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wherewemightendup · 2 years

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Where We Might End Up - Lexie Grey x OC fanfic Chapter 9: The McHell Week: The Blue Corner

Three days had passed since the merger between Seattle Grace and Mercy West. The only people thrilled with the merger were Richard, Callie, and the Mercy West hospital staff. Seattle Grace personnel, specifically its surgical residents, felt threatened. Looking at the orange scrubs-wearing residents, they came up with a plan. - To take all the surgeries from them as they can.

On her first day, Callie felt ecstatic. Working back at Seattle Grace meant being close to both her girlfriend and her best friend. As the days went on, Callie had understood why Derek dreaded the merger. Before, she assumed he was just overreacting. -The fact that the merger was Richard's idea. Callie, then, had been pissed at Derek. Callie had considered the merger a blessing, but after working for three days with these maniacal surgical residents competing for surgeries, the blessing was quickly turning into a curse. The ecstasy she felt was now coming down.

Morning Hospital Lobby

Alex and Charles were scheduled on Callie's service. The two residents quarreled about who's going to hold the charts. - A typical day now when the residents fight over for just holding the charts. Callie narrowed her eyes, staring blankly away from the two residents arguing in front of her. She rolled her eyes as she turned towards the counter, reaching for the charts. As their voices grew louder, Callie got more annoyed. She gave charts on both residents, slamming it on their hands. Callie gave them a challenge – whoever determined the better diagnosis gets to be in the surgery with her. If no one got it right, she'll do the surgery alone.

Callie narrowed her eyes in frustration as she walked with them through the lobby. Maybe she should not have started that little competition. It was still morning, but Callie's energy for the day was already at a dangerous limit. The residents got more winded. And it's more annoying, more frustrating, and more exhausting. Callie sighed heavily, trying to walk faster now, keeping the two residents away from her. At least now, she's not hearing those two argue for the nth time.

Eric went inside the hospital, carrying his overnight bag. Two days before the merger, he went to LA for a consult - a personal request from Addison Montgomery. Eric would have been back at Seattle during the merger, but he stayed a couple of days more. His phone rang on his last day - a phone call from Derek Shepherd, asking him when he'll be back.

Eric stopped as he saw Callie walked past the lobby floor with Alex and someone wearing an orange scrub.

Callie turned towards Eric. It was a while before she realized that it's Eric, beaming at her. As she recognized her friend, her narrowed eyes relaxed and widened. Her grouchy face went calm. Callie grinned widely, copying him.

Callie ran towards Eric, leaving behind the two residents.

"Welcome back!" Callie greeted as she stood in front of him.

"What did I miss?" He adjusted his bag on his shoulder, glancing at the orange absurdness behind Callie.

Callie followed his stare leading to the two residents. She groaned, "Uh... Merger? Ring any bell?" Callie looked back at Eric. Her mouth slacked and eyes widened. Eric tilted his head and pursed his lips, trying to remember, "What?! Are you kidding me?"

He smiled tentatively and grew as the answer sank in, "Fuckin' hell! Yes," He laughed and stifled it, noticing Callie's reaction, "I don't - sorry. Just -" Eric stared at Callie as she frowned, crossing her arms. "I need to go change. Derek's been ringing me nuts since LA... thinking I might abandon him for Addison." He chuckled, "You're busy. I'll leave you to it, then."

Callie yanked him back as he walked away, "Don't leave me with these fools," She turned around and pointed at the two residents, "You two, go find something to do at the pit!" She yelled. She faced Eric, plucking the bag off his hand.

"But you said we're..." Charles yelled back. Callie cut him off.

"Leave those charts at the nurses' station," She stressed, pulling Eric beside her and holding his arm as they walk together. Eric chuckled as he walked with Callie.

Attendings' Lounge

"Look who's back," Callie singsonged as they went inside the lounge. Derek looked at the door as they made in. Callie moved towards the couch and relaxed.

"How's LA?" Derek inquired, glancing behind as he poured the coffee in his mug.

Eric stared at Derek as he responded, "Un–ee-ventful," Eric turned away and moved towards his locker.

"Hmmm," Derek paused. "not what I heard..." Derek continued with a smirk.

Eric darted at him and asked, "Addie told on you?" He put his bag inside the locker.

"No. Sam Bennett told me," Derek answered, staring at Callie. Callie resolved to remain silent and to keep her regular teasing at a minimum towards Eric. He just came back from LA. Callie won't tease him - not yet. Derek smiled at the sight.

"Damn it! Sam," Eric murmured.

Derek stepped closer to Callie to ask why she's being quiet, "Hmmm," He uttered as he waited for her to say anything, but Callie sat quietly at the couch, massaging her temple.

"Don't." She warned, raising her index finger in front of him, "I'm having my peace and quiet here, Derek," Callie continued, leaning back in a more comfortable position, resting her head on the sofa and closing her eyes.. Derek held his hands up in surrender as he stepped backward.

Eric asked, facing his locker, "Where are the charts?"

"Lexie has them," Derek answered, staring at Callie. He looked at Eric and went on, "She has them. I asked her to assist you so... you know."

Eric narrowed his eyes and shook his head as he replied, "No, I don't know," Eric paused arching an eyebrow as he pondered. Eric's mouth fell open as he realized what Derek meant, "Unbelievable." Eric turned back and looked at Derek as he walked out of the lounge, "I-I am nice," He added as he followed Derek. "I have been nice!" Eric exclaimed, leaning on the doorway and craning his neck as Derek walked along the hall. Eric paused and breathed in. He went back inside the lounge and looked at Callie smiling at him, amused, "No one really noticed?"

Callie snorted, "I'll believe it when I see it," She spoke. Callie stood up and poured herself coffee from the coffeemaker. She can feel Eric's stare. Callie glanced behind her, seeing him narrowing his eyes at her, "W-what?!"

"Doesn't take you long, huh?" Eric added as he walked inside the shower room to change.

Callie chortled as she faced the counter.

- - - - -

Lexie stepped in front the attending's lounge, carrying the charts for Derek's patients - Now, Eric's patients. Lexie saw Derek on the way, informing her that Eric was inside the lounge. She didn't know what to do - if she'll wait for him outside or go in. She fidgeted in front of the door before deciding to open it. This was the first time she went inside the lounge. So she slowly walked in, feeling like she was barging into someone else's room. She hoped that there were no attendings inside - except for the one she's looking for, of course. She went in and saw Callie.

Callie stared at Lexie as she looked around, searching for the neurosurgeon, "Hey Lexie," Callie said.

"Hi... uhm... Have you seen..." Callie pointed at the shower room, "Oh - okay. I'll..." Lexie staggered to go in further. She was nervous. This will be the first time she'll work with Eric after George's funeral. She was avoiding him then - after Eric drove her home. After that, her father got hospitalized and Eric left for LA. There were no chances of them interacting or working together, not until Derek asked Eric to cover for him. Timely, she was scheduled on Neuro.

Lexie stood at the door, thinking about what she would tell him.

"Dr. Shepherd asked me to work with you... We've been working for this patient for..." She whispered to herself, "No. I... I'm not avoiding you, I'm just too busy..." She chuckled, "... no I... I'm not saying that..."

Callie looked at her as she noticed Lexie talking to herself. Lexie stopped as she saw Callie looking at her. Callie went back to face the counter, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion.

"Coffee?" Callie offered.

Lexie looked up at Callie, "No. Thank you," She smiled.

Eric went out of the shower room and walked towards his locker to put his clothes in. He didn't notice Lexie standing at the door. Lexie stood straight, clenching at the charts as she anticipated his reaction. Callie cleared her throat, trying to get his attention.

"Honestly, you two..." Eric paused as he neatly put on his white coat, fastening in his pens and pager.

Callie cleared her throat louder, gritting her teeth. She stopped as Lexie looked at her. Callie stepped forward awkwardly, acting like she was supposed to move closer to Eric. Callie tried again to get his attention, now quietly exclaiming, "Eric!"

Eric put his phone inside his pocket as he turned around, "'believe it when I see it' my arse..." He stopped and noticed Lexie, "Dr. Grey," Eric glared at Callie. Callie sighed in defeat.

"Not my fault, dumbass," Callie muttered as she went back at the counter, picking up her mug and taking a sip of the coffee.

Lexie breathed in, as she saw Eric. Taking quite a long time before she breathed out, Her shoulders tensed. "Hi..." She exhaled as she spoke. She paused and turned her head towards her shoulder. She shook her head in embarrassment.

Eric glanced at Callie and back at Lexie. "Are those the charts?" He paused, "Okay," He then smiled at Lexie. He turned around to get his stethoscope.

Callie turned just in time to see Eric smiling, making her almost spit the coffee in her mouth. While Lexie blinked her eyes repeatedly, and furrowed her eyebrows. Callie and Lexie glanced at each other, before looking back at the neurosurgeon.

"Let's go?" He continued.

Lexie shook her head as she walked out. Lexie can't believe what she just witnessed. She's too confused about what's happening that she forgot about her little speech she prepared.

Eric glanced at Callie as she whispered, "You look weird," Eric narrowed his eyes at her as he followed Lexie.

Three days later

Lexie and Eric had been working together for two days, as per Derek's directive. - This would be the last day. Lexie thought that it would be difficult, knowing Eric and his ways of making her suffer, but as she spent an hour, a couple, then a day, two days; She realized that Eric Keaton - the bully who would always look down at her and punish her, was being kind to her and teaching her. Sure he's still sarcastic, arrogant, and direct like he was, but something was different now. - Apart from him smiling. She couldn't tell what, but she wondered if Eric would stay being nice to her now, or is he just planning something, she just didn't know it yet.

Hospital Cafeteria

Alex went towards the table where Cristina, Izzie and Lexie were. He slammed the tray as he sat beside Izzie.

"Bigfoot's at it again. He's hounding my surgery with Dr. Sloan," Alex said.

"Dr. Bailey put me in the clinic. Well, figures," Izzie said as she looked at her fork full of salad. She took a bite and looked in front of her. She got a glimpse of Lexie, staring out. Izzie paused and pointed her now empty fork at her before adding, "So..." She glanced at her plate, then back at Lexie, "How's working with Keaton? You seemed... quiet. Are you okay? Is he being immature or arrogant or whatnot?" Izzie went on, "Well, you can't complain, right? Among the people at this table, you're the only one who've seen the inside of the OR this week."

Cristina glared at Lexie and stated, "Lucky!" Cristina paused, "God, I should've pushed working with McDevil again."

Izzie glanced at Lexie as she remained gawking. Her attention was off elsewhere. Izzie glanced at Cristina. Cristina slowly chewed her food as she noticed Izzie gesturing her head at Lexie. "What?" Cristina mouthed. Izzie widened her eyes and gestured again. Cristina looked at Lexie beside her, eyebrow arched.

"Earth to Little Grey? Hello?" Cristina waved her hands in front of Lexie's face.

"Uhm, yes?" Lexie shook her head, glancing at Cristina, "Yes. Yes." Then she looked away.

Alex had been following their discussion as he ate his lunch, that when Lexie finally answered incoherently, he stopped eating. - He knew something's up. He looked up, curling his eyebrows as he, Izzie and Cristina followed Lexie's stare, leading them to towards Eric.

Alex glanced back at the second-year resident biting her lower lip and looking pensive, "She's being tortured, all right." Alex added.

"No. I'm not." Lexie finally spoke a clear thought. "He's..."

"... mean?" Alex went on.

"... arrogant?" Cristina stressed.

"... an ass?" Izzie implied.

Lexie had been commenting regularly about her terrible impression towards the neurosurgeon since the first day, that they already memorized it.

"... smiling... like actually smiling... at me," Lexie corrected.

The three looked at Lexie, not believing what she claimed. The first few months when Eric was the shiny new object Richard brought at the hospital to do an innovative surgery, they sought him like a god. But then, when he worked at Seattle Grace, their perception towards him changed. Izzie realized Eric was just like Mark Sloan when he's treating them- the interns then- as an object. But, unlike Mark, he's teaching - in his own way. Alex had experienced Eric's way of teaching. Cristina simply cared for the once in a lifetime surgeries Eric's name were bringing at the hospital.

As for Lexie's experience with McDevil - the nickname they finally used after George's death, when they endured his Hell month. Izzie was confused why among the interns, Lexie had been the only intern who had endured most of his bad characteristics. Izzie assumed then that Eric had been doing it on purpose. She planned on knowing why.

Cristina snorted a laugh, "McDevil doesn't know how to smile," Cristina peered at Alex as she added, "You should be his resident."

Alex glared at Cristina, "Yeah, why is that?"

Izzie faked a cough and said, "Evil spawn."

"He called me an imbecile for repeating his question," Alex said, "I didn't hear him because your intern had been yapping with his girlfriend behind me, and I get to be called an imbecile. Steve's the imbecile, not me." He added, leaning towards Cristina.

Cristina pondered for a minute then retorted, "Well. I kinda agree with him - you being an imbecile, I mean...," Cristina cackled with laughter as Alex made faces at her. Alex leaned back to his seat.

"Maybe you should be on his service, since you kinda agree with him," Alex countered.

Izzie uttered, "She already did. And Keaton kicked her out of his service not the other way around."

"Oh, right. I heard about that. Look at you, not even the devil can stand you," Alex blurted.

"I'm a badass," Cristina added, pointing her two index finger at herself.

"Yeah. a badass orderly," Alex mocked Cristina.

"Nurse," Cristina mocked back.

"I guess you're the only one who can stand him?" Izzie said to Lexie, "apart from Meredith... and George..." She looked at Lexie and asked, "He's friends with George, right? It must be torture."

Lexie sat straight, "Well, it won't be long now 'til the devil tortures me again," She spoke louder looking away, crossing her arms.

"What? Who?" April asked as she passed by, holding takeaway food. She thought Lexie was talking to her.

"You should eat. We only have a few minutes here," Jackson told April. Jackson pulled her away from the Seattle Grace residents.

"Yeah right, walk away, Mercy Westers," Cristina blurted, gesturing him to move away. Jackson and April went out of the cafeteria. Cristina watched them hurried out, "I think we should hurry up, too," Cristina added, keeping her eyes on the Mercy West group.

- - - - -

Eric saw Cristina's group as they sat at the table. He had been glancing at the group as he felt unusually conscious. - Not realizing that Lexie had been staring at him for a while. Arizona noticed him tuning out and in to their conversation.

"What? what? Where are you? Hello?" Arizona called on Eric.

"I'm just..." Eric halted, shaking his head, "Nothing," He continued to eat apple slices.

Arizona traced his stare. She looked behind her and noticed Lexie a few tables behind them. Arizona smiled cheekily at Eric, raising her eyebrows playfully.

"What?!" Eric asked, "You're weird... stop it."

"You checking at little Grey, huh?"

"It's not what you think?" Eric looked back at his food.

"Uhmm-Hmmm, I heard you're being nice?" Arizona leaned closer at Eric with a playful smirk.

"It's not what you think," Eric repeated. He stood up and picked up his tray, placing it by the bins. Eric headed towards the exit.

- - - - -

"You're staring. Stop staring!" Cristina exclaimed at Lexie, "...Kinda creepy," She added.

"I'm not staring!" Lexie replied, facing Cristina, "I'm just... Oop! He's standing up," Lexie faced away, "Just act normal." She hissed.

Izzie shook her head as she continued to eat. Cristina looked at Lexie with an arched brow, "That's normal?" Cristina uttered. Lexie continued stuffing her face with food.

Alex glanced at Lexie and then looked at Eric. He had a mischievous look on his face as he took a sip from his drink and stood up, "Dr. Keaton!"

Lexie watched Alex as he stood up. She realized Alex was up to something, "No- no!" Lexie quietly exclaimed and reached for Alex, straining her hand to pull Alex back at their table. Izzie chuckled at how silly Lexie looked.

Cristina blurted out as she ate her fries, "This is gonna be good." Watching Lexie and Alex. Izzie agreed and nodded in anticipation.

Eric looked at Alex as he called him.

Alex continued calling Eric until Eric noticed him. Alex stood with his hands inside his coat pocket. Lexie kept reaching, pulling at his coat. Alex pulled his coat off Lexie's grasp. Lexie lost her grip, and she awkwardly fell from her seat to the floor.

Eric hesitated at first before he walked towards Alex. He peeked back at Arizona, who was not looking before he walked towards the group.

