Well, Deezer D. Who played Malik in the series died in January. A few times earlier, when an actor has died I have written a oneshot about the fandom they were in, in memory of them. So I thought I'd be writing one for this too. Even though it took me a bit longer than I would have thought from the start.

Anyway…

Story written in memory of Deezer D.

I had worked as a nurse in the ER for more than thirty years by the time 2020 came with the COVID19 pandemic came around.

Lately I had been wondering if I should resign and try another job. But it didn't take more than a few days until the whole place was so filled I realized I shouldn't, wouldn't and couldn't leave in all of this. If I were to change jobs I could do it once the pandemic was over.

Or so I thought at least…

It was one day by the beginning of January 2021 I fell asleep on the couch in the staff room for what must have been the millionth time. For twenty four hours a day we were on our feet running from one patient to the other, with gloves and breathing masks and…

All the stress made my head spin when I had finally been able to catch a break until Monday afternoon.

"Malik?"

"I wasn't sleeping!"

I stirred awake when someone called my name and I looked up to see Dr. Rachel Green having walked in, back from being able to spend the weekend at home for her youngest child's first birthday.

"No-no." She said ironically with a smirk. "You weren't sleeping… you're not needed for anything in certain right now so you can fall back asleep again if you want."

"I'm good." I rubbed my eyes. "How was weekend with your family?"

"Lovely." As usual, when her family was mentioned Rachel both smiled and still had a sad and dreaming look in her eyes. "I was afraid I'd miss seeing that milestone. But on the very moment he was one year old Michael took his first few steps."

I might be tired of the walls of this hospital. But I still knew that the time was worse for the ones that had families back at home- especially with young children they couldn't meet when they grew bigger by the minute.

"Aw…" Someone had managed to get it on video because Rachel showed a video where the two older kids-Mark and Molly cheered for their little brother managing to walk in between them. "…Wow! They've grown so big."

"I know." Rachel sighed deeply and went to put her phone back in her locker, when she came back she was stroking a tear from her cheek. "Eurgh! I hate crying. But it feels so strange. After what happened with Ella and those drugs, and to my dad. Plus everything we see here. I decided to never let anything pass by or take anything for granted. It sounds like clichés I know… Then the twins were born, I spent some time on maternity leave. Then, even after that I spent every minute with them that I could… Then, three and a half years later Michael was born and not even two months later there came the pandemic and I was needed here." I was about to say something but she interrupted me. "They really liked the books you gave them, even though it was only one of their birthdays'."

I was about to say something else. I couldn't decide on which one so I had ended up giving the kids each book with characters and about racism and skin colors.

"Now they can't wait to meet their Uncle Malki-Ki so you can read it to them."

"Eurgh." I pretended to wince. "Will they ever stop calling me that?"

"Nope! And don't even try it. You know you love it."

"Hm! Since you only used names beginning with M you might have understood you missed the best one. If you'd ever have another child then I might admit that I like it."

"Malik, I'm not having more kids. I've got perfectly enough with three." I just laughed and childishly she stuck her tongue out at me. "About that. I wonder sometimes what my dad would have thought if he'd known something like the Covid 19 pandemic was coming."

Both I and Rachel only thought about that for, for certain a whole two minutes before she finally said something.

"He'd be heartbroken for every person we lost… and he'd never leave the hospital."

"Just like the rest of us here do then." Rachel agreed. "Well, we can't stay here. Mr. Lawrence went home earlier today…" Rachel's smile was undeniable. "…But the only thing to do is to sort out the bed for the next patient. It will probably be another one with Corona."

I had gone into the staff room only to get a glass of water, but had somehow ended up on the couch falling asleep anyway. Now I couldn't help but yawn. After all, many hours of work without sleep and at the hospital was taking out its right and after it there weren't many seconds until I yawned again.

"Isn't the cleaner or the nursing assistant meant to do that?" I shrugged- I might just as well, I yawned again and rubbed my eyes. "That's the third time in ten seconds you yawn. You should go home and at least get some sleep.

"I don't know." I answered tiredly. "I lost count about forty-eight hours ago… I know I've said it every day since this started. But I could never have imagined having to go through something like this. And if I would have, if we'd tried to imagine this a year ago… I'll sort out that bed and then check if I can go home for five minutes at least." With a slight smile. "And now don't forget. If you ever have another kid then there's an M-name better than all others… You even named your first child after someone. But I'm your best friend…" Rachel stuck her tongue out at me again. "I am! I deserve to have someone named after me."

"Mark had his name after my dad. I would name someone after you but you're alive. It would be confusing."

"If I make sure to die soon then." I smirked to let her know I was only joking. "Will their name be Malik then?"

"I'd think about it."

How would anyone of us have known that was the last time we ever spoke to each other.

I got some sheets from a cupboard in the hallway and went into a room that was, like every other room right now filled with curtains and every other thing to try not to spread the virus. Pulling on the face mask I suddenly felt out of breath. But it wasn't so bad I was kept from doing my job.

Despite my age I would really need to start running or go to the gym…

Then, just as I grabbed the sheets and pulled it over the bed it was like someone had stabbed me in the chest.

"OW."

I dropped the sheet, pulled one hand to my chest and breathed heavily for a few second. Working at a place like this one would always learn something about what chest pains could be. But the pain was gone just as soon as it came and I could catch my breath again.

Maybe it was just a cramp…

I raised from standing leaned over again and reached for the sheets. But then, just as I did the pain hit me again- only a thousand times worse this time. And not just my chest.

"HELP."

I couldn't get myself to move. Nonetheless when I felt the pain move up towards my jaw and my arm. Within seconds I had figured what it was…

I had to lean against the bed when the ground started rocking beneath me. But I didn't help me because I suddenly felt myself collapsing on the floor.

"Help…"

It was barely more than a whisper, I couldn't make my voice heard out loud and I drifted off from all of my senses…

Even though I hoped someone would come into the room and find me within seconds I must have known this was the end. Because the last thing I knew before everything went black was wondering if Rachel ever had another son, would he be named after me?

And… cut!

Random fact (I always leave one at the end of a chapter)

I just saw in front of me how Rachel and Malik would have made great friends despite their differences. And how Rachel had her own family and everything. I would say I hoped you like it but it seems like the wrong thing to say.

Now, let's hope this pandemic is over soon.

Rest in peace Dearon Thompson March- 26th 1965- January 7th 2021