It was the usual cold, snowy Chicago morning, in the midst of January, as a Jenna quickly walked down the icy streets. She could see County General ahead, but was still wondering around trying to find the entrance to the ER. Her brown hair fell over her shoulders, waving in the wind, as she pulled her side bag closer to her, checking once again that the letter was still inside.
Meanwhile, Dr. John Carter and a co-worker Dr. Weaver were outside at the coffee stand.
"John, are you sure you can pull the double today? Pratt called in again with some excuse why he can't come in" Kerry grumbled.
"Yeah, sure Kerry no problem" John replied as he paid the coffee vender, "So Pratt called in again not being able to work? This is the third time this week, what is up with him?"
Kerry rolled her eyes, "who knows, if he keeps it up, he's fired. I can't afford to be short staffed anymore."
"Excuse me, can you tell me where I can find the entrance to the ER?" Jenna asked, as she approached John and Kerry.
"Yeah, if you just keep walking strait, and walk down those steps, you can't miss it." Kerry replied
"Thanks" Jenna replied as she started walking, but nearly toppled over.
"Whoa, you alright there?" John asked, catching Jenna before she fell.
"Yeah, fine, just been, well really dizzy lately, have had this fever forever. I'm alright though, thanks."
"Are you sure? Want us to walk you to the ER? We…" John started but was quickly cut off.
"No, thanks, but I'm fine, just a dizzy spell, I'm sure once I'm inside and sitting down I'll be fine." Jenna said.
"Alright, but when you talk to admit. Tell them Dr. Weaver, saw you outside, and told them to get you to see a doctor ASAP." Kerry said.
Jenna nodded as she walked off, John watching her closely as she started down the stairs. Jenna stopped for a moment, another dizzy spell came, she tried to keep her balance but could feel her body begin collapse, falling down the icy stairs.
"Shit, Kerry, that girl just collapsed" John yelled, dropping his coffee and running towards Jenna.
"Watch out" John yelled, running to the small crowed that had already formed around Jenna, and kneeling down beside her unconscious body. Quickly checking her pulse, as Kerry came running beside him.
"Should someone get a doctor?" Someone from the crowd asked.
"No, its fine, we're doctors" Kerry shouted, "Get back".
"Miss, miss, can you hear me? I'm Doctor Weaver I'm going to take care of you alright?" Kerry exclaimed brushing hair out of her face and gently feeling her forehead. "She's burning up."
"Heart rate is racing, Kerry, we need to get her inside" He exclaimed scooping her up in his arms, as he swiftly walked towards the ER. "Get her bag Kerry" he yelled back. Kerry grabbed up her bag, and ran towards them.
"We need a gurney over here" Kerry yelled running in opening the security doors.
"Who's the kid" Sam asked as she and Abby came up to Carter and Kerry with a gurney.
"Don't know, she was outside, nearly collapsed when she was asking us directions to the ER then she fainted and fell down the stairs outside of the entrance." Carter exclaimed
"Kovach, what's open?" Kerry yelled throwing her coat to him.
"Exam room three" He replied.
"Alright lets get a CBC, Chem. 7 and get a saline drip going" Carter yelled.
"Temp's 108." Sam exclaimed "I've never seen anyone with a temp that high!"
"And you won't see her very long if we don't get her temp down" Kerry mumbled.
Jenna groggily started coming to, she could see the blurry commotion above her, but couldn't make out what was going on. She could hear someone, yell something about her hear rate and another yelling back to them. She jerked up, pulling her hand away as she felt a large stab.
"Hey, it's alright, we're just going to put an IV in, to help get your fever down." Sam said, smiling "Carter she's coming to.
Carter leaned over slightly "I'm Dr. Carter, I was talking to you outside. Can you tell me you're name?"
"Jenna" She replied softly "What's going….going on? Am I in the hospital? I don't remember walking in."
"You collapsed outside on the stairs, Dr. Weaver and I brought you in." John explained. "How long have you been sick?"
"I, I don't know. I've …." Jenna trailed off.
"Hey, Jenna, you've got to try to stay awake for us Hun" Kerry, said "Abby, get a blood culture."
"My head….I feel really dizzy." Jenna exclaimed, trying to make sense of what was going on around her.
"Yeah, you have a high fever and hit your head pretty hard when you fell, is there any family we can call?" Kerry asked.
"My bag…." Jenna trialed off again.
Sam waked to her bag, opening it up shuffling throw papers, and skimming them to see if there was any kind of number for a family member. "Hey, Kerry? I though it was hospital policy, that family members aren't allowed to work on each other." Sam exclaimed
"They're not, why?" Kerry asked, slightly annoyed
"Well according to this, she Carter's sister!" Sam replied, holding up a piece of paper.