L.A. Metro

CHAPTER 30

AFTER SHIFTING THE bag in her arms to one side, Kim used her free hand to press the freight elevator button for the first floor. She had come into the hospital via the front entrance and ridden the main elevators to the second floor. That was the closest access point to the freight elevators.

When the doors opened and revealed an empty ER hallway, she sighed in relief. She gave herself a pep talk as she used the back hallways to make her way toward Jess's office. It's Christmas morning. Jess will be glad to see you. She didn't want to leave yesterday afternoon.

Nervousness made her stomach jittery. This had seemed like a much better idea when she was making breakfast for Jess. Kim had never come into the ER while Jess was working when she was not on call herself.

The door to Jess's office was unlocked. She quietly opened the door and smiled at the sight that met her eyes.

The light spilling in from the hallway showed a blanket-draped Jess, curled up on her side, asleep on the couch. Her long legs were pulled up almost to her chest to fit in the small space.

Kim stepped inside and eased the door shut. She stood still for a few moments until her eyes adjusted to the dim room. A nightlight near the couch provided the only illumination. Once sure that she wouldn't run into anything, Kim walked over and set the bag with breakfast on Jess's desk.

She made her way over to the couch and gazed down into Jess's face. Kim extended her hand to touch Jess, then thought better of it. She squatted down next to the couch. "Jess."

Jess's eyes flickered, but she didn't waken.

"Jess," Kim said, a little louder. "Time to wake up."

When Jess's eyes fluttered open, Kim couldn't resist the urge to touch any longer. She stroked Jess's arm through the blanket.

"Good morning."

A pleasure-filled smile blossomed on Jess's face. "Hi. What time is it?"

"A little after seven," Kim said.

Jess untangled herself from the blanket and sat up. She reached out a hand and tugged Kim onto the couch with her and into her arms.

Kim sighed into the warm embrace. "Merry Christmas, Jess."

Pulling back a little, Jess met Kim's gaze. "Merry Christmas to you," she said and then kissed her.

When the kiss broke, Kim snuggled against Jess. This was a good idea. A very good idea.

The rumble of Jess's stomach broke the quiet moment.

Jess pulled back and rubbed her belly. "Sorry. We were swamped last night. By the time we got everything cleared out, it was almost three a.m. and the cafeteria was closed. It's not much, but could I interest you in Christmas breakfast in the cafeteria?"

Kim smiled and ran her fingers through Jess's sleep-disheveled hair. "I have a better idea."

Jess sighed and leaned into the touch. "What?"

"Look on your desk."

Tilting her head, Jess peered at Kim and then over at her desk. "You brought me something?"

You sound so surprised. I need to start doing more little things for you to make you feel cared for. "I sure did."

"Thank you." Jess untangled herself from Kim and headed for her desk. She took a detour and turned on the overhead lights.

They blinked in the sudden brightness.

Pulling open the bag, Jess inhaled the escaping aromas. Her stomach growled louder than before.

Kim moved over to the desk and tugged the bag toward herself. "One official Christmas breakfast coming up."

* * *

Jess set their empty plates on her desk and then returned to the couch. She sat down close enough to Kim that their thighs brushed. She patted her stomach and sighed. "That was wonderful. Thank you again."

It was wonderful that you let me take care of you for a change without protest. Kim stroked Jess's thigh. "I'm glad you liked it."

The office door flew open.

Fuck. No. Kim jerked her hand off Jess's leg.

Rodman barged into the room.

He stared at them for a moment, then sneered. "Well, isn't this cozy."

Kim resisted the urge to move away from Jess. We aren't doing anything wrong. Clasping her hands in her lap, she projected a calm demeanor, as if it was a normal thing for Rodman to find them together.

Jess took her time standing. "What can I do for you?" she asked, her voice totally devoid of the warmth present just moments before.

"My sister is bringing my niece in. She's got a hot appendix. Make sure she gets taken care of as soon as she arrives. Don't do anything except get her checked in and her paperwork done." Rodman pointed a finger at Jess. "And keep your residents away from her. I'm going up to alert the OR. I'll be back down to get consent." After one last withering look, he spun on his heel and headed for the door. He stopped short and turned back. "Have her ready to go to the OR by the time I get back."

The door slammed shut behind him with a resounding boom.

