HEARTS I

CHAPTER FIVE

Jamie was sitting in the cafeteria having a cup of coffee before starting his shift when Kyle walked up to him and sat down. "Good morning Slats. Hope you slept better than I did."

"Yeah," Jamie snickered. "You bet."

"I kept thinking about that patient from bay 3. I've talked to Dr. Grimes. He suggests we find a donor."

"For skin?"

"Well, we have no other option," Kyle replied worried.

"So we have to wait for someone to die and then skin him or her so we can do a skin transplant? I'm sorry, I can't do it Kyle. It's unethical."

"What else do you suggest then?"

"We can try and do reconstructive surgery and try and harvest skin from several skin grafts. Even then it's touch and go."

"That woman is in pain Jamie. I had to put her on morphine. Twice. I can only give her so much before her heart gives in...I doubt she'll even survive this. I don't know. They didn't teach us this s**t in med school."

"You know that this really hit me hard too Kyle. That even Juliette noticed I wasn't myself last night. If it wasn't for her...I was in tears last night when I got home, because I felt helpless for this woman's sake. We can't just let her die and we can't just her go like that for the rest of her life. I just can't...Maybe I should try and talk to her and see what she wants."

"Do whatever you can Slats. Let me know if you have an answer."

Jamie walked up to the nurses' station in ICU and the ward nurse looked up at him. "Dr. Slattery, good morning."

"Good morning Francis. Dr. Whittaker's patient. The assault victim. How is she?"

Francis shook her head. "It's not looking good doctor. I upped her dose on morphine because she keeps complaining she's in pain. It's not helping. I...I can't give her more. It will kill her."

"Would you mind if I talk to her?"

"No. But she's heavily sedated. I don't know."

Jamie entered her room and walked up to her before he sat down next to her bed. She opened her eyes to look at him. "You're so beautiful," she murmured and gave a faint smile.

"Thank you. I'm Dr. Jamie Slattery. What's your name?"

"Megan..."

"Megan. It's a beautiful name. Listen...I had a word with Dr. Whittaker. He suggests we do some reconstructive surgery. Now that might not be successful because of the nerve damage. And we can find you a skin donor. You're going to need several surgeries and I won't lie. It's going to be expensive. But it's our only option."

"Why do you look so worried?"

"We will need to wait for someone to die to have their skin."

"Just put me out of my misery. I'm in too much pain." She gave a sob. "Just give me something to make it go away."

"I'll see what I can do. I'm so sorry. I really am," Jamie replied depressed.

"It's not your fault."

Jamie stood up and left the room upset and close to tears. Francis tried to draw his attention to her but with no success. "Dr. Slattery! Dammit..."

Jamie was sitting in the break room sulking over a cup of coffee when Henry Grimes stepped inside. "Dr. Slattery. I was looking for you." He pulled out a chair and sat down.

"The woman in ICU...she's in so much pain she wants to die...and all that morphine. I..." Jamie shook his head and let out a heavy sigh.

"I know. She's gone. I'm sorry," Henry replied with a somber expression on his face. "I thought I had to come and tell you."

"Did you tell Dr. Whittaker?"

"Yes. He knows."

Jamie bit his lower lip and turned his head sideways as the tears welled up in his eyes. He tried his best to keep his emotions inside and then looked at Henry. "We tried. We really tried."

"I know. In the end nothing you would have done would have saved her. Her boyfriend will be charged with culpable homicide." Grimes pondered for a moment. "How's Juliette doing?"

"She's good."

"I heard she also had an assault situation with her ex."

"Yes..."

"You look after that girl. You hear me?"

"Of course," Jamie replied with a nod.

Henry Grimes just left when Kyle stepped into the break room and sat down. "I guess you've heard."

"Yeah I heard..."

"Hey lighten up Slats. You should be in a good mood right now. I heard you got engaged. Is it true?"

"Yes. I'm having an engagement party at my place next week. Nothing big. Only a few close friends."

"And why haven't I received an invitation yet?"

"I'm still sending them out, but you're invited. And I still need to get an engagement ring for Juliette."

"Aren't you rushing things a little? I mean why don't you go steady for a while and then get engaged?"

"Why wait if you know she's the one?"

"I guess you're right. Well Stacey and I are also officially dating now," Kyle said with a smile.

"Stacey Ford?"

"The one and only."

"When did that happen? I didn't even realize there was something happening between the two of you."

