Author's Note: Woop. My first story, well, first fanfic. Yeah, so, I hope people actually read it, maybe even enjoy it. If I get a positive response, maybe I'll upload future chapters.

WARNINGS: slash, OC's (but no purposeful Mary-sues. If you detect one, tell me.)

Un-betaed, but may be revised and edited later.

I was walking down the hall of the hospital anxiously. I haven't seen the janitor all day, and I've already been on call for a few hours. Something wasn't right here. I peered around a corner carefully before taking a step.

Suddenly, I was being pulled into a closet by two strong hands, one covering my mouth, preventing my gasp of surprise from escaping. I was slammed against the back wall as the person closed the door. All light was extinguished and I began to panic. Who had locked me in this closet? Why? Was it the janitor? Oh god... I blindly felt around for the light, and instead found my fingers tangled in curly hair.

"Newbie! Shh!" came the gruff reply to my yelp. Recognizing the voice, I relaxed, but only slightly.

Squinting my eyes against the darkness, I whispered, "Dr. Cox?" I could almost feel his glare.

"Yes, Sandra, now shut up!" he whisper-yelled.

"But... why did you lock me in this supply closet?" I regretted asking immediately. The hand was back over my mouth.

"For the love of God, Martha! Be. Quiet."

I obeyed this time. My eyes began to adjust to the darkness and I could make our Dr. Cox's shape. I noticed that he was staring intently at the floor. I followed his gaze and saw that someone was standing outside. Straining my ears, I caught a few strands of what he or she was mumbling.

"Where... Scooter... kill him... just one shot..."

I paled as I filled in the blanks. I stepped back against the wall and began trembling. Dr. Cox, sensing my reaction, moved his hand off of my face and squeezed me reassuringly on the shoulder.

"Kate, calm down. He doesn't know you're in here. Relax, Newbie."

I took note of the concern in his soothing voice, but I could not stop shaking. The janitor had finally snapped. He was going to kill me. My eyes were glued to the door as I saw his shadow fade away. Beside me, Dr. Cox relaxed and squeezed my shoulder again. He then reached up and flicked on the light.

He smiled and looked over at me. His smile immediately fell away. "Jesus, Newbie, you're paler than ever. Calm down!"

Letting out a shaky breath, I asked my question again. "Why did you pull me into this closet?"

He looked at me in disbelief. "Isn't it obvious, Mary? Jumpsuit was going to kill you. I saw him waiting around the corner with a needle, saw you coming, and acted on impulse. We've already had four patients in the ICU code and one die. We need every available doctor in this place tonight. I can't have you lying in a ditch somewhere. "

I shuddered at that thought and tried to focus on the problem. "A needle?"

Dr. Cox rolled his eyes, but looked at me seriously. "He was going to drug you. Yesterday, one of our tranquilizers went missing. I heard Lurch talking about burying you alive, but I didn't think he was serious. I may have been wrong. What did you do to him, Carol?"

"Nothing!" I said, panic returning. "I have never done anything to him! He's insane..."

"I know, Lucinda. Although the idea of you lying in a hole makes me smile, I do understand the gravity of the situation. I'm going to talk to Bobbo about giving the janitor some time off. In the mean time, try not to ever be alone, okay, Jessica? Try to stick with either Carla or myself. Now, head straight for the Nurses Station and tell Carla everything. You got that, Newbie?"

I nodded slowly, even though I was terrified inside. Then I realized something. Before I could stop myself, I was saying it out loud. "You... you saved my life..." My eyes widened as I said it. I really would have been in big trouble if he hadn't of grabbed me.

Dr. Cox's eyes softened slightly and a very un-Coxian tenderness tinted his voice. "I know, Newbie. Now be careful. I doubt that this is as serious as we are thinking, but just in case..."

I swallows nervously and nodded. He gave me a reassuring smile--to which I inwardly gasped--and opened the closet. He walked out quickly, heading for Dr. Kelso's office, and I waited a moment before stepping out. A quick survey of the empty hallway gave me little comfort, and I began making my way to the Nurses Station. As I approached a corner, I froze.

What if the janitor was there? What if...

I began trembling again. I backed away from the corner, an unfamiliar, cold dread filling me. Suddenly, my pager went off. I yelped in surprise and fumbled for it. I finally unlatched it from my scrubs and read it, hoping desperately that it wasn't a code.

It was Dr. Cox. He wanted me to come to Dr. Kelso's office. On the other side of the hospital. Oh shit.

My pager went off again, making me jump. This one was from Carla. She was coming to find me. Dr. Cox must have gotten to her first. I paged her back, letting her know where I was, and leaned against the wall. Taking deep breaths, I tried to calm myself. The janitor wouldn't come near me if I was with Carla. I would be safe. And I could tag along with Dr. Cox all say without seeming suspicious. I did that normally anyway.

"Bambi!"

I jumped at Carla's voice, but hurriedly ran over to her. She immediately pulled me into a tight, motherly hug. "Are you okay, Bambi? Dr. Cox told me that you were in trouble. What happened?"

For a moment, I was too relieved to speak. Gathering myself, I replied, "Let's walk and talk. To Dr. Kelso's office."

Where the hell was Newbie? Bobbo and I have been waiting here for ten minutes for the little girl, and I haven't seen a single hair on her product-filled head. No one had coded in that time, and Barbie was covering all of his patients. Carla was supposed to find him. What if Lurch did first...?

I pushed that thought away. It made my head spin. I leaned against the wall and considered paging Carla again. But what good would that do?

"Perry, I know this is important, but if Dr. Dorian isn't here in the next three minutes, I'm going to lose interest."

