A Friendly Hand
By Didi
Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters. John Wells and his friends do. Let's not get into the debate as to who owns the ideas and all that; cause let's face it, you'll lose. Enjoy the story anyways.
Summary: Oh how easily things get out of hand.
Rating: Switching back to PG-13 but because of the last chapter, I should keep it at R. Hey, if more than two people tell me that I'm overreacting; I change it back to PG-13.
Note: There is some time passage here. Pay real close attention and you may realize just how long it's been. But if you haven't guessed it by the end of the chapter, than it really wasn't that important to begin with. Just know that some time has passed since the last chapter and this one.
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Chapter 11
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"What about breakfast?" Matt asked, looping the tie into the place and tugging it firmly around the starched collar. He grinned at the mirror as the bright yellow and red piece stood out glaringly bright against the light blue button down. Jules had picked it out for him two days before and he hadn't had the heart to tell her how out of place it had looked among his stately blues, burgundy and grays ties chosen for the purpose of presenting a professional air. But in retrospect, he rather like the cheery little piece, reminded him much of the woman that picked it out. Gave him cheery moments throughout the day every time he looked at it. "You should at least have one of those ghastly power bars the nursing staff practically live on, for I know you have a box hidden somewhere around here."
"I don't have time," Jules replied as she hopped on one foot and attempted to insert her other foot into the white soft leather pumps in her hand. "I told Harriet that I would cover this meeting and I'm already ten minutes behind schedule. I'll grab something when I get in."
"No you won't," he predicted with a grin as he caught her around the waist from behind and pulled her into his embrace for a moment to kiss her temple. He rather liked these little intimate moments alone together in her apartment. They hardly ever get an opportunity to see, much less touch, in the hospital. Of course, that could change if they weren't so determined to keep the rest of the hospital staff out of their affairs. So far, it appears to be working nicely. "You'll get there, have your meeting, then start your rounds and forget all about the most important meal of the day."
"I'm hardly a child, I know what I need to do to stay healthy," she replied with a laugh. She was amazingly happy with their relationship. The nightly light bantering after a long day, the massive take-outs in the evening because neither of them have the energy to cook and the big healthy breakfast Slingerland insists on making every morning. "And today, staying healthy means not pissing Harriet off by being late for this meeting." She hugged his arms around her for another moment before pulling away. "I'll give you my keys and you can lock up, okay?" She paused for a moment, staring at her keys. Perhaps it was time to make another set... just to have a spare set around, not to... you know.
"Why don't I take you to work? I'll drop you off in the garage then go home and pick up some clothes for the rest of the week," when she frowned at him, he nodded his head encouragingly. "It's early yet, no one will see us together."
Jules tilted her head, "You know what I just realized?"
"What?" grabbing his coat and handing her hers.
"I've never been to your house. In fact, I don't think you've ever invited me there in the whole time that we've known each other."
Matt paused in straightening his coat collar. "You know, I believe you're right."
She stared at him for a moment, no longer in a hurry to leave. "Why do you think that is?"
He actually considered it, just simply stood there for a moment and thought about the idea. Why hadn't she been to his place yet? Dismissing the nagging whisper that said that he was afraid of the commitment, he forged on ahead. "I guess it's because it never acquired to me to ask." He's never been big on bringing his lovers home with him in the past. But this one was different. He studied her thoughtful face for a moment. "All right then, why don't you pack up a bag and come home with me tonight?"
Her heart lifted fearfully for a moment. "Matt, I didn't say it cause I was angling for an invitation. I was just making an observation."
Shaking his head, "And I didn't invite you cause of some sense guilt or fear that you were angry with me. I asked cause I wanted to," and surprisingly enough, he did. He'd love to see how she would look sitting in his living room, watching old movies, eating overly buttered popcorn and cuddling with him on the sofa as they have done numerous times in her living room. "Come home with me."
Hesitating, Jules shook her head. "No, let's finish out the week here cause I don't have time to pack now. And we'll spend the weekend at your place, okay?"
For a brief moment, he was oddly disappointed. "Of course, you'll pack tonight and we came be there tomorrow night." He pocketed his keys as she double check the thermometer. "Shall we?"
As she left the front door, she turned to him. "If anyone asks..."
"I saw you at the bus stop and gave you a ride out of the goodness of my heart." He repeated with a nod. He grinned at her. "Just lending you a friendly hand right?"
Rolling her eyes, "Last time I lend you a friendly hand at something, look where I ended up." She leaned up and gave him a butterfly salute to his cheek before heading toward the parking. "Not that I'm complaining."
Standing there, feeling rather giddy at that tiny innocent touch of the lips, "Oh, I most assuredly am not."
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"No way! I thought it was all over."
