Chapter Text
Jack Abbott loved working on the night shift; it always offered something different than what anyone would see on the day shift. Yeah, chairs were still busy, and people were tired and easier to irritate, and you could set your watch to when the bars closed and drunk drivers would cause havoc around Pittsburgh. That was sometimes the harder things to deal with, poor innocent bystanders in the way of thousand pound vehicles under the control of inebriated people.
Something Jack also didn’t like was not being able to see his daughter often. That was still weird for him, saying he had a child. When he and Samira started their fling, it was supposed to be fun, two people who hardly interacted but found each other so interesting. For Jack, it was also a way to finally let go of losing Mallory. He loved his wife, probably always would, but he couldn’t spend the rest of his life in mourning. She would tell him it wasn’t a way to live. Hell, Dana and Robby had to tell him it wasn’t a way to live. This thing he started with Samira was a way for them to blow off steam from their shifts. Then, it turned into something more. No longer a hookup or a simple fling, it turned into real feelings and something Jack could no longer deny himself any longer. He was in love with the resident, one that reminded him a lot of Mallory, and a little bit of Robby in his younger years.
And then, after one night where the tequila was flowing and Jack had to admit she looked as beautiful as a princess, they ended up pregnant. Jack, well, he never really saw himself as a father. He had a lot of issues: losing someone you loved so early in your marriage, PTSD from the Army, phantom pains in his leg, nightmares, and a hatred towards Veteran’s Day and Fourth of July. How could he possibly be a good parent to anything? And Jack, as the idiot he was, told her that before even knowing that they were expecting.
Jack had never seen Samira so hurt, he had seen her angry, it was extremely sexy when she yelled. Sue him that he liked a woman who knew how to put him in his place. But the pain in her eyes, and to think he put it there, that was hard.
After several conversations about where they wanted to go from there, 9 months later, Jack and Samira had Ishani. She was adorable, Jack’s pride and joy. But, they didn’t live together and Jack, well, he worked on nights. But the moments he got to share with Ishani, he was the luckiest man in the world.
The second luckiest man in the world was obviously Robby. Jack had never seen that man smile more ever since he met Dennis Whitaker. Jack found it odd at first, how enamored Robby was with the med student, and then he started to see it, how Robby praised Whitaker, how Whitaker searched for Robby’s approval, how every story of his began with “Whitaker..” or “You wouldn’t believe what Whitaker did today.” Then the whole Nebraska trip happened, Jack wanted to advise him that maybe there were better routes, but why would he do that? That’s rational and Jack and Robby didn’t do rational. So he supported the whole idea, pay and go on this week long trip with the kid you had big feelings for.
Then Jack poached Whitaker for a couple of night shifts, get a better understanding of the man that Robby was apparently now in a relationship with. And Jack understood, he was perfect for Robby. He would fight back, pull Robby out of his ass, make him know he was loved, things Jack wasn’t able to do on the same level as Whitaker. Kid was perfect, sweet and, yea, he was pretty too.
Robby deserved someone that loved him for all that he was, flaws and all. And don’t get Jack wrong, he did love his brother, but he also irritated the ever loving shit out of him. He knew that Robby’s string of relationships following Covid came from him being in a bad place and trying to find help in other places. Whitaker forced him to get help, begged him, and Robby did it, and it greatly improved the man. That and a sabbatical.
And now, his best friend was getting married. Actually married. Despite the whole engagement being a hot fucking mess and Jack hoped he never saw Robby go through that pain of almost losing his kid again. Emery was exactly who Robby and Whitaker needed in their lives, like how Jack needed Ishani. And Jack loved Emery, she was sassy like Robby and sweet like Whitaker. Literally the perfect child for the two of them, and the thought of them losing someone so perfect for them, it shook the entire department.
Jack couldn’t wait to stand next to Robby, watch him commit the rest of his life to someone who loved him for him, and someone Jack approved. He hoped he would get the same when Jack eventually bucked up and asked Samira to marry him. But he wasn’t sure if he was quite ready to do that again. Not yet, at least.
