OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, SPIRITS ran high. Tanya was down with the fact that she wasn’t going to go to P&E after all. Holly just wished she would fuck off.

“That little freak-out of yours a couple of weeks ago was totally unnecessary,” Tanya snapped.

“Bite me,” Holly snapped back, running up the stairs to the second level. In the elevator, she wanted to break down and cry, as she’d just heard that Ty had been readmitted. When she saw him from the doorway to his room, her heart dropped. He looked gaunt and weak, and looked close to weighing nothing—he looked like he was on the verge of dying.

Ollie didn’t look that well, either. He had a haggard expression on his face. And Mavis, Ty’s mom, was clearly devastated; her red-rimmed eyes were proof of that. This was not a good sign, Holly knew that.

When Ollie stepped out, she couldn’t help but ask, “It didn’t work?” 

“It hasn’t shrunk even a tiny bit.”

“I’m so sorry, Ollie.”

“I can’t give them any more hope, Holly. I don’t know what else to do.”

“Just remember what you told me when I was stressing the other day: something will come up.”

“Yeah, sure,” he said, sounding defeated, then walked away.

Taking a deep breath, Holly stepped into the room. Teresse was talking to them softly, so as not to wake Ty. He was sleeping—he didn’t look like the boy she’d seen a couple of months back. He resembled a skeleton.

Holly closed her eyes. She could do it, she could get the files to Jake, save Ty’s life, and do it without letting him know where she was, or how close. As soon as Matthews left, she ‘borrowed’ the files, rushed to the photocopy room, and made copies of everything she could. She couldn’t copy the CT scans, though. Taking one of the latest ones, she placed it in a large envelope. Tonight, she was going to give everything to Rod, then beg him to give it to Jake.

**********

During dinner, Holly took out Ty’s file. They were having pasta sitting at the kitchen table at home. “I have something important I need to ask you. I need a favor,” she whispered.

His eyes were still trained on the file in her hand. “What is that?”

“It’s a patient’s records, Rod. His name is Ty.”

“Holly, you do know that what you’re doing is against hospital policy, right? And HIPPAA, for that matter. You could get fired.”

“I know, but please. I’ll take full responsibility if it comes to that. He can’t die, Rod. He shouldn’t die.”

Rod’s expression was one of worry. Then he sighed. Reaching his arm out, he said, “Fine, give it here.”

Holly slid the envelope toward him.

The scan was what he looked at first. His eyes grew wide at what he was seeing. “How old is the patient?”

“Sixteen.”

Rod’s head snapped up. “Sixteen!”

“Sad, isn’t it? That’s why I need you to help him. Give it to Jake. Ty’s parents have tried everything to get a consultation with him, but his waiting list runs for months, if not a year as is. He can’t die, Rod. He hasn’t even experienced what it’s like to be with a girl.”

Rod’s head lowered to the scan again. “Holly, this is one mother of a tumor. This kid is living on borrowed time. And you’re right. Jake’s schedule is packed to capacity.”

“Just show it to him, please.” She wanted to cry. That was one of her weaknesses—she got too close to her patients. But he was only sixteen. “Oliver is giving up on Ty. Rod. This is his last chance. I’m begging you.”

“Holly…” He sighed.

“Don’t ‘Holly’ me.”

“You get too close.”

“There is no such thing as too close when it comes to kids. Please, all I’m asking is for you to show him the file, and the decision will be his alone to make.”

“Okay, but I don’t think he will—”

“Give it to him. It’s all I’m asking.”

“And what do I tell him when he asks me where I got it, Holly? It’s not just your ass on the line, it’s mine, too.”

She hadn’t thought about that. Tears of frustration welled up in her eyes. Ty couldn’t die, and if Rod knew the kid like she did, he would’ve agreed.

“You owe me… big. You hear?” 

Jumping up, she flung her arms around Rod’s neck. “Thank you! And you got it, whatever you want.”

Holly struggled to sleep. What if Ty died during the night? Rod had said he was on borrowed time. Her efforts would be for nothing.

*******

Work only started at five the next afternoon. Holly was off for the day, working a new schedule. Since the Peters had come on board, she had been on different shifts.

Ty had gotten worse. Her thoughts constantly plagued her, with Rod foremost in her mind. Had he given Jake the file? Giving the file to him was one of the hardest things she’d ever done. But in the grand scheme of things, Ollie’s refusal to get anywhere near Ty’s tumor was unacceptable. As for Jake, he’d proven over and over again that he wasn’t the least bit scared to take on the hardest cases. At least, that was what Rod had shared with her, anyway. It was because of this that he’d gotten the nickname, TBG—short for the brain god.

Ty’s tumor was a ticking time bomb, which scared the living daylights out of her every time she put her foot in the pediatric ward. All she expected to hear was that Ty had passed on. Two days inched by, excruciatingly slow, but nothing happened.

