Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. The Strong Medicine characters belong to Lifetime Television, and the 7th Heaven characters belong to the WB.

Setting: Glenoak, California

Chapter 2: THE ONLY SOLUTION

"Hi Eric." Dr. Hank Hastings stood in the doorway of Reverend Eric Camden's office at the Glenoak Community Church. Eric glanced up from his computer screen.

"Hey Hank. What brings you here? Anything wrong?" Hank shook his head.

"No, nothing like that. I was wondering if we could talk for a bit."

"Of course." Eric answered. "What's on your mind?"

"Well, I'm sure Julie probably told you about the situation at the free clinic." Eric nodded, remembering that his younger sister had indeed told him about the clinic.

"I've been trying to think of a way that could help the clinic to survive, but so far I just can't think of how to do it. I've been contacting everyone I can think of. But now there might be a small ray of hope."

"Meaning?" Eric asked. Hank took a deep breath.

"I've recently been in touch with an old friend, Dr. Robert Jackson. He's the Chief of Staff at Rittenhouse Hospital in Philadelphia. He told me about a young doctor on his staff. She started a free clinic in South Philly. She fought to keep it open, and when it was evident that it was going to close, she sought out other sources, and eventually it worked out that she move her free clinic to Rittenhouse. When they merged her clinic to Rittenhouse, she became the partner of another women's med specialist, and now they have what is known as RWHC...Rittenhouse Women's Health Center."

"I don't understand, Hank. What does that have to do with the clinic here?" Eric asked.

"I'm getting to that." Hank answered. "I asked Dr. Jackson if there might be a possibility that this doctor come here to help get the clinic back on it's feet."

"And the answer is?" Hank shrugged.

"I haven't heard yet. He said that he would talk to her."

"Hank, do you think this doctor will pull up stakes and move here?" Eric asked.

"It wouldn't need to be permanent, Eric. Just a month or two."

"Do we know anything about this woman doctor?" Eric questioned.

"No, not really. Just that she is a single mother to a 13 year old son. And that she is totally devoted to her clinic and patients. We need someone like her, Eric. Glenoak needs the free clinic. People with no insurance need the clinic. Before it has to close, I want to make sure I've done everything I can to make sure it doesn't happen." Hank explained.

"Hank, exactly why is it you are telling me this?" Eric asked, having the feeling that his brother-in-law was working up to asking him something. Hank took a deep breath.

"I told Dr. Jackson that I would find her and her son a place to stay. The thing is, I'm not sure I can find her an affordable place to stay for a month or two. Our apartment isn't really big enough for another two people. So I was wondering if maybe..."

"If they could maybe stay with us?" Eric asked, interrupting. Hank nodded.

"It was Julie's idea, actually. I know you've helped a lot of people, and I know you often have people staying with you. I was hoping that maybe this doctor and her son could stay with you?"

"Hank, are you serious? Don't you think our house is pretty full already? We have 7 kids. Including 1 year old twins. Do you think Annie will actually agree to having two more people spend a month or two with us?" Eric questioned.

"Eric, if it weren't so important, I wouldn't even ask. But it is important for the clinic. Or maybe you can help me find a place for them." Eric sighed heavily.

"Ok, Hank. I'll talk to Annie. But I can't make any promises. I'm not even sure that I am being fair to her by asking her. But I'll talk to her and let you know."

"Thanks, Eric. I'll understand if she says no, but I couldn't think of anything else."

"I'll let you know." Hank stood to go.

"I need to get back to the hospital. Thanks again, Eric." After he had gone, Eric shook his head. He and his wife had often had other people staying with them, and had helped others in need many times. But would Annie want two extra people spending part of the summer with them? Especially another child? He didn't think she would be so agreeable, but he decided that he would talk to her when he got home that evening. The worse that could happen would be that she would say no.