Disclaimer: Borrowed not stolen. Don't sue me, I'm a student and the most you could get out of me is twenty pairs of jeans, a Teletubbie doll and a lava lamp. Yes I actually do have a lava lamp. Well in fact it's a glitter lamp but it's by the original firm who make them, Mathmos. Sorry, went off it there.

A/N: Susan is back! This is a bit of a funny chapter, but I'm trying to keep it rounded by showing how this is effecting everybody. Also Kerry and Susan appear later, so its a bit of a set up chapter. Imagine this happening whilst the chapter 16 and 17 are going on upstairs okay?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ER had calmed down somewhat, at least as far patients were concerned. The press were still milling about as close as the police cordon would allow in the ambulance bay.

Above, the thunk, thunk, of a press helicopter flew back and forth across the clear sky.

It was Autumn and the clear night meant cold breath froze into silvery sheets in the air.

The ER team, doctors and nurses had all worked in a kind of silent shock since Kerry Weaver's announcement. It had stemmed, but not stopped, the rumours about what was going on upstairs.

The lack of traumas had also encouraged gossiping, as the staff performed routine, even boring procedures.

Susan was sitting in curtain one, irrigating and then stitching a finger laceration. The large Hispanic man, whose finger it was, was talking good naturedly about his restaurant.

'-course people like the fancy dishes, French and that and I don't mind making 'em, but personally when I'm at home I like it simple, y'know, good food.'

Susan, lost in her own thoughts, said nothing.

'Er, doc? Doc?'

Susan shook her head and looked at him blankly.

'I'm sorry, am I hurting you?' she asked.

'No, no, you're doing great and I've cut my finger loads so I should know. You seem distracted, is it...is it what all the cops are here for?'

Susan nodded and continued her stitches.

'Something like that,' she said.

'I heard it was some mad gun man, is that right?'

'Yeah, but its all under control.'

She finished the stitches.

'I'll get a nurse to cover it for you,' she said, pulling off her gloves and standing up.

'Hey doc, I'm sorry,' called the man as she walked away.

'What for?'

'The questions. And for the people. I guess people you know are involved. I'm sorry.'

Susan smiled.

'Thanks,' she said.

She dropped off her chart and headed quickly outside, but not before a quick chat with Abby. Abby informed her that Luka had arrived, along with Yosh and Gallant should be on soon too. Chen, Haleh, Jerry and Carter had apparently split to Doc Magoo's and she was going to join them as soon as her shift finished. No-one felt like going home.

Susan watched the swarming jumble of cameras and lights and people caught behind the police cordon.

'Like vultures,' said a voice behind her.

She turned. Carter, a giant jacket over his usual attire, was perched on a bin.

'I thought you went over to Magoo's?' said Susan, walking over to join him.

'I was going to. I don't know. Guess I couldn't face swapping stories of being attacked in your workplace with the others. Chen still can't believe it.'

'Oh yeah! That guy with the gun!' said Susan suddenly remembering, 'I can't believe I didn't remember that! God where is my mind?'

'I don't think anyone's going home this evening,' said Carter, staring ahead.

'No. I know I won't be. Weaver just had to tell Luka and Yosh what's gone on. I do not envy her,' answered Susan.

They stared at the group of feverish journalists and watched the cloud of steam rising above them. Susan shivered. Carter scooched over and wrapped an arm round her. Susan knew Carter was taking this personally. She remembered the phone call she'd received after that day, the day after Lucy died. Stabbed. In a place you thought was safe. She couldn't imagine how he was feeling. Nor Elizabeth. Or even Dr Romano.

'You know I'm actually worried about Dr Romano,' she said, suddenly.

Carter looked sideways at her and raised an eyebrow.

'I'm serious,' she said, 'have you noticed how we haven't heard anything about him yet? And he hasn't come down. He's up there dealing with this. And he was close to Elizabeth. Is. Is close.'

'Yeah I guess,' said Carter.

Susan suddenly saw a familiar face at the corner of the police cordon, talking to a policeman. It was Gallant. He was rummaging in his backpack, looking for his ID.

'Should we go over?' she said.

'Nah, they're letting him through, see?'

Gallant jogged over to him, confusion etched on his face.

'Dr Carter, Dr Lewis, what's happening? The police just said that there was a hostage situation.'

Carter and Susan looked at each other.

'Go straight in and talk to Weaver,' said Carter, 'she's knows the most.'

Gallant nodded, still puzzled and walked inside.

'Poor kid,' said Susan.

'Yeah. And I like him too. He shouldn't be scared so early on. He should be able to feel safe now we've got the metal detectors.' said Carter.

He shook his head.

'Wishful thinking,' he said, with a humourless laugh.

Susan sat for a while in the near dark, feeling the cold seep through her body. We're with you Elizabeth, she thought, I know it may not always seem like we care, but we do. And we're with you.

'Dr Carter, Dr Lewis!?'

They both turned. Gallant was back. His stricken face showed he now new what had happened. He was also on-edge as well.

'What is it Gallant?' asked Carter.

'Dr Weaver wants you back inside now. She's got more news.'

Susan and Carter quickly jumped off their perching places and followed Gallant inside. As the ER was so empty, the staff gathered at the admin desk rather than in the lounge. Kerry Weaver stood in the centre. She was leaning heavily on her crutch.

'Okay everyone listen up! I've got some more news. Good and bad. Like before this stays between us. If I even hear that someone has gone to the press I will personally do painful and inventive things to them with my crutch, understand?'

Everyone nodded in consent. Susan caught Luka's eye and attempted a smile. He smiled back, then focused on Kerry.

'First to address some rumours, no the SAS are not here, the gunman isn't an ex-patient out for revenge nor...is he Dave Mallucci.'

There was a small titter of nervous laughter.

'Good news first. Two of the hostages are out.'

A unanimous sigh or relief escaped from the crowd.

'Thank God,' said Chuny, with feeling.

'Settle down!' called Kerry, 'It's the transplant girl and her mother. So she's getting treatment and I know we'll all be hoping she pulls through.'

Susan sighed and thanked God.

'But, ah, I want you to keep calm but Dr Corday...Elizabeth, has been shot.'

Susan's short-lived relief turned to utter horror. She raised a hand ot her mouth. Abby's eyes filled with tears and Carter inhaled sharply. Everyone suddenly became paralysed.

'God no,' whispered Luka.

'She's alive, but she's shot,' Kerry's voice wavered, 'that's it.'

She began to crutch away and the staff stood in silence before a few mutterings began to emerge. Susan peered at Kerry's back before following.

'Kerry?'

Kerry turned looking irritated.

'What is it Susan?'

'Don't be mad okay, I'm not going to press you for more info, I just want to know how Dr Romano is? Only he's been up there all this time and I was-'

'I believe Robert is fine. I didn't speak to him personally but he seems okay, considering-'

She broke off abruptly, as if she had said something she shouldn't and turned away.

Susan caught her arm.

'Kerry? What is it? Maybe I can help?'

'No,' said Kerry, regaining authority, 'ah...oh, hell, Dr Romano is negotiating with the shooter.'

'He's what!?'

'Just keep it to yourself okay? I don't know why I told you. It was the shooter's request, I don't know, Don-Dr Anspaugh was a bit muddled. Just...keep things together down here will you?'

Susan nodded.

'Sure Chief. Don't worry.'

She watched Kerry crutch away, remembering the contests that used to happen between them. Funny how things change, she thought, who could have imagined I'd ever be comforting her. And Elizabeth being shot. Watch over her Mark, she thought. Watch over her Robert.