"It's because you were in ob-gyn all the time."

"Yeah. I should probably get back to E.R. I'll talk to you later," Jamie said before he stood up. He was about to leave when one of the nurses rushed into the break room.

"Dr. Slattery."

"Yes?"

"You're needed in E.R. It's Dr. Sawyer. He's looking for you."

"Dr. Sawyer?"

"Yes."

"What's he doing in E.R.? I'm on my way."

As soon as he was back in E.R. Jamie walked up to Agnetha. "Dr. Slattery, you're needed in triage."

"What happened?" Jamie asked with a scowl. "Dr. Sawyer had a heart attack. He said he doesn't want another doctor treating him but you."

"Okay. I must have made an impression on him then."

"You sure did."

Jamie stepped into triage to find Stanley Sawyer laying on the bed as pale as a ghost. "Dr. Slattery... Finally."

"So what happened Dr. Sawyer?"

"I had a mild heart attack."

"That's not good. Have they taken your blood pressure yet?"

"No. I insisted you do it. Those other interns are too clueless."

"I'm actually a trauma surgeon and not a cardiologist, but let's see what we can do." Jamie put the cuff around Stanley's arm and inflated it. He kept and eye on the monitor until it gave a reading. "Blood pressure's a little high Dr. Sawyer. Have you been under a lot of stress lately?"

"I'm a doctor. I'm always under stress."

Jamie smiled. "It comes with the job doesn't it? The heart rate is irregular too. I'm going to admit you for a few days Dr. Sawyer. I want to have an ECG done. And I'm going to consult with Dr. Campbell."

"Dr. Jolene Campbell?"

"I heard she's the best we have."

"Yeah yeah, Slattery. Just send me home. I can come in for an ECG myself."

"I'm afraid I can't do that. Doctor's orders."

Stanley shook his head in dismay. "Well you're pretty persistent for such a young doctor."

"I'm just doing my job and I don't like taking risks with my patients."

"You'll go far as a doctor Slattery. You have the right attitude."

Jamie smiled. "I feel honored Dr. Sawyer."

"You could just as well have told me you're not a cardiologist and referred me to another doctor. This might just be your chance to proof yourself as a heart surgeon. Who knows? You might turn out to become the next Ben Carson."

Jamie gave a timid chuckle. "I highly doubt that..."

"Never doubt yourself Dr. Slattery. You've got something none of the other surgeons in this hospital has and that's a combination of both good work and moral ethic."

"I was raised with good values and morals sir. And I'm a God fearing man."

"Keep it that way young man."

"Yes," Juliette replied excited. "You're looking at the future Mrs. Slattery."

"And just yesterday we talked about how doctors and lawyers only like the blonde bimbo types. But here you are, the girl next door engaged to a trauma surgeon."

"I'm on cloud 9. I knew he was serious and we just clicked. I just never realized how serious he really was. I'm so lucky. You're invited to the engagement party by the way."

"I will definitely be there. I'm so happy for you. And I'm glad you got rid of Justin Lynn. He was a total jerk. Your doctor is a catch."

Drew was stocking up the bar at his night club when Jamie walked up to the bar counter. He climbed off the step-ladder he was standing on and walked up to his brother. "Well if it's not my big brother. What's bringing you here?"

"Juliette and I got engaged and we want you to DJ at our engagement party next week."

"Where are you going to have the party?"

"At my place if it's okay with you."

"Well I have the entire night club brother."

"We want to keep it private," Jamie tried to make up an excuse.

"No problem. I'll just reserve it for that night."

Jamie pondered. "I'm a little tight on cash."

"It's on the house."

"Drew...really...I cannot let you do everything for me for free all the time I need something."

"I make a ton of money from my already paying customers. Jamie you're my brother. Doing things for you for free won't kill me."

"Really I...I can't." Jamie protested.

"I insist. I won't charge you a dime. And congratulations by the way. I look forward to meeting my future sister-in-law."

Juliette was dressed in a dark blue cocktail dress with silver stilettos and her hair done in a simple tie-back with lose curls. Jamie was dressed in black chinos, a crisp white shirt and a black tie with a black jacket. His hair blow-waved to form a lush fringe. His blue eyes playing hide and seek behind the curtain of honey blonde hair. He walked up to her from behind and gently rested his hands on her shoulders as he gazed into the mirror on the cupboard door. "You look beautiful. Amazing."

