AN: I can never thank you enough, all your views and reviews seriously keep me going even when I am nervous about posting. You are the best readers.
*TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter does contain domestic abuse and death*
The pieces are finally starting to come together and in the next few chapters we are going to see Lexie's story unfold. Hang in there with me everything will be explained in the next two chapters.
Lexie was gripping onto Meredith's arm as the pair walked slowly around the hospital floor. While Arizona zigged and zagged around them on her heelys. She'd just got done filling Lexie in about a rare surgery she'd gotten to be on with a toddler that morning.
Lexie had hung on to every word of Arizona's story. It was clear to Robbins and Meredith she was starting to get restless in the hospital. She wanted to dive back into work. She was proving to be her big sister's mini me. The hospital was life. Bed rest was not her thing.
"Callie says that if Lexie poops and does some more walking she can probably go home tomorrow…" Meredith stated as they rounded a corner, hoping to remind Lexie she was healing and heading in the right direction.
"Meredith!" Lexie exclaimed her cheeks flushing bright red as she shot her sister a glare.
"What?" She asked in confusion, "Arizona is a doctor, a peds doctor...She's seen and heard worse."
"My God, would you shut up!" Lexie groaned causing Arizona to laugh.
"She's not wrong." Arizona tried "I work with tiny humans… I see a fair amount of bodily fluids… I also hear a lot about poop. Hearing about you needing to go go poop is like nothing." She winked.
"You two are going to hell.." Lexie mumbled.
Meredith let out a laugh as she held out her hand to high-five Arizona. "I made my kid sister blush. I've reached another level in my big sister training…"
"Don't get too big of head." Lexie muttered "There is also the level of where the little sister takes on paybacks...Which includes and not limited to embarrassing and annoying said big sister…"
"I mean you annoy me everyday." Meredith teased. "So what's new?"
Lexie groaned while Arizona let out a laugh. "I used to annoy my brother…Once when my parents were out. He took a jump rope and tied it to the bathroom door and my bedroom door so I couldn't get out. I was locked in my room for hours…"
"I've never been more thankful for an attic room." Lexie commented "Meredith can't get any ideas…"
"Sure I could." Meredith taunted "I just need to put a chair under the doorknob "And bam, Flower in the attic…."
"Creepy!" Lexie exclaimed "Did you read those books?"
"Did I scare you?" Meredith asked with a big proud grin. "I am nailing this big sister gig."
"Arizona, will you adopt me?" Lexie asked hopefully. "Can I be your little sister instead... You're all bright, nice and shiny….I've got dark and twisted for a sister."
"I'll take you." Arizona nodded.
"Now wait a minute." Meredith held up her hand "What's in this for me? You gain my little sister and what do I get in return? I need at least a dollar."
"A dollar!" Lexie gasped "All I am worth to you is a dollar?!"
"Yes, that way I can go to the vending machine, get some peanut butter cups and win you back over." She laughed.
"Aww" Lexie's hand went to her heart. "You do love me."
"Not so loud" Meredith motioned "I have a reputation around here to keep. "Nobody can think of me as a softie."
"Never" Lexie promised "Dark and twisted for life."
Arizona shook her head in amusement. It was nice to see the Grey sisters poking fun at each other and joking around. The last few days had been so tough on them. Things were starting to look better, especially for Little Grey.
"Dr. Grey?" A voice called out halting the trio as a man rounded the corner, his eyes landing on Lexie. "Are you a patient here?" His eyes scanned over her.. "Are you...Hurt?" He asked slowly.
Arizona watched as Lexie's demeanor changed drastically. She went from laughing to solemn. She'd become rigid and her grip on Meredith's arm grew tighter. So much so she watched as the eldest Grey winced and tried to use her own fingers to loosen Lexie's grip. Something about the way he asked if she was hurt sent shivers down Arizona's spine.
"No, not hurt, just a minor infection" Lexie answered the man standing in front of them. "I hope you're still feeling well... Mr. Stanford."
"I am, I was just getting a final checkup. I was disappointed to not see you during my exam." he smiled at Lexie before spotting Meredith next to her, his eyes falling onto her badge. "Another Grey?" He asked looking back at Lexie. "Are you sisters?"
Before Meredith could even respond Lexie shook her head quickly avoiding both Arizona and Meredith's eyes. "No. She's just my doctor who happens to have the same last as me. It's a common name in the Seattle area."
Arizona watched hurt followed by confusion flash through the older Grey's eyes as the little sister denied any relations, before her eyes went back to Lexie. Her knuckles were turning white with the death grip she had on Meredith's arm. Something about this was not right...
Arizona cleared her throat, gaining the attention of the sisters and the man standing in front of them. She skated behind the sisters briefly before swinging around and coming directly in front of Lexie. She planted herself firmly as her eyes scanned the man in front of her. He was average built, clean shaved. Smelled good. He was smiling and to the naked eye looked kind. Yet something about him didn't sit well. His eyes did not match his smile.
"Hi" She greeted him with her famous smile. "Arizona Robbins, how do you know my friend Dr. Grey?"
