Remedy

NOTE: I do not have much Internet access this summer so my personal website www.geocities.com/jacinda_noelle will not be update very often. I still would appreciate feedback on this story since I am beginning to run into problems further developing the plot. I will response to emails as soon as I can.


"John?" Carly said as she tapped on the door of the exam room.

"Yeah, I'm ready to go," John said as he emerged from the exam room straightening his tie and his jacket.

"Kerry came in to pick you up, but she still isn't feeling all that well. She passed out in the lounge. Dr. Legaspi is in there with her. I guess she offered to take Kerry home and watch over her for a few days," Carly said as she walked with John to the front desk to sign the discharge papers.

"It's okay. I can drive myself home. I'll be fine from here, Ms. Del Amico," John said as he scrawled his signature on the discharge form.

"I would feel better if you at least let me drive you home, Dr. Carter," Carly said as she placed the chart in the rack next to Randi.

"I suppose, you are my doctor," John kidded.

"Sick," Randi muttered under her breath.

"Let me get my coat, and I'll be already to go," John said as they walked into the lounge.

Kerry stared at John and the blonde. They had walked into the lounge together so engrossed in conversation that neither had noticed Kerry laying across the sofa. Kerry could feel the jealously inside of her mounting. John looked at Carly so intently. Although he appeared pale and tired, John was more than willing to spend time with Carly. Kerry watched John smile as his fingers grazed Carly's arm.

Kerry was not sure to how to react to Carly. The young woman was apparently very competent and showed strong clinical skill. She also seemed to be comfortable in the chaotic setting. From what Mark had mentioned, all the staff gave the impression that they were eager to work with her. Carly did not seem much different from the other women on staff. They were all tall, lean, and beautiful. Kerry never felt as though she could live up to the standards that the other women had set. More importantly, Kerry knew that the rest of the staff would never react to her or look at her the way they did the other women.

She watched John help Carly into her suit jacket. His touch was so gentle as he smoothed the fabric over her shoulders. John was all smiles when he was with her. Kerry knew that she should be happy for John. It had been a very long time since he seemed so at ease with someone. It had been even longer since he had been that at ease with a woman.

"Carly, thank you. Thank you for what you did for me today," John said as he closed his locker.

"Your welcome. I would do it again anytime, " Carly said. She could not raise her eyes to John's gaze. He stare was so intense. Carly had not felt so shy in a long time.

"I hope you won't have to," John said.

John could not believe what was happening. He was flirting with Anna's half-sister, Romano's niece, Mallucci's ex-girlfriend, and his medical student . . . and this all described one person. He felt himself growing increasingly nervous every time he looked at Carly. Every thing about her was beautiful and right. Everything inside of him told him that he was right to desire her. John fidgeted with that lock on his locker. He slowly turned to face her.

"Your hair," John said softly as he moved a few stray strands of Carly's blonde hair off her face.

Carly blushed a deep red. She could feel her heart racing each time John touched her. Carly was not sure if allowing her boss to make advances toward was the best way to begin her career at County, but she felt helpless in his presence. All the feelings that she had blocked out of her life during the last two years began to flood her body. It was like being a teenager again. The sweaty palms, the shaky knees, and the butterflies all came back to her.

"I'm sorry," John said as he drew his hand off her cheek.

"No, don't be."

John slowly began to lean towards Carly. He greedily took in the scent of her perfume and the touch of her soft skin. John could feel himself drowning in all he was feeling, smelling, and seeing. He wanted to taste her lips and mouth. Her lips were smooth, pink petals. They were not made-up in thick lipsticks or gooey lip glosses like Abby's and Roxanne's lips. . . Carly was natural.

"I'm not going to fight with you, Luka," Abby yelled as she barged through the door.

Carly and John flew apart. Both were startled and embarrassed by the prospect of almost being caught together . . . in a rather compromising situation, student and teacher. Abby and Luka continued to yell and argue. They appear to be oblivious to the fact that Kerry, John, and Carly were staring at their actions with amazement.

"I never asked you to take care of my mother," Abby growled as she tried to open the lock on her locker.

"Well, what were you going to do? You don't make enough money to put her in an apartment . . . let alone feed or clothe her," Luka yelled as he angrily tried to open his own locker.

"You son-of-a-bitch. I work hard to make sure that she has what she needs."

"That's only because she lives with us. A month ago, you wanted her out of our lives."

"I was wrong. She needs me, not some institution."

"Fine. You'll do what you want anyway."

Luka looked curiously at the blonde standing next to Carter. She was remarkable . . . unlike Abby in every way. She was tall, lean, and beautiful. Luka was comfortable with Abby, but lately her mother had caused so much friction in their lives that Luka was not sure if Abby was right for him anymore. It was true that she saw him through a few rough months, but Abby had become emotionally disconnected from the relationship. She would talk about nothing, but safe subjects, like work and the weather. The sex was mechanical. It was as if Abby was not there anymore.

"Abby, can we continue this at home?" Luka said as he gestured towards all their coworkers.

"Why, so you can stare at the new eye-candy that was added to the staff? Do you want the little bitch? You can have her, Luka," Abby growled bitterly at him then at Carly. Abby hastily grabbed her coat and scarf and slammed her locker door. She stalked out of the lounge leaving the door to slam behind her.

