DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All University Hospital stuff is the legal property of Spelling Television. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. All other characters that appear belong to me. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer.

The Child Within
By Kristjan Brezovnik

"Are you going out with Dr Daniels tonight?" Sam asked Megan as they and Jamie slowly walked down the hall.

"If some emergency doesn't show up."

"It probably will," Jamie teased.

"One has to hope."

"Hey, Tracy," Sam greeted Tracy, who joined them. "You look excited," she observed.

"You bet," Tracy said. "Guess who I'm going out with tonight."

"Now that's a pretty tough question," Jamie said.

"Oh, come on, you know him."

"Does he work here?"

Tracy nodded.

"Yes."

"Handsome?" Megan asked.

"Of course."

The three nurses thought.

"Oh, come now, it's not that hard. There are only a few gorgeous men around here."

The three nurses thought some more.

"No," Sam finally said with disbelief. "It's not. Is it?"

Tracy's smile widened as she nodded.

"Who?" Megan asked.

"You're kidding?" Sam continued and Tracy nodded again.

"Who?" Megan insisted.

"You're going out with Dr Harris?"

"What?" Megan said.

"No," Tracy said, disappointed. "I'm going out with Jeff."

"Jeff?" Sam asked.

"The orderly who came here from Atlanta?" Jamie asked.

Tracy nodded, beaming.

"Are you sure he's your type?" Sam asked. "I mean, you usually go for the rich and famous."

"He may be an orderly, but his grandparents are rich. And besides, he is gorgeous."

"Here comes your gorgeous now," Megan said.

The nurses turned to look at Tracy's date.

"Ladies, come with me," Nurse Jenkins ended the conversation.

The nurses followed her to a room where a young girl lay in coma. She was heavily bandaged.

"Tracy, Jamie, help Dr Satoh," Jenkins ordered and the nurses moved.

"What happened?" Megan asked, shocked.

"She was shot."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"Where are her parents?"

"They're dead. They were killed by the same person who shot her."

"Nurse Jenkins," Dr Satoh called and Jenkins nodded to Tracy and Megan to go help him.

When Tracy got from the date, her friends were awaiting a report.

"How did it go?" Jamie asked when none came.

"Ah? What? The date?"

"Yes," Jamie said, confused by Tracy's behavior.

"It was okay."

Tracy's friends looked at each other, concerned.

"Tracy, are you okay?" Megan asked.

Tracy nodded absentmindedly.

"What's wrong?" Sam asked.

"Nothing," Tracy said and her friends looked at her with disbelief.

"Something must be wrong. You usually tell us how the date went, but tonight, you're like your mind was somewhere else."

Tracy sighed.

"I've been thinking about that girl."

"Emily Hershey?" Jamie asked.

Tracy nodded.

"I can't get her out of my head," she said and went to her room.

"This is serious," Sam said.

"We better watch her over the next couple of days," Jamie said. "I have a feeling she's going to be pretty distracted."

Sam and Megan nodded.

Next day, Tracy first went to Emily's room. She stared at her for a while and then took her hand.

"You're not alone, Emily," she said and caressed her.

She stood by Emily's bed until Sam burst in.

"Here you are. Come on, we'll be late for class."

Tracy nodded, caressed Emily again and went to class.

After the class, Jeff came to her.

"Hey there. Feeling any better?"

Tracy smiled.

"Yes. I'm sorry about last night. Look, I'd like to make it up to you, if I can?"

"Sure you can."

"Great! See you at seven?"

"Okay. I'll pick you up."

"Tracy!"

Tracy looked and saw Megan.

"Look, I have to go."

"Sure. See you tonight."

"Yes."

"Tracy."

"What?"

"Emily woke up. I thought you might want to know."

"Yes. Thanks," Tracy said and went to Emily's room.

In Emily's room Doctor Satoh was just checking on Emily.

"How is she?" Tracy asked.

"She's fine," Jenkins said. "She'll be out of here in no time."

Tracy waited until Satoh was done and he and Jenkins left. Then she stepped closer to Emily's bed.

"Hi, I'm Tracy" she introduced herself with a soft smile. "How do you feel?"

"I miss Mom and Dad," Emily said and started to sob.

Tracy took her hand.

