Oh gosh guys I can't even begin to apologize for keeping you waiting this long! Everything got so crazy with my job and my family, but finally, FINALLY, its slowing down so I can get back to doing what I love to do, which is writing! I have the next 3 chapters lined up if there is still interest, so please please please comment to let me know! Y'all are the best!
Chapter 3
"Buddy, calm down and tell me what hurts," Callie insisted, trying to calm the sobbing boy. She had opted to deal with the loudest crier first, a decision that she was immediately regretting. Her head hurt and all she wanted to do was lay down, but obviously that wasn't happening anytime soon.
"He threw up," the nurse repeated, gesturing at her now soiled clothing. She was some blonde bimbo Callie had never seen before, wearing more makeup than anyone needed to while working with puking kids.
"I can see that," the Latina snapped, "Go and get yourself cleaned up."
"Don't have to tell me twice," the nurse muttered and then, withering under Callie's glare, shamefacedly left the room.
"What's your name?" she turned her attention to the little boy; his brow was slicked with sweat and his tawny hair was clinging to his forehead. His green eyes were shining with tears and he wiped his nose on his sleeves.
"Ri-Ricky," he managed between gasps, his small body trembling.
"Ok, Ricky," Callie smiled, rubbing the boy's back," How about we get you cleaned up," fresh tears fell from Ricky's eyes as he looked down at his soiled hospital gown.
"Hey, hey," Callie soothed, gently grabbing his shoulders, "I have seen people was older than you spew way weirder and way grosser stuff all over themselves, ok? This is nothing. Heck, I've done worse, ok?"
The boy nodded, managing a watery smile and looking down at his hands.
"Good," Callie grinned, leaning in conspiratorially and cocking her eyebrows, "Plus, you nailed the nurse with it, and that's impressive. I'd high five you, but you're kinda gross right now."
The boy laughed at that, a shrill, happy sound.
"Ok, so first things first, out of the bed."
When the sheets were in a smelly pile on the floor, Callie went over to the cupboard and pulled two gowns out.
"What'll it be, Ricky, pink or blue?"
"Blue, of course," Ricky scoffed, "Pink is for girls."
"Of course!" Smacking her forehead, she tossed the blue one to the boy, "Now go and change in the bathroom."
"I'm back!" The nurse appeared, a fake smile plastered on her face and fresh hospital scrubs.
"Good."
The nurse shrieked as the vomit covered sheets flew at her face. She ducked just in time and glared up at Callie.
"Take these to the laundry room and then go help the other patients.
"But this is my patient," the nurse argued, doing her best to muster up as much dignity as she could while fumbling with vomit soaked sheets.
"Ricky!" Callie called, and the little boy strolled out of the bathroom, holding his old hospital gown.
"Yeah?"
"You want her here?"
The boy snorted and Callie took that as a solid no.
"Well, there you have it," Callie shrugged, "Now take the sheets and check on other patients."
"Don't forget this!" Ricky chimed in, tossing his hospital gown at her. The nurse grimaced, but, with one last wave from Callie, she shuffled out the door.
"Now, Ricky," pulling pale sheets out of a cabinet, Callie addressed the boy, "Why'd you throw up?"
"No clue," the boy shrugged, grabbing a corner of the sheet and pulling it over the mattress.
"Why were you here today?"
"I had some disgusting tumor. They took it out like a month ago, and I've been feeling sick for like a week. I bet its nothing, but my mom freaked out. She can be a little over protective."
"I hear ya," Callie lied; her mom wasn't exactly the nurturing type.
"Yep so we were waiting for Dr. Robbins, but then my mom realized she forgot my books in the car. I got all mad so she went to get them," he sniffed, "And now she hasn't come back."
"I'm sure she's fine, Ricky," offering a smile, she tousled the boy's hair, "She just wants to make sure she got all your books. Plus, she probably needed a coffee."
"She does get crazy when she doesn't have any coffee," the boy considered, and Callie nodded; that was something she could relate to.
"You know what? Why don't you and I go talk to Dr. Robbins?"
"She's here?" he demanded excitedly, "Let's go see her!"
"All right, come on," she grinned, taking the little boy's hand and leading him into the hallway.
- Minutes Earlier -
"Are you feeling any better, Maya?" Arizona asked the little girl, gently stroking her forehead. She nodded, barely keeping her eyes open as she squeezed Charlie tighter.
This is bad, Arizona thought desperately, looking at the little girl's vitals. She was stable, for now, but her heart rate was weak. They needed to do the surgery sooner than later. Where the hell was Callie?
"It hurts," Maya whimpered, and Arizona returned her focus, offering a sympathetic smile.
"I know, sweetie," She murmured, and then brightened, "Let's play a game."
Brown eyes glowered back at her like she had two heads.
"I know it sounds weird, but whenever I'm hurting this is what I do and it helps a whole lot. Will you play with me?"
"Ok."
"Good," Arizona smiled, "It's called Favorites. I'm going to ask you what your favorite things are, and when you answer I want you to picture them really hard, and you'll start to feel better."
Maya nodded, and Arizona began.
"Favorite food?"
"Fish sticks."
"That's a good one," Arizona nodded in agreement, "Mine's pizza. You're turn, ask me a question."
"Favorite movie."
"Oh that's a tough one," Arizona considered, squinting her eyes, "I would have to go with The Incredibles."
"I like the Lion King."
"Classic. Ok, favorite animal?"
"Spiders."
"Ew," Arizona scrunched her nose and shuddered," I hate, spiders. I love dogs."
"Dogs are cute too," Maya allowed, and Arizona scoffed.
"Dogs are definitely cuter than creepy crawly spiders," she stuck her tongue out and gagged, causing Maya to dissolve in a fit of giggles.
"Favorite person," she managed through her laughter. Arizona's mind flashed so Callie throwing her head back and laughing, Callie looking so cute and confused when she woke up in the mornings, the feel of Callie's lips on hers, or her soft, cream colored skin melting under her fingertips.
"Right now, you're my favorite person," she replied breathlessly, forcing herself to focus on Maya. The little girl grinned and nodded.
"You're mine too."
Arizona smiled, sighing in relief when she heard the door open behind her.
"Finally!" she exclaimed, "We were starting to wonder if you'd gotten lo-"
The world stopped when she turned around. Standing before her was not the beautiful Latina she'd been expecting.
"There are only children here," she said steadily, eyes never leaving the gun trained on her as she held her hands out, trying to shield Maya.
"I've been shot," the man murmured, seeming not to hear her. This time she made it a point to look him over.
He was probably sixty, with thinning brown hair and a bushy mustache peppered with grey. He looked like somebody's grandfather. Beneath his bushy eyebrows were deep set eyes filled with infinite sadness and a terrifying resolve.
"I said I've been shot," the man repeated, stepping further into the room and closing the door behind him.
"I can see that," she replied shakily; there was a slow stream of blood flowing from his shoulder.
"You need to fix it."
"Go away! It hurts!" Maya wailed startling the man, who stepped forward, training the gun on the little girl.
"Hey!" Arizona barked, stepping in front of the gun, "She's just scared, and she's in a lot of pain. Let me help her, and then I'll help you.'
"Make it quick," he murmured, holding the gun to Arizona's temple.
She nodded and turned to Maya, doing her best to smile at her as she lifted the blanket to look at her stomach. Her heart lurched at the sight; there was obvious discoloration beneath the girl's skin.
"Are you a surgeon?" the gunman asked quietly.
"Yes I am," she managed, lowering the blanket and stroking Maya's forehead.
"I hate surgeons."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Arizona whispered, thanking any and all higher powers out there that Callie wasn't there.