Chapter Text
“Cap? I think we’re gonna need to get the roof off” Andy radioed Maya. “Three civilians, one minor.”
They had been called to a car accident not far from the station. The car has badly smashed into the central reservation, and it was a miracle that the three of them were all alive if the dams he to the car was anything to go by.
“Alright Herrera. Gibson get the jaws.” Maya radioed back looking at the wreckage.
“Ma’am, were gonna get you out okay. And you too” Andy looked into the back to the little girl. “My name’s Andy, can you tell me your name?”
“It’s Brooke.” The little girl looked scared.
“You don’t have to worry because I’m going to take good care of you okay? And mommy too.”
Andy watched as the man was helped out of the vehicle and towards the aid car by Miller, leaving just the two in the car.
“How are we doing in here?” Maya asked coming to stand next to Andy.
“This is Brooke.” Andy signalled to the little girl in the back. “And this her mom. Hughes is monitoring her vitals.” She knew Brooke was listening.
“Consciousness levels aren’t stable.” She didn’t want to scare Brooke but Maya needed to know.
“Hey Brooke. I’m Maya. Can you tell us what your mom’s name is?”
“It’s Clare. Why do her eyes keep closing like that?”
“You know how when you’re really sleepy sometimes you fall asleep without meaning to? Your mom is just really sleepy.” Maya explained.
“But she wasn’t really sleepy before. Not when daddy was shouting at us.”
“But when the accident happened, that takes a lot out of mommies and daddies. So they get sleepy. Don’t worry we’ll take good care of them.”
“Brooke? We can’t get the door open right now to get you out, but can you wind your window down?” For once Andy was relieved that the car was clapped out without modern features.
“Uh huh.” Brooke said starting to roll the window down slowly.
“Good girl, just like that.” Andy encouraged. “And then we can lift you out so you can go see your daddy and have someone check you out in the air car..”
“No...no...don’t leave her alone with him..” Clare murmured, trying to sit up. “Please.”
“Yup, we’re going to have to unbox that when we get her out.” Maya said noting Brooke and Clare’s reaction to being with her dad.
“Both of them look like they have old bruises too.”
“Fuck. One problem at a time. Get her out of there Andy.”
“Got it cap. Brooke? I’m going to lift you through the window. That okay?”
“I’m scared.” Brooke said lip shaking and tears forming. Her hand shooting out the open window and gripping Maya’s sleeve.
“It’s okay...I’m going to lift you out and Maya is going to help okay? We’ll look after you.”
“Brooke why don’t you tell me what you like to do for fun?” Maya asked by means of distraction.
“I like to ride my bike out front with my friends.”
“Ooh bike rides are fun.”
“Uhuh” Brooke nodded as Andy lifted her out of the car and into Maya’s arms. “There we go, you’re so brave Brooke, you know that?”
“You are.” Maya agreed holding the 6 year old.
“What about my mommy?” She looked nervous as she clung to Maya.
“She’ll be okay. She’s with my friend Vic. Vic will take good care of her. Let’s get you looked out though okay?”
“Where? Not...not with daddy right?” She clung tightly to Maya.
“Nope. You’re daddy is on the way to the hospital. It’s just you and me.”
“Okay.” she seemed to relax at that.
“Do you know where it hurts?” Maya asked setting Brooke down on the edge of the ambulance.
The small brunette shook her head, looking over at where they were still working on her mom.
“Just look at me kid. Your mom is going to be okay.” Maya said.
“What if she’s not?” she sniffled. “Mommy said we were going to go on as adventure. But daddy found out and got mad.”
“Did she say where you were going?”
“She said it was a secret so I can’t tell you.”
“You can tell me. I’ll make sure you get there.”
Brooke shook her head, eyes wide with fear. “Bad things happen when you tell secrets.”
“Like what?”
Brooke fiddled with the sleeve of her jacket, shrugging her head. “I can’t remember.”
“Brooke, I’m a firefighter. It’s my job to make sure you’re safe.” Maya stated.
“You already maked me safe from the car.”
“I did. But my job doesn’t end there.” Maya offered.
“What’s that mean?” The little girl scrunched her nose.
“It means that I get to make sure you’re safe after too. You and your mommy.”
“If mommy doesn’t wake up I won’t be safe. She keeps me safe.”
“They’re gonna take your mommy to the best hospital with the best doctors to take care of her.” Maya promised. “But until then, how about I keep you safe?”
“How can you do that?” She seemed skeptical and very distrusting.
“I can stay with you until your mommy is better.”
“Nu-uh.”
“No? Why not?”
“Because you can’t stay with me. You have to go and rescue all the other kids and moms.”
“Right now my priority it you.”
“What’s that mean?”
“It means I’m not needed anywhere other than right here.”
