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Chapter Two

"Is he okay?"

She glanced towards the door and nodded motioning Bobby to enter. The rest of the family followed in behind him, worry across each one of their faces. A nurse edged around them, shooting a look at Natalie, and she recognized her instantly to be Reba, a short redhead of a girl.

"Is there anything you need me to do Natalie?"

Natalie cleared her throat. "He should be fine for another four hours due to the 10ccs but check back in two and oversee a changing of his IV medication."

Reba nodded shooting the family a small smile and she excused herself.

"What happened?" Bobby demanded. "One minute he was fine and then…." He directed his attention to Jack. "Should he be on his injured side like that?"

"Bobby, Jack is… May I call him Jack?"

"Of course, he'd hate for anyone to call him Mr. Mercer."

"Okay then," She smiled, "Jack suffered what we call Tonic-Clonic Epilepsy, it's a fancy medical term for seizures or convulsions that are caused by a temporary abnormal electrical activity in the brain. In this case, Jack simply reacted to medication given to him through his bloodstream by an IV. Dr. Baker gave him 10ccs of Diazepam; it's a sedative used commonly to treat anxiety and tension when related to muscle spasms." She glanced towards Jack. "It's common for this type of reaction in patients usually going through some kind of withdrawal, alcohol or other. I noticed Jack's hospital records indicated he's a long-time smoker?"

"Yeah." Angel spoke up. "We've been trying to get him to quit for years."

Natalie smiled again, nodding. "I understand. I grew up with a father who always carried around an extra cigar in his pocket." She cleared her throat. "In such cases when a patient suffers a mild attack and has an injury to the chest, in able to help relax him so he can breathe, the patient is placed on the injured side in order for his strongest lung to assist with the delivery of fresh air. But don't worry, it doesn't harm the injured side."

"Are you saying he has a problem with his lungs now too?" Bobby questioned glancing in worry towards his brother. "No one mentioned that before."

"Not exactly. According to his papers, a bullet entered the right shoulder between the collarbone bone and right lung. He was lucky in that aspect due to the heart being located near the left lung so there's no worries for long-term trauma. However, Dr. Baker had to operate a bit to reconstruct a section of the lung. He will recover just fine however, the body's internal organs are miraculous for rebuilding themselves quicker than your external given the right atmosphere, medication and time."

There was a knock on the door and Natalie shifted to see Reba once again.

"Yes Reba?"

"We've got an UBI that needs your immediate attention Natalie."

She nodded chuckling at the family's inquisitive expressions. "Unexplained beer injury." Natalie whispered as she passed. "Excuse me. Feel free to sit with him some more if you'd like."

She followed Reba shortly down the hall and nodded as the nurse motioned her into a room. As soon as she stepped inside, she squinted noticing the lights were out. "Reba, are you sure you…"

Reba clicked the lights on.

"Surprise!"

Natalie covered her mouth with her hand at seeing her friends and coworkers. Dr. Stewart gave her a wave from the side. Her eyes watered at the sight of Simone and Piper as they came forward, a decorated cake in their hands with glowing candles on it.

The group began to sing happy birthday and Natalie couldn't help herself, wiping at her face as she began to cry. She blushed as they finished, clapping and she smiled as she leaned forward to blow out the candles.

"Oh my gosh." She stepped back looking around. "I think I just had a heart attack."

"You didn't think we'd forget your birthday did you?" Dr. Stewart winked. "We may be busier then a Day After Thanksgiving Sale but we don't forget things like that."

"Thank you." Natalie looked at all of them. "I appreciate it more than you know."

"Good." Dr. Stewart patted her on the back. "Our newest RN deserves nothing but the best."

She stared at him wide-eyed, mouth slack in shock. "Your what?"

"Newest RN Natalie. I'm here to tell you that you successfully completed your state licensing examination and on the job training. Congratulations." He smiled as he passed, slugging her gently in the shoulder. "Just don't be late anymore."

"Does the one from today count since it's my birthday?"

Her colleagues chuckled as they passed her, one by one congratulating her and wishing her the best. She nodded back, thanking them.

"Would you guys mind putting my cake in the break room for everyone to split? I'm still on the clock."

"Sure thing darling." Simone smiled. "We'll save you the piece with your name on it."

Natalie turned as she felt a tap on her shoulder and she looked to see a young male nurse. "Richard, hey."

"Sorry to bother you Natalie but you have a phone call at the desk, it's your mother."

She nodded making her way into the hall. "Thanks Richard."

"No problem, happy birthday by the way."

Natalie smiled, "Thanks." She turned towards the direction of the nurses' station, biting nervously at her bottom lip. The last conversation with her mother had blown up into a huge argument and she just wasn't in the mood for it right now. Her mother only called to either ride her about her career choice or to inform her of something else fabulous her sister had done that she hadn't.

Natalie took the phone from Melissa with a nod, clearing her throat as she pressed it against her ear. "Natalie Hamilton speaking."

"Of course I know who's speaking." Her mother snapped. "Who else do you think I'd be calling at that blasted hospital?"