"I'm sorry. I am Luka. I don't believe that we have met," Luka said as he politely offered his hand to her.

"Carly Del Amico . . . physician's assistant and medical student," Carly said warmly as she shook his hand.

"Pleased to have you, Carly. I am sorry about Abby. She just isn't all that happy with me right now."

"It's okay . . . I think all relationships include at least one or two fights over someone's mother," Carly said to the very embarrassed Croatian man.

"I suppose. You have a beautiful accent," Luka said.

"New York. I think I like yours more. It's Croatian . . . maybe lower border," Carly replied.

"How did you know?"

"At New York University Hospital, I took care of a few children from Croatian territories."

John could feel himself getting jealous again. He looked at the door for a way to get Carly out of here before Luka could continue to bond with her. Luckily for him, Dave burst through the door to inform Luka of an incoming trauma. Luka quickly placed his jacket back into his locker and threw his stethoscope around his neck.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Carly. Good to have you back, Carter," Luka said as he flew out of the lounge to greet an already waiting gurney.

"Carly, do you mind if we stop for something to eat before you drop me off?" John asked.

"No, it's okay. I haven't eaten all day, so I'm up for about anything," Carly said as she fished through her purse for her keys.

"John, before you leave," Kerry said, "I want you to take a few more days off. Call Mark whenever you think you are able to come back."

"Thank you, Doctor Weaver," John said. Kerry's presence frightened him. She was obviously witness to his attempts to flirt with Carly. John wondered if he had put his career in danger or if he had already gotten Carly blacklisted.

"Have a good evening," Kerry said as she lowered her head back on the pillow.

John quickly ushered Carly out of the lounge. Carly could tell that John was also worried about what Dr. Weaver had seen. Carly turned to John and smiled.

"Dr. Carter, I hope I never have to take your interactive tour again," Carly joked with him.

"Well, my first day was never like this," John said.

"That's because you were a bumbling fool on your first day, Carter," Mark said as he approached them," Don't let Carter fool you. He wasn't always this good."

"I'll take that into consideration," Carly laughed.

"You guys have a good evening. Thank you for everything, Carly. I will see you bright and early on Monday. Carter, call me when you are ready to come back," Mark said as Carly and John headed towards the door of the ambulance bay.

"Have a good night, Dr. Greene," Carter said.

The crisp fall air danced about them. The moon shone brightly reflecting off several puddles in the ambulance bay. A few stray leaves danced about the cement every time the wind would blow. Their breath was white against the black sky. Streetlights cast a light glow upon the pavement.

"I parked in the structure across the street. What I wouldn't give for a heated structure and valet parking," Carly said as she began to shake.

"It isn't that cold tonight. Just wait until January, when there are feet of snow on the ground," John said as he placed his coat over her shoulder.

"You don't have to. You really should have your jacket on, considering that you were the one that was sick this afternoon," Carly chided.

"Doctor's orders, Ms. Del Amico," John said as they entered the parking garage.

"That doesn't mean that I can't leave AMA," Carly joked as they approached her car.

"It's a rental. I didn't need a car when I was living in New York," Carly said as she gestured towards a shiny, navy colored Toyota Corolla.

"Depending on where you live in Chicago that won't be a necessity," John said as he climbed into the passenger seat of the small car.

The car smelt heavily of leather. It was the new car smell that John had always strived to preserve when he bought a new jeep. The smell was relaxing and inviting. The engine started quietly. The radio softly played a new "hits" station.

"Where do you want to go?" Carly asked as they pulled out on to the busy street.

"I'm not sure. What do you feel like?" John asked as he sunk back into the soft leather seat.

"Soup and salad. Something not all that heavy," Carly said as they headed towards the downtown.

"Are you a vegetarian?" John asked as he tried to recall all the places the Elizabeth complained about when she dated Dr. Benton.

"No, I just don't feel right. I'm really tired . . . a little jet lagged," Carly said as she rubbed her temples.

"Take us where ever you feel that you can handle," John said.

"Would you mind if we headed back to my hotel? Maybe if I showered and changed, I would feel better. Anyway, there is an excellent restaurant in the lower level," Carly asked politely not trying to sound demanding or falsely provocative.

"It's okay. I'll eat about anything," John said as he looked at Carly with concern. She looked exhausted and kept rubbing her temples. Carly looked pale and markedly weaker.

"I'll have to keep that in mind," Carly said.

They continued to ride in silence. Occasionally, Carly would hum along to the radio. John decided that he would not press the issue of what Kerry saw or try to venture into her past. He wanted to make a good impression on Carly. John wanted to be genuine, honest, and a gentleman.

"John," Carly said softly, "Could you drive? I'm really starting to feel sick."

"Sure. What's wrong?"

"Everything hurts. I feel incredibly nauseous," Carly said as she pulled over to the side of the road.

John quickly got out of the car and help Carly into the back seat. She stretched out and closed her eyes. John quietly closed the door and climbed into the driver's seat.

"Michelangelo . . . room 412. The keys are in my purse. Have the doorman park the car," Carly whispered hoarsely before she fell asleep



Part 7
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