Chapter One

Brushing her wind blown blond hair out of her face, Dr. Kimberly Donovan surveyed the hospital that was going to be her new home. She'd been in California for almost a month, getting settled before starting her new job at LA Metropolitan. She'd left her previous job at County Memorial in Detroit after being falsely accused of molesting a patient. The Hospital Board had overturned her firing by the homophobic Chief of Staff, Dr. Hall and Kim had been asked to return to work. She considered it briefly, but she just didn't want to deal with her life there anymore. The failure of her closeted lover, the chief of the ER, to come to her defense was the last straw. She knew in her heart that she and Sharon had hurt each other too deeply to ever recover and reconcile. The thought of working with her day after day was more than Kim could cope with. So, she accepted a job offer in California. She had done her Psych residency in California and had always loved Southern California. She had only returned to Detroit to make her family happy. Now she was back, outside LA Metropolitan, ready to start her first day at work.

Kim made her way up to Psych on the fourth floor, for her meeting with the Chairman of Psychiatry, Dr. Philip Alerman. They'd worked together during Kim's Psych residency at another hospital. Philip was waiting for her when she arrived. A tall lanky man in his late 40's; his curly brown hair was thinner than Kim remembered. He still wore the same round wire rim glasses he always had. After a cup of coffee and some catching up on the last few years, he took her around to meet the rest of the Psych staff. Everyone seemed friendly and they welcomed her to the Psych Department. Philip was called away so Kim sat with some of the Staff getting to know them and learning what the department and the different rotations were like.

"Most of the rotations aren't too bad," commented Chris Roberts. The short stocky man with dishwater blond hair was one of the other Staff psychiatrists. "But watch your step when you cover the ER Psych consults, the ER Chief down there is a real hard ass."

Great, Kim thought, I haven't even been here a day yet and I'm already hearing about the ER Chief. What's it with that? Must be a requirement for the job. Kim laughed to herself. Yeah, I can see it... Wanted: one ER Chief. Must be a hard ass. Kim missed the rest of what Chris said. "I'm sorry, what were you saying?"

"I said," Chris repeated, "The only thing that makes that hard ass bearable is the fact that she's a gorgeous hard ass."

Everyone around the table chuckled.

Connie, one of the nurses, piped up, laughing, "Dream on Dr. Roberts. You're so not her type."

Kim must've looked puzzled. Connie turned to her, "He's a guy."

It took a second for what the woman said to sink in. Kim's brain finally kicked in as she thought, Oh! A gorgeous hard ass Chief of the ER who's not only gay, but she's out too. There's something new. Kim finally realized that everyone had gone quiet around the table.

Connie spoke up again, "I, um, hope you don't have a problem with that... I mean someone being gay."

Kim laughed, "Me? No. Not at all."

Philip returned to continue the tour of the hospital with Kim. They had covered most of the departments that interacted with Psych. All that was left were meet and greets with the hospital's Chief of Staff and the ER Chief. Philip had explained that they would go to the ER last because as the new liaison between the ER and Psych, Kim would be spending most of her time there when not on the Psych floor.

Philip led them to the Chief of Staff's office warning Kim as they walked, "The Chief of Staff, Dr. Rodman is a jerk, but he's a great surgeon and we just try to ignore the rest."

The secretary in the outer office greeted them and directed them into the inner office. "Dr. Rodman will see you now."

Stepping into the office and getting her first look at the doctor, Kim couldn't stop the shiver that traced down her spine. It was spooky how much this guy looked like Dr. Hall from County Memorial. He had the same short slim build, with his thinning hair combed over to hide his ever widening bald spot.

Philip made the introductions and Kim's eyes narrowed as Dr. Rodman's eyes traveled slowly up her body before finally meeting her eyes.

"What a pleasure to meet you Dr. Donovan, be sure and let me know if there is anything I can do for you," he leered at her breasts as he spoke. "My door is always open for you. I hope you stop by often."

Kim gave him a disgusted look. "I'm sure that won't be necessary. I trust Dr. Alerman to take care of anything I need."

Philip quickly led them out of the room. "I'm sorry to subject you to that Kim. He's usually not quite that blatant."

Yep, Kim thought, just like Hall.