The sound brought Kim off the couch like a shot. Dread settled like a lead weight in her stomach. People knowing that they were dating was one thing, but having Rodman find them together in Jess's office when Kim wasn't working was quite another. So much for my discreet visit to the ER.

Kim chanced a glance at Jess and winced. Jess's hands were clenched at her sides, and Kim swore she could hear Jess's teeth grinding together. Damn it.

"I should go," Kim said. She couldn't keep the sadness out of her voice. That's the end of what was a great first Christmas morning together. It was nice while it lasted.

Jess turned and faced her. The warmth rapidly returned to Jess's eyes. "No. Stay. I'll be back as soon as I take care of this."

"But Rodman..."

"Rodman can shove it. We weren't doing anything wrong." Jess stepped close and wrapped her arms around Kim. She brought their lips together in a sweet, gentle kiss. When the kiss broke, she stroked Kim's cheek. "Wait for me."

* * *

Scanning the intake sheet, Jess made her way to the exam room. She didn't care what Rodman said. He might be Chief of Staff, but his niece was on her turf now. There was no way she was going to send anyone to the OR without, at a minimum, a complete history and physical. Anything less was substandard patient care, and she would not be part of that.

Jess entered the room and did a double take. Did I get the room number wrong?

A young Asian woman was lying on the gurney. An impeccably dressed, white-haired Caucasian woman stood next to her, holding her hand. She looked old enough to be Rodman's mother.

Jess moved next to the gurney. "Beatrice Hartford?"

The young woman nodded.

Beatrice looked younger than her listed age of twenty-two.

"I'm Dr. McKenna. I'll be taking care of you this morning." She met the older woman's gaze. "Mrs. Hartford?"

"Eleanor Hartford," she said with an unexpectedly strong New England accent. She politely offered her hand to Jess across the gurney. "I am Beatrice's mother." When Jess took her hand, Mrs. Hartford clasped Jess's hand in both of hers. "Thank you for seeing to Beatrice so promptly. I've been terribly worried."

What a pleasant surprise. Jess had been bracing herself for the female version of Rodman.

Beatrice cried out and clutched her abdomen.

Jess placed a gentle hand on Beatrice's shoulder. "Is the pain getting worse?"

Beatrice nodded.

"How long has this been going on?" Jess asked.

Beatrice glanced at her mother, then back at Jess. "Off and on for a couple of days... I guess."

"Have you had a fever? Or any nausea or vomiting?"

She darted a look at her mother before answering. "I've been sick to my stomach and stuff..."

Jess frowned. Does she not want her mother in the room? Before Jess could suggest Mrs. Hartford step out, Beatrice cried out again.

"Can you show me where the pain is?" Jess asked.

Beatrice rubbed her hand in a circular motion over her lower abdomen.

"Okay. Let me take a look." Jess pulled the sheet back. She reached for Beatrice's gown.

The exam room door banged open.

Rodman stomped into the room. He took a white-knuckled grip on the end of the gurney. "What the hell are you doing?"

"My job," Jess said. She met Rodman's angry glare with calm confidence. "Now, if you'll step out, please. I haven't completed my history and physical yet."

Rodman growled. "I will not. You're done here, McKenna. Out." He patted Beatrice's leg. "Don't you worry, sweetheart. I'll take good care of you."

"Richie," Mrs. Hartford said, in a warning tone.

Rodman froze. He shot a glare at Jess as if daring her to comment.

Richie?

"Let Dr. McKenna do her job."

Rodman turned to his sister. "I'm a doctor too," he said, sounding like a petulant little boy.

"Yes, dear," Mrs. Hartford said as if placating a stubborn child. She walked over to him. "Come on. We can come back once Dr. McKenna is finished."

"I know what's wrong with Bea. She," Rodman jutted his chin out toward Jess, "works for me."

"Yes, dear. I know." His sister patted his arm. "Let's go. You can show me your big office."

Mrs. Hartman tugged Rodman to the door. He whined all the way — but went anyway.

Jess bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. I'll be damned. Wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

Once the door closed behind them, Jess turned her attention back to her patient.

* * *

Shit. I so don't need this. Especially with Rodman breathing down my neck. Jess stepped out of the exam room. She glanced around, relieved to not find Rodman waiting to pounce.

Jess made her way to her office and pushed open the door.

"Hey, Jess. How did it go with Rodman's niece?" Kim asked.