Lexie hastily rose up as she saw a pair of legs under the table. She recognized those argyle socks anywhere. She crashed back on the chair and immediately stuffed herself with her lunch, looking away. Her coat was rumpled. She struggled to fixed her coat and unkept hair as Eric settled in front of Alex. Lexie acted like she was not just on the floor sprawled. She continued gobbling food.

Alex panicked as he didn't think about what to do once he got Eric's attention. He just needed him to walk closer to tease Lexie. He never realized that the attending would really walk towards them. Now, Eric's standing in front of him, hands crossed over his chest, awaiting his question, "so the - uhm - procedure you're gonna do later with Dr. Sloan would be..." Alex continued to outline the procedure, stammering.

Eric raised an eyebrow and grimaced as he listened to Alex. Eric glanced at the group. He peeked at Cristina who looked at him and Alex while her head remained lowered towards her plate. He then looked at Izzie who was suppressing a laugh. As Izzie saw Eric looking at her, she greeted Eric with a smile.

"... I-I just really find the procedure very - uhm, excellent," Alex scratched his head, cringing at his choice of word. - Excellent? His sweat started to bead on his temple. Alex was nervous. - imbecile. Eric faced Alex as he finished his statement.

"Dr. Karev," Eric interrupted him, "If you have the time to kiss ass, you have the time to check the patient," He implied.

"No - I'm just saying..." Alex tried to explain. Eric gestured at the exit. Alex growled, stepping out of the cafeteria. His plan backfired.

Eric looked back at the table and spotted Lexie stuffing her face with food, "Dr. Grey?"

"Mmmm.. Mmmm," Lexie grumbled without looking. She thought she could express a hello towards the attending, but nothing came out but mumble.

"O-kay," He uttered, shaking his head as he looked away. Eric looked at both Cristina and Izzie and smiled at them, "Doctors." Cristina stared at him and watched as he stepped away. Her mouth gaping as she couldn't believe the sarcastic devil smiled towards them.

Lexie sighed and sat more comfortably on her chair. Cristina chuckled right after he turned around and left the cafeteria.

Izzie slapped Cristina on her arm, "What?" She blurted, brushing her arm where Izzie whacked her. She chuckled as she asked Lexie, facing her, "Lexie Grey, what did you do to him?"

The Next Day - Morning Surgical Wing

Callie and Arizona walked along the halls of the surgical wing. Arizona checked her phone as they walked.

"How's... Eric and... his resident ?" Callie asked.

"I heard they're getting along well," Arizona responded as she scanned her phone, smiling.

Not the response Callie thought she would hear. Callie's shoes screeched as she tripped with her foot, staring at Arizona with disbelief, "Really?" She chuckled, "...I mean..." She laughed, " Really?! "

Arizona peered at Callie, still holding her phone. Arizona looked back at her phone as Callie continued walking beside her, putting her hands inside her coat pockets.

Callie pondered as she asked, "He really is being nice, huh?"

"And he's in a great mood all week," Arizona added.

Callie's eyebrows propped up as she had a thought. She stopped.

Arizona noticed her. Arizona stopped walking, turned to look at Callie and asked, "What?"

"Do you think he and Grey...?" Callie trailed.

Arizona tilted her head to the side as she pondered, "Well..." She chuckled anxiously.

Callie's eyes widened with curiosity as her girlfriend stammered, "What... what?!" Callie paused as Arizona walked away from her. Callie followed her, "Oh no no no... You know something... just say it...come on!"

"I don't okay," Arizona walked faster, "Not officially..." Arizona uttered. Callie heard it and stopped Arizona, pulling her by the arm. She groaned as she faced Callie, "It's just a thought really... I've known him and..."

"And what?" Callie asked.

Arizona looked away, trying to find words to tell Callie her hunch without her jumping to conclusions that may or may not be true. Arizona stared away and then noticed Mark walking out of the supply room.

"Is that?..." Arizona paused and was about to call Mark but Callie stopped her.

"What," Callie said, turning towards where Arizona's looking at. She saw Mark walking away, "Oh, it's just Mark..." looking back at Arizona, " Come on! We have more pressing matters than Mark's flavor of the month."

"20 says the nurse at the pit," Arizona claimed.

Callie shook her head as she turned back to Arizona, "Are we betting on this now?" She chuckled.

"O-kay," Callie shook her head as she continued, "the resident from Mercy West...one with short hair... okay? happy" Arizona beamed at her.

The both of them waited for the girl to come out of the supply room. "oh wait," Callie uttered as the door clicked open. Both of them looked at the door, breath hitched and shoulders were tense. Their tensed shoulders went limp as they saw they're both wrong - Lexie Grey went out of the supply room, looking on both sides as she walked out and closed the door.

"Well..." Callie uttered.

"When did that happen?" Arizona blurted out.

"Well... there goes our 'more pressing matters'," Callie said, looking at her girlfriend as Arizona continued to stare away.

Residents' Lounge

The chief resident posted the rotation schedule for that day. Each resident coming in looked at the board for their schedules. April Kepner walked towards the bulletin as she scanned the schedule, leaning in as she checked on her friends' schedule as well; mouthing the words as she read.

Jackson walked inside the lounge. April noticed him.

"Hey! you're in Neuro!" April said to Jackson as he stepped beside her and looked at the board as well.

"Hmmm. Not just me..." Jackson uttered as he walked away from the board and towards his locker. April furrowed her eyes as she looked at him. She turned back at the board and searched for that schedule he pointed at.

- - - - -

Lexie rushed in the lounge, gaining a look on all the residents inside - both Mercy Westers and Seattle Grace residents, alike. Her hair was disheveled and her shirt was buttoned wrong.

"Good...morning?" Cristina greeted Lexie, following her with a stare as Lexie stepped by the lockers, pushing Alex's legs away as she walked by.

"Hey!" Alex exclaimed. He kissed Izzie before walking out of the lounge.

Izzie sat beside Cristina as she whispered to her, "Does she know?" Cristina shrugged. Izzie went towards the locker beside Lexie's and leaned on it. She glanced at Lexie as she opened her mouth to asked something. Lexie looked at Izzie. Izzie let out a smile as she said, "Hi."

Lexie looked at her as she continued to change, "What is it?"

"You saw the schedule, right?" Izzie asked as Lexie sat and wore her scrub top.

Lexie stopped as she turned to look at Izzie. Her eyebrows arched up as she waited for Izzie to continue. Lexie looked behind her where the schedule was pinned. She stood up and walked towards the board, fixing her top on the way. She scanned the schedule, looking for her name. Her finger stopped as she saw her name with "Neurosurgery" beside it.

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wherewemightendup · 2 years

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Where We Might End Up - Lexie Grey x OC fanfic Chapter 8: Like a Plague

S6/E4 ___________________________________________________

After two weeks, Richard had laid off some personnel and residents as a result of the merger between Seattle Grace and Mercy West. Derek had been stressing himself about the merger and about Richard. Meanwhile, Eric had been stressed out about the residents who had been in his service. He's stressed because his usual resident had been avoiding him.

It started after George's funeral - The same time when he decided to be nice to that same resident. Eric didn't know where he's more annoyed. The fact that his work is being affected because of the incompetent residents replacing her or that he didn't get to boast about it to Callie since she wouldn't even notice he's being nice because Eric and Lexie Grey wasn't interacting anymore. And even if he wanted to annoy Lexie now, he couldn't. The girl had been avoiding him like a plague and it's getting on his nerves.

Eric reached for the coffee as he paid at the cart. Meredith and Cristina arrived and queued behind him.

"Hey," Meredith greeted him.

Eric turned he pocketed his wallet, "Hey."

Cristina went through and ordered at the coffee cart, "Two please."

Meredith smiled at Eric as he sipped his coffee, "What's wrong with your sister?" He asked, furrowing his eyebrows as he swilled the hot coffee.

"Lexie? Nothing, why?" Meredith stated. Eric scoffed as he took another swig, staring at his cup.

Lexie turned out of the hall and into the lobby. She made her way towards the coffee cart and called Meredith, "Meredith!"

Meredith and Cristina looked at Lexie. Eric peeked back, seeing Lexie. Lexie quickly stopped, almost skidding on the polished floor. She staggered back towards the hall, nervously.

"Well," Cristina paused, "You, I guess?" Eric glared at her.

"She's avoiding you?" Meredith asked.

Eric stared at Meredith, eyebrows curved, "Tell me you're not that clueless?" He groaned, "I need a resident..."

"to torture?" Meredith completed his statement, amused.

"I need..." He implied, looking at Meredith, "a resident - not to torture, Grey. And Lexie, she knows how I move. She's - " trying not to over-complement the toddler, "- adequate."

" - the better grey," Cristina chuckled, murmuring aloud, recalling Eric's comment, "that's really epic," Eric glared at her. Cristina stared back, "You need a resident?" She gestured on herself, "hello? badass over here."

Eric shifted closer to Cristina - standing straight, chin up, both hands at his back, practically inspecting Cristina from head to toe. Cristina mimicked him, stiffly, glancing at Meredith.

"Chill, GI Joe," Cristina blurted out.

"Okay," He stated.

"Okay?" Cristina cackled and jumped, "Okay. Ha!" Eric nodded and walked away. Cristina followed.

- - - - -

Eric saying yes to Cristina working with him was the worst decision he made. A direct and sarcastic attending and overbearing and retorting resident shouldn't be in a same room. Sure, Her talents and surgical skills are impeccable, but he felt drained after a day of having Cristina at his service.

"No offense, but I don't get how a surgeon could focus on one organ," Cristina chuckled, holding the retractor, "I mean..." She huffed.

"Instead of being mediocre in several organs, why be a master of one," Eric smoothly responded.

"Said the trauma surgeon," Cristina retorted. Eric scowled at her. Cristina cleared her throat.

"I am, primarily a Neurosurgeon," Eric implied, "And... the brain is a complex organ. It's challenging to study its intricacies -,"

"Yeah, complex. Not as badass as the heart, though," Cristina interrupted. Eric glanced at her and stared back at the open cranium in front of them, "Oh, I miss the blood..."

"It's not just about the cut, Dr. Yang."

"Yeah, tell that to yourself again," She paused, "We all crave that thrill of the cut, Dr. Keaton," She glanced at him as she continued, "no offense."

"Have you had this conversation with Derek Shepherd?" Eric chuckled.

"Yes." She responded simply.

"What did he say?"

"The same way you did," Cristina responded, "Nothing."

Evening Attending's Lounge

Eric slammed at the couch, arm dangling down, closing his eyes.

"You met your match?" Arizona spoke as she chuckled.

"God, that bloody woman's exhausting."

Arizona pondered as she fixed her things inside her bag, "Yep. She is," She turned towards Eric, "But, she's brilliant, right?"

Eric crushed his face on the couch and muffled his reply, "yshhh" He sat up and continued, "I want my resident back."

Arizona's eyebrows furrowed, "my? who..." Her eyes widened as she realized, "Wait... You're..." She snickered, "Lexie!? Oh my go-"

Eric scowled at her. He sat as he continued, "The toddler... doesn't talk back. And she knows how to handle my post-ops, accurately."

Arizona smirked and sat beside him, leaning closer, "Just admit it - you miss her," Arizona chanted, "And you're kinder to her, now," Arizona went on, jabbing him with her index finger at his hip.

"Don't! - I'm not," Eric rose up and snagged his coat from the armchair.

"Where are you going?" Arizona yelled.

Hospital Lobby

Lexie is stepping towards the exit, searching for her keys inside her handbag, when she bumped into someone. She dropped her keys at the floor as she apologized to the person. She glanced down, and was about to get the keys when the person kneeled down to pick up her keys and stood back, handing over the keys to her.

Lexie was fidgeting with a pained gaze. Her shoulders were tensed. "Thank you," Lexie looked up. Her eyes widened. It was the person she had been avoiding. Eric stared at her, eyes narrowed, brows pulled down. Lexie became more conscious, fixing her loosed hair as she continued, "I I'm sorry Dr. Keaton."

Eric noticed that she was acting odd. She's somewhat edgy and worried, "Dr. Grey," He spoke, gently, "Are you -" He paused and instead gave her the keys.

Lexie smiled and looked at the keys as she held it. From what it looked like, she was almost about to cry but she's trying not to, "I-uh -thank you." She practically murmured, her voice almost breaking. She gulped hard, pushing her tears back.

"I-" He shook his head, "our brainstem glioma was scheduled tomorrow. You can scrub in with me," He added.

Lexie nodded and smiled as she walked past him, clutching at the car keys, and made her way outside. Eric followed her as she wearily walked inside her car. Eric can't help but feel there's something wrong with her. Concern grew as she drove away. Eric reluctantly went back in.

The Next Day Catwalk

Richard had called for a meeting with the attendings at Seattle Grace - the only time he went out and talk to his staff. Today is also the day when the attendings at Mercy West were scheduled for an interview with him.

After the meeting, Derek and Mark were the first to go out of the office.

"Is this what the end of the world looks like?" Mark stated, striding at the catwalk as he observed the residents dashing through below the catwalk, "with Webber enjoying danish at the front-row seat."

Derek replied with a groan. Mark stared at him as they walked at the catwalk. Derek kept his head lowered, slouching his shoulder.

Eric went out of the chief's office and went after Mark and Derek. He stepped towards them as he checked his phone.

"Do I need to ask Catherine for a job back in Boston?" Eric smirked as Derek glared at him, "What?" He chortled.

"You two need to shut up, today," Derek walked away, leaving Mark and Eric at the middle of the catwalk, "Not helping."

"Not in the mood, huh?" Eric implied as both he and Mark watched Derek lumbered away at the catwalk.

"Yep," Mark responded, "brainstem glioma today?" He added.

Eric nodded, "Well I'm going down at the pit," He said as he checked his phone, "Owen's asking for a consult."

Emergency room

Eric had finished his consult and cleared Owen's patient. He moved out of the room and pulled out his gloves.

"OK, hey! Pause! Way too many people here," Miranda shouted at the residents surrounding the blood-vomiting patient. Eric turned towards them as he heard Miranda's voice. He stepped further and saw Meredith and Lexie arguing.

Eric pulled Steve as he walked by, "What's going on?" He asked.

"That's Thatcher Grey - Meredith's and Lexie's father," Steve answered. Eric let him go. He hesitated to leave and looked at Eric, hoping that Eric didn't stop him just to ask that information - Maybe he really just stopped him just for that information. Steve walked away and left Eric, who's still staring at Lexie Grey.

As Meredith walked away Eric noticed Lexie pacing back and forth beside the close-curtained bed. Lexie continued glancing through the curtain and staring back at the floor as she trotted. Her shoulders were strained. Her eyebrows are knitted together. She kept biting her nails. - She's obviously worried about her father.

Eric moved closer - to ask her if she's okay or ask if she needed anything. But then he stopped, watching Lexie who had just stopped pacing as Miranda called her. He swung back and stepped away.

Surgical Wing

Even though Eric and Meredith considered each other as friends, knowing Meredith she would only confide on either Derek or Cristina so Eric went to do his scheduled surgeries. After his first surgeries, Eric stayed at the nurses' station right next to the surgical schedule board, going through his next surgeries. He put his hands on his hips as he scanned the board.

"I can be hardcore," Cristina blurted in a sultry manner.

Eric raised an eyebrow. He craned his neck to find out who said that - He saw Cristina Yang, flirting her way towards Jim Nelson. He observed as Jim strolled away when he realized that Owen was there.

"Are you whoring yourself out for surgeries?" Owen said, chuckling.

"Oh, shut up! You forced me to do it," Cristina blurted out. Owen laughed as he walked away. Eric stifled a laugh, which Cristina heard. Cristina turned to him. She widened his eyes. Eric could almost hear her brain working on an idea. Cristina stared at him as Eric looked back at the board.

"You had your chance, Yang," He implied, "So, no."

Her brows furrowed, "Oh, come on!" Cristina blurted, stomping her feet like a kid.

Meredith walked towards Cristina.

"Hey, Mer," Eric greeted Meredith, placing his hands behind his back.

"Hey," She glanced at him.

"Need anything?" He added.

She sighed as she looked at him, "Lexie - she's having a bad day. So, If you're planning to bully her, today. Don't. - That's what I need from you," She finished, as she turned back at Cristina.

