The Bypass

Two days later, Elle sat at her desk. The sensation of her ears threatening to bleed was nothing unusual, with all the calls she's been taking.

'Dr. Gray this, Dr. Gray that.'

Homicide here, serial cases there.

Suicide. Lecture. Seminar. Consulting.

The woman was popular, too popular for her Personal Assistant's liking. Worse was she was the only person, scratch that. One of the limited number of people who can reach Sam Gray through her mobile phone. Every message, every email goes through her before they even grace the eyes of 'The Dead Whisperer.'

Last time Elle checked, there were less than 20 people in Sam Gray's phone book. And she reckons, less than half of that amount has her number.

Social or Professional conversations usually involve,

'Dr. Gray, may I get your contact details?' Or the like. And Sam replies with, XXX-XXX-XXXX...which is Elle's number.

This had been going on for more than five years, and if it was even possible, it got way worse when Sam took the Directorial Position in Guy's. They were in the heart of London, and everybody wanted a piece of her.

Seminars had to be scheduled three months ahead—meetings, a month before. Consulting depends on the case in hand; it usually involves a copy of the case file being sent to Sam's office. Elle had to sort them by the degree of;

Suspected Homicide

National Importance- usually requested by the 'higher-ups'. Sub-categorized by Cause.

And Sam's favourite, Serial Cases.

All Cases that pass through Elle Hart by the level of difficulty: 7 out of 10 will be placed on The Red Table—AKA Sam's (Lab) desk.

These lucky or not-so-lucky cases will then still be subject to Sam's approval since Elle's level of difficulty is lower than Sam's perception of difficulty. 86% of those Files will be denied as a Consultancy Case.

For 95% of Sam Gray's works revolve around reviewing the Cases handled by Guy's Forensic Pathology Team.

50% daily centres in Unsolved Cases A.K.A Cold Cases.

Thus, the sight of her office flooding with boxes, categorized in groups on a Monday like that day, was nothing new.

Elle scowled, Landline pressed between her cheek and shoulder while she typed on her keyboard.

"No, she's unavailable, she's handling another case" Elle lied through her teeth, while Sam stood in front of her cubicle eating chicken-sandwich, brow raised at her.

If she were religious, Sam thought, she would say Elle would go straight to hell for lying too much.

Chewing her food, Sam watched Ell slam the Landline harshly. "What was it about?" She asked. Elle glared up at her, knowing the redhead was interested in the case. "Nothing the big boys can't handle, you already have too much on your plate!" Elle claims.

Sam scanned Elle's face; her hair was perfectly made as usual. Clothes pressed, for a moment Elle reminded Sam of Levi. They were both always so 'proper' looking, and even if the brunette was overworked, she still looked so put together. However, the faint bags under the brunette's eyes did not go unnoticed to the redhead; her skin also looked a bit dehydrated in her opinion.

"Have you eaten?" she asked.

Elle shook her head in response, and Sam pouted feeling bad at her Assistant/trusted Friend. She had lost 4pounds since they worked in Guy's, she noticed. The workload must be getting to her, even if she considers the brunette the best Assistant anyone could hope to have.

"We need another Assistant, your Assistant who can take half your workload. You're starting to look like my future date in the morgue." Sam joked, earning a playful glare from Elle.

Looking Elle straight in the eye, "I'm serious," she says, she turns halfway and spins back to face the brunette, a grin spread on her lips. "And you need to get laid," she adds, walking away.

Elle stands from her chair, looks over her cubicle to see Sam's retreating back, "Hypocrite!" she yells after her as she was about to take a left turn to the hallway.

Sam heard the brunette, she continued to walk, not bothering to turn. She waved her hand as she took a turn, "COITUS!" she shouts while in the hallway, earning scandal-ed looks from a few older people present, and amusement from others.

That late afternoon, a masculine voice greeted Elle who sat at her desk "Ms. Hart.". She looked up from her computer and there stood, Levi Jackson looking down at her with his signature smile, she could tell it was forced, for his smile did not reach his eyes. Elle rolled her eyes, not saying a word at him, she simply reached for the Landline on her desk and dialled the number of Sam's Lab, knowing she was there. Usually, she would answer with, "Do you have an appointment?", but recalling her boss' short and vague instruction the day before she was inclined to do so.

"Levi Jackson."

Elle looked at her boss confused while they ate in her office at dinner,

"What about him?" she asked.

"Put him on the Bypass," Sam responded nonchalantly. Elle shot her a curious look but nodded in response when Sam didn't explain her reasons. Since they started working at Guy's Hospital, it was the first time that she had asked Elle, to add someone on the Bypass List, or also known as her White List. A list of people who can bypass their work protocol.

Her grandmother, Monica.

Her dog-sitter, Rona.

Her childhood Psychologist, Dr. Martin.

Her Lawyer, Steve.

Bill the Cabbie.

The Family Doctor, Dr. Banner.

College Chemistry Professor, Dr. Olsen

Chief Inspector Hiddleston

And now, Levi Jackson.

"Mr. Jackson is here," Elle spoke after hearing a Hello from the other line.

In the Lab, Sam held the Landline in one hand, eyes fixed on a bullet as she performed her ballistic exam. "Okay." was her simple reply, then ending the call.

She knew he would come sooner or later. Their conversation at the party ran smoothly, and she felt like he understood her as much as she understood him. And her being fully understood by someone was huge for her, rare. She always had to elaborate. Talk more. Explain more. Use simpler words. In short, she was so used to stooping down to people's intelligence; it felt terrific speaking to someone who spoke the same language. Someone she could look eye to eye with, figuratively. And she knew, he must have felt the same.

Elle placed the phone back to the base and said, "She's in the Lab, you do know where it is?"

Levi nodded, said 'thank you', turned and left. Elle watched in derision as his annoyingly toned body wrapped in a sleek blue suit marched towards the direction of the Lab.

Elle sighed, she knew him by reputation; charmer, self-serving, rude, yet, undeniably brilliant. Those two, together Trouble. So much trouble, Elle thought. She shook her head, imagining the things they could get entangled in. She should give Atty. Steve a call, just to smooth things up in advance when they do get themselves in trouble with the law.

A knock caught Sam's attention away from the bullet she was studying, she grabbed the control beside her and clicked a button, not bothering to turn to see who it was. She knew who it was. The automatic door opened and Levi stepped in scanning the Lab.

"What's the craic?" Levi greeted casually entering the Lab; he shrugged off his black coat.

Sam rotates the bullet in her gloved hand as she looks at it thru a magnifying glass. "Good, you??" she muttered, "Dubh dóite." Levi explained, earning a look from Sam. "Bored." he translated, and Sam chuckled.

"How dreadful." She commented, getting off her chair and writing her results on a piece of paper. She attached it on a small resealable bag and placed it inside a box dated four years ago.

She looked at him for the first time and tilted her head, "I've got a week's old cadaver downstairs, first on the Potter Field list. Want to join me in examining the brain before they burn him to ashes?" She offered.

"Aye!" Levi said, almost instantly. "Great." She smiled, carrying the small box and walking out the Lab, he followed, trying to mask his excitement.