Bob Thinks About Reid and Chris
Title: Bob Thinks About Reid and Chris
Author: nancygrew
Rating: G
Disclaimer: characters belong to ATWT
Notes; Originally written as comment fic for Noah_Who for the episode aired August 9, 2010 but it fits in my 'Verse, so I'm going to include it here. You do not have to read any of my other fic in order to understand this one.
Summary: Bob watches Reid interact with the Union Representatives
Bob watched Reid’s interaction with the union representatives. Reid was, surprisingly, winning them all over. He was being open and honest with them without attempting to schmooze and charm them. And it was working well for him. Bob thought about how well Reid was going to do as the next Chief of Staff. He was going to modernize the hospital without losing the humanity of it. Reid might not always play well with others but his skill and knowledge and dedication more than made up for it. Noting the pride that the union members justifiably held doing a good job was a smart move for Reid to take for this meeting.
Bob thought that Reid might have more problems with the Board and with the more political aspects of the position but Luke Snyder would be able to help Reid navigate those rocky shoals. And whomever Reid couldn’t win over with his brilliance, and Luke couldn’t win over with his charm, Lucinda Walsh would steam roll over. Bob briefly wondered if Reid realized that he had amassed strong allies.
Bob felt more confident about retiring than he ever had before. He wasn’t as surprised as he should have been that Chris had seemingly decided to bypass this meeting. Chris had a tendency to assume that he was entitled to things without doing the work. Bob wasn’t going to feel guilty about hoping that Reid was going to be the one to be named as the next Chief of Staff. He probably wouldn’t mention that to Kim. Oakdale Memorial, its patients, and it’s staff deserved Reid Oliver as the next Chief of Staff. Unlike Chris, Reid’s arrogance was well-earned. Somehow, Chris had achieved arrogance without actually earning it. Skipping this meeting was so typical for Chris’ cavalier treatment of his responsibilities.
Bob knew that he had always been tough on Chris but someone had to be. Kim had always been too easy on him. Forgiving and forgetting things that really shouldn’t have been forgiven or forgotten. Bob hadn’t given up on Chris becoming the man that he could be. Should be. But he wasn’t there yet. And maybe he never would gain the experience and skills that are required as a Chief of Staff. And that was okay. Some men weren’t meant to be leaders.
Reid Oliver was meant to be a leader. He definitely needed some polishing, though. A lot of polishing. But he had already demonstrated that he truly felt that the patient’s well-being was paramount. The way Reid fought for the various aspects of the neurowing. The way he had made it a part of his contract that patients would be seen regardless of their ability to pay.
Bob loved Chris. His love for Chris was unconditional and eternal. But he didn’t always respect, or even like, his youngest child. He hoped that Kim was going to understand when Reid was inevitably awarded the position. Chris’ charm wasn’t going to be enough for him to win the position over a candidate that was so far out of his league.
Author: nancygrew
Rating: G
Disclaimer: characters belong to ATWT
Notes; Originally written as comment fic for Noah_Who for the episode aired August 9, 2010 but it fits in my 'Verse, so I'm going to include it here. You do not have to read any of my other fic in order to understand this one.
Summary: Bob watches Reid interact with the Union Representatives
Bob watched Reid’s interaction with the union representatives. Reid was, surprisingly, winning them all over. He was being open and honest with them without attempting to schmooze and charm them. And it was working well for him. Bob thought about how well Reid was going to do as the next Chief of Staff. He was going to modernize the hospital without losing the humanity of it. Reid might not always play well with others but his skill and knowledge and dedication more than made up for it. Noting the pride that the union members justifiably held doing a good job was a smart move for Reid to take for this meeting.
Bob thought that Reid might have more problems with the Board and with the more political aspects of the position but Luke Snyder would be able to help Reid navigate those rocky shoals. And whomever Reid couldn’t win over with his brilliance, and Luke couldn’t win over with his charm, Lucinda Walsh would steam roll over. Bob briefly wondered if Reid realized that he had amassed strong allies.
Bob felt more confident about retiring than he ever had before. He wasn’t as surprised as he should have been that Chris had seemingly decided to bypass this meeting. Chris had a tendency to assume that he was entitled to things without doing the work. Bob wasn’t going to feel guilty about hoping that Reid was going to be the one to be named as the next Chief of Staff. He probably wouldn’t mention that to Kim. Oakdale Memorial, its patients, and it’s staff deserved Reid Oliver as the next Chief of Staff. Unlike Chris, Reid’s arrogance was well-earned. Somehow, Chris had achieved arrogance without actually earning it. Skipping this meeting was so typical for Chris’ cavalier treatment of his responsibilities.
Bob knew that he had always been tough on Chris but someone had to be. Kim had always been too easy on him. Forgiving and forgetting things that really shouldn’t have been forgiven or forgotten. Bob hadn’t given up on Chris becoming the man that he could be. Should be. But he wasn’t there yet. And maybe he never would gain the experience and skills that are required as a Chief of Staff. And that was okay. Some men weren’t meant to be leaders.
Reid Oliver was meant to be a leader. He definitely needed some polishing, though. A lot of polishing. But he had already demonstrated that he truly felt that the patient’s well-being was paramount. The way Reid fought for the various aspects of the neurowing. The way he had made it a part of his contract that patients would be seen regardless of their ability to pay.
Bob loved Chris. His love for Chris was unconditional and eternal. But he didn’t always respect, or even like, his youngest child. He hoped that Kim was going to understand when Reid was inevitably awarded the position. Chris’ charm wasn’t going to be enough for him to win the position over a candidate that was so far out of his league.