Warped Love
Chapter 5
A new day settled on the ER, as three and a half months had past since that searing night leaving with it scars of memory. Today set aside a sight for a new beginning for one. An older man in his mid forties entered the chaos of the department, his hair slicked back from the rain pouring behind the closing doors. His shoes squeaked on the damp floor, reflecting past footprints and treed marks. He folded his wet coat over his left arm while he leaned against the desk on his right elbow. His white jacket was fresh and new to the surroundings, and didn't go unnoticed. The nurses lingered in the halls beginning a new string of tales to roam the halls.
He looked around as if discontent with his new surroundings. His eyes narrowed as he watched a tall thinner doctor stumble with crutches as he worked on suturing a young woman's foot. The scene amused him slightly, only causing the situation to disturb him more. He scanned the stations surrounding the center desk, catching sight of red haired women, she was yelling at a younger man who only seemed amused by the berating. She leaned on a crutch slightly as she pursued here next of pray. He caught her gaze and she seemed to soften as she made her way to him, but his eyes continued to wander around searching for more.
"Hello, Dr. William. I'm Kerry Weaver." They shook hands politely but lacking interest. "I thought that you were coming next week?" Kerry exclaimed while walking behind the desk to dispose of her chart. She watched him confused at his lack of attention, "Dr. William?" pulling him from his thoughts as he watched a younger blonde woman as she walked past him towards where the man he had laughed at earlier was finishing up his task.
His eyes looked away and into the disappointed eyes of Dr. Weaver, "Yes?" he said in a smug tone, acting as a victim of this cruel prank.
Dr. Weaver shuffled from one room to the next exploring the hospital with the new employee. They finished the tour in the lounge. She had expected a better response, but only got silence beyond his glossy insults, said as if it should flatter her. She showed him the ropes and gave him a locker. "Well that concludes the tour. I'll let you get settled, then in about twenty minutes meet me in curtain area one for a staff meeting." She didn't understand the constraints this man was placing around the hospital, but didn't want to waste time asking. Once she had left the lounge she decided to convey the news to the main staff in order for them to recognize the new employee.
Twenty minutes came and went as Mark, Carter, Kerry, Peter, and Luka sat around waiting. Other staff members had come and gone being called to duty. Forty minutes came around when the doctor entered and was unfazed by the angered eyes watching him as he coyly took a seat on the examination bed. He looked around the room and recognized the man leaning on crutches who stood between, Dr. Weaver and a balding man in green scrubs. Beside him was a tall man with deep black hair a white coat concealing a white dress shirt. Next to Dr. weaver stood a tall black man who was looking away towards the middle of the group, he was dressed in blue scrubs and seemed very confident. He looked back into the middle of the group following the gaze, he looked back at the man again who seemed mellow and lost within the small crowd, unknowing that the coat he wore covered up more then he could see or cared to find out.
He was introduced to the surrounding members, but the meeting ended in mere minutes as a trauma rushed through the doors unannounced. Carter lagged behind, after being refused his services since his shift had ended when the meeting was meant to begin. Dr. William walked passed Carter nearly knocking him over clearing the room, he hadn't offered up his services, but decided to return to the admit desk to try to find a manageable way to work in his new environment.
Carter lingered in the room already agitated by the new member of the world he knew, more change to grow accustom too. He peered through the window and caught site of Lucy sitting beside a child crying as the needle was presented, he watched the child close her eyes and calm down as Lucy comforted and played with her. He opened the door to leave the room, he looked at the admit desk and looked at Dr. Williams looking off at Carter's past source. Jealousy and fear consumed him as he made his way towards Lucy, protecting her from the gaze that wasn't lifted from afar.
Maybe he was overreacting, but he wasn't going to test it. "Hey, Carter." Lucy said with a smile seeing him beside her. "So how's the new guy? Honestly he kind of gives me the creeps." Lucy shuddered showing her point. Carter couldn't help but laugh at her movement causing him to relax. They walked together to the lounge. Lucy was on for twenty more minutes and Carter said that he would be around if she would like a lift home, saying that he had charts to review. Lucy's smile was continuous, as she knew he was lying, but played along. "Ok, I'll be back in eighteen and a half minutes" she said looking at her watch. He watched her leave the room as he sat down as the table, realizing he didn't have any charts in his hands, He smiled knowing how obvious he must seem. He decided to sit and relax while waiting for Lucy to finish her shift.
Time drifted by uneventfully for Carter as he sat alone in the lounge with random visitors going in and out. Dr. Williams walked in and extracted his belongings from his locker, Carter relaxed more as he decided to try talking to this man. "Hey, Dr. Williams. So, what do you think about our little old ER?" he said jokingly as he sat up slightly in his seat. "Well," He began, arrogance dripping from his single word. "It's not what I had expected, I mean really how can anyone work with such inadequate" He paused looking Carter over "equipment." Carter knew was he was thinking, but declined to erg to take offense as he looked down on this man so unwilling to see beyond the skin.
Just as Dr. Williams was about to continue his cursing on the ER a familiar voice could be heard as the door to the lounge opened revealing her. "…seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, ok I'm off," Lucy said as she lifted her head for the first time noticing an unexpected spectator. "Hello," she greeted him politely, but after no response was offered made her way to her locker. "So, you ready to go Carter?" Carter stood up and stretched his back while acquiring his things he had previously laid on the table. He moved over and help Lucy put on her coat. Dr. Williams stood watching as the two laughed slightly at nothing. Lucy took the lead again opening the door "Goodnight" Lucy said disappearing behind the door Carter followed her lead "Goodnight, Dr. Williams." He offered, but still no response came. The door closed and Dr. Williams was left alone. He walked over to the door only seconds later and began his journey away from the ER.
Lucy and Carter laughed and played as they walked to the car awaiting them. The ride was full of comfort and laughs and as always it ended with a simple, but meaningful hug. Carter watched as Lucy walked up the steps and smiled as she looked back at him and waved like the princess she was. He drove himself home losing sight of the comfort he felt earlier, now stuck on the weird actions of the man he had met that day. He couldn't help but laugh at how naive and condescending he was. He entered his apartment and realized that he was over thinking everything, but he felt he had that right after all he had been through. He went to bed laughing at how paranoid he was, but still the laughter didn't hide a feeling threatening to consume him. His thoughts turned to Lucy and what could have been prevented, he had to protect her, prevent anything causing her harm. He drifted into a gentle sleep as he thought of Lucy and her genuine smile and how she made him feel. The turmoil was lifted and he was at peace with her thought in his mind, slowly realizing that these feelings could mean bigger feelings, only making Carter that much happier.
Note- Update this weekend, hope that you all enjoyed this chapter. Thank you all for the great reviews. Have a great week, until next time, think of snow.