What Do You Hear in These Sounds?
Author: Carsonfiles
Timeline: Follows canon roughly around Time After Time (3:20) through end of Season 3. Then A/U (or I'll be really freaked out next fall) Current chapter roughly around Time After Time
Disclaimer: I may think I am some of these characters, but I didn't create them. Just for fun at home.
Summary: It's not just the interns who need therapy.
The Meeting
The atmosphere was tense. Of course it was tense; these four could hardly work in the same hospital without drama. Crowded into the chief’s small office, they looked like guilty children, told they would have to clean the desks or clap erasers for punishment.
“You’re treating us like interns,” the lone female said, twisting a pen between and through her fingers, like a miniature baton.
“You’ve behaved like interns.” Chief Webber wasn’t angry; he was determined. “And if you want this office and the job, you’ll follow through. All four of you have dealt with substantial trauma and upheaval this year, some admittedly more than others. Do this, or miss the chance of sitting in this chair.”
A throat cleared. “These sessions,” said the aloof man at the back of the room, “They’ll be confidential? Or will your therapists be reporting back to you on our mental health?” The other attendings turned to look at him. Burke had certainly had drama-what with the being shot and nearly forfeiting his career first to the bullet and then to lying about a tremor in his hand, but he had not been part of the bizarre love polyhedron that had been drawn over the past year.
“Confidentiality?” questioned the dark haired man. “Keeping secrets again, Preston?”
“Certainly not, Shepherd. But I’m not one to deny that therapy would help me regain footing. I simply wanted to know before I talk to Webber’s person whether what I say will become common knowledge. I’d hate for you to have to share the spotlight.”
Derek laughed, a short bark of humor that didn’t fully reflect the smile in his eyes as he nodded to Burke, acknowledging the rebuttal. Their friendship was not the strongest, but he admired and respected the cardio-thoracic surgeon. And it was getting stronger. Derek needed guy friends, he knew that. He still missed his best friend, still struggled with the nausea and resentment of that betrayal. Even more than the betrayal of his ex-wife, with whom he had managed to form a not-completely uncomfortable working relationship, he hurt over the loss of his brother.
“I hate to interrupt, but chief, I don’t think I need this.” From the back of the room, Mark Sloan watched the other three attendings slowly turn to look at him. “I mean, not that I’m incredibly well-balanced. But I’m already seeing a therapist.”
“You?” questioned Derek. “I wouldn’t have imagined that you’d be able to see how clearly you need it.”
“”Come on, Derek, even you can see that behind this rugged and confident exterior, I’m self-destructive and self-loathing to an almost pathological degree.“
“Oh, I see.” The chief hadn’t anticipated that. “well, then it should be simple for you to get clearance from the Bursons. I would like you to have at least one appointment with them to keep things on an equal footing.”
“The Bursons? Jack Burson?” Mark smirked. “No sir, it will be no problem for me to see him. In fact, since this is going to be covered by the hospital, I’m more than happy to see him.”
Addison was still looking in his direction, tapping her pen against her lower lip and teeth, and easily translated this reaction. “You mean, he’s the one you’ve been seeing all along, and you are just glad to let the hospital pick up the tab.”
Mark tilted one eyebrow up at her, then crossed the room to the chief’s desk. “You let me know when, boss. I’ll be there.” He shook Richard’s hand, then turned and left the room, winking at the other attendings as he went.
When the door closed behind him, the chief said to the three remaining attendings, “And you wonder why the board thinks he’s got a shot?”
Chapter 1: The Memo
Timeline: Follows canon roughly around Time After Time (3:20) through end of Season 3. Then A/U (or I'll be really freaked out next fall) Current chapter roughly around Time After Time
Disclaimer: I may think I am some of these characters, but I didn't create them. Just for fun at home.
Summary: It's not just the interns who need therapy.
The Meeting
The atmosphere was tense. Of course it was tense; these four could hardly work in the same hospital without drama. Crowded into the chief’s small office, they looked like guilty children, told they would have to clean the desks or clap erasers for punishment.
“You’re treating us like interns,” the lone female said, twisting a pen between and through her fingers, like a miniature baton.
“You’ve behaved like interns.” Chief Webber wasn’t angry; he was determined. “And if you want this office and the job, you’ll follow through. All four of you have dealt with substantial trauma and upheaval this year, some admittedly more than others. Do this, or miss the chance of sitting in this chair.”
A throat cleared. “These sessions,” said the aloof man at the back of the room, “They’ll be confidential? Or will your therapists be reporting back to you on our mental health?” The other attendings turned to look at him. Burke had certainly had drama-what with the being shot and nearly forfeiting his career first to the bullet and then to lying about a tremor in his hand, but he had not been part of the bizarre love polyhedron that had been drawn over the past year.
“Confidentiality?” questioned the dark haired man. “Keeping secrets again, Preston?”
“Certainly not, Shepherd. But I’m not one to deny that therapy would help me regain footing. I simply wanted to know before I talk to Webber’s person whether what I say will become common knowledge. I’d hate for you to have to share the spotlight.”
Derek laughed, a short bark of humor that didn’t fully reflect the smile in his eyes as he nodded to Burke, acknowledging the rebuttal. Their friendship was not the strongest, but he admired and respected the cardio-thoracic surgeon. And it was getting stronger. Derek needed guy friends, he knew that. He still missed his best friend, still struggled with the nausea and resentment of that betrayal. Even more than the betrayal of his ex-wife, with whom he had managed to form a not-completely uncomfortable working relationship, he hurt over the loss of his brother.
“I hate to interrupt, but chief, I don’t think I need this.” From the back of the room, Mark Sloan watched the other three attendings slowly turn to look at him. “I mean, not that I’m incredibly well-balanced. But I’m already seeing a therapist.”
“You?” questioned Derek. “I wouldn’t have imagined that you’d be able to see how clearly you need it.”
“”Come on, Derek, even you can see that behind this rugged and confident exterior, I’m self-destructive and self-loathing to an almost pathological degree.“
“Oh, I see.” The chief hadn’t anticipated that. “well, then it should be simple for you to get clearance from the Bursons. I would like you to have at least one appointment with them to keep things on an equal footing.”
“The Bursons? Jack Burson?” Mark smirked. “No sir, it will be no problem for me to see him. In fact, since this is going to be covered by the hospital, I’m more than happy to see him.”
Addison was still looking in his direction, tapping her pen against her lower lip and teeth, and easily translated this reaction. “You mean, he’s the one you’ve been seeing all along, and you are just glad to let the hospital pick up the tab.”
Mark tilted one eyebrow up at her, then crossed the room to the chief’s desk. “You let me know when, boss. I’ll be there.” He shook Richard’s hand, then turned and left the room, winking at the other attendings as he went.
When the door closed behind him, the chief said to the three remaining attendings, “And you wonder why the board thinks he’s got a shot?”
Chapter 1: The Memo