Chapter 4 — Zoe

The two officers stepped past Rudy, the dog didn't move or react, even as they scratched his head on their way coming by. They looked serious; Hank with his mouth slightly agape and Adrian with his lips pressed into a hard line. The color drained from their faces as they took in the sight of their fallen comrade, Officer Sam Dalton. Despite his injuries, both men noted how well-kempt and clean Dalton appeared. He was scrubbed pink, his shoulder-length black hair freshly washed and piled onto the top of his head. The laceration above his right eye was bandaged.

Adrian was the first to come to his bedside, extra careful not to kick over the bubbling chest tube chamber on the floor. Hank followed but stood facing Adrian. Zoe stood quietly at the foot of the bed, allowing them to take in everything. Of the two, Zoe though Hank was more receptive than Officer Blumenthal. Hank's pale icy-blue eyes welled ever so slightly with salted tears… threatening to roll down his cheek if they filled anymore. One of his hands rested on the bedrail while the other one softly grasped Sam's forearm. "We are here for you, brother. Adrian and me, Hank. And Rudy, too." Adrian looked at Hank as he spoke, then back to Sam who looked so tired, he could have been sleeping. Without taking his eyes off him, Adrian finally spoke, "He looks better."

Zoe smiled as Adrian faced her.

"So, you wash all of him? Like, everything?" Like two teenage boys, the two officers began to snicker. Zoe gave them a curt nod before Adrian continued, "Well, he is not going to like that one bit. Could have bought him dinner first before checking out the goods."

Zoe wanted to laugh, but her professionalism overtook her. "Alright, you two rascals, out. I have things to do." Hank and Adrian exchanged grins again.

"Just wanted to brighten the mood, that's all."

The officers left and Zoe whipped the curtain shut and moved to the equipment cart pulling out blood tubes and other phlebotomy pieces. She then took the blood from one of the lines and wistfully examined Officer Dalton's face. "I will happily buy you dinner when you make it out of here if you like." Placing the vials of blood into a bag and disposing of her gloves, Zoe left the room.

* * *

Adrian and Hank were almost too large for the chairs Amber had given them, but neither cared for their friend was alive. Adrian was not bashful as he watched Amber scurry around the unit, her passion for work, especially on this night, was appealing for the hardworking, blue-collared man. Despite being so busy, Amber was sensitive to Officer Blumenthal's harden stare… men staring at her was not a new thing for the bubbly brunette with bouncing curls. Amber stepped purposefully with an extra swing, her slender hips taunting Adrian as she darted across the unit. Adrian's lips tugged into a slight one-sided smile as his neck craned to examine the way Amber's curved backside looked as she bent over the desk, answering the phone. "Would you look at that?" Hank stopped talking, realizing Adrian hadn't heard literally anything he said. Hank grunted in response, mildly annoyed. "Think I got a chance, buddy?"

"No. The only thing she would ever let a man like you lick would be the bottoms of those purple clogs."

"I would gladly lick those… before I…"

Both officers straightened up and become quiet as Zoe emerged from the room with a biohazard bag tucked up under her arm as she washed her hands.

"One thing I do know, brother… he is going to like that one."

"Agreed. He is so lucky."

Both officers chuckled. Adrian resuming his stalking of Amber as Hank, significantly less obvious, almost shy glanced in the direction of the beautiful blonde, "the leader" of the nurses he assumed.

* * *

Zoe found an unused portable workstation and unplugged it from the wall and headed towards the nurses' station where Amber was standing. "He staring you know… like you are a delicious meal." Zoe remarked softly, amused.

"Oh darling, I know. I am that delicious." Amber shot a sideways-glance at Zoe and winked. "How long do you think before I have his balls tucked neatly into my back pocket?" Zoe giggled and in unison, the two nurses challenged the officers, with stares of their own. Caught off-guard, Adrian nearly lost his seat in the rolling chair which caused Hank to roar. Zoe and Amber burst into laughter, even Katharine who was passing through with an armful of supplies was harmless by the laugh of Officer Lowell. Her lips pursed and the smile that formed then revealed her, freezing the wide-eyed Hank.

