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Elizabeth found Kerry standing in the ambulance bay, surrounded by police and curious onlookers. Shifting Ella to her other hip, she asked, "What's going on, Kerry?"

Weaver shrugged, "I'm not sure. They're saying something about a smallpox outbreak, but they won't let me in. Carter's been asking for you though."

"Yeah, he paged me," Elizabeth said, puzzled, "Apparently it was urgent. Did he say anything to you about what it might be?" Before Kerry could answer, there was a sudden squawk of static from the radio on her hip. Carter's tinny voice came through, ". . . rday. Is she there yet, Dr. Weaver?"

Kerry handed over the radio. Elizabeth took it and spoke into it, "Carter? What is it?"

"It's Dr. Romano," he said, his voice interspersed with static, " . . . chopper on the roof. He's losing blood fast . . ."

Elizabeth felt her blood run cold. Before she had time to think, she handed Ella to Kerry with a bare apology and ran for the doors. She heard the police shouting after her, but Kerry, didn't wasted time and held them back, "Let her go, she's a doctor. She knows the risk."

As she ran in, Elizabeth looked around wildly, her pulse pounding in her ears. The ER was eerily quiet and seemed unnatural. Suddenly, Carter burst out of the trauma room. As he ran over to her, she noticed the white mask covering his face, and she wondered if he had been exposed to the small pox. When he reached her, she demanded, "What in God's name happened, Carter? Where is he?"

"Luka brought him down from the roof," Carter explained, "He said that Dr. Romano was bending over to pick up a chart and when he stood up, the tail rotor of the helicopter severed his arm." He paused, his eyes full of sympathy and pain, "He's hurt badly, Elizabeth. They're doing everything they can, but he . . . he may not make it."

"Oh God . . ."

Elizabeth barely recognized the hoarse croak as her own voice as she bolted mechanically past Carter and ran for the trauma room. She heard him running after her, explaining about paging her as soon as he had heard, but Elizabeth only listened to him with half an ear, her attention focused on the still form on the bed and Luka working frantically.

Robert was deathly pale, spattered with blood. She ran to his side and grabbed his right hand. She shied away from looking at what remained of his left arm, instead focusing on his ashen face.

Luka looked up, seemingly surprised to find her there. He started, "Dr. Corday, what . . ."

Carter interrupted, "She and Dr. Romano are together, Luka."

"Ah," Luka said simply, the simple word full of compassion and understanding. He said to Elizabeth, "You can talk to him."

Her voice breaking, Elizabeth whispered, "I'm here, Robert. I'm here." Her heart leapt up into her throat as Robert's eyes fluttered and he moaned. He opened his eyes, and groaned hoarsely before closing them again, "Ohh, I'm at County . . ."

Elizabeth caressed his cheek, "Robert?"

"Lizzie . . ." he opened his eyes again and focused on her. He whispered, "Lizzie, I'm sorry . . ." He coughed, "I love you . . ."

Elizabeth suddenly knew that he was saying goodbye, and she whispered fiercely, "No, Robert! Don't you dare say that. You are not going to die!" His eyes fluttered closed again and Elizabeth's heart nearly stopped until Luka said, "It's all right, he's just unconscious."

Anspaugh came running into the room and did a double take at the sight of Elizabeth. Recovering, he said, "The replantation team is ready to go. Have we got the arm?" Elizabeth had to look away as Carter held up a plastic bag full of bloody ice. As they wheeled Robert to the elevator, Elizabeth held onto his hand, unwilling to release him until she had to.

Finally, she had to let go and as the doors closed, the adrenaline that had been racing through her system vanished, leaving her feeling weak and drained. Her knees buckled, but before she could hit the floor, a pair of strong arms caught her. She looked up gratefully at Carter as he guided her to a nearby chair.

Suddenly, she remembered, "Ella! I left her outside with Kerry!" Luka nodded, "You stay here, I'll go get her." As he left, Elizabeth asked Carter, "What about the smallpox?"

"It was contained to the suture room. I was exposed," he said, pointing to his mask, "so I'd better get out of here before he brings Ella in."

Elizabeth held out her hand to him and he took it. She said warmly, "Thank you, Carter. For everything you've done."

The corners of the mask twitched upward as he smiled, "Hey, it was no problem, but you're welcome."

He left and Elizabeth sat alone for a moment until Luka came back with Ella. The little girl squealed at seeing her mother and began thrashing to be put down. When Luka complied, she dashed to Elizabeth and clambered up on her lap.

Ella noticed Elizabeth's tears and asked, "Mama sad?"

Elizabeth choked back a sob, "Yes, love."

"Why?"

"There was an accident," she said as gently as she could, "Robert was hurt very badly."

"Wob ok?" Ella asked. Elizabeth hugged her daughter to her as she said, "I don't know, love. I hope so." She wondered how she could reassure the child when she couldn't even reassure herself.

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