𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑮𝑰𝑹𝑳 | ᵍʳᵉʸˢ ᵃⁿᵃᵗᵒᵐʸ

⁰¹¹ 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬

So there we were: Alex Karev, the annoyed babysitter, and me, his unwilling companion.

The reason why I was supposed to join him was a mystery to me. Maybe it was some kind of punishment for him? If yes, it was very effective.

With my bag slung over my shoulder and my arms crossed defiantly, I made a mental note to hold my mother accountable later.

Alex, clearly irritated at being relegated to being my personal babysitter, would occasionally glance at me as if hoping I would simply disappear. He obviously had no idea who I was, let alone that I was Derek Shepherd's daughter, which made it all the more amusing.

"So where's all the cool stuff?" I asked as we passed one boring room after another.
He gave me a sideways glance, unimpressed.

"Try to keep your excitement under control. I don't want anyone to think you're actually having fun here."

"That would be awful," I muttered as we passed a room full of nurses who gave us a quick glance before returning to their conversations.

"Just stay behind me and try not to get lost. I've got better things to do than trying to find you later."

I snorted. "Don't worry, Captain Save-a-Lot, I don't plan to get lost in your thrilling hospital."

We walked on, my steps reluctantly matching his as he led me through various departments.

Most of the time, I ignored his grumpy comments, focusing instead on how absurd the whole situation was.

"Really, can't you walk any faster? I have patients who complain less than you, and they're actually about to die," Alex grumbled, clearly annoyed by my slow pace.

"Why do I have to be the pack mule?" I whined as I tried to reposition my bag more comfortably on my shoulder. "Those books weigh more than your arrogance."

He raised an eyebrow, obviously unimpressed by my plight. "What are you carrying around anyway?" he asked, again annoyed and clearly not interested in the answer.

"School books," I sighed. "My mom made me bring them so I could study."

"Why the hell do you have to study for school during summer break?"

"That's exactly what I told her!" I exclaimed, relieved that someone agreed with me. "But I suppose 'because I said so' is a valid reason."

Alex shook his head, probably wondering how he had gotten himself into this absurd situation. "Your mom sounds... pretty strict."

"Oh, you have no idea. Imagine if Dr. House and Mary Poppins had a kid," I said, trying to describe the bizarre family situation.

"Sounds terrifying."

"It is," I confirmed. "Although you seem to be an expert with all your experience as... what are you again? Oh yeah, a newbie intern."

His eyes narrowed, and I could see my comment stinging him. "Hey, I do serious work here," he defended himself, his pride clearly bruised.

"Important work? Babysitting is the new hot job at the hospital?"

Then, because I couldn't help myself, I added, "Tell me, does it feel good to be a resident? You know, with all that responsibility, moving patient charts from one desk to the other?"

Alex shot me an annoyed sideways glance.

"You're pretty bold for someone who doesn't even know how to use a blood pressure cuff."

I laughed briefly. "Please, I was practically born with a stethoscope around my neck. My parents are nationally known surgeons, as are all my aunts and my uncle."

For a moment, Alex just looked irritated, but then I saw the gears in his head turning as he began to put two and two together.

"Wait, your last name is Shepherd, right? Shepherd, like Derek Shepherd?"

"Congratulations, Sherlock, you solved the puzzle."

"Neurosurgeon Shepherd is your Dad? You're kidding me."

"Sadly, no. Tragic, but true. I'm practically surgery royalty," I replied, giving him a 'sorry-you're-stuck-in-this-drama-now' expression.

Alex shook his head, clearly believing he had walked into a trap. "Great, just what I needed.
A day with Shepherd's little princess," he grumbled. "Don't think I'm going to start sucking up to you or anything."

"Too bad," I replied, feigning disappointment.
"I could have put in a good word for you with my dad. But hey, if you give me your hospital ID so I can go to the pharmacy and grab something cool, maybe we can talk again."

Alex looked at me as if I had suggested we play hide-and-seek in the OR.

"You're insane."

"Oh, come on, I just wanted to get some fentanyl patches. As a souvenir," I said, my grin wide and innocent.

Instead of responding to my request, Alex pulled five bucks out of his wallet and handed it to me.

"Get something from the vending machine and wait in the cafeteria until I get back."

"Wow, a whole five dollars? Now I really feel taken care of!" I called after him, but Alex didn't bother to answer as he turned the corner with his patient charts.