Cleo.
Ten Years Ago.

"I can't keep going with this on and on again!" I exclaimed to my father as we walked from the jailhouse.

He sighs with his hands in his pockets, "Cleopatra, I'm sorry." I turn to him in tears, "I'm not a little kid anymore! Stop calling me that! You constantly do this to me, you constantly embarrass me! Stop acting like you're sorry yet you keep doing it over and over again!"

I folded my arms in anger before looking away at the night sky.

I was only sixteen years ago, and somehow, I learned how to manage to take care of myself. I had to learn how to cope and ignore my insecurities to survive, and yet, I'm the adult while my drunken alcoholic of a father was the child.

It made sense why my mother left years ago but left me with this timeless burden.

His hand touches my shoulder as I turn around, trying my best to not be emotional.

"I cannot keep doing this with my life," I expressed.

I meant it. I couldn't keep dealing with the constant mood changes, the idea of living in fear because I didn't know which emotion will be triggered due to the heavy alcohol in his system, the idea of finding him drunk outside on a random bench and having the police call for me to pick him up, or the idea of him humiliating me at school drunk per usual.

He looks at me tiredly before asking as we walk home, "Aye, girl, you got a boyfriend yet?"

I scoff, "I'm too self-involved with dealing with you to have one." He chuckles lightly as our footsteps tussled against the concrete.

"Cleo, I want you to get away from here someday. Make something for yourself. Get yourself a nice job, a nice man, have a family. I'm never going to get better," he insisted. I sigh once we reached the porch of our house.

"Maybe, I hope so. C'mon, let me make you some tea."

Michael.
Jacksons' Residence.
28 February 1994.
13:21

"Lisa, baby, stop it. I have to finish these papers," I insisted as she nibbles on my ear as we sat in bed together. I was finishing budget plans for the next surgical year, and from the looks of it, it was looking like I had to cut an attending and a resident to maintain a budget.

Lisa's arms wrapped around my neck before resting her chin against my shoulder from behind, "You seem so upset lately. What is it?" I exhale disappointing, "I have to cut an attending and resident due to the new budget changes, and honestly, can I tell you something?"

Her body released from mine as we both sit criss-cross in the bed. Her eyes looked into mine in concern as I mutter, "I was thinking for a while, and I know we've been butting heads about this decision, but..." Her head tilts curiously as my voice frowns out. "What?" she asks.

"I was thinking about leaving the hospital and starting a private practice. I mean I'm not getting any younger and I mean we talked about having a family and everything, at least I would be making more money and could have set hours to spend more time with you."

Her face was in utter disbelief as I frown at her reaction, "Do you not want me to go?" Eventually, her expression lightens before smiling widely, "No, I just never thought in a MILLION years you would leave. Of course, I do want you to go, but gosh, I know how much you love working there."

"It's....it's not the same, Lisa. So many things changed, hell, I changed and if I leave then, I won't have to get rid of anyone."

She scoots closely to me before pecking my cheek, "Are you sure you want to do this? I want you to do this because you want to, not because of anything else." I turn my head to her before mumbling as I slide out of bed to get dressed for work, "I'm doing it for us."

Rose.
Surgical Resident Dorm.
19:23

"You would not believe Jason, he legit sat the piece of corn on the fork and fling it and it hit Dr. Vance on the back of his head. I had tears coming from my eyes, it was so funny," I explained to Cleo as the two of us sat in our beds after a long day of surgical consults in the ER.

She smiles softly before laughing softly, "I'm so mad I missed that." I nod as she was rereading a book on pathological diseases. Unfortunately, she was still on call, and I wasn't.

"You know it's been two weeks since we started, huh?" I added.

Her eyes looked up at me, "Yeah, somehow we are barely surviving on the tip of the thread. Seems like having a social life is so foreign to us." I frown once she stated our nonexistent social lives, "I know, just for once I would love to go on a date without my pager buzzing!"

We both laugh in unison as she closes the book.

"Remember when we use to have so much time during medical school to go to the beach on the weekends?" she reminded. I nod my head, "We would have so much fun, but now, all we swim in is bloody guts and bleeding hearts."

She giggles before exhaling slowly, "Did you hear that rumor about how Dr. Jackson maybe cutting a resident and an attending?" I nod, "Yeah, luckily he can't cut interns."

Her smile disappears before answering dryly, "Yeah..."

The door of the dorm flung open as Matthew, one of the other interns and our close friend comes in. Cleo raises an eyebrow before huffing.

"Ever heard of knocking?!" she exclaims.

He laughs, "Are you in your underwear? Then, you're fine." She rolls her eyes as I interject, "We don't have any food for you." He was such a food hogger or a food vacuum. It seemed like he did more eating than more surgery at times.

He shakes his head, "I'm not here for the food. I heard from a nurse in pediatrics that Dr. Jackson is leaving Jasmine County." My eyes widen, "No way, why would he leave? He's been here since the beginning of time. I think since medical school. I don't believe that. What you think Cleo?"

She looks over at me before shrugging. "I don't know...uh, I need to go. I promise to buy some snickerdoodles for you, Matthew," she answers hesitantly.

