Mydriasis: The dilation of the pupils due to a physiological response, such as fear, surprise, or attraction.
"Triage training day! It's triage training day!"
"I hate her so much," Shem groaned, glaring at the giddy resident who was leading them down the hall with her singing.
"Like, why is she always happy? Is there a secret stash of happy pills that we don't know about?" Pfannee whispered.
"If there is, I want some. I need some. I deserve some."
"No doctor should be this happy this early in the morning," Fiyero whispered. "Perhaps we should call in a psych consult later. Dr. Uyon owes me a favor."
"And here we are," the happy resident smiled.
Triage training was being held in the free clinic before it opened to the public. Elphaba was waiting for them, standing next to a nurse in one of the beds. Other groups of interns were also with their residents, making the clinic louder and more chaotic than usual.
"The purpose of this training exercise is to make sure you know the triage protocol, and do it as quickly as possible," Elphaba explained. "You need to think quickly. Every second is valuable when assessing and diagnosing a critical patient, then relaying accurate orders to provide care. You will each have ninety seconds. Now, the nursing interns have graciously volunteered their time, and you will be expected to do the same when it's their triage training day."
"Hi, Korienne," Shem smiled, giving the young nurse an enthusiastic wave.
The brunette nurse blushed. "Hi, Shem."
Fiyero playfully wagged his eyebrow at Shem, who pinched his arm. Elphaba loudly cleared her throat, making everyone stand at attention like they were in the army.
"Dr. Norral, you're up first," Elphaba said, nodding to Pfannee, who nervously stepped forward. She nodded to Korienne and started the timer on her phone.
"My vomit that looks like wet coffee grounds, and my poop that is pitch black and grainy. I have headache, fever, dizziness, and a square stomach rash," Korienne said with a delicate, fake cough.
"Is there blood in your coffee vomit?" Pfannee asked.
"Not consistently. And no visible blood in my poop."
"Okay. I'd send for tests to see if there's any blood traces in the stool."
"That takes a while. You need an assessment right now," Elphaba said.
Pfannee took a breath. "Okay. Then, um… I'd…" She gently pressed against Korienne's side. "Does that hurt?"
"No," Korienne said.
She moved slightly forward, and Korienne pretended to wince. "Yes, that hurts."
"On a scale of one to ten?"
"Eight… and a half, if you push harder."
"If there's pain, then that means she's digesting her own blood, which would…"
Elphaba looked at her expectantly as she trailed off. "Yes?"
"It would mean that she needs an immediate transfer to surgery. I'd inform them of the digesting blood, and let them take over."
Elphaba nodded, stopping the timer. "Very good, Dr. Norral. You've saved your patient with four seconds to spare."
The interns applauded as Pfannee stepped back, looking extremely proud of herself.
"Dr. Ottokos, you're up."
Shem stepped forward, smiling broadly at the nurse. Korienne smirked at him, then pretended to vomit on him before seizing.
"I didn't call for you to come," Nessa said when she opened the door, surprised to see her sister on the other side.
"I'm not a robot, Nessa. I don't have to wait for commands," Elphaba deadpanned.
She opened the door wider, allowing her sister to enter. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes."
"Are you okay?"
"I thought I was covered under the 'everything' umbrella." She looked at her sister's face and sighed. "I'm sorry. I thought about our last visit and –"
"I'm sorry, too. I always thought Father treated you differently because you were stronger about your illnesses than I was, but… I get it. It's different for you. You're living it, and the least I can do is acknowledge it exists."
Elphaba was visibly surprised by her sister's admission. She waited for her to turn it around to guilt trip her, but when she didn't, she slowly realized that she probably wasn't going to. "Oh."
"And… I promise not to bring it up again."
She learned the hard way that her sister's promises were flimsy, and did what she always did – pretend she believed her while mentally preparing for the inevitable. "Okay, Nessa."
