Instant Attraction, Part 14
My Brother's Keeper
By Miesque
miesque48@hotmail.com

SPOILERS: “Viable Options”
STORY SYNOPSIS: Luka finds himself falling for the wrong person, and Davor tries to convince Kerry, Queen of Denial, to
abdicate her throne.

DISCLAIMER: The characters of Luka Kovac and Kerry Weaver are the sole property of NBC, Warner Brothers, Amblin, and Constant C.  

SONG: “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

PREVIOUS INSTALLMENTS: Instant Attraction; Room For Rent; Fired; Blackout; On The Line; Point of Refuge; Heart to Heart; Double-Take; Broken Valentine; In Memory...; Paint It Black; Hope Springs Eternal; Bridges

CROATIAN PHRASE: I got the Croatian phrase "Racun molim" from a book called "Just Enough Serbo-Croat", from Passport Books. Unfortunately, I don't have the font to make the little hat for the "c".  Which is a huge bummer.

PRAISE: To Canada for editing and suggestions.



For almost the entire winter, Luka had been trying to figure Carol Hathaway out. Tonight, while making steaks on her grill, he had finally decided to make the leap. He was hopeful, and trying his best, but he was confused by her not at least meeting him halfway. He’d found himself looking at her, hoping -praying- that she might respond in some way: that she would give him a definite answer, but so far, she didn’t seem to recognize his signals. And basically, he had no idea of how to make it clear that he was willing to try. But he was willing to take that step. He was tired of being alone. She seemed lonely, too, and she seemed to appreciate the help he provided for her-fixing her hot water heater, helping with the babies, being there as a friend to her. There was no use denying it any more-he was falling for her. But it was still frightening to put himself out like that-to make himself vulnerable again.

It had been so long since Luka had attempted courtship. Nine years of celibacy, and not being experienced prior to his marriage, he was hardly an expert on the signals women gave him. Particularly American women. The ones that had been clear about what they wanted had alarmed him-coming on strong, making passes. He wasn’t prepared for that from a woman.

Driving home, Luka mused over the day. He was glad Mrs. Bassett had decided to have her baby, but he regretted that she’d have to wait on a transplant. As for Mr. Maldanado...surely the man knew-or could at least comprehend-that if you’re that high on a waiting list for a new kidney, you shouldn’t be doing cocaine. Luka certainly did hope he had scared the man into rehab. He couldn’t imagine why a donor’s kidney should be wasted on a person who very likely would burn it up on drugs.

It took Luka several minutes to find a parking spot, and getting out he glanced at his watch. It was almost midnight. Had he been at Carol’s that long? He shook his head, laughing at himself. Davor was right. It was time to try to move on with his life-to try to find someone. With Carol, he would have a family again-some kind of stability, and he knew he could provide that for her as well. He had done it before-he knew he wanted to do it again. Taking the first steps, however, would be the hardest part.

The light in the living room was on, so Luka made a little extra noise before coming in the front door. He was amazed that Kerry would be up anyway.

“Hey,” he said, nodding to her. She was sitting on the living room couch, with a strange expression on her face. That made him stop. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ve been suspended,” she said quietly. She was drinking amber liquid from a shotglass. Luka noticed a half-empty bottle of Scotch on the coffee table. He hoped she hadn’t drank that much. But this was certainly a stunning revelation. Luka stood there for a moment, then sat down beside her on the couch.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said at last. “For how long?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why were you suspended?”

“Romano told me not to put a central line in a patient...a mentally disabled girl...she was a foster child...but I did it anyway. It was the best thing for the patient. How are we to know...how is anyone to know what kind of ‘quality of life’ they have?”

Luka swallowed. “So how is the patient?”

“She’s going to be okay. As okay as you can be in a situation like that.”

“Then you did the right thing.  If you can keep a patient alive and in relative comfort, then you’ve done nothing wrong. Remember... ‘Do no harm’.”

She looked at him for a moment. She had heard about his battle with Elizabeth Corday over the drug-using kidney transplant patient. She could see both their points, but for some reason she found it very easy to side with Luka about damned near everything. The man was on the UNOS list, and he knew he could be removed from the waiting list for doing drugs. However, it was best to give a kidney to a questionable patient than to just let it go to waste...wasn’t it? Kerry didn’t know. Right now, such things just gave her a headache.

