Elphaba quickly strode down the hall, knocked on a patient's door, and pushed it open. "Mrs. Phanhall, I have the results of your –" She stopped short, pausing at the sight before her.

Her patient was sitting on the bed, wearing nothing but a fuzzy robe, and was holding it open as Glinda, also sitting on the bed (but fully clothed), snapped pictures on a polaroid camera. Both women were laughing, oblivious to the doctor standing by the closed door.

Perhaps she shouldn't have just stridden in like that.

"Oh, Dr. Thropp," Mrs. Phanhall smiled at the doctor, but didn't close her robe, leaving Elphaba to stare at her exposed breasts.

One look at Elphaba's shocked face almost had Glinda rolling on the floor.

"I… um…" Elphaba stammered, unable to get a word out.

"Aww, she's blushing," Mrs. Phanhall laughed.

"Oh, don't tease her. You know how she gets," Glinda laughed, pushing herself up from the bed with a grunt.

"I… um… I can come back later. I'll… I'll come back later," the green doctor said, still blushing.

"Don't leave, Dr. Thropp. We used all the film. We're done." Glinda turned back to the patient, handing her the photos.

"Thanks, Glin. They'll be perfect for this year's Lurlinemas cards," Mrs. Phanhall grinned, finally closing her robe and sitting back against the pillows. "What've you got for me, Dr. Thropp?"

"Nothing good enough in comparison to what we've just given her," Glinda laughed, ignoring Elphaba's hard glare.

"Your latest blood results," Elphaba said, opening the file. "I'm pleased to report that the cancer hasn't spread, but the tumor is growing."

"Right," Mrs. Phanhall breathed. "And the mastectomy will save my life?"

"It will increase your chances of survival. I cannot make any promises, but I know that it will give you a chance at a prolonged life."

"Oh," Glinda gasped.

The two glanced at her, and it took a moment for them to realize she wasn't reacting to the news.

"You cannot kick me while I'm working," the blonde murmured, looking down at her stomach and giving it a gentle tap. She winced at a kick and stood. "Excuse me."

"She should take it easy," Mrs. Phanhall said once she left.

Elphaba sighed. "I've tried. She said she'll take it easy when I do."

"You're one of the hardest-working doctors at the hospital. If that were the case, she'd be working while she's in labor."

"Don't let her fool you. She's not as much of a workaholic as I am, but –"

"I know," Mrs. Phanhall interrupted lightly. "Well, Glinda called in a favor and got me on the surgical schedule tomorrow morning."

"Good," Elphaba nodded, making the note in her chart. "I'll leave you in their capable hands."

"Thanks, Dr. Thropp," she smiled, waving as Elphaba left.

"Ah, Dr. Thropp, there you are."

Elphaba turned and smiled. "Dr. Dillamond."

"Do you have a moment? I want to talk to you about some things."

She checked her watch. "I have a bit."

"Wonderful. I was about to order-in lunch. I allow myself to break from the cafeteria food once in a while." He led the way down to his office, handing Elphaba the menu, and commanding her not to look at the prices.

"What's all this?" Elphaba asked once Dr. Dillamond hung up the phone after ordering.

"These… are your first assignments as Chief Resident," the old Goat smiled. "All these case studies and research papers I am unable to finish, and I'm passing on to you."

She took the files with great reverence, skimming through a few of them. "Okay. I can do this."

"Now, there's no time limit. I'm not asking you to complete all these within your first month, or even your first year."

"You're trusting me with your life's work. I want to do it justice."

"I have no doubt you will," he sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I've also… I've decided to retire earlier than planned."

Elphaba looked up from a multicolored chart. "What?"

"I'm leaving three weeks from today."

She jumped up. "What? Three weeks?! That's too soon! That doesn't give you enough time to teach me everything I need to know!"

"Elphaba –"

"Why are you leaving early?"

"I hear the Evian seaside is beautiful this time of year, and I wanted to experience it." He noticed the strained look on her face. "Elphaba… I'm tired. And you're ready. No matter what you may think, you are ready for this. I wouldn't trust just anyone with this responsibility, and I know you'll do great. I will advise you as much as I'm able for the next three weeks, and after that, I will not just leave you floundering by yourself. I will stay in Shiz before moving, and I will be a phone call away if you need me."

Elphaba had been pacing, twitching, and mumbling during her mentor's speech. The good doctor waited patiently until she was in control again. She looked at him and was able to see the tiredness behind his kind eyes. She logically knew that arguing wouldn't do any good, and didn't want to fight anymore.

"Three weeks from today?"

He nodded. "Three weeks from today."

"Okay. I… okay."

Their food arrived, but Elphaba found that she wasn't as hungry as before. She mostly pushed her garden salad around the container, occasionally stabbing at the carrots.

"I know this was a lot to spring upon you," Dr. Dillamond said apologetically. "I've already let Morrible know, so –"

"So she'll be jumping down my throat," Elphaba groaned.

"I told her to give you space and that I have full confidence in you. That seemed to placate her a bit."

"Okay."

"She'll be too busy planning my retirement party to pay much attention to you."

"I'm almost positive Glinda left her a book of ideas."

