oddc5

A VERY ODD COUPLE
Part V

Dave needed a place to stay and moved in with Luka
One night, on his way home he was attacked,
and ended up in the ER seriously injured.
Luka treated him, and Elizabeth operated.
Meanwhile Kerry treated a 'John Doe' carrying Dave's wallet
Dave regained consciousness after surgery,
and was comforted to know that his sister was on her way to Chicago.
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A few hours later, a distraught young woman hurried up to reception.
"I'm looking for Dr Kovac," she said to Randi anxiously.

Luka was erasing a name from the board when he heard his name mentioned.
He turned around and immediately recognized Dave's sister Chris.

A few weeks earlier, Dave had been showing Luka some photos of his family.
"You don't look at all alike," Luka had said to Dave, while looking at a photo of him with Chris.
"Nah. I take after Dad and Chris is the image of our Mom," Dave had said. "Well at least she was before Mom's hair went gray. The only family resemblance is our smile."

The 'Malucci smile' was nowhere to be seen on Chris's face today, however.

"Dr Malucci," said Luka stepping forward. "I'm Dr Kovac. We spoke earlier."
Chris asked the question that she had been dreading for the last few hours.
"How is my brother?"
"He came through the operation and is currently under observation in the ICU. I'll take you up to see him now."
"Thank you."
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Luka filled in Chris on Dave's injuries as they went upstairs. When they got to the ICU, she visibly braced herself before going in.
"Oh God," she said, when she saw Dave lying motionless on the bed. The bruising on his face was in stark contrast to the unusual pallor of his skin.
"It looks worse than it is," said Luka trying to reassure her. "His vitals have been stable for some hours now, but the next twenty-four hours will be crucial."
"If you knew how many times I've said those very words..."
Chris forced herself to walk over to Dave's bed. She was accustomed to the sights and sounds of an ICU, but somehow knowing that it was <her> brother attached to all these machines made it seem a little less familiar.
"This isn't right," she said, unaware that she was speaking out loud until Luka replied.
"I know," he said. "It is hard to see someone you care about be in this condition, and not to be able to do anything except watch and wait."
Chris didn't answer. She stared at the machines surrounding Dave, trying to take in the information they were conveying.
"I'll leave you alone with Dave," said Luka and he went to speak with one of the nurses.

Chris sat down by the bed, hardly noticing Luka's absence. Seeing Dave hooked up to all these monitors and machines was almost more than she could take. Dave was supposed to be the strong one, the healthy one, this just wasn't right. Luka had reassured her that Dave had been breathing unassisted for several hours now, and that he had been aware of who, and where he was, during his earlier period of consciousness. Still, Chris knew that she wouldn't be happy until she had spoken to Dave herself.

As if in answer to an unspoken prayer, Dave's eyes fluttered open and he saw Chris watching him.
"Hey sis," he said groggily. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, there was nothing decent on TV, so I thought I'd drop in and say hi."
Dave smiled weakly. "I'm glad you're here."
"How do you feel?"
"Terrible, but better than a few hours ago."
"I won't keep you awake then. I just wanted to look in on you before I phoned home."
"Do Mom and Dad know?"
"I phoned them before I left. Mom wanted to fly to Chicago immediately."
"Oh God. I hope you persuaded her not to."
"I told her to wait until I'd seen how bad it was, and that I'd phone once I'd seen you."
"I don't want her risking her health. Tell her I'll be fine, she mustn't fly." Dave was starting to get agitated, and his heart-rate monitor started beeping faster. Luka looked up anxiously from the other side of the room and hurried over. Chris gestured him away with a wave of her hand.

"Hey, easy there," said Chris soothingly taking Dave's hand. "I'll make sure she doesn't risk it. Now you just go back to sleep and I'll see you in a couple of hours."
Dave nodded weakly. "I don't want her to end up in here as well."
"It's okay. I'll make sure she knows that. You just relax. I'll take care of it." Her voice was calming, and she gently brushed his hair back out of his face. Dave's heart rate slowed to a more normal level and he gently fell asleep.

Chris waited until she was sure that he wouldn't awaken again, and then she and Luka left the ICU.
"Sleep is the best thing for Dave now," said Luka. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Well first I need to find a phone, let Mom and Dad know how Dave is doing."
"They will be flying in to see him?"
"Not if I can help it."

