Author/pseudonym: MonaCK and Cathy Roberts
Email address: monaCK2@yahoo.com and huntersglenn@yahoo.com
Rating: NC-17
Status: Finished. Well, mostly finished. Just the ending left to write.
Pairing: John Carter/Dave Malucci
Date: May 14, 2004
Archive: Please ask first
Series: 54/?
Category: "E.R."
Disclaimer: "ER" and all its characters belong to Warner Bros. No infringement of their copyright is intended. This story was written for the enjoyment of "ER" fans everywhere, and may be downloaded for your own pleasure. The title of the story was inspired by the Jimmy Buffett song of the same name, and no infringement is intended. The story can be found on the following web sites: http://www.heresmona.com/fanfic.html
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Boutique/7087/, and
http://www.errealmofslash.com
Summary: It's a slashy A/U story about how Season 8 might have been and contains no spoilers for the current season.
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes, Part 54"
By MonaCK and Cathy Roberts
Dave was in a good mood. Sure, he was about to quit his job. And, he wasn't quite sure what he was going to do for a new one. But he had John. Everything else would somehow fall into place. Dave would start to job hunt the next day -- maybe even groveling at County for a job.
What a good morning they had had -- there was something to be said about making love in a Jacuzzi. And that was after they had made love the night before. Whoa -- Dave never thought he would let anyone do *that* to him, but with John, it was natural. It was right. And it felt *damned* good.
As Dave approached the mansion, his eyes swept the building, his nerves starting to get the better of him. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.
Alger answered, allowing him entry. He directed Dave towards the study, warning him that the entire Carter family was gathered. Dave paused for a moment, plastered a grin on his lips, and then entered the small room. Mr. Carter was seated at the desk, looking through some papers. John's mother sat in a chair on the opposite side of the room, doing some needlepoint with that ever-present stoic expression on her face. And it looked like Dr. Meyers and Mrs. C were deep in conversation.
Dave cleared his throat to let everyone know that he was there, and it caused everyone to look up at him. "Hey," he said, his grin growing larger. "How's everyone this morning?"
Millicent smiled warmly at Dave. "I'm fine, thank you for asking. How are you doing today?" She gestured to a nearby chair. "Please, have a seat. Would you care for anything? Tea or coffee? Water, perhaps?"
Dave quickly shook his head. "No thanks. I had some coffee back at the cottage..." Dave glanced around the room as he moved towards the seat that Mrs. C had indicated. He needed to tell her his intentions, but he really didn't want the audience. "Uh, Mrs. C, there's somethin' I need to talk to you about," he began, as he once more darted his eyes around the room. The only person he was really uncomfortable around was John's mother, and the vibes she usually emitted were enough to want to make Dave clam up tighter than an oyster.
"Why don't we go into the kitchen?" Dr. Meyers suggested. "That way Jack doesn't have to be bothered with moving everything, and, of course, assuming you want me in that conversation as well. If it's not work related, then I'll just wait here," he said, completely at ease with either option.
Millicent nodded. "That would be nice. Shall we adjourn to the kitchen then?" she asked Dave.
Dave nodded towards Dr. Meyers. "Actually, it *is* work related, so if you wouldn't mind joinin' us," Dave posed, as he stood once again. "I think the kitchen would work jus' fine."
Dave nodded towards John's parents with a small smile and then exited the room. He had to admit he was more than a bit nervous about doing this, but was also quite confident that Mrs. C would understand. She was his and John's biggest fan. And Dave was sure he'd be able to easily help find another doctor for her.
Millicent and Dr. Meyers followed Dave into the kitchen and gathered around the table. "I was a bit hesitant to ask you this in front of Eleanor. She's been so volatile these past few days where you and John are concerned," Millicent said to Dave as she settled her chair at the table. "How is John doing this morning?"
