Chapter 1

"Good morning," Dr.Brian Littrell said with a sigh as he entered the small medical building, the familiar sounds and noises filling the air. "Wow, it's cold out there."

"Morning," came the short answer from Kevin Richardson as he read over his paper work.

Littrell poured himself a cup of coffee. "Gee, you're talkative. What has your attention?"

"A gastric bypass!" the dark-haired surgeon beamed. "I, Kevin Richardson, am performing a gastric bypass within an hour!"

The younger man lifted his brow staring at his coffee. "Man, nothing like the thought of opening skin and burying yourself in the blood of a tummy to get your brain juices flowin' is there, Kev?" echoed the sarcastic reply.

"Excuse me, Brian, but some of us earn for more than taking a child's temperature and pulse."

The young pediatric caregiver pushed his short dark blonde curls away from his blue eyes. "I like what I do. I love children, I'm quite content "taking their temperatures and pulse" as you put it. I'm glad when that's all I have to do, I hate seeing anyone ill, that's why I became a doctor. A doctor who happens to have a special interest in pediatrics and cardiology."

"And what has it gotten you?" Dr.Richardson asked in exasperation. "The only heart surgery you have ever performed was in med. school. Don't you have a desire to just get in there and operate?"

"No, I'm happier giving a kid a lollipop and sending them on their way, without the need of surgery."

"You know, that's your problem," Kevin stated running a hand through his black hair. "You're always so content with little things. Even as a kid you were that way. I wanted to climb a mountain, you wanted to stay at the bottom playing in a stream."

Brian shook his head. "There will never be a day you won't allow me to forget I'm your little cousin, will there? And as for the part about a mountain- you know I have a fear of heights."

Richardson stared out the window at the small secluded area. Small roads and open space covered the land. "Don't you ever wish you had gotten away from this hick town?"

"We did get away," the younger doctor simply stated. "We went to the big city for parts of medical school. Besides, with your Kentucky accent you'd stick out anyway. Personally, I'm glad to be in this small town working in this tiny hospital."

"Hospital? This place is a damn clinic, not a hospital."

"Well, it's called Backstreet General," Brian stressed. "Sounds like a hospital to me."

"Sounds like a random building they stuck in the middle of nowhere and couldn't think of a better name," the older cousin grumbled.

"Either way, it's a good job that pays well, I can't complain, nor should you. Your thirty-years-old and the head of this place, top surgeon, top business man. Isn't that something to be proud of, Kev? Being chief resident?"

Kevin stood walking toward the door. "Proud of? I'm stuck in Hickville where a brilliant operation coming along is a once in a lifetime opportunity! And I might only be the top surgeon until some chick they're bringing in from Chicago gets here. I'll spend the rest of my life delivering babies and removing appendixes!"

Brian sipped his coffee. "Saving life, and helping bring a healthy life into the world. Doesn't sound so bad to me."

"You're always so optimistic," the surgeon grumbled.

The younger man chuckled. "Oh, come on, Kev. You know, you're just upset because you decided to cut off your pretty black locks of hair to be taken more seriously as a physician and not look like a hippie."

Kevin grimaced running a hand through his now, short and spiky hair his piercing green eyes narrowing. "I don't want to talk about it. And why did you decide to make Patch Adams your role model?"

"Humor helps people feel better, Kev. Besides, didn't Robin Williams win the oscar for that role?"

Dr.Richardson released a heavy sigh. "That was "Good Will Hunting" you moron."

"Tell me more about this woman from Chicago. Does she have a name?"

"Turtle or something like that. Only twenty-five. She was one of those damn whiz kids that you always loved to hate in school. You know the type I mean."

"Yeah, I know. You make her out to sound like a snoot."

He sighed. "She might not be. I just really thought I'd be top dog. And to make it worse she's bringing a couple of med students with her. Damn rookies, I believe. A big group of nurses. They'll probably be annoying as hell."

His cousin stroked his brow. "It only makes sense to bring in another high profile surgeon that qualified. Besides, it's fitting. What would happen if one of you needed surgery? Ultimately, unless it were a vain cosmetic type it would be the other performing it. And don't worry, Kev, you'll always be a dog in my book!"

Dr.Richardson shook his head departing. "Goodbye, Mr.Comedy, and just so you know a nurse is coming with her. Your nurse."

"I don't know why you're so upset about it! More people means less paper work!" Brian shouted after him.

"Oh, shit, oh, shit! I'm late! I'm late!" a tall, young, blonde gasped as he ran into the open space. Blonde bangs falling into his baby blue eyes.

