What a day for the elevator to go out, Jordan thinks as she steps out of
the stairwell at the morgue. Now to sneak into her office, nobody would
notice she's an hour late.
"Nice of you to show up" she hears Garrett grumble behind her.
Jordan turns to look at his irate face. "Sorry I got stuck in traffic."
"Yeah right."
"Would you believe bad hair day? ...no huh.... Ok, Woody proposed and I turned him down."
Garrett stood silent for a second and then said softy, "And how do you feel about that?"
"It's good, we talked, I went over after I left here late last night and everything is cool."
Garrett grins and then puts back on his boss's voice "Well, now that you're finally here we have a situation on our hands. The power in half the building including the crypt was accidentally taken out when maintenance tried to fix the light in the hallway." Garrett begins to walk down the hall with Jordan hot on his heals.
Jordan looks confused and says "I thought there was a backup system?"
"There is, but it didn't work. The temperature is supposed to be in the eighties today and to top it off I think it takes a two-thirds vote from the city council to get the heat turned off in this building come springtime."
Adding two and two together Jordan saw it was going to be a busy morning.
"We've set up in Autopsy 1; it's got power." Garrett says as he walks through the exam room door.
Jordan cringes and hustles to her office. Lily stops her half way there.
"Jordan" Lily says as she looks Jordan up and down with a smile on her face.
Self conscientiously Jordan says "Hi Lily...did you need something?"
With a wave of the hand Lily says "No, no nothing, I just wanted to say hi...so...Hi!"
"Oh, Ok... hi" Jordan replies with a little wave.
Lily turns and leaves. Jordan wonders if the morning was already getting to Lily. By the time Jordan steps into Autopsy 1 everyone was busy at work.
Garret yells out "Take the one over there on the left...apparent heart attack."
Jordan takes in the surreal scene of regular and makeshift examination tables all in a row. When she left yesterday they had 12 bodies plus the gunshot victim. It could be worse. It could be July.
"So, what's going on with the power" Jordan asks as she begins to prep.
"Building maintenance should be calling us soon with an update." Garrett says.
As Jordan goes to roll the body over, Bug and Nigel appear on her side. "Let us help you with that" Bug says.
Jordan stands by with a bemused look on her face as they position the body on the makeshift table.
"There you go love, service with a smile." Nigel adds with a bow.
"Thank you, I'll try not to let it go to my head."
A few seconds later a crackled voice comes over the building loud speaker. "Ah, Dr. Macy, this is Charlie downstairs, the maintenance guys say they have to put in a new circuit box. They should have the power up in an hour or two."
Peter takes a look at the overhear speaker and the mass autopsy going on around him and with a chuckle says "I feel like we've just stepped into a scene from M*A*S*H."
"Oh, oh, can I be Donald Sutherland's character..?" Bug laughs.
"Now all we need is the shells exploding around us." Nigel jokes.
Just then Lily steps into door "Jordan your dad's here. I put him in your office."
"Speaking of shelling..." Bug mutters.
"Damn...tell him I'm busy."
"I told him already, but he said he'll wait. Oh by the way I brought you a bottle of water...I'll set it over here; so you don't get dehydrated."
Jordan takes an amused look at the water sitting on the table next to the door and says"...ah, thanks Lily."
Garrett asks "Jordan is everything Ok with your father?"
Nigel cuts in "Hot Lips over there didn't tell her father she was shagging one of Boston PD's finest."
"Nigel!" Jordan warns. "I was getting around to it." she explains to the on lookers.
"He still doesn't like the idea of you to getting serious with a police officer, huh?" Garrett says.
"Something like that." Jordan says not looking up from the body she's working on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Max was pacing the office when Jordan was finally free enough to take a break. It took her 10 minutes just to walk down the hall between everyone wanting to say 'good morning' and asking about her welfare. She must have won the lottery or something.
"Hey Dad," Jordan says with a cheery voice to get Max's attention.
"Jordan, sweetheart." Max says as he smothers his daughter into a bear hug.
This was not quite the reception Jordan was expecting when she found out her father and Woody had 'The Little Talk', but she wasn't going to knock her good fortune.
"So what do I owe this visit too...?" Jordan asks as he finally lets her go. She wasn't really sure she wanted to hear the answer.
"Sweetheart, I'm running a little late so I'm just going to get to the point. The world... is a different place than when your Mother and I were married. Woody's a good man. I think he'll do everything in his power to take good care of you if you get married or not. If you two kids feel you need to get married you've got my whole hearted blessing."
"Gee thanks Dad I'm glad I have your support, but I told Woody I wouldn't marry him; at least not yet."
