Kate ended the call as she leaned against Tony's car. Letting out a sigh, she dialed his cell phone and waited for him to answer.
It's me. Don't let Gibbs know.
Because I don't want to explain anything to him just now. Listen, I need the car keys. I have a doctor's appointment in an hour. She tried to keep her tone even, but she knew he could hear the concern she tried to hold back.
Tony glanced over at their boss. He seemed to be absorbed in paperwork; neat white stacks being shuffled slowly through a complicated process by precise hands. Kate needed him more than the office did right now. I'll be right down. Bye. He stood and locked his weapon in his desk.
Gibbs, I'm going to lunch.
Where's Kate? The man never looked up from his precise layering of forms and reports.
I'm meeting her at the car, we'll be back soon. So the last part is an outright lie,' he thought. It gets us out of the building; we can deal with the fallout later.'
He smiled as he saw her, brown hair drifting in the gentle breeze. Get in, Honey. I'll drive.
Tony, I can drive myself. I don't want Gibbs to be angry with both of us. The protest was only halfhearted. Part of her really wanted him to be with her.
Just get in, tough girl. Let me be here for you, okay? He grinned as she acquiesced, and they headed out of the parking lot. Kate gave him directions and thirty minutes later they pulled up to a red brick building not dissimilar to the one they'd recently left.
He parked the car and Kate turned to Tony. Um, if you'd like to go get lunch, there's a deli just down the street. Take your time and I'll join you when I'm done, okay?
Kate, are you trying to get rid of me? He smiled as he asked the question, but he was worried. She had volunteered nothing during the ride about the reason for the sudden appointment and he had chosen not to pry.
She bit her lip and looked at her entwined fingers in her lap; swallowing and nodding briefly before she spoke. I suppose I should tell you, I just didn't want you to worry. You know that twinge I got Saturday evening in my side? She saw his nod and continued, Well, not only hasn't it gone away, it's worse. Much worse. And while my period still hasn't started, I did start spotting, but something's wrong. So I called the doctor. She kept her eyes down, unable to face him.
Oh, honey, he sighed and reached out to her. You don't have to do this alone. I'll go get lunch if you really want me to, but I'd like to come in and be there as much as I can for you, if you want me. He gently stroked her cheek, wanting to pull her into his arms and hold her close.
Slowly she brought her eyes to meet his, and she leaned into his embrace. I'd like you to come up with me. I'm a little scared; bullet wounds and broken ribs are one thing. I'm a little out of my depth here.
Okay. Let's go, then. He got out and came around the car for her. As they entered the building, he noticed she was favoring her left side and her lips were pressed together as she fought to control the pain.
As they entered the office, Tony noted the letters behind the doctor's name: OB/GYN. He glanced at the woman beside him then at the handful of women seated around him. For a moment he wondered if going to lunch wouldn't have been a better idea; he felt a little awkward being the only male in the room with Kate and four pregnant women.
She checked in with the receptionist, then she and Tony took a seat. They were both sneaking surreptitious glances at the women in various stages of pregnancy, aware of the curious glances directed their way as well. After about ten minutes the oddness of the situation transformed into absurdity as they watched one woman, clearly near her due date, waddle out of the examination area toward the reception desk.
Next week, Kathy. I swear, if this baby doesn't hurry up, I'm going to scream, the woman joked.
Oh, honey, you still have three weeks! Next Monday, 2:30, the receptionist answered.
Three weeks, I know. Why is it they never tell you what you're really getting yourself into before you get pregnant? Both women laughed and the impatient mother-to-be waddled out the door. Tony and Kate watched the entire exchange, trying not to laugh themselves. Before they could say anything, however, the door to the exam area opened again.
Kate Todd?
Kate rose and motioned for Tony to stay put. She followed the nurse to the exam room and answered a handful of questions for the nurse, including the date of her last period and her current complaints. After the nurse left, she changed into the paper gown, as instructed.
A gentle knock on the door alerted Kate to the arrival of Dr. Haines. She smiled as the doctor entered the room.
Hello, Kate. Dr. Lisa Haines was a relatively young woman. She had a pleasant manner and she put her patients at ease, something all of her new mothers enthused about.
Hi, Dr. Haines, Kate replied.
I see you're having some problems. Why don't you tell me exactly what's going on. The doctor's voice was patient and gentle. Kate found herself spilling out everything, including her fear that something was terribly wrong.
Okay, Kate. Just relax. Let's do a pelvic exam and see what's going on. The doctor helped her patient shift around until she was properly positioned and then thoroughly checked her out.
Kate endured the routine discomfort of the exam, until the doctor pressed the area that had been twinging. Kate cried out and arched up. Dr. Haines looked up sharply.
Kate? How painful, on a scale from one to ten. Be honest, it's important.
Horrible, about an eight or a nine at least.
Dr. Haines nodded and told Kate to sit up. Your period is how late?
Three weeks, Kate responded.
Have you done a pregnancy test?
Yes, I've done two at home and had one done here, all negative. Worry was creeping into her voice.
All right. Here's what we're going to do. I want you to go over to Memorial and have a blood test done and an ultrasound. You're going to need to drink a lot of water over the next hour, you need a full bladder for the ultrasound. I'll call over with the orders for both the blood work and the ultrasound. The doctor finished washing up and then turned to Kate.
What's wrong with me? Kate asked, subdued.
Without the blood test I can't say for sure, but I suspect, she emphasized the word, we may be dealing with an ectopic pregnancy.
Kate stared at the doctor, unable to process the words. Ectopic pregnancy; she was sure she'd heard the term, but she didn't know if she understood it fully.
Kate, listen. Go, have the tests done. Try not to worry right now. I should have the results back by four this afternoon. Then I'll know better what I'm dealing with and we can talk about what it is. Do you have someone with you? At her nod, the doctor nodded as well. Good. Do you want me to talk to him or her, too?
Kate shook her head. She'd rather talk to Tony herself; she had an awful feeling he'd be meeting her doctor soon enough.
Okay, get dressed. I'll go call in those orders. And don't forget to drink plenty of water.
