A/N: Hey, there! So glad to be back! here it is, the sequel to State of Mind. This picks up right where that left off so you should definately read that first. I started to write this as just a 2 part series and it's develpoed into a 3 part! So, look out for that too. When it's more develpoed, I'll let you know. Ass you know, I don't own anyone. I wish I did, but I don't. Also, all of the opening quotes are Peace of Mind by Nonpoint.
Chapter 18: Assume the Position
"More than just
More than a thorn in my side
More than just
More than our difference aside
I'm choosing sides now"
Susan moved on to take care of a ten-year-old accident victim, Melissa, as Carter worked on her father, Dan. Susan found a Mass on Melissa's back and ordered tests to determine what it was, her suspicions already apparent. Lydia found her and told Susan her sister Chloe was on the phone. Chloe told Susan she was going back into Rehab and explained that Joe had taken her back, so he would take care of little Suzy. Susan was skeptical but accepting. As she talked to Chloe, Haleh brought her Melissa's X-Ray, which showed a tumor on Melissa's back.
Carter took care of Dan who had a large Hematoma on his Trachea which restricted his breathing. Carter seemed hesitant as he attempted to Intubate. Romano joined them and quickly appraiseed the situation, as always. He calmly started to do a Tracheotomy over Carter's objections, and within a minute Romano has Dan breathing again.
"A little less whining, a little more action next time, Dr. Carter." He pointedly told Carter.
Pratt, new doctor to the ER, and Carter worked up Al, a homeless man who had a high fever and chest pains. Pratt remembered Al was a diabetic, and bet Carter 20 that Al's blood sugar was over 400. Al repeatedly asked for Dr. Greene saying, "He'll know what to do." Carter was hesitant to believe Pratt's off-the-cuff diagnosis and ordered Pratt to run a series of tests on Al. Pratt sarcastically asked if Carter wanted him to get Al's bank statements as well. Carter, who had been watching Kerry read Mark's letter, simply told Pratt to take care of Al. Kerry was visibly upset as see read Mark's letter and Abby came up behind her with a chart to get her diagnosis on a patient.
"It arrived while you were at lunch." She explained as Kerry continued to look at the letter.
"And you felt the need to post it on the bulletin board?" She asked trying to hid the trembling in her voice.
"Well, he wrote it to the ER." She replied pointedly. "You want me to take it down?" She asked seeing how upset Kerry was.
"No." She said and she grabbed the chart from Abby and went off to see George. As Luka put a fiberglass cast on a man's leg, Kerry stitched a deep cut on George's hand. George seems mentally challenged, it was also clear that Kerry had to give George stitches in the past. George complained about the length of one of the stitches.
"It's too long-it'll itch." He complained but Kerry insisted it was fine. As George kept prattling on her attention was focused on Romano as he read Mark's letter. Romano remained stoic, but Kerry appeared to be having trouble holding herself together. As Romano walked off, she returned her attention to George, who was pulling at the stitches. Kerry starts berating George, telling him to stop picking at it. "I'm sorry." He told her, but Kerry took out her distress over Mark's death on George.
"I don't care if you're sorry. I don't care if you're stupid. You don't listen. If you don't listen, it'll never heal!" George seemed near tears as Luka stepped in to stop Kerry.
"You should go home." Luka told her sincerely. Kerry apologized, fighting back tears, and went into an empty treatment room where she slammed her crutches to the floor and cried. Kerry couldn't believe he was gone, Mark was gone. They'd always butted heads over everything, no matter how small, but she always valued him and his opinion. But, now, she'd never have that, never again.
"Mimp?" Carter asked confused at the term. Pratt had been telling him about Al's many problems, calling him your basic mimp.
"MMP." Pratt explained. "Multiple medical problems." Pratt suggested turfing Al to medicine, but Carter wanted to keep him in the ER for a while longer. Frank interrupted them to tell Pratt his match letter had arrived. Pratt couldn't help but ask Frank where he matched.
"Filed 'N' for ne're do well." Frank told him and Pratt was horrified to discover he'd matched at County-his last choice. Gallant told Carter that a bunch of the staff were going to the Lava Lounge for drinks. Carter seemed disinterested until Gallant mentioned Abby would be there. He hadn't seen Abby in a while, what with trying to get to Lucy, he missed their talks. Even so he told Gallant he wasn't sure he'd join them.
Chapter 19: PRAT
Preview: PRAT: Person Requiring Adjustment of 'Tude
