Chapter 60

Wednesday, July 29, 1987- Afternoon

For the first time in over two months, Julie had the opportunity to hold the youngest of her patients again. Although she didn't enjoy being an accomplice in causing the infants' pain, Wednesday afternoon she helped Steve administer the first booster shot developed for babies prone to Red Dust related bronchial distress.

Julie held a six-month-old, dark-haired little girl named Isabella. The baby stared back at her with trusting brown eyes.

"It's okay," Julie said. "Hopefully, when you're all better, you can go home and meet your big brother."

Shoving the needle in the vial, Steve asked, "You really imagine she understands you?"

"It doesn't matter if she understands. She likes the sound of my voice."

"Did I ever tell you you're mother material? I mean with her… with CJ. You should be a Mom, Julie."

Next you'll be reminding me I should have your babies…Julie thought.

Steve held out the syringe, swabbed baby Isabella's thigh, then stuck the needle in. Letting out a blood-curdling scream, the little girl stiffened against Julie.

"I know, I know." Julie patted her on the back. "Dr. Maitland is a big meanie."

Steve frowned at Julie. "You only said that because you have the easy part."

As the little girl continued to scream, Julie sat in the rocker with her. "I just hope it's worth her misery. There, there."

Isabella would be the first of the thirty-six remaining test subjects to receive the vaccine. Julie knew if this leg of the project was successful, Ross intended to extend the trial into Washington's general population. From what Julie and Steve had observed back in Los Angeles, the results were very promising. Their Lone Pine volunteers went home independent of inhalers and other respiratory enhancing drugs.

#

Donovan entered the newsroom on Wednesday afternoon to observe Melissa Foxx's all-out temper tantrum. She slammed a chair against her desk and tossed a stack of papers on the floor while ranting about how Pierce screwed her out of an assignment.

"Good afternoon, Melissa." Donovan grinned, sitting down in his chair.

"Shut up!"

"Oh, it's a great day." He went on.

Actually, it wasn't. He'd had very little sleep, his mind churning with scenarios of how he ought to go about wooing Julie back into his life. He wanted time alone with her, but knew in order to make it; he'd need to send Sean away for the weekend. His sister-in-law, Cathy came to mind. She was due for a call. Once Donovan arranged Sean's visit, he intended to contact Julie and ask her to join him for brunch this coming Saturday morning. He wished he'd have more time to spend with her, but it was his weekend to work. If things went well with Sean at Cathy's and Julie wanted to continue seeing him, he'd plan to spend the next weekend with her.

He considered sending flowers to her place of employment, but didn't feel roses would do. Poor Julie, after the stunt Maitland had pulled while she was hospitalized, she most certainly didn't want to see another red rose again. Donovan knew he needed to conjure up a more original plan to demonstrate his intent to date her again.

. "You're through, Melissa. Pack up your stuff and go home," Pierce thundered from behind Donovan.

He's canning her? Donovan quietly rejoiced, staring at the assignment sheet in front of him. Pierce wasn't sending him out into the field today. Instead, Donovan was supposed to train Jaycee in video editing. Jaycee intended to return to college in a month and wanted to learn as much as possible before her time was up.

Donovan's mind went back to the chaos going on next to him. If Melissa's fired, then that means her position is open… Unless Pierce already has someone in mind.

It makes perfect sense. Julie and I can't have a decent relationship if we work opposite schedules, but if I take Melissa's anchor position, I'd work day hours and Julie and I could spend time together.

He smiled.

"Donovan, you're such an ass," Melissa said over the top of the cubicle wall. "I bet you're just enjoying this, aren't you?"

Instead of retorting the way he wanted, he stuck his hand over the top of the divider for a shake. "It's been a pleasure working with you, Melissa. I wish you luck."

…You'll need it. He refrained from chuckling.

As Melissa Foxx ended her career with KDHB that afternoon, Donovan couldn't help but speculate as to when Pierce would start searching for her replacement.