Hello.. It's me... Haha! Did you hear Adelle's voice just then?! So did you see Star Wars? Don't you tell me anything! Haven't gotten to yet! Sold out in my town until January. Okay. So I'm sorry about last chapter's shortness. But this one should hopefully satisfy you?! Please do continue to review. I love hearing from you! I love it! And I really appreciate it. When I get a review, it makes my day! Really! You guys are awesome. A big thank you to those who have already reviewed! THANK YOU!
Small reminder: some characters are a little OOC, it's alternate universe and reality. Oh, drama. That's all.
Tifa watched as Dr. Sephiroth and his team intricately and effortlessly prepare themselves for surgery. They were so synchronized she felt greatly out of place until an OR nurse came up to Tifa after she had scrubbed in and helped her with the rest of her surgical attire.
"Dr. Lockhart, keep an eye on her vitals. They're administering the anesthetic now." Sephiroth instructed.
Things were happening quickly, but Tifa snapped out of her daze once she heard him give the order. "Okay, Elena. We'll see you soon, just relax. You're in good hands." Tifa assured the drowsy patient as the anesthesia began to do its job. Tifa glanced at the monitors. Elena's heart rate was stable, and blood pressure looked great so far.
Her eyes traveled around the room, there were so many others around, but it felt just as though it were she and Sephiroth there. Over the course of the four weeks that they had been monitoring Elena, they sort of bonded over their patient and the situation. It was a unique situation.
His hands were steady as he and the team cleaned off Elena's small baby bump delicately, Tifa couldn't help but feel a little memorized. Sure she'd performed surgeries before, but none so intricate and dangerous as this.
There were some mild sedatives administered to the mother to slow the movement of the baby in order for the surgery to commence.
Once the baby was located on the ultrasound, surgery began.
It was miraculous to watch Dr. Sephiroth partially deliver the tiny little fetus, his large, strong hands made the child seem even smaller. Tifa's heart pounded as they began to repair the small hole in their tiny patient's back.
She continually looked back and forth between the monitors on Elena, and Dr. Sephiroth. But when she noticed a drop in the mother's heart rate and blood pressure, panic set in. "B.P. Is dropping." She stated. "She's becoming bradycardic." Tifa looked to Dr. Sephiroth nervously, hoping he was nearly finished with the surgery.
A pair of steady, green eyes met hers, she couldn't see his expression due to his mask, but the eyes told her not to worry. She knew what to do then, and quickly she did the necessary procedures to stabilize the patient.
But the steps she had taken did not seem to have an effect on the mother, and her heart rate dropped once more. "Close her up, her heart rate is dropping too fast." Tifa felt like the right call was to stop the surgery, it was in the best interest of the patient.
Doctor Sephiroth didn't agree, he was just about finished repairing the hole in the baby's back. "I'm almost done, Doctor, hold tight." He replied.
"Her blood pressure and heart rate are too low and I'm not risking my patient!" Tifa exclaimed.
Once more, the man gave her a distinctive look. But it was firm and cold. He wasn't budging on his decision. He looked away and continued the surgery. He made quick work of closing the incision and stitching the mother up.
Tifa was furious, her patient's lives were both hanging in the balance. She administered a bronchodilator in hopes of increasing Elena's rapidly declining heart rate. She also administered midodrine to help raise her blood pressure. Inwardly, she was hoping that what she had done was enough.
Yuffie had gotten home quickly, and she kindly asked Cloud to give her some time alone so she could process what had happened between she and Tifa. Of course that was partially true, she was honestly and genuinely upset about the situation. But what was weighing on her mind now was the fact that she may have conceived.
She knew what symptoms she should look out for, and frankly the only one she had really experienced was the lateness of her period. But that was it. No nausea, no fatigue, no tender breasts. Nothing of the sort. So she hoped it was just a fluke. Maybe stress had caused the lateness?
She got inside her home and took off her shoes, kicking them sloppily to the side. She clutched the box that would deliver her fate in her hands so tightly it collapsed. Nervously, she made her way up the stairs of her apartment and down the hallway to her bathroom.
