HEARTS I

CHAPTER TWO

Dr. Stanley Sawyer walked up to the reception desk upset. "Where the hell is Dr. Slattery?"

"He went to get some lunch," Vanessa replied somewhat intimidated.

"Well I can't wait for him forever. Find him and get him here ASAP."

"Yes Dr. Sawyer."

At that moment Jamie came rushing up the hallway out of breath. "Dr. Sawyer, I'm sorry something came up."

"Like what exactly?" Stanley asked upset.

"I had to treat a patient in E.R."

"Let me get this straight once and for all Dr. Slattery. You're not an E.R. doctor anymore. You're not a surgeon anymore. You're an ob-gyn. Are we clear?"

Jamie already began to hate Sawyer and looked at him unhappy. ", you have a patient waiting for you. This is your first patient starting now."

Jamie turned to look at the girl sitting on the row of chairs and then looked at Vanessa feeling slightly nervous. "Oh God."

"Good luck. I told you so," Vanessa said unsympathetic.

"I officially hate being a doctor right now. What was I thinking?" He looked at the girl again and bobbed his head sideways. "Come on in."

The girl stood up and followed him into the consulting room before he closed the door behind them. "I'm Dr. Slattery. You are?"

"Evelyn," she replied nervously.

He walked up to the chair at his desk and pulled it out for her. "Please take a seat." He then sat down on the other side of the desk and looked at her patient file. "How old are you?"

"Fourteen."

Jamie frowned. "Okay. And you started your cycle yet?"

"Not officially."

"That's normal. So why are you here? Is this a first time visit?"

"Yes. My mom figures I should come for a check-up."

"For what exactly?" Jamie asked scrutinizing her.

"She thinks I'm sleeping around."

Jamie raised his brow and looked at her a little stunned. What kind of mother sends her fourteen year old daughter for a check-up suspecting she sleeps around. "Well are you? You're underaged you know. And the general age a woman should come for her first check-up is around 20 or 21. I don't see why you need one if you're healthy."

"No. And I haven't even swiped my v-card yet. I'm not even really interested in boys right now. So what now?"

"I don't think you need a check up then, you're free to go. And tell your mom the doctor said everything's still fine, he gave you the clear."

"You're not going to examine me or anything?"

"There's no need for that no."

"Okay..."

"I'll see you to the door." They both stepped outside and Jamie looked at his next patient before he walked up to the reception counter. "Tell me this is a joke. Where's Dr. Sawyer?"

"Oh he took the rest of the day off. He said I should tell you."

"Are you kidding me?"

"Nope. Call him yourself and find out," Vanessa replied with a snappy attitude.

"Okay. You know what? Move the next appointment after for later. I'm going on a lunch break after this. I'm starving and I need to get myself something to eat." He looked at the patient again. She was still young, but on the big side, having to sit on two chairs at a time. "You're next."

Jamie dropped his burger on the table and sat down adjacent from Kyle Whittaker clearly in the bad mood. "How's ob-gyn going?" Kyle asked with a grimace. "I take it it's going well."

"I hate this job." Jamie replied in a bad mood.

"It can't be that bad. I mean. Hot chicks. And I'm pretty sure a lot of them won't mind having you as their doc either. Look on the bright side. You don't need Pornhub anymore."

"Good grief, you're a p*****t Whittaker. You know that? I don't do Pornhub. p**n is for losers." Jamie snapped at him.

"Why do I find it so hard to believe?" Kyle continued teasing him.

"My first patient wasn't so bad. She's a fourteen year old."

"Slats you cradle snatcher!" Kyle teased again.

"Shut up Kyle..." Jamie snapped again. "The last one...I think I'm scarred for life. And I officially lost my appetite."

"That's bad. How is Sawyer? He's a nice guy isn't he?"

"Oh please. He's an ogre. Nasty as hell."

"And Vanessa?" Kyle asked with a chuckle. "She'll lighten up to you sooner or later."

