Adam's jaw dropped as he stared at this beautiful girl in front of him. Her expression of extreme dislike denied her friendly words, but she put out her hand to be shaken. The doctor, also quite stunned, shook it more as a reflex than a welcome.

"Y-you?! You're Dr Cassidy? I was expecting… well… certainly not such a pretty young thing…"

He stopped, unable to quite collect his thoughts and force them into words.

"You were expecting a man. I understand your hesitation at welcoming me unconditionally to the medical profession, but your concerns are unjustified. Surely you trust this friend of yours who heads the school I recently graduated from?"

Dr Martin looked quite shaken. "Yes but-"

"Am I to understand that you are refusing to allow me to assist you in your practice?"

"N-no, that's not at all what I'm saying… but some of the people here might not… you know… take to the idea of a female doctor."

Christine's left eyebrow twitched ever so slightly as the doctor stumbled over his answer. She suddenly whirled around and started marching back to the station, talking half to herself as she walked.

"Alright, fine. If you don't want anything to do with me, then I most certainly want nothing to do with you…"

Adam recovered himself and started after her.

"Miss Cassidy, now wait just a minute." He grabbed at her arm and she whirled around, her hand landing squarely across his face.

She looked stunned for a second, but recovered, her face reddening with both anger and embarrassment.

"I think not, Mr. Cartwright. First of all, I am Dr Cassidy. Second, do not ever touch me. Third, I will not put up with your patronization, and fourth, I do not need the embarrassment that your beloved male doctor has just put me through."

She whirled around again, but stayed where she stood.