While busying himself setting up the computer, Steven cell phone went off. "Hello?"
"Well... what did he say?" Patrick's voice said.
"He hasn't given me an answer yet... we sort of got into an argument."
"That's not like Dare... so that mean it has to be your fault. What did you do Steve? Did you fuck things up?" Patrick asked accusingly.
"It was a slip of the tongue," Steven said weakly.
"Out with it," Patrick demanded.
"I used the word `shun' in front of him."
"God... did I end up with all the brain when we were born?" Patrick swore.
"I know... it was a big mistake."
"I told you to read those files I gave you... it is a pretty accurate list of topics not to discuss with Dare... the top one being anything to do with shunning."
"I'm sorry... I really meant to read them and even went to my computer to open the files but then I got distracted on wanting to give Dare a computer."
"You tried to get him a gift?" Patrick moaned.
"Don't start... it took me forever to find something for him to barter with."
"And what would that be... knowing you, you got him some over-powered over-priced machine that he will never use."
"Sex." Steven replied.
"What?"
"The hospital has been keeping a pot which goes to the person who beds Daryl first."
"And how big is this pot?" Patrick asked suspiciously.
"Twelve thousand dollars." Steven laughed.
"He's mine! I saw the most fabulous dress EBay that I've just got to have."
"Sorry... you have to be hospital staff."
"I could always drop by in my nurse's outfit," Patrick threatened.
"Don't you dare!"
"That's the whole idea... me doing Dare."
"Stay away from him Patrick. If you want the dress so badly I'll loan you the money."
"I have a better idea. How about we both sleep with Dare at the same time and split the money 50/50."
"Now that would be fun," Steven chuckled.
"So it is a deal?"
"Yes... I'll bring Dare home as soon as we get off work."
"I'll be sure to have the whips and chains ready then," Patrick joked.
"I forgot... which boyfriend of yours left those behind?"
"It was Tom."
"What ever happened to him?"
"I don't know... I dumped him when he wanted to put me in that sling," Patrick replied.
"I think we still have that stored somewhere in the basement," Steven chuckled.
"Good... keep it there. That thing gave me the creeps.
Is there anything else up?"
"Yes, I gave Dare his discharge papers today... dang he didn't sign it."
"You better make sure he does," Patrick warned.
"I'll do that now," Steven said. "Catch you later."
Snatching the paper from the desk, Steven rushed back up to the ER, grabbing Jessica. "Where's Dr. Gavin?"
"In trauma. A pregnant woman came in with a gunshot wound... it hit the baby. The woman is going to survive. Our archangel is trying to save the child."
"Damn..."
Going to the observation room, Steven looked into the trauma unit. The nurses were getting ready to roll the mother out while Daryl seemed to be working with lighting speed on the premature baby. Twice the infant needed to be resuscitated with Daryl continuing well past the standard time that such efforts were to be made. In the end, the archangel of Memorial Hospital achieved another miracle... the infant leaving for the operating room in stable condition for further surgery.
When Daryl finally left the room, he looked tired and haggard even as he wore a weak smile on his face. Half the ER staff, including Steven clapped and cheered when Daryl came out.
"That's one you're going to have to write an article on for the Journal of Trauma," Dr Richardson said, slapping Daryl hard on the back.
"It was what I had to do," Daryl replied, sounding exhausted.
"Tim... I think Dr. Gavin could do with the rest of the day off," Steven said.
"I think you're right," Dr. Richardson nodded. "Take off Daryl... you deserve it."
"I..." Daryl said as if he was going to protest before slumping to the floor unconscious.
Well that takes care of another chapter of Love In Passing. I hope you enjoyed it. All of Love in Passing can be found on the Yahoo group as well as most of the new story The Children of Mir. I hope you consider dropping by. On the UK and Canadian Amazon pages pre-sale orders are available for the first two books of the Centurion Series, The Academy and The Centurion. If you have problems finding the books links have been set up in the yahoo group's link page.
Have a good week and take care.
JMH trandar2002@yahoo.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/adultwritingworkshop/