What Now? - a Rhekker, Chicago Med Story

Chapter 12

***2 Hours Later*** 

Connor was racing around the ED as he was rostered on Trauma today and there had been some sort of car pile up on Broadway. Ava was working up in CT with Dr. Latham but all doctors had been called down to help with the emergency. Connor saw her walk in and they made eye contact across the room. Connor so desperately wanted to go over and talk to her, but he could not leave his critical patient and he thought Ava probably still needed some space after his accidental bombshell at the coffee cart earlier that day.

She stood there staring at him for a good 30 seconds before Maggie yelled and captured her attention. "Dr. Bekker, Treatment 4!" Ava ran in and immediately started working on her patient. He had a large shard of glass lodged in his chest. Ava quickly clamped off the bleeder and then decided it was time to remove the glass. As she grabbed hold of the edge of the glass, the blood on her glove made it slippery and she sliced a large cut across the center of her left hand. She immediately stepped back to avoid contaminating the patient with her own blood and Dr. Choi ran in as soon as he saw what had happened to take over. 

E: Dr. Bekker! You alright?

A: Yes, I'm okay thank you. I need to get this stitched and bandaged quickly so I can get back to work. You have worked here for a while. Who's best at sewing people up around here?

E: Honestly, I would have to say your very own Dr. Rhodes. His first day here he helped out at a downtown subway crash and cut his arm open on a bit of sharp metal. Of course, he then stitched himself up, right there where you are standing. And it didn't even leave a scar. But I mean you know that, surely. You work with him every day. You have seen his suturing more than me, I would assume. 

A: Yes he is very good.

E: So what's the problem? 

A: Oh nothing. Anyway, Thank you for taking over Dr. Choi. I better go and get this seen to. 

E: Anytime.

Ava walked off and headed upstairs where she knew Dr. Latham was working. She knocked on his office door and then opened it slightly.

A: Hello, Dr. Latham sorry to bother you but I was wondering if you would be able to stitch me up quickly. I cut myself on a piece of glass and everyone else is busy with patients. 

L: Yes of course. Come sit down. Dr. Rhodes is far superior with wound closure you know. He is, after all, a trauma surgeon too. 

A: I know, Dr. Choi said the same thing. 

L: Ah I see. Hold your hand out for me, please. 

Dr. Latham stitched Ava's hand up and then she headed back down to the ED to see if any new patients had arrived from the scene. Just as she walked through the blue doors, Natalie screamed her name across the hectic nurse's station. 

N: Ava! I need you in here. 

Ava ran in and was greeted by a young woman about the same age as her crying hysterically on the stretcher.

N: Meet Elena. She was found at the scene lying on the road about 10 feet ahead of the car pile up. Witnesses say she was the reason for the crash. Apparently, she ran out into the middle of the highway in front of the cars. I think we will need a psych consult but for now, she also needs a chest tube. I know you cut your hand so I was hoping you would be able to do that while I go down to the scene in an ambo? 

A: Yeah of course. I don't think I should go down there anyway, not in my condition.

N: No, definitely not! I'll go! You stay here with this patient. She probably shouldn't be alone until Dr. Charles arrives. See if you can get her to talk. She hasn't said anything yet. 

A: Ok, be safe down there.

Natalie ran off and Ava put a chest tube in. She decided to sit down beside Elena as she was feeling a bit tired and sore anyway. Elena continued to cry but it got less and less hysterical the longer Ava just sat beside her. Eventually, she was completely quiet and she reached out and touched Ava's hand. Ava jumped at first but then grabbed hold of Elena's hand to try and comfort her. Suddenly she started quietly whispering.

E: I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt. I was just trying to save him. I was just trying to stop them from taking him. 

A: What? What do you mean?

E: I'm not crazy.

A: I believe you, tell me what happened.

E: My boyfriend is in the FBI and we were doing some shopping downtown. He got a call and went outside to take it. A big black SUV then drove up and snatched him and took off onto the motorway. They had to turn around at first so I had time to run out and try to stop them from taking him, which is what caused the crash. 

Ava sat there silently and then let out a quiet "Oh...."

A: Elena, I am gonna go grab my friend Will, his brother is a cop and I want you to tell them what you just told me ok?"

E: Ok.

Ava left the room and asked Will to call Jay. Half an hour later he arrived and came to talk to Elena. Ava got up and Will and Jay entered the room. 

W: Where are you going?

A: There's something I have to do. 

Ava walked quickly across the ED to the room where Connor and a nurse were talking. As soon as the nurse saw Ava walking over, she quickly scurried off. 

C: Finally, I have been waiting for you to come and talk to me. I was so worried.....

A: I love you too.

C: What? 

A: Oh pfft you heard me. 

C: Yes but I don't quite believe what I am hearing... why the sudden change of heart?

A: I had a patient today who risked her own life and put hundreds of others in danger just to save the one person that she loved. And it got me thinking. I would do the same for you. And the thought of you not being around anymore is not something I ever want to think about.