Chapter Twelve

Abby entered the ER, struggling to support Luka's large frame with her own, much smaller one.

"Frank! I need a bed." Jerry rushed from behind the desk to take Luka. Abby gratefully relinquished her hold on Luka. "Thanks, Jerry."

"Exam Two is open." Frank told her, evidently confused. She followed behind Jerry as Greg Pratt came over, fresh chart in hand.

"Kovac isn't looking too hot, what's the problem?"

"I found him out cold on his bed. He was difficult to wake and once awake not very lucid. He has a fever, heart rate's abnormally fast, and he's been vomiting." They arrived at the exam room. Haleh was already at work, changing a barely conscious Luka into a hospital gown.

"He just got back from Africa, right?" Pratt asked as Abby instinctively gloved up and started an IV.

"A week ago." Pratt removed his stethoscope and began examining Luka.

"Temp's 102." Haleh announced. Abby looked over at Luka, who was out again. The hospital staff worked around her, but she didn't notice. Her eyes were on Luka. She brushed back his hair with a hand, and then gently wiped away tiny beads of sweat from his face. He was so deathly pale, and that scared her. She stroked his arm, almost as if touching him would make everything okay.

"Abby, why don't you sit down." Chuny suggested, pushing a chair over to where she stood. Abby complied, arms wrapped around her middle. She closed her eyes. Please just let him be okay.

"Don't worry, honey," Haleh said, almost as if reading her thoughts. She laid a comforting hand on Abby's shoulder. "We'll find out what's wrong with him."

Abby looked up at the older woman, attempting a shaky smile. "I hope so." She whispered. There was nothing else to do but wait. So she waited, all the while holding on to Luka's warm, limp hand. One by one the nurses and doctors left, until it was just the two of them. Slowly the quiet of the hospital room lulled Abby to sleep.

Suddenly, her eyes shot open as Luka's heart monitor shrilled in warning. She stood up, alarmed but not knowing what to do. Carter and Haleh rushed in with Pratt and Chuny following.

"He's in V-tach." Haleh announced.

"Alright, let's get him to Trauma One." When Abby arrived at the trauma room, Carter was already intubating. Everyone looked up as the monitors took on a different sound.

"Asystole." One of the nurses, she didn't bother with who, informed the busy doctors. Her vision swam as tears formed in her eyes.

"Starting compressions." Pratt announced.

"This can't be happening." Abby said, but no one heard her. Carter glanced at Abby and then exchanged concerned looks with Haleh.

"Haleh, take Abby to the lounge."

She threw off the hand Haleh placed on her arm. "No! I'm staying with him!"

"Paddles." Carter requested. "Charge 150. Clear!" Pratt stood back. The tears spilled over onto her cheeks as she watched Luka's body jolt with the shock. No change. Pratt resumed compressions. "You aren't staying, Abby. You shouldn't even be in here."

"I'm not leaving him!" She cried, desperately trying to make them understand.

"Think of your baby. You're getting hysterical and you need to calm down." Abby gave in at that small reminder and allowed Haleh to lead her out of the room.

"I'm not going to make you wait in the lounge, you can stay here." Haleh said, once they were through the double doors.

"Thank you." The other nurse nodded with compassionate eyes before walking back into the room.

She watched as they shocked him again and again. His body was maxed out on every drug. Still, they kept going. On some level she knew it was solely for her benefit. All too soon, it was over. She saw the change in Carter's face as he put the paddles back, and in Pratt's as he stood back for the final time. She couldn't bear to look as Carter snapped off his gloves, calling time of death. She did see them cover Luka with a sheet, each face etched with sadness. And then she was sobbing, loud, harsh sobs raw with emotion.

"I'm sorry, Abby, but he's gone." Carter said, telling her what she already knew yet didn't want to believe. She slid down the wall to the floor, hands covering her face. Someone was shaking her shoulder.

"Abby. Wake up, Abby." She opened her eyes. Chuny was looking at her, concerned. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." She replied, standing up. Abby glanced around the room, relieved to find everything as it had been when she drifted off. Luka was still alive. He was sleeping, chest rising and falling rhythmically. "Are his labs back yet?"

"Yup. It's malaria, P. falciparum."

"The more severe strain."

Chuny nodded. "It might take a while, but he'll be okay. We caught it early." She held up a tray. "I'm bringing the meds right now."

"Wonderful." Dr. Chen came in. "So how bad is it?" Abby directed her question at the other woman.

"We're going to have to keep him in the hospital for a while. As you know, the strain he has is very dangerous. We need to monitor him for complications up in the ICU, at least until the worst has passed."

"Thank you, Dr. Chen."

"Just doing my job. Listen, why don't you go home and rest for a bit. We've got it covered here."

Abby shook her head. "I'd rather stay with him, if that's okay." Chen shrugged.

"Fine by me. They're going to be moving him soon. I'll make sure there's a cot up there for you."

"That would be wonderful. Thanks again."

"No problem." She turned to leave, but stopped. "He'll pull through this, Abby. He's been through too much to let this take him now." Chen gave a smile, meant to encourage her, but there was a flicker of doubt in the doctor's eyes. The door shut behind Chen as she left.

It wasn't too long before Abby was stretched out on a cot in ICU, preparing herself for a night of fitful sleeping. The only sound in the private room was Luka's breathing and the blipping of the various machines he was attached to. Her tired body battled with her restless mind for control before she finally fell asleep.

A/N: Had you fooled now, didn't I? I would never kill Luka off! Story's coming to a close, still one more chapter left. Let me know what you think and, as always, enjoy! Thanks to everyone who reviewed: Homogentistic Acid, xEllax, x-xTwistedNightmarex-x, Strizzy, and lubyforeverx711.