Disclaimer: I do not own Strong Medicine or the characters. They belong to Whoopi Goldberg, and Tammy Ader, and Lifetime TV

The same time across town at the Social Services office

"Marisa?" Mrs. Sable walked in the room with a small bag "I brought you a cheeseburger and some french fries. Come sit at the table and I'll go get you a coke from the vending machine."

Five year old Marisa obediently got up from where she was sitting on the floor and came to the table.

"I'll be right back." Mrs. Sable reached into her purse for change to get a couple of cokes. She left Marisa waiting in the playroom as she walked down the hall towards the vending machine.

The playroom was just a small room for when children, who are being brought into foster care, had to stay at the office for awhile. There were some toys, a TV and VCR with a few movies.

Mrs. Sable thought about the young girl who was in her care for the afternoon. She knew it is not easy losing your mother at any age, but at five years old and not having any other family, she couldn't imagine how bad Marisa must feel.

"Here you go. Do you want me to open the can for you?" she reentered the playroom.

"I want my mommy." the little girl looked up at Mrs. Sable with pleading eyes.

"I know you do honey," she sat down beside Marisa, "but your mom's friend is coming to pick you up in just a little while." She looked for a reaction from Marisa, "Do you remember Dr. Luisa Delgado?" Mrs. Sable took the young girl's hand.

She laid her head down on the table next to the lunch that Mrs. Sable had put in front of her. "Yes," Marisa began to answer slowly, "Dr. Lu used to play with me. She and my mommy are friends."

"That's right," the social worker answered, "Dr. Lu will be here soon."

Marisa silently moved away from the table without eating and returned to where she was sitting on the floor.

Mrs. Sable sighed, wishing she knew how to help the heartbroken little girl.

Around four o'clock that afternoon

"Lana?" Lu came out of her office with a couple of patient files.

Peter looked up from where he was answering the never ending phone calls, "She's running an errand for Dr. J." he was interrupted by the ringing phone before he could say anymore.

Lu nodded, understanding that it was no way of knowing when Lana would be back. Dr. Jackson, the hospital's Chief of Staff, always had something that needed to be done. Lu left the files on the receptionist's desk and went to knock on Andy's office door.

"Come in!" Andy raised her voice as she shuffled papers around on her desk.

"Did you lose something?" Lu smiled, amused at her partner's look of dismay.

"Madison's lab results from this morning," Andy looked up in surprise, "And since when do YOU knock?"

"I don't know," Lu's smile began to fade, "I'm going to go get Marisa and take her home."

Andy stood up and walked to the receptionist's desk with her.

"I'm out of here. Peter, please tell Lana when she gets back. I'll see you guys in the morning." Lu turned towards the front doors.

"Lu, wait," Peter stood up from Lana's position at the desk, "Why don't you take tomorrow off? Spend the day with Marisa, get her settled in."

Lu turned back around and smiled, knowing that Lana had filled him in on what was happening. "I can't, my patients need me." she gave Peter a pointed look.

"Riggs is right, Delgado. We can cover your patients," Andy picked up Lu's purse from the desk, "You forgot this."

"Thanks," Lu smiled wryly as she took her purse, "And thanks for the offer but I need to keep things as normal as possible for Marisa. I may bring her with me in the morning." Lu gave a small wave to her friends, then turned and walked out the RWHC doors.

Twenty minutes later she approached the front desk in the Social Services office. "Excuse me, I'm Dr. Luisa Delgado, I'm here for Marisa Sanchez."

"Of course, Doctor," the young lady behind the desk stood up, "Right this way." she led Lu to the playroom where Marisa and Mrs. Sable were watching a video.

"You must be Dr. Delgado," the social worker stood and crossed the room to shake her hand, "I'm Mrs. Sable."

Lu shook her hand, "Yeah, but it's Lu, call me Lu, no one calls me doctor."

"Hi Dr. Lu." the little girl called softly from where she sat on the couch.

"Marisa, hi sweetheart." Lu gently sat down on the couch beside her.

"I remember you," Marisa looked up to meet Lu's gaze, "You and mommy used to play with me."

Lu smiled and touched the young girl's shoulder, "You're right, we did. And I am so sorry that I have not seen you in a long time."

"Excuse me," Mrs. Sable interrupted, "I will put a few of Marisa's bags here at the door. You can pick up the rest of her things from the house tomorrow or whenever you are ready." she sat two bags down and left to get the other three from her office.

"Are you ready to go sweetie? We can order pizza or Chinese tonight, you can decide which one you want," Lu stood up and went to pick up the bags, "Here honey, can you carry this one? It's not heavy." she handed the smallest of the bags to Marisa.

Several hours later

Marc, Marisa, and Lu finished off the last pieces of the cheese pizza.

"Good choice Marisa, that was really good," Marc flipped the TV on, "What do you like to watch?" he glanced over at the young girl who was sitting very close to his mother.

She shrugged and leaned her head against Lu.

"Marc, I think Marisa's tired. Why don't you work on your homework?" Lu handed his book bag to him.

Marc sighed and pulled out his algebra book.

She reached into one of Marisa's bags, "Here you are, go put these on and brush your teeth," she handed a pair of pajamas and a toothbrush to Marisa, "You can sleep in Marc's room. He can sleep on the couch until we get your room fixed for you."

Marisa nodded as she obediently went to the bathroom to change.

A few minutes later, Lu tucked her into bed and leaned over to give her a hug. "I'll leave the hall light on for you," she sat on the bed for a moment, "And if you need anything or if you get scared, come and get me. My room is right over there." Lu pointed directly across the hall.

"Thank you, Dr. Lu." Marisa hugged her tightly.

"You're welcome, and please call me Lu." she walked to the door.

"Good night, Lu." Marisa yawned.

"Good night, sweetheart." Lu flipped off the lamp and walked across the lighted hall into her own bedroom.