“I guess you feel pretty defeated today,” she said at last.  I know I do, she thought.

His elbows were on his knees and he was leaning forward a little, hands clasped as if in prayer. “Yeah, I guess. Things didn’t go too well today. But they were far worse for you, Kerry. If there’s anything I can do..?”

“No. Please. There’s no use you being dragged into it, too.”

There was a long silence between them, yet for some reason, Kerry still felt comfortable in with him there beside her. If she had any courage, she would have reached out to him, if only for some comfort. But she had to remain Kerry Weaver-stoic, stubborn and too proud to let anyone see her cry.

“I guess you had errands to run tonight,” she said at last. “That’s...that’s why you’re so late coming in?”

“I was at Carol’s. We grilled steaks,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Outside?” she asked. Oh God, she thought. Not Carol. Please...

“Yeah. It started snowing. Amazing, but  I rarely notice the cold. I can’t stand hot weather, but I actually like cold weather a lot.”

Kerry levered herself up off the couch and crutched quickly into the kitchen.  For a moment, Luka sat still, wondering why she had so abruptly left.  “Kerry?”

“Would you like some coffee or something?” she called, feigning some kind of cheerfulness, but her voice sounded hollow in her ears. Don’t let him see that you’re upset, she thought. He doesn’t need to know. If he wants Carol, that’s his right. He deserves to be happy. He deserves it. I just hope she doesn’t hurt him.

“No. No thank you. I’m pretty tired, and coffee’ll only keep me awake,” he said as he came through the kitchen door. “I have to get up early anyway. I have breakfast with Davor. I’ve canceled on him twice already, and he said he had something important to tell me.” He paused, wondering why Kerry seemed so agitated. Well, he thought. Of course she’s agitated. She’s just been suspended. Her job-her career-is at stake and here I am babbling about breakfast with my brother.

“Good...how long will he be in town?”

“Until the middle of May, I think. It’s his vacation. First one in six years.”

“Wow...is everyone in your family a workaholic?” she asked, her voice squeaking. She took another drink of her Scotch, hoping that would help a little. Better to be slurring than sounding like a 15-year old girl with a crush.

“Yes. Kerry, is there anything I can do? Maybe I can talk to Romano for you...”

“As if he’d listen to you!” she shook her head. “He doesn’t listen to anyone...except maybe his dogs.”

“Is that rumor I heard true?” he asked, wide-eyed. “That he brought one of his dogs into the OR?”

“Yes. It is. And then he turned around and called that little...that poor little girl...a pet. As if she weren’t human because she was mentally disabled. Yet a few weeks ago he was using hospital time-nurses and Elizabeth-to save the life of his damned dog.”

Luka swallowed and pushed his immediate outrage away. “That’s disgusting,” he said at last. “You can replace a dog, for God’s sake. I’d much rather have a mentally disabled child than a dog.” He couldn’t imagine a doctor saying such a thing.

“I don’t really want to talk about it, Luka. But I thank you for...for being so kind.” She looked down, and he could see she was trembling a little. “That’s what you do best, anyway. Being kind.”

He smiled at her, and she actually blushed. Damn it, Kerry, she thought. Pull yourself together. Consider this a vacation. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. And stop making a fool of yourself over him. He’s not interested in you. He never would be, Carol or no Carol.

“Well, I’m serious, Kerry. If you need someone to back you up...I’ll gladly defend you if Romano goes for an inquiry.”

“It’s not necessary,” she objected.

“It is. You’re one of the few friends I have around here.” He paused a moment, forming his words carefully. “You’ve been very kind to me...and very supportive. I appreciate that.”

She looked up at him, startled, for a moment, then looked away. “Oh...” Her face was only getting redder. “Thank you...”

He nodded to her, knowing he was only making her uncomfortable. That wasn’t acceptable-making anyone uncomfortable. He made that slight bow of his, smiling, and left.

Kerry sat down at her table and closed her eyes. I’m only attracted to him, she told herself again. It’s just a normal reaction. He’s a beautiful, charming, intriguing man and he’s never been more than generous with me. I’m just a plain, aging spinster who’ll end up alone at the end of my life. He could never be anything more than kind to me-he isn’t capable of the kind of cruelty I show towards people.

