Abby slid her shirt on and pulled her hair from the neck of the
shirt. She shivered a little; it was cold in her room. She walked out into
the front room.
"Carter?"
Carter poked his head out of the kitchen. "Yea?" "We're going to be late."
He nodded and walked out, handing her a thermos with coffee in it. "I know." "Mm thank you."
Abby took a sip of the coffee. "Lets go."
He nodded. She handed him her coffee and pulled on her coat, then grabbed her coffee back from him. "Thanks."
He nodded. He walked over to the door and opened it for her. They walked outside, both groaning against the icy cold that hit them as they walked outside. Abby shivered.
Carter slipped his hand in hers and leaned against her, shoulder to shoulder. She smiled at him.
"God I hate going to work on mornings like this. It's still dark out."
Carter chuckled and nodded. "I know."
He kissed her on the temple and spoke against her skin. "I'd much rather stay in bed all day with you."
She grinned. "That would be heaven. We just need to coordinate our schedules."
Carter smiled. "That's the first order of business when we get to the ER."
Abby smiled. ~*~
The morning shift was always dead. They had ten, maybe twelve patients. Carter sat on the admit desk, tossing the toy football in the air. Malik walked by. "Carter!"
Carter tossed it to him. Abby walked by just then, the football hitting her square on the back. "Ow."
Carter suppressed a laugh. He hopped off the desk. "I'm sorry Abby."
She rose an eyebrow at him. "Mmm Hmm."
She smiled wryly at him and walked away. Carter made an 'eek' face at Malik. "It was your fault."
Carter rolled his eyes. "Yea, thanks, I realize that."
Carter walked down the hall, finding Abby re-arranging meds in the supply room. "Hey." "Hey."
She smiled a little at him. "You okay?"
Abby laughed, rolling her eyes. "Carter, it was foam."
He nodded and walked over to her. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She smiled, still arranging the meds. She leaned against him. She closed the cabinet and turned around to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She smiled and kissed him. "We should probably get back to the ER."
He kissed her again. "They're fine."
She smiled, and took her arms from around his neck. "Come on, we'll pick this up later."
She took his hand and pulled him along. He sighed and followed her. ~*~
Abby leaned against the counter. "It's been dead today."
She sighed. Carter walked over to her. "Its only 7 and its too damn freezing outside anyway."
Abby sighed and pushed herself off from the counter. "I'm getting a soda."
She walked over. Carter checked a chart. Only seven patients in the whole ER. "Damn this must be a record for us."
A man walked in the ambulance bay doors. His eyes seemed a little bloodshot and he looked around the ER. Randi gave him the once over and made a face, she walked over to him, the counter between them. "Uh.can I help you sir?"
His head snapped in her direction. "I am looking for the person in charge here."
She nodded. "You're name?" "Just let me talk to the person in charge! Who's the head, or the whatever?!."
She looked at him, confused. "Uh.okay. If you'll just wait in chairs, I'll find him for you. Dr. Carter?" "Yea.I uh.I need to TALK to Doctor.CARTER NOW!" "Whoa, just.just take it easy okay?"
Randi walked over to curtain one where Carter was. "Hey Carter, there's some crazy guy out front, he says he needs to talk to you." "What's his name?" "I don't know, he yelled at me when I asked him."
Carter nodded. He looked from his patient to the chart. "Alright Mrs. Loomis, I'll be back to check on how you're doing in a little bit."
Carter signed the chart and handed it to a nurse. "Start her on a morphine drip."
He slung his stethoscope around his neck and walked out front. "Where is he?" "Over by the desk."
Carter looked over. The man looked familiar, but he couldn't place where he knew him from. He sighed and walked toward the admit desk. He smiled and poked Abby's side on his way by. She smiled at him and shook her head. He grinned and walked over to the desk. "Alright sir, how can I help you?"
It all happened almost like it was in slow motion. The man reached in his jacked and pulled out a black hand gun. He pointed it to Carter's head. Carter immediately dropped the chart in his hand, holding up his hands and backed a step away. People around screamed and ducked down, or stood frozen in fear. "Whoa, sir, there's no need for that. Just.uh.put the gun down." "DON'T talk to me like I'm an idiot! I'll pull this trigger! I swear to God!"
