Get Back: Within You, Without You
By Alyssa
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, the lovely people at NBC do.
Both parts of the Title are the names of Beatles Songs. Parts of their lyrics will be in the story. You really have to know the tune of them to get the full effect.
This is a continuation of 'The Weak Link' series.
Previously: Dave was suspended from work after Kerry caught him in the process of punching Ray. Dave got a call that the pretrail against Mr. Mason had been set.
Thanks to all my readers and the people who E-mail me. Especially Kelley! (again!)
There is some swearing.
Dave walked into the courthouse and looked around for ADA Sampson. He was wishing that he had asked someone to come with him, but after the incidents with Jing-Mei and Dr. Weaver, he decided that he would go through with it alone. He was the only one he could really trust anyway. He was begining to wonder why the hell he pressed charges in the first place, all this was doing was bringing up terrible memories and dreams that Dave wished he had forgotten.
Finally, he spotted ADA Sampson speaking with someone and walked over.
"Dr. Malucci, hello, how are you?" Sampson asked politely. Dave could hear the shock in his voice.
"I'm okay, I guess, how are you?" Dave responded mechanically.
"Fine. As I said on the phone the other day, you really don't need to be here today. The case was dismissed in District Court after he was indicted. He waived his arraignment in Superior Court, so we're here basically to get a date for trial." Sampson explained again.
"I know but I wanted to be here." Dave said, smiling nervously. What he omited was that he was also going crazy because he had nothing left to do. As long as the body is busy, it is pretty easy to keep the mind empty of thought.
"Okay well, once they call the case, the whole thing should take about five minutes. Basically the Judge will ask if there is any chance that this can be resolved without going to trial."
"You mean a plea bargain?" Dave asked.
"Yes, but I spoke with Mr. Mason's attorney, Mr. Phillip Lowe, and he stated that his client would not plead out. Mr. Mason wants his day in court. So we'll tell the Judge that we are ready to set a date."
"Will it be a jury trial or a bench trial?" Dave asked, remembering that his own trial was bench trial. His lawyer had thought that it was his best chance, she said that it would be easier to convince a single judge to give him a chance than to convince an entire jury. Boy was she wrong, the judge nailed him to a cross. Of course it didn't help that Dave never told the attorney or the judge what was really going on at home.
"That's up to Mr. Mason. My guess is that he will want a jury trial." Sampson speculated. "Attorney Lowe may have some motions, but don't worry, that is just more work for me. If any of them impact you, I'll explain them but otherwise don't worry. Now I have a question for you Dr. Malucci."
"What's that?" Dave asked not really in the mood to answer any questions.
"Are there any dates that aren't good for you? As I said you really only need to be here when you testify. I decided to change my strategy a little, I'm going to have you testify last. So if you want you can just come then, but I want to know if there is any date that you can not be here for. You are my case Dr. Malucci, so I need you here to testify."
"No I want to be here for the whole trial." Dave explained.
"Well as long as you understand that you can't stay in the courtroom until after you testify." Sampson said.
"Yeah, I know, but I still want to be here." Dave persisted.
"Okay." Sampson said.
"I can be here whenever you want, don't worry about it any date is fine. Can I be there for the opening statements?" Dave asked.
"Yeah, that's no problem, you just can't hear any of the testimony." Sampson walked Dave over to a large double wooden door. "Okay Dr. Malucci, I have to go inside and do some paperwork, I'll see you inside okay?" Sampson asked, a genuine business expression on his face.
"Sure thanks Mr. Sampson."
"No problem." He said smiling at Dave, then he turned his back and left.
Dave watched as Sampson disappeared through the large doors into the intimidating courtroom. Dave stood there for a minute feeling the way he felt the last time he was in court; scared, vulnerable, overwhelmed, and alone. Dave thought back to his own trial and how it had ended for him, and hoped that this one would have a better outcome. Dave closed his eyes and shuddered at the memory of the heavy metal doors of the detention center slamming shut behind him. Dave was lost in thought and didn't notice Ray approaching or the two men who were watching him from across the corridor.
"Dave." Ray's voice rocked Dave out of his trance.
"What are you doing here?" Dave asked coldly. His brown eyes matching Ray's blue, cold ones.
