Chapter 8: Deputy and Crisis

"We should get another neurosurgeon on the team," said Derek carefully studying the scans of the tumor. He and Mark couldn't operate on their patient the whole week. Additionally, to the inconveniently located tumor, it turned out that the 17-year-old Lisa had a heart defect which had to be taken care of before their procedure.

"Duck, quickly!" hissed Mark.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I have to nurture the shreds of reputation Dr. Model has left me with," muttered Mark watching two nurses pass by the door. "Being locked up with you in an exam room won't help."

Derek rolled his eyes; since the incident in the bar, Mark had been really touchy about it.

"Don't you roll your eyes on me. Your image might be irreparable; you haven't been seen with anyone for ages, whereas, I have everything to lose."

Derek snorted, "Oh, by that you mean the chances of getting into nurses' pants? I don't think your rumored interest in dudes would put them off."

"Whatever," he shrugged his shoulders. "What were you saying about our patient?"

"I won't be able to do this alone. There's too much brain matter outside the cavity. We need another pair of hands."

Mark nodded and opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by the frantic beeping of their pagers.

Meredith Grey was bored out of her wits. Her eyes swept dully around the ballroom. It was the first social event she took part in while in Seattle and it turned out pretty… uneventful.

She accepted the invitation because it was a good occasion to gain new sources of financing for the hospital. The party was hosted by the mayor, which guaranteed the presence of important personalities and businessmen from the region. What a shame that they were all crashing bores.

Meredith preferred the hardened and disdainful faces of her subordinates at Seattle Grace; they were a challenge. Here, on the other hand, everyone was singing praises to her. She knew she should play along. If she made an effort, the money would be flowing.

Meredith spotted Addison giggling flirtatiously surrounded by a flock of men. At least her friend was having a good time.

"Dr. Grey."

She heard a pleasant voice behind her and turned to face a handsome young man with a charming smile whom she recognized as a successful entrepreneur the mayor presented to her at the beginning of the party.

"Mr. Dandridge," she replied.

"How's your evening?"

"It's… interesting," the mildest lie she could think of.

"Which means it is not," grinned Dandridge.

Meredith scanned his form in wonder. She could take their banter onto the level of flirting and then maybe something more. However, Finn was a prefect prince charming… too charming. He seemed like a good boy and unfortunately, she craved for a bad-ass dark-haired neurosurgeon that infuriated her half the time she spent in the hospital.

Meredith kept telling herself that one night with him, duh, one time with him, would surely get her over but quenching her desires was not an option. She preferred to be sexually frustrated rather than humiliated. He probably wouldn't be any good anyway. She would just have to wait patiently for the attraction to wear off or for someone else to capture her attention.

"No one has probably noticed," said Finn quietly with a hint of amusement in his eyes, "that you labeled the cream of the Seattle society as stiff bores."

"Just don't tell anyone. I might lose potential sponsors," she answered jokingly.

"I know your dirty secret and you didn't lose me," he replied mischievously.

Meredith looked at him with renewed interest. Maybe there was something in him after all?

"Would you be interested in making a donation for Seattle Grace?" she pressed.

She didn't get the answer as they heard a continuous beeping from her little purse.

"We're needed at the hospital, there has been a huge pile-up," she frowned and sought Addie who had been called as well.

"It was a pleasure to meet you," said hastily Meredith thrusting her glass of champagne into Finn's hand.

The rest of the night passed in a whirlwind. They arrived at the hospital to find the ER flooded with trauma. It was the first time Meredith could witness her staff working in a crisis situation and she was quite content. They work efficiently; no patient was left on their own unattended. Nonetheless, her vigilant eye found the room for improvement…

Derek raised his eyes from the injury he was tending to just when Meredith appeared in the ER and what he saw made is breath hitch. The truth to be told, he had experienced a lot of trouble with breathing lately. Right now, she was… stunning. She was clad in a black strapless dress reaching barely to her knees and her hair was tied tightly in a bun leaving her swanlike neck exposed to his hungry gaze.

"Cliquey bash at the town hall," muttered to him Cristina. "Dr. Model couldn't miss it. Nice of her to show up here half-naked, though; I saved on anesthetics for my patient."

Meredith barely had time to change into scrubs before rushing to the OR. It was four hours later when she finished her last procedure. In the corridor leading out of the ORs, she met George O'Malley. She still hadn't mentioned a word to him about her plans and it was not the best moment to do so. They were exhausted after the chaos ensuing after the accident. On the other hand, did he accept her offer, he would have to cope with working under stress…

"Dr. O'Malley, I'd like a word with you."

"Chief… do you need anything?" he asked anxiously. He was visibly worn out but still eager to help.

"I've chosen my Deputy and I'd like to know your opinion."

"My opinion?" he asked with excitement at the news that she valued his views. "I… I think Dr. Shepherd will make an excelle-"

Meredith grinned inwardly. Oh, what a stirrup her decision was going to cause… "I'm not talking about Dr. Shepherd."

George blinked in surprise, "You're not? Then… Dr. Hahn?"

Meredith shook her head.

"Dr. Bailey?"

"I was talking about you, Dr. O'Malley," she said with a tone indicating obviousness of her step.

George went temporarily speechless and then gave out a small laugh. "It's a good joke, Chief."

"It's not a joke," countered Meredith. "I've read your files, observed your work and even consulted Dr. Webber."

"You're serious," George stated disbelievingly.

"Just as positive I am about the rightness of my choice. The question remains – are you willing to rise to the challenge?"

"It won't be a popular decision," George said reasonably. "Because I'm… George O'Malley… 007…"

"I've been thinking about the pros and cons for the past week and let me tell you that the pros outweigh the cons. That is, for me, they do. For you, not necessarily," she said truthfully.

"I am aware I'm not popular in this hospital." She stopped George's attempts at protesting. "And trust me; I'm enjoying the bitchy image. But if you accept my offer and go against the will of majority, including your friends, you'll become unpopular as well. I'll understand if you decide to stick with them. Although, I think it's time you thought about yourself… You have the time to think until tomorrow afternoon." She checked her watch to see it was past midnight. "Or actually, until today afternoon. If you decline, I'll present the second name on my list as the Chief Deputy at the meeting with attendings."

"Which would be a shame," she added.

"Chief," called George as she was walking away. "I don't need time, I'll be… I'll be your Deputy. It's an honor, Dr. Grey."

"See," Meredith grinned wildly. "I knew you wouldn't let me down, Dr. O'Malley."