The bright and floral colors only brought her temporary comfort. With petite and shaking hands, she opened the box and without hesitation she sat herself down and took the test. She placed the stick on the bathroom counter when she was done, stood up and washed her hands.
Now it was time for the waiting game. She was nervous. Certainly she and Cloud were not ready for a child yet. Truth be told, Yuffie was aware that they didn't know each other all that well. It made her wonder if perhaps Tifa really did know something she didn't. Maybe she would have to apologize tomorrow at work.
But right now, what was more important was the results of this pregnancy test. She anxiously checked the time on her cell phone, waiting the appropriate three minutes. But it felt like thirty. Now she was feeling her stomach tighten up in knots, and her chest felt tight and heavy all at once.
She checked her phone once more, and finally it was time. She hadn't once glanced at the test while waiting for the time to run out. But when she grabbed it and looked at the result, her heart stopped for a moment.
Negative. She breathed a huge sigh of relief before tossing the stick in the trash and washing her hands once more. She knew immediately she would have to be a lot more careful. She didn't think telling Cloud about this little scare was necessary.
Once Elena was settled into her recovery room and awake and speaking with her husband, Tifa walked out of her room briskly and made her way back up to the surgical wing. She had some words to say to Doctor Sephiroth.
She found him walking from his office toward the nurses station, and quickly she approached him. "Doctor, may I speak to you?"
Sephiroth turned to look over his shoulder and noticed Doctor Lockhart staring him down with an angry gaze. Her body language was all too readable. He knew why she was angry, though. He had ignored her recommendation to stop the surgery, but he had every reason and right to do so.
"Sure, Doctor. Let's talk in my office." He said calmly before beginning to usher the angry woman toward his space.
But it seemed as though Tifa did not care to speak in private, she was too furious to wait. "What you did in there was extremely irresponsible! She was circling the drain!"
"Doctor, I.." He tried to defend himself, but apparently Tifa was not done.
"Why would you have me monitor the patient if you were just going to disregard everything I said?!" Tifa folded her arms across her busty chest and stared coldly at the expressionless surgeon. He didn't seem to even flinch at her aggressive tone, or feel the slightest bit of.. Anything.
"Having you in the room was necessary, and I appreciated your recommendation." He replied, not taking his eyes away from hers.
"If that were so, explain to me why you were so reckless." She demanded.
"I felt as though I had control of the situation."
"She could have died!"
"But here's the thing," Sephiroth was angry now. She wasn't relenting, even though he tried his best to explain the situation to her as calmly and politely as possible. He would just have to be firm with her. "She is recovering just fine, and her child has a pretty damn good chance at walking and having a normal life, which would never have happened had I closed her up prematurely. The child would've likely died had I listened to you. I know my own capabilities and you do not. You have no right demanding any explanation from me. Just take a look at the outcome of this situation and tell me who's in the wrong."
He left her standing there in the hallway in shock as he turned his back to her and continued on with his business as if nothing had happened. But clearly, something had happened. Tifa stood there with wide eyes and jaw agape and several others that were in the area were staring right at her. She had been put in her place, that is for certain. But he wasn't wrong. She accepted that, but it didn't stop her from feeling completely useless in that operating room. This day had by far been one of the worst she had experienced. She was just thankful her patient had come through surgery successfully.
It was time for her to go home and enjoy a nice bottle of wine.
The next day Yuffie was awakened by a knock on her front door. When she opened her eyes and saw the clock she was furious someone had broken her peaceful slumber at such an ungodly hour. It was five in the morning, and she didn't have to be to work until 7:30.
She grumpily walked down the stairs and to her front door before throwing it open in a huff. She then saw Cloud standing there with a wide smile and a steaming hot coffee from their favorite cafe in hand. "Good morning." He said before chuckling. "I brought breakfast."
He couldn't help it. She got the most adorable face when she was grumpy, and her messy bed head and teenage mutant ninja turtle pajamas were just the icing on the cake. "You look great."
"Shut up, punk." She said as she shuffled to the side to let him in.
Cloud came inside and walked to the kitchen, making himself right at home like usual. He had to admit, living right next door had its perks, definitely. They were a happy pair, and they seemed to get along quite nicely.