"I'm sorry," she said and caressed her. "Do you want to be alone?"

Emily nodded.

"I'll come by later, okay?" Tracy asked and Emily nodded again.

Tracy returned to Emily's room later and slowly got her to talk. She enjoyed the talk so much that she forgot what time it was.

"Oh, my god," she said when she accidentally looked at the wall clock.

"What is it?" Emily asked.

"I have a date at seven."

"Is he cute?"

"He's gorgeous. Look, I already disappointed him yesterday and I don't want to do it again. I'll tell you about it tomorrow, okay?"

Emily nodded.

"And I'll bring him here, so you can see him for yourself."

"Okay."

Tracy hugged Emily.

"Good night, Emily," she said.

"Good night, Tracy."

"Has Jeff came yet?" Tracy asked as she burst into the apartment.

"No," Megan said.

"Where have you been?" Sam asked.

"Don't tell me, Emily," Jamie guessed.

"Yes," Tracy said as she went to her room to change.

She ran to the bathroom and then back when the bell suddenly rang.

"Oh, my god, that's him. Stall him," she told her roommates and ran to her room.

"I'll get it," Jamie said and went to the door.

It was Jeff.

"Hi, I'm Jeff," he said. "Is Tracy ready?"

"Not yet. Come in."

Jeff entered.

"Hi," he greeted Sam and Megan.

"Hi," the said in unison.

"These are Megan and Sam and I'm Jamie," Jamie introduced them.

"Hi."

"Megan!" Tracy called.

Megan left and soon returned with Tracy.

"Hi, Jeff," Tracy said.

"Wow," was Jeff's comment.

"Bye, girls," Tracy said as she and Jeff went out.

Next day, after the class, Jenkins told Tracy to wait.

"I've noticed you're distracted, Tracy," she said.

Tracy nodded, hoping she wasn't in trouble.

"I've also noticed you spend a lot of time in Emily Hershey's room," Jenkins continued.

Tracy nodded again.

"Are you emotionally attached to her?"

"Yes," Tracy admitted hesitatingly.

"Rule number one, never get attached to a patient. Never."

"I can't help it," Tracy said. "I mean, her parents were killed and she's all alone now."

"She has grandparents."

"Still, it's not the same. I know."

Jenkins understood.

"She reminds you of yourself?"

Tracy nodded.

"Look," Jenkins said with a smile, "she'll be all right. She's alive and she has grandparents to take care of her and they'll love her just as she was their own. They aren't some strangers to her."

Tracy nodded.

"I don't mind you spending time with her, but I need you concentrated when you're taking care of patients."

Tracy nodded again.

"I'll try to pay more attention."

Jenkins smiled.

"Good," she said. "You can go now."

Tracy left.

"Well?" Megan asked when Tracy got out.

"Nothing. She just noticed that I've been distracted lately."

"And the date?" Sam asked.

"It was great! He took me to some French restaurant, I forgot the name. He's so sweet."

"You didn't go to bed with him, did you?" Megan asked.

"Nope, not with him. I wait before going to bed with potential husbands."

"You're kidding, right?" Jamie said.

"No."

"That means you won't be able to flirt anymore," Sam teased her.

"Oh, well, every good thing has a down side," Tracy shrugged. "Oh, there he goes. Excuse me. I promised Emily I'll introduce him to her."

"This is getting serious," Jamie said when Tracy was gone. "First Emily and now Jeff."

"At least with Jeff it's a happy news," Megan said.

"I just hope it won't distract her too much."

"Emily?" Tracy asked when she and Jeff entered her room.

Emily opened her eyes and smiled.

"Hi. Well, this is Jeff," she said. "Jeff, meet Emily."

"Hello, Emily," Jeff said and went closer. "I see you look much better. Do you feel as well as you look?"

"My shoulder still hurts."

"I know how that feels," Jeff said, nodding. "I sprained mine once, when I was playing football. Boy, I was afraid to touch it for a week. But don't worry, it'll pass. Say, how old are you?"

"Twelve."

"Still in the primary, hm?"

"Yes."

"Bet you wish you were older."

Emily nodded.

"Yeah, well, when you'll be as old as me or Tracy, you'll realize how time flies. Anyway, I'll leave you two alone. Okay?" He turned to Tracy. "I'll see you later."

