Sutures and Secrets || Mark Sloan

36 | What Matters Most

05x10

A few weeks later, the residents sat in the lounge, waiting anxiously as Webber and the attendings decided who would get the first solo surgery. Charlie, already out of the running, stood by the counter making herself coffee, pretending not to care. But despite her best efforts, she was still curious.

Every few minutes, the interns would rush in after attempting to lip-read Webber's conversation.

"Karev.", one of them reported breathlessly.

The residents exchanged skeptical looks. "Are you sure?", Cristina asked.

The interns ran back to confirm, only to return moments later. "Stevens.", another announced.

Alex groaned. "Which one is it, morons?"

Charlie scoffed. "Trusting these imbeciles to tell you who's getting solo surgery is a new level of stupid."

Izzie turned, a smirk playing on her lips. "Must be hard for you, being banned from solo surgery."

Charlie clenched her jaw, resisting the urge to throw her coffee at her. Instead, she exhaled sharply and turned back to her drink.

Breaking the tension, Meredith - who Charlie still hadn't spoken to since their fight - glanced at her. "Webber might change his mind. He's been known to."

Charlie cut her off before she could say anything else. "Just stop, Meredith."

Another intern rushed in. "Webber said Grey."

"Oh, for the love of-", Alex groaned. "Can you guys just pick one?!"

Bailey suddenly walked in, laughing at their frustration. "You're all idiots.", she said. "These interns aren't lip-readers. You'll find out when the attendings decide, just like we all did when I won solo surgery."

Cristina blinked in surprise. "Wait - you won your solo surgery?"

Bailey turned to her with an incredulous look. "I'm gonna pretend you didn't feel the need to ask me that." She shook her head. "Of course I won. I was good. I didn't cut LVAD wires or stick my hand in bomb-y body cavities or let my interns play doctor on each other. I was special. I was young, gifted, and Black - and everybody knew it."

With that, she strutted out of the lounge, leaving them all momentarily speechless.

A moment later, Lexie burst in. "Webber just said to call you in - they finally decided."

The residents exchanged nervous glances, the weight of the moment settling over them as they stood to go find out who had won.

————

The residents gathered at the nurses' station, anticipation thick in the air as they waited for Webber's announcement. Charlie stood in the back, arms crossed, pretending she didn't care - but she was too curious to stay away.

Webber approached, his expression unreadable. "I'm happy to announce that the first solo surgery will take place tonight - a below-the-knee amputation due to bone cancer."

The group exchanged quick glances, nerves kicking in.

Webber then continued. "Now, choosing who gets the first solo surgery isn't just about who has the best surgical skills or who's logged the most hours in the OR. It's about the highest form of trust. The trust to put a patient's life in one of your hands." He let the words sink in before continuing. "And that trust has been gained by...

...Dr. Shepherd. Every single attending was impressed with how fast and responsible she reacted when she saw that Dr. Harris' life was in danger. She didn't think twice - she kept the patient stable and called for help immediately. And most of you can take a leaf out of her book."