Who's Gonna Save Us?

As J.D stood jotting down Mr Jennings' blood pressure results, the words started to blur and he quickly shook his head before he fell asleep and collapsed over his dozing patient.

It turned out that no one could find Gina before the end of our shifts.

He wearily turned and headed out of the room rubbing his eyes with his free hand.

It's all around me and I just don't understand

Seems all out of place now

And I know it's late

But you know what they say now

So we were all stuck working the night shift on top of the shift we'd already done and it was starting to take its toll.

JD passed Turk, who was passed out snoring over a startled looking patient. He sidled up to the nurses' station where Carla was gulping down a large mug of coffee.

"Do you realise every time I've seen you, you've been drinking a mug of coffee that could keep Guam awake for a week?" JD mused, leaning heavily on the desk.

"Why Guam?" Carla asked, raising an eyebrow.

JD flustered and opened and closed his mouth a couple of times. He quickly changed the subject. "I'm pissed at Dr Cox for upsetting Gina which upset Dr Bruce which upset me."

"You're not the only one Bambi," Carla nodded and crossed her arms. "I've been drinking so much coffee to keep me awake that I'm going to be peeing until Christmas."

"Yeah, that was probably too much information," JD winced. "What're we going to do?"

Carla shrugged and shook her head, as Elliot appeared, yawning.

"Hey Elliot," JD and Carla said in unison.

"I'm actually so tired that instead of using a thermometer to take Mrs Lane's temperature I stuck my pen in her mouth and I used a peanut M&M instead of a suppository on Mr Stevens."

"Hey they were my M&Ms," JD pouted as Carla gave Elliot a sympathetic look.

"This sucks," Turk announced suddenly, causing the others to turn and look at him. "I can't do my job properly being this exhausted. I almost fell asleep half way through an appendectomy."

"Strewth, don't tell me that you yankee doctors have cured all the patients in this hospital!"

"No sir," JD, Turk and Elliot sighed.

"Oh, I just assumed because you were all idling about that there was no work to be done," Dr Bruce growled. "Clearly it turns out you're all just lazy." He narrowed his eyes. "Start working or I will find you jobs to do. My car's needed washed for days now…" Dr Bruce stalked passed the defeated group and headed for the elevator.

We're under attack now

Our work is all cut out

Whatever happened to your rights?

And I know it's late

But you know what they say now

Turk let out a frustrated growl, JD hung his head and Elliot gave a low whine.

"I hope he chokes," Elliot hissed and stormed off down the hall.

"T-Dog," Todd announced as he appeared looking just as tired and listless as the others. "Dr Chang wants us working the ER."

"Man," Turk groaned. "If I see another person with an inanimate object up their ass I'm going to scream."

"You said ass," Todd half-smiled. "Sleepy high five!"

Turk shook his head with a small grin and high fived Todd before they hurried off.

"If my pager doesn't go off until the end of shift I'll cry with happiness," JD declared, but before the words finished leaving his lips the familiar beeping rang out. "I might just weep anyway."

"…So you see Mr Jenko, having deep fried bacon everyday is going to give you chest pains. In fact, if you increase your intake to, oh I don't know, six servings of deep fried bacon a day then you'll get those arteries nice and clogged with all that bad cholesterol. But before you can eat that final rasher and bless the God of Pork you'll be clutching your chest collapsing to the floor and once again wasting my precious time as I berate you."

"What?" JD said abruptly and Dr Cox turned to look at him, cocking his head to the side.

"What's with the mood Nancy?" Dr Cox mused. "Is it that time of the month already?"

"Yeah you're funny," JD sarced. "I'm sorry, I just happen to be a little tired right now because I've been forced to work a double shift because some narcissistic egomaniac made the media lady flee."

"You listen here newbie," Dr Cox spat as he crossed his arms. "You know nothing about what's going on so don't even try to pin this on me."

"Well there doesn't seem to be anyone else around to blame." JD chided, enjoying the lack of legs Dr Cox had to stand on. "And let's face it, it's not the first time you've sent that little blonde minx fleeing, crushed, from the hospital."

Dr Cox's nostrils flared and he turned and stalked out of the room. JD stood surprised and blinking.

"Hey doc, what does a bloke have to do to get fed around here?" Mr Jenko piped up, looking hopeful.

"Gnaw on one of your own fatty limbs," JD scorned and hurried from the room to catch up with Dr Cox. "Say it!"

"What?" Dr Cox huffed without bothering to look at JD.

"Say I won the argument."

"We weren't arguing newbie, just disagreeing."

"Fine, I won the disagreeing."

Dr Cox gave a frustrated growl. "If you don't leave in the next three seconds I'm going to carve you up, deep fry you and feed you to Mr Jenko back there. And I don't care if your deep fried meaty goodness gives him another heart attack because in the end it'll mean I'll be rid of the sight of both of you forever. And that, well that just brings a tear to my eye."

JD rolled his eyes and turned to walk away. He took two steps before stopping and turning back around. "I'll cover your shift."

