Nurse AU for one_shot

[howbraveyouare]

Karen was not new to being a nurse, but she was new to the Red Cross. It was a fast-paced atmosphere and demanded a lot of a person like Karen, but she gave it all. That was just her nature. So, when a soldier was carried in with an almost frightening blow to the head, Karen put her nerves and the uneasy feeling in her stomach aside to assist with the doctors in attending to his injury. Once he was cleaned up, she rode with him in the ambulance to a makeshift ward not very far from the battlefield where he was meant to recover.

She had other patients to attend to, but once her shift was over she made her way back to his bed, back to the man so many had thought wouldn’t pull through, and sat by his bedside. Karen took his bigger, roughed up hand in hers and held it as he seemed to slumber so quietly. His state made her wonder how much it mattered that she was even there. It was that whole ‘If a tree falls in a forest and there’s no one around to hear it…’ question. If Karen held a patient’s hand and he was unconscious the whole time, what good did it do?

Her eyes focused on his face in the dim lighting. Some of the men she tended to looked like boys, like they didn’t belong on a battlefield, but there was something about this man that made him look like a soldier. Karen watched him. She wondered how long it had been since he’d slept this peacefully and at the same time prayed that he would wake up.

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[ex_one_shot695]

The battlefield was hell, but some men were born to fight. That's how it was for Frank. It was like he belonged out there. No matter how good a man was, things could always go wrong. A hard hit to the head and Frank was out like a light. Vaguely, there were times when he was aware, but for the most part he was transported and patched up without ever realizing what was happening to him.

As Karen watched over the newest patient, a courier came in carrying a rucksack. "That Lieutenant Castle? Got his things here." The young man set the bag down near the bedside. He frowned a little and looked at Karen. "You think he'll wake up? I heard a bunch of guys in his company didn't make it."

[howbraveyouare]

The courier startled Karen a little bit, but she looked up at him with a tentative, weary smile. It was always hard to smile in this job. “This is him.” Her eyes fell on him once again. “I think he looks strong. He was in good health before.” Karen’s voice lowered slightly. “He looks like a fighter.” She paused a moment, then took in a deep breath and looked back up to the courier. “I sure hope he wakes up. Thank you for bringing his things.”

She gave his hand a squeeze and looked down at the bag. It was wrong to snoop, but Karen couldn’t help but wonder what he’d brought with him, what kind of letters he might be keeping. She wanted to know who or what he was fighting for, besides his country, of course.

[ex_one_shot695]

The courier nodded and went out, leaving her alone to ponder what sort of things a man like that might be carrying. It wouldn't take much to snoop. In the front pocket were some folded up letters from home. The most recent is post marked a week ago. Only, when Karen looks at it, she won't like what she reads.

Dear Frank,

I don't know how to tell you this, but I've met someone. You've been gone so long, and it just sort of happened...

The letter goes on to explain how she still cares about him and wants him to return safe from the war, but she and the kids will be living somewhere else. She talks about how hard things have been, and she wonders why he extends his duty rather than come home. The kids are still his. Nothing can take that away from him, but her mind is made up...

As Karen reads the letter, Frank's eyes open slowly. When the world comes back into focus, he looks over at the nurse next to him. "Lookin' for something?" Maybe next of kin. "I'm not dead yet." He sounds hoarse, though. Could probably use some water.

[howbraveyouare]

The letter was heartbreaking. It was easy to understand how a man repeatedly extending his duty could frustrate any woman waiting for him, but if he had loved her she was sure the news had to have been difficult to swallow. She frowned as she read it, wishing there was something happier he could wake up to. But then…

“Mr. Castle!” Karen smiled, thrilled that he was awake. Then she realized that she’d been caught poking through his things. She quickly tucked the letter back in its place and set his things on the floor next to his bed. “Please don’t strain yourself. You were shot in the head.” Frowning sympathetically at him, she reflexively placed her hand on top of his. “I know speaking is probably difficult, but can I get you anything? Water, maybe?”

