(no subject)
Title: Save the best for last [[ 04.?? ]]
Author: babyfirefly
Rating: PG for now
Summary: Post S3 Finale "Didn't We Have It All?", follows every character as they struggle with their decisions. Did they make the right choices? What other secrets will unfold? EVERYONE is in this, including Meredith's sister (both will eventually play roles but right now it focuses on Lexie). Special thanks to Danielle for being the best BETA ever, and quite possibly the hottest. ;)
Chapter 3 (links for parts 1 & 2 here as well)
George’s mind was a tangled mess of thoughts and questions. Callie kept reassuring him he had done the right thing but staring down the halls of Seattle Grace he wasn’t sure of anything at all. It was as if his life had split into two paths. On one side, there was Izzie, tapping her foot and urging him to take hers. On the other side, there was Callie, giving him and look and folding her arms over her chest, sighing as he looked back and forth. His relationship with Izzie had become so complicated his head began to spin as her face invaded his thoughts. Izzie…the best friend, the blonde stacked supermodel. The one who always treated him like a brother in the past and had now confessed her undying love for him. He had pushed the attraction to her aside for so long that it overwhelmed him when the feelings came back with a heavy thud in his heart. She could always make him laugh when he struggled to even smile himself; she frustrated the hell out of him but could quickly fix it with an speech declaring her support and baked goods. Then there was Callie, wish her classic Hollywood beauty and fiery personality. She got him from the beginning; she never treated him like a brother and declared her love with an undying passion. She was into him and she stood by his side, struggling to make a peace with his pre existing friends. She never gave up on him, even when he frustrated the hell out of her she just waited in her own way. They both had their own qualities that caused them to stand out in his heart, but he knew a definite choice had to be made. He thought by choosing to have a baby with Callie his choice would be seen crystal clear, but it wasn’t. His mind was still fogged with Izzie Stevens smile and contagious laughter.
He couldn't love Izzie, it wasn't right. His own father had raved on and on about how perfect Callie was for him and yet he kept passing her over for Izzie’s personal problems and the guilt her felt for a drunken night in her bedroom. Callie didn’t deserve to be put on the back burner all the time, but George was struggling to let Izzie go. Izzie had stood before him the day of the wedding and stated that she’d love him even if he chose Callie and that she’d STILL be there, yet he saw the pained look in her eyes, he saw her struggle to understand her own words as they fell from her mouth.
He sighed as he carefully placed his things back in his locker and slipped his lab coat over his shoulders. His fresh start as an intern was supposed to be his fresh start in general, and he knew Izzie wasn’t supposed to be part of his new life. He knew now, that he had to set her straight, once and for all.
---------------
“How’s it going, Chief Resident?” Bailey asked, setting down some charts on the nurses’ station and watching Callie rub her temples in frustration.
“I’m not going to lie, this is tough shit,” Callie sighed.”How are your new interns?”
“First class suck ups, worse than last year, minus the nasty sleeping with attendings drama…or have I spoke too soon?”
“Too soon,” Callie laughed. “George find you yet?”
“So he decided to redo his internship?”
Callie nodded and Bailey sighed, “I still don’t get how that boy failed his exams.”
“I don’t either,” Callie stated. “But what’s done is done, right?”
“It would be nice if the Chief talked to me, in general. He seems to think I’m telepathic and will just know my interns back stories.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well this is the first I’ve heard about your husband and I had no clue that Lexie Grey was Meredith Grey’s sister either.”
“She is?” Callie asked. “That’s…weird…he can do that?”
“She’s here isn’t she?”
“Good point,” Callie stated.
“That’s the last thing I need is more Grey family drama. I should have been a High School teacher; I bet that is much less stressful than this damn hospital.”
“Can I ask you something?” Callie said, pushing off of the counter to face Bailey, who had just turned to walk off. Bailey turned back around slowly and raised an eyebrow at Callie.
“How do you do it? The baby and the career?” Callie asked.
“There is no amount of studying, no books, no classes, no time in the ER that will prepare you for having a child. Everyone will tell you their stories and it will not apply to you, because every baby is different. Not every baby will sleep through the night if you put rice cereal in its bottle, not every baby will take a pacifier or like a bed time story. Having a baby is anything but easy and it is anything but perfect. A baby is added stress and a baby does not fix things. It is a human life. Yes, we deal with lives every day as surgeons, but those lives come and go. A baby, you cannot just discharge it. You have a bad day at work, that baby does not care, it just wants to be held, fed, comforted changed. You cannot compare the two and it is hell to combine them, but in the end it is all worth it to wake up every morning to see a gummy smile and hear it say ‘mama’.” She looked at Callie and sighed, "Wait it out. You have a lot on your hands right now, and the last thing you want is to be treated like a Mommy on the surgical floor."
