Chapter four
She left it at that and there was no more discussion about the night that had never happened.
Sam had found Dylan in the CDU, his usual hiding place from actual work. "Dylan,"
He glanced up, her arms were folded across her chest indicating this wasn't going to be a chummy chat. "You could have told me you were seeing Dr Hanna."
Dylan scoffed at the thought, "Sam, there's nothing to tell. We aren't together and the last time I checked you and I weren't together either so I don't see why I would have to run the idea past you anyway."
This caught her off guard. She wasn't expecting him to turn this around on her. Just as she opened her mouth to reply her pager went off, "Well, gotta run." And with that she was gone.
Just moments after Sam had left, his pager went off too. He snatched it from the desk in front of him and read it, I'm sure they can cope without me.
Zoe was in the staff room, her locker door ajar. She had changed and was now wearing a feminine, dark grey suit with a pair of red heels. Her make-up had been re-done and her hair was brushed and styled. Opening her locker a little more she reached in and took out her stethoscope and placed it around her neck.
Charlie popped his head around the staff room door, "Zoe, we've got a major RTC, two majors and four minors are coming in."
Zoe dismissed Charlie with a nod. She took a deep breath and then closed her locker door.
Just as she stepped out from the staff room several paramedics, doctors and nurses all rushed past her stating a lot of medical jargon.
Zoe joined the last team to come through the double doors, which lead to the ambulance bay. Her team consisted of: Jeff, Dixie, Linda, Sam, Fletch and herself.
Dixie started off by informing the team of the man's status, "This is John Doe. We don't have a current ID on him yet. He was a pedestrian and was involved in the RTC; we have sedated him and tubed him. He's had 5mg of morphine and his BP is 110/70. He has a query tib and fib compound fracture, perforated spleen and multiple facial lacerations. He may have some cracked ribs." Just as Dixie had finished briefing the medical team they had rolled their patient next to a gurney in resus. "Alright on my count," said Jeff as each member grabbed part of the back board the man was laying on, "One, two, three." On three everyone lifted him a couple inches and slid him onto the gurney. Next, they rolled him onto his side, making sure his head and neck were stable and slid the back board out from underneath him. Whilst they had him on his side, Sam checked for any obvious injuries.
The man's upper clothing had been removed and it was obvious he was a regular at the gym. The muscles in his abdomen were noticeably defined and his pecks looked firm. His neck was in a collar, most of his face was misshapen with swelling and lacerations and a breathing tube jetted out of his mouth and was hooked up to a ventilator. The left leg of his jeans was cut away so the paramedics were able to secure his mangled leg.
Once Jeff and Dixie had done their bit, the rest of the trauma team took over. Fletch was inserting a syringe in to the mystery man's vein and then replacing it with an IV. Linda was keeping a close eye on the man's vitals whilst Sam checked for any underlying injuries and Zoe checked the man's eyes with her pen light. "Pupils are equal and reactive." She announced to the room. No swelling or bleeding on the brain. Zoe observed Sam and when she glanced up at her she saw a hint of anger in Sam's eyes. Forgetting about it, Zoe continued the course of treatment.
Back in CDU Dylan was still avoiding work. When Noel came through the door and started heading for him, Dylan picked up the phone and acted like he was making a consult. "No. There were no clots in her femoral arteries… Yes… Well that explains-"
"Dylan," Noel said, "You know normally the phone has to ring before you can answer it."
Dylan glared at him, "What is it, Neil?" he snarled as he put the phone down slowly.
Taking no notice of Dylan's attempts to make him go away he simply replied, "I paged you. You're wanted in resus."
Dylan rolled his eyes and groaned. He would much rather solve a complicated medical mystery than be in resus. "Fine." And with that he walked away.
"Oh, and it's Noel actually." He called behind him.
Sam looked up towards the doors as they swung open and Dylan entered. She called him over and explained the current situation before knocking her shoulder against his and walking out.
"What was that about?" Zoe asked curiously.
Shrugging was the only reply he gave her. Putting one hand on the other he gently palpated the patient's abdomen. Finding nothing out of the ordinary, he stopped.
Zoe reached for the Velcro on the patient's leg splint at the same time Dylan did and for the brief moment that their hands met she felt her heart flutter. They met one another's gaze and Zoe smiled at him. He darted his eyes from hers and focused on the mangled leg, Get your act together. You and Zoe will never work out.