Chapter Two: Changing The Subject

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Alex pulled into his parking spot outside of his apartment and stopped the car. George lay beside him in the passenger seat, fast asleep in his own dreams. Alex began to review the previous hours in his head slowly. Earlier, after a long while of waiting, and stale air, Alex checked outside the room to make sure it was almost clear. All were gone but a few nurses, and a pacing woman in front of the white board. It was Bailey. She had noticed him right away, she is most definitely the most sly woman Alex had ever known. She snapped at him as she always did, and asked him where he had been. After he was reluctant to respond, she shook her head and carried on her way, headed towards the north wing. Alex opened the door all the way and George had followed him to the lockers. They changed quietly, and then led each other out to the parking lot where Alex started the car, and they headed out. He didn't even have to ask if he wanted to go home. He knew he couldn't face Meredith tonight. Not tonight.

After thinking over the past, he stepped out of the car and walked over the other side, opening the door quietly. He nudged George carefully. After a moment, he stirred and his dry eyes fluttered open came across the man standing over him.

"Alex?" he asked in a woken confusion. His mind wandered for a moment. He was still in love with Meredith, he knew it, but, what was this? Maybe Alex was disguising himself with kindness, or maybe... No. No, he has to be hiding behind fake friendliness.

"Let's get inside..." Alex replied.

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Isabel glided down the stairs almost ghost-like, her flannel pajama bottoms wafting about her legs. She found herself in the living room. Meredith sat upon the couch, watching the fire slowly die. She joined her.

"Alex blew me off today." She said, eyes mixing with the seductive tingle of the fire before them.

"I blew off George today." Meredith cooed stalely. Izzy glanced at her for a moment, then resumed her stare at the licking flames.

"He really likes you Meredith. I mean, really likes you."

"I know. I heard it today. Actually, I've heard it before, but today... I heard it. It's like, everything he's ever said to me suddenly makes sense. And..."

"And?" Isabel picked up.

"And it scared me." Meredith kept on. "I ignored him and just... shot some words out of no where and left... I don't even remember what I said... I..." She stopped.

"How did it scare you?"

"I went to see my father." she replied. Isabel just stared back, confused.

"That's how I dodge things, Izzy. I change the subject to another one just as intense." They resumed silence, and the fire gained back attention, until it died down, and disappeared.

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Alex opened the door of the hall closet and pulled out a few extra blankets. George had sat himself on the couch and removed his shoes and jacket. The apartment was soothingly clean, and the steam rising from the dishwasher made it warm and welcoming. But George couldn't help feeling out of place. He fidgeted his hands and waited for Alex to bring the blankets over. When he did, he offered to pull the bed out of the couch and make it for him.

"I don't need you help." George said stalely, rising from his seat and pulling the cushions off, himself. Alex felt the need to reply, but held back. He just watched as George tried aimlessly to pull out the bed. He pulled at it, tugged at it, did everything he could (including falling on his ass several times) but it would not remove itself form the depths of the couch.

"God damnit!" he shouted finally. He stood back without anymore words, waiting for Alex to do it. He walked over to it, and reached down into the front between the bed and couch, and pulled out a thin metal handle which he used to pull the bed up and out. George watched in frustration.

"Really not that hard." Alex said smiling. George shook his head in anger and grabbed the blankets.

"Do you want to..talk?" Alex asked softly.

"No, Alex. I really don't." George shot back at him coldly.

"Fair enough."

There was no more response. Just air between them. Alex turned and left to his own bedroom. Once he closed the door, George slumped down on the bed and sighed. He knew tonight would be a sleepless one.