Doctor Pierre
Chapter Seven
Summary: Stone and Andrea enter another phase of their relationship, even as their enemies grow.
Stone exhaled heavily, stretching his arms towards his mother as he stepped forward to pull her into a warm embrace.
"I'm afraid Iāll have to rescind my offer of breakfast, Mom. Iāve got a patient to attend toāyou know how it is with doctors and our oaths." His smile reached his eyes, even as Monica glared up at him.
Grudgingly, she returned his hug. "Fine. But we have dinner with the Joneses on Friday evening, and I expect you to be there."
He nodded solemnly. "No problem, ma. Take care on your way home." He gave her a gentle squeeze before letting go.
She picked up her bag and headed toward the door, Regina following behind.
"Uh, Regina?" Stone reached out and caught her arm lightly, stopping her before she stepped outside. "I just wanted to apologize. I donāt know what my momās up to, but you donāt deserve to be caught in anyoneās game. I hope you enjoy your holiday."
Regina chuckled softly, stepping a little closer to him. "I think youāre misunderstanding, Stoney. Iām not a pawnāand this isnāt your motherās game. I like you. Iāve liked you for a very long time. Youāre the reason I went to medical school. And now Iām back⦠for good."
His throat tightened. āReginaā¦ā
She cut him off, her eyes glinting with the confidence of a woman who has never been turned down. "I always get what I want, Stoney. And now... all I want is you."
She smiled sweetly, tucking back her hair behind her ear. "Say hi to your ex-girlfriend for me."
Then she turned on her heel and was gone.
Stone stood stunned for a few seconds, his mouth agape, before shaking his head and quietly shutting the door. When he turned back, Andrea was watching him.
He crossed the room in quick strides and pulled her into his arms, even as she lifted her hands to push him away.
āAndy⦠baby. Look at me.ā His voice was low, almost pleading. He tried to meet her eyes, but she turned her face, trying to hide her pain. āI donāt know what all that craziness was about, but it has nothing to do with me. Youāre where I want to be. Right here. With you.ā
Andrea sniffed, cursing herself for the tears she couldnāt hold back. āYour mother seems to want her for you as well.ā
āMy mother doesnāt get to choose who I love.ā
Andrea stilled in his arms. āLove?ā
He hesitated, then let out a breath. āYes,ā he said quietly. āI love you, Andy. I think I have since that first day in the ER. I justāā He gave a short, helpless laugh. āI didnāt know how to say it without screwing it up.ā
Andrea wiped her nose on his shirt. āWell, what took you so long to try?ā
Stone smiled, a little sheepishly. āYou know me. I do better showing stuff than saying it. I got you some crackers and Sprite, chips, olivesāhalf the supermarketās in the kitchen. Letās get something in you, then weāll grab your stuff.ā
Andrea nodded. āYou need to change that shirt, though.ā
The face he made at her finally drew a laugh, the last of her worry melting away with it.
Stone dropped Andrea in front of the hospital, then pulled away to find a parking spot. Meetings swallowed the rest of his morning, and by lunch, he couldn't wait to see her.
He walked to her station to take her out to go eat and noticed a chubby nurse at her desk, avoiding eye contact.
āHello. Where is Andrea?ā Stone asked.
The nurse glanced up briefly, then back at her screen. āShe is not here anymore. She was moved to the nursesā station downstairs.ā
Stoneās jaw tightened. āWho authorized that move? Never mind.ā He strode toward Chesterās office and pushed the door open without knocking.
Chester looked up with a smug grin. āGood afternoon, Doctor Pierre. To what do I owe this rare honor?ā
Stone planted both hands on the desk, knuckles white. āWhere is she?ā
Chester feigned innocence. āWho?ā
āYou know who. Andrea. I was told she was moved.ā
āIsnāt that the nursing supervisorās job?ā Chester replied, pleasantly evasive.
āYou are the Director of Nursing, Chester. You made that call.ā
āIt seemed inappropriate to leave her at that station after the incident,ā Chester said, folding his hands. āWe needed to reduce risk.ā
Stone shoved forward until his face was inches from Chesterās. Anger hummed through him. āDid you not understand what happened in that conference room? I can bury you.ā
Chester did not flinch. āThe janitor in that unfortunate video has been sacked, Stoney.ā
Stoneās head snapped back. āYou fired her?ā
āMe?ā Chester spread his hands. āI do not have that authority. HR handled it after I reported the indiscretion. You underestimate me, Stone. Your father does, too. I may not be able to touch him, but you are a different matter. You are spoiled and entitled, a man used to things bending to his will.ā
He rose slowly, meeting Stone eye to eye despite the height difference. āI will crush you, Stone Pierre. Do you know how many enemies you made in that conference room? This is only the beginning.ā
Chester sat down again and turned back to his computer. āIf there is nothing else, I have important matters to attend to.ā
Stone moved toward the door, stunned. He and Chester have never liked each other, but he was only starting to understand how deep the man's hatred went.
Chester called after him, voice even. āDonāt worry. One of the doctors in that area was recommended by your father and started this morning.ā
Stone glanced over his shoulder in time to see the malicious smile grow. āDr. Regina Jones will take good care of your little girlfriend.ā
next
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