Disclaimer: I don't own Grey's Anatomy.

Dr. Derek Shepherd walked down the hallway of Seattle Grace Hospital and stopped at the Nurses Station. He placed the chart he had been carrying on the counter and held his head in his hands. He stayed like that for several minutes until Cristina Yang came up behind him.

"Dr. Shepherd? I'm sorry to disturb you but I was assigned to your service today and I was wondering if there was anything you want me to do…"

Cristina's voice trailed off in question. Dr. Shepherd raised his head and rubbed his eyes.

He handed Cristina the chart he had placed on the counter.

"Mrs. Hoffman has a concussion. If the swelling doesn't go down, we need to operate. Check her every two hours and keep me informed."

With that, Derek walked around the desk and sat in an unoccupied chair. He resumed the position of resting his head. Again, he didn't stay like this for long. Not a moment later, the Chief walked up to the Nurses Station.

"Dr. Shepherd?"

Derek raised his head and sat back in the chair.

"What can I do for you?" he asked, his voice tired.

"Are you okay, Derek?" the Chief asked, looking intently at Derek.

"I'm fine. What do you need?"

The Chief ignored Derek's request and turned to Cristina.

"Find a thermometer and take Dr. Shepherd's temperature."

Cristina nodded and started to move around the counter.

"Dr. Yang, don't." Dr. Shepherd's voice was strong.

"Dr. Yang, go." the Chief's voice held as much will as Derek's.

"Don't."

"Go."

Cristina stared at the two doctors facing off and finally moved all the way around the counter and pulled out a thermometer. She put a clean protective layer on it and put it to Derek's ear.

"Sorry…but he can fire me." Cristina said as she waited for the reading. The thermometer beeped and Cristina pulled it out of Derek's ear.

"And?" the Chief asked.

"Yes, tell the Chief that I'm fine, Dr. Yang." Derek spoke up.

Cristina looked from the Chief, to Derek, and back to the Chief.

"Well?" the Chief asked again.

"It's, uh, it's 102.7, sir."

Cristina looked away from Derek and pretended to be busy cleaning the thermometer. The Chief raised his eyebrows at Derek.

"Fine. So I'm not feeling 100%." Derek gave in.

"I want you to go home, Dr. Shepherd. Get some rest."

"I can't, Chief. If Mrs. Hoffman's brain swells any more, she'll need immediate surgery."

"I'm not asking you Derek."

"Chief. Think of Mrs. Hoffman. She has five children. If I go home and she needs surgery, she could be dead by the time I get here. Is that what you want?"

"Fine. You can stay here. But you must find an on-call room and rest. No work, is that clear?"

"Yes."

"And Dr. Yang?"

"Yes sir?" Cristina answered.

"Make sure Dr. Shepherd does absolutely nothing. And keep us both updated on Mrs. Hoffman's condition."

"Yes sir."

The Chief turned and looked at Derek.

"Now, don't you have somewhere to be?"

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! Please R&R!