Moments in Time
A/N: This is chapter one of my first ever Grey's Anatomy fic. Please review and be kind. Not too much is revealed, but I promise it'll speed up soon.
Disclaimer: Oh how I wish I could take credit for the genius that is Grey's Anatomy. Unfortunately (for me) that honor goes to Shonda. McDreamy and McSteamy though – they are MINE. Okay not really, but a girl can dream can't she?
Addison VO:
I'm fine – one of the simplest, most uncomplicated, overused phrases of the English language. People use it every day. Someone asks you how you are – you say "Oh, I'm fine." You find yourself edging your way through the cafeteria line, your plate accumulating unappealing food along the way, when someone asks you how your lunch is. Eight times out of ten, a person is going to say its fine – even when it isn't. And when something really terrible happens – something that makes you feel like going on might not be an option - you still say that you're fine. Because for people like us, being fine is the only option… its all we know.
Seattle Grace Hospital
6:30 AM
Locker Room
He was angry. And not the type of angry that you walk away from, wishing away its existence; or the type of angry you can release in a gym or on basketball court. His was the type of angry that sits, simmers, and then waits. The type of angry that digs down deep and refuses to let go. The type of angry that you can't quite define, but you know is there.
Alex stood at his locker, arms braced on either side of the open door, fuming. Where does she get off? Kicking him off of a case, telling him that his involvement is no longer necessary? It was his case, his patient, and his right to tell his patient the truth. The truth, contrary to what some like to believe, is not a bad thing. In hospitals, the truth is a hard thing to come by. Doctors fill up your hospital room and tell you that you have chance - that you should fight - when really your microwave is on the fritz and your kernel of popcorn is about to make its final pop. So where does she get off?
Alex, shoving his two day old t-shirt toward the back of his locker along with a grungy pair of jeans and torn up jacket, made an effort to slam the locker shut. Slamming – an often overrated approach to releasing pent up aggression – was supposed to make him feel better. It didn't.
Cristina and Izzy, eyes drooping, coffee in hand entered the room and headed for their own lockers just in time to catch the end of Alex's slamming.
"Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning…" Christina threw over her shoulder at Izzy.
"Shut it Yang," Alex sighed.
"Leave him alone Cristina." Izzy rolled her eyes, knowing the conversation would continue.
"Where's the fun in that? Besides, I heard that Macho 195 over there needs to work on his bedside manner." Cristina looked up as Meredith walked in the room with a sulky looking George straggling in behind her.
"I said shut it Yang." Alex voice called out from the other side of the room.
"Seriously? You're calling him Macho 195?" Meredith glanced over at Izzy, eyebrows raised curiously.
"What? Evil Spawn was starting to get old and it IS morning. Burke is driving me to drink with all the wedding planning and the date setting and the god knows what else. Understandably, my extraordinary wit is lacking." Cristina rattled off her explanation with hardly a glance at the other two.
George ignored everyone – too tired to care.
Meredith walked over to Alex.
"Are you okay? You seem…I dunno…upset." Meredith leaned against the locker, facing Alex.
"I'm fine." Alex stared at Meredith with a look that indicated he was far from fine.
"Really? 'Cause I would think that you'd be bothered by the fact that Dr. Montgomery kicked you off a case this morning, especially after you volunteered for her service."
"No… I'm good."
"Alex…"
"Drop it okay. I'm fine."
Bailey, eyebrows raised, walked in the door looking more displeased than usual.
"Why are you fools all standing around? What did I say to you about gossip and chit chat? We don't do that here. This is a hospital…with lots of sick people. And what do we do when there are lots of sick people?
Everyone stared blankly at Bailey. George was tired, Cristina was thinking about how she could convince Shepard to let her in on his afternoon surgery, Izzy was planning, Meredith was lost in thought, and Alex – Alex was busy being 'fine.'
"What do we do people?! Sickness…disease…surgery…"
"We save lives…" They chorused.
"No…I save lives. Dr. Burke, Dr. Shepard and Dr. Montgomery – they save lives. You…you do rounds. You tell us what we need to know to make these people feel better. Now go."
Feet began to shuffle, but not quickly enough.
"I said GO. NOW…." Bailey, shaking her head, watched as feet began to move faster and all five interns headed out the door.