Hi lovely readers. Thank you all for reading and leaving reviews and adding this story to you follow already!
Warning this chapter contains mentions of blood, sexual assault, and murder. So if any of these things trigger you, you may want to skip it.
Otherwise, enjoy reading!
Disclaimer, I own nothing but my original characters in this story.
6 Months Ago
"Alright Jamie, Dr. Sanders will be here in a few minutes to get a cast set on your arm." Mercedes told the ten year old after checking his vitals, putting her stethoscope back around her neck. "Next time, tuck and roll." She winked, getting a smile from the boy. His mother gave a quick thank you, and Mercedes nodded with a smile.
After writing her notes on the young boys chart, she made her way to the nurses station to check for any unassigned cases.
"Hey Cede!" Brittany, her friend and fellow coworker greeted as she sat down in front of one of the computers to enter patient info.
"Hey Britt. What's the status for today?" Mercedes grabbed the next unassigned case chart, reading it over.
The young blonde shrugged in response. "It's slow today, so it should be easy breezy. Though a call did just come through a minute ago. There was a shooting on 10th and Park, and they're bringing him here, five minutes out."
Mercedes nodded, saying a small prayer for whoever would be coming through those doors in the next few minutes. "Let me know if you need any help when the ambo gets here. I'm gonna check this patient's vitals and set up an IV, then I'm going to lunch." Brittany gave her a thumbs up and Mercedes headed off to take care of her next patient.
"Well alright Mr. Johnson, everything looks good! You are pretty dehydrated though, so I'd say about an hour or so on fluids, and you should be good to go." Mercedes slipped her latex gloves off, disposing of them and checking a few things off on his chart. "The doctor should be in to see you in about twenty minutes." She checked her watch marking the time she put in the IV.
"Thank you sweetheart. You are a gem." The older man told her with a smile. "I'll be just fine for an hour as long as I get to watch the game. I never miss seeing the Knicks play."
"You sound like my fiance. He's a hard core Knicks fan as well."
"Smart young man."
"He is indeed." Mercedes' smile brightened as she thought about Sam. She let Mr. Johnson know when she'd be back to check on him before going to the nearest nurses station to enter his info in the system. Humming to herself, the young woman finished typing her notes just as a Code Blue sounded through the halls.
Quickly getting up, she made her way down the hall to the other end of the ER. Someone had flat lined in Room 2. She could hear the incessant monotone of the heart monitor. There were already two doctors and a handful of nurses in there, so Mercedes stayed back not wanting to overcrowd. If they needed her, they'd let her know.
A few moments later, Brittany rushed past with a couple blood bags in hand into the crowded room. Mercedes swore she heard a few expletives leave the blonde's mouth, and was surprised as her friend rarely ever cursed. The young woman quickly left the room after dropping off the blood bags, once the head nurse instructed her to another task.
The heart monitor was back with a rhythm of a light beep every second that could be heard from the room. Brittany continued to curse, moving to the computer. Her hands were shaking, and a series of 'this can't be happening' flowed from her lips. Mercedes moved closer to her, placing a comforting hand on the other woman's back.
"Britt?" The woman in question jumped slightly at the sound of her voice and touch.
"Shit Cede! You scared me." Brittany quickly wiped her eyes, turning to the other woman. "I didn't realize you were here."
The commotion in Room 2 didn't cease. "He's losing a lot of blood people! We need to get him to the OR!" Dr. Alvarez announced.
The Head Nurse, Connie, called for Brittany to page Dr. Redding and make sure there was an available Operating Room. Brittany nodded,quickly reaching for the phone between her and Mercedes with shaky hands.
"I can do it Britt." The shorter woman stated, moving to pick up the phone. Brittany shook her head, grasping the device tight in her hand.
"I got it, Cede."
"Britt-"
"It's Sam!" She spoke softly, but firmly, looking at her friend with sad, red rimmed eyes. Turning back to the task at hand, Brittany hurriedly paged Dr. Redding, and called the Surgical Floor to see which room was available.
Mercedes stood there frozen in place as those words processed in her mind. She must have misunderstood the other woman. How many guys named Sam resided in New York City alone? Had to be at least a couple thousand, so the odds of it being her Sam was slim.
She had been so lost in her thoughts, that she didn't notice when Brittany left after being summoned by Nurse Connie in need of an extra pair of hands. After getting the patient stabilized enough to move him to the OR, the extra nurses cleared out of the room, and that's when Mercedes saw him. It was her Sam. But not her happy, smiling, beautiful fiance. Instead, he was far too pale, hooked up to wires, and covered in blood, his blood.
Dr. Alvarez and Nurse Connie rolled her Sam out into the hallway, heading for the elevator. And that is when Mercedes snapped back into motion.
