On Monday morning, Adam woke up alone in the bed. He found a note on his bedside table. Adam smiled as he read.
"Gone to the gym with Roman. The way you move, I need to build up my strength. I will see you at work, at nine. I have it with me. Love you, baby. Love to the little lions. Love, Dean." For a doctor, Dean had extremely neat handwriting.
Adam folded the note and put it in the drawer, with another one. He put his hair up and took a quick shower to wake up.
Adam helped his children into their school uniforms and gathered their book bags. They went downstairs to breakfast.
As they ate cereal, toast and milk, the children told Miss Ida all bout their weekend excursion to St. Louis.
"How was your weekend, Miss Ida?" Adam asked with a sip of coffee. In front of the children he always tried to address her as Miss.
"Nancy came on Friday and we had a wonderful time watching the Golden Girls. On Saturday and Sunday we went to see mother. She didn't remember Nancy, but she responded well to her. She still remembered me, but less of the things she once knew. I'm prepared for it, so, it's all I can do." Ida spoke with a smile. She knew nothing would stop the dementia, so Ida took it in stride.
"Does your mom have a broken nerve? Maybe Uncle Dean could fix it." Jade asked curiously.
Ida patted Jade's head. "No, honey. She has something called dementia. It happens to some older people. It makes them forget things. Doctor's can't fix it. I have photos to look at and happy stories to remember so it will be alright."
"I'm sorry, Miss Ida. I would be sad if daddy or dad didn't remember me." Jade spoke with a child's honesty.
"Don't worry, honey. It doesn't happen to everyone when they get older. But thank you, sweetheart." Ida gave Jade another pat with a smile.
Breakfast ended, and the children cleared the table. Soon they were on their way to school. Ida would pick them up in the afternoon.
When Adam got to the hospital and parked, Seth waited for him. The two friends hugged and Adam rubbed Seth's baby belly.
"All I can say is, Stephanie sure sounded smug on the phone. Adam, something is up, I just don't know what." Seth was anxious to tell Adam more about the call from Stephanie the night before.
"What gets me is, I am the charge nurse, she should have had me call you. You know what I mean, Seth." Adam had thought about it. He should have been informed before Seth, as the head nurse, not out of ego.
Seth nodded. "I know, Adam. You are my boss, and it does not bother me. The only thing I can guess is, she didn't want to interrupt your trip. I, being your friend was different. It's the only thing I can think of that makes sense." Seth shrugged.
"It does make sense. Well, there has to be a reason. Let's go find out." Adam opened the door for his friend.
They punched their time cards and went to the nurse's station. Lita wasn't happy.
"Lita, I'm sorry. I don't know why she changed the schedule. I certainly didn't ask her to. I was more than happy to work your shift. I'll do anything I can to make it up to you." Adam spoke with sincerity. He couldn't blame Lita for being upset. He also wanted her to understand and know he had nothing to do with it.
Lita nodded with a bit of smile. "Thanks. I appreciate that very much. I should have known it wasn't you. Maybe next week. Okay, here are the reports..." Lita went on to give Adam the shift change reports.
Adam went to the medicine room to prepare the trays. He wasn't surprised when Dean came in. Adam grinned when Dean pulled him in for a kiss.
"You're early, Doctor Ambrose." Adam giggled when Dean's hand cupped his cheeks.
Dean grinned. "No private patients this morning. No waiting at the gym showers. Listen, for now, the pump is located in the safe in my office. The combination is my birthday, reversed. 85, 12, 7. You are the only one besides Roman who knows it. The safe is behind the picture of the skeleton. You and Roman are the only ones who know that as well. I had it installed privately. Anyway, go do your meds. We'll see Megan together at the end." Dean gave Adam another kiss with a grope to the ass and left.
Adam smiled. He knew Dean had just put a great trust in him. Adam carefully finished his and Seth's medicine trays.
Adam wheeled his cart out of the room and locked the door. He looked around, Seth's cart was there, but not Seth. Maybe he'd gone to answer a patient call.
Adam pushed the cart to the nurse's station. When he got there, Seth and Dean stood with Drake Younger and Stephanie McMahon. Adam guessed now he'd find out why his and Seth's shifts had been changed.
"Seth, here is your tray." Adam nodded to the second tray of medications on his cart.
Stephanie spoke up. "Adam, give us two minutes, please. Mister Younger has something I am sure you will want to hear. I'll leave you to it. I have a meeting with father about this contract dispute." She gave a smile and "clacked" to the elevator.
