Abby slowly woke up, the brightness of the sun shinning on her face was just enough to almost throw something at the person who had left the blinds open. She had been sleeping so well to. Oh well.
"Hey. Good afternoon by the way."
"Its 9:15 in the morning Susan,"
"Unless you've been working nightshifts, 9:15 warrants sarcasm hun. Compared to 4:30."
"Okay, that was fair," she laughed.
"Thank you," she smiled cheekily, glad they were speaking again.
"Is it still snowing?" she remembered when they had unloaded her off the chopper, it seemed like they were in the midst of a blizzard. She hadn't turned on the TV, so the news was out. Susan was her source of information at the moment,
"A bit."
"I haven't been outside in forever," she smiled at Susan, knowing she would get the hidden message, to get her outside.
"If there's a break in the weather, we'll see what I can do."
"You said it was only snowing a little bit,"
"I may have understated. It's about three degrees below zero at the moment, and there's about three feet of snow out there. If it stops snowing, and they shovel out the courtyard, you'll get fresh air, but I'm not sure how you're getting any fresh air if I have to carry you out there.
"Alright, then at least out the room for a while?"
"That I can do. They have a solarium here, if you're interested. The roof of it's probably covered, but you'd get some sunlight through the walls at least."
"Sounds great, how about now?"
"Your nephrologist will be here in ten minutes. How does after that sound?"
"Have you met her?"
"Not yet."
"Dr. Hernandez basically said that she's a bitch,"
"Those can't have been her exact words."
"Not exactly,"
"What were they?"
"That she's abrasive, lacks charm, basically sounds like the female Romano,"
"No, that'd be too kind a way of describing Romano. He's just an ass. That sounds more like Kerry when she was chief resident."
"Well I'm sure the two of us will get along just fine," she rolled her eyes.
"At least Doug Ross won't be here to make it worse."
"Yeah, well," she had never actually met Doug, but had heard quite a few stories. "I'm thinking about taking you up on that chocolate cake offer,"
"Sure, once we clear it with the nephro. German chocolate or Belgium?"
"Don't care as long as its chocolate," she was glad that she was actually able to trust and talk to Susan again, and then a knock came at the door.
Dr. Hassan didn't bother to wait for an answer before she entered. "Dr. Lockhart?"
" Just call me Abby"
"I'm Dr. Marlene Hassan, I'll be your nephrologist. And who is this?" she asked, gesturing toward Susan.
"Dr. Lewis," Abby introduced her, already starting not to like this person.
"Alright. Dr. Lewis, unless I'm mistaken, you don't work here, so could you please step out for a few minutes?"
"I would like her in here please," Abby spoke up.
Her apprehension was quite clear, but after a moment, she replied in the affirmative, "I suppose it would be acceptable."
"Thank you," Abby replied, knowing that if she wouldn't have let Susan stay, she wouldn't have let Hassan treat her.
She just shrugged and tucked a stray bit of hair behind her left ear, then picked up the chart and glanced over the last few pages. "I'll need to run some blood tests. Have you considered a transplant?"
"Yes, I think I want to go ahead and look into one" she said, noting Susan's shock.
"In that case, I'll need several more tests. Tissue typing and such."
"Okay," Abby agreed without a fight, further surprising Susan. She didn't want to be poked and prodded anymore, but it was this, or dialysis for a long time.
"Are you familiar with UNOS protocol?"
"Somewhat,"
"Do you want any clarification on it?" Abby nodded, she knew some of it, but couldn't remember everything. "I'll go over it with you, and I can give you some literature on it as well, if you're up to reading over it."
"Sure, it will give me something to do,"
"I'll bring it with me later when I do the blood draw," she didn't usually do her own draws, but if she was going to be there anyhow, she might as well.
"Okay," she hated the thought of blood being drawn, but was not exactly up to fighting with her right now.
"Any questions?"
"Any guesses as to how long it might take before I can actually get the transplant? I realize nothing is certain, but just.."