As the elevator doors started opening, she put on her bee antennae. Nurses and doctors alike wore them; they lit up the children’s faces. They wore something different every day. 

Taking a deep breath, Holly stepped out and looked around. No tears were evident on the nurses’ faces, which was always a good sign. She would work late into the night, which made her long for her off day tomorrow.

When she neared reception, she directed her eyes toward Ty’s room. She saw the light was on, and that Teresse was still in there, hugging Mavis. 

“What happened?” she asked the person at reception, without even noticing whom it was she was speaking to.

“We don’t know, yet.”

She blew out a breath. Ty was still alive, or else Dennis—one of the male night nurses—wouldn’t have looked so calm.

Ollie, who must have been elsewhere in Ty’s room, walked out, a hard expression on his face, one Holly had never seen before. He looked pissed off.

“Oliver, what is going on?”

He closed his eyes, and his nostrils flared. It looked like if he could scream, he would’ve. “Jake Peters is taking over Ty’s case.”

“What!” Holly choked out, a tad too loud. “Sorry,” she apologized immediately.

“They think it’s the best news ever. He’s going to kill Ty. That tumor is inoperable.”

Teresse joined them before Holly could form a reply, placing her hand on Ollie’s shoulder. “Oliver, I know how you feel about him, but he is willing to operate. You are not.”

“Teresse… he is going to kill Ty. I’ve been around my share of tumors, and I’ve never seen one that big on a kid.”

“I know. But, so has he. If he is willing to help, let him help. In fact, no one should stand in his way,” she said. “You’ve tried everything, and nothing has worked. Now let him try.”

Oliver’s jaw muscles clenched. “Fine. But I’d love to know how he got Ty’s file in the first place.”

Holly’s stomach muscles tightened with guilt. She looked away, hoping nobody noticed her discomfort.

“No one gave it to him, okay? If that is what you are thinking. They were on the list for a consultation, and I’m sure someone from his office asked the Bensons for the scans.”

He tsked. “Whatever, Teresse. But don’t come crying to me when that boy doesn’t make it.”

“He probably won’t, although I pray I’m wrong. So, you know what? It doesn’t matter anymore. Just leave before I lose my temper.”

Oliver grunted and walked away.

“Is he really that naive, or that insecure?”

Teresse shook her head. “Ollie was a resident when Jake started his internship. He was the one who was due to scrub in with Dr. Huyo, but Jake got pushed into that surgery at the last minute. I’m sure I don’t have to elaborate any further?”

“Nope, got it,” Holly said. “He’s really coming here?”

“Tomorrow. Mavis told me he cleared his entire schedule to spend the day here.”

Holly jumped for joy internally—she’d be off tomorrow. She knew that somehow, fate was on her side again. “That’s awesome news, Teresse.”

Teresse’s smile disappeared. “Can I have a word, Holly?”

“Sure, am I in trouble?”

“It depends,” she said. Holly followed her into an empty room. Teresse sat on the edge of the bed. She looked dead tired herself. “I lied to Ollie about the files.”

Holly froze. “But… Mavis said he called out of the blue, and announced that he would be operating. That he already had everything.”

Teresse looked at Holly, and feeling uncomfortable, she looked away. 

“Please, tell me you had nothing to do with this.”

Holly’s body language said it all. “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t ignore it. He’s sixteen years old, Teresse. I know someone who works with Jake on almost every tumor patient he operates on, so I made copies  and gave them to him along with the latest scan, and begged him to pass it on to Jake.”

Teresse closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m sure Jake is well aware that the means in which he got the information is against hospital policy. Make sure you get that scan back, Holly.”

She nodded. “I will.”

Teresse got up. “Don’t ever do anything like that again.”

All Holly could do was nod. Hospital policies were stupid. What she did, wrong as it may have been, could save Ty’s life—and she would do it again if she had to.

Five minutes later, she saw some nurses rushing Ellie into another room. The five-year-old was going to break Holly’s heart. Connie looked tired. She couldn’t imagine what this woman must be going through, seeing her little girl fighting a disease no one at her age should be fighting.

Teresse took care of Ellie alone, indicating she didn’t need Holly’s help. She couldn’t believe Matthews was that upset about Tyler’s file.

Later that evening, Holly made a fresh pot of coffee, grabbed herself a cup, and took it down to ER. She stayed there, helping with minor emergencies for a few hours, then found herself a bed. When she woke, it was ten to six. Jumping out of bed, she hurried to the locker rooms and sorted herself out as quickly as possible. She had to get her ass out of there before Jake arrived.

Settling into Rev’s car, she sat back and exhaled. No Jake, thank heavens. Once home, she took a long bath, after which she texted Rod, thanking him for what he had done.

He wanted to know where I got it.

And? 

I told him to not ask.

He left it there?

Yes. Strange, but said the exact same thing you did. That kid hadn’t experienced sex.

Holly smiled. At least he still had a heart.

I owe you big.

That you do.

