A/N: there was a question about Lori's seniority in the last chapter. They are working together however at this time Scott is still new, so in order to get used to San Antonio she acted as supervisor. Hope that cleared things up for ya. It's how it works in every situation.

Also. This story does in fact follow some storylines and if you don't like Lori or how she is written please refrain from reading.

This is the a 2 part chapter. I DO NOT OWN 'THE NIGHT SHIFT' OR THEIR CHARACTERS.

She's not always perfect.

How could one day go so wrong?

6:15PM

"Hey, Lo? Fancy running up to labs to drop this off?" Drew joked, watching as his sister ran into the ER, earphones in and water bottle clutched in her hand.

She had left early so she could run to work whilst Drew decided that he was happy to drive with the air conditioning, he hadn't really understood why his sister had been so eager to keep moving, especially in this heat but nevertheless she wanted to.

Stopping to catch her breath, she scowled, flicking the earphone from her ear and taking a sip from her bottle. "Dick." She uttered. Lori may have worked her butt off to be in the army but she was seriously slacking.

Drew chuckled at her immaturity and he moved back around to behind the nurses station. "Shift starts in two minutes." He reminded, his tone serious yet his face held a bright smile.

Teasing his sister was always fun, it had been part of the nature as big brother especially in their family. The Alister's were a family of 6, their mother and father; David and Karen, then the four children; Liam, Drew, Lauren and Danielle.

This time, Lori turned to face him, her middle finger raising as she easily flipped him off without a care in the world.

6:24PM

In the break room, Lori had showered and had began changing when she was hit with a wave of nausea. She had managed to conceal the symptoms of her latest treatment for so long but it was getting impossible to hide.

Falling to the bench with a huff, Lori sat with her head in her arms, rubbing her eyes. She just needed a minute to compose herself, but that was soon interrupted when the door swung open and closed making Lori shoot up from her seat.

"Oh sorry, didn't think anyone was here." Jordan Alexander apologised, lightly.

"Jordan, hey." Lori recovered, standing up to finish pulling her dark scrub top over her pale blue vest.

The pair stood in an awkward silence, neither sure what to say.

"Loo-"

"I'm-"

"Sorry." The apologised with a brief chuckle as they both fell over their words.

Jordan decided not to speak and just surveyed the young Alister for a few moments, if she didn't know her she would've never questioned anything but having known her for nearly 9 years, it was hard not to notice the change. She actually wondered how many times Lori had dismissed Drew of these changes.

"Are we gonna talk?" Jordan asked, reaching into her locker.

"We did Jordan." Lori shrugged.

"That wasn't talking. That was you admitting there's something wrong and-" Shaking her head, Jordan continued a different line of thought. "He's going to realise, don't you think?" Jordan cocked her eyebrow at the young Alister who stopped brushing her hair mid motion. "I mean, the truth is you're not getting any better, are you? You're fighting this on your own and-"

"I'm not on my own." Lori corrected, pointing the brush towards Jordan.

Jordan scoffed at the woman who had resumed to brushing her hair. "TC really?"

"Look, me and TC have known each other for years-"

It had been true. TC and Lori were best of friends, they served together, drank together and there was no denying that they had woken up together on a few drunken nights although nothing had ever happened and they both vowed to never speak of the incidents again. It had been their secret. Thankfully they had both been single at the time and hadn't caused any hurt to others, only their egos.

"Don't you think your brother wants to be that person." Jordan snapped. She may have known Lori for years but it was only upon starting the Night Shift she had been introduced to the older Alister, of course having heard the occasional story about him from Lori as time passed.

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him." Lori hissed. Throughout all of this she truly believed she was protecting her big brother. They had been the closest out of the Alisters.

Running a hand across a face, she sighed. "Look, when you were caught up in that mess in Kabul."

"There's quite a few messes to pick from." Lori scoffed, a hint of underlying sarcasm and annoyance as she spoke.

Lori stiffened, she knew exactly which incident that had been, it had been where she earnt the scars across her torso nearly 5 years ago. Jordan had been seeing TC at the time and it had been the year before TC's brother, Thad had been Killed In Action. Whilst TC and Lori, the unit's medics had been in Kabul and treating injured veterans, a bomb had detonated in the opposite village, shortly after, gunfire had began. With the unit coming together to eliminate the enemy, Lori had been caught by a ricochet.

"But you don't think he felt helpless? That he wasn't there to help you through that." Jordan reasoned. "That you didn't want to recover at home?"

Having been granted leave, Lori denied it and decided to stay in the rehabilitation centre as her wounds healed, that way she would be close to her unit. Her family had initially found the request stupid and insisted that Lauren came home but she didn't, she was too scared that every time she relived the attack she would push her family away. Maybe that had been the wrong decision. She had hurt her family.