Natalie sighed and leaned against the desk, placing her forehead in the palm of her hand. "Hi Mother." She rubbed at her face in frustration, already feeling the headache she knew would come. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"

"Don't talk down to me young lady. I'm your mother after all, suffered through hours of labor to bring you into this world. You should know better."

She pinched her nose. "I'm sorry Mother."

"Good." Her mother's voice was smug. "I'm sure you're aware of what day it is."

"Of course, it's my-"

"I mean, it's not everyday your sister gets engaged."

Natalie sucked in a gulp of air, feeling suddenly as if she had been suckered punched in the gut. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to regain her breath. "No." She choked out. "I'm sorry, I've been busy. I wasn't aware of that."

"Well isn't that typical of you Natalie." Her mother snapped. "Once again, you're too caught up in saving those street rats instead paying attention to your own family."

"Mother, I haven't spoken to Amelia in two years."

"Whose fault is that?"

"Certainly not mine!" Natalie replied trying to stay calm. "I tried numerous times to contact her, get her to visit me or go to lunch and each time she was too busy chasing after your wants and needs to even care."

"Don't you dare talk about your sister that way. Amelia knows her place, beside this family, and you would do good to take a few pointers from her." She made a sound as if clearing her throat. "She's engaged to a very respectful man, you might have heard about him, Darren Landers?"

Natalie rolled her eyes. "Of course. He donates money to the hospital and to charities all the time around Detroit."

"He is the President of one of the largest airlines in this city. Why he spends his money on such frivolous matters, I have no idea, but what can I say?" Her mother laughed, "The man is a charmer."

"More like a snake in the grass." Natalie muttered. She shifted the phone to her other ear as a nurse approached handing her a clipboard. She flipped it open scanning the contents. "Look, Mother, I really hate to cut it short but I'm in charge of my floor tonight and I have runs to make."

Her mother let out a disgruntled sigh. "Fine. I was calling to extend an invitation to your sister's engagement party tomorrow night but I suspect you'll be too busy for that too won't you?"

"I'm afraid so." Natalie snapped the folder shut. "I have third shift all this week, and a new patient came in today. I'm booked."

"Then get out of it! Your family is more important than some street rat who's probably there because he got shot stealing a TV or something."

"Wow Mother, your never ending compassion melts my heart each and every time. I have to go now, please refrain from calling me at the hospital during my hours again."

"Natalie Hamilton, do not hang up this phone, we are not done talking!"

"I have to go Mother." She nodded at the nurse motioning her. "Congratulate Amelia for me will you, tell her I would call her tonight but some of us have to work, even on our birthdays." Natalie placed the phone down, rubbing at her face and she rolled her shoulders before glancing over at Melissa who was smirking at her. "What?"

"Way to go Nat. Never heard you talk to your mother like that with such…" She paused as if searching for the right phrasing, "big brass balls before."

Natalie chuckled shaking her head. "If she calls back, tell her I'm too busy to take her call, okay?"

"Is that all I can tell her?"

She shot Melissa a look but smiled. "Yes Melissa. Thank you."

"Nurse Hamilton?"

Natalie glanced over to see Nurse Rosen waiting expectantly. "Oh yes, sorry Diane."

"It's okay; I understand." The woman's gaze slid from her to the phone then back. "It's the Mercer kid, I think you better come take a look at him."

&&&&&&&&&&&&

"Excuse me." Natalie moved past Jeremiah's two children, smiling down at them before she handed Nurse Rosen her folders and stepped towards the bed. The family was hovering silently, all looking towards Jack who was lying now on his back again, breathing steadily. "What seems to be the problem?"

"It's not exactly a problem Nurse Hamilton. We changed his medication like you said and then readjusted Mr. Mercer to a more comfortable position after his muscles relaxed. It was after that he began to come around."

Natalie shot her a surprised look. "He's regaining consciousness?"

Rosen looked disinclined to answer. "He began to move his fingers slightly, his eyes began to shift behind the lids, and occasionally he whispered a word or two."

"Well, in deep REM sleep, your eyes shift involuntarily." Natalie scratched at her chin. "Has anyone tried to establish a physical connection with him yet?"

"No, I wasn't sure what you'd…"

"No, no, that's okay." She smiled patting the nurse on the shoulder. She stepped beside Jack, leaning slightly over him as she slid a small flashlight from her scrubs pocket. "Mr. Mercer? Jack?" She gently lifted his eyelids, testing with the light for active pupil movement. "Jack, can you hear me?"

She glanced down as his lips moved but no words came out. "Jack, if you can hear me, I need you to respond in any way possible."

Natalie glanced down to see his fingers twitch and she smiled, turning her attention back to his family. "From what I can see, he's reacting positively to the new medication, and the spasms seem to have stopped. His pupils are reacting to light stimuli as well and that's always a plus when it comes to patients. "

"So he's coming around again?"

