Emily let out a heavy sigh, pulling the paper-thin sheet up over her lap. The clock read three-thirty in the afternoon, meaning that she'd been a guest of the Bayfront Medical Institute for more than six hours now. Frankly, she was starting to regret ever contacting Dr. Clark in the first place; but she'd promised Billy she'd get checked out. On top of that, Chloe was growing more and more insistent as well. 

As steadfast as a guardian angel, Chloe sat in a chair near the bed where Emily was resting with an IV of fluids in her arm. Emily couldn't help but smile a little as she glanced at her friend. There were only five or six years between them, with Emily being older; but Chloe had a protective way about her, and it was something Emily had come to appreciate. 

"How much longer do you think they're going to keep me here? I have work to do. I really only expected this to be an exam."

Chloe glanced up from the magazine she was browsing, noting the time on the clock as well.

"As long as they need to. I'd be surprised if they let you go at all. Jesus, Em, you've lost 15 pounds since we got to Seattle. That's nothing to sneeze at."

She put down the magazine and stood, walking over to the small window in the room to draw the curtains.

"You should try to sleep. If they're going to be a while, you might as well take advantage of the time. Besides, there's nothing you need to do that can't wait. Mr. Sellars has everything under control at the spa, Jen is meeting with the staff applicants, and I'm right here where you need me. You run a tight ship, Miss Renfroe, even when you're not running it."

Chloe winked and sat down on the end of the bed. Emily started to crack some kind of joke when the door opened. 

A short, stocky gentleman in a pristine white lab coat and thick-rimmed glasses entered the room. Emily sat up a bit straighter.

"Dr. Clark, nice to see you. I take it the labs are back?"

Two junior fellows followed the portly doctor inside, both holding copies of her chart. One of them handed their copy to the doctor. He cleared his throat and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

"They are, Miss Renfroe. I'm afraid it doesn't look very good. Given your symptoms and the preliminary results of the tests, I believe that you've contracted Poliomyelitis."

Chloe shot a look at Emily, at first seeming confused, and then stunned as she caught up. She whispered under her breath.

"Polio...."

Emily shook her head, keeping a calm and kind look on her face.

"Dr. Clark, I don't mean to seem obstinate, but I'm almost certain it's not polio. I did quite a bit of research myself before I contacted you. There are similar symptoms, sure, but as a medical professional myself, I--"

Dr. Clark cut her off rather frankly.

"As a nurse, Miss Renfroe, I am sure you are quite astute; but you are not a physician. The tests results don't lie. Now, I realize that this is difficult news to hear, but many patients have found that the current treatments can be helpful in slowing the progress of the disease."

Emily looked at the doctor with a look of shock, her jaw hanging open just slightly. Dr. Clark turned to one of the younger doctors and began barking orders for her to be admitted and moved to a regular room. Emily held up a hand.

"Respectfully, Dr. Clark, I think I would like to go home and seek a second opinion at a later time."

Chloe, looking somewhat panicked, whispered to Emily.

"Do you really think that's a good idea? Emily, he's talking about polio- that's serious."

"It's not polio, Chloe. It can't be."

The doctor, looking quite annoyed, clearly had no desire to argue. He replied with a snarky tone.

"Well, Ms. Renfroe, I'll respect your 'professional' wishes, but heavily advise against it. If you are determined to seek another opinion, I'll discharge you as soon as your IV is finished. But, again, I must insist that you remain for treatment. The tests are--"

This time, it was Emily who cut him off.

"...not always correct the first time. Did you run the blood work a second time? Were the tests run properly? May I see the results for myself?"

Dr. Clark looked as if someone had just pissed on his license.

"Madame, I am one of the leading physicians in diseases in the Pacific Northwest, and I'll not have you questioning my methods or medical authority. I have given you the results and my professional diagnosis. If you choose to ignore that, it is your life.  When you calm yourself and decide to come back for treatment, I'll be happy to see you. Good day, miss."

With that, he huffed out of the room. Emily's eyes followed him with a steely look. When the door closed behind Dr. Clark and his minions, Emily scowled.

"I have never in all my days been treated with such dismissive regard! What absolute jackassery. That is the most pompous, pig-headed, chauvinistic windbag of a doctor I have EVER encountered!"

Chloe sat quietly on the bed, chewing at her bottom lip. Emily saw her and stopped immediately. She reached out and took Chloe's hand.

"Listen to me, Chloe. There are a hundred other things it could be. It's...it just can't be polio."

To Chloe, Emily sounded as if she were trying to be sure of herself; but something just didn't settle. But, Chloe knew better than to argue with Emily when it came to medical things; which she knew nothing about anyway. Nodding, she stood and picked up her purse. 

"I'll go and get the car."

Emily nodded, giving her friend a reassuring smile. She glanced up at the nearly empty IV bottle and read the label again, making mental notes to remember later. The fluids had settled her stomach and were providing nutrients she couldn't get from failed attempts at meals. She could do this herself at home; at least until she could get a second opinion.

Thirty minutes later, Emily was dressed again and walked out of the room. Dr. Clark stood at the nurses station desk and didn't look up at all. Emily didn't give him a second look, and smirked as she passed him by.