Carter's eyes darted around. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. "Look, why don't you just tell me what you want? We can work something out, okay?" "I want my son back you son of a bitch!"
Carter frowned, confused. "Look, why don't you just put the gun down and we'll talk this out, okay?"
Carter stepped towards him. "BACK OFF!"
Carter stepped back. "Okay, okay."
Behind him, Randi slowly picked up the phone, trying to dial 911. The man snapped his head in her direction and pointed the gun at her. "You put that phone down or I'll blow your pretty little head off."
Randi slowly put the phone down.
Carter, noticing the man wasn't paying attention to him, slowly inched toward him, hoping he could get the gun from him.
The man noticed Carter, and almost on a reflex flung his arm at Carter, hitting him across the face with the side of the gun. He hit him with such force that he flung back, falling over a chair.
Carter groaned, raising his hand to his forehead, feeling blood on his hand. He had a deep gash from where the gun hit him, but that was really the least of his problems.
Security had had only a little time to react. The grabbed Susan, she was the closest to him, and put the gun to her head. "You two put your guns down or I'll shoot her. I swear I'll shoot her."
The security guards slowly lowered their guns to the ground. "Now.kick them over to me. No funny stuff or I'll kill her."
They kicked their guns toward him. "You."
He nodded to Gallant. "You take their handcuffs and cuff them to that pole there. If you even look the wrong way I'll shoot her in the head."
Susan stared at Gallant, terror filled her eyes. Gallant nodded and walked slowly to the security guards. There was nothing he could do. He cuffed each one to the pole against the wall. He stepped aside. "Good."
Susan swallowed, shutting her eyes, praying to God he wouldn't hurt anyone. The man slowly released his grip on her. "Sorry girly. You were the closest."
She backed away from him, running into Abby. Abby clutched her hand, asking her if she was okay with her eyes. Susan nodded slightly.
Abby looked over at Carter, who still sat on the floor, obviously contemplating what to do. She locked eyes with him and shook her head. *Don't be the hero, Carter*
She thought to herself. She looked at Susan and instinctively started towards Carter, but stopped once the man waved his gun in warning at her. She stepped back to Susan, staring at Carter. "alright, look, no one that doesn't have to be will get hurt. Just everybody move to one of these two walls here. Sit against them.so I can keep an eye on all of you.lets move people!!"
Everyone slowly moved towards the two walls. Abby was afraid to cross the room to Carter, for fear he would shoot one of them. She sat against the one wall, facing the wall Carter sat against.
Carter started to get up, to move to the other wall with Abby, to protect her. The man pointed his gun at Carter. "You stay right where you are, pretty boy."
Carter looked up at him, then to Abby. She gave him a worried look.
A muffled noise came from the admit desk. "What was that?!"
No one said anything. "I asked, what the hell was that?!"
Randi sighed. "It's the radio to the ambulances. They are on their way here." "Well get up and tell them not to come." "They'll come anyway." "Well, you better think of something to say to keep them away from here. Get over there!"
Randi stood up and walked behind the desk. "No mentioning any of this, no funny stuff. I won't hesitate to kill you."
Randi started the radio. "Don't bring them to County. Take them to Mercy." "We're five minutes away! We're bringing them in!" "Look, you CAN NOT bring them in, ok?! Take them to Mercy! I mean it!" "What the hell is going on?" "Just do it!!"
Randi clicked off and walked back to the wall. "Happy?" "Very nice."
Randi clenched her jaw and looked away.
The man walked along each line of the few people who were there, counting. Twelve in all. He stopped at Abby. "Well, you're awfully pretty to be in here so early. What's your story? You sick or somethin'?
She glared at him, not saying anything. She looked away. "Aw come on, girly! I don't bite."
He looked her over. "Naw, you're not a patient.you work here, huh?"
Abby still didn't do anything. "Well, I'm gonna need you to do me a favor."