I watch as she walks out the room as Matthew chuckles, "Hey Rose, how about we get some dinner, I'm STARVED."

I roll my eyes before laughing, "You're always starved!"

Cleo.
Surgical Ward.
18:10

My tennis shoes make slight noises against the newly waxed floors as my eyes looked around for Dr. Jack- Michael.

Why do I care what he's doing with his life? He hasn't talked to me in weeks...since the kiss. Why am I acting as I care now?

Finally, I saw him. He was walking out of one of the offices and shaking hands with one of the other chief executives of the hospital. I hid behind one of the walls to avoid being seen as I listened in on the conversation.

"I know you are going to do great things, Michael. You surely have done a lot of this hospital. I do hope you reconsider your absence. There will always be a job for you here."

"Thank you, sir. I just think all good things must come to an end. My wife and I want to focus on having a family, and I can't keep living this life. For years, I've put medicine over her, and now, I want to put her over this."

My heart was thumping against my chest as the conversation ended with footsteps coming towards the wall I was standing at. My eyes shut tightly as the noise got louder, signifying the person was getting closer.

As if closing my eyes would make me disappear. How naive.

Eventually, the footsteps stopped. I opened my eyes to be looking at Michael staring at me.

His eyes looked into mine silently as I whisper, "Is it true?"

His head slowly nodded as I look away for a moment. Somehow, I didn't know what to say other than, "When is your last day?"

"Well, this is my last shift before I'm a free man. Look, I know we haven't talked since...you know. I put us in an awkward position. I don't blame you for wanting a new mentor," he admitted.

I turn back to him before shaking my head as I could sense his disappointment with my betrayal. It was true. I did get a new mentor after that night: Dr. Longworthy. Unfortunately, he was not as great as a teacher Michael was. He was dull. bland, and had an uncanny obsession with talking about his dog, Snippy.

"I didn't do it to hurt you, but to protect myself, Michael. I mean everyone here worships the steps you walk, while I'm just an intern, I mean...You just don't understand," I confessed.

He looks at me before chuckling, "I do understand. I never meant that you had to explain why you did what you did. I just was trying to say...you don't know how unexciting it's been with these other interns. They barely can tell a superior vena cava from their damn ass. I don't think there's any other intern that's as smart as you."

I blink back tears, but it was no use. They were rolling down my cheeks as Michael continued to look at me with the utmost attention and sympathy. Just his compliments caused me to smile effortlessly. I couldn't believe even now he would think this highly of me. I was a damn intern for God's sake! He should be completing his senior residents like that, not ME. His hands reached over to my face to cup it as his thumbs wiped my tears.

"I wished you remembered me..." I started.

His eyes continued to look into mine as he mutters softly, "Did we once meet before?" Our lips were inches from each other as I knew I didn't want history repeating once more. I turn my head from his and reached over to move his hands from my face.

I just couldn't do this. I wasn't ready to do this. Either way, my heart was beating like a drum in his presence, regardless of how frustrated I felt with his lack of remembrance when it came to me.

"Ten years ago, a little girl gave you a little sock muppet and believed that..."

He finishes my statement as his face fills with astonishment, "Love will always be on your side, just smile and keep moving on."

My lips smiled at his words before nodding, "Yeah, so it is true. A doctor does remember their patients. Who knew all I needed to do was dig through your memories." His arms immediately wrapped around mine before expressing joyfully, "I knew you were familiar. You're okay..."

I exhale softly as his fingers brushed against my scalp. His embrace gave me a sense of warmth.

"You said I would be. You saved my life, Michael," I laughed out.

We released from the platonic hug as he laughs, "I can't believe it's you. I guess learning that you are you was a nice going-away present." My smile disappears as I found myself hugging him again.

"Promise me you will take care of yourself and continue to make yourself happy, Michael," I whisper as his arms embraced me once more.

My eyes were constantly allowing tears to be released as he answers, "Well, I do know one thing that would make me happy right now." We break away from the hug as I ask, "What?"

"Will you do me the honors of helping me perform these surgeries on my final shift with me?" he proposes goofily.

I nod my head before answering excitedly, "It would be my honor, but first, the reasoning you said you were leaving...is it true?" He grins, "Eavesdropping?" I shrug my shoulders, "I was afraid you were leaving because of me, because of what happened weeks ago. I just..."

"Cleo, what happened that night in the pathology lab wasn't your fault. It's was my fault. I crossed a boundary, not you, but yes, I'm leaving Jasmine County for my family."

"Cross what boundary?!" a familiar mellow voice emerged.

The two of us turned around to see Lisa looking at the two of us talking. I gulped slowly as she walks towards us, but her eyes were on Michael intensely.

"Michael, what boundary did 'you' cross?" she asked harshly.

This was bad. Very bad.

My eyes looked up at Michael, who has somewhat had a grim expression while looking at his wife. It seemed as though words couldn't come out to say that her fears were once a reality that he kissed an intern.

I didn't see the need for him to lose his family for something so stupid. He cares about her a lot to the point where he would give us working here for her. I couldn't imagine a divorce being handled because of me.

