has anyone else felt like life has been 'off' for the past few years? And this slight dread permeates everything? And you still haven't recovered from the collective trauma of the pandemic? 😓
I NEED to know what Holmes and Watson from the original books were doing during The Spanish Flu, and I need to know what Sherlock, Marianna and John from Sherlock and Co were doing COVID.
unidentified plural is we roleplayed so much to pass time while being isolated that atp we're not sure if certain memories are of headmates or of the people we imagined ..
Fuuuuuuuck Covid seriously… and yeah no wonder there are more teenage systems coming out of the woodwork now, COVID was hugely traumatic for a lot of people + the isolation meant people needed others to talk to… -Julian
Summary: Requested by @gcx23: Santos comes down with Covid and Robby panics.
TW: Illness, covid, panic attack
The morning was always busy in the ED. Robby liked it. He was able to jump in and get into the groove of the day, no messing around. There was a little room for people to grab their thermos, say good morning and start. He liked watching how everyone greeted the day.
“Morning, Cap.” Dana said, her eye trained on her computer.
“Good morning. Any fires I should know about?” Robby took his thermos from his bag and shoved it into his drawer next to the desk.
“Not that I’m aware of, but it’s early. Give it five minutes, you’ll have one.” Her lips quirked up in a sarcastic smirk.
“You’re acting like you want me running around.” Robby shook his head.
“It’s good for you. Too much time gives you room to overthink and then you become my problem. I don’t like problems.” She pocketed her glasses, swiveling her chair to face him.
“Where’s Abbot for hand-over?” Robby stretched out his back as he surveyed the department.
“His intern got swung at. She’s a little shaken. He’s helping her out.” Dana sighed, shaking her head. There was an anger sizzling behind her calm demeanor.
“What room?” Robby asked, cursing the state of the world.
“Two.”
“I’ll be back. Keep the place standing for me.” Robby marched over to the room.
Through the window, he could see Nazely sitting on the gurney, blood on her white undershirt, and a bruise forming on her right eye. Jack was sitting in front of her, taping her nose and saying something Robby couldn’t quite hear. It must have been comforting; it caused Nazely to smile just a touch. Robby knocked as he entered.
“Dana told me what happened. Are you doing okay, Dr. Toomarian?” Robby stood next to Jack, his arms crossed. He looked at her with such soft compassion it forced her to look at the ground.
“I’m okay now.” She sniffled, trying to hide the fact she had just been crying.
“Nazely’s a tough cookie. Took it on the chin. Nose, rather.” Jack smirked. “mild concussion. Report filed. She’s getting the next two days off.”
“I’m sorry this happened. Please, let me know if you need anything.” Robby smiled, trying to be as compassionate as he could at 7am. He didn’t know the young woman well, she liked the night shifts. They crossed paths every once in a while, she had a hard time with confidence. Robby figured Jack was the best person for her to train with. He was always able to pull the confidence out of anyone.
“Get some rest, no studying. I’m serious. Trash TV and takeout. Doctor and boss’s orders.” Jack gave a curt nod as he snapped his gloves off.
“I’m just going to sleep it off.” Nazely sighed.
“Good plan.” Jack chuckled. “Get out of here.”
Nazely jumped up and made her way out of the room. The two men stood in silence for a moment, the anger and frustration rolled off them.
“The idiot was here for a broken toe.” Jack growled. “Thought he could push her around.”
“How does someone turn into that?” Robby scratched his beard.
“Fuck knows. I might have grabbed him a little harder than I should have. It might come up. I doubt he’s stupid enough to go to court.” Jack sighed.
“I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same.” Robby pursed his lips.
“Anyway, pretty calm night otherwise. My team is already briefing yours. You are down one today, though.” Jack started tossing his supplies in the garbage.
“Staffing didn’t say anything. Usually they email me.” Robby pulled his phone out, scrolling through his inbox.
“I just told them. Santos came in sick. I got her parked in bay 7.” Jack said.
“Damn. How bad?”
“Fever, chills, cough. Probably Covid. She mentioned not being able to smell.” Jack shrugged.
