A Fall From Grace

Chapter 17

Gracie spends the next ten minutes sitting in her office stewing in her worry and anger. One part of her is anger at herself for putting her personal feelings above her work. And the other half is still pissed off at Darby for caring more about winning than his health.

The worried doctor taps a pen against her desk and stares at the door to the exam room. The longer it takes for someone to come through the door needing her assistance the larger her worry grows. With a head injury like Darby's got he's risking precious brain cells by not getting medical attention. Not that he'll listen to Gracie's medical advice.

"Doctor Borden?" A voice cracks over the radio on Gracie's hip.

"This is Doc Borden." Gracie grabs the radio and is quick to answer the call.

"We've got two incoming, doctor. One head injury and one arm laceration. Maybe a possible break." The same voice replies.

"Alright, I'm on standby in the medical exam room." Gracie gets to her feet and exits the office.

A couple of seconds later a couple of the assistant medical staff come into the room. Two of them are helping Santana into the room clutching his arm in pain. Darby comes in after them, face smeared in dried blood and leaning on Sting's side.

"I'll take Santana first, Allin can wait." Gracie walks over to Santana first.

The doctor tells herself that she's taking Santana first because his injury looks worse. But deep down she knows that she's lying to herself.

"Gracie?" Sting cautiously approaches his daughter.

"He'll be fine for another minute." Gracie snaps back. "Just get his stupid, stubborn on that exam table." She insists and turns back to Santana.

Sting nods but is a bit taken back by Gracie's lack of empathy. She's always been the most empathic and understanding of all his kids.

Gracie gets Santana up on a table and starts looking at his arm. She listens to his recall of the incident and kicks herself for not being there to see it.

"It sounds and looks like you might have torn your rotator cup." She shakes her head. "We're gonna get you to a real facility where they can get an x-ray. In the meantime, hold this icepack on your shoulder so we can get the swelling down." She hands Santana an ice pack and disposes of her gloves.

Gracie tosses her gloves and chats for a second to her assistant before she eventually walks over to Darby.

"How many times did the genius hit his head after he came back down the ramp?" She addresses Sting exclusively and grabs a new pair of gloves.

"None, that I saw at least." Sting answers.

"Gracie." Darby goes to speak up.

"Quiet." Gracie silences him immediately.

Darby nods and stops talking while Gracie grabs some cotton swabs and disinfectant.

He remains silent while she wipes away all of the blood dried to his face and neck. Once all of the blood is gone Gracie gets a good look at the gash on the side of his head.

"You're going to need stitches," Gracie informs her patient. "Four or five by the looks of it." She adds and fishes her light out of her pocket. "How long were you out for on the floor? And don't lie to me."

"Just a couple of seconds," Darby answers truthfully.

"Well by some act of God you don't appear to have a concussion." Gracie puts her light away. "Stay here, I'll be back in a minute." She takes off her gloves and walks off.