Dave followed suit, choosing a chair near Mrs. C. As she spoke, the grin on Dave's face grew more genuine. John. His favorite subject. "He's doin'...really, really well," Dave said, bringing his eyes up to meet the older woman's. "I think that the sessions with Dr. DiLeo are really gonna help him. He's opened up a lot, and I think he's beginnin' to recognize that this *is* somethin' that he can work past, and that it isn't his fault."
He turned to look at Dr. Meyers, and then back over toward Millicent once again. "I...it's actually sorta about John why I needed to talk to you. I know I promised ya that I wouldn't let my personal life interfere with my job here, but, these have sorta been special circumstances. I...I don't quite know how to say this, so I'm jus' gonna come out with it. I think it'll be a conflict of interest for me to continue on as your physician."
Millicent calmly regarded Dave. "I was afraid you'd feel that way. I suppose that you have a valid concern, but I'm quite comfortable with you, Dave. And, to be quite honest, I don't want John to leave me, not yet anyway. I feel that he's better off staying around his family right now, and if you leave, then I know he'll insist on leaving with you. I also know that you're the type of man who isn't going to be comfortable living here just because you're with John."
Dave quickly shook his head. "I don't want John to leave you either. I was sorta hopin' that I could stay on at the cottage, but I'd understand if that wasn't possible. If not, well...then I'd move into the house. I don't wanna do anythin' that's gonna come between you and John. I would like to stay on as your physician, I mean...I do like helping ya out, and everythin', but, if I'm involved with John..."
Dave just didn't see how it was possible.
Millicent visibly relaxed as she heard Dave's words, but as he finished speaking, she shook her head. "I don't see it as a conflict of interest, but I know my relatives, and if something happened to me while under your care, they'd crucify both you and John for it. John more so than you, believe me. I have no problem at all with the two of you living in the cottage. It's close enough to make me happy and removed enough to let the two of you feel as if you're living away from here." She smiled at Dave, then reached over and grasped his hand. "I'm glad that you're willing to stay here, even if it's for John's sake."
"Hey, it's not only for John's sake," Dave said, returning the smile. He squeezed her hand gently. "I kinda like bein' around you. You're a lot of fun, and, well...you're the closest thing to family I've had in a while," he said sincerely. Dave had his brother Steve, but he'd never really had a parental figure to speak of. While John's parents were not that great, at least he had always had his grandmother in his corner.
Dr. Meyers nodded. "I'm also glad that you'll be staying here. You might not be able to stay on as Millicent's home physician, but it would be good to have another doctor here, someone not as personally involved as John. I'm also glad that you thought about your staying on as a conflict of interest, Dr. Malucci. It tells me that you're a man of honor and character, and I just might have an idea for your next source of employment."
Dave's brow rose at this. "Yeah? Where?" Maybe Dr. Meyers had an in with a hospital or something...
Dr. Meyers grinned at Dave. "I've been thinking about taking on a partner in my practice. Someone young, so that my patients can have plenty of time to get to know him or her. I'm quite a few years away from retiring, but when I am ready to quit, I'd like to know that my patients are in good hands and with someone they trust. I know it's not trauma, but I can offer you decent office hours and a set salary. I really do feel we could work together, Dr. Malucci. Would you at least be willing to hear my full proposal?"
Dave opened his mouth, and then shut it again. Dr. Meyers was offering *him* a partnership in his practice? On one hand, Dave was still living a pipe dream that one day he would work in trauma again, but on the other hand, Dave realized that that's just what it was -- a pipe dream. What Dr. Meyers was offering was stability, steady work -- and best of all, Dave wouldn't feel like he was mooching off of John. "I...wow, Dr. Meyers. I don't even haveta hear your proposal. I think I'd be a fool to turn you down," he quipped as he blinked again in disbelief. "But, I am interested in hearin' all about what the position would entail."
Dr. Meyers nodded. "Good. I have some time right now, if you'd like to discuss it in more detail. I can remember most of the things off of the top of my head and can get the finer details to you later. Of course, you'd have to finish your residency before I'd make you a full partner, but you can finish that while working for me. And, yes, all of that would be in writing. When I accepted you from the agency and had them send you out here to meet Millicent, I had already done my homework on you, Dr. Malucci."