“…Covid? She has Covid?” Robby started to feel the cold sweat form on his hairline.
“Probably. Sent a sample down to the lab. Hasn’t come back yet. You okay?” Jack watched the color drain from Robby’s face.
“Hmm? Yeah. Just trying to figure out how to manage caseloads.” Robby waved him off.
“Right.” Jack watched Robby for a moment. Trying to see through the façade. “Well, I need to pass out. I’ll see you tonight.”
“See you later.” Robby nodded. Jack looked him up and down before leaving.
Robby felt his hands start to shake. He tried to ignore it as he left the room. The department was suddenly too bright and too loud. His knees felt weak as he made his way to the hub.
“Hey, we got three coming in from the nursing home. Pushed them off on Whitaker and the med students.” Dana told him without looking up from her tablet.
“Why didn’t you tell me Santos was sick?” Robby bit harder than he thought into his lip. The taste of copper trickled across his tongue.
“Hmm? Oh! I forgot. Jack was dealing with it. Stubborn girl was trying to work through it.” Dana shook her head with a scoff.
“Put her under me. I’ll take care of it. Have her labs come back yet?” Robby wrung his hands.
“Um…” Dana’s brows furrowed as she took in Robby’s buzzy demeanor. “Not yet. I’ll keep you updated. Maybe let Baran take it.”
“No.” Robby snapped. “Sorry. No, I’ll handle it.”
“Okay. If you’re sure.” Dana sighed. “Jack ordered fluids for her before he left. She’s hooked up in bay 7.”
“Good. I want vitals every hour. Keep an eye on her spO2 and CRT.” Robby stomped off.
Robby tried to keep his head straight. He could feel himself starting to spiral. The thoughts crashed over him like waves in a hurricane. He was just trying to tread water. He needed to keep busy. That was always his solution.
He rounded the corner and almost ran into Dr. Al-Hashimi.
“Good morning, Dr. Robby.” She smiled.
“Morning. Did you hear we’re down one resident?” Robby’s eyes flicked around the department.
“I did. Dr. Santos is sick. Did you want me to take her case?” Dr. Al-Hashimi watched as Robby nervously fidgeted.
“No, I’ll take it. We’ll need to keep an eye on Whitaker. They live together. We could be looking at a staff-wide issue if we aren’t careful.” Robby shook his head, trying to keep grounded.
“I doubt it’ll come to that. We’ve isolated her, if Whitaker starts to feel unwell he can join her. I’m more than happy to handle this if you need.” Baran could see the unease in Robby’s eyes.
“I’d rather take it myself. I want to keep an eye on this. We’ll lean on McKay today. She’s got good time management, she can handle a heavy caseload.” Robby said as he walked off.
“Cap!” Dana came running up. “Santos’ lab results just came in.”
“Great.” Robby took the tablet. His chest tightened, his stomach dropped as he read the positive result for Covid. He leaned against the nurse’s station counter, trying to take a few deep breaths.
“I’ve got Perlah getting a sample from Whitaker. Figured he should get tested too.” Dana said, watching as Robby hunched over and tried to breathe.
“Good. Put in the order.” Robby suddenly snapped back to life.
He marched over to bay 7. He pulled the curtain open to find Santos looking pale and clammy. She was laying down, her eyes closed and a mask on her face. The sound of Robby yanking the curtain jolted her awake a second later.
“Shit!” She jumped.
“Your labs are back. It’s Covid.” Robby sighed.
“Damn. I bet it was that patient that kept hacking up a lung last week. I kept telling her to put on a mask. Idiot.” Santos growled.
“Everything is going to be fine. We’re going to keep you on fluids. We’ll get you on a fever reducer and monitor your oxygen levels closely.” Robby told her as he studied her vitals.
“I can just go home. I don’t need to take up a bed.” Santos sighed, her head falling back against the pillow.
“No!” Robby gasped.
The bay fell quiet as Santos and Dana looked at Robby, confused and surprised. Robby’s hands were in tight fists at his side.
“I mean…it’d be better to monitor you here for now.” Robby cleared his throat.
