Sister, Sister¹

E.R.

Ivy braids back her hair as her phone rings. She answers it, putting it on speaker without checking the caller ID, "Hello, this is Dr. Ivy Shepherd."

"I should know who my own daughter is," her mother says.

Ivy scrambles to get the phone, "Sorry, mom. I was getting ready for work. How are you? Is everything all right?"

Caroline Shepherd laughs, "Everything is fine. I'm just calling to check in on my youngest child. See how they're doing after the shooting that happened?"

Ivy winces, she never personally told her mom she was shot. Looks like she found out, "Okay, who told you? Derek? Mark? Amy?"

"The documentary that was shot at the hospital. I guess my question is, why didn't you tell me?" Her mother questions.

"I already had Derek playing mother hen and didn't want you to worry?" It comes out more of a question then an actual response.

"Well, you can make it up to me by telling me you have a boyfriend. I mean, three of your sisters are married and your brother is as well. Its about time you settle down, make a family," her mother copies every conversation they've had for years now.

Ivy sighs, "Look, mom, I have to go. I'm running the E.R. tonight and-"

Caroline interrupts, "You see? This is why you aren't married. Or in a committed relationship. You spend too much time at work."

Ivy takes a deep breath, "I'm a surgical resident. I can't just take time off to find a boyfriend. Why don't you call Derek about his new trial? He loves to talk about it. Bye, love you."

Ivy hangs up before her mother could get another word in. She loves her, but the constant worrying about why she isn't seeing anyone really gets on her nerves. Ivy shakes her head to clear the thoughts and gets ready to run the E.R. to look good for chief resident. Shes got this.

○○○○

Ivy runs around, updating the board and charts, talking with nurses so when she finally comes to a stop by a sitting Meredith and Cristina, she asks, with some bite behind it, "Are you two going to help me or are you just going to sit there and eat potato chips?"

"I performed four back to back fem-pop bypasses today. This is the first chair I've seen since 7 am, and this is the first food I've had since yesterday. I choose potato chips," Cristina brags.

"And I've been working on clinical trial stuff all day and taking care of Derek regular patients," Meredith says.

Ivy fake smiles at them as the phone rings, "You might want to get that," Cristina says, pointing to the phone.

She looks to Meredith for help, but she has her head lounging back on the chair. Ivy rolls her eyes but answers the phone with her patient voice, "Seattle Grace Mercy West emergency."

Meredith laughs at her, "You brought this on yourself, you know."

Cristina sits up, "You volunteered to help run the E.R.?"

"Got it. We've got a suspected appy on a 10 year old. Lets page Robbins. You know, I saw a need and I filled it. Line any good chief resident candidate. Plus, trauma is my baby. Like cardio is yours," Ivy holds multiple conversations as she fills out charts.

"Sadomasochistic cheif resident candidate maybe."

Meredith laughs, the smile not really having left her face. Ivy and Cristina share a look of moderate concern, "What is wrong with you? You're all perky and cheerful."