Neither of them spoke for several moments. Philip finally broke the uncomfortable silence. "Let's head for the ER. I'd really like to introduce you to Dr. McKenna; the two of you will be working together quite a bit. She runs the ER with an iron fist and doesn't take any crap from anyone. That said, she's an incredible woman; compassionate with her patients, a great physician. It just takes a little getting used to her gruff personality."

Kim couldn't help thinking that he could've been describing Sharon Wilson.

The ER as usual was bedlam; patients waiting in chairs, trauma rooms full. For all the chaos there was also the unmistakable sense of the underlying order of a well run ER. Philip stopped at the admit desk and introduced Kim to the desk clerk, Penny. Penny was a fixture at LA Metro and Philip took the time to point out the multitude of ways she would be helpful to the new doctor. Kim checked out the desk clerk. She was in her late 20's; slightly overweight with short stylishly cut red hair and pretty green eyes.

Penny couldn't help but admire the beautiful blond psychiatrist. Wouldn't it be nice if this new one is gay? Penny for years had longed to catch the attention of the standoffish ER Chief, but had finally given up when the woman repeatedly rebuffed her overtures. She's not nearly as tall as McKenna but I love her blonde hair. She's a beauty. Compared to that tall, dark and butch McKenna, this femme could have some really interesting possibilities. They're like night and day, one dark, one light. Smiling at Dr. Alerman's complimentary introduction, Penny pointed the pair to the staff lounge where Dr. McKenna was working. She sighed as she watched the gentle sway of Kim's slim hips as the two psychiatrists walked away in search of Dr. McKenna.

The two headed for the Staff Lounge to find Dr. McKenna. They stepped into the room where the woman sat working. Her head was down and her black hair slightly obscured her face. Kim admired the broad shoulders and muscled biceps showing past the arms of her scrub shirt. When the woman looked up, her high cheekbones and classically chiseled features startled Kim. Chris Roberts hadn't exaggerated; this woman was indeed absolutely gorgeous.

"Dr. Alerman, can I help you?" the woman asked.

"I came down to introduce you to your new Psych liaison, Dr. Kimberly Donovan. Dr. Donovan, this is the Head of the ER, Dr. Jess McKenna."

Jess rose from her chair to greet the new arrival. Kim watched as Dr. McKenna stood, her eyes gliding up the long tall body before meeting her eyes.

"Nice to meet you Dr. Donovan." Jess's voice was low and husky.

Before Kim could respond, her gaze locked with the most incredible blue eyes she'd ever seen. They were breathtaking. Where Kim's eyes were the color of a warm summer sky, this woman's eyes, while blue, turned almost bluish silver as she gazed at Kim. Kim found all rational thought being pushed from her head as the other woman stared straight into Kim's baby blues. Hearing Philip clear his throat, Kim tore away from those amazing eyes and struggled to find her voice.

"Nice to meet you Dr. McKenna." she squeaked out, finally noticing the woman was holding her hand out.

Kim's hand was clasped in a firm handshake. She made eye contact again, seeing something flicker in those engaging blue eyes before they turned almost silver and expressionless.

Philip continued, "Well Kim I need to head back up to Psych. I'll leave you in Dr. McKenna's capable hands."

Kim blinked as her mind filled in exactly what she'd like Dr. McKenna to do with her hands. She made the mistake of glancing over at her. The woman arched one of her eyebrows and smirked as if she knew exactly what Kim had just been thinking. Kim couldn't stop herself from blushing.

Philip checked his watch, said his goodbyes and left the room.

Dr. McKenna turned to Kim. "What can I show you?" she asked with a grin.

Again, Kim's face betrayed her and colored with embarrassment. "An overview of the ER would be great, so I can become familiar with the personnel, layout, procedures, etcetera." Kim wondered, Is this woman flirting with me?

"After you Dr. Donovan."

Before they could step outside the lounge Kim turned to Dr. McKenna, "If we're going to be working closely together, please call me Kim."

Jess gave Kim that little half smirk that Kim was quickly learning meant trouble. Her voice taking on a sensual purr, Jess replied, "Oh we're going to be working closely together are we?"

Kim felt a shot of arousal go straight through her body. For the third time in just a few minutes in this woman's presence Kim's face went hot with a blush.

Jess laughed, "Please call me Jess," and headed out of the lounge.

Kim's inner voice was screaming, I'm in trouble; I am in soo much trouble!