"Sam!" She rushed to catch up to them in the hallway that felt like it was closing in on her. They stopped in front of the elevator, waiting, and Mercedes took the opportunity to come closer, placing a small hand to his pale cheek before binding down to whisper words only he could hear. Though she wasn't sure if he actually would hear them or not. "You're gonna be okay, baby. You hear me? You're strong, and you're gonna be okay. I love you so much." She placed a gentle kiss to his temple just as the elevator dinged open.
"Dr. Redding is the best Mercedes." Nurse Connie reassured. Mercedes nodded, swiping at her eyes, trying to get rid of the blurriness. She hadn't realized she'd been crying until now. Once Sam disappeared behind the elevator doors, she silently broke down. Seconds later, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her. Brittany quickly led her to a secluded part of the hallway, and she comforted her friend as she cried, trying to keep her own tears at bay.
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Sam had been out for three days after his surgery. Dr. Redding was able to remove the bullet, and fix the damage it had done. At least that's what everyone was hoping and praying, that there wasn't any lasting damage. They wouldn't know until Sam actually woke up. The bullet had barely missed his spine by an inch. A freaking inch.
Mike had filled her in on what led up to Sam being shot, and even though Mercedes didn't want to hear it, she needed to. He'd also let her know that the guy responsible was, in fact, dead now. Mercedes would never wish death on anyone, but to say she was relieved was an understatement.
Mercedes and Sam's younger sister, Stacy, were seated in the private hospital room. Stacy was to his left, with Mercedes on his right. The young, usually peppy blonde sat with a book open, reading aloud C.S. Lewis 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.'
The other woman was only half listening. A million and one thoughts seemed to be going through her mind. She fiddled with her engagement ring, twirling it around on her left ring finger, and silently begging Sam to open his eyes. Stacy paused in her reading, glancing at her eldest brother before turning her attention to her sister-in-law.
"I know it may seem silly, me reading to him like this." Stacy spoke softly. "But this was our favorite book when we were younger. Sam and Stevie would read it aloud to me, and do different voices for each character." She stated with a sad smile.
"It's not silly Stace. It's really sweet, and I know he can hear you, so keep reading to him." Mercedes encouraged. Stacy nodded, wiping her eyes quickly and continuing where she left off in the book.
The sound of Mercedes phone vibrating loudly in her purse interrupted her thoughts. She quickly located the device, stepping into the adjoining bathroom to take the call.
"Hey Mary" She spoke into the receiver, leaning against the small counter.
"Hi honey, any change?" Mary Evans questioned. The older woman had been at the hospital for the past two days with her oldest before she was coaxed by her mother to go home and get some rest. She hadn't slept more than a couple hours and was preparing to head back to the hospital soon.
"No change yet. Stacy has been reading to him."
"Oh my sweet girl. She's always adored her brothers. And after their father was killed…" Mary paused taking a deep breath, and a few sniffles could be heard over the line. Mercedes tilted her head towards the ceiling, holding back her own tears. "I'm sorry honey."
"It's-"
"Cede, he's awake!" Stacy loudly proclaimed from the other side of the door, tapping on it excitedly. Mercedes hurriedly moved towards the door, stepping back into the room. Stacy couldn't stop smiling, looking at the other woman. "Sammy's awake! See!"
The younger woman practically bounced back over toward the bed. Mercedes' eyes followed her breath she didn't realize she was holding, and more tears blurred her vision as her eyes locked with his. Lifting her phone back to her ear, she softly spoke.
"Mary-"
"I heard sweetie. I'll be there soon."
Mercedes nodded as Mary disconnected the call. Tears were flowing more freely now as she moved to the bed. Stacy announced she was going to find the doctor, planting a gentle kiss to her brother's cheek before exiting.
Sam's eyes continued to focus on Mercedes as she moved closer to the head of the bed. He slowly turned his hand palm side up, not having strength to do much else. Mercedes held back a sob, gently grabbing his hand and bringing her other hand up to move his bangs away from his eyes.
"Hi my love. I missed those beautiful eyes."
Sam gave her a small, tired smile, rubbing his thumb against the back of her hand. He cleared his throat wincing a bit as a ripple of pain went through his body.
"Merce…" His voice was hoarse from lack of use over the past few days. Mercedes made to move and grab a cup of water for him, but he stopped her, gripping her hand a little tighter. "Will you sing...the song earlier...I heard you." He told her slowly. She gave a watery smile, running her fingers through his hair as she started quietly singing.
