Chapter 80:

Doug didn't have a good night. Sleeping with his new fling hadn't brought the 'ha-ha I got you' feeling he wanted. Shortly after he felt her fall asleep he got up and left. 'what a scumbag' he thought to himself 'here you are doing this again' Doug made his way back to his house and tried to get a few more hours sleep. He would have to go into work again to get cleared to walk on his own, deal with weaver, and deal with Anna...again. Boy how is life sucked, he was sure it couldn't get much worse.

Susan walked in and was surprised to see Anna there so early. "Playing the early bird?" she asked. Susan was planning on doing something special for Anna to cheer her up, and possible give her the courage to talk to Doug. He needed to know. "How about all of us here go out later...tonight or tomorrow. I'm sure I could talk Carter, Deb, Haleh Lydia...well everyone into going." Susan didn't mention Doug's name but she was going to be sure to ask him to come.

Anna smiled, "Yeah early bird... couldn't sleep and I guess this place is addicting. But yeah sure why not, we can all go out. Tonight would be fine; I'm going out to dinner tomorrow night with my brothers." She hadn't heard Susan mention Doug, so she was game for a night out. "I like an empty board. Do you think that you could cover for me for about an hour at 11?"

Susan glanced around. "Yeah sure. If the place stays like this it'll be nice." Susan didn't even have a chart to grab. Anna had done a good job. Susan sat down next to her and made sure no one was around that might overhear. "So are you doing ok?"

"As good as I can be. I haven't gotten sick yet this morning, I have a smile on my face, and well other than Doug hating me. Don't laugh too hard, but yesterday I took this trauma and well," Anna had to laugh, "Told him that I was allergic to x-rays. Oh well, he'll know soon enough, I can't hide it forever, not that I want to. I mean I can't use the excuse that I swallowed a basketball. Seriously though, my life my not be perfect but I can do this. Oh don't bother asking Deb about tonight, she's stuck here. She's coming in early to let me escape."

Susan laughed as she patted Anna's back. "I'm glad one of us has humor...you actually told him you were allergic? Hahaha" Susan couldn't help it. She thought starting up some jokes would help Anna feel a little better. "Yeah, ill find some people. I was thinking about hitting up the lava lounge... it's got some karaoke, great drinks and its pretty fun." she hoped Anna wouldn't hate her after tonight. She wasn't trying to meddle, but maybe if she hung around with Doug when they were all having a good time it would be easier to talk about. Besides, a few drinks always helps.

"That sounds good." She said, "I have to have some humor in all of this. Just don't take it too personally if my hormones go psycho, they've been the only thing I can't control, other than the nausea." She shrugged her shoulders, "I'm sure Coburn can give me something for that."

Susan just smiled back. "Yeah I'm sure... "Her pager sounded as she stood up. A minor trauma was coming in. "hey i got this...seven tonight alright?" she said walking to the doors to wait for the ambulance.

"Yeah sure seven sounds fine." Anna said, "I'm going to hide in the suture room for a little bit since you don't need me. And well your board is cleared. Page me if you need me." Anna said as she walked down the hallway and curled up on a gurney on the far side of the suture room and closed her eyes.

Susan grabbed the gurney. It was just an over reaction on a head lac but she'd take it. She wheeled her patient into trauma one just to check him out for sure. Anna deserved some time to herself and she was glad she was going to take it until weaver or Doug showed up.

Doug made his way into the ER. He was hung over, mad at himself, and late for his pt appointment. He threw his stuff on the admit desk and made his way up to pt where he hoped they would let him walk on his own. It was embarrassing to be with Allison and be on crutches.

Anna woke to her stomach loudly growling. She rolled off the gurney and headed out into the ER. Doug wasn't there; she wasn't sure if that meant that he wasn't in the hospital or if he was doing something else. She was glad for the cat nap though. Her batteries were somewhat recharged. She headed down to the cafeteria and grabbed some food. Before heading back up and sitting down at admit to eat just in case she was needed. She played with the granola in her yogurt. It wasn't much but it was the only thing down there that she thought she'd be able to keep down.

Doug walked down from PT. he was glad that they were going to let him walk normally again but pissed that they wanted him to have 4 sessions a week and possibly more surgery. He didn't have the time...or money for that. He was barely making his house payments. If carol and he had been married he would be broke by now. He walked past Anna at admit and reached around her to grab his bag. He cringed as he twisted his back but hoped she didn't see. After fishing out some pop tarts and pulled up a chair and sat down in front of the computer. It didn't even cross his mind that he was only a few inches from her until he accidentally bumped her with his elbow. "Ohh. My bad, I'm sorry" he said after noticing he had made her spill yogurt on herself. He handed her the napkin he had in his lap and tore off a piece of pop tart. He had so many things on his mind it was hard for him to focus.

"Yeah you are." She said laughing as she clean up the yogurt from in front. "Na don't worry about it. I thought that I was hungry but I guess not. Hey I know that I should probably ask before, but if you don't have a problem with it, Susan's going to cover for me for about an hour, and Chen's coming in early tonight to cover for me too. I'm not trying to step on your toes boss, so if it's not okay, just tell me and I won't do it again. I guess what I am trying to say is that I don't want there to be any ill will between us. Let bygones be bygones. No hard feelings."

"Yeah sure..." Doug said reading his credit report. He was a little wrapped up in it to hear much of what Anna had said to him. "Ahhh damn it! Stupid freaking...sob leaches!" he yelled whacking the computer. Nothing seemed to be going right today.

Anna didn't mean to but she jumped and glanced up at the clock to try to cover it up. "I'll be back in awhile." She said as she got up dropping the yogurt container in the garbage and heading for the stairs.

Doug noticed her leaving more than he did when she was there. He hoped he didn't scare her off. He really didn't want to loose his house but after all the medical bills, his moms' funeral, and child support he didn't have much to live on. He sighed as he looked around. Lucky for Anna no patients needed to be seen. Although he wasn't on for a full shift today he wanted to stay and see if he could help out. He grabbed some charts and started his notes and write ups to wait until Anna came back. Maybe she would talk to him then, she seemed in a better mood.