A Tough Choice

Chapter Twenty Eight

I applied the brake to the bed as we finally reached the CT scanner. Caleb and I gently placed her into the scanner. I sighed and placed a blanket over her and quickly checked her vitals.

"She's stable." I told Caleb quietly.

I watched as Caleb quickly walked into the control room.

"I love you." I whispered in Emma's ear. I knew it was unlikely that she could hear me, but I liked to think that she could.

I sighed and joined Caleb in the control room.

"Do you not find it odd that she hasn't woken up yet?" I asked Caleb as I sat next to him.

"She suffered a major trauma, and she's had a lot of analgesia, that's bound to make her drowsy." he pointed out.

I nodded slowly. I had to hope that he was right and there wouldn't be any further complications.

"She definitely has a pneumothorax." Caleb said as he pointed at the image on the screen.

I glanced at it and saw instantly that he was right.

"She'll need a chest tube to relieve the pressure." I told him.

He nodded.

"The abdomen looks good though, no signs of an internal bleed." I pointed out.

"We need to get a chest tube in as soon as possible." he said as he stood up and left the control room.

"I can place the tube when we get back to resus." I told Caleb as we pushed her bed back to resus.

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea." he said shortly.

"I didn't ask for your opinion." I snapped.

"It's not just my opinion, you know we are not allowed to treat relatives or partners." he told me.

"It's an easy procedure and I will remain professional." I told him.

"Ethan.." he started.

"I've made my decision." I interrupted him.

"Where are you going?" he called after me as I walked away.

"To change into my scrubs." I called back.

"DR HARDY!" I heard an angry voice exclaim.