"Okay."

They kissed and Jeff left.

"What do you think?" Tracy asked as she sat.

"He's gorgeous."

Tracy smiled.

"Told you so."

Tracy again spent most of her free time with Emily, she only left when her duties called. Finally, in the after noon, Emily's grandparents arrived.

"Emily, dear, we arrived as soon as we could," her grandmother said. "How are you?"

"I miss Mom and Dad," Emily said and Tracy gently squeezed her hand.

"I know, sweetie, so do we."

"I'll leave you alone," Tracy said and got up.

"Grandma, Grandpa, this is Tracy. She's been taking care of me."

"Hello," the grandfather said.

Tracy nodded and turned to Emily.

"I'll see you later."

"Okay."

Tracy left. She was a bit sad because she knew that she wouldn't be able to spend so much time with Emily as she did before now that her grandparents have arrived. She was also glad for Emily to have a family. She sighed and went to find her friends.

In the afternoon, when Emily's grandparents left, Tracy returned to her.

"Hi."

"Hi, Tracy."

"Did they leave?"

"Yes, about half an hour ago."

"Oh."

"They live in New Zealand, you know, and they'll take me there after I'm released."

"I see."

Emily noticed the sad tone of Tracy's voice.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing."

"You sound sad."

"Oh. Well, I'm gonna miss you. And we'll never see each other again."

"Oh. I'll miss you too," Emily said and thought. "We can write! Send pictures! Maybe we could even call!"

Tracy's face brightened.

"Yes, that'd be great!"

They chatted for a while longer, until it was time for Emily to go to sleep. Tracy stayed with her until she fell asleep and then she left. She first went to the toilet.

When she was returning past Emily's room, she saw a stranger messing around Emily's IV tube.

"Hey! What are you doing?" she demanded.

The man looked at her and she could see that he was trying to inject something in to Emily's IV tube.

"Help! Security!" she called and ran to the man. "Stop that!"

She knocked him aside and pulled the syringe out and threw it out of the room. The noise woke Emily, who observed the fight, scared. The man attacked Tracy and hit her in the face. She viciously slapped him back and kicked him in the groin, but the man quickly recovered and hit her in the face and in the stomach. Tracy collapsed to the floor, dizzy. She saw that the man went outside to recover the syringe, but obviously changed his mind for some reason and took a gun instead. Tracy immediately reacted. She got up and threw herself over Emily. The last thing she felt before darkness took her was a sharp pain in the head and Emily, who screamed.

The killer wanted to shoot again, but from where he was standing, Tracy's body was covering the target. He considered going into the room again, but the people were gathering and a security guard was approaching, so he quickly left.

When Megan, Sam and Jamie got to the hospital the next morning, they wanted to go to Tracy, but the room was empty and there was a couple of police officers there.

"Ladies!"

The three student nurses turned.

"Nurse Jenkins," Megan said. "Why is the police here?"

"I'm afraid I have a bad news. Last night someone tried to kill Emily Hershey."

"What?!" came the triple exclamation.

"Is she all right?" Jamie asked.

Jenkins nodded.

"She is, but Tracy is not."

"What do you mean?" Megan asked.

"Apparently she caught the killer as he tried to kill the girl and she tried to stop him. The killer beat her up and when he tried to shoot the girl, Tracy threw herself over her and was shot instead."

The three student nurses were speechless.

"Is... Is she okay?" Megan finally asked, shaken.

Jenkins nodded.

"She is in intensive care. She's in coma."

"Can we see her?"

"Later."

"Have you notified her family?" Sam asked.

"Yes."

"And her mother?" Megan asked.

"I don't know her number."

"She is in Los Angeles. I'll call her when we get home."

Jenkins nodded and left. The three friends were too shocked to talk and they went to class.

When they were off duty, Megan went home to call Tracy's mother and Sam and Jamie went to see Tracy. When they got there, they saw that Tracy's adoptive parents were there. They hesitated for a moment and then decided to wait until they were out.

"How is she?" Megan asked when she cam back about half an hour later.

"Stable," Sam said.

"Did you get her mother?" Jamie asked.

"Yes. She'll be on the first morning flight."