Dean was put out, he hated the smirk Drake had on his lips. "Okay, Drake, spit it. Adam and Seth have children who need their medication."
Drake frowned at Dean, then turned and gave Adam a rather handsome smile. "I know how close you are to Megan Helmsley. I also know how worried you are about her getting the insulin pump she needs. I am happy to tell you, I am about to leave for Jefferson City. I am going to get a pump for Megan. She should have it by Wednesday or Thursday at the very latest." He puffed up with pride and gave Adam another charm filled smile.
Dean and Adam exchanged a glance. Adam gave Dean a nod that said "go ahead." Dean gave a slight chuckle, then spoke.
"Drake, save your gas money. I already have a pump for Megan Helmsley. I picked it up yesterday, in Saint Louis. I've cleared my schedule and will do the operation tomorrow morning. However, your trip may not be a waste. Speak to Doctor Cena, there is patient in isolation who may also need a pump. Her need is a bit pressing, as her parents don't have insurance." Dean looked like the cat who ate the canary, dipped in cream, as Drake's smug expression fell from his face.
Drake opened and closed his mouth a few times. He finally found his voice. "You did? Where did you get it? You can't just walk into a pharmacy and buy one. I worked hard on a deal with Capitol Hospital to get the pump, for Megan." He was gobsmacked. Dean had stolen his thunder and further diminished him in Adam's eyes. He was trying to win Adam, not lose him.
Dean shrugged. "You're not the only one with connections, Drake. Now, Adam and Seth have work to do." He gave Seth and Adam a nod of authority.
Adam gave Seth his tray. Seth took his medications and Adam pushed his cart. Drake stared after Adam.
"Drake, I don't know what you are up to, but, it won't work. Adam is mine, but, even if he wasn't, he wouldn't give you a second glance. I could tell people what you are really like, but I won't. Believe it or not, you still have a piece of my heart. Just, please, do your job, Drake. There are kids here that really need help." Dean had started out angry, but was softer in the end.
Drake's shoulders slumped. Now what was he going to do. The McMahon's were too dangerous to cross. He didn't want to be the next body found floating, face down in the Missouri River.
"Yeah alright, Dean. I'll go see what Stephanie wants to do about the pump." Drake didn't know what else to say. He went to the elevator. He went up to his office. He had to think before Stephanie called for him. Drake Younger was an extremely worried man.
As Dean walked down the hall to Megan's room, his mind raced. He was more sure than ever something was going on, and that Adam could be in danger. Maybe not physical danger, but danger none the less. Dean also knew Drake was part of that danger. The first thought of someone behind it all came to his mind, were Stephanie McMahon and her father more than they appeared to be… Dean stopped could… was Randy Orton part of it as well?
"Doctor Ambrose? Are you alright?" Adam addressed Dean formally in the public hallway. Dean just stood there, a blank look on his face.
Dean blinked. "Huh? Oh, Nurse Copeland. Sorry, I just got lost in thinking about something. Ready to see Megan?" He was back to his normal self.
Adam grinned with a nod. "Yes, I'm sure Shawn is anxious." He pushed his cart to room 151.
Dean smiled. "I'm sure he will be relieved more than anything. I think I'll let Megan tell him." He opened the door to Megan's room for Adam.
Adam wheeled his cart into the room. He was a bit surprised, Shawn and Hunter were both there. Shawn was in his three piece pin striped suit and Hunter was in his black suit. The couple stood as the Doctor and Nurse entered the room.
"Hello. I didn't expect to see both of you here." Adam moved to check the levels on Megan's monitor. He showed Dean the readout slip.
Dean frowned. "A bit low today, kiddo. Sorry, but orals won't cut it. Her usual dose please, Adam." He could be more informal in front of the Helmsley's.
Adam prepared the insulin injection. Both Shawn and Hunter went to Megan's bedside. They distracted their daughter as Adam deftly gave her the shot. Adam bandaged the small prick.
Dean leaned in and whispered in Megan's ear. When he pulled back, Megan smiled.
Shawn crossed his arms over his chest. "More secrets? I waited all weekend to find out what Friday's secret was all about. I drove Hunter insane all weekend. This one refused to open her mouth. Now what is going on?" Shawn sounded like he was in court and Hunter looked ready to arrest someone.
Megan laughed. "Doctor Dean said I could tell you, but maybe I will let you suffer until after work." She mirrored Shawn so much it made Adam laugh.
"Megan Helmsley, please tell us before I lock myself in a cell just for the peace and quiet." Hunter looked at his daughter with desperation.
