Chapter Text
Luka was sitting on the bench outside the ER. He needed a moment outside to calm himself down. He was upset. He was not angry. Well, at first he was.
He still had in head what happened to Zack. Luka assessed he was a good kid. Maybe a bit rebellious before but he truly believed him that he wouldn’t get back into trouble again. And his mother, despite being a drug user before, had seemed to sort herself out.
But in the end, the social worker grabbed him again. Luka felt emotional again as he remembered Zack’s face, after he was administered the Haldol. Blank but sad. All he could do was say sorry.
What were we coming to? Drug up unruly kids until they couldn’t think at all?
Now, reflecting more, he thought what happened after Zack.
What was he thinking, buying that chocolate mousse for a boy who he didn’t know? And play a video game with him. The new nurse Sam was right. It was a very odd thing to do.
But, admitting to himself, he couldn’t help it. Between him and Danijela, Jasna would go to him to get what she wanted. He wanted to be the ‘fun one’ to spend time with.
Oh, I need a distraction, Luka thought desperately.
“Hey? Are you alright?”
Luka blinked his eyes and saw Abby standing beside him. Luka couldn’t help but smile. Seeing Abby being a med student again, he couldn’t be prouder of her.
“Are you finished for the day?” He asked.
“Yes. I’ve just finished suturing up that patient Collins after removing his organs. What about you?”
“Oh, umm. I cannot get over what I just did.”
“Doesn’t sound good,” Abby said and sat down next to Luka. “What did you do?”
“I had bought some chocolate mousse for a boy I saw at the Jumbo Mart and was playing video games with him and didn’t pick up he had diabetes.”
Abby was silent and Luka shrugged his shoulders.
“That’s it?” Abby asked.
“Yes.”
“God Luka! You shouldn’t get upset by doing that.”
“Ah, and I also got told off by the mother.”
“Well, the mother should have been keeping an eye her son.”
Luka nodded his head.
Abby placed her hand on top of one of his and gave it a pat.
“Luka, don’t get yourself down over feeding and playing video games with some boy you just saw.”
“So, you don’t think it was a weird thing to do?”
“Oh, it was definitely a weird thing to do but... you love children, Luka. That’s just who you are.”
Luka smiled a little.
“That’s more like it,” Abby said cheerfully and patted Luka’s hand again. “You said the boy was diabetic? So he’s here?”
Luka nodded his head.
“Well, go and check up on him,” Abby suggested. She got up, “Bye, Luka.”
“Goodnight Abby.”
Luka watched Abby walked off and again had that little feeling of disappointment he had let her go two years ago. He then got up and walked back inside the ER.
&&&&&
Meanwhile, as Abby walked to the L, her mind was reflecting back to the conversation she had with Collins’ wife about donating his organs. She thought, if she ever had someone, would she as agreeable to do the same?
‘If she ever had someone’, she thought. She was happy to see Luka again, but the idea to dating him again was out of the question. Not only was she now a med student, it seemed he had moved on from her.
It was her fault, she thought, getting together with Carter.
All she can do now is be a good friend. And there was no way she was going to lose her friendship with Luka.
She thought now about what was upsetting him. If only she saw this mother and had a word with her! Sure, it would have been bizarre that a stranger bought her son something to eat, but at least her son didn’t move again.
Abby hoped Luka will have moved on by the end of the day.
&&&&&
Alex was still feeling unwell from not taking his injection for his diabetes. He was also a little sad for the man getting told off by his mum. He barely had to beg to get some chocolate mousse from him and play the video game with him.
And he was actually cool, Alex admitted to himself.
Talk of the man, he’s approaching, Alex thought. He felt a smile formed on his face.
“Hello... Alex? Is that right?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you feeling any better?”
“Yeah, a bit.”
“Good.”
Luka paused for a moment. He was going to say something, but what?
Alex was also musing if he should say anything.
“Dr Kovac!” Neela approached. “Could you please assist me on this patient.”
“Of course,” Luka said and nodded a goodbye to Alex. He was about to walk off.
Suddenly some words came out of Alex, “I’m sorry my mum gave you a hard time.”
Luka stopped and turned back at Alex, “it’s okay. I shouldn’t have bought you any food to begin with or played a video game with you.”
“I didn’t mind.”
Luka chuckled softly, “Yeah, I bet.”
Luka walked off to where Neela was waiting. He felt a smile coming to his face. He couldn’t help but like the kid.
Alex wanted to spend more time with Dr Kovac. He guessed he was older than even his mum and dad, but that didn’t bother him. Moving from place to place, it was hard to make friends, so the person’s age had didn’t bother him one bit.
&&&&&
Luka didn’t want an earful from Sam because Alex was following him around like a shadow, but on the other hand, he didn’t mind it. He missed Jasna and Marko, he couldn’t deny that. And having a child in his company again, he had to admit to himself, it made him feel good.
Luka surprised himself when he asked Alex if he wanted an x-ray. Of his head? Well, if he wished. He smiled, amused by this quirky kid.
He was almost considering to stay in Chicago instead of going back to Africa... No, get yourself together, Luka thought. Alex will probably get bored of him. He will eventually find some friends and hang around with them.
Alex liked Luka. He was friendly, tolerant of all his questions. He decided, after getting the x-rays of his head, maybe, he could spend some time with him and his family. He must have a family.
“Hey, umm, could I hang around with you later?”
“I don’t really think that would be a good idea. I’m already in trouble with your mum. She would be even more furious with me if you spent time with me outside the ER.”
“Well, if my mum says it’s okay, how about then? Or, wouldn’t your family like me to hang around with you?”
Alex noticed Luka’s head dropped. Like he was almost sad. He wondered why.
“Ah, I have no family,” Luka said quietly.
Alex didn’t have much empathy. But he felt sad for Luka. He then had a thought.
“Well, maybe, if it’s okay with my mum, would you like to join us for Thanksgiving dinner?”
Luka’s head lifted up again. He was hesitant. He was generally on good terms with everyone in the ER (even Chuny now), except with Sam.
“I’m not sure, Alex. Now, off you go. I see a kid is playing a video game in that room.”
“Alright,” Alex said, with a little disappointment. He then walked into the room and greeted the kid who was playing the video game, whilst Luka finally had a chance to treat some more patients without Alex asking questions.