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Walking into the ED, Javadi growled quietly as she silenced the phone call from her mother once again. Since the blazing argument after her birthday when words were exchanged and insults flung, Victoria had been utilising her new found freedom and confidence. However the older woman was nothing if not determined, and apparently neither of her parents were able to get a hint, Victoria thought to herself as she headed to her locker to change out of her coat and get ready for the day ahead.
“Morning Victoria” Robby smiled from the nurses station where he was currently leaning casually whilst listening to Shen pass the handover. Smiling and waving a little shyly, Victoria went and stood next to Dennis and Trinity, praying she wasn’t blushing as much as she thought she was. Now on her second rotation within the Pitt, Victoria found herself with a new found confidence and almost a professional admiration for Dr Robby and Dr. Abbot. Over the past few months, Victoria had developed a close relationship with the interns and attendings within the department despite having to return to other placements and medical school. The group had made sure to include her in everything and for once Javadi felt like she belonged and had a family. In particular Dr. Robby and Dr. Abbot had become supporting mentors both professionally and personally with both men helping her to navigate the stressors of medical school in a judgement free zone. Now Victoria found herself in her final year as a med student and was seriously considering choosing Emergency Medicine as her speciality. Much to her parents' disgust.
“Morning Crash, ready for another day in paradise?” Santos quipped as she shoulder checked the med student. Since Pitt Fest, Victoria had found herself developing firm friends in Santos, Mel, Whitaker and even Samira. As such she had developed a new found confidence and increase in her social skills, thus learning that Trinity used nicknames as a form of affection.
“More ready than you’ll ever know. Do we still have the klingons today?” Victoria murmured as she watched the aforementioned fellow medical students slink up to their little group. Sighing internally as she saw Ogilvie glance at her smugly, Victoria knew he was going to be insufferable today. Ever since the fourth of July shift, the lanky student had managed to tread on everyone’s nerves, which if Victoria thought about she was glad for. If Trinity and Dennis’ warnings were true, she was currently staring at her competition for the residency next year.
“Crash? Is that what you prefer to be called?” the lanky son of bitch commented slyly as Dr. Robby prepared to deliver the day's assignments. Thankfully after Dr Al-Hashimi had decided to not take on sabbatical position, Dr. Robby had delayed his motorcycle journey or mid-life crisis as the pittlings had christened it quietly and decided to stay. With a lot of assistance and persuasion from Dr. Abbot, Victoria was sure. Rumour has it that Dr. Abbot had yelled at Dr. Robby for almost an hour straight when he found out he had been riding his motorbike without a helmet. Turning back to the smug bastard to the right of her, Victoria replied without thinking.
“It’s nothing to do with you actually, it’s an inside joke” Victoria replied curtly before concentrating on her attendings.
“Oh sorry baby genius, did I hit a nerve?” Ogilvie smugly retorted, crossing his arms and looking down his nose with a smirk on his face. Growling at the use of her nickname from the attendings, Javadi felt her temper rise. Thankfully before she could voice her irritation a throat being cleared caught all of their attention.
“Is this an important conversation or can Dr. Robinavitch continue?” Dr. Abbot’s voice coldly asked as he glared at Ogilvie and before turning to shoot Victoria a disappointed look. Feeling herself flush, Victoria looked down and mumbled a quiet ‘sorry’ before paying attention to Robby and not the irritating cockroach next to her.
“Right morning everyone, it looks like it’s going to be a busy one but we can deal with it. As you can see, we have Dr. Abbot here with us today, please be nice to him and listen to him as you would me. I am in and out of meetings today so Jack is going to be leading the shift. You’ve all got your assignments so let’s roll out and have a good one” Robby spoke before ushering everyone over to the board.
“Javadi, hang back a moment please” Robby spoke quietly as Javadi went to follow Samira into a patient's case. Looking at the resident who nodded with a smile before heading over to the room, Victoria sighed before walking over to where the two attendings were watching her closely. Bracing herself for the inevitable scolding or questioning about her parents, Victoria bit her lip and forced herself to look them in the eye.
“Is there going to be a problem between you and Ogilvie today? I’d rather know now and separate you both than have a pissing match all day?” Jack’s voice broke the awkward silence before it could begin. Feeling herself scolded like a naughty child, Victoria shook her head quickly before stammering out an apology.
“No, we're good, I promise. I just overreacted to his comments this morning. Took them a bit too sensitively that’s all” Victoria smiled weakly at the two formidable men who were frowning down at her. Eventually, Jack nodded his head towards where Samira had gone into, deciding to let her off the hook.