Midmorning, she took a jog through the park, which was just what she’d needed. But from there on, her day off flew by. She caught up on all her favorite shows then went to bed early.

The following day, she was eager to find out what was going to happen. Waltzing into the pediatrics ward wearing her mouse ears, she smiled at Aggie and Sue, the day nurses.

“Annnd, what is the verdict? When are they going to operate?” She totally forgot to greet them.

“Hello to you, too, baby. Coffee first,” Aggie said and gestured with a nod at the empty coffee pot. Holly went to prepared her famous cup of joe the nurses and doctors had come to love.

Just as Aggie was about to speak, Teresse cut her off, taking Holly away for the morning rounds. They went to see Ellie first. Ellie was now completely bald from the chemotherapy. She’d lost a considerable amount of weight, which weighed heavily on Holly’s heart. Five-year-olds were supposed to be chubby, not stick-thin. Holly hated seeing Ellie in such a fragile state. Every time she stepped into Ellie’s room, Jamie’s face flashed through her mind and Holly’s heart broke a tiny bit. One of the other doctors updated Dr. Matthews on all her symptoms and the treatment she was receiving.

They visited a few more patients until they reached Ty’s room. He looked tired. His eyes were closed. When they entered, Ty opened his eyes and smiled at Holly. She winked as one of the doctors gave Ty’s prognosis. They moved on to other patients, but as soon the rounds were done, she headed back to Ty’s room.

“We got amazing news,” Mavis said to Holly.

“I heard. I’m so happy for you, Mavis. When is Dr. Peters going to operate?” It was the news she had been waiting for all morning.

“Later, Scallanger,” Matthews cut in. Teresse pulled her out of Ty’s room, put money into her hand, and sent her to the cafeteria. “I need a breakfast sandwich.”

Irritated, Holly snapped, “I’m your errand girl now?”

“You are my intern. Interns do as they’re told.” Teresse smiled, shoving her toward the elevator. Damn it. Was she ever going to hear what Ty’s fate was going to be? Teresse was paying her back for what she had done, even though she knew how close to her heart Ty was.

She did as Teresse asked. Got the stupid sandwich, paid for it, walked back out of the cafeteria, and abruptly stopped. Because when she looked up, she saw a tall, raven-haired man standing with his back to her at the reception desk.

Her heartbeat tripled. It couldn’t be him. He’d been in yesterday. It could not be him. 

JAKE

He’d come to Downsend specifically to meet with the Benson family. When Jake saw Tyler Benson’s scan, he couldn’t believe that the boy was only sixteen. He had a nightmare of a tumor in his head.

These types of situations, mostly inoperable tumors, were a dream for him, but a nightmare to most other neurologists. He wasn’t like other doctors. He’d advanced quickly through his first four years, having done his internship at P&E in the first year. In his third year, he’d received the opportunity of a lifetime in China. Dr. Huyo had taken him under his wing, teaching him everything he needed to know about life-threatening tumors. It wasn’t easy, as he’d just started dating Kate. He’d told her not to wait for him, but she had. Blair thought a year away from strawberry blondes might do the trick, and he’d carried on with his sessions with another counselor. The year under Dr. Huyo’s tutelage had put him in a completely different league. They called him The Brain God, or TBG for short. They even offered him another year, but he wanted to go back home. Shanghai wasn’t for him—it wasn’t home.

“Dr. Peters,” Sue greeted.

“It’s Jake, Sue. How are you?” He smiled at her. He hadn’t missed the blonde receptionist who kept looking at him every few seconds while she was on the phone, smiling every so often. He really disliked the effect he had on the female species.

“We heard you’re going to be taking over Ty’s case. He’s such an amazing kid.”

“And he has one hell of an amazing tumor, too.”

Sue laughed, although Jake didn’t know why. It wasn’t funny.

“Help, please help!” a woman’s voice shrilled. Jake turned his head in the direction of the shout, and saw a flash of strawberry blonde hair already busy assisting the woman’s husband. What did any of it mean? The strawberry blonde’s back was facing him, and she was already busy resuscitating the distressed patient while Oliver and other nurses nearby pushed the patient toward the elevator. Jake watched them all rushing by. The woman had an ass like a racehorse. Thoughts of Holly jumped into his mind again.

“You are getting married,” Sue broke into his thoughts.

Jake glanced at her and flashed her a grin. “I can still look at what is on the menu. I’m just not allowed to order anything.”

He watched them disappear into the elevator. 

Jake winked at Sue then rushed up the stairs to pediatrics. He’d rushed, because deep down he knew he would have walked over and introduced himself to the blonde. But no. He had to steer clear from her, whoever she was. He was over that, and he wasn’t going to hurt Kate all over again.

Aggie was the first to greet him when he stepped into the ward. He wrapped his arms around the woman he’d known since he was five years old.

“Long time no see, baby,” she said softly. “You going to save that boy’s life?”

“I have to. He’s only sixteen, Aggie.”

“Come, let me take you to him,” she said.