"I stopped by the hospital to have my sutures taken out and Kerry told me that you had a court date today. So naturally, I thought that I would stop by." Ray announced snidely, then leaning closer, "I was curious."
"About what?" Dave asked not really wanting the answer, he was more concerned with the fact that Ray and Kerry were on a first name basis now.
"Whether or not you'd have the balls to follow through with it. I mean I know how much you love the Criminal Justice System." Ray chuckled. Ray watched Dave for a few moments, treasuring every ounce of pain he was causing. "You don't think that I came here to hold your hand do you Davie boy?"
"No Ray. Why would I think that? You've never done anything nice for me in your miserable life. Why would you start now?" Dave asked coldly. Dave could smell the liquor on Ray's breath, and his loathing for Ray began to swell.
"No, I just fed you, clothed you, and housed your ungrateful little ass that's all, you bastard. You know Dave you haven't changed a bit, you're still a spoiled stupid little punk. Your mother would roll over in her grave if she saw how you turned out."
Dave could feel the rage building in him and desperately tried to control it. He knew that Ray wanted to shake him, he was doing what he always did, playing mind games; but the thought that he might be a disappointment to his mom, that was unbearable. "You haven't changed either Ray, you're still a bully, a drunk, a loser, and a bastard."
"Well then Davie boy, you turned out just like me." Ray laughed.
"Ray it isn't going to work, I'm not going to let you get to me like you did when I was a kid. I shouldn't have let you get to me the other day, that was my mistake, it isn't going to happen again." Dave said with more confidence than he felt.
Ray didn't seem to believe him, "Tell me Dave, do you remember the last time we were in court together? I got to you then really good didn't I? From what I heard, a couple of guys got to you in juvy hall pretty good too."
"Fuck you Ray!" Dave snapped unable to control himself.
"Watch how you talk to me you little punk, I can still beat the shit out of you. Or maybe I'll tell your little girlfriend all about you adventures in juvy hall. How do you think Jing-Mei, or whatever her name is, will feel when she finds out what happened in there? You think she'll still think of you as a man? Maybe I'll tell her what a coward you were growing up, or how you use to cry and beg me to stop hitting you instead of taking it like a man. Does she know what a coward you are?" Ray's voice got lower and sharper as he went. "Ahhh Davie boy there is so much about you that I could tell her, things that would make her sick at the sight of you. I'll do it too, look how long it took me to turn Kerry Weaver against you, I'll do the same thing with Jing-Mei. You know I'll do it too. Hell, imagine what I could do with a little effort. I wasn't even trying with Kerry Weaver, and look how that turned out." Ray taunted.
"You better not say anything to her!" Dave yelled as tears formed in his eyes. He would die if Jing-Mei found out. It was bad enough that he told her some of the stuff that had happened, he would kill himself if Ray told her everything. "Get out of here you bastard! Why can't you just leave me alone?"
"Are you gonna cry Davie boy? You're such a little girl. You're so weak, it's repulsive. I'm glad to be able to say I am of no blood relation to you." Ray said in disgust, "No I think I'll stick around for awhile, this is fun. I forgot how much fun it was fucking with you." Ray's grin grew wider. "This is a public building, I think I'll stay. See you inside son." Ray hissed.
Dave watched helplessly as Ray went into the courtroom. He sighed and tried to steady himself before he went inside. After a few moments, Dave reached for the handle, it wasn't lost on him how badly his hands were shaking. Yes, his stepfather still had the power to get to him; damn it, he was weak.
Across the corridor, Attorney Phillip Lowe and his associate Lenny Marshall saw and heard everything. "Lenny is it me or does that Ray guy look just like Mr. Mason?"
"No boss, they could be brothers."
"Hell they could be twins, Lenny. Let me see the file on Malucci that the ADA gave us in discovery." Lowe instructed.
"Sure boss, here it is." Lenny said handing it over.
Lowe opened the folder and began reading out loud, "It says here that Malucci grew up in New York City with his mother and his stepfather Ray Palmer. That had to be his stepfather, Lenny. This is everything the ADA gave you on Malucci?"
"That's it boss."
