Page 3 of Flame's Fight

“I was only gone three days.” Tally says with a laugh. “But thank you. I missed everyone here as well.”

“Did you go on vacation?” I ask her.

She smirks and shakes her head. “No. I was dealing with some family drama. But it’s all over with now.”

“Not with Caitlin?” I ask. Caitlin is Tally’s younger sister and one of the nicest people I’ve met. She’s been through enough trauma to last several lifetimes. A murdering rapist once left her for dead. Afterwards, she discovered he impregnated her. Then her former fiance beat her until she lost the baby. Just to name a few traumas she’s endured.

“No. Caitlin is doing well. She recently sent two of her paintings to Vegas for an art charity event. So she’s excited and nervous to see if they sell. She also just purchased an apartment complex. The one Flame’s mother manages. She’s working with the cub to build a shelter for abused women and children. She’s very excited about it.”

“Really?” I ask with surprise.

“How can she afford to that?” Gina asks.

Tally gives me a questioning look, but answers Gina. “She inherited a large sum of money from my grandmother. Caitlin wanted to use it to do something for those who have suffered like she did. She’s calling it Crossroads. A place for victims to start a new life. I would have thought Flame would have told you about it.” She says to me.

I flinch because I should have seen that coming. If Flame and I were still dating, he would have told me. But we aren’t, and it hurts. I know it’s my fault. But it doesn’t make it hurt any less. “We broke up. I thought everyone knew.” I mumble.

I see the question forming, and I really don’t want to get into it. I glance around for an out and see our HR Manager, Tony Younger. Tony took over the department when administration overhauled the department. The arrest and conviction of Dr. Kevin Marshall revealed that the previous HR Manager ignored several complaints from various nurses. He did nothing to protect the staff from the asshole. Now Marshall was in prison for attempted murder, thanks to Tally’s testimony after Marshall attacked her at her home. She’s alive today because Dante came to her rescue. Most of us wish Dante had killed the bastard when he had the chance, but knowing Marshall is suffering in jail is just as satisfying.

“Ladies.” Tony says, coming up to join us. “Dr. Chambers. I’m glad to see you could make it back to work. We were getting worried.”

“Were you?” Tally asks, her smile less warm than normal. “And why is that? I explained I had a family situation and would need an additional day off. No one mentioned a problem. I’ve already spoken to the doctor who covered my shift, and I’m taking one of his later this week.”

“Oh, I know. I wasn’t implying anything.” Tony says quickly. “I just wanted you to know that we were concerned. On your behalf, of course. Was it a problem with your parents in Chicago? If there is anything we can do to help….”

I suck in a breath. I know Tally is not on good terms with her famous parents. Not after all the pain they’ve caused Caitlin. I went with Scar and the others to rescue her when her mother and former fiancé kidnapped her from this hospital and flew her to Chicago to force her into marriage. I’m not kidding when I say Caitlin has been through hell.

Tally stiffens her spine and gives Tony a look of haughty superiority. She has an ethereal beauty that is enhanced when she’s angry. “My family situation has nothing to do with my parents. As far as I know, they need no help. Not from anyone. I was helping Dante’s mother. Angela Westbrook.”

I see Tony pale when he hears Angela’s name. Tally’s parents may be famous in certain circles, but Angela Westbrook is the queen of San Diego and maybe all of California. She’s also one of the major donors for our hospital.

“I hope Ms. Westbrook is well.” Tony says quickly. “She’s very important to us.”

Tally smirks. “She’s fine. But thank you for your concern.” When Tony doesn’t leave, she addresses him again. “Is there something else we can do for you?”

He glances at me and looks away again. “I was just checking to see how everyone is doing. I’m heading home soon and wanted to reach out to the evening shift to see if there were any problems I could help resolve.”

“I think we’re good.” Tally says. “Thank you. Now we should probably get to work.”

I turn away, but Tony stops me. “Ms. Wagstaffe. I was wondering if we could have coffee again soon. We can continue our discussion about your career goals.”

I frown as I try to remember our earlier discussion. I can’t remember a specific discussion about my goals, except a casual mention by him about the possibility of my moving to obstetrics or even neonatal ICU. “Oh, sure. Maybe when I work an earlier shift?” I suggest.

“Ok. It’s a date.” He says, walking off.

“You’re dating him?” Gina asks me and I shake my head.

“God no. We had coffee once in the cafeteria when he asked if he could sit at my table. Does he really think it’s a date?” I ask them.

“Seems like it.” Tally says with a smirk. “What career changes did you discuss? I’d hate to lose you.”

“We didn’t discuss anything specific. He asked if I ever thought of moving to obstetrics or NICU. But I never said I wanted to change departments.” They both burst out laughing when I tell them. I glance at Tony, who glances back at us. I see his shoulders droop, and I feel a little sorry for him. But seriously, he can’t think I’d be interested in dating him, can he? I’m lost in thought when I feel someone kiss me on the cheek. I jolt but quickly relax to see my father standing next to me with a smile playing on his lips.

“Did I startle you?” He asks me.

I laugh. “A little. My mind was elsewhere. What are you doing here?”

“Had to bring in a young woman who is several months pregnant. She had a shock.” He says. “We were on our way over to meet Caitlin when she started feeling pain.”

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