Archive of Our Own

"Two slices per person, got that?" Dana, Harrison and Ahmad make their way to the break room with a handful of pizza boxes. "And only for the ED folks. Those vultures from other departments love to make fun of us, but when we get the goods, which rarely happens, they're the first to come down here to eat all of it. This might be the admins' attempt to bribe us into staying docile and compliant, but it's still ours. So, if they ask for a slice, what do you say?"

"Ten dollars a slice," Harrison answers.

"Exactly. They may be annoying, but they're not stupid. There's no way they're going to pay that, so they will leave it alone," Dana points to Ahmad to put the boxes on the table as she grabs a few disposable plates from the cupboard. "Last rule?" she asks, looking directly at Harrison now.

"Day shift has the priority, but the nurses come first," Harrison smiles at her.

"C'mon, Evans, playing favorites?" Ahmad asks lightly.

"Always. My nurses will always come first," Dana confirms, but she is already handing Ahmad a plate.

"Thank you, and I love you," Ahmad says as he leaves the room.

"Yeah, yeah, everybody loves me," Dana says dismissively. Harrison smiles at that. "Give me two slices, please, it's for your mom," she hands him a plate. "God knows that one would eat a whole pizza if she could, but she doesn't have the time now."

Harrison does as he's told, choosing the flavors he knows his mom prefers.

"Soon this room will be flooding with people looking for pizza. Think you can handle it?"

"Yes," Harrison confirms with an energetic nod.

"Okay, I trust you, you're in charge now, but if anyone gives you trouble, what do you say?"

"I'm with Charge Nurse Evans," he recites word-for-word what Dana told him a few minutes before.

Dana kisses the top of Harrison's head and leaves to go looking for Cassie.

As Harrison thinks about Dana's rules, an idea forms in his head.

1. Abbot

"Hey, kid," after what seemed like forever in line to get the pizza, it's finally Jack's turn. "One slice of the one with extra cheese, please."

"Are you day shift?" the boy asks, and he looks so familiar, but Abbot, for the life of him, cannot figure out who the kid reminds him of.

"I'm from the night shift," he answers, confused. "What does that have to do with the pizza?"

"It's for day shift only," the kid answers. "But…"

Abbot raises a brow. "But what?"

"Since you're from the ED, I can give you a discount. Seven dollars a slice," the boy affirms.

"Seven dollars a slice? C'mon, kid, you're not getting that from me. I'm Jack Abbot, night shift attending."

"Okay, Dr. Jack Abbot, night shift attending, please move on so the next person can get their slice, please," the boy says resolutely.

"Wait a minute," Abbot says. "What's your name?"

"Harrison."

Abbot can see that Harrison is not about to back down, so he tries another approach. "Okay, Harrison, I'm friends with day shift folks, so I'm good."

"I'm friends with a lot of people, but that doesn't mean I get privileges for that," Harrison says. "Seven dollars or move from the line, sir."

Abbot blinks, his mouth partially open in shock. He doesn't know what to say to that.

"Fine," he says as he reaches for his wallet. "Give me a slice, please."

"All yours," Harrison grabs the bills, puts them into a small box, and hands Jack the pizza on a disposable plate.

Jack takes one last look at the boy, and it finally comes to him who the boy reminds him of.

"Hey, kid?" Jack calls him. "Where are your parents?"

"I'm with Charge Nurse Evans," Harrison proudly answers.

Yeah, that makes sense.

As Jack walks through the hospital corridors, he finds Robby. "Hey, Jack, there's still time until the handoff," Robby greets him.

"I popped up earlier to see if you morning birds need some help," he goes for a hug. "Hey, weird question, but does Dana have a secret kid we don't know about?"

Robby looks at him like he's gone crazy. "What are you talking about?"

"Exactly what I said," he's not about to tell Robby he just got charged seven dollars for a slice of pizza.

"Hm, I don't think she has a secret kid, no."

"Do you remember what she was doing, like eleven, maybe twelve years ago?"

Robby does take the time to think. His expression turns to one of surprise as he seems to remember something. "Well, twelve years ago, she took a four-month sabbatical. I remember that because it was unheard of for Dana to spend so much time away from the ED, and also because I almost went insane without her here."

This is not a coincidence, Jack thinks.

