Chapter Text
Whitaker woke up on his day off to his phone ringing. It took a few rings for him to wake up enough to register it and look at the screen before he noticed who was calling him. Julia, she was his agent for his modeling contracts. He had been using it as a way to pay for medical school and any living expenses he could. Thankfully he was semi successful and after a popular photo shoot in Vogue magazine had a small following. He never showed his full face and the mistery seemed to be what kept drawing people in. Sadly with rotations he had had to take less contracts leaving him to loose his last apartment. Hoping for a short option to get some money to Trinity for rent and food he quickly answered the phone, “Hey Julia got something good for me?”
“Hey Den, I think I have something great for you. Local hospital is looking for two known models for a calendar shoot proceeds are going to create a fund for homeless patients to get emergency medical care.” She sounded almost giddy with excitement for the offer.
“That’s amazing and they want me for it?”
“Yes! You and Alica both have a good following and the stuff you did together before blew up! You’ll be on 6 of the months and the cover”
“That sounds like a lot and with my medical rotations I don’t get a lot of time off.”
“They are paying $5000 and will go up to $10000 if you will do one shot with your whole face in frame.”
“And just like that I guess I have time. That’s insane Julia. What hospital is it?”
“Pittsburgh trauma medical center I think. And they are going to have some of their doctors from the emergency department in the shots with you. The medical director thought it would be good for publicity if they were in it too.”
“You do know that’s the hospital I work at right now. None of my coworkers know I do this.”
“I know Den but the pay is amazing and it's for a great cause they also asked for you by name. Like someone there must either be a fan or did their research.”
“I’ll do it but the medical director will need to both get me the day off since I’ll be at the shoot and sign an NDA on my identity she can’t reveal that Den is Dr. Dennis Whitaker to the staff until after the shoot”
“Done. What contract do you want to do.”
“I’ll do the $10000 its for a good cause and my student loan payments are insane”
“On it Den. The shoot is in a week. I’ll send you the details and the signed contract.”
“Thanks Julia see you next week.”
With that he ended the call and got up for the day. He needed to get ready for the shoot as much as he could. He styled his hair to get some practice in and got in a better work out then he could have any other day before moving to get some chores done to kill time. A few hours later he got an email back from Julia with the signed contracts and note that he had been able to get the day of the shoot off as they will be bringing in coverage for the doctors volunteering as well. He quickly read over the signed contract and signed his section as well before sending it back to Julia. Smerking a bit to himself thinking about how his coworkers would react to seeing him there. Once everything was set he started to make dinner for him and Trin since it was close to shift change for her and she was always in a better mood when there was food.
Shift change at the pit was met with shocked looks when Gloria came down to join everyone and address the group. Once Robby had everyone gathered and gave her the floor she looked over them and announced, “The Hospital has decided on it’s annual fundraiser to help with the funds for our unhoused patients and street team. This year we will be making a calendar and all proceeds will go to the fund. We are asking for volunteers form staff to participate with a couple of known models.” She paused to look over the crowd of doctors and medical students, “The shoot will be next week and we will be bringing in help to cover shifts for anyone volunteering, Robinavich, Abbott, Shein you are all already on the list of volunteers please let me know who else on your teams would like to participate. Any questions?”
There was a short pause before Javarty spoke up “Who are the models we would be working with?”
“We will be working with Alica and Den. Both have a good following both in their own works and together.”
“Wait,” Javarty called out again, “Den the one who did the Vogue shoot and never shows his full face?”
“Yes you’ve heard of him I take it?”
“Oh My God! He’s amazing. I heard no one has been able to book a shoot with him in almost a year.”
“Well apparently he has a soft spot for charity work because not only will he be doing the calendar it will be the first to show his full face.”
“Where do I sign up?!”
Everyone laughed a bit at how excited she got over the photo shoot and a few more moved to sign up. A small list was started showing Langdon, Javarty, Santos, King, and McKay and a list was left for more to sign up from the night crew as well as anyone who had the day off.