I interjected before Michael could answer, "Lisa, I kissed him. I'm sorry. It just happened..." Michael shakes his head added, "That's not what happened. I kissed her, Lisa." I shake my head, refusing for him to get himself in trouble, "No, I DID. I got upset by your stupid threat and just wanted to get back at you."

Lisa was fuming either way as Michael turns to me, frowning at my words, "Threat? Lisa, did you threatened her?"

I nod my head, confirming it. Lisa, who was turning redder than a tomato, just stared at me with her infamous deadly stare. At this point, a crowd of other people gathered around to see what was going on. Michael was frowning at Lisa before walking to her to grab her arm, "Babe, don't make a scene. Let's be adults, we can go talk somewhere more private."

Her hands swatted away from him as she yells, "How could you keep this from me! You knew she kissed you and didn't do anything!" He tugs her arm and demands, "I'm not going to let you do this. Let's go."

She pushes away from his grasp and yells out, "I knew it, you fucking sick bitch. I knew you were going to try some shit with my husband. See, you just don't know how to stay in your place like everyone else here? Since you can't keep your lips from my husband, try explaining to him how you lied on your application to get into his program? How you were a fucking slut your whole life?"

My eyes widen as I deny the accusations, "That's not true!" The crowd of physicians and nurses started to whisper among themselves. Michael growls, "Lisa!"

Lisa continues to taunt, "Oh really? Tell Michael how your father was an abrasive alcoholic, not a businessman like you said on your application. Oh wait, wasn't he the maniac that shot you? How about you tell Michael and everyone here how you paid for medical school."

Michael's eyes moved from his wife and towards me in shock. I looked down at my fists in frustration and embarrassment.

How does she know this? Was she snooping in my medical records?

This was worse than being embarrassed by the popular girls in high school. Lisa was crucifying me in front of everyone, but at least, at the expense of Michael not losing his marriage.

My breaths became condensed as I finally answered while continuing to look down nervously, "An...exotic dancer." Once I answered, people, were gasping, giggling, and making snap judgments about me. At this point, I was just waiting for my body to reject all normalcy and have a heart attack, but it didn't seem like happening.

"Last I check, this was a hospital, not a damn strip club, hun. What makes you think you were going to ever be apart of this world?"

Eventually, Michael answered, trying hard to defend me, "Lisa stop this. This is not funny." She snaps, "Who said I was laughing? I'm just making everyone, including you, aware of the sluts you bring into this hospital." My bloodshot eyes looked up at him while shaking my head,

"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for wasting your time, Michael. I just wanted to be good at something. I just wanted to be the best version of myself," I answered while looking at him.

He scoffs while looking at me like I was a piece of trash,

"Don't talk to me, you dirty rat. You don't belong here. I can't believe I invested my time and energy into someone so WORTHLESS."

My eyes widen at his words as he points to the door. His other arm wrapped around his wife as she snuggles up to him.

"Get out and stay OUT," he commands.

Suddenly, the pager started to buzz as I looked down at it.

*BUZZ BUZZ* M O R N I N G R O U N D S *BUZZ*

*BUZZ BUZZ* M O R N I N G R O U N D S *BUZZ*

*BUZZ BUZZ* M O R N I N G R O U N D S *BUZZ*

*BUZZ BUZZ* M O R N I N G R O U N D S *BUZZ*

"Cleo! Hey Cleo, wake up!"

My eyelids slowly opened to see Rose looking at me as she continued to shake my body. I groan tiredly as she sighs, "You were having a nightmare. Are you okay?"

I lift myself up as I whisper, "What happened?"

She smiles, "Nothing much, hey, I made some coffee for us." I smile back at her as she walks over to the kettle on the stove of our shoebox dorm room, "Did I go out to dinner with Dr. Jackson last night?"

She frowns before shaking her head, "No, no. You told me you weren't feeling good remember? You came in here after Lisa yelled at you outside. Dr. Jackson has been looking at you. He thought you were avoiding him, but I told him you weren't feeling good."

I laid back down and sigh happily. The whole pathology lab thing never happened. Michael and I never kissed or hugged. He never confessed about liking me. Michael doesn't know that he saved my life. Lisa never threatened me or exposed my past. It was just a bad dream.

That means Lisa can't do anything to me. Yet. My life was still intact.

"Cleo, c'mon! We got rounds to make! You know how Dr. Jackson is when it comes to being on time!" Rose exclaimed.

I laughed before getting out of bed, "Okay, okay I'm coming!"

꧁ Don't forget to comment and like! ꧂

A/N: I want to say that I cannot believe how much support this story has been getting. It's PHENOMENAL. We are at almost 300 reads from 150 yesterday. That's AMAZING. Thank you to daddiescum for promoting this book.Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm going to keep putting more chapters out since I'm almost on break, but many friends have said this story reminds me of "Grey's Anatomy" and I've never seen an episode of that show but I take that as a HUGE compliment since I know a lot of people like that show. Anyways, don't forget to comment and like, and I might have another chapter out by the end of the week.