"Zoe!" Josie chided. "Your labs came back, and 24's H&H is low. I paged Lake for you." No sooner had Josie ended, the phone rang again and Dr. Lake was on the other end saying he had ordered blood for Officer Dalton and he should be transfused as soon as the units were ready. Taking a moment, Zoe sipped on her cup of coffee and picked up the phone on the first ring when rang again. Hanging up, Zoe put down her cup and headed over to Shauna, who was sitting idly at the desk, playing with her phone.

"Shauna, would you please go to the blood bank and pick up the blood for Room 24,?"

Pretending she hadn't heard the request, Shauna continued typing and even had the nerve to laugh as if she had read something funny. Zoe squinted; Shawna's antics would not be tolerated tonight. The entire staff was so busy, despite how the hours ticked by and here was Shauna, on her ass, taking up space and converting oxygen into carbon dioxide.

"Shauna!" Zoe snapped. Shawna stopped, tucking the phone into her breast pocket. "Yes?" She pretended in a sickeningly sweet voice. Standing, Shauna invaded Zoe's personal space, though she lacked the height to face her nose to nose. Not affected, Zoe stone-walled the mousy girl whose face puckered and soured into a familiar position. "I need you to get blood from the bank for Room 24, for Officer Dalton."

"You think you are so much better than me," Shawna hissed. "It should be me in your shoes, rich little Zoe Walker with the world at her feet. Too bad all of that money can't buy life for you to get a damn boyfriend." Zoe's eyes narrowed into slits which caused Shauna to smile so wide that it reached her eyes.

"Out of the way!" Amber buzzed, barging her way between the two, shouldering Shauna really hard. Embarrassed, Shauna crossed her slender arms across her less than ample chest, storming off.

"I'll get the blood." Amber was already heading towards the door that would lead her to the main elevators.

* * *

Zoe was back at Officer Dalton's bedside priming a new line for the blood as Amber appeared with a small cooler of blood. She had heard her coming when Amber teased Adrian and Hank, "Hi fellas", and cooed Rudy, who hadn't moved. Per protocol, both nurses checked the blood to match the units to both the patient and the order Dr. Lake had written. They signed off on the workstation on wheels that Zoe had rolled into the room to document on. Amber watched Zoe hang the blood, then smile at Sam. A romantic at heart, Amber leaned against the wall and cocked her head purposely. "You like him, don't you?" Zoe stood at his side, one of her hands resting softly on his own large hand as she allowed her gaze to sweep once more over him. "Silly, isn't it?" Amber shook her head softly, a soft curly lock of hair escaping her loose messy bun. "No."

"Zoe, don't let anything that useless cunt, Shauna says get to you. You are better than that…" Before she could finish, Zoe interrupted in a way that only a best friend could. "Come stay over; we get off at the same time." Amber's chin nestled on Zoe's shoulder; she hadn't made a sound. "Hmm, since I already packed. I hope you stocked up on Captain Crunch with Crunchberries!" Amber always had a way of twisting a situation, making light in a time of darkness. Zoe stifled a soft laugh before she nodded and peered back at Amber's large brown eyes.

Zoe and Amber worked on transfusing the reminder of the cooler into Officer Dalton, while Zoe diligently documenting in-between. The extra volume helped Zoe lower Officer Dalton's blood pressure and reduce his heart medications. By 2:30 AM, which also was known as dinnertime, Zoe was even able to turn one medication drip completely off. After repositioning Officer Dalton, Zoe and Amber left the room.