Once handoff was completed all three attendings tried to argue with Gloria about why they all had to be at the photo shoot, “Look,” she finally said, “Being a part of the hospital fundraisers is a part of being an attending and there for a part of YOUR jobs. Everyone asked to do something that wasn’t ‘Some stuffy gala’ as you all so kindly put it so you are all doing it and you will all smile for the photographer, understand?” Everyone chuckled as they heard all the attending grumble that they would be there and Robby said something about, ‘how it’s just rude to put him in a calendar with Abbot.’
Day shift started to make their way home and Santos practically skipped into her apartment and practically sang “Huckleberry you’ll never guess what happened today!” She giddily started grabbing food and joining Whitaker at the table to eat.
“Alright, I'm intrigued. What was so exciting?” He asked with a chuckle
“Gloria came down during handover the charity event this year. We are doing a calendar photo shoot with some Vogue models but that’s not the best part.”
“That’s not the best part come on Trin spill it.”
“Nope the best part is all attendings were ordered to be a part of it, I've already volunteered you should too Huck. Robby is going to have to be a part of it so it should be entertaining considering the insane crush you have on the man.”
“You are never going to let me live that down are you.”
“Not a chance, Huckleberry. So will you do it?”
“Sorry Trin, I won't do the shoot as a volunteer.”
“Come on, you don't want to see your farm boy charm forever immortalized in a calendar? Even better, you don’t want to watch Robby try and model?”
“I don't need to be immortalized in a calendar Trin. I’m sure I’ll hear about it but I’m not going to volunteer for the shoot.”
“Your loss Huck.”
The next week continued with everyone in the Pitt acting odd about the shoot Whitaker listened to Robby and Abbot complain about it and Javarty wouldn’t stop talking about hopefully meeting Den which always caused him to chuckle a bit about this reveal of his other life. Other times Whitaker thinks he might have felt embarrassed about them finding out about his other job but watching everyone be excited about meeting someone they already knew and be giddy about being in the shoot made him far more relaxed about it.
“So Dr. J” He asked the day before the shoot “What makes meeting this Den so exciting”
“I’ve followed all his work. Vogue was my favorite piece and the fact that no one sees his face it’s mysterious.”
“Wait, you've followed all his work and have no idea who he is?”
“No one does, he only goes by Den and again never shows his whole face he seems to be rather private. I just love the work he's done. It's always a tasteful shoot and looks amazing and the magazines were some of the few things I had in common with classmates since I was so much younger so I became a fan.”
“Well I’m glad you’re excited. Have fun at the shoot tomorrow.”
“Thanks Whitaker sorry it's too late for you to sign up.”
“No worries you’ll have to tell me how it goes.” He ended the conversation by walking away to follow up with a patient chuckling quietly to himself. Javarty seemed to be the only one who was a die hard Den fan which was good but everyone had looked up the photos at some point. His hair was longer in most of them and styled better for sure but he couldn’t believe that just by hiding his face a bit the people he was closest to still didn’t realize it was him. He even caught Dr. Robby and Dana looking at some of the work for Vogue and with Alica to get an idea of who they would be working with and what kind of photos they would be asked to take.
He worked through the rest of the shift trying not to think too hard about the shoot the next day that he would have to be early for. He had just gotten another email from Julia asking him to wear the usual jeans and a black top to start and bring a set of scrubs and his stethoscope in case they needed it. He also learned from Trin that all the volunteers had been asked to wear one of their regular outfits as well as bring scrubs and stethoscopes as well. He knew from experience they would all also get a survey to list any types of photos they didn’t want to do as well as the consent and right to use the photos contract.
The end of the shift came almost normally with hand over and night shift coming in until Abbot pulled him aside, “Hey Whitaker got a second?” He asked, walking over to the small and thankfully empty break room. “So are you doing the shoot tomorrow I know pretty much everyone else is?”
“No, I'm not volunteering for it. Is that really what you wanted to ask me about sir?” He answered slightly confused by the question.
“I know you aren’t volunteering. It’s just Robby sent me a photo of some of the work done by the models that were hired and I am neither blind nor stupid. So Den let me ask again, are you doing the shoot tomorrow?”
“I should have known you would be the one to put it together,” Whitaker started with a laugh,
“Yes I am doing the shoot tomorrow. The modeling was something I started to pay for medical school. I had to take a break when rotation started because of the time commitment. Does anyone else know?”
