A Very Odd Couple - 21
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Previously on ER.
Chris and Luka became very close after Dave's attack, but decided
not to tell him just how involved they were getting. Dave
struggled to deal with the after effects both physical and
emotional, but was looking forward to getting back to work and
hopefully getting his life on an even keel once more. John was
concerned that Dave might be taking on too much too soon and
voiced his worry to Kerry, who had earlier agreed that Dave could
return to work if he was cleared by Elizabeth.
Dave's nervousness about his physical exam weren't helped by the
possibility that he might have picked up an infection. Kerry told
Luka that if Dave was cleared to return to work, she was going to
schedule his return for a time when Luka wouldn't be working.
Note: This fic was started in Summer 2000, so season 7 never
happened.
Note: In this fic the only people officially aware of Carter's
addiction are the people involved in the intervention, Abby, Luka
and the other ER attendings.
Also, I have received comments on the fact that Dave doesn't
behave 'in character' in this fic. Well, the reason why is simple...unlike
TPTB, *I* have given Dave some character development, so
naturally he's not the same as he is on the show.
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Before Kerry could say any more, the phone rang beside her.
Kerry frowned as she picked it up. "Yes?" she said into
the mouthpiece. "Oh...hello Dr. Corday."
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Luka watched anxiously as Kerry listened on the phone.
"Kerry, I've just got the test results back on Dr. Malucci,"
said Elizabeth.
"I see," said Kerry, her hand clenching involuntarily
round the handset. "And?"
"Bad news I'm afraid...I've cleared him to return to work..."
Kerry let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding as
Elizabeth continued to speak.
"I want to restrict him to half shifts for his first week...after
that we can review the situation." Elizabeth glanced across
her desk to where Dave was sitting, barely able to conceal his
jubilation.
She knew that it hadn't been easy for him...waiting for the labs
to come back on his blood, but he had borne it with more patience
than she had initially believed possible. But then, she
reflected, she supposed that he had had ample opportunity to
learn patience over the past few weeks.
Fortunately the wait had been worth it, as the blood work had
shown no signs of infection. She had diagnosed the pain Dave had
felt as being due to residual muscle damage and scar tissue from
his surgery.
"It may take a little longer to heal, but as long as you
take things easy there's no reason for you not to resume your
duties in the ER," she had told him.
"Yes!" Dave had exclaimed, punching the air
triumphantly with his good hand.
"No *physical* reason, that is," added Elizabeth.
Dave looked at her apprehensively, the elation dying from his
face. "Whaddya mean?" he asked tensely.
"Physically, I can't see any reason for you not to return to
work...but I admit to having some reservations about your
emotional state." Elizabeth hadn't any rational basis for
her reservations...it was more of a 'gut instinct' that Dave
wasn't as emotionally balanced as he appeared to be.
"There's nothing wrong with my 'emotional state'. I...I've
been having sessions with Doc. Pomerantz...I'm fine...I mean, I *will*
be fine...I know I'm still pretty messed up inside...but I'm
getting better Dr. Corday..."
"You do know that going back to work isn't going to
magically make everything all right again?"
"I know...but it's a start...I mean, I know it's not gonna
be easy...but I need to do this now...the longer I leave it, the
harder it's gonna be. Please Dr. Corday...my tests were okay,
right? I know I'm strong enough to go back...mentally *and*
physically...please, you've gotta clear me to get back to work."
Elizabeth was silent as she considered the matter. Perhaps it *would*
be good for Dave to return to work. After all, he was a sociable
type of guy...and she could imagine that it hadn't been easy for
him being stuck at home for so long. True he had had plenty of
visitors, that she was sure of...but it wasn't the same thing as
being surrounded by people day in and day out.
"All right," she said finally. "I'll recommend to
Dr. Weaver that you be allowed back to work...but only on half
shifts, and even then I want you to take things easy. No more
than two patients at a time, and no traumas."
Elizabeth caught a flicker of disappointment on Dave's face.
