A/N: I did not intend on posting this so soon after finishing my last story. But this chapter was done and proofed and I just said, "What the hey?"
This story is going to be different than my last and really anything I've done before. Lots of elements and working parts going on here, but I'm having fun writing them. This entire story is outlined and so I'll be updating upon finishing and proofing each chapter. Right now there are 16 planned chaps, and place for possible epilogue if we run into the need for it. This tale deals with medical knowledge regularly, which I have limited experience with. Anything I don't know I will be Googling and try to write as accurately as possible. Furthermore, there are certain things I will not specify (location, month, year, etc) and I'm doing this as not to confuse myself or the readers if I make a mistake. Cool? Then let's get started!
"Oh, now I don't hardly know her
But I think I could love her
Crimson and clover"
Chapter 1 (Crimson and Clover)
"The Andersen School of Medicine is one of the top schools in the country. Its subsequent hospital, Andersen Medical Center, is the leader in research and churning out some of the brightest young doctors due to its revered yet competitive internship program. Nearly a million young medical students apply each year with only the top twenty being accepted into the program. At the end of the program, for those who make it to the end, the students must decide if they want to be a general practitioner or enter into a specialty track. We are pleased to say that you have been accepted into our program. Congratulations."
Each student had received that acceptance letter, all twenty, hand-signed by the program head Erwin Sikowitz, MD, PhD. The main lecture hall at Andersen School of Medicine was set up for the Welcome Address with three rows of five chairs with nametags on them. The last two rows were different. There was a small row of three, and then one with two chairs at the head of the room. Soon, nineteen fresh-out-of-medical school doctors filed in to find their names and claim their seats.
Tori Vega took her assigned seat at the front of the room and examined the empty one to her right; she immediately assumed it belonged to someone who'd already dropped out. She neatly laid out her notebook, mechanical and lead pencils, two ink pens, an eraser, and highlighter on the table in front of her. She wanted to be prepared for when Dr. Sikowitz would begin his address to the class.
She was pushing her glasses up just as Dr. Sikowitz entered, chatting on his PearPhone, to only leave his briefcase and exit the room. Tori was too distracted watching Sikowitz through the glass on the door to notice when the seat next to her became filled.
"Don't try to suck up to him," a female voice pulled Tori out of her thoughts.
She turned to where the voice came from, "Excuse me?"
"Sikowitz," the unidentified female gestured towards the door with her left hand. "He's a human bullshit detector."
"Oh," Tori answered examining the empty part of their table in front of the woman.
The woman noticed Tori's gaze and then looked to her side of the table, "I see you came prepared," there was a hint of mirth in the woman's voice as she brought a Jet Brew coffee cup to her lips.
Tori nodded watching the woman drink, "And I see you didn't."
The woman gave a side-eye glare as she lowered her cup, "Don't need to," she replied confidently whilst settling the cup on the table.
"What's your name?" the mystery woman asked removing the aviator sunglasses from the crown of her head. "I'm Jade West, or I guess now, Dr. West," Jade introduced herself with a wide, and slightly seductive, smile.
Tori, for some unknown reason, watched Jade's smile keenly, "Doctor Tori Vega," she answered with a somewhat nervous chuckle.
Jade placed her sunglasses down next to her coffee and held a hand out to Tori, "Pleasure to meet you, Dr. Vega."
"You too, Dr. West," Tori shook her hand smoothly just as Sikowitz re-entered the room.
"Hello class! "I am Doctor Erwin Sikowitz, the head of this program you've all found your way to. If you don't know who I am, the door's that way!" Sikowitz gestured towards the door at the top of the lecture hall that all of the students had entered through. They all looked at him with a bit of fear and rapt attention, well, expect for Jade.
He stared them down for a few moments, letting the tension build, before bursting out into almost maniac-like laughter, "I'm kidding!" he called causing the whole room to breathe a sigh of relief and laugh nervously.
Once he calmed down, Sikowitz took attendance by asking each student to stand and give an embarrassing story from undergrad or medical school. He went in alphabetical order, further making the class wonder why they were sitting in a mixed order.