Max's expression was unreadable. Jordan took it as a good sign.
"Alright then, you still have time to think about it. Just remember Jordan I'm here for you, what ever you decide. I love you and we're in this as a family."
"Thanks Dad." Jordan says totally bemused by the outpouring of love and support she has felt since she walked into the office this morning. Something was up and she couldn't wait to point her finger on it. Who could she get to sing first?
Max's deep voice caught her attention. "Jordan I have to get going, I'm interviewing for a new barmaid today."
"Dad, that's great! The books look that good?"
"Oh, just a part timer, I think maybe you should take a break from the bar for awhile. The environment in there is not the best."
"Dad, you've got to be kidding! You know I like being there with you...What would Sullivan do if he couldn't pinch my butt every Friday night?"
"Jordan my word is final on this." Jordan opened her mouth to argue and Max stopped her "Darling you need to take care of yourself and get more sleep...and maybe start eating regularly." Max looks down at his watch and says "I've really got to go, you take it easy." with a kiss to the top of her head he walks out of the office.
"Something's defiantly going on here." Jordan says to herself as she watches her father shake hands with Bug. "And by the end of the day I'm going to have some answers."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Woody sits at his desk trying to put a dent in the endless pile of paper work there.
His boss steps in the office and adds a new stack to the pile.
"Sir, I thought the department was trying to go paperless? It seems like they just doubled it."
The lieutenant laughs and says "More like tripled it." He turns to leave and then changes his mind and reaches out to close the office door. "Hoyt, I saw Davis earlier, he had just returned from the morgue on the homicide from last night...I just wanted to tell you congratulations. Dr. Cavanaugh may be a royal pain in the ass, but she's a good woman."
Woody sits back, geez news travels fast. "Thanks sir, but she turned my marriage proposal down. We've decided to just take our time."
A slightly shocked look passes briefly over the lieutenant's face and then with a nod he says "I prefer to see my men married before they start a family, but I can understand you two wanting to make sure. Marriage is hard enough in this day and age, and us guys on the force have added challenges, especially when it comes to kids...But keep this in mind; I wont put up with a 'deadbeat dad' in my department...Oh, don't forget we have a briefing in an hour."
As his boss opens the door and leaves; Woody's face voids itself of color and the pen in his limp hand drops to the floor....
"Holy Shit!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If one more person gives her a cheesy smile she'd go mad. The only one that didn't seem to be in on the joke, besides her, was Garrett. And he was still put out by her being late this morning. Some one must have catch wind of Woody proposing, but didn't catch the part about her turning him down. This whole thing smells of Nigel. Jordan anticipates reeling in her prey into her office. "Ah" she says as there's a knock on her door.
Lily sticks her head in the doorway. "Jordan you wanted to see me?"
"Lily, come in" Jordan says with a smile as she walks around her desk. Motioning for them to sit on the sofa Jordan opens the conversation. "So, what's new Lily? We haven't had a chance to sit and talk in a while."
Lily unconscientiously looks at her full clipboard, she didn't have time now either. "No, it's been awhile. How are things going with you?" she says as she leans back.
Jordan says "I'm fine...I wanted to thank you again for beginning me that drink earlier. Lily smiles and tucks her legs up on the sofa.
Ok, let's cut the crap...what the hell is going on around here?" Jordan all but snaps.
Sitting up Lily's eyes go wide and her mouth forms a perfect O. Regrouping she plants a smile on her face and says "I...I don't know what you're talking about...Nothing's going on."
Jordan arches one eyebrow and studies Lily.
Lily can't contain herself and begins to bubble over. "Oh, Jordan I'm just so excited! Just to think a baby, here at the morgue! I'm so happy for the two of you..."
"WHAT?!"
"Oh Jordan I'm so sorry I know you guys probably wanted to make a big announcement, but when Nigel called yesterday...."
"I knew it...that little...." Jordan stands and storms out of the office.
Lily's shout trails her down the hallway. "Jordan slow down you need to take it is easy. All this rage will affect the baby!..."
Jordan slams up and down the corridors throwing open office doors and swearing at every empty room. Upon entering the newly cooled Crypt Jordan sees the focus of her wrath loading the last body into a drawer helped by Dr. Macy.
"Nigel! Would you mind telling me what is going on?"
Garrett looks up at Nigel and then to an incensed Jordan. "What the hell is it now?"
Nigel knew the jig was up. "I'm sorry love I thought it would best if you had a little help around here." he says sheepishly.
"Is that so?" she says as she rounds the table to corner Nigel against the vault.