"Why are you asking me this? I'm pretty sure Dana doesn't have a secret child," Robby laughs.

"It's just that there's this boy in the break room who reminds me of her, and he said he's with Dana."

"A boy? What's his name?"

"Harrison, that's what he said."

"That's McKay's son," Robby says, surprised. "What is he doing with Dana?"

"Now that's a great question, brother."

Good thing there's still time before his shift starts, because Jack definitely has a few questions for Dana.

2. Whitaker + Santos

"Dana's son is ruthless," Whitaker complains as he approaches Santos.

"I didn't know she had a son," Santos replies, not taking her eyes off the computer. "How old is he, and why are you calling him ruthless?"

"He's twelve, I think. I had to pay five dollars to get a slice of pizza that was supposed to cost nothing."

That gets Trinity's attention, a grin slowly breaking its way on her lips as she turns to Whitaker. "Wait. Did you just get scammed by a kid?"

"I wouldn't say scammed," Whitaker answers, but then thinks a little more. "Well, not exactly. I don't know? I found Donnie on my way here, and he told me he got his pizza for free. So I don't know exactly what's happening."

"Oh, my God, Huckleberry. You totally got scammed by a kid. What kind of idiot falls for something like that?"

"If you knew him, you'd know. He's scary like his mom, and also very persuasive," Whitaker says.

"I admit Dana can be a little scary sometimes. Okay… very scary," Santos concedes. "But, like, that's a kid. A twelve-year-old. And you just got swindled. By a kid. You just brightened my terrible day, Huckleberry," Santos is barely trying not to burst out laughing.

"Well, since you're so much better than me, I dare you to go there and talk to him."

"Pftt, done," Santos says with an air of superiority. "I'm gonna get a slice for free, and you're going to look even more pathetic when I come back."

Whitaker sits, eating his hard-earned pizza, and waits for Santos to come back. There's no way she's going to get it for free, right? He can't be the only one with a story about being swindled by Dana's son.

A few minutes later, Trinity appears holding a disposable plate with a slice of pizza and an expression that says everything Whitaker needs to know.

"Not a fucking word, Huckleberry."

3. Garcia

"Hi, I would like two slices, please," Garcia says as she stands in front of McKay's kid. She's seen him around once or twice.

"Are you from the ED?" he asks.

Garcia chuckles. "Of course not, I'm from Surgery."

"Twenty dollars," the boy says.

Garcia blinks in disbelief. "What?"

"Twenty dollars. It's ten a slice," he says matter-of-factly.

"I know how to count. That is not the problem here."

"And what's the problem here, Miss…?"

"Garcia," she responds. "Look, Harrison, right?"

"Yes, how do you know that?" he asks, a bit thrown off.

"I know everything," she gives him a fake smile. "I'm not paying you twenty dollars for two slices of pizza. That's ridiculous."

Harrison stares at her with a serious expression. For a kid, he sure can hold a staring contest. Garcia will give him that.

"Okay, Miss Garcia, then you can leave. There's a queue, and you're jamming it," he says, sounding very serious.

Garcia is downright outraged by that. "I waited in line for it, it's my turn, and I want my pizza," she says with conviction.

"Unless you pay for it, you're not going to leave with any pizza."

Two can play a game, and Garcia is not afraid to step down to his level. "Where is your mom?"

Harrison doesn't even blink. "I'm with Dana," he answers defiantly.

That makes Garcia stop for a second, then a knowing smile surges on her lips. "Of course you are."

"I am," he confirms. "And I bet you don't want me to find her and say you're bothering me," he challenges her.

For the first time in their interaction, Garcia hesitates, her smile disappearing. She thought she'd stepped down to his level, but turns out he's worse than she initially thought. She can deal with McKay with her eyes closed, but Dana is another story; she has a reputation that is hard to deny, and that Garcia knows all too well. If McKay's kid is under her wing, it's better not to mess with him.

"How much for the pizza again?"

Later, when Garcia finds Dana in the corridor, she can't help but ask. "Are you sure McKay's son isn't also yours?"

Dana's brow raises in confusion. "What are you talking about, Yolanda?"

"Kid's got your attitude and talent for scamming."

Dana squints her eyes at her. "Watch out how you talk about him," her voice acquires a protective and sharp edge.