"This is the questionnaire that Malucci filled out?"
"Yeah, that's what Sampson uses in court. Why?" Lenny asked.
"Because our young Malucci lied on this form. I don't think that he has lived such a squeaky clean life as he has led the ADA to believe, Lenny. You heard his stepfather, he did time in juvy hall, that's not on this form. It specifically says that he has led 'a crime and delinquent free life'. Lenny get on the phone to your contacts in New York City, I want you to dig up everything you can on Malucci. I have a plan."
"What's your plan?"
Lowe looked down at Lenny, "I'm gonna destroy that kid on the stand, Lenny." He answered simply.
"How?"
"First I'm going to call his ID of Mason into doubt, then I'm gonna destroy his credibility."
"How?" Lenny repeated.
"With the dirt you're gonna dig up Lenny, now get to work." Lowe said as he went inside the courtroom. Lowe looked at Dave Malucci as he walked to his place at the defense table, he looked like a nice enough kid, too bad he had to ruin him.
Everyone stood as the Judge made his entrance into the courtroom. Dave looked over to where the prisoners were kept, but Mason was no where to be found. About half an hour later, the case was called.
"The State of Illinois vs. Andy Mason. Your Honor, Mr. Mason is charged with Assault and Battery with Intent to Commit Murder and being a Fugitive from Justice." The Clerk announced.
"Mr. Lowe where is your client?" The Judge asked.
"Your Honor my client waives his appearance at this hearing."
"Very well. Gentlemen where do we stand? Can this be settled without a trial?" The Judge asked.
"Your Honor, Mr. Lowe and I have been unable to reach an agreement in this matter. I believe I can speak for Mr. Lowe when I say we need to set a date for trial."
"Your Honor that's correct." Mr. Lowe concurred.
"Very well. Are there any motions to be filed?" The Judge asked.
"Your Honor for the courts information this will be a jury trial." Mr. Lowe stated.
"Very well, Mr. Clerk mark it for jury trial on the docket." The Judge instructed.
"Your Honor because we are seeking a jury trial, I feel that I must file this motion regarding the prosecution's witness list." Lowe began.
"Go on counselor."
"Well, I received a copy of the intended witness list from the prosecution and it appears that the prosecution is planning on calling several medical witnesses to testify about Mr. Malucci's injuries. It is the defense's contention that calling that many medical witnesses to give medical testimony would be prejudicial to my client. Not to mention the fact that these witnesses work with Mr. Malucci and therefore have an emotional stake in this. I'm not saying that they would intentionally lie, but I'm sure that they have discussed this incident amongst themselves several times and have probably collaborated their testimonies. The defense is asking that the medical testimony be limited to the primary treating physician in the ER, Dr. Mark Greene; and the primary treating physician in the OR, Dr. Corday. If the prosecution would like to call outside independent medical witnesses to verify what was testified to by Drs. Greene and Corday, we would have no objection to that. In fact, upon Drs. Greene and Corday's testimony the defense would be willing to stipulate that Mr. Malucci, did in fact sustain injuries testified to." Lowe explained.
"Mr. Sampson do you have anything to say?" The Judge asked.
"Yes, Your Honor, thank you. First, Mr. Lowe needs to get the victim's name correct. For the record it is Dr. Malucci, not Mr. Malucci, and the defense knows it. Dr. Malucci had undergone extensive training and regardless of the defense's contention that Mr. Mason is innocent, it is undisputed as the defense just admitted, that Dr. Malucci was viciously attacked an beaten. Therefore he deserves the minimal respect from the members of this court to at least get his name correct." Sampson said harshly.
"My apologizes to Dr. Malucci." Lowe said with a sneer. Dave was confused; what did this have to do with anything?
"Second the prosecution would agree to the motion, with the one assurance that if we get a conviction that we would have the right to call some of these witnesses into contribute to the victim witness statement." Sampson stated.
"Mr. Lowe, I am going to grant your motion, with the one proviso that the ADA has requested."
"Thank you."
"Mr. Sampson do you have any motions?" The Judge asked.
"I would just ask for a sequestration order for the witnesses until they have testified."
"Mr. Lowe?"
"I agree to that."