"New guy?" Brian asked kindly.

"Yeah!"

"Relax, you're not late. The people that are entering the establishment with you haven't even arrived yet. You want a cup of coffee?"

"Sure," the blonde breathed taking a seat.

Brian poured the blonde a cup of the hot, steaming liquid. "What's your name, kid?"

"Carter. Nick Carter."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Dr.Brian Littrell," he answered shaking the young man's hand.

The student sipped his coffee. "Same here. Um, may I ask you a question?"

"Surely."

"Um, why does this place look like a clinic?"

"Well, it's a small town. But we have all the equidment necessary to be a hospital. We only average a few traumatic cases a day, if that."

"That's all?" Nick asked in shock.

"Yep. However, I think your studying here will be fantastic. You'll get more time to truly act as a doctor, not a stooge."

"I like the sound of that!" the rookie beamed.

"Did you meet the others from Chicago?"

"Yeah, they're a great bunch of people. There's this nurse Katie Mist, the head nurse of this new place, she's one of the sweetest girls you could ever meet. Beautiful, kind and good at her job. And Dr.Turtle's brilliant. Gorgeous and as smart as ever. And AJ...well there's no way to describe him."

"They sound terrific."

"They are." Nick bit his lip. "I noticed there were no females in the halls. Will Nurse Mist and Dr.Turtle be the only female employees in the facility other than the extra nurses?"

"Yes, and a welcomed sight of scenery from what you tell me."

Nick smiled. "Cool. Is it nice here?"

"Very."

"Will I be working with you, Dr.Littrell?"

"Is your major pediatrics or cardiology?"

"No, sir."

"Then, I seriously doubt it. You'll probably be working with either Dr.Turtle or Dr.Richardson."

"Dr.Richardson, what's he like?"

Brian released a sigh. "Kid, hope you get assigned to Dr.Turtle."

"Yo, whaz up?" a raspy voice greeted making a grand entrance.

"Hi," Littrell replied uneasily.

The thin, tatooed male extended his hand. "Hey, doc, I'm AJ McLean."

Brian shook his hand. "Dr.Brian Littrell."

AJ took a seat making himself comfortable. "Damn, this place is tiny, man. It's cool though. It really gives me space to express my individuality."

Brian lifted an eyebrow. "Well, from what I can see your quite the individual."

"Thanks. What's your position around here?"

"Pediatrics and cardiology are normally my assignments, then I'll often give referals to the cardiologist or children's hospital upstate."

"Whoa, impressive."

The doctor chuckled. "Nice to know someone thinks so. You?"

"I think they refer to me as a practicing med student now." The rebelious student turned to Nick. "Hey, rookie, you're on time. Good start." He looked around. "Where's the chicks?"

Nick scratched his chin. "I guess you mean Nurse Mist and Dr.Turtle?"

"Yeah, the babes," McLean clarified.

"They haven't arrived yet."

AJ's brown eyes saddened. "Pity."

The conversation was distracted as Dr.Richardson came bursting through. "Hello, gentlemen," he said quickly. "Nice to have you with us. I will be your supervisor and instructor, Dr.Richardson."

"Along with Dr.Turtle," Nick interjected.

Richardson grimaced. "Yes, along with Dr.Turtle. You will also be helping our head nurse, Katie Mist. And-"

"Whoa, dude, don't you take a break for a hand shake or somethin'?" AJ asked staring at the business-minded surgeon.

Kevin crossed his arms. "I'm in the business of saving lives not shaking hands. And who might you be?"

"McLean, AJ McLean," he said proudly. "And the blonde's Nick Carter."

"AJ? What a proper name," Richardson responded rudely. "What's your full name?"

"Alexander," the student growled.

"Fine, Alexander."

"I don't like being called Alexander," AJ hissed.

Dr.Richardson shrugged. "Well, I guess you'll have to get accustomed to it."

"Ah, here we are!" a soft voice breathed entering the warm building.

"Nurse Mist, Dr.Turtle, how nice of you to decide to join us!" the male surgeon stated as though he were a teacher lecturing his students.

Dr.Turtle's honey-brown eyes narrowed as she spoke in a mocking tone. "Dr.Richardson, how nice of you to give us such a rude welcoming. A simple "hello" would been quite satisfactory."

"Hello," Brian said innocently walking toward the new female staff members. "I'm Dr.Littrell."

The redhead smiled shaking his hand. "Hello, Dr.Littrell, I'm Dr.Turtle."

"And I'm Katie Mist," the small burnette said accepting his hand.

