The chemical poisoning that had me hospitalized hit me like a dump truck, which is an appropriate term because I felt like crap. After a week and a half, I felt better, and decided to go back to work. I woke up at 4:00 in the morning, thinking, Today's the day I get to come back to work at the hospital. I was sick of sitting around my house, bored out of my mind. All the squirrels were gone from the neighborhood-I stuffed them all months ago-and There was only crap on TV. I was annoyed at how many talk shows being broadcast on the same day that all had the same subjects, like a nerdy kid who needed a makeover; or women wanting to know who fathered her kids, and all the dumb court shows that had people suing over destroyed CD collections, or unpaid loans. Heck, one guy even sued his own cousin for crashing his car into his ex-girlfriend's house!

I enjoyed Elliot's company when she came to check on me. She even stopped by with some soup for me, but she couldn't eat with me due to the fact that she was needed at work. Time went by faster when I began to plan out ways to get Dorian. I was thinking about playing a prank on him as a celebratory comeback, but I was having a little trouble thinking about what to do. I could go to his house, steal all the scrubs he wears, and tie them to the flagpole, but then it wouldn't really affect Dorian. He'd just have nothing to wear to work and he can easily get more scrubs. I have to go through a long process just to get myself another uni.

Anyway, I fixed the collar of my blue shirt and took a good, long look in the bathroom mirror. Time to shine, Janitor! Making the big comeback today!! Today's an important day. Not just the day where I return to work, but the day where I finally admit my feelings for Elliot. But how was I going to do it? I couldn't just go up to her and say, "Oh hi, Elliot, your hair looks nice today. By the way, I think I love you." I'd have to find a better way to tell her.

I turned off the light in the bathroom, walked out of my house, closed the door, locked it, and walked over to my mint green van. It was old and beat up, but it was a ride. I fiddled with the large ring of keys that I carried on my belt, consisting of maybe a hundred keys or more. Like I always say: key to everything! I singled out the key to the van, took it off the ring, opened the door, got in, and drove off. As I drove on the quiet, busy streets, I realized that it was still dark. A lot of people were still sleeping, most not getting up until at least six. Right now, it was about 4:45. I was supposed to start my shift at 5:00 and work all the way until 4 this afternoon. I get good hours, like the doctors do. I just don't have much competition to work against. I even make more than Dorian! I make more than he does in one hour of work!

But then several thoughts struck me. What if Elliot wasn't working today? I kept thinking as I drove. I've easily been able to make decisions for most of my life. It's just that this one was so hard. Maybe all the other decisions in the past weren't as important as this one.

I didn't even realize that I had reached Sacred Heart until I saw the familiar building and the lights shining brightly inside. I smiled a tiny smile as I looked at this familiar sight. I was really starting to miss this place. I didn't when I was a patient, but after being stuck at home for so long, I realized that I hated being home. I parked my van, got out and went inside the East Wing entrance of the hospital.

"Welcome back, Janitor!" said a familiar voice as I entered the area where the gift shop was. I don't remember what it's called. I turned around and saw that it was Black Doctor's wife. She was smiling at me and holding a clipboard in her hands. "How have you been? Are you taking the meds Elliot prescribed for you?"

I smiled back. "I'm doing good," I said. "I'm taking the meds." I didn't like swallowing two different pills a day, but I was doing it for Elliot, even if they nearly made me throw up as I swallowed them.

The nurse continued to smile. "I'm glad to hear that. Good luck on your first day back," she said. She turned and began to walk, but I called out to her.

"Carla!" I said, remembering her name. "Wait. Is Elliot coming in today?"

Carla's eyes widened in surprise at me. "Uh, I think she's supposed to start the same time as you." She looked at the small watch on her left wrist. "It's 4 minutes to five. She should be here by now."

Damn. It's already 4:56? I'd better go clock in! "Well, thanks anyway." I said, turning around to walk off.

"If I see her, I'll tell her to go look for you!" Carla yelled to me.

So I clocked in and immediately went to my closet to get my materials. I opened the door and saw that all my old cleaners were there. The ammonia, the disinfectants....I smiled as I began to gather them and put them on my cart. The toxic cleaners I had been given weeks before were long gone. After my cart was loaded, I began to roll it out the door. That was when I noticed a picture of that crazy guy they got to replace me drinking appletinis with Dorian. If I ever see that Patrick O'Neill guy again, he is on my target list, right under Dorian. I pulled the picture off the wall and ripped it to shreds.

Five AM was getting perilously closer and I was still stuck in traffic, trying to think of a decent excuse for being late for work. "Frick!" I screamed when another green light turned yellow, then red on me. I can't believe stupid old Dr. Kelso! He made me work last night until 8:00 and then told me to come in at 5 in the morning. I had a hard time getting to sleep last night after I stopped for coffee with J.D. Only then, I didn't know I was going to work at 5am. I got a call from Dr. Cox at 9:00 telling me that Kelso scheduled me to work so early. I set my alarm for 4:00 when I went to bed at eleven, but I didn't hear it going off. I guess I was that tired. Or maybe it was also because I was so engrossed in the dream I was having last night. I dreamt that I was in a snowy place where weren't any people, buildings, cars......no nothing. It was a forest with all the trees stripped from their leaves, the pond was frozen over, and it was quiet. It appeared to be getting dark, because everything was bluish white.

