Adam dropped the kids off at school. It felt strange to drive his Kia again. Dean would pick the kids up in the Mustang. For the short drive between school and home, it was safe enough.
When Adam parked in his space at the hospital, Seth waited for him. Adam also saw that Justin's car was there. Maybe he'd been called in to work the night shift last night. He'd find out soon enough.
"Hey Adam!" Seth hugged his friend. He had missed working with Adam last week.
Adam chuckled. "Hey Seth. Hey Baby Reigns. Sorry you couldn't come on Saturday. Let's just say it was a day of Worlds of not so Fun. I'll tell you during lunch. Are you feeling better now?" He asked as they walked toward the building.
"Much. It's like the morning sickness wanted one last round. I can't wait to hear what happened. Well, ready to get back to the real shift?" Seth asked as he opened the door.
Adam snickered. "Yeah, but I didn't mind the night shift. Justin is really good. You will like him if you get a chance to spend quality time with him." He punched his time card as they spoke.
"He seemed nice during the shift change. As long as he is good with the children, I am sure I will like him." Seth punched his card. They headed for the nurse's station.
Lita gave the shift report and medication list. Adam and Seth were soon settled and ready to start their day.
"Doctor Ambrose has two new admits today and Doctor Cena has three. While you do the meds, I'll see that the rooms are ready. Doctor Ambrose wants his two in the same room." Seth read the extra notes Lita had left.
Adam stood, medication list in hand. "Sounds good. Your tray will be ready by the time..." He was interrupted by Stephanie McMahon's high heels clacking towards them. Justin Gabriel was with her.
"Adam, wait please. You too, Seth. Justin is going to join you this week before he starts full time on the night shift. I want him to learn as much as possible about the way things work here at Saint Luke's. So, Justin is all yours." Stephanie gave Justin a pat on the back, then headed back to her office.
"Welcome, Justin. It's actually a good idea for you to work a week of day shift. Justin, this is Seth Reins, Seth, Justin Gabriel." Adam smiled, he was finally able to make a more formal introduction between the two. Seth and Justin shook hands with smiles of their own.
Adam spoke again. "I am going to get the meds ready. Justin would you rather help me or help Seth arrange for five new patients?" Adam asked, brow arched.
Justin thought for a moment. "I will help Seth. It will teach me how you prepare. I've helped you in the med room. Is that alright?"
Seth responded. "Of course. I could use the help. Come on, Justin." Seth gave Justin a warm smile.
By the time Adam had his medicine cart and Seth's tray ready, Justin and Seth were done.
"Here's your tray, Seth. Okay Justin, your choice again. Seth or me?" Adam gave a little laugh.
Justin chuckled. "I will make this easier. I will stick with Seth till lunch, then after, I will work with you. Seth can show me new things I need to learn. Will that work?"
Seth added his laugh. "That's perfect, Justin. I work hallways B and C. I used to work isolation, but I can't now with the baby. So Beth and I traded. Come on, little people need their medications." He showed Justin how he set up his cart.
Adam went off with his cart. He was glad Justin was there, it was a help, especially for Seth. It also seemed that Justin and Seth got along. That wasn't always easy with Seth.
By the time Adam was done, Seth and Justin had just sat down to chart. Seth looked at Adam. "Um… go to Dean's office." He nodded to the closed door across the hall.
Adam went across the hall and knocked on Dean's door. When he heard "come in," Adam opened the door and went in. He closed the door behind him.
Dean sat with his head down on the desk. Adam knew immediately what had happened. He went to his lover and put his arms around Dean. "I'm sorry, babe." He spoke softly.
Dean sat up and pulled Adam into his lap. He didn't care how it looked. "I got called to the ER while I was at the gym. It took me ten minutes to get here, but, it was too late. Penny was gone. She should have been admitted sooner, but that fucking contract mess happened. I begged her parents to take her to another hospital, but they refused I still don't understand why. It cost her, her life. I did all I could. It still gets me though."