* * *

Rudy was gone, as was Hank. "Nature calls." Adrian quipped happily as if reading Zoe's and Amber's thoughts. That wasn't the only thing calling, everyone on the unit was starving and the smell of pizza carried through the unit. Katharine appeared wheeling a metal cart stacked with pizza, the box was familiar… "Pepper's Pizzeria" was the local's favorite in Silver Bay. Suddenly, the salads that Zoe and Amber had prepared no longer seemed appetizing. The nurses and support staff, with the exception of Shauna, gathered around at the nursing station and sat shoulder to shoulder. Zoe and Amber sat next to one another and across the desk from Josie and Katharine. Engrossed in her food, Zoe listened to the chatter of the others. Some discussed their weekend plans while others babbled about their patients and the craziness that had transpired. "We still have five more hours to go!" Everyone moaned.

Zoe turned her attention back to Room 24. Hank was back with Rudy and was filling a bowl full of water for the K-9. Rudy refused and went back to his post, which caused Hank to frown. Putting down her crust, Zoe wheeled over in her rolling chair, propelling herself with her long legs. She then undid the buckles to Rudy's harness, allowing the straps to fall as Hank watched. Rudy stepped out and padded to the bowl, lapping up the water with rapidity. Sliding from her seat, Zoe kneeled next to Rudy who saw her after he had his fill. As water dripped from his black muzzle, a large pink tongue lolled out and licked his black-rimmed chops. "Good boy Rudy. You are so cute… Oh, yes you are." Zoe had both hands in his thick fur when Rudy tipped over in a heap, rolling onto his back and exposing his belly. Zoe's laughing attracted Amber from her meal and soon, both girls were on the floor, scratching and fawning over the off-duty officer. Adrian and Hank watched the girls with Rudy. "Some guys just have all the luck," Adrian said playfully. Amber stood then and without a word curled her index finger under the chin of Officer Blumenthal and began scratching his goatee. "Jealous, are we?"

"Very," Adrian answered, his eyes glued to Amber's ass as she tipped his head back effortlessly, staring down at him. A crooked smirk swept across her lips as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat; the crotch of his uniform suddenly forming. Adrian moved his legs so that they were wide enough to be on either side of Amber's, it took every bit of restraint for him not to pull her onto his lap. As a self-proclaimed womanizer, this was new territory for Officer Blumenthal. Adrian wasn't a bad guy, but he was used to the badge-bunnies and one-night stands. Yet, here was Amber… beautiful, confident and commanding, getting the very best of him…publicly. Hank and Zoe watched wide-eyed in complete and utter quietness, even Rudy had stopped his wiggling. Bending at the hip, Amber leaned in placing both of her hands on each side of Adrian's thighs, grasping the chair seat. Fascinated with their closeness, Adrian sucked in a sudden breath as Amber tilted her head forward as if talking to his lap. "Down, boy."

* * *

Zoe and Amber were already heading back to the desk when Adrian blinked himself back into reality. Hank slapped him on the shoulder. "I think I'm in love," Adrian sighed and sunk deeper in his seat, tugging at his uniform.

Rudy left behind his fellow officers and padded swiftly to his master's hospital bed, leaping effortlessly between Sam's strategically placed feet, both legs elevated on several pillows so that neither heel would touch the bed. Rudy stared intently at Sam as if he was willing him to wake. When that didn't work, Rudy bumped his nose into Sam's knee and again, slightly harder. Nothing. With a snort, Rudy laid back down, curling his body around himself. Though his eyes closed, his ears remained upright, moving slightly when detecting noise.

* * *

Morning came, and the night staff was completely exhausted as the day team trickled in one by one. Amber and Zoe waited for their fill-ins, all the while making Hank and Adrian promise to come back tonight. Zoe had explained to them that per Dr. Lake; Sam's vital signs, chest x-ray, and labs looked fine. Zoe explained she would be turning off the paralytic tonight and lifting the sedation for the first time. Both officers were hopeful by the news and promised repeatedly that they would be the ones on duty again tonight. Their morning fill-ins came in the form of Officer Paxton and Officer Ross, both rookies who were cute. Upon seeing Zoe and Amber, both lit up. "Wow…" Jealousy surged instantly through Adrian, giving each rookie and effective slap across the back of the head. "Don't even think about it." He warned. River and Paxton swallowed at one another nervously.