Maybe Jack didn’t like night shift as much as he thought, it made him realize how much he missed out on. Or how much time he had to think.
Jack sighed, wiping the sleep from his eyes, Lena Handzo staring at him over her glasses.
“Something on your mind, pretty boy?”
“Too much, I think.”
She laughed to herself. “Dayshift is starting to show up. I hear there might be a present for you in the breakroom. Don’t shoot the messenger, though.”
“Is it Robby?”
“That wouldn’t be a present, now would it.”
Jack shrugged and walked towards the break room. When he opened the door, he heard a small coo at first. Jack paused and woke up a little, he knew that sound from anywhere.
“My girls!”
Samira smiled softly, adjusting the baby in her arms.
“Good morning, I thought I would bring her by before you got off. I was thinking, maybe I come over today? I don’t work until tomorrow and I thought you would like to spend time with both of us.”
Jack walked over and leaned against her. “I would love nothing more than to do exactly that.”
“You need to sleep though. Tell Shen or Ellis that you need tonight off.”
“You know I can't do that.”
“Robby does.”
Jack made a noise. “Robby is a sucker for Whitaker.”
“And you’re not for me?”
Jack frowned. “Samira, I adore you, you know that. I love you so much that I would be willing to switch to days. But someone has to run the night shift.”
“Ellis and Shen are quite capable of doing that. Forgive me that I want to spend time with my boyfriend and want my daughter to spend time with her father. So again, Jack, take the next shift off.”
Jack kissed her head.
“Okay, princess. I’ll trade shifts. Only because I want to sleep in the same bed as you for once.”
Samira smiled softly, adjusting Ishani. Jack reached out to take her from her, holding her close to his body. She cooed, nestling into his body. Jack bounced her, smiling down at her.
“She loves you, Jack.”
“I love her..” He kissed her head.
The door opened, laughter filled the room.
“Dr. Mohan! You on today?” Trinity Santos asked, walking towards the coffee machine.
Dennis Whitaker was following behind, waving at them.
“No, and where’s your other half?”
Dennis chuckled. “He is on Pre-K drop off duty today.”
“And please enlighten the star-crossed lovers on how much Hucklebaby loves school.” Trinity smirked.
Dennis sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “Emery said that people are dumb and she would rather spend her days in the hospital and with Uncle Jack.”
Jack laughed, controlling his volume so the baby didn’t get fussy.
“She said that?”
“Unfortunately.”
Samira chuckled and crossed her arms.
“I hope my child doesn’t come home from school saying she wants to spend time with her Uncle Robby.”
Jack nodded. “Duly noted, baby.”
“Aww, you called her baby. You two are so sweet.” Trinity fluttered her eyelashes at them.
Samira narrowed her eyes at her. “Dr. Santos, I would suggest you turn and go do patient handoff. You too, Dr. Whitaker.”
The ER nightmare twins turned tail and ran out, whispering and giggling to each other.
“They are the worst.” Jack chuckled.
“Yeah, but we love them. Speaking of,” Samira kissed him quickly and scooped Ishani out of his arms, “go do patient handoff, and I’ll see you at your place. I love you.”
“I love you more.” Jack waved goodbye to his daughter and walked out of the breakroom to finish his shift.
Dennis watched as the senior attending walked towards the Hub, speaking to Lena as soon as he got there. Trinity leaned in, making him jump.
“Don’t tell me you also have the hots for Abbott.”
“Ew! No. I don’t go for older, taken men. Just older men.”
“You, Mohan and Crash need to have a sit down about who has the hottest older partner.”
“Me, by far. Have you seen Robby?”
Trinity shuttered. “Lesbian. And he’s my boss.”
“Mine too and future husband in T-minus one month.”
Trinity rolled her eyes and sipped her coffee. “Speaking of, I looked into the floral shop you wanted. That’s an absolute no, Huck. It sucks. Terrible reviews. It’s why Crash and I took it upon ourselves to find and order arrangements from a better one.”
“You have got to be kidding.”