The girls settled for dinner, which was two bowls of instant noodles. Nessa talked about finishing her summer classes and special projects she was working on, and Elphaba dutifully listened. She was doing such a good job listening that she didn't hear Nessa ask about her job until she noticed her staring expectantly at her.
"Sorry, what?"
"I asked how everything is going at the hospital."
"It's good."
"Any news you can tell me... that you want me to know? Glinda told me how you held her over the coals. I won't get her in trouble like that anymore… unless you're dying. Then she has to tell me, 'cause I know you won't."
Elphaba's lips couldn't help but twitch. "I'm going to be Chief Resident."
Nessa grinned. "Fabala, that's wonderful news!"
"Dr. Dillamond is retiring next week. Then all his responsibilities fall to me."
"Is this something you want?"
"I… never really had a chance to think about it. It wasn't something I was preparing for or actively seeking. But… yes. I do want this."
"I'm glad."
She sobered. "This means more paperwork, and I don't know how I'll balance that with diagnostic team work, my interns, and –"
"It's okay, Fabala. This is something big for you. Plus, you'll be making more money." She paused. "You'll be making more money, right?"
She rolled her eyes. "Yes. But it's not just about the money."
"Of course not. But it will be about longer hours at work and more responsibility."
She braced herself. "Yes."
Nessa nodded. "I'm happy for you. Really. I know how hard you've worked for this."
"I wasn't expecting to be named Chief Resident. There are –"
"Elphaba, just accept the compliment. You say that I'm a self-centered brat, yet when I say something nice, you try to twist it."
Elphaba didn't miss the teasing in her sister's voice. "I never called you a 'brat'."
"Not to my face."
Elphaba found herself unable to disagree. "Have you received any more information on the clinical trial?"
"I was selected. It starts next month, and the therapy is four times a week. They let you choose your own schedule so you can work around your other commitments. I got my fall schedule for classes, and it's not as heavy as I thought it'd be."
"That's... good. And the pill?"
"They haven't said anything about it. Based on the information I sent in, I don't think I'm not in the control group. I don't wanna be stuck taking a placebo."
"It's all completely random. The doctors won't know until it's time to administer it to you, and they won't tell you. If you know, it'll taint the results."
"I understand."
Elphaba nodded, effectively putting an end to the trial conversation. She put the dishes in the sink, declining Nessa's invitation to stay for dessert, saying she had an early morning.
"Dr. Thropp, may I ask a favor?"
Elphaba didn't glance up from her computer. "You may, Dr. Norral, but I reserve the right to say 'no'."
"Okay, um… my patient, Kolim Harbur, has been on life support for thirty days. That's from before we even started."
"What's the favor, Dr. Norral?"
"I just got his latest test results." She handed the paper to Elphaba.
The green woman skimmed through it, her eyes resting on the bottom of the page. "Brain dead."
"Yeah."
"Has he left instructions for care in circumstances like this?"
"No. And I know it's my responsibility to deliver the news to the family, but I was wondering if you could…"
"If you're asking me to talk to the family for you, the answer is no." She stood, handing back the papers. "But if you're asking me to help you and coach you on what to say, then I will."
Pfannee nodded. "Alright. I had expected that much. Will you… come in with me?"
It wasn't normal to have a random doctor in the room when delivering such sensitive news, but Elphaba knew that if she didn't support her intern in this moment, it could affect the rest of her career. "I will be there for you. I will not speak for you, but I will make sure you're okay while you make sure the family's okay."
Pfannee knew that was the best she was gonna get. "Okay. Thanks, Dr. Thropp."
"When were you planning on telling the family?"
"They're in the waiting area now. I was gonna lead them into the conference room."
Elphaba paused. She planned on finishing her paperwork before going home, and didn't plan on any interruptions, though, when responsible for interns, she should've expected interruptions. "Okay. Let's go now."
