December 24th, 2010

"Checking up on me Kerry?"

Kerry leaned against the main nurse's station on the surgical floor. "Trust me, last thing on my mind right now is if you can do your job. Donovan, Sean. I think it's S-E, not S-H."

Erica glanced down at the desk and typed for a moment, "Alive. They took a piece of his skull and he's stable. Do you want to see him?"

Kerry shook her head, "No, no. A few years ago. Eight or nine years now I think. I delivered his son via C-Section in the back of a... slightly electrified ambulance." A slight smile came to Kerry's lips, "Met Sandy that night. Vicky Donovan and her son changed my life forever. I would have stayed in the closet, maybe even found a way to convince myself it was a phase that I really loved men." Kerry shook her head, "But you don't care and I got what I came for and will now take my leave before your... new surgeon appears."

"Doctor Ramos. You know him?"

Kerry nodded, "I do. Merry Christmas to me. The only thing that would make it better would be if my mother showed up too...

Erica glanced at the clock, "Technically, six am the 24th, Merry Christmas Eve Kerry. I wish you a mother free and Doctor Ramos free tomorrow."

"And make sure you watch him closely."

The Psych nurse nodded and helped Mr. Kamtovik down the hall.

Kim walked towards the admit desk. She almost turned away when she saw red hair, but realized it was too long to be Kerry's. She put away the chart and spoke, "Helen right. Helen Kingsley?"

Helen turned from the desk. "How. Have we met?"

"No, but I've heard of you. Are you looking for Kerry?"

Helen nodded, holding her purse close to her chest. "Yes."

Kim sighed, "I'm not sure where Kerry is at the moment. I assume you're not here because you're hurt?"

Helen nodded, "Yes, I mean, I'm healthy. I... I heard she was found when we thought, when everyone thought... I heard that she was found, that she wasn't dead."

"Yes. She's alive and kickin'." Kim paused, "Look..." Kim looked up and over Helen's head and met Kerry's. She watched Kerry sigh, but the red head didn't halt her progress towards the two of them. "I need to go. Have a Merry Christmas Mrs. Kingsley."

Helen turned to where Kim had been looking and found her birth daughter. "Kerry."

"To what do I owe this..." She searched for the correct word and finally landed on, "...visit?"

"It's Christmas."

This didn't illuminate anything for Kerry. "I know that. Shouldn't you be with your family? Your son and daughter, your ex?"

Helen opened her mouth, but Abby appeared and interrupted the older woman. "Sorry ma'am. Quick question for Kerry. Maggie wants to bring a plus one? Will that be too many people, especially since Luka's going to be arriving then?"

"Nah, one more is fine Abby."

Abby sighed, "Yay..." This brought a slight smile to Kerry's face, "Abby, the answer can be no if you want it to be. I'm used to being the bitch."

Kerry was focused on Abby and so didn't see Helen's disapproving look.

Abby on the other hand rolled her eyes and shook her head, "No, no... it's alright. I may as well meet the guy right. Hey, did you hear that the Jumbo Mart sold their land to someone? Maybe they'll finally put something that isn't a burned out hulk in there after all these months."

"I hope so." Abby went back to work and Kerry gave her attention back to Helen, "Do you have somewhere to go for Christmas dinner Helen?"

"I wouldn't want to im..."

Kerry interrupted Helen. "You don't have to impose," she took a scrap piece of paper that Randi handed her and scribbled down her address, "but if you'd like to see that my family is just like yours or your kids' families, then come, eat. Tomorrow around one. People even say I'm not a bad cook."

With that she handed the pen back to Randi, grabbed a chart and caught Cassie's eyes. The young resident met Kerry halfway and took the chart from her boss. She glanced over her shoulder at Helen. "That family Chief?"

"Sort of. Is the Colonel coming home for Christmas?"

Cassie smirked, "You know, Sam finds you calling her the Colonel funny."

Kerry met Cassie's eyes, "I know. That's why I do it. So, will you be among family for Christmas?"

"If all goes according to plan-"

"-and nothing ever does for those you call friends and family."

Cassie shrugged, "Yeah, I think we're all going over to Nicole Fraiser's. It should be... interesting. It's been awhile since I had an extended family."

Kerry smiled a little at her resident, "Just remember that if you maim any of them, you'll get in trouble."

Cassie chuckled as they entered the exam room, "Right. I'll keep that in mind Chief."

"Fiona, are you having Christmas too?"

Fiona nodded and put down her James Joyce. "I'll go to church tonight, midnight candlelight service with my family."

"With Kim?"

Fiona nodded, "Kim, Kevin, my twin brother Freddie, our parents."

Henry didn't seem to want to meet Fiona's eyes, so the college student waited. Henry finally spoke, "May I go with you? With Kim?"

Fiona made a face, "Have you asked your Mom? You guys aren't going?"

"No. I have to ask Mama?"

Fiona smiled to herself, "Oh, definitely, but if Doctor Weaver says yes, I know that Kim will love to have you there."

Henry took a breath, "Okay. Thank you."

Fiona chuckled and picked back up her book, "For what, you're the one who gets to ask your Mom the question bud."

"Oh, right." Fiona ruffled his hair. He went back to what he'd been reading and Fiona went back to her James Joyce.

"Is it still sno..." Kerry trailed off, "You're not Randi."

"No."

"Why are you here?"

"I'm not sure. I've never been in your office you know. Are you okay? First the guy, then your mother."

Kerry glanced to her left and right. It was a small, cramped space, the size of one of the bigger maintenance closets. The desk and singular visitor's chair took up most of the space and Kim jumped as a loud banging started. "Heat. What do you want Kim?"

"Mr. Kamtovik was in today. I just... back when... I..." Kim trailed off and just stood there, silent.

Kerry looked back down at her desk and resumed working. "Have you kept track of him this time?"

Kim spoke from right next to Kerry, who's head snapped up, "We have." Their eyes met but Kim didn't speak again as she pulled Kerry to her feet and kissed her. Kerry didn't resist, they came for air and Kerry tried to speak, but Kim reclaimed her lips and lifted the smaller woman onto the desk. The visitor's chair went one way, and papers fluttered to the floor the other way. Kerry let go a gasp and she surrendered to what her body wanted not the scolding of her mind.