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Cristina pulled her bloody surgical gloves off and threw them in the hazardous waste container as Callie and Alex washed up in the sink.
"God that was great," Alex boasted, scrubbing up his arms as they did for every post-surgical protocol. "You know you were right. Surgery is a great way to end a bad day."
Callie smiled as she scrubbed her own arms up and down.
"I know. Just wait until you've had the day from hell and you get a surgery where you have to break bones… its like a huge release. Almost better than sex."
"Well I don't know about that," Alex smiled.
Cristina came up between Alex and Callie and started washing her hands and arms as well. She was glad to have the surgery done with. All they had to do now was talk with Mr. Carlyle's wife and she could go home. For once she was completely ready to get out of that hospital and away from surgeries that were complicated in ways that had nothing to do with medical situations.
"I guess you needed this surgery after finding out about George and Izzie," Alex said, casually.
Cristina dropped the disinfecting soap in the sink. The sound of it clattering on the metal surface below her seemed loud as the air was sucked out from the room after Alex's innocent musing.
"What?" Callie asked, taken back. "After I found out what about George and Izzie?"
Cristina went ridged as Callie narrowed her eyes at Alex. Alex looked at Callie and realized she didn't know. His smile from before suddenly faltered.
Callie turned her head towards Cristina and narrowed her eyes at her.
"Found out what?" She demanded to know, roughly turning the water off and ripping paper towels out its holder to dry her arms.
Cristina turned towards her and tried to act casually.
"That… George and Izzie are stuck in an elevator together."
Callie looked directly into her eyes as if she was searching for the truth there. Cristina looked away to finish up her washing just as Alex was drying his hands.
"No," Callie said, demandingly. "Don't do that. Don't look away and try to lie to me."
Cristina closed her eyes and the slowly looked up. She thought she actually heard Alex gulp behind her as the other doctor stared them down.
Callie took a step towards them, which made both Cristina and Alex take a step back putting them both against the scrub room's far wall.
"Today," She started, angrily. "After all the odd looks, and the whispering, and the sudden silence every time I entered a room…"
Callie was staring them both down and wasn't letting up until she found out some answers.
"What's going on?" She asked, desperately. "And don't try to cover up for your little friends! Don't try to cover up for MY husband!"
Cristina looked over at Alex beside her, who looked as perplexed as she felt. She was going to have to break his bones later.
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"Izzie…" George said, shocked. He looked at her tear-stained face and felt his heart break a little.
He shook his head because he was speechless.
"It's only fair, George," Izzie said, sadly. "After everything you've done for me."
"Iz, this is crazy," He said, standing up. He ran his hands through his hair nervously and started pacing back and forth. "You can't do this."
Izzie laughed sadly from her position on the floor. "Oh how the tables have turned now."
"Izzie, I was the one who cheated on my wife," He said, pacing back and forth in front of her. "I should be the one who goes."
Izzie stood up and placed both hands on his shoulders to stop him from pacing. His eyes met hers.
"We both cheated," she said, meaning more than her adultress actions with her friend. "You have a wife here. You have a great career ahead of you here. You have a life."
"You…you do too," He said, shaking his head disbelievingly. "You have a life here."
It was at that moment that the elevator started moving again. It lurched forward and suddenly they were heading for the 7th floor again.
Izzie placed both hands on either side of George's face and gently kissed him on the lips. When she pulled away she saw him slowly open his eyes as fresh tears came to her eyes.
"What life is that if you're not here? I can start over there. Have a clean slate."
She let her hands fall away as the elevator came to a stop and the bell chimed as the elevator doors slid open.
She looked back at him once more before she stepped forward and out of the elevator.
George stood speechless as he watched her slip out the door with her head tucked down to hide her tears.
As Izzie's figure slipped around the corner, the sight of Callie came into his view. She was standing there on the other side of the doors waiting for him with her arms crossed.
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