"It depends on the results of tissue typing, and even more, luck, but unless there's a living donor it could be quite some time." She nodded, she had gotten her hopes up, and now she was facing reality again. And luck was defiantly not on her side. "I'll have to check the hospital's listing, of course, but both Mercy and County allow multiple listing, and you would qualify at both, most likely, so that's in your favor. It's possible you could be listed at a few other local hospitals as well, but no one can pull strings for you."
"I understand that,"
"Good. If you don't have any more questions, I'll be back in an hour."
"Okay," she nodded again, and the doctor turned and left.
"Well?"
"Lets go get my chocolate," Abby said, ignoring the question.
"Cafeteria okay?"
"Does it have chocolate?"
"Probably some sort of pudding."
"No, I need something that is actually solid, something I have to chew,"
"Okay, so we'll see. Maybe a brownie. If not, I'll make Chuck bring us something."
"Good, think Hassen will throw a fit?"
"Maybe. But do we really care?"
"You might not, but I'm going to be dealing with her a good three to four times a week for God knows how long,"
"It won't be the end of the world. At worst, she doesn't have to know."
"Alright, if it comes back on me, its your ass,"
"Deal."
"Good, lets get out of this room,"
"You okay walking?"
She thought about it, "don't know, probably though,"
"Okay, we'll give it a try."
"do we have to take all the drugs and tubes along?" Abby nodded towards the IV pole.
"I think so."
"I'm sure we could do without something." she tried but after seeing Susan's glare decided not to argue her point. "Fine lets, go"
"Want me to drag the IV pole, or think you can get it?
"I can get it,"
"Okay. We're off to see the lunch lady"
"They'd better have something decent down there, I'm starving," she said as they walked towards the elevator.
"It's a hospital cafeteria, don't get your hopes too high the only ones with decent food are the small private hospitals."
"Okay, how about we sneak out of here for a while, run to Starbucks.." she smiled at Susan, knowing there was no way in hell it would happen, but still wanting to try.
"I think we'd both get grilled for that. Thelma and Louise next week. Later a somewhat, mild rebellion, but otherwise, you're a model patient, okay? Like the good kid that goes out and smokes and dies their hair interesting colors."
"You and I both know I'm not getting out of here in a week, nice try though,"
"Okay, like I said, Thelma and Louise in a week. That doesn't mean a discharge. Just means scaring the crap out of everyone."
"Ah huh, I think I've gotten pretty good at that, don't you?"
"In a less medically worry some way."
"Oh see you're no fun, I was thinking about just dropping into a coma at any moment, just wanting to see everyone's reactions," Abby smiled as they walked into the cafeteria.
"You wouldn't. We don't need any heart attacks thank you."
"Is that a dare?"
"Do you honestly want to see me on a gurney?"
"Oh never mind, where the hell is the chocolate?" they had gone though the line, no chocolate.
"Um... They have chocolate milk... And I think that's it... Wait... Vending machine, "Susan said, spying a candy machine, "Snickers bar okay?"
"Yes, oh thank God, you get the snickers, I'll grab the milk,"
"Deal. Here," Susan said, giving Abby a couple of dollars for the cartons, then heading over to the machine, desperately praying she had quarters. And she did, three of them, just as much as the snickers bar cost.
"Abby, back to the room before you're noticed AWOL, or eat here?"
"Here, please, they can deal,"
"Okay."
"Can I have my candy now?" she didn't care if her meal was nutritious, she wanted chocolate, Susan had it. Besides, she hadn't eaten in two days, more then likely her stomach would revolt, but at that moment it didn't matter.
"Here, just don't choke, and at least try to keep it down."
"Why wouldn't I?"
"A minute ago, you threatened to drop into a coma just to see how we'd react."
"I was hungry," she looked down, the candy bar was gone. "Apparently, okay I need something else, this isn't going to cut it,"
"Something with nutritional value perhaps?"
"I had milk, I think that counts for my nutritional value,"
"Girl cannot live on chocolate alone. It was chocolate milk, and therefore it doesn't count."