"Yeah right. I didn't sign up for this ob-gyn crap. I'm going to talk to Grimes and see if I can take a second board interview. They must have mixed up my results with someone else's. If not I think it's time for a career change."

"Maybe become a p**n star on Pornhub. They pay is good and with your good looks..." Kyle said with a chuckle.

"Knock it off Kyle. I'd rather go and flip burger patties at McDonalds or sell hot dogs on a street corner than do that crap. I have my dignity. And you're a jerk. You know that?"

"Relax Slats. I'm just messing with you," Kyles nickered.

"Yeah I know, but you're still a jerk."

After lunch Jamie walked up to Henry Grimes who was standing on the lobby gallery talking to another doctor. He waited until they finished their conversation before he stepped closer. "Dr. Grimes."

"Yes Dr. Slattery..."

"About this ob-gyn. I didn't become a doctor to..." He paused for a moment rethinking what he was going to say and tried to rephrase his words. "I became a doctor to save lives. Quite honestly, I hate my job right now. I'd rather be in E.R. or in O.R. fixing patients than...you know what I'm talking about. I need a second interview with the medical board. Please. I beg of you."

"Dr. Slattery, I hear what you're saying, but you have a one year contract. After that we can rethink it and put you up for another interview. But then you have to redo your second year internship."

"A year? I'll never survive a year in ob-gyn. Please. See what you can do. I wanted to become a surgeon. That's what I always wanted. That's why I went into medicine in the first place."

"I'll see what I can do, but I can't promise anything."

"Thanks Dr. Grimes."

Later in the evening Jamie closed his apartment door behind him and fell down on the couch before turning on the TV. There was news on CNN he wasn't interested in and he channel hopped until he found a cartoon channel with Mickey Mouse on TV. He laughed at the hilarious things his favorite cartoon characters did and sat there for a while watching the show. He then proceeded to the kitchen and made himself something to eat before he returned to the living room with his food and a bottle of beer from the fridge.

Later at night he watched Revenge and almost fell asleep before he turned off the TV and went to bed. It was around midnight when he was woken up by a banging sound from the other side of the wall. "Oh not now, whatever it is you're doing. I want to sleep," he groaned and turned onto his stomach. The banging continued followed by a couple of moans and grunts that suddenly came from the other side. It was then that he realized what his neighbors were doing. "Oh my gosh, these walls aren't exactly sound proof." He tried covering his ears but with no luck and eventually hammered on the wall upset. "Hey! Can you keep it down? I'm trying to sleep here!"

One Week Later...

Jamie walked up to Kyle who stood at the reception desk talking to one of the nurses, Agnetha. He walked up to them and went to stand next to Kyle. "I see you're quite a popular one with the ladies."

"Drop it Kyle," Jamie replied unimpressed.

"I'm not talking about your patients Slats. Relax," Kyle teased. He looked at Agnetha. "Ever since he's in ob-gyn he's like a grumpy old grizzly bear in pain."

"Then what are you talking about?" he asked confused. "And I heard that."

The nurse showed him the blog in the magazine she was reading. "Someone has very nice things to say about you Dr. Slattery. You made quite an impression on a certain lady."

"Really?"

"Let me read it for you. He is nice and charming and he has the best bedside manner of every E.R. doctor in New York I have ever known. Most doctors make you feel a little uncomfortable and always seems super professional and stoic. But this was the first doctor who's bedside manner made me feel completely at ease. And should I add, easy on the eye and totally yummy."

"She wrote that?"

"If I hadn't known better I would say she's in love," Agnetha replied.

Kyle looked at Jamie and smiled. "The ladies man."

"Who is she?"

Agnetha looked at the signature below the blog. "Juliette Lloyd."

"Julie? She's a blogger? Well I guess I'll have to make up for it then."

"You know her?"

"Yeah well we kind of ran into each other at the stairs in the lobby. She fell and fractured her ankle."

"Why didn't you call me? You know I'm in orthopedics."

