Charlie Miller and Derek Shepherd are both neurosurgeons with massive egos, they constantly clash and argue in and out of the OR. The tension between them is very strong and disruptive for themselves and everyone around them. What happens when they...
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The screen flickers to life as my pager vibrates against my hip. The bright light illuminates the dimly lit storage room, bouncing off the sterile walls and casting eerie shadow. A consult with Derek Shepherd. Fate has a twisted sense of humour. Meredith left about two minutes ago, leaving me to wallow in my loneliness.
Standing just outside the closed door of the consultation room, I square my shoulders and take a deep breath. I can handle this. My heart races with nervous energy as I prepare to confront whatever lies behind that door. The cool, smooth surface of the wall against my back grounds me and gives me strength. I close my eyes briefly, steeling myself for what's to come before finally pushing through the door and into the unknown territory beyond.
As I step into the room, the atmosphere crackles with tension, sending shivers down my spine. His cold, piercing blue eyes lock onto mine, stripping me bare with their unnerving scrutiny. A part of me wants to run away, but another part is drawn to his intense gaze.
A mischievous grin played across his lips as he jabbed, "Grumpy," his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Nice of you to finally join us."
A thousand thoughts run through my mind, but I bite my tongue and hold back my words. My jaw tightens with the effort of keeping quiet. I want to speak up, but I know it will only lead to conflict. So I swallow my words and try to maintain a sense of peace, even though inside I am seething with frustration.
I turn to face the patient, who is sat upright in the hospital bed with their hands clasped together and a terrified look plastered on their face.
The patient's eyes plead for reassurance, silently begging for a glimmer of hope in the midst of their fear. I approach them slowly, my steps measured and calm despite the turmoil raging within me. Derek Shepherd watches me with a calculating gaze, his expression unreadable as he observes my every move.
As I reach the patient's bedside, I offer them a gentle smile, hoping to convey a sense of comfort amidst the uncertainty that surrounds us.
With a deep breath, I begin to explain the treatment plan, detailing the risks and benefits with unwavering honesty. The patient listens intently, their eyes searching mine for any hint of doubt or deception. I meet their gaze head-on, projecting confidence and empathy in equal measure.
After I finish outlining the treatment plan, a heavy silence settles over the room, broken only by the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. The patient's expression shifts from fear to resignation as they come to terms with the gravity of their situation.
Suddenly, the patient's hand reaches out and clutches mine in a desperate grip, their eyes brimming with unshed tears. In that moment, all pretence falls away, and I allow myself to be fully present with them in their time of need. The weight of their trust settles on my shoulders, grounding me in a newfound sense of purpose.
As I look into the patient's eyes, I see reflected back at me a glimmer of hope amidst the despair. It is a fragile thing, easily shattered, but in this moment it burns brightly, igniting something within me that I thought long extinguished.
