RJ Nolan - L.A. Metro

Enough of that. Kim turned her attention to the chart she had brought with her. She glanced up when a shadow covered her work.

"Hey, Kim. Mind if I join you?"

Kim smiled at Chris Roberts. "Hi, Chris. Have a seat." Despite her poor first impression of Chris when he had bad mouthed Jess McKenna, he had turned out to be a good co-worker. She had worked closely with him during her first week and found him to be very helpful and pleasant to work with. "How did the ER consult go?"

Chris scowled as he set his tray down and slid into the chair next to Kim. "Same incompetence as usual down there. They shouldn't need a psychiatrist to tell them some junkie is drug seeking. You'd think McKenna could train her residents better than that."

Kim forced her expression to remain neutral. I bet there was more to the consult than that. What is it with him and Jess McKenna? She still wasn't sure if his dislike was of the ER in general or Jess in particular. He had been covering the ER for the last two weeks and done nothing but complain about it.

Chris pulled the ER pager off his belt and shut it off. At Kim's raised eyebrow he said, "I'm on my lunch break."

Although irritated by Chris's behavior, Kim knew there was nothing she could do about it — yet. No wonder there are problems between the ER and psych. "Well, the good news is today is your last day. I'll be taking over on Monday," Kim said.

"Ah... that reminds me. Be on your guard when you get down there. I don't know what she's up to, but McKenna stopped me as I was leaving the ER just now and asked about you."

Concern flared for a moment, then Kim shrugged it off. It wasn't uncommon for people to be curious about new staff members. "What did she want to know?"

"That's the strange part. She asked how you were working out. I've never heard her ask about anyone new before. That's why I wanted to warn you to be careful when you're covering the ER consults."

A sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach made Kim queasy. Don't jump to conclusions. If she found out about what happened at Memorial, so be it. You didn't do anything wrong. She pushed away her tray no longer having any appetite. "Okay. Thanks. I should probably head back to the floor."

Chris put a gently restraining hand on Kim's arm when she started to stand. "Hang on a sec," he said.

As she resumed her seat, Kim gazed at Chris questioningly. Faint warning bells started to ring when he stared at the table, and then began to shift nervously.

"I know it's short notice on a Friday night." Chris looked up and met Kim's eyes. "Would you have dinner with me tonight?"

Kim sighed to herself. He had already tried the "let's get together as new colleagues" bit last week. You should have told him then instead of just saying no thanks. The one thing Kim had never been was closeted. She didn't flaunt her sexuality at work, but never hid it either. For the first time she hesitated, then immediately berated herself for doing so. This isn't Memorial. Philip not only knows but supports you.

"If you're busy we can make it another time," Chris said, misunderstanding her lack of response.

Kim mentally cursed Dr. Pruitt for making her unsure of herself. Just tell him. "Thank you, but no." Kim held up a hand to keep Chris from interrupting. "Let me be honest with you. I'm a lesbian."

Chris's mouth dropped open, then he looked down at the table. His expression went totally blank.

Kim braced herself for his reaction.

Chris finally looked up. "Didn't see that one coming." He shook his head and his smile reappeared. He seemed to regain his equilibrium. "Are you sure?" he asked with a teasing glint in his eyes, though he sounded half serious.

Kim laughed, more relieved than she cared to admit. "Positive." She stood and picked up her tray. "I really should get back up to the floor."

"Okay. I'll see you up there later," Chris said. He grinned up at Kim. "Oh, and if you should ever change your mind about the guy thing..."

Kim was glad Chris was taking her revelation so well. She shook her head and laughed. "I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you."

* * *

Making her way out of the cafeteria, Kim's thoughts once again turned to Jess McKenna. Why is she asking questions about me? Kim resolutely pushed away her worries. Regardless of what Chris thought, maybe Jess was just curious about a new colleague.

Kim pushed through the cafeteria doors. As if conjured by her thoughts, she spotted Jess about to enter from the other side. "Hello again, Dr. McKenna," she said with a friendly smile.

Jess looked momentarily startled, then her face resumed its normal placid expression. "Dr. Donovan," she said before moving to continue on her way.

"Could I speak to you for a minute?" Kim asked quickly before Jess could walk away.

Jess moved away from the swinging doors and back into the hallway outside the cafeteria. Once she was out of the way of traffic, she turned to Kim. "What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to let you know I'll begin covering the ER on Monday."

"Yes, I saw your name on the schedule," Jess said.

Knowing what Chris's attitude was like when he covered the ER, Kim felt the need to assure Jess that she did not feel the same. She met Jess's eyes. "I'm looking forward to working in the ER. I've always found it an interesting and challenging place to work."

A brief half smile flashed across Jess's face before she resumed a businesslike expression. "Your help will be a welcome addition to the ER."

Before Kim could respond, Jess's pager went off. Taking it off her belt she glanced down at the display. "I have to go." Jess didn't immediately walk away.

It seemed as if Jess wanted to say something more but her pager beeped again.

"I'll see you on Monday," Jess said. With a brief nod, she turned and headed down the hallway at a fast walk.

Kim watched Jess go as she played over in her mind the fleeting smile that had transformed Jess's face. It had softened her features for just a moment. What was quickly becoming her new mantra echoed though her mind. Stick to business.

CHAPTER 3

JESS STEPPED INTO the center area of the nurses' station and beckoned to Aimee Phan. The first-year resident hurried over. "As soon as Dr. Donovan gets down here —"

Penny called out a greeting to Dr. Donovan.

Jess glanced up at the clock and was pleasantly surprised. Today was Kim's first day covering the ER. She's prompt. I'll give her that. The page to psych had gone out less than ten minutes ago. It was not uncommon for a patient to wait an hour or more before someone from psych finally put in an appearance.

"Good Morning, Dr. McKenna, Dr. Phan. What can I do for you?" Kim asked with a friendly smile.

"Dr. Phan will fill you in on the patient," Jess said. She motioned for the resident to go ahead, and then stood by to listen while the resident gave the patient's basic history. Jess watched Kim's reactions. It had been her experience that none of the psychiatrists had any interest in working with the ER residents.

Aimee quickly finished up her presentation of the patient.

"I think the best way to start is with a full patient mental status examination," Kim said. "Have you ever done one, Dr. Phan?"

Aimee shook her head. "Just the basic questions that are part of a history and physical."

"This is quite a bit more detailed than that. Let's go see your patient and I'll walk you through the assessment procedures."

"Great." Aimee smiled broadly. "Thanks, Dr. Donovan."

Jess nodded to herself. Better and better. She was pleased to see that Kim had not blown the resident off and taken over the case. And best of all, she was providing a teaching experience to Aimee.