Our New Normal

Part 2: Landing

Walking through New Amsterdam again was like walking into his Grandmother's house. It was warm and cozy and smelled of hand sanitizer.

But Reynolds loved it.

He missed his friends and the atmosphere.

He missed his city.

As Max leads him through, everyone stops and welcomes him back.

"Man...a lot has changed. I'm loving those temperature scanners." He says as he tugs his mask back up after stepping out from in front of the glass screen that takes his temperature just by his presence in front of it.

"It definitely makes it easier. What's your hospital doing?"

"Oh...we don't really scan any more. We just let 'em in and treat as we go." Reynolds says.

"And they think that's safest?"

"They think that's the most efficient way to do things." Floyd says and they get in the elevator to head up to Kapoor's room.

"Well...everyone runs their hospital differently. Who am I to judge." But he can't help it.

Max wants everyone to feel safe.

He wants no one to doubt their safety and care when they step into the Dam and if that means standing in front of a glass monitor for 30 seconds to be checked for a fever- then so be it. What's 30 seconds of your day?

As they make their way out of the elevator on the second floor and down the hall to Kapoor's, they find Lauren and Iggy approaching from the stairwell entrance.

"There he is! There's our stranger savior!" Iggy calls and Reynolds nods to him and looks at Lauren.

Though he loves Evie, a part of him still has unresolved feelings for Lauren Bloom. They message every once in a while, but it's nothing of great value.

"Yeah, it's about time big San Fran comes East Coast to see us." She comments and they all look at her. "Right...flight restrictions. Got it. Anyway- how's it been?"

"Boring as hell without you guys. Where's Sharpe?" He asks and Max too is wondering where she is.

"She'll be here. Probably still delving into Organs." Ig states and they pulls their masks on as they enter Vijay's room.

"Hey, Old Man..." Floyd says and sits beside Vijay, who smiles weakly at him. He looks so tired and so much older than he is.

"Am I still here?" Vijay jokes- but no one finds it funny.

"I heard you've been having a Lady Caller visit you everyday." Everyone shudders slightly at the realization that Karen Brantley and Kapoor are more or less an item.

"Yes...Karen has been very good...at visiting." He wheezes.

"That's great...and Ella?"

"Due to her pregnancy...she cannot...visit." No one likes it. No one likes seeing Vijay missing out on his soon to be born Grandchild. They know that seeing Ella through the glass and talking on the phone or Face time is not good enough, but it's what he has.

"Right...well- I'm here to get you back up and running." The sliding door opens and Sharpe slides inside. Catching Max's smile, she reciprocates and stands on the other side of the room as far distances as she possibly can be from everyone. "There she is. Organ Hunter- nice of you to join."

"Sorry I'm late." She says.

"Well..." They all look at her and she feels put on the spot.

"I found a heart coming out of Ohio. It should be here in a day or two." She says having finally found one. "That's why I was late. I just got off the phone with St. Paul's in Columbus."