Appreciate your response guys. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

I own nothing. All characters/story-line belong to Shonda Rhimes.

Chapter 3

I shouldn't have replied. Eliza thought after replying to Arizona with the rude message. I told her to stay away from me so that I won't talk to her this way. I know how I can be when I'm going through emotional crisis. I can't think about her or us right now. I have to think about my career. Despite of having so many good offers, I have no clue why I settled for Grey Sloan. Yes, Arizona was partly the reason but main reason was this great hospital and the fact that this place did need a change in the implementation of residency program. As a third person, I always heard great things about Grey Sloan's outstanding attending Surgeons, but rarely the news about any of the residents or their achievements was published. I saw a great potential in all the residents and how much more they could be if given a chance. And I thought if I could contribute even a little to their bright future as Surgeons, then I'd consider myself one of the luckiest persons, rather teachers. She sighed and turned on her right side. She laid down on the bed as soon as she reached her apartment from the hospital in the morning without bothering to change out of her clothes. She just laid there, dozing off for a couple of hours in between, and thinking about everything that had gone wrong since last night, a perfect night, as she'd like to call it. Why is everything so screwed up? Why it can't just.. huh, forget it. Deciding to divert herself and feed her hungry stomach she went in the kitchen and started cooking some rice and vegetables. "I call it a day. Enough thinking about everything bad that has happened." She started talking to herself out loud. "If I think about any longer, I might die of a headache." With that she chuckled at her own silly joke. She decided to eat her supper a little early and watch some lighthearted TV show to relax.

GSMH CONFERENCE ROOM

Grey, Avery, Robbins and Webber, all sat at the table discussing their last night's unique experience. It was almost 15:55 and everyone was waiting for the Chief. Meredith and Avery were talking about their patients while Webber gave his inputs as much as he could and Robbins sat quietly but she couldn't hide her anxiety very well. "Robbins, you okay?" Webber asked noticing the obvious. He knew what exactly was wrong but he didn't want her to know at that time that it all happened right in front of him. "Yeah just a little tired." She flatly replied.

Bailey and Catherine Avery entered the conference room two minutes before clock struck 16:00. Everyone straightened up in their chairs as both women took their seats. Bailey placed both her hands on the table and leaned forward a little sitting straight up.

"As we all are aware of the events that took place light night, I'd like to shortly explain the status of the situation." Meredith and Avery nodded silently. Making sure that she had everyone's attention, Bailey continued. "The floor where fire originated has been completely closed off and is being renovated at a fast pace. The NICU and CCU will be closed until further notice. All affected patients have been transferred to Seattle Press. If you have any patients you need to check on then their status will be visible on your tablet devices. Some of you may be required go to Seattle Press for follow-ups, and that mainly involves Dr. Robbins for patients transferred from NICU and Dr. Avery for burnt cases. All the other hospital activities will run normally barring any further complications. Any questions so far?" the Chief eyed everyone and continued when no one questioned. "Dr. Edwards is doing great and is in recovery. She will be staying in the hospital throughout her recovery until she's healthy enough to be discharged. However, she no longer will be continuing her residency at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital."

"What?" Avery and Meredith exclaimed in sync. Webber and Catherine Avery already being aware of this, just waited for what Bailey was about to throw next while Robbins raised her brow in shock.

"After being treated for her burns, she informed Dr. Webber that she no longer intends to continue being a doctor." Bailey replied to shocked faces.

"But this is unbelievable. She's an amazing doctor, the one this hospital cannot lose." Avery tried to explain to Bailey.

"I'm with you on that Avery but it's her choice. She may or may not come back in future but right now she says she needs to leave this field. And she did mention this without any sign of anger or fear. So, I say we all respect her choice and support her through the recovery. She'll be well taken care of until she leaves this hospital. I hope everyone's okay with Edward's decision." Bailey studied everyone, seeing that no one retorted, she sighed and decided to continue with a conversation she knew would open a can of worms, mostly from Robbins' side. Taking a quick look at everyone, last one landing at Robbins, she cleared her throat and spoke up. "I have one last announcement to make. Dr. Eliza Minnick will no longer be a doctor and residency program director at Grey Sloan Memorial."

"WHAT?" Avery's eyes bulged.

"What? How?" Meredith furrowed her brow, she looked at Webber who gave her a slight nod and then turned to Bailey again. Dr. Catherine Avery simply stared at her hands on the table and Robbins kept staring in the space between Bailey and Avery who was sitting on Bailey's left side. She could feel all kinds of emotions rise in her body, anger being the dominant one, but she kept her cool as best as she could.

