TITLE: Altered Expectations - part 1/?

AUTHOR: Ceindreadh

EMAIL: cein@eircom.net

CATEGORY: humor/other

RATING: PG-15

SPOILERS: last episode seen 'Bygones'

Last relevant episode 'Blood Sugar Sex Magic'

ARCHIVE: yes

DISCLAIMER: "ER" and all its characters belong to Warner Bros. No infringement of their copyright is intended. This story was written for the enjoyment of "ER" fans everywhere, and may be downloaded for your own pleasure.

Part 1 - Weaver on the warpath

"What do you mean, I can't fire him? I just did." Kerry looked at the head of the Resident's Review Board in annoyance. "I'm the Chief of the Emergency Department, and I don't want him on my staff any longer."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple," replied Dr. Marsh. "If Dr. Malucci were an Attending, then his employment *would* fall within your jurisdiction. But as he's still a Resident, it falls to *us* to make the decision whether or not he should be terminated. All *you* can do is report him to us, and let us take whatever steps we deem appropriate."

"Well consider him reported," snapped Kerry. "I want him fired."

"Ah. I'm afraid that we can't do that," said Marsh.

Kerry frowned at him, "And why not?" she asked, icily.

"Because he wasn't given the required 'written warning' as laid out in his employment contract," said Romano, as he walked into the room.

Kerry jumped in surprise. "Robert," she said, with icy politeness. "What brings *you* here? I thought that the disciplinary matters of Resident's would be beneath your notice."

"Oh, I notice *everything*," replied Romano, smiling at her. "Especially when it relates to the ER. After all, the Emergency Department is the front line of the hospital. And anything that affects it, reflects on the whole of County General."

Kerry snorted in disbelief, before returning to the matter at hand. "What do you mean, he didn't get a 'written warning'? Do you *know* how many letters of reprimand he has on his file?"

"None of which specifically state that future infractions will result in his immediate dismissal. Which simply put means that we have to warn him in writing that the next time he screws up, he's out. That's the proper procedure," replied Romano smugly. He just *loved* yanking Kerry's chain. "And above all, we must adhere to the 'proper procedures' in cases like these."

"Like you did with Dr. Legaspi?" snapped Kerry.

Romano was slightly taken aback. Kerry must have been more annoyed than he had thought, if she left herself open like *that*. Well, he was never one to pass up an opportunity to make her squirm.

"I deeply regret that I let my emotions cloud my judgment when I fired Dr. Legaspi." He smiled insincerely. "But as you know, I realized my error and retracted her termination because I knew that I hadn't followed proper procedures…unless you believe there was *another* reason why I did it?" He looked Kerry straight in the eye and was amused to watch her obvious discomfort.

"Well, that's not relevant to the matter at hand," said Kerry, quickly, before turning back to Dr. Marsh.

"Romano 1, Weaver 0," thought Romano with a glow of satisfaction. Of course, that was just *today's* score so far…he was pretty sure that he was *much* further ahead on points than *that*.

"So what you're saying, Dr. Marsh, is that Malucci can just walk back into the ER and there's not a damn thing I can do to stop him?"

"Under the circumstances, yes," replied Marsh. He saw Kerry's look of annoyance and added hastily. "However, the board has reviewed his case, and feels that in his case, a 'written warning' on his file, is indeed merited. As is a period of unpaid suspension."

Kerry nodded approvingly. "So we kick him out for a while and if…or rather *when* he screws up again, then he's gone, no more warnings, no more chances. He's out of here for good, finito, right?" Well, that wasn't too bad, she thought to herself. Malucci can't go a week without getting into trouble. He'll be out the door so fast; he won't know what's hit him…and best of all, his firing will be blamed on the Resident's Review Board…not *me*.

"Furthermore," added Marsh. "We feel that given the animosity between both of you, that it would be in Dr. Malucci's best interests if he was supervised and evaluated by a more 'impartial' attending."

"Yeah," commented Romano. "After all, we wouldn't any accusations of 'bias'. I mean I seem to remember some angry murmurings when the Chief Resident's position was up for grabs. Something about the rules being bent in favor of one candidate due to her gender."

Romano was *really* enjoying his needling of Kerry today. In all honesty, he didn't give a damn one way or another about Malucci. Hell, residents were a dime a dozen. In fact, the only reason he had bothered to intervene at all was because it was obvious that Kerry had a strong dislike for the guy. That in itself was reason enough, he felt, to keep him around…plus there was the fact that the hospital lawyers always got a bit edgy about firing docs who were involved in lawsuits. Some crap about discrimination or it being an admission of liability. Whatever. That was *their* problem. But for the salary they made, it would have been dumb *not* to listen to their advice.

"So we'll put Malucci on a couple of months suspension. Keep him supervised when he gets back to work, if he screws up, then he's out."

"Fine," said Kerry.

"Anyway, if he's as incompetent as you say he is, then it shouldn't be too long before he messes up again."

"Let's just hope he doesn't kill anyone else while we're waiting," said Kerry, a note of sarcasm in her voice.

Romano smiled at her, "Well…we'll just have to make sure that he's *adequately* supervised, won't we?"

Kerry bit her lip, unable to think of a snappy comeback.

"Romano 2, Weaver 0," thought Romano, as he continued. "So all you have to do is find some dumb schmuck to supervise him and keep him out of your way."

"Do you have a schmuck, er I mean, Attending in mind?" asked Marsh.

Kerry thought for a few minutes and then smiled, "I know just the person."

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"Kerry, you cannot be serious," said Luka, in disbelief.

"I'm afraid so," said Kerry, trying to instill a regretful tone into her voice. "The Resident's Review Board *and* Risk Management feel that it would be inadvisable for Dr. Malucci to run any trauma's on his own, at least for the immediate future. And after our, ahem, little altercation, they also feel that it would be better if I wasn't the one to do it."

"So you picked me?"

Kerry nodded. "I considered Mark, but I felt that he might not be…strict enough with Malucci, and I trust that you will keep a proper watch on him." She smiled at Luka, "I *do* appreciate you taking on the responsibility."

"Not that I have a choice," muttered Luka, under his breath. Out loud he said, "This is payback for me tying those cans to your crutch last April, isn't it?"

Kerry looked at him in surprise. "Dr. Kovac…surely you don't believe that I would be so petty and unreasonable as to seek revenge for a simple little prank?" Turning to go, she allowed herself a brief smile of satisfaction. Truly, revenge was dish best served cold.

Luka watched her limp away. "I should have used the superglue on the handle instead of Malucci's hand," he muttered.

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