She turned back to him, looking at him in disdain. "Look, I can't have anyone coming in those doors, so I'm gonna need you to lock them all for me."
Abby looked towards the doors and made no effort to move. The man chuckled in frustration. He waved his gun tauntingly in front of her face. "It would not be a good idea to try my patience."
She clenched her teeth and stood up. She walked to the main entrance and locked the doors, searching for anyone who might be out there to help. No one. She walked towards the ambulance bay doors, she was passing Carter. She just wanted to be with him, hear him say everything would be alright. Her hand grazed the back of his neck as she walked by. He looked up at her, wanting to make everything go away. She locked the ambulance bay doors. She walked towards Carter, hoping the man wouldn't say anything. Carter watched her protectively. The man walked over to her and grabbed her arm. "Whoa, whoa, where do you think you're going?"
Abby fought to get her arm away from him, disgusted that he was touching her. "Oo. We've got a feisty one here."
Carter's hands balled into fists. He stood up. "Leave her alone, will you?"
The man looked from Carter to Abby. A slight smile crept across his face. "Oh, I get it. She's your bitch huh?"
Carter clenched his jaw and squeezed his fists tighter. "Just. Leave her alone."
The man let Abby go. "Hey, no need to get all angry about it, doctor.what is it?"
Carter glared at him.
"Carter." "Oh yes, Doctor Carter. And this is?"
He looked at Abby. "What's your name, Nursie? You are a nurse aren't you?"
She glared at him. "Abby." "Abby. Well, Carter, I suggest you take your seat before something unfortunate happens to.Abby."
Abby felt nauseous, just hearing him say her name. She looked at Carter. He nodded slightly to her. She walked back and sunk down next to Susan. "Don't worry, Abby. He'll be fine."
Susan whispered to her. Abby nodded, not taking her eyes off of Carter. Susan reached over and squeezed her hand. "We'll be fine."
Carter looked at the man. "Why don't you just tell me what you want? Let everyone else go home, ok?"
The man chuckled. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
Carter cautiously stepped forward.
The man quickly waved his gun at Carter. "Back off."
Carter stepped back, putting his hands up in a surrender. "Hey, I'm not going to hurt you, ok? Maybe I can help you."
The man shook his head. "Help me like you helped my son?!"
Carter had a confused look on his face. "Your son?" "You don't remember me, do you, Doctor Carter? It was nearly a year ago. I brought my son in. Sammy. He died under your hospital's care. Then you or one of your doctor friends called the cops on me, said I'd been beating him. They took me away. First you take my son, then you take away my life!"
Carter shook his head. "I'm sure we did everything we could for your son." "Oh, I'm sure you did. But you couldn't just leave it at that, could you?!" "Look. I'm sorry if I, or one of my colleagues made a misjudgment about you. It is our duty as doctors to-" "Don't preach to me about your damn duty!"
They were intrerrupted by a banging on the ambulance bay door. Everyone looked over to see a single police officer at the door, peering inside.
The man grabbed Carter. "You!"
He pointed to Susan. "You go over there, and tell that officer that everything is fine."
Carter shook his head. "Nothing she can say will make him go away. In the next twenty minutes every news van within fifteen miles will be here, along with half of the Chicago Police Department.
The man looked from Carter to Susan, to the door. "Well then."
He let go of Carter and motioned for him and Susan to take their seats. Carter sat back against the wall. Gallant leaned over to him, lowering his voice. "Carter you and I can take him."
Carter shook his head. "No. He'll kill at least one of us. We have to be smart about this."
Gallant shook his head. "Carter, come on."
The man walked over to them and kicked Gallant's food. "Something you want to share with the rest of us?"
Gallant looked up at him. "No."
The man nodded. "Then shut up."
He stood up and raised his voice so everyone could hear him. "Okay, everyone! Looks like we will be together for quite a while! So. Make yourselves comfortable. Don't worry. You all stay put and no one will get hurt. Sounds simple, huh? Yea. My name is.well, you can just call me Jim okay?"
He looked around. "Good."
He hoisted himself to sit on the counter. Abby looked from Susan to Carter. Susan squeezed her hand. "Don't worry Abby."