Dr. Meyers leaned back in his chair and looked intently at Dave. "I know just about everything there is to know about you professionally, and that was good enough to help me look past some of your personal and work related issues, such as why you were discharged from the cruise line and County General. I can fully understand why you lost your job on the cruise line. It would have taken a man made of stone to keep away from the person he loved, and that's not something I'd ever ask someone. I also don't foresee any conflicts as far as John is concerned, because I'm not his physician, so you wouldn't be facing the possibility of having to treat him at any time."
Dave opened his eyes, surprised. So despite all of it, Dr. Meyers had still hired him on. Somehow, the man had seen through the trouble Dave had had in the past, and it looked like he was willing to help him finish his residency, which was something he had not been able to do in the jobs he had taken both with the cruise line and with Mrs. C. "I...I won't let ya down, Dr. Meyers," Dave finally said, as he shook his head in disbelief. "Thank you for givin' me this chance. I honestly won't let ya down, and...and you're right. The reasons I was let go from County and from the cruise line, they definitely won't factor into play here..."
"Good," Dr. Meyers said, nodding. "I've already checked Millicent's vitals, and she's doing well this morning," he smiled in her direction. "Shall we adjourn to another room to discuss the details?"
Dave nodded. "I think that's a great idea," the young resident said, as he rose from his chair. Dave couldn't wait to tell John. Everything *was* working out for the best.
********************
Always talking about business -- that was Jack's life, and Eleanor was pleased that some things never changed. While Millicent and that doctor were out of the room with Dave, Jack had gotten onto a business call, and was yelling at someone for some thing or another that really didn't concern her. What did concern her was that the phone call allowed her to slip away from the study. It was easy then to go out the front door and begin the walk across the lawn.
She needed to see her son. She had behaved awfully the day before, and she needed to see him, apologize for acting like someone she didn't like. That was what happened when she missed just one dose of Xanex, Eleanor thought. She was going to make sure that that never happened again since her son had taken the brunt of it. No, Eleanor was not happy with John's choice of mates, but by the same token, deep down she really did want her son to be happy.
Eleanor knocked briefly on the cottage door, and not getting an immediate answer, she opened the front door which had been left unlocked.
"John?"
John was relaxing on the couch, having found an old movie that caught his interest. He heard the brief knock, and, as he was deciding whether or not to respond, the door opened and he saw his mother standing there. He was full of mixed emotions about that. On one hand, he still needed her and wanted to be comforted by her. On the other hand, he didn't want a repeat of what had happened the day before, especially since it was just the two of them there.
Still, John couldn't keep himself from nodding. "Mom. Good morning, come on in." He sat up, grateful that he had dressed before Dave left for 'work'.
The briefest of smiles flickered across Eleanor's lips as she made her way into the house. "I...John, you know how I am about these things, and, well...I...I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I want to...apologize for my behavior yesterday. It wasn't fair to you." She hoped that was enough to set things right between them. It wasn't like Eleanor to show her vulnerability by expressing any emotion whatsoever, so what little she did let escape she liked to keep carefully guarded.
John knew that she wanted total forgiveness and for him to make light of what she had done and said. And, while he could forgive her, he couldn't make light of what had happened. "I forgive you, Mom. And, you're right, it wasn't fair to me. I needed you, and you weren't there for me. I wish I could sit here and say that it was the first time something like that had happened, but we both know it wasn't. You quit being there for me the minute you learned that Bobby had leukemia." John hoped he didn't sound bitter about that. He didn't feel bitter, at least not toward Bobby. But sometimes he did feel bitter toward his parents. He knew they had done their best under the circumstances, but there were times, mostly when he was feeling sorry for himself, when he didn't think their best had been good enough.