They quietly stood beside their friend's bed, each thinking her own thoughts, hoping that their friend would be all right.

The next morning, Megan, Sam and Jamie came to the hospital earlier than usual.

"Hey, look! Isn't that Tracy's mom?" Jamie asked and pointed at a woman at Information.

"Yes," Sam confirmed and they went to the woman.

"Excuse me," Megan started and waited for the woman to turn. "Hi, we're friends of Tracy," she said. "I was the one who called you."

"Yes, hi. How is Tracy?"

"She's in coma, but she's stable. Come, we'll take you to her."

Palmer picked up her luggage and followed her daughter's friends. When she wanted to enter, the police officers stopped her.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am, but only relatives and authorized personnel are allowed to enter."

"I'm her mother."

"Can I see your ID?"

Palmer showed it to him.

"You are not Mrs Stone," he said as he returned the ID.

"No," Palmer confirmed.

"On my list it says that Mrs Stone is her mother."

"Yes, her adoptive mother. I am her biological mother."

"It's all right, officer," Jenkins stopped the interrogation, "I vouch for Dr Palmer, she is who she says she is."

"But, Ma'am, we have..."

"I know, officer, but I assure you, Dr Palmer is her mother. If anyone gives you trouble about it, send them to me."

The officers looked at his partner, insecure.

"Okay, Ma'am," he finally agreed and let Palmer in.

Palmer entered and put on the protective clothing. Then she went to her daughter. She felt so scared seeing her daughter like that, all wrapped up and attached to machines. She had seen many patients like that, but when it came to her daughter, no past experience could calm her. She took Tracy's hand into her right and caressed Tracy with her left. Then she kissed her on the forehead and wiped a tear that slipped down her cheek.

"Hello, Tracy," she said, her voice trembling, "it's me, your mother. Your biological mother," she added. "I got here as soon as I found out you were hurt."

She wanted to say much more, but she wasn't sure if Tracy heard her and she also didn't want to tire her, so she just held her hand.

Megan was just filling in some form when Jamie came to her.

"Megan, do Tracy's parents know about her mother?"

"I don't know. Why?"

"Because here they come."

Megan looked and saw Tracy's parents.

"I hope they won't make a scene."

When Tracy's parents got to the room, they saw that someone was inside.

"Who is that?" Tracy's mother asked one of the police officers.

The officer checked his list.

"Dr Palmer. She claims to be Miss Stone's biological mother."

"What?"

Tracy's parents looked at each other, surprised.

"What is she doing here?" Tracy's father asked.

The officer shrugged his shoulders.

"Nurse Jenkins vouched for her."

Mr Stone looked around and saw Jamie and Megan, whom he knew to be Tracy's friends. He went to them.

"Excuse me, where is Nurse Jenkins?"

"In her office," Jamie said. "I'll get her."

Jamie quickly left, leaving Megan alone with Mr Stone. She quickly returned with Nurse Jenkins.

"Who is that woman who is with Tracy right now?" Mr Stone demanded.

Jenkins looked at Jamie.

"Dr Palmer," Jamie explained.

"Oh. She is Dr Palmer. She is Tracy's biological mother."

"What? How do you know?"

"Tracy told me. She went through great pains to find her."

"I see," Mr Stone said, not sure how he felt about it. "Thank you," he said and returned to his wife.

"Everything okay?" Jenkins asked Jamie.

"Yes."

"Good."

Jenkins returned to her office and Jamie looked at Megan.

"So far so good," she said and Megan nodded.

Tracy's parents waited outside for Dr Palmer to come out. When she did, they curiously observed her. Palmer immediately guessed who they were.

"Dr Palmer?" Tracy's mother said and offered her hand. "I'm Mrs Stone and this is my husband. We're Tracy's parents."

Palmer shook her hand and then Mr Stone's.

"We were told you are Tracy's biological mother?"

Palmer hesitated for a moment.

"Yes, I am."

Tracy's parents glanced at each other and Palmer felt the tension.

"I'm not trying to take Tracy away from you, but she is my daughter and I want to be a part of her life. I've made the mistake of giving her up once and I won't repeat it." She paused. "Thank you for taking such good care of her," she said and went to her luggage.

"Dr Palmer," Tracy's mother called after her.

Palmer turned.