Cristina grinned as Eric walked away from the twisted sisters. His pager beeped, sending him towards the ICU.

ICU Floor

Eric walked along the halls of the ICU Floor, trying to concentrate on his work than to think about the resident he'd been bullied. If only he knew he'd be this invested he would stop picking on Lexie Grey at the earliest. Eric remembered this started when He and George have that talk. - that conversation. He narrowed his eyes as he went on towards his patient's room. If George were alive, he would strangle him to death.

"Damn it, George," He said under his breath.

He turned left and continued his way at the hall. Eric stopped as he saw Miranda, Richard and Lexie at the end of the hall. Eric squeezed his eyes shut, pinching the bridge of his nose. - The world is playing with him right now. He glanced back at the group. Meredith stepped closer as they talked about something - about their father's transplant, he thought. And by Lexie's expression - who's glancing at Meredith like Bambi - she's not a match. Eric shook his head, resigning away from the Grey sisters, and moved inside the patient's room.

He stood tough, earning a stare from Steve as he checked the charts of the patient. Eric glanced at Steve and noticed a smile - combined with a sordid idea - forming on the resident. Eric knew what to do to stop his thoughts, "Tell me, Dr. Mostow," He put down the chart, "have you scrubbed in on a brainstem glioma?"

Steve stammered and grinned broadly. The neurosurgeon, not only blurted his name right, but he also asked him to scrub in with him. Eric looked at Steve, "I take that as a no. Let's go. You can scrub in," He added as they went out of the room.

Miranda and Richard had already left when Lexie saw Eric went out of a room close to Thatcher's. She observed him as Eric walked through the hall followed by Steve.

Evening Waiting Area

It was already evening when he and Steve finished their surgery. Steve went out first to inform their patient's family. Eric followed after he closed.

Eric arrived at the waiting area. The family was nowhere to be found. There was only one person there - Lexie. Mark walked by, and stopped beside Eric. Both were staring at Lexie. Both were feeling the same concern towards the younger Grey. - Anyone would, Eric would reason. She's alone. Who would be alone at a time like this?

"Richard found a donor?" Eric asked, crossing his arms.

"Meredith..." Mark answered. Eric looked at Mark, "She volunteered. Derek told me."

Eric looked back at Lexie, "How... unselfish of her," He paused. Mark was about to walk away when Eric stopped him, "You need to sit with her," Gesturing at Lexie. Mark looked at Lexie, "I would but - If I was her, I wouldn't want to see me," He chuckled, as if him being the bad guy is a joke, "She needs someone who genuinely cares for her."

Mark nodded and made his way towards Lexie - now, bending down, squeezing her head below her knees. She stood up as Mark walked closer. Mark hugged her as she broke down.

- - - - -

As the elevators ringed open, Arizona walked out and noticed Eric going in. She pulled Eric, stopping him from riding the elevator, "Hey, I thought you had a day off. Haven't seen you all day."

"I..uhh... surgeries," Eric said, as he stared at the closing elevator. He sighed as he turned to Arizona. Arizona peered at him intently as Eric stared at the floor, impatiently tapping his foot. He's unusually inarticulate - she thought. Eric looked at her as she remained silent.

"Are you going home?" She asked, "Callie and I are going out for dinner - want to join?"

"No, I - Go. I'm staying... patients," Eric said as he pushed the up button.

"Okay," Arizona uttered, "text me - if you change your mind," She added as she walked away.

PACU

It was 9 PM when they brought his patient at the PACU after surgery. 10 PM when Eric went up at the PACU, he saw Derek watching Meredith's room. Before he could check with Derek, his patient coded. Eric and his resident never left the room since then.

It was 2 AM. Steve volunteered to stay beside the patient as Eric went out of the patient's room. The patient has been stable for a while, and hopefully would remain that way. As Eric walked through the halls, he crossed by Meredith's and two rooms away from her room, Thatcher's. There he saw Lexie.

Eric stood where Lexie wouldn't notice him. Her anxiety was evident. But compared to what she looked like earlier, she's calmer now. He could sense relief between her furrowed eyebrows and creased forehead. Lexie sat at the recliner, constantly glancing at her watch and back at Thatcher, tapping her fingers at the armrest. Eric evaded her all day. He assumed it would not be a good idea to add further stress to her by showing his face - the face of the bully who's been giving her hell.

As he observed, Eric hadn't noticed his face copying her expression. Lexie rose up from her seat. Eric shook himself from his stupor and stepped away before being spotted.

- - - - -

Eric thought of bringing her coffee. Also, thinking about the fact that Lexie might not accept it from someone who's 'not a friend', he tried to figure out how to give it to her. As he pondered deeply in front of the cart, hands on his hips, tapping his feet and looking on the floor, an idea sprung up. He bought two cups of coffee - so when she would ask why he's bringing her coffee, he would explain he's giving the other one to Steve, the resident who's been working with him all day. He went back several minutes later carrying two cups of coffee, practicing an explanation for the cup of coffee.

His eyebrows furrowed. Eric wished that he would just walk in there with Lexie sleeping, making it easier for him to just leave the coffee there.

Eric noticed himself tiptoeing at the halls of PACU wing. He stopped. Eric exhaled deeply, staring at the coffee he's holding. - Maybe he's overthinking this. Eric proceeded walking normally. Laughing quietly at himself as he proceeded.

"bloody ridiculous," He muttered under his breath.

He had been all over the hospital. And, she had been all over the hospital. Eric had been using his energy avoiding someone and failing. He's too tired. And right now, He pondered, he didn't care anymore if Lexie's awake. He'll just give the coffee to her - no reasons, no whatsoever.

When he arrived, Lexie's not there. So he checked inside Meredith's room. There she was, dozing at the couch. Eric left the other coffee at the nurses' station before he carefully opened the door and walked inside.

Eric glanced at Lexie as he walked inside. He noticed her brows still creased, but a bit relaxed now. Eric walked further by the desk to lay the coffee cup. He halted, darting his eyes at her as Lexie moved, shifting her position at the couch. She pressed her arms hard against each other, bending her knees together. - She was cold. Eric moved again as Lexie settled. He quietly put the coffee at the table near Lexie and turned. He stepped towards the folded blanket at the end table, grabbed it and moved towards Lexie. Eric put the blanket on her, adjusting it properly. He smiled unknowingly as Lexie snuggled the blanket.

Eric slowly made his way towards the door, carefully sliding it open as he made out. He glanced back inside, checking if he had woken up the two sisters. Eric closed the door and walked towards his patient's room.

Meredith opened her eyes. She pretended to be asleep when she spotted Eric stepping inside the room, holding a cup of coffee. She was about to ask him why he's in her room, but decided not to, trying not to make him embarrassed. Meredith just observed him until he left.

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wherewemightendup · 2 years

Text

Where We Might End Up - Lexie Grey x OC fanfic Chapter 7: Losing a Friend; Gaining Another

S5/E23 - S6/E1 ___________________________________________________

The conversation about Eric's nickname continued the next day at Izzie's room.

"I just did Spinal Osteomyelitis Surgery earlier, with Dr. Keaton," Meredith bragged.

"Badass!" Cristina answered.

"Mer, can you please try to focus and tell me how it tastes?" Izzie interrupted Meredith.

"What? The chicken? It tastes like chicken," Alex answered.

"NO – I know that..."

"McBadass?" Cristina pondered.

"Mcwhat?" Izzie asked, confused.

"We're thinking about what to call Eric... If Derek's Mcdreamy. Mark's Mcsteamy..."

"Mcbadass sounds right," George answered as he took a bite from the next plate Izzie gave him.

"Dude, don't," Alex said to George, shaking his head.

"No, it's not," Izzie said, "How about Mcsexy?"

"That's what I said, last night," Cristina said.

"McHotty?" Izzie added.

"Mmmm. Well, could be."

"Well, let's stick with McHotty," Izzie said.

"Ugh..." George put down the plate, cringing and added, "Now I remember why I don't join in this discussion."

- - - - -

Bailey rallied all the residents with their interns for a case. At the patient's room, Arizona, Owen, Mark and Eric where there, explaining the treatment plan for the patient. Eric postured straight, his hands clasped behind his back, and chin propped up like a soldier. He glanced at the patient and smiled. Cristina watched his gestures and pulled Meredith to whisper.

"Mcdashing," Cristina whispered. Meredith looked at Eric and saw the patient swooning at him.

"What is she talking about?" Meagan asked Steve as she overheard Cristina.

"I don't know..."

"They're thinking about a nickname for Dr. Keaton," George answered, "Which is – I think – getting old now?"

"Mcyummy," Dani suggested.

Bailey glared at them as she noticed they are whispering. Eric became distracted as he continued to talk, his glance travelled to Cristina's interns and noticed Lexie staring. He thought she was staring at Mark. He looked back at his patient as he tried to listen to the question.

"Hey, Lexie. What do you think?" Dani asked, tapping her. Lexie stared at Eric, eyebrows furrowed.

"Uhm - what?" Lexie said.

"Any nickname for the youngest mcbrother?" Ryan said, noticing her staring at Eric.

Eric tried to continue the presentation, and became irritated as the interns continued to whisper. He then looked at the interns and stated, "... but setting aside what should be a crucial information for our esteemed doctors here, maybe we should just let them talk to each other..." He glared at the residents.

Bailey called on them, "Doctors?" Her eyes widened as she looked at them.

Cristina turned to the interns and blurted, "Shut it."

Eric then continued to talk to the patient after they became quiet.

- - - - -

"Dr. Grey and Dr. Yang," Eric called, "Dr. Yang, have your interns do the pre-op and check with me once it's done," He said, he turned back at the group and added, "Oh, I forgot. Dr. Bailey said she needs two interns at the clinic. Little Grey and... Someone..." He paused and pointed at Ryan Spalding, "You two can go... Dr. Grey with me."

"You mean the better Grey..." Lexie blurted out in frustration, as she walked away with Ryan. Yang and the other interns went to prep the patient.

Meredith moved towards Eric and looked at him as they walk towards another room. Her interns followed.

"So I think – "

"Do you like Lexie?" Meredith interrupted.

'What?" Eric chuckled.

"I mean you seemed to be torturing her? And it's not about Mark anymore."

"She's an intern, Grey. Tell me, you haven't been stuck with scut work when you're an intern?"

"Just checking..." Meredith said, "I mean there are other interns and..." They stopped, and Eric looked at her, Meredith added, "You are always picking on Lexie."

"I do?" Eric asked.

"Oh, don't pretend that you don't know what I'm saying," Meredith huffed as she waved her hands dismissively.

Eric moved his head sideways, brow arched, lips pursed as he tried to think, "When did we become close to have a conversation like this..." He jest.

"She's my sister," Meredith added.

"... I mean? how?" Eric continued.

"Hey!" Meredith held both of his arms to get his attention, "She's my sister."

"Yeah?" Eric said, "I know..." He looked away.

"I just - I don't believe that you're doing it without any reason..." They stopped. Meredith stared at Eric, as he leered right back at her. Her eyebrows moved up as her eyes widened. Her face tilted as Meredith's face reflected her astonishment.

"No," Meredith reacted, "You can't possibly..."

"Well, I'm an ass," Eric answered, impassively.

"You're an ass," Meredith said, following him inside the patient's room.

The next day

The day started with George talking to Eric and Owen about joining the army. George informed them that he's off the next day. Cristina saw George hugged the both of them as they talk to each other.

"Dr. Keaton," George called him. Eric stopped and turned to George.

"Yes, Dr. O'Malley."

"I wanted to ask you something, I -" George paused, "I know you've been working with Dr. Grey for a while."

"Yes, Meredith?"

"No, Lexie Grey," George corrected, "You've been... you know..." George is trying to say something.

"What is it?"

"... a bully," George added.

"Oh, come on," Eric looked away, "Funny, you're not the only person who said that this week." He chuckled.

George looked at him, his brows knitted together. Eric knew that he's serious. So he straighten himself as George continued, "I don't get it. You - You're a great person. I just don't get it why you chose to act like an asshole."

"I don't. I'm not. It's just- easy," Eric admitted.

"I'm going to say this once, as a friend. You're not that dumb to know that what happened between Dr. Sloan and Dr. Shepherd is not Lexie's fault," He paused, "I'm her friend... Well was. I've never been a friend to her not after... And, she has no one..."

"Well, it seems to me that you're wrong. She has a village," Eric said, remembering the last conversation he had with Meredith, which seemed to be more of a reminder, a warning of sorts.

"I'm asking you as a friend. You're a good one but sometimes you act like a kid. Just don't care what she did... I need you to be her friend, when I'm gone."

Hospital Cafeteria

At the cafeteria, Eric thought about what George told him earlier. He needed someone to assist him on his craniotomy, he thought he could ask Lexie, proving George that he's not acting like a kid like he said. He looked around, looking for Lexie. He found her with the other interns, head slumped on the table, her arms just hanging off, exhausted from all the boils she lanced at the clinic. Meredith watched as Eric walked towards the interns' table. She smiled at him as Eric glanced at her.

He cleared his throat. Lexie seemed not to notice him. He fixed his coat as he cleared his throat again, feeling a little bit awkward as seconds passed, he then said, "Dr. Grey."

She didn't budge, head still resting on the table. The interns are starting to stare at Eric. He couldn't stand it anymore so he called out Lexie.

"Dr. Alexandra Grey," He emphasized. Lexie sat up, startled.

"I thought you're talking to Mere – "

"It seems that you're uhm - ," he paused, turning his head behind and back at Lexie, "... quite practiced now with... at... the clinic," He stammered looking at the interns who kept staring at him, "I digress." He shook his head.

Cristina, at the other table, looked where Meredith was watching. She stopped eating as she watched the unfurled neurosurgeon stammering as he talked with Lexie. Lexie looked at him confused at what he's saying.

He exhaled and continued with a stern voice, "I need someone to assist me on a tumor and since you've been quite adept after 'lancing so many boils'," He copied her earlier statement, "... you can scrub in with me... now," He said, turned around and walked out of the cafeteria.

As Eric walked by Meredith's table, he stated, "This is me being nice," He said. Meredith smiled and looked at Lexie who is still not sure what happened.

Lexie turned to her and shouted, "Did he just...?" Lexie paused and immediately followed Eric out of the cafeteria, grabbing her coat off her seat.

Bailey appeared at the Cafeteria with Callie and walked towards the residents' table, informing them that George is joining the military. She asked them to change his mind with anything they can.

Before leaving the cafeteria, Bailey asked, "Have you seen Dr. Keaton?" Her hands stayed on her waist as he looked around.

"He's just here, why?" Meredith asked.

Bailey interrupted her, "Where did he -" Meredith and Cristina pointed where Eric went out. Bailey and Callie stormed off the cafeteria.

- - - - -

Eric walked the hall with Lexie towards his patient's room when Bailey bellowed for him.

"Dr. Keaton!" Dr. Bailey called him. Her voice echoed at the hall. He felt a sudden pang of cold wind coming his way.

"I feel... cold all of a sudden," He said to himself. Lexie turned around and noticed Dr. Bailey and Callie stomping towards them.

"Dr. Eric Keaton!" Dr. Bailey called him again in her most stern voice. He turned around and greeted the two infuriated surgeons with his calm demeanor.

"Doctors?" He said.

"Oh, don't you doctor me," Callie reacted, "Where's George?"

"What? Why?" Eric asked.

"Dr. Keaton I know you're new here. But George... he..." Bailey, calmed herself down, "... I'm going to say this as respecting and as calmly as possible for me..." She said, warning Eric of what's awaiting him, "But you... oh... you and Owen Hunt, you put the idea on George O' Malley's mind to join the army?!" Bailey shouted.

"George joined the army?!" Lexie blurted out. Eric looked at her, looking at him.

"No, I -" Eric looked back at the scowling surgeons in front of them and added, "I didn't! Okay? We -" He paused, becoming more and more terrified at how Bailey looked at him.

Lexie tried to call George, "He's not answering his phone."

"He's in surgery with Dr. Webber," Callie answered her.

"- just thought that he has tremendous skills as a trauma surgeon. Owen thought that he could be trained more at the field, which I... agreed... I didn't know he would..." Eric said.