So where's the writing on the wall

Who's gonna save us?

Who's gonna provide us?

Who's gonna divide us?

Who's gonna save us?

It turned out that not everyone was subject to Dr Bruce's wrath and unlike the rest of us Dr Anderson didn't have to suffer a double shift.

"You're leaving?" Carla gasped as Dr Anderson strode past without his scrubs and a backpack over one shoulder.

"And not looking back," Dr Anderson jeered, heading for the door. "Suckers!" he added and flipped them off as he stepped out into the night.

He arrived home and wearily staggered into his apartment. Dr Anderson dropped his backpack on the couch and yawned as he made his way into the bedroom. Without switching on the light he sat heavily on the bed. There was a piercing scream and he screamed, leapt up and switched on the light.

"Crazy woman!" Dr Anderson gasped as Gina pulled the bedclothes tighter around her.

"Do you usually just sit on people?" she frowned.

"No because usually there aren't people in my bed."

"That's obvious."

"Mean," Dr Anderson pouted as he kicked off his shoes. "What're you doing here anyway?"

"I was just passing," Gina replied lamely.

"In my bed?"

"That sounds so much more disgusting than it should."

Dr Anderson sighed and sat next to her on the bed. "You're hiding from Perry aren't you?"

"Maybe a little."

"What happened?" Dr Anderson mused. "He take off his shirt and knock you out with a stray pec."

"Hmm," Gina smirked and then fell serious. "No, he kinda told me he likes me an wanted me to reciprocate."

"And?"

"I couldn't," Gina sighed. "He's got a wife and kid remember."

"Ex-wife."

"Same thing."

Dr Anderson looked Gina over. "You're right."

Gina rolled her eyes. "I don't know what to do."

"Well don't look at me," Dr Anderson countered. "I'm hardly a model of guidance in this situation."

"I know," Gina giggled and rested her head on his shoulder. "You're an awful, awful boyfriend/husband/lover."

"Thanks," Dr Anderson breathed as he tried to focus his attention on his fatigue rather than the enjoyment of having her so close to him. "So do you like Mr Muscles?"

"Yeah," Gina sighed. "Well, in the sense that if I don't sleep with him I'm never, ever going to forgive myself. I mean, to get the opportunity to hold onto those broad shoulders and…" she paused. "Sorry, got carried away."

"Yeah, thanks for the trauma."

They fell silent and stared into the shadowy room for a few moments.

"I should really get some sleep," Dr Anderson declared, pulling away and getting off the bed to take off his pants.

"Of course," Gina agreed and studied the doona cover, poking at the pattern.

"You can stay if you want," Dr Anderson sighed, raising an eyebrow as he pulled off his shirt.

"I was going to," Gina smiled as she resettled under the covers. "I was going to."

We're under powered now

Trial devoured now

Step aside, make way for the new leader

And it's getting late

But you know what they say now

"Where are you going?" Carla asked wearily as she noticed Dr Cox sans scrubs heading toward the door.

"Pedicure," Dr Cox replied blankly.

"At 2am?"

"The salon is run by insomniacs."

"Well as a doctor don't you think it's your job to help the poor people get some sleep?"

"Actually I find they serve the purpose of improving the feet of those of us who don't work your regular nine to five job."

"You're so full of crap."

Dr Cox looked at Carla stoically. "Kylie is covering for me."

"Oh good, I'm glad someone is staying to help the sick people," Carla frowned, crossing her arms.

"It's only prolonging the inevitable." Dr Cox countered, smiled and turned on his heel.

Elliot leaned against an abandoned trolley in the corridor. She yawned deeply and let out a small moan of exhaustion.

"Coffee?"

Elliot looked up and saw Dr Noll standing beside her with a mug of coffee.

"What're you doing here?"

"I heard through the grapevine what was happening and decided to come in and give you guys some support."

"I've never felt so exhausted in my life," Elliot sighed, taking the coffee from Dr Noll. He slid his arm around her waist and she leaned into his side. "This is all Dr Cox's fault."

"Yeah," Dr Noll agreed, nodding, and Elliot looked at him surprised. "Well, Dr Cox and the fact Bruce is the devil incarnate."

"Yeah," Elliot agreed listlessly. "I'm so tired I keep imagining the beds are calling me. Luring me into endless sleep by offers of clean sheets and puffed pillows."

Dr Noll raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you go for a nap in the on call room babe," he enthused and dropped a kiss on her head. "I'll cover you for a bit."

"Really? That's so sweet!" Elliot cooed sleepily. Her pager started to beep and she tried to switch it off. Eventually she just shoved it in Dr Noll's hands and headed for the on call room.

"Ross you awake?" Gina whispered. He let out a grunt and turned over, still very much asleep.

Gina let out a sigh then threw back the covers. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't sleep. She quietly redressed, grabbed her shoes and headed out of Ross's apartment. Gina realised it was actually quite foolish to wander around in the wee hours looking for your car so she stuck her hand in her bag, hoping it looked like she had mace or a brick in there and hurried quickly to her car in the apartment parking area.