"Yes?"

"Will you stay here longer?"

"Yes."

"Then perhaps you can come over for a visit."

Palmer was astonished.

"I... Yes, I'd love to. Thank you."

Mrs Stone smiled and then she and her husband went to Tracy. Palmer stood still for a few moments and then picked up her luggage.

"Dr Palmer," Megan called.

"Yes?"

"Have you checked in yet?"

"No."

"Would you like to stay in our apartment while Tracy is here?" Megan offered and glanced at Jamie.

"Yes," Jamie agreed. "Now that Tracy's here, we have a spare bed."

Palmer was surprised.

"I... I don't know."

"At least you wouldn't be alone," Megan said.

"Yes," Jamie agreed.

"I... Okay."

"Great!" Megan said. "I'll write down the address, Jamie, you get the key."

"Okay," Jamie said and left.

Megan quickly wrote down the address and gave it to Palmer, who glanced at it.

"Thank you," she said.

Megan smiled.

"You're welcome."

Jamie quickly returned with the key and gave it to Dr Palmer.

"Thank you," Palmer said again and then left.

Jamie and Megan were about to move on when Jenkins came along.

"Megan, come with me."

Megan followed Jenkins to Emily's room.

"Hi, Emily," Jenkins greeted the girl.

"Hello, Nurse Jenkins. Hi, Megan."

"Hi, Emily," Megan with a smile and assisted Jenkins.

"How's Tracy?" Emily asked, concerned.

"She's still in coma, but she is stable. She will live."

"When will she wake up?"

"I don't know. Soon, I hope."

"Me too."

When Palmer got to the apartment, she put her luggage down and looked around. She quickly found Tracy's room. She sat on the bed and looked at the two photos on the bedside table. There was a photo of Tracy and of her. Palmer was surprised, there wasn't a photo of Tracy's family but of her. She was moved. She took the photo of Tracy and looked at it. She caressed it and stared at it for a few moments. Then she pressed it to her chest and started to cry.

When Tracy's roommates got home in the afternoon, Palmer had already settled in.

"Hi," the nurses greeted her.

"Hello."

Sam and Jamie went to their room and Megan to hers. Palmer followed her.

"Megan, right?" she asked.

Megan turned.

"Yes."

"Can you tell me what happened?"

"Ah, sure."

She sat on her bed and Palmer on Tracy's.

"I wasn't there, I heard it from Nurse Jenkins. There's this girl, Emily, whose parents were murdered and she herself injured. Tracy got very attached to her and she spent a lot of time with her. Two days ago, she was also with her and apparently she caught the killer as he tried to kill the girl. She tried to stop him, but the killer beat her up and when he tried to shoot the girl, Tracy threw herself over her and was shot instead. We found out about it the next morning."

"I see." Palmer thought about it and she felt proud. "Tell me, what is she like?"

"Tracy?"

Palmer nodded and Megan thought.

"Well, she's like a big child. She's keeps flirting with men and she seems selfish and arrogant, but she's not. And she's a good friend. She's vulnerable and that's why she's sometimes rude, to hide her fear of getting hurt."

"Thank you," Palmer whispered when Megan was done.

Megan smiled and left.

"How is she?" Sam asked her.

"She's fine. She wanted to know what happened and what Tracy is like."

"How did she take it?"

"Quite well. I think she's proud of her."

"Who wouldn't be," Jamie said.

"Yes," Sam agreed.

The next day, Megan, Sam and Jamie again went to the hospital earlier than usually, so they would be able to spend some time with their friend. Palmer wanted to go with them, but Megan convinced her to sleep some more.

They were on their way to Tracy's room when Jenkins came to them.

"Ladies. Does any of you know where Dr Palmer is staying?"

"Yes, she's staying in our apartment," Sam said.

Jenkins was surprised.

"In your apartment?"

"Yes."

"Why?" Jamie asked. "Is something wrong?"

Jenkins smiled.

"No, everything's fine. Tracy woke up."

"She did?"

"Yes. You can see her, but don't let her talk too much, she needs to rest."

The nurses nodded and went to Tracy's room. Jenkins looked after them for a few moments, smiling, and then went to her office. The nurses put on the protective clothing and entered.

"Tracy," Megan called softly when they got to Tracy's bed.

