Thanks everyone for the reviews – having not posted for a year it was really nice to be welcomed back so positively! I hope you continue to enjoy the story!
In his office at Community General, Mark Sloan sighed deeply. In all his years as Chief of Internal Medicine he'd never known the hospital busier and if truth be told, for once he was feeling his age! Getting up from behind his desk, Mark wandered over to the window, absently rotating the stiffness from his shoulders and neck as he walked. Peering through the blinds he squinted at the night sky. It was still pouring with rain. On the concourse below he could see the paramedics struggling to get yet another patient from their ambulance, battling against the wind and driving rain. He checked his wrist watch and sighed, 1.50am, Steve would be out patrolling for at least another couple of hours. Mark fervently hoped he was wrapped up properly, but knew that Steve was more than likely out in the rain with little more than a light jacket.
'Here you go Mark'
He jumped at the sudden interruption, stepping down hard on the foot of his teaching skeleton that hung in the corner of the office. 'Sorry Horrace' Mark said jovially, patting the skeleton amiably on its bony shoulder.
'Coffee's strong and hot just the way you like it' Amanda Bentley said with a smile. The pathologist was standing at the door, two steaming cups of coffee in her hand.
Mark smiled back 'Amanda you're a life saver' he said gratefully.
'You're welcome' she said, putting the cups down on the desk. She stepped forward, and placing a gentle hand on his arm, skilfully guided him around the large pile of medical text books stacked haphazardly on the floor. Most doctors' offices were crammed to bursting with books, but until she met Mark, she'd never seen an office so full of curious odds and ends. In addition to his medical paraphernalia, Mark seemed to have incorporated a large portion of his movie memorabilia on to the shelves and walls. Some people liked to take their work home with them; Mark Sloan liked to take his home to work. She gestured towards the large leather chair behind his desk 'Now you sit down, drink your coffee and relax'.
Mark sighed 'Oh, I really wish I could' he replied 'But you know I still have another five patients to see and then I've gotta ..'
'Mark' she interrupted firmly 'You'll be no good to anyone if you collapse with exhaustion. Now promise me you'll take a break'.
Mark smiled, touched by her concern '5 minutes?' he said
'10' she said sternly.
He shrugged good-naturedly, knowing when he was beaten and sank gratefully down into the leather chair. Taking a large gulp of his coffee he immediately spluttered, flapping his hands ineffectually in front of his mouth 'Hot' he gasped, his eyes watering.
'I did warn you' Amanda said shaking her head indulgently – sometimes Mark could be just as childlike as Jesse.
'Well you know us old coots my dear, my hearing isn't what it used to be' Mark said, adopting the voice and mannerisms of a very elderly gentleman.
Amanda rolled her eyes at him and he smiled sweetly at her, before pointedly taking a much more cautious sip of coffee.
She sat down opposite him, crossing her legs neatly at the ankle and took a sip of her own coffee. It wasn't the best she'd ever tasted but then hospital vending machines weren't renowned for the quality of their product. Still a shot of high octane caffeine was exactly what she needed right now, it was what they all needed given the hours they were currently working. Amanda sighed and looked at Mark worriedly.
'You know we can't keep up this pace don't you?' she said gently 'I just saw Dr. Atwood in the hall way on my way here. You know he's dead on his feet and he's still got 4 hours of his shift to go'.
Mark frowned 'I know' he said wearily 'But what with the storm and New Year's Eve and all, we need as many good ER doctors as we can get our hands on. St. Mary's is already overloaded and County just don't have the facilities that we do'.
'Mark how long do you think it's gonna go on?' Amanda asked, biting her lip.
He shrugged, letting out a breath 'The weather report last night said at least another couple of days for sure. After that who knows?' He looked at her, his face creased with worry 'You know Steve is out there patrolling again tonight'.
Amanda smiled knowingly 'He wouldn't budge on that whole calling in sick and getting some rest idea?'
Mark sighed 'Not even an inch. You know, I don't know where he gets his stubborn streak from'.
Amanda laughed 'Oh I think I've got a pretty good idea' she said giving him a meaningful look.
'Me?' he said, eyes widening in surprise 'Amanda, I'm not stubborn, I'm just …'
He tailed off lamely as she raised an eyebrow at him over her coffee cup. 'Okay' he said 'Well may be I'm a little stubborn, but only when I know I'm right'. He paused and stroked his moustache worriedly 'And this time I know I'm right. He's in no condition to be out in this weather and …'
'Mark' Amanda interrupted soothingly 'You know how he is. Steve's job is real important to him and he wants to be out there doing his bit to help out, just as you want to be here'.
Mark sighed 'I guess you're right honey, but I do wish he'd take better care of himself, you know, get some rest'.
She smiled 'And may be you could take some of your own advice doctor' she said. 'Now drink up your coffee before it gets cold and I'm gonna go see how your next patient is doing'.
Mark smiled gratefully 'Amanda, I don't know what I'd do without you' he said.
She leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek 'Well you're lucky you don't have to'. With that she was out of the chair and on her way, the office door swinging shut behind her.
Leaning back in his chair, Mark took a large swallow of his coffee and allowed his eyes to close. 5 minutes couldn't hurt he thought to himself, yawning widely. Just rest his eyes for a couple of minutes and then he'd get right up and go and check on Mrs. O' Brien. Yes, that's exactly what he'd do. If only things would calm down a little he thought sadly. They were all due a little R and R. Perhaps once this storm had blown itself out, he and Steve could take a real vacation, may be even do a little fishing up at Jake's cabin .…
***
Having satisfactorily dispatched Mrs. O'Brien with a prescription for pain killers and an outpatient review in two weeks, Amanda headed for the elevator to take her back to the second floor and Mark's office in the south west corner. She turned when she heard her name being called and smiled at the sight that greeted her.
Dr. Jesse Travis was yawning widely. His white coat hung open and his tie was at half mast. His usually spikey blonde hair looked rumpled and dishevelled. He reminded her rather endearingly of CJ when he was trying to stay up beyond his usual bedtime
'Rough night in the ER?' Amanda asked sympathetically.
'It's crazy down there' he nodded 'I just scrubbed out of a tracheotomy. For a minute there I thought we were gonna have to crack the guy's chest, but we got lucky'.
'Another injury caused by the storm?' Amanda asked
'Uh huh' Jesse nodded, yawning again 'And I still have another four hours left of my shift, so who knows what other major injuries I'm gonna have to deal with before I go home tonight'.
She nodded sympathetically 'I was just saying to Mark, I don't know how much longer this can go on'.
'How's Mark doing?' Jesse asked. Tonight had been so crazy he hadn't had a chance to check in with his mentor.
'He's exhausted like the rest of us, and he's still worried about Steve'.
Jesse nodded his head towards the window 'Steve out patrolling again?' he asked
Amanda nodded and Jesse screwed up his face 'Rather him than me, it looks pretty wild out there tonight'
'It is wild out there tonight, you don't wanna know how long it took me to get in for my shift' she said.
'Well by the time I'm finished here maybe the storm will have blown itself out and everything will be back to normal' Jesse said 'Hey' his face lit up as a thought occurred to him 'If the storm does blow itself out, may be tomorrow I could get to have a lie in, watch some cartoons, eat jelly donoughts!'.
Amanda shook her head with a smile – he was CJ!
'Did I ever tell you how much you have in common with my son?' she asked with a wry smile.
'Nope' Jesse said yawning widely 'but you can tell me later, because right now I am heading for the on call room to take a nap whilst I've got the chance'. He waved at her over his shoulder 'I'll see you later'.
'Sleep well' she called after him, as she stepped into the elevator and pushed the button to take her to the second floor.
When Amanda popped her head round Mark's office door 5 minutes later, she smiled. Mark was sleeping peacefully; his chin slumped on his chest, spectacles slipped down his nose and half-empty coffee cup dangling precariously from his fingers. He was snoring gently. On tip-toe she crept over and slowly removed the cup, placing it on the desk before him. He grunted slightly and she froze, holding her breath, but he merely shifted more comfortably in the leather bound chair and continued to snore.
Letting out a breath Amanda checked her watch - 2.05am she could let him have another 10 minutes at least. Dropping a gentle kiss on his forehead, she padded softly to the door and eased it shut behind her. She wished she could let him sleep longer, but a horrible nagging sensation that she couldn't quite put her finger on, told her that things were gonna get a whole lot worse before they got better.
Involuntarily she shivered and then shook her head, angry at herself. She was being ridiculous. It was just the strangeness of it all, the dark skies and the vicious and inexplicable down pour that had taken even the meteorologists by surprise - that was why she was feeling spooked! Well she wasn't having it, 2004 was a New Year and she intended to enjoy it. Pulling her white coat firmly around her, she set off purposefully down the corridor. As she passed a sprig of holly on the wall, she straightened it, nodding her head with satisfaction as she went on her way.
***
Walking swiftly, black umbrella keeping off a little of the rain, the man with the brief case knew exactly where he was going. It had all been planned, right down to the last detail. It had to be, he'd pay dearly for any mistakes. The man who hired him wasn't known for his forgiving nature.
In a flash of lightening, he found what he'd been looking for. A line of silver, metallic trash-cans guarded the entrance to the side alley, positioned at right angles to the corner of 4th and Main. Perfect. Looking furtively around him, he cautiously approached his prize. Three prostitutes were huddled across the street, make-up running grotesquely down their faces in the rain. He hesitated, but they paid him no mind. Almost there and so far it was going like clockwork. He allowed himself a small self-satisfied smile and then smoothly and efficiently he completed his task and slipped silently into the night. The opening move was complete.
To be continued …..