Author's note: I am definitely not medically trained, so the medical side of this story will be vague so hopefully I won't make a fool of myself. Enjoy.
Walking along the lonely hallways of what was once Seattle Grace hospital, Meredith let out a longed for sigh. This place was filled with everything she wanted to forget, the place where she had more heartache than most people should ever have to endure. She'd lost more than she'd like to sit down and count, friends, family, herself.
Footsteps echoed from far and near, her heart was pounding in her chest as she rounded the corner and fell back into reality. Chaos was everything as usual, doctors rushing about, patients scattered all over the room. She looked around at many faces and snapped out of her thoughts. It was just another day at work, another busy day filled with hiding your own thoughts and burying your emotions. She could do that, let the dark and twisties hide for cover for just one day.
She worked until her feet felt like they'd fall off, and her neck was aching and all she wanted was a shot of tequila and for the world to cease to exist for just one evening. If only she could be that lucky.
Everyone seemed to constantly need her, at work she was "Dr Grey I need this," "Dr Grey can I do that?" and at home she was Mommy and Meredith, she didn't know which was more demanding. It was an effort and then some before all three of her children were tucked up in bed, and she could finally relax.
Her feet were prepped up against one of her couch's cushions, and the telly played almost silently in the background. She wasn't paying it any attention but the slight hum was soothing for her. She downed shots until her throat was burning, and Alex was walking in to check on her. He's only just come home. It made her smile sometimes, thinking about how things had changed so much. There was once a time when she couldn't stand Alex Karev, a man who was as pleasant to be around, as a colonoscopy was to perform. Yet now he was living under her roof, and it wasn't for the first time.
"You want some?" She questioned with a raised brow. Alex smiled and shook his head. He took the blanket off the other couch and draped it over her as he sat down in the empty spot beside her.
"We're not watching anything. I just can't stand listening to myself drinking. It's depressing." Meredith informed him as she placed her glass down on the coffee table.
"Nobody likes listening to you drink." He told her, chuckling under his breath. She rolled her eyes at his words, but she couldn't help but laugh herself.
"You're such a jerk!" She told him, nudging his shoulder with her own. He just smiled and pressed his head up against her shoulder. He liked this, having somebody to come home to, someone who wasn't questioning his every move, someone who wasn't trying to psychoanalyse every word that came out of his mouth. Meredith was his best friend, his person, and he didn't know where he would be without her.
"How're you doing?" She asked him after letting him get lost in his runaway thoughts. He's been single for a short while, and still hasn't talked to her about anything. She had made it clear that it was up to him whether or not he came to her about it, but she could see in his eyes that even if he wanted to, he would be too stubborn to ask for help.
"I'm fine." He assured her, sitting up to look at her. She cocked her head to the side in disbelief. She knew better than to push him, but he just looked like a lost puppy, like Bailey when he forgets what he came into a room for.
"If you change your mind.." She trailed off, reaching out to take his hand. "I'm here. I'm always going to be right here. You're stuck with me until you decide to move away like Cristina." She said with a crooked smile, laughing to rid the awkward tension in the air.
He just shook his head and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. He wasn't going anywhere, even if she pushed him away. They were like family, her children meant everything to him, and Meredith herself was such an incredible light in his life; even when she was in her dark and twisty periods.
"Why don't you pour me a drink, and we'll see what trash we can find to make fun of." He said as he motioned towards the television set. Meredith simply laughed and handed over the remote.
As he flicked through channels, he glanced over towards the kitchen were his friend was pouring him a glass. She laughed, and he turned around completely to see that she'd spilled alcohol down the front of her white blouse.
"I think you've had enough." He said with a laugh as he hurried into the kitchen after her. He picked up the wet dish cloth and tried dabbing it against her chest.
"I don't think that's working." She giggled, taking it from his hand. "I'll just go upstairs to change. Your drink's on the counter." She said with a big smile, walking backwards towards the stairs. Her black bra was now clearly visible, she hasn't been in this situation since she was breast feeding, and milk would leak in the most awkward of situations. Her body really hated her sometimes, or maybe she just liked making her life difficult.
By the time she made it back down the stairs, Alex had nearly finished his drink. He looked up at Meredith who had completely changed her outfit. Her hair was messily tied up in a bun above her head and she looked like she was ready for bed.
"You don't have to stay up for me." He insisted as she made her way back into her old spot beside him. She snorted and shook her head as he went to stand up.
"I'm a mom now, I don't have a social life. This is the closest I've had to a night out in a long time. Sit your ass down and let me have some fun." She told him bossily, and Alex sat back down beside her.