The Doctor Diaries

Brand

As I walk toward the new fellows, they stand to greet me and... just my luck.  I stare up into cool blue eyes that tower above me.  Dr. Hottie is 6'6" at least.  I actually feel petit, a rare occurrence in my life.  Of course his wife is probably 5 foot nothing.  Tall guys always seem to have tiny women on their arms.  In college at UCLA, it always drove me nuts that the men's volleyball and basketball players always dated the gymnist. 

"Hi, I'm Gemma, one of the 3rd year residents." I introduce myself.  I shake the clammy hand of Dr. Not-So-Hot first. 

"I'm Nick, nice to meet you." He eyes me up and down with a pervy smile.  Sorry guy, not interested.  I turn towards the beautiful specimen next to him, awaiting his introduction.

"Brand."  His eyes seem to bore into meet once again.  I almost feel naked under his stare.  There's something beyond intensity hidden in those blue orbs but in my sleep-deprived state, I can't quite figure it out.  Odd, I'm usually excellent at reading people.

It's one of my most useful traits as a physician - I can pick out the crazy ones from a mile away.  Believe me, you never want to electively operate on the crazies.  Once you cut on them, they're yours forever.  But this time, the vibe I'm getting isn't crazy, pervy, truthful or flirty.  I don't know what it is but it's enough to make me look away first, squirming.

"Well, nice to meet you both.  Let me show you around a bit," I spit out.  I needed to move, this guy is weirding me out and he hasn't even said two words to me. 

As I start towards the hall, Nick slides into place beside me.  "So," he starts, "seems like you had a busy night.  I've seen the operative numbers on paper here but 12 admissions seems like a lot for a junior to handle."

I sigh before replying.  "Those were just the admissions that came in after 6pm.  I staffed the 15 that came in during the day yesterday with Dr. Lim before he left for the night."  It was often a shock to the new fellows how busy we where here.  Most of these guys trained in big-name academic programs.  Although they were smart on paper, they tend to be lacking in the practical skills department.  But honestly it was why they came to the County anyway, to finally get their hands dirty.

"Where did you train?" I ask smoothly.  Let me guess, Harvard, HSS, Mayo...

"Hopkins."  He replies proudly.

"Of course you did," I mutter quietly under my breath. 

As we continue down the hallway, I point out the useful but boring highlights along the way; resident room, PA office, coffee machine, etc.  Really, I don't know why Dr. Inglis couldn't have gotten one of the department secretaries to do this. 

I can feel my legs starting to scream for bed as we make our way back to the resident room. "Gentlemen, that's about all there is to see.  Either of you second call tonight?"

"I'm on," replies Nick.

"Cool, well Kameron is first on today so I'm sure he'll find you at some point to run plans by you.  In the meantime, I think you are both scheduled in the OR today so you probably want to head that way now for the first cases.  If you need anything else, all of our pager and cell numbers are on the inpatient list.  Welcome to the County." 

I send a slight smile to both men before turning and hanging my white coat on the back of the door, I grab my bag off the counter and go to make a quick exit.  A warm hand settles at the low of my back as I walk through to door.

"After you," the deep rumble of Brand's voice coos as he ushers me out into the hall.  Cocking my head up to meet his eyes, I raise a brow at his gaze.  Weird. I'm usually just treated like one of the guys, which I prefer honestly.  I'd never want anyone to think I didn't earn my spot at the top of my class.  I work hard, harder than most in fact.  And I'm not cocky, but I know I'm good at what I do.  Yes, I still have a ton to learn in my training, but I take pride in the fact that I have 'good hands' - a skill that can't always be taught.

"Uh, thanks?" I mutter.  It's awkward being touched by this guy.  Because let's be honest, I haven't been touched by anyone in a long time.  And I don't count being slapped on the ass by the last octogenarian hip fracture patient I saw in clinic.  I let that one slide seeing how it was probably the most action he has seen in years.  Brand's touch is different, almost caressing.  But again, I must be reading him wrong because the guy is married and I'm attractive but even I know this guy is way out of my league.

Turning towards the stairwell, I stumble slightly over my own feet in my attempt to make a quick escape.  It's a classic Gemma move.  I'm awesome at making an awkward situation even more uncomfortable.  Well at least I know I have no chance with this guy anyway.  I'm all for harmless flirting but there is no way I would ever get involved with a married man.  My life is crazy enough without adding 'home wrecker' to the repertorie. 

Not gonna happen.  But what is going to happen is a nice hot shower and a long nap that in all likelihood will last until tomorrow morning.  And with that thought, I finally make it out of the hospital, with a warm sensation lingering in the small of my back.