"Well I say it does, besides it's a hospital cafeteria what could they have that has any nutritional content"
"A sandwich."
"Sorry, its just not hitting the spot," she thought about what she wanted, "okay I know its weird, but I want a cheese enchilada,"
"You'll make yourself sick Abby. It's dense, and it's spicy. You sure you're up to it?"
"If I barf I barf, at least I got my enchilada," a snickers bar, chocolate milk and a cheese enchilada, yep, sure to make her stomach revolt.
"Alright. Your stomach anyhow."
"Wont agree, yeah I know,"
"Ah well, I guess that constitutes informed... Self... Induced vomiting?"
"Alright smart ass, you win," she had suddenly lost her appetite, maybe chocolate wasn't such a great idea.
"Thank you. How about soup?"
"Um no, think I've lost my appetite,"
"Back to the room?"
"Do we have to?" she asked, forgetting that Hessen would be there to draw labs anytime.
"Unless you really want to piss off the nephro, yeah."
"Totally forgot about her," she looked at the clock on the wall, "well we're already five minutes late,"
"So let's not make it ten"
"Fine," Abby rolled her eyes and stood up, not really wanting to go back.
"I know, I know, we can sneak out later."
"Oh maybe we can make it all the way to the lobby," she said sarcastically. "or watch out, maybe the gift shop,"
"Let's try for your room."
"Yeah yeah," Two minutes later they had successfully made it back. "I think we're safe," Abby said seeing no sign of the nepho.
"Unless she came and went. Or maybe she's laying in wait."
"Wonderful, I just love waiting for doctors, I swear when I get back.."
"Don't bother swearing to be prompt. We all do at some point, and it never works."
"Well by the time I get back, I'll actually want to see patients," she said as Hessen entered the room.
"Ah."
"And none of this, take it easy crap once I'm back," Abby said not even acknowledging the doctor.
"Alright. I guess. Doubt you'd listen anyhow."
"Thank you," she turned to the nephro. "hi,"
"Hello." Abby stared at her, she looked pissed, wonderful. She had only been at Mercy for hardly a day and already had a doctor who hated her. "I have the UNOS information for you," she said, abruptly and held out a large binder.
"Thank you," Abby said and reached out to take it.
"Do you want me to go over it with you, or do you have it under control?"
"I'm sure your busy,"
"I can make time if you need me to."
"What is there to know but that its going to take a while, that I'll be on dialysis at least for a few months?"
"It could be less than that, or it could be a lot longer."
" The latter is probably more true,"
"Probably yes." Abby nodded sadly, she had completely forgotten about the dialysis, the transplant and Stenton when she was downstairs, but the doctor had brought her back to reality. "In the mean time, you're going to have to learn to cope with the dialysis, and really watch what you eat." She suppressed a smile, remembering her last meal, but learning to cope with dialysis was something entirely different. "It will get easier with time, but it's never going to be pleasant."
She wanted to scream at Stenton right then for what he did, what he was causing, he should be the one being a slave to dialysis, not her. "How often am I going to need dialysis?"
"We'll try every third day for now, see how that works. You'll need frequent blood work so we can see how your condition is being managed. It could end up being more or less often further down the road."
"What about going back to work, in the ER?" she wasn't to hopeful, the risk of infection was huge.
"It's possible, but you will have to be exceedingly cautious."
She nodded again, and rubbed her head, "but you're not to keen on that,"
"I'd like to see how you're handling the dialysis first."
"I've been on it for two months now,"
"But you were unconscious for a large portion of that, and have been hospitalized for the entirety of it. I meant on an outpatient basis."
"Is there any difference between dialysis in the hospital and on an outpatient basis? Especially, if I probably wont be doing anything for while,"
"The procedure is the same, but in a more normal environment, you'll have to worry about your meds, diet and such on your own, it would be preferable to see how that's going before you start work again."