“I haven’t told anyone if that’s what you’re asking, where's the fun in that. I might even try to get a video or picture of Robby’s face when he finds out.”
“Thanks I knew it was with the crew here when I accepted it. And don’t worry about the photo I have a few friends on the photography team I’ll make sure you get a copy.”
“Thank you! If you get a good one of Robby’s reaction you might want to give a copy to Dana too. One question though Gloria didn’t even say anything, how did you keep it from her?”
“I didn’t. I added an NDA to the contract so she couldn’t reveal anything.”
“Oh even better kid. Now I see why Robby likes you so much. Any tips from the pro for tomorrow? I’m sure you already know what we were asked to bring.”
“It’ll be pretty laid back since this isn’t a whole pro shoot. Whatever you wear that isn’t scrubs make sure it’s comfortable to move in.”
“Thanks kid guess I’ll see you tomorrow unless you can magically talk Garcia out of making Robby Shen and I do this.”
“I would never, this is going to be too much fun.”
“Ha! Get out of here Den I’ll tell Robby I sadly couldn’t talk you into the shoot last minute.”
“Really that’s what he thinks you are doing?”
“He asked me to. Apparently it’s a real shame the resident who would look the best in the calendar won’t sign up. His words not mine.”
“Well then it’s a good thing I’m booked for at least 6 months and the cover. See you tomorrow Dr. Abbot and keep an eye on Javarty or Santos reactions too you are the only one who figured it out.” Both Abbot and Whitaker laughed as they left about the cluelessness of their coworkers. As Whitaker passed the nurses station he could hear Abbot talking to Robby, “Sorry Brother he just wont sign up to volunteer and it’s probably too late anyway since we got all the contracts today.”
“You’re probably right, damn. What do I owe you for trying?” Robby said, sounding disappointed.
“Oh don’t worry about it, I'm sure I’ll think of something tomorrow."
“Fuck. I can’t believe they are making us do this.”
“It’s a tasteful calendar Brother don’t worry. Besides you should know that with how many photos you looked up. Maybe you and Javarty should start a fan club.” Abbot said with a smirk on his face
“That look on your face makes me worried.”
Whitaker just chuckled looking back at Abbot and Robby to see Abbot shoot him a wink before finally heading home for the night.
Once Whitaker got home with Trin he took a quick shower and started his small hair routine to make sure his curls were in ok shape for the shoot. If this was the first time his whole face would be photographed he wanted to look good for it. “You ready for the shoot tomorrow Trin?” He asked after coming out of the bathroom.
“Yeah I think so I just have to figure out what I’m going to wear. Sad you won't be there to see it.”
“I’ll just have to buy a calendar then.”
“So what are you doing tomorrow then anyway?”
“I’m working, don't worry it will be nice and boring.”
“Sure boring with a bunch of new Docs running the ED you’ll have to let me know how that goes. Hey, what did Abbot want at the end of the shift?”
“Apparently Robby asked him to try and convince me to do the photo shoot with all of you.”
“No! Are you serious Huckleberry and you still didn’t sign up?”
“It’s too late to sign up to volunteer at this point since the surveys and contracts are out, and I told you I’m not going to volunteer for it; this won't change my mind.”
“You’re telling me the man you’ve been crushing on that clearly has been flirting with you wants to see you in these photos and you still won't sign up.”
“I have to work Trin. It’s too late to get someone else just so I can volunteer.”
“Fine if you are going to be that fucking stubborn about it. Have fun at work while the rest of us get to get our photos taken with hot models.”
“I will, so what are you planning on wearing?”
“Well I’m thinking my ripped jeans, docs, and one of my crop tops. I might throw in a flannel.”
“You should add the flannel. Garcia is going to buy out the calendars just for the page you are on.”
“You’re right and I hate that. Thanks should have known the farm boy would be pro Flannel. Well I’m going to get a good night's sleep before I have to leave tomorrow.”
“Night Trin good luck and have fun.”
“Night Huckleberry.”
They both head into their rooms for the night excited about the next day.