After the report, Zoe went to Officer Dalton's bedside. Rudy opened both eyes and lazily looked at her. The rookies had brought food for Rudy. In a small bowl, meat and chicken captivated Rudy but he looked again at Zoe instead. "I know, boy. It'll be okay… you'll see. Your master will come back. He has to." Rudy coasted out of the bed, not like he had before and stared into the bowl of his favorites. Zoe urged, kneeling beside him and finally, almost begrudging Rudy made work of the bowl. Zoe ran her fingers through his fur as the dog was lonely without his partner. It broke Zoe's heart seeing Rudy appear so lost; he leaned his heavy frame into her side as they sat together on the floor. The Ridgeback was warm, like a little heater, and this brought comfort to Zoe, who smiled, draping her arm around it. "Lets' get you dressed for the day." Zoe took the harness and slipped it easily on, buckling each clasp and making sure all the straps were even. As if the harness were magic, Rudy transformed into the dutiful officer at the doorway. Zoe returned to Officer Dalton, and though she knew she shouldn't, she had to graze the backside of her hand down the ruined side of his face. "I will be back tonight, Sam… nothing will keep me away. Until then, rest easy."

Though Officer Paxton and Ross had been warned, they couldn't help but smile like two green boys as Zoe and Amber walked past, arm in arm, their work bags draped over their shoulders. In the locker room, the girls changed. "Zoe, I'm fantasizing about eating Captain Crunch." Zoe laughed as she pulled up her pair of baggy sweatpants.

The girls took the elevator to the top floor of the garage in the chilly autumn morning. "We survived another Halloween." Amber nodded and grinned. Without another word, they climbed into the Yukon and X5 and followed one another to Zoe's house. Though it had a double-car garage, Zoe parked in the driveway. Amber, who had her own garage door opener pulled her smaller SUV inside, knowing they would take the GMC later. Once inside, Zoe deadbolted the door and put her bag down. Amber was already in the kitchen and had made two huge bowls. "Ah, you naughty girl!" Wiggling her finger at Zoe, both girls erupted with laughter as Amber playfully groped the cereal box, dancing around with it as if it were a long-lost lover. "My dream is to be ass-deep in Captain Crunch one day…" Amber took a huge spoonful and shoveled it into her mouth and Zoe gave her a side-eye glance.

"By the looks of things, your other dream is to be ass-deep in Officer Adrian Blumenthal."

It took a good few minutes for both girls to settle in after breaking out into a fit of hysterics, both red-faced with hot spots on their cheeks.

Even though the spare room was set up as a guest bedroom, Amber and Zoe always slept together in the master suite. It wasn't unusual for Amber to stay, especially when their work schedules coincided so frequently. No matter how old they got, sleepovers never got old… it was a tradition for them, ever since they were best friends in high school. Zoe crawled under her down comforter and rolled onto her side to face Amber, already tucked in and waiting for Zoe. Nervously, Zoe looked to Amber. "What do you think he will be like, Officer Dalton, when he wakes up?"

"I'm not sure, but if he knows what good for him… he better be nice." Amber shook her fist out in front of her and Zoe smiled. "Especially after you took such good care of him."

Zoe was quiet and Amber knew why.

"Zoe, what are you going to do? Amber started rubbing Zoe's arm.

"I don't know…but let's have some fun."

* * *

On Zoe's next shift, Officer Dalton had woken up at the worst moment.

Zoe was bending over to adjust her shoe when she heard a drowsy gruff voice call out, "nice ass." She spun around to see the giant of a man smiling.

"Thank you," she laughed, and when Dalton smiled back, his whole face lit up.

"I'm Sam," he said simply, extending a hand towards her, and when she took it, he kissed her knuckles gently. "You know how you see and hear things around you even though you're not conscious? I've been waiting to say something to you, Zoe. Thank you for everything. I think Rudy and I owe you more than pizza once I get off this bed."

"I think you do." Zoe could swear that her heart skipped a beat.