Jess walked over to the couch where Kim was sitting but was too agitated to sit down. "Not so good. With the help of his sister, I managed to get Rodman out of the exam room so I could do a history and physical."

Kim's eyebrow shot up.

"I'll tell you all about that later, but right now I have a problem."

"With Rodman's niece?"

"Yeah. She's obviously in pain, but she's not cooperating or answering questions. I thought at first it was because her mother was in the room. Beatrice was giving these nebulous answers and saying things like 'I guess.' But once we were alone, things went downhill. Every question I asked, she responded with, 'Uncle Richie says I have appendicitis.'"

"Richie," Kim mouthed.

Jess quirked a smile. "Later."

"Sorry. Go ahead," Kim said.

"I asked if there was any possibility she might be pregnant. She looked completely panicked and didn't answer. When I pressed her, she muttered an unconvincing no, then refused to speak to me any further. I did examine her before all this, and while her belly pain could be appendicitis, it could also be an ectopic pregnancy." Jess raked her hands through her hair. "She refuses to have blood drawn or allow me to do a pelvic exam or even an ultrasound."

"What can I do?" Kim asked.

"I was just hoping you had some bright idea of how to get her to realize how serious this is. Otherwise, I'm going to have to involve her mother and Rodman. Beatrice is an adult, so if Rodman gets her consent, he can take her to the OR." Jess shoved her hands into her lab coat pockets. "There is no way I will allow Rodman to do that without adequate pre-op blood work and an ultrasound — especially if there is a chance she's pregnant."

"And you think Rodman will have a fit if you insist on a pregnancy test?"

"It's a good assumption considering how she's acting. I figure that's what she's afraid of. Either Rodman or her mother finding out that she might be pregnant." Jess started to pace. "Plus the fact that she looks about twelve." She blew out a breath. "I bet that's how Rodman sees her."

"Do you want me to try and talk to her?" Kim asked.

Jess stopped in her tracks. Is that why I came in here? Had she wanted Kim to take over with the girl? Guilt flooded Jess. She comes on Christmas and brings you breakfast and this is how you thank her, by dumping your problems on her? "No. That's okay. You're not on-call today. It's Christmas."

Kim rose from the couch and walked to Jess. "I really don't mind." She tugged at her shirt. "Only I'm not sure I'm dressed appropriately."

Jess took a moment to admire Kim's form. She was wearing a long-sleeved Henley shirt and jeans that hugged her curves. She put her hands on Kim's hips. "You look like you'd fit right in with the college crowd. Maybe that will help." She gently squeezed the soft flesh under her hands. "You sure you don't mind?"

Kim gave Jess's lips a quick peck. "I'll let you know how it goes." She took a moment to grab her ID badge out of her purse, then headed for the door.

* * *

Jess wrote up Beatrice's chart while she waited for Kim. Hope she has better luck than I did. That wasn't an unreasonable expectation. Kim had a way with people that Jess had never possessed. Something about Kim made people feel safe confiding in her.

The door to her office blew open with enough force to slam it against the wall.

Jess jumped. Damn it.

She glared at Rodman.

He stormed over and stood next to her chair, glaring down at her. "What the hell is Donovan doing in the room with Bea?"

Jess grasped the edge of her desk and shoved her chair back, forcing Rodman to step away or have his toes run over. She stood. "I'm providing your niece with the best possible care." Unlike you, who wants to whisk her off to the OR without a workup.

Rodman got right in Jess's face. "She doesn't need to talk to some dyke psychiatrist. She needs a real doctor."

Her hands clenched at her sides as Jess struggled for control.

* * *

Kim heard raised voices from down the hall. She quickened her pace toward Jess's office. The voices suddenly became clear.

"Don't ever let me hear you talk about Kim like that again. She's the best psychiatrist this place has ever had."

Who the hell is in there with her? Kim had never heard Jess sound so furious. Realization struck. Rodman.

"What's the matter?" came Rodman's sneering response. "Did I hurt your feelings? I insulted your little dyke girlfriend?"

"Mine and Kim's personal life has nothing to do with this and is none of your business."

"Now I know why you wanted her to work down here, so you could have your puss —"

"Get out of my office!" Jess's voice vibrated with rage.

You bastard.

Kim broke into a sprint. She slid to a halt outside Jess's door.

The sight before her froze her in place.

No, Jess. Don't! She gripped the door frame.

Jess and Rodman were standing toe to toe and looked as if they would come to blows any second.