"I..." Eleanor knew that he was right. It was like that confrontation all over again when she had first realized how much her being aloof had hurt John. She had been lost in her own world, and when John needed her most, again, Eleanor had retreated, not wanting to get hurt. She had instead lashed out at her baby boy, afraid of all of the revelations that she had heard. "I...I guess the words 'I'm sorry' likely aren't enough, John. I know you needed me...and it was wrong for me to shut you out like that. I do love you, Johnny, I hope you know that."
"I do. It's something I hold on to, Mom, to keep from giving up on you." John patted the cushion. "Come over here and sit down." It was nice to hear the words from her, though, even though John knew deep down that both of his parents loved him.
Again, a brief smile flickered on Eleanor's otherwise stoic features, and with a nod she walked over towards the couch, and sat down next to her son. "I know you needed me more yesterday than today, but, can I give you a hug anyway..?" She tentatively reached out a hand, and placed it on her son's shoulder, intending on drawing her son towards her chest. "That woman hurting you...when I heard all the details...I...I guess I didn't react the way that I should have. Not then, and certainly not now. I hope that one day you can forgive me for hurting you, Johnny..."
John leaned over toward his mother, not realizing until that moment just how much he did need to be held by her. As her arms enveloped him, he wrapped his own arms around her. "I forgave you almost immediately, Mom. I just wish...I just wish that you'd give Dave a chance. I know it's a shock to you, it was a shock to me, too," he said as he pulled out of the hug and looked his mother in the eyes. "But, I do love him, and he loves me, very much. I can't imagine ever being with anyone else but him." John's eyes searched Eleanor's face, looking for some sign of acceptance.
"He...he's not who I would have chosen for you," Eleanor said sincerely. "But, I only want you to be happy. And...and if this Dave makes you happy...and he does love you...then, I...I only hope for the best for the both of you..." Part of her heart was breaking, though. She would never have grandchildren, but then again, Eleanor wasn't sure what kind of grandmother she would be. Maybe this was the way it was supposed to work out.
John hugged her tightly as he thought that even if Dave wasn't in his life, the likelihood of him ever marrying a woman was pretty low. As he remembered more and more of what had happened, he wasn't so sure that he wanted to ever again be with a woman. But, that wasn't something his mother needed to hear or know.
"Thank you. So, you like Bogart movies, don't you? Do you remember this one?" John indicated the television. "It just started about five minutes before you got here, so you haven't missed much of it."
"I do," Eleanor said, her features more relaxed. She kept her arm on John's, and again she smiled softly as the two of them sat back to watch one of Eleanor's favorite movies.
************************************
If Dave was in a good mood as he went to work that morning, he was in even a better mood coming back. Stability. He was going to have a job at a practice, Dr. Meyers was going to let him finish his residence, and, for once, things in his life were looking more up than down. The cynical part of Dave wondered when the other shoe was going to drop, but Dave pushed that away.
Nothing could ruin his good mood.
"Hi, Honey, I'm ho..." Dave called out as he reached the interior of the cottage. His words fell short, though, when he realized who was sitting on the couch with John. Mrs. Carter. And Dave would have almost thought by her expression that the woman was in a bad mood, but in all honestly, Dave wasn't sure if the woman was capable of making more than one expression.
However, John seemed to be in a good mood and that had to count for something. It was amazing how John was so expressive, and wore his heart on his sleeve, yet his mother had a face that absolutely hid any emotions that the woman might have been have.
"Dr. Malucci...Dave," Eleanor started. "It's..,very nice to see you again."
John looked from his mother to Dave, smiling. She was going to try, for his sake, and he was very happy about that. He wasn't quite at ease enough to ask Dave to come over to him for a welcome home kiss, but he was at ease enough to smile warmly at Dave.
"We've been watching old movies all day, and Mom fixed us a late lunch. There's some leftover if you're hungry," John told him, hoping that Dave would at least say he would eat it, even if he didn't plan to. That might make his mom happy.
"Actually, I'm starved, thanks, Mrs. Carter," Dave quipped, as he looked over towards the kitchen. "But before I go, I have some good news to share with ya..." Dave was grinning from ear to ear.