“Well make sure it stays that way please, this is a workplace, not a school playground. Head off to Dr. Mohan and see where you’re needed” Jack replied, watching their favourite med student practically run off to where the resident was waiting. Turning to his husband, Jack smirked as Robby shook his head with a sigh.
“When did baby genius get so much spunk about her?” The chief attending muttered as he watched the previously shy student jump in with both feet and no doubt hurrying away from her two attendings.
“I think it’s always been there, she’s just got more confidence to show it now. Besides that irritating fuckwit would cause anyone to snap” Jack replied quietly as he shot a glare over to where Ogilvie was smarming up to an oblivious Mel and highly irritated Langdon.
“Jack” Robby scolded with a laugh before patting the man on the back. “Play nice or do I need to have Dana babysit you all day?” As if she heard her name mentioned, the charge nurse came over to the two men with a smirk in place.
“Please tell me I do not need to babysit either of you cowboys today? I really will leave if that's the case” the blonde sassed them both with a raised eyebrow.
“Now, now slugger, that’s fighting talk” Jack replied quickly, smirking when the veteran nurse merely slapped him with a patient's chart and issued her orders.
“Get your ass moving Abbot, this is day shift now not nights. You shall do as I say, how to do things. Cap, haven't you got a meeting to be at? Move it, both of you.” Choosing to pick their battles wisely, both men did as instructed with a silent promise to continue the conversation later.
Thankfully as far as Pitt shifts went, today seemed to be a steady one. Quickly finishing her patient with Samira, Victoria found herself working alongside Trinity and Jack on a steady trauma. Flushing in pride at the praise thrown her way from the intern as she managed to secure a challenging airway, Javadi felt like she was on cloud nine.
“Should we not ventilate the patient if their saturations drop to the low 80s?” Ogilvie questioned, indirectly pointing out it had taken Victoria a few minutes extra to place the ET tube. Reminding herself of the rebuke she had received from Abbot not five hours ago, Victoria bit her tongue and chose not to rise to the bait. Thankfully Trinity had her back like always.
“We should, however, when it’s a difficult airway, the OPA is only going to go so far. A few seconds extra for a definitive ET tube is always going to be beneficial. Besides Javadi did a stellar job with a piss poor view”. The R2’s reply had Victoria grinning widely as she caught eye contact with the intern. Winking in reply, Santos turned to face the incoming trauma surgeon as they came to receive their patient.
“He’s all yours folks, signed, sealed, intubated and delivered. Have fun!” Santos shot back before ushering Victoria out of the room with her, leaving a silenced Ogilvie with a bemused Abbot. He loved the sass of Santos and rarely tamed it but a part of him felt for the tall medical student who so blatantly wasn’t fitting in with any of his ED staff. The man had even done a night shift which had resulted in Abbot buying Ellis breakfast post shift, just to stop her from throttling the cocky son of a bitch.
Heaving a sigh and turning to face the student who was clearly trying to impress him, Jack squared his stance and thought about his next words. “Just a word of advice, although this is a teaching hospital, we support all the clinicians and don’t belittle them. Considering you are a MS4 and no doubt considering emergency medicine as your intern years?” Jack paused and waited for the med student to nod in confirmation before continuing. “Maybe try to be more of a team player and less of a pissing match? It will go a long way in gaining support from your colleagues”.
Seeing the med student take a shocked breath at Jack’s bluntness, Jack allowed himself a few minutes before deciding to break the tension. “Why don’t you go out and find Dr. Mohan? I’m sure she will be able to find a good case for you”. Seeing the opportunity to escape, Ogilvie nodded and fled to find the intern.
Heading out of the trauma room, Jack was pleased to find Robby lurking at the nurses station. Slapping the man on the back as he stepped beside him, Jack smirked and stole Robby’s coffee cup for his own caffeine refuel.
“Rude. How’s it going down here?” The tall man asked as he stole his own cup back for his own swig of coffee, before offering it once again to Jack who smirked and gladly took another hit.
“Not bad, fairly steady today. Baby genius just smashed a difficult airway, Whitaker hasn’t had to change scrubs more than once, Langdon’s triaging comfortably and Mel’s just being her usual proficient self. Did just have to have some words with our favourite imposter though.” Jack replied as he began the charting for the trauma patient.
“Oh yeah? What was that about?” Robby replied as he looked up at the board and saw with satisfaction the amount of patients awaiting definitive treatment before discharge.