“Nope. Dead serious. It’s why I’m your MOH.”
“No, you’re my best friend filling in for Lucas since he lives in Nebraska and can’t help much with wedding planning.”
“Crash and your best friend in the world are planning the best wedding in the world.”
Speaking of, Victoria Javadi walked up beside them, fixing her earrings.
“Well good morning, Dr. Crash.” Trinity smiled at her. “You sleep well?”
“Huh.. oh, uh, yeah, just fine.”
Trinity and Dennis looked between them and then Dennis looked around for McKay. Trinity held in a snicker, gesturing to the hickey barely hidden by her undershirt.
“Is your butch girlfriend not wearing a shirt today?”
“Huh?”
Trinity gave a wicked smirk. “You heard me.”
“Pretty sure it was yesterday she wasn’t wearing an undershirt.” Dennis commented.
“Could you two please drop it? I don’t mention either one of your sex lives at work!”
“That’s because I don’t bring what Robby and I do at home to work.”
The girls looked between each other and then back at Dennis. He looked at them weirdly, mouthing what at them as they began patient handoffs. They both shrugged and walked off ahead of him, leaving Dennis absolutely confused as to what they were talking about.
They followed Dr. Ellis as she went over patients from the night. Dennis noted that Robby would be pleased to know that they got patients moving in and out, keeping people in chairs happy and not waiting as long, and beds open.
On the overheads, a trauma was announced, 5 minutes out. Trinity pushed away from Dennis to check it out, Victoria on her heels. He shrugged and decided to stay patients, clear up some beds. Starting with the older gentleman and his wife sitting in South 20.
“I’m Dr. Whitaker, can you tell me what’s brought you in today, Mr. Rogers.”
Mr. Rogers smiled gently at Dennis. “Adam, please. Last night, while we were getting ready for bed, I felt a bit faint. Maggie here, my wife, well she was worried it was a heart attack so we drove straight here. I feel fine now.”
Dennis smiled softly at his wife. “It’s a good thing you brought him in, we just want to rule out any possibilities that it was a heart attack and figure out the source of it.”
He did his check up of him, making mental notes of what he saw. He then asked the routine questions, trying to get a better sense of what was happening. As he did so, he watched Maggie hold onto his hand.
“How long have you two been married?”
“50 years. We were high school sweethearts.”
Maggie smiled fondly. “We graduated, got engaged at graduation and then one year later we were married. Wouldn’t change it for the world. There’s no one I would rather spend my life with.”
Dennis smiled.
“You, sweetheart?”
Dennis looked up.
“Oh, forgive me!”
“No, it’s okay! It’s that midwestern charm I have. I get called sweetheart a lot on a daily basis, so don’t apologize. And, I’m getting married in a month. Not a high school sweetheart, but.. I guess something equivalent to a soulmate.”
Dennis loved talking about Robby, especially when it came to their relationship. He would never directly say it to patients, that was too informal, but he would always gush. It just happened.
“Okay, Mr. Rogers, we’re going to run some tests, rule out anything of concerns. I’ll come check back on you once I get some of those tests.”
Dennis shut the door behind him, praying that this would end well, he could go home with his wife. He walked over to the Hub, informing Dana of the tests he ordered for South 20, hoping she could work her magic and push them up.
“Kid, if I could do that, this ER would be magically empty.”
Dennis laughed softly. “My bad.”
“Where’s your other half?”
“You’re the second person to ask me that. He’s on drop off duty today. He should be here closer to 8.”
She nodded and then looked down at her computer.
“Why 20?”
“There’s this.. older couple in there, and I’m worried he might be having heart problems and I want them both to come out of this okay, that’s all.”
Dana smiled to herself.
“You’re sentimental because you’re getting married.”
“That’s not true! I just.. uh.. care a lot about my patients.”
“That I know is true.” Dana leaned in, placing her hand on his arm. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Dennis flashed her a smile and walked off to take another patient.