When he came to Tori she stood and introduced herself before saying, "I don't really have an embarrassing story."
"Shocker," Jade muttered sarcastically causing Tori to glare at her.
Sikowitz gave Tori a small grin, "That's okay! Just tell us something interesting about yourself, Dr. Vega."
"Umm," Tori started trying to think of something not lame. "I delivered a baby this summer," she smiled confidently.
"Really?" Sikowitz stepped closer towards her with interest.
Tori nodded proudly, "Yeah, my neighbor went into labor and there wasn't any time to call an ambulance. I delivered her son right there on their living room couch."
While some of the class was impressed, others just tuned her out. Sikowitz was one of the impressed, "Had you delivered in a situation like that before?"
"No, I hadn't," Tori shook her head.
Sikowitz furrowed his brow, "Was the wee lad healthy? Delivery successful?"
"Yes, everything turned out wonderfully," Tori smiled and gestured reassuringly. "I actually had to stay with them for about thirty minutes after he was born. Got the airway cleared, cut the cord, delivered the placenta, and got them both cleaned up."
"Impressive," Sikowitz gestured for her to sit and then turned his attention to Jade, "Dr. West?"
The woman in question sat up straight in her seat, "Dr. Sikowitz."
"You have the floor," Sikowitz replied as he perched on the edge of his desk.
Jade gave him an impish grin and then stood, "I'm Dr. Jade West. I'm a graduate of Florida State and Andersen Medical School," she scanned her fellow students as she spoke; the realization coming over some that she was a graduate of this very institute. "I'm kind of a badass and full of myself… that is according to over half of the teachers, professors, therapists, and authority figures I've dealt with in my life. Which leads me to my embarrassing story, well, it's not really embarrassing. I'm kind of proud of it in fact. Anyway, while in med school I was dating the niece of one of my professor's and said prof happened to walk in on me giving that niece head in this very lecture hall…" for those who didn't let out a whoop or whistle, their mouths hung agape at Jade.
"The professor was Sikowitz, by the way," Jade added coolly before turning around to the individual she just named with a devilish grin.
Sikowitz just shook his head, "Thank you, Dr. West."
Tori let herself examine Jade then as Sikowitz turned to write something on the whiteboard. She had a black leather motorcycle jacket slung over the back of her chair with a plastic Ziploc bag of something peeking out of the pocket. Pale porcelain-like skin complimented the black halter top, dark yet faded tight jeans, and black heeled boots Jade wore. A star tattoo inked on her right forearm, a studded left eyebrow, and a small nose ring adorning her right nostril rounded out her physical expression of rebellion.
You don't belong here, Jade. You and Sikowtiz have history. Bet that's the only reason you're here.
Jade noticed Tori's eyes on her then and turned to the girl, "What? Trying to figure out what color thong I'm wearing, Vega? Well I'll save you the trouble…" Tori's eye grew wide and her face pinked at Jade's words.
"Quit imagining," Jade leaned in to where her lips were just a couple inches away from Tori's ear. "I'm not wearing anything under here."
Tori's face now looked like the blood that was rushing upon hearing Jade's admission and said girl's hot breath on her face. Jade smiled in satisfaction seeing the embarrassment written all over Tori's face and neck.
Jade let herself check out the girl then. She was wearing a lavender polo, black dress slacks, white button-up cardigan and ballet flats that made her tan skin pop. Her wavy brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail with her glasses being the only thing covering her face. Considering her amount of note taking equipment, Jade made an easy assumption.
No doubt you're a joy killing nerd. Bet you're a little suck up. I'm gonna have fun messing with you.
Jade settled back into her own chair just as Sikowitz finished writing on the board, "Orientation is tomorrow, as you all should know, you are due here tomorrow morning at 8:00am sharp. If any one of you is even five minutes late, I'll call the next student on the waiting list. Got it?" Sikowitz faced the class that all nodded except for one student towards the back.