"It was a hairline fracture. Nothing that crutches and a couple off weeks of rest couldn't fix. Some of your surgeries heal faster than that."

Kyle looked at him concerned while he covered his face with his hands. "You look tired Slats."

"I'm not getting any sleep. My bedroom walls aren't exactly sound proof and my neighbors seem to love doing the dirty in the early hours of the morning. I had to sleep on the living room sofa last night."

Juliette was gazing at the computer in front of her dreamy when Katy tried to get her attention. "Hey, Julie, snap out of it."

"What?"

"Does Justin know there's a new man in your life?"

"Seriously? He was just a flirt. There's no way a pretty boy like him would ever be interested in a girl like me. And he's a doctor. Need I say more?"

"Well you're definitely in love with him. You can't stop talking about him ever since you came from the hospital. You even blogged about his bedside manner."

"I'm not in love. I just like him. It was just an honest blog about how doctors should treat their patients and I used him as an example."

"Uhu?"

"It's true. Besides if he was really into me he would have called by now or something. He has my number. And then there's my blog profile picture. I bet he already lost interest just looking at that. Oh my gosh what was I thinking?"

Just then a delivery man walked up to her with a huge bouquet of white roses. "Which one of you is Juliette Lloyd?"

"It's me."

"Roses from a secret admirer. If you would just sign that you got them."

"Thanks." Juliette signed the delivery note and took the flowers. The delivery man left and Juliette looked at the card that was attached to the flowers.

"A secret admirer? Let me guess. It's that doctor."

"Or most likely not. You know how many people read my blogs. Probably some loser who does not want to reveal his identity. Here's a card attached."

"And what does it say?" Katy asked curiously.

"Nothing. He just left a number. What kind of loser does that?" Juliette asked annoyed.

"Oh...he wants you to call him. Well? What are you waiting for. Call and find out who it's from."

"It's not him. He would never do something this cheesy."Juliette sat down and dialled the number on the card.

Jamie immediately answered the call. "Hey gorgeous."

"How did you know it was me?"

"I saved your number on my phone," Jamie replied with a smile.

Katy mouthed "who is it" when Juliette looked at her. "It's him" she mouthed back pointing at her phone.

"Oh did you?"

"So how do you like the roses?"

"I love them. They're beautiful. Thank you so much."

"Well I'm glad you like them. I'll talk to you again. I have another patient I have to see. Thanks for the call."

Juliette dropped the call and almost screamed with excitement. "He saved my number. That says something doesn't it?"

Katy gave an approving nod and smiled. "Someone is into you. You must have made quite an impression on him."

"By tumbling down the stairs at the hospital."

"Well that gives a new meaning to falling head over heels in love. And?"

"I still have Justin. I can't just leave him."

"Do you love him?"

"Well yeah. And now the doctor comes along. Why didn't he come along when I was still single. The handsome and successful doctor. Well...intern, but still. But he's still successful."

"One moment he was a cheesy loser who didn't want to reveal his identity and now he's a handsome and successful doctor. If I didn't know better..."

Juliette walked up to her best friend Juliette who was seated at a table in a coffee shop. "Hey, Cas sorry I'm late. Something came up." Juliette sat pulled out a chair and sat down.

"Let me guess. That handsome doctor you told me about?"

"Yeah. I don't know. He's super good looking. But..."

"But?"

"Okay...I have Justin. And besides, he's a bit of a sleaze bag."

"Oh the good-looking sleaze bag with an M.D. behind his name..."

Juliette rolled her eyes. "He gave me his number to call him. And he had my number saved on his phone. He could have called first."

"Uhu? And did you call him?" Cassidy asked with a smile.

"Yeah."

"What gives me the idea you're more into him than you care to admit?"

"There was a bit of a spark, but doesn't mean we are meant to be together."

Cassidy chuckled. "You like him, don't you?"

"I guess. But he was supposed to call me. If he was into me, he would have called first."

"And he would have given you his number and asked you to call him. He wanted you to call him. I would give this guy a chance if I were you."