Then Dana takes one look at Garcia and sees two slices of pizza. She laughs. "Ah, so this is what this is about."

"I know this was your idea, Evans."

"Of course it was," Dana's still laughing. "But I didn't think people would be stupid enough to pay for it."

"The kid is extorting people, and you're laughing. Unbelievable."

"Harrison's not at fault that you don't know how to flirt with Trinity like a normal person and would rather spend twenty dollars than ask her out, Yolanda. I'm assuming the other slice is for her, am I wrong?"

Garcia doesn't respond right away, but if Dana wants to be messy, she has another card up her sleeve. "I know you and Bangs are fucking, Pretty Face."

Dana gives her an up-and-down look. Garcia feels a shiver down her body.

"I don't think you want to go on that route, Yolanda. But if you want to stop being a loser, McKay can definitely teach you a thing or two on how to flirt since she's way better at it than you ever were. And as far as I'm seeing, you still haven't improved that much."

Dana winks at her before walking away, leaving Garcia behind with two slices of what is now cold pizza.

4. Emma

A boy approaches the nurses' station. Emma doesn't know him, but when she's about to ask if he needs help, Princess greets him.

"Hi, Harrison, looking for your mom?"

He nods, but then his eyes settle on the floor, and his cheeks get red.

"Can I see baby Jane Doe?" he asks, still not looking at either Emma or Princess.

He sounds exactly like Dana, Emma realizes.

"I can take you, if you want," she offers.

He looks up, smiling. "Please."

The walk there doesn't take long, and once Emma opens the glass door to the nursery and guides him to Jane, his face lights up instantly.

Emma sees the hesitation in his eyes, though. "Do you want to hold her?"

"Can I?" he asks, unsure.

"Of course, just make sure to support her head the whole time like I am doing," she picks Jane up and teaches him the correct way to hold her before handing the baby to him.

"You're a natural," Emma smiles at him. "Do you have any siblings?"

"No, but I'm asking my mom for a baby sister."

"That's awesome, I think you'll make a great big brother."

"Do you really think that?" he asks in a hopeful tone.

"I have three older brothers. I know what I'm talking about. And I think you'd be perfect for the role, Harrison," she says genuinely.

"My mom says she's too tired to have another baby," his face falls a little.

"Oh, don't let your hopes die," Emma had heard Dana talking about Jane the day before. She seemed so fond of the baby. "Maybe she'll change her mind."

"My mom's girlfriend said the same thing," he says, looking more cheerful now.

Dana have a girlfriend? Emma will have to check that with Perlah and Princess.

"See? There's always hope."

Harrison looks at the baby again, his eyes full of wonder.

"Do you want to go find Dana now?" she asks.

"Yes, please. But can we get my things first? I need to show her something," he hands the baby to Emma, who carefully puts her back in the crib.

Emma really wants Jane to find a nice home, hopefully with Dana, her girlfriend and Harrison.

They go out in search of the Charge Nurse.

5. Baran

Baran is so grateful this shift has come to an end, but there's still one thing she needs to do before going home.

She finally finds the person she's been looking for. "Dana."

"That's me," she says, looking over her glasses. "Do you need something, Dr. Al-Hashimi?"

"Actually, I do," Baran responds. "Can you tell me why I've been hearing some very energetic complaints about your son and some pizza scam?"

Dana opens her mouth, then closes it before sighing heavily, as if she'd had this conversation before. "Was it Garcia?"

"Does it matter?"

Before Dana can give her answer, nurse Emma and a boy appear.

"There's the little troublemaker," Dana opens her arms for the boy who comes to hug her.

Baran can't help but smile at the sight.

"Hey, Harrison," Dana looks at him. "Is there something you wanna tell me?"

He disentangles himself from Dana's embrace. He looks at Baran and then back at Dana. "Am I in trouble?"

Dana looks at Baran. "It's my fault, Baran. I told him to charge folks who are not from the ED. He just did what I told him to do, but in my defense, I wasn't expecting people to be stupid enough to pay ten dollars for a slice of pizza."

Baran's eyes go wide. "You were asking for ten dollars?!"

"Hm, I didn't exactly do as you told me," Harrison says directly to Dana.

"What do you mean, honey?"