"eh-eh-eh" Bailey interrupted him to stop, "You and Dr. Owen Hunt are going to tell that idiotic boy to stop that idiotic idea of his. Or I'll put all of your idiotic be-hinds where it belongs!" Bailey said, "6 o clock!" as she and Callie walked away.

Lexie rolled her eyes at Eric, and he noticed it, "It's George..." She implied.

"Do the pre-op on the patient," He answered, giving her the chart. She went inside the room.

- - - - -

"I've been paging Keaton," Hunt said.

"He's in surgery. I'm here," Derek answered.

"John Doe, jumped in front of the bus," Hunt stated, "We need Ortho and Plastics, here."

- - - - -

OR 3

"Suction, here," Eric said as he positioned the scissors to cut the aneurysm. Lexie moved the suction closer, "...there, thank you. It's done. Ready for closing." He stated.

"Dr. Keaton," Lexie said, "You're doing this because Meredith asked you, is it?" He glanced at her and look back at the skull of the patient as he started to close. He didn't answer the question.

"Can I go now?" Lexie requested, frustrated as her question has been ignored.

"Yes, you can go talk to the family," He answered without looking at her. Lexie immediately removed her gown and gloves, and walked out of the room.

Eric finished the surgery and asked the nurse to put the patient in PACU. He saw Lexie at the reception room, talking at the family, who's hugging her. The family noticed Dr. Keaton and called him.

"Dr. Keaton!" The sister called, "Thank you," The sister embraced him. Lexie stared at him, her smile disappeared. He smiled at the patient's sister.

"You're welcome," he added, "He's been sent to the PACU but you can visit him there."

Lexie stared at him as he watched the sister walked towards the elevator, going to the PACU. Lexie walked away as he was about to answer her question at the OR. He followed her.

"Dr. Grey," He called her.

As he followed Lexie, a woman approached Lexie and asked, "Who-Who's George?"

"What?" Lexie stopped as she listened to the stranger.

"John doe? The guy who threw me out of the way of the bus. The guy who saved my life." The stranger continued glancing at both Lexie and Eric, "Everyone's crying, and they keep saying, 'John Doe is George.' Who's George?" Lexie's face suddenly melted into complete desolation as she realized what the stranger is asking. She immediately ran, wiping her face as she made her way towards where John Doe is.

After George's funeral

The surgeons went back to the hospital to work. Lexie visited Clara Ferguson, a trauma patient she was ordered to befriend. Outside, she put back her charts at the nurses station. She paused, wiping the lose hair off her face, sighing heavily. Her eyebrows furrowed from time to time, as she tried to stop herself from crying. She focused herself and continued to move to her next patient. As she turned, she saw Eric.

She walked passed him and tried to ignore him. Eric was about to call her when she stopped and faced him, "I know being a jerk is kind of your thing... but could you not... not today? It's difficult for me today," She paused, "...especially today," She whispered, "Do you think you could give me a break?" She looked at him. Eric stood there quietly as Lexie walked away.

Night

Eric walked by the residents' lounge and noticed Lexie sitting down at the bench, in front of George's locker. She's staring at George's locker as tears fell down her face. He went inside the lounge, and slowly walked closer to Lexie.

"Dr. Grey," Eric said, cautiously, he knew the last person she wanted to see was him.

"Don't," She blurted out, "Just – I can't..," Lexie blurted out, "I know you and George are friends, I don't know how it happened but... please... don't," Lexie tried to articulate her words as she gasped, her tears started to stream down.

Eric remembered, at the funeral she was alone. Meredith was nowhere. He thought, she could be with her friends, with Alex, Izzie and Cristina. The last thing he wanted to do, he thought, his last act as George's friend, is to leave Lexie, his friend, alone again. So he stayed.

"I hope you're a good friend to him..." She continued, realizing he wasn't going anywhere, "I was a bad friend to George. I just... I... I abandoned him completely..."

Eric walked closer and sat at the end of the bench where Lexie was.

"I know I'm the last person you wanted to see... but... George, he's my friend," Eric said, "He's one of the first few people who talked to me... I've only known him for a brief time but, I know, he didn't consider you a bad friend. And if I know George, he wouldn't like you to be alone right now," He added. She cried harder as he talked.

"He... he died," She stated, "I... George died." She finally broke down. She bent down, pressing her palms on her knees and cried hard, her shoulders moved up as she sniffed.

Eric tried to move closer; he tried to reached her, and hesitated. He doesn't know what to do. He moved closer to Lexie. "You can uh..." He stopped himself. Looking at Lexie, he knew that he is the last person that can comfort her right now. He then just pulled his handkerchief from his jacket pocket and gave it to Lexie. Lexie reluctantly accepted. She wiped her tears with the handkerchief. Lexie gripped her knees as she cried harder.

He stayed until Lexie finished crying. Lexie realized that she's not alone. With puffy and bloodshot eyes, she looked at Eric who's still sitting beside her. He's looking forward at the lockers. his lips were pressed firm, not making a sound, respecting her space. Holding his handkerchief, Lexie wondered why he's still there.

"You're - you're still here?" She said, hiccupping every word. Eric exhaled. He looked at her and smiled, gently.

"You're in no condition to - drive. I can... I can give you a drive home," He added, "I'm not doing this for Meredith. I'm doing this for you."

Eric drove Lexie at Meredith and Derek's house. Lexie stayed silent for the duration of the ride, looking forward and at the handkerchief she's holding. As the car gently stopped in front of Meredith, Lexie stared at the handkerchief.

"Thank you," She said, as she opened the passenger door. Eric went out of the car and walked behind Lexie as she sluggishly walked towards the door. Eric kept his arms a few inches behind her, just in case she stumbled.

Lexie stood just outside the door. Eric pushed the doorbell. Meredith answered the door, shocked to see Eric and Lexie together. Lexie went inside without a word as Meredith opened the door.

"She's - alone. I drove her here. She needs a friend," Eric said as Meredith looked at him. She nodded.

9 notes · View notes

wherewemightendup · 2 years

Text

Where We Might End Up - Lexie Grey x OC fanfic Chapter 6: I Always Have Your Back, Brother

S5/E20 - S5/E23

___________________________________________________

Hospital Lobby

Meredith had convinced Derek to go back to work, telling him about Izzie's condition and that out of the 20 person that could do the surgery, He's the best person for the job.

Callie watched as Derek and Richard walked by, followed by Meredith, Cristina and Alex. All of them were going to Izzie's room for the presentation. She then saw George walking towards her, looking despondent.

"George. Hey," Callie called, "I'm surprised you're not... I mean isn't there a big presentation happening with Izzie?"

"I didn't even know she was sick," George went on, Callie can see the hurt on George's eyes as he continue to talk, "Bailey told me after Christina told her. Izzie trusted Christina. I was the very last to know."

She tried to console him, "Well, I'm sure Izzie wasn't trying..."

"I don't even want to talk about it anymore," George interrupted, "What I wanna do is work. You have any room on your service?" He finally looked at her.

"Yeah." Pulling the charts, she continued, "I have three hip replacements on and a tib-fib repair --"

George reached in for the charts, "Thank you." He walked away.

- - - - -

As he busied himself with surgeries, away from thinking about Izzie – of which is juggling between worrying and being upset about how he knew about it – George realized that he wasn't succeeding. He's still thinking about his best friend and he's being consumed by it. Callie's been checking him from time to time. George would just answer with a word or by changing the topic. Scrubbing out, Callie noticed George staring at nowhere.

"George, Are you o –"

George continued to scrub and interrupted her, "I'll put the patient in the recovery room, Dr. Torres, You can take your lunch," George said.

"Uhm – Okay," Callie answered, "See you later, then."

Callie went out of the OR. George followed. After he put their patient in the recovery room, he saw Eric inside one of the recovery rooms, checking his patient. George stared at him. Eric looked outside and noticed George standing, looking at him. Eric finished checking the patient and went out of the room. He stepped beside George, giving the chart to the nurse.

"Dr. O'Malley," Eric greeted. He noticed that George was staring out of nowhere. The nurse gave another chart to him that he started signing. George finally broke the silence.

"When they talked about Izzie's treatment plan, Cristina..." George paused, her name stinging on his lips, "Knowing Cristina, she would think of getting the best doctors for Izzie. --I heard Meredith, She – They thought Dr. Shepherd should do the surgery on her brain," Eric kept his eyes glued on the chart he's holding as George continued, "Meredith made a case of him being one of the 20 surgeons who could do it. I know you're also one of that 20 surgeons. You can do it. I know. I saw you do one..."

"George..."

"You're fine. You're here. Dr. Shepherd's not fine. He may have just said yes because of Meredith – Tell me, Dr. Keaton. Is he the right choice?" George looked at him, pain and worry reflecting through his eyes.

"I've known Dr. Shepherd for years. He may be in a dark place..." He put down the chart and leaned on the counter, "but I think... I think he wouldn't risk his patient by accepting the surgery he couldn't do. He didn't say yes because of Meredith, He said yes because he knows he can do it. As you said, Dr. Yang chose the best doctor for Izzie. Dr. Shepherd is the best doctor," Eric patted his shoulder.

Derek overheard the conversation.

- - - - -

After Izzie's surgery, and after Derek proposed to Meredith. Derek went to the CT room after Owen asked him for help regarding his PTSD. As he walked towards the hall, he saw Eric.

"It's seems congratulations are in order," Eric said, hands crossed behind his back, standing straight.

"Yes, Thank you," Derek said, chuckled.

"Where's Meredith?"

"She went home. I'm just here for one last consult," Derek added pointing at the CT room where Owen is waiting.

"Very well, good night, Chief," Eric greeted.

"I'm sorry. You are right," Derek blurted, following Eric. Eric looked back at him as Derek continued, "It's immature to bring back what happened between you and Amy and I'm – I'm sorry."

"I know." He sighed, "You're an ass," He joked.

"You always have my back," Derek stated.

"Of course I do, brother," Eric answered.

- - - - -

Derek went back officially as the chief of neurosurgery. Eric chose to add shifts at the pit, with Owen and George, who Owen told had a talent at Trauma. Mark and Derek had patched things up between them after the surgery they did together.

Callie got paged at the pit. She saw Eric working with Lexie. Callie smiled. She thought since everyone was already on good terms, Eric might as well stopped doing what he'd been doing at the intern. As Callie walked closer towards them, she could hear their conversation.

"How can one be so stupid at a simple task?" Eric exclaimed, "I told you, flat white," Eric implied, "hold off the milk." Eric gestured his hand in emphasis.

"That's literally a double espresso," Lexie answered pushing the coffee cup towards Eric.

"And I say, get me another one. the right one," He answered back, while grabbing the coffee off Lexie's hand.

Callie's smile faded and furrowed her eyebrows a little. She moved closer. Putting her hands on her waist, she cleared her throat loudly, getting Eric's attention. Lexie walked out. Eric snickered. Callie glared at him.

"What?" Eric asked Callie. Eric chuckled as he continued to drink the coffee.

"What did I just say?" Callie implied.

"I don't remem – " He looked at Callie, who wasn't really in the mood for his quirks, He changed his statement. He cleared his throat and replied, " – to behave."

"What are you doing?" Callie said.

"Behaving," Eric answered.

"That's not behaving, Eric! You are enjoying this, are you?"

"That obvious, huh?" Eric said, "What? Okay! Okay, I'm going to thank her later."

"That's not what I'm asking, wiseass," Callie answered, walking away.

- - - - -

Eric and Callie were standing at the reception room, with Arizona, using the computer.

"So, are you going to follow me all the time, now?" Eric asked Callie, who's been following him ever since his little play at the pit.

"He's still at it, huh?" Arizona said, smiling as she continued to make her reports at the computer.

"Yepp," Callie emphasized, raising a brow at Eric as he chuckled at how ridiculous Callie's been.

Lexie walked towards them, slamming the coffee in front of Eric. Eric got startled as he stared at the cup, "Here you go, Flat white without the milk," She sighed, keeping her face from show the absurdity of his request. She breathed deeply.

Arizona looked at the cup and uttered, "Wait? You're drinking coffee now? But you're..." Arizona stopped as Eric looked at her.

"Uhm, good. Thank you, Dr. Grey," Eric stated, as he looked back at the intern. Callie elbowed him hard at his waist, "Ow!" He glared at Callie. Lexie walked away, "Wait!" Eric blurted, looking at Callie and then Lexie, "You - can scrub in with me on my craniotomy at 4 PM."

Lexie continued to move away.

"Well, I did what you ask. Can you not follow me, anymore?" Eric asked Callie.

"Do you think I want to follow you all day?" Callie said. Eric left them. Callie sighed.

Joe's Bar

Eric, Owen and George are playing darts. Mark and Derek are sitting by the table beside the dart board. Eric stepped beside them as George played next. Mark chuckled as Eric stepped beside their table.

"What are you laughing about?" Eric asked as he reached for his drink.

"So you joined the meatballer brigade?" Mark asked, and laughed.

"Hmmm," He sipped his scotch and replied, "How's your schedule today? Pretty busy with face lifts I heard?"

"Ha!" Derek reacted, laughed and toasted with Eric.

"Plastics are more than just face lifts..." Mark blurted out.

"Yeah, keep saying it and we might just believe you," Derek replied.

"ha-ha. Funny," Mark said.

Cristina and Meredith, sitting at the bar, looked at the group near the dart board.

"So, how did Owen became close to George?" Cristina asked.

"I should ask you that question," Meredith said.

"You know George assisted in every trauma patient earlier in the pit? Like I wasn't there," Cristina ranted, chugging her beer as she added, "I needed to remind Owen that I was there to notice me... God, I miss Cardio."

Lexie arrived sitting beside Meredith. She noticed Eric playing with Owen. She rolled her eyes and blurted, "Ugh" and ordered.

"Oh, I heard you're a barista now?" Cristina teased Lexie.

George walked towards the bar to order another round.

"Hey, Joe, another round here?" He said looking back on the dart game, Owen's playing, "Ooh! bullseye!" He commented.

Cristina furrowed her brow in irritation, "bullseye, huh?" She paused, pulling George back as he turned around, "Hey George, When did you become so interested in darts, huh?" She asked.

He answered without looking at Cristina, "None of your business, Cristina."

"Wait, George is friends with him?" Lexie interrupted, "Hey George, you're friends with him?" George didn't hear Lexie, so he continued to walk back with his group.

"Yeah," Cristina replied, "And because of that he's scrubbing in on all trauma cases."

"He's really friends with him?" Lexie wondered.

"Lexie what are you asking, really?" Meredith asked, watching her sister staring at Eric.

"How can George be friends with him?" Lexie frowned, "He's an ass."

"Owen's not an ass," Cristina paused and looked at Owen's ass turning her head at the side, "Well, he has a great ass..."

"I think she's not referring to Owen," Meredith answered.

Cristina looked at Meredith and glanced at Lexie. She followed her stare and noticed Eric, "Oh."

"He's arrogant and immature...He's been putting me on his service just to put me in the clinic and run errands for him."

Cristina snickered as she listened to Lexie, "Remember me, Three?"

"Lexie, you're an intern. That's the job... scut and clinic. And he's an attending. He's just doing his job," Meredith said.

"Ooh, McSexy?" Cristina blurted out.

"Are we calling him that?" Meredith turned to Cristina.

"Well he is McSexy,"

"More like, McAss..." Lexie cut in, drinking beer. Lexie glanced at Cristina and Meredith as she remembered Megan's comment earlier when the other interns are talking about him, She added, "...But not because he has a great ass..." Meredith and Cristina stopped and stared at Lexie. Lexie gulped as she continued, "...or anything he uhhh he - he's an ass okay?" Lexie clarified.

Meredith chuckled and tried to sympathize with her sister, "Why? Is he still torturing you?" Meredith asked, amused.

"Scut monkey..." Cristina mocked her.

"You did tell him you'll do all his scut work in exchange for surgery so..."

"At least she didn't offer him sex in exchange for it..." Meredith slapped Cristina's arm, "What?"

"I can't imagine he could be... Well, he's kind to me. I don't know why he's like that with you," Meredith added.

"Wait," Lexie shook her head and darted at Meredith, "You're his friend? How?" She asked looking at Eric, pointing him with her two arms stretched out, "I mean, he's the opposite of friendly – he's unkind, condescending, arrogant... "She looked back at Meredith, "... Don't be friends with him."

"He's Derek's friend," Meredith said.