Eleanor sat back against the couch, looking up at the young man with interest and with the smallest of smiles on her lips. While she was still quite unsure of him as a good match to his son, she liked that he wanted to eat her leftovers, and she also liked that Dave didn't seem bothered at all or to hold a grudge over what had happened previously.
John's smile at Dave hinted of some wonderful things to come for saying what he did about being hungry. And Dave's good mood was definitely infectious. "What's your news?" John knew it had to be something spectacular since he had been aware that Dave was soon going to give Dr. Meyer and his grandmother his resignation. Had another job assignment come through already? John's smile faltered as the thought of being left home alone while Dave went off to work sped through his brain, but he quickly shook it off. He'd be back to work himself soon enough, so he wouldn't be alone for too long.
"I went over and gave my resignation at the mansion today. Your grandmother was upset at first, but understood why, and...uh, then Dr. Meyers talked with me. He wants to hire me on to his staff, lettin' me complete my residency, and then, get this, makin' me a full partner! I...it's really more then I coulda asked for. It's not trauma work, but it's private practice, and it's the most steady thing I've had since leavin' County. It'll mean a future, and it'll mean that I'm earnin' my own keep..." Dave knew that that would be music to Mrs. Carter's ears, and one look over towards the woman proved that Dave was correct. The small smile that had been on the woman's lips had turned into a full-blown grin, and Dave realized then that she was actually a very beautiful woman. What a shame that she didn't smile more often, he thought.
"Why don't I show Dr. M...Dave where the leftovers are, and then we'll both come back out to join you," Eleanor said, as she rose from the couch."
"Sure," John said as he beamed at Dave. That was great news and he was very happy. His Dave, a partner in a good practice? John had to admit to being a tad bit jealous about that, but he wasn't quite ready to give up working in trauma, so he couldn't begrudge that perk to Dave.
Dave followed Mrs. Carter into the kitchen. He knew that it was a pretense - that it wasn't the leftovers that she wanted to show him, but that it was likely going to be something else. So Dave braced himself as he began to pull food out of the fridge.
"You really do care for my son, don't you, Dr. Malucci?" Eleanor asked, momentarily slipping back to using the more formal approach with his name.
Dave had taken out a bowl from the fridge, and set it down on the table as she spoke. Nodding, he brought his eyes up to meet hers. "I really do, Mrs. Carter. I'd never hurt him."
Eleanor nodded. "Please see that you don't," she quickly said. "And...Dave," she added, a smile once again brushing her lips. "Call me Eleanor. It was the closest to approval that she was likely to give, and Eleanor hoped that Dave was able to understand that.
Dave blanched for a moment, but then a slow grin crossed the expanse of his lips. "I...okay, Eleanor..."
With a nod, Eleanor headed back into the living room, still not completely thrilled with the fact that her son was in love with another man. But, she was satisfied that Dave did indeed love her son back. And in reality, that was enough for her.
John smiled at his mother as she came back into the room. "Did Dave find everything okay?" he asked, knowing fully well that she only went into the kitchen with Dave so she could talk to him. Since there hadn't been any yelling, John was hopeful that what was said had been good stuff.
Eleanor pondered this for a moment, and then nodded. "I think you'll find that Dave is quite capable in the kitchen," she commented, looking back towards the TV.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Dave was heating up leftovers while trying to put together what had just happened. He was beginning to wonder if he was part of some dream that he was going to wake up from, and find that it was all a joke. He was gainfully employed, and he was now in the good graces of John's mother. As Dave pulled the plate out of the microwave, he wondered briefly if these were signs of the apocalypse. Well, if they were, at least he would die happy, he mused, as he walked back out towards mother and son.
Dave placed the plate on the table in the dining area, and then looked over towards the duo. "I don't suppose that I'm gonna have to keep myself company..."
Eleanor stood first. "Actually, I need to get back over to the main house," she said, looking over towards her son, love and acceptance in her eyes. "But, thank you for a lovely afternoon, John."
To be continued.