I scowled in Bob's direction before straightening up. There they were. Carla was dragging a still pale Newbie behind her, and judging from her death grip on his wrist, he told her everything. And she was not happy.

I smiled as the image of Carla kicking the janitor's ass came into view. Ah, if only.

She practically threw Newbie into the room and slammed the door. I caught him as he stumbled, straightening him back up. He looked up at me with those big doe eyes and my breath caught in my throat. The only emotion in them were fear. They seemed to be screaming for help. I desperately hoped that mine said I was there to give it.

He smiled at me nervously before turning to Bob. I saw Bob also take a moment to stare at Newbie's eyes before coughing and turning to me. So even the spawn of Satan can sense emotions. Hell, he probably feeds on them. And right now, Newbie was all-you-can-eat buffet.

"Dr. Cox," Bob began, a note of actual seriousness in his voice. I was shocked. "Please explain why you have barricaded me in my office."

My eyes flickered to the back of Newbie's head before I answered. "Bobbo, I have reason to believe that Jessica here is in real danger."

"Jessica?" he asked, amusement showing in his demon eyes.

"Newbie."

"Who?"

I gritted my teeth. "JD." Newbie looked back at me, surprise briefly showing on my face.

"Oh, you mean Dr. Dorian," he smiled. "You could have just said so."

I glared at him fiercely, even though it didn't bother me nearly as much as I pretended to say Newbie's name. It actually felt quite good. Which is why I never did.

"Anyway," I said pointedly. "Lurch has snapped. He stole on of our tranquilizers and is planning to bury Newbie alive."

The old man's eyes widened slightly and he looked over at Newbie, who was staring at the floor intensely. "This is serious. What did you do, sport?"

Newbie's head shot up. "Nothing!" he cried out, voice alarmingly higher pitched than usual. Carla shot me a worried look. "I've never done anything to him! He's hated me since my first day! I don't know why he wants to... to..."

His voice broke. I could sense tears coming on and I motioned for Carla to do something. She shook her head and pointed to me. I looked back in confusion, not understanding that knowing look she was giving me. She rolled her eyes and mouthed 'he needs you'. I raised my eyebrow and looked at Newbie. He was clenching his fists and eyes shut, obviously trying to hold back tears. His shoulders were shaking slightly and a small choking sound escaped his trembling lips. Even Bobbo looked moved. He shifted his gaze to me and glared, willing me to do something. My eyebrow climbed higher and I looked at Newbie again.

Hesitantly, I reached up and put my hand on his shoulder lightly. He didn't seem to notice. I tightened my grip slightly and pulled him slowly toward me. He stiffened, but didn't resist. I pulled until he was directly in front of me. Slowly, he raised his head and opened his eyes to gaze into mine. I gasped quietly. Tears were sliding down his ghostly white face, eyes clouded with such intense fear that I almost felt it. Temporary surprise mingled with the fear and he stared at me in sad curiosity. I could only stare back, paralyzed by emotion for the first time.

He cleared his throat quietly and opened his mouth to speak, clearly nervous and confused.

Remembering where I was, I snapped back into focus. "You all right, Jenny?" I asked quickly, hoping no one else had noticed that little "moment".

He nodded, still confused. "It's just... scary." He looked down, as if ashamed. I briefly wonder why, but then remembered who I was. Dr. Perry Cox. I sure as hell wasn't acting like it.

I glanced over at Carla and she nodded encouragingly. I sighed, knowing what I had to do. I became aware of Bob barely holding back a fit of giggles. Apparently, he knew, too.

"Newbie... do you want a... hug?" I clenched my mouth shut, not sure if I had really said that or not.

His head snapped up immediately, mouth hanging open. I guess that means I had. He quickly shut his mouth and stared at me quizzically, as if deciding if this was a genuine offer. Fresh tears had spilled over and it didn't look like they would stop any time soon.

"Dr. Cox... this isn't a good time for you to be mocking me..." he said, hurt shining in his tone.

"Oh, for God sakes, Newbie, just hug me!" I growled, knowing full well that Carla would kill me if I did nothing.

He still hesitated and I growled, annoyed that I had to do this. I pulled him into a tight hug, his gasp muffled by my chest. Immediately, he broke down. Slouching against me, he began sobbing into my shoulder. Shocked, I wrapped my arms tighter, rubbing his back soothingly. I flashed a look at Carla but she seemed frozen, tears of her own starting to well up. I noticed movement on the other side of the room as Bob got up from his desk and walked over to her. He whispered something in her ear and she nodded. She left the room, walking briskly down the hall. I looked questioningly at Bob and he mouthed what I assumed was 'Turkleton'. I nodded and returned my attention back to JD. He was still sobbing hard and it was soaking through my scrubs.

I began to run my fingers softly through his hair like I had seen many fathers do to their crying children. He seems to take comfort in this and his sobs quieted gradually. When he was silent, I placed my hands on his shoulders and peeled him off of me so I could look him in the eye. He was still crying a little and shaking, but he looked slightly more stable.

As much as I torment Newbie, I had always thought of him as strong. He never broke like this. After I gave him the push he needed in his first few days, he had developed into a great doctor and person on his own. Sure, he leaned on people like me and his friends, but he pretty much took care of his problems on his own. This must really be freaking him out for him to cry openly like this, especially in front of me.

I bent and peered into his face. "Newbie?"

He looked back up at me, tear tracks glistening on his face. I found myself longing to see his goofy grin. "I'm sorry, Dr. Cox. I didn't mean to..." He looked down, shame showing clearly.

"Newbie, don't apologize. You needed that. I'm not mad, or did you not notice that while I was holding you?"

He looked back up in shock. "I didn't imagine that?"

I gave in to the laughter and was relieved to see Newbie smile, too. But it didn't reach his eyes.