Upon reaching Ty’s room, the first thing Jake noticed was that the young man look dead tired. In all honestly, it was a miracle he was still breathing.

“Mrs. Benson,” Aggie said, and Ty’s mother opened her eyes. His father had been reading a newspaper. Both stared at Jake.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Benson. I’m Dr. Peters.”

Both blinked and gaped at him simultaneously, and Jake broke into a grin.

“This is Dr. Peters?” Mrs. Benson asked.

“In the flesh,” he confirmed, holding his hand out to her. Next, he shook Mr. Benson’s hand. “I know that look. You think I’m way too young to know what I’m doing, but I was a fast learner, and I’m one hell of a doctor, if I do say so myself.” 

Mrs. Benson laughed. “Sorry.” She took a deep breath and let it out again.

Tyler started to tease his mom. “Dude, it’s got nothing to do with your age, believe me. You must be surrounded by chicks.”

“Tyler!”

“It’s the tumor, Mrs. Benson,” Jake said, making her laugh again. “How do you feel, other than wanting to puke your lungs out?” Jake looked at Ty.

“Other than that, just peachy, thank you.”

Jake snorted. The kid had a good sense of humor.

“So are you going to tell us the news, or do we have to wait longer?” Mrs. Benson said.

“Mrs. Benson—”

“Mavis, please, and this is my husband, George.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I’m sorry for not being available before. But I’m here now, and I’ve checked the recent scans. I’m not going to lie to you. You won’t find a neurologist who is willing to remove your son’s tumor. I’m willing, but my rate of success is 40/60. With that said, I’ve operated on five tumors I’d place into the same category as Ty’s. Three, sadly, passed on, but two survived. I would like to get another CT scan and have another look, if you don’t mind.”

The Bensons nodded, but their smiles were hardly visible.

Jake wished he could change that rate, but it was what it was. He wasn’t going to lie to them. “One other thing. Ty is a ticking time bomb. I know it’s a hard decision to make, but time is something we don’t have.”

“Do you have children, Dr. Peters?”

“Jake, please, and yes, I have a two-year-old son. I can only imagine what you must be feeling right now.”

Mavis looked at Tyler.

“Don’t give me that look, Mom. Let’s do this.”

“Tyler,” Mavis warned.

“Mom, you heard Dr. Peters.”

“Jake,” Jake repeated.

“Jake,” Tyler said again. “It’s a freakin’ time bomb. Please. I just want it out.”

“What if…”

“Mom, I’m going to die, anyway, if you do not do this. It could be two weeks, it could be tomorrow.”

“Can I have some time to just think, please?”

“Of course, but let me carry on with getting him ready. It will save a lot of time.”

She nodded.

“I’ll see you soon, Ty. Don’t go dying on me now.”

“Finally, no more my man.”

Jake laughed, wheeling Ty out with him. He could only imagine where that had come from. Ollie was clueless when it came to connecting with teenagers.

He spent the entire afternoon running his own tests on Ty. The kid was awesome. He was a fighter. He just needed to relax until the boy’s mother was fully on board. He only needed one parent’s consent, but he’d be more at ease if both parents trusted him.

Jake learned a lot about the kid as they chatted. He’d never had a girlfriend before, which was sad though not unheard of as everyone dated at their own pace. In Ty’s case it was because of illness. Jake promised him that soon he’d be able to talk to girls without barfing in their faces. He even told him that he’d give him a crash course, since that was his department. At this bit of information, he could’ve sworn Ty’s eyes lit up.

Wherever Rod had gotten his files, it didn’t matter anymore. It was cases like Ty’s that had made him want to become a neurologist in the first place.

Somewhere around four, he took Ty back to his room. 

“I hope they don’t make me wear those stupid ears.”

“Some of them really make the nurses and doctors look super hot.”

Jake laughed. “You have your eyes on one of them?”

“She’s hot as hell, and has the most beautiful reddish-blond hair.”

“Is it shoulder-length?”

“You saw her?”

“Only a glimpse.”

“She’s so hot, man. Kinda sweet too.”

Jake laughed again. But, deep down, he couldn’t believe that this kid had mentioned the same woman. “She works in pediatrics?”

Nodding, Ty said, “Really good at it, too. Believe me, before her this place was boring as hell.”

“I can only imagine.”

Jake pushed him into the room. Mavis saw them and smiled at Ty’s laughter.

“So, I have done all I can. The decision lays in your hands now, Mavis. Do I operate, or do I leave it be?”

“Can I sleep on it?”

“Mom,” Ty whined.

“Of course you can. You’ll soon realize that I’m really, really good at what I do.”

Mavis blew out a breath and gave Jake a tight smile.

Jake bid his farewell. “See you soon…”

“Don’t say it, or I swear I will find a way to beat you silly.”

Jake snorted. “I’ll die before I say it. Bye.”