I walked around, freezing my buns off. For some weird reason, I was wearing my scrubs but with no jacket or gloves. I crossed my arms, trying to get warm, but no luck. The snow was falling very gently and stuck to my shaggy hair. I ran my hands through my hair to shake out the snowflakes. They melted as soon as my fingers touched them.

"Hello?" I yelled, white steam coming out of my mouth. "Anyone here? What am I doing here?"

Suddenly, I heard the sound of snow crunching. I turned around and saw Janitor, standing right behind me and wearing his janitor's uniform. He smiled and stretched out a hand towards me. I trudged through the snow to get to him, where I placed my hand in his, then he wrapped his arms around me. I began to smile and feel a little bit warmer.

"You'll be safe with me," said Janitor in a voice I never heard out of him before.

That was when I heard my alarm clock buzzing and it was a quarter to five. I immediately got dressed and got into my car with the multi-colored doors. The reason why they were differently colored is because someone had ripped off both the passenger and driver doors in separate times when I left them wide open.

So here I am, sitting at another traffic light. I was doing fine until now. The lights were practically killing me because they were turning red every time I approached them. Oh, why did I take the busier streets instead of the quiet little ones? Lucky for me, this was the last light before Sacred Heart, so I was in the clear. At least Dr. Kelso doesn't come to work this early. I know that he doesn't get here until at least nine, unless someone brings donuts or muffins.

I pulled into the parking lot and saw a green van parked near the doors. I always thought Janitor's van was so cute! I smiled and immediately felt better, knowing that Janitor was here today. I parked my car and got out. It was cold this morning, but it was going to get warmer by noon since Spring was coming and it was March.

I began to walk quickly to the entrance, got inside, practically ran towards the time clock, and finally clocked in. That was when I found Carla shuffling through a folder.

"Carla!" I said, gasping for air.

"Elliot, where have you been?" asked Carla. "Janitor was looking for you!"

That caught me by surprise. "What?" I asked.

"Yeah, the second he came in and saw me, he asked where you were," Carla explained.

"Where is he, now?" I asked.

"He had to go to the janitorial closet to get his stuff. You should be able to catch him," she told me.

"Thanks!" I said quickly and ran off....

Several hours had passed and there were no signs of Janitor anywhere. Of course, I couldn't spend the whole day looking for him, seeing that I had other things to do. I had to check up on all my patients, including Lyle, who was being released today. He was doing much better in the past few days. His boss even came in and talked with him a few days ago to congratulate him for his heroism, but Lyle requested to keep his job instead of leaving it with a disability. So he was promoted to greeter, alongside Tiffany! He also asked Tiffany out once he got out of the hospital. It was so sweet. Tiffany was practically waltzing when she left his room once visiting hours ended last night.

I walked into Lyle's room with his discharge summary to find Lyle already dressed and sitting in a wheelchair. J.D. had not been involved in Lyle's treatment, nor did he even know he was back at the hospital. He was too busy trying to perfect his World's Most Triple Giant Doctor with some interns, but they were no good.

"Okay, Lyle, here's your discharge summary!" I said excitedly as I handed it to him. "Remember-"

"-To take my medications and get plenty of rest," Lyle interrupted. "Don't worry, Dr. Reid, I remember what Dr. Dorian told me the first time,"

Tiffany picked up Lyle's backpack that had his belongings and slung it on her shoulder. "We're going to do the same thing you did when your boyfriend got out of here," she said. "Only we're not going to The Smoking Olive."

"We're going to go to Hikari Japanese House!" Lyle said proudly. "Get some of their famous teriyaki chicken and California rolls!"

I nodded. I know of that place. It was where J.D. wanted to go instead of The Smoking Olive that one day, but I decided against it. I like teriyaki chicken, it's just that I have a traumatizing experience with it. I was once in a food fight in middle school involving teriyaki chicken and I ended up having some thrown into my eyes.

"I probably have to eat it with a fork since I can't use chopsticks with my left hand, yet," Lyle added in a sad tone of voice.

I put my hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Lyle. You'll learn, soon. Just remember that you had to learn with your right hand, first," I said.

Carla stepped in. "So, are we ready to go, now?" she asked.

"We're ready!" said Tiffany.

Carla began to push Lyle in his wheelchair.

I began to follow them until my pager beeped. I took the pager out of my pocket and read it. "Frick on a stick!" I said, putting it back in my pocket. "I have to take this, but I hope to see you guys later!"

"Bye, Elliot, thank you for everything!" Tiffany yelled as she waved.