"Don't be friends with him. I'm your sister!" Lexie implied.

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wherewemightendup · 2 years

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Where We Might End Up - Lexie Grey x OC fanfic Chapter 5: The Better Plan

The Next Day

Meredith and Alex stepped inside the elevator, and saw Eric with a blackened right eye and a cut on his lower lip. His right hand was also bruised.

"That went well, huh?" Meredith responded. Eric growled at her.

"It's your fault," Eric growled.

Meredith turned to look at Eric, "My fau -" She scoffed.

The elevator rang. The door opened. Callie and Arizona went inside the elevator and spotted Eric.

"What happened to you?!" Callie blurted, stopping her tracks.

"Derek Shepherd happened," Alex responded, chuckling. Meredith nudged him. He stifled his laughter. Callie and Arizona moved further at the back, with Meredith in the middle of them.

At the next floor, Mark moved inside the elevator and noticed Eric's face. He stopped and stared at him, mouth gaped and eyebrows furrowed with concern, "What the hell happened to you?" Mark implied.

Eric was having enough of the question for the day. Eric cleared his throat as Mark walked inside, keeping his stare at Eric.

"Just get in!" Meredith uttered, gesturing his hand at Mark.

Mark positioned opposite Eric, Meredith at the middle. As the doors were about to close, Lexie stopped it and it opened again. Realizing Mark is there, she stopped coming in, but not before she noticed Eric's face.

"Get in, Lexie," Meredith told her.

Lexie moved inside, standing between Mark and Eric. - Mark and Eric, both with a bruised hand, eye and cut lip.

Callie snickered, "Well, this is a sight."

"Don't," Mark and Eric chorused.

- - - - -

Emergency Room

Trauma coming in at the pit. Owen paged Eric for a consultation. Eric looked at the patient.

"The left pupil's blown. Karick, book an OR," He said as he finished checking the patient. Steve and Karev looked at each other in confusion.

Owen looked at Eric, confused, "Uh, Keaton, we don't -- Who's..."

"I think he's talking to you," Steve said to Alex, "Karick," He laughed.

"You," Eric turned at Steve. He stopped laughing as Eric continued, "You can scrub in with Dr. Karick and I."

"It's Karev!" Alex blurted, as Eric walked away. Owen shook his head and chuckled as he followed Eric.

"Your hand good?" Owen asked.

Eric clutched his right hand as he clenched it into a fist and spread it open, "Yes, all good."

"Okay," Owen held onto the gurney, helping Callie and Eric push it towards the elevators, "Let's go."

"Wait!" Lexie exclaimed. Hearing her, Eric glanced behind him, seeing Lexie rushing towards him. "Dr. Keaton," Lexie called on Eric.

"Eric." Callie said, hearing Lexie. Eric ignored her.

"Dr. Keaton I -" She tried to follow them at the elevators as the group pushed the gurney inside.

Owen held the door open, "Dr. Grey, you coming in?"

"You're holding the door." Eric added

"I-I'm on your service --You haven't..." She stammered as she panted. glancing around the group inside the elevator. She sighed as she repeated. "I'm on your your service."

"Go do the charting at the neuro wing," Eric said without looking at her.

"But I'm - "

"You're on my service, right? So I say, Go do scut," Eric implied as the elevator closed.

Callie looked at him, her mouth gaped as she arched her eyebrows. Eric noticed her.

"What?" Eric asked.

"Oh, nothing," Callie responded, averting her look.

- - - - -

Mark has been cleared to do surgeries. He visited Eric at the neuro wing.

"Chief," Mark teased and snickered.

"Oh, you're back to surgery. Happy times," Eric responded sarcastically. Mark looked at him. His face always reflected sarcasm. Eric went towards the nurses' station and Mark followed, "Callie shouldn't have cleared you, yet."

"How's the hand?" Mark asked, implying his bruised hand.

Eric narrowed his eyes at Mark, "Excellent," Eric responded as he moved his right hand.

"So, who's mature now?" Mark retorted. Eric stopped, "How's the fistfight with Derek?"

Eric countered, "You really need to sleep with that one person Derek asked you not to?"

"You really need to have a relationship with Derek's little sister?" Mark retaliated. Eric scowled at him.

"Says someone who've been with all of Derek's sisters." Eric blurted.

"Yep, I deserve that," Mark said, as he raised his hands in defeat. He sighed. Eric went back to work.

Eric requested the chart from the nurse and asked Mark all of a sudden, "So, you really like the preschooler?"

"Addie told you that nickname?" Mark asked, as he rolled his eyes, "I did."

"Then why broke up with her?"

"I already made the decision. I'm sticking with it."

"Are you gonna tell Derek then?"

Mark paused, "Seeing you looking like that? No."

- - - - -

The Next Day

Eric was paged for a neuro consult at Peds with Arizona and Callie for a 14 y/o patient who slipped and dislocated his shoulder. Callie is fixing the dislocation, and Eric is monitoring the head injury. Callie and Arizona were making jokes with Eric when Lexie went inside the trauma room and talked to Eric.

"Dr. Keaton, I already finished doing your charts, Can I please -"

"Go to the clinic," He interjected.

"What? but I -"

"Go to the clinic and find something to do there," Eric looked at her and reiterated. Lexie went out and exhaled in frustration.

Callie's grin faded. She glowered at Eric and said, "Okay – You know what. You're being immature. You are doing that on purpose."

"She's an intern. Of course I'm doing that on purpose." Eric chuckled.

"Uhh, huh, really?"

"Not what she had in mind, Eric," Arizona interjected.

"Stop torturing the girl and stop being immature!"

"He's clear," Eric said, immediately removing his gloves and went out.

- - - - -

Afternoon Denny Duquette Clinic

Lexie paged Eric for a consultation at the clinic. Eric arrived. Steve was standing beside the patient bed. Eric assumed he was the one who paged him.

He looked at the patient and observed the tumor has already grown through structures and the patient's skull. The tumor is placed closely to the patient's motor function.

Lexie showed him the Head CT. "Here." Eric checked the scans, moving away from the patient.

"Great find here, Doctor," Eric said, looking at Steve. He paused as he expressed his reaction at the tumor, "Dr. Grey, please page Dr. Torres and Dr. Sloan," He paused, and she went at the station to page the two doctors Eric requested, "Steve you can prep the patient and scrub in." Dr. Grey finished the page and chased after Eric when she overheard what he said.

"Wait!" Lexie exclaimed, "I was the one who paged you. I saw him sitting at the waiting area... I deserve to scrub in."

"Dr. Grey, I choose whoever I wish to get scrub in, and it's not you."

Lexie exhaled as she can't believe at what he said.

- - - - -

OR Scrub Room

Eric and Callie were scrubbing in when the OR door opened and Lexie went in.

"What are you doing here, Dr. Grey?" Eric inquired.

"No disrespect, Dr. Keaton, but I've been running back and forth for you. I've done your charts. I've drain all the pus that I could get in the clinic. I found the patient - I did everything you asked me, and still I can't do any surgery?"

"You're an intern, Dr. Grey. That's what interns do," Eric stated. "If you're tired of doing scut, then you're not cut out to be a surgical intern. Just quit." Callie cleared her throat. Eric glanced at Callie, hearing her.

"But Steve gets to scrub in with you?" Lexie retorted.

Callie and Eric stared back at Lexie in shock. In a beat, Lexie widened her eyes, hearing herself. Eric and Callie then stared at each other. Callie raised her brows and gestured her head towards Lexie.

"She has a point," Callie whispered in singsong. Callie went inside the OR room, leaving Eric and Lexie at the scrubbing area.

"I get it. You're torturing me because of Mark. I was doing all your scut work for two weeks. I get it, okay. I know I deserve to be in here. Not just because I paged you or I diagnose the patient, I deserve to be in this OR more than Steve because I know, I'm better than him," Eric looked down as he smirked, hiding it so Lexie would see him getting amused at her lashing, "And... and I want to learn more. I don't want to be an administrative assistant. I want to be a surgeon. But, if you won't teach me, just tell me. I'll request Dr. Bailey to remove me from your service. If you still want me, I will do all the scut work and you can be a jerk to me, but you need to let me learn. I want to learn." Lexie breathed in deeply as she finished.

Eric glared at her, making Lexie take a step back, seeing him. She thought it might have been too much and she was about to get fired.

"You're done?" Eric uttered sternly.

"I,uh..." Lexie turned as she started to step out of the scrub room.

"Where are you going? I thought you want to learn."

Lexie said, "I – I..."

"So, your plan is to chew my bloody head off and flee? I'll give you a better plan. Don't. go. Stay and scrub in. Help me and Dr. Torres with this tumor. Show me how good you really are," He said, wiping the water off his arms. He looked back again as he uttered, "Convince me... Dr. Grey."

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wherewemightendup · 2 years

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Where We Might End Up - Lexie Grey x OC fanfic Chapter 4: The Better Grey

Derek's gathered himself at the catwalk after his patient died. Mark approached him and said that he and Lexie had a relationship. But before he could add that he broke it off, Derek punched him in the face. Derek punched him again. Mark punched him back, and Derek fell. Meredith and Addison saw the commotion. Bailey and Richard saw it from his office. They went out and asked what is going on. Owen and Eric arrived and broke the fight. Owen pulled Derek. Eric restrained Mark, locking his arm on Mark's shoulder, yanking him away.

"Come on," Owen said, pulling Derek away from Mark.

Meredith caught Derek as he limped, offering her shoulder to Derek. Derek flinched as he rubbed the blood off his jaw.

Mark shrugged Eric off him and cringed as he felt the sting from his right hand, bruised, possibly broken. Callie stepped beside him and offered to look at his hand.

- - - - -

Callie looked at Mark's injured hand and his face. Lexie went there to check on him.

"OK, well, it's not broken," Callie added, "But you should ice it," setting an ice pack on his right hand, "lots and lots of ice." She continued.

"Hi," Lexie said, cautiously.

She peeked behind her and saw Lexie. "I think I should..." Mark nodded yes.

Callie walked out of the room. Lexie stepped in closer to Mark, eyebrows furrowed, noting the bruises on his face and hand.

"I'm sorry," Lexie said. She moved closer to him, Mark moved to avoid her touch.

I can't do this with you. Not anymore," Mark stated, without looking at Lexie.

"Why don't you say it to my face," Lexie blurted, "Look at me and tell me we're not happy – you're not happy with me."

Mark stood up. He exhaled deeply and looked at her blankly, "I'm not happy. You're just someone I slept with."

Lexie winced. Mark remained staring at her, deadpan. Lexie turned around, her eyes closed as she struggled not to cry. But, her tears fell as she walked out of the room.

Mark sat down and pondered if he may have made a mistake. But, if it means being the bad guy so Lexie could choose not to see him anymore, he will do it.

Three days later

Callie checked Mark's hand, hoping that he could do surgeries.

"It's still swollen," Callie said, "I'd give it another day rest."

"I haven't operated in days," Mark retorted, "You do know that?"

"Don't hit with your scalpel hand," Callie snapped back, "Have you talked to him?"

"He threw the first punch," Mark stated, as-a-matter-of-factly.

"You did catch him at a bad time,"

"So he lost a patient. Boo-hoo. We're surgeons, we're men, and we lose patients. Doesn't give him the right to go around behaving like a drunk frat boy," He's trailing, "Now I'm supposed to go crawling back, begging for his forgiveness?"

Callie saw Arizona walking at the hall. She pulled Mark in front of her, to block herself from being seen by Arizona.

"What –what are you doing?" Mark asked, as Callie hid behind him. She pulled him closer as she moved.

"Shh, shh, shh!" Callied murmured, "I went Say Anything on the ped surgeon in front of the ped surgeon's date... so l am hiding from the ped surgeon."

"Mature," Mark mocked.

"You got in a fistfight. No judging," Callie scoffed.

- - - - -

Richard stood in front of the surgical schedule board as he ordered the nurse to make adjustments.

"No, Callahan on the bypass, Levin on the appy – Damn craniotomy," He exclaimed, "Where the hell is Shepherd?!"

Mark stepped closer to the chief, holding his injured hand delicately.

"You can't rely on Shepherd," Mark interrupted, "ls there anything l can do?"

"My neurosurgeon has been missing for days," Mark's eyebrows knitted in confusion, as Richard continued to rant, "l have no head of cardio..."

"Now would be a bad time to tell you – my hand's still out of commission and l can't operate," Mark interrupted.

Richard scowled at him, staring at him for a minute before he continued.

"... general surgeons quitting on me left and right," Richard went on, his voice is growing louder on each phrase, "Surgeries piling up like dead fish and no surgeons!"

"You do remember that you still have another hotshot neurosurgeon in the hospital?" Mark clarified.

"That hotshot neurosurgeon seemed to think that he can have his own schedule as he sees fit," He shouted, "trauma and neuro... he should stick to one specialty while he's in my hospital," Richard added, enraged. Mark realized that he wasn't just implying about Eric, but about Bailey.

"Put Eric as interim chief of neuro. And, leave me on the board. I won't let you down," Mark stated. Richard reluctantly agreed before leaving Mark.

- - - - -

A week later

Meredith already tried talking to Derek about going back to work. She failed. She didn't try anymore. Meredith focused herself on doing surgeries. Richard appointed Eric as the interim chief of neurosurgery after the Chief gave Eric a piece of his mind. Since then, he's been in charge of all Derek's surgeries. Meredith also started working on Eric's service.

"You're welcome, by the way," Mark chased after Eric as he noticed Eric walked at the corridor.

"Oh, sod off, Mark," He expressed.

"Are you angry that I suggested you to become the interim chief – "

"You're doing this on purpose," Eric interrupted him, "You're doing this so Derek will get more angry at me, taking his job than you sleeping with his sister-in-law."

"For all I know he doesn't care." Mark cleared.

"Don't you bloody dare put me into this."

"You heard the chief. You don't have a choice." Mark retorted, causing Eric to stop his tracks, "And you can't take trauma patients until Derek comes back."

"Oh, I - I heard him pretty well," He paused, murmuring under his breath as Mark waited. "Damn it." Eric glanced back at Mark before he shook his head. He waved his hand as he exhaled before walking away.

- - - - -

Hospital Lobby

A group of residents were queuing at the coffee cart. Izzie noticed Eric walking towards them. She nudged Meredith with her elbow, getting her attention as she pointed at the neurosurgeon with her head.

"Your friend's coming here."

Meredith glanced towards Eric, "My what?"

The group turned as Eric stopped in front of them. He observed each of the residents in front of him, noting the obnoxiously smiling blonde next to Meredith, a rugged-looking resident beside the blonde, who seemed more like a wrestler than a surgical resident; and the know-it-all resident who was supposed to be a talent surgeon - Eric was yet to test her to believe that. His gaze shifted to the remaining two residents: the doe-eyed resident who had been working with him since the beginning, and Lexie, who was staring at and away from him.

"Dr. Webber asked me to be interim chief of Neuro," He paused, glancing at Meredith, "Starting today, I'm doing all of Dr. Shepherd's surgeries while he's gone. A certain doctor told on me about having a favorite resident, so... O' Malley, you're off my service."

George nodded.

Alex snickered. he leaned closer to Izzie as he whispered, "Bailey."

"Shhh." Izzie said with a smile.

Eric glared at the two. Izzie pushed Alex away from her, noticing Eric looking at them.

"I need someone to assist," Eric said, looking at each of the residents in front of him, "Grey."

"Y-yes?" Lexie blurted out in surprise.

"No. Not you," He grimaced, shaking his head no. He turned, " - the better Grey," He paused, and looked at Meredith. Meredith pointed at herself. Eric gestured yes and she walked forward, "Round up my charts and see me at the Neuro wing."

Eric walked back inside the hospital.

"the better Grey?" Cristina stifled her laugh as Lexie glanced at her.

- - - - -

OR 2

During the craniotomy. Meredith stared at him while he's cutting the tumor.

"What is it now, Dr. Grey?" Eric noticed Meredith looking at him.

"Nothing," Meredith responded, shaking her head as she looked at the patient.

"Irrigation, please," Eric asked. He glanced at Meredith and noticed that she is hesitating to say something. "Okay, you can tell me."

"Nothing," Meredith implied the second time, "It's just that..."