"I can handle the meds," she could even dose herself, it was the diet she wasn't so sure about. Being an ER doc didn't exactly allow for a healthy diet.
"That's not all of it."
"What else?"
"Residency involves a lot of coffee, a fair amount of junk food, and very little sleep. That's not the best way to go about things."
"Well I'm not going to just leave my residency, not now,"
"I wasn't suggesting that you do, only that you play it safe for a spell."
"So when I get out of here? All I do is sit at home, because I'm at risk for infection? I have to work, I have to earn money.." that and she was going crazy doing nothing all day long.
"I'm not saying that you can't work, but that you should be careful about it. Avoid certain patients, start with half shifts, and only once you're up to it."
"I'm up to it now, but apparently," she looked at Susan, "others don't believe so."
"Why not wait until your incisions have finished healing at the very least?"
Abby sighed, they had won that round. "So every three days for an infinite amount of time, lots of blood work, and at this hospital more then the hospital that I'm a resident, do I have that about right?"
"You could go back to County if you'd like. The reason for your transfer was never actually made particularly clear."
"And it needs to stay that way," Susan chimed in.
"I quite understood that," she said, not trying particularly hard to hide her irritation in the fact that they'd reminded her of something she already knew.
"Its fine Susan," Abby interrupted seeing Susan turning bright red. "When is my next appointment?"
"Your chart states that you last received treatment yesterday, so if that's correct, unless there are complications, tomorrow."
"Oh thank God," she smiled, "free for today,"
"Yes."
"You owe me a Starbucks," she looked at Susan, fuck the diet right then, she really didn't care.
"I'd suggest you hold off on that for a bit, but I doubt you'd listen," Dr. Hassan said as she prepped for the blood draw.
"Oh thanks for the boast of confidence," she said, but was getting anxious as Hassan took out the needle.
"Your veins are pronounced enough that a tourniquet shouldn't be necessary."
"Yeah well, the idea of a needle in those veins is not exactly pleasant,"
"No one fancies them, but it's usually slightly less unpleasant without a rubber band cutting off circulation," she tried to joke. Either they didn't get it, or her deadpan face kept them from reacting. Abby nodded, and closed her eyes, mentally telling herself that everything was fine, that she was just being paranoid.
"Just a bit of a sting, but I'm guessing you've had enough of these to know that," she said as she sanitized a spot on Abby's arm and easily slipped in the needle. Five vials of blood later, it was done.
"I will never get used to that," she shuddered and pressed down on the cotton ball. Hassan just shrugged. Her bedside manner was normally at least a little better, but she was in no mood to put on a patient and cheery facade.
"Sorry," Susan started, "are we keeping you from something?"
"No."
"Are you sure, because you sure as hell seem like it,"
Pardon me for not being a bundle of sunshine in the middle of a messy divorce, she almost screeched, instead she just bit her tongue as she scribbled something into Abby's chart.
"Thank you Dr. Hessan," Abby finally broke the silence, needing this doctor on her side.
"You had questions about UNOS protocol?"
"Does my kidney have absolutely no function right now? Or just a little bit.."
"None that we can detect."
She nodded, "is it from whatever he injected me with?" she knew why her right kidney had been taken out.
"That seems the most plausible explanation. Pretty much the only one actually."
"And Dr. Hernandez thinks it might still be in my system, so it could be doing damage to other organs as well,"
"It's possible, or it could have left your system, but the damage could be occult and exacerbated by other things, so either way, you need to proceed with caution."
"Wonderful, multi system organ failure within a month," she said extremely pessimistic, she had reason to be.
"That's not particularly likely."
"Your obviously not aware of my luck then,"
"Luck has nothing to do with it."
"Alright then." she paused. "so when do you think I can get out of here," Hernandez had said from a week to a month, if the nephro said a few days, hell Abby would be ecstatic.
"That depends on a lot of factors really. It's still pretty much up in the air."
"Any guesses? Anything to look forward to?"
"Maybe two weeks."
"two weeks is a long time," she said settling back into her pillows.
