Chapter 18

It wasn't any later than seven when his pager went off. He reached for the pager on the nightstand without moving or opening his eyes. When he found it he held it in front of his and opened his eyes long enough to read it. That was all it took for him to move and get up. His movements woke her up. "David?"

"It's Joe. I have to go."

"What? I thought you said he was doing good?"

"So did I, but I just got paged."

"I can get Dylan up."

"No don't wake him up. It's probably nothing. If it's something I'll call you okay?" He said giving her a quick kiss before he pulled his shirt over his head.

"Just call me either way. Love you."

"Love you too. I'll be back as soon as I can to spend the day with the two of you." He smiled before he left.

He hurried down the hallway, stopping at the nurses' station. "I was paged 911 for Joe Martin."

"Yes. I'm not sure what for. He's in the room." Was all the nurse said. She was given specific orders not to give anything more than that.

He went down to the room and found no one but Joe himself. "What's wrong Joe? They paged me 911."

"Come in son. I'm sorry if I alarmed you. I wasn't sure that you'd come had I called myself." Joe said, feeling a bit guilty for having worried him.

"Nothing's wrong? You feel okay?" He asked as he walked in, trying to pretend he wasn't freaking out on the way there.

"No I'm fine. Jake and Jeff have been watching me all night. That's part of the problem."

"What do you mean?" David asked as he walked up next to the bed.

"Why don't you have a seat? I want to talk to you. I sent the boys to the cafeteria, told them to eat and then bring me something. I gave them a long specific list. They should be at least another 10 minutes."

"What's going on Joe? I don't if I should be worried or glad that you sent Jake and Jeff away on my behalf." He said as he took a seat in the chair Joe had pointed to.

"I was very happy to hear that it was you that preformed my surgery. I hope that it wasn't too hard on you physically. I know you're still doing physical therapy and that it was you're first surgery since the shooting."

"It was fine, don't worry about me. You were the one who had an 80 degree heart block."

"Yes. So I've been told. But you didn't have to do what you did. You didn't have to do that experimental surgery. I wouldn't have faulted you if you would have just handed the case over to Dr. Bryant."

"Well your sons' wanted the best. No one should have to settle for anything less. Not even you, Joe." David said, trying not to feel like an ass for being so rude. He was glad the guy was still alive, relieved he saved him, but yet he couldn't bring himself to act like he cared more than just a doctor.

"David, you're my son too. Ruth told me about your run in with Tad."

"Yeah I'm sorry about that. That wasn't my place to do that. Apologize to them for me." David said, getting ready to get up.

He could see right through the young man. He was putting on a show. Not that he blamed David. He knew that he might never call him dad, like his other boys, but he also knew that David wasn't all bad. That he had stood up to Tad for his sake. He may not love him but he sure as hell didn't hate him like he still pretended he did. "There's no need to apologize. And I'm not done. There is something else I wanted to talk to you about."

"Okay, sure what is it?"

"There's the matter of my post-op recovery."

"Jake said he would take care of that with my recommendations. If he didn't I can do it."

"No, no that's all squared away. That's not what I meant. I'm going to have to take a leave of absence, and I hate to say it but I might even consider retirement."

"Well that is normal after something like this happens. No one would fault you."

"Yes that's true, the problem is that I need to find a replacement for the Chief of Staff position."

"Well I know Jeff hasn't been here long but I think he could handle it. And even Jake seems to have a head on his shoulders. His suspension and shadowing me did him good." David said truthfully.

"I'm glad to hear you say that about Jake. It's almost as if you have a heart now." The old man said hoping he knew it was a joke.

"Did you just make a joke Joe?"

"Well yes, I did. I mean you just said something nice about Jake. That's never happened before. Your attitude changed completely from a few hours ago."

"I think I just have to keep up the persona of doctor evil I guess. You know, can't have people think I'm some caring guy with a good bedside manner. It's not me at all."

"I think this persona suits you better." Joe smiled. "It's why I want to ask if you would like to take over Chief of Staff for me."

"You what? You're choosing me over Martin's? Over Jake and Jeff? Your sons?" David asked, shocked.

"You're technically a Martin."

"Let's get one thing straight Joe, I am not, nor ever will be a Martin." David said seriously, but quickly turning soft again. "But I know what you mean. Are you really serious Joe? You'd pick me over them. You've hated me so much these past few years. Do you really expect me to believe you'd do this?"

"I'm serious about this offer. It's not because we share DNA and it's not because you're my favorite. It's because I've seen how you've grown as a man and doctor. And as a father. You could have had Jake arrested, but you've helped him. You've tried to get along with Jake, Jeff and Tad when you've hated our guts for years. You agreed to do an experimental surgery on a man you loathed, who you happen to share the same DNA, whether you liked it or not, with two people you weren't fond of while you were still recovering from an injury from one of them. If that isn't what makes a good leader, I don't know what would. Now I think Jake could handle the job, and Jeff too, but I feel like you would be the best fit." Joe told him. He wanted so much to say that he was proud of his son. That someone that was hated, immoral and had no heart could turn themselves around like that was a feat he wanted people to know. The fact that he hadn't had a chance to raise this young man made his newly repaired heart hurt. He would love him whether or not David wanted it. Yes he knew there was another man that was considered his father, but he couldn't help but hope he would someday be more than just a sperm donor.

"I guess if you put it that way, Joe. How can I refuse the offer?" He felt a weight lift off of his shoulders. Joe was proud of him. The only one who'd ever told him they were proud of him was his father, Charles. Well Erica was proud of him too, but this meant something more. Something that he didn't know could make him feel like he did. It was something he could tell he wanted for his son. Maybe he could actually say those words to Joe. Maybe he was his father in more than just the way he chose to acknowledge. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to be a Martin after all. Maybe blood was thicker than water.