"Done." The Judge said. "Let's set a date."
"How about one month?" The Clerk offered.
"One month is good for the State." Sampson declared.
"It is good for the defense as well."
"This matter is set down for jury trial for August 2nd, 2001."
Then, suddenly, everything was over. Dave was amazed how fast everything had gone; it all seamed routine.
Sampson walked out of the courtroom and motioned for Dave to follow. Once they were in the hall he spoke to Dave, "Did you understand everything?"
"Yes. Should I tell Drs. Greene and Corday?" Dave asked.
"No I will notify them. I'll be in touch Dr. Malucci." Sampson said extending his hand.
"Thank you for everything."
"If you can think of anything that I need to know you have my number."
"I'll call. Thanks for the thing with my name, Mr. Sampson." Dave said smiling.
"No problem. That attorney is an asshole, but he's good. It was nice to get in the first blow. Bye Dr. Malucci."
"Bye, Mr. Sampson." Dave said. With that Mr. Sampson was gone, and Dave was alone again. He looked around the courthouse to see several people milling around. None of them payed him any attention.
~~~
We were talking about the space between us all,
And the people
Who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion
Never glimpse the truth;
Then it's far too late, when they pass away.
~~~
Kerry had allowed Dave to come back to work. She wasn't showing any guilt at suspending him, that Dave could see, but she was allowing him several breaks a shift. Dave, trying to catch a wink while the hospital was quiet, thrashed on the stretcher. In his sleeping state, Dave was in Ray's house; back in his own personal hell.
"Dad I'm sorry." Dave pleaded, his voice not yet the voice of a man, but one of a scared 12 year old child. "Dad please." He whimpered as Ray's fist came down hard and connected with his eye.
"You no good bastard." Ray bellowed, his face so close to Dave's that Dave could smell the whiskey on his breath. The combination of booze and tobacco made Dave sick to his stomach.
"I meant to be home on time but the game ran late and I missed the bus." Dave defended himself uselessly.
"I'm sick of your excuses." Ray screamed again as his fist found Dave's jaw. Dave could taste the blood in his mouth as his teeth clamped down hard on his tongue. "You're a loser Dave. You little bastard." Ray screamed over and over as the fists came faster and faster. Dave fell to the floor and rolled up into a ball to protect himself. He knew that there was nothing that he could do to stop the beating once it started, the only thing he could do now was to try to minimize the damage.
Dave did what he always did, he distanced himself. Dave's body may be getting hit, but he himself was nowhere near. All he heard was the muffled sounds of the real world; what he saw a room of intense white. There was nothing in the room: no Ray, no beer, no bats or glass or anything that could hurt him. Here Dave was allowed a little peace, and he stayed as long as he could.
"Get up!" Ray bellowed when he finally stopped. Dave weak from the beating tried to stand but couldn't, blood flowed freely into Dave's eyes from the gash on his forehead and his body ached. When he cracked his eyes open every thing was distorted and light, like exposed film; an after effect he commonly experianced. "I said get the fuck up!" Ray screamed as he yanked Dave up by his hair. He dragged Dave over to the small closet near the kitchen.
"No Dad, please. Please!!" Dave begged knowing deep down that it would do no good, if anything, pleading would only foster another beating, but the thought of being put in the closet terrified Dave more than any beating.
"Shut up you piece of shit!" Ray bellowed, slapping Dave harshly across the face, "Shut up, shut up! You make me sick, you little pussy." Ray punched Dave in his stomach as hard as he could and Dave dropped to his knees, all the strength beaten out of him. Ray pulled open the closet door and shoved Dave inside. Dave fell hard against the floor and slammed his head on the bottom shelf. For 12 Dave was still very small, and was still able to fit the the small confinements of the closet.
