Author's Notes: Standard disclaimers apply, in case I forgot to put that already. I own almost nothing – except Louisa (who is Sam's second child, born 2 years before this story begins). Enjoy!
Secrets and Lies – Chapter Three
Susan wandered slowly back to the admit desk, eyes glazed, unable to focus.
"Sam,"
The nurse turned slowly, swivelling awkwardly on the chair due to her increasing size. She went to get up, but Susan raised a hand to stop her.
"Do you still have that number for Neela?"
Sam nodded slowly, her eyes heavy and tired, reflecting what Susan suspected lay in her own.
"It's in my cell,"
She answered quietly.
"Why?"
Susan sighed, and braced herself against the admit desk, her body completely drained, legs unable to support her any more. Sam placed a supportive hand on her shoulder.
"Abby doesn't have long left, Sam,"
Her voice faltered, and tears began to fall softly down her cheeks. Sam's hand moved in rhythmic circles on her back, in a soothing motion similar to that she would use to comfort Alex or Louisa were they upset.
"Is it that bad?"
Sam tried to sound as if the new had come as a surprise, and failed. Susan swallowed hard before answering, the truth forming a lump in her throat.
"Without a donor, she's got hours left,"
The nurse nodded slowly, contemplating her next question very carefully.
"Did she…Do you think it's a good idea? To call Neela, I mean,"
Susan turned her head, met damp eyes with damp eyes, and answered in a mere whisper.
"She asked me to,"
Sam's eyes widened in a form of disbelief, but then who were they to deny a friend and colleagues dying wishes? Susan nodded knowingly, acknowledging the disbelief.
"Is she conscious?"
"For now,"
Susan replied, as flatly as possible.
"My cells in my coat pocket in the lounge. Do you want me to get it?"
Sam again went to stand, but Susan stilled her with a hand on her arm.
"Do you mind if I…? I'd like to do this,"
Sam shook her head. Susan needed to do this, she could sense. She needed to do the one last thing her friend asked of her. The attending receded towards the lounge. At the very last minute a thought struck her, and she turned back to face Sam.
"Sam, can you call Mercy for me, find out if Dr Barnett still works there?"
"She wants him?"
Sam remarked bitterly, her tone hard on the word "him". She couldn't hide her distaste for their former colleague. Susan simply shrugged. She couldn't explain it either, but for whatever reason it was what Abby wanted.
"Sam…"
Susan warned darkly, retreating into the lounge. Sam simply sighed, confused by what the logic was, turned back to the desk and began hunting for Mercy's number.