Tracy slowly opened her eyes and when she saw who came to visit her, she smiled.

"Hi," she whispered.

"How do you feel?" Jamie asked.

"Like a house fell on my head."

The nurses smiled.

"How's Emily?" Tracy asked.

"She's fine," Megan said. "She misses you."

Tracy smiled.

"Did they find the killer?" she asked.

"No, not yet."

Tracy closed her eyes and rested a bit.

"I had this weird dream," she said when she opened her eyes again. "I dreamed that my mother was here."

"She is," Megan said.

Tracy's eyes brightened.

"She is?"

Megan smiled.

"Yes. I called her and she came the next morning. She will come by later."

Tracy smiled.

"Look, why don't you rest now," Sam said. "Your parents will also come later."

"I'll tell Emily that you woke up," Megan said.

Tracy nodded and closed her eyes.

Not long after they left Tracy, the three student nurses saw Tracy's parents arrive. The Stones put on the protective clothing and entered.

Mrs Stone took her daughter's hand.

"Tracy," she called.

Tracy opened her eyes.

"Mom. Dad."

"How do you feel, sweetie?"

"My head hurts."

Mrs Stone smiled and caressed her.

"You'll be all right."

Tracy observed her parents and she saw that they were genuinely concerned about her. She smiled, they did care for her. She held her mother's hand and listened to her voice as she told her what's been going on while she was in coma.

Suddenly she saw her parents look toward the door. She turned her head and her eyes brightened when she saw her mother.

"Mom."

Palmer quickened her step and then took Tracy's hand.

"Hi, sweetie," she said and caressed her. "How do you feel?"

"Better already."

Palmer smiled.

"You take it easy."

Tracy nodded and Palmer caressed her again. Then Tracy suddenly remembered that she hadn't told her parents about her mother.

"Mom, Dad, this is my biological mother."

Her parents smiled.

"We've met," her father said.

Tracy looked at Palmer and she smiled at her.

"Everything's fine."

Tracy smiled, relieved that her parents had accepted her mother.

"Oh, by the way, the police caught the murderer."

"They did?"

"Yes."

Tracy was relieved. She thought about Emily. The poor girl had lost her parents in a very brutal way, but fortunately, she still had grandparents. She hoped that all would be well for Emily, like it was for her.

The parents and Dr Palmer stayed with Tracy for about an hour and then left. She lay alone, thinking about her family and about her mother. Then the door opened and she looked.

"Hi, Tracy!"

Tracy's face brightened.

"Hi, Emily."

Jenkins brought Emily, who was on a wheelchair, closer to the bed.

"I'll lave you two alone," she said and smiled at Tracy.

"Thank you, Nurse Jenkins," Tracy said.

Jenkins nodded and left. Emily and Tracy looked at each other, both glad that the other was okay, and then Emily took Tracy's hand.

"How do you feel?" she asked.

"I'm fine, just my still head hurts."

Emily smiled for a moment.

"I was so scared when that man shot you and you didn't move. I thought you were dead."

Tracy smiled weakly.

"I almost was. But I'm fine now. And how are you?"

"I'm fine. Nurse Jenkins said I'll be released next week."

Tracy's face became serious again when she remembered that they'll have to part and probably never see each other again. She still couldn't believe that she felt the way she did, especially when Emily wasn't her child.

"Why are you crying?" Emily asked, concerned, and Tracy realized that a tear had slipped down her cheek.

"I'm gonna miss you," she said.

"I'm gonna miss you too, Tracy," Emily said and hugged her.

Tracy carefully wrapped her arms around the girl, making sure the IV tubes weren't pulled out.

She was going to miss Emily. A lot of time would probably pass before they would see each other again, if ever, but she was glad that they would stay in touch.

"Now I'll visit you like you visited me," Emily said when they broke the hug.

Tracy smiled.

"Okay, Nurse Emily."

Emily smiled.

"So, tell me, did your grandparents tell you where you're gonna live?"

"Oh, yes," Emily started excitedly.

Emily started to tell her and Tracy quietly observed her and occasionally asked a question. She was glad Emily was happy and she was glad that things turned out okay between her mother and her parents. Life seemed to be great. If only Jeff would come around.

The End