Getting up, she wearily straightened the kitchen, turned off the lights, and went up to her bedroom. Only when her door was closed and she was safe in her bed, wrapped up in blankets, did she allow herself to really think about Luka. His almost feline beauty, his smile, his warm chuckle, his compassion and natural grace. When she was alone, with no one watching her and no one questioning her, she could lie on her bed and let herself dream a little. She could at least have that for a while, before she’d wake up and have to face reality again.



“Kerry, would you like to join me and Davor for breakfast?” he asked her. Kerry had been sitting in her kitchen for the past five minutes, listening to CCR and trying to avoid watching him. He was in his sweat pants and T-shirt, looking relatively relaxed, leaning against her kitchen cabinet, evidently enjoying the morning ritual of loud music and drinking a cup of coffee.


Someone told me long ago
Thereīs a calm before the storm,
I know;
Itīs been cominī for some time.
When itīs over, so they say,
Itīll rain a sunny day,
I know;
Shininī down like water.

I want to know,
Have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know,
Have you ever seen the rain
Cominī down on a sunny day?

Yesterday, and days before,
Sun is cold and rain is hard,
I know;
Been that way for all my time.
īTil forever, on it goes
Through the circle, fast and slow,
I know;
It canīt stop, I wonder.


“I’m sorry...” she said, looking up at him. “What did you say?”

“I asked if you’d like to have breakfast with me and Davor.”

Anything to get out of the house, she thought. “When are you leaving?”

“I’ve got to take a shower and shave,” he said. “He picked a place in what I guess they call the ‘Croatian community’ of Chicago. I’ve never heard of it before.”

“You don’t visit the area much?”

“I’ve never visited it,” he answered her. He took a sip of his coffee, and Kerry watched him for a moment, intrigued.

“Why not?”

“I just haven’t,” he answered, and his tone told her to drop it.

“There’s places I avoid,” she said. He looked over at the African masks for a moment.

“Like Africa?”

“Well, it’s rather easy to avoid Africa. It’s a big continent. If you end up there, it was probably on purpose.”

He grinned. “How long were you there?”

“Three years,” she answered. “I had a farm.”

“A farm?” That immediately piqued his interested.

“Yes. A coffee plantation, actually. I sold it a couple of years ago.”

“Don’t tell me...you had an affair with Robert Redford and were nearly attacked by a lion. Right?”

“Not exactly,” she smiled.

Luka chuckled. “What, then? What made you leave?”

“Things just...didn’t work very well. I had a friend there... Munglisi. Surely you’ve heard about that in the gossip mill.”

Luka honestly hadn’t. “So what happened to Munglis...Munglisi?” he asked.

“He sold my plantation for me and got married sometime last year.”

“What about that Ellis West person? I have heard about him. Cynergix or something?”

“He deceived me,” she answered him sharply, growing impatient.

“I guess neither one of has been too lucky in that area,” Luka said. But he knew it’d be best to drop it for now. It was really none of his business, as far as her personal life was concerned. But it certainly added to the mystery that was Kerry Weaver.

“Well, I’ll go get ready,” he said, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. “You haven’t said yet if you’d like to come.”

“Oh...yes.  I’d like that,” she answered quickly.

He nodded and went back downstairs. She found herself in a frenzy all of a sudden. She rushed upstairs, contemplated several outfits until she found the right one, and was in the kitchen as he came back out of the basement. As usual, he wore dark colors. A black jacket, dark blue shirt, black tie, black pants. Italian leather shoes. She wondered how he managed to afford such well-tailored clothes. It wasn’t like he made enough to obtain Versace. For the hundredth time, she started to ask him but shook her head. It wasn’t her place to ask him such questions. In fact, the less she knew about him, the better. That way, she figured it wouldn’t hurt when he moved out and started a new life with Carol...or someone.



Davor was waiting for them, and when he saw Kerry and Luka walk into the restaurant together, he couldn’t help noting how comfortable the pair looked together. She was a pretty, smart woman and again, Davor thought of how good she was for Luka. Her personality was just right for his brother-a tough but tender-hearted woman with brains. A perfect match.