"So did I. Haven't heard anything in that department for some time now but Wanda in Billings said that she saw them together in the garage this morning. He dropped her off, at six in the morning."
"Six?" came the wide-eyed question.
"Yup," nodded knowingly. "And he didn't come in again until nearly quarter to nine for his rounds."
"Oh.... So there were just keeping a low profile for a while."
"Looks like Dr. Slingerland finally learned the word discretion."
Nick Kokoris tried to keep his composure as he filled out the patient's chart in front of him and pretended not to be listening in on the gossiping duel at the nurses' station. Unfortunately, the titillating details of his colleagues' lives were just a little more fascinating than Mr. Charlesworthy's gallstones. Besides which, he needed to catch up on the happening in the hospital during his absence.
Just as his curiosity was about to get the better of him, something bright and cheerful appeared out of the corner of his eyes. Just the person he wanted to see.
"Dr. Keating!" Nick snapped the clipboard closed and dropped it into the large wire basket by the nurses' station for refilling before hurrying to catch up with the young pediatrician as she came into view then disappeared again round the corner. The two nurses both turned and tried to catch a glimpse of their subject.
"Dr. Kokoris," Jules turned and greeted the Greek doctor with her usual dazzling smile. "What's up?"
"You paged me for a consult earlier and I hadn't had time to get back to you until now," he said walking along side her down the long corridor toward the pediatrics' ward.
"Oh yes," picking up on that line of thought. "I heard you were back but wasn't use if you'd be on duty." She peeked at him out of the corner of her eyes, "Heard Letty is extracting some revenge in her own manner."
"If you mean having me place double duty shifts to make up for all the surgeons having to cover for me during my absence, then yes. Dr. Jordan is most assuredly extracting her revenge upon me," he answered disgruntled.
Jules laughed and looked through the stack of charts in her arms. "Well welcome back and feel free to jump right in," handing him a thick chart. "Thirteen year old with a heart murmur. Looks like the aortic flap fixed at birth came open again. Came in complaining of shortness of breath, fainting spells and extreme fatigue. I paged Letty for a consult at one-thirty. Can you make it?"
"One thirty?" he glanced at his watch and did a quick calculation of his schedule. "Yeah, I'll be there." He glanced at the young doctor beside him and how she was already jumping back into another chart. "Why don't we talk about this patient over lunch? I'll buy." The girl looked like she could use a couple of healthy meals.
"Can't," she said regretfully. "I had an emergency case come in this morning, pushed my entire schedule back by at least an hour. I've got patients lined all the way through my lunch break."
"You need to eat, Dr. Keating." He watched as she dropped several of the charts at the nurses' station and headed toward the exam rooms.
"I'll nibble on some stuff later," pushing that door open with her back and hip, she smiled at him. "Thanks for offering though, Dr. Kokoris, see you at one-thirty room P-16."
"I'll be there," Nick replied. "And it's Nick."
She nodded her head. "Okay Nick. See you later," before disappearing into the room.
Shaking his head, Nick headed toward the cafeteria just as an exhausted Dr. Collette made an appearance. "Hello, you look like hell."
"Thanks," she replied dryly as she ran a quick hand through her hair. "I had three Botoxes and consult on a chin job this morning. That woman had more chins on her neck than most CEOs have portfolios." She shook her head and sighed. "I so did not go through four years of medical school, three years of residency and two years of internship for this."
Taking pity on the poor frustrated woman, Nick offered the file in his hand. "I have a kid with a heart problem since birth. Jules and Dr. Jordan want me in as consult. I'll trade you."
"Kid with a heart defect?" she asked, suddenly alert once more. "No thanks. Give me fat ladies with triple chins any day."
Feeling the laugher deep in his chest, he gave into the urge.
Jackie looked at him sideways. "You sound good when you do that. Should think about doing it more often."
"Thanks you," he replied and leaned against the elevator wall it took them to the cafeteria. "Have you heard that latest?"
"On?"
"Dr. Keating and Dr. Slingerland," he really couldn't resist sharing.
Jackie instantaneously perked up. "Oh... share."
"Brought her in this morning at six. Someone in Billings saw them together."
"I knew it!" she stuck a finger at him. "I knew all that cool, professional attitude those two have been enacting toward each other lately had to be an act. No one is that formal with a colleague."
"Hum... the nurses would agree with you."
"Eavesdropping?" amused.
"One hardly has to when they were spoke in plan and concise tones."
She rubbed her hands together in anticipation. "Oh, this is going to be good. I was wondering when the good juicy stuff was going to start up again."
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Matt Slingerland marched down the corridor in a less than merry manner without any regards to the absolute fear he was installing in the hearts of every nurse who had the misfortune of being on staff working under him that day. Pausing briefly at the receptionist desk, he barked out at Anita, "Where the bloody hell is Dr. Keating?!?"