"Look. I appreciate your concern but Scott's on his own up there so I need to make sure he's set for today." Lori explained. Not bothering to look back, the Alister fled from he locker room and began her shift. Had she been too harsh?

8:58PM

"I'm impressed Dr Clemmens. Be sure to let me know how the post op goes." Lori beamed a hint of mischief in her voice upon hearing the news Scott had just given her. "You're a good surgeon and I'm glad you accepted our offer."

Accepting the compliment, he smiled, the hot head that Lori was, he doubted she dished them out often.

"I'm sorry for last week." Lori apologised after a moment or two. Clutching her arms closer as they moved from the room.

Scott shook his head. "I understood, you were just being my supervisor. At least now we can look to work as equals."

"Definitely but be careful, I bite." She chuckled as they walked towards the halls. Taking a quick glance at her watch, the Alister turned to Scott who was reading over a file. "Are you okay if I head to break?" She asked, sweetly. She had been working for two hours and it had been nothing but hectic. She needed a break.

"Yeah- go ahead. Fine by me." Scott rambled, his focus now moving to the young surgeon.

The two surgeons were also getting along better, Lori had even managed to encourage Scott to go for a few drinks with the rest of the SA doctors on a few occasions something Jordan had struggled to do.

Before leaving she turned to Scott. "Sorry. I forgot to ask. Can you get Dr Spencer to start on the pre-ops?" She asked, referring to the intern that had began working on the surgical ward.

With a hum, he nodded. "Sure thing."

Thanking the man, she began walking towards the roof. Greeting her colleagues as she passed.

9:03PM

Taking another drag of her cigarette Lori closed her eyes. She hated smoking and it was a habit that she had developed when she was a teenager thanks to her older brother Liam. She had managed to hide the habit for so long but her other brother, Drew had caught her with a pocket at his leaving party and blew the roof, claiming that it was a dirty habit and she had to quit. She had tried of course but it was a sort of stress buster at times like this.

She hadn't paid attention to the opening and closing of the fire door that led to the tailgate.

"They'll kill you one day" A voice interrupted Camille's view of the city as she blew the smoke from her mouth.

"I didn't realise bringing my death sentence forward was such a crime." Lori replied bitterly. Shaking her head. "Sorry, I'm being a bitch that was uncalled for."

TC held his hands up. "I don't blame you kid." Joining Lori, he picked up the cigarette and inhaled a drag before handing it back. "It's nice to see you being a bitch for a change, reminds me of tour. Anyways, the nice guy act was making me want to gauge my eyes out." He joked, his hand mimicking an impression.

"Hey!" She protested quickly, smacking his hand away before continuing to smoke the cigarette herself. Rolling her eyes, she thought about TC's comment. "It isn't an act. Dick. It's just-I'm at my wits end T."

Nodding, TC waved it off. "I thought you quit smoking in Iraq." TC recalled, blowing the smoke from his mouth.

With a shake of her head, Lori frowned at the mention. It was their first tour together and TC, despite smoking himself, joked that it didn't suit her and dared her to quit. She had of course leaped at the chance to beat the newbie in a bet and went all of 5 hours. After coming home, she had successfully quit and had not looked at a packet of cigarettes in 9 years.

"I did." Lori shrugged, using her hand to wave the smoke from TC's direction.

"I heard about you and Jordan." He started softly. He had seen Jordan as soon as she left the locker room, with the pair having a somewhat secret relationship, Jordan caved and explained what had happened between the pair.

Wincing, Lori lowered her head. "Yeah. Not my finest moment." Lori had never been someone to lose her temper or snap easily and she felt really guilty about the altercation. "I should go and see her."

"She doesn't blame you." TC offered. "You're allowed to be snappy."

"No I'm not T." She shook her head. "I just- I can't tell Drew- I know I should and Jordan said you weren't enough to help me through this and-" Stopping herself mid ramble, she dropped her head to her hands.

"She's right though Lo." TC said, solemnly. His eyes focused on the hustle of the city, his forearms resting on the barrier.

A small tear fell from her eye, almost undetectable as she wiped her eye just as quick as it appeared. With a small nod, she agreed. "Yeah. Stay with me?" She asked, almost like a child.

"You got it." TC grinned. Wrapping an arm around the woman, he hugged her and waited patiently as she finished her cigarette, taking a drag every now and then. But telling Drew came sooner than expected.

