Chapter Thirty Five

Meredith had just finished washing her hands after the successful surgery when her phone rang. She answered immediately, anxious to hear that Alex was with Ellis.

"Alex? How is she?"

"The ear infection has definitely gotten worse. It looks like the antibiotics aren't working. I don't see any signs of fluid, so I think she's just going to need something stronger. I brought cephalosporin with me just in case. Are you okay with that?"

"Yes, of course. I'm just finishing up, and then I'll be on my way home. Thank you for this. I feel so much better knowing you're there with her."

"No problem, Mer. Really. Drive safe, and I'll see you soon."

"I will. Bye."

As Meredith hung up the phone she was again struck by how much easier everything was with Alex around. She opened the door to the scrub room. As she stepped into the hall, she practically ran into Arizona.

"Arizona, hi," Meredith began. Before she could continue, Arizona interrupted her.

"Meredith, I'm so sorry. I really didn't know it was you! If I had known, I never would have..." she is babbling nervously.

Confused, Meredith asks, "You didn't know what was me?"

Arizona grimaced. "I sort of outed your relationship with Alex to the third floor nurses station." The grimace remained, but she tried to turn it into a smile.

"Wait, Alex told me he didn't tell you it was me..how did you know?" she looked around as she spoke, hoping no one else over heard the conversation.

"It's not his fault...not anyone's fault, really. When I was asking him for details about the girl he was seeing – you – he told me that you guys weren't ready to go public, so I had promised that if I had heard any rumors, I'd shoot them down. I overheard some nurses talking about how they saw Alex in the grocery store this weekend, but they couldn't see who he was with. So, I sort of told them that the only woman he spends time with is – you. But really, I was trying to help! I swear!"

Meredith stood and listened to Arizona's story. She was shocked at first, and upset that more people had potentially found out about their relationship before she was ready to reveal it, but hearing Arizona describe her faux pas struck her as funny. She found herself laughing instead.

After a moment's hesitation, Arizona joined in on the laughter. She was relieved to have gotten that out in the open. "Meredith, I really am sorry! And I swear I haven't told-told anyone." She smiled. "You really make him happy."

Meredith returned the smile. "He makes me happy, too. I'm not angry with you, Arizona. It's an honest mistake. I know it's pretty silly, and pretty impossible, to keep this a secret. It's just..."

Arizona finished her sentence. "You don't want the entire hospital in your relationship."

Meredith nodded. "Exactly."

At the same time, both women said, "Been there, done that!" which sent them into another round of laughter.