He smiled at her. "That wouldn't surprise me. Try not to stress, Elphaba. I know I just gave you some stressful news, but I…" He trailed off, not knowing how to finish on a strong note.

"I won't let it tank my work. It is safely stored in the back of my mind, where it will remain until I need it in two weeks and six days." Her pager beeped and she glanced down. "I need to make sure my interns don't accidentally kill someone."

"Remember, patience," Dr. Dillamond reminded her as she jumped up and hurried out of his office, leaving her mostly uneaten salad behind.

Elphaba hurried down the corridor, seamlessly sliding through nurses and other hospital staff. Before she had a chance to announce herself, ShenShen turned to her and held out a CT scan.

"Please tell me I'm not looking at what I think I'm looking at."

Elphaba took the semi-transparent film and held it up to the light, squinting as she analyzed what she was looking at. "Either your patient stuck water balloons up their ass, or –"

"Extremely inflamed tissue?" ShenShen tried hopefully.

Elphaba shook her head with a slight frown. "Your patient will have to be moved to surgery to remove the drugs they were trying to smuggle, before they completely block his gut."

ShenShen nodded. "Alright. I'll page Dr. Dittums."

Elphaba watched as ShenShen walked down the hall, disappearing into the patient's room. She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and fished it out, frowning when she saw the text message from Nessa on the screen.

'Do you have time for me today?'

The green woman slipped into an unused room and pressed the 'Call' button.

"I'm not bothering you right now, am I?" came her sister's sarcastic tone.

"Nessa, I don't need the sarcasm. I'm in the middle of my shift. Just tell me what you want."

"I need you to come by today."

"Nessa –"

"I'm serious, Elphaba. We need to talk."

"… Fine."

…

"What's so important?" was Elphaba's greeting as she pushed past her sister and unceremoniously flopped on the sofa. She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes, keeping them closed as she heard Nessa close the door and come over to her.

"… Glinda told me what happened," Nessa offered softly, staring down at her lap.

"What happened with what?"

"When you were admitted to the hospital."

She stiffened, her eyes flying open. "What exactly did she say?"

"She wasn't specific, just that you had an anemic flare-up. I would've come, but I had an exam, and I –"

"No. It's better that you weren't there."

"Are you alright?"

"I'm still alive."

"Fabala –"

"I'm fine. I know my body and I know how to take care of myself. I've been doing it my entire life."

Nessa played with her skirt hem. "I'm sorry I didn't call. I could've called." She paused. "You could've called me. You should've called me, or told me what happened earlier. I shouldn't have had to find out from Glinda."

Elphaba looked at her watch. "Wow. A solid twenty-two seconds of you sounding like you genuinely cared for me before switching the blame to me. That's a new record for you, Nessie."

"Father would've been beside himself –"

"Father wouldn't care." She stood. "I hate how you always try to insist that he cares about me, when I always tell you he doesn't."

"You would've died a long time ago if he didn't care about you, Elphaba!" Nessa shot back.

Elphaba felt her blood turn cold, and she couldn't tell if it was metaphorically or not. She stared at her sister, unable to formulate a sound, much less a coherent response.

"Look, I know you and Father doesn't have the cuddling relationship I have with him, but sometimes, you take things too far. You say he doesn't care about you, that he doesn't love you, but I think –"

"I don't know why I have this mental image of you being my sweet and compassionate little sister when, in reality, you're cold, demanding, and in denial. You always want to see the best in people, but sometimes, that's all you see. You're very selective in what you choose to believe you see, even if it causes people pain. And when people tell you that you've caused them harm, instead of taking responsibility and apologizing, you try to selfishly twist it. Nessa, I honestly don't know how you breathe properly with all the gas-lighting you do."

She strode across the apartment, feeling her sister's eyes shoot lasers at the back of her head.

"I've had a very long day, Nessa," she whispered, her hand resting on the doorknob. She looked at her sister over her shoulder. "All my days are long. If you choose to care about me, fine. But if you do, I need you to actually care about me."

She turned the knob, pulled the door open, and left, not even having the energy to mentally prepare herself for the angriest voicemail of a lifetime.

Fiyero took a deep breath as he entered the hospital. It smelled… clean. Like the custodians poured too much cleaning solution on the floor, but it was refreshing to him. He needed those days off to rest and regroup, but it felt good to be back.

He happily greeted his fellow interns, who all looked jealous of his happy disposition.

"Just a warning, Dr. Thropp's been stuck in meetings with the board, and she's not happy," Shem reported, giving Fiyero a look.

Fiyero shoved his arms into his lab coat. "Why? What's wrong?"

"Something about the board checking her credentials."

"Rumor has it, she killed a patient and they're suing the hospital for malpractice," an intern reported, sitting on the bench and changing her shoes.

"I heard that, too."

Fiyero paused. Dr. Thropp was one of the best doctors he'd ever seen. Not the type to be accused of malpractice.

"If Dr. Thropp's license is revoked, what'll happen to us?" Pfannee asked as they walked down the hall.

"We'll all probably be assigned to new residents," ShenShen said. "They could separate us."

"Eugh! Does that mean Dr. Harv again?"