They walked together and Elphaba stood by as Pfannee took the lead and led the family into the room. It was hard watching Pfannee struggle with an already hard conversation, and it took all her willpower not to just jump in and save her. But she didn't. She knew she couldn't. This was a part of her teaching, and a part of Pfannee learning.
Pfannee hid her fidgeting hands under the table. "Like I said, I know this is a lot to process, and a decision doesn't have to be made today –"
"He's already suffered enough," Mr. Harbur's daughter whimpered, letting her husband wipe her tears. "He's trying to reunite with Mom."
Keep it together, Dr. Norral, Elphaba silently begged when she saw Pfannee's eyes water.
"I don't want him to suffer anymore," she continued, looking up at her husband, then at Pfannee. "If he's not breathing on his own anymore… we should let him go."
Pfannee nodded and stood, offering more words of condolence, but was sure she wasn't fully heard. She gave them the paperwork to sign, then led them to their father's room.
"You need to explain what's going to happen when life support is turned off," Elphaba whispered, pulling Pfannee aside as the family entered the room. "Say what you're doing before and while you're doing it. It'll help them process."
"O-Okay," Pfannee agreed.
Elphaba stood outside, hearing Pfannee do as instructed, and waiting patiently for the soft monotone. It came after almost an hour, followed by soft sobs and Pfannee's even softer voice calling the time of death. She came out a few seconds later, and Elphaba knew she had exactly fifteen seconds before Pfanneee succumbed to her emotions.
Without thinking, she grabbed her intern's arm and pulled her into the nearby empty room. She turned on the light, which seemed to illuminate Pfannee's bloodshot eyes even more than the hallway light did.
Right as the fifteenth second hit, Pfannee's knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor in a heap of sobs. Her whole body convulsed as rigid puffs of air tried to escape her lungs.
Elphaba found her stoic resolve melting as quickly as Pfannee's, and she knelt in front of her, surprised both of them when she pulled the intern into her arms, strategically adjusting her so her tearstained face was leaning against her shoulder and not her bare neck. The green woman didn't speak, just held her until she had calmed enough to hear her.
"It doesn't get easier. You become used to it, but it doesn't get easier. But you did exactly what you were supposed to do. You did it professionally and with enough grace and compassion to retain your humanity." She pulled away, meeting Pfannee's eyes. "You did a good job, Pfannee. I'm proud of you."
Surprised flashed across Pfannee's face. As their teacher, Elphaba knew that she couldn't be soft on them, especially since they held lives in their hands. But in all the weeks she'd been stuck with them, she never realized how hard she actually was. She remembered her intern year under Dr. Dillamond and remembered how his balanced firmness and encouragement was one of the only things that got her through that tough first year. She knew she needed to work on finding her own balance.
"I… I thought you didn't like hugs," the intern sniffled, wiping her eyes.
"I don't. But I can make exceptions. I can be a nice witch sometimes," the green woman said with a small smile, which Pfannee returned with a soft chuckle.
Fiyero fiddled with his tux as he entered the banquet hall. It didn't surprise him that the hospital booked one of the grandest venues in Shiz for Dr. Dillamond's retirement party. He hadn't been to the Ozdust Ballroom since his undergrad years, and he was greeted with a sense of nostalgia as he walked through the doors, past many rooms where he held many memories.
He hadn't gotten to know Dr. Dillamond personally, but knew he was very important to Elphaba, so he figured some of his knowledge was passed down to him through her. After checking in and receiving his table number, he went in and looked around.
The room was filled with elegant décor, from the crystal chandeliers to the white flower table centerpieces. He was met with a few familiar faces, and soon found himself at his table, with the rest of his intern group.
"I see the hospital is determined to keep us together," Fiyero chuckled, taking the free seat next to ShenShen.
"I think it's so they can keep an eye on us," Shem said, looking around.
"Specifically you," Pfannee pointed out.
"Why? What'd you do? Who'd you kill?" Fiyero asked.
