A/N: I don't usually write Grey's Anatomy fanfiction, but watching the season 5 premiere, I couldn't help but catch something going on between Lexie and Sloan. I wanted to explore it a little bit more, so this was what resulted.
Disclaimer: Grey's Anatomy does not belong to me.
Something Different
Summary: She wonders where exactly her sanity was when she decided to tell him, of all people, her feelings for George. Slight Lexie/Mark.
She wants to tell him that she wants more, that friendship just won't be enough. But as George looks up at her with that shy smile and sincere blue eyes, her mouth can't seem to make out the words, her voice falters in her throat.
Instead, she draws her lips together into a smile. It's tight, forced and not quite reaching her eyes, but she hopes he doesn't notice.
Sometimes, she can't have what she wants. And today, she can't have him. So right now, she can settle for his friendship.
But even as she smiles and utters "best friends", the heaviness in her heart only seems to grow.
--
Somehow, they end up in the elevator together. She doesn't think she can endure his egotistic behaviour, but she's far too exhausted to push him out. So she settles on silence. Only he's not to keen on being ignored.
"So…"
She stares straight ahead.
"Are you and O'Malley official or what?"
She wonders where exactly her sanity was when she decided to tell him, of all people, her feelings for George.
"So that's a no?"
Suddenly, bitterness overwhelms her. Before she can stop them, the words fly out her mouth. "Friends. We're friends."
"Ah. The dreaded friend zone."
And just like that, he manages to extinguish any hope left in her.
"Well, at least you know."
"Yeah." Only she'd rather not know.
--
Some days, she just wants to get wasted. She wants to drown in alcohol and in that sensation of simply not feeling. Today is one of those days.
There isn't any reason why she would want to induce herself in an alcoholic coma. All that she knows is that she hasn't been in one for a few months now.
That's how she finds herself at Joe's. It's noisy and rowdy, but she's almost drunk enough that she barely notices. There's only the slight buzz in her head and the warmth spreading through her body.
"Kind of pathetic, don't you think?"
The question floats around her, and for a moment she doesn't know if it was directed at her.
"Sitting here, getting drunk all alone?"
The question smacks her in the face, grabbing her attention.
She swivels around in her seat. And of course, it's him. She groans. Of all the people in Seattle.
"Go away."
He plants himself in the open stool next to her. "Nope. Don't think so. I think you're in a dire need of some company."
"Oh, really? Since when do you care about anybody else but yourself?"
"Contrary to popular belief, Grey, you'll find that I do take interest in other people sometimes."
She looks at him fully in the eyes. "How did I ever get so lucky?"
Humour sparkles in his eyes. "Who says I'm taking interest in you?"
"Shut up."
He laughs.
A/N: Nothing too spectacular, but something I felt like writing. Reviews are always appreciated and constructive criticism is welcome.