Pointing west, Anita took a quick step back from the counter. "Office."
Swinging around, he glared at the pair of male nurses who had returned from checking on patients and was on their way to return the patients' charts to the nurses' station. Seeing death rays from Slingerland's eyes, they were quick to jump out of his way as he stalked toward Jules Keating's office.
Ignoring the harsh whispers of inquiry behind him, Slingerland opened up the office door without preamble. Jules was sitting behind her desk with Kokoris casually leaning against her chair, looking over her shoulders at papers scattered all over her work space. Both of them looked up as the door opened. Keeping his teeth tightly clinched so as not to yell, "Keating, may I have a moment of your time?"
Glancing down at the startled Dr. Keating, Kokoris slowly straightened his stance. "Is something wrong, Dr. Slingerland?"
"No, no," Matt reassured him with a locked jaw. "Nothing a consultation and discussion with Dr. Keating won't cure."
Uncertain of the circumstances that brought about what looked to be the beginning of a violent outburst, Kokoris chose to stay where he was until told other wise. "I'm afraid Dr. Keating and I are in the middle of a consultation at the moment. Perhaps..."
"It's okay," Jules said putting out a hand to stop Kokoris, since it was apparently making Slingerland only angrier by the minutes. "We're done here anyways."
"Are you sure?" Nick asked, not taking his eyes off of Slingerland who was still standing at the door, gripping the doorknob violently.
"Yeah," came the reassurance as she pushed Kokoris toward the door. "You'll schedule the OR for tomorrow?"
"I'd like to start first thing in the morning. Nine if I can get the OR, ten at the latest. We'll do the final observations this afternoon. Four-thirty?" When she nodded, he smiled. "All right then, I'll page Dr. Jordan for the consult." He replied, as he is nudge toward the doorway. A hint of apprehension for the petite doctor had him hesitating at the door, as she tried to push him gently through it. "Dr. Keating..."
"Jules," she reminded him gently as she continued to urge him out. "And it'll be all right. Don't worry," nodding her head, she shut the door in his concerned face.
Turning about, she glared at Slingerland. "What the hell was that all about?"
Grinning from ear to ear, Slingerland caught her around the waist and kissed her full on the mouth. After several heart stopping moments, he pulled away from a resounding smack. "Mother was right, could have become an actor had I really wanted to be one." Pulling her toward the serpent on the floor, he glanced over his shoulders at her. "What was all that about with Kokoris?"
Staring at him as if he's gone out of his mind, she resisted for a moment when he tried to tug her into his lap on the floor. "That was work. You know, something we do around here. What the hell were you doing?"
"Putting on a good show for the gossiping bystanders," he replied, reaching out with both arms to bring her down into his embrace and settled her comfortably on his thighs. Inhaling the light powdery fragrance that she wore regularly, he hugged her reassuringly, waiting for the reaction.
The words took a moment to register in her mind. "Oh no, don't tell me...."
"Sorry, luv," he replied sympathetically, dropping a kiss on her temple. "But looks like the word is out on the grapevines."
Groaning, she covered her face with her hand and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Oh god, what are they saying?"
"Well," he began, more amused than upset over the whole affair. "There appears to be some sort of controversy or disagreement over the nature of our relationship."
Peeking through spread fingers, "What does that mean?"
"Well, I was in the locker room..."
"What were you doing there?"
"Is that important?" he asked with a shrug. "I had a book in my bags I wanted to get. Anyways, a couple of the male nurses entered. There was an bet of some sort about length in which our relationship would last."
"Oh god," this was worse than she thought.
"Of course, every one of them would have lost by now since they were betting on pathetically short time periods," he replied resting his head on hers. "Two of them were convinced that we were merely having a mild flirtatious interaction."
Jules considered that for a moment. "That's not bad."
"No, it's not. One of them is convinced we are... what was that phrased he used again?" he tilted his head and tried to recall. "Oh yes. He was convinced that we were, and I quote, 'boning each other's brains out,' end quote."
Wincing, she wondered how she was ever supposed to look at any of the male nurses in the face again after that comment.
"The fourth was a romantic," he continued, rubbing her back with his firm soothing hand. "He believed that we were dating. Actual dating with flowers and candies." He grinned with delight at that imagine. "Have I ever brought you floras and sweets?"
Dropping her hands, she glared at him for making light of the situation at hand. "No, but I think the massive amount of Chinese food you bring to my place more than makes up for that." Sighing, she tilted her head and played with the button on his shirt. "What are we going to do?"
"Do?" he asked, covering her hand with his own before she managed to remove a button. It would difficult to explain away. "Anything we do to dissuade the masses that we are not together would only reinforce their belief."