Robby walked into the ED 20 minutes before 8. It meant he’d stay longer, he didn’t mind, he normally stayed later anyways. He placed his bag at his station, smiling softly at the photo of him, Dennis and Emery.
“Well look who’s here.”
Robby turned and shrugged at Dana.
“Sometimes I decide to work.”
She rolled her eyes with a smile.
“So what do we have?” Robby gestured to the board.
“Ah.. fractured pelvis in 11, Santos giggled all the way to start charting so must be good. A couple of cheerleaders in 15, a pyramid gone wrong. Couple in 20 who are enamored with your boy.” Dana kept listing off who they had, but Robby zoned out, looking around for Dennis. When he saw the blonde look into 11 with Santos, and had this look of cautious amusement, Robby smiled softly.
“I’m glad to know our patients are in good hands when you’re not paying attention. Didn’t you see him this morning?”
“I did.”
Dana laughed, shaking her head.
“You’re unbelievable.”
Robby shrugged and decided to see what this pelvis was about. He walked towards 11, grabbing an iPad to read the chart. He did pause though, when reading the fracture was caused during sexual activities. Robby placed the iPad back where it belonged and decided that he didn’t need to step in, just remind Santos not to openly make fun of the patient even though he had to know what activities caused them to break their pelvis. Because now he needed to prepare on the off chance that happened at home. Robby would rather travel out of state to a different ER than to be teased by his colleagues for who knows how long.
Robby walked over to South 15, but stopped as he could hardly get into the room without there being a cheerleader. This felt like a hazard. Robby snagged Jesse as he was walking back towards the Hub.
“Who’s patient.. Or patients?”
“Langdon’s, I think.”
Robby let out a noise and nodded.
“You know where he’s at?”
Jesse nodded and gestured back behind him.
“Him and Emma are down in 18, they had a cyst to drain, should have seen the size of that thing, Robby. Oh, and Whitaker is down there too in 20, in case you were wondering.”
Robby chose to ignore the smirk on the nurse’s face and mumbled a thanks as he went to chase down Frank.
“Langdon! What’s happening in 15?”
Frank turned as he rubbed in the hand sanitizer.
“Robby, I swear to you, they keep multiplying. I’ve tried to send them to the cafeteria, to a waiting room, hell, back to chairs, I don’t know where they are all coming from.”
Robby looked back over at 15.
“Explain the situation.”
Frank crossed his arms, his gaze following Robby’s.
“Early practice gone wrong. They were practicing a pyramid formation when their base, the actual patient, went down. Coach called 911, paramedics brought her here. The rest of them were evaluated on scene, nothing more than some bumps and bruises. One has a minor concussion, I think the one they call the flier? She went to a different hospital, not completely sure why. I tried giving this one to Linton, as a good first year intern thing, and she brushed me off.”
“You’re good at making first years upset with you, maybe it’s a talent.”
He huffed out a chuckle. “Wow, thanks, Robby. Real supportive of me.”
“You know where she is? I can talk to her.”
“Linton, I think, is somewhere up in North.”
Robby nodded and made his way there. “Clear out 15, Langdon! Might be a fire hazard.”
He walked towards the North rooms, finding Linton sitting in North 6 with two older women. Robby knocked and walked in.
“Dr. Linton, who do we have here?”
Lindsey Linton, previous med student when Robby and Dennis adopted Emery, now first year intern, sat in a chair next to the bed, holding the hand of the woman sitting in it. She looked upset, which was out of character for the woman. She was pretty unemotional, but deeply caring of her patients.
“Dr. Robby, meet Dr. JoAnn Gaines,” she gestured to the woman in the bed, “and Marsha Linton,” gesturing to the woman beside her.
Robby made the connection pretty quickly.
“Ah, your grandmother who worked here.”
“Yessir. Up in ortho.”
Robby chuckled. “I can see why ortho moves at their own rate, lost a good doctor.”
Marsha gave a sad smile and looked at her mother.
“Mom, you hear that? Ortho needs their best doctor back.”
However, Dr. Gaines just seemed out of it, both Linton women looked away.