"Not really. There've been patients in for a year or more."
"Fine," she looked out the window, it had stopped snowing, and turned to Susan, "we're going outside, no more artificial light,"
"If you must, then go ahead, though I wouldn't recommend it."
"What in case I catch something?" she asked rolling her eyes, damn fever had come down but not gone away completely, but she figured a second of fresh air was worth risking.
"It's hovering at about zero at the moment. At the least, wear a coat."
"Deal. Coat and hot coffee,"
"Fine. But watch the coffee from now on."
"Ohh this is going to suck," coffee was how she survived at the ER.
"That is something you will have to adjust to with time."
"What else is 'off limits'?" she asked Hessan. Might as well get all the info on one day.
"Alcohol, anything chemical loaded, mostly common sense."
"Sounds like a fantastic diet," Susan had been constantly nagging her how much weight she had lost and that she needed to eat something fatty, well now Hessan was basically telling her the exact opposite.
"It's not a diet, I'm just saying cut back on the preservatives and all."
Abby nodded, well wanted to scream at the moment, but decided not to. The last thing she needed was Hessan to think she was crazy.
"Anything else we need to go over?"
"What about a port, or am I just going to be stuck every time?" Abby asked as Susan looked on, glad that Abby was finally accepting at least some of what had happened to her.
"Of course you'll have a port, we try to avoid any unnecessary sticks."
"When and where will it be?" not like she was looking forward to it, but might as well get it over with.
"Meaning where physically on your body, or at which hospital?"
"I'm not going back to County, at least not yet, where on my body?" she knew there was a few different choices, but was not particularly fond on picking one for herself.
"Hypothetically, anywhere there's a major vein, but the standard options are right arm or left arm."
"I'll leave it up to you then, how about when?" she looked down at her arms and hands and was beginning to wonder how they kept finding veins to stick her with, she looked like she was an IV drug user.
"Either tomorrow or this evening. I'll have to find a surgeon. We won't be able to use the port right away though, it has to heal up a bit."
"Does Dubenko have privileges here?" she asked Susan. He was an ass, but he had apparently saved her life twice, she trusted him to make it a third time,
"No, but we do have a Dr. Corday who used to work at County. Maybe you know her?"
Abby stared at her, "Elizabeth is here?" oh God, if she was, that would be perfect. "Do you think she would..?"
"I don't see why she wouldn't."
"Okay, lets do that then,"
"I'll ask her to come up here and speak with you as soon as possible."
"Thank you," she said after a minute. The only thing she was hesitate about was another person knowing what had happened to her, Elizabeth would have to read the chart, she would know everything.
"You're welcome."
Abby waited until she was sure the doctor was gone, before turning to Susan. "I'm going to be here forever. So lets see, no coffee, or caffeine for that matter, watch the protein intake as well as the salt," she said recalling the brief lesson about dialysis and diet while in med school. "Oh and hardly get to do anything besides scutt work,"
"That's only temporary."
"Temporary in this sense, is a long time,"
"Or it could be a short one."
"Susan, why are you so optimistic?" Abby shook her head.
"Because, I needed a change of pace."
"Okay, we're both doctors, I think we can both see this from a medical standpoint, its going to be a very long time, years probably,"
"or you could luck out."
"Oh come on Susan, me and luck never have exactly gone together?" she said as a knock came at the door and Luka, Pratt and Kerry walked in.
"Abby, long time no see. How's it going?" Pratt instantly regretted that choice of words, "I mean... You know, um, aside from the obvious."
"Hi Pratt," she said, she hadn't seen him in a while and was happy to see a familiar face.
"I know you're probably sick to death of cheesy get well gifts, but too bad," he said, tossing a beanie baby at her.
"Its cute, thanks Pratt, I'll add it to the stuffed dog you gave me, I think it was you, well I was told it was from you,"
"Yeah, it was from me. It was that or a teddy bear, and the thing was neon orange, so the dog just seemed... More you."