"You wouldn't be human if it didn't. Is there anything I can do?" Adam asked s his head rested on Dean's shoulder.
Dean kissed Adam softly. "No, not really. Oh, cancel the bed for her. Mary will be in there alone for now. I may fill the bed tomorrow, after my private practice hours. You'd better get back to work. Nice to see Justin working a day shift, to better learn our ways. Now go, I love you. I just needed to see your smiling face."
"I love you. Yes, having Justin is good. It helps Seth. I have to chart the meds. Ida sent us lunch, I will see you. Dean, Penny is with Cathy, happy and pain free." Adam gave Dean a kiss and got off his lap.
Dean smiled. "Thanks for reminding me. See you soon." He felt better. Losing patients was part of his life. Dean had to take his moment to grieve, then, life went on.
Adam went to the station and pulled his charts. He sat down to work. "He lost a patient. Mary will be alone in the room." Adam spoke with a sigh as he worked.
Justin nodded. "It happens. I will go change the room." He stood. They had put the now deceased patients name on the door.
"Thanks, Justin." Seth stated simply as he continued to do his own chart work. Justin left to do the required change.
Adam looked over at Seth. "So, things going alright with Justin?" He was curious as to what Seth thought of their new co-worker.
Seth looked at Adam. "Yes, he is very good and really knows what to do. He is good with the kids too. They like him. I...just...well...no...it's pregnancy hormones. Like it was with Roman." Seth gave a shrug and charted more.
Adam frowned. "Just say it, Seth."
Seth sighed. "I just...he's not what he seems. He knows...too much."
Adam grinned. "I understand. He does know a lot. He had three years of medical school. Justin was going to be a doctor, then decided being a nurse would give him more patient contact. Sound familiar?" He gave Seth a gentle nudge.
Seth laughed. "Okay, that makes sense. Thanks, at least I know I'm not crazy." He went back to work as did Adam.
Justin, Seth, Adam and Dean sat at a table in the break room and ate their lunch.
"I see you finally went grocery shopping. Or did you stop at a deli?" Adam teased Justin.
Justin laughed "You caught me. I went to the deli. See, Seth..." He went on to explain about Adam sharing his sandwiches last week. "...so, I will eventually make my own, but this is good."
Before anything else could be said, Drake Younger came into the break room with his usual tray from the hospital cafeteria.
"Mind if I join you?" Drake asked as he pulled a chair up to the table before anyone could tell him no. He sat next to Justin.
Adam, Seth and Dean exchanged look, but said nothing. Drake spoke again. "Um...hi, I'm Drake. Remember when I brought the wheelchair in? It was a fast introduction."
Justin gave Drake a shy smile. "I'm Justin. I'm working days this week to learn more. Say, did the Miller boy like the chair?" He played his part well, and continued to act a bit shy.
Drake grinned. "Yes, he did. We even had a race. He beat me by a mile. It's nice to have another handsome face on the day shift." He flirted, but lightly, as planned.
Justin ducked his head, but said nothing. He shot Adam a look. He'd told Adam he thought Drake was handsome. Justin hoped Adam would remember and would help.
Adam understood Justin's look. He didn't like to play cupid, but maybe he could nudge the fat little fellow to shoot his bow, just a bit. "Justin did you go see any of the city over the weekend? Like the Nelson-Atkins?" Adam took a bite of his sandwich.
Justin sighed. "No, I didn't. I thought about it, but it's no fun alone. No one to discuss the art with. You know how it is."
Drake perked up a bit. "Oh, the Nelson-Atkins Museum is wonderful. The are having a special impressionist exhibition this month. I'd love to see it. You're right though, it's better when you can discuss it with someone." He kept it low and slow and didn't ask Justin out. That was how they had planned it.
Seth chewed his bite of food, swallowed then spoke. "You should go. Roman and I went last weekend. First time I ever saw a real Monet. Adam, Jade and Jordan would love it." He took another bite of food. The baby was hungry, or so he justified.