"Darling, you know I always feel the need to take care of you and now..." Nigel looks at her abdomen.
"When exactly did you get the impression I was pregnant?"
"What? I thought you and Hoyt were just talking about getting engaged?" Garrett asks
Ignoring him Nigel looks at Jordan; "Don't look at me your father came in here yesterday looking for you and gave me the news."
Garrett grabs the bridge of his nose. A migraine was on the way, he knew it.
"That doesn't sound like my father. How did he come to this conclusion?"
"Jordan?" Garrett begins
Nigel cuts him off "I don't know; he came in here demanding to see you in person and started going off about the timing of this blessed event..."
"THERE'S NO.....there's no 'blessed event'" Jordan says as she tries to control her temper.
"Both of you stop this nonsense at once!" Garrett finally breaks in. "Jordan, ARE you pregnant?"
"No, of course not." she says with a shake of the head.
"What exactly did Max say to you Nigel?" Garrett asks.
"Well, I don't remember much after 'what are they thinking' and 'only God plans these things'. After all Jordan, you damn near passed out at my desk yesterday.
"Jordan you passed out?" Garrett asks in a concerned voice.
"I was just a little lightheaded that's all. It was nothing...I hadn't eaten all day and I haven't been sleeping well. I think I may be coming down with the flu."
"Jordan, how long have you been feeling this way?" Garrett says.
"Just a couple of days...I'm fine...I'm just really ticked off." she looks pointedly at Nigel.
Garrett turns her away from Nigel and walks her farther into the room to give them some amount of privacy.
"Jordan, are you sure you're not pregnant?"
"Garrett I can't believe your asking me this." she turns to leave and then asks over her shoulder "Can I take a long lunch today, I need to go this straighten out." She walks out of the room without waiting for an answer.
Once in the hallway Jordan slows her pace as Garrett's words sink into to her head. Her mind begins to swim. Quickening her pace again she runs into her office and grabs her day-timer. Flipping pages madly she begins to count.... she runs out of fingers and begins to panic. It's not like she ever really thought about birth control. Every other relationship she had been in, it had been a fore gone conclusion, but this time, well this time, it never came up.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid...just when things couldn't get more complicated..."
She counts again. Shit. She shouldn't be able to tell yet, right? It was too early.
"Damn, I wish I hadn't slept through that part of med school."
She sinks slowly into her chair and puts her head in her hands. "What now?"
To be continued...
"Nice of you to show up" she hears Garrett grumble behind her.
Jordan turns to look at his irate face. "Sorry I got stuck in traffic."
"Yeah right."
"Would you believe bad hair day? ...no huh.... Ok, Woody proposed and I turned him down."
Garrett stood silent for a second and then said softy, "And how do you feel about that?"
"It's good, we talked, I went over after I left here late last night and everything is cool."
Garrett grins and then puts back on his boss's voice "Well, now that you're finally here we have a situation on our hands. The power in half the building including the crypt was accidentally taken out when maintenance tried to fix the light in the hallway." Garrett begins to walk down the hall with Jordan hot on his heals.
Jordan looks confused and says "I thought there was a backup system?"
"There is, but it didn't work. The temperature is supposed to be in the eighties today and to top it off I think it takes a two-thirds vote from the city council to get the heat turned off in this building come springtime."
Adding two and two together Jordan saw it was going to be a busy morning.
"We've set up in Autopsy 1; it's got power." Garrett says as he walks through the exam room door.
Jordan cringes and hustles to her office. Lily stops her half way there.
"Jordan" Lily says as she looks Jordan up and down with a smile on her face.
Self conscientiously Jordan says "Hi Lily...did you need something?"
With a wave of the hand Lily says "No, no nothing, I just wanted to say hi...so...Hi!"
"Oh, Ok... hi" Jordan replies with a little wave.
Lily turns and leaves. Jordan wonders if the morning was already getting to Lily. By the time Jordan steps into Autopsy 1 everyone was busy at work.
Garret yells out "Take the one over there on the left...apparent heart attack."
Jordan takes in the surreal scene of regular and makeshift examination tables all in a row. When she left yesterday they had 12 bodies plus the gunshot victim. It could be worse. It could be July.
"So, what's going on with the power" Jordan asks as she begins to prep.
"Building maintenance should be calling us soon with an update." Garrett says.
As Jordan goes to roll the body over, Bug and Nigel appear on her side. "Let us help you with that" Bug says.
Jordan stands by with a bemused look on her face as they position the body on the makeshift table.
"There you go love, service with a smile." Nigel adds with a bow.
"Thank you, I'll try not to let it go to my head."