"You can't do that! If someone's a little late how is that cause for dismissal?" Some smart-aleck had to ask. There was one in every class.
Sikowitz smiled like he was about to bring the hammer down and crossed his arms, "Does any of you know how many medical students apply to this program every year?" He glanced around the room but kept his person turned towards the smartass.
Tori raised her hand, "This year alone the approximant amount was 522,900… I could be off by a hundred or so due to that figure being released before the deadline."
Sikowitz smiled proudly at Tori as Jade gave a subtle eye roll, "That's correct, Dr. Vega."
"That's wrong," Jade supplied nonchalantly. "The final number was 522,919."
Sikowitz gave her a huff before digging into his briefcase. He retrieved a paper and looked it over carefully. His face softened and then he nodded, "Well, Dr. West is correct. We did receive nineteen more applications during deadline week. Dr. Vega wasn't that far off though."
Tori and Jade exchanged adversarial glances as Sikowitz readdressed the class, "My point being, nearly a million of you applied. That list was then narrowed down to a thousand after a rigorous screening and quizzing process. Next, those lucky one thousand received our entrance exam which then narrowed down the list to one hundred individuals, whom scored between ninety and a hundred percent. Finally, I then handpicked the twenty of you that are in this room."
The students all looked around at each other as if it just now dawned on them that any, and all, could be replaced. "More than that," Sikowitz brought the room's attention back to him, "You're doctors. Five minutes, even a meager five seconds, can mean the difference between life and death for someone."
The class sat in painful silence watching Sikowitz uncomfortably, all but Jade that is, "Being a doctor doesn't make you God. It makes you selfless. You are putting aside your own needs for another," she spoke self-confidently gaining an approving nod from Sikowitz. "There's no rule in our handbook that says you need to be an asshole. But it does say do no harm."
"Looks like you did learn something from me, Dr. West," Sikowitz smiled proudly at the woman causing Tori irritation.
Sikowitz turned his attention back to the whiteboard, "Your partner assignments are listed on your Welcome Packet that I will now pass out. While I am doing so, please write down the following emergency contact info I've written on the board."
Tori raised her hand, "Emergency contact info?" worry colored her tone.
"It's in case something legit happens to one of us and we can't make it in," Jade explained as Sikowitz handed over she and Tori's packets.
Tori nodded, "Okay, guess that's a good thing," Jade passed down her packet upon Sikowitz distributing it.
Both women quickly read over their respective partner sheets. They were not thrilled to find out whom they'd been paired with.
"Shit," Jade muttered followed by a displeased groan.
"You've got to be kidding me," Tori derided not making any attempt to hide her upset.
Jade looked over at Tori with an indignant expression, "You realize this also means we're roommates…"
"What?" Tori squeaked out with a quirked eyebrow.
Jade nodded slowly, "Yup, we're not only program partners but we're also roomies."
"I honestly do not like you," Tori quipped causing Jade to scoff.
"And I don't care for you either, sugar cakes," she crossed her arms tightly over her stomach.
Sikowitz came back to the front then, "Our partnership aspect of this program is very important. It does several things that your mentors cannot. Not only must you learn to work with your partner, but you must also learn to live with one another. This brings a whole new dynamic into your personal learning experience."
"Hey, what's up with the way we're sitting?" A girl with bright red hair sitting behind Tori asked.
Sikowitz stepped closer to the girl, "You're all sitting in the order of how you scored. Lowest, staring at the top right, and highest here in front," he looked between Tori and Jade causing both to smile pridefully.
"Soooo," the girl drawled. "Those two are the smartest here?" she gestured to Tori and Jade.
"Not necessarily," Sikowitz shook his head. "It's possible they could be the two biggest idiots in this room. We'll just have to wait and see."
And with that Sikowitz dismissed the room explaining all needed information was in their packet. Around the corner from the university, and just a block from the hospital, was an apartment-style dormitory. The first floor housed the ten males who'd been accepted into the program and the second floor was all the females. Jade and Tori were assigned to apartment 203.