"Slowly but surely, it might take a few more days for the medication to settle in his blood work. These things take time Mr. Mercer. As soon as he's rested and ready, he'll be wide awake and itching to get out of this place."

"Our little fairy will be fighting to get out of this place Natalie." Bobby grinned over at his brother. "Jackie has never been a real big fan of hospitals."

"That's the norm Mr. Mercer, most people aren't."

"Call me Bobby."

"Yeah," Angel agreed with a nod of his head, as did Jeremiah. "Call us by our first names. We hate that Mister crap." He smiled. "Thank you for everything Natalie."

"Not a problem, like I said before I'm just doing my job." She looked down at Jack and smiled, brushing a piece of his hair away from his face before she focused back on Bobby. He had noticed the movement, watching her closely with a curious gaze. "Often times, coma patients or those in deep unconscious states due to medication such as Jack respond best to physical stimuli. It might be a good idea to continue talking to him and occasionally hold his hand or touch him in some fashion."

"Great." Bobby rolled his eyes playfully. "Jackie-Boy's fantasies come true today. This gets back to him, I don't know a damn thing about it."

"My kids man!" Jeremiah hit him on the back of the head. "Watch yourself."

Natalie chuckled as Bobby hit him back without force, and the two little girls giggled. "If you'll excuse me, I need to check on some other patients."

"Sure thing." Bobby nodded. He moved to take a seat beside Jack as she left the room and he smirked, leaning to grab Jack's hand in his. "Looks like you got yourself an admirer Jackie. Good thing for you, it's a she and she's actually really pretty."

Angel shook his head taking a place beside Jack on the other side of the bed. "You got a one track mind Bobby."

"Me? You're the one that hooked up with La Vida Loca the split second you got home!"

"Screw you Bobby! Puta mierda!"

"My kids man! My kids!"

&&&&&&&&&&&&

"Your GOMER is in Room 3." Rosen handed her the files back.

"Thanks Diane." Natalie glanced up from the paper work as she entered the patient's room and smiled at spotting the elderly man already dressed in the hospital gown. He was a perched on the examining table, a deep frown on his face. "Good evening Mr. Drowser. It's a bit late for you to be making a hospital call isn't it?"

"You're open 24 hours a day, ain't cha?"

She chuckled and placed her papers on the counter, nodding as she slid the stool over to the table and took a seat. "For you Mr. Drowser, of course." Natalie placed her hands on her knees. "What seems to be the problem this time?"

"Same as the last! I got these dang hives and they're not going away!"

She smiled nodding once again. "I understand but just like I told you the last time Mr. Drowser, it's due to you eating peanut butter. You're suffering from a very mild allergic reaction to the nuts."

"But I always eat peanut butter when I watch Wheel of Fortune."

Natalie chuckled. "Perhaps you should try turkey or simply just jelly?" She suggested.

"If you say so." He grumbled. "Are you sure it's peanuts? It's not a reaction to some deadly disease or… kidneys? Maybe it's a kidney problem?"

Natalie shook her head covering her laugh with a cough as she leaned over for her pad and slipped a pen from the counter. "Here. Let me write down the name of the doctor that's in charge of the fifth floor. She'll write you a prescription for some ointment and give you some tips on things to avoid okay? Maybe she can give you some more enjoyable solutions to regular peanut butter."

She slipped from the room to give him a moment to dress and rolled her eyes playfully at Diane who was laughing at the nurses' station. GOMERs, the one type of patient that always came in to the hospital no matter what the injury claiming they had a deadly condition. It was usually just the paranoid elderly. You'd think after surviving World Wars and the Great Depression, things like hives wouldn't bother you. Natalie smiled, shaking her head as she began back down the hallway. Guess not.

&&&&&&&&&&&

It wasn't until another hour that she was able to check in on the Mercer family again. Natalie poked her head into the room, smiling as her gaze landed on the sight of Bobby asleep beside Jack, the young man's hand still in his. On the opposite side, Angel was sprawled out snoring as well, head back with his mouth open wide. There was no sight of the rest of the family and she stepped back into the hallway.

She immediately apologized as she bumped into someone and turned, recognizing the Hispanic woman Sofi. "Oh hi there, sorry about that."

"It is okay. Wow, you look exhausted, shouldn't you be resting?" The pretty woman gave her a look of concern, her hands full with two cups of coffee.

"I would but tick tock goes the clock." Natalie smiled. She gestured at the cups. "That's sweet of you, getting coffee for Bobby and Angel?"

Sofi chuckled. "Angel, of course. Bobby no, unless you serve rat poison at this hospital, yes?" She smiled at Natalie's expression. "I'm only kidding; yes, they're for my Angel and the brute."

"I heard that."

Natalie and Sofi glanced to find Bobby in the doorway, stretching and rubbing at his eyes. He spotted Natalie and smiled. "Talking to La Vida Loca will rot your brain, I keep telling Angel that but he won't listen, she's like smelling sharpies for too long."

Sofi scowled thrusting the cup at him as she went by and Bobby chuckled, seemingly thankful the cup had a lid.