A few seconds later a crackled voice comes over the building loud speaker. "Ah, Dr. Macy, this is Charlie downstairs, the maintenance guys say they have to put in a new circuit box. They should have the power up in an hour or two."
Peter takes a look at the overhear speaker and the mass autopsy going on around him and with a chuckle says "I feel like we've just stepped into a scene from M*A*S*H."
"Oh, oh, can I be Donald Sutherland's character..?" Bug laughs.
"Now all we need is the shells exploding around us." Nigel jokes.
Just then Lily steps into door "Jordan your dad's here. I put him in your office."
"Speaking of shelling..." Bug mutters.
"Damn...tell him I'm busy."
"I told him already, but he said he'll wait. Oh by the way I brought you a bottle of water...I'll set it over here; so you don't get dehydrated."
Jordan takes an amused look at the water sitting on the table next to the door and says"...ah, thanks Lily."
Garrett asks "Jordan is everything Ok with your father?"
Nigel cuts in "Hot Lips over there didn't tell her father she was shagging one of Boston PD's finest."
"Nigel!" Jordan warns. "I was getting around to it." she explains to the on lookers.
"He still doesn't like the idea of you to getting serious with a police officer, huh?" Garrett says.
"Something like that." Jordan says not looking up from the body she's working on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Max was pacing the office when Jordan was finally free enough to take a break. It took her 10 minutes just to walk down the hall between everyone wanting to say 'good morning' and asking about her welfare. She must have won the lottery or something.
"Hey Dad," Jordan says with a cheery voice to get Max's attention.
"Jordan, sweetheart." Max says as he smothers his daughter into a bear hug.
This was not quite the reception Jordan was expecting when she found out her father and Woody had 'The Little Talk', but she wasn't going to knock her good fortune.
"So what do I owe this visit too...?" Jordan asks as he finally lets her go. She wasn't really sure she wanted to hear the answer.
"Sweetheart, I'm running a little late so I'm just going to get to the point. The world... is a different place than when your Mother and I were married. Woody's a good man. I think he'll do everything in his power to take good care of you if you get married or not. If you two kids feel you need to get married you've got my whole hearted blessing."
"Gee thanks Dad I'm glad I have your support, but I told Woody I wouldn't marry him; at least not yet."
Max's expression was unreadable. Jordan took it as a good sign.
"Alright then, you still have time to think about it. Just remember Jordan I'm here for you, what ever you decide. I love you and we're in this as a family."
"Thanks Dad." Jordan says totally bemused by the outpouring of love and support she has felt since she walked into the office this morning. Something was up and she couldn't wait to point her finger on it. Who could she get to sing first?
Max's deep voice caught her attention. "Jordan I have to get going, I'm interviewing for a new barmaid today."
"Dad, that's great! The books look that good?"
"Oh, just a part timer, I think maybe you should take a break from the bar for awhile. The environment in there is not the best."
"Dad, you've got to be kidding! You know I like being there with you...What would Sullivan do if he couldn't pinch my butt every Friday night?"
"Jordan my word is final on this." Jordan opened her mouth to argue and Max stopped her "Darling you need to take care of yourself and get more sleep...and maybe start eating regularly." Max looks down at his watch and says "I've really got to go, you take it easy." with a kiss to the top of her head he walks out of the office.
"Something's defiantly going on here." Jordan says to herself as she watches her father shake hands with Bug. "And by the end of the day I'm going to have some answers."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Woody sits at his desk trying to put a dent in the endless pile of paper work there.
His boss steps in the office and adds a new stack to the pile.
"Sir, I thought the department was trying to go paperless? It seems like they just doubled it."
The lieutenant laughs and says "More like tripled it." He turns to leave and then changes his mind and reaches out to close the office door. "Hoyt, I saw Davis earlier, he had just returned from the morgue on the homicide from last night...I just wanted to tell you congratulations. Dr. Cavanaugh may be a royal pain in the ass, but she's a good woman."
Woody sits back, geez news travels fast. "Thanks sir, but she turned my marriage proposal down. We've decided to just take our time."
A slightly shocked look passes briefly over the lieutenant's face and then with a nod he says "I prefer to see my men married before they start a family, but I can understand you two wanting to make sure. Marriage is hard enough in this day and age, and us guys on the force have added challenges, especially when it comes to kids...But keep this in mind; I wont put up with a 'deadbeat dad' in my department...Oh, don't forget we have a briefing in an hour."
As his boss opens the door and leaves; Woody's face voids itself of color and the pen in his limp hand drops to the floor....
