“She had…but it wasn’t sexual.”

“Mm.  She was infatuated with… what did she call her?”

“Porter the Great…”

“Right…she’d tell me how amazing Bette was whenever I came by with the team.  Bette would turn several shades of red as I quipped to Marti in jest that only I could be responsible for all the brilliant medical treatment.”

“Yes…I recall her finding you very funny…even though you pretty much scared the rest of the team shitless.”  Bassey smiles as Madeleine continues, “she saw right through you.”

(She smirks…)  “Oh please.  Anyway…what sort of affect is she having on Porter?  I don’t get it…”

“I’m not sure, but I’ll bet you that my senior resident is finding out.”

(Bassey starts to head over to the two doctors but Madeleine stops her again.)

“It’s ok, I’m just going to go have them take this high drama somewhere else…there’s no point in the patients or staff being an audience.”

“Bassey, just give it a sec.”  (Bassey shakes her head and walks towards Bette and Tina.  She stands on the other side of the bed.)

“Dr. Porter…”  (As Bette’s face looks up at her mentor, the tears are adorning it…Bassey isn’t quite sure what to say…she decides, as an instinctive reaction, to try and be the call back to reality by pretending not much is wrong…)  “Well, it seems we have a situation…Bette…how’s are our patient?”

Bette tries to reply, “Fine…”

“Good, good.  I just want to make sure your state is not a sign of her medical condition.”  Bassey smiles, but sees that Bette is not well.  “Ahem, yes, well then, Dr. Porter, shall we step outside?” 

Bette tries to reply, “Sorry…I…”

“No no…it’s all right…I’ve actually been known to shed a tear now and then myself, though I try not to share it with the entire hospital, but I understand…perhaps we can talk about it after rounds.  Dr. Kennard, would you please take my weary resident somewhere to get herself together?”

“Yes Doctor.”  (Tina gestures to Bette and walks with her slowly out of the room.  She nods to Dr. Schmidt as they pass her.  Madeleine then approaches Bassey.)