Chapter Text
Jack Abbot had a theory, one that he had developed over the many years he'd been an attending: the best doctors and nurses are created when the attendings and charge nurses act like their parents. It was not only their job to lead them, but also to care for their general well-being. It was the only way to properly mentor them and turn them into the most effective versions of themselves. He believed in this theory so much that he didn’t consider it theory anymore, it was fact.
Michael Robinavitch thinks Jack’s theory is bullshit. But, hey, maybe that’s why Jack’s children were happier and Robby’s constantly looked like they wanted to quit.
The exception, of course, was Melissa King; who even when stressed out of her mind would meet his watchful gaze with a smile. Sadly, he could tell that Robby’s method was dulling even her sparkle. As much as he loved his friend, he was really starting to piss him off. Call him a little protective. Jack had done his best to mentor her from afar, picking up on her level-headed approach to medicine and skill with cases that were out of the ordinary; however, there was only so much he could do while she was not under his direct supervision. He was glad, therefore, that Mel and Langdon had given him an excuse to bring Mel to the dark side.
“I’m borrowing Mel onto the night shift for a few months,” Jack said, walking into the office he shared with Robby. Of course Robby hadn’t left yet. Even after his sabbatical, he still lived and breathed the Pitt. Jack knew he wasn’t the best at separating his own life from the ED, but at least he wasn’t as bad as Robby. He knew when it was time to go home.
Robby glanced up at him, tiredly looking through his glasses. “No, you’re not. I need her.”
“Do you need her? Or do you need her to watch Langdon for you?” Maybe he was being harsh, but he knew Robby could take some brutal honesty now and then.
“No. I need her to do her job.” He took his glasses off and threw them on his desk, rubbing at his eyes. “Mel is an excellent doctor. One of the only people on my staff who I don’t constantly have to check up on. Admittedly, she is the only one I trust to keep him in check when I'm not around, but that’s not why I need her.”
Bullshit. Robby treated her like a glorified babysitter most of the time. While Robby was good at mentoring people like Whitaker or Santos, people who demanded attention, he’d let Mel fade into the background. Her compassion for patients was seen as a weakness, rather than the strength it was. It reminded him of another doctor who hadn't worked well under Robby's method. Mel needed an actual mentor, someone who would consistently listen to her and guide her. Not just when they found her tearing up in a corridor.
“Well, fortunately for you, Mel is going to have plenty of time to keep an eye on Langdon when she’s not on my shift. They’re filing paperwork as we speak.”
“Excuse me?” Robby sounded horrified, like the idea of Mel and Langdon dating was the end of the world. Jack, on the other hand, thought it was quite cute. They had all been watching the little dance the two had been doing around each other, clearly head over heels but not realising it. At least he and Samira had been more direct with one another.
“They’re dating. So, Mel will be on my staff until further notice. Just be glad I’m not making it permanent. Now, go home, you’ve been here long enough today.”
As he walked back to the floor, he was sure he heard a bunch of things fall on the floor. It sounded an awful lot like someone knocking a pile of paperwork over in their frustration. Anger was a good sign. It was only when Robby got quiet that you had to worry. He’d get someone to keep an eye on the door to the roof though, just in case.