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Date Posted: 14:53:49 01/12/08 Sat
Author: Mary
Author Host/IP: cpe-72-224-142-55.maine.res.rr.com / 72.224.142.55
Subject: Characters & Shadows - Chapter 30
In reply to: Mary 's message, "Characters & Shadows - Cont." on 20:44:05 01/09/08 Wed

Chapter 30

Michael had brokered no argument with Nikita, and it wasn’t like she was strong enough to argue with him anyway. Even still it took quite some effort to get her up and to the ER. Luckily it was not busy and Brian was waiting for them. He immediately got them back into a room and started examining Nikita.

He let Michael come back because the moment that he saw his friend he knew that trying to hold him back was useless. Michael had always been stubborn and strong but Brian had a feeling it might be lethal to try to separate him from the lovely but quite ill Nikita. Brian did not like what he saw seeing as he began the initial exam and as things progressed he grew more concerned over what he was dealing with. While Nikita obviously didn’t feel she needed to be there she wasn’t difficult to work with and answered all his questions before she promptly went back to sleep with Michael right next to her.

Brian ordered blood work and asked for it to come back as quickly as the lab could get it. He also started a broad spectrum antibiotic in hopes of staving off the worse effects of her illness and acetaminophen to bring the fever down that was becoming quite high. She complained that the light in the room was starting to disturb her eyes and he had the lights turned down so she could rest.

Now he impatiently awaited the blood results before he told them of the nest step. Neither one of them would like it and he wanted to be sure that he was right before he faced that battle. He was taking proper precautions of course and had made sure that minimal personnel were involved until he had a more definite diagnosis.

Finally the nurse arrived from the Lab with the results that he needed. He was scanning the numbers before she even started talking, “The white counts are off the charts Dr. Whitman. Do you want to order the spinal tap now or contact the CDC?”

Brian was scanning all the results and he didn’t like what he saw at all, “I want the blood worked again to be sure.”

“I already have that started.”

Brian ran a hand through his light hair and took a deep breath, “Thanks Gwen. I need to talk with them. Then determine next steps. Get me Dr. Branscom right away, I’m gonna’ need his help with this.”

“Right away Dr.”

Brian walked back into the room here he had left Michael and Nikita. Michael stood immediately and looked at his friend.

“How is she?” Michael asked the question with such hope in his voice and Brian hated that he had to tell his friend such news.

“I have the blood work back,” he said in hushed tones. “Can you wake her, she will want to know this?”

But Michael sensed something right away and placed himself between the sleeping Nikita and the doctor, “Brian? What is going on?”

As much as he wanted to there was protocol and Brian had to follow it, “Just wake her for me, please.”

Michael paused and then turned and did as Brian asked dreading every moment, “Nikita? Nikita? Wake up, Brian is here.”

She stirred and opened her eyes with a bit of a grimace. “What’s going on?” she asked a bit confused.

Brian took his best doctor tone as he delivered the news that he did have, “Nikita. I have your blood work back from the Lab.”

He waited to let her absorb that and to make sure she was awake, “It confirms that you have a father severe infection. I’m concerned that based on your symptoms and how quickly this has come upon you that you may have a strain of meningitis.”

Her eyes widened in fear and she paled considerably, “What? No. I can’t have that.”

She was squeezing Michael’s hand in her fear and he couldn’t believe his ears either. His concern over this just went through the roof with those words. “Brian, are you sure?”

The doctor understood their fears immediately and told them as much as he could, “There are additional tests that need to be done right away. I need to do a spinal tap to check the fluid in the spinal cord, that is the only way I can be 100% sure what we are dealing with. I’ve called in a friend of mine a specialist in communicative diseases. You’ll like him, he’s the best.”

Nikita was shaking in her fear and Michael’s focus went to her, “Michael? I don’t understand. How?”

He stroked her hair back from her face and never lost contact with her as he tried to sooth her, “Hey, it’ll be ok. Whatever this is we can fix it, you’re going to be fine. Right Brian?” Michael asked as he turned his head to look at his friend.

“We are going to take the very best care of you Nikita. But things are going to have to move quickly and I need you to understand that. If we are dealing with meningitis the next hour or so is critical. It is a fast moving disease and we have to move fast to counteract that.”

She listened trying to comprehend what he was telling her, her thoughts seemed to be foggy, “What do you have to do first?” she asked in a very small voice.

Michael listened intently to the answer as Brian told them, “First the spinal tap to check for signs of the infection in the fluid. Then we’ll do a CT scan of your head. Dr. Branscom should be here in a few minutes and he’ll help. I’m also going to need to know everyone that you have had contact with for the last 48 hours. This is a contagious disease and we will have to watch for any spreading.”

Now Nikita began to cry, sobs wracked her and she couldn’t help it as she asked, “You mean I could have given this to Michael?”

But Brian was quick, “I didn’t say that at all. While Michael has been exposed he does follow the normal profile of someone that could easily get this disease. Let’s not jump ahead of ourselves here. We have to confirm what you have and then determine the best way to get you better.”

Brian continued, “I’m going to get the tests scheduled and I’ll be back just as soon as I can.”

As he turned to leave Michael called after him, “Brian, thank you.”

The young doctor replied, “No problem. Watch over her. If there are any changes let the nurse know right away.”

Michael turned his attention back to her and wiped the tears off her pale cheeks, “Kita you are going to be fine. Brian will figure this out and we’ll get you better.”

“I’m so sorry Michael, for all of this.”

“Sh, no need for that. Now is there anyone else you want me to call?”

She was confused and growing tired, “Anyone else? Like who?”

“Considering that you are still wearing that cute waitress uniform I thought you might want me to call whoever you work for and let them know what’s going on.”

She looked down at herself and realized with horror that she had never changed from work last night.

“You want to tell me what is going on Nikita?”

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