Bailey gathered her own paper work and then tapped it against the desk so the edges would meet. "If you want you can take my son for a day and then we'll see if you still got that broody look in your eyes."
Callie laughed and shook her head, "No thanks," she said. "I have a feeling it would make it worse."
"That's what they all say," Bailey said as she walked off waving her finger at Callie and saying, "No babies."
------------------------------
Lexie Grey could feel eyes staring at her, and yet every time she’d turn the trio of faces to her left would turn back to act as if they didn’t even notice her.
“Okay, I’m not stupid. Is there toilet paper stuck to my shoe? Bird shit in my hair? I can FEEL your eyes burning holes in my head here, come on, what is it?”
Izzie, Alex and Cristina all looked at each other before Cristina finally spoke.
“You’re Meredith’s sister,” Cristina stated.
“Word travels fast,” Lexie stated.
“Stay away from her,” Cristina said firmly. Lexie raised an eyebrow and watched Alex and Izzie fold their arms over their chests like some sort of surgical mob bosses.
“Excuse me?”
“Meredith has enough on her plate and does not need you trying to bond with her. I understand you’ve got questions that need answering and what not but Meredith doesn’t have any answers for you at the moment so therefore…”
“Back off,” Izzie finished.
“Yeah, okay, and what are you guys, her stooges?”
“Cristina Yang,” Cristina said with a proud grin, offering her hand. “I’m the top cardiothoracic resident, an expert in my field if you will and I graduated the top of my class. I could care less that you are princess of the ass kissers…” Cristina leaned in close and whispered, “I could hurt you and make it look like an accident.”
Lexie gulped as Cristina, Izzie and Alex turned and entered the elevator.
Obviously, she needed a new plan of approach.
---------------------------------
A short while after her confrontation with Lexie Grey, Cristina was back discussing surgeries with Erika Hahn. She had successfully avoided personal conversation for most of the day and was hoping to leave without one mention of Preston Burke. Her hopes were quickly demolished as Erika spoke up.
“You know I’ve never known or Preston Burke to be the vacation sort of guy. Where did he run off to? Or better yet…what’s he running from?”
“I…beg your pardon?” Cristina asked, acting as if her questions were flies buzzing in her ears.
“Preston. Chief Webber didn’t give me many details, I’m just curious to know how he’s doing….”
“He’s fine, just fine,” Cristina nodded.
Erika nodded as she read over a patient’s chart, “Good to know.”
“I think we should bump Mr. Richards above Mrs. Bassoni,” Cristina stated.
“I don’t agree,” Erika said, without looking up from her paperwork. “I am however mildly impressed by your performance today so I will allow you to make that choice. Preston has worked wonders with you, I can see it clearly.”
“Thank you, Doctor Hahn,” Cristina muttered.
“Don’t thank me, thank Preston,” Erika laughed. “Though I don’t want him knowing I gave him all the credit.”
Cristina sighed and pulled out Mrs. Bassoni’s charts, looking it over a few times before Erika spoke up again.
“I think Preston would have a lot to say about your work here today too,” Erika said.
“How about we don’t talk about Preston Burke?” Cristina snapped, before turned and heading out of the room, allowing the door to slam behind her. Erika Hahn smirked and chuckled a bit to herself.
Cristina jumped when she saw Meredith standing at the window to the room, “Don’t get too close to the bars, Clarice.” Cristina groaned.
Meredith raised an eyebrow at her and Cristina sighed, “The woman is driving me insane. She’s TRYING to break me. She’s very odd and I bet she collects human skin to sew dresses in her spare time.”
“What?” Meredith asked, and Cristina groaned.
“I’ll put it bluntly for your simple mind, she’s a bitch.”
“Oh,” Meredith nodded.
“She was asking about him,” Cristina said, rolling her eyes.
“Who?” Meredith asked.
“Are you DAFT? What is with you today? You’re acting all…stupid. You can’t act stupid right now, because I am venting and when I vent I need you to actually use brain cells and give advice, and do the whole friend thing minus the hugging and the hand holding…and whatever,” Cristina sighed.
“I’m sorry,” Meredith sighed.
“Oh we’re going all Meredith show ALREADY? Can’t I have the intro?” Cristina groaned.
Meredith’s pager went off and Cristina threw her arms up into the air in surrender.
“Look, we’ll talk later, I promise,” Meredith said softly.