"But surely they should be here, be with Dave?" Luka was surprised at this. He knew how close Dave was to his parents, to all his family. "Doesn't he want them to come?"

"Not at the expense of our mother's health. Mom is prone to Deep Venous Thrombosis. She's under doctors orders <not> to fly. Not that that would stop her. But if she <did> fly in, then Dave will only be worrying about her, and that's not going to help him."
"I understand."
"After that, I need to find somewhere to stay for a few days."
"You could always stay at my house. I mean I'm sure Dave won't mind you using his room."
"That is if I can find the bed under all his junk. Thanks Dr Kovac."
"Call me Luka."
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Elizabeth joined Luka while he waited for Chris to finish her phone call.
"Yes Mom, he was awake for a while."
"Yes, he did know who I was."
"No it is <not> necessary for you to come to Chicago immediately. He's going to be pretty much out of it for the next few days."
"Well partly because of his injuries, but mainly because he'll be doped up on painkillers and antibiotics."
"Yes, I am staying for a few days. I'll keep you posted."
"You'll let the others know?"

Chris hung up the phone, and contemplated banging her head against the wall. Reasoning with her mother had been more exhausting than coping with a multi-victim trauma. Still, at least she had managed to persuade her not to come to Chicago.

She rejoined Luka outside the I.C.U.
"Dr Corday," said Luka. "This is Dave's sister Chris Malucci. Chris, this is Dr Elizabeth Corday, who operated on Dave earlier."
"Thank you Dr Corday," said Chris, while trying to remember where she had heard the name before.
"I trust that Dr Kovac has explained Dave's condition to you Ms Malucci?"
"He has, and actually it's Dr Malucci. But you can call me Dr Chris."
"Oh God," thought Elizabeth. "Not another one."
Out loud she said. "Well, as you probably know the next twenty-four hours will be crucial. But I believe your brother stands an excellent chance of making a full recovery."
"I appreciate all you've done for him." Chris finally remembered where she had heard the name before. This was the bitch who had told Dave that he wasn't much of a doctor. Dave had told Chris all about the incident, how he had signed off on a patient that he hadn't seen, and how he had subsequently received a stern lecture from Corday. Chris too had given Dave a lecture for being so stupid, but she was furious that anyone else had been so harsh to <her> brother.

"How did your parents take it?" asked Luka.
"The same way any parents would, if they heard their only son was lying in a hospital bed." Chris noticed the look of pain that flashed briefly across Luka's face and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap. They're worried sick." She smiled wryly. "Although when I phoned them first, Mom assumed that he'd come off his bike again."
"It would appear to be a common assumption," said Luka, carefully avoiding looking at Elizabeth. "Come, I will drive you to my house and we can both rest for a few hours. Dave will probably be more alert this afternoon."

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Luka glanced over at Chris as he drove. Dave had told him a little about his family. Luka knew that he had five older sisters, and Chris who was a year younger. Chris was the one he talked about most, the only other Malucci to go to college and subsequently med school.

Chris hardly spoke during the car journey. She stared out the window humming a snatch of music.
"What's that song?" asked Luka.
"What? Oh this. It was playing in the bus station before I left Milwaukee, and I haven't been able to get it out of my head."
She sang a few lines, "We've got stars directing our fate, and we're praying it's not too late."
"A nice song."
"It's all I could think of on the bus. Whether I'd make it to Dave on time. I only took the bus because I'd have had to wait an hour longer for the next train, and I didn't think I'd be able to concentrate on driving, and then the bus broke down, and we were waiting ages for a replacement..." Her voice trailed off and Luka could see that she was close to tears.
"It will be all right," he said reassuringly. "Dave is in good hands."
To distract her he said, "So, did the two of you always want to be doctors?"
"Dave, has wanted to be a doctor since we were kids. I don't know if he ever told you this, but when we were kids, ten and eleven, Rosaria - our eldest sister - had her first kid. We were dragged along to the hospital to visit her. Anyway she kicked us out of her room after we made too many remarks about 'why was the baby all tiny and wrinkled, and not like the ones on TV'. So we were supposed to sit outside until Mom and Dad were finished, but naturally we got bored and went off exploring. By the time our parents noticed we were gone, we'd got as far as the ER. Dave was fascinated by it. Didn't stop talking about it for weeks. After that he was dead set on becoming a doctor. Unfortunately he wasn't as excited about the idea of studying hard enough to get good grades."
"Yes, he told me that's why he ended up in Grenada. So what about you? Was that how you decided to take up medicine?"
"No, I didn't decide that until mid-way through college. If you don't mind, I'd rather not get into that right now."
"I apologize, I did not mean to pry."
"It's not that, it's just..." she sighed heavily. "It's a long story, and not one that I care to remember just now."
Luka was intrigued by her comment, but wisely decided not to pursue the subject. At least not for now.