When they were all seated, Davor grinned at Kerry. “It’s good to see you again, Dr. Weaver.”

“Thanks,” she answered, watching him warily.

Luka looked at his brother for a moment, then nodded. “You said you had something you needed to tell me.”

“Yeah.  Well...I guess I should just say it, huh?”

“Go ahead,” Luka said, sipping his orange juice.

“I’m getting married.”

Luka almost spat his orange juice all over the place, but managed to gulp it down. Unfortunately, it went down the wrong
hatch and he had a coughing spell for a few moments. Kerry touched his shoulder, wondering if he’d recover. Finally, he stared across the table at Davor, stunned.

“You’re what?”

“I’m getting married. Her name is Isabelle, she’s French, but she lives in Split. In fact, she’s a pediatrician.”

“Why didn’t you tell me anything about this before?” Luka asked, clearing his throat.

“Well, I was waiting for the right time.”

“Yeah, the moment I’m taking a drink...you knew I’d either spit it all over the place or nearly choke to death.”

Davor grinned, and Kerry found herself laughing. “So how did you meet her?” she asked.

“We met in Paris, actually...at the Louvre. She was working her way through medical school and was a translator... she speaks
English, German, Italian, Spanish... very smart woman... and I guess it was love at first sight. She’s twenty-six.”

“Don’t tell me you’re living together,” Luka said.

“No, we are not living together,” Davor said, rolling his eyes at his old-fashioned brother. “She’s Catholic, too, and from a very good old Norman family. Isabelle Marie Eloise Dubuc.”

“Well, that’s wonderful,” Kerry said. “Congratulations.”

Davor smiled at Kerry, then looked at Luka. “So when are you going to take the plunge again, Luka? Don’t tell me that after nine years you haven’t found a woman you’re interested in.”

Luka took a deep breath and glared at his brother. “That is strictly...off limits,” he answered slowly. He didn’t want to talk about the situation now, especially since he was so uncertain about it.

Davor shrugged. “Do you know, Kerry, that Luka was always the responsible one of the two of us? Always in charge, always the one who made the decisions, even though I’m two years older. In fact, by the time he was about ten, when our parents would be out for a while, they would leave Luka in charge.”

“Why?” Kerry asked, curious.

“Want you want me to tell her?” Luka asked, narrowing his eyes at his brother.

“Go ahead.”

“Davor played with matches,” Luka said flatly, taking another sip of his orange juice.

“No...it was because he was the grown-up of the two of us. Always very neat and orderly, always careful about what...what he was doing.”

Luka glared at his brother for a moment, then turned his attention back to Kerry, who was finding this experience extremely invigorating. Her mood was lightening, being around these two magnificent men. Davor the Lion, Luka the Puma. She was observing their similarities and differences again. Davor’s heavier build, green eyes, and easy charm; Luka’s dark charisma.

“When Davor was eight years old, he almost burned our grandfather’s barn to the ground. After that, nothing he does surprises me. He could marry Marilyn Manson and it wouldn’t bother me.”

Kerry burst into laughter, and the waiter finally arrived with their breakfasts.

“Actually, Luka,” Davor said, once he had settled down to eat. “Isabelle is here in town now. She had a few days off and decided she wanted to meet her future brother-in-law.”

“Great,” Luka said, taking a bite of his toast. “She...she doesn’t look like Marilyn Manson, does she?”

“I thought you said you wouldn’t care,” Kerry interjected. Davor laughed.

“She is a lovely young lady, and...”

“You love her?” Luka smiled. “So long as you’re happy, Davor, I’ll be happy for you.”

Davor was apparently touched by that statement from his little brother, because he looked away. Kerry was amazed by them both. How could two brothers be more different? They looked somewhat alike, but their personalities and characters... they might as well be from different planets. Luka was impetuous, pig-headed, and could be somewhat judgmental sometimes. Davor appeared to be more easy-going but with an analytical mind-he lived by facts, not emotions. Kerry wondered, briefly, why she didn’t feel drawn to Davor in some way. But there was no attraction there at all, despite his good looks and charm. In fact, he was too much like her.

“Yes, Luka, I do love her. We got engaged just after Christmas.”

