Richard Webber walked quickly down the hallway. He didn't appear angry, but he didn't appear to be too happy either. To Meredith's surprise, Richard stopped in front of her, looking down at her. Meredith clambered to her feet. She could see Cristina staring curiously while George's mouth hung open, clearly still believing the lie Meredith had told him.

"Can I have a word with you?" Richard asked, indicating the conference room.

Meredith led the way into the conference room with Richard following behind. Richard closed the door and then locked eyes with Meredith.

"I'm sure, by now, you're aware that news travels fast at this hospital." Richard said and Meredith gave a small nod, but remained silent. Richard continued, "I was in the ER checking on the Davis boys when Mrs. Davis came in and told me one of the interns gave her quite the attitude after, as she put it, hurting her children. I thought it was Karev at first, but then she mentioned your name."

Meredith simply stared back at Richard. She didn't feel like opening her mouth and digging herself into an even deeper hole. She figured it was in everyone's best interest if she kept her mouth shut. Besides, at this point in time, all Meredith wanted to do was go home, crawl into bed, and not come out until the terrible day was over.

"Meredith." Richard waited for a response.

Meredith swallowed, "Chief."

"Sit." Richard commanded in a gentle tone as he placed himself in a chair and Meredith followed suit, "I've been hearing your day has been quite hectic. Bad, even. And one could reason that bad days have the potential to cause stress which may result in heated words directed at the wrong person." Richard paused and Meredith stared blankly. Richard figured he should just get to his point, "Meredith, do you know what I'm trying to say to you?"

"Surgeons don't have bad days." Meredith answered, the words ringing familiar as something her mother had told her once.

Richard smiled at Meredith in the way that a teacher smiles at a student who attempts to address a question, but gives a response that couldn't be any further from the correct answer. A pity smile for trying.

"Bad days happen, but you have to make sure you take a step back when you're feeling particularly stressed or overwhelmed." Richard said while Meredith felt her agitation growing, "Our patients are our top priority. It's important we treat them as such."

"Yes, Chief." Meredith replied, quietly. She really didn't feel like she needed his lecture. She knew she shouldn't have spoken to Mrs. Davis like she had, but when the words were tumbling from her mouth, she didn't care.

"I just wanted to make sure we were clear." Richard stood up.

Meredith rose to her feet as well, "We are."

Richard opened the conference room door and Meredith exited. Richard moved past her and headed for the elevators. George and Cristina approached.

"We couldn't hear anything." Cristina said, gripping a chart tightly, "What happened?"

"Did he yell or did he use that calm tone that actually means he's pissed?" George asked, leaning in towards Meredith.

"He didn't do either." Meredith answered George and turned to Cristina, "He just lectured me."

"He wasn't mad that you practically destroyed the ER?" George responded, incredulously.

"George." Meredith stared at him, "I made that up."

"Oh, Bailey alert." Cristina said, eyes widened as she watched Miranda walk down the hall. Cristina quickly turned on her heel and began to head off, "Gotta do rounds."

Miranda stopped in front of Meredith and George. Miranda held her eyes on George.

"O' Malley, didn't I give you chart assignments for the afternoon?" Miranda asked, coolly, a hand on her hip.

"Oh, right." George took a step back, "Of course, Dr. Bailey."

With that, George went scampering off. Meredith remained alone with Miranda and was not too pleased about this. She wondered how long the punishment was going to last.

"I want you taking blood samples." Miranda said.

"Excuse me?" Meredith questioned, unsure if she heard correctly.

"Blood samples, Grey." Miranda replied, annoyed and then spoke slowly to make sure Meredith understood her, "I will assign you patients, you will go to them, and draw their blood."

Meredith knew she shouldn't ask, but she couldn't help herself, "Isn't that what the nurse's are suppose to do?"

"I'm sorry, Grey, I must have you confused with someone who takes orders when given." Miranda responded in a manner that made Meredith wish she bit her tongue instead of asking that question, "I was under the impression that you wanted to work today whether you were assigned to perform a task that was a "requirement" of your job or not. If I am wrong, you can offer a suggestion for something you would like to do instead of jobs that you deem as being below you."

Meredith swallowed and shook her head. Miranda nodded.

"That's what I thought." Miranda added, "Now, follow me so I can give you some patients that need attending to."

Miranda led the way through the hospital with Meredith following in silence. Meredith couldn't quite understand where some of the words she had spoken to others had come from. It bothered her that her day was so bad that the negative part of her brain was unleashed on a world that didn't deserve it.

After turning a few more corners, Miranda stopped at a nurse's station and searched through a pile of charts. She pulled out a few every so often, creating a sizable stack on the desk. Meredith watched in disgust and contempt. She was not looking forward to poking people with needles when, if better circumstances had permitted, she could have been cutting people open and performing surgeries.

Once there was a good hour worth of work, Miranda stopped pulling charts and handing the stack to Meredith, whose arms sank with the heavy load. Miranda smiled at Meredith.

"There ya go, Grey." Miranda said, "Enjoy."

Miranda walked away from Meredith, who remained standing with the charts in hand, glaring at Miranda's back. Meredith sighed and set the charts on the desk. She flipped open the first couple examining them. She noticed that they were all elderly patients. Quickly, Meredith began to flip through all the charts, realizing her patients were either elderly or children.

Meredith closed eyes, taking in a deep breath to try and calm herself. The task that would normally take one hour was now along the lines of two or more hours. Meredith knew the hardest veins to draw blood from were the elderly and children. Swallowing hard and taking another deep breath, Meredith picked up the charts and headed for the patient rooms, knowing she was in store for crying, screaming, impatience, and bruising.