Bailey interrupted her as she strolled inside the OR room. Bailey stood a few feet away from the OR table. Meredith glanced at Eric. As he looked at Meredith, she gestured her head towards Bailey standing quietly as she watched. Eric glanced at Bailey before looking back at his patient.

"Dr. Bailey."

"Dr. Keaton," She paused, "I see... you're in charge of Dr. Shepherd's surgeries." She looked at Meredith and added, "And new resident, huh?"

"Not my choice," He hissed. Meredith heard him. Meredith looked at him, amused. "What do you need?" He added as he continued dissecting the tumor.

"I - uhm, I heard that you're also appointed as interim while Derek's..." Bailey paused, looking at Meredith, "...out," She implied, "Maybe... you could, uh..." She hesitated.

"No," He interjected, darting a glared at Bailey.

"I haven't even finished my..."

"You're asking me that I should talk to him."

Miranda Bailey had been Richard's proud protégé. She's been trained by Richard Webber, both in surgery and leadership. She kept calm, recognizing that this person she's talking to is an attending. But, when Eric cut her off for a second time, Red mist suddenly surrounded her. She narrowed her eyes and gave the young neurosurgeon a lashing.

"Oh, I'm not asking - I'm telling, Dr. Keaton. I demand you to talk some sense into your mentor," She blurted out. She remained standing there, looking at him sternly, "...Sir."

Eric stopped as he looked back at bailey. He then glanced at Meredith, "Oh, don't look at me. I won't go back in there," Meredith answered. Eric glanced back at Bailey who was still staring at him.

"So, you won't..."

"Nope," She argued, ringing the last syllable louder to make a point.

"Dr. Bailey, you can't just stand in there..."

"I can and I will," Bailey said, still looking at him, "You on the other hand don't have a choice, if you want to continue your surgery... without me, breathing down your neck." She narrowed her eyes at the end of her sentence.

Eric stared at Dr. Bailey. Meredith whispered, "You need to say yes."

"Yeah -- no," Eric looked at Meredith, "You don't get to have a say on this." He looked at Bailey, "Alright, Dr. Bailey. I'll try to talk to Dr. Shepherd. You're a bully, you know that?"

"Uhm, Hmm," Dr. Bailey answered, turning around, with her hips snapping, "Thank you, Sir," She strut out of the OR.

- - - - -

Late Evening Derek's Trailer

Eric arrived and caught Derek outside the trailer, drowning himself with alcohol.

"Well, look at you," Eric jeered, "Now I know why they call you, Mcdreamy."

"What are you doing here?" Derek said, chugging the beer he's holding and opening another one. "I don't need you here."

"And, I never said you need me here," Eric stated, relaxing at the lawn chair beside Derek.

"I didn't..." Derek said as Eric sat beside him, "Yeah, make yourself comfortable."

Eric inhaled deeply and looked at Derek, drinking another can of beer.

"Will you pass me one?" Eric suggested.

"Go get your own," Derek replied, "Did Meredith ask you to talk to me?"

"No, she also wants nothing to do with you. As am I," He added, adjusting his shirt as he relaxed on a more comfortable position.

"Aren't you glad you got my job?" Derek mocked, "You should be. I'm not going back."

"I'm not..."

"You are. You should. You have been aiming that ever since in New York."

"Here we go again," Eric sat straight, expecting Derek to finish his thought. Derek glared at him as he continued.

"You want to be me. Now, you get to be me!" He paused, standing up, "You wanted my job. You wanted my sister. You wanted to be me," Derek threw the can he's holding and yelled.

"Sister? No, No! We're past that issue. You will not blame that issue back at me again whenever you see fit!" Eric stood up and yelled at Derek, "You always do that, you always blame other people for something that's your fault in the first place!"

"You pushed yourself on everyone in my life -- You're a leech!"

"Wow, look who's talking. You always blame everyone in your life for the mistake you made in the first place, just to be the savior in the end! You made a mistake. Take the blame!"

Derek punched him, "What do you think I'm doing here? I'm taking the blame!" Eric stood up and punched him back. Derek punched him again, Eric stumbled on the ground, "Leave!"

Eric stood up and wiped the blood on his chin, grimaced as he touched his bruised eye. He walked towards his SUV and went inside, not looking back. He drove away.

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wherewemightendup · 2 years

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Where We Might End Up - Lexie Grey x OC fanfic Chapter 3: Calm Before the Storm

It had been a month since Eric stayed at Seattle Grace. He's been hired as a Neurosurgeon under Derek Shepherd. -- An experience he thought wouldn't happen, given the situation that had transpired in the past but there he was, working with Shepherd again. It was a nearly familial feeling, working with both Derek and Mark like they had been before.

Some days, he would choose to work at the pit. Being a double certified surgeon, trained also in Trauma Surgery, He wanted work with Owen Hunt at SGH's famous trauma one center when he wanted a rush. Most of the time though, it seems, he was always working at the pit. But, Some cases made him work with Mark and Derek together; earning them the nickname "McBrothers" every time they work together.

The residents admired Eric. Like kids looking at a new shiny toy, they couldn't wait to work with the renowned neurosurgeon from Boston. However, when Eric first started working at the hospital, he opted to work with only one resident. And George o' Malley was the only person he wanted to work with. The first time he worked with George, it was a breeze. Eric wanted his surgeries to be consistent, so he had George scrub in with him every time, which earned him a look from Bailey when she found out.

"Dr. Keaton."

Miranda stopped Eric and George on the way to the elevators.

"Yes, Doctor...?" Eric trailed, looking straight at Miranda's eyes.

George shook his head, widening his eyes in emphasis, telling Eric to stop. When Eric noticed this, he looked at his resident in confusion before returning his gaze to Miranda, who seemed to be glaring even more furiously at him. In fear, Eric took a step back.

"Miranda..." She stressed, glaring at George as he shied away from her gaze, before returning her gaze to the neurosurgeon, "...Bailey. Dr. Miranda Bailey. — This. is. a teaching hospital. We believe that interns and... residents de-serve a well-rounded education so we try to make them work with everyone."

Eric noticed every time Bailey stressed her words, she bopped up as she enunciated each word. Her stance straightened and her eyebrows propped up. Eric chuckled at the sight. He stifled his chuckle by moving his palm to cover his mouth. Bailey had picked up on it. She stammered, as she continued.

"My point — keeping Dr. O' Malley here on your service... all the time..." Miranda paused. Eric readied himself as the surgeon breathed in deeply before uttering, "... is making you fail on giving him a well-rounded education. Do you want that on your conscience or do you still think this is a joke?" Her last sentence came out of her mouth quickly, "...with respect, Doctor."

Eric smiled as he glanced at George who was pale. He looked at Bailey and uttered, "Don't worry, Dr. Bailey. Dr. o' Malley here is learning in areas other than neuro. You see, I'm also a trauma surgeon — in fact, we were on our way to the pit before you got in the way with your..." He trailed insinuation. Miranda arched her brow as Eric paused, "He's not just doing Neuro but General Surgery, as well. I would say that's a well-rounded education, right?" Eric tapped George, allowing him to walk to the elevators, "If you'll excuse us."

Eric followed George and stepped inside the elevator, smiling at Bailey as the elevator doors closed.

"She's intense, huh?"

George looked up at the elevator floor panel, as he answered, "You have no idea."

- - - - -

Evening Joe's Bar

Callie arrived at the bar and walked towards Cristina and Meredith's table.

"I just have to say this — I need to say this," Callie said, chuckling as she sat beside Cristina, "Remember when they made me crazy? — when Derek's still angry with McKiddo?"

"Mc what?" Cristina said with a grimace, shooting a glance at Callie.

"McKiddo." Callie answered straightaway as she took a sip of her beer, "What? He looks like the love child of those two, so he's McKiddo to me."

Izzie stepped between Callie and Cristina, interrupting the conversation, "Where's George?"

"He's scrubbed in with Derek," Meredith answered moping, "I should be the one in that surgery." She muttered.

Cristina wondered deeply as Callie continued, "That torture... Now, they're all okay - no cheating with their wives, ruining sisters - it's glorious!!! They're glorious," Callie continued in singsong.

"It's about time the three of them get along," Meredith blurted, slumping at the table.

Derek, Mark and Eric arrived at the bar with George. George excitedly walked towards Meredith's table.

"The Mcbrother's are McAwesome!" George uttered, "And I get to scrub in with them," He gloated.

"That's what I said!" Callie added.

"Mcawesome?" Cristina asked.

"Hey, George. Can I speak with you?" Izzie said.

"Yeah, O-ka..." Izzie quickly grabbed George, pulling him away from the table.

"I think its time to think of a nickname for Eric," Cristina added.

- - - - -

A Week Later Patients' Room Nurses' Station

Addison arrived at Seattle Grace with Archer, asking Derek for help. Izzie requested the interns for a special project. After finishing up one of the tasks, George gave Lexie the next envelope, with a note that said to find Dr. Keaton in one of the nurses' station at Neuro wing. She fled out of the skills lab.

Addison noticed Eric at the nurses' station, reviewing charts as the nurses stare at him, giggling. Addison smiled as she approached him.

"Eric Keaton," Addison said as she leaned on the counter, looking at Eric.

Eric grinned before he glanced at her. "Addison Montgomery." He stood up properly and went on. "I heard about Archer."

"Well, uhm, Sam and Naomi's with him now."

"Are you okay?" Eric asked. Addison looked at him and smiled, "I'm sorry. I uh, I should've visited you and Archer. I was going to after this..."

"It's okay. Derek said you're doing some of his surgeries to let him focus on Archer — How... kind of you," Addison paused. Eric let out a chuckle as he shook his head. "Derek's drowning you with work and the only one who can make it look like it's your choice, it's Derek — and, I guess you seemed to like being drowned with work so that's that — How's your love life anyway?"

Eric turned and faced Addison as he laughed. Addison beamed as she leaned in for a hug.

"I miss you too, Addie."

"So..." Addison paused as she moved away, "...you decided to stay at Seattle Grace, huh?"

"You mean, Derek allowed me to stay?" Eric corrected. He smiled, "Yes, he did."

Addison stared at Eric, narrowing her eyes as she looked at him from head to toe. She looked back at his face as a smile formed across hers.

"I see... you've changed," Addison suddenly uttered.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean — the Eric I know wouldn't come here to ask Derek Shepherd for help. And also..." She gestured her head, pointing at the giddy nurses staring at him.

"That's nothing."

"I also ... heard a rumor that Mark's in a relationship — know about that?"

"With who?" Eric asked innocently. Addison realized that he didn't know about it. She stopped.

Lexie rushed towards the nurses' station where both Addison and Eric were, startling the two surgeons. She stopped in front of Eric as she leaned down and panted. Eric stared at her, amused as the resident stammered. Addison watched as Lexie read the card she's holding.

"'Find Dr. Keaton. Ask his symptoms. Diagnose him correctly to receive your next challenge."

Eric stared at her as she read. Eric noticed how Lexie put her right hand just in front of her mouth, as if she's going to bite her nail; but then moved it back, gripping the card with both hands. His lips moved to a smirk. Addison was watching quietly.

Lexie then looked at Eric after reading and asked, "What are your symptoms, Dr. Keaton?"

Addison looked at Eric. There is a pause before he spoke.

"Oh, right — symptoms," He answered as he pulled the card from his pocket, "Sudden high fever, Stiff neck, Experiencing severe headache that seems different from normal..." Eric trailed as he stared at Lexie, "...associated with vomiting or nausea," Lexie was thinking as Eric continued to talk, "I have difficulty in... concentrating..."

"Clearly." Addison commented.

He glanced at Addison before looking back at Lexie, "Confused. Experiencing Seizures. I always sleep, difficulty waking, sensitivity to light, No appetite or thirst."

"Meningitis?" Lexie answered.

"Is that a question?" Eric asked.

"N-No." She shook her head, "I-it's Meningitis." Lexie clarified.

Eric handed over the next clue to Lexie, "Here."

"Woo!" Lexie exclaimed, pumped her fist in the air and beamed widely. She dashed away as she read the cue card. Eric watched her as she rushed at the hall and then turned to Addison, who was smirking at him.

"What?"

"Well, scratch that part when I said you changed..."

He snickered, "What? ... I just — she's one of the brilliant interns here and... S-she's brilliant, okay?"

"Ummm. Hmmm," Addison responded, "Intern?" She paused, "What's with you three and interns?" She whispered.

Eric stared at her, "What?"

Spalding and Mostow rushed towards him. Steve trampled over an empty wheelchair. Addison saw the interns, tapped Eric's arm, pointing at the interns and said goodbye, "Guess you're busy. I'll see you later," Addison said.

- - - - -

Izzie's game was finished. Lexie won. Richard offered her the prize of scrubbing in on Derek's craniotomy. Mark saw Lexie and congratulated her.

"Dr. Grey," Mark called her, "lt would appear that congratulations are in order."

"Thank you, Dr. Sloan," Lexie answered.

"l'd also like it acknowledged that l offer these congratulations professionally and respectfully, without any innuendo or inappropriate body language," Mark added.

"Acknowledged, Dr. Sloan. Do you know... what's a doomsday sucker?" Lexie asked.

Addison saw the both of them and moved closer, introducing herself to the intern talking to Mark. Addison recognized her from earlier with Eric.

"Addison Montgomery," Addison said as she offered her hand for a handshake.

"Uh, Lexie Grey," Lexie said.

"Mark. Addie. Little Grey," Derek said.

"Little Grey? Hmm," Addison blurted out as she glanced at Mark.

"l have to meet you at Joe's in a bit," Derek continued, "l have a craniotomy," He paused and turned at Lexie, "You're holding the doomsday sucker."

"Now?" Lexie asked, "Great. Yes! Yes, sir."

"OR 2. See you there." Derek replied. Lexie stepped away from the group to prepare.

"Can you believe Little Grey and..." Addison tried to talk to Derek when Mark interrupted her.

"Did you hear?" Mark interjected. "Derek's going to propose to Meredith. How about that?"

Derek glared at Mark, "l'm off to surgery."

"What?" Mark asked as Addison glared at him the same way.

- - - - -

Joe's Bar

At the bar, Addison sat with Mark, Sam and Naomi, celebrating the successful surgery of Archer.

"l'm an ass," Mark said.

"You're such an ass," Addison agreed.

"l shouldn't have blurted."

"A little warning would've been nice."

"But you're OK?" Mark asked, concerned about Addison.

"You know, it's strange. l... l expected this horrible feeling, this wave of sadness or something, to just take over. But... people get divorced, they meet new people, they re-marry," Addison paused, "l don't know, maybe it was seeing Archer in that OR, it just changed my perspective. Or something.

"But you sort of wished it had been you first?" Mark said.

"Shut it! Are you gonna tell Derek about the..." She paused thinking about what to call Lexie, "Wait. lf we called Meredith the 12-year-old... What do we call Lexie? A preschooler?"

"We had a relationship." Mark interrupted her before Addison could add.

"Had?" Addison clarified.

"I broke it off. Before it ever becomes something... Out of respect to Derek," Mark added.

"You always choose Derek over anything — anyone," Addison said.

"I chose you over him," Mark said.

"Mark — I..."

"I know... I'm just... saying... I don't always choose Derek, but, uh, in this case... and I just got him back," Mark added as he sighed, looking away.

The door bell jingled as Derek walked inside the bar.

"There he is!" Mark exclaimed.

Sam, Naomi, Addison and Mark cheered.

"That's the kind of welcome l deserve!" Derek said.

"Joe! Scotch for the neuro god!" Mark said as he went beside the bar.

"You were a god today." Addison said greeting Derek, moving close to him. She hugged him as she continued, "You were a god in that OR. You slew dragons, you walked on water. You - you were a god, but now? Now you need to get very tiny again. And go back in the box. How was your craniotomy?"

"lt was fine." Derek answered.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, l stopped in on Archer. Things are good." Derek added.

- - - - -

Emergency Room

Eric stayed at the hospital, taking the overnight shift at the ER room. Meredith walked towards the ER station where he was sitting. Meredith check the charts at the counter as Eric continued to type at the computer.

"Why are you not celebrating with them?" Meredith asked, glancing at Eric as he continued to type.

"There's this circle..." he gestured, drawing a circle in the air, "and there's that circle. Even I don't fit in that circle," He stopped and looked at Meredith, "Guess we're the same — outsiders on that circle — I don't sing. And I don't play the guitar." He grinned.