Tori unlocked the door and opened it to reveal an open kitchenette and living area. There was a coat closet to your right upon entering with the kitchen to your left. Beyond the high bar-like counter that rounded out the small kitchen were a couple of faux leather chairs and a matching couch. There was a medium sized flat screen mounted on the same wall which housed the coat closet door. On the left side of the room, opposite the kitchen, was a narrow hallway with three doors. There were two identically setup bedrooms directly across from each other with a modestly sized bathroom at the end of the hall.
"Which room do you want?" Tori asked as she and Jade explored the bedrooms.
Jade exhaled heavily, "Doesn't matter as long as it's not sun rise facing."
Tori looked around for a moment as Jade walked back into the hall, "All the windows are west facing. So, it doesn't matter which room you pick."
"Perfect. I'll take the one without windows," Jade pointed to the room on the left side of the hallway as Tori emerged from the right.
"Listen," Tori ran a hand through her hair anxiously. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. We're going to be here for the next twelve months and our only chance to make it through is to call a truce, be civil, and try to get along."
Jade eyed her curiously for a moment but then her expression relaxed, "I agree."
"Awesome, I think our best chance at making it is to set some boundaries." Tori smiled as Jade followed her towards the kitchen.
"Definitely," Jade chimed as she opened the refrigerator.
Tori sat on a bar stool, "So, we trade off chores," Jade produced two bottles of water from the fridge and handed one to Tori.
"Like, you'll do laundry the week I clean, and then I'll do laundry the week you do the cleaning?" Jade asked opening her water and Tori nodded.
"Yeah, and then we'll label our food, as to avoid eating each other's stuff," Tori stated and Jade agreed.
"However," Jade started screwing the cap back onto her bottle. "Stuff like orange juice, water, and crap like that we should share."
Tori grinned, "Yep, sounds good."
Jade went over and flopped down on the couch, "What if one of us has company over?" she asked yawning.
"Uhh," Tori's brow wrinkled as she turned to face Jade. "The old dorm room rule? Scrunchie on the doorknob?"
"I don't own any scrunchies," Jade replied blinking at Tori.
"A scarf then?" Tori suggested with a shrug.
Jade pointed at Tori with a smirk, "That I can do."
A quiet fell over them, neither looking nor talking to the other. Jade looked around the living room and then shot a glance at Tori, "What if one of us is entraining in the living area while the other is out but expected to return?"
"Then the one who's out texts the other about fifteen minutes or so before they expect to return. That should give whoever is out here entertaining enough time to clear out," Tori got up and sat in the chair closest to Jade. "But, I wouldn't suggest entertaining anyone on this couch. It doesn't look Scotchgarded," she wrinkled up her nose at the furniture item Jade sat on.
"Oh please," Jade snorted throwing Tori an askance look. "Trust me, I would not be the first person to have sex on this couch."
Tori threw up her hands in surrender, "Hey, just being realistic."
"Yeah," Jade retorted, "And a buzzkill."
Tori's only response was to glare at Jade who replied with a teasing grin.
Tori and Jade quickly got acquainted with a few guys and a girl from the class. Jade already knew the one guy, Andre, from when they attended Florida State together. They quickly caught up and invited their new friends out to a bar around the corner. Tori along with Beck, Cat, and Robbie -their new friends- agreed and they all headed out.
Cat Valentine, a bubbly synthetic red head who'd been seated behind Tori and Jade in class, seemed to be daft yet intelligent. She could spit out medical facts like an encyclopedia. Despite her shortcomings, everyone seemed to love the girl for her warm personality and knowledge.
Beck Oliver, a long haired slightly broody fellow, was a bit on the quiet side. He knew a lot about comic books and other random things. But he had a deep fascination for the human heart. He explained that he'd wanted to be a cardiologist for as long as he could remember. It was his dream to be accepted into the Andersen Program and work alongside Dr. Susan Gilbert, one of the program mentors and one of the nation's leading surgeons.
