Over the course of its decade (and counting) on the air, Chicago Med has set sail to a vast number of ships. There have been relationships we rooted for, relationships we knew would never work, and relationships that were just so odd that they actually worked. In season 11, the medical drama introduced an unexpected new couple that we're obsessed with... and already worried about.
When Lenox took it upon herself to help a patient who had been stuck in an abusive marriage, Ripley arrived at the patient's home to check on Lenox. The doctors had been working together on the case, but they probably never expected that they would end up in a hostage situation together and fighting for their lives. The violent encounter with Devon Carter brought Lenox and Ripley closer together, and before long, the doctors acted on their sudden attraction and began secretly hooking up.
Lenox and Ripley maintain their arrangement, stealing moments together in Ripley's car or in a utility closet, but it became obvious that Ripley was feeling something more for Lenox. On the other hand, we can presume Lenox feels something more for Ripley, too, but because of her diagnosis and her closed-off emotions in general, she insists on keeping it casual. Here's where the worry comes in.
After getting some advice from his friend Lynne to pursue a real relationship with Lenox, since his feelings for her have grown, Ripley approaches Lenox and asks her to talk. She turns the situation back around to once again engage in a fling. It's clear she doesn't want to push him away by shutting down the possibility of talking rather than hooking up. However, she might not have much time left to push him away and ignore the inevitable before their relationship, whatever it is, implodes.
Even though Ripley was absent in Chicago Med season 11 episode 12, Lenox gave us a brief status update on the state of their affairs. As it turns out, she's still frustrated with him wanting more emotional intimacy as expressed in a pointed throwaway line: "What is it with these men wanting emotional intimacy? Can you not just be happy that you're having sex in a parking lot?"
She speaks these words to Frost, even though they have little to nothing to do with his latest dilemma with Novak. Neither he nor Asher have any clue as to who was speaking these vague by "oddly specific" (as Frost says) words about, and they will definitely be shocked when they find out. But it's clear that Lenox and Ripley appeared to have a conversation offscreen that's not sitting right with Lenox. Based on these words, she seems ready to sabotage what could be a real connection.
It's entirely possible that Lenox will continue to push Ripley away, no matter how badly she doesn't want to inside, and potentially ruin the start of a good thing. But we also can't rule out that Ripley could be someone who can help push her to face her fears, whether that's intimacy with a partner or the seemingly ticking clock of her mortality.
Right now, we're concerned about the trajectory of Lenox and Ripley's relationship. Hopefully, Chicago Med doesn't squander a new relationship that's working unexpectedly well. There are still a lot of episodes left in season 11, and who knows what twists and turns their relationship could take before the season finale? One thing's for sure, Lenox is on the precipice of significant character development. She just needs to make the decision to be fearless and open herself up to love.