He walked out and saw the strawberry blonde from this morning standing with her back to him. She had a pair of mouse ears on and was filling in a chart. He walked up to reception as he had to get his phone. Her hair formed a barrier between them.

“Aggie, could you do me a favor, please?”

Aggie looked at the girl, then back at Jake who was grinning.

“Sure, Dr. Peters.”

“Could you please phone for an exterminator? We seem to have a lot of rodents here today.”

Aggie burst out laughing.

“Hi, I’m…” And that was all he managed to get out, because he was left staring at her retreating figure. She was in a rush, too, skating away on her wheelie shoes. Aggie stared, open-mouthed.

“How rude,” she said, sounding shocked.

Jake flashed her a grin. Finally, a strawberry blond that wasn’t interested in meeting him. It was going to be so fucking hard to stay away now.

HOLLY

What is he still doing here?

Aggie said something she couldn’t make out as she wheeled away, but she didn’t care. She prayed that he wouldn’t follow her. Why would he follow me, anyway?

Safely on the stairs, she took a couple deep breaths. Another close call. Jake had been right next to her. So close she could smell him, and boy did he smell good. His voice had been right by her ear, still so familiar. She hadn’t heard his voice in four years, and now in the span of a day she’d heard it twice. The last words he ever said to her still rang through her mind every so often. “It is what it is. I got to go.” Even so, his voice still sent all sorts of crazy tingles up her spine. Holly took another breath and pressed her hand to her chest. Her heart was beat frantically. It had pounded so hard when Jake stood next to her, she was sure he would hear it. She’d never acted like this before. She must have come across as the rudest person ever. She shook her head to clear her mind.

Jake deserved her rudeness.

After another few deep breaths, she finally left the sanctuary of the stairs and made her way back to the pediatric ward. She spent the rest of the day doing minor things—filling in charts, checking on the patients, and entertaining each of them. Early evening, she caught another glimpse of Jake speaking to Teresse, his back to her. She quickly slipped into a patient’s room.

Why doesn’t he leave? 

Sitting down on the nearest chair, Holly was glad that the boy was sleeping. He wasn’t one of Teresse’s patients. Thoughts raced through her mind, the worst being that Jake might check up on this boy, too, only to find her there, hiding from him.

Finally, she heard Jake saying his goodbyes to everyone. When she was sure he was gone, she slowly walked out of the room to find Teresse at reception. “Can you file this for me, please?”

“Date night?” Holly asked. “Go,” she smiled, and Teresse ran.

“No running in the hallway, Dr. Matthews,” Aggie joked. It was quite funny to see Teresse stop running, yet still walk like her ass was on fire.

“So, Macaroon really doesn’t do it for you, huh?” Aggie asked.

“Macaroon?” Holly repeated, pretending she had no idea who Aggie referred to.

Aggie gave her an odd look.

“Oh, you mean Dr. Peters.” She shook her head.

“You were extremely rude earlier.”

Yeah, Aggie, if only you knew why. “When?” Holly played the innocent.

“He was trying to introduce himself, when you ran off like a little mouse who smelled cheese.”

Holly giggled nervously. “Well, I’m a mouse today, so maybe I did.”

Aggie rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. 

“I’m sure he’ll come back. I will apologize.” Yeah, like that would ever happen. “See you later, Aggie.” Picking up the files she needed to take up to the sixth floor, where all the pediatric information was stored, she skated to the elevator, skidding on the wheel at the back of her sneaker.

 “No skidding, either!” Aggie yelled. “You better make it a good apology, Miss Rudey Pants. I was bowled over by your behavior.”

Holly looked over her shoulder for a split second just as she was about to round the corner, laughing at Aggie’s comment. She crashed hard into someone. Files flew in every direction. Mortified, she started apologizing, bending down to pick up the files.

“First, you ignore me, and now you want to kill me. What on earth have I ever done to you?” 

Holly insides froze at the sound of Jake’s voice, but her hands continued to grab files without looking at Jake.

“It’s fine, I’ve got this. You can go,” she bit out rudely.

“Seriously, what is wrong…”

Holly looked up at him. Damn, the pictures hadn’t done him any justice. 

“I said, it’s fine. I’ve got this.” Her words were barely audible.

Jake’s face went slack. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, then opened them. All color seemed to have drained from his face—as if he’d just seen a ghost. 

Without another word, she picked up the last file, stood up, then rolled away from him and that unfortunate situation. She didn’t look back to see whether he’d gotten up or not. She didn’t care. She needed fresh air. Hell, she needed to get out of there.

Her heart was still hammering like crazy when she sat down in her now-familiar hideaway—the stairs. Pulling her phone out of her pocket, she dialed her mother. As soon as Jane answered, the tears she’d been holding back rolled down her face and she sobbed into the phone.

“Hey sweet… whoa, what’s wrong?”

“I bumped right into him. I literally knocked him to the ground, Mom. He saw me. I can’t do this.”

“Holly, calm down.”

“I don’t want to calm down, I want to come home.”