"Well thank you, it means a lot," he was happy to see her smiling again, the last time he had seen Abby, she had nearly taken his head off. "Its a lot better then chocolate," Abby explained remembering her new diet. Yuck.
He smiled, "Been informed of your new dietary regimen, I take it."
"Unfortunately, and everything else, but maybe I could convince you to get me the Starbucks," she looked to Susan and back, Susan who had refused to get the coffee.
"Sorry Abby. I won't play mule. yet."
"You suck Pratt, you know that right? Wont even get a girl coffee," she teased him, not wanting to go to far, after all the man had saved her life.
"Coffee I won't do. Flowers and plushies though, well, not much I can do on a resident's pay, but..."
"Aw Dr. Greg Pratt sending me flowers?" she laughed.
"Yeah, maybe."
"Are you sure your Greg Pratt? Because I could have sworn we fought all the time before.." she stopped suddenly.
"There's different ways of fighting. Fighting like what I do with you, and fighting like what I do with Morris."
"I didn't know you cared!" she laughed having fun toying with Pratt.
"Yeah, yeah. I've heard it all before kid."
"I just cant imagine you in a gift shop, buying a beanie baby," she hardly got the words out she was laughing so hard, Susan joined in, seeing Abby laugh so hard was making her do the same thing.
"Yeah, the clerk kinda gave me a weird look, but hey, I don't have a reputation to worry about over here."
"No, just half the ER docs at County are in this room," she saw Elizabeth talking with Hessan right outside the door "and a surgeon," Abby added.
"Yeah, but she doesn't count, she left," he joked just loudly enough for Abby to hear.
"I swear Pratt when I get back.."
"You'll what? Tell Morris on me?"
"Oh dear God, please tell me he wasn't in the trauma room that night," the idea sent shivers down her spine.
"He wasn't treating you. He did scutt."
"Hi Elizabeth," Abby smiled once the surgeon finally walked in, after talking with Hessan in the hallway for a good ten minutes.
"Abby, it's been a while."
"It really has, how are you?" she asked, hoping Elizabeth wouldn't ask the same question to her, she never knew how to answer that one now.
"I'm doing alright for myself. Tried going back to England again, but I'm too American for it. Ella's loving school, and I'm enjoying myself, so pretty well actually."
"Glad to hear it,"
"Thanks. So you needed to have a port placed for dialysis?"
She nodded slowly, "yeah,"
"Which is your dominant hand?"
"My right,"
"So we should probably place it in the left, it's not bulky or anything really, but some people find it irritating in their strong side."
"Okay." the idea of lines actually inside her arm, was enough to make her want to be sick. "when can we do it?"
"I've got a bit of time later this evening."
"How long will it take?"
"Not long at all. Well under half an hour. You won't even need general anesthesia."
"Oh I think I might," she shook her head and laughed nervously, she wasn't quite sure she could handle looking at her left arm, lines attached to veins. Sure in patients she could, she could probably even put them in, but in her own body was a different story.
"A local should more than take care of it."
"Okay then," she agreed.
"Right then, so unless something runs late, it'll be around six o'clock."
"I cant use it tomorrow though, correct?"
"It'll take a few days, even up to a week possibly."
"Ah I'm sick of waiting, everyone tells me to wait, be patient, and I know I sound like a five year old, but frankly, I don't care," she wasn't mad, just stating her opinion to her friends. At least she was finally communicating, something. She took a deep breath, "sorry."
"Nothing to apologize for. Hospital stays can be more than a bit trying."
"I think going past two months in the hospital, qualifies more than a bit trying,"
"Too true."
"Yeah, well the sooner the better is all I have to say.."
"No doubt about that. We'll see how quickly we can get you out of here, okay?"
"Thank you Elizabeth, I cant stand it anymore, the white walls are making me sick," she joked.
"We could transfer you to pediatrics, they've got yellow, red, and blue walls."
"Alright, never mind, I get it, white will do fine,"
"What, you can joke and I can't?"