“Just the usual snide comments after Javadi nailed the airway. Trying to throw his weight around that's all. Seemed to deflate when I told him to wind his neck in and be a team player.” Jack replied with a slight smirk as Robby shook his head in disbelief.
“Maybe we need to get those pair working together, make them both realise they need to be adults” Robby hummed thoughtfully, smiling as he watched Dana shuffle the new nurse duckling around like a mother hen.
“Now that’s an idea, but which unlucky intern is going to have to babysit the bullshit?” Jack questioned as he signed off his charting before casting his own eye over the board.
“Dr Langdon? Head over here for a second please?” Robby called over as Frank popped his head into the main area of the department. Raising his head at his name being called, Frank winced before heading over to the two attendings.
“You’re a sadistic bastard Robinavitch” Jack muttered, before smiling to ease the obviously nervous Langdon.
“What’s up boss?” Langdon asked, his hands nervously twitching against the bracelet around his wrist.
“Relax, you’re not in trouble. How do you feel about refereeing the pissing match between Javadi and Ogilvie?” Robby asked, smiling as he watched the realisation cross Langdon’s face.
“Um, I thought they were over it?” Langdon asked, wincing when he heard both the aforementioned student’s voices begin to bicker at the work station despite being attached to different interns.
“The evidence says otherwise. I need a strong mentor who’s not afraid to rein them in if they need it but also support them” Robby replied, smirking as Dana walked over and slapped the desk to stop the squabbling between the two students.
“And you think that’s me?” Frank replied unsurely, looking at Jack who nodded with a small smile. Dropping his head to his chest as he fought back the shame at the lack of confidence in his intern became clear again, Robby made eye contact with the dark haired man.
“I know that’s you. I’ve seen you eat people like this for breakfast and then rebuild them again. I know we’ve had a rough few months Frank, but you need to believe in yourself. I know you can do it and I also know you’ll put a stop to this squabbling” Robby replied earnestly, squeezing the intern's arm in solidarity.
“I guess, I just don’t want to upset them” Frank mumbled, turning to face where the two students were working under the close supervision of Dana with a mullish expression on their faces.
“Frank, you’ll be doing us a favour. No one else is strong enough to manage it aside from Robby and I. But we don’t have the time, go, be a big brave mean mentor and I’ll cook you steak at ours at the weekend” Jack replied, chuckling when Frank grinned at that before heaving a huge breath.
“Steak and a pie and you have a deal” Frank replied cheekily, grinning as Robby scoffed before nodding in agreement.
“Deal, get outta here before I change my mind” Robby replied, chuckling as he watched his former protege mentally step up and manage the two med students.
Thankfully with Langdon stepping in, a sense of peace came over the department and the patients seemed to flow with ease. Stepping out from where he had been helping Mohan with a tricky case, Jack looked up as Paramedics rolled in with an obviously aggressive patient.
“Ffity four year old male, found by bypassers in the street. Agitated and combative, query some substance misuse. Minimal obs completed due to the agitation. Careful doc, he bites” The lead Paramedic rattled off as they took the patient into the vacant trauma room.
“Langdon! You’re with me” Jack grinned before following the patient and medics into the room. Now this would be interesting to watch his resident manage the squabbling students. Sure enough as soon as they entered, Jack had to hide a smile as Ogilvie paused at the sight.
“Jesus! What did this guy take?” Ogilvie muttered as he finally walked into the room where Jack and Jessie were dodging teeth and kicks to the guts alike.
“Don’t assume anything here Ogilvie, he may have had an injury, be a diabetic or have mental health problems.” Langdon replied, jumping in to grab hold of a stray leg as it slipped out of the restraints.
“2mg of Lorazepam when someone gets a chance please” Jack ordered as he managed to secure the patient's arm. Looking over, Jack felt himself smile with pride as he watched Javadi jump and deliver the requested medication before sighing in relief as the medications took effect. “Okay Dr Langdon, you’re up” Jack replied, stepping back and rubbing his stomach where a stray knee would blatantly leave a bruise later on.
“Go wild kids” Langdon shrugged and motioned for Javadi and Ogilvie to manage the patient. Looking over, Frank felt himself smile as Jack nodded and gave him a thumbs up.
“CBC, CMP, LFT, CRP and urine toxicology screens please” Javadi requested as Jessie finished his observations and nodded.
“You got it boss” The silver fox nurse grinned and managed to get a line and the bloods taken quickly. Before she could issue any further comments on her next steps, Victoria frowned as she watched Ogilvie step in front of her and block her view of the senior doctors.
