Title: New York, New York
Author: Anna (tinfoiltiarasxx@aol.com)
Part: 1/?
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: These characters aren't mine
Author's Notes: Following ff.net's new policy on NC17 fics, I'm soon to be moving all my stuff to a place where all of it can be archived together. Will leave a note on my profile about where it will be when I do so.
John Truman Carter the Third found himself lying on a forest green couch in an unfamiliar office. Turning to the side, he was startled by a familiar balding and bespectacled presence.
"Mark?" He spluttered, "What in God's name are you doing here?"
Dr Greene smiled blandly. "They told me you needed therapy, John; they didn't tell me you need that much therapy."
"And why the hell are you calling me John?"
"I was led to believe that was your name, isn't it?"
The man had a point. "I guess."
Mark leaned forward, and patted him on the knee.
"Thank you for agreeing with me, establishing trust is the first vital step in the development of our relationship."
"Our relationship?"
"I understand this is a sensitive area for you, John, but I was actually referring to our doctor-patient relationship, considering how we are to be spending some time together over the next few weeks. And hopefully in time we'll be able to resolve some of the difficulties you've been having…well, I would say 'recently', but it's been quite a while now, hasn't it?"
"Carter…" A familiar voice seemed to be calling him. "CARTER!"
And gaping with sheer amazement, Carter awoke with a start, the comforting darkness of the on-call room invaded by a small but still indecent amount of light, a recognizable shadow standing in the doorway. Abby.
"What?" He enquired, tetchily.
"Weaver wants to see you and all the attendings in the lounge."
"Why?"
Abby smiled, amused by his grumpiness. "I don't know, but she's walking about with this manic glint in her eyes, it's almost scary… Just don't shoot the messenger, okay?"
"I wouldn't be tempted to if she hadn't woken me up so damn loudly." He retorted, finally forcing himself up from the bed.
"Crazy night shift, huh?"
"Oh yeah, half the residents of the Drake Hotel down with food poisoning… Note the scrubs?"
She already had, but the reason why he was wearing them wasn't what she was interested in. Mmm, even with a five-o'clock shadow and dark rings round his eyes, the man looked good…
"What?" Carter asked, intrigued by the strange looks she seemed to be giving him.
"Oh, nothing, just a little sleep-deprived myself I guess…"
He smiled. "Yeah? You don't look it."
"Doctor's lounge," she blurted out, trying not to blush from the probably insignificant way that he was holding her gaze.
"What?"
"Meeting. Weaver. You and attendings. Like I said." Abby answered disjointedly, before disappearing off.
"Right." He stated purposefully. Yawning, he wandered down the now deserted hallways and entered the lounge to everyone's looks as they sat in a circle around the table. Funny how Weaver looked like the only one who actually wanted to be there, and man, was Abby right about the manic glint…
"Sorry," he attempted, not looking it.
"That's okay, Carter," Weaver replied, not looking like it was. She seemed to have some sort of dossier open in front of her, he noticed as he took a seat between Susan and Mark.
"So what's this all about, Kerry?" Mark enquired, being the only one out of the assembled company who could get away with saying it.
"As you all are probably aware, through some particular efforts on my part this year, we are actually several hundred dollars under our managerial budget."
By the looks of surprise that resultantly circulated round the group, she realised with shock that most of them, in actual fact had not been aware of her hard work. What the hell was happening to this department? Susan rolled her eyes; like, get to the point already!
"Robert has concurred that a worthy use of this money would be using this money to hone the managerial skills of you, the leaders of this department," Kerry continued hastily, "There is a week-long conference on Resource Management in the Emergency Room in New York in 3 weeks time. I, of course, shall be required to attend this. We shall also be able to offer places and afford cover for all of you, should you wish to attend."
Or in other words, unless you have one hell of an obligation elsewhere, you're all going to New York whether you like it or not, concluded Carter. Similarly resigned expressions had also appeared on the faces of Susan and Luka. As for Mark, he had made the tough decision to stand up for what he believed in, for one of the first times in his life.
"No way, Kerry. I've been having some problems with Rachel and it's not fair to leave Elizabeth alone with the girls at a time like this," he concluded, nodding self-righteously.
"Fair enough," she agreed. "But I trust the rest of you have no pressing commitments in 3 weeks time?" Her brisk looks around the group forced them into submission. Carter, Susan and Luka wearily shook their heads.
"Excellent, I'll get right onto arranging our transport and accommodation. You know, I really think this is going to be highly beneficial, both for you personally and for the department as a whole," Dr Weaver concluded enthusiastically.
Mark smirked as the others raised their eyes to heaven. This was going to be fun.