L.A. Metro

CHAPTER 10

JESS GLANCED AT her watch. She was surprised to see Terrell still at the nurses' station waiting for Dr. Kapoor. He had been paged over an hour ago. Although not as prompt as she would have liked, he still usually appeared more quickly than some of the other psychiatrists. Unbidden the thought popped into her head, Kim would have already been here.

"Page Dr. Kapoor again," Jess said as she approached the waiting resident. She sighed to herself. Over the past week dealing with Dr. Kapoor, she had come to realize how quickly she had grown to depend on Kim's ready presence in the ER. Dr. Kapoor never stayed in the department any longer than he had to, which on busy days led to repeatedly having to page him.

"He's in the room with the patient," Terrell said, a dissatisfied look on his face.

Dr. Kapoor was good at treating patients, but he had shown no interest in teaching the residents. Although she suspected the answer, Jess asked anyway, "Why didn't you go with him?"

"He wouldn't let me. Told me I would be too distracting to the patient." Terrell scowled. "Dr. Donovan let me observe and even help with patient evals," he muttered just loud enough for Jess to hear.

Jess understood the resident's frustration. Now that they all knew how much better things could be with Kim covering the ER, the problems with psych seemed worse than ever. She had heard people complaining all week.

"Well, hopefully Dr. Donovan will be back in a few weeks," Jess said. A strange, but not unpleasant sensation skittered across the back of Jess's neck.

Terrell's attention was drawn to something behind Jess's back. A bright smile lit his face. "Hey, Dr. Donovan. When will you be covering the ER again?"

"Haven't seen next month's schedule yet. So I can't say exactly."

Jess willed away the automatic brilliant smile that wanted to grace her own face at the sound of Kim's voice. While she admittedly respected Kim professionally, Jess had been unprepared for the fact that she had missed her on a more personal level this past week. She turned to face her. "Dr. Donovan," she said, offering a brief nod and a subdued smile.

Jess had not expected Kim to continue her lecture series until she returned for her next rotation. As was becoming par for the course, Kim surprised her. Jess had arrived Monday morning prepared to give a replacement lecture to the residents. When she reached the conference room, Kim was already there talking to several of the residents. Kim had made it clear then that she planned to continue with the lectures she had promised even while not assigned to the ER.

"Good afternoon, Dr. McKenna. Could I talk to you for a few minutes?" Kim asked.

Now's your chance. Ask her! Sam had called several times to find out if she had asked Kim to go jogging or see a movie. Jess had struggled with this decision all week. Her brain insisted on presenting all the things that could go wrong, but one thing Sam said had stayed with her. Everyone, no matter how self-sufficient could use a friend. Jess was tired of being lonely. It was time to take a chance.

"Sure. Let's go to my office." Jess motioned for Kim to follow her. This was her opportunity to talk to her privately.

The words had barely left Jess's mouth when the ambulance bay doors swung open and a man staggered in. His chest and arms were covered in blood.

Jess yelled for a gurney and a gown. After a quick apologetic glance at Kim, she sprinted for the patient.

* * *

Kim nodded in greeting to several staff members as she made her way to Jess's office. She had finished her lecture and hoped to have the conversation with Jess that had been interrupted earlier. Remembering Jess's discomfort the last time she had come to her office made her hesitate. This is different. It's business. She knocked on Jess's door.

After a few moments Kim heard Jess's distinctive voice call out. "Come in."

She opened the office door to find Jess at her desk talking on the phone.

"Oh, sorry. I was just wondering if you had a few minutes, but I see you're busy."

"No problem. Have a seat," Jess said, gesturing toward the small couch against the back wall. "I'll be right with you," she said before turning her attention back to her caller.

Kim sat down on the couch. The room was very small. She couldn't help overhearing the conversation.

"Sorry for the interruption," Jess said. "Anyway, I won't be able to pick him up tonight. If you could give him his dinner and settle him for the night that would be great. I'll pick him up first thing in the morning..." A loving smile spread across Jess's face. "Okay... Give my boy a big hug for me... Thanks. Bye."

Her boy? Jess has a son! The revelation was stunning. It brought home to Kim the fact that she knew next to nothing about Jess personally.

As Kim had seen Jess and interacted with her, she had begun to wonder if Jess might not be lonely too. Loneliness was new to her and something she thought they shared. Guess you let your own emotions cloud your judgment. Although she had gotten to know quite a few people at LA Metro casually in the six weeks she had been here, Kim had not let anyone into her personal life.

Normally she made friends easily at a new hospital, but not this time. Her experience at Memorial was still affecting her.

"Kim?"

Kim shook herself out of her morose thoughts. "Sorry. Was thinking about a case from earlier," she lied.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I'm working a double shift, so I needed to let the daycare know I wouldn't be able to pick up Thor until tomorrow."

"Thor?" Kim blurted out before she could stop herself. What kind of name is that for a kid? Jess didn't strike her as the type to stick an offbeat name on a child. Maybe her partner named the boy? Kim glanced up at Jess to find her looking very uncomfortable. Nice going, stupid. She shares something personal, and you question her kid's name.

"Yeah... He goes to doggie daycare three days a week. Whenever I work extra shifts, they keep him overnight."

Thor is her dog!

Jess shifted in her chair and looked down at her desk. "I know most people probably think it's weird to send your dog to daycare, but I work long hours and it's not fair to him to be cooped up in the house alone all that time."

Kim got up from the couch and moved over to sit in the chair in front of Jess's desk. "I didn't know there was such a thing available. I think it's great. We had a dog when I was a kid, and I really miss that. I've wanted another dog but couldn't figure out a way to juggle my work schedule and still be fair to a dog's needs."

"Dogs are great companions. But they do require a lot of attention."