"Yes, they would. Maybe Randy will take them, it's his weekend this week. Drake, why don't you and Justin go? You know each other and everyone needs friends." Adam gave Justin a very sly wink. So what if he nudged that arrow a bit more.
Justin caught Adam's wink and grinned at him just as slyly. Seth, being Seth, spoke right up.
"That's a good idea, Adam. Why not? It seems like you'd both enjoy it, and you could talk art together." Seth bit into his apple.
Drake took his last bite of food. "Well, um...I'm game if you are. Think about it. We can talk about it later. It would be fun. I hate to eat and run, but I have to meet with someone from Make A Wish. We're working on a Royals extreme VIP weekend for Jim Nichols. Think about it, Justin." Drake got up, but this time, took his tray. He left with a flirtatious wink to Justin.
Justin grinned inside. It couldn't have gone any better. Drake had behaved perfectly and Adam had also fallen for it. If they played their cards right, he and Drake could actually be inside Adam's house.
Before Justin could speak, his pager went off. A patient needed a nurse. Seth started to get up. Justin stopped him.
"You sit, I'll go. If I need you, I'll call." Justin got up and hurried off to the patient in need.
Dean had quietly sat and watched the entire exchange. "I am impressed. That was some slick work, my love. You too, Seth. I wonder how long before they announce their engagement." He was truly amused with their sly matchmaking skills.
Adam ducked his head. "Well see, Justin kinda let it slip he found Drake handsome. I just...gave a little nudge. Justin is new in town and doesn't have friends, so why not? Justin would be good for him. Are you mad at me?" He gave Dean a worried look.
Dean caressed Adam's cheek. "Not at all, baby. Honestly. I thought you were very...subtle. Seth...not so much, but that's our Sethie. Right?"
Seth stuck his tongue out at Dean. "You have to push sometimes instead of nudge. Hey, I agree with Adam. Maybe Justin would be good for Drake. Come on, we'd better get back to work. That new patient, Mary is so sweet. I am glad it's just her tonsils." He scooped up their lunch trash and threw it away.
Adam quickly washed their coffee cups and Dean dried them. Soon the three were back at work.
"Okay, Justin. There usually aren't a lot, but we do have some after lunch meds. I get them ready while lunch is served to the patients. Seth answers patient calls. So come help me, please." Adam spoke to Justin and gave him the short med list.
Justin got the trays ready as Adam supervised. "Justin, um…sorry about lunch. I hope...well Drake...I nudged, Seth shoved and..." Adam didn't quite know how to say what he wanted to say.
Justin marked where he was on the list and looked at Adam. "No, no. I am glad you nudged. I do find Drake handsome. I'm really thinking about going to the museum with him. I mean out of friendship. That's the best way to start. So stop fretting. I am grateful." He got the next dose of medication on the tray.
"Thanks, Justin. I don't normally do things like that, but, well, if you go, I hope you enjoy it. Nelson-Atkins is lovely." Adam smiled.
When the two nurses came out of the med room, Dean and John Cena ran past them like race horses. They were headed to the isolation ward. Adam and Justin frowned. Two running doctors was never a good thing.
They took the cart to the nurses station. Seth spoke. "One of the new isolation patients went into cardiac arrest. Doctor Lesnar is..." The elevator dinged. A rather muscular man with very short hair charged out and ran like a raging bull toward isolation.
Justin's brow arched. "Doctor Lesnar, I presume?" He had to fight the urge to run after the three doctors. As a physician himself it was a very hard urge to resist.
Adam nodded. "Yes. He is the best cardiologist in the state. Seth, here is your tray. Justin prepared them, he did it perfectly."
Seth took his tray to his cart. Just as he left, the elevator dinged again. Shane McMahon stepped off the elevator. He pulled a small suitcase behind him.
Shane smiled at Adam. He didn't exactly know the man with Adam, but he looked familiar. "Hi, Adam. I hope it's okay, but I am finally free to do the paper bag puppet project. I can set up before playtime." Shane explained as he stopped at the station.