He placed the coffee cups on the counter and got their breakfast out of the paper bag he had been carrying. Yuffie loved that their favorite cafe had breakfast burritos. They were so good, and kept her full for most of the day, which was helpful in her line of work.
"Thank you, Cloud." Yuffie said gratefully before taking a sip of her coffee. "Is this a special occasion?" She asked curiously.
Cloud shook his blonde head. "Not really. But I am going to be gone a few days for work."
Yuffie frowned at him and sighed. "You know, you never really told me exactly what it is you do for Mr. Shinra. You know he's a board member at the hospital?"
Cloud nodded. "I kind of act as his security. And I knew he had a roll there at the hospital."
Yuffie wondered if Cloud felt ashamed that he was someone's body guard and perhaps that's why he hadn't told her exactly what it was that he did. She hoped that the job wasn't dangerous, but she knew Mr. Shinra paid him well. Rufus Shinra was a very wealthy and influential man.
"So where are you headed these next few days?" She inquired.
"He hasn't told me just yet. But I'm sure he will soon. Eat up." He said before kissing Yuffie's forehead and heading upstairs to use the bathroom.
Yuffie smiled after him and took a bite of her burrito. She really felt as though she may be falling for Cloud.
Cloud hadn't even unzipped his pants when he noticed a particular box in the trash can near the toilet. His eyes widened when he came to realize what it was. He was in shock. She thought she might be pregnant? Why has she drinking so much coffee still? And why hadn't she told him?! He was just starting to get angry when he noticed the actual test sitting beside the box. He tilted his head to the side, straining to read the result. But when he noticed it said 'negative' he sighed in relief. Still he was a little upset she had neglected to say anything about it to him.
He quickly finished his business, washed his hands and went back downstairs where Yuffie was still eating her breakfast. He didn't feel like talking anymore, he just wanted to get on the road and forget about her dishonesty.
"I've gotta get going, but I'll call you, okay?" He said before hugging her quickly and kissing her cheek.
"Oh, okay. You didn't finish your breakfast." She pointed out.
"It's okay, take it for lunch. I'll see you later." He said in a huff. And with that he was out the door and on his way.
Tifa arrived at work early that morning. She had to speak with the Chief of Medicine about some things. She had decided that perhaps she had let things with Yuffie become too personal, and would be requesting a new nurse.
She had gone into his office after confirming that he was inside and free from any other engagements. "Good morning, Tifa." He greeted her kindly. "I heard that the surgery that Dr. Sephiroth performed on your patient was quite successful." He had also heard about Tifa's outburst and lashing she had delivered to the surgeon as well. The last thing he wanted was for there to be trouble amongst hospital personnel. And he had such high hopes for his daughter and the surgeon, too.
"Ah, yes. Elena is on bed rest now until her delivery. She's doing well." Tifa was a little uneasy. She didn't come into his office to speak about 'boys'. Shaking her head she smoothed out her lab coat and continued. "I've had a slight... Issue with my nurse."
"Issue?" Nagano tilted his head to the side in curiosity as he listened to his daughter. "You and Yuffie are good friends. So what is the 'issue'?"
Tifa let out a quiet sigh. "The fact that we are friends is the issue. It's getting in the way of our work. I'm requesting a new nurse be assigned to me. And asking that for now, you ask her to leave labor and delivery until we can sort some things out between us."
"Tifa that sounds a bit drastic! What happened between you two to cause you to want to remove her from labor and delivery all together?" Her father inquired, worriedly.
"It's a personal matter, that both of us handled immaturely. But if I have her there at this time, I'm afraid I cannot do my job to the best of my abilities." Tifa responded.
Nagano looked down at his desk and shook his head reluctantly. "Okay. Ill find a new assignment for her." Looking up at his daughter, he spoke once more. "This will be temporary, right?"
"I hope so." Tifa replied. "Thank you, father." She stated gratefully before heading up to her own office.
Yuffie was ready to try and speak with Tifa about what happened yesterday. She headed into work with her friend's favorite coffee in hand. She was hoping to smooth things over today, even though she herself was still a bit angry that Tifa had butted in so much.
When she arrived at the hospital, she was greeted by Tifa's father, the Cheif of Medicine. "Oh!" She said, surprised. He had been waiting in the corridor, and it looked like she was the person he was waiting for. "Good morning, sir." She said, feeling a little nervous.
"Good morning, Nurse Kisaragi. How are you today?" Nagano hated the position his daughter had placed him in. Yuffie was a fine nurse, one of the best with the highest patient satisfaction reviews in the entire hospital. But he would be putting her to good use, he would use the situation to his advantage.
Yuffie was now suspicious. She couldn't help but think Tifa had probably asked him to fire her. "I'm well, and you sir?"
Nagano offered her a warm and welcoming smile. "Good, good. Why don't we speak in my office?" He asked.
Instead of waiting for a response, the Chief was heading to his office in front of her. Yuffie realized then that it wasn't a question or request. She followed him reluctantly, inwardly just knowing she was about to be fired. Her stomach felt like it was in knots. She had only been inside his office a handful of times with Tifa. Usually it was just to discuss procedures. But Yuffie found herself to be quite surprised by the man's next words.
"I need your help with something." He started as he took a seat at his desk. He motioned for Yuffie to take a seat across from him.
She obliged. "And what might that be, Sir?"
"One of the chairmen of the board has fallen ill, and I have assigned you to be his nurse. I picked you because you are the best nurse we have, and I really need a good impression to be made on this man." Nagano explained.
"So in other words you don't want to lose his large contributions to the hospital, am I right?" Yuffie quirked an eyebrow, still in the back of her mind she knew Tifa had to have been involved in this reassignment somehow.
"In short, yes. His donations are quite charitable in size, we need them."
"How sick is he?" Yuffie asked curiously.
"You'll have to determine that when you see him. But he's in your charge now. He's in room 212."
"This whole reassignment thing, it has something to do with Tifa, doesn't it?"
Nagano sighed, he was hoping she wouldn't ask about Tifa. He wanted them to work things out, they made such a good team. "She's asked that you take a break from the labor and delivery unit, temporarily of course. Just give her a little time. By the time your new patient is discharged I'm sure things will settle down. Now run along, he's waiting for you."
Yuffie placed the coffee that was supposed to be for Tifa on her father's desk. Might as well go to someone rather than waste it on a back stabber. She stood up and let him know he was welcome to drink it. She was a little upset about the whole situation. She loved her job as a labor and delivery nurse, and now she was going to be stuck baby sitting an old man, probably in his fifties who was likely fat and perverted. This was definitely not her day. But she needed this job, so she wouldn't complain. This hospital was the only medical center around, aside from nursing homes. And that was the last place she wanted to be. So she would just have to suck it up for now.
She headed to the doorway of his office, thoughts swirling and racing through her head. "Oh," she started as she turned back to face him in the doorway. "What's his name?"
"His name is Mr. Valentine. Mr. Vincent Valentine."
"Why are you in my office?! Who let you in here?" Tifa exclaimed in surprise after she had walked into her locked office to find Aerith seated at her desk, opposite side of Tifa's chair.
"Hello, Tifa." Aerith had a soft tone about her, and her expression was kind and friendly.
But Tifa wasn't so easily fooled. She knew the true nature of the woman, as shocking as it was. She was no sweet heart, that was for sure.
"I don't recall you having an appointment." Tifa walked into her office and rounded her desk, placing her things atop it and looking at the brunette woman. "What do you want?"
"Tifa," Aerith started as she placed her hands on her hips. "You know what I want."
"I told you before, that testing is risky, and I'm not ordering it. There is not a valid medical reason for it." Tifa said firmly. "Don't ask me again. And don't ever come into my office uninvited again." Tifa warned angrily.
"All I'm asking is-"
"Please get out of my office. You need to talk with Zack before I even consider doing this for you." Tifa was still so angry at the woman. She claimed that it had been a 'mistake' a one time thing. But why? How on earth was Zack Fair not good or satisfying enough for her? It made her think back to when she and Cloud were dating, and she experienced those questions about herself. It was so painful, wondering why she wasn't good enough.