"Holy Shit!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If one more person gives her a cheesy smile she'd go mad. The only one that didn't seem to be in on the joke, besides her, was Garrett. And he was still put out by her being late this morning. Some one must have catch wind of Woody proposing, but didn't catch the part about her turning him down. This whole thing smells of Nigel. Jordan anticipates reeling in her prey into her office. "Ah" she says as there's a knock on her door.
Lily sticks her head in the doorway. "Jordan you wanted to see me?"
"Lily, come in" Jordan says with a smile as she walks around her desk. Motioning for them to sit on the sofa Jordan opens the conversation. "So, what's new Lily? We haven't had a chance to sit and talk in a while."
Lily unconscientiously looks at her full clipboard, she didn't have time now either. "No, it's been awhile. How are things going with you?" she says as she leans back.
Jordan says "I'm fine...I wanted to thank you again for beginning me that drink earlier. Lily smiles and tucks her legs up on the sofa.
Ok, let's cut the crap...what the hell is going on around here?" Jordan all but snaps.
Sitting up Lily's eyes go wide and her mouth forms a perfect O. Regrouping she plants a smile on her face and says "I...I don't know what you're talking about...Nothing's going on."
Jordan arches one eyebrow and studies Lily.
Lily can't contain herself and begins to bubble over. "Oh, Jordan I'm just so excited! Just to think a baby, here at the morgue! I'm so happy for the two of you..."
"WHAT?!"
"Oh Jordan I'm so sorry I know you guys probably wanted to make a big announcement, but when Nigel called yesterday...."
"I knew it...that little...." Jordan stands and storms out of the office.
Lily's shout trails her down the hallway. "Jordan slow down you need to take it is easy. All this rage will affect the baby!..."
Jordan slams up and down the corridors throwing open office doors and swearing at every empty room. Upon entering the newly cooled Crypt Jordan sees the focus of her wrath loading the last body into a drawer helped by Dr. Macy.
"Nigel! Would you mind telling me what is going on?"
Garrett looks up at Nigel and then to an incensed Jordan. "What the hell is it now?"
Nigel knew the jig was up. "I'm sorry love I thought it would best if you had a little help around here." he says sheepishly.
"Is that so?" she says as she rounds the table to corner Nigel against the vault.
"Darling, you know I always feel the need to take care of you and now..." Nigel looks at her abdomen.
"When exactly did you get the impression I was pregnant?"
"What? I thought you and Hoyt were just talking about getting engaged?" Garrett asks
Ignoring him Nigel looks at Jordan; "Don't look at me your father came in here yesterday looking for you and gave me the news."
Garrett grabs the bridge of his nose. A migraine was on the way, he knew it.
"That doesn't sound like my father. How did he come to this conclusion?"
"Jordan?" Garrett begins
Nigel cuts him off "I don't know; he came in here demanding to see you in person and started going off about the timing of this blessed event..."
"THERE'S NO.....there's no 'blessed event'" Jordan says as she tries to control her temper.
"Both of you stop this nonsense at once!" Garrett finally breaks in. "Jordan, ARE you pregnant?"
"No, of course not." she says with a shake of the head.
"What exactly did Max say to you Nigel?" Garrett asks.
"Well, I don't remember much after 'what are they thinking' and 'only God plans these things'. After all Jordan, you damn near passed out at my desk yesterday.
"Jordan you passed out?" Garrett asks in a concerned voice.
"I was just a little lightheaded that's all. It was nothing...I hadn't eaten all day and I haven't been sleeping well. I think I may be coming down with the flu."
"Jordan, how long have you been feeling this way?" Garrett says.
"Just a couple of days...I'm fine...I'm just really ticked off." she looks pointedly at Nigel.
Garrett turns her away from Nigel and walks her farther into the room to give them some amount of privacy.
"Jordan, are you sure you're not pregnant?"
"Garrett I can't believe your asking me this." she turns to leave and then asks over her shoulder "Can I take a long lunch today, I need to go this straighten out." She walks out of the room without waiting for an answer.
Once in the hallway Jordan slows her pace as Garrett's words sink into to her head. Her mind begins to swim. Quickening her pace again she runs into her office and grabs her day-timer. Flipping pages madly she begins to count.... she runs out of fingers and begins to panic. It's not like she ever really thought about birth control. Every other relationship she had been in, it had been a fore gone conclusion, but this time, well this time, it never came up.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid...just when things couldn't get more complicated..."
She counts again. Shit. She shouldn't be able to tell yet, right? It was too early.
"Damn, I wish I hadn't slept through that part of med school."
She sinks slowly into her chair and puts her head in her hands. "What now?"
To be continued...