"This comes as a surprise to most of you and I understand that but this decision was taken based on the events that happened last night. Because of her carelessness, one of our doctors was stuck in the fire with a young girl for long than she should have. Her failure to understand when to let go of protocols and go above and beyond to save lives could have cost us Dr. Edwards' and that young girl's life. These and due to some other similar reasons Dr. Minnick was fired fro— "Bailey was cut-off by Robbins.

"What other reasons if I may ask? Because certainly the ones that you stated sound very naïve to me." The blonde stared sharply into Chief's eyes. Rage clearly visible in those blue diamonds.

Bailey tilted her head slightly and let out a huge sigh. Here goes nothing. Looking at the blonde, she stated defeatedly, "I've come to terms with my mistake of replacing Dr. Webber by Dr. Minnick as a Residency Director. You all protested and I stayed firm on my decision at the time, however I've come to realize that it was a huge mistake." Bailey waited for something but seeing everyone was quiet she continued, "I apologize for making decisions related to Dr. Webber and Dr. Minnick without taking board's prior approval. It wasn't until Dr. Robbins pointed out, that I realized that I was failing to let the board in on hospital's important decisions and I do intend to right the wrong and regain your trust." Bailey waited couple of seconds before she continued. "That is all from my side. Does anyone have any questions?"

"I still do not understand why Dr. Minnick was fired?" the blonde asked calmly. She was humbled by Bailey's genuine apology but still felt Eliza was mistreated.

"Robbins, I won't go over it again. She forgot to inform the police about Edwards." Bailey stressed a little on each word of her last sentence.

"And you think she deserves to be fired for that?" the blonde questioned.

"Edwards could have died if we had found her even minutes later." Bailey tried to convey that blonde was unable to understand the serious implications of the situation.

"And it's all on Minnick? She forgot to inform the police about Edwards. She shouldn't have and that's right. But was she the only one who knew that Edwards was missing?" Arizona leaned forward placing her hands on the table and interlacing her hands.

"I had asked Dr. Minnick to inform the police while I went looking for Edwards in the hospital." Avery said looking at Arizona directly.

"So, it was entirely Minnick's responsibility is what you are saying. Were you the only two who knew about it?" Arizona retorted.

"No, it's not what I'm saying. I just— "Avery was cut-off by Bailey.

"Dr. Robbins the decision has been made and I sug— "she was cut-off by the blonde.

"And as a member of the board, I don't support this decision of yours." Robbins states firmly looking directly at Bailey. Bailey stared in shock at the blonde but she didn't let her guard down. Arizona tried to explain it again, as calmly as she could.

"Dr. Bailey, do you realize that you have fired her for no good reason? This could be a lot more complicated if she decides to retaliate." The blonde made the Chief ponder for a little while.

"Okay. Then we vote it out." Bailey said.

"Vote it out? Chief she could sue us for wrongful termination, you know that right?" Robbins asked raising her voice a little without sounding rude. Before Bailey could answer, Meredith interjected.

"I don't want to vote as I am not fully aware of the circumstances. Neither am I willing to listen to both parties and decide based on that. But I see that Minnick's program has been effective. Yes, I was against it at the start but observing the change in residents' skills and confidence, I believe a new mind to this program won't be a bad thing. However, I'd like it if Dr. Minnick were to run this program under Dr. Webber's supervision, considering his experience clearly beats hers and we need him as the Director of Residency Program." Meredith explains her opinion, indirectly indicating the she wants Dr. Minnick to stay.

"That sounds like a vote to me Dr. Grey." Bailey looks at Meredith twitching her lips a little.

"That's not a vote Chief. That is just my opinion regarding our current Residency Program." Meredith states simply.

"Dr. Avery?" Bailey eyes the head of Plastics. Robbins dropped her gaze and gently rubbed her temple with right hand seeing that the Chief had completely disregarded her opinion against voting system.

"I second Dr. Grey's opinion regarding the Residency Program. But as I am quite aware of the situation based on which Dr. Minnick was fired, I do support Dr. Bailey's decision." Jackson says looking at everyone. Arizona looks at Jackson shaking her head slightly and drops her gaze.

"Dr. Avery?" Bailey looks at Catherine Avery.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again. I do not support this decision." She states plainly, looking at Bailey who replies with a slight nod and then lands her gaze on Dr. Webber who looks back at her before turning to look at Bailey who asks for his vote next.

"And Dr. Webber?" Bailey asks.