"And that little display just now?"
Slingerland grinned evilly at her. "That was just for fun! Besides, I heard you were spending much too much time with Kokoris."
Jules raised a brow. "Jealous?"
"Of that arrogant Greek Neanderthal? Hardly," he scoffed.
"Really?" she asked, her sly smiled coming into play. "You know the nurses think that he's quite a hunk with a very nicely developed ass."
He glared at her. "What are you doing staring at his rear, might one ask?"
Batting her eyes playfully, "But where else would I look when he is in such proximity? Perhaps those sensually dark eyes that positively ooze sexual prowess?" She placed a finger on his lips, learning their shape by touch. "Or maybe those soft lips that just melts the fluttering heart and create fantasy where he would..." She gasped as he bent her over nearly onto her back, forcing her to cling to him for support.
"Minx," he kissed her firmly on the lips with enough possessiveness to curl her toes. When she finally relaxed in his arms, he reluctantly got up, bringing her slowly to her feet. "I have to get back to my rounds, as should you I might add. Meet me in parking structure after work?"
"When do you get off again?" straightening her clothes out.
"Six. You?"
"Same but I don't expect either one of us out of here before seven," she grinned and got behind her desk one more. "Want me to throw something at you to make your little entrance play out?"
"Sure," pointing at the blue teddy bear. "How about Teddy?"
"How about an otter?" she said holding up the little stuff animal by its tail like a club.
He grinned at the adorable picture she made with the light streaming in from the windows bringing the red highlights in her hair into play. "Sure. How is your aim?"
"Girls softball team, three years in varsity," she boosted getting ready for the throw. "Duck when you open the door."
"See you later luv," he said before he opened the door and ducked just as the otter hit the door just above his head. As impressed by her aim and timing as he was, he did not stick around to see the reaction from the nursing staff. But judging by the slack jawed expressions he managed to catch before getting to the elevators, he would have been hard pressed not to burst into laughter.
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Ignoring the twinge in her stomach, Dr. Keating forced herself to pay attention to the details Dr. Jordan and Dr. Kokoris were firing rapidly at one another regarding their mutual patient. Wishing she had taken the time to nibble on something in the afternoon, Jules hoped that she would get a quick five-minute break to search out a chocolate bar somewhere for energy. Exhaustion and lack of food was making her slightly dizzy.
"We'll start the IV tonight and work it through until morning," Kokoris announced signing the instructions and handing it to a nurse without giving it another thought.
"I'll want to observe," Jordan put in as she glanced at the small delicate patient in the room. "They seem to get younger and younger every year."
"The observation deck is where I assume you'll want to watch from and not over my shoulders," Nick commented as they walked down the corridor together, headed for their next patient, a seven year old with a heart murmur.
"I wouldn't dream of interfering with your brilliance," Letty replied dryly picking up the patient's chart as they passed the nurses' station. "Jules, you said that the father signed the constant for operation but the mother has objections?"
Shaking her head, Jules turned to look at the cardiologist. "Which patient are we talking about?"
"Maggie Keegan?" with a frown. It wasn't like Jules to space out in the middle of a consult. "You all right?"
"Yeah," she replied breezily even thought the sickening heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach was beginning to take more concentration to ignore. "Maggie's got a underdeveloped aortic valve that was never treated properly. She's been in and out of hospitals since birth. Mother is one of nature girls that want everything to be natural. Father wants to save his daughter."
"Are we going to get objections from the mother?" Nick asked as Dr. Jordan handing him the cardiogram read outs.
"No, I think that no matter what, she is more than willing to do what it takes to save her little girl. No matter what kind of lip service she gives to her beliefs."
"Good, the last thing this hospital needs is a scandal involving naturalists," Letty replied.
"Her signs are getting weaker," Nick observed as she flipped through the nursing charts. "We'll have to go in soon. Can we do it in the afternoon?"
"Cutting it close," Letty replied pointing to the next page. "No writing on the allergy section. Someone better find out before we give her anything."
"I'll take care of it." Jules leaned over and looked over Nick's shoulder, than immediately regretted it, as the movement seemed to give her tunnel vision. Grabbing the wall, she stopped for a moment feeling weak and more than dizzy now.
Turning back at her abrupt stop, Nick grabbed her elbow when she swayed just enough to give him alarm. "Dr. Keating?"
"Just little light headed," she replied, blinking her eyes rapidly to push back the darkness that threatened to extinguish her peripheral vision. But even as she said the words, she heard the almost deafening roar of blood rushing in her ears. "Oh crap," she only experienced it once before, senior year of college, but it was not something she was likely to forget. "I think I'm about to faint," just before the darkness overtook her.
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Just moving the plot along.