"Sorry, the sterility of this place is nauseating, I miss County,"
"Mercy grows on you. Somehow people never find their own hospital as oppressively clean."
"Okay, I really don't think my body can stand the artificial light any longer, someone get me outside. There is five of you here, one of you is bound to agree with me,"
"Are we allowed to pile jackets on you first?"
"I don't care if you build a freaking campfire at this point,"
"Alright, calm down Abby, I'm sure I can convince these broads to let you outside for a few minutes," Luka's accent made his choice of words mildly humorous.
"Oh thank you Luka, I owe you one,"
"You don't own me anything, just get your butt back in the ER, eh?"
"I've been trying now for about two weeks," she said sarcastically. "then again, I find it funny that you are having to put up with Morris and not me,"
"At least you're spontaneous. We can predict him far to easily."
"Don't let him here alright, I really can not deal with him right now!"
"Don't worry, we won't."
"Does he even know where I am?" if Morris knew, everyone knew, and that's what scared her.
"He's sworn to secrecy."
"That.. He wont, if he knows.." Pratt had so far been the only one not to know of the second attacker and was baffled about what was going on now.
"If he plans on having any sort of a career in medicine, Dr. Morris won't say a word," Kerry said plainly.
"He's an idiot, he doesn't think before he talks, that's what's scaring me,"
"Abby, he's been dealt with. If you're that worried, we can transfer you again, but Morris isn't likely to talk."
"No, no, I'm fine. Let's get out of here k?" she said throwing off the blankets.
"We've been over that one Abby," Susan warned, "at least wait until you can take dialysis through the port. You know, as in after it's been inserted."
"I meant outside smart ass,"
"Right, that. We're waiting on robes, and blankets."
"No robes, I've got scrubs, and I agreed to blankets, I don't want anything that looks that hideous,"
"Abby, it's that or they'll have a trauma room prepped for active rewarming measures, wear the damned robe."
"No, I don't want to," as she said it, Pratt laughed and shook his head, glad to hear Abby arguing again.
"So you'd rather go with the lavage? And saline, warming blankets. Than wear an ugly robe?"
"Five minutes isn't going to kill me Susan,"
"Fine, just this once."
"Thank you," she said and pushed herself up out of the bed.
"Either you're welcome or you're a masochist, going out in that in scrubs and a blanket, but okay."
"Hey, I haven't been outside in a very long time, excuse me for wanting to. And its not a blanket, its three blankets!"
"Yes, but they're measly, thin hospital blankets."
"Well how about having someone bring up a heating blanket when I'm back! Apparently you think I'm going to freeze to death,"
"It's called a protective streak. Don't worry, there'll be a heating blanket or two ready."
"Yeah, I knew you wouldn't have agreed so easily unless you were up to something. I also say we get hot chocolate on the way out,"
"Hot chocolate? Okay. It'll... Well... It's got no redemptive value, but it's warm."
"Nice try Abby," Luka stepped in, "no caffeine,"
"Actually, I've heard there's a decaf variation. Supposed to taste like crap though."
"Well decaf or no hot chocolate,"
"Well Dr. Kovac, how about I start this fantastic diet tomorrow huh?" Abby said.
"Do you have to fight the system?"
"Yes, I do, you should know that by now,"
"I should, but I'll conveniently forget again too."
"So if I do have this caffeine, I'm guessing I'm going to be hearing about it from all of you for a fair amount of time? Then add that to the fact that you hate the idea I want to go outside, I'm never going to get any of you to stop worrying about me, correct?"
"Not exactly, but pretty close."
"So when will you stop? Because I'm fine by myself you know,"
"We'll stop when um... When you're back working in the ER. And you've gotten back into the swing of things, and the transplant's gone well, and you've got a massively successful career as an attending."
"Oh so we're looking at a good few years then?" she smiled at the, letting everyone know she really was joking.
"Might be. We'll see." Susan joked back, but knew that when Abby did get back to the ER, the staff would become even more protective over her, then they had been before. And Susan didn't mind the idea.