"And break up with Justin?"

"Julie, no offense but Justin has jealousy and anger management issues. And come on he works at the meat packing plant a factory worker. This guy is a doctor. Justin will remain a factory worker for the rest of his life. This guy is going places. You don't let something like that just slip through your fingers."

Jamie was in the break room laying on his arms when Stacey entered and pulled out a chair to sit down. "Are you okay Slats?"

"I'm exhausted. I think I made a mistake moving into that apartment in Queens."

"Queens? Why the hell are you renting in Queens?"

"Med school debt. I'm only really starting to earn a salary now."

"Geez Jamie. Your parents live in the Hamptons for peet's sake. Can't they help you find a better place?"

"I don't want to be a burden to my parents Stace."

"But come on Slats, Queens?"

"At least it's better than the Bronx."

"Call your brother. Ask him if he still has the place in Manhattan."

Jamie sat up and gave a sigh. "Maybe I should."

"Do you want a cup of coffee? You could really use one."

"No I'm good."

"Are you sure?" Stacey asked concerned.

"Yeah. I need to get back to ob-gyn before Dr. Sawyer bites off my head again."

"Ah. You're his favorite intern I see," Stacey replied with a smirk and a nod.

"He hates me," Jamie replied in a miserable tone. "Well I'll see you around later."

"Till later."

On his way to the consulting rooms he called Drew, his younger brother. Drew was sitting at the bar at one of his clubs having a Martini and enjoying the company of his dancers when his phone rang. "Well well, long time no hear big brother. How are you?"

"Hey little brother. Do you still have the pad in Manhattan?"

Unlike Jamie, Drew was a musician and a DJ and a playboy who owned a night club in lower Manhattan he bought from the income of his free performances from the owner and he made a success out of the place by making it exclusive for celebrities. "Yes I do, but I hardly use it. I have the club now. Why are you asking?"

"I'm renting an apartment in Queens and to be honest, the neighbors aren't really the quiet type. If I hear ooh and aah and give it to me baby one more night I'm seriously going to lose it."

Drew started laughing. "Queens? What else did you expect to get in Queens?"

"It's not funny Drew. I'm losing sleep and as a doctor I can't afford to be tired all the time."

"Do you want to go and look at the place?"

"Sure. I'd love to."

"Tonight? 8 pm?"

"Sounds good. Thanks Drew. You're saving my life."

Just as he was about to enter the elevator to obstetrics Dr. Grimes rushed up to him. "Dr. Slattery, hold the doors!"

Jamie stepped forward to block the doors from closing. "Dr. Grimes."

They both stepped into the elevator. "I had a talk with the medical board and I explained your situation to them. They are willing to take you in for a second interview. But they need a motivational letter from you to explain why you want to become a surgeon."

"You did it?" Jamie asked surprised.

"Only this once and only for you. I kind of had to bribe them."

"Dr. Grimes I honestly don't know what to say," Jamie replied flabbergasted.

"I have seen something in you and I have seen what you can do. I have faith in you as a surgeon. I cannot afford this hospital to lose talent like yours. And when I see talent like yours I would hate to see it go to waste. What are you ever going to do as an ob-gyn? You can go places as a surgeon. Don't disappoint me Dr. Slattery."

"I won't. You have my word Dr. Grimes."

"I'll have a word with Dr. Sawyer. I'll let him know I'm taking you back on our E.R. team with immediate effect." The doors of the elevator opened and they both stepped outside. "Your interview is on Thursday at 8 sharp."

Jamie watched as Dr. Grimes left and gave a sigh of relief. "Oh thank God. Thank you God." He walked up to Vanessa again and leaned on the counter. "You've got to lighten up a little you know. I hardly ever see you smile."

"Uhu. With him you're always in a bad mood. Stick around longer and you'll know what I mean. Our interns don't last with him."

"Well there's good news..." Jamie took a slab of chocolate from the pocket of his lab coat and handed it to Vanessa over the counter.

