Chapter Text
It had been six months since the accident. Ever since, Ann Walker has been a bedbound patient at Shibden Hospital and hasn’t spoken a word.
The door to Ann’s hospital room creaked open. “Hope I didn’t wake you,” Nurse Elizabeth said, wheeling in a cart of medical equipment. “Time to check your vitals.” Ann sat up and offered the woman her arm. “Feeling any better this morning?” Ann’s eyes remained focused on the wall in front of her.
Nurse Elizabeth continued her task and then left without another word. An hour later, Ann’s door opened once more.
“How’s my favorite patient?” Dr. Anne Lister said, grinning, as two surgical interns filed into the room behind her. Ann’s gaze didn’t waver from the window. Used the lack of response, Anne turned to the interns. “Who’s presenting?”
“Ann Walker, age 29,” Dr. John Booth began, “Came in six months ago after a car accident resulting in severe injury to her heart. She has been waiting in line on the transplant list for a new one ever since.” Dr. Lister gave a firm nod before turning her attention back to Ann.
“And it’s finally your turn,” she said, wearing a wide smile. Ann’s eyes snapped to meet hers. Dr. Lister’s heart lept in her chest and she nodded. “You’re getting your heart.”
_____
After leaving Miss Walker’s room, John approached Dr. Lister at the nurses’ station. “You’re in shock, aren’t you?” She placed her pen on Ann’s chart then turned to him.
“Excuse me?”
“She looked at you,” he explained. “She hasn’t acknowledged anyone since she got here.” Dr. Lister exhaled.
“Miss Walker wasn’t reacting to me. She was reacting to my words,” Dr. Lister stated plainly, “Anyone would’ve been floored by the news.” His expression faltered. "Now, let’s focus on the task at hand, which is getting our patient her new heart.”
He sighed. “Of course, doctor.” Dr. Lister tasked him with running labs. Once he was out of sight, she returned to her chart.
“She looked at you, huh?” Nurse Elizabeth peered up from behind the nurses’ station.
“Can’t a woman chart in peace?” Anne exclaimed. Nurse Elizabeth chuckled and pushed out her chair.
“You think I don’t see that glimmer in your eye?” Elizabeth teased, rounding the counter to Anne’s side. “Come on, Anne,” she continued, “We all know you’re not lying when you call her your favorite patient.” Dr. Lister’s expression hardened.
“What are you implying?” she questioned.
“I’m not implying anything,” Elizabeth defended, “I’m just saying it probably means a lot to you that she is starting to open up.”
“I don’t see how my feelings on the matter are anyone’s business,” Anne snapped, “A hospital is a place for delivering patient care not gossiping around nurses’ stations.” She slammed the chart closed. “We are trained, medical professionals.” She looked Elizabeth dead in the eyes. “It’s time people around here started acting like it.” Anne stormed off toward the elevators.
When the elevator doors closed in front of her, she failed to contain her smile.
_____
Marian approached Anne’s lunch table. She watched as her older sister practiced a suture technique on a banana. “You never stop, do you?” she said, taking a seat across from her with her lunch tray.
“I’ve got to make sure everything’s perfect,” Anne replied, her eyes focused on a stitch. Marian shoved a generous forkful of salad into her mouth.
“Hey, don’t worry. You’ve got this,” Marian reassured her. “It’s just a transplant. You’re an attending, so you’ve probably done thousands of them.” Anne snorted.
“I wouldn’t say thousands.” Her eyes narrowed as she threaded the string through a loop. Marian’s hand halted her own, forcing her to meet her sister’s gaze.
“You’ve got this,” Marian reinforced with a smile. Anne set the tools aside and drew in a deep breath. “There you go,” said Marian. Repetitive beeping interrupted them. Both sets of eyes fell to the waistband of Marian’s scrub bottoms. “Shit, that’s me.” Marian stood and wished her older sister luck before heading off.
_____
The transplant was a success. The nurses wheeled Miss Walker back to her room while Dr. Lister and Booth stood at the nurses’ station. The two had a clear view of Ann through her room’s window as they waited for her to wake up.
When Ann’s eyes began to flutter open, Dr. Lister rushed through the door to be by her side. “Ann?” Ann’s eyes focused on the face in front of her. Dr. Anne Lister’s face. “Can you hear me, Ann?” Ann nodded. A smile spread across Dr. Lister’s face.
“That’s great, Ann,” said Dr. Lister, “The surgery was a success. No more waiting list.” Tears flooded Ann’s eyes, and Dr. Lister’s soon followed.
“I’m sorry,” Dr. Lister said, wiping her face. “This is highly unprofessional.” Ann reached out and grabbed her hand. Their eyes met.
“What’s unprofessional about saving the life of the one you love?” Dr. Lister’s lips parted as Ann beamed up at her.
“After the accident, they said you might have had permanent brain damage,” Anne said, scanning Ann’s expression. “But you remember?” Ann nodded.
“I do.”
Anne smiled brightly before her heart rate picked up. With a creased brow, Anne asked, “You do?” She hinted toward a deeper question.
“Yes, Anne Lister,” Ann said with a chuckle. “I’ll marry you.”
Tears clouded Anne’s gaze once more, but she had never seen clearer. She placed a gentle kiss on her lover’s lips and felt as if the world had finally righted itself.