By Didi
Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters. John Wells and his friends do. Let's not get into the debate as to who owns the ideas and all that; cause let's face it, you'll lose. Enjoy the story anyways.
Summary: Oh how easily things get out of hand.
Rating: Switching back to PG-13 but because of the last chapter, I should keep it at R. Hey, if more than two people tell me that I'm overreacting; I change it back to PG-13.
Note: There is some time passage here. Pay real close attention and you may realize just how long it's been. But if you haven't guessed it by the end of the chapter, than it really wasn't that important to begin with. Just know that some time has passed since the last chapter and this one.
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Chapter 11
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"What about breakfast?" Matt asked, looping the tie into the place and tugging it firmly around the starched collar. He grinned at the mirror as the bright yellow and red piece stood out glaringly bright against the light blue button down. Jules had picked it out for him two days before and he hadn't had the heart to tell her how out of place it had looked among his stately blues, burgundy and grays ties chosen for the purpose of presenting a professional air. But in retrospect, he rather like the cheery little piece, reminded him much of the woman that picked it out. Gave him cheery moments throughout the day every time he looked at it. "You should at least have one of those ghastly power bars the nursing staff practically live on, for I know you have a box hidden somewhere around here."
"I don't have time," Jules replied as she hopped on one foot and attempted to insert her other foot into the white soft leather pumps in her hand. "I told Harriet that I would cover this meeting and I'm already ten minutes behind schedule. I'll grab something when I get in."
"No you won't," he predicted with a grin as he caught her around the waist from behind and pulled her into his embrace for a moment to kiss her temple. He rather liked these little intimate moments alone together in her apartment. They hardly ever get an opportunity to see, much less touch, in the hospital. Of course, that could change if they weren't so determined to keep the rest of the hospital staff out of their affairs. So far, it appears to be working nicely. "You'll get there, have your meeting, then start your rounds and forget all about the most important meal of the day."
"I'm hardly a child, I know what I need to do to stay healthy," she replied with a laugh. She was amazingly happy with their relationship. The nightly light bantering after a long day, the massive take-outs in the evening because neither of them have the energy to cook and the big healthy breakfast Slingerland insists on making every morning. "And today, staying healthy means not pissing Harriet off by being late for this meeting." She hugged his arms around her for another moment before pulling away. "I'll give you my keys and you can lock up, okay?" She paused for a moment, staring at her keys. Perhaps it was time to make another set... just to have a spare set around, not to... you know.
"Why don't I take you to work? I'll drop you off in the garage then go home and pick up some clothes for the rest of the week," when she frowned at him, he nodded his head encouragingly. "It's early yet, no one will see us together."
Jules tilted her head, "You know what I just realized?"
"What?" grabbing his coat and handing her hers.
"I've never been to your house. In fact, I don't think you've ever invited me there in the whole time that we've known each other."
Matt paused in straightening his coat collar. "You know, I believe you're right."
She stared at him for a moment, no longer in a hurry to leave. "Why do you think that is?"
He actually considered it, just simply stood there for a moment and thought about the idea. Why hadn't she been to his place yet? Dismissing the nagging whisper that said that he was afraid of the commitment, he forged on ahead. "I guess it's because it never acquired to me to ask." He's never been big on bringing his lovers home with him in the past. But this one was different. He studied her thoughtful face for a moment. "All right then, why don't you pack up a bag and come home with me tonight?"
Her heart lifted fearfully for a moment. "Matt, I didn't say it cause I was angling for an invitation. I was just making an observation."
Shaking his head, "And I didn't invite you cause of some sense guilt or fear that you were angry with me. I asked cause I wanted to," and surprisingly enough, he did. He'd love to see how she would look sitting in his living room, watching old movies, eating overly buttered popcorn and cuddling with him on the sofa as they have done numerous times in her living room. "Come home with me."
Hesitating, Jules shook her head. "No, let's finish out the week here cause I don't have time to pack now. And we'll spend the weekend at your place, okay?"
For a brief moment, he was oddly disappointed. "Of course, you'll pack tonight and we came be there tomorrow night." He pocketed his keys as she double check the thermometer. "Shall we?"
As she left the front door, she turned to him. "If anyone asks..."
"I saw you at the bus stop and gave you a ride out of the goodness of my heart." He repeated with a nod. He grinned at her. "Just lending you a friendly hand right?"
Rolling her eyes, "Last time I lend you a friendly hand at something, look where I ended up." She leaned up and gave him a butterfly salute to his cheek before heading toward the parking. "Not that I'm complaining."
Standing there, feeling rather giddy at that tiny innocent touch of the lips, "Oh, I most assuredly am not."
*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
"No way! I thought it was all over."
