Goodbye Kiss

52. No Strings Attached

No Strings Attached
Season 9 x 14
February, 2003:

i finished smoking my cigarette as i walked up the ambulance bay.
"taking up smoking again?" carter smiled,
he walked out of the ER with abby.
i shrugged my shoulders, stopping out the butt.
"how's luka?" he added
"haven't heard from him in a couple days"
"what do you mean?" abby asked
"he needs a break" i sighed
"are you two fighting?"
"no"
"the other day when he stormed out of the er"
i ran a hand through my hair, then shook my head.
"weaver told me to go after him and when i got to his house he'd been drinking"
i rubbed my eyes
"we're happy together" i smiled
"it's just this place; that breaks him apart"
"keep me updated on you guys" carter said
"i heard your going snorkelling" i nodded
"i'll be back" he smiled
"are you okay, gianna?" abby asked, i turned around
"once luka's okay, i'll be fine" i smiled
"see you later" i added, heading inside.

"hey g, can you take some cultures up for me?" pratt smiled, handing me a blood and urine sample.
"no problem"
i went off to the admit desk and ran into susan.
"got any samples for me?"
she nodded, handing me a stool sample.
"perfect"
"how're you and luka doing?"
she walked up the stairs with me.
"a couple days ago we were doing great" i smiled
"i never thought kovac of all people would make me so happy"
"you two are really cute together"
i smiled at her
"what about now, though?"
"he's having a hard time lately" i nodded
"that whole misdiagnosis, the car accident"
"this place" i shrugged
"we'll be fine"
i turned my head to look at her, smiling.
"how are things on your end?"
"going on a blind date tonight" she smiled
"that's always fun" i cackled
"yeah, i feel like a teenager"
"i know what you mean"
"i'm feeling old lately" i sighed
"this place really does suck the life out of you, huh?"
——
i bent down in the drug lockup and organized a few things.
the day had been pretty quiet. busy, but not many traumas.
i was so exhausted thoigh. could hardly get a minute of sleep these past few nights.
"are you sleeping?" gallant laughed
i looked up at him
"resting my eyes"
"can you past me that suturing kit?"
"sure"
i stood up from my squatting position and handed him the box.
"how long have you been hiding out in here?"
i looked at my watch, raising my eyebrows
"forty five minutes"
"is it dark out yet?"
"yeah"
"good" i smiled
"that means i can go home"
he let out a laugh as i stood up.
"gotta do what you gotta do" i shrugged
"your secret is safe with me" he whispered
——
"gianna, i thought i told you to get luka back here?" weaver groaned
i know i was supposed to feel sympathetic toward kerry but lately she'd been nothing but a bitch. all because she got promoted.
"have you tried calling him yourself?"
"yes i have" she said matter of factly
"then i don't know what to say" i shrugged
"i think you should leave luka be for awhile" haleh whispered
"if he doesn't get back here on his scheduled shifts i'm gonna get his green card taken away and deported back to croatia"
i rolled my eyes
"i haven't got a hold of him either kerry" i scoffed, walking down the hallway.
"gianna?" abby asked me
"what's up?"
"i need you to do me a favour"
i nodded my head, she looked very distraught.
"my brothers plane is missing"
my eyes went wide. abby's brother had come through the hospital to visit a couple times. he was an aircraft controller in the airforce i remember.
"jesus christ" i groaned
"you should go home"
"are you sure?"
"i can get it from here" i nodded
"thank you, gianna"
"let me know how things go"
"i will"
"thank you" she shouted from down the hallway.
i immediately regretted that.
instead of going home, now, i ran a hand through my hair and picked up another chart.

10 hours, 12 to go.
"you're still on?" gallant asked
"unfortunately"
"i can't believe you're still awake"
"took two cups of coffee"
"being peed on a half hour ago helped wake me up"
"sounds fun"
i nodded my head
"you're heading off?"
"yes i am" he smiled
"have a great night"
"you too" he cackled
"i'll try" i sighed