Chapter XXI

It had been a crazy week. Between appointment with their architect and their builder and work, Mark and Kate hadn't had a minutes alone. To make matters worse the Chief made them attend the hospital M&M. Mark hated M&M. He was a plastic surgeon, his death rate was practically nonexistent.

"M&M today... Do I really have to go? I don't have any surgery schedule today and I could spend the day with Emma."

"This is a hospital. Most of us lose patient on our watch. We're not as lucky as you, baby. And that would be a very bad example if the Head of a department didn't assist to the M&M" said Kate, taking a sip of her coffee. "Is it me or they changed the coffee? It taste horrible!"

Mark took her to-go cup, tasted it and frowned. "It taste okay."

"Maybe it's me... I haven't been feeling well this past couple of days. Must have caught Emma's cold. I must look like hell."

He gave her his trademark smile before wrapping his arms around her.

"You're as sexy and beautiful as ever. Come on, Derek promised to keep us some seat."

The auditorium was packed with attendings, residents and interns. The Chief went to the mic.

"Good morning and welcome to our monthly M&M Conference. To those who aren't familiar with it, M&M stand for Morbidity and Mortality Conference..."

"Thanks for keeping us seats Derek" whispered Kate, settling down next to Yang. "I haven't been to a M&M in so long."

"They didn't do it at Northwestern?" asked Karev.

"Yes, but when they did it I was on maternity leave."

The residents' interns were all siting behind them and Yang lose it when Intern Leo opened a bag of chips.

"Hey, Barbie's intern, stop making noise. I'm trying to listen to what the Chief is saying and so should you."

"Wow Yang, you're taking this M&M thing seriously..."

"Shut up Sloan" said the young woman, turning her attention back to the Chief of Surgery.

"Let's begin... Patient 56774, died three weeks ago following the removal of a stomach tumor. Doctor Franklin will present."

Mark bent to Derek and asked. "Is one of your patient on the M&M?"

"No, but one of Kay's is."

The plastic surgeon turned to his girlfriend, surprised. "Why didn't you told me?"

"It's no big deal, Mark. It's not the first time one of my case is at the M&M and it will probably won't be the last time."

90 minutes later, Kate was asleep on Mark's shoulder.

"Next case... Patient 72499, died last month from complication of a spinal tumor removing surgery. Doctor Sanford will now present. Doctor Sanford?"

Mark shook Kate softly. "Katie... Katie..."

"It's your turn... I got up last time..."

"Baby... The M&M."

She opened her eyes and looked around her. "What? Oh.. Yeah."

She got up and yawned a bit.

"The stage is yours, Dr Sanford."

She smiled. "Thank you, Chief. I'm sorry for the little delay. My daughter was sick all night and I didn't get much sleep. Luckily I don't have any surgery scheduled today or I could still be on next month M&M."

The whole room burst in laugh. 45 minutes later and it was lunch break.

"Good job, Kate" said the Chief.

"Thank you Chief... Will you excuse me... I really need to use the bathroom" and she was running to the nearest restroom.

"Is she okay, Chief?" asked Mark, joining him on the stage.

"I don't know. Is she sick? She looks rather pale."

"Well Emma had a pretty nasty cold... She must have caught it. I better go after her..."

"Yes of course, do that. And take her back to the hotel."

"What about the M&M?"

The Chief laughed. "You didn't lose any patient this month... and I know you Mark Sloan. Take her back home and take good care of her."

The plastic surgeon smiled before leaving the auditorium. He finally found Kate in the ladies restroom, nearly passed out in one of the stall.

"Hey... I'm taking you to the ER."

"No... I'm starting to feel better. I just need..."

She tried to get up, but she was too weak. Mark scooped her and carried her out.

"It's nothing, I'm telling you. Must be the twenty-four hours bug. I'll be better in the morning. No reason to go to the ER..."

"If you say so... Come on, let's go pick up our daughter and go back to the hotel.

TBC

Author note: Leave a note if you liked it... And even if you didn't leave one anyway. – Lara K.