Shadows of the Grave

Lawyers: Our client does not own Scrubs or Dead Like Me, nor is she gaining any profit by writing this story. Don't sue her.

Chapter 7: Epilogue

With the morning news playing faintly in the background, JD stood in the small bathroom of his temporary apartment with an assortment of makeup scattered about on the bathroom sink. Staring into the mirror, he carefully applied the makeup on his face where two bruises should have been. He was finally going back into work at Sacred Heart and he had to keep up appearances. After all, it would be suspicious if it looked like he healed overnight.

It had been almost a week since that night Perry pulled the graveling out of him. Neither of them were really sure just what it was that Perry did to Edward's graveling, but if JD had to guess, he'd say that Perry forcibly sent Edward into the afterlife the same way they were able to help unspoiled souls to their light. As for Cade's graveling, it hadn't bothered Perry again since that night.

"We come live to you with breaking news," a female voice spoke in a serious tone on the TV.

Finishing up his makeup, JD strode into the living room and came to stand behind the couch that Danny was currently stretched out on. Footage of a factory with police officers and poison control swarming around the building played on the television screen. The entire building had been blocked off and the news station could only get a shot of the scene from the distance.

Turning up the volume, JD leaned against the couch and curiously listened to what the reporter had to say.

"After a long investigation as to the source of the plague that has swept America, authorities have finally been successful. Recently it has been discovered that the origins of the outbreak began at several factories like this one scattered about the country. These factories have been used to produce several different brands of antibacterial spray. What both workers of the factory and consumers had been unaware of is that a few hundred of these bottles were contaminated with the pneumonic plague."

"At this point in time, it is doubtful that anymore contaminated bottles have been sent out as there is enough carriers of the virus to continue infecting people. Still, all brands of the antibacterial spray have been pulled off the shelves as a precautionary measure. If you have any of the following brands listed below, police advise you to bring it to your local police station so that it may be disposed of properly. "

"It is not yet known who is responsible for the contaminated bottles, but an investigation is currently underway. I'm Karen Ross, back to you, Tom."

As Tom strongly advised anyone who had come into contact with the spray to seek medical attention, JD looked down at Danny, who was more interested in cleaning his paws than listening to the news, and said, "Well, at least it's a step forward. Of course, finding the cure for this plague rather than finding out where it originally started would have been a lot more helpful."

Sighing and shaking his head, JD grabbed his helmet and the keys to his scooter. Leaving the TV on for Danny, he called over his shoulder as he left, "Be a good boy, Danny! After that news report, I have a feeling it's going to be a long, busy day for me."

Elliot Reid stood before the hospital bed of her once-mysterious coma patient who, only a few days ago, had finally woken up.

Looking from the chart back up to Steve Harris who watched her with an easy-going smile, she blew a few stray bangs out of her face and said, "Mr. Harris, I must say I'm shocked and amazed. The injuries you've sustained from the car crash are healing up nicely and you seem to have completely recovered from your coma. Well.. aside from.."

"The accent," he supplied, finishing her sentence.

"Yes," she said, a bit sheepishly. "Foreign accent syndrome is a rare side effect of, in your case, a severe head injury. Now, I know this must be hard for you, but there are a few support groups online and-"

"Dr. Reid," he said, holding up a hand to stop her. "Don't worry about it. I'm just happy to be alive. Besides, having an Australian accent really isn't that bad. It's kind of growing on me."

"Sounds kind of British to me," she mused.

"No, it's Australian," he said, frowning.

Smiling at him, she said, "If you have any other questions for me, just have a nurse page me."

"Thank you, Dr. Reid," he said, nodding to her as she left

Dropping his chart into the slot, Elliot walked out into the hallway and headed to her next patient. Lavern sidled up next to her and as soon as they were out of sight of Steve Harris' room, she asked, "So what is Mr. Harris' role in the government?"

"He's the new assistant to the President for Homeland Security," she whispered conspiratorially. Even though there was really no harm in telling now that the patient was awake, she didn't want to be obvious about being the one to leak the information. "The position had been vacant since Frances Townsend's resignation in 2007. I guess they just haven't gotten around to announcing it. You didn't hear it from me though."

"Got it," Lavern said with a nod, strolling away.

Dun-dun DUN! There you have it, the end of Shadows of the Grave. I have a one-shot planned after this followed by one final multi-chapter fic, so keep an eye out!

I'm partially in mourning for Scrubs. Only partially because of all the talk of another season on a different network, but until it's officially announced, I'm not getting my hopes up. Hopefully the rumor's true because I got no closure from last night's episode and I also really want to know the Janitor's name.

Review please.