Ode to the Lonely Hearted ________________________________________________________ “What’s wrong?” he touched her shoulder softly. “Give it a rest Dave, I don’t need this” Deb answered bitterly “I’m trying to be nice” he replied, trying to hide that fact she had wounded him. “I don’t need that right now” she pulled her shoulder away, and stormed off. “You shouldn’t take it personally Dave” Carter smirked, ”she’s like that with everyone” Dave shook his head, “naw, it’s just me” he replied , stuffing his hands in his pockets. “I know” Carter smiled smugly, “you messed up big time” ________________________________________________________ “Jing Mei?” the door opened gently,”Can I come in?” Deb looked up, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Sure, Dr.Weaver” “Is everything okay?” she wobbled over,”can I help?” Deb shook her head, “it’s all me.I’m the only one. But thanks” she turned her face towards the window. “It’s not just you.It’s affecting everyone around you Jing Mei” Kerry touched her knee,”especially Dr.Malucci” She buried her face in her hands,”Is it showing?” Deb’s voice shook . “It is.It’s a lousy way to hide a secret” Kerry smiled sadly,”when are you due?” Deb bit her bottom lip,”a couple more months” Kerry nodded,”When were you going to ask for time off?” Deb shrugged, “I kept hoping it would just go away, like it was a nightmare of something” _________________________________________________________ “Get off my case Carter” Dave answered angrily “Don’t you think you should at least follow up? Is that not part of the Malucci one nite stand pact?” Carter teased “I said back off Carter” Dave spat “You hurt her, and you’re not going” Carter stopped. “It wasn’t a one nite stand, and she won’t talk to me” Dave loosened his grip on Carter’s collar,”leave me alone. You aren’t helping” Carter nodded,”I didn’t know” __________________________________________________________ “Tell me there is a reason everyone is standing around, like this is some sort of social function gone wrong” he called out from the elevators. “Oh god” Cleo muttered,”if anyone asks” she hissed through her gritted teeth,”I’m with Curtain 2” she ran off. “Dr.Finch, don’t you want to hang around and chat??” Romano called after her. Cleo waved over her head, and disappeared into the room. “Where is Weaver?” ___________________________________________________________ “Have you seen a doctor” she handed her a wad of tissues. “Uh-huh” Deb replied, wiping her eyes. “Okay.I don’t know what to say. I could talk to him” Kerry offered “No, this is my thing” Deb smiled sadly,”I just wish I wasn’t so afarid” Kerry nodded, “Alright.You better get back to work, Romano is supposed to be” she stopped talking and shuddered. ”Supposed to be checking up on me” Deb chuckled,”I’m on it” _______________________________________________________ “Dr.Carter!How is County’s own narcotic addict?” “I’m fine.You?” Carter walked briskly away,trying to avoid him at all costs. “I was catching up on some complaints” he answered smugly “Robert, what a surprise “Kerry tugged on his arm, shooting Carter an apologetic look,”I think we should talk in the lounge” she mentioned,praying Deb had moved. “I second that idea” he smirked,”good day Dr.Carter” He glared , watching them walk away. “He’s on my case too” Abby complained, “I wish I knew what I did, so I could have some witty come back prepared” John chuckled,”even when you know, he’ll bring something up, something you don’t even remeber doing” “Great” she shook her head,”what drives that man?” _______________________________________________________________ “Kovac!” Luka jumped,”yes?” he perked his head up “Trauma coming in.Grab whoever’s around,” Cleo called out “Okay” he answered. “Dave?” He shook his head,”I can’t “ Luka walked over to him,”I need your help” “I heard you” Dave snapped,”I can’t , ask Carter, or “ he stopped. Luka followed his eyes, “ Dr.Chen?” Dave nodded,”ask her.She’ll tell you anything” He looked at him, confusion in his eyes.”Okay” _______________________________________________ “Sweetie” Elizabeth kissed his cheek,”I got a page, I have to go in” Mark grumbled something and turned over. “I love you” she whispered. ____________________________________________________________ “Malucci!”Kerry yelled He turned slowly around,preparing himself . “Out of all the hell I ‘ve been through, and trust me, it’s been hell,I have to hear about your tissy fit.Let’s talk, now” He nodded and sulked behind her. ____________________________________________________ “I hate when there’s something going on and I have no idea what it is”Cleo watched Dave go into the lounge with Dr.Weaver. “I have an idea,and I don’t think it has anything to do with us”Abby answered. “Aren’t you just alittle bit curious?” “No” Abby replied,”Cause I know what it’s like _______________________________________________________________________ “Doctor, are you okay?” Deb snapped her head,”Oh, yeah I’m fine” she smiled “It’s bleeding” She looked down at the patient’s arm. “I’m so sorry” ___________________________________________________ “You have to snap out of it Dave” she stood against the door. “What do you mean?” Dave asked,glaring. “It shows, in your performance,in the way you interact with your patients,Dave” Kerry touched his shoulder lightly. “I know” he yanked his shoulder away,”I can’t though” “You’re going to have to, or I’m going to put you on paperwork” ______________________________________________________________ “I NEED EVERYBODY OUT!” Deb hit her head on a self in the exam room,”What the hell?” Cleo ran in and stuck her head into the room where Deb was,” A bomb” she said breathlessly,”someone called in and said there was a bomb.They’re trying to kill Romano” Deb arched an eyebrow and tried desperately to stifle the giggle that wanted to escape. “Tell me you’re kidding” she started unhook her patient from the machines. “Nope” Cleo called running out “Am I going to die?” the man asked his voice shaky “Not if I can help it” Deb replied, watching Dave run by, a patient in his arms “Are you okay?” the patient asked, panic setting in, now that his doctor had stopped working “Yeah,I’m sorry,can you walk?” ___________________________________________________________ “Why did you call me then!” Elizabeth cried, stuck outside the hospital “Because I thought we would need you Lizzy” Romano muttered “If this was a death threat against you Robert” anger started building up in her voice,”why are you out here and everyone else in there?” He shrugged. _________________________________________________ “Dr Weaver!” Abby called into each room, “Dr.Weaver” she pulled her arm away from the police officers that were trying to pull her out of the hospital. “You have to leave” they cried “I have to find my boss!” Abby yelled back,”Dr.Weaver!” _____________________________________________________ “Abby’s still in there” Dave muttered, pacing back and forth. “Relax Dave”Cleo touched his arm Deb pursued her lips, and looked behind her, all the people with the panic in their eyes.”I wish there was something I could do for them”she muttered “Psych’s talking to them,nothing more you could do. All this for Romano” Cleo rolled her eyes,”Why do I get the feeling maybe he set this all up himself? The attenion hog” Dave didn’t laugh. “Come on Malucci,it was a joke.” “Dr Weaver’s in there, too” ___________________________________________ Luka walked out from the side of the hospital, Kerry in his arms. “I’m fine, let me down!” she protested Deb and Cleo looked at each other and chuckled as Luka set her down lightly on her feet. “She was in the lounge,trying to grab the mugs” he shook his head “I was not.Where’s Abby and Carter?” Kerry asked “and Malucci” Deb’s jaw almost dropped,”Dave was here just a minute ago” there was a shadow in the lounge window. “He didn’t” ______________________________________________________ “CARTER! ABBY!” He yelled “Right here, trying to grab the records” Carter yelled back. “Are you stupid?You’ve got to get out of here” Dave bent down and tossed Abby over his shoulder. “Is it that serious?”Carter asked, furrowing his eyebrows “Personally, I wouldn’t like to be the one to know. Listen” he stopped, the ticking around the admit desk becoming louder. “Shit” Carter muttered “You guys are the last in the building.Come on” he turned around one more time, just as the admit desk started to smoke “Carter dammnit!” _______________________________________________________ “I have three doctors in there!”Kerry screamed at the bomb squad. “Let’s hope it’s a fake” one guy muttered. “Oh my god” Deb muttered,forcing down the tears. Cleo rested her hand on Deb’s shoulder,”it’ll be okay” it was unconvincing. “Cleo?” She turned around and ran into Peter’s arms. “There’s Carter and Abby!” Deb felt like the world was now on her shoulders. She slunk down and sat down in the snow,burying her face in her hands. ______________________________________________________ “Damn” he blew on his hand,touching the hot desk top Dave ran, he ran fast. “There’s Malucci!” Abby called,still clutching onto Luka. Deb started to cry. “He’s fine” Carter touched the top of her head, “come on” She took his hand, and got up slowly to her feet. There was smoke filling where they had just been, pouring out of the doors and windows. “Are you okay?” he asked her breathlessly “Uh-huh” she said quietly,”I’m fine” ______________________________________________________ The staff feel to their knees as the bomb rocked the hospital. “I was in there” he muttered. Deb touched the top of his head, fighting the tears . The heat from the fire roaring through the