“And you couldn’t pick up a telephone to call me about it?” Luka asked with a smile in his voice.

“I wanted to surprise you.”

“And nearly kill me in the process, I see. Davor loves to do stuff like that,” he said, looking at Kerry. “Likes to walk into a room while you’re standing there, holding a pile of plates or something, and yell ‘Boo!’ to see if you’ll drop them all.”

“Hey, but you’re capable of the occasional prank, Luka,” Davor smiled, looking at the ceiling, as if trying to recall a good one. “Besides putting a Mercedes on someone’s roof, and mooning that speaker in Zagreb...let’s see...”

“Can we drop this, please?” Luka asked, becoming irritated.

“Ah, yes!” Davor said gleefully, ignoring his brother. “I remember now! The goats!”

“No! Not the goats!” Luka banged his fist on the table. “That didn’t go as planned anyway!”

“He put a flock...or herd?... of goats in the schoolmaster’s bedroom.”

“And then they ate all the curtains. And the bedsheets. And part of his coat...” Luka said wearily.

“Luka, are you allowed to return to Sibenik?” Kerry asked.

Davor collapsed into loud laughter, but Luka just glared at him. “I don’t think I’ll ever be invited to the schoolmaster’s house, if that’s what you mean. Hell, Kerry...I’m a legend back home.”

“He is indeed,” Davor agreed. “He was fifteen when he pulled the Great Goat Caper. Then he stole a herd of cows...”

“Not that again,” Luka said. “How many times do you have to bring that up?”

“You stole cattle?”

“Reiving,” Davor corrected her. “It’s called reiving...but it was only a joke. I don’t know how he did it, and it must have taken him forever, but he put old shoes and boots on all the cows’ feet and lead them out of the field, walked them three miles to a neighboring farm, and hid them in a field. There were only nine of them, right? But, God...how did you do that? Nobody could figure out where the cows went...all they had were bootprints in the mud, and then of course there was no sign of anything on the road. It was a paved road...”

Luka rolled his eyes. “It’s called ingenuity, Davor. I’d suggest you get some.”

Davor cackled happily, glad to see his brother smile. He glanced at Kerry, noting that she was staring at Luka in amazement. She shook her head. “You stole goats, cattle, and a Mercedes-Benz?”

“Yep. And a cherry picker.”

“Why?”

“It was a farming community, for God’s sake,” Luka answered. “There was nothing to do. And the Mercedes-Benz is another story for another time.”

“Luka always was able to liven things up, back when he was young. But now...” Davor frowned. “He’s so serious...”

“I happen to know that Luka possesses an excellent sense of humor,” Kerry stated firmly. “Or should I say, he has ‘wit’. A sense of humor is very important, but there is a time for being serious.”

Davor only shrugged. He wasn’t sure he wanted his brother to be so serious so often.

The waiter came back and asked Luka if he wanted anything else, and he answered in Croatian. “Racun, molim.” He paused suddenly and glanced up at the waiter, apparently embarrassed. “I mean, the bill please.”

The man stared at Luka for a moment, then gave him the check.

“You don’t speak Croatian often, do you?” Davor asked him. “You only spoke it with me that time we went to the lake. Why don’t you speak it any more?”

Luka cleared his throat and licked his lips nervously. Kerry thought Davor’s line of questioning was unreasonable, and shot him an angry look.

“I...I don’t have much opportunity, Davor.”

“You don’t come here? To this neighborhood? It’s one of the first places I came when I was exploring the city. Why wouldn’t you want to mix with your own people? I mean, we have relatives here in Chicago, Luka...”

Luka said nothing. He just stared at his plate.

“Davor...” Kerry said, knowing that this was a subject Luka wasn’t willing to talk about. “It’s fairly obvious that...”

“Yes, it is. It’s fairly obvious that Luka hasn’t moved on with his life. That he’s still stuck in the past, but afraid to look at it any more.  Isn’t that right? You’re still mourning when you should be living, right Luka?”

Still, Luka said nothing. He pulled his wallet out, removed money to pay for himself and Kerry, and after excusing himself politely, left.

Kerry stared at Davor in astonishment. “I can’t believe you’d do a thing like that to your own brother,” she said quietly.