"No one," Shem hissed. "I didn't kill anyone. I just… didn't make a chart for Korienne when she had that rash around her belly button, and I gave her some Pipplon cream from the supply room. She's fine; nothing serious. I think the security camera caught it. Dr. Thropp's been giving me the suspicious evil eye all week."
"You stole cream for your girlfriend? Aww, that's so romantic," ShenShen smiled.
"He's probably the reason she has the rash in the first place," Fiyero chuckled, and Shem lightly smacked him upside the head.
Before any of the interns had a chance to respond further, they were interrupted by loud microphone feedback, and looked towards the front of the room, where Morrible stood, wearing a red dress that was much too tight for her bosoms.
"Welcome, everyone, to our celebration of Dr. Youmanns Dillamond," she smiled, giving a sideways nod of acknowledgment to the Goat seated at the large head table.
"He's retiring, not dead… or dying. He's not dying, is he?" Pfannee asked as everyone applauded.
"I don't think so," ShenShen whispered as the applause died down.
"Dr. Dillamond has served St. Aelphaba Hospital for nearly four decades, and his service has served us well," Morrible continued.
After her long speech nearly put the audience to sleep, a few more hospital colleagues came up, their speeches much more vibrant with a few scattered jokes. Dr. Dillamond took the mic and thanked everyone for their display of appreciation and gratitude, saying he'd miss the hospital and most of the people in it, then surprised everyone with a twist at the end.
"Now, I'd like to ask Dr. Elphaba Thropp to please come up."
A flurry of loud whispers filled the air and Elphaba slowly rose from her seat. Fiyero's jaw slacked as he took in her long-sleeved, dark grey evening dress with a high neckline and a silk skirt that lightly and gracefully swept across the floor. Her hair was in a simple, yet elegant, braided bun, complete with a simple, black headband.
"Dude?" Shem asked, waving his hand in front of Fiyero's face, snapping him out of his trance.
"Huh?" Fiyero huffed.
"You alright?"
He looked back at Elphaba. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine."
Elphaba walked with confident urgency, but Fiyero could see that she clearly wasn't prepared to be called on the spot like that. By the time she reached the stage, Dr. Dillamond had procured a brightly wrapped package and handed it to Elphaba. He whispered something in her ear, and she looked at him before carefully taking the package and gingerly tearing off the wrapping paper. She opened the box, her eyes widening when she saw what it was. She carefully pulled out a brand-new lab coat, snow white and free from previous stresses and long nights, but what caught her attention was what was embroidered in emerald thread on the left side of the coat.
'Dr. Elphaba M. Thropp, MD, Chief Resident'
"Dr. Dillamond, I…" Elphaba started, but Dr. Dillamond cut her off.
"For your new journey. Well, not really 'new'. Let's call it… 'updated'."
She looked down at the coat and smiled, hugging him, ignoring the applause that cut into their publically private moment. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. And… since I'm leaving, all my previously-made contracts are now null-and-void. Glinda was my spy."
Elphaba pulled away with a soft gasp. "You sneaky…"
The old Doctor chuckled. "I honestly thought you already knew."
"I knew she could be sneaky, but this is a new level for her. I'll congratulate her when I see her."
The evening continued with more food, drinks, and dancing. Dr. Dillamond had a steady line of people coming to congratulate him and say goodbye. The interns stuck together on the dance floor, creating crazy dance moves and starting their own dance lines. As the evening continued, couples' dances slowly took over the dance floor, which left Fiyero at the table. He didn't mind, his feet were killing him, and he ready wanted another piece of steak.
"Dr. Tigulaar."
He looked up. "Dr. Thropp. Uh… congratulations… again."
"Thanks." She helped herself to the empty seat next to him. "You're not dancing anymore."
"Yeah. I decided to give my feet a bit of a break." He smiled at her. "I like your dress. This one isn't a 'disgustifying, ill-fitting, waste of grey material'."