“Checking for signs of trauma, any obvious head injuries or drug use signs” Ogilvie jumped in, turning to face Langdon who nodded contemplatively.
“Very good but what are we missing before that?” Langdon asked, his arms crossed across his chest and looking at the tall med student in front of him. Trying to step to the side, Javadi went to reply before Ogilvie mirrored her actions and stepped back into her space and pushed into the smaller student, causing Javadi to fall to the floor and crack her head against the footplate of equipment.
“Oww” Victoria cried out as she immediately put her hand to the side of her head before quickly switching to hold her shoulder.
“Javadi!” Frank called out but was beaten over to the student by Jack who was immediately kneeling next to the student.
“Easy Victoria, give yourself a couple of seconds. Langdon pass me some gauze and can someone grab me a bed please” Jack commented, his gloved hands probing around Victoria’s head and neck.
Pulling her hand away from her head once again, Victoria yelped as she was met with a glove full of blood. “Shit! I’m going to throw up” Victoria replied, turning a nasty shade of pale as she continued staring at the blood. Pushing her hand down, Jack quickly placed the gauze onto the head lac and applied some pressure, soothing the pained whimpers that slipped out of the young student.
“Steady, I know it hurts, don’t look at the blood, just focus on me, good girl. Does anywhere else hurt?” Jack murmured as he watched Langdon quickly take charge of their patient with Ogilvie, whilst Perlah wheeled in the bed Jack had requested.
“No, no I’m fine. I don’t need a bed” Victoria stammered as she watched Perlah park it whilst Whitaker and Santos came in to see what was cursing the rush.
“You do need the bed, you’ve taken a nasty bump there to your head and I’m pretty sure that shoulder is dislocated. Now Santos, Whitaker, if I keep the pressure on this lac and support the shoulder, can you help our baby genius up and get her onto the bed. Perlah has someone told Robby? If not, can you do so please? You know what he gets like when his ducklings are injured” Jack commented, calmly controlling the room as only an experienced doctor could.
“Sure can, North 3 is clear and ready and waiting too” The nurse replied before stepping out to call down the chief attending, slightly dreading the phone call she was about to make. Robby was protective of all his staff, but even he could admit that he had taken Javadi under his wing. Whether that was to support her or equally piss off surgery no one was sure. The current betting pool was that Shamsi would be down and losing her mind before it reached summer.
Back in the trauma room, Jack kept the pressure on the wound as Javadi was helped into the bed. Switching out with Santos, Jack made sure to push the bed out of the room and ensure she was fine with his interns before returning into the trauma bay.
“Frank, are you okay here?” Jack asked, feeling torn between helping his senior intern with a potentially volatile patient and wanting to go and support his med student who looked to have a nasty gash to the head.
“I’m fine honestly, send Mel or Samira in and we can manage this. If we need it, we’ll come find you” Frank replied honestly as he threw the patient's ID card at Ogilvie who at least was keeping any smart comments to himself.
“Will do” Jack replied before hurrying away to where a gaggle of staff were crowded around North 3. “Okay guys, I know we are worried but we still have other patients. We’ll keep you updated” Jack ordered gently before sliding into the room where Dana was helping a still bleeding Javadi out of her blood stained hoodie.
“I really am fine, Dr. Abbot,”Javadi protested as soon as she laid eyes on him. However Jack had been a doctor for too long and he saw the winces that flitted across the student's face.
“How about you let me be the judge of that hmm?” Jack commented quietly as he came over and began a more thorough exam of the young student. “Let me know if there’s any pain” Jack commented quietly, carefully watching the young woman’s face for signs of discomfort.
“I just have a headache and feel a bit sick,” Javadi replied, flinching when Jack shone a pen light into her eyes.
“And maybe a touch of photophobia” Jack replied wryly, shooting a grin at Dana as she chuckled lightly.
“It’s just bright” Victoria replied quietly, frowning when Jack let out a soft chuckle. Choosing not to bait the student into a verbal sparring match, as he had enough experience of those when dealing with a sick or injured Robby to know it wouldn’t end well, Jack pressed lightly around the young students head.
“Got the beauty of a goose egg there kiddo” Jack commented as he felt around the rest of the students head.
“Got the headache to match it” Victoria replied quietly, her eyes closing in pain as Jack gently peeled back the gauze and had a look at the cut.
“Ouch kid, that’s going to leave a mark” Dana hissed in sympathy as she saw the full cut up close.