"That's wonderful, Shane. Guess now that Megan is so much better, Shawn is back at work. Oh, Shane McMahon, meet Justin Gabriel. He's a new RN for the night shift. He's here this week to learn more about our ways. Shane is Vince's son and Stephanie's brother." Adam made the introduction.
Justin shook Shane's hand and prayed Shane didn't recognize him from the "other side". "Nice to meet you, Mister McMahon. Your project sounds like fun."
Shane grinned "Call me Shane. Mister McMahon is my father..." He turned to Adam. "Yes, Shawn was so kind. He knew I wanted to do this, so he told me to do it. The dear man bought enough glue and glitter to sparkle the entire ward, floor to ceiling. So, is it okay?"
"Absolutely, Shane. Shawn is generous. Go ahead, the playroom is yours. With Justin here, I can come help. The playroom is unlocked." Adam waved down the hall to said room.
Shane happily went to the playroom. Justin let out a held in breath. Either Shane didn't recognize him or the kid knew enough to keep his mouth shut. He shrugged and went to do his job. No matter what, the patients came first.
"Adam, if you want to help Shane, I can give and chart the meds." Justin politely offered.
Adam chewed on the thought. "Are you sure? I have no fears, you know what you are doing. You are an RN after all. I just don't want you to think I am pushing the dirty work on you...so to speak."
Justin laughed. "Yes, I am sure. Besides glue and glitter is a lot dirtier than antibiotics and aspirin."
"That's true. Well, with four seven year olds, I am used to glue and glitter. Call me if you need me." Adam gave Justin a pat on the back and headed for the playroom.
Adam had a fun time helping Shawn set things up in the room. He and Shane talked about ideas for the play. In the end, they chose some skits from the Muppet Show. They wondered how many Kermits would be made.
Seth and Justin sat at the nurse's station and charted the medications they'd just distributed to the patients.
"Um, Justin. I'm sorry I kind of shoved you and Drake together. I get a little carried away sometimes. If it made you uncomfortable, I am sorry. I'm sorry even if it didn't." Seth spoke with deep concern on his face.
Justin smiled at Seth. "Don't fret, Seth. Like I told Adam, I am glad you did shove. I really do think Drake is very handsome. I am seriously thinking about going with him. I could use a friend." He gave Seth a pat on the shoulder.
Seth smiled. "Thanks, Justin. You're an alright guy. Drake needs someone like you in his life." He wrote the lat note on the last chart.
"Sounds like you know Drake. Can you give me any inside information? You know what I mean. Nothing too personal." Justin was curious. What exactly did Seth know?
Seth bit his lip. "He and Doctor Ambrose used to be a couple. I got to know Drake because my husband, Roman is Dean's best friend. Their relationship just didn't work out. They weren't right for each other in the end. You know how it goes."
Justin nodded. "Oh. Yeah, I see. Guess it's lucky for Adam and maybe for me that it didn't work out. Wait...I didn't mean it like it came out..." He was halted when Dean, John Cena and Brock Lesnar returned from isolation.
Doctor John Cena spoke. "Shut and clear. The morgue will be here in twenty minutes."
Seth stood. "Yes, Doctor Cena. I'm sorry." He turned to Justin. "We have to clear the halls and close all the room doors. We don't let the other patients see a pick up from the morgue." He explained as he led Justin down the hall. He paged Adam to come back and watch the station.
Adam returned. Dean spoke. "Seth and Justin are doing a shut and clear. That's the second one today." He let out a deep sigh.
"I am so sorry. I am sure you did all you could. Shane came to do the paper bag puppets. That will be a good distraction for the kids." Adam spoke softly to Dean. John and Brock had gone to John's office.
Dean gave Adam a half-hearted smile. "That's good. John did all he could, as did Brock, but her little heart was just worn out. It makes me worry about Megan. I want Shawn and Hunter to let Brock examine her. See if there is anything he can do."
"I'm sure they will do whatever you suggest. They want what's best for Meg. Tell you what, tonight, after the kids are in bed, I will give you one of my special massages." Adam gave Dean a soft, but coy smile.