Her lips twitched at the confessed memory, swirling the champagne in her glass. "I don't have that many color options in my non-hospital wardrobe."
"Are you excited about your promotion?"
"I am," she confessed softly, finishing her drink. "Dr. Dillamond is trusting me with continuing his research, and I don't want to let him… or myself… down."
"I know you won't… let anyone down, I mean."
She smiled at him, a smile that spread across her entire face. Her chocolate eyes were lit with a youthful glow, and her cheeks were darkened slightly in a blush.
"Do you wanna dance?" Fiyero asked in a bold change of subject.
She was momentarily taken aback, staring at him as if she thought he was pranking her. Once she noticed he was being sincere, she relaxed slightly. "Sure."
They stood, and Fiyero offered her his arm, which she accepted, and he led her to the dance floor. They didn't go all the way to the center, but stayed off to the side, near the punch bowl. He gently wrapped his arms around her, and she stepped into his embrace, but didn't relax the way the other couples were. They moved to the music the way the others were, looking exactly like they were, but knew they were feeling different.
"Are you going to the Classics in Shiz Common event this Saturday?"
Her shoulders relaxed a bit. "What's that?"
"They're showing old movies on a big outdoor screen in the park every Saturday night for the next month, before the weather turns too cold. This Saturday is 'A Thousand Yesterdays'."
"That's that old, romantic movie starring Gysp Jabal and Kaanan Prizner," Elphaba said as Fiyero spun her.
"Yeah. That one. You said you liked old movies and I thought –"
"I didn't think you'd remember that."
"I remember lots of little details about my patients. That's why I have excellent bedside manner."
She thought for a moment. "Saturday is the only day I have off for the next three weeks."
"It's okay. You don't have to go. I just thought you'd be interested."
"Are you inviting me?"
He didn't plan on having a solid plan for going, but his plans could be changed. "I get off at five, and the movie starts at seven. I was planning on going."
"But are you inviting me?"
"Yes. I'm inviting you."
She considered it. 'A Thousand Yesterdays' was one of her favorite movies, which she hadn't had the time to watch in a while. "Yes. I'll go with you."
He smiled and they continued dancing, pausing every so often to refill their wine glasses. As they spun each other, Fiyero felt Elphaba loosening up and letting go more, which resulted in her leaning closer to him. As she got closer, Fiyero realized that she was only a few inches shorter than him. All this time, he could've sworn she was at least his height, if not taller. It was definitely her energy and the way she carried herself that made her seem taller than she was.
And that's why she's the boss, he thought.
But for some reason, at this moment, she wasn't his boss. She was a beautiful woman who was making him shiver as she ran her hand down his arm. She was a beautiful woman who was glowing and laughing like a schoolgirl. She was a beautiful woman who he really wanted to kiss.
She spun back into his arms and their eyes met. Elphaba's eyes glistened, and she stared at Fiyero's intently. "Are you alright?" she asked. "Your pupils are dilatated."
Instead of answering with words, he gently pressed his lips against hers. Elphaba stiffened, but didn't struggle against him, nor kiss him back. The kiss didn't last very long, but it felt like an eternity for her.
When Fiyero pulled away, he was met with Elphaba's wide, confused eyes. He gulped. That was it. He was done for. Elphaba was going to make his life a living hell at the hospital for kissing her. He wanted to blame the alcohol, but knew he couldn't. He wasn't under the influence of any external force. He meant for the kiss to happen. And all of that was what scared him.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, stepping back.
Elphaba grabbed his wrist, stopping him from fully fleeing. "You're sorry you kissed me, or you're sorry you kissed your boss?"
"Uh… boss."
She hummed. "Are you blaming the alcohol?"
"For kissing my boss, yeah. For kissing you… I don't think I can."
She didn't release his hand. "Oh. Okay. In that case…" She stood on her toes and returned the kiss. "I can't blame the alcohol on that, either."