He heard the door slam shut and was left in complete darkness. Dave brought his knees up to his chest and hugged himself. He could hear his father storming around the house breaking things. Tears were freely flowing from Dave's eyes, mixing with the blood, creating a swirling concoction to symbolize his pain. It matted his hair to his forehead like glue, and made Dave very uncomfortable. Dave bit his shirt to keep from making any noise, knowing that if he father heard him crying it would only get much worse. Sometimes it got so bad, Dave thought that Ray would kill him. Dave managed to cry himself asleep only to wake up several hours later. The closet door was still locked and the house was quiet. Dave pressed his ear up to the door to try to hear something, Dave ached all over, but worse than the pain was being locked in the cold dark closet. Ray knew that Dave hated being locked up. Dave always had such a hard time breathing in the closet, sometimes if he was left in the closet long enough he thought he would sufficate. This, of course, got him another beating. Sometimes if Ray got drunk enough he would forget that Dave was even in the closet and would laugh at him when he finally remembered, for not banging on the door. Or even worse, on a few occasions Ray would open the door with sheer remorse on his face, help Dave up, and take him to the bathroom to clean himself up. It was on these occasions that Dave was forced to rethink everything, and the reasons behind them. It was these occasions that proved to Dave that everything he knew was wrong, and it was these occasions that kept him prisoner.
Dave wiped the blood away from his nose, and heard the kitchen door open followed by Ray's voice. Dave could tell that he was drunk. Dave leaned against the closet door and waited, he had to pee so bad. Softly Dave knocked on the door, "Dad, I have to go to the bathroom. Can I come out?" he asked tentively.
"What?!" Ray ascending voice yelled. At the ultimate cresendo he yanked open the door, "Didn't I tell you never to knock on the door, that I would let you out when you had retributed yourself?"
"But Dad I have to go to the bathroom, please." Dave voice was weak and timid as he crawled to the back of the closet.
"Come here you little bastard! Don't you run away from me." Ray growled as he grabbed Dave's ankle and dragged him out of the closet. "Don't you ever talk back to me, do you understand me?"
"I know, I know. Let me go please Dad, I just want to go to the bathroom please!" Dave begged.
Ray threw him up against the wall and punched him once, hard in the stomach. Dave felt his bladder fail him as the hot urine flowed down his legs, through his overalls, and formed a puddle on the floor around Ray's shoes.
"You little baby! You pissed your pants, I guess I'm gonna have to get you some diapers." Ray said with an evil laugh, then he looked down. "Look what you did to my shoes!" Ray screamed. He backhanded Dave so hard that he fell to the floor. Dave heard Ray walk into the living room. He was afraid to turn around, but did when he heard Ray return. Dave looked up in enough time to see the baseball bat swing down and connect with his hand, breaking it in several places.
Dave screamed and shot up on the gurney. "Dave are you all right?" Elizabeth asked. It took Dave several minutes for him to realize that he was at the hospital and was now a grown man. Dave looked down at this arm which was shaking but long healed. Elizabeth was now sitting on the edge of the gurney with a worried look on her face.
"It's okay, it was just a dream." She said gently, over run by her motherly instinct. Dave was covered with sweat and shaking. Dave swallowed hard and looked desperately at Elizabeth.
"What are you doing in here?" Dave asked hoarsely.
"I came in to get something. I was trying to be quiet but you started screaming and thrashing about. I came over to wake you up but you woke up on your own." Elizabeth explained. Elizabeth paused and gently touched Dave's arm, "What were you dreaming about?"
Dave looked a Elizabeth, all he wanted was for someone to comfort him but he knew that he couldn't open himself up like that again. "I don't remember." He lied. "Did I say anything?"
"You were begging someone or something to stop." Elizabeth answered. She looked at the man before her. "Dave are you okay?"
"I don't know." He said looking down at her hand and gently squeezed it. He was really starting to warm up to Elizabeth, and he realized for the first time that she reminded him of the mother he had lost so long ago.
"Tell me what's wrong please. Perhaps I can help." Elizabeth implored. Instead of answering her, Dave leaned over and placed his head on her shoulder. Elizabeth, caught off guard, wrapped her arms around him and held him. Dave held on tightly and sighed. "I'm so tired." He whispered. Elizabeth held him tight, until he pulled away.
"I'm sorry about that." Dave said looking suddenly embarrassed. He was more awake now, and appalled by what he had just done.
"Don't be, we all need some comfort sometimes." Elizabeth said touching his face again. "Do you have nightmares often?"
"Sometimes." Dave sighed as he leaned back and closed his eyes. "It depends."
"On what?"