I was looking through a folder when Elliot arrived this morning. I knew she had wanted to see Lyle off, but that's hospital life for you. Some doctors don't even bother trying to get to know their patients, but my friends are different. J.D. and Elliot are always making friends with their patients. Though, there are times when they clash with their patients.

I saw Lyle later on that day, as I got into one of the elevators, on my way to the parking lot so he could go home.

"So," I said, as I entered the elevator. "What's going to happen once you go back to work, Lyle?"

"Well, I can't be a waiter no more," replied Lyle. "When I told them I refused to quit my job, they finally let me become a greeter with Tiffany. I get to start next Wednesday."

I smiled. "That's good," I said, pressing the button to the first floor. "It's always nice to work with people you care about!" I love working with Turk, but sometimes there are bad days.

There was a long pause as we waited in the elevator. Once we got to the first floor, we walked out and into the hallways.

Tiffany broke the silence by asking a question. "Carla, you're known for gossip," she said. "Do you know if Elliot and that janitor are together, yet?"

That question shocked me. It almost made me stop right there in my tracks. "What?" I asked. I remember that Janitor was looking for Elliot this morning, but I never thought about why. Janitor did sound like he really needed to see her, and he was disappointed when he learned she wasn't here yet.

"Elliot's been telling me that she likes Janitor more than a friend," replied Tiffany. "She's been working up the courage to tell him how she really feels,"

"I did see him here, today," said Lyle. "He came into my room this morning and nearly sprayed my eyes with ammonia."

"I didn't hear anything about Elliot liking Janitor," I said. I felt a little angry at Elliot for not telling me. She normally tells me everything that goes on in her life. Her hopes, her fears, and when she dated J.D., but she never said anything about Janitor. But suddenly I was starting to get the picture. I remember how Elliot felt when Janitor was hospitalized. She was mopey and she cried a lot. She spent lots of time sitting in Janitor's room, just watching him sleep. When he was awake, she was keeping a close watch on his health. She was always nice to Janitor, so I thought she was in there to keep an eye on him as a friend. How come I never noticed this? Maybe it was because I've been focused on other things, such as J.D. gathering up interns so he could do The World's Most Giant Doctor and helping Turk prepare for numerous surgeries, including Janitor's.

We reached the exit and walked down the ramp. J.D. was standing right in front of it, wearing a really large white labcoat and sitting on someone's shoulders, who was sitting on another person's shoulders.

"Greetings, Carla!" J.D. yelled in a deeper voice. "I'm the World's Most, Most Giant Doctor!"

"You go, Dr. Dorian!" Lyle yelled.

"Krista!" yelled Dr. Cox angrily from the third story window. "Get off the interns' shoulders, stop messing around, and get back in here! You've got patients to look after!"

"WHOOAAAAAA!!!" J.D. screamed as the interns underneath him gave way and they all fell over. It turned out to be Crystal and Nic.

"That's it!" Crystal screamed as she started walking back to the entrance. "We quit!"

"Yeah, we don't want to be The World's Most, Most Giant Doctor anymore!" said Nic. following suit. "I don't care if we work this weekend!"

"Well, then I know of other people who would be glad to do the World's Most Giant Doctor with me!" said J.D. in his defense as he got up and began to walk off, dragging the long coat behind him.

"He reminds me of my boyfriend in high school," Tiffany muttered.

We reached a white car where Lyle stood up while Tiffany unlocked it. She opened the passenger door and Lyle slid in while she opened the driver door.

"Thank you so much, Carla!" said Tiffany. "You and your husband should stop by The Smoking Olive sometime. We'd love to see you there!"

"My husband and I will go there this weekend!" I said, folding the wheelchair and walking away. I've never eaten there, but it doesn't hurt to try it. Besides, Turk made me go with him and J.D. to Hikari Japanese House last weekend, where I had to watch them eat eel. Shivers ran up my spine as I thought of them eating the soft, squishy meat with dark green skin. It's only fair that we go some place that I picked this time.

Once I got back inside the hospital and back to the ICU, I found Elliot just sitting in a chair, thinking and chewing on her pen.

"Elliot, is it true?" I asked.

Elliot stared at me. "Is what true?" she asked.

"That you like Janitor?" I asked in a low voice.

Elliot bit down on her pen so hard that she broke the cap off and ink came gushing out. "What?" she asked, tossing the pen away.

"It's okay, Elliot," I reassured her. "How come you never told me?"

Elliot shrugged. "I'm not sure why. I guess the subject never came up," she answered. She sighed. "I was hoping today was the day I'd tell Janitor how I truly feel, but I haven't seen him at all. I hope he didn't relapse and go home."

"He looked fine to me this morning," I said. "Relax, you're just nervous. I understand. I was the same way with Turk when we were first dating. Do you want to go get some coffee with me?"

Elliot looked at her watch. "Sure. It's lunchtime, anyway," she replied.

"And we could probably find Janitor in the cafeteria!" I said in a hopeful voice. The cafeteria didn't have some of the best coffee, but you could easily find someone there.