“Like I told you before, he needs to move on. He needs to get over it.”

“How do you get over having your entire family murdered, Davor? That will always be a part of him, no matter how well he “recovers”. It’s still going to be a part of who and what he is.”

Davor studied Kerry with interest, then smiled. “You seem to have my brother pretty well figured out,” he commented, folding his napkin. She noticed his hands-they were the same as Luka’s: long, strong fingers, beautifully formed. But again...there was something lacking.

“I haven’t,” she said. “I don’t understand him very well, but I do regard him as a friend.”

That only made Davor grin. “Denial doesn’t look good on you, Kerry. You have feelings for Luka, yes?”

That left her speechless, so he continued. “He told me about a woman named Carol...who is she?”

“She’s the ER charge nurse,” Kerry answered sharply.

“I may have met her...dark hair, pretty skin...kind of cold?”

“That sounds like her, but I wouldn’t necessarily describe Carol as cold, Davor.”

“But she doesn’t love Luka, does she?”

Kerry swallowed.  She couldn’t understand why she was even responding to Davor’s questions. She supposed it was because he was an excellent lawyer-he could get answers out of even the most hostile witnesses. And she certainly felt hostile now. “I don’t know.  It’s none of my business.”

“But it is your business. You’re Luka’s friend, as you said. And I suspect-very strongly-that you have feelings for my brother that are far beyond mere...friendship. I’m only saying that because I want him to be happy. I can’t stand seeing him this way... alone and miserable, wallowing in the past, in his grief. I don’t understand him, Kerry-but I think I understand you pretty well... maybe that’s why we dont really get along- we’re too much alike. But nearly everything I say to Luka about it just comes out wrong and we end up fighting, just like a few minutes ago. At least now he isn’t prone to punching me in the face.”

“He is in therapy now,” Kerry countered. “He’s seeking help.”

“Yes, and he’s seeking solace with the wrong woman. There was something about that Carol woman that I didn’t like. I’m very good at reading people’s facial expressions-I have to be, if I’m going to be successful in my chosen field-and when I mentioned Luka to her, there was no light in her eyes. But there’s light in his eyes when he talks about her, and he’s heading toward yet another heartbreak. I would hope that you’d do something to stop it.”

She swallowed nervously and looked away. She couldn’t meet Davor’s direct gaze any more. He continued. “But when you talk about, Luka, Kerry... you light up. You’re falling for my brother, aren’t you?”

“I think this is where our conversation ends, Davor,” she said, standing up abruptly, grabbing her cane. “I’ll see you around... and congratulations on your upcoming marriage.”

“You didn’t answer my question,” he said, standing up. There’s those manners again, she thought. But she wavered, terrified of admitting any such thing, even to herself.

“Why can’t you admit it?” he asked her again. “It’s not like Luka is some kind of ogre. The one thing he needs more than anything is to love and be loved. If he loves, he loves with everything he’s got. He doesn’t play games, he doesn’t mess with your head, he won’t suddenly leave-he’s loyal, and he’s incapable of infidelity. Isn’t love what we all hope for, pray for, fight for... from the moment we’re born until the moment we die? Why deny yourself something like that?”

Kerry shook her head and left the restaurant as quickly as possible. Out on the street, she looked for Luka, but there was no sign of him anywhere. Davor followed her out and stood beside her a moment, watching her with interest, before speaking.

“Do you need a ride home? I suspect Luka won’t be returning. But don’t worry... you and I both know he’ll be okay and he’ll
come home soon.”

She glared at him, but couldn’t refuse a ride. Not even from this man, who seemed to understand her too well.

“Thanks... I would appreciate it.”

“And I promise I won’t ask you again,” he said. “I think I know the answer anyway.”

Kerry turned her head to hide her expression. The last person she wanted to see the look on her face was Davor Kovac. And damn it, he was right.  She was falling for Luka. Little by little, more and more every day. It was hopeless, though. Luka was falling for Carol. There was no way Kerry Weaver was going to allow herself to get involved in a love triangle, or an unrequited love. No way in hell would she let that happen. Getting into Davor’s rental car, she cursed him for his insight. He couldn’t figure his brother out, yet he had pegged her perfectly. And he was right-it had already happened.

To be continued...