Dean perked up. "That sounds wonderful. Oh..." He was silenced when the team from the morgue arrived. He went to tell John and Brock.
Adam and Shawn had a fun time with the kids. The little patents loved the idea for a puppet show for their parents. Dean came for a bit and told funny stories that made everyone laugh. They even managed to keep the glue and glitter under control.
When Adam finished in the playroom, he went for a quick coffee break. Justin, Seth, Drake and Dean sat at a table and drank coffee.
Dean got up, kissed Adam then poured a cup of coffee for his boyfriend. Adam sat in a chair next to Dean and sipped his coffee.
"If I ever see pink and green glitter again, I will scream. Doesn't any one like Grover, you know blue Grover? We had Miss Piggy, Kermit and Oscar out the...ass." Adam banged his head on the table in frustration.
Dean quickly stopped Adam from banging his head again. "Baby, it will be okay. The glitter monster will go away. You can't tell Jordan no pink glitter, it would break his heart."
Seth, Drake and Justin tried to not to laugh, but they failed when Seth laughed first.
"Sorry, buddy. But banging your head on the table… over glitter...oh Adam!" Seth could barely speak for laughing. Adam had looked so frantic.
Justin snickered. "Adam, you're too precious for words." He tried not laugh.
Adam flushed. "Well...they drove me crazy. But, their laughter was worth it. No, I won't tell Jordan. Okay, can let's laugh at Adam end now?"
Dean pulled Adam into his arms. "Yes, baby. Okay, stop now." He spoke with protective authority.
Drake put a hand on Justin's shoulder. "Yeah, he's had enough. You're right, Adam. Seeing the kids happy is worth a bit of glitter. I will see if I can get a puppet stage donated from a church. We can make it a real show. I'll talk to the kitchen, they can make cookies or cake or something. Oh, and punch." Drake was honestly excited about the idea. He made some notes in a little notebook.
Justin looked at Drake. "That would be wonderful. I'll be glad to come in and help, during the performance." He too liked the idea. Criminal mind or not, to Justin, the children came first.
Adam grinned. "That would be great, Justin. Drake, pull it off and...well, one more step in your favor. Dean, would you be able to narrate or host? I mean, it will be during playtime. If you get called out, I can do it, but you'd be so good at it."
Dean finished his coffee. "I'd love to do it. I'll see if John wants to help. He can be really funny too. Maybe we can make puppets of ourselves, Doctor A and Doctor C."
"Hey, I want to be a part of it too!" Seth almost whined, he felt left out.
Adam laughed. "I already planned on your help, buddy. When the day is decided, we can make up a letter to give to the parents. Hopefully most of them can come." Adam hugged Seth.
Drake got up to leave. He took his and Justin's cups to the sink and put them in the "dirty" side. "Well, back to work. Justin, keep thinking bout it. It would be fun." He gave Justin a wink, then left.
Dean took his, Adam and Seth's cups to the "dirty" tray. "Justin, I know Drake. You would have a good time with him. I also think you would be good for him. He needs a strong hand, and you have that." He gave Adam a kiss, then left the break room.
Seth, Adam and Justin stood. Seth spoke. "If Dean said it, you can believe it." Seth gave Justin a firm nod and wink.
Adam gave Justin a shrug. "Sorry, Justin. Sometimes we just can't help it. Come on, we have to do the rounds, then make the reports for the night shift.
By six-thirty, Adam enjoyed dinner with his family. Roman took Seth to Tony's, and Drake, Justin and the other lieutenants ate dinner with Stephanie McMahon at the McMahon mansion.
"When does your father get back?" Finn Bálor asked as he took a bite of lobster.
Stephanie sipped her wine. "Next week. He went to a Hospital Administrator conference in Chicago. While there, he will meet with our council. There is some international business that needs our special attention." She explained why her father was absent.
Justin spoke up. "Ma'am, I was very startled to see your brother at the hospital today. I think it went alright. If he remembered me, he didn't show it." He hoped nothing would slander his position on the council.