Megan laughed again. "Okay, dad, come here." She wagged her finger for Hunter to come closer. Hunter bent down and Megan whispered in his ear.
Shawn rolled his eyes and threw his hands up in the air. "I give up. I'm going to work." He went over to get his briefcase.
"Oh daddy, I am just teasing you. I am having my operation to the get the pump tomorrow. Doctor Dean got one yesterday, in Saint Louis. That's what he told me on Friday. That's why he took Addy and the monkeys on the trip. No more shots!" Megan could barely contain her happiness.
Shawn actually dropped his briefcase on the floor. Luckily it was locked. "Dean did what? And Adam?" He couldn't speak again.
Hunter stared at Dean. "How? That Younger guy said maybe he could get one in Jefferson City. You drive to Saint Louis and just pick one up. Thank you, Dean, just thank you." He held his hand out for Dean to shake. Dean shook it firmly.
Shawn went to Adam and hugged him. "Thank you too, Adam. Dean is a keeper." He went and shook hands with Dean.
"I have a good friend, Doctor Tommy Dreamer, at Shriner's Hospital in Saint Louis. I don't mind telling you, but no need to tell the who or where to anyone else, please?" Dean gave the Helmsley's a very serious look and his tone of voice matched.
Shawn nodded. "Of course, Dean. We will respect that. I can't thank you enough. So tell us, what happens now?"
"I will operate in the morning, around eight. After, she will go into isolation for twenty four hours, then back here for two days. Then home isolation for two weeks, then two weeks of rest, then, slowly back to normal. I will give written instructions on how to fill the pump. Also, what to look for, like problems with the port. I will be happy to show Miss Nancy as well. I'm glad it worked out." Dean spoke in his doctor's voice, but his face was now bright and happy.
Megan nodded. "It's worth all of that to stop the shots." She was relieved.
Dean spoke again. "This afternoon, I will remove this monitor and transfer the information to the pump. You are on your way to a ninety nine percent needle free life. You understand, right?" He looked at Megan and arched his brow.
"I get it. I may need a shot sometime, but the daily shots will be over. Doctor Dean, thank you. I'd like to thank Doctor Dreamer too. Would that be possible?" Megan arched her brow at Dean.
Dean nodded. "Yes, but not from here. Email him when you get home. I really want to protect him, email may not be entirely secure here. Besides, by then, you can tell him how it's working."
Megan nodded. "Okay. No disrespect, but you are really protective. I'm happy Adam and the quads have a good protector. Thank you." She raised her arms to indicate she wanted a hug from Dean. Dean gladly hugged the teenager.
Adam looked at his watch. "I've got to go. Call if you need me." He hugged Megan and Shawn, then hugged Hunter. Adam smiled at Dean and left the room with his now empty cart. He smiled as he walked.
When Adam sat down to start his chart work, Seth finished his. Adam still smiled as he sat down.
"I take it Megan was happy?" Seth asked as he returned his charts to the rack.
Adam nodded. "Very happy, Shawn and Hunter too. I think Dean was a bit embarrassed by their thanks. By the way, I didn't know Dean was on the diving team with Roman. He taught the kids how to dive at the hotel pool. He did the most perfect dive I've ever seen. All I can manage is a belly flop." He wrote in a chart with a laugh.
Seth grinned. "Dean is a good diver, but Roman is better. Law School kept him from trying for the Olympic team. Adam, what do you make of everything?" He turned serious.
Adam sighed. "I honestly don't know, Seth. I almost felt like Drake was trying to score points with me. Why, I don't know. He knows I am with Dean. Even if I wasn't, Drake wouldn't interest me in that way. He's just not my type at all. The best thing we can do is keep our heads down and do our jobs. Leave the politics to others." He gave his friend a shrug.
"You're right. Speaking of, I will be back." Seth got up and went to answer a patient call.
Dean had stayed with Megan and her parents. Shawn and Hunter had to sign the paperwork so Dean could operate. They sat at the table in Megan's room. Megan did her homeschooling under he headphones and used her new tablet.
Hunter leaned in closer to Dean. "I know your friend didn't just give you that insulin pump. How do we pay for it?" He spoke quietly, Megan didn't need to know everything.
Dean hesitated. "Um… no need to worry about that, Hunter." He flipped through the papers to make sure they were all signed.
Shawn signed his last form with a flourish. "You paid for it yourself, didn't you? To keep your friend out of it, right?"
Dean ducked his head. "Um… yeah. I didn't do it for my own glory or ego. I only did it for Megan." He kept his head down. He didn't want praise, he just wanted to help Megan.