She turned around to look at him and smiled. "You look amazing too honey."

Jamie gave a timid smile. "Shall we go? There's a party waiting for us."

Jamie parked his BMW close to Drew's club and got out to open the door for Juliette. He then hooked his arm into hers and walked her down the sidewalk to the entrance where Drew was waiting welcoming the guests. He smiled when he saw them approach. "You must be Juliette."

"That's me," she replied with a chuckle.

"I'm Drew Slattery, Jamie's younger brother. It's a pleasure to meet you." He looked at his brother who stood admiring Juliette. "You have a good taste in the ladies. You two make a beautiful couple. Come on inside."

They followed Drew into the club where the guests were already seated at their tables having snacks and drinks. Jamie walked up to the stage and tapped on the microphone. "Good evening everyone. Thank you for coming to my and Juliette's engagement party. Before we make it official. I would first like you to come up here honey." Juliette smiled timidly and walked up to the stage. "Does anyone here know how to play this piano standing behind me?" Jamie asked the guests.

Kyle stood up and walked up onto the stage. "What do you want me to play Slats?" Kyle took a seat in front of the piano and played a few chords. Then Jamie started to sing You Needed Me and Kyle followed playing the chords on the piano. Juliette just stood there smiling proudly as Jamie serenaded her in front of the guests.

"Thank you for being part of my life Juliette Lloyd." Jamie walked up to her and knelt down in front of her before he took the ring out of his pocket. It was dainty but still breathtakingly beautiful. "I would like to make it forever. Will you marry me?"

"Yes," Juliette replied with a smile before he slid the ring onto her finger.

"Now we need the DJ to play us some music to open the dance floor, but can we have a toast to this beautiful lady first? To us Juliette Lloyd."

"To us," she replied with a smile. They walked onto the dance floor and danced to a slow number. "You really took me by surprise with that song you sang. You never told me you could sing."

"Now you know," Jamie replied with a smile.

As soon as they were finished on the dance floor they headed for the buffet table to get something to eat. Jamie was stacking up Juliette's plate followed by his when Cassidy walked up to them. "Congratulations hot stuff."

Juliette chuckled and turned to look at her. "Cass." She looked at Jamie and smiled. "Honey, this is my best friend Cassidy. Cass, this is..."

"Jamie Slattery. The cheesy, sleazy doctor."

Jamie started laughing. "So I am cheesy and sleazy?" Jamie scowled. "Did you tell her I was cheesy and sleazy honey?"

Juliette blushed. "Yeah, I admit."

"Oh my gosh, you really thought that about me? Well thankfully I was able to change your mind. I'll be at the table." Jamie gave her a peck on the cheek and left.

Cassidy just gawked as he walked away. "My gosh that's not cheesy or sleazy at all. That's super hot and gorgeous. Dammit I'm so jealous. You hit the jackpot with that guy. Oh my gosh."

"He's super sweet."

"And we'll mannered too. You can tell he has class. And let me guess... what's he like in bed?"

"I won't know. We haven't..."

"What? I would have jumped him ages ago. That's not something you say no to."

Juliette chuckled. "Are you perving over my fiance?"

"Uhm, no, but damn."

"Oh my gosh, you are." Juliette started laughing.

The party continued until the early morning hours and Juliette and Jamie remained until the last guests left. Juliette was dog tired and laid with her head on her arms. "Hey, Jules. Shall we go home? Party's over."

She looked up at Jamie. "Sure. I'm exhausted."

"I will lock up on the way out. I need to hit a bed too," Drew replied.

Jamie and Juliette walked up to his BMW with Drew following on their heels to his Porsche Panamera that stood parked behind Jamie's car. Suddenly a man in a mask rushed up to them out of nowhere and took out a knife before he stabbed Jamie in the groin. Jamie fell forward against his car bracing himself when the man grabbed the alarmed Juliette from behind and dragged her off to the Chevy truck parked a few cars away from Jamie's car. Juliette was screaming and struggling to get away from the attacker. "Juliette! Ouch..." Jamie winced.

Drew rushed up to his brother who braced himself against the hood of his car wincing. "Jamie, what happened?"

"He stabbed me. And he's got Juliette," Jamie replied before he winced again.

"Where did he stab you?" Drew asked alarmed.

"In the groin. You need to get me to a hospital Drew."

"Oh shit." Drew helped his brother to his car before he got in and raced off to the hospital.