"I say, wake her up. She needs to deal with this or it's just going to get worse"
Callie says to Meredith. They are standing near the doorway, ready to leave for work.
"I know, but, I mean, how will she be able to deal right now?"
"I'm sure she'll be fine. If she's lucky, the chief will go easy on her--but she can't afford to take a day off"
"But she's so sad!"
George says, coming down the stairs, putting on his backpack.
"Callie's right, she needs to at least show up and maybe the chief will give her a break…"
Just then, they look up to see Izzie make her way down the stairs, dressed for work. There is no expression in her face. She doesn't seem sad or angry or even remotely upset, just tired. She looks at them as she grabs a jacket from the coat rack. The three just stand there, not knowing how to address her.
"You guys ready?"
"Izzie…are you okay?"
George asks, a worried expression on his face.
"Yeah. Let's get this over with"
She walks around them and walks out the door. Callie and Meredith look at each other, wondering if she should after all, take a day off.
"Are you guys coming!"
Izzie calls from outside. Meredith sighs heavily, both for Izzie and herself.
"You heard her. Let's get it over with"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The car ride was uncomfortably calm. Callie had decided to ride with Meredith, George and Izzie, thinking she'd pick up her car later. She and George sat in the back seat, his hand on her thigh the entire time. Izzie sat in the passenger seat, the radio was on but the silence was just too thick. No one knew how to act around Izzie because they didn't know what she was feeling. At one point, George tried to make conversation about a fruity pebble that had gotten stuck in hi tooth but everyone in the car was preoccupied with their own problems. Meredith was only minutes away from facing Addison--from facing Derek and the scary part was that she had no idea what was going to happen once that happened. She didn't know if Derek had told Addison about what happened and she almost didn't want to know. Callie was wondering if Izzie still hated her and Izzie--Izzie didn't know what she was thinking herself. Her mind was a series of mind-boggles and she just let them take over so she sat in silence.
As they all made their way in the hospital, whatever familiarity they had with each other, seemed to expand into an invisible string they were all connected by and they kept a close distance from each other.
"Hey, Izz--"
Alex waves at Izzie as they pass each other in the hallway. Avoiding eye-contact, she walks right past him.
"Hi"
Meredith walks up to him after Izzie and smiles warmly.
"She's just sad--"
"Yeah…"
"--give her time"
George joins them as Bailey makes her way toward them, this time however, she is unusually calm. She looks at Alex.
"Dr. Montgomery-Shepherd has requested your cervices again today"
He grunts and instantly makes his way down the hall. Passing a hurried Cristina on the way. She stops next to Meredith.
"Grey, Cristina and O'Malley, you're still on punishment so don't try and complain. Nurse's station, they have some paper work you can sort out and don't even think about getting near the OR"
Cristina looks as if they have just told her someone died, while George and Meredith usher her away. Bailey then turns back to Izzie who is leaning against a wall.
"Izzie, the chief wants to see you"
Izzie looks down for a second then begins to walk away.
"Dr .Stevens--"
Bailey calls and Izzie stops and turns.
"Don't make it more than it is. Good luck"
There's a pause.
"Thank you"
With that she walks away.
Izzie stands outside the Chief's office, staring at the door. She hesitates a bit, closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and knocks on the door.
"Come in"
The Chief answers from inside. She opens the door and steps in.
