AN: YAY! Thanks for the reviews :)
I am going to be switching off POV's during this story.
This one is from the ER doctor's POV. I will try and remember to post what POV each chapter is from:
You sigh as you step out of the trauma room. Sweat is pouring down your temples at the sheer amount of energy and effort that was just expended by your body. Your brain hurts, physically hurts at what has just occurred. The amount of emotional and physical energy that it took for this last patient was equivalent to the amount you had used in the last ten hours.
And you knew it was not even close to being over. Not by a long shot. This patient has become your top priority and because you are the chief of staff for the ER, she is your complete responsibility.
And it isn't just because you are the chief, it's because of the situation involving this patient. The fact that there are now cops and media surrounding your hospital and your waiting room is full of FBI agents.
It's a logistical nightmare and thankfully, the CEO of the hospital already has your media representative on his way in. Mark can handle the media, your job is to keep your patient alive. Somehow.
"Lacey?" You turn around to see the charge nurse, Mandy, handing a cup of coffee to you. She too is exhausted, she was in the trauma room from the moment your patient was rushed in. Both of you had spent the last two hours saving a life.
"Thanks, I owe you one." You smile at her, grateful for her thoughtfulness.
"Have you talked to them yet?" She asks, sinking down onto a chair with a sigh.
You shake your head, your feet are killing you and you take a seat next to her. "No, not yet. I need a chance to figure out what to say."
"The truth," Mandy shrugs, "they are ready to hear it, they know it isn't good."
Mandy, always so blunt but a damn good nurse. You nod again, "I know. Logically, I know. Emotionally… how do I tell them?"
The nurse shakes her head, "just like you do every other family that you have to give the news to."
And she is right. She offers to accompany you but you decline. You need to do this yourself. You are headed out the door when Mandy suddenly throws something at you. You whip around to see a pair of fresh scrubs laying on the floor.
"You are still covered in her blood." She points to your scrubs and you look down to see blood splattered all over you. Thank goodness for Mandy.
Ten minutes later, you have on fresh scrubs. You have brushed your hair and dried the tears. You take a deep breath and step into the chaos.
Law enforcement is everywhere. Up and down the hallways and you see the trauma room that is being guarded by clearly identified federal agents. A chill goes down your spine as you walk to the family room; the social worker has already pulled the family in.
You close your eyes and hope that the social worker is still in the room, you need her. And then you walk in.
Instantly, the room goes quite and you see six sets of eyes on you. One of the men steps forward and you remember him as the person that arrived with the patient.
"Y'all are here for Agent Jareau, correct?" You ask softly. They all nod. "Does she have any family?"
The stoic agent, the man who rode with her in the ambulance speaks up immediately. "Her husband is on the way, his flight has been delayed. I am her supervisor and the FBI has jurisdiction over what happened to her."
You nod again, not wanting to fight."Of course, I understand. My name is Dr. Lacey Wells, I am the chief of emergency medicine here. I worked on Agent Jareau since her arrival." You can hear the fear, you can sense it. "When she arrived, she was in grave condition. I was informed that CPR had been done in the field and that Dr. Langston was able to restore her heartbeat. She was intubated shortly after before being transported here." They all nod and you continue. "Once she arrived in the ER, we immediately began the process of stablazing her. She is suffering from severe hypothermia which we believe resulted in cardiac arrest."
"Is she alive?" You look up to see another woman, dressed very differently from the others, looking at you with tears in her eyes.
You lick your lips and look down. God this woman. What she had been through, her injuries, the trauma, the horrific shape she was in… it was all so much. Her last few months had been nothing but torment and hell and now… "Yes, Agent Jareau is alive."
Another pause before you speak up again, "I am sure the FBI has her will?" You look to her supervisor who silently nods in agreement. "I do not know how much longer she has, I am not sure what is contained in that document, but it might be best to get anyone that would like to say their goodbyes here. As soon as possible."