Jess looked up, and Kim’s breath caught at the warmth in Jess's eyes. Jess hesitated and seemed to be debating something. Kim had no idea what. She tried not to let her disappointment show when Jess's expression turned businesslike.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Jess asked.

Kim forced her thoughts back to business. "As you know, Philip assigned me as liaison to help solve the problems between psych and the ER. I met with him on Monday to let him know what I had found. After working in the ER, it quickly became apparent where the problems lie." Kim hurried on when Jess's expression darkened. "The fault rests primarily with psych."

Surprise widened Jess's eyes.

Kim smiled. "Weren't expecting that, were you?"

"Honestly. No," Jess said with a smile of her own.

"Now the residents do request a number of unnecessary consults. But," Kim added quickly, overriding Jess when she started to object, "that's mainly psych's fault as well."

Jess nodded. "How do you propose we remedy this situation?"

"As I mentioned previously, I'm going to continue my lecture series. Philip has agreed to try and fit in a couple of lectures as well. I don't know if any of the other psychiatrists will be willing to lecture," Kim admitted.

"That's great. Philip giving lectures is an added bonus." Jess shrugged. "I wouldn't have expected the other psychiatrists to agree to lecture." As if to lessen the implied criticism, she quickly added, "Your lectures have been very appreciated by the residents. And me as well. Starting the new residents out right is going to be a big help in cutting down unnecessary consults."

Jess ran her hand through her hair. She offered a slight smile. "Not that I'm not grateful for all you've done so far, but do you think you might convince some of your fellow psychiatrists to let the residents into the exam room with them? I know it's a pain to babysit other departments' residents, but it would be another way to really help cut down on needless consults."

Kim laughed. "Great minds think alike." She could see Jess's confusion plainly written on her face. "That's the exact same thing I told Philip."

"Well, to be honest, the residents have been complaining since you returned to psych." Jess smiled sheepishly. "I think you've spoiled all of us in just two weeks. Everyone is asking when you'll be back in the ER."

A sense of satisfaction, out of proportion to the praise, filled Kim. The fact that Jess had included herself in that group meant a lot to her.

"Philip is going to talk to the other psychiatrists at the next staff meeting." Kim hated to end things on a down note but felt compelled to be honest. "No promises, of course."

"I understand that. I appreciate you going to bat for the ER regardless of the outcome."

Realizing her business with Jess was complete, and that she should let her get back to work, Kim stood. "Thanks for your time."

* * *

"Anytime," Jess said. Now's your chance. Ask her before she leaves. Jess stood up as well. She had almost asked Kim earlier if she wanted to go jogging when they were talking about Thor, but she had lost her nerve. It had been a long time since she had invited anyone into her personal life. You're just asking her as a friend. It doesn't have to be anything else.

Distracted by her thoughts, Jess didn't find her voice until Kim had almost made it to the door. "Kim." Jess stepped out from behind her desk.

Kim turned back toward her with a questioning look.

Come on, you're a grown woman. You can do this. It's not like you're asking her on a date. With that little pep talk, Jess gathered her courage. "You mentioned earlier that you liked dogs. I usually go jogging on Saturdays with Thor. I was wondering if you'd be interested in meeting us at the park and jogging with us?"

Jess's spirits sank a bit when Kim stared at her with an incredulous expression on her face. What did you expect? It isn't like she doesn't know by now that you don't socialize with anyone at the hospital. Maybe a bit of levity would help. "Weren't expecting that, were you?" Jess asked with a smile, echoing Kim's earlier question.

Kim stepped back over to Jess's desk. A grin broke out on her face as she regained her composure. "Honestly. No."

The last thing Jess wanted to do was make Kim uncomfortable or damage their working relationship. "I know it's last minute. You probably already have plans for your Saturday," she said, offering Kim an easy out.

"Actually I don't have any plans. I've been meaning to find a good place to jog. I haven't kept up since I moved. So if you don't mind the company, going jogging would be great."

A knot of tension between her shoulders she had not even been aware of eased at Kim's words. Jess smiled warmly. "Good. Do you know where Griffith Park is?"

Kim nodded. "The general area. I know there are several different sections of the park."

Jess pulled a piece of paper from a desk drawer. "Here. Let me give you directions on where to meet us." She wrote down directions to the dog park, figuring it would be a good place to meet. Handing the paper to Kim, she said, "Oh, I guess I should ask how you feel about big dogs. I have kind of a big dog."

Kim's face lit up. "I love big dogs! We had a lab when I was a kid. Daisy was the best."

Should I tell her just how big a dog I have? So long unused, it felt as if a rusty door was creaking open, Jess allowed a bit of her mischievous side to see the light of day. Ah, what the heck. She'll find out soon enough what a big dog really is. "All right then, we'll met you at the dog park at, say, nine tomorrow morning?"

"Works for me," Kim said. "Well, I should head back to psych." She walked over to the door and stopped just before opening it. She turned back toward Jess with a regretful look. "Oh, I just realized..."

A shaft of disappointment struck. I knew that went too well. She's already changed her mind.

"You said you're working a double today. Are you sure you're going to feel like going jogging in the morning?"

Jess's breath almost whooshed out in relief. She hadn't realized just how much she really wanted this to happen. "I'm sure. It'll be fine." Jess met Kim's eyes and smiled. "I'm looking forward to it," she added a bit shyly.

Like the sun coming out from behind a cloud, a brilliant smile blazed across Kim's face. "Me too. I'll see you tomorrow."

God, she's beautiful. Jess pushed the intruding thought away.

Jess flopped down into her desk chair as soon as the door closed behind Kim. She was both excited and nervous at the prospect of spending time with Kim outside the hospital.