--------------------------------
Chris followed Luka into his house.
"Would it be all right if I used your phone?" she asked. "It's just that I have to call work, and let a few people know what's going on. I'll pay for the calls."
"Go right ahead, and don't worry about paying for them. I'll just add them on to Dave's share of the bill."
Luka went into the kitchen to make some tea. A few minutes later, he heard her raised voice.

"Yes, I know it's short notice dammit. I know we've had this planned for a few weeks, but I can't help it."
There was a pause while she listened to someone on the other end of the line.
"Well, I'm sorry about that. The next time one of my family wants to get beaten up, I'll ask them to give me a bit of advance warning."
"Look, I'll probably be back in town in a few days. I'll call you then."
"Okay then, I <won't> bother."

Chris slammed the phone down and started swearing vehemently.
She looked up and saw Luka standing in the doorway.
"Oh God," she said blushing. "I didn't mean you to hear all that."
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop. Was that your boss you were talking to?"
"Oh no. He was fine, said to stay here as long as I'm needed. No <that> was Ray. A friend, or rather an ex-friend. We were supposed to go out tomorrow night. We'd booked time off a couple of weeks ago, and he got a little bit nasty when I had to cancel."
"Surely he would understand? I mean if your family needs you?"
"Ray doesn't like anything, or anyone, interfering with his plans. What's going to happen is, he'll let me stew for a couple of hours, and then he'll phone back to apologize. He'll expect me to apologize as well, and then fall in with whatever plans he's made. It's happened before, but not this time."
As Chris was talking, she retrieved her mobile phone from her bag. Markedly, she switched it off. "I do <not> need this right now. Maybe we can sort things out when I get back to Milwaukee, but I can't deal with this as well as everything else."

Chris looked visibly drained by the phone call. She sat down on the stairs and buried her head in her hands.
"You should probably rest for a few hours. The hospital will phone us if there's any change in Dave's condition, and I will be going in this afternoon to see him."
"Yeah. I'd just finished a double shift, when I got your message, and then I didn't get much rest on the bus. I'm bushed."
"I'll show you where Dave's room is. Rest for a few hours, and then I will call the hospital to see how Dave is doing."
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Kerry sat by Dave's bed in the ICU. She knew that his condition was stable, and that her presence here was having no effect on his condition, but she hadn't felt like going home.
If she was honest with herself, the real reason she had come up to ICU was to assure herself that it really hadn't been Dave that she had been working on earlier. The brief period when she had believed that he was beyond all help, had seemed like an eternity. And the thought that she had once again failed a colleague, well that had been unbearable.
Besides, she told herself, if he woke up again, it would be better if someone were with him. Dave muttered in his sleep and moved restlessly. Kerry debated with herself whether or not to wake him. On the one hand, he could do with the rest, but on the other hand, he didn't seem to be too relaxed. The decision was made for her when Dave jerked awake in the bed; his eyes wide open in terror. His breathing was ragged, and he was shivering uncontrollably.
"It's okay, Dave," said Kerry, putting her hand on his shoulder. "You're in the ICU. Try to calm down."
Dave relaxed visibly at her words. He couldn't remember what he had been dreaming about; all he knew that whatever it was had scared the crap out of him.