[ex_one_shot695]

Hers is the prettiest face he's woken up to in awhile. Frank figured he was injured, but shot in the head? That's a little surprising. He didn't feel a damn thing.

"Yeah. Water." Right now, that's the only thing he really needs.

[howbraveyouare]

Karen nodded and stood to leave the room, only to come back a minute later with a glass of water. She settled back into the chair beside Frank's bed and held the glass to his lips without thinking to ask if he was able to hold it himself.

"Try to drink slowly." She cautioned in a soft voice.

[ex_one_shot695]

Frank waited for her return. For a moment he drifted off, but woke again when she entered and spoke. He nodded, lifting his head a bit and took a drink, but he didn't get much before he coughed and turned his head away.

"Sorry." He made a bit of a mess of his shirt. Frank didn't really prefer being cared for, but he didn't have a choice right now.

[howbraveyouare]

As quickly as she could, Karen set the glass of water on the bedside table and pulled out a bunch of tissues as if they alone could mop up that much water. She dabbed furiously at the water he'd spilled.

"Are you okay? Cold? I should get you dry blankets..." The soggy tissues went into the trash bin and Karen looked at Frank, a concerned expression on her face. She was reluctant to leave him on his own now that he was awake.

[ex_one_shot695]

Frank continued to cough faintly as Karen tried to clean up the mess he'd made. His shirt was soaked through, but he shook his head at the question. "No, don't go."

He reached out before she could get too far and took her hand. His grip was clammy. His face appeared flushed.

"Maria... don't go. Don't leave."

The hold on her hand loosened as his hand trembled, and then his eyes rolled back and his whole body was shaking.

[howbraveyouare]

"Oh!" Karen's eyes widened in panic. She turned her head and shouted as loudly as she could.

"Doctor! I think he's seizing!" She looked back to Frank and tried to roll him onto his side just in case too much saliva built up in his mouth. The last thing she wanted was for him to choke to death waiting for a doctor.

Her mind was racing, trying to think of something else to do as he shook in front of her, but just then a doctor in a white coat cut in front of her, pushing her out of the way as he and his team took over treatment. Still shaken, Karen could barely be heard over him barking orders.

"Will he be alright?"

[ex_one_shot695]

Turning Frank over was just what the doctor needed, since his team got right to work with a spinal tap to relieve some of the pressure. Once some fluid was drained, the shaking stopped. Although Karen asked, she's left without an answer until the doctor is finished with the procedure.

"Hard to say. If he makes it to the morning, he'll be alright. He'll need to be monitored at all times. I'll see who we can get on staff tonight. Thank you, Ms. Page. It's a good thing you were here. If you weren't..." Well, no one would've known.

[howbraveyouare]

She took a moment and then spoke up. "I don't mind working another shift, sir. I can stay." It was a matter of life and death. Someone needed to watch this man all night long and Karen knew that she was one of the most vigilant nurses in the Red Cross. She was suited for this job.

He was in bad shape. It was hard to believe that only a minute ago he was sitting up and talking to her. That was the way of these injuries.

[ex_one_shot695]

"But, Ms. Page, you've been here all day." She'll be exhausted. Still, the doctor knows how short staffed they are, and it'll be difficult to find another volunteer. "Very well. If he shows signs of deteriorating, Dr. Carson is on duty tonight. I'll update him on the lieutenant's status. Please make Mr. Castle as comfortable as possible. Thank you, Ms. Page."

With that, the doctor and the others left her to attend the patient. It was going to be a long vigil.

[howbraveyouare]

Karen nodded. She took her job very seriously and in a situation like this she knew that her role was even more important. The doctor and the others left the room and Karen turned back to Frank’s bed, pulling his blankets up around him and gently lifting his head so that she could straighten his pillow. A faint smile formed on her lips as she looked him over. The situation was a little scary. He might not make it. Karen knew he was a fighter, though, and she fully intended to help him as best she could.

She took her seat next to his bed and let out a tiny sigh. The day had been long and she probably would have been better off ending her shift, but she knew the hospital was short-staffed. At times like these they needed volunteers. She watched him almost protectively lying there, hoping he’d make it through the night.

