Chapter 20
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Sam was in a really good mood as she and Martin headed into the bullpen to fill out their case reports. The entire ride home he kept asking her why she called him Superman. She finally surrendered and confessed that his mom had told her the story about his obsession with the comic book hero when he was a little boy and about him climbing the tree in his Underoos. The look of mortification on his face was priceless.
"Hey Viv," Martin greeted as he headed to his desk. He nodded at Danny who sat at the conference table working on his report.
Viv stood up and walked to the conference table and said, "We heard you found her."
"Yeah, it's kind of a happy ending. She was in rehab but we got to her in time for her to see her mom before she died," Sam commented as she flipped through the files in her In-Box.
Everyone continued going about their business when Vivian cleared her throat and started, "Hey guys, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Sam stopped in her tracks and got very nervous. She glanced at Danny and Martin and at seeing their faces she knew that they suddenly had the same sense of dread. She walked slowly to the conference table and sat down. "What is it?"
"I met with Dr. Marsh and he said that the procedure I had last year isn't working like he had hoped," Viv said; her tone very calm, clinical and completely detached. "He has placed me on the list for a heart transplant."
"Um," Martin cleared his throat. "Are they sure? Because I still have the phone number of the Chief…."
"No, sweetie, thank you. We're sure." Viv gave Martin a gentle smile before continuing, "I've talked to Jack and told him that Dr. Marsh has me restricted to desk work. I know that puts a lot more work on you three…."
"Don't worry about it Viv," Danny interjected. "We'll do whatever it takes."
"Absolutely," Martin agreed.
"I appreciate that," Viv said in a soft voice. "But we all know that this definitely means I cannot continue to work in the field even after the surgery. So eventually I will have to leave the team."
"But not for awhile, right?" Sam asked.
Viv smiled gently at her and said, "Yeah, not for awhile."
Martin was biting his lip and Sam knew him well enough to know his mind was spinning but he couldn't handle the topic. She glanced at Danny who looked just as crestfallen. She wanted to break the silence but while her mind was overwhelmed with questions and concerns not a single word found a voice. Viv wasn't that much older than she was but she sometimes considered her the mom of the group and the thought that your mom might die is scary.
"Come on you guys. I'm here, I'm alive and as soon as heart becomes available I am sure I'll be fine." Viv's voice was filled with an upbeat tone. "So, please, let's just continue working like we always do okay. No pity."
The three of them just nodded in agreement but Sam knew that while Viv wanted to be treated like she always was their lives would never be the same again.