“Oh okay.” She mumbled quietly.
“Promise. Okay?”
“Okay.” She nodded, still not able to take her eyes off her mom.
“Hughes how we looking?” Maya asked.
“Uh..not great to be honest. She’s in a bad way.”
“Copy that. Warren, need you to get on the radio with Grey Sloan see if we can get Hunt or Altman here.”
“Got it cap” Warren nodded as he came to stand beside Maya. “You okay to check her over?”
“I’m good here. If they’re taking preferences I’d like Altman.” Maya commented shrugging her turnout jacket off.
“I’ll let them know you’ve made a special request.”
“Tell her there is a bottle of scotch in it for her.”
“Okay Brooke, I just need to make sure you’re okay. Can I check you for any injuries while they work on your mom?”
“I don’t have any.” She told Maya, pulling her jacket further around herself.
“Can I double check?”
Brooke looked nervously at Maya. “Only if I can keep my jacket on.”
“Why’s that?”
“Dunno.” She mumbled, staring hard at the ground. “I just want to.”
“Okay. That’s okay.” Maya agreed for now. Pulling out her stethoscope.
“Kay.” She watched every move Maya made.
“Just need you to take a deep breath for me.” Maya said listening.
“Like this?” She took a breath in a little.
“Can you breathe deeper? Like you’re going to blow out candles.”
Brooke tried her best, although the deep breathing made her cough.
“That doesn’t sound good. I think you better let me take you to see the doctors I was telling you about.”
“Do I have to?” She looked anxious. “Mommy says doctors ask too many questions.”
“They will ask just enough to make sure you’re okay.”
“Daddy said we shouldn’t trust them.”
“I think we should agree that your daddy doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” Maya said hating the man already.
“He says...he says he’s the smartest man I’ll ever meet.”
“That’s a lie. See my friend Warren over there. Did you know he’s a doctor.”
“He is? A real one?”
“Yup. Hey Warren! What kind of doctor were you?”
“General surgeon. Why?”
“Brooke here wanted to know.”
“I see” he chuckled. “You heading to a Grey Sloan?”
“Yup. As soon as Brooke here is ready.”
“You can take me if you want.” She told Maya. Just because she was there, didn’t mean she’d have to actually see a doctor.
“How about you see one of my favorite doctors?” Maya asked.
“You have a favorite? What’s his name?”
“Her name is Carina.”
“Really? But daddy said only boys can be doctors but not girls coz they’re not smart enough.”
“Oh Carina is the smartest person I know. Super, super smart. If you let me take you to the hospital you can meet her.” Maya suggested wondering if that was the way to get Brooke to the hospital.
“I get to meet a real girl doctor??” She seemed to perk up at this.
“Definitely! She’ll be so happy to meet you.”
“Can we go meet her now?” She was worried if they didn’t go now, Maya would change her mind.
“Let’s go. I’m going to call her and let her know we’re coming.” Maya said pulling her phone out as she and Brooke got settled into the back of the ambulance.
“You know her number?” Brooke was in awe.
“I better. She’d not be very happy with me if I didn’t.” Maya laughed.
“She knows you too?” Brooke’s eyes were wide.
“She does.” Maya said not sure if she should tell Brooke how she knew Carina.
“Wow. I never meeted a real life girl doctor. And now I get to meet one who is friends with a fire lady.”
“Yup, you do.” Maya promised as they started. “You might meet a lot of girl doctors. Most of the doctors I know are lady doctors.”
“Lady doctors? Does that mean they only look after ladies?”
“Nope, one of them looks after brains, two of them look after hearts, one looks after everything, and Carina she brings babies into the world.” Maya said listing off the doctors.
“Wow, you know a lot of girl doctors. I don’t think my daddy would believe it if you told him.”
“Well, he might be being looked after by one of them now.”
“Is he gonna be at the hospital too?” She looked anxious about that.
“Different end of the hospital. Promise you won’t see him at all.”
“Okay.” She fell quiet after this for the rest of the ride, holding on tightly to Maya’s hand as they arrived.
“You ready to meet Carina? She’s waiting just outside.”
“Okay.” She seemed suddenly nervous.
“Don’t worry, we’ll do it together.” Maya said opening the doors.
“Hi” Carina was waiting just outside with a soft smile on her face. “This must be the lovely Brooke I heard about.”
“Maya says you’re a real girl doctor. Are you?” she looked at her sceptically.
“I am, I’m a obstetrics and gynaecology surgeon. Fancy words for saying I help babies be born and I look after women’s health.” Carina answered looking at Maya with an equally warm smile.
“That sounds like a lot of doctoring.”
“It is. But it’s very rewarding.” Carina said as Maya helped Brooke down.
“Can you walk? Or do you want me to carry you?” Maya asked softly.