"I was a patient here twice about four weeks ago, and a week ago" He offered with a smile. "Dr. Grey and Dr. Yang were great... Dr. Grey is an excellent student. She learns so quickly." He added with a wink.
Meredith's eyebrow shot up. She didn't like the way he winked at Lexie. She cleared her throat but winced as her sister's nails continued to dig in her arm. She'd tried a few times to pry her fingers from her arm, however her sister had some kind of superhuman strength grip on her arm. She was pretty sure when the grip was finally released there would be blood. "Lexie, you're hurting me." She whispered into the younger Grey's ear to see if that registered.
Lexie's eyes never left the man standing in front of her. However she loosened her grip on Meredith's arm slightly, her nails were no longer digging in, but the tight grip was still there.
Meredith placed her hand over Lexie's hand and held onto it. Hoping her touch would calm her sister's and keep her sister's nails from digging back in.
Arizona glanced at the sisters for a brief moment before turning her attention back to the man in front of her. "She is a great doctor." She agreed. "It's always nice meeting happy patients"
Robbin's offered an apologetic smile before turning her boldly slightly so she could move Lexie. "Hate to cut this short, I have to help get Dr. Grey back to her room. She's exceeded her time limit for exercise." Before she had a chance to move she spotted Mark and Callie walking down the hall towards the group.
"Dr. Sloan" Arizona called waving her arms to flag them down. Even though she knew it was silly. Callie and Mark had spotted them and were walking their way.
"My patient is up and walking around?" Callie clapped her hands "Way to go Little Grey.I am proud of you!"
Meredith winced again as Lexie's grip grew tighter again the nails digging back in, while Arizona shot Callie a glare.
"Little Grey?" Mr. Stanford asked looking at Lexie "How cute, is that because you and this doctor Grey have the same last name? Also I thought Dr. Grey was your doctor?"
"I have two" Lexie filled in quickly "Much like you had two, Dr. Grey here is also a medical intern also."
Callie looked confused but Arizona spoke quickly "Dr. Sloan, will you help get Dr. Grey here back to her room?"
Mark took one glance at the serious look on Arizona's face before nodding "Of course." He put his hand on the small of Lexie's back to lead her away but she refused to let go of Meredith's arm.
When he tried a little harder to steer her away her anchor to Meredith was unwavering. It caused the older Grey to be pulled backwards slightly.
Meredith wanted to stay and hear if Arizona asked any questions to the man standing in front of her. Clearly Robbins was getting the same bad vibes from the guy.
Yet it was clear her sister was not going to release her arm. Funny from the woman who had just denied even being related.
Mark realizing Lexie wasn't about to let go of Meredith's arm he placed his hand back instead. If he could lead Meredith away he'd lead Lexie away.
Meredith glanced back one more time catching Arizona's eyes who gave her a nod encouraging her to go with Mark.
Lexie was pretty sure she was going to throw up or pass out or both as they headed back to her room. She'd glanced behind her several times to see if he had been watching where they were going.
Every time she glanced back she could feel her sister's piercing blue eyes on her from beside her. Thankfully Arizona and now Callie were standing side by side blocking his view.
"What in the hell was that, Lexie?" Meredith demanded once they were in the safety of Lexie's room.
Lexie's legs began to buckle and she thought for sure she was going to fall, when she felt Mark's strong arms wrap around her from behind. In seconds she was being lifted off her feet. Her clenched hand finally let go of Meredith's arm as she allowed herself to be scooped up.
Meredith glanced down at her arm to let out a little hiss. Sure enough her sister had managed to draw some blood with her death grip. "Ow" she muttered under her breath.
"Dang, Hercules" Mark muttered glancing at Meredith's arm for a moment before helping Lexie into her bed.
"What in the hell just happened?" Meredith asked again, her eyes leaving her arm to look at her sister.
"What?" Lexie asked quietly as she pulled the blanket up around her. Her eyes focused on her knees.
Meredith scoffed "You're kidding me right?" She asked moving closer to the bed cradling her arm. "Don't sit there and pretend that was nothing...That was not normal!"
"Normal?" Lexie asked "Do you even have an understanding of what normal means?"
"Lexie…" Mark tried.
"No, Meredith you don't know what normal means, because you aren't normal.. We aren't normal!" Lexie grumbled. "Nothing is normal!"
Meredith rolled her eyes "Great plan Lexie, try and attack me to throw the attention away from what just happened."
"Nothing happened" Lexie repeated as she pinched the bridge of her nose, willing herself to not throw up.
"Lex…" Mark sat on the edge of her bed. He reached out slowly and moved a strand of hair out of her face. "Your sister is just trying to help...We are worried."
"According to her we aren't sisters." Meredith snapped "Right? Just doctors with the same last name.."
Mark looked confused and Lexie looked wounded as she fought back tears. "I didn't mean it, Meredith…"
"I know you didn't mean it! You tell everyone who will listen to you that we are sisters..." Meredith yelled. "That's why I am asking what in the hell just happened? What was that?"
"It was nothing!" She insisted.
"My God, you can be the most infuriating human to ever exist." Meredith shouted as the door opened and Callie slipped in. "Whoa, what is with the yelling?" She asked as she moved to Meredith. She reached out and took Meredith's arm into her hands as