Medical Center. Cafeteria.
"That's gotta be awkward, huh?"
Adam chuckled, "But like Liz said, it's not like trigger-based cases haven't happened before."
"No way, really?"
"Are you serious?"
Christina and Liz blurted out at the same time, eyes wide.
"Yup."
Adam nodded, "This Persistent Arousal Syndrome isn't exactly rare. There's a case where it started just from touching the soles of someone's feet. And then there's this middle-aged British woman who had it too. Poor thing was tormented, constantly switching boyfriends. Every guy she dated ended up like a worn-out baseball pitcher—completely drained and then benched. That is, until she met a guy with the same condition. That kinda balanced things out for her. They had to… uh, 'cancel each other out' more than ten times a day."
"Oh my gosh!"
Liz gasped dramatically, "Those two are so lucky! I'm kinda jealous, to be honest. It's not fair. I don't even need to have their… abilities. I'd settle for a bestie like that!"
"Why on earth?"
George stared at Liz, totally floored.
"You guys don't get it?"
Liz shot a glance at Adam and George, "It's like when someone starts puking their guts out—everyone around starts feeling queasy too. It's contagious!"
"No way, it works like that?"
George's jaw dropped.
"You're only thinking about the perks," Adam teased with a smirk, "You sure you want a bestie like that? What if one day she decides to 'borrow' your boyfriend or husband for a quick fix?"
"…"
Liz froze mid-thought, then rolled her eyes at Adam and shut up.
Having a friend like that—especially if she's even remotely attractive—would make any woman feel uneasy. No kidding. Because you couldn't trust her self-control, and you definitely couldn't trust your guy not to make the kind of mistake any man might.
---
After lunch, everyone went their separate ways.
Adam headed toward the Green Clinic. As he walked down the hallway, he spotted Dr. Montgomery, leaning against the wall, taking slow, pained steps. She looked like she was struggling.
"Dr. Shepherd, you okay?"
"Dr. Duncan."
Dr. Montgomery turned her head, forcing herself to stand up straight with a strained smile, "I'm fine."
But she clearly wasn't. Even though she tried to act normal, her body was twitching slightly, and there was a flash of pain in her eyes.
"Oh."
Adam gave her a thoughtful look. Probably something private, he figured. He smiled, nodded, and started to walk past her.
She was a renowned doctor—she knew how to handle herself. If it was something she couldn't deal with, Adam trusted she'd speak up. Since she wasn't asking for help, it seemed manageable.
"Wait."
He'd barely taken a few steps when she called after him.
"Dr. Shepherd?"
"Adam, could you do me a favor?"
Dr. Montgomery hesitated, "But it has to stay confidential."
Hmmm.
She was just like her husband—'Dr. Duncan' when things were fine, but 'Adam' when she needed something.
"Uh…"
Adam paused, "What kind of favor? If it's something I can do, I'm happy to help—and keep it under wraps, of course."
No need to spell out the perks of staying on Dr. Montgomery's good side. But only if it was something he could actually pull off. Otherwise, it'd backfire big time.
"I'm not feeling well. I need someone to check me out," Dr. Montgomery lowered her voice, "But it absolutely has to stay confidential. Can you help me, Adam?"
"Of course."
Adam nodded.
No problem there.
A chance to gain experience and score some brownie points? Why not?
At her gesture, Adam stepped forward to support her. They found an empty exam room nearby and went inside.
Inside the room, Dr. Montgomery propped herself up on the table, assuming the classic position for a gynecological exam.
"Professional!"
Adam muttered to himself with a little grin. He slipped on a pair of gloves, sat down in front of her, and started the examination.
Hmmm.
Or maybe you'd call it a consultation.
Truth be told, Dr. Montgomery probably had a good idea of what was wrong with her. It was just the awkward location—she couldn't exactly diagnose herself. Normally, she'd have gone to a female doctor for this kind of thing.
But as the newly appointed head of pediatrics, with top-tier perks and all the prestige that came with it, she was strutting around like the queen of the surgical wing—second only to the chief. She had her pride. No way was she about to let someone she wasn't close to see her in such a vulnerable state.
And if word got out?
That'd be beyond humiliating.
As for doctor-patient confidentiality?
Pfft, don't make her laugh.
Sure, doctors are supposed to keep things private, but unless they're truly on your side, they can follow protocol to a T and still screw you over. Just writing up your chart could be enough to spill the beans. The chart talks. The meds she'd prescribe talk. Unless someone's actively trying to keep it hush-hush, there's no hiding it.
And once one person knows, the whole hospital knows.
Her first choice would've been her husband, Dr. Shepherd, obviously. But right now, her old flame—the guy who'd caused her to cheat on her husband—had followed her from Boston to here. Her husband had even punched him out. Now her husband's hand was messed up, and every time he saw her, he'd go stone-faced, like he was back to square one from when she first arrived. He wouldn't even let her get a word in—just turned and walked away.
If Dr. Bailey were around, with her skills and integrity, she'd have earned Dr. Montgomery's trust and respect in a heartbeat. She'd be the perfect choice.
But Bailey was on maternity leave, nowhere near the hospital.
As for Liz?
Sure, she was one of her people, but there was still some distance between them. And in their mentor-student dynamic, Dr. Montgomery was the one on top. Letting her student see her like this? No thanks.
Adam, though?
His skills and character had already earned everyone's respect—no one saw him as just some intern, not even her. There was no baggage about rank or status with him.
The only downside? He's a guy.
But they're both doctors. At a time like this, she had no choice but to trust Adam—and her own professionalism.
"Dr. Shepherd, I'm sorry to say…"
Adam shook his head, "You've got a wild kudzu rash in a spot nobody wants one. And the blisters are growing fast. It's pretty bad."
This whole process? Not exactly glamorous.
In fact, if it were any regular guy—or someone with a phobia of dense clusters—they'd probably look away in horror.
And that's why so few male doctors go into gynecology.
It's rough!
It can really mess with a guy's sense of beauty!
It's like when Sheldon went to his sister Missy's childbirth. Amy had to jump in quick to explain, "Women don't normally look like that!"
Poor Sheldon was already grossed out by the idea of physical intimacy between men and women. Amy had spent years trying to change his mind, bit by bit. Then this happens—Sheldon looked like he couldn't handle reality, and Amy was freaking out.
"Damn it!"
Dr. Montgomery flopped back on the table, closing her eyes in frustration.
"Want me to grab some calamine lotion, gloves, and steroids?" Adam asked.
"Please," Dr. Montgomery grabbed his arm, pleading, "And keep it under wraps, okay? No chart, no records. Get the meds discreetly—don't tell a soul."
"Don't worry."
Adam nodded.
With his connections, getting the meds was a piece of cake.
It's like how a good chef never goes hungry, no matter the era.
In a hospital, if you know what you're doing, you can get your hands on all sorts of restricted stuff. No big deal. Rules might be strict, but they're enforced by people—and people are swayed by favors and relationships.
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