Medical Center
Adam had finally shaken off the shadow of his friends naming their kids after him and was on his way to the ward to check on a case he was really into. But then, he got hit with a curveball.
"Duncan, you're off this case. I'm handing it over to Grey," Dr. Bailey announced, her decision final.
"Alright," Adam replied with a wry smile, turning to leave.
"What's going on? Adam Duncan got booted from his own case again?" someone whispered.
"Unbelievable."
"Dr. Bailey's the real deal. When it comes to fairness, she doesn't mess around. She'll put you in your place no matter who you are!"
"I've even seen her go toe-to-toe with the chief once. He backed down!"
"She's the moral compass of this medical center, no joke."
"Yeah, if she ever becomes chief resident, I'm all in for her."
"…"
The second Adam walked away, the chatter spread like wildfire—mostly people gloating over his misfortune and singing Dr. Bailey's praises.
Noon – Cafeteria
"You seriously got kicked off by Dr. Bailey?" Liz asked, wide-eyed. "What was it this time?"
She wasn't shocked that Dr. Bailey had sidelined Adam; she was just curious why. That was the magic of Dr. Bailey. Love her or hate her, everyone respected her fairness and skill. The only reason she wasn't chief resident yet was because the spot wasn't open. Otherwise, she'd be the top pick hands down.
Chief resident isn't just a title—it's an administrative gig. You're in charge of all the residents, and you need the kind of charisma that makes everyone turn to you first when they're in a bind. If you can't handle that, you're sunk. But with the responsibility comes perks: scheduling OR time, assigning resident duties, sitting in on big hospital meetings. It's basically a mini-chief role—a key stepping stone to becoming an attending. Every ambitious senior resident with a few years under their belt fights tooth and nail for it. And being the frontrunner for that hot seat? That says it all.
"Dr. Bailey's got her reasons," George chimed in, barely hiding his glee. "And I'm sure they're solid. I trust her."
"Man, that's some strong cologne," Adam said, shooting George a look. "New brand today?"
"…" George's pale face turned red, then dark. Yep, busted.
George was a guy who believed in science. Adam had mentioned something to him once, and he'd taken it to heart. It was like those old folks—rational their whole lives, but past a certain age, they fall for every health supplement ad and wellness scam out there. It's a desperate need to cling to life. For George, it was his crush on Meredith. Adam had said it was backed by "science," but even if it'd been some old wives' tale, George would've tried it. Switching cologne? No big deal. He was going to wear some anyway, so why not try a new one?
He'd even slyly asked Alice Grey for advice and scored a tip. During a break, he'd dashed to the shop next to the hospital, grabbed the new stuff, and strutted past Meredith a few times. But instead of swooning, she'd wrinkled her nose and asked why he'd switched to that cologne. Cue George's heartbreak—his goddess thought it stank. That's why he was so openly smug about Adam's flop today. He didn't know if Adam had set him up, but he was happy to see him crash and burn. Misery loves company, right?
"I'll switch back tomorrow," George muttered, looking like he might cry as Meredith walked up with her tray, frowned at him, and paused mid-step.
"Sure, Meredith, you stole Adam's case," Liz teased with a grin as Meredith sat down.
"Stole? Hardly," Meredith said, shaking her head. "He just wasn't the right fit for it."
"What case?" Liz asked, leaning in.
"Kerry Lodge, 23, blushing syndrome and high fever," Cristina cut in. "She's got neurosurgery this afternoon with Dr. Shepherd. Super interesting case. If I were you, Adam, I'd have fought for it. It's not like you're the only one making her blush—Shepherd's her attending, and he does too!"
"What?" Liz nearly choking on her food. "She blushes at every hot guy she sees?"
"No," Meredith said with a sympathetic look. "She blushes whenever her heart rate spikes, and it's a dead giveaway of what she's feeling. That's why she's so determined to get this surgery, even with the risks."
"Her back, stomach, and thighs sweat to compensate. Eating can make her sweat too," Adam added. "Less than one percent of patients might end up with facial paralysis, spinal nerve damage, pneumothorax, or hemothorax. If any of that happens, it's bad—really bad."
"All just to stop blushing," Cristina said. "Me? No way I'd risk full-body paralysis for someone to mess with my brain. So what if my heart races? Who cares?"
"We haven't lived it," Meredith countered. "We can't really understand how desperate she feels."
"Cristina, you might not be so chill about it either," Adam pointed out. "Imagine you're into a case or surgery, your heart speeds up, and boom—you're blushing and sweating. It's not a big deal to hide, but it could tank your focus in the OR, right?"
"Oh," Cristina paused, then nodded. "Okay, yeah, that hits home. If it were me, I'd be torn."
Don't do the surgery, and it messes with your skills. Do it, and it might still mess with your skills. For someone like Cristina, dead-set on becoming a legendary surgeon, that's a brutal choice.
"So," George said, jaw practically on the table, "Adam got kicked off because the patient blushes when she sees him?"
"Yep," Meredith confirmed.
"She blushes at both Adam and Dr. Shepherd?" Liz asked, gossip mode activated. "So, who makes her blush more?"
"Now that's an interesting question," Cristina said with a smirk. "Who's the hottest doc at the medical center?"
"How do you even compare that?" Meredith snapped. "Everyone's got their own taste."
"Fair, my bad," Cristina shrugged. "New question then: In Kerry Lodge's eyes, who's the hottest? Miracle Doc or Dreamy McSteamy?"
Adam's mouth twitched. Why did that sound so awkward?
"No one knows?" Cristina teased. "The patient can handle Shepherd but nearly spiked a fever again with Adam. Dr. Bailey didn't pull any punches—she just kicked him out. Doesn't that say it all?"