“My dad says I can’t be carried cos I’m too big, only cry babies get to be carried.”
“That’s not true at all. You might be hurt. Can I carry you?” Maya asked.
“Kay.” She agreed with a small nod, looking around anxiously to check her dad wouldn’t see her.
“I have a nice quiet room we can go sit in...Follow me.” Carina led the way.
Maya lifted Brooke easily and followed Carina.
“Here we go. Why don’t you have a sit down on the bed here.” Carina patted it.
“Here, I’ll set you down and Carina can examine you. She’s super good at her job.” Maya promised.
“I don’t want an exam.” She shook her head adamantly. “I’m fine.”
“Please, let Carina at least make sure you’re okay? For me? I’m sure you’re fine but…I just want to make sure.” Maya requested. Hoping if she made it more about what she wanted then that would make it easier.
“Just a quick check right? Like you did?”
“Why don’t we take this jacket off hmm?” Carina smiled, approaching the bed.
“Yup. She’s just a lot smarter than me so she can make sure that the cough you have is just a cough.”
Brooke nodded; although she shrunk back on the bed, making herself small.
“I’ll be very gentle I promise.” Carina promised putting her gloves on. West
“O..okay.”’she mumbled, not taking her anxious eyes off Carina.
“How about I hold your hand?” Maya asked sitting next to Brooke on the bed. “That way if you don’t like what she’s doing you just squeeze really tight and I’ll ask her to stop okay?”
“That sounds like a good idea, thank you Maya.” She wasn’t used to people being so kind.
“Why don’t we take this jacket off? It will be easier to check you out without it.”
“No...you can’t take it off, I don’t want you to.”
“Surely you’ll be more comfortable without it? It’s kinda wet.” Maya suggested.
She really didn’t want to take it off, but Maya was right. It was wet. “Okay.”
“Thanks! And after Carina takes a look at you, you can have my hoodie to wear?” Maya asked shrugging her hoodie off.
“That looks super comfy.” She agreed with a small smile. She pulled her jacket off, the shirt underneath revealing her bruised arms.
Carina clocked it immediately, her gaze meeting Maya’s in silent question.
Maya nodded slowly, she guessed but that didn’t make knowing it any easier.
“Did you get those during the crash?” Maya asked knowing that Brooke didn’t.
Brooke looked down at her arms, attempting to cover the bruises with her hands. “Yeah, in the crash.”
“Ouch. They look painful.” Maya said softly.
“Nu-uh. They don’t hurt anymore.” She reassured Maya.
“But they did when they happened?” Maya asked seeing the distinct shape of finger markings.
“Mhm.” She confirmed warily.
“What else hurts?”
“My tummy hurts a bit, but only if you touch it. But I don’t need you to see it cos...cos it’s better now”.
“Can you let Carina take a look? Please?” Maya asked.
Carina watched Maya with Brooke, trying not to find it adorable given the gravity of what was happening.
“But it will hurt if she does.” Brooke’s lip wobbled. “And I’m not sposed to show anyone.”
“You won’t get in trouble. You’re daddy can’t come in here and we won’t tell him.” Maya promised.
“That’s right we won’t.” Carina agreed.
“Kay.” She agreed nervously, laying back on the bed.
“Thank you bambina. Just tell me when it hurts.”
Carina lifted Brooke’s shirt a little and was shocked at the bruising she saw, some faded, some not. “I’m going to press ever so gently okay?”
“I don’t want it to hurt.” Brooke said with a heart-breaking desperation.
“I know, I know..” Carina soothed. “Hold onto Maya’s hand real tight for me okay?”
“Kay.” Brooke said squeezing super tight.
“Don’t worry, I got you.” Maya said reassuringly.
Carina knew she’d have to press reasonably firmly to check what she needed to, watching Brooke’s face for signs of discomfort. “You’re doing great.”
“I am?” Brooke asked looking at Carina skeptically.
“You’re letting me take a look, which is exactly what I need you to do.”
“Maya says you’re super smart. Are you?”
“Oh does she? Super smart you say?” She winked at her wife. “I am actually. But want to know a secret? So is Maya.”
“I’m not.” Maya insisted quickly.
“Oh she is. Super, super smart” Carina confirmed.
“And she’s super brave! She saves people.” Brooke beamed.
“She does. Every day. And that makes me really proud of her. How is that feeling?” She asked as she pressed harder.
“Okay…hurts a little. Is she your best friend?” Brooke asked innocently.
“Oh my very best friend yes. Do you have a best friend?”
“No. Daddy doesn’t like if I have friends.”
“He doesn’t? What else doesn’t he like?” She didn’t like the sound of this.
“Just when I make too much noise when he’s trying to sleep. He sleeps a lot.”
“He does? And what about your mommy?”