“And what, Holly, what are you going to do? Work for your father’s firm and listen to him telling you every day he told you so?”

“He’s going to find out about her, Mom. I know it.”

“Baby, why are you doing this to yourself? He won’t.”

“I can’t—”

“Stop saying you can’t,” Jane cut in. “Do what you’ve got to do, and don’t ever forget who you are doing this for. Fuck him!”

Holly gasped. Her mother had never swore in quite that manner.

“I don’t want to, but you’re right. I’ll try.”

“Yes you will, and you’ll do a good job of it, too. Stay strong, baby girl. I have faith in you. Love you.”

“Love you, too.” After disconnecting the call, she took a couple of deep breaths to calm her heart.

JAKE

He was mistaken. Delusional. It could not possibly have been Holly. It couldn’t be. He was seeing things again. It had simply been some freckle-faced woman who didn’t look anything like her. She wasn’t a doctor, because if she was, he would’ve known. 

There was no way she was a doctor.

“Jake?” Aggie called. “Are you okay? It looks like you’ve seen a ghost.”

He cleared his throat. “Yeah, no, I’m fine. I think I might have hurt that intern, though.”

Aggie raised an eyebrow. “That was you?”

He smiled, softly. “She has a bit of an attitude, don’t you think?”

Just say her name, just say her fucking name.

“Not really. She’s the sweetest thing you’ll ever meet. For some reason, she doesn’t like tall, dark-haired Olympian gods,” Aggie teased.

Fuck! Jake grinned to cover up whatever he was feeling. “I left my phone here.” He bent over the desk and saw his white Samsung in its ice-blue case. “Thanks. Give my apologies to the mouse I scared.”

He left Aggie and her chuckling, taking the elevator down. Thoughts ran rampant in his head, all of them about Holly. It had been four years and now, six months before his wedding, he was starting to see all sorts of natural, strawberry blondes again. Everywhere he went, there they were: at the store, at the pharmacy, and that one girl who’d visited a patient at P&E. He remembered Rod laughing at that, wanting to know if he had a thing for strawberry blondes. He’d replied with a grunt and a snort.

Was this the universe’s way of telling him he was making a mistake by marrying Kate?

Still, none of those girls had been her, because every time they’d turned around, he would see Holly’s face for a few seconds, before their features morphed into reality. This time, though, he’d waited for the change, but never got the chance to see it. Never got the chance to apologize, either, because she’d simply rolled away on her wheelie shoes.

No. It wasn’t Holly. Holly wasn’t a doctor.

Palming his phone, he touched the number three for a few seconds before moving his finger. The screen automatically brought up Kate’s smiling face as it dialed.

She answered on the third ring. “Hey, babe, where are you?”

“Still at Downsend. I’ll see you in a bit, okay? There’s something I have to do.”

“Okay, don’t take too long,” she said. “Love you, bye.”

He sighed, disconnecting the call.

Jake studied every female doctor in his line of sight as he walked, passing many. Ever since he laid eyes on the strawberry blonde, he secretly wished he could see what she looked like again. 

At reception, Pam smiled at him. At least he thought that was her name.

“What are you still doing here?” 

“Could you do me a favor?”

“For you, anything,” she flirted.

Jake clenched his teeth in irritation, but managed a smile. “I need all the interns’ files, please.”

She narrowed her eyes. “The interns’ files?”

“Yes, that’s what I said. They need to be looked over, nurses and doctors next, and lastly the rest of the staff.”

He was lying through his teeth, without even flinching. He’d become adept at it for the past three years.

“Okay.” She turned in her chair, gesturing for him to follow her.

He followed her to a room on the upper level. Once she showed him where the intern files were, he dismissed her. “Thanks, that will be all for now.” He smiled, waiting for her to close the door.

Turning to the cabinets, his fingers started flipping through the files. This was so stupid. She wasn’t going to be in any of them. He reached the section marked with an S. Slowly flipping through the first few files, his fingers froze on the fifth. It was there, written in big, bold, black letters. SCALLANGER. His eyes flicked between the H and the last name.

With shaking fingers, he pulled the file out and opened it. The first thing to jump out at him was the picture of her in the top right corner. His heart clenched into a tight ball as he looked at the picture.

“What the actual fuck?” he whispered to himself, his eyes scanning over the photo.

He was at a total loss as to what to think. Anger bubbled up in him. How on earth had she become a doctor? He’d never taken her for being that smart, but there she was. He knew it wasn’t easy to become a doctor if you didn’t go to medical school right after college. He’d done it, and by the looks of it, she had, too.

Grabbing his leather briefcase, he shoved her file into it, closed the cabinet, then opened the door.

His heart was pounding.

Why now? Why six months before my fucking wedding?

Shutting the door behind him quickly, he left without a hint of a greeting to anyone.

HOLLY

When Holly finally crawled out of her hiding spot, Jake had left. She filed all Teresse’s paperwork after making sure she’d put everything back in the right order. It ended up being a lengthy process.