“I’ll get back out there, Dr. Robby. I’m not her doctor, since, well, family. I tried to grab Whitaker, he seems to be the best with older patients.”
“Did you page him?”
She shook her head.
“Take 5, then go find Langdon and help him with the situation in 15. I got your grandmother.”
Linton nodded and hugged her mom before walking out. Robby turned to Marsha.
“You have a smart kid. She’s good in the ER.”
“Well, she wanted to do ortho like mom, but you and your team charmed her last year.”
Robby chuckled, moving in to do a checkup on Dr. Gaines. “We don’t win all the med students, not everyone likes emergency medicine. Tell me about your mother and why you are here today?”
Marsha sighed and looked at her mother. “My mother has dementia, I believe we’re in stage 6?”
Robby gave an odd look at that.
“Not exactly end-stage dementia, but we’re close. She has become withdrawn, a shell of who she once was. Sometimes we have her, she’s making jokes, telling Linny how proud of her she is, and then next.. It’s like I don’t know my own mother.”
“She’s not A&O now, is she?”
Marsha shook her head. “I call this her sleep state. She’s awake, but it’s like she doesn’t exist.”
Robby nodded.
“Anyways, late last night I got a call from the facility. She was aware, then became combative when she started sundowning. They tried to handle her, but last night.. Anyways, she ended up slamming her head against the wall when trying to escape and they immediately called 911. We’ve been here since last night, Dr. Abbott worked with us, but they’re waiting on a bed in the ICU. I.. I can't keep sitting here and lose my mother. This is worse than death, Dr. Robby. And Linny.. She’s been so strong but I know it’s affecting her as well.”
“Dementia is a horrible disease, Mrs. Linton. Have you been screened?”
Marsha smiled sadly. “There’s a likelihood I will have it, and so will Linny. But to break that news to her? Especially this young and thriving? I can’t do that to her. You must understand, Dr. Robby.”
He nodded.
“I saw something similar with my grandmother. Not dementia, but losing the person I knew. She died while I was in med school, I blamed myself for not being there when she did, but I also know it’s what she would have wanted. That I carry the memory of who she was and not what she looked like at the end. I can understand wanting this to end. It’s hard, you’re grieving someone who is still alive.”
She smiled sadly.
“You worded that so well..”
“I’m old, I’m good with my words. It’s why my partner loves me so much.”
“How long?”
“Two years. We’re getting married next month. Which is..” he laughed softly, “crazy to think we’re getting married.”
“And so soon.”
Robby shrugged. “I’m a weird man when it comes to relationships. Two years is huge for me.”
He finished charting some information and looked at the two women. He felt badly for them, especially his own intern for handling all of this on her own.
“I’ll make sure your mother gets moved upstairs and gets the care she needs. I would talk to her doctor, ask about the next steps.”
“Thank you, Dr. Robby.”
“Of course.”
Robby walked out and sighed, tossing his gloves into the bin and rubbed the hand sanitizer in. He looked over at Linton who wore the same RBF as a cheerleader complained about the lack of chairs. He chuckled to himself when he caught her saying, “well this isn’t the waiting room.”
Robby's eyes then went towards the blonde curls standing at the Hub, hip jutted out as he looked up at the patient board. Dennis chewed on his thumb nail as he stared up at the patients. He walked over, placing a hand on his hip, blocking it with his body.
Dennis nearly jumped, but looked up at him.
“You know better than to sneak up on me, Dr. Robby.”
“My apologies, Dr. Whitaker. Did I catch you cherry picking?”
“No sir, I’m just.. waiting for my couple in 20 to be moved upstairs.”
Robby hummed and leaned down to mutter just for him.
“Are they special in any way?”
“They’re high school sweethearts, been married for 50 years. They think I’m charming.”
“You are charming.”
Dennis smiled up at Robby. Anyone with eyes could see how much Dennis loved Robby and vice versa. People who worked with Robby as long as they have, knew a relationship like this for Robby was so rare. Dana watched Robby whore himself off for years, it made her upset for him and upset at him. But when Dennis stepped into his life on that fateful shift, she knew his life was changed for the better.