Harrison takes off his backpack, then he opens it to get something from inside. A small box, Baran realizes. Once he turns it, she can see something written in it. Her heart melts.

Harrison turns to Dana, looking bashful. "It's just that you are always talking about how the admin doesn't hire more security, and doesn't treat the nurses with the respect you deserve, and that sometimes the doctors don't recognize the work you do. I just thought I could do something. It's not much, but I thought it could help."

He hands the box to Dana, who only now sees the small handwritten inscription saying "For the nurses".

She tears up instantly.

"Oh, kid," she hugs him again, kissing the top of his head a bunch of times.

"Am I in trouble?" he asks again, his voice small and shy.

Dana looks at Baran, and she can still see the tears that Dana is trying very hard not to let fall right now. Baran offers her a comforting smile, "You're not, sweetie. I'll let this one slide."

Dana mouths a silent "Thank you" to her.

"Harrison, why don't you go to that door there to wait for me, huh? We're leaving. I just need to pick up my stuff first."

Harrison holds Dana tighter before doing what she told him.

Dana smiles at Baran. "I have to get going. Thank you for that, but I'm telling you now that I'm not giving the money back. I'll donate it to the Nurses' funding."

"I wasn't expecting you to, nor would I ask you to do it, Dana," Baran offers her a genuine smile. She opens her purse in search of her wallet. "Here," she puts a few bills inside the box. "It's also my job to make sure the ED is a better place for the nurses."

"Thank you, Baran," Dana gives a light squeeze on her arm.

Baran turns to look at Harrison in front of the exit door, his backpack looking much bigger than him. "You have a great kid right there."

"Yeah," Dana looks at Harrison with a fond smile, her eyes still shining. "I do."

+1

"Hi, took you two long enough," Cassie hugs Harrison tightly. After that, she looks around at the parking lot before leaning in to leave a peck on Dana's lips.

It's not that they're afraid or ashamed of being seen together as a couple, but eight months into the relationship, they still haven't gotten caught, so now they have this little game where they try to see how long they can go without being caught by their coworkers. Cassie is honestly very surprised that they've managed to go this long without raising any suspicions.

"Harrison and I were doing a little, what's that thing you always say, kid?"

"A side quest, Dana," he laughs.

"We were doing one of those."

Cassie squints her eyes suspiciously. "What were you two up to?"

"It's our secret, right, Harrison?" Dana and Harrison share a conspiratorial smile.

"Alright, keep your secrets, then," Cassie pretends to be annoyed, but she's so glad Harrison and Dana share this bond. Knowing that her son and her girlfriend are this close always puts a smile on her face.

"Do you want to go to our house today?" Cassie asks.

Dana takes time to think. "I should leave you two to enjoy your weekend together."

"No, Dana, please come home with us," Harrison says, looking at Dana with big blue pleading eyes. Cassie joins him soon after.

"You two stop looking at me like that."

"How?" Cassie asks, feigning ignorance.

"Like two lost puppies. This isn't fair, you know I can't say no when the two of you do this."

"So that means you're going home with us?" Harrison asks.

"I guess I am," Dana pretends to be annoyed, but the small smile threatening to appear on her lips says otherwise.

"Tomorrow I'll drive you here to get your car," Cassie declares. She intertwines her hand with Dana's, not caring if anyone sees them. It's about time, anyway.

"Dana, can I ask you something?"

"Sure thing, kid."

"There are some people in the game I'm playing, and they're so annoying, they just won't let me play."

"How so?"

"They keep killing me in the game. I tried teaching mom how to play so she could help me, but she's terrible."

Cassie's voice is high-pitched when she says, "Hey, I'm not that bad."

"I think you are the worst player I've ever seen, mom," he affirms.

"C'mon, buddy, now you're just trying to humiliate me."

Dana laughs at the exchange, and Harrison looks at her. "Would you help me?"

"Of course, darlin'. Teach me how to play this thing, I'll make them regret ever messing with you."

Cassie looks at Dana. She's deadly serious.

"Thanks, D, you're the best!"

"I know, I know," she smiles, but Cassie knows her well enough to know there's an underlying emotion there.

"You okay, Dana?"

Dana kisses Cassie's cheek before putting an arm around Harrison's shoulder. "Never been better, hon."