Zerek, as a general rule, loathed doctors, more specifically medical doctors. After all, he was a doctor himself, but he was a PhD, not an MD. In fact he had two PhDs, one in microbiology and one in toxicology. The MD's liked the think they were god's gift to healthcare, and that drove him crazy. The bastards talked to him like he was a clueless sap, as if he couldn't have gone to medical school if he had wanted to. They acted if the research he was doing did not improve the care they gave their patients. So why was he so intrigued with the hospital's newest doctor?
The first time Zerek saw her, he had to do a double take. He passed a tour being given to the newest residents, and noticed the young woman with blue streaked hair. He smiled to himself, and thought maybe the new residents wouldn't all be sticks in the mud.
He was he again a few months later in the cafeteria. She was having lunch with Dr. Chiba, one of the few MDs he respected. He sat where he could watch her serendipitously. He made a mental note on how her upturned nose reminded him of a pixie, and that she had a shy sweet smile.
When Zerek finally met her, she came to him. He was working in his lab with some cultures of MRSA when a quiet voice called to him.
"Dr. Pierre?"
He looked up to find the alluring blue haired resident standing in his lab. He noted that she was no more that 5'3", and had eyes the color of deep blue sapphires.
He raised an eyebrow. "May I help you, doctor?"
"Mizuno," She supplied. "I was hoping I could discuss your work with transformation of plasmids that produce drug resistances in bacteria."
Zerek leaned back in his chair and studied her face. She seemed genuinely interested in his work. "May I ask why the interest, Dr. Mizuno?"
"I feel that knowing the latest research, especially in the area of drug resistance, will help me to better treat my patients with infections."
Zerek sat back with a smile. He nodded, and told her about his latest discoveries and what that could mean for patients. She asked questions, and supplied theories of her own.
Dr. Mizuno's pager beeped shrilly disturbing them from their talk. She reluctantly got up from her chair and made her excuses. As she reached the door, Zerek called out to her. "Dr. Mizuno, maybe we could talk some more over coffee."
"I would like that," She smiled at him, "and please call me Ami."
Hours after Ami left, Zerek found himself still smiling when he thought of her. He thought that just maybe doctors weren't so bad.
Author's Note: Just brief definitions of the scientific terms used,
MRSA is a drug resistant Staph infection, especially dangerous in a hospital setting.
Transformation is how bacteria cells exchange genetic information.
Plasmid is a extra ring of genetic material in bacteria that usually aids in its survival by giving drug resistance or other special adaptations.
