The Smile

XIII - Lip bites under jokes

Dr Elizabeth Darcy gets out of the common dining area, when she notices laughs behind her. Intrigued, the curious one stops and grabs her phone, faking she was about to send a message.

"..Told you she's such an evil lady..

- That's why nobody's with her !

- Yeah you're right !

- That's why Dr Darcy's called.."

She slowly turns back. The two stops and walks fast at the exit.

Elizabeth is wondering. Her reputation was always a subject, she heard in gossips. Hit in her feelings, she finds herself thinking. She tries to change her mind, prefers to look for Alex.

This one was eating with a bunch of intern, and Dr Hedstater. They were enjoying their lunch, and laughing. Dr Ryder stands up and proposes to bring coffees and teas to the new arrivals. Gently, she heads at the coffee machine, meeting her lover. She notices marks of her passage, also on the neck of her. Last night, they weren't only working on paperworks.

"Hey hottie, what are you thinking ?

- About you.

- That's cute, but false. I know when you're lying..

- I heard two.. Come on it's ridiculous, and nothing.

- Nobody messes with my girl ! Tell me !"

The behavior of Alex made Eliza turn red. She wouldn't expect her to act this way. Even though, she would always do in the clumsy style. Still, Elizabeth appeared to be surprise by this sentence.

"..Two guys were mocking me.. Obviously.

- About ..?

- ..I must had nobody to leave with.

- That's false. You have me."

Elizabeth was filled of joy, seeing Alex defending her and standing tall for her cause. Twice. It made her proud. But she was concerned about these jokes. Suddenly, she caught her favorite patient doing the iconic move, that provides a specific sudden reaction : 

"Stop bitting your lip. It distracts me.."

Alex turns back, almost letting go the coffees of her hands. She wasn't used to these sort of order.

"Please.. not here..

- You know I'm horny when you do..

- Alright. I..

- You're doing it again.

- Listen I.."

Elizabeth was focusing on her lips, which made Alex weak. Such an intense, insisting, demanding gaze, was too much to handle.

"Meet me.. at .. maybe.. next break..?

- Maybe right now ?

- Come on.. you can wait."

She leaves in a rush.

Sitting with interns, she restarts the gossiping under Elizabeth's eyes. Gal notices the strange way her friend acted, and waves at her. Dr Darcy only gives a small smirk and walks away.

"So.. What do you think of the evil blonde lady ?"

Interns laugh. Alex is preoccupied, searching an answer at Gal. Gal looks at her coffee.

"I heard she almost murdered a patient.. the other day..

- She said no to James..

- What ? Who is James ?

- The new recruit from emergency services. Don't you know him ?"

Alex nods.

" Anyway.. she is such bossy..

- Always.

- Always complaining.

- Remember when she was hanging out with the director last Monday..

- That bitch.. She wanted more.."

Alex stands up all in a sudden. Gal asks her to sit, miming the message with her hands under the table.

" What's your problem ?

- What ? We're just joking.

- She's not even here and it's like you want her fired.

- Or more..

- HEY !

- Then, tell us. What are your thoughts on her ?"

Alex lips are trembling, hesitating. Everyone stares at her, she had been saying all this too loudly.

" She is nice. No need to joke about her..

- Nice ? Oh please.. She is a monster !"

A cardiology specialist stands up on the left corner, adding :

" She only wants money, fame.

- She does it solo, a tall ginger assistant in psychiatry suggests.

- That's right ! She does not belong here ! "

The whole assembly cheers up, and jokes are growing more and more.

Gal stares at Alex.

" Since when ambition is not a quality ? You're just jealous of her. Of course, she works solo.. Maybe because you pushed to. All of you, you set her appart. And she did a lot for you. She always ask for the latest technologies, tools..stuffs. And, she defends our salaries, our conditions..I know some of you hate her because of her attitude. You're judging too fast. She may be cold and reserved. But I tried to talk to her lately, and she is quite lovely in fact.. she.."

Alex stops right away, remarking the pair of eyes pointing at her, as a judgement. Her words were betraying her. Gal stares at her empty tray, with no more food. Silence sets in.

At the same moment, and nearby, Elizabeth was writing the latest observations on papers. Rearranging paperworks, and records in her office. Someone knocks at the door. A bit surprised, she says :

"Please, come in."

A group of interns, radiologists, specialized surgeons and nurses, doctors from the emergency department. The whole office was too small to welcome these people. Their looks were pitiful, and sorry. Elizabeth crosses her arms :

"What.. is going on ?"

Nobody wants to start. They all stares at each other in silence, pushing someone to do the talking. The shy ones step back.

"I..I guess we judged you.. And we.. want to apology."

She recognizes him. His voice. He was the one who joke on her at dining time.

"I get it. After all, I am acting cold and bossy.. I am just determined and..

- She explained all. No need to say more. It's our fault.

- She ? Who..who explained ?

- Well. Dr Ryder, of course."