"You heard that?" Meredith replied and chuckled. Eric nodded.

"I knew them. Derek introduced me to them; and I love them... individually. But when they're clumped together, that's something I can't... stand," He emphasized, as he looked back at the computer.

"It's really nice to know I'm not alone, — weirded out about them."

"He had that circle," He expressed, "But, he's a better 'him' with you than with them," He added, glancing at Meredith. Eric smiled at her as she smiled back.

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wherewemightendup · 2 years

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Where We Might End Up - Lexie Grey x OC fanfic Chapter 2: Staying or Leaving Seattle Grace

"I'm very pleased to introduce to you the heads of the surgical team who made this groundbreaking medical procedure possible - Dr. Mark Sloan, Dr. Derek Shepherd, Dr. Calliope Torres and Dr. Eric Keaton," Richard Webber said, introducing the attendings that led the leg transplantation surgery.

"Are we going to let Mark Sloan speak to the press?" Callie Torres whispered to Derek, "I don't think that's such a good idea."

"Well..." Derek looked at Mark, who was walking towards the microphone. He hesitated. Derek glanced at Callie and sighed, "He can do it."

"We would like to commend all the residents and surgical staff who are instrumental in this success. But, of course, us," Gesturing at the four attendings present in front of the press, "...with our combined talents and expertise to put them to work... Well - Me." Mark paused and grinned.

Callie grinned awkwardly, and gestured Derek to intervene, "... That's your cue." in singsong.

Mark continued, "... This medical breakthrough, as all of you are putting it..."

Derek went beside Mark and interjected, "...would not... be possible, if not for Dr. Eric Keaton, for his work and his perseverance," Derek smiled and wrap his arm on Mark's shoulder.

"That's what I'm going to say, Doctor Shepherd..." Mark said as he clenched his teeth, glaring at Derek.

At the sidelines, Dr. Bailey is watching the press interview with Dr. Webber. "You still thinking this is a good idea?" Dr. Webber looked at Bailey, "... them monkeys."

Mark continued as Derek let go, "He has pioneered the procedure, did all the groundwork and enabled us to use our talents to make history. It is only fitting that he himself would share the details of the surgery... Doctor." Dr. Keaton walked towards the microphone and started talking.

"Good morning. The patient, male, 28 years old, was involved in a car accident that caused upper leg amputation on both legs. The patient decided on double leg transplantation. Months of therapy both psychological and physical are done. Simultaneously, the surgical team is trained and prepared for the surgery. The patient was then confined here at Seattle Grace Hospital. As soon as we found the possible donor, the patient is prepped for the surgery. We transplant the donor legs on the patient. Dr. Shepherd and I reconnected the blood vessels and nerves under the microscope, ensuring blood circulation..."

Eric move aside as Callie walked forward.

"...The bones, muscle and other tissues are reconnected by Dr. Sloan and I. The procedure lasted for 13 hours. Of course extensive physical and psychological therapy are still needed after the surgery. Immunosuppressant medication are also prescribed," Dr. Callie Torres added.

The press conference concluded with Dr. Webber's remarks.

- - - - -

After the press conference, the four surgeons greeted and shook hands with the press.

"Eric?" Eric turned around to see who was calling him. He recognized Arizona Robbins as she move towards him, "Eric!"

"Arizona Robbins?" Arizona hugged him.

"I thought that is you," Arizona continued.

"You're working here at Seattle Grace? Why did I never see you?"

"I'm super busy with my department..." Arizona paused, "I just became chief."

"Wait. You two know each other?" Callie asked, eyebrows furrowed.

"We worked together before," Eric answered as he stared at Arizona.

"Johns Hopkins," Arizona added.

"Is there anyone you didn't know?" Callie realized. Eyebrows relaxed, she stared at the ceiling.

"Let's have lunch together. We have so much to talk about," Arizona said as she latched her arms on both Callie and Eric.

Hospital Cafeteria

"Are you going to work here?" Arizona asked.

"I haven't decided yet," He answered, as he gulp his food.

"It will be awesome..." Arizona commented.

"... so awesome..." Callie uttered, cutting in at their conversation.

"...you working here." Arizona said, beaming at her friend.

"I was thinking of moving back to Boston..." Eric said.

"... Boston is good," Callie blurted out, pressing her lips together as she nod, "Mass Gen. Number 5 teaching hospital."

"Seattle could be good too," Arizona is noticing Callie, "... besides, I am here," Arizona continued.

"... Mark and Derek are here... as well," Callie talked as she stared blankly at the table, "... Nice." Callie added, her eyes squinted.

"Well, you could work with them again!" Arizona exclaimed excitedly.

During the conversation, his head turned as the two talked. As Eric noticed Mark entering the cafeteria, he said, "I - uhm, will you two excuse me for a sec," Callie nodded as she followed him with her stare and pulled Arizona to whisper to her.

"You didn't tell him you know him? I have been telling you about that guy for over a month," Callie said.

"That guy is Eric? Well, I didn't... though...now that I think about it..." She paused and sipped on her coffee. "... I didn't know Derek's his mentor."

Callie looked away, pondering, "The experience I had working with those three..."

"...He did win a Harper Avery while working at Hopkins with the same procedure ..."

"...It's... excruciating... I can't work with...so... much..." Callie continued.

Arizona stared blankly forward, still trying to remember, "... but it's a hand transplant... so it may have been a different one..."

Callie shook her head. She just realized what Arizona said - about Eric winning the award. Callie darted at Arizona and blurted out, "Wait, he what?"

- - - - -

"Save me from those two," Eric pleaded. As he glued a smile on his face, gesturing a nod on Callie and Arizona waving at him.

"I will, if you decide to stay here," Mark replied. Eric frowned and looked at Mark.

"That is not a fair trade," He answered, "Me working here is a one-time thing. Derek would disapprove."

"Oh... on the contrary... Derek will be thrilled. He'll be your boss. So, He'll have complete control over you. What's waiting for you at Boston, anyway?"

"Chief of Neurosurgery," Eric said.

Mark looked at him, mouth gaped open as he thinks of what to say. There was a long pause before he replied, "Hmmm. Yep, you should go," Mark was about to walk out of the cafeteria when Richard moved towards them.

"I need you," Richard said to Eric.

CT Room

Inside the CT viewing room, Richard and George were there, along with Miranda. Eric viewed the Head CT.

"Regina Lorent, 54 y/o female, she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She's completely paralyzed on the right side with right facial droop. There's a metastatic tumor on the brain," Miranda presented.

"The tumor is buried inside the pre-central gyrus, within the motor cortex... explains the paralyzation," Eric added, "Where's Dr. Shepherd?"

"He's in OR 3, doing a surgery. He's the one who asked me to look for you," Richard replied. Eric looked at Richard.

Eric nodded as he continued to look at the scans, "I need a resident... do you have one?"

"You can have O' Malley. He's a resident," George stood straight. Eric looked at him and shook his hand.

"Dr. O'Malley," Eric uttered, "Has the patient been prepped?"

"She has been prepped, OR 1," Miranda said.

"Okay. See me at the OR Dr. O'Malley," Eric said as he walked out of the room.

"Where are you going?" Richard asked.

"I'm going to see Dr. Shepherd," Eric answered. He turned and walked out of the CT viewing room.

OR 3 Gallery

Derek and Meredith were doing a tumor resection on another patient. Some interns and residents are watching Derek as he tries to cut the tumor. Eric arrived and pushed the speaker to talk to Derek.

"Dr. Shepherd," Derek looked up and saw Eric.

"Richard told you," Derek said as he turned back at his patient. Meredith stayed looking at the young neurosurgeon at the gallery.

"Yes. He said you asked me," Eric added. Meredith glanced at Derek as Eric told about that information.

Derek breathed deeply as he continued, "You are the only one who can. And I can't leave my patient," Derek added.

"Tumor buried within the parenchyma," Eric suddenly presented the patient like a routine. Eric stood up straight as he waited for Derek.

"Surgical plan?" Derek asked.

"Full resection," Eric said.

Derek stared at his student and firmly nodded, "See it done," Derek went back to his patient.

Eric nodded in agreement and walked out of the gallery. The interns who are watching at the gallery overheard their conversation. Alex Karev who was watching went out as soon as Eric left. The interns looked at each other and followed Alex.

OR 1

The gallery was full of attendings and residents watching the surgery. Sadie Harris and Lexie Grey sat in front as they watched. Eric bend his fingers into a tight fist to crack his knuckles, doing it from his left hand then right. He then asked for the drill.

Sadie leaned closer to Lexie and whispered, "So, what do you think of him?"

"I observed their last surgery, the leg transplantation. It's... really amazing... really amazing I..." She paused and looked at Sadie, "... Oh? you're not asking me about him as a surgeon are you?"

"He's hot," Sadie commented as she bit her lower lip, peering at the neurosurgeon, "Do you think he's seeing someone?"

On the other side of the gallery, Alex Karev, Izzie Stevens and Cristina Yang were also watching.

"What did Derek say to him?" Izzie asked.

"'See it done' " Cristina copied Derek's voice, and chuckled, "Then he nodded like a robot."

"He knows what to do," Izzie added.

"And gets it done," Cristina said, mockingly.

"George get to scrub in with him," Alex stated.

"Dr. Keaton asked for a resident, Dr. Webber gave him George," Lexie cut in, leaning out of her seat and turned to them.

The three stared at her for a while. Lexie stammered, "I thought I... you... I'm just -" Lexie leaned back. The three resumed their conversation.

After doing craniotomy. The bone flap is lifted, after which Eric incised the Dura, exposing the brain. George continued to irrigate. Eric used tent sutures to elevate the dura. He pulled the dura carefully to expose the motor strip where the tumor is located. And then he abruptly stopped.

"Dr. Keaton?" George asked. Looking at Eric who is whispering to himself.

"What is he doing?" Lexie asked out loud.

"He's thinking," Cristina said as she watched intently.

"He's at the motor strip. He needs to choose which sulcus to cut to reach the tumor below," Richard answered, who is standing just beside the door.

After what seemed to be a long time, He started to cut the sulcus and carefully opened it. After opening the cut sulcus. The tumor can be seen exactly below it. He used forceps and scalpel to carefully and precisely resect the tumor. Everyone is watching. George watched keenly as he continue to irrigate. Little by little, the tumor is being pulled out underneath, carefully regarding the delicate brain tissue surrounding the tumor. George can't help but be in awed at what he's watching - Keaton's award-winning microdissection technique.

After a couple of hours, Derek observed with everyone as he made the last cut of the tumor, pulling out a 1 1/2 inch tumor.

"Great job, Dr. Keaton," George said as he exhaled deeply, drowning in amazement at the neurosurgeon who was also looking positive as well.

Cotton balls soaked with hydrogen peroxide are placed in the cavity of the tumor for a minute and was removed. Hemostatic agent is used as cover of the cavity. Finally, they closed.

- - - - -

Eric and George scrubbed after the surgery. Derek went inside the scrub area.

"Dr. O' Malley, well done. Thank you for the assistance," Eric said to George.

"Thank you, Doctor," George went out of the OR and Derek moved closer.

"You did well, too," Derek said to Eric.

Eric laughed, leaning on the sink.

"What?" Derek asked as he chuckled.

"See it done?" Eric repeated, "I just..."

"realized it sounded dumb?" Derek laughed, "Well, I need to sound mentor-y," Derek laughed genuinely, "Too much?"

"Yeah," Eric chuckled.

"So, have you decided, yet?" Derek asked Eric.

Eric stared at him and replied, "Well... if you hire me."

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wherewemightendup · 2 years

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Where We Might End Up - Lexie Grey x OC fanfic Chapter 1: Three Brothers and a Double Leg Transplant Case

Chapter 1: Three Brothers and a Double Leg Transplant Case

Four Months Ago

Seattle Grace Hospital wasn't that different from any other hospitals he's been. With its shiny floors and the combined smell of strong disinfectant and lemon air freshener permeating across the reception area, Eric Keaton still hadn't thought of any reason why and how, suddenly, some people he knew in New York chose to work at this hospital.

What's so special about it? He thought.

Eric continued to gaze around as he moved towards the reception desk. With his head stuck looking up the catwalk, he almost hit a group of interns rushing in towards the 'pit' - hearing one mumbled something about a multiple MVC and 'Nazi' — whatever that means. He swerved to avoid the running interns, yet failed, as he hit the last two, who seemed to be lagging behind with the rest.

"Apologies," Eric uttered.

The man gestured at him, muttering 'sorry' and waving his hand as the other, a woman, kept pulling the man's coat and asking him about something. Eric kept an eye on them as they walked away, observing the short-haired brunette who seemed to be familiar but shook it aside as he continued at the reception area. He returned his gaze to the two, their conversations echoing throughout the empty lobby.

"Just so you know, I-I won't tell them, I won't... won't tell them that you didn't pass—" The girl intern babbled, staggering beside the guy.

"O - kay... thank... you? I guess." The intern paused, shaking his head in confusion, "but really, you can tell them. It doesn’t matter." The guy talked and looked at his companion, continuing towards the emergency room, "How about you? Have you talked to Meredith about...?"

"W-why?" She chuckled nervously. "H-have you?" Their voices faded as they turned out of sight.

The receptionist called Eric and asked what he needed.

"Good... morning," Eric paused, shaking his head. He looked at the receptionist and continued, "Yes, uh, sorry, just... can you please point me towards the Chief of Surgery's office?"

As soon as the receptionist pointed the direction towards the office, a deep voice echoed throughout the hall.

"Keaton?"

Eric turned where the voice was coming from, and there stood two men, a black haired standing still, the other, the grey haired strutting his way towards him.

"Eric Keaton in the flesh," Mark blurted as he walked towards Eric, "What brings you here, man?" He said with a wide grin on his face. Typical Mark Sloan.

It has been years since Eric had seen Mark. The last time that he did, it was in New York, with Mark telling Eric how lucky Derek was, having Addison. Funny little thing, after a year, news had spread that Derek left New York because he saw Addie cheating with Mark.

Fast forward three years later, the two of them together, minus the woman that broke their friendship.

Eric offered a handshake that Mark made into a hug, "You don't shake your brother's hand, dumbass."

"Yeah, lord knows where they've been," Eric blurted out as he pulled out of the hug.

Mark stared at him, his arm on Eric's shoulder. His mouth gaped and then developed into a teethy smile as he punched Eric's arm, "Even I missed your snarky remarks!"

Mark paused and turned towards the dark haired man standing a few feet away from them. Eric turned and stared at Derek Shepherd as he made his way towards him and the gorilla who's squeezing him.

He had known Derek Shepherd longer than he had known Mark. When he saw Derek Shepherd at a conference in Oxford, Eric knew that he needed to train under him. And, he did. Eric went to New York and worked under Derek Shepherd's tutelage. There he met Mark Sloan - Eric gained a family with the two. It was a better time, he thought. It was a time where 'Addison and Derek', the perfect couple, were a thing; Derek and Mark were best friends and the only thing Derek was angry about Mark was when Mark would bring a stranger to family meals. Derek was essentially content and happy.

Now, Eric stared at Derek, looking at how the years had been cruel to the once content and happy neurosurgeon. He had been in a dark place — betrayal. Seattle Grace might have been the only thing that held him together.

Derek stood in front of him, hesitating, looking at Mark and then looking down the floor. He breathed deeply and finally looked at Eric. He raised his hand for a handshake. Eric shook his hand. Derek pulled a smile, nodded, and walked away towards the emergency room. Eric followed Derek with a stare, his brow arched slightly. He looked down as he continued to ponder.

"Not what you expect, kid?" Mark uttered as he turned and stood beside Eric.

"Yeah," He paused. "still waiting for his traditional lashing-out-and-damning-me-to-hell bit," Eric answered as he chuckled dryly. Mark stared at him as Eric looked at him and smiled.

"Well... for one, you didn't cheat with his ex-wife and flirted with his girlfriend when you got here," Mark said. Eric looked at Mark with furrowed brows.

"No, I just ruined his youngest sister's life," Eric said wryly.

Mark scoffed, "No, you didn't. You just dated the wrong girl."