"We know that, Dean. We want to pay you back. Look, let's be honest. None of us have any money issues. Let us pay you back, so that you can help someone who really needs it. Dean, please?" Shawn spoke honestly. He and Hunter knew Dean had no motive other than helping their daughter and protecting Dr. Tommy Dreamer.
Dean looked at Shawn. "Alright. It was six thousand. Tell you what, I will put it in a separate account. One I can use to help someone who really needs it sometime." He also didn't want Shawn and Hunter to think he would make money out of the deal.
Shawn pulled out his personal checkbook. He wrote out a check for six thousand dollars. He tore it out, folded it and handed it to Dean.
"We can't thank you enough, Dean. If you ever have a patient that needs help, let us know. We will be glad to do so." Shawn again spoke with firm honesty.
Dean pulled out his wallet and put the folded check into a hidden slot. He put it back in his pocket. He gave Shawn a nod.
"Will do. Let's just say, not all advocates do what they should do. But, I didn't say that. Now..." Dean stood and went to Megan's bedside.
Megan stopped her lesson and took off her headphones. Dean smiled. "Rest today. No food or drink after seven and eat light at supper time. I'll leave word for the kitchen. Shawn, Hunter to to work and let her rest. I'll come back later to get the monitor." Dean gave Megan a pat on the leg.
Dean gathered up the papers, shook hands with the Helmsley's and left. He went to the nurse's station. Seth was gone and Adam worked on patient charts.
Dean held the sheaf of papers up. "Put these in Megan's chart, please. Parental permission forms for the implant tomorrow."
"I will, but I am going to copy them first." Adam took the papers. There was a desk top copier at the far end of the desk.
Dean grinned. "Good idea. I'll put them in a safe place. Oh, please put a nil by mouth after seven notice on Megan's door, and tell the kitchen to prepare a pre-op meal for her."
Adam gave Dean the copies of the permission forms and put the originals in Megan's chart. He sat down and pulled a notice sticker out of a folder in a file cabinet.
"Seven, nil by mouth. I'll put it on her door later. I'll call the kitchen now." Adam picked up the inter-hospital phone. He quickly ordered the special meal for Megan.
Dean chuckled. "Good job, Nurse. Now, hurry up and chart. I am ready for lunch." He winked at Adam and took the copies to his office.
Adam finished his work as Seth returned. "Poor little Rick Blanchard. He threw up all over everything. The chemo is so hard on him. I don't think Rita will be having lunch. She's the best aide though, bless her, she did all the clean up." Seth took it in stride. It was part of being a nurse.
"I wish the aides got more recognition. I have to say, while I hate the lockout of new patients, it is better for those here. We can give them more time and attention." Adam stated with a shrug.
Seth nodded with a sigh. "It is sad, but true. I guess we have to look at the good side. Okay, Baby Reigns, you will get your lunch soon." He laughed when his tummy growled loudly.
Adam laughed and put his charts in the rack. He rubbed Seth's belly. "Easy there tiger. That impatient, it has to be a girl. Oh dear, she looks mad." He looked as Stephanie headed to the nurse's station.
"Where is Doctor Ambrose?" Stephanie asked politely, but there was an anger in her eyes.
Dean emerged from his office. "I'm right here, Miss Stephanie. Can I help you with something?" He too was polite, but he was not angry. However, he was wary. His thoughts from earlier ran through his mind.
"I understand you acquired an insulin pump for Megan Helmsley, in Saint Louis. Where did it come from?" Stephanie looked at Dean. Her left brow arched so high, it vanished up in her swooped bangs.
Dean looked at Stephanie. "I made arrangements with a fellow physician. We have a patient who has severe needle angst, with a weakened heart. The pump will stop her angst, and rest her heart. I'm sorry, but she couldn't wait while the hospital is some dispute. I did what I did for the sake of a patient. I didn't realize it would be such an issue." He felt his temper rise. It was his worst habit. Dean bit his cheek to control himself.
"I do understand that, Doctor Ambrose. I came across the wrong way. I wanted to know so I could thank them. So who do I need to call?" Stephanie again smiled. Inside, Stephanie wanted to know so the person could be warned not to interfere ever again. Threats could be a wonderful tool at times.
Dean shrugged. "No thanks are needed. My friend owed me a favor. Does it really matter, we don't help patients for the thanks. We help them because we took an oath to do so. Besides, my friend asked to be anonymous. I must, can and will respect that."