"I know this may sound overly restrictive, but it's non-negotiable.
Either you agree to these limitations, or you don't go back to
work. It's as simple as that."
"Oh I'll agree to them," said Dave quickly.
"Good," said Elizabeth, "But don't look so gloomy.
I'll review your situation in a week or so...see how you're
managing...all right?"
"Guess so," said Dave. A part of him was disappointed
at the restrictions he was going to be under...another part of
him was elated to be getting back to the ER even if only in a
limited role...but there was a small part of him that was asking
him was it really such a good idea to go back so soon. "What
if you're not ready?" the little voice was asking him.
"What if you have a panic attack when you're with a patient?
What if you're an even bigger screw-up now than you were before
the attack?"
Dave pushed the voice resolutely out of his mind and tried to
concentrate on what Dr. Corday was saying.
"I suppose I'd better break the bad news to Dr. Weaver,"
said Elizabeth with a deadpan expression.
"Guess so," said Dave, with a smile on his face. Okay,
maybe he wasn't going to be allowed to work on traumas...and
maybe he would screw up again...but hell, people were going to be
watching him cause of what happened, and if he made mistakes
they'd pick up on him and give him a bit of leeway...and he was
gonna be back in the ER where he belonged, and that was all that
mattered.
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Two days later, Dave and Luka were sitting in Luka's car just
outside the hospital.
"Are you sure you are ready?" asked Luka finally.
Dave nodded. If truth be told, he was feeling very nervous at the
thought of walking back into the ER. "As ready as I'll ever
be," he said, trying to instill some certainty into his
voice.
Luka caught the slight tremor but made no mention of it. "Do
you wish me to come in with you?"
Dave shook his head, "I've gotta do this myself...I...I know
you've been there for me all along...but I can't keep relying on
you and Chris...I have to get back on my own two feet." He
fiddled nervously with the door handle, but didn't open it.
"You know that if you feel unwell...or unable to continue,
that nobody will think less of you if you cannot finish out your
shift? I mean, I don't want you to overdo it..."
"I'll take it easy..." Dave stared nervously out the
window at the hospital for a few more seconds before finally
opening the door.
"I will collect you when your shift is over," said Luka
firmly. "Okay?"
Dave nodded, his mouth was dry and he felt that if he said
anything, he'd soon be saying hello to his breakfast again.
"Take care," called Luka as he watched Dave set off
towards the hospital without a backwards glance.
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The ER was a hive of activity when Dave walked in. Making his way
to the Lounge he was stopped at frequent intervals by staff
members eager to find out how he was doing. Although appreciative
of their well wishes, a part of him just wanted to get to his
locker and get back in to work without any fuss and bother.
Grabbing his stethoscope from his locker, he threw it around his
neck, glancing at himself in his mirror as he did so. "You
can do this Malucci," he told himself. "Just take it
slowly...one step at a time." Closing his eyes, he took a
few deep breaths to calm himself.
Finally he opened his eyes and slammed the locker door shut.
"Here goes nothing," he muttered to himself before
heading back to admit.
When he got there, Kerry was busy distributing charts to the
staff.
"Malucci," she said, when he approached the desk.
"I've got one of your favorite combinations here...butt
boils and hemorrhoids..."
"Aw no Chief...can't Carter take it?" Dave groaned
instinctively.
"Carter's already got a yeast infection and a disempaction...unless
you'd rather swap?" Kerry asked with a wry smile.
"I think I'll pass."
"Okay then, there's a two hour wait up in x-ray, we've a
backlog of patients in chairs, and the surgical department have
informed me that they're short-staffed, so we might not get
consults as quickly as usual. Any questions? No? Then get to work."
The crowd rapidly dispersed. Dave being one of the last to move
away. He didn't know why he felt so let down...after all, he *had*
wanted to be treated normally.
"Oh, and Dave?" He looked up as he heard Kerry speak
again.
"Yeah Chief?"
"Welcome back."
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To be continued