hospital could be felt on everyone’s faces. The sirens filled everyone’s ears. “Is everyone okay?” Kerry walked around slowly, leaning on Romano. “I’m fine” Deb said quietly, looking down at Dave sitting on the edge of a truck. “I’m okay” he replied. “Okay” Kerry smiled at them ,”Luka, if Abby asks to be put down, then put her down!” she called Deb chuckled, “why did you do that?” she said softly “What?” Dave looked up at her “Why did you do that?Try to rescue everyone from the hospital?” He shook his head, “It’s something you wouldn’t understand” She pursed her lips, and watched the crowds around her, the firefighters pushing her aside to get to the hospital. “You worried me” Dave got up and walked away. ____________________________________________________________ “Are you okay?” Deb looked up “Fine John” she answered miserably, “just fine” Carter nodded, and Benton came over with a squirming Dave. Deb looked at them all,smirking.”What’s this about?” Benton shook his head in disbelief,”he’s over there chatting my ear off about you, and you looked miserable, so you two are going to talk.This is a good time” Deb locked eyes with Dave and turned away. “See ya” Carter waved _____________________________________________________ “I’m fine Mark!” Liz cried into the cell phone, ”I AM FINE” ______________________________________________________ “You told Carter!” he yelled “Shut up” she hissed,”yeah I told Carter. He’s my only friend. I didn’t know he was going to use it against you!” He rolled his eyes, “You didn’t see him. The way he was rubbing it in,he knew” Dave glared “I’m sorry” Deb said softly,”I told you I didn’t know he would use it against you.He was someone to talk to when I needed to figure everything out.” He dropped his head between his knees,”and you couldn’t talk to me” Deb turned her head away from Dave and fought the tears that wanted to fall, again. “No I couldn’t talk to you.” He nodded, the pain glazing over his eyes, ”You turned to Carter. “he wrunghis hands,”we’re going to have a kid, and you can’t even talk to me” Deb nodded,”I guess so” Dave sighed, “Okay.” He squeezed her shoulders, wrapping his arms around her. Deb let out a deep breath,and felt her insides melting. “Please stop Dave” she whispered in his ear. ”You’re scaring me” “ I think” he made sure to wipe his eyes before looking up at her,”that’s one of the most hurtful things anyone has ever said to me” She was taken back,suddenly he was truthful, emotional,”I’m sorry”, she saw over his shoulder, everyone looking at them and smiling. Dave cupped her face in his hands,” I needed to hear it” he kissed her lightly. Deb took a deep breath. _____________________________________________________________ “Just enough dysfunction to be the perfect couple” Abby chuckled. Luka bent down and kissed the top of her head,”I’m glad you’re alright” She unwrapped her arms from around his waist,”are you okay?’ He nodded,”I’m fine” and hugged her again. _________________________________________________________________ “Since you’re in one piece” Cleo raised an eyebrow, “yeah, go” He smiled slightly,”are you sure?” She nodded, “go Peter” _________________________________________________________________ “You don’t have to come Mark!” Liz looked for help from someone,”We’re all fine...Chen and Dave are kissing” __________________________________________________________________ “This is your fault” Kerry muttered “I know” Romano answered “Someone wanted you dead Robert” He nodded, “I know” She looked at him in disbelief,”you burned the hospital down, basically” “I know Kerry” She turned to look at him,”it scared you, didn’t it?” He looked away from her,”What makes you think that?” Kerry snickered,”it’s fine to be scared Robert. Look around you.What do you see?” He answered,deadpan,”Chen and Malucci kissing” ___________________________________________________________ “First you didn’t want anyone to know” he muttered Deb ran a finger over his bottom lip,”sshhh.I know” she kissed him again “You’re crazy” Deb smiled slightly, “I’m pregnant” _______________________________________________________________ “They look so happy” “That’s gonna be some kid.All screwy,just like it’s parents. It’s not natural” Carter turned around and laughed,”thank you for the insight Frank” He nodded,”anytime Dr.Carter” John shook his head,”is Romano crying on Kerry’s shoulder?” _______________________________________________________________ “Since I am too immature to marry you” he teased Deb rolled her eyes,”they said we can go home now” He smiled,”thank you Deb” “Really, I can’t complain” Deb smiled,”I did enjoy the process” He kissed her belly gently,making her giggle. “I forgot you were ticklish” ___________________________________________________________ “Please stay awake till the end of the nite,when nothing’s on the