parker hated this. it was bad enough that you were sick. bad enough that while you were up in the ward, getting chemotherapy and radiation, she had to be down in the er working, because the two of you had to keep going somehow.

but now you have an infection, and no staff is allowed near you without protective gear on, and no visitors are allowed at all. it’s awful. parker had tried facetime but you had just burst into tears immediately, and parker deducted that if may be better to not see each other at all — just texting.

so that was the situation. you would text parker updates throughout the day, and she would answer when she could.

she was just grateful that everyone around her was so understanding. she was alternating days and nights lately, and both robby and jack had been accommodating in helping her do so. her fellow residents and nurses had helped by making dinners, by covering shifts last minute and even some of them going to sit with you when parker couldn’t.

it had been three days since she saw you last, and honestly it was killing her.

she had checked her phone relentlessly in the past few hours, but there was no reply. she knew the chemotherapy knocked it out of you, and tried to rationalise that you were likely napping, and even before the cancer, you had always been a heavy sleeper. she calls the oncology department, but the line is busy, which also isn’t a surprise to parker.

but the worry is gnawing at her.

anxiety and panic wasn’t one of her default feelings, but since you got the diagnosis six months ago, anxiety and moved in and settled into it’s permanent home in her chest. she’s spent the last six months in a constant state of trying to be calm for you and keeping the anxiety at bay, but it’s hard. especially now that she knows you have a cold, which can be detrimental to your recovery.

she’s sitting in the break room when jack walks in. he sits opposite parker. he’s been one of her best supports right now. he knows what it’s like, considering his own wife died with cancer years ago.

so jack orders parker to go upstairs. to go and see you despite the rules that you’d both set. so that’s exactly what parker does. she stays in her scrubs and puts a mask and gloves on as she walks up to the oncology department. she knows she won’t be allowed to touch or see you, but the two of you can at least communicate through the door.

she walks over to the door, looking through it. she can see me asleep pm the bed.

she knocks on it.