Divergent Short Stories (Eric & Tris Fanfics)

Chapter Two-Tris

I sigh as I plop down in a chair at the front desk in Dauntless's infirmary—a place I've never really been stationed as of yet.  I'm exhausted.  I wasn't expecting what happened last night but no emergency is ever planned.  Eric's lucky I was just leaving the hospital for the night...

I step out from the emergency room entrance after a long day—my last day.  I look down at the certificate in my hand.  There was a small ceremony earlier and I could have invited friends and family but that's just not me.  I'm officially a certified doctor now.  Apparently I'm one of the fastest ever to study and the only at that type of speed outside of Erudite.  I tuck the paper into my satchel and look up noticing two Dauntless armored trucks approaching the hospital at high speed.  That's not a good sign. 
I run inside the ER and announce that there's incoming wounded.  I'm met with a gurney and two nurses.  I outrank them so I'm the first line of defense.  I see two soldiers step out of the first vehicle with a man.  He has a bit of blood loss holding a wound.  I signal the second team I hear behind us to handle him.  If he's walking, he's not that bad off... and I have a feeling the second vehicle is more critical.  I hear soldiers calling out worriedly for me at the back of the second one.  I step in front of the opened doors to see Jax—my former commanding officer.  I've never seen that fearful expression on his face before.  I look down and I know my expression must mirror his when I realize who the injured is. 
Jax gives me a rundown and I instruct the soldiers along with the two nurses to help me lift him carefully. 
"Keep the pressure on his wounds until we get to surgery," I tell all involved. 
"That means you, soldier," Jax orders one of the men. 
In lightning speed we move him and take him down to the first available operating room.  I bark out orders and direction, taking full assessment of the situation.  I have the staff take over excusing the soldiers from the room.  I strip off my things and scrub quickly.  I notice Dr Eckheart join me. 
"Eugene," I nod. 
"What's the situation?" he asks. 
"Multiple bullet wounds.  They were doing rounds in Factionless and were attacked," I tell him. 
"Bullet wounds?" he says in disbelief.  "How did the Factionless get guns?"
"I don't know," I admit as a nurse helps dress me in clean attire for surgery.  "Oh and Eugene?" I say to him frowning.  "We can't lose this patient," I demand firmly. 
"Who is it?" he asks worriedly. 
"A Dauntless leader—their youngest," I say. 
I can see him praying under his breath.  I know I am.  We've never experienced anything like this before.  We step into the room together and approach Eric.  Eugene just stares.  We don't have the time for this so I take control.  He must know him—I can tell by the expression crossing his countenance. 
I'm directed by the staff to the most dangerous of the wounds, right above his heart.  I handle that one.  I can see Eugene working on his leg.  From what I saw, these were the most severe.  I make a small incision and remove the bullet.  He's fortunate not to have hit any arteries or vital organs.  It's deep, though.  I stitch him up and check on how Eugene is handling his leg. 
"It's fine.  I've almost got it," he tells me but his voice is tense, laced with worry. 
I work on his back.  It's not bad.  It was just grazed with a bullet but it needs stitches.  I crouch down and stitch him up quickly.  Eugene and I finish at about the same time.  I sigh in relief that he's alright.  Everything is stable. 
"Alright.  Move him to a room and keep him comfortable," I say after I see that a nurse had handled his temple.  I think that bled the most so he's actually in pretty good shape considering. 
Eugene and I remove our coverings and wash up before going out to meet those in the waiting room.  I think both squads are present, a few soldiers I know—Sergeants Reed, Williams, and Gilbert.  The rest I'm unfamiliar with other than Jax.  He's the one in charge now—the ranking officer.  I approach him. 
"Tris," he says softly.  He looks like he's been crying actually.  "How is he?"
"He's stable.  We removed the bullets and stitched him up.  He should make a full recovery," I inform him. 
"Thank God," he sighs in relief. 
"Yeah," I reply softly. 
"Can we see him?" he asks. 
I glance at Eugene.  He nods his permission but recommends they call in some proper guards for the night and don't stay too long. 
"We should keep him for observation until the morning," he says.  I nod my agreement. 
A nurse shows them all where Eric's been moved.  I see Jax making the call to Dauntless with his cell phone since the radios aren't allowed here.  I overhear him say he's staying until they arrive. 
I sigh and look to Eugene. 
"Sorry about that back there.  I don't know what happened.  I've never reacted like that before," he apologizes. 
"It's alright," I reply softly.  It's obvious they were friends. 
"We were close growing up," he confides.  "I've never had to operate on someone I know before—especially not something so severe as this.  I panicked."
"I know.  Just try to do better next time," I tell him gently—for some reason feeling the urge to repeat a comment Abnegation motto in this instance. 
He nods in response. 
I sigh and look at the time.  I've missed the train... and the bus.  It's almost too late for dinner in Dauntless and if I have to walk back I've definitely missed it... so, the hospital cafeteria it is.  I take the stairs down a level and exit as dinner is being served.  I get in line and grab a tray.  Erudite food is not my favorite but it's food.  It's better than Abnegation cuisine though, so I take my meal of meatloaf, frozen cooked green beans, a salad, and a small piece of banana bread instead of the mashed potatoes and gravy or dinner rolls.  I don't mind them but I just don't need the extra carbs.  I'd rather have the banana bread for that.  I sit down in a corner by myself.  It's always been awkward being the only Dauntless here but I've dealt with it for the last several years. 
I finish my meal and head up to the recovery room.  It looks like Eric's been moved so his visitors should've probably come and gone.  I check the computer to see his room number and he's up on the top floor.  I climb the stairs and exit the stairwell searching for his accommodation.  I don't see guards outside so Jax is more than likely still present. 
I enter the room to view what I expected—Eric in bed unconscious and Jax watching over him.  I approach my previous commanding officer and pull a seat up beside him. 
"Has he woken yet?" I ask. 
He shakes his head. 
"Give him time.  He's been through some serious trauma.  He may take a little longer than you'd expect so don't worry," I explain softly. 
"The other physician—Dr Eckheart—he said you performed most of the surgeries," he says. 
"About half," I shrug. 
"Thank you," he tells me softly. 
I force a smile and we talk a bit.  His wife calls worriedly and I insist he heads home when the security detail arrives.  He gives me a look that I'm all too familiar with so I promise to keep an eye on Eric. 
"Are you sure?" he asks. 
"Yeah.  It wouldn't be the first time I've kept watch on a patient," I shrug.  I've stayed with several patients before—mostly in critical condition, though. 
He agrees... so I remain through the night in Eric's hospital room.  I spend the evening keeping an eye on him and sleeping on his sofa.  In the morning, I release him from the hospital and escort him to the Dauntless infirmary in the back of an armored truck.  I'm honestly grateful for the ride.  Once I get him settled, I order breakfast for both of us before I check up on him.