“I’m taking applications for a new person!” Cristina yelled as Meredith zoomed down the hall. She folded her arms across her chest and gave a deep sigh. She didn’t want to think about Preston, and yet, there she was leaning into the doorframe wondering if he was alright.
-----------------------
“Izzie,” George called out, picking up his pace to catch up with the lanky blonde.
“I’m busy, George,” Izzie scoffed, rolling her eyes.
“You wanted to talk, we’re going to talk.”
“It’s a little late for that; you can’t keep doing this to me. You can’t push me aside until the time is right for YOU. Do you have any consideration for what I feel or what I think?”
“Don’t make this about you…it’s always about you!” George said with obvious
frustration, he couldn’t keep his hands still and he began to pace a bit.
Izzie raised an eyebrow, sensing his frustration and she grabbed his hand, pulling him into a close by supply closet.
“Let me guess, we’re making this about Callie?” Izzie sighed.
“No!” George growled. “Wait…yes..its…about all of us, okay?”
“You can’t pull the US card, George…Callie is just a thorn in my side,” Izzie stated, placing a hand on her hip.
George shook his head, “You’re making it about you!”
“Don’t I have that right? You have strung me along and sent me mixed signals and…I keep coming back, I keep fighting for you!”
“Stop…stop fighting,” George said softly. “I’m not fighting for you, Izzie.”
Izzie looked away and folded her arms over her chest, “What are you trying to say here, George?”
“This is done, Izzie. It…over. I can’t play the games…or, or….sneak kisses in elevators. I’m married! I’m married and I’m…starting over. I need to honor my vows here…”
“Vows?” Izzie scoffed.
“Stop it,” George growled. “She’s my wife and yes, it means something to me. You…always talk about love…and commitment and…sticking by people. I’m sticking by Callie, because I do love her…okay? And you said you would deal…so you need to deal!”
“So this is it…you’ve made your choice?” Izzie asked.
George nodded, “Either you accept it and you stand by me…or I can’t…have you as a friend anymore.”
Izzie just shook her head and moved to the door, “Goodbye, George,” she said after a deep breath. She reached for the knob and slipped out before George’s lips could part and his words could escape.
George gave a long sigh and just stared at his shoes, he couldn’t understand why it all seemed so easy in his head, and yet as he stood there, his task compete, he felt as if a part of himself had died.
Author: babyfirefly
Rating: PG for now
Summary: Post S3 Finale "Didn't We Have It All?", follows every character as they struggle with their decisions. Did they make the right choices? What other secrets will unfold? EVERYONE is in this, including Meredith's sister (both will eventually play roles but right now it focuses on Lexie). Special thanks to Danielle for being the best BETA ever, and quite possibly the hottest. ;)
Chapter 3 (links for parts 1 & 2 here as well)
George’s mind was a tangled mess of thoughts and questions. Callie kept reassuring him he had done the right thing but staring down the halls of Seattle Grace he wasn’t sure of anything at all. It was as if his life had split into two paths. On one side, there was Izzie, tapping her foot and urging him to take hers. On the other side, there was Callie, giving him and look and folding her arms over her chest, sighing as he looked back and forth. His relationship with Izzie had become so complicated his head began to spin as her face invaded his thoughts. Izzie…the best friend, the blonde stacked supermodel. The one who always treated him like a brother in the past and had now confessed her undying love for him. He had pushed the attraction to her aside for so long that it overwhelmed him when the feelings came back with a heavy thud in his heart. She could always make him laugh when he struggled to even smile himself; she frustrated the hell out of him but could quickly fix it with an speech declaring her support and baked goods. Then there was Callie, wish her classic Hollywood beauty and fiery personality. She got him from the beginning; she never treated him like a brother and declared her love with an undying passion. She was into him and she stood by his side, struggling to make a peace with his pre existing friends. She never gave up on him, even when he frustrated the hell out of her she just waited in her own way. They both had their own qualities that caused them to stand out in his heart, but he knew a definite choice had to be made. He thought by choosing to have a baby with Callie his choice would be seen crystal clear, but it wasn’t. His mind was still fogged with Izzie Stevens smile and contagious laughter.
He couldn't love Izzie, it wasn't right. His own father had raved on and on about how perfect Callie was for him and yet he kept passing her over for Izzie’s personal problems and the guilt her felt for a drunken night in her bedroom. Callie didn’t deserve to be put on the back burner all the time, but George was struggling to let Izzie go. Izzie had stood before him the day of the wedding and stated that she’d love him even if he chose Callie and that she’d STILL be there, yet he saw the pained look in her eyes, he saw her struggle to understand her own words as they fell from her mouth.