“Yeah that’s going to need some stitches” Jack replied, wincing when he remembered Javadi’s aversion to needles from the PittFest shift.
“Can’t we just glue it or just leave it? I’m sure it’s not that bad” Victoria’s voice broke out in a series of panicked questions one after the other.
“Easy, take a breath will ya. Let’s start with some tylenol and get a head CT. Just to rule out anything sinister. Now let’s have a look at this shoulder” Jack reassured Victoria as she went to comment about it all being unnecessary. “Humour me” Jack murmured as he began to tape a new dressing over the impressive wound before exposing the grossly deformed shoulder of the med student.
“Ah shit kiddo, that looks to be definitely dislocated, if not a fracture in there as well. Can we up the analgesia to include some morphine as well and change the radiology orders to include this shoulder for xray please.” Jack spoke to Dana who nodded in reply.
“Will do, do you want us to call your parents, kid?” Dana asked innocently as Javadi began to settle down to allow Jack to take some observations. At the question the med student shot up in a panicked state once again, causing Jack to shoot an exasperated look to Dana who shrugged unapologetically.
“Please don’t! They don’t have to know, right?” Javadi asked, her eyes flicking between Jack and Dana in a panicked state.
“Settle back, of course they don't, you're an adult. I bet they’d want to know if their daughter was injured though” Jack replied quietly, raising a questioning brow at Dana who nodded reassuringly.
“We aren’t talking, we haven’t spoken since just after my birthday. I’ve been staying at the med school dorms since they kicked me out” Victoria replied quietly, wiping away the tears that sprung to her eyes.
“Alright kiddo, I won’t tell them. I’ll be back with those pain meds alright?” Dana spoke quietly, nodding at Jack as she slipped out of the room. Turning to face the young woman who looked tiny being swamped by the huge bed, Jack took a seat on the rolling stool and gently wiped away the tears that clung to her cheeks.
“Why haven’t you told anyone about it?” Jack murmured quietly as he pulled a blanket up to cover the shivering med student. Shrugging her good shoulder, Victoria looked down and plucked at a loose thread on the blanket.
“Pride I guess? Stubborn? I dunno” Victoria replied dully, wincing as the light from the hallway once again petered into the calmness of the room. This time showing a clearly flustered Robby who at least had the tylenol and a cup of water in hand.
“I leave you in charge of my department for one day and this is what happens” Robby shot playfully at Jack who merely scoffed and rolled his eyes.
“Nothing to do with me brother, or this one. It was Ogilvie not taking a hint. Though judging by the throwdown Langdon is giving him, I think he might finally be learning his lesson” Jack replied evenly, watching Victoria’s face as she grinned ever so slightly.
“Well we’ll let that be the warm up then” Robby replied, stepping up to the bedside and offering the medication to a clearly reluctant Javadi. “You ok baby genius” Robby asked affectionately, a warm smile filling his eyes as the med student made eye contact and a bigger smile appeared on her face at the nickname.
“I’m fine, Dr Abbot is fussing over nothing” Victoria replied, shooting Jack a cheeky look as the attending scoffed as expected.
“Nasty head lac that’s going to need stitches, a probable concussion and a dislocated shoulder. Just waiting on a CT and xray” Jack filled Robby in as the attending shook the cup of medication in front of Javadi in a silent order. Screwing her nose up, Javadi winced as it pulled at the cut but held the cups in her hand.
“It’s not that bad. I can go back to work” Victoria replied, making eye contact with Robby in a silent plea.
“Absolutely not, I can see the blood and deformity from here. Do as Jack says hmm?” Robby replied, patting the girl's ankle under the blanket. Heaving a huge sigh, Victoria nodded slightly and settled against the headrest, feeling embarrassed and sore.
“Going to take those meds or am I changing it all to IV?” Jack asked after a beat, shooting Robby a grin as the med student clearly contemplated the question. “Bear in mind you’re going to have an IV in a moment anyway so it’s no skin off my nose” Jack replied, grinning when Javadi frowned at him.
“It doesn’t even hurt that much though” Javadi replied before clearly considering her options and downing the meds in a flourish. Standing up and choosing not to rise to the bait, Jack tucked the girl into the blanket and dimmed the lights.
“Atta girl, now get some rest whilst we wait for radiology hmm?” Jack asked as he stepped out of the room into the main chaos of the department.