"So did I. Haven't heard anything in that department for some time now but Wanda in Billings said that she saw them together in the garage this morning. He dropped her off, at six in the morning."
"Six?" came the wide-eyed question.
"Yup," nodded knowingly. "And he didn't come in again until nearly quarter to nine for his rounds."
"Oh.... So there were just keeping a low profile for a while."
"Looks like Dr. Slingerland finally learned the word discretion."
Nick Kokoris tried to keep his composure as he filled out the patient's chart in front of him and pretended not to be listening in on the gossiping duel at the nurses' station. Unfortunately, the titillating details of his colleagues' lives were just a little more fascinating than Mr. Charlesworthy's gallstones. Besides which, he needed to catch up on the happening in the hospital during his absence.
Just as his curiosity was about to get the better of him, something bright and cheerful appeared out of the corner of his eyes. Just the person he wanted to see.
"Dr. Keating!" Nick snapped the clipboard closed and dropped it into the large wire basket by the nurses' station for refilling before hurrying to catch up with the young pediatrician as she came into view then disappeared again round the corner. The two nurses both turned and tried to catch a glimpse of their subject.
"Dr. Kokoris," Jules turned and greeted the Greek doctor with her usual dazzling smile. "What's up?"
"You paged me for a consult earlier and I hadn't had time to get back to you until now," he said walking along side her down the long corridor toward the pediatrics' ward.
"Oh yes," picking up on that line of thought. "I heard you were back but wasn't use if you'd be on duty." She peeked at him out of the corner of her eyes, "Heard Letty is extracting some revenge in her own manner."
"If you mean having me place double duty shifts to make up for all the surgeons having to cover for me during my absence, then yes. Dr. Jordan is most assuredly extracting her revenge upon me," he answered disgruntled.
Jules laughed and looked through the stack of charts in her arms. "Well welcome back and feel free to jump right in," handing him a thick chart. "Thirteen year old with a heart murmur. Looks like the aortic flap fixed at birth came open again. Came in complaining of shortness of breath, fainting spells and extreme fatigue. I paged Letty for a consult at one-thirty. Can you make it?"
"One thirty?" he glanced at his watch and did a quick calculation of his schedule. "Yeah, I'll be there." He glanced at the young doctor beside him and how she was already jumping back into another chart. "Why don't we talk about this patient over lunch? I'll buy." The girl looked like she could use a couple of healthy meals.
"Can't," she said regretfully. "I had an emergency case come in this morning, pushed my entire schedule back by at least an hour. I've got patients lined all the way through my lunch break."
"You need to eat, Dr. Keating." He watched as she dropped several of the charts at the nurses' station and headed toward the exam rooms.
"I'll nibble on some stuff later," pushing that door open with her back and hip, she smiled at him. "Thanks for offering though, Dr. Kokoris, see you at one-thirty room P-16."
"I'll be there," Nick replied. "And it's Nick."
She nodded her head. "Okay Nick. See you later," before disappearing into the room.
Shaking his head, Nick headed toward the cafeteria just as an exhausted Dr. Collette made an appearance. "Hello, you look like hell."
"Thanks," she replied dryly as she ran a quick hand through her hair. "I had three Botoxes and consult on a chin job this morning. That woman had more chins on her neck than most CEOs have portfolios." She shook her head and sighed. "I so did not go through four years of medical school, three years of residency and two years of internship for this."
Taking pity on the poor frustrated woman, Nick offered the file in his hand. "I have a kid with a heart problem since birth. Jules and Dr. Jordan want me in as consult. I'll trade you."
"Kid with a heart defect?" she asked, suddenly alert once more. "No thanks. Give me fat ladies with triple chins any day."
Feeling the laugher deep in his chest, he gave into the urge.
Jackie looked at him sideways. "You sound good when you do that. Should think about doing it more often."
"Thanks you," he replied and leaned against the elevator wall it took them to the cafeteria. "Have you heard that latest?"
"On?"
"Dr. Keating and Dr. Slingerland," he really couldn't resist sharing.
Jackie instantaneously perked up. "Oh... share."
"Brought her in this morning at six. Someone in Billings saw them together."
"I knew it!" she stuck a finger at him. "I knew all that cool, professional attitude those two have been enacting toward each other lately had to be an act. No one is that formal with a colleague."
"Hum... the nurses would agree with you."
"Eavesdropping?" amused.
"One hardly has to when they were spoke in plan and concise tones."
She rubbed her hands together in anticipation. "Oh, this is going to be good. I was wondering when the good juicy stuff was going to start up again."
*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Matt Slingerland marched down the corridor in a less than merry manner without any regards to the absolute fear he was installing in the hearts of every nurse who had the misfortune of being on staff working under him that day. Pausing briefly at the receptionist desk, he barked out at Anita, "Where the bloody hell is Dr. Keating?!?"