People that worked in the ED had become used to Robby and Dennis flirting in the department while dedicating their full selves to the job. They would also fight anyone who would speak poorly about the young Whitaker-Robinavitch who would put glittery stickers on the badge buddies and draw them pictures when she would hide underneath Dana’s desk.
If the ER could shut down on the day of the wedding, it would. People wanted to see the man who could never settle down dedicate the rest of his life to the man that people used to not take seriously. Night Shift did threaten Robby that if anyone from the wedding party ended up in the ER, he owed them all three rounds at the bar down the street. And Robby agreed to that deal.
“So, Mr. Charming-“
“Dr. Charming, please.”
Robby rolled his eyes. “Dr. Charming, what are you hoping for?”
“Good news.”
Dana waved, snapping them out of their bubble. “Tests are back for Mr. Rogers in 20.”
Dennis jumped and grabbed an iPad, looking at the results.
“Heart arrhythmia! Yes!” Dennis froze. “Uh.. you didn't hear that. I’m not excited. Gotta go to 20!” Dennis scurried off towards South 20, going to deliver the news to the Rogers family.
When Dennis walked in, he found Adam alone, reading a book.
“Mr. Rogers.. where’s your wife?”
“Bathroom. Why?”
“I have your test results back. We should wait for her.”
He shook his head, setting his book in his lap.
“Go on and tell me, I’ll tell her when she gets back.”
Dennis nodded. “Well, Mr. Rogers, from your test results, it looks like you have a slight heart arrhythmia. These are irregular/abnormal heart rhythms that can cause dizziness like you had experienced. Now, while it’s not the best news, it’s not a heart attack. Cardiology will come down and admit you soon, they’ll likely tell you how to deal with it. Possibly monitoring and medication, on the worst case scenario, inserting a pacemaker in. They will have more information for you.”
“So not bad news, but not the best good news.”
“Exactly.”
Mr. Rogers nodded, seeming content with that answer. “I’m glad I’m not dying, I can’t stand the idea of leaving my Maggie all alone.”
“I completely understand, I would feel the same if I was in your shoes. My fiance means the world to me, like I told y'all earlier, he’s my soulmate.”
“Maggie’s mine.” He smiled fondly. “I remember the first day I met her. She walked into Algebra, head held high and I swore I would marry her. It took some time, and she even turned me down! But.. then we got locked in a classroom together and we got to know each other and the rest is history.”
Dennis smiled gently.
“I met my fiance here. We just clicked and, well, like you said, the rest is history.”
Mr. Rogers chuckled. “He must be lucky.”
“I think I’m the lucky one. I'll check back on you when cardiology comes down.”
Dennis pulled the curtain closed and walked back towards the Hub, finding Robby speaking to Maggie. She seemed enamored by him, because who wouldn’t be?
Dennis walked up, Robby putting his hand on his shoulder.
“Dr. Whitaker, Mrs. Rogers was telling me how well you were taking care of her husband. I also made her aware you updated her husband on his situation.”
Dennis nodded. “Mr. Rogers is going to be okay, heart arrhythmia. Cardiology is going to come down and admit him, I let him know I’d be back when they came down.”
“You are amazing, Dr. Whitaker.”
Dennis stood up a little straighter and smiled gently. “Just doing my job, ma'am."
Maggie made her way back to her husband's room as Robby turned to him.
“Those patient satisfaction scores, Dr. Robby, about to go way up.” Dennis poked his shoulder.
As he turned to walk off, Robby grabbed his wrist and pulled him back. Dennis stifled a giggle and ducked his head down to avoid Robby seeing how pink his face was.
“You are very good at what you do, Whitaker.”
“Learned from the best, I suppose.”
Robby smiled lovingly at him.
“I suppose you did.”
Dennis smiled softly and walked off, going to pick up another patient. Robby just watched him go and all he could think about was that that was the person he was going to spend the rest of his earthly life with. How lucky was he?