When tomorrow comes
I'll be on my own
Feeling frightened of
The things that I don't know
When tomorrow comes
Tomorrow comes
Tomorrow comes
And though the road is long
I look up to the sky
And in the dark I found,
I lost hope that I won't fly
And I sing along, I sing along
And I sing along
I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me, and see a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me through the night
Kick start my heart when you shine it in my eyes
Can't lie, it's a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me through the night
'Cause you're my flashlight (flashlight)
You're my flashlight (flashlight)
You're my flashlight
I see the shadows long beneath the mountain top
I'm not afraid when the rain won't stop
'Cause you light the way
You light the way, you light the way
I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me, and see a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me through the night
Kick start my heart when you shine it in my eyes
I can't lie, it's a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me through the night
(Light light light you're my flashlight, light, light)
Light light you're my flashlight
Light light light light light, oh
(Light light light you're my flashlight, light, light)
You're my flash, oh
I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me, and see a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me through the night
Can't stop my heart when you shinin' in my eyes
I can't lie, it's a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
(You're my flashlight)
You're getting me, getting me through the night
'Cause you're my flashlight
'Cause you're my flashlight
You're my flashlight
You're my flashlight
Light light
You're my flashlight
Light light ye-yeah
You're my flashlight
Present Day
Mike Sighed getting out of the patrol car and heading towards the crime scene along with Sam. If the Asian man was being completely honest, he hated this part of his job. He knew it came with the territory, but it could be hard at times. He would never understand why people could purposely harm and/or kill other people. It would never make sense to him. Self defense he understood. Everyone had a right to protect themselves, but someone killing an innocent person, never made sense to him. The two partners made their way to where the victim's body was in the alley next to one of the dumpsters. The coroner stood up nodding in greeting.
"Who's our victim, Sebastian?" Mike questioned as his eyes raked over the body. The first thing he noticed was how young she looked. Poor girl
"Sarah Martinez, 21 years old. She was a Junior at Columbia University according to her student ID, and a waitress at Jay's Diner." The young woman still had her work uniform on which was now smeared in blood.
"Damn" Sam sighed. She was only a couple years older than his baby sister. "Cause of death?"
"Possibly blunt force trauma to the back of the head." Sebastian announced, moving to squat down next to the body. "But, you see here." He pointed a gloved finger at the bluish, purple finger shaped marks around her neck. Sam and Mike nodded. "She was strangled, but it's hard to tell which is the cause of death. Medical examiner is on the way...there's also signs of sexual assault."
"Well, well, well if it isn't Detective Guppy Lips and Detective Bruce Lee." Santana Lopez stated, her heels clacking as against the pavement as she made her way over to the three men. "Lucifer's spawn" She referred to the other man in greeting.
"Wicked Bitch of the West" Sebastian quickly retorted, not missing a beat.
"Don't start Santana." Sam replied, getting an eye roll from the Latina.
"Oh don't act like you haven't missed working with me Trouty. You too Asian Persuasion."
Mike sighed once again. Sometimes he didn't understand how he was friends with some of the people in their friend group. "Can we get back to the task at hand Tana. The victim please."
She waved him off, taking a look at the body before letting them know she'd be able to do an autopsy in a couple hours to confirm the cause of death.
"Oh, and before I forget to tell you. I'm throwing a surprise party for Britt-Britt's birthday in a couple weeks at that new club Snix. I'll send a group text with details." She snapped on her latex gloves. The three men nodded at her words before Mike and Sam advised they were heading back to the precinct to get started on locating possible suspects.
Mercedes smiled at her blonde friend as Brittany sat down in front of her at their table. They were having lunch together in the hospital cafeteria after finally being able to sit down and take a break. The Emergency Room had been particularly busy that day. The new girl, Sugar, whom they'd become fast friends with, plopped down in the seat next to Brittany. Sugar laid her head down on the cold table top, letting out a groan.
"Oh my god. I'm so tired."
Mercedes and Brittany smiled both letting out a few giggles.
"You think what we had this morning was bad, try working a twenty-four hour shift. Then let me know how tired you are." The blonde stated popping a chip in her mouth. Sugar's head shot up and she shook it violently causing her ponytail to flop back and forth.
"Oh no, twelve hour shifts are enough right now. I need at least ten hours of beauty rest per night." She told her new friends, opening the container filled with her chicken caesar salad and eating a fork full.
Mercedes finished chewing her food before speaking. "What do you do when you're not working Sugar?"
"Sleep, get my nails done, sleep, go to the spa." She shrugged. "Not much else though. I haven't gone out since moving to New York. You two are the first friends I've made here."
Mercedes and Brittany shared a look before asking the other woman if she liked karaoke. Her smile was answer enough, though she did admit to not being the best singer. They explained how their group always went to Karaoke Dokie to hang out and let loose at least once a month.
"We're going this Saturday." The diva told her. "You should come."
Brittany glanced over Mercedes' shoulder, frowning a bit. There was a guy watching them from across the room. Earlier, she noticed he had been watching them as well in the emergency waiting room, but didn't think anything of it the first time.
"You okay Britt?"
Mercedes' question snapped the other woman out of her thoughts. She quickly turned her attention back to her friends and nodded. She glanced over her friend's shoulder once more only to find the table that was occupied a few moments before now empty.
Thank you all for reading. Let me jnow what you think! I'd love to hear your theories on what you think might happen. Until next time