"Hey! You're up here? Scott said you'd fine to break but I couldn't find you." Drew startled the pair as he approached them. As soon as he noticed the drag of spoke that came from his sister's mouth, he marched forward. "I thought you quit."

"I thought you had good observational skills." She quipped causing TC to chuckle.

"Is this you?" Drew demanded with a pointed finger.

TC scoffed. "Nothing to do with me, man."

Stubbing the cigarette Lori deposited a breath mint into her mouth and with a grin, turned to her brother. "Better?"

"Yeah. Yeah." Drew rolled his eyes.

Nudging his friend, TC gave a serious look. 'You tell him or I will', he mouthed.

"Hey, Drew?" Lori breathed, her voice suddenly quiet as she anticipated her words carefully.

Drew smiled, his focus turning to his sister but as soon as he saw the serious expression she had been sporting. "Everything okay?" He asked, sceptically.

"There's something I need to tell you." She gulped, her eyes darting around to see if anyone had appeared on the tailgate, she caught sight of TC who gave her an encouraging smile.

Before she could continue Topher peered his head from around the fire door. "I know you're on break but we've got a teen trapped underneath a tree under rising water, the need two medics. Said they need an attending. Lori. You're up."

Lori gave TC a helpless look.

9:31PM

"What do we got?" Jordan asked, her voice strong as she spoke over the dying propellers.

"Kid got caught under a fallen tree, the tide is rising. Possibly dislocated collar bone and fractured ankle." The medevac doctor informed, relaying the information he had received.

It was getting hotter and almost unbearable to think. Throwing the thick jackets to the side, they began discussing their priorities and their best way forward.

"Where's the divers?" Jordan asked, looking around. It was only them there and definitely no sign of additional support. "Who called it in?"

"They're held out on another call across county." The man explained. "His friend, he had to walk around to call, he should be on his way back."

"We need to treat him." Lori insisted, not willing to wait.

It was evident that Lori was thinking about something and from what Jordan could tell, it was going to be a TC move. "What are you thinking, Lo?" She asked, her tone curious.

"I'll go in the water." She declared. Noticing the nervous glance Jordan gave her, she reassured. "I'm fine. I can do this."

"Just remember. If you need to get out. Get out." Jordan warned to which Lori nodded. She hadn't managed to speak to her since their altercation.

"Should she be doing this?" The medevac doctor asked, watching as Lori went further into the water, slowly but surely.

"Not at all." Jordan shook her head, her thumb reaching her lip as she waited anxiously for news on the rescue team.

9:37PM

Lori had managed to reach the teenager. His shoulder was definitely dislocated other than a few cuts and bruises there was no way of knowing what state his ankle was in. It was most likely a surgical job.

"What's your name?" She asked as she reached the boy, no older than 17. "I'm Lori."

"Cam-Cameron." He shivered. His good hand holding onto the branch with all his strength.

"How long have you been here, darling?" Lori asked, she was starting to cool and was seriously concerned at the teen's core temperature.

"A long time." Cameron tried to joke. Trust a kid to act tough.

With a laugh, Lori nodded. "You got me there kid. Okay, what I'm gonna do is push your ankle through."

"What about divers?" He asked, his teeth chattering.

"Sorry kid. Just me and you out here. You with me?" She asked, her eyes remaining sure as she looked at the boy.

Although hesitant, the boy nodded. "You gonna stay?" Cameron asked, fear evident in his eyes.

"I'm gonna stay." Lori promised with a small smile. "But it's going to hurt." She said, sorrily.

"Are you ready down there?" Jordan called from the rock ledge. Looking up, there was still no sign of the divers.

With a thumbs up, Lori ducked below the water.

8:45PM

Cameron screamed in pain as his ankle was freed, the shrill making the others squirm.

"That's it. Come on." Lori encouraged, appearing from the water, her blonde hair dripping and make up gone. Using her hand she pushed the teenager towards Jordan and the rest of the medevac that waited. "Get him out first.

The pair that waited quickly transported the boy to a rescue stretcher, pulling him up from the water. Wincing as they heard him cry out in pain.

"You got him?" Lori screamed, the water drowning out her voice.

Jordan nodded, reaching for the teen, she and the medevac doctor began to treat him. "Come on kid," she breathed. He was definitely going to suffer some hypothermic symptoms.

"Whe-where's the lady?" He asked, teeth gritting against the chill he consumed. "She said- said she'd stay."

"Lo?" Standing up, Jordan scoured the area, she couldn't see Lori. She was coming up right behind the kid, so where was she? "Lori?" Jordan called out. "Where's Lori?" She shouted.

Where is Lori? What do you think will happen next?

Let me know your thoughts.

Thank you for reading.

Reviews mean updates ;)