Robbie Shapiro, a curly haired and glasses wearing fellow, was a dignified kind of awkward. He told the story of how he'd spent most of his life with his hand shoved inside a puppet. Oddly enough this inspired him to be a gastroenterologist. He had a desire to cure basic gastro ailments with the same passion Beck had to treat hearts.
Andre Harris, the fellow Jade had attended undergrad with, held a personality bigger than himself. He liked to joke around and laugh. He entered the Andresen Program with the dream of helping children heal via music therapy. Not only was he promising young doctor, but he could sing and play music as well. The only love he had that was greater than wanting to make children smile was for music.
"So, you had a thing with Sikowitz's niece?" curiosity got the better of Tori once she started drinking.
Jade stirred her strawberry margarita, "I did," she responded as Cat laughed at a joke Andre just told.
Tori finished off her second Cosmo, "And you were one of his med students?"
"Yeah, and probably his least favorite at that," Jade smirked as Tori ordered another drink and got a little flirty with their waitress. They bantered in a flirty manner back and forth for a few seconds before the girl left to make Tori's drink.
Jade nodded in the direction of the retreating blonde waitress, "She's cute. Nice ass. You should get her number, Tor."
"I'm not interested…" Tori shrugged with a small smile towards Jade whose eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Jade laughed wryly then as her eyes relaxed, "Yeah, Vega. And I'm wearing underwear."
Tori's mouth fell open then as the waitress brought her drink, "You weren't joking earlier?"
"I propose a toast," Jade held up her margarita, while her tablemates held up their own drinks, and ignored Tori's flabbergasted expression.
Andre smiled towards Jade, "To us."
"Yes," Jade replied, "and to finishing this program successfully and coming out on top!"
The group clinked glasses over their small table before taking a drink. No soon after they'd swallowed a man to Jade's left at the opposite table collapsed. A commotion broke out among the man's group of friends and those at Jade's table.
"What happened?" Jade immediately got down on the floor where a hysterical woman was trying to wake the man.
The woman shook her head rapidly with tearful eyes, "I'm not sure. I think he's having an allergic reaction to the peanuts. He said his throat was closing up!"
Jade quickly assessed the man listening for breath sounds and checking his pulse with her tablemates watching on. She looked up at a waiter who'd been standing over her, "Get me a clean, sharp knife and a bottle of vodka. I also need a straw." The waiter immediately did as told and retrieved the items from the bar.
"Thank you," Jade accepted the items. "You might wanna call an ambulance, too." She replied unscrewing the cap on the vodka bottle.
A crowd had gathered around her then to watch the scene. Jade quickly poured the vodka onto the knife, shook the access liquid off, and then poked a hole into the man's throat. She inserted the straw into the hole she'd just made and a breath of air escaped with the man beginning to stir. Within seconds the paramedics arrived and took over for Jade. They said if not for her quick actions a dire situation would have become much worse.
Her colleagues were impressed at Jade's skill and tenacity, Tori especially. Everyone in the bar complimented her along with the man's friends expressing great thanks. The bar manager even gave Jade her drinks on the house.
"Wow," Tori commented once things had calmed down and the bar was closing up.
Jade, who was now intently checking out the waitress from earlier, chuckled at Tori, "What?"
"That's was pretty badass and impressive. I believe I underestimated you, Dr. West," she held her empty glass up as if toasting Jade's heroism.
"Thank you," Jade smiled getting up from her seat as the waitress approached. "By the way, you might want to pick up some earplugs on the way home," she winked at Tori as the waitress whispered in her ear.
And with that Jade and the waitress disappeared out the door. When Tori got back to the apartment about a half hour after Jade and her companion did, there was a trail of clothes leading from the front door and ending outside of Jade's closed door bedroom. By the sounds Tori heard coming from the other side, she had a good idea of what was going on between the two women.
It was nearly 3:00am before the waitress left and Tori was able to try and sleep. As she lied there trying to find some rest, Tori couldn't help but wonder if Jade bringing home random women was going to become a regular occurrence.
A/N: Spot a glaring mistake? Let me know. Thank you for reading.