As she started out of the car park she turned up the radio to drown out her thoughts.

My life is brilliant.

My love is pure.

I saw an angel.

Of that I'm sure.

She smiled at me on the subway.

She was with another man.

But I won't lose no sleep on that,

'Cause I've got a plan.

Dr Cox sat slumped in the back of the taxi as it stopped at every red light and seemed to be taking the scenic route to Gina's apartment. The non-English speaking driver hadn't said a word to him but there was the distinct possibility he had a death wish.

"Hey Speed Racer, if you plan on killing us both can we at least die with some musical accompaniment?" Dr Cox declared poking his head through the two front seats. The driver turned up the radio and continued to ignore Dr Cox.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.

You're beautiful, it's true.

I saw your face in a crowded place,

And I don't know what to do,

'Cause Ill never be with you.

"Actually I'm happy to die in silence…"

JD yawned as he feigned checking a heart monitor. He was actually just using it as an excuse to lean against something. It began to beep in a 'flatline' kind of a way and JD nearly toppled over as he readjusted it as the stunned heart patient glared at him.

"You're not dead, be happy," JD pouted and stalked out of the room. As he stepped into the corridor his pager went off and he raced off to the room number it was flashing.

"Ok, what have we got here?" JD announced as confidently as he could but stopped as he stepped past the curtain. "Sandy!"

"Wow you really are a doctor," she mused sleepily.

"She was found passed out." Carla said with a concerned look.

"I was at a party, it happens," Sandy sighed and then rolled her eyes as Dr Bruce marched up to the bed.

"Sandra!" he frowned very deeply.

"Dad," Sandy sighed.

"Dad!" JD shrieked mentally. "Oh my god, I was not naked with her in a stranger's pool."

"Something wrong Bambi?" Carla asked noticing the familiar look on JD's face.

"No and I've never seen her naked!"

Everyone in the room paused and looked at JD.

"Uh I have to examine the patient so everyone has to leave," he babbled and ushered everyone out of the room, even a disgruntled Carla. JD turned back to Sandy who by all means wasn't looking very well. "Firstly, your father is going to have me minced and fed to the crocodiles and secondly…" he paused and changed from panic mode to serious doctor mode. "What have you taken?"

Sandy's amused expression dropped and looked away.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.

You're beautiful it's true

I saw your face in a crowded place,

And I don't know what to do,

You're beautiful, You're beautiful.

But it's time to face the truth

I will never be with you.

Gina climbed the last of the stairs and headed down the corridor to her apartment. Even from the distance she could see the distinct figure sitting and waiting. She was a couple of door away when Dr Cox noticed and leapt up, shaking himself off and trying to hide the exhaustion that was threatening to engulf him.

"Hey," he half smiled.

"Why are you here?"

"I study doors and yours is a fine example of the cheap materials used by modern day architects," Dr Cox mused and then dropped the amusement in his voice. "I'm here because…because Bruce is pissed that you left and won't let us leave until you return."

"Oh," Gina swallowed. "I'm sorry."

They stood in silence for a few moments.

"Well, I'll give him a call and sort it all out."

"Thatta girl," Dr Cox nodded and they looked at each other again before he turned and started walking away.

Gina sighed, a lump now firmly in her throat, and unlocked her door. She stepped inside, and leaned against the closed door. What idiot abandons his work colleagues to sit on your doorstep and then tells your nothing?

There must be an angel,

With a smile on her face,

When she thought that I

Should be with you

Dr Cox reached the top of the stairs and stopped, he closed his eyes. "What are you doing?" he frowned at his own inability to do anything that might make him look the teeniest bit vulnerable. He looked over his shoulder, then back down the stairs, then back over his shoulder.

"You can do it Coxsy!" he said under his breath and marched back to Gina's door. He knocked only once before she opened it. "Were you waiting?"

"Of course I wasn't," Gina gasped. "You think I'm that desperate I'd wait in case you found the stones to come back and tell me that the obvious attraction between us is killing you. And despite your innate desire to see where things might lead, you're not entirely sure it's the right thing to do because of the very full baggage you have."

"Yeah," Dr Cox said quietly.

"So it's good night then..."

Dr Cox nodded as Gina slowly closed the door. He let out a long, low sigh, hung his head and headed back to the stairs.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.

You're beautiful, it's true.

There must be an angel with a smile on her face,

When she thought up that I should be with you.

But it's time to face the truth,

I will never be with you.

JD raced back into Sandy's room where another doctor was commencing CPR.

"What happened?" he said breathlessly as he barely took in the situation.

"She crashed Bambi," Carla said quickly.

"What did she take?" asked the other doctor.

"She told me she didn't take anything," JD said blankly.

"And you believed her?" gasped the other doctor.

JD didn't know what to say. He'd wanted to believe her but that was for his own selfish reasons and oh god, how was Dr Bruce going to take this.

Lyrics: "Who's Gonna Save Us" by The Living End & "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt