Despite all hesitations Claire made a decision. One week after her first operation Connor got her to sign the contract for receiving the donation.
It was the morning of the operation when Zanetti decided to visit Connor before he was brought into the OR.
Already dressed in a hospital gown, he laied in his bed when she entered the room.
"Hey, what brought you in here?"
She shrugged her shoulders, but smiled weakly.
"Just wanted to see Dr. Rhodes in a hospital gown. It's rare. God knows when I get the chance to watch him like this again."
Connor smiled back, when he noticed Zanettis expression getting more serious.
She walked to his bed, sat down on a chair, grabbed his hand.
"Are you sure you want to do that? I can't help, but I don't have a good feeling about today. Don't know why."
"It's her only chance. I'm not doing this for me. It's for her."
"I know."
Connor gave her a big smile.
She already wanted to leave when he called her back.
"Sam?"
"Yeah?"
"I thought we cooled it", Connor assumed, refering to their relationship. Zanetti gave him a mysterious glance
"I know."
She walked back to his bed. He had crossed his arms behind his head to look as calm as possible, even if he felt anxious as hell.
"Listen, this is gonna be my last operation at Gaffneys. I requested a transfer and Miss Goodwinn gave me green light."
"What?"
Rhodes stared at her in shock.
"Connor, I can't do this anymore. Every god damn day, I'm seeing you with Reese. I made my decision.."
"Why…? I mean, Johns Hoppkins. Really?"
"It started with Downey and continued with Sarah. You told me, that you chose David Downey when it came to the point of deciding who meant more to you. So, you have to be fine with my choice right now."
Sam walked out, not without colliding with Reese who just entered.
Sarah frowned, than glanced at Connor worriedly.
She went around his bed, gave him a sad smile.
"You're okay?"
"I'm gonna be fine."
He came closer, finally gave her a kiss.
"I wish it would be already over right now."
He stroked the palm of her hand.
"Don't worry. Downey is one of the best surgeons in Chicago."
Reese raised her eye-brows like she had a problem to believe in his words.
"Connor, he still suffers from liver cancer in a terminal stage."
"Zanetti joins him."
"How's Claire doing?"
She shrugged her shoulders.
"She already got some sedatives, but she's still pretty anxious."
Rhodes agreed by nodding.
"There's something else I got to tell you. Your Dad is outside, already waiting for any updates."
"Do me a favor and avoid visits as long as possible. I don't know how Claire thinks about it. But seeing him, wouldn't be good in my state, right?"
"I'll do my best, okay?"
"Sarah?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you ask Maggie to put me and my sister in one room after the OR? Since I might be the first one who will be awake after the operation I'm already able to care about her."
"Alright, let's see what I can do."
She already wanted to leave, but stopped in the middle of the way, walked back to Rhodes, looking stumped.
"Sorry, but this is so hard."
She placed another kiss on his forehead.
"Trust me. I'm gonna make it."
He didn't suspect, that he wasn't far away from breaking his promise…
CMDCMDCMD
Despite all fears and worries Connors operation started as panctually as planned.
It was 9:30 when April put the mask on his face to put Connor asleep, before she rolled him to the OR.
Knowing about the importance of their patient Zanetti and Downey glanced at each other serious. Not that they put less energy in operating other patients. But since Connor already was like a son to David and Sam felt attached to him things seemed a little bit different.
After they put the requested kidney out and Zanetti closed the wound the whole operating team felt some started to feel relieved.
"BP is 130 to 90. Heart rate keeps steady."
"Alright, good job everybody. Put him on a monitor and let me know when he's awake."
Downey wiped the sweat from his forehead, then looked at Maggie who just arrived to get Connor into the bay.
"His sister is ready?"
"Yes, Doctor Downey."
"Then get her here to put those kidney in."