"Oz, I hope not."

When they got to the nurses' station, they were surprised to find that Elphaba wasn't there, and hadn't left any messages or instructions for them.

"Oh, so I'm thirty seconds late one time, and she holds me over the coals for two hours, but when she doesn't show up, we're just expected to wait here?" Shem groaned.

"She's not showing up because Morrible just called a staff meeting," Sarima said, briskly walking past the group with Milla in tow.

The poor intern had files overflowing from her arms as she struggled to keep up with her boss. "Dr. Thetial, I can't -"

"And I suggest the four of you also get down to the auditorium. Milla, if you drop those files, I'll make you reorganize them... again!"

The four exchanged a look and followed the OB/GYN and intern down to the auditorium, which was already filled with doctors, nurses, and other staff.

"Alright, everyone. I'll make this brief," Morrible said from the podium, motioning for everyone to settle down. "Now, I'm sure you've all heard of our beloved Dr. Dillamond retiring as Chief Resident in three weeks, and you've all been wondering who his replacement will be. I'm pleased to report that, with the board's approval, Dr. Thropp has been selected as the next Chief Resident."

The crowd murmured before a few scattered applauses flew up. Fiyero caught tidbits of comments, from "… just a third-year resident" to "… Dr. Dillamond's favorite". The four interns glanced at their boss, who was sitting on the other side of the seats.

"All this being said, the hospital will be hosting Dr. Dillamond's retirement party at the end of the month. Day-off requests are first-come, first-served, so if you'd like to attend, be one of the firsts." She clapped her hands. "That's all from me. You may all return to saving lives."

The crowd slowly began to dissipate. A few stayed to congratulate Elphaba, but most wanted to get out as quickly as possible. The group made their way over to their boss, who was talking to Glinda.

"This could've been an email," Elphaba grumbled.

"I think it's sweet of Morrible to give you that public recognition," Glinda smiled, squeezing her friend's arm.

"'Sweet' and 'Morrible' are not two words you usually hear in the same sentence." She glanced at her. "Speaking of 'sweet', I heard you told Nessa about my anemic spell."

"I did no such thing. I simply told her that you fell ill."

"You violated HIPAA."

"I wasn't specific. She deduced that it was your anemia all on her own. Very smart girl. I know how much she gets on you, and I wanted to let her know that there was a good reason why you couldn't tend to her."

"By violating HIPAA?"

"It's not like I called your father, Elphaba. I'm sorry I didn't check with you first, but didn't it save you from a meltdown?"

She had to admit that it did, but it could've indirectly caused the other one. "Yes. But Glin, in the future, if I want Nessa to know something, I'll tell her myself."

"Deal. But if she kills me for not telling her of a dip in her sister's health, I'll kill you."

"Deal."

"Are you gonna tell her about your promotion?"

"She'll just see it as more hours I'll have to spend at work and less time I can spend trimming her hair." She sighed, taking her hair down and redoing her bun. "I'll tell her. I promise. I'll do it just so you don't have to."

"Congratulations, Dr. Thropp," Shem smiled, grabbing the resident's attention. "That's quite a promotion."

"We're not gonna get moved to Dr. Harv, are we?" ShenShen asked.

Elphaba rolled her eyes. "No, Dr. Minkos. You're stuck with me for the rest of your internship, regardless of my promotion."

"Oh, thank Oz," Pfannee breathed, wrapping Elphaba in a hug.

"Dr. Norral, we've discussed this," she hissed.

"Aww, Elphie. They like you," Glinda cooed, not even bothering to try and hide her glee.

"Yes, well... now all the rumors that I'm having my license revoked can be put to rest," Elphaba said, stiffening and removing Pfannee's hands from her body. "Now that that waste of time's over, we can start our day. Follow me."

The group did rounds and received new assignments before being on their way. Once she gave out the last folder, Elphaba closed her eyes and leaned against the wall, and almost jumped out of her skin when she opened her eyes to find Fiyero still standing there.

"Yes, Dr. Tigulaar?"

"I… um… was just thinking that… you'll be very busy."

Her eyebrow quirked. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

"I mean, you're head of the diagnostic team, you're about to be Chief Resident, and you have the four of us, and we're… not exactly not a handful."

"Make your point, please. I gave you an assignment I want to be completed before noon."

"I just meant that…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "All that pressure combined with your illness isn't exactly –"

Elphaba's face darkened and she grabbed the front of his shirt, bringing his face down to meet hers. "Remember when I reminded you that I am no longer your patient?"

He could feel the hot anger radiating off her. "Yes, but –"

"No, I don't think you do. I will not have my abilities questioned by my intern."

"It's not my intention to question your abilities. I just mean that I don't want you to exhaust yourself. And not just because we don't wanna be back with Dr. Harv."

The darkness left her face, but the sternness didn't. She released him, and Fiyero let out a loud, relieved sigh and a slight cough. "You're walking a fine line, Tigulaar. If you cross it, it's not gonna be pretty for you. I've told you that doctors know how to heal, and also how to hurt. And good doctors are equally good at both."

"You said I'm a good doctor."

She worked her jaw. "Exactly my point. And I'm a good doctor, too."