He sighed as he carefully placed his things back in his locker and slipped his lab coat over his shoulders. His fresh start as an intern was supposed to be his fresh start in general, and he knew Izzie wasn’t supposed to be part of his new life. He knew now, that he had to set her straight, once and for all.
---------------
“How’s it going, Chief Resident?” Bailey asked, setting down some charts on the nurses’ station and watching Callie rub her temples in frustration.
“I’m not going to lie, this is tough shit,” Callie sighed.”How are your new interns?”
“First class suck ups, worse than last year, minus the nasty sleeping with attendings drama…or have I spoke too soon?”
“Too soon,” Callie laughed. “George find you yet?”
“So he decided to redo his internship?”
Callie nodded and Bailey sighed, “I still don’t get how that boy failed his exams.”
“I don’t either,” Callie stated. “But what’s done is done, right?”
“It would be nice if the Chief talked to me, in general. He seems to think I’m telepathic and will just know my interns back stories.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well this is the first I’ve heard about your husband and I had no clue that Lexie Grey was Meredith Grey’s sister either.”
“She is?” Callie asked. “That’s…weird…he can do that?”
“She’s here isn’t she?”
“Good point,” Callie stated.
“That’s the last thing I need is more Grey family drama. I should have been a High School teacher; I bet that is much less stressful than this damn hospital.”
“Can I ask you something?” Callie said, pushing off of the counter to face Bailey, who had just turned to walk off. Bailey turned back around slowly and raised an eyebrow at Callie.
“How do you do it? The baby and the career?” Callie asked.
“There is no amount of studying, no books, no classes, no time in the ER that will prepare you for having a child. Everyone will tell you their stories and it will not apply to you, because every baby is different. Not every baby will sleep through the night if you put rice cereal in its bottle, not every baby will take a pacifier or like a bed time story. Having a baby is anything but easy and it is anything but perfect. A baby is added stress and a baby does not fix things. It is a human life. Yes, we deal with lives every day as surgeons, but those lives come and go. A baby, you cannot just discharge it. You have a bad day at work, that baby does not care, it just wants to be held, fed, comforted changed. You cannot compare the two and it is hell to combine them, but in the end it is all worth it to wake up every morning to see a gummy smile and hear it say ‘mama’.” She looked at Callie and sighed, "Wait it out. You have a lot on your hands right now, and the last thing you want is to be treated like a Mommy on the surgical floor."
Bailey gathered her own paper work and then tapped it against the desk so the edges would meet. "If you want you can take my son for a day and then we'll see if you still got that broody look in your eyes."
Callie laughed and shook her head, "No thanks," she said. "I have a feeling it would make it worse."
"That's what they all say," Bailey said as she walked off waving her finger at Callie and saying, "No babies."
------------------------------
Lexie Grey could feel eyes staring at her, and yet every time she’d turn the trio of faces to her left would turn back to act as if they didn’t even notice her.
“Okay, I’m not stupid. Is there toilet paper stuck to my shoe? Bird shit in my hair? I can FEEL your eyes burning holes in my head here, come on, what is it?”
Izzie, Alex and Cristina all looked at each other before Cristina finally spoke.
“You’re Meredith’s sister,” Cristina stated.
“Word travels fast,” Lexie stated.
“Stay away from her,” Cristina said firmly. Lexie raised an eyebrow and watched Alex and Izzie fold their arms over their chests like some sort of surgical mob bosses.
“Excuse me?”
“Meredith has enough on her plate and does not need you trying to bond with her. I understand you’ve got questions that need answering and what not but Meredith doesn’t have any answers for you at the moment so therefore…”
“Back off,” Izzie finished.
“Yeah, okay, and what are you guys, her stooges?”
“Cristina Yang,” Cristina said with a proud grin, offering her hand. “I’m the top cardiothoracic resident, an expert in my field if you will and I graduated the top of my class. I could care less that you are princess of the ass kissers…” Cristina leaned in close and whispered, “I could hurt you and make it look like an accident.”
Lexie gulped as Cristina, Izzie and Alex turned and entered the elevator.
Obviously, she needed a new plan of approach.
---------------------------------
A short while after her confrontation with Lexie Grey, Cristina was back discussing surgeries with Erika Hahn. She had successfully avoided personal conversation for most of the day and was hoping to leave without one mention of Preston Burke. Her hopes were quickly demolished as Erika spoke up.
“You know I’ve never known or Preston Burke to be the vacation sort of guy. Where did he run off to? Or better yet…what’s he running from?”
