Chapter 12
Clarke knew there were people in the hospital who did not like her. They thought she had been handed the job of trauma chief because of her position on the board and half-owner of the hospital. Her mom, a retired lawyer, owned the other half and knew nothing about the medical field outside of what she learned from Clarke and her dad throughout the years. With her father’s death, she had incorporated his share. No one outside of the board would know unless they shared the news, but Clarke figured it would not change the opinion of those who already resented her.
The death of her father had incited pity she did not want. People she had worked with for years were constantly watching for her to break down as if she could not control herself while working. She was devastated, of course, but had had years to prepare. She made sure to keep her emotions in check while at work.
Raven was being subtle about her checks. It was heartwarming in a way, but Clarke was over it. The only person who was treating her normally was Lexa who seemed to be around a little more but was otherwise back in her regular routine. Lexa understood better how she was feeling because of her own loss.
Since her father’s funeral where Lexa wore a black suit, Clarke had been unable to think of much else. Rather than focus on the sadness, she tried to figure out if Lexa’s white coat or suit was more attractive. Her thoughts were becoming a problem. She had known for weeks that her constant thoughts of Lexa and their conversations were an issue, but she had not realized how much until a few days ago.
Lexa had brought her coffee multiple times since finding her favorite coffee shop and regular order. It was infuriatingly adorable when Lexa would walk into the hospital with Clarke’s drink in one hand and the sweetest smile she had ever seen. The worst part about their situation was her position in the hospital. If they were both attendings, they could get away with dating without too much backlash. If they worked in separate wings, they could date without any issues. However, Clarke was technically her boss in every sense of the word.
She had forgotten what a crush felt like. She had forgotten about the weird nervousness she felt around someone or the desire to see them happy. But she had quickly realized why crushes sucked so bad. They were distracting and humbling. She spent more time getting ready for a twelve-hour shift than she ever had, which was a waste of time as she could be covered in bodily fluids at any time.
“Earth to Dr. Griffin,” Octavia said, waving a hand in front of her face.
“Sorry,” she said, shaking the thoughts away. “What’s up?”
“Can you look at an X-ray for me? I need to make sure I’m not losing my mind.”
Clarke chuckled as she followed her toward the viewing room which was a glorified closet. She stared at the image for a minute, arms crossed over her body, as she studied the highlighted spot.
“That’s a needle,” Clarke said.
“That’s what I thought,” she said. “How did she not feel it?”
“Not sure, but it’s been in there for a while. I’m not sure how she managed to walk on that foot at all. It must have missed every major nerve.”
“Incredible. I’ll get her scheduled for removal. I’m sending her upstairs to ortho rather than doing it down here.”
“Good idea.”
She followed Octavia to the woman’s room to assist her with the conversation. Plus, she was curious about how the needle implanted itself in someone’s foot without their knowledge. The woman was as surprised and confused as they were. Without any more answers, they ensured to contact ortho for a referral and the woman was discharged a little while later.
Indra found her ten minutes later with the news of a large car pile-up on the interstate. They would receive eight victims while the others went to Chicago Med. She began preparations and debated on calling the on-call doctors in. Depending on the injuries sustained, the current staff could handle everything unless multiple patients required immediate surgery.
Clarke was checking on her final patient when the first ambulance arrived. She handed the case to Lincoln. The next went to Octavia. She rushed out of the hospital to meet the third ambulance and was met with Lexa straddling the victim while performing chest compressions. There was a trail of blood running down the side of her face. There was a large bruise on her chest that disappeared down the front of her shirt.
“A piece of metal impaled her during the crash,” Lexa explained. “Right lung collapsed. I need a chest tube and a scalpel.”
“Lexa,” she said, softly. “Let me take over this one. You need a head CT. Any broken ribs?”
“I’m fine,” she said. “I’m already here. Please, just get me the tube.”
Clarke put her worries aside and helped move the patient into a room. Lexa inflated the lung while Clarke gathered a team to prep an OR. Lexa was in no place to perform surgery. She asked Murphy to assist instead.
“Dr. Woods needs a head CT,” she said to Indra. “She might need stitches and may have broken ribs. I need all that checked.”
“Got it, Dr. Griffin,” she said.
“Don’t let her get out of it.”
Lexa was in the same trauma room when she returned. The woman was hooked up to IVs and monitors to be transferred. As the nurses pushed her from the room, Clarke put both hands on the sides of her face to check the cut. Her hair and blood were in the way to decide on stitches.
“Dizziness?” she asked.
“Clarke, I said I was fine,” she said.
“Well, I don’t believe you.”
“Go, Clarke. I’d rather my efforts didn’t go to waste.”
She nodded and started for the OR. When she looked back at Lexa, she found her arguing with Indra. She smiled as she pushed through the door.
Her car was totaled. Lexa had been slightly dazed after the accident and focused completely on the woman two cars in front of her. Anya picked her up from the hospital and drove her home. They grabbed food on the way. She was exhausted and just wanted to sleep, but Anya demanded she stay awake until receiving a call from Clarke with her head CT results. Anya seemed satisfied with Clarke’s assessment.
“Your girl’s worried,” she said after the call ended.
“Yeah, I know,” Lexa said.
“But she said you’re good. She also said you’re not allowed to work for the next three days.”
“She’s dramatic. I’m scheduled tomorrow morning.”
“That just means we can get brunch.”
“I guess I'll have to go buy a new car.”
“She wants me to stay the night tonight. I’m not sure why I let her boss me around like that.”
“I would have thought you’d see through her manipulation, honestly.”
Anya shrugged. She was going soft after weeks of seeing Raven exclusively. It was a strange experience considering Anya nor Raven planned a relationship. Lexa was not sure if there was a label and was too scared to ask. She wanted them to stay together and not scare one or the other off.
“She’s hot,” Anya said, shrugging. “I’ll let it slide this time.”
To know Clarke was worried about her was nice but she felt fine considering she had been in such a large car accident that morning. She grabbed her phone from the coffee table and sent a text.
Lexa: I swear I’m fine
There was no response for a few minutes.
Clarke: Yeah, I checked your scans a few times. I also had others check them, too.
Lexa: Did you tell them they were mine??
Clarke: I told Raven but no one in neurology
Lexa: You had neurology check???
Clarke: Yes
Lexa: You’re weird
Clarke: I was worried
Lexa: Please tell me you’re not still at work
Clarke: I’m leaving now
Lexa: Good bc we’re scheduled tomorrow morning
Clarke: I banned you
Lexa: I’ll see you tomorrow morning, darling
Clarke: Ugh whatever