"I believe what Dr. Greys said about the change Dr. Minnick has brought in Residency Program here. She studies her students thoroughly and is mostly right about their performance evaluation. Her speculation about Dr. Warren was right which I witnessed for myself." The last statement earned him a quick glance from the Chief. "Dr. Minnick also raised some concerns about Dr. Edwards and they were proven right on the same day when Dr. Karev and Dr. Edwards operated on the young boy with the brain tumor. Her analysis about residents has been accurate up until now and she cares about her students. She never bends the rules which is a very good thing since rules and protocols are there for a reason. When Dr. Avery and Dr. Grey went looking for Edwards and the young girl, I stepped in to help Dr. Minnick with safe evacuation of patients. Although Avery had asked Minnick to inform about Edwards, it was Minnick's idea to inform the police. There was a lot going on and in such a situation forgetting to do something is quite possible is what I believe. Yes, Dr. Minnick did forget to inform the police, however neither did any of us. Dr. Avery, Dr. Grey, myself and I believe Dr. Pierce also knew about Edwards, yet it did not occur to any of us to inform the police and I'll always carry that guilt with me. But firing Dr. Minnick for a mistake that was so genuine given the situation, is not something I support." Webber finished his opinion which had managed to silence everyone. Robbins looked at Webber with a small smile conveying "thanks" which he returned with reassuring glance. Meredith and Avery just nodded along. Bailey was beyond shocked by Webber's response. In the back of her mind she started to feel that she might have been wrong. Taking in some air, she turned to Robbins.

"Dr. Robbins do you have anything to add even though we know your vote?" Bailey looked at the blonde.

"I just want to ask why did you do it?" Robbins asked with a look of pure confusion.

Bailey finally gave up and answered the question honestly, "because, I felt guilty. I felt guilty about the way I treated Dr. Webber when I replaced him with her. I should have convinced her to work with him rather than take over his job. I should have tried harder and I apologize to you Dr. Webber for the way I treated you. This hospital would not be a successful and the best teaching hospital if it weren't for you Sir." The Chief had a look of guilt on her face.

Webber decided to talk to Bailey about this after the meeting. She shouldn't fire someone because she feels guilty and to make me feel better, he thought.

Bailey continued after a short pause, "And I am sorry for that." She turned to Robbins and continued "And that's one of the reasons. Bringing Dr. Minnick was a mistake from the start and – "she was cut-off by Webber.

"It wasn't though. Yes, the way you let her take over without giving anyone a chance to agree to it was wrong, but we need her. We need her and her program and we need to come up with way to work together. She lacks some skills when it comes to handling students' emotions but I'll be there when it comes to that. But if my and her methods are put together, then I believe our program will be one of the strongest ones in this country. We do need her Bailey." Webber stated calmly, which caused Bailey to sigh in defeat and return his glare with a slight nod.

"Well, if no one has anything to add then I'll call the meeting off." She looked around and everyone agreed. She waited for Robbins to comply and after few seconds she did and Bailey continued. "I will speak with Dr. Minnick." She plainly said and everyone took that as a sign and left except for Robbins and Webber. Bailey looked at them in confusion and added after few silent seconds. "Look I know I made wrong decisions in the spur of the moment, but I'll make it right." Robbins looked at Webber and he gave her a look of assurance stating to let it go which she followed and giving Bailey a slight nod she left the conference room. Webber decided to stay back have the "talk" with Bailey.

PARKING LOT OUTSIDE HOSPITAL

Arizona jumped in her car and checked her phone for any signs of messages from Eliza but no luck. Now that a weight had been lifted off her chest she thought she could wait for Eliza to contact her. She didn't feel as restless as earlier. Fastening her seatbelt, she sped off towards home.

After about 15 minutes, she was unlocking her front door and she felt completely drained. Entering the house, she went straight into the kitchen, pulled out some leftover lasagna from the fridge and put it in microwave for heating. Finishing off her food, she went straight to her bedroom, laid down on the bed without even bothering to change and waited for sleep to take over, which was immediately after couple of minutes or so.

Bzzzz. Bzzzzz. Sensing the strong vibrations coming from her phone, she struggled to open her eyes. After few more, the vibrations stopped and she thanked God and went back to close her half open eyes. Before she could doze off again, the phone started buzzing and she groaned in frustration. She looked at her bedside clock which said it was 20:30. "Ughh.." groaning a little more at those vibrations she stretched out her hand and searched for phone on the bed. Getting her hand on it after a couple of seconds, she squinted her eyes trying to concentrate on the screen. Noticing it was Eliza, she immediately answered the call, her eyes wide in amusement.

"Hi." Arizona answered, trying to sound not too perky.

"Hi yourself." Eliza replied with very less enthusiasm, however it caused Arizona to widen her grin since it reminded her of a flirty Pierogi conversation with the brunette a few weeks ago.

"We need to talk." Sadness evident in brunette's voice.

Oh God! Please, no. Arizona felt the pit in her stomach since she knew no good has ever come following those four words.

Okayyyy! I'm sorry but I want to keep thrilling and dramatic pause at the end of every chapter.

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