Pointing west, Anita took a quick step back from the counter. "Office."
Swinging around, he glared at the pair of male nurses who had returned from checking on patients and was on their way to return the patients' charts to the nurses' station. Seeing death rays from Slingerland's eyes, they were quick to jump out of his way as he stalked toward Jules Keating's office.
Ignoring the harsh whispers of inquiry behind him, Slingerland opened up the office door without preamble. Jules was sitting behind her desk with Kokoris casually leaning against her chair, looking over her shoulders at papers scattered all over her work space. Both of them looked up as the door opened. Keeping his teeth tightly clinched so as not to yell, "Keating, may I have a moment of your time?"
Glancing down at the startled Dr. Keating, Kokoris slowly straightened his stance. "Is something wrong, Dr. Slingerland?"
"No, no," Matt reassured him with a locked jaw. "Nothing a consultation and discussion with Dr. Keating won't cure."
Uncertain of the circumstances that brought about what looked to be the beginning of a violent outburst, Kokoris chose to stay where he was until told other wise. "I'm afraid Dr. Keating and I are in the middle of a consultation at the moment. Perhaps..."
"It's okay," Jules said putting out a hand to stop Kokoris, since it was apparently making Slingerland only angrier by the minutes. "We're done here anyways."
"Are you sure?" Nick asked, not taking his eyes off of Slingerland who was still standing at the door, gripping the doorknob violently.
"Yeah," came the reassurance as she pushed Kokoris toward the door. "You'll schedule the OR for tomorrow?"
"I'd like to start first thing in the morning. Nine if I can get the OR, ten at the latest. We'll do the final observations this afternoon. Four-thirty?" When she nodded, he smiled. "All right then, I'll page Dr. Jordan for the consult." He replied, as he is nudge toward the doorway. A hint of apprehension for the petite doctor had him hesitating at the door, as she tried to push him gently through it. "Dr. Keating..."
"Jules," she reminded him gently as she continued to urge him out. "And it'll be all right. Don't worry," nodding her head, she shut the door in his concerned face.
Turning about, she glared at Slingerland. "What the hell was that all about?"
Grinning from ear to ear, Slingerland caught her around the waist and kissed her full on the mouth. After several heart stopping moments, he pulled away from a resounding smack. "Mother was right, could have become an actor had I really wanted to be one." Pulling her toward the serpent on the floor, he glanced over his shoulders at her. "What was all that about with Kokoris?"
Staring at him as if he's gone out of his mind, she resisted for a moment when he tried to tug her into his lap on the floor. "That was work. You know, something we do around here. What the hell were you doing?"
"Putting on a good show for the gossiping bystanders," he replied, reaching out with both arms to bring her down into his embrace and settled her comfortably on his thighs. Inhaling the light powdery fragrance that she wore regularly, he hugged her reassuringly, waiting for the reaction.
The words took a moment to register in her mind. "Oh no, don't tell me...."
"Sorry, luv," he replied sympathetically, dropping a kiss on her temple. "But looks like the word is out on the grapevines."
Groaning, she covered her face with her hand and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Oh god, what are they saying?"
"Well," he began, more amused than upset over the whole affair. "There appears to be some sort of controversy or disagreement over the nature of our relationship."
Peeking through spread fingers, "What does that mean?"
"Well, I was in the locker room..."
"What were you doing there?"
"Is that important?" he asked with a shrug. "I had a book in my bags I wanted to get. Anyways, a couple of the male nurses entered. There was an bet of some sort about length in which our relationship would last."
"Oh god," this was worse than she thought.
"Of course, every one of them would have lost by now since they were betting on pathetically short time periods," he replied resting his head on hers. "Two of them were convinced that we were merely having a mild flirtatious interaction."
Jules considered that for a moment. "That's not bad."
"No, it's not. One of them is convinced we are... what was that phrased he used again?" he tilted his head and tried to recall. "Oh yes. He was convinced that we were, and I quote, 'boning each other's brains out,' end quote."
Wincing, she wondered how she was ever supposed to look at any of the male nurses in the face again after that comment.
"The fourth was a romantic," he continued, rubbing her back with his firm soothing hand. "He believed that we were dating. Actual dating with flowers and candies." He grinned with delight at that imagine. "Have I ever brought you floras and sweets?"
Dropping her hands, she glared at him for making light of the situation at hand. "No, but I think the massive amount of Chinese food you bring to my place more than makes up for that." Sighing, she tilted her head and played with the button on his shirt. "What are we going to do?"
"Do?" he asked, covering her hand with his own before she managed to remove a button. It would difficult to explain away. "Anything we do to dissuade the masses that we are not together would only reinforce their belief."