"The worse thing you can do other than being caught in the throes with his ex-wife, is to sleep with his sister," He paused, "Which you did both - and sisterss" Eric emphasized, "you — did you tell Derek about –"

"not the conversation you want to share with him, if you wanted to live a happy life. Case in point..." Mark gestured his hand to him, "So... what brings you here in Seattle?"

- - - - -

Catwalk Outside Chief of Surgery Office

Meredith and Cristina were walking at the catwalk when Derek walked past them, brows deeply furrowed, ears flaming red.

"Hey," Meredith tried to call him, but Derek just glanced at her and continued walking inside the office.

"I don't think it's..." Derek's stern voice echoed at the corridor as the door closed.

"Well, he's having the time of his life," Cristina blurted out as they stopped.

Meredith turned back, pulling Cristina with her to watch through the office window.

Alex and George saw the twisted sisters camping at the cat walk. They walked closer to see why. Meredith glanced at the two who had just stopped.

"George!" Meredith lashed at her intern, "I told you to—"

"Still working!" He implied, raising the chart he's holding while his stare was shifting on the commotion inside the chief’s office and on the chart he’s holding.

"Who's the dude?" Alex asked as he ate a bag of chips.

Cristina cringed as the crisp sound from Alex's mouth was echoing right closely by her right ear. The crumbs were falling on her coat. Cristina grabbed the bag of chips from Alex and ate it obnoxiously in front of Alex as a retaliation. Alex made a face as he grabbed the bag back.

George looked away from the chart and stared past the window glass. He stared at the doctor who was dressed sharply, trimmed and tall. His dark hair is neatly combed. Eyes are brown and narrow, thick straight eyebrows and sharp cheekbones. The groove under his pointed nose are defined. And, his narrow lips remained stiff as Derek continued to argue with him. The scene reminded them of Mark when he first went to Seattle, with the neurosurgeon fuming with anger at his visit.

"That's...” George paused, looking up at the ceiling as he contemplated deeply, trying to remember the name. He'd read about him in a medical journal, along with a procedure he did that seemed like it came straight out of a sci-fi movie. “I think that’s... Dr. Eric Keaton. He pioneered the procedure on hand transplantation," He paused as he closed the chart he is holding, "I heard, he's bringing a patient here for a transplant surgery?"

"What? He's the Hopkins guy who did the hand transplant surgery?" Alex asked.

"No... I think he's from Mass Gen?" George argued.

"Yeah, but he did it when he's in Hopkins," Alex stressed. "Check your sources, O' Malley.”

"Wait — wait..." Cristina pulled Alex's arms as she continued, "you're saying... he's doing a leg transplant here?" Cristina paused, "We're doing a leg transplant surgery? The first leg transplant surgery like... in the country?!"

Mark walked slowly towards the group clumped at the catwalk. Their voices were mumbles from far away, and as he went nearer, Mark could hear what they were talking about. He approached them, with his hands crossed behind his back.

Cristina exclaimed, "Why is Shepherd not happy? Why he's not happy, Mer? He should be happy like... happy." She added, flapping her hands in excitement.

"So, tell me, doctors," Mark paused, standing behind Alex and leaning in, "When does standing and prying become your jobs?" He added.

The residents haven't noticed him as they continued peaking through the window, seeing Derek Shepherd arguing with Richard Webber and the new doctor.

"H-h-He's making big gestures, look?" Cristina blurted, pointing at Derek. "Oooh... he's angry. Last time I saw him like that was when he was arguing with the chief about Sloan." She then cackled.

Mark cleared his throat loudly to get their attention. When George saw Mark, he quickly grabbed his charts and bolted. Alex shifted his gaze to Sloan and tapped Cristina and Meredith on the shoulders.

"What?! stop it, Al—" Cristina stopped. Noticing Dr. Sloan, she fled. Alex followed Cristina.

Meredith watched as her friends ran away, confused at what's happening. She looked behind her and saw Mark Sloan settling beside her. She turned, looking back at the office.

"Are you going in?" Meredith asked Mark.

"Yes."

"What's going on, really?"

"You should ask Derek about that," Mark answered. He left Meredith and entered the office. Meredith decided to follow her friends and walked away.

- - - - -

It took another hour before the meeting was finished. It concluded with yelling and slamming of the office door as Derek walked out of the office.

"You brought him here!" Derek shouted at Mark, who's following Derek.

"Oh, come on! You are literally beside me when we saw him earlier." Mark paused, "It's not like you and I working in Seattle a damn secret.”

Both of them stopped in the middle of the catwalk as Derek paced.

"Why is he here?" Derek asked, glancing at Mark as he paced.

"He just said why. He needs our help," Mark replied.

"Why is he really here?" Derek emphasized, hands on his hips, still pacing.

"For the record, I didn't know any of this," Mark put his right hand on his waist, with the other, he gestured, "He said he asked Addison..."

"Addison?" Derek stopped pacing and looked at Mark.

"He told me... w-wait? What are you doing?" Mark asked as Derek pulled his phone to call Addison.

"Eric is here," Derek said over the phone, "I know, you know. Just — tell me why... n-no! I know that's not the only reason... just tell me... What?! Importan- Hello?" Derek put his phone inside his pocket, "She hung up."

"Richard already said yes to..."

"And I am saying no," Derek cut him.

"It's not yours to decide. It's a plastics case," Mark said, crossing his arms.

"Then, you are going to say no," Derek said as he walks away.

- - - - -

CT Room

"So, are you going to tell me about the new guy?" Meredith asked Derek as they were checking the CT results of a patient. Derek stared at the scans in front of him, arms crossed tightly on his chest, brows still furrowed.

"He's not the new guy. He's going to leave soon." Derek corrected her, his voice strained.

"Okay," Meredith said, waiting for Derek's answer.

Derek knew that she's just trying to help. He sighed, putting down his hand. Derek looked at her and said calmly, "He's... no one."

"Seeing you acting like that makes him not 'no one', Derek, who is he and why are you so angry at him?" Meredith continued, now she's the one crossing her arms.

Derek sighed as he stared at Meredith. A few minutes later, Derek gave no answer. Meredith looked at him, brows arching up as she waited.

"Fine, so, we're angry at him then?" Meredith leaned her head sideways, looking straight into Derek's eyes as he tried to look away. "Do I need to be angry at him, too?"

"No... I...” Derek stammered, “w-we are not doing this right now." He pulled out the scans from the viewer and walked away.

"What? What are we doing?" Meredith turned and looked at Derek as he walked out, "Derek?!"

- - - - -

Hospital Cafeteria

Mark kept his stare at Eric as they hang out at the cafeteria, his eyebrows arched. Eric glanced at Mark, noticing him staring for too long. He then stared back at the mug he's holding.

"Are you making a hole in my face?" He paused, "Or, Is Derek twisting your ass right now?" Eric asked while looking down, taking a sip of his tea.

"Nice choice of words." Mark sighed before continuing, "You are making a point, that it? That's why you're here?" Eric sighed. Mark continued, "Or — ah, a grand gesture." Mark slapped his legs as he added, "I did that too, went here in Seattle and, you know..." Eric gawked at him with a slight amused smile on his face. Mark noticed it and stammered, "W-what?"

"Good lord, you and your grand gestures," Eric said as he put down his cup on the table. He sighed deeply as he stared back at Mark.

"What? What?!"

"There's, a very thin line between your notion of grand gestures for your male friends and uh, something you do for... you know..." Eric paused, "just... no distinction if you’re doing it romanticaly or..." Mark glared at him as his mouth gaped, "I won't be shocked when there's talk about you and Derek being... more than..." He murmured to himself as he looked away.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"The things is...” Eric looked back at Mark, “I am not making a point. Is it difficult to believe that I'm asking for your help?" He added, "It could be if I'm only asking for your help."

"H-W... wh..." Mark stammered, brows furrowed. He gestured with disbelief, "I-I don't buy your excuse."

Eric sighed, as he stated, "Let's just — " He paused laying his hand on the table, "Let's assume I'm lying. Why did I come here if I could have the surgery done at Mass General instead? The fact that I got an entire division to back me up, a foundation, and one of the top five teaching hospitals in the country supporting me, instead I came here to ask help from two surgeons who work at a hospital that ranks 12th.

"Way to rub that salt in the wound, kid." Mark contemplated on his statement and leaned back on his on chair. He glanced at Eric as he sighed. "You have a point."

On the other side of the cafeteria, Callie walked towards Meredith, as she continued to stare at Mark and Eric.

"So, he's not... I mean, he's not like their love child, right?" Callie said, her voice breaking as she suppressed her laughter. Meredith looked at her, amused at the thought, "Right, but there's the similarity there. Maybe he's Mark Sloan's brother or something? Or Derek's..." Callie paused as Meredith stared at her, "Okay, I'm just gonna — I'm..." She lifted her tray and prowled towards Mark and Eric.

Callie stood just behind Mark Sloan, smiling awkwardly at Eric. She held her tray with her right hand and pulled Mark's scrub with her left. Eric stared at her as she pulled Mark's scrub and cleared her throat before adding, "Aren't you gonna introduce me or what?"

Mark turned behind him, "Yes, Dr. Callie Torres this is Dr. Eric Keaton," Callie and Eric shook hands, as Callie beamed. "Eric this is Callie Torres, Ortho." Callie put her tray on the table and sat beside Mark.

"Pleasure meeting you, Dr. Torres," Eric greeted.

"Wow, courteous. Soo... unlike you," She whispered to Mark.

Mark smiled as he continued, "He was... a colleague from New York."

"So, you two not related?" Callie asked Mark.

Eric heard her and answered, "No. There may be some similarities... but, I am in no way related to him.” Mark leaned away, scoffing, as Eric continued, “He's just my... teacher... They were my teachers."

"You... teaching?" Callie shot a disbelieving glance towards Mark. "When did you ever teach... I mean..." Callie stifled her laughter. Realizing she's talking to Mark with a stranger, she looked at the amused stranger sitting in front of them and stopped, "Word vomit." She whispered and paused; cleared her throat, sat down straight and continued, "So, you're on plastics?"

"Neuro." Mark answered with disdain.

"Oh, you worked under Shepherd." Callie pointed out, "That's more plausible." Mark glared at her.

"Yeah, you can say that. Mark..." Eric paused, looking at the irritated plastic surgeon, "...he's more a teacher in wordplay."

"Hey! I taught you some techniques in plastics, too, you ungrateful brat," Mark protested, "plastics and women."

"Women?” Eric snorted a laugh. “Please.” Eric countered. “If teaching about women means inviting me to every bar in New York instead of Derek since you’ll hear a scolding from him about how you sleep around, then you really thought me well, Sir."

"That's what I meant," Mark said with a smirk.

"So..." Callie hesitated to ask. She fixed her loosed hair and tucked it in her ear. "I just..."

"You want to know why Derek Shepherd is angry at me?" Eric filled in her words. “Aren’t we all?”

- - - - -

Present day Patient's Private Room

Dr. Keaton is standing beside the patient, with the patient's fiancé. The teams for the transplantation watched as Alex Karev presented the patient.

"Timothy St. John, 28... both legs were amputated due to traumatic injuries sustained in a car accident..."

"The procedure will involve two teams. One for each leg," Dr. Shepherd started explaining the procedure to the patient, "Both Dr. Keaton and I will connect the blood vessels under a microscope. While Dr. Torres and Dr. Sloan will be in charge with the bones, muscle and skin flaps. These are your teams."

"It seems half of the hospital... are here," Mr. St. John joked as he held his fiancé.

"Well, the procedure will need all the people we can get, Mate. Don't worry. You are in the most capable hands. Dr. Torres, Dr. Sloan and Dr. Shepherd are the best in their field," Dr. Keaton said.

- - - - -

Four Months Ago Surgical Skills Lab

The teams met the patient of the transplant surgery for the first time. Mark Sloan introduced the teams and explained the procedure. Callie and Eric also added the risks and challenges the patient would experience before, during and after surgery. Derek remained silent, staring at the patient and his fiancé who are just about to start their life. He clutched his hands as he felt frustration. He thought, there are so many things that could happen and the risks and consequences outweigh the benefits. He didn't want to be a part of a surgery that could stake young lives. Derek absentmindedly walked out of the room.

Eric followed Derek and saw him out at the hall. He was leaning on the nurses' station counter, hands turning white, as he clutched harder. Derek noticed Eric.

"You will not do the surgery, not here, in my hospital, not on my watch!"

"This is not. your hospital. You are not the one who will decide," Eric answered back. "Richard said yes."

"I will not be a part of this. Anyway you see it, this procedure is unethical..." Derek implied.

Eric scoffed, "Oh, please, you are not thinking about how this is unethical or not." He interrupted.

"...it's unethical and highly experimental." Derek emphasized.

"Doing a highly experimental surgery, never stopped you before," Eric said, "You are making this about Amelia."

Derek stopped and shot a glare at him. His face is turning red, "Yes! I am making this about Amy."

"Knew it."

"I am making this about Amy..." He paused, looking around as staff walked by, he gritted his teeth as he continued, "If I was there, I may damn well prevented her for doing that surgery," He blurted out with gritted voice.

"The surgery that brought back a mother and a wife to her family?"

"The surgery that took a toll on my sister's life that made her take drugs!" He shouted, "You may not see why you are to blame for what happened, but you are to blame! You. Put. That idea in her head."

"Doesn't it occur to you, that having no faith on your sister also took a toll?" Derek pushed him, hand clenching his shirt, trembling with rage.

"You don't get to talk to me about her," Derek warned. Mark and Richard saw them. Mark ran to them to stop them from fighting.

"What is going on here?!" Richard demanded. Mark pulled Derek off Eric.

"You are stopping this surgery, Richard. Or I'll walk," Derek said. Derek shrugged off Mark's hand. He then walked away, still steaming with rage.

- - - - -

A few days after the argument with Eric and Derek. Tests were administered to the patient. After the tests, Derek visited the patient's room and checked his vitals. He was looking at his chart when the patient woke up.

"Hey, I'm just checking at your charts here," Derek said, "How are you feeling?"

"Half awake," The patient joked, "Get it?"

"Doctor, I know you don't approve of this surgery. I can see it in your face. I would too — think it's impossible, but I was the one who pushed Dr. Keaton for this surgery," The patient paused. "You have a wife, Dr. Shepherd?"

"I do," He answered.

"Imagine, everyday she would wake up early to lift you in and out of your bed. Bathe you. Wipe you. Go to work. Cook for you. — That is not a life I wanted for her," He continued. "I was a manly man, Dr. Shepherd. I want to be the one who goes to work, who will lift her up. I want to walk with her. And that accident made me half of who I was, literally too." He chuckled, "I looked for a way to bring it back. And the only way I saw was Dr. Keaton. I asked him for help, but he wouldn't do the procedure without you. I asked him to transfer me here so I could change your mind, to see me, and empathize."

"It's a very complicated procedure..."

"If it means having to walk with my Liz, I'm willing to take the risk."

- - - - -

Present Day PACU

After the gruesome surgery that took more than half the day, they transferred the patient back to the recovery room for observation. The surgery was successful. The next step for the patient is intense observation and therapy. Dr. Keaton is standing just outside the room. Derek saw him and walked beside him.

"I have been thinking... you might have been right," Eric uttered without looking at him. Derek stayed staring in front, at the patient's room. Eric hesitated before he continued, "The first leg transplant that I did had gone horribly... bad. The patient rejected the limb, and uhm, we amputated it," He paused as he looked down at his fidgeting hands, "I, uh... did each procedure splendidly. But I became overconfident. I knew the patient was not entirely ready of what he would experience because of the surgery, but I did it anyway," He paused, "I learned... from it. After that, I decided not to do it again; to put anyone in that — torture." Eric looked up and stare at the patient inside the room, "St John, he pleaded for my help. I said no, over and over again. I told him I'm not at my best, and to do the surgery, I need the best neurosurgeon" Eric looked at Derek, "When I said I need you, I meant it. You're my mentor, and the best neurosurgeon that I know. If anyone would pull me back to earth, it was you... I'm very sorry about Amy. I believe in her because I know she's a great neurosurgeon." Eric paused as his voice broke. He cleared his throat and added, "...and I didn't think it would... I'm sorry."

Derek stared at Eric as he looked down on the floor. Derek tapped Eric's shoulder. Eric looked at him. He nodded and smiled at his former student — Derek's own way of showing his affirmation. Derek then walked away, leaving Eric.

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