"On a lot of things." Dave answered, not offering anymore.
Elizabeth could tell that he did not want to talk about it, so she decided not to push it or suggest that he talk to someone. "Well I'll let you get back to sleep."
Dave stretched back out on the bed and watched as Elizabeth started to leave. He wanted to ask her to stay, but was too embarrassed to ask. "Thank you ." He managed softly.
"For what?"
"For being there."
"Your welcome." Elizabeth said.
~~~
We were talking about the love we all could share,
when we find it
To try out best to hold it there with out love
With our love we could save the world;
If they only knew
~~~
Dave rushed from the room and began to wonder how long he had been asleep. He had to find Elizabeth; he had to make sure she hadn't told anybody.
"Randi, do you know where Elizabeth is?" He asked quickly.
"I think Cleo called her down for a consult, exam 2." Randi answered.
"Thanks." Dave mumbled and hurried away.
He opened the door to find Elizabeth and Cleo standing over the small patient, talking to him assuredly.
"Dr. Corday, may I talk to you?" Dave asked, in what he hoped was a perfectly normal voice. Cleo and Elizabeth bothed turned, completely surprised.
"I'm with a...."
"It will only take a second." Dave interrupted. Elizabeth looked towards Cleo who waved her off.
"What is it?" Elizabeth asked as soon as they left the room. Dave looked around, then lowered his voice.
"I just wanted to make sure you didn't tell anybody." He answered.
"About What?" Elizabeth asked, and then suddenly remembered. "About your nightmare?"
Dave nodded.
"No, I haven't told anybody." Elizabeth responded.
"And your not going to right?" Dave asked.
"I wasn't planing on it..." Elizabeth answered.
"Thanks, I better get back to work." Dave responded, relieved, as he hurried off. Elizabeth shook her head and reentered the exam room.
~~~
When you've seen beyond yourself,
Then you may find peace of mind is waiting there.
And then time will come when you see we're all one,
And life flows on within you and without you.
~~~
As soon as the boy had been safely deposited to Romano, Elizabeth began to rethink what she had told Dave. Maybe she should tell someone. It was obvious that Dave was still teetering on some edge, and she wondered which direction it was better to push him. Jing Mei wasn't supposed to tell her about Dave's abuse, but she did. Maybe she should tell Jing Mei. Elizabeth settled her arguement quickly. The next time she saw Jing Mei she would tell her.
~~~
We were talking about the love that's gone so cold,
And the people
Who gaint the world and lose their sole,
They don't know,
They can't see.
Are you one of them?
~~~
As soon as Elizabeth had told her, Jing Mei had gone to look for Dave. She didn't konw how long she had been looking, but it seemed forever. Then she caught a glimpse of navy blue scrubs. She followed it until she found Dave by the candy dispensers, hitting the malfunctioning machine.
"Dave." Jing Mei said experimentily. Dave turned, hit face flustered with anger.
"Oh... .Hey whats up?" He asked. "The dumb machine ate my money.." He drawled on.
"Dave.... Elizabeth came and talked to me." She started. Dave turned as if someone had suddenly stabbed him.
"What?" He asked viciously.
"Well..... She said." Jing Mei was afraid of what she had started.
"You shouldn't believe everything people tell you." Dave offered. Before Jing Mei could answer Kerry found them.
"Trauma coming in. Jing Mei with me, Dave you're with Elizabeth."
~~~
Try to realise it's all within yourself;
No one else can make you change.
And to see you're really only very small,
And like flows on within you and without you.
~~~
As Jing Mei helped transfer the patient to the bed in trauma 1, she saw Dave and Elizabeth through the doorway. She could tell their was tension between them, and felt fully responsible.
"Dave, I only told her because I knew you were close. I wasn't planning to tell anyone else." Elizabeth tried to make her case, while also trying to put in a chest tube.
"You still lied to me. And how do you know I wanted Jing Mei to know?" Dave asked, his voice calm and uncaring, as he checked for internal bleeding with the ultrasound. Haleh looked at them curiously, but didn't bother them.
"Dave try to understand..." Elizabeth started.
"He's crashing!" Haleh called suddenly, interrupting her.