"And that little display just now?"
Slingerland grinned evilly at her. "That was just for fun! Besides, I heard you were spending much too much time with Kokoris."
Jules raised a brow. "Jealous?"
"Of that arrogant Greek Neanderthal? Hardly," he scoffed.
"Really?" she asked, her sly smiled coming into play. "You know the nurses think that he's quite a hunk with a very nicely developed ass."
He glared at her. "What are you doing staring at his rear, might one ask?"
Batting her eyes playfully, "But where else would I look when he is in such proximity? Perhaps those sensually dark eyes that positively ooze sexual prowess?" She placed a finger on his lips, learning their shape by touch. "Or maybe those soft lips that just melts the fluttering heart and create fantasy where he would..." She gasped as he bent her over nearly onto her back, forcing her to cling to him for support.
"Minx," he kissed her firmly on the lips with enough possessiveness to curl her toes. When she finally relaxed in his arms, he reluctantly got up, bringing her slowly to her feet. "I have to get back to my rounds, as should you I might add. Meet me in parking structure after work?"
"When do you get off again?" straightening her clothes out.
"Six. You?"
"Same but I don't expect either one of us out of here before seven," she grinned and got behind her desk one more. "Want me to throw something at you to make your little entrance play out?"
"Sure," pointing at the blue teddy bear. "How about Teddy?"
"How about an otter?" she said holding up the little stuff animal by its tail like a club.
He grinned at the adorable picture she made with the light streaming in from the windows bringing the red highlights in her hair into play. "Sure. How is your aim?"
"Girls softball team, three years in varsity," she boosted getting ready for the throw. "Duck when you open the door."
"See you later luv," he said before he opened the door and ducked just as the otter hit the door just above his head. As impressed by her aim and timing as he was, he did not stick around to see the reaction from the nursing staff. But judging by the slack jawed expressions he managed to catch before getting to the elevators, he would have been hard pressed not to burst into laughter.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Ignoring the twinge in her stomach, Dr. Keating forced herself to pay attention to the details Dr. Jordan and Dr. Kokoris were firing rapidly at one another regarding their mutual patient. Wishing she had taken the time to nibble on something in the afternoon, Jules hoped that she would get a quick five-minute break to search out a chocolate bar somewhere for energy. Exhaustion and lack of food was making her slightly dizzy.
"We'll start the IV tonight and work it through until morning," Kokoris announced signing the instructions and handing it to a nurse without giving it another thought.
"I'll want to observe," Jordan put in as she glanced at the small delicate patient in the room. "They seem to get younger and younger every year."
"The observation deck is where I assume you'll want to watch from and not over my shoulders," Nick commented as they walked down the corridor together, headed for their next patient, a seven year old with a heart murmur.
"I wouldn't dream of interfering with your brilliance," Letty replied dryly picking up the patient's chart as they passed the nurses' station. "Jules, you said that the father signed the constant for operation but the mother has objections?"
Shaking her head, Jules turned to look at the cardiologist. "Which patient are we talking about?"
"Maggie Keegan?" with a frown. It wasn't like Jules to space out in the middle of a consult. "You all right?"
"Yeah," she replied breezily even thought the sickening heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach was beginning to take more concentration to ignore. "Maggie's got a underdeveloped aortic valve that was never treated properly. She's been in and out of hospitals since birth. Mother is one of nature girls that want everything to be natural. Father wants to save his daughter."
"Are we going to get objections from the mother?" Nick asked as Dr. Jordan handing him the cardiogram read outs.
"No, I think that no matter what, she is more than willing to do what it takes to save her little girl. No matter what kind of lip service she gives to her beliefs."
"Good, the last thing this hospital needs is a scandal involving naturalists," Letty replied.
"Her signs are getting weaker," Nick observed as she flipped through the nursing charts. "We'll have to go in soon. Can we do it in the afternoon?"
"Cutting it close," Letty replied pointing to the next page. "No writing on the allergy section. Someone better find out before we give her anything."
"I'll take care of it." Jules leaned over and looked over Nick's shoulder, than immediately regretted it, as the movement seemed to give her tunnel vision. Grabbing the wall, she stopped for a moment feeling weak and more than dizzy now.
Turning back at her abrupt stop, Nick grabbed her elbow when she swayed just enough to give him alarm. "Dr. Keating?"
"Just little light headed," she replied, blinking her eyes rapidly to push back the darkness that threatened to extinguish her peripheral vision. But even as she said the words, she heard the almost deafening roar of blood rushing in her ears. "Oh crap," she only experienced it once before, senior year of college, but it was not something she was likely to forget. "I think I'm about to faint," just before the darkness overtook her.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Just moving the plot along.