“He yells at her a lot. For lots of stuff.” Brooke said sadly. “Can you come home with me? Daddy won’t be mean I’d you’re there.” Brooke asked Maya.
Hearing those words broke Carina’s heart, her eyes meeting Maya’s sadly above Brooke.
“How about we wait till your mom is better and then we make sure you’re both safe?” Maya asked instead.
“But what’s going to happen while my mom is not better? Do I have to go with my dad?”
“‘Not if you don’t want to.” Maya said. They had enough evidence to make sure that never happened.
“Daddy said if I ever tell the secrets I will have to live in a children’s home where they don’t feed you properly and you have to sleep on the floor.”
“That’s not true at all.”
“You don’t know that.” she sniffled, getting upset at the idea.
“Yeah I do.” Maya promised.
“Nu-uh.”
“Remember how you said I was super smart?” Maya asked eyebrow raised.
“Mhm.” She nodded, although she looked skeptically at Maya.
“So trust me when I say I know it.” Maya offered.
“Okay.” She’s closed her eyes, pushing Carina’s hand away from her stomach.
“Can I take some pictures of your insides?” Carina asked.
“How can you do that?”
“I have a cool machine that’ll do it for me.”
“What kind of machine?”
“It’s called an X-ray. And if you want we can take other pictures too.”
“What other pictures?”
“There is a machine called a CT scan. It’s like an X-ray but it’ll show a lot more of your insides. Or an MRI, it uses magnets you get to sit in a machine while it snaps lots of photos. Very cool stuff.” Maya answered before Carina could.
“Are you a doctor as well as a fire fighter?” Brooke was impressed.
“No, I just know a lot of doctors.” Maya explained.
“Oh okay.”
“I like to read. And learn so I know what Carina is talking about when she tells me about her day.” Maya said glancing at her wife.
———
“She cannot be allowed to go with him.” Carina argued at the nurses station, a social worker and some other members of staff stood close together. “She’s covered in bruises.”
“We can place her in emergency care for now until we know if he mom will pull through.” The social worker suggested.
“She’s already fearful of that. She can’t just go with strangers, it could be *weeks*. What if.” She looked towards the room where she knew Maya was keeping an eye on her. “What if she came home with us?”
“Dr. DeLuca, as admirable as your intentions are fostering a child isn’t something you can just decide to do.”
“Other doctors have done it with emergency approval. We’re both already police checked. Brooke is familiar to us, she’s starting to trust us”.
“Us?”
“Me and my wife. She’s the firefighter who brought her in, hasn’t left her side since.”
“I can vouch for both Dr. DeLuca and Captain Bishop. That little girl will be very well taken care of.” Miranda offered.
“I’ll need to ring and get you both cleared before you could take her anywhere.” The social worker warned.
“And I’d need to speak to my wife too.”
“Yeah that would be recommended.” The social worker said cracking a smile for the first time.
“I’ll go and do that now.”
“Here is a good tip to know about extinguishers.” Maya had started telling Brooke all the things she could think of that might lull the girl to sleep. She was beyond exhausted.
Seeing Carina walk into the exam room Maya stopped, Brooke was mostly asleep already.
“Can I talk to you outside for a second?”
“Yeah. Uh…hang on.” Maya said looking down at the girl who was using her as a pillow.
Lifting Brooke up, she set her down gently back onto the bed and pulled her hoodie over the girl to keep her warm, then followed Carina outside.
“Okay...so I know this is going to sound a little crazy but.” Carina’s breathing was fast. “What if we fostered her? Just temporarily while her mamma is in here?”
“Foster? Carina what the Hell? With our jobs?” Maya had a million questions.
“I know it sounds crazy.” Carina took Maya’s hands. “But we could do it. She’s already started to trust us.”
“Trust with keeping her safe at the hospital is very different than keeping her in our apartment. We don’t have anything a 6 year old would need.” Maya could see how much Carina wanted this.
“I know we don’t, but we could get that sorted pretty fast right? One trip to Target and we’d be able to get what she needed.”
“Okay.” Maya said with a shrug. Carina really wanted this, she could do this. “Just until her mom is discharged okay?”
“Just until then. And if she ended up needed longer term care, social services would need to find something more permanent for her.”
“You really want this?” Maya asked her voice low.
“I just...I can’t bare to think of her going to strangers when she’s already so terrified of that”.
“What’s happening with her dad?”
“They don’t have enough to charge him yet, but based on Brooke and her Mom’s injuries and the little bit of info Brooke shared, it’s enough that she has. Even placed under an emergency care order while they get more evidence.”
“Good. That bastard deserves so much worse.” May grumbled remembering her own childhood.
“And we’ll do our best to make sure he gets it. So...are we going to do this?”
“We’re doing this.” Maya said with a hesitant smile.