It was all Stephanie could do not to roll her eyes. "Oh well, in that case, I suppose it doesn't matter. It's just we can't have something like this happen again. We have to protect the patients from possibly defective equipment."
Dean actually chuckled. "Miss McMahon, I hardly stood on a street corner like a drug dealer. It is the most advanced insulin pump on the market… the medical market, not the black market."
Stephanie had to be careful. Doctor Ambrose was not a stupid man. "I am sure you didn't get it off a street corner. The other issue is, how do we pay for it? I'm sure you didn't get it for free." Stephanie's brow arched again.
"You don't need to worry about that, Miss McMahon. Megan's father and I have taken care of the payment. Is there an Issue, Doctor Ambrose? Megan's operation won't be affected it will it?" Shawn Helmsley asked as he and Hunter stood at the nurse's station. They had heard part of the conversation.
Dean, Adam and Seth were very relieved that the Helmsley's had arrived. All three looked at Stephanie and waited for her response.
"No, there is no issue Mister Helmsley. I was concerned about… well, it doesn't matter, it has been taken care of. I am sure there is no issue with the operation." Stephanie couldn't argue the issue, not with the best lawyer in the city standing there.
Dean spoke. "No issues at all. By the way, did Drake check his source in Jefferson City? We could potentially need a pump for a patient in isolation. His parents desperately need the help of an advocate. I told Drake to speak to Doctor Cena."
"Then I suppose he will, Doctor Ambrose. Well, back to work for me. I wish you a good day, Mister Helmsley, Detective Helmsley." Stephanie gave a nod and headed to the elevator. She had to meet with her father.
When Stephanie was in the elevator, Dean, Seth and Adam all let out long held in breaths. It made Shawn and Hunter chuckle.
Adam looked at the couple. "You could not have shown up at a better time. She was trying to… make trouble. She tried to make it sound like a… a… drug deal on a street corner rather than a favor from friend to friend. I would just like to know what the hell is going on around here." He was frustrated.
Shawn smiled at Adam. "Don't worry. We will see to it that Dean is protected from her… crap. It's not the first time we have dealt with her. Now, we are leaving. We will back this evening, and we will be here in the morning, before Meg's surgery. Thank you again, for everything, Dean." He shook Dean's hand as did Hunter. The couple then left and headed out of the hospital.
As Dean, Adam and Seth headed to the break room, Adam spoke. "Hunter was livid. I am surprised he didn't explode."
"How can you tell? He didn't even say anything." Seth noted as Dean opened the break room door for the two nurses.
Adam chuckled. "Because he didn't speak. For as long as I have known Hunter, when he is truly mad, he says nothing. Shawn told me Hunter has been that way forever." He pulled the lunch bag out of the fridge. Dean had gotten it from Ida that morning as he left for the gym.
Dean spoke. "I would guess, Hunter is the kind that, when he does explode it isn't nice. Sometimes, I wish I could keep my mouth shut." He unwrapped the sandwich Adam put down in front of him.
Just as Seth took his lunch out of the microwave, Drake Younger entered the break room with his tray from the cafeteria. Dean, Seth and Adam looked at one another.
"Thought you were going to Jefferson City?" Dean asked as he took a bite of his meatloaf sandwich.
Drake lifted the lid that covered his tray. He had spaghetti and meat sauce. "No point, you already got the pump. How did you manage it, Dean?" He twirled some spaghetti around his fork.
Dean chewed, swallowed, then spoke. "For Megan, yes. What about the child in isolation who may need one? What, the parents aren't rich or well known enough for you to help?" He was point blank.
Drake sighed. "Dean, don't. You know I am not really like that. It was what Truman Hospital wanted me to do. I guess it just became the easiest thing to do. I will talk to Doctor Cena, if the kid needs it, I will do my best to get it. Come on, Dean. I know what I became, and I am sorry." Drake sneered internally, he hated the new plan. Make Adam feel sorry for him, maybe side with him against Dean. Stephanie told him Adam had a soft heart.
Dean looked hard at Drake. For once, he wasn't sure if the man was lying or not. "I will believe it when I see it, Drake. You want to prove you've changed, then prove it." Again he spoke firmly.
"I will. So, are you going to tell me how you managed to get that pump for Megan? It sure made you the hero of the hour." Drake arched his brow and took another bite of his lunch.
Adam growled. "He didn't do it to be a hero, he did it for Megan. It doesn't matter where it came from or how he got it. Get a pump for the child in isolation, that's what counts."
Drake nodded. "I will. I promise. I am not the horrible person you think I am."
Adam gave Drake Younger a very slight smile. "We will see, we will see."