[ex_one_shot695]

It couldn't be very entertaining watching him lie there, but better to have him bore her than have another seizure. The time passes without incident, and around 4 in the morning, there's some slight movement as Frank opens his eyes.

"Ugh. Where am I?"

[howbraveyouare]

At the first sign of motion, Karen sat up a little straighter and smiled faintly. She leaned over and looked at Frank.

"Mr. Castle? You're in a hospital. You were..." She blinked. It was rough, rehashing the unpleasant details for him. "You were shot in the head. A short time ago you suffered a seizure. I'm here to make sure you do alright tonight." The smile on her face brightened a little. "I'm glad you're awake."

[ex_one_shot695]

Frank blinked a few times as his vision focused on the face of a beautiful woman leaning over him. He blinked a couple more times to make sure he was actually awake.

After a moment, her words sank in and he nodded slowly. Yup, she sure looked like a nurse. He vaguely remembered her face. Guess he must've seen it earlier, but he didn't remember much before now.

"Thank you, ma'am." It might be her job, but he thanked her anyway. "What's your name?"

[howbraveyouare]

"Karen," She smoothed out his blankets. "Karen Page."

Karen smiled at him for a moment and then settled back into her chair. He seemed fairly articulate, which was a huge relief. It was amazing that he was pulling through after suffering the injury he did, but she knew he wasn't quite out of the woods just yet.

"What's the last thing you remember, Lieutenant Castle?" Her eyes studied him.

[ex_one_shot695]

"Um..." He closed his eyes a moment to try and concentrate, but his head hurt. Whose wouldn't after the injury he sustained?

"Gun fire. Mortar fire. Dirt. Blood. Shouting." He shook his head a bit. "Just a lot of chaos, you know?"

[howbraveyouare]

She nodded slowly. It was rough out there and that made it all the more admirable that so many men were fighting. Karen thought very highly of men like Frank.

"I can only imagine." Karen had seen the battleground, it was part of her job as a combat nurse, but she knew she had never been in the thick of it like he had. She didn't envy him that.

"Can I ask you something?" Her eyebrows wrinkled slightly.

[ex_one_shot695]

Just because Karen is a nurse doesn't mean Frank underestimates what she's witnessed. She must've seen some really terrible things happen. Men have probably come through here in pieces before. Especially for a woman to expose herself to those kinds of things... Karen must be pretty exceptional.

"Yeah." She was helping him, so he figured he owed her.

[howbraveyouare]

"Why are you here?" She lowered her voice, leaning in slightly. "I mean, not the hospital, just... This. All of this. It seems like you're really dedicated to your country."

This theory was based on the letter, on the mention that he'd extended his duty. Of course, Karen didn't mention the letter. If he'd forgotten her snooping, she would let him, but if asked she would tell the truth. She wasn't cruel enough to mess with someone's mind in a state like this.

[ex_one_shot695]

Frank frowns a little, but there's also sorrow in his eyes. He knows his duty cost him a great deal back home. Not that he expects Karen to know any of that.

"I'm not sure you'd understand." Could anyone? Frank isn't sure he fully understands it, either.

[howbraveyouare]

Looking at him, she could see the emotion on his face. It was almost heartbreaking. Karen reached out for his hand and held it in her own.

"I can try. I'm a pretty good listener." She smiled weakly. If he was willing to talk, she would sit there and listen attentively to every word he said.

[ex_one_shot695]

Frank hasn't really talked about this with anyone. For some reason, he felt like he could talk to Karen, or maybe he just had to talk to someone about what happened with his wife. Karen just made him feel at ease somehow.

"My wife left me. Very recently, actually. I got a letter. I love my family, you know? My wife. Kids. I've got everything to go home to, but when I go home, I don't feel like I belong there. When I'm here, I miss them like crazy, and when I'm not here, I just wanna come back. I must be crazy or something because out there... that's what feels real to me. I can't explain it."

She probably thinks he's nuts. Maybe she'll report him and they'll stick him with a shrink.