Stephanie frowned. "Shane was at the hospital today? He didn't mention he was going there. Why was he there?" She stopped eating. Her face held concern.
"He worked with the children in the playroom. Something about a puppet show. He told Adam that Shawn Helmsley encouraged him and even bought a bag full of supplies for your brother. So, he will probably be around often. What do you want Drake and I to do?" Justin looked from Stephanie to Drake. They were all worried.
Stephanie tapped her wineglass with her fingernails. "The good thing is, he only met you both once, for thirty seconds. No reason why father and I couldn't have had personal interviews with you here. That will be the story, if it comes up. Chances are it won't, but better to have a reason ready."
Drake explained what he had spoken about during the coffee break. "...so, we will have contact with him. Don't worry, Justin and I will take care of it." He spoke with confidence.
Justin nodded in agreement. "Yes, we will take care of it. We will just keep him focused on the puppet show. It's actually a very good thing for the long term patients." He wanted Stephanie to know, Shane was doing a good thing.
Stephanie guffawed. "By getting glue and glitter all over my department? Sometimes I wonder if Shane will ever grow up."
In his bedroom, Shane frowned. He thought after yesterday, they had taken some healing steps. Shane realized it had all been a lie, just like everything else in the mansion he called home.
Shane also decided he would keep his mouth shut and not make trouble for Justin and Drake. He was sure Stephanie would come down on him if he did. Shane didn't want anything to get in the way of the puppet show. The kids had really enjoyed it.
Shane McMahon continued to listen to the dinner conversation. He made some notes in a notebook. He had decided, he needed to speak to Detective Helmsley, but he needed to know a lot more first.
Stephanie chewed her food, then spoke. "Finn, I want you and Barrett to stick to Orton's men like glue. Orton isn't going to let the events of the last few days go."
Finn nodded. "Yes, ma'am. What is the plan for Orton? When do we bring that bastard to his knees." He had a tone of impatiences in his voice.
"Bálor, you have just a bit too much attitude and mouth for my liking. I would really hate for my father to have to speak to yours. I don't think that would make your father happy now, would it?" Stephanie barked her words. She was very annoyed at Finn.
Finn hung his head. "Ma'am, I am truly, truly sorry. I have let my feelings for Orton get in my way. The last thing I intended was to disrespect you or your father. I will do what you ask, when you ask and keep my fucking mouth shut. Again ma'am I am sorry." Finn stood, went to Stephanie and kissed the medallion ring she wore. He sat back down, his head still down.
Stephanie sighed. "Alright, Finn. Let's let the water flow under the bridge. I do understand, Finn..." She paused and looked at her lieutenants around the table, then continued.
"I think it's time you knew why Finn was sent here to us. Randal Orton had a business deal in Ireland, to supply some weapons to the Bálor's competition. There was a bit of gun play and Orton killed Finn's brother, Stephen. Finn's father sent him here, because he knows we are out to destroy Orton's empire. I can understand Finn's impatience. But Finn, you can not let it get control of you. That's how mistakes are made. Mistakes we can't afford to make. Now, Finn, as I said, it is forgotten. But you must maintain that temper of yours." Stephanie finished with a nod to Finn.
Up in his room, Shane couldn't write fast enough. While sad about what had happened to Finn, he had a bigger sadness. The youngest McMahon knew, when this broke, Adam Copeland-Orton would be devastated. He hoped Adam had nothing to do with Randy's illegal side.
In the dining room, Wade Barrett put a hand on Finn's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Finn. You can always talk to me if you need to vent." Wade gave Finn a soft smile.
Finn looked at Wade. "Thanks. I appreciate that." He sighed and toyed with his food.
At the Orton mansion, Ted, Cody and Brett had a meeting of their own. They had the drug laced pellets JoMo had gotten.
Brett would hit Finn Bálor when the signal was given. Ted and Cody knew McMahon had men following them. One of those men was Finn Bálor. They just needed to lure him in and set him up.