Stupid Jake Peters. Why did he have to come back? Here she thought fate was finally on her side, just to get punched in the face one more time. She heard a shrill laugh inside her head, fate’s mirth at her expense. Fate would never be on her side. Ever.

Fate was a bitch.

She couldn’t stop seeing his face in her mind’s eye. He’d been so shocked to see her face, his face had been drained of all vitality. He’d been white as a ghost.

And now, she could only assume what he must be thinking. Why had she become a doctor? And probably, how?

She swiped at an angry tear. It was mixed with the rejection of almost five years ago. The humiliation. He hadn’t even said anything, but why would he? Never in a million years did she think seeing Jake would have this effect on her. She’d swear he’d gotten even more gorgeous over the years. Unbelievably, her heart ached for him, even though he’d left her in the deepest, darkest hole five years ago. How could she still ache for him? 

************

The following day, Holly was surprised to hear that Jake had been in to see Ty at four a.m. It could only mean one thing: he didn’t want to run into her again. The thought made her want to cry all over again. A small part of her had always wondered if he hadn’t simply gotten cold feet about the babies, then changed his mind afterward but had no way of finding her. Now she knew for a fact that that hadn’t been the case at all. He hadn’t wanted to see her, hadn’t loved her the way she’d loved him. The way she still loved him and always would, even though he’d never wanted her or their babies.

How pathetic was she? He was a fucking asshole who’d thrown them away when they’d needed him the most. And she still loved him.

The rest of the week followed the same pattern. Jake only saw Ty when Holly was not around. It was as if he had a crystal ball he peered into, pinpointing exactly where she was at any given time. But whatever. She dealt with it as best she could, and it wasn’t nearly as bad as she’d thought. Besides, she didn’t really want to see him, either. When she slipped into Ty’s room one morning, Mavis flung her arms around Holly.

“Okaaay, we are hugging, yet I have no idea why.”

Mavis let her go. She beamed at Holly, but with tears in her eyes. “Teresse told us what you did, thank you so much.”

“She did? Oh. Oh. It was nothing, really. You should thank my friend. He was the one who handed Ty’s file over to Dr. Peters. And him, too, of course. I mean, you should thank Dr. Peters.” She was rambling. “Just don’t talk about it ever again, and don’t tell anyone. I could lose my job,” she ended on a whisper. What she’d said wasn’t the only reason she didn’t want Mavis to talk about it. She didn’t want him to know she was behind it.

Mavis laughed softly, then pretended to zip her lips closed with her fingers. “He’s so young, though, don’t you think?”

“He is, but he’s the best. Mavis, he’s the one percent of doctors willing to operate. Please don’t change your mind now. I live with the friend I just mentioned to you. Trust me, I’ll not hear the end of it if you decide not to go ahead. Not only that, Ty needs this surgery. He’s in extraordinary hands.”

“He’s just so young.” Mavis sighed

“My mom’s only nervous because she drools over the guy whenever she thinks no one’s watching,” Ty piped up. 

“Ty! I’m nervous because the operation is very dangerous, and you are my child. And Dr. Peters is very young, younger than I’d like the doctor operating on my child’s brain to be. I’m not nervous because I think he’s good looking.”

Holly snorted “Okay, truce. Yes, he’s young, and yes, he has that entire I’m-from-another-planet kind of sexy going for him, and yes, he knows it, too.”

Ty chortled at Holly’s words.

“But I promise you, with human brains, he is not only the best in the US. I believe he’s one of the top ten brain surgeons in the world. Doctors with his talent end up working for presidents one day. Don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers.”

Mavis nodded. “That’s pretty much what I thought, I just never expected he’d be so young. I always thought Peters was the Chinese doctor.” 

Holly laughed. Should anyone Google Jake Peters, the doctor, the first pictures to pop up were the ones of him standing next to Dr. Huyo. They looked like best buds in them.

“So, what did he say?” Holly asked. She hadn’t gotten a breakdown or verdict, as she’d spent days worrying about stupid, shallow stuff.

“He’s waiting for Mom to give her consent.”

Holly gaped at Mavis. Ty could die at any given moment.

“Don’t look at me like that. What he told us scared me.”

“I hope he told you that Ty’s tumor can kill him at any moment.”

Mavis confirmed with a nod. 

“He gave it to us straight. The percentage rate is not very high, something like 40/60, but that’s enough for me,” George said.

“For me, too,” Ty reply tiredly.

Mavis’s expression still belied her concerns. For some reason, she still wasn’t convinced. 

“Look, I know it’s scary, but Ty is going to die if that tumor isn’t removed. Would you rather watch him die knowing you didn’t give him that chance, or watch him die knowing you did and tried everything you possibly could have?”

“That’s what he said, too,” Mavis whispered.

“I’m sorry, but what is the problem then, Mavis? Ty’s on borrowed time. You know that. See this as the last resort. Don’t hesitate, but rather, grasp it with both hands. There’s a chance he’ll make it.”