As soon as they stepped out of the lounge, Jess's demeanor changed. The smile disappeared, her face became impossible to read, and her eyes, when they meet Kim's, showed none of the spark that had been there not moments ago. Kim was a little taken aback by the abrupt change. Several Staff members approached Jess with questions or problems. Her responses were crisp and professional, without a hint of the playfulness she had displayed with Kim. As Kim watched her interact with her staff she realized that to them it was perfectly normal; this was the Dr. McKenna they knew. Kim felt like she'd glimpsed a totally different woman in the lounge and wanted to see that woman again. She repeated what was quickly becoming a mantra in her head; I'm in soo much trouble here. She'd only been in this woman's presence for a few minutes and already felt an incredible and growing attraction for her.

Kim was jerked out of her thoughts by a voice close to her ear, "Ready for your tour?" Again it was the soft sensual purr that sent a shot of arousal straight between her legs.

Kim swallowed hard, refusing to meet the other woman's eyes. "Sure, let's go." Kim thought she heard Jess chuckle softly at her stuttered response.

For the rest of the tour Jess was the perfect professional. She introduced Kim to the ER staff, showed her the treatment rooms, trauma bays, supply rooms; the whole ER from top to bottom. She explained the procedures they used before calling down Psych and the protocols the hospital used for holding patients. Kim tried several times to coax out the woman she'd met in the lounge, but couldn't seem to get past Jess's icy professional exterior. As the tour ended Kim sighed in frustration wondering if she'd just imagined the connection she had felt with the woman earlier.

Kim was again pulled out of her thoughts by Jess's voice. "Only place you haven't seen is my office, it's not much, but if you need to you're welcome to use it. Come on I'll show you."

Jess led Kim to a back hall of the ER that Kim thought only held supply closets. As they approached the last door at the very end of the hall Kim saw the nameplate. 'Dr. J. McKenna, Chairman, Emergency Medicine'. Stepping into the room, Kim realized it wasn't much bigger than some of the storage closets they'd been in. It didn't even have a window. Jess seemed to sense Kim's thoughts.

"I think it used to be a broom closet," Jess laughed. "It's not much, but it's home. You really are welcome to share it."

Kim turned to face Jess, feeling her breath hitch suddenly. Here was the woman she'd met in the lounge, her face relaxed, smiling slightly, her eyes a silvery blue. Kim was captivated. She wasn't sure how long they stood staring at each other before she finally forced her gaze away.

"I appreciate that Jess. It will save me lots of running back and forth between the ER and Psych when I'm on call." She sensed Jess's sudden uncertainly.

"Umm, I know this is understood but, this is just between us... right?"

Kim was suddenly thrown into a vivid flashback of Sharon Wilson saying those exact words to her after their first night together as lovers. Kim was momentarily thrown off balance but before she could reply Jess continued, "I mean, I'm just offering you the use of my office, not the Psych residents or the other Staff. I'll give you the extension number to this phone so you can let the desk clerk know where to reach you and oh, here's an extra key so you can get in even when I'm not here."

Kim was so caught up in the emotions flooding her brain she could only mumble "Ok. Sure. Thanks." when Jess handed her the key.

"Are you alright Kim?"

Kim quickly shook off the flood of emotions, knowing Jess had no idea what caused her strange reaction. Kim couldn't stop her mind from objecting, This is Sharon Wilson all over again. Once she realized that wasn't at all what Jess was saying, Kim felt guilty for so quickly judging the woman.

"Are you sure you're ok Kim?"

Kim smiled at Jess, looking again into those eyes that were so fascinating. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Ok then. I need to get back to the ER. If I don't keep a tight rein on the children, all hell breaks loose."

Kim laughed softly, "I'm sure they're wondering where I disappeared to up in Psych."

"They probably figure you fell into the evil clutches of the Bitch of the ER."

Kim's eyes widened at Jess's words.

"Oh, that's one of the nicer things the staff calls me. Don't worry. I'm sure you'll hear them all very soon. And you'll probably call me some of them yourself before long." Jess informed her with a grin.

"Oh, I'm not worried, Dr. McKenna. I've much more interesting ways of dealing with people than calling them names."

Kim looked directly into Jess's face allowing her own smirk to appear as she raised one eyebrow. To her great surprise and pleasure, Jess blushed deeply. Kim couldn't help but laugh.

With that, Jess quickly said goodbye and made her escape back to the ER.

Kim returned to Psych, her first day at LA Metropolitan done.


Continued in Chapter 2