Chapter 3: 9-1-1

Derek was just finished with morning rounds and saw the chief standing at the OR board. He walked up and said, "Chief."

"Derek. That's a slow board. A slow board is trouble."

"Well my day is pretty full. I have surgeries all afternoon."

"Well make sure you finish on time. The intern mixer is tonight."

"Ugh… I was thinking…"

The chief interrupted him and said, "Don't even think about it. It's mandatory. I want everyone that's not on duty or exhausted to be there. It helps with moral. And you're the most personable and professional resident of staff."

Derek groaned and asked, "So I get punished because I'm a nice guy and I get along with everybody?"

"It's not torture."

Derek grumbled, "Easy for you to say."

The chief turned to walk away and said, "I'm asking you as a friend and I'm telling you, as your boss, it's a requirement. So, your personable and professional ass better be there!"

Derek grimaced and said with fake enthusiasm, "I'll be there."

Mark slithered around the corner as the chief walked away.

Derek said, "Let me guess. Dodging the boss to get out of going tonight?"

"You bet your ass. Do I want to be surrounded by suck ups and no nothing interns when I could be getting laid?"

Derek had to laugh.

Mark said, "You know Addie will probably be there."

Derek replied, "Yeah, I know. Another reason why I don't want to go. She conveniently forgets sometimes that we are not engaged anymore. For the last month, she alternately hides out in gynie or stalks me."

"You dodged a bullet there my friend. At least you didn't leave her at the altar with hundreds of guests looking on. You gave her two months' notice."

"Yeah, I had night sweats for a while just thinking about that. What was I thinking in the first place getting engaged?"

"It was just expected. You'd been dating for a few years. It was the next step. In her mind anyway. Hell, she asked you and picked out her own ring and set the date! That's why you shouldn't have been exclusive in the first place. Did she return the ring yet?"

"No. Not yet."

"I know you spent a fortune on it. Just tell her you want it back. Don't feel guilty about it."

Derek grumbled, "It might be an expensive lesson not to get engaged ever again. I'm just happy she's not still wearing it. If she returns it…fine and if she doesn't…"

Mark scoffed, "Like she needs the money."

"And the woman here all want to hear about my secret pain. They are looking at me like a fresh piece of meat. No way am I dating anyone from this hospital! Too messy."

"Who said anything about dating? Just sex!"

Derek shook his head. "Even messier. I'm thinking lawyers, accountants, teachers, real estate professionals…"

Mark laughed and said, "Boring!"

"After the drama, I could use a little boring. Besides, you know how buttoned up they can be. Boring on the outside and…."

"Hot on the inside!"

Derek and Mark's pagers went off simultaneously and they both checked them and ran down the hall.

9-1-1 PIT