"Was it a bad dream?"
"I don't know," said Dave in confusion. "At least I can't remember. I just know that whatever was happening, I had to get away from it." He shuddered.
"How do you feel?"
"As if I've been run over by a steamroller. No, it's not too bad now, at least not as bad as it was earlier."
"We've all been worried about you."
"Guess I gave people a bit of a scare, huh chief?"
"More than you know. Do you want to take something to help you sleep?"
"No chief. Actually I'd rather stay awake for a bit. It seems I've been doing nothing but sleep."
"You <do> need your rest, but I'll stay for a while, keep you company if you like."
"Thanks. I'd like that."
Kerry carefully rearranged the bedclothes that had been disarranged by Dave's movements. Quickly she checked that his chest tube, and I.V.'s hadn't been dislodged.
"There, that's better," she said with a smile.
"Thanks chief. I hate to be a bother like this."
"Hey, that's what we're here for; to take care of people."
"It just feels odd to be on the receiving end. I mean I'm supposed to be the guy who puts in chest tubes and stuff. Not someone who gets them."
"That's probably why doctors make the worst patients. They feel they don't belong in a sick bed."
"Yeah, that's it. I shouldn't be here."
"Well you're here now, so accept it. I promise we'll take care of you."
"Thanks chief."
Dave shifted uneasily in the bed, trying unsuccessfully to find a position that <didn't> hurt. Kerry noticed his grimace of pain as he moved.
"Do you want something for the pain?" she asked him.
"No thanks chief. I'm okay."
"You are <not> okay. You've been through a lot in the last few hours, and I can see that you're hurting. I hope you're not going to be like that patient with the screw in his leg, who came in a few months ago. You remember, the one that believed painkillers interfered with the healing process."
"Man, that guy was something else. He took on the hurt and won."
"Yes, well. You don't <have> to do that. It is all right to take painkillers if you need them. Promise me that if you're in pain while you're in here, that you'll take the medication offered."
"Well okay chief." Dave was surprised at Kerry's insistence, but he was sure she knew what she was talking about.
"Good," said Kerry. It struck her as mildly ironic that a few months ago she had collaborated with her colleagues to force Carter to stop using pain medication, and now here she was encouraging Dave to take it. However the circumstances were different. All the same, she promised herself that she would keep a closer eye on Dave's mental well being than she had on Carter's. She would make him talk to a therapist about his experience, if she had to drag him there by the ear. Dave would not go down the same path as Carter if <she> had anything to do with it. She had a feeling that Luka would be thinking the same thing.

Dave's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Hey chief, you still with me? Only I think maybe I will take something for the pain."
"Sorry, I was miles away," replied Kerry. "I'll just get something from the nurse."

Kerry returned a few minutes later and proceeded to administer the painkillers through Dave's I.V.
"There," she said. "That should take effect in a few minutes. It'll probably make you feel a bit groggy though, so don't fight it. The sleep will do you good."
"Will you stay with me a little while?"
"I'll stay until you're sleeping," promised Kerry.

"What were you thinking about, just before you went for my meds?" asked Dave. The chief had looked so intense; Dave was concerned and a little curious.
"I was thinking about you," replied Kerry honestly. "And how you might want to talk to someone about what you've been through."
"You mean like a shrink?"
"It might help. You know, if anything's bothering you."
"What's bothering me most at the moment, is that I can't remember anything about it. And I don't think seeing a shrink can help with that. But if <you> think I should..."
"It's your decision, but it would probably do no harm to talk to a professional about what's happened. Dave, you have been through a very traumatic experience. Physically your injuries are healing, but I don't want you to underestimate the psychological impact that something like this can have on a person. It's a lot easier to deal with if you get help sooner, rather than later."
"Whatever you say chief."
"I didn't mean to lecture you like that. How's the pain now?"
"It's easing off a bit. I mean my side still hurts like hell, but it was worse."

"Dr Corday told me that your sister was here to see you earlier."
"Chris <was> here? I wasn't sure whether I'd dreamt her or not. I should've known it wasn't a dream."
"The two of you are close, I take it?"
Dave was feeling sleepier by the minute. He struggled to answer Kerry.
"Yeah, we always have been. See, she's only a year younger than me. The rest of our sisters are between eight and fifteen years older than me. So Chris and me, we always hung out together, almost like twins."
"Two Malucci's, oh no," said Kerry in mock horror.
"Two <Doctor> Malucci's," said Dave tiredly. "Cept that was too confusing at home, so we became Dr Chris and Dr Dave." His voice trailed off and when Kerry looked at him, she realized he had fallen asleep. She checked his pulse just to make sure, and then whispered to him, "Sleep well Dr Dave. I promise we'll take care of you."

To be continued

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