Love On The Frontlines

(2) The Calm Before The Storm

Two weeks later

It was two days before Brooklyn's vacation was suppose to start. As they were all standing around at the nurse's station. Surgeons were coming out of their surgeries.

"Attention all staff and personnel please report to the lobby. This is an important announcement that affects all of us."

Their boss of the hospital said over the intercom. Everyone reported to the lobby where their saw Chief Fury standing with two board members Melinda May and Phil Coulson.

Bucky and his friends were sitting on the nurse's station. "Is this everyone?" Fury said

"I believe so." Maria Hill said from below the lobby bridge.

"I'm not sure who all has been watching the news this morning. But as now nobody is allowed to travel especially out side the United States. Airports have been shut down..for the last several months there was a virus overseas that has finally made its way here. The president called it COVID-19 or the coronavirus. We are going to need all hands on deck as of right now all vacation time has been cancelled. ICU/CCU will be used probably more then it ever has so Dr Barnes you need be discharging patients that are physically able to leave. If not we may have to make accommodations for extra beds on another floor." Fury said

"This means ladies and gents face masks and gloves are to be worn at all. Social distancing is being recommended which is six feet apart. Your temps will be monitored as you come through the doors in the morning. Washing hands shouldn't be a hard thing for you all to do. When a patient is discharged or god forbid deceases quickly get the room disinfected and sanitized. This is a deadly virus ladies and gents..so be prepared." Phil said

"Visitation as of right now has been suspended. L &D no one is permitted in the room except medical personnel. If you all have problems call security to have the visitor removed. I would highly advise you all to take into consideration that you could bring this home to loved ones so I would isolate yourself stay at a hotel close by. Don't visit any elderly family members as they are the most at risk. I'm sure once you read the news and watch the news you will see all the other recommendations. Now before we get hit we need to get ready make sure we have stock of everything we need and get rooms ready to be quarantined." Melinda said

"As for my surgical residents and other residents help where you are needed." Fury said

Brooklyn looked down. "You all are dismissed." Fury said

Brooklyn went to the nurse's lounge to call her sister.

"B I'm so scared. The doctor called me he told me that Joey.." Peyton said through tears.

"I'm sorry P. I can't leave..I have to work." Brooklyn said

"I know I've been watching the news. Holden called me too he said he wasn't coming and he didn't think you would be allowed to come." She said

"Leave it to him to be an ass." Brooklyn said

"Dallas..lets go. We don't have time for phone calls." Bucky said coming in looking for his staff.

"Gotta go Peyton. Love you." She said as she quickly hung up.

Bucky gave her a box of gloves and masks. She put them on and followed him out. They began to put up the plastic along the rooms. All the nurses cleaned and sanitized the equipment and beds. Bucky called his staff to the nurses station.

"Right now is the calm before the storm. The news is out which means we are going to have a lot of patients coming in. They are going to be scared don't let them see that you are in fear too. As soon as you leave one room change gloves remember six feet. Check vitals every hour especially the ones that are the most vulnerable.." Bucky said

"What about families coming in for the ones on Life?" Emma another nurse said

"You just have to be straight up with them. Fury has said that one person from the family can be in the room. They have to have a mask on the whole time if they don't have one provide them with one they will have their temps checked as well." Bucky said

After a few minutes. "Any other questions?" He said

They all shook their heads no. "Okay it's 945pm. Go home get some rest report back here at 6AM." He said

They all left to get their stuff and head home. Bucky went by Nikki's she opened up the door leaving the screen door closed. He told her to do that on his way there.

Vanessa was standing at the door. "Daddy!" She squealed.

He squatted down. "Vannie daddy can't come in okay. But I need you to be a big girl for mama and help her with sissy. Daddy will call you when he can through the video phone. But I love you baby girl.." he said as he blew her kiss.

He stood up he saw Zara. "Keep her safe Nikki. Both of them..she's to little for the masks. Keep you safe too." He said

"It's gonna be okay Buck. The school district called they are done till mid-April. You do your job baby." Nikki said

"Bye my girls I love you all." He said as he blew kisses and left.

When he got to the apartment building all the medical tenants were in the lobby.

"I knew I had one more." Their landlord said

"What's going on Robbie?" Bucky said

"I wanted to make this announcement just once. Since I have two elevators..one will be strictly used for medical employees only. I've put a sign up..I'm sorry guys but as a landlord I have to protect my tenants." Robbie said

"It's fine." One of the others said

"That's all I wanted to say." Robbie said

They all took precautions to social distance in the elevator. Bucky didn't see Brooklyn on the elevator with him. She was hiding in the very back corner of it with her head down texting her sister.