Richardson fumed. "My apologies, Miss Turtle."

The woman threw her long light auburn colored locks over her shoulder. "Apology accepted, and Dr.Richardson, please call me Dr.Turtle, as I am qualified surgeon."

Kevin bit his lip. "Very well, Dr.Turtle. Would you like a tour of the buliding before I attend to my gastric bypass?"

"No, that won't be necessary. I'd hate to keep such a time-oriented man from his duties."

"Very well," Kevin answered through his teeth. "Carter," he called randomly. "Would you care to join me in a gastric bypass? It's quite graphic and stimulating."

The young student male paled becoming light-headed. "A gastric bypass, sir? Where you go into someone's tummy?"

"Yes."

"Dr.Richardson, I believe AJ would be the better recepient to attend such a graphic presentation," Dr.Turtle stated pitying the youth before her.

"Fine, come along, Alexander," the surgeon scowled.

"Oh, Dr.Richardson!" the redhead called after him. "I know you're a highly qualified surgeon, so, obviously your eye sight and hand-eye cordination is excellent. Perhaps, there is something wrong with your hearing. His name is AJ."

Kevin turned walking away. "Come on, AJ!"

AJ kissed the doctor cheek as he ran to catch up. "Thanks, Dr.Turtle!" he mouthed.

"He's scary, Dr.Turtle!" Nick whispered.

"Oh, don't be scared, hon," Dr.Turtle assured him. "His ego is just better than his common curiousity, that's all. And for the record you can all call me Annie, with the exception of Mr.Richardson."

Katie smiled giving her friend a high five. "You sure showed him, Annie!"

"Someone had to," Brian sighed. "My cousin can over react."

Katie's jaw dropped, her chocolate colored eyes widening. "You're related to that?"

Brian laughed. "Shocking, isn't it?"

"Very," the young nurse agreed.

Dr.Littrell finished his coffee. "Would you like a tour of the building?"

The new employees nodded in agreement.

"Emergency!" came a panicked voice as the door burst open a young Latino paramedic running inside. "I got a young toddler and mother in a car wreck! Kid's got a few broken bones! Mother's got possibility of internal bleeding!"

"So, much for that tour!" the physician yelled. "We got the kid, Howie!" Dr.Littrell hollered to the worker pulling the stretcher into an open room. "Just follow me, Katie!"

"I'm right behind you!" the nurse assured him following in a rush.

"Stay with me, Nick!" Dr.Turtle demanded as Howie brought in the injured parent.

"Heart rate and pressure continue to lower! IV drip is barely a success!" the Latino yelled pushing the stretcher into an open area.

Dr.Turtle stood over the patient speaking calmy. "Hello, can you tell me where the pain's the worst?"

"My baby! Where's my baby?" the woman shouted in hysterics struggling to sit up as the strong paramedic restrained her.

"Ma'am, your daughter is with the best pediatrician this hospital could offer. She's in good hands."

"Is she all right?" the lady sobbed.

"She has a few broken bones, but nothing that won't heal in time. Now, that you know she's going to be okay. Let's worry about you? Could you do that for me?"

"All...all right," the woman stammered stopping her fight with the paramedic.

"That's right. What's your name?"

"Isabella."

"Well, that's a lovely name for a lovely woman," Dr.Turtle said she examined the severity of the patient's condition.

"How is she?" Carter whispered below his breath.

Dr.Turtle paled. "Shit! She's bleeding into her belly like crazy!" she whispered. "We need her in surgery! Now!"

"Need me to show you the way?" the paramedic volunteered.

"Please!" the doctor accepted helping maunever the device. "Isabella, there's a problem in your belly that I want to take a special look at. Okay? Can you stay strong for me?"

"Yeah....yeah, I can stay strong," the woman breathed.

"Good, you just stay with me," Dr.Turtle replied entering the elevator.

The paramedic smiled at her. "I didn't have time to properly introduce myself, I'm Howie Dorough."

She returned the smile. "I'm Annie Turtle. Pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise. So, you're the resident we've heard so much about? Rumor has it you're more talented than Richardson."

Dr.Turtle blushed. "We'll see."

He glanced at the med student. "Hi, and you are?"

"Nick Carter, nice to meet you. So, you're a paramedic?"

"Yep, I work in the hospital, too, since this is where our branch is located due to the tiny size of the town."

"I see."

Howie glanced down at the patient wincing in pain as Dr.Turtle fought to calm her. "Quite a way to start your day, isn't it, Carter?"

Nick sighed leaning against the elevator. "And Brian said this place wouldn't be that crazy."

***

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