Disclaimer: I don't own it, although Shane West is my future husband, he just doesn't know it yet

A/N: I am soo sorry that this chapter took so long to get up, but this is the first chance I've had to sit down and post it. So I hope you all like it. I especially like Susan's part in this chapter.

Anti-social-turtle: As per your request, here I am, continuing.
XRachX: I am so glad that you thought I was brilliant. I also thought the first chapter was a bit short, but it is only the first chapter.
Deana: ith his father had not been easy. Passing through a light, Ray slipped into a memory.
Jetsfanforlyfe: Yes, my friend, I have posted. But you know what? You're not special so, I'm not gonna answer your review here. I already did it in person!
Jessileigh: Your waiting is finally over. Here's more!
Espergirl04: I'm glad the summary interested you. That is the point of a summary, correct? I'm glad you like it.

As Ray was driving to County, he was thinking about the promise he made to his mother. Living with his father had not been easy. Passing through a light, Ray slipped into a memory.

:Flashback:

The door slammed shut as Ray angrily stormed out of the house. Michael Barnett, his father, hurried out after him. "Will you just calm down, Ray?" his father asked.

"Calm down?" Ray half shouted. "You want me to calm down? You left me, left us, when I was 4. The only indication that you were even alive was the bit of money you sent every year. And now that mom's dead, you want us to be a family again? I don't think so. You don't care about me and I could care even less about you. I'm only doing this for mom!"

With that, Ray turned and ran down the street. Michael shouted after him, "Ray!" but Ray wasn't paying attention. When he was far enough away, Ray slowed down to a walk, though he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings. Unknowingly stepping in front of a car, he jumped out of the way when a car honked.

:Flashback:

Ray was jerked back to the present as a car honked its horn. Swerving to the right, he narrowly missed hitting the other car. Getting back on course, Ray was relieved to find that he was almost at County. Parking his car, Ray jumped out and rushed into the ER. "You're late," Abby said to him. "I know, I know," Ray replied, rushing to throw his stuff in his locker. Returning to the admit desk, Ray asked, "What have we got?"

"Broken wrist in 2, chest pain in 1, and some guy who thinks he's a bird in 3," Susan said, shoving some charts into Ray's arms. Nodding, Ray headed toward Exam 2. The broken wrist would be easiest.

Stepping into the room, Ray saw a boy with his mother. The boy was sitting on the bed holding his wrist. Moving closer, he said, "Hey, buddy." Catching the boy's attention, he sat down next to him in a chair. "My name's Dr. Barnett and I'm gonna have a look at you." Nodding, the boy said, "I'm Boone."

"So, what are you here for?" Ray asked, wanting to hear from the kid himself. "My wrist hurts," the boy half whispered. "I think it's broken," his mother added quickly. Ray nodded, taking into account what both of them said. Turning to Boone, Ray said, "Well, I'm gonna look at your wrist to see if it is broken and if I think it is, we're gonna take some x-rays to see exactly what's wrong so we can reset the bone and then give you a cool cast. How do you like that?"

Nodding vigorously, Boone replied in excitement, "Okay." Then thinking, he added, "Can I get a blue cast? It reminds me of the light sabers from Star Wars."

After collecting and finishing a few more charts, Ray figured he would tackle the guy in Exam 3. Approaching the door, he carefully opened it to see a man on the bed. He was restrained and Ray wondered why. Looking to Haleh, she answered, "He tried to 'fly' out a window, so we had to restrain him." Making a face that said 'okay, that's weird,' Ray carefully approached the man in the bed. "Mr. Clarke," Ray addressed the man, referring to his chart. "I'm Dr. Barnett. I'm going to try and help you." Bad idea.

"The only thing I need help with," Mr. Clarke shouted, "is getting out of this damned place!" Sighing, Ray said, "Mr. Clarke, you tried to jump out of a win—"

"Fly," the man corrected. "I tried to fly from my nest to find food."

"Uh huh," Ray responded. "Mr. Clarke? Have you taken any drugs lately?" Looking skeptically at Ray, Mr. Clarke replied, "Of course not. Why do you ask?"

"Mr. Clarke, you think you're a bird," Ray stated simply. "Of course I think I'm a bird because I am a bird!" The man replied outraged. Unconsciously, Ray took a step backwards. Still staring at the man, Ray said to Haleh, "Order a tox screen for Mr. Bird-man, here." Laughing silently, Haleh did so. Now speaking to the man, Ray said, "Mr. Clarke, I'm gonna go see if I can…find you some worms. Yeah, that's it. Worms. I'll be back." Turning, Ray hastily left the room.

"Tox screen's back on your bird guy," Haleh said, poking her head into Curtain 2. Turning to the nurse, Ray said, "Thanks. Just a sec." Turning back to the girl in the soccer uniform, Ray said, checking her chart, "Okay, Brooke. It says here that you're here for breathing problems."

"There's no reason for me to be here," the 15 year old said. "It was only my asthma, but it was a little worse today. I'll be fine." Laughing and bowing his head slightly, Ray said, "That is for me to decide." Quickly examining the teen's breathing, Ray gave her some Singulair and advised her to see her pediatrician as soon as she could before discharging her.

Walking back to Exam Room 3, Ray picked up Mr. Clarke's chart, reading over the results from the tox screen. When he sighed, Mr. Clarke looked up. "Oh, good," the man said. "You're back. Did you get the worms?"

Rolling his eyes and shaking his head, Ray chose not to reply, instead saying, "Mr. Clarke, there's traces of LSD in your system. If you don't get help, it could result in serious injury to yourself or someone else. Now, judging by your actions, I suspect the drug is still affecting you. We can either wait until you are healthy enough to properly choose, or you can decide now." Pausing for a second to see if he garnered a response from the drugged patient, Ray continued. "Well, Mr. Clarke, I'll be back in a while to check on you."

A/N: And there you have it. Chapter 2 of who knows how many chapters. I hope you liked it. Please review!

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