run, please stay awake till I can’t find the reason and the fun, though I’ve seen all their happiness, I can only be down, go take your soul, make an ode to the lonely hearted” Carter slung his arm around Frank’s shoulder and sang. “Your insane” Frank muttered “Just sing” Carter grinned “Go take your soul, make an ode to the lonely hearted. I know it’s a real life story, but there’s so little time, I know it’s a real nice story,but it’s easy to find” _____________________________________________________________ “I had to see for myself” Mark walked through the crowd that was now slowly spreading out. “The hospital?” Liz asked “No. Chen and Malucci” he grinned. “Well I’ll be damned” ___________________________________________________________________ “Aren’t you coming?” Deb asked “Huh?” Dave leaped off the bench they had occupied. “We can go home.Aren’t you coming?” she placed her hands on her hips. “Me, with you?What are you asking Dr.Chen?” a smile curled on his lips “I’m saying, are you coming home with me?” ___________________________________________________________________ “Stop singing” John laughed hysterically as Frank ran away from him. “It’s not okay to scare the help John” Carter stopped laughing,”Gamma” “I was watching the news.I’m glad you’re okay” she looked at her grandson akwardly “I’m fine.Why are you here?” he asked,raising an eyebrow “I” she stuttered,”I was worried” “You were worried about me?So you came down to see if I was alright” he smiled,”you are a sensitive one,aren’t you?” he held out his arms “Here,John?”disbelief in her voice “Yes Gamma,here.Everyone else is doing it” he laughed, looking around.Liz was holding Mark, Cleo was holding Yosh, Deb and Dave,well, Deb and Dave was a whole other story. “Is that Robert Romano?” Millicent asked,looking over her grandson’s shoulder. “Hugging Kerry Weaver?Yup” he smiled. _________________________________________________________________ “The last time” Abby muttered “Really?” he asked excitedly “The last time” He bent down and lifted Abby in his arms.”Thank you” Abby rolled her eyes,”Any time Luka, any time” “Wanna go home?” he asked her “Why not?” she smirked ___________________________________________________________________ “”Hey Carter” John smiled at Dave,”is everything okay” Deb nodded,”and we have to have a talk boundaries” He rolled his eyes,”but if I hadn’t stuck my nose in other people’s business, you guys wouldn’t be back together” Millicent rammed an elbow in his rib cage. “Gamma!” Deb laughed. “You made them fight?Did you forget your manners.At least say you’re sorry” Dave looked at him smugly,”yeah Carter,where are your manners” Deb tugged on his arm,”it’s fine Mrs.Carter.See you later John” _________________________________________________________________ “Anything else I should catch you up on?” Kerry smirked “Dr.Kovac is dating Lockhart.Lizzy’s with Greene, I knew that. Chen is dating Matuacci, or they went out once, I forget” he tossed his hands up in the air,”and Carter’s dating an old chick?” Kerry glanced over in his direction,”that would be Mrs Millicent Carter” “Oh?” his eyes lite up,”how’s my hair?” Kerry laughed out loud,”why?” “She’s one of our biggest source of donations Kerry. We should go make nice.To repair this damage” he trailed off “Be my guest. Ihave to make some phone calls” she looked back at the dark,charred empty hospital “Okay” ________________________________________________________________ “Why are you letting him out easy?” “He’s my friend,remeber?” Deb linked arms with Dave. “I should remeber,shouldn’t I?” Deb nodded,”it would make things alot easier” ________________________________________________________________ “Hey,step away from the girlfriend” Cleo laughed,”you came back?” Peter nodded,”I felt guilty” “Nothing warms my heart like guilt”she wrapped an arm around Peter’s waist, still holding onto to Yosh.”Are you going to be okay?” she rested her head on his shoulder “Yeah” he smiled,”thank you Dr.Finch” Peter kissed her cheek,”let me drive you home Dr.Finch” ______________________________________________________________ “I did it do you I’ve gone too far,I did it guilty as charged, was me right all along” Mrs Carter raised an eyebrow,”are you confessing to something,John?” John laughed,”nooo,even though I would love to put a hit on Romano” ___________________________________________________________________ “Do you need a ride Dr.Weaver?” Abby asked as Luka pulled up by the ambulance bay “No” she smiled,”I’m fine” “Okay.I would say see you tomorrow”Abby looked sadly at the hospital,”what do we do know?” Kerry shrugged,”get the want ads until you find something you like” Luka furrowed his eyebrows,”that’s not good news” She shook her head,”no,it’s not.” Kerry turned back and looked sadly at the hospital,”I’m going to miss this place”