Chapter Text
“Paging Doctor Haught. Paging Doctor Haught for a consult in the ER.”
Nicole fought a grimace as she stretched out her long legs down the halls of the hospital. She was no stranger to people poking fun at her last name, but having it announced over the hospital PA system was the worst.
The whispers picked up as she passed the waiting area.
“That is one hot doc.” A couple jocks in hockey uniforms whispered.
“Burning red hot.” Probably waiting on an orthopedist…or if she was really lucky, a neuro consult for a concussion. She eyed them without turning her head. One of them was holding his arm at an awkward angle. Orthopedist then. She wasn’t usually paged for someone who was conscious. He winced as he forgot about his injury and nudged a friend with his injured arm.
The neurologist reminded herself that the people in the ER waiting area were stressed out. They were in pain or worried about loved ones, teammates, dreading bad news. If joking about her last name brought them a moment’s distraction, that was a good thing.
“Whoooeee think if I broke my arm I could get a special consult from the hot doc?” The jock leered at her.
Her teeth clenched. You took an oath to do no harm.
Dropping her gaze, she checked her pager again and headed to the nurse’s station on five to get some background. The charge nurse Alex smiled briefly at her, his mustache twitching at her exasperation, he knew she hated the announcement. His face turned serious as he held out a chart. He wouldn’t page her without cause…well usually.
His voice was all business as he rattled off information. “Mid twenties female. Brought in alone, unconscious. Suspected motorcycle accident. She was wearing a helmet. Mostly bruised ribs and bruised body, a few lacerations.”
Nicole arched an eyebrow as she picked up the chart. “Really? That’s incredibly lucky. Any idea what caused the accident?”
Alex shook his head. “No. A crew of high schoolers called it in on their way to a night out in the Big City.” He rolled his eyes. “Seems the bike was heading towards Purgatory…that road’s as empty as they come.”
Under less serious circumstances, Nicole would have joked with Alex about the teens looking for some excitement. He’d left a small town himself, and they would tease eachother about being city mouse and country mouse all the time. She looked down at the chart. It was December. The rider probably slid out on black ice. How long had she been unconscious? The road to Purgatory was definitely not well traveled...ironically. It could have been hours before another car came along. Her brain was already sorting through possible issues that could cause.
Lifting her chin and squaring her shoulders, Nicole stepped into the room to see her patient. Long brown hair cascaded down her shoulders. Thanks to the helmet’s protection, her face was clear of injuries. She looked peaceful, but Nicole’s eyes tracked down her body. The chart indicated her left side took the brunt of the impact. Bruises bloomed around her elbow. No doubt there were worse injuries under the sheets. Motorcycle accidents were a crapshoot, if the patient was lucky enough to survive.
The neurologist ran through her usual checks first - vitals, responsive pupils, reflexes - thankfully everything seemed ok there. She put in a request for a CT scan and walked back to the nurse’s station. “You said she was alone. Did they find ID?”
Alex scratched the side of his chin. “We did. About five of them. All with different names but matching pictures.”
Nicole’s eyes widened with surprise as he continued. “We’re running them all in the system. Hopefully one’ll hit. My money’s on Pamela Donovan.”
”Oh? And why that one in particular?” She kept her face straight but her eyes were crinkling with amusement.
“Because Wynonna Earp sounds totally made up.” Alex scoffed. “And if I had the name Pamela Donovan, I’d want to switch things up.”
Nicole chuckled, her pager buzzing in her pocket. Neuro consult for hockey injury. She groaned but started walking. Over her shoulder she called. “Call me when the tests come in yeah?”
“You got it Doc Haught.” Alex winked.
***
A few hours later, Nicole was sitting in the mystery woman’s room filling out charts. The CT scan didn’t show anything concerning, but there was no doubt the woman’s noggin had been rocked hard in the crash. Nicole didn’t want the woman to wake up alone, and it was nice sometimes to have someone to talk to…even if they didn’t talk back.
”I swear Lucado has the worst handwriting. I mean I know it’s a cliche for doctors but seriously!” The orthopedist’s notes were nearly incomprehensible, and she refused to take any feedback on it. Nicole was certain her patient would agree wholeheartedly with her concerns.
”And don’t get me started on Nurse Stephanie.” She looked down at another chart with tiny hearts doodled in the margins. “I swear ever since she found out I’m a lesbian, it’s been nonstop. I mean I already get enough crap for being Doctor Haught…now I have to deal with her hitting on me?” Nicole fumed, eyes on the chart as she scratched out the doodles. “It’s just unprofessional.”
“I don’t know hot sauce. I’m straight and even I’m thinking about it.” A voice slurred.
Nicole’s hands froze as she whipped her head up. She met clear blue eyes struggling to stay open. The woman had a lopsided smile on her face. The doctor jumped to her feet and approached the bed.
”Hey there, welcome back. You had me a little worried.”
“Couldn’t be that worried if you’re telling me about your love life Doc.” Dark eyebrows twitched slowly.
Nicole blushed. “I’m sorry that was unprofessional. I just…you were…” she gathered herself. “I’m Doctor Haught. You’re in St. Carlo hospital after a motorcycle accident. Can you tell me your name?”
The woman’s eyes opened fully and her brow furrowed as she listened. She bit her lip in a moment of indecision then her face turned serious, a mask slipping into place. “Not sure I should tell you mine if you won’t tell me your real name. For all I know you’re just trying to hit on me Hot Doctor.”
Nicole fought the urge to roll her eyes. “My name is Doctor Nicole Haught - H-A-U-G-H-T. It’s Dutch, maybe Flemish. Believe me I’ve heard all the jokes.”
The eyebrows softened and a tint of color crept into her patient’s cheeks. “I…I’m sorry. That must be hard…having everyone making fun of your last name. Judging you for it...” Her speech slowed and she pressed her eyes closed tight as if trying to ward off an unpleasant feeling. When her eyes opened again, they were wide and scared.
“Doctor Haught…I umm I don’t remember my name. I can’t remember my own name…” her voice jumped higher.
Nicole could see the panic setting in and gripped the woman’s hand, forcing her to meet her gaze. “It’s ok. It’s ok. You’re ok. Take a breath with me ok?”
They took three deep breaths together as the woman gripped Nicole’s hand like a vise. “Listen to me. I’m a neurologist - brain specialist - this type of thing can happen. It’s normal after the accident you had. You were unconscious for a while, we’re not sure how long, but you’re safe, you’re alive, and I’m going to help you.”
The woman pressed her lips together tight but nodded. “Okay.”