Abby nodded. "Okay."
Carter poked his head out of the kitchen. "Yea?" "We're going to be late."
He nodded and walked out, handing her a thermos with coffee in it. "I know." "Mm thank you."
Abby took a sip of the coffee. "Lets go."
He nodded. She handed him her coffee and pulled on her coat, then grabbed her coffee back from him. "Thanks."
He nodded. He walked over to the door and opened it for her. They walked outside, both groaning against the icy cold that hit them as they walked outside. Abby shivered.
Carter slipped his hand in hers and leaned against her, shoulder to shoulder. She smiled at him.
"God I hate going to work on mornings like this. It's still dark out."
Carter chuckled and nodded. "I know."
He kissed her on the temple and spoke against her skin. "I'd much rather stay in bed all day with you."
She grinned. "That would be heaven. We just need to coordinate our schedules."
Carter smiled. "That's the first order of business when we get to the ER."
Abby smiled. ~*~
The morning shift was always dead. They had ten, maybe twelve patients. Carter sat on the admit desk, tossing the toy football in the air. Malik walked by. "Carter!"
Carter tossed it to him. Abby walked by just then, the football hitting her square on the back. "Ow."
Carter suppressed a laugh. He hopped off the desk. "I'm sorry Abby."
She rose an eyebrow at him. "Mmm Hmm."
She smiled wryly at him and walked away. Carter made an 'eek' face at Malik. "It was your fault."
Carter rolled his eyes. "Yea, thanks, I realize that."
Carter walked down the hall, finding Abby re-arranging meds in the supply room. "Hey." "Hey."
She smiled a little at him. "You okay?"
Abby laughed, rolling her eyes. "Carter, it was foam."
He nodded and walked over to her. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She smiled, still arranging the meds. She leaned against him. She closed the cabinet and turned around to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She smiled and kissed him. "We should probably get back to the ER."
He kissed her again. "They're fine."
She smiled, and took her arms from around his neck. "Come on, we'll pick this up later."
She took his hand and pulled him along. He sighed and followed her. ~*~
Abby leaned against the counter. "It's been dead today."
She sighed. Carter walked over to her. "Its only 7 and its too damn freezing outside anyway."
Abby sighed and pushed herself off from the counter. "I'm getting a soda."
She walked over. Carter checked a chart. Only seven patients in the whole ER. "Damn this must be a record for us."
A man walked in the ambulance bay doors. His eyes seemed a little bloodshot and he looked around the ER. Randi gave him the once over and made a face, she walked over to him, the counter between them. "Uh.can I help you sir?"
His head snapped in her direction. "I am looking for the person in charge here."
She nodded. "You're name?" "Just let me talk to the person in charge! Who's the head, or the whatever?!."
She looked at him, confused. "Uh.okay. If you'll just wait in chairs, I'll find him for you. Dr. Carter?" "Yea.I uh.I need to TALK to Doctor.CARTER NOW!" "Whoa, just.just take it easy okay?"
Randi walked over to curtain one where Carter was. "Hey Carter, there's some crazy guy out front, he says he needs to talk to you." "What's his name?" "I don't know, he yelled at me when I asked him."
Carter nodded. He looked from his patient to the chart. "Alright Mrs. Loomis, I'll be back to check on how you're doing in a little bit."
Carter signed the chart and handed it to a nurse. "Start her on a morphine drip."
He slung his stethoscope around his neck and walked out front. "Where is he?" "Over by the desk."
Carter looked over. The man looked familiar, but he couldn't place where he knew him from. He sighed and walked toward the admit desk. He smiled and poked Abby's side on his way by. She smiled at him and shook her head. He grinned and walked over to the desk. "Alright sir, how can I help you?"
It all happened almost like it was in slow motion. The man reached in his jacked and pulled out a black hand gun. He pointed it to Carter's head. Carter immediately dropped the chart in his hand, holding up his hands and backed a step away. People around screamed and ducked down, or stood frozen in fear. "Whoa, sir, there's no need for that. Just.uh.put the gun down." "DON'T talk to me like I'm an idiot! I'll pull this trigger! I swear to God!"