"Is this for me?" Her face lightened up a little. "Thank you Dr. Slattery. Grumpy pants doesn't even give me a cup of coffee."

"Oh and there's other good news."

"What's that?"

"Today is my last day in ob-gyn. I'm going back to E.R. and surgery."

Vanessa's face dropped and he could see she was disappointed. "What a pity. I would rather see him kick the bucket and you stay."

"Honestly, ob-gyn isn't really my thing. I'm happiest saving lives."

"I'll hope you'll still bring me chocolate."

"Of course I will," Jamie replied with a smile. He then turned his focus to the hallway and noticed Dr. Sawyer walk up to them.

"Slattery, can we have a little meeting in my office please?" he demanded with his usually grumpy demeanour.

"Here we go..."

Stanley opened the door and held it open for Jamie to enter first before he closed the door. "Take a seat."

Jamie did as he asked and waited for him to take a seat. "I had a talk with Dr. Grimes. I understand you want out of ob-gyn."

"That's correct yes."

"Is there a reason you're not happy here?

"Yes."

Stanley frowned. "Is it me?"

"No Dr. Sawyer. It's not you. I always wanted to become a surgeon and saving lives is my passion. The ob-gyn thing is less stressful, but I don't feel comfortable with it and quite honestly would have been last on my list of specialties to choose from. Trauma surgery would have been at the top."

"Well I respect your decision Dr. Slattery. It would be a pity to lose you, but if you are happier as a surgeon then so be it. Dr. Grimes told me you'll be going back to E.R. with immediate effect. Thank you for your help the past few weeks. You did a good job. You have one more appointment left. Let Vanessa know to cancel the rest of your appointments on the way out and move it to another day."

"I will. Thank you Dr. Sawyer."

Jamie left the appointment room to find a leggy brunette dressed in a black figure hugging mini dress and stilettos waiting for her appointment with him. He took her file off the counter and looked at her. "Miss Angela Murphy..."

She stood up and followed him into the consulting room and then scrutinized him from top to bottom. "Wow, you're hot. I should come to this hospital more often."

Jamie gave a nervous chuckle and closed the door.

"So you're here for...a pelvic exam." At that moment Jamie wanted to excuse himself and flee.

"You're eye-candy too," Angela said and her body language said it all.

Was she flirting with him? How was he going to get out of this one. "I should probably get a nurse in here. Actually that's how it's..."

"It won't be necessary. Are you nervous? You're a doctor. You're not supposed to be nervous."

"Well...uhm. Can we get this over and done with?"

"Sure. No problem." At this time things were happening south of the border he would have rather kept discreet, but no such luck as his patient's eyes already darted down south.

Katherine Slattery was seated at her desk when Angela stepped through the door and put her hand-bag on her desk and sat down. "How did your doctor's appointment go?" Katherine asked snooping.

"It went well. Fit as a horse. And you won't guess who my ob-gyn was."

"No..." Katherine replied before she took a sip of tea. "Is it someone I know?"

"Dr. Jamie Slattery."

Katherine almost choked on her tea and dropped her cup on the desk spilling some of it in the saucer. "My son?"

"And he's absolutely gorgeous."

"I thought he was a surgeon."

"Well he's the type of guy any mother would want her daughter to marry."

"I'm glad you're mentioning it. I've been trying for a while to find a suitable time to set the two of you up. He just cannot seem to find a girlfriend and settle down."

Angela leaned back in her chair and looked at Katherine surprised. "Oh imagine his face when he shows up to meet the woman his mother thinks fit to date her son and he finds out she has been one of his ob-gyn patients." Angela let out a hearty chuckle.

"Okay, here's the deal. The two of you already know each other from the hospital. If you can win my son over and marry him, I will give you fifty percent shares in my practice."

Angela looked at Katherine and pondered. "Seems like a fair deal to me. It would be quite easy to do. I'll just use my charm and the rest would be history. And maybe a second or third ob-gyn appointment won't do any harm either."