Chapter 23

                                    

                                          
Miranda Bailey was tired and cranky. Not that she was usually overflowing with happiness, but today she was extra grouchy. Her flight from Sacramento had arrived late last night after being delayed three hours due to heavy fog. She had hoped to have a quiet, slow morning and get caught up with her husband and son, whom she hadn't seen in weeks. Her pager had started going off in the middle of their calm breakfast and she had barely had time to kiss her son off to school before having to head in to the hospital.
                          
She was waiting, tapping her foot impatiently, when an old familiar face approached, joining the growing line for the elevator. "Alice?"
                          
"Oh, Miranda?! I didn't expect you back from your conference for a few more days! It's so good to see you." Alice smiled, pleasantly surprised to run in to her old acquaintance. 
                          
"We wrapped things up early, a few of the doctor's had pressing matters to return home to." The elevator finally arrived and the doors opened with a chime. The two friends stepped on and stood together to the back to continue their conversation. "So how did things work out with the mystery girl? Were you able to get a consult with Dr. Shepherd?"
                          
Alice shook her head and eagerly replied, wanting to share the incredible twist the story had taken. "No I wasn't but..."
                          
Dr. Bailey quickly interrupted her, "I was afraid of that. That dumb man." She shook her head.
                          
"Well actually, he was on a leave of absence when I called, but..." Alice tried again.
                          
"That foolish, arrogant doctor. He spends his time mopin' around and sits in his self pity. If he'd just snap out of it he'd see that life goes on and he doesn't have to be such an ass."
                          
Alice was surprised by the last comment. She'd known Derek for a week now and she thought he was an amazing father and had seen how much he loved Meredith. "Oh, um... I've met him and he didn't seem..."
                          
"Don't take it personally, Alice. That's just how he is. He comes across bitter and conceited to cover all the pain he keeps denying he's in. He's a dumb fool if you ask me. Most of the time I can't stand the man." Dr. Bailey shook her head knowingly.
                          
Before Alice could respond, the elevator chimed again and she was at her intended floor. "This is me, Miranda. If you get a minute later come find me. I'm visiting a patient in recovery room 318B. It was nice talking to you." Alice hurried off and on her way, laughing to herself at how some things just never change. 
                          
Dr. Bailey gave a small wave and turned her thoughts back to her day ahead. When she reached the surgical floor she hurried off eager to get through the day in hopes for a romantic dinner with her husband that night.
                          
She was almost finishing rounds with the few patients she'd been assigned to and was rushing through the hallway when a strange sound caused her to stop in her tracks. Not that the sound itself was strange, but the place it was coming from made her suspicious. She followed the light, cheerful whistling, to Dr. Shepherds office and looked in through the opened door.
                          
Dr. Bailey put one hand on her hip. "What the hell is going on?"
                          
Derek looked up from his paper work and smiled at the short stocky woman who stood scowling in his doorway. "Ah, Miranda! You're back."
                          
Dr. Bailey could only shake her head in disbelief. It was like a scene from the twilight zone. Smiling and happy just didn't go hand in hand with this man. He'd been dark and broken for five years now. Something was just not adding up. 
                          
"What are you doing?" She asked suspiciously. 
                          
"What?" Derek feigned innocence. "It's called whistling. It's what people do when their happy. You should try it sometime. It feels much better than scowling Miranda." Derek closed the charts on his desk and got up to head for the door. He passed the flabbergasted woman on his way out and gave her a quick wink.