Maybe Tifa was right. Aerith couldn't help but think that Tifa might have a point. But she couldn't risk losing her husband. She didn't want to. He meant too much to her. The test was the deciding factor. She would have to know for sure. If the baby was Zack's then there was nothing to worry about. He didn't need to know about her mistake.
"Tifa, I'm begging you."
Tifa let out a sigh, No. I won't say it again. Now get out of my office and go talk to your husband!"
"Tifa!" Aerith plead once more.
She'd had enough of the harassing, and holding in the secret was beginning to feel like too much for her. If the baby wasn't Zack's she would tell him, and perhaps Tifa would feel better about the situation.
Yuffie went to the locker rooms and placed her personal belongings in a her new locker on the second floor. She missed being on the fifth, but she didn't have time for emotions now.
She finished putting her things away and headed down the hallway to her new patient's room. She wasn't sure who Mr. Valentine was, or who his doctor might be. But the Chief must have chosen someone equally as recommended and hard working as Yuffie. Perhaps Dr. Hewley.
Dr. Hewley had been an attending at Midgar Regional Medical Center for many years, and though Yuffie and Tifa rarely crossed paths with him, they knew he was a great doctor. He was also said to be a good friend of Zack's.
When she arrived at the patient's room, she used the automatic hand sanitizer by the doorway before knocking. She heard a deep, masculine and raspy voice call out to her saying she could enter. So she did. Her eyes widened and her cheeks turned a light shade of pink when she saw her patient sitting on the edge of the bed without a shirt while Dr. Hewley was listening to his heart and lungs.
The man had velvety black locks that were
Only slightly unkempt. They traveled gracefully to the middle of his chest and back, with a few shorter pieces that framed his face a bit. His eyes were a deep shade of Crimson, and his skin was perfect and porcelain. He had a very masculine and defined jaw line and thin lips that didn't budge with any type of smile or emotion. His upper body seemed to be in impeccable shape. His muscles were clearly and very defined. He could certainly lift Yuffie with just one arm if he wanted to.
Suddenly, Yuffie felt very self conscious, and nervous. She didn't expect this! He was supposed to be a rickety rich old man, who she may have to slap an occasional wandering hand away. But not this. How could she focus when he looked like that? She shook her head, reminding herself to think of Cloud. That would make it easier. Keep him at the forefront of her mind, and she wouldn't have any trouble.
"Well, hello." That same, velvety raspy voice greeted Yuffie. "You must be nurse Kisaragi. I've heard good things about you."
Yuffie blushed in embarrassment. "Oh," she said as she waved her hand nervously as if to say, 'yeah, don't mention it.. Please.'
"I'm sure you and Dr. Hewley will figure out what's wrong with me in no time." The man said confidently.
"Okay buddy, lets get a gown on you. We'll have to run some tests." The doctor stated as he handed the man a fresh hospital gown.
Yuffie hadn't realized how tall the man was until he stood up. Had he stood beside her he would've towered over her, but instead he walked past and into the bathroom where he could change out of his expensive looking jeans and dress shoes.
Yuffie shook it off, inwardly scolding herself. She pictured her handsome boyfriend without a shirt and smiled subtly to herself.
"The patient is presenting with severe abdominal pain, fever and nausea. I've had the lab come and collect some blood, it's being tested now."
Yuffie couldn't help but think to herself that the man looked just fine. But the symptoms were very clearly appendicitis. Surely the doctor knew that.
"And his appendix is fine." The doctor replied as if he had read Yuffie's mind right then and there.
Now Yuffie was stumped. But it wasn't her job to diagnose anyway, that was up to the doctor. Her job was to care for the patient and do as the doctor asked.
The patient emerged from the bathroom holding his folded clothing, and kindly Yuffie took it from him and placed it in a bag for safe keeping. She and the doctor helped him into the bed and helped make him comfortable.
"Nurse, why don't you get him started on an IV and I'll check the lab for his results." Doctor Hewley stated before walking out the door.
Yuffie looked on the patient before putting her gloves on and making he preparations for his IV. She had a feeling that this may turn out to be more difficult than she anticipated.