Carter's eyes darted around. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. "Look, why don't you just tell me what you want? We can work something out, okay?" "I want my son back you son of a bitch!"
Carter frowned, confused. "Look, why don't you just put the gun down and we'll talk this out, okay?"
Carter stepped towards him. "BACK OFF!"
Carter stepped back. "Okay, okay."
Behind him, Randi slowly picked up the phone, trying to dial 911. The man snapped his head in her direction and pointed the gun at her. "You put that phone down or I'll blow your pretty little head off."
Randi slowly put the phone down.
Carter, noticing the man wasn't paying attention to him, slowly inched toward him, hoping he could get the gun from him.
The man noticed Carter, and almost on a reflex flung his arm at Carter, hitting him across the face with the side of the gun. He hit him with such force that he flung back, falling over a chair.
Carter groaned, raising his hand to his forehead, feeling blood on his hand. He had a deep gash from where the gun hit him, but that was really the least of his problems.
Security had had only a little time to react. The grabbed Susan, she was the closest to him, and put the gun to her head. "You two put your guns down or I'll shoot her. I swear I'll shoot her."
The security guards slowly lowered their guns to the ground. "Now.kick them over to me. No funny stuff or I'll kill her."
They kicked their guns toward him. "You."
He nodded to Gallant. "You take their handcuffs and cuff them to that pole there. If you even look the wrong way I'll shoot her in the head."
Susan stared at Gallant, terror filled her eyes. Gallant nodded and walked slowly to the security guards. There was nothing he could do. He cuffed each one to the pole against the wall. He stepped aside. "Good."
Susan swallowed, shutting her eyes, praying to God he wouldn't hurt anyone. The man slowly released his grip on her. "Sorry girly. You were the closest."
She backed away from him, running into Abby. Abby clutched her hand, asking her if she was okay with her eyes. Susan nodded slightly.
Abby looked over at Carter, who still sat on the floor, obviously contemplating what to do. She locked eyes with him and shook her head. *Don't be the hero, Carter*
She thought to herself. She looked at Susan and instinctively started towards Carter, but stopped once the man waved his gun in warning at her. She stepped back to Susan, staring at Carter. "alright, look, no one that doesn't have to be will get hurt. Just everybody move to one of these two walls here. Sit against them.so I can keep an eye on all of you.lets move people!!"
Everyone slowly moved towards the two walls. Abby was afraid to cross the room to Carter, for fear he would shoot one of them. She sat against the one wall, facing the wall Carter sat against.
Carter started to get up, to move to the other wall with Abby, to protect her. The man pointed his gun at Carter. "You stay right where you are, pretty boy."
Carter looked up at him, then to Abby. She gave him a worried look.
A muffled noise came from the admit desk. "What was that?!"
No one said anything. "I asked, what the hell was that?!"
Randi sighed. "It's the radio to the ambulances. They are on their way here." "Well get up and tell them not to come." "They'll come anyway." "Well, you better think of something to say to keep them away from here. Get over there!"
Randi stood up and walked behind the desk. "No mentioning any of this, no funny stuff. I won't hesitate to kill you."
Randi started the radio. "Don't bring them to County. Take them to Mercy." "We're five minutes away! We're bringing them in!" "Look, you CAN NOT bring them in, ok?! Take them to Mercy! I mean it!" "What the hell is going on?" "Just do it!!"
Randi clicked off and walked back to the wall. "Happy?" "Very nice."
Randi clenched her jaw and looked away.
The man walked along each line of the few people who were there, counting. Twelve in all. He stopped at Abby. "Well, you're awfully pretty to be in here so early. What's your story? You sick or somethin'?
She glared at him, not saying anything. She looked away. "Aw come on, girly! I don't bite."
He looked her over. "Naw, you're not a patient.you work here, huh?"
Abby still didn't do anything. "Well, I'm gonna need you to do me a favor."
She turned back to him, looking at him in disdain. "Look, I can't have anyone coming in those doors, so I'm gonna need you to lock them all for me."
