Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. They belong to Lifetime Television.
Chapter 5: JONAS
Lu shivered in the early morning cold as she stood on the hospital steps, staring out over the fountain that stood in front of the building.
"What are you doing out here without a jacket" Lu jumped at the sudden sound of Lana's voice.
"Just thinking, Lana." Lu replied.
"You can't think with a jacket on? Lu, it's freezing out here."
"Where is he, Lana?" Lu asked, ignoring her friend's comments.
"I don't know, Lu. I'm sure we'll hear something soon." Lana answered. "I know they'll find him."
"What if they don't?" Lu turned to face the receptionist, tears streaming down her cheeks. Lana was silent for a moment as she thought about what she could say to comfort her friend. How could she be encouraging when she herself didn't feel very encouraged at this moment?
"Lu, we need to think positive. We can't give up. I know it's hard, Kid." Lu turned away from Lana and stared off into the distance.
"Sometimes I wonder why Jonas would even want someone like me."
"What in the world do you mean by that?" Lu sighed.
"He could have anyone in the world. Why me?"
"If you're going to start with that two different world thing again, I don't want to hear it." Lana stated firmly. "Lu, can I ask you a question?" Lu nodded.
"Why do you love Jonas?"
"What?" Lu questioned.
"Why do you like Jonas?" Lana asked again.
"I guess because he's caring, kind, fun to be with, handsome, sensitive."
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe he loves you for the same reasons that you love him? He doesn't have a hang up about your income bracket, why do you have a hang up about his?" Lu was silent for a moment as she thought about what Lana had said.
"I don't know, Lana. It's just that..." Lana interrupted. "Girl, can't we continue this inside? It's freezing out here. If you make yourself sick, who is going to care for your patients then?"
"I...I am just so afraid that I am going to lose Jonas like I lost Mickey. I can't go through that again. If Jonas dies..." Lu paused, unable to continue. Lana put her arm around Lu.
"Come on, Kid. Let's go inside." Lu shivered as she walked with Lana into the clinic.
"Sit down while I pour you some coffee. It's only 2:30am. We've still got a long night ahead of us. Things are kind of slow right now, Lu. Maybe you could go to your office and take a nap." Lana suggested. Lu shook her head.
"No, I need to stay awake." Lana handed Lu a cup of coffee, then sat down at her desk. Neither of them spoke for several minutes.
"You know what I was just thinking, Lana?" Lu said, breaking the silence.
"What's that, Lu?" Lana asked.
"I was thinking how lucky I am that someone like Jonas would love me and want to marry me. You were right. It doesn't bother him about my past or my financial situation. He loves me for me."
"That's more like it," Lana said. "He's a very special guy." The phone rang, and Lana quickly answered it. Seconds later she hung up.
"That was..." She started, but stopped when she saw Lu. Lu had her arms folded on the desk, with her head resting on her arms. Lana smiled, realizing right away that the exhausted doctor had fallen asleep. The reception area was totally empty, as it had been a fairly quiet night. Lana hurried down to Lu's office, returning seconds later with a blanket, which she draped over Lu's shoulders.
"Night, Kid. You get some rest. I'll wake you if anyone shows up." Lana was glad that Lu had finally fell asleep, even if it might be only for a short while.
"Please come home, Jonas." Lana whispered. "She needs you." With that, Lana picked up a stack of files and began to file them in the file cabinet.
