This chapter goes back a tiny bit in time, as it shows us the same day from our ladies' perspective.
This is a bonus chapter, because I finished another WIP and that's how I celebrate.
I still do not own Marvel.
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It was technically just an ordinary day for the graduated staff, and yet the different tests for residents and new interns to progress in their education were chaotic days every year.
Most of the takers of today's test - to progress to the second year in the wards - were interns who had been at the wards in the hospital for a full year now, and the doctors, nurses and other staff knew them well.
There was a new addition however, this year; a seemingly skilled, very fair-coloured young woman, who in the practical rounds showed quite a hand for details and a most excellent bedside manner.
When lunch came, she was sitting all alone at an empty table and more than one person considered joining her. She seemed sweet and possibly shy and they were not heartless. Before they had time to make up their minds though, Doctor Christine Palmer stepped in through the door. As she did, the seemingly introverted woman looked up and waved in a way lacking self-consiousness entirely. Most interns would never even dare to casually speak to a doctor just made attending, like Doctor Palmer was, but the forementioned doctor merely smiled back warmly through the surprise in the room.
The other interns and most residents stared as the two women met right by the table for a hug, whereafter the younger woman handed the older one a box. "I brought lunch for you."
This was strange enough, but to make the entire thing stranger, Christine Palmer beamed and replied with a, "Thank you! I do love your lunch boxes. You're a life saver!"
"Isn't that sort of the point?" the younger woman teased gently, sitting back down with a wide smile and a curious lack of intimidation.
"How are your tests getting along? Did you manage to eat anything this morning?" Palmer was clearly concerned enough that she had to have some sort of previous relationship with the girl.
Said girl laughed. "Toast! Stephen insisted. I was not allowed to freak out. He can be very calming when he wants to, I've noticed that before - but not like this." Christine merely nodded in agreement, clearly knowing exactly what she was talking about, different from the rest of the eavesdropping room.
"I take it you two know each other?" The resident who'd been handed this new student, hesitantly tossed the question to Doctor Palmer from across the room.
Christine looked up. "Yes, she lives with Stephen. She's from his 'cult', you know."
In the ensuing silence, Elice shrugged her shoulders and said loud enough to be heard clearly, "Yes, I cook for him. Typical cult dynamics." She was clearly trying not to laugh. "I came to look after him when he was unwell and he decided not to let me go - he has been tutoring me to take up my medical career again."
Suddenly, no one at all doubted that she'd pass, and pass with flying colours. She did, too. And she was in every way on the road to becoming one of their best, right off the bat.