Abby looked towards the doors and made no effort to move. The man chuckled in frustration. He waved his gun tauntingly in front of her face. "It would not be a good idea to try my patience."
She clenched her teeth and stood up. She walked to the main entrance and locked the doors, searching for anyone who might be out there to help. No one. She walked towards the ambulance bay doors, she was passing Carter. She just wanted to be with him, hear him say everything would be alright. Her hand grazed the back of his neck as she walked by. He looked up at her, wanting to make everything go away. She locked the ambulance bay doors. She walked towards Carter, hoping the man wouldn't say anything. Carter watched her protectively. The man walked over to her and grabbed her arm. "Whoa, whoa, where do you think you're going?"
Abby fought to get her arm away from him, disgusted that he was touching her. "Oo. We've got a feisty one here."
Carter's hands balled into fists. He stood up. "Leave her alone, will you?"
The man looked from Carter to Abby. A slight smile crept across his face. "Oh, I get it. She's your bitch huh?"
Carter clenched his jaw and squeezed his fists tighter. "Just. Leave her alone."
The man let Abby go. "Hey, no need to get all angry about it, doctor.what is it?"
Carter glared at him.
"Carter." "Oh yes, Doctor Carter. And this is?"
He looked at Abby. "What's your name, Nursie? You are a nurse aren't you?"
She glared at him. "Abby." "Abby. Well, Carter, I suggest you take your seat before something unfortunate happens to.Abby."
Abby felt nauseous, just hearing him say her name. She looked at Carter. He nodded slightly to her. She walked back and sunk down next to Susan. "Don't worry, Abby. He'll be fine."
Susan whispered to her. Abby nodded, not taking her eyes off of Carter. Susan reached over and squeezed her hand. "We'll be fine."
Carter looked at the man. "Why don't you just tell me what you want? Let everyone else go home, ok?"
The man chuckled. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
Carter cautiously stepped forward.
The man quickly waved his gun at Carter. "Back off."
Carter stepped back, putting his hands up in a surrender. "Hey, I'm not going to hurt you, ok? Maybe I can help you."
The man shook his head. "Help me like you helped my son?!"
Carter had a confused look on his face. "Your son?" "You don't remember me, do you, Doctor Carter? It was nearly a year ago. I brought my son in. Sammy. He died under your hospital's care. Then you or one of your doctor friends called the cops on me, said I'd been beating him. They took me away. First you take my son, then you take away my life!"
Carter shook his head. "I'm sure we did everything we could for your son." "Oh, I'm sure you did. But you couldn't just leave it at that, could you?!" "Look. I'm sorry if I, or one of my colleagues made a misjudgment about you. It is our duty as doctors to-" "Don't preach to me about your damn duty!"
They were intrerrupted by a banging on the ambulance bay door. Everyone looked over to see a single police officer at the door, peering inside.
The man grabbed Carter. "You!"
He pointed to Susan. "You go over there, and tell that officer that everything is fine."
Carter shook his head. "Nothing she can say will make him go away. In the next twenty minutes every news van within fifteen miles will be here, along with half of the Chicago Police Department.
The man looked from Carter to Susan, to the door. "Well then."
He let go of Carter and motioned for him and Susan to take their seats. Carter sat back against the wall. Gallant leaned over to him, lowering his voice. "Carter you and I can take him."
Carter shook his head. "No. He'll kill at least one of us. We have to be smart about this."
Gallant shook his head. "Carter, come on."
The man walked over to them and kicked Gallant's food. "Something you want to share with the rest of us?"
Gallant looked up at him. "No."
The man nodded. "Then shut up."
He stood up and raised his voice so everyone could hear him. "Okay, everyone! Looks like we will be together for quite a while! So. Make yourselves comfortable. Don't worry. You all stay put and no one will get hurt. Sounds simple, huh? Yea. My name is.well, you can just call me Jim okay?"
He looked around. "Good."
He hoisted himself to sit on the counter. Abby looked from Susan to Carter. Susan squeezed her hand. "Don't worry Abby."
Abby nodded. "Okay."