"Dr. McKenna," Kim called sharply.

Jess's head whipped around.

Rodman sneered. "Speak of the dev —"

"Shut up," Jess snarled.

Shut the fuck up, Rodman. Kim could see the tendons in Jess's neck standing out. Her fists were clenched at her side. She was barely holding it together.

"Dr. McKenna. I need to speak with you," Kim said, trying to keep Jess's attention on her. She had to break this up but wasn't sure Jess would walk away. She took a single step into the room. "Please," she said.

Jess blew out a breath. She walked away from Rodman without a glance.

Kim's knees went weak. Thank, God.

When Jess's body blocked her view of Rodman, Kim smiled at her.

The tense set of Jess's face eased a notch.

Just as Jess reached Kim, Rodman spoke up. "Release Beatrice and get her up to the OR. Right now."

Jess stiffened.

Kim grabbed the front of Jess's lab coat before she could turn back to Rodman. "Let it go. Come on." She tugged on Jess's coat. "Beatrice needs you."

She breathed a sigh of relief when Jess allowed herself to be pulled out the door.

* * *

Kim tried to focus on a psych journal while she waited for Jess.

After taking Jess in to see Beatrice, she had returned to Jess's office while Jess ran the tests Beatrice had finally agreed to. Rodman had tried to interfere, but quickly backed off in the face of his sister's disapproval. His sister had been an unexpected surprise, and Kim had liked her immediately.

Already on edge, Kim jumped when Jess's office door opened.

Jess stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

Kim couldn't help smiling when Jess made a point of locking the door. She moved off the couch and approached Jess. When Jess opened her arms, Kim willingly fell into them.

"You okay?" Kim asked.

"Yeah. You?"

"Better now." Kim leaned back in Jess's arms until she could look into her eyes. She caressed her cheek. "You scared me earlier. I thought for sure you were going to hit Rodman." Or stroke out.

"Scared myself a little," Jess said. "But when he started bad-mouthing you and then our relationship... I just kind of lost it."

Kim rubbed her hands soothingly up and down Jess's back. "He's not worth it... No matter how tempting." Jess's staunch defense had been like a soothing balm over a still tender wound. Her eyes misted up as her throat grew tight with emotion. "It meant a lot to me that you stood up for me." More than you will ever know.

Jess cradled Kim's face in her hands and used her thumb to gently wipe away a tear. She held Kim's gaze. "I would never deny you. Not professionally. Not personally. Never."

"I love you." The words were out before Kim could stop them. Her heart tripped double time. But once the words were out, she couldn't bring herself to regret them.

A tremor rippled through Jess's body. She pulled Kim into an almost painfully tight embrace. "I love you," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.

The admission made Kim's heart soar.

When Jess pulled back, tears shone in her eyes.

Kim smiled and tenderly brush away Jess's tears. "We're quite the pair."

A loving smile spread across Jess's face and she nodded.

The phone on Jess's desk rang, shattering the moment.

"Damn it." Jess winced. "Sorry."

With a warm smile, Kim stepped back, breaking their embrace. "Duty calls."

Jess smiled and headed for the phone. "Dr. McKenna... Yes... Thank you." She hung up the phone and then walked back to Kim.

Kim took her hand and together they moved to the couch.

"That was OB. Beatrice is on her way to the OR." Jess sank back against the cushions. She rubbed her neck and groaned.

Kim tugged Jess's hand away from her neck. You need to relax. "Sit up and scoot forward a little."

Jess readily did as instructed. She gave Kim an endearing, lopsided smile.

Kim laid her hands on Jess's shoulders and kneaded the stiff muscles.

A whimper escaped from Jess. "Oh yeah. That's wonderful."

"So what happened with Beatrice?"

"Oh..." Jess seemed to be having a hard time concentrating. "You did a great job with her. Getting her to tell the truth and agree to the tests, you saved her from an unnecessary appendectomy and possibly having an ectopic pregnancy rupture."

"What did Rodman say?" Kim asked.

"What could he say with the test results right in front of him?"

"Don't suppose he apologized?"

Jess snorted. "No. Hell has not frozen over." She pulled away and turned around to face Kim. "But Mrs. Hartford thinks you are an absolutely wonderful doctor." Jess's eyes sparkled. "And... told Rodman he should give you a big raise."

Their laughter filled the air.