Open Heart One Shots (Choices)

Roses Are Red

Summary: Chief Ramsey receives a surprise delivery from a secret admirer.

Ethan Ramsey knew it would take him time to adjust to being Chief of Medicine and patience was required. At least that's what he reminded himself whenever he started to get frustrated by the demands of his new role.

It had only been a month since he had become chief even though the transition had started in the summer. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither would the new Edenbrook.

He had never seen himself in administration and wouldn't be here now if it hadn't been for Naveen's faith in him. And Cassie's. Despite his misgivings, he had trusted two of the three most important people in his life, both of whom seemed to know him better than he knew himself, to guide his decision.

As he walked back to his office, he recalled the words Cassie had said to him when Naveen first approached him about the position.

"Someone who puts the patients first, who focuses on how medicine can help people," she had said pausing until he met her sincere gaze before continuing, "...that's the kind of leader this hospital needs. The experience, the skillset...it's all window dressing to your core values. And I know you've got the right ones for the job."

He hadn't been fully convinced, but she had certainly given him something to think about as he went home that night.

He had faced off against one too many administrators during his tenure as a physician because they saw patients as case files to be billed. And residents as low-cost, replaceable labor that kept the hospital running while they lined their pockets with perks from Big Pharma and insurance companies.

The entire system was designed to favor those at the top while the bottom toiled away. It wasn't right and he knew he was being given a chance to change the status quo.

He wasn't naïve enough to think he could solve the problem of healthcare in America. But he could make a difference in this one hospital system. And maybe, just maybe, show others what could be if Administration fought for patients and their doctors instead of against them.

He neared his office, passing workstations and cubicles that were a hive of activity, and his executive assistant Lorraine McKee glanced up from her computer screen. Her severe expression reminded him of his third-grade English teacher, but he had soon learned that it hid a kind heart and an even more organized soul.

She had been Naveen's assistant previously and told him she preferred to remain in the role, 'if he was so inclined'. Ethan had been more than happy with her decision; her knowledge of the hospital's administration would be invaluable as he navigated this new phase of his career.

"Someone sent you a gift, Dr. Ramsey," she said, handing him a stack of messages at the same time.

When he looked around puzzled, she gestured towards the closed door.

"I put it inside your office as I didn't think you would want everyone out here gossiping about it. Not that they won't anyway," she said with a sniff of disdain.

Ethan smiled on the inside at the words and her manner. Naveen had been a notorious gossip hound and he knew that Lorraine had fed him tidbits more often than not. But she liked to pretend she was above that, and he let her.

Wondering what he could have received to cause such a reaction, Ethan nodded and walked past her to enter his office.

The strong scent of roses hit his senses before his eyes fell on the large bouquet left on the glass coffee table. There must have been a dozen roses in full bloom wrapped in black and gray paper with a red and gold ribbon holding them together.