“Dr. Robby, I’d rather be in my own bed. If I have to suffer, mind as well be comfortable.” Santos rubbed her eyes.
“No, I think it’s best for you to stay and get proper care here.” Robby stood firm.
“My fluids are almost done. I have motrin at home. I don’t need to be here.” Santos argued.
“We need to monitor your O2.” Robby snapped.
“It’s at 99! I’m fine. I just need some rest, which I can’t do here.” Santos looked at Robby like he had lost his mind.
“It can drop suddenly. Covid is tricky.” Robby’s voice was sharp, his teeth grinding.
“Cap-”
“I’ll leave AMA! I’m not staying here for no reason.” Santos growled.
“Do you want to die!?” Robby lost his resolve. His fear had taken over.
The room fell silent again. Santos looking at him with wide eyes. Dana glared at him.
“Robby, take a walk. Santos I’ll get Dr. Al-Hashimi to sign your discharge papers.” Dana pulled Robby away.
They marched down an empty hall. Robby didn’t fight her. He was trying to catch his breath. Dana shoved him into an empty chair.
“You want to explain that completely unprofessional shit?” She snapped at him.
“I-I don’t know….I just keep seeing Adamson on the fucking vent.” Robby’s voice was small again.
Dana lost all her anger. She saw a scared boy when she looked at Robby. His voice was fragile, and his body hunched and small for his hulking frame. Her heart broke for him. She put a hand on his shoulder, rubbing gentle circles.
“This isn’t Adamson. She’s okay.” Dana tried to quiet the fears.
“I know. But what if it gets worse? What if the next shift starts with her coming in on a gurney and tubed? It’s all that’s going through my fucking head.” Robby ran a hand through his hair, letting his head fall back. He stared at the ceiling for a moment, wishing he could be normal.
“It’s a good thing she’s got Whitaker at home. She can’t rest here. You know that’s what she needs. She’s young and healthy. She isn’t Adamson. You don’t have to make the decision for her.” Dana watched as the light caught on the unshed tears in his eyes.
“You’re right. I know. I would never forgive myself if something happened to her.” Robby sighed.
“Well, you never forgive yourself.” Dana smirked.
“Very funny.” Robby rolled his eyes. “I should go apologize.”
“I’ll get Baran to get her discharged.” Dana gave his shoulder a pat before shuffling off to find Dr. Al-Hashimi.
Robby took a deep breath, his hands on his knees, before standing up. He trudged back over to bay 7. He stood outside the curtain for a moment, not wanting to face his student.
“Dr. Santos?” Robby cleared his throat.
The curtain was ripped open and a glaring Trinity Santos stood looking up at him.
“I’m going home.” Santos hissed.
“I know. I wanted to apologize. I shouldn’t have lashed out like that. It was not only unprofessional, but cruel.” Robby said.
“It was fucked up.” Santos sat on the edge of the bed.
“I don’t react…well, when people I know get sick. Especially COVID.” Robby rubbed the back of his neck.
“Covid sucked for everyone. Not a good excuse.”
“I had to take my mentor, my father figure for all intents and purposes, off a ventilator. I had to choose between keeping him alive or saving a little girl. He got sick so quickly. One day it was just a cough and slight fever, the next he was intubated. It stuck with me.” Robby watched the understanding wash over Santos.
“That sucks. That’s a lot.” She said, shifting in her seat. “I get it. I wasn’t in the hospital yet, but I heard about how bad it got. It would…fuck with anyone. You’re forgiven or whatever.”
“Thank you.” Robby smiled.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m tougher than I look.” Santos shrugged.
“I know. But it’s okay if you need help. Get some rest, Trinity.” Robby said, turning to leave.
Santos watched him walk away. She thought about how hard it would be for her to make a call that. How, if Robby was sick, she wouldn’t be able to take him off the vent. She thought about how similar they were. She shook it off as she gathered her things to go home.
In The Room S10E01 - part 1
In this episode the 2020-2021 NHL season gets to ready to return in January 2021 (not October!) and playing hockey mid-pandemic means everything looks a little different...
