##Disclaimer: I do not own any of the ER cast just Ashleigh, DJ, Nancy, Marianna and the idea for the story.

A/N: A.L.S- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(Lou Gehrig's Disease)- a progressive wasting away of certain nerve cells of the brain and the spinal column. It is a debilitating disease that affects movement, swallowing, speaking, breathing, and sometimes vision. There is no cure and the prognosis is death.

This story is dedicated to the memory of one of my favorite actors who passed away from the disease. Michael Zaslow, I miss you.

Any talking being done by Dave is via a talking computer

Part 8

Ashleigh and Haleh left the hospital and headed over to Doc Magoo's, while DJ read to Dave. Some of the hospital staff would periodically peer inside the exam room and couldn't believe that this little 5 year old boy was actually reading Shakespeare and understanding it.

DJ: Poppy, are you getting tired? Do you want me to stop reading?

Dave: No, keep going.

Jing Mei and Carter stopped by to see how Dave was doing and to take some vitals.

Jing Mei: DJ, is Shakespeare one of your favorite authors?

DJ: Yes, but I also like reading books about the Roman gods, too. I guess that's the Italian in me.

Carter: Are you a big pasta eater, too, like Dave?

DJ: You bet, and I can make one heck of a pizza. Poppy taught me the way they do it back in Sicily, a real Sicilian pizza. Maybe I'll teach you guys after poppy gets sprung from here.

Jing Mei: Deal.

Just then Dave started wheezing and struggled a little bit.

Jing- Mei: Carter, check his oxygen!

Carter: His oxygen level is still at 100%.

DJ: It's okay. Poppy just needs his inhaler. I brought one from home.

DJ reached into his pocket and pulled out an Albuterol inhaler, then pulled Dave's oxygen mask down and placed the spout of the inhaler in Dave's mouth. Dave inhaled and DJ pressed down twice releasing two puffs in Dave's mouth. Then Dave seemed to relax and settled back into bed, when DJ replaced the mask over Dave's nose and mouth.

Carter: That was totally amazing. You knew exactly what to do, DJ.

DJ: I should. I do it all the time for him at home.

DJ went back to reading but started to cough slightly.

DJ: My throat's getting dry. I'm going to get a drink of water, poppy.

Dave nodded.

As DJ left the room, several more ER staffers dropped by to check on Dave.

Dave: Well, what do you think of my son?

Abby: Give it a rest, Dave. We know he's your grandson.

Dave got an anger look on his face.

Dave: Ashleigh's been blabbing!

Kerry: She told us. Why didn't you?

Dave: Because it was NONE of your business. Besides, I tried to tell you, Dr. Weaver and you just assumed I was lying.

Kerry: When? I don't remember.

Dave: It was my last day here. I told you I needed this job. I had a kid to support. Then you said that I never mentioned about being a father before. You couldn' t even believe that worthless, useless Dr. Dave Malucci could be a father much less a grandfather, besides I never said he was my biological child- you just assumed it. Instead he's my biological grand.... What difference does it make now. Someone please get my wallet.

Jing-Mei opened up the drawer in the bureau next to the door. She started to walk towards Dave when he signaled her to stop.

Dave: Open it to the pictures.

Jing-Mei: Is this a picture of your son and his wife, DJ's parents. (Jing-Mei starts to show it to the others in the room)

Dave: Yes. Their wedding picture.

Abby: Your son looks like you and DJ. Very nice looking family.

Dave responds with a grim look on his face.

Carter: We know about their deaths, Dave. We're very sorry.

Dave: Thank you but it was a long time ago and I hardly knew him anyway.

Mark: (trying to change the subject)Why didn't you ever bring DJ by the hospital? He's a great kid. You've obviously done a wonderful job with him.

Dave: Thank you.

Carter: Yeah, he's a cute kid. He's intelligent, witty and he has your same demeanor. That may be his only downfall.

Dave: Very funny.

Carter: (laughing) I just get a kick out of the way he calls you poppy.

Dave: (sarcastically)That means alot coming from a grown man who still calls his grandma "Gamma".

Luka: He's got you there, Carter.

A roar of laughter comes from everyone in the room, and then DJ comes running back in.

DJ: Sorry Poppy, I had to make a pitstop, too. Are you ready to get back to the book?

Dave: Sure. DJ, did you bring my music?

DJ: Yes, do you want me to play it?

Dave: Ask the doctors.

DJ: Doctors, can I if I play it real softly?

Kerry: I guess it will be alright as long as it isn't too loud.

DJ: Thanks.

DJ pulled out of his backpack a tape player and audio tape and placed them near Dave's bed. He put the tape in and pushed play while everyone just listened to the music that came out of it.

Jing-Mei: That's classical music. I didn't know Dave was into that. Who is that playing? Mozart? Chopin? Bach?

DJ: That's my poppy!

Everyone said in unison: Dave!!

Dave just nodded and let his head fall to the side.

Carter: He's very good.

DJ: I know. I hope to be half as good as him when I get older.

DJ went back to reading to Dave as the doctors checked his feeding tube, oxygen levels and IV's.

Dave: Does anyone know if Ashleigh went home to get some sleep?

Mark: I think I overheard her and Haleh say that they were going over to Doc Magoo's. I'm off now and am planning to meet Elizabeth over there after her shift. Dave, if you want her, I will tell her when I get there.

Dave: No, that's okay. Let her eat. She needs to get out of the hospital as much as possible or she'll hang around and get on my nerves.

Abby: Well, maybe we should leave the two of you alone so you can get back to your reading.

As the staff started to leave they bid Dave and DJ a goodbye and said they would be back in to check on Dave. Most of their shifts were ending and they agreed to go over to Doc Magoo's, hoping to catch Ashleigh over there and get more details about Dave.

DJ started to read again but he noticed Dave was drifting off into sleep. He removed Dave's glasses and placed them on the table next to his bed. Then he kissed his poppy on the head. DJ continued to read but was close to nodding off himself as he let out a big yawn.

To be continued. Please read and review.