Stitches of Survival

You've Got to Hide Your Love Away

Chapter Forty-One: You've Got to Hide Your Love Away

*~*~*~*

"Thank you all for coming," Owen greeted everyone, having gathered us all in the second floor lobby for a meeting. "I know you're all busy, so this won't take long. The board has just approved a new non-fraternization policy. This hospital has to be a safe work environment where our focus remains clearly on providing the best patient care possible. Moving forward, all relationships with coworkers will be discouraged. And all relationships between superiors and subordinates is strictly prohibited. You will all receive a copy of the new rules. Your supervisors will arrange meetings to go over the details. And that's it. Let's get back to work."

"This is gonna be just great," I muttered under my breath as I stood alongside Webber, not failing to notice the confusion and discontent amongst the residents standing a few feet away.

"So, um, you're the panty police now?" Webber cleared his throat, stopping Owen as he went to walk past us.

"I know there will be some feelings," Owen scoffed, "And I know you've both established good relationships with the residents, so I'd like you both to take them today and make sure that they understand the policy."

"So you want us to be the panty police," Webber frowned at the idea. "All due respect, nuts to that."

"What he said," I nodded in agreement.

"Dr. Hunt, we have some questions about the policy," Wilson said as she walked over to us, the other residents standing behind her.

"Dr. Webber and Dr. Sloan can answer all of your questions," Owen told them before quickly walking away, leaving Webber and I to face the residents ourselves.

"This can't be legal," Wilson shook her head.

"It is," Webber assured her. "The hospital is allowed to create any policy regarding coworkers dating that they see fit."

"Shepherd met Grey while she was an intern," Wilson pointed out before looking at me. "Sloan met you when you were just an intern, too. And what about Warren and Bailey?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa," Ben shook his head. "We're married, so just..."

"If dating coworkers is frowned upon, how are they supposed to meet anyone?" Wilson gestured to her friends.

"I'm good," Ross shrugged. "You don't have to worry about me."

"You spend half your life here, Shane," Wilson pressed. "This is your dating pool. Why am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculous? They shouldn't be able to do this to us."

"Nobody's doing anything to you," I spoke up. "This is being done for you. One of your own didn't feel safe at work and lodged an anonymous complaint."

"One of our own?" Ross frowned.

"You realize you just made my relationship illegal," Wilson turned her gaze to Edwards, narrowing her eyes.

"Pretty sure she just said it was anonymous," Edwards pointed out.

"Yeah, right," Wilson scoffed before walking away.

*~*~*~*

"What time is Joel getting back from Nathan's?" Mark asked as I put the last dish in the dishwasher after dinner that night.

"Not until tomorrow afternoon," I told him. "Apparently him and Nathan are partners on a project so he's staying over to work on it, he'll be back after school tomorrow."