Sighing, Mavis finally yielded. “Okay, okay, you’re right.” Stepping forward, she hugged Holly. “Thank you. I owe you.”

“You owe me nothing. I’m just thankful I know someone who knows that arrogant jerk,” Holly joked, making Ty give another tired laugh. 

“And you—” Holly pointed at Ty—“breathe. It’s all you have to do for the next couple of days, you hear me?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

********

On Monday morning, Holly made her way to the pediatrics reception desk. As she walked past Ty’s room, she froze when she saw Jake. She wished she could get rid of the feelings he was instilling in her again and pretend to be happy without a care in the world, but she wasn’t like that.

Once she’d greeted Aggie, she went to make coffee for everyone, adding the nut essence and the chocolate syrup to the mocha blend the nurses took turns buying. Last month had been vanilla.

“Ah, the famous coffee.” She heard Jake say just as she was finishing. She ignored him. “Unless it’s going to be thrown at me, may I please have a cup as well?”

The nurses burst out laughing. Holly turned to stare at him through narrowed eyes. Jake looked at her for a second, then back at Aggie, raising his eyebrows as if they were sharing a private joke.

Holly turned around again, huffed, poured herself a cup of coffee, and left. Why was he being so friendly? Surely, he knew who she was, or… although it hadn’t occurred to her before, he might have actually forgotten about her. No, she’d seen his face that day. He knew exactly who she was. So why was he acting this way today?

The sound of laugher followed her, although she couldn’t hear what they were joking about, when she entered Ellie’s room to make sure she was comfortable and needed nothing.

She spent the entire day thinking about Jake. She couldn’t shake the feeling that he didn’t know who she was anymore. They hadn’t dated that long, even though it felt like a lifetime to her. She couldn’t have meant that much to him.

She phoned her mother again.

“Hey, babe.”

“Hi,” Holly sniffed. The fact that he didn’t remember her hurt even more.

“What happened?”

“I don’t think he remembers me, Mom.”

“What!”

“He’s really friendly, but it doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. We didn’t date for long, as you know, so it could be that he easily forgot who I was.”

“No, baby. He didn’t. Believe me, he didn’t. You always remember the first girl you knocked up.”

“Then why is he acting like he has no idea who I am?”

“Guilt? Who knows? Just ignore him, and don’t let this bother you. If that’s the truth, he’s a bigger scumbag than I thought.”

“Okay, maybe it’s a good thing. It means he will never find out, right?”

“That’s the way to look at it. My thoughts are with you, sweetheart. I can only imagine what you are going through.”

“Yeah, I’ll get over it, like I get over everything else.”

“That’s my girl. Love you.”

“Love you too, send kisses to my baby girl.”

She steered clear of Ty’s room for the rest of the day, but walked past it late afternoon. A meow escaped from the room, just when she thought she was in the clear from any jokes about her cat ears.

She laughed and peeked her head inside. No sign of Jake.

“What’s up?” She asked Ty.

“Miss Kitty Cat, did I do something wrong?”

“Like what?” She gave him a sweet smile.

“I don’t know, you’ve been ignoring me the entire day.”

“I’m sorry, Ty. I’ve been busy.”

“You sure about that… Bee Puke?”

She froze. The scumbag did remember her. Huffing, she said, “Seriously. The idiot’s still here?”

Mavis and George laughed.

“He is freaking awesome, Holly,” Ty said with a bit more spark. It was so Jake to light fires in people.

“Ha ha! Okay, I’m going to go now. And don’t take girl advice from Dr. Peters, Ty.”

 Holly shook her head as she left the room. So, he did remember her, and the nickname he’d given her as well. 

What the hell is he doing? Why would he tell Ty that? Shit, is he still here?

JAKE

“Bee Puke?” Ty asked.

“Yes, just call her that,” Jake said.

“You know her, don’t you?”

“From a long time ago, but yes.”

“I’d give anything to know what happened there.”

“Ty,” Mavis warned.

“It’s the tumor,” both Ty and Jake said mischievously.

“She’s coming.” He heard someone calling her, and he lay down on the floor next to the bed just as she passed. 

Ty meowed. He smiled and closed his eyes. The kid was awesome. He couldn’t die.

Her laughter made his heart clench.

“What’s up?” Her voice was light and airy, and Jake got lost in the sound of it as she and Ty spoke to each other.

As soon as she was gone, Jake got up off the floor.

“Dude, she seriously hates you,” Ty said. 

Jake shrugged. “I can’t think why.”

They all laughed. Laughter was good for tumors. He wished this one would decide to shrink from all the laughter, then tomorrow wouldn’t be so hard. But this was reality and tumors didn’t shrink from fucking laughter. If only.

“I would love to know why.”

“If you find out, let me know.”

Wiggling his eyebrows, Jake slipped out of the room, but Holly was MIA again.