's also a possibility that you'll just take your punishment and be done with it." Kerry explained patiently, though, knowing Romano that probably wouldn't be the case. "Just go home, Dave, and when you come back in a week, I have an answer for you."
Dave nodded, and slowly pulled himself away from the lockers. He said nothing as he left the room, quietly shutting the door behind him, leaving Kerry alone in the dark, empty silence.
*~*
The very next day, Kerry marched into Romano's office, only to be stopped by the secretary, a perky, young thing, who looked to be ripe from college.
"I have an appointment with Dr. Romano," Kerry explained, not wanting to waste time with some, young, career-oriented overachiever.
At that moment, the door to the office near the secretary's desk opened, and out stepped Dr. Robert Romano. "What's the racket? Lisa, I thought I told you that I wasn't to be disturbed unless-" Romano stopped his ranting at the young secretary as soon as he saw Kerry. "Kerry, what a…pleasant surprise." By his tone of voice, anyone could tell that Romano didn't think that it was so pleasant to be faced with an already pissed-off Kerry Weaver at 9:30 in the morning. "Do come in," he said, stepping aside to allow Kerry to enter his office.
Romano followed Kerry into the office, shut the door behind him, and rounded the desk to sit on his chair.
Kerry instantly got down to business, "What do you know about a Dr. Dave Malucci?"
"I thought it was Malatussi. He that little foreign kid?" Romano asked, as he started to flip through some of the paperwork on his desk.
Kerry ignored Romano and continued, telling him of Dave and the fights, and reminding him of the hospital's policy.
Putting a paper down, Romano, looking entirely disinterested, asked, "Is that it?"
Kerry responded, "I was to come to you over about any of my doctors breaking hospital policy."
Romano went back to his work, "Can him then."
Kerry frowned, "I have to bring you documentation and interviews from Dr. Malucci's co-workers before you make your final decision."
Romano stood up, "As you wish, Dr. Weaver. Now if you'll excuse me, Dr. Benton and I have a ten 'o clock appendectomy to attend to."
Kerry stood and walked for the door, acting as if she hadn't noticed Romano's disinterest and rudeness, "I'll have all the papers to you by Thursday." With that, Kerry opened the door and left, with Romano a few steps behind her.
*~*
The interviews began that day, with Kerry calling the doctors and nurses who worked the closet with Dave into the lounge.
First, however, Kerry started by calling Elizabeth Corday, who was still on pregnancy leave. Kerry explained the situation, and while Elizabeth detested Dave, she disliked Romano even more so. She told Kerry that in her opinion, Dave would make a fine doctor if he were to ever grow up and get serious about his job.
Kerry found that most people shared this opinion. Peter Benton added onto it by saying that Dave also needed some lessons in tact and manners.
Carter thought that Dave was generally a good guy, who sometimes got carried away by partying and good times. He also shared Kerry's view that Dave took the abuse cases to heart because of something in his past.
Cleo agreed, as did Lily, the nurse who was working on Shelly with Dave and Cleo.
The interview process took Kerry most of the day, but finally she was able to come up with a folder of information about Dave, plus parts of the staff interviews.
Right before she left, Kerry was having a final interview, this time with Randi. The desk clerk was uncharacteristically polite, and kept the gum cracking to a minimum. When the interview was over, both Kerry and Randi stood to leave. Randi went to the door, looking rather smug.
Right before Randi exited, Kerry called to her, "Oh, and Randi..?"
Randi stopped and turned, "Yes, Dr. Weaver?"
"Kindly keep this private, or Dave won't be the only one possibly searching for a new job."
The desk clerk's sweet, cheerful deposition faded as she left the room.
*~*
Thursday rolled around rather quickly. Kerry was again stationed at the door to Romano's office first thing that morning. Romano walked up to his office, whistling, "Ah, Dr. Weaver. We meet again." He noted the file in Kerry's hand as he stepped past her into his office, "Is this about the Malatuki kid again?"
Kerry followed him, "Malucci. Yes. I got the extra information…MCATS, med. school records, co-workers remarks."
Romano glanced at the folder, "Grenada, huh?"
Kerry started to say something, but Romano cut her off, "You said so yourself, Kerry. He broke policy. Can him."
Again, Kerry started to object.
Romano said, "Dr. Weaver, he's gone."
And with that said, Dave Malucci was on the unemployment line.
*~*
A/N: I did it! I fired him! Aww…poor Dave. Anyway, I've mapped out the rest of the story. It's going to be 8 chapters long when finished. I'm very proud of it…::Wipes away a tear:: Hope everyone is still liking it. Show appreciation by REVIEWING!
Note to DOCTAH MILLY: It's a good thing that Cook County has so many talented doctors, isn't it…since Dave is gonna be hit with a train and all.