“I…beg your pardon?” Cristina asked, acting as if her questions were flies buzzing in her ears.
“Preston. Chief Webber didn’t give me many details, I’m just curious to know how he’s doing….”
“He’s fine, just fine,” Cristina nodded.
Erika nodded as she read over a patient’s chart, “Good to know.”
“I think we should bump Mr. Richards above Mrs. Bassoni,” Cristina stated.
“I don’t agree,” Erika said, without looking up from her paperwork. “I am however mildly impressed by your performance today so I will allow you to make that choice. Preston has worked wonders with you, I can see it clearly.”
“Thank you, Doctor Hahn,” Cristina muttered.
“Don’t thank me, thank Preston,” Erika laughed. “Though I don’t want him knowing I gave him all the credit.”
Cristina sighed and pulled out Mrs. Bassoni’s charts, looking it over a few times before Erika spoke up again.
“I think Preston would have a lot to say about your work here today too,” Erika said.
“How about we don’t talk about Preston Burke?” Cristina snapped, before turned and heading out of the room, allowing the door to slam behind her. Erika Hahn smirked and chuckled a bit to herself.
Cristina jumped when she saw Meredith standing at the window to the room, “Don’t get too close to the bars, Clarice.” Cristina groaned.
Meredith raised an eyebrow at her and Cristina sighed, “The woman is driving me insane. She’s TRYING to break me. She’s very odd and I bet she collects human skin to sew dresses in her spare time.”
“What?” Meredith asked, and Cristina groaned.
“I’ll put it bluntly for your simple mind, she’s a bitch.”
“Oh,” Meredith nodded.
“She was asking about him,” Cristina said, rolling her eyes.
“Who?” Meredith asked.
“Are you DAFT? What is with you today? You’re acting all…stupid. You can’t act stupid right now, because I am venting and when I vent I need you to actually use brain cells and give advice, and do the whole friend thing minus the hugging and the hand holding…and whatever,” Cristina sighed.
“I’m sorry,” Meredith sighed.
“Oh we’re going all Meredith show ALREADY? Can’t I have the intro?” Cristina groaned.
Meredith’s pager went off and Cristina threw her arms up into the air in surrender.
“Look, we’ll talk later, I promise,” Meredith said softly.
“I’m taking applications for a new person!” Cristina yelled as Meredith zoomed down the hall. She folded her arms across her chest and gave a deep sigh. She didn’t want to think about Preston, and yet, there she was leaning into the doorframe wondering if he was alright.
-----------------------
“Izzie,” George called out, picking up his pace to catch up with the lanky blonde.
“I’m busy, George,” Izzie scoffed, rolling her eyes.
“You wanted to talk, we’re going to talk.”
“It’s a little late for that; you can’t keep doing this to me. You can’t push me aside until the time is right for YOU. Do you have any consideration for what I feel or what I think?”
“Don’t make this about you…it’s always about you!” George said with obvious
frustration, he couldn’t keep his hands still and he began to pace a bit.
Izzie raised an eyebrow, sensing his frustration and she grabbed his hand, pulling him into a close by supply closet.
“Let me guess, we’re making this about Callie?” Izzie sighed.
“No!” George growled. “Wait…yes..its…about all of us, okay?”
“You can’t pull the US card, George…Callie is just a thorn in my side,” Izzie stated, placing a hand on her hip.
George shook his head, “You’re making it about you!”
“Don’t I have that right? You have strung me along and sent me mixed signals and…I keep coming back, I keep fighting for you!”
“Stop…stop fighting,” George said softly. “I’m not fighting for you, Izzie.”
Izzie looked away and folded her arms over her chest, “What are you trying to say here, George?”
“This is done, Izzie. It…over. I can’t play the games…or, or….sneak kisses in elevators. I’m married! I’m married and I’m…starting over. I need to honor my vows here…”
“Vows?” Izzie scoffed.
“Stop it,” George growled. “She’s my wife and yes, it means something to me. You…always talk about love…and commitment and…sticking by people. I’m sticking by Callie, because I do love her…okay? And you said you would deal…so you need to deal!”
“So this is it…you’ve made your choice?” Izzie asked.
George nodded, “Either you accept it and you stand by me…or I can’t…have you as a friend anymore.”
Izzie just shook her head and moved to the door, “Goodbye, George,” she said after a deep breath. She reached for the knob and slipped out before George’s lips could part and his words could escape.
George gave a long sigh and just stared at his shoes, he couldn’t understand why it all seemed so easy in his head, and yet as he stood there, his task compete, he felt as if a part of himself had died.