Thankfully the wait for CT and x-ray wasn’t horrifically long and before she knew it, Victoria was being wheeled back down into the department by Antoine. The medications and adrenaline dump had clearly taken effect as Victoria found it difficult to keep her eyes open. After the past few weeks of sleepless nights, crappy food and living off adrenaline, Victoria had to admit she was exhausted and just wanted a good night's sleep and this day to be over.
“Here we are. I’ll let the docs know your back” Antoine replied as he patted her leg silently before heading out to find Jack and Robby. Feeling the silence of the room fall over her, Victoria pulled the blanket higher and allowed herself to wallow in self pity at how alone she truly felt. She knew that had her parents been here they wouldn’t have taken care of her the way Jack and Robby had, it would have been a perfunctory assessment, treatment and straight back to caring for patients.
Before her thoughts could spiral any further, the two attendings slipped quietly into the room and gently raised the lights to not hurt her eyes too much, before raising them fully after a few moments when they saw she was awake.
“CT looks clear genius, lucky escape I think, however this shoulder is definitely going to need to be popped back into place” Jack replied as he set a tray of supplies down on the table.
“That means I can go back to work when it’s all done then?” Javadi commented quietly, smiling as Jack playfully growled at her.
“Nice try” Robby huffed a laugh as he took a seat on the other side of the bed. Sliding herself up in the bed, Victoria wrinkled her nose as she took in Jack’s supplies.
“Sorry kid, you’re going to need some stitches. I know it’s not what you wanted to hear” Jack replied softly, watching the despair and panic fly across Javadi’s face. The irony of some stitches being the biggest concern compared to the dislocated shoulder was not lost on Jack or Robby.
“Isn’t there another way?” The young girl practically whined as her eyes transfixed on the still covered portion of the tray.
“I wish there was kiddo, look I’ll be as gentle as I can, and I’ll make sure it won’t even leave a scar I promise. And I’ll get you the good stuff for your shoulder, I promise” Jack spoke softly, bending down to make eye contact with the girl.
“Then once that’s done, you and Robby are going to go home where you can get a good rest before a good meal for you later on. You’re stuck with us for a few days now kiddo” Jack commented with a smile, watching as Javadi matched his smile timidly. Over the past few months, the entire department and by proxy Javadi had been invited to BBQs, meals and study sessions at the attendings’ house. Certainly for Whitaker and Javadi, the knowledge and support of the attendings’ had been invaluable.
“Are you sure that’s ok?” Victoria questioned quietly, her eyes flicking to Robby who smiled encouragingly.
“More than ok, Jack told me what’s going on at home. You’re more than welcome to crash at ours for as long as you need. Might have to watch out for Jack’s snoring though” Robby replied, shooting his husband a cheeky grin and smirking as a small giggle escaped from Victoria.
“Lies and slander, we all know it’s Langdon that snores” Jack retorted good naturedly, blaming the third regular occupant of their home.
“I’m not stealing his bed or treading on his toes right?” Javadi worried, remembering that Langdon was crashing with Jack and Robby recently.
“Nah kiddo you’re fine, we have more than enough bedrooms. You won’t have to share with ole smelly feet you’re lucky” Jack replied with a smile, chuckling when the med student let loose another laugh.
“Now come on, let’s get this head lac and shoulder sorted and then you can come home and pick what takeaway we will all be having tonight” Robby replied with a slap to his knees.
“You are aware we’ll have them all round the house right?” Jack questioned, rolling over to pull his tray of supplies closer, much to Victoria’s apparent dismay.
“Yeah probably, but the injured party gets to pick the menu” Robby replied, squeezing Javadi’s hand as he felt her tense unexpectedly. “Easy, you’re okay. What’s scaring you with this?” Robby murmured as he saw Javadi’s whole body tense as Jack moved the tray within easy reach.
“All of it, I don’t do needles, or my own blood, or sharp pointy things near me or being knocked o…” Javadi word vomited as her eyes never left the tray or Jack’s hands where they were beginning to don some gloves.
“Take a breath kiddo, you’re okay” Jack murmured and allowed the med student time to take a breath as instructed. “And another one, good girl” Jack continued slowly, smiling as he saw Javadi relax a miniscule amount.
“Now what if we gave you a sedative for all of it? Would that help?” Jack questioned as he sat down and allowed the student time to think. Wrinkling her nose in the negative, Javadi dry heaved as the anxiety got to her.
“Easy kiddo, you’re okay.” Robby murmured as he grabbed an emesis basin closer just in case.