~~~
Jing Mei looked up just in time to see Dave and Elizabeth strip off their gloves and head out the room. They still appeared to be bickering.
"Jing Mei, I called surgery and they're going to take him up." Kerry said as she got off the phone.
"Oh, that's good." Jing Mei said distantly. "Can you take him up? I have to do something."
"Sure." Kerry said, giving her a questioning look. Jing Mei left the trauma room and headed off towards admit.
"Randi where did Dave go?" Jing Mei asked urgently.
"He stormed off. What happened in that trauma?" Randi asked.
"He got into a pissing contest with Dr. Corday." Jing Mei sighed.
"Really?" Randi asked, suddenly interested.
"Yeah, did he say where he was going? Randi please think." Jing Mei urged her before she could ask any questions.
"He said something about going some place to think. He's off duty, but I got the impression that he wasn't going too far." Randi explained.
"Great! That only leaves about a million places he could be." Jing Mei sighed, exasperated.
"Wait! I was wrong, he said he was going to his place, and for some reason I don't think he meant his apartment. I mean he didn't take his coat or anything." Randi said smiling, "Does that help?" she always loved to solve a mystery.
"Yes, yes it does Randi." Chen said jumping to her feet. "Sign me out."
"Good luck, but he didn't look like he was in the mood for company." Randi commented.
"Good night Randi."
"Good night Dr. Chen."
Jing Mei walked quickly down the hall, toward the wing that led to the research department of the hospital. Most of the building would be deserted at this hour, but she knew that Dave liked to go to the roof of the research building to think. She had found him up there twice before. Once after the fight with Benton and the second time after he was suspended for fighting with a patient's father. Dave had told her he liked it there because no one ever thought to go there, everyone always went to the roof of the main hosptial. Once he joked that the main roof was as crowded as rush hour traffic.
Jing Mei rode the elevator to the roof and hoped that she was right. She was so worried about Dave, she knew that he was on the edge but didn't know how to help him. There was something about Dave, that captured her and she didn't know exactly what it was. But she was sure that she loved him, although she wasn't ready to tell him yet. She wasn't even sure why she loved him, or even when she had started to love him; he was a pain in the ass, he was brash, cocky, self-centered, insensitive, crude, and lazy. But then there was that other side to him, the side he didn't show people, the side he only let her see once in awhile, the side that was compassionate, caring, scared, loving, and vulenerable. Then of course there were the physical attributes, the smile, the hair, the body, the eyes, and the face.
The elevator doors opened and Jing Mei stepped onto the roof. It was a windy night, and Chen wrapped her lab coat around herself; it was suppose to storm tonight. Chen spotted Dave sitting on the far side of the roof, with his legs dangling over the side of the building. For a second she thought she saw him slowly leaning forward, preparing to let go; and she was about to run to save him. Instead she slowly walked up to the slouching figure, and sat down beside him without saying a word. His mean front he had put up to her earlier had all but disappeared, and once again Jing Mei felt herself stumbling into that dark pit he sometimes brought her to.
"You know she was only trying to help." Jing Mei started. Dave nodded.
"Yeah, I know." he answered softly. "I just..." he started, but stopped. He wasn't sure why he had gotten mad at Elizabeth. He probably would have wanted to Jing Mei to know anyway, and Elizabeth was only trying to help him.
"I understand," Jing Mei responded before his silence became awkward. It was getting colder and despite her feelings for him she wanted to end this as quickly as posible. "Are you off?" She asked.
"In 10 minutes." He answered, checking his watch.
"Here, I'll walk you back." She answered, carefully backing away from the edge, then stepping aside to give him ample room to make his desent safely.
They walked over towards the elevator and waited for it to arrive. The stars had just started to come out and the both admired them silently. When the ting of a bell annouced the elevator's arrival they swiveled around to meet it. The elevator was empty, which suited them both just fine. They walked in and Jing Mei pressed the button for the ground floor. She took a deep breath and decided to just tell him.
"Dave, we've known each other a long time, and with all that has happened between us, I just wanted to tell..." Jing Mei was interrupted by the sudden pitch of the elevator as it sped down faster then it should. Then it stopped abruptly. The lights flashed out.
~~~
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