Return A Stranger
Ch. 3 – Self Expression
Disclaimer- You know what goes here. I own nothing.

Mykalla walked into the ER two days later for the second round of her observation. This time Joelianne Millar joined her for the afternoon. Being the first week of classes the teachers were being especially easy on them, only assigning four chapters to read and study a night instead of the usually six to eight. Mykalla and Joelianne had found a common ground the day before, discussing their home areas before class. Joelianne had been a graduate of Drexel University's Pre Med program and was originally from Pennsylvania. They decided to try to do their observation rounds together in attempts to get them done quicker and be able to discuss them equally.

When they walked into the lounge to deposit their backpacks, they came across Carter and Abby sitting on the couch kissing. Mykalla cleared her throat to announce their presence, causing the couple to break apart. Both tried to make themselves presentable, and separated quickly. "Mike, sorry I had to run off the other night," said Abby trying to change the attention away from her and Carter's previous events. "They got slammed here and needed me to come in. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. I know how this works, one day I'll be living this mess," replied Mykalla. "Oh yeah, this is Joelianne Millar," she said introducing her classmate. "Joelianne, that's Dr. Carter and Dr. Lockhart. Carter is an attending, and Abby's an intern. Well, we better start those observation rounds. Anything good out there?"

"Last I saw a few cases of a stomach bug that has been going around. A few leftovers from a stadium fight," replied Carter. "Nothing that interesting. Nice and quiet for you guys."

"Great," said Mykalla. "Quite is good for the actual rounds. We want something good for observations."

"You'll learn to appreciate the quiet days," he replied. "But maybe if you're lucky you'll get a nice MVC or something weird. You know how it can get around here."

"A circus," said Mykalla, Joelianne, and Abby at the same time.


Two hours later, Mykalla and Joelianne exited the trauma room and headed back to the lounge to collect their things. "I hope you don't mind that I'm not heading home with you," said Mykalla throwing the strap of her bag over her shoulder. "I want to pick Ella up from school since I'm actually out in time to do so."

"It's no problem at all," replied Joelianne. They exited the hospital and stood at the bottom of the stairs to the El. "It's not that far to go anyways. Go get Ella. I'll see you in class tomorrow morning. Bright and early."

"Please don't remind me," replied Mykalla. "See you tomorrow." With that she headed up the stairs to the EL tracks as Joelianne walked down the block. The train ride to her stop was relatively short, and she exited the train and headed to two blocks to Ella's school. Ray was already waiting outside the school waiting for the bell to ring and let the children come scampering out. "Ray, you can go home if you want," she said coming up behind him. "I got it from here."

"Hey Mykalla," he said turning to face her. "I thought you asked me to pick her up?"

"Yeah I did," she replied. "But I got out of class early, and figured I should pick Ella up since I was out. I won't get to do this that often once things start to pick up more."

"Yeah I guess," he said, with a small hint of disappointment in his voice. "Do you still need me to pick her up tomorrow?"

"If you could. I know I'm not getting out of that class early. I'll be home early enough for you to have a life tomorrow night, I promise," she said with a small smile. "I never did thank you for watching Ella Monday night when Abby had to jet out of there. That was amazing, Ray. Thank you."

"It was nothing," he answered returning the smile to her. "She's an easy one to watch. I'll watch her any day if I never have to baby-sit Alex and Andrew again. Those two are terrors together."

"I can imagine. Now, didn't you say something about rehearsal tonight with the band or something?"

"Yeah," he replied checking his watch quickly. "We have a gig Friday night, which we need to finish practicing for. You should come, Mike. I'm sure Abby and Carter would love to watch Ella so you can enjoy yourself."

"I'd hate to rely on everyone more than I already do," she replied. Ray was looking at her with a pout on his face, trying to guilt her into giving in. Just then the bell rang and a crowd of children rushed out of the school towards the various cars and buses parked outside. Ella ran up to the two standing there and jumped up into Mykalla's arms. "You ready to go home, squirt?"

Ella responded with a nod and a toothy grin. "I thought Raymond was going to take me home today," she pleaded.

"I got out of class early, so I figured I would surprise you."

"Oh," replied Ella. "You mean he can't come over and play?"

"Tell you what kid," interjected Ray before Mykalla could answer. "I'll come over and play with you if your Aunt Mykalla agrees to come to my show on Friday night."

Now both Ella and Ray had a pleading pout on their faces directed at Mike. "Fine, I hate those looks. Fine put me down for two people. I'll bring Joelianne along."


Friday night rolled around far too quickly for Mykalla's liking. She hated to have to drop Ella off somewhere after her first week of school, but a promise was a promise. She was already dressed in jeans and a not too tight, but tight enough shirt. She had been to Self Expression since she had left Chicago five years earlier, and wasn't sure how much it had changed over the years. She was putting hair up in a half pony tail, when there was a knock on the front door. She got there just in time to intercept Ella from ripping it open. Mykalla peered through the look out and opened the door to let Joelianne in. "I'm almost ready," she led leading Joelianne into the living room. "Let me just put a touch of make-up on and then we're all set. I have to drop Ella off at Sam's and then we're all set."

"Take your time," replied Joelianne sitting down on the couch. "Ella and I are going to keep watching The Incredibles until you're ready." Five minutes later they were out the door and headed towards the Kovac apartment to drop off Ella.

By the time Mike and Joelianne got to Self Expression there already was a line to get in the door. Being on the band guest list, they jumped right to the front and were let in immediately. Average Jo's hadn't gone on yet, so they found a small table down near the open floor to sit and wait. The first two bands weren't that bad in Mykalla's opinion, and by the time it was Average Jo's turn to go on the club had filled up pretty well. Mike and Joelianne gave up their table to go up front as close to the stage as they possibly could.

They were still finished setting up the drum set when Mykalla felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to come face to face with Marissa Anderson. Both girls squealed in excitement and hugged each other. "When did you get back here," asked Rissa. "And why didn't you call us?"

"I just moved back a few weeks ago for Med School," replied Mykalla. "And I've been so busy getting unpacked and settled and everything that I have hardly had a spare moment. How's everything going?"

"Pretty well Marc and I are engaged," she answered with a big smile. "We're getting married in the spring."

"That's great!"

"Rob is in Georgia playing minor league ball. He got picked up by the Dodger in one of their farm teams. Amanda is a bitch still as usual. AJ went to school in Washington and is out in Seattle right now, and Jeff and Tish are just hanging around here. They're actually at a table in the back with Marc," she said pointed off into the corner. "I told them I though this was you so I came to figure it out."

"I'll have to stop by after the show," she said peering over to where Rissa had pointed. "I just want to make sure I talk to Ray when his set is done. I'll be over there in a bit."

"You better be," replied Rissa giving her a hug. "Otherwise we'll wait for you outside. And it won't be pretty," she joked.

To Be Continued
Note: I don't know the name of Ray's band on the show. So I just used the name of Shane West's real band.