They wondered around the hospital for a little while without seeing anyone they really noticed. They had seen a couple of nurses' they remembered and had heard the rumors that were already making their way around the hospital. But nobody they actually knew seemed to be around.
"Some things never change, huh?" Meredith said with a humored smirk as they waited for the elevator.
"What's that?"
"The gossip mill still booms with sappy stories of our loves and heartbreaks."
"That's for sure."
"Where should we go now? We should find Izzie, George, and Alex before we do anything, right?"
The elevator doors dinged and opened. And as if on cue, Alex and Izzie stood staring back at them. "Looks like we found them." Christina whispered not letting her eyes travel from the two people staring at them with jaws on the floor. Meredith just nodded. "Hey guys." Christina said finally breaking the silence. Slowly, Christina and Meredith stepped on before the doors started to shut.
"I didn't expect to see you guys here." Izzie admitted after a few moments of silence.
"We're ripping of the bandages quickly and painfully." Meredith said.
"This is… wow… We didn't think you guys would ever come back."
"We aren't… back, I mean. We're visiting." Christina confessed.
"You're leaving!" Izzie almost cried.
"We don't know." Meredith sighed. "It's a lot to handle and we really haven't handled it, yet."
"Where have you been?" Alex asked as the doors open, and they made their way down the hall.
"Boston." They both answered at the same time.
"We heard you got married and have a kid. Congratulations." Meredith smiled.
"Yeah." Izzie beamed holding up her hand so they could see her rings.
"They're gorgeous, Izz." Meredith said. "I wish I were there."
"How'd you convince her, Evil Spawn?" Christina asked looking at him suspiciously.
"Convince her of what?"
"That you could pay for her and her Barbie convertible."
"Good old Christina." Izzie laughed not bothering to object to the 'Barbie' comment.
"So you aren't… mad?" Meredith asked cautiously.
"Maybe a little, but… at least you're here." Izzie smiled.
"Where's Bambi?" Christina asked.
"Around here somewhere." Alex shrugged.
"So… um, have you seen them?" Izzie asked awkwardly.
Both woman stiffened and shifted from foot to foot. "No." Christina answered slowly.
"Are you going to?" Alex inquired.
"We don't know." Meredith quickly replied.
"Come on, let's get some coffee." Alex offered putting his hand on Izzie's lower back as he led the three women toward the coffee cart.
--
They were sitting at their usual lunch table sipping coffee making small talk mostly about where their careers ended up. Neither Meredith nor Christina had the courage to bring up the Mark/Burke topic. It was hard to believe they were sitting there talking as if nothing happened. Except everything did. Three years ago, they left Seattle heartbroken, in love, and alone. They had each other and pushed each other to forget the pain and keep it hidden. Now, they had kids. Kids that Mark and Burke didn't know about!
"Meredith? Christina?" A voice came from behind them. They both froze before Meredith recognized the voice and turned to look at him.
"Hey George." She smiled as she stood up.
Christina also stood up. "Bambi-Boy."
"Izzie said you were back." He commented as he hugged Meredith.
"Yeah." Meredith sighed standing there feeling a little awkward. They were their friends. Why was it so hard to feel normal?
Christina was about to say something when Richard walked up.
"Meredith?" He sighed as he stopped in front of her.
"What's up?"
"Abby needs you."
"What's wrong?" She instantly got concerned.
"I'm not sure. She's not hurt, but she's crying. She really wants to see you."
Meredith nodded. "I'll be right there."
Richard nodded and walked away.
"Who's Abby?" Alex asked.
She froze. Christina did as well and gave Meredith a sideways glance.
"A lot has changed since we left." Meredith sighed.
"What kind of stuff?" Izzie asked cautiously.
"We can't talk about it now. We have to go." Christina said.
"Can we talk at your house later?" Meredith asked. They all nodded. "See you then."
Before anymore question could be asked, they rushed away. It was going to be one hell of a day.