The Smile

XX - The grin before the smirk

Early morning. The rush had began. Lisa was already welcoming supporters, negotiators in her office. Two offices further, Dr Simon Lejeune was teaching interns on news techniques in surgery. The group kept focusing on the theme, but still, some of them had an eye on Dr Thomas Damon who was also attending the presentation.

Dr Sara Katic is researching records on her laptop, sitting next to two interns, listening to Dr Wylde. Wylde had an eye on Dr Dearing, whose office was in front of the common area. Through the glass doors, she could observe her operating on a patient. The newcomer, intern Emma Grey, was studying alongside Dr Elizabeth Darcy on patients' records in the supply room. Dr Gal Hedstater was above an open mouth, with Dr Alex Ryder when the phone rang.

The dentist stands up and grabs it :

"Dr Ryder."

The recognizable voice, somehow, made her instantly insecure : Dr Cate Beckett. As she heard one word, she knew something was wrong. Otherwise, she would never call her, especially on those sort of days, where schedules are overbooked. Ideas and hypothesis fuzz in her mind in a disturbance. She tries to recover, by asking :

"Dr Beckett ? What's happening ?"

The pause was not a good sign. Cate had discovered a secret she would not expected, at all. After a long silence, her voice was still in the same tone as the first word.

"Alex, there is a visitor in Eliza's office. She claims to be an old friend, and she is bringing bad news.

- Please, explain. Alex lies."

She was afraid and did not want to hear the discoveries.

"Her name is Camille Davis. Do you know her ? Have you heard about her ? Did Elizabeth explained ?"

Alex is puzzled. She was, again, imagining possibilities, inventing stories and memories. The lost one could not think of anything with sense.

"I don't know her.

- I did some researches. She was close to Eliza.

- How..close ?

- Friends. They went to the same faculty of dentistry, in Los Angeles. I checked multiples records and websites..

- So ? Where is this going ?

- Camille knows things we don't know about Eliza.

- Like what ? We know things about her. I know her !

- Camille said Elizabeth was different, had changed. She was someone else before arriving here."

Alex stands up, and leaves the treatment room to her assistant, Gal.

" Explain.

- She told me about a girl named Andrea. Andrea Campbell.

- I don't know that story either.

- They used to do weird stuff, like a sort of a community. And Camille claims to be.."

Dr Ryder was stressed out. Not only she was pushed to hard rhythm, but she had to listen and cooperate with those rumors.

" And what ? What's next ?"

She was petrified.

"Alex, I've known Eliza since two years and this is..

- Different, I know. I didn't expect that either.

- No.. I mean.. I knew this. But I am afraid Camille will reveal more.

- What do you mean ?

- I can't explain. I have to go. Lisa's calling me already. Bye."

Dr Ryder puts the phone away, walking slowly back to the treatment room. The gaze of her assistant was significant of an interrogation, and the premises of an answer. Gal had a thought on this. After-all, did she really know Elizabeth ?

Dr Thomas Damon was walking out of the meeting room, down the emergency hallway, with his new friend, Dr Simon Lejeune. Simon was not the talkative one, Thomas had take the best role. A flow of interns were following the two men, throwing crazy laughs and flirty sentences. Simon may be the shy one, but he is not doubtful when crossing the gazes of these women. He knew exactly their intentions, and did not approve. He was not receptive, at all. In fact, he regretted his talk with Dr Eva Mandell. It has been a while since he did not see her. Because, Eva asked to get promoted to her ally, Madam Eldestein. Lisa approved this suggestion, and signed. By this action, Eva was away of both Simon and Thomas. Thomas was not appreciated, and not only by Eva. Dr Damon was often nicknamed "playboy" "daemon" . Used to flirt, fool, play and jokes, he abused of girls and tricks to get what he wished. He was a powerful joker. But not enough to conquer the one he actually wanted. But, this is another story..

Not far from their talk, we can hear the intern Grey gossiping with Dr Dearing. Emma liked Claire. They seemed like they knew each other, by conversing easily and quickly. Their gossips became part of a routine. Subjects passed on. Emma had an idea when noticing her sister, who was assisting in a treatment room.

"You two look really good friends !"

Dr Dearing tried not to laugh. A smirk draws her red face. How naive she is to believe they are friends ? Her innocence is childish, and actually very interesting.

Claire tries to agree, cooperate with the fact she did not know their relationship. She dodges questions by getting back in her office. Emma goes in the other way, meeting others. Simon walks away from Thomas and his quirky targets. He crosses the occupied gaze of Eva. He dodges it, as well.

Alex was still standing in her office, when Elizabeth came in. Eliza knew the situation. Her face was not showing any form of expression. She tried hardly not to express her embarrassment.

"Cate told you..? She tries."

Alex crosses her insistent look.

"No. But, you will."

Elizabeth looks away. Ryder catches a sight of confusion in her.

"Tell me. What were you doing in med school ? Camille Davis ? The community thing ? Please. Look at me. Look at me. I want to hear the story before anyone else. Who is she ? What was it ? What kind of relationship ? Tell me ! Elizabeth !"

She doesn't even stare at her. Facing the wall, she closes her eyes. The answer was unpleasant, a shameful event, a blurry past. She regretted this meeting, and this interrogation.

Dr Ryder closes the door, with hands filled of files, and concerned face.

She had not forgotten the diner. Tonight were supposed to be a diner, where they could share not only their discoveries, surprises of the day, but their wish for a new form of relationship. Now, she was afraid she did not know her well. She wasn't prepared, and was afraid. Ryder was petrified, picturing the worst of hypothesis.

Note of the author :

 This chapter leads to an announcement.. a spin-off on the untold story of Elizabeth.