“It's knowing it’s happening, I don’t want to be out of it” Javadi stammered, looking between the two attendings with a panicked look in her face.
“You won’t be kiddo, it’s just enough to calm you and make it easier, that's all. Though you won’t remember your shoulder as we’ll need to give you something for that” Robby replied, holding onto Javadi’s hand firmly. Heaving a huge breath, Javadi looked at the tray again before shaking her head.
“No honestly, I’d rather just do it and get it over with, just throw the stitches in and it’ll be fine” Victoria replied, forcing herself to relax and try to deny what was about to happen.
“Alright if you’re sure” Robby replied softly before lowering the bed rail and holding onto Javadi’s hand a bit tighter, his thumb subconsciously stroking over her knuckles.
“Alright baby genius, let’s get this over with” Jack murmured before peeling back the dressing and beginning to clean the wound. Wincing when he estimated the wound needing more stitches than thought, Jack flicked his eyes up to Robby who tightened his hold on the med student.
“Sharp scratches” Jack murmured as he prepared the lidocaine and gently headed towards the cut before stopping as Javadi moved across the bed, crying out as she jostled her shoulder. Thankfully Jack was able to place the needle back down and recover the dressing before catching the student as she tried to dive off of the bed.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry” the young girl stammered fearfully, her eyes wide in panic and clambering around the bed, clearly fuelled by fear and adrenaline.
“Ssh you’re okay, no harm done” Jack soothed the young girl, putting the needle on the side and placing his hands on top of Javadi’s to soothe her. “Take another breath come on, that’s it” Jack ordered calmly, his voice soothing as he watched Robby encourage the student to follow both their actions.
“You sure you don’t want sedation for all of it?” Robby questioned again when they were both sure that Javadi had calmed down. Biting her lip, Javadi angrily wiped the tears away as they fell down her cheeks.
“I shouldn’t be so scared of needles to the point I need sedation,” Javadi angrily replied, aggressively pulling at her hair on the uninjured side of her head. Pulling her hand away, Robby soothed the rumpled hair and gently tucked the student into a semi hug.
“Stop beating yourself up for something that's beyond your control. There’s nothing wrong with it. I have to have the freezing spray before a blood test everytime” Robby continued, knowing his husband was smirking at him admitting his own apparent fear.
“Honestly kiddo, it’s fine. How about we get some sedation on board and you hug this big teddy bear whilst catching a nap and I’ll get the stitches and shoulder all done” Jack replied, pointing to Robby who huffed a laugh at being called a teddy bear.
“You sure that’s ok” Javadi asked timidly, looking up at Robby who merely chuckled and slid onto the bed, making room for Javadi to position herself as she so wished, careful to not block Jack’s work or jostle the shoulder. Robby wrapped his arm around Javadi’s head and tucked her into his side once he was sure she was comfortable and felt the girl take a huge breath and relax.
“Alright, let me just grab the bits and I’ll be right back” Jack murmured before diving out to grab the required meds and a new warmer blanket before sliding back into the room.
“Okay kiddo, I just need your arm, this is just some ketamine ok?” Jack murmured as he pushed the medication through the IV cannula, thankful he had, had the foresight to fit it before the girl’s CT scan. Hooking Javadi up to the SPO2 and BP, Jack allowed a couple of minutes before he was sure Javadi was mostly relaxed.
“You with us Victoria?” Jack murmured, huffing a gentle laugh as he got a sleepy hum from the student who was tucked against his husband’s side, fully relaxed.
“I think that’s a yes but the meds are working” Robby grinned, tucking Victoria even tighter into his side as Jack peeled the dressing back once again.
“I’d say so too. Small pinches kiddo, you’re doing really well” Jack murmured as he numbed the nasty looking head lac, as Javadi let out pained whimpers but didn’t move position. Waiting a few minutes, Jack cleaned the wound a bit more before managing to get six prompt stitches placed tidily and the dressing reapplied.
Quickly repositioning himself, Jack with the assistance of Robby stood and took hold of Victoria’s injured shoulder, gently shushing the cries of pain. Wrapping his arm around her to keep her still, Robby gently murmured to her as she fussed at the new pain.
“No, please don’t, leave it be” Victoria cried out as Jack efficiently relocated the joint before placing it in a collar and cuff to support it. Looking down, Robby huffed a laugh as he saw that Victoria had grasped onto his hoodie and didn’t appear to be letting go.
“That outta do it, just got to wait for that sedation to wear off now then you can take her home, meanwhile looks like you’re stuck” Jack murmured, checking Javadi’s observations again and tucking her into the warmer blankets before shooting his husband a cheeky grin.
“To be fair, by the time that happens it’s going to be home time anyway. Better tell the trenches to come round ours for dinner if they want it” Robby replied, settling down to read his emails one handed as he waited for Javadi to come too properly.
“You’re paying old man” Jack replied with a wink before stepping out into the department turning the lights off as he went.
Blinking slowly as the world came into focus, Javadi wrinkled her nose at the itch that flowed up her nostrils and the pressure on her arm.
“Easy kiddo, just some oxygen and checking your blood pressure, you’re okay” a low voice murmured into her ear. Opening her eyes and yawning, Javadi was met with the green fleece of Robby’s jacket and her other hand holding on for grim death.
“S..sorry” Javadi stammered sleepily, pulling her hand back to itch at the niggling sensation in her head. Pulling her hand away, Robby chuckled at the sleepy motions of the student.
“You’re fine, you back with us some more?” Robby asked softly, giving the student room to move if she wanted.
“Hmm, tired. Stitch, shoulder done?” Javadi murmured sleepily as she nuzzled the soft fleece, inhibitions removed in her current half asleep, half awake state.
“Yeah all done, Jack did a good job, he was here a few moments ago. When you’re up to it, we’ll see where he is hmm?” Robby questioned as Javadi yawned and rolled over in the bed before blinking herself awake some more. Sensing his role as teddy bear was over, Robby slid back into the chair and covered the young student with the blanket, allowing her time to get her bearings.
Ten minutes after initially waking up, Victoria looked around the room with more comprehension than before.
“Hey sleepy genius, you’re okay” Robby murmured as he put away his emails and focused on the young adult in front of him
“Are you sure it’s ok to come home with you?” Victoria asked timidly, picking again at the blanket, desperate to get the burning question out once and for all. Everything was a hazy dream and if she was honest, what was right and what was wrong had all blurred together.
“It’s fine honestly. The gang have already got your stuff together and Santos has apparently donated some pyjamas so you can be cosy, her words not mine. Langdon’s prepared to battle for the takeout menu though so be warned” Robby huffed a laugh, wondering what his life had become. Over the past four years, Robby and Jack had slowly allowed their interns to infiltrate their homes and lives when they wanted or needed it. To the point at one occasion both Langdon and Ellis were regularly crashing at theirs. Thankfully that had petered out as they grew their confidence and independence.
Leaving his spiraling thoughts Robby looked up as Jack snuck into the room and smiled as he saw Javadi was awake. “Hey sleeping beauty, how are you feeling?”
“I’m ok” Victoria replied quietly, her pain and senses dulled by the drugs coursing through her system and the safety of her surroundings.
“Yeah? Ready to go and get into a proper bed?” Jack replied as he repeated the observations before deeming them well enough to remove the equipment.
“Hmm, tired” Victoria admitted sleepily, readily offering her arm as Robby removed the IV tubing.
“That’s alright, you can go back to ours, everyone is meeting there after work, dinner and a good night's rest” Jack replied as he looked over as Santos came into the room with Samira.
“Who says we don’t want a movie night?” Santos questioned as she stood with her hand on her hip.
“This old man that’s had a day of it, everyone needs a good rest” Jack shot back, his eyebrows raising in pretend defiance as Santos huffed playfully, shooting Javadi a wink.
“And I should listen to you whyyy exactly?” Santos questioned, grinning as she saw Robby shake his head playfully.
“Because he’s one half of the ER Dads that's why” Victoria spoke up, blushing as recognition came to her a few seconds too late. Huffing a laugh, Robby patted the bed rail before shaking his head.
“Well you heard the girls Jack, movie and takeout at ours, can’t be the uncool dad’s now can we” Robby winked at his husband who was highly amused.
“I’m the cool one, you’re just old” Jack shot back, before cracking his own smile. “Alright dad, let’s leave our kids to get sorted, ladies if you need us holler, if not we’ll do a quick trade off with Shen and meet you back here”.
Before any of the women in the room could utter more than a gasp, Jack pushed Robby out the room and closed the door behind him.
“Jack…have we just adopted more surrogate children?” Robby murmured as he walked over to where Shen was lounging, drinking an overly large caffeinated Dunkin seemingly not in a hurry to begin his shift
“Afraid so, this one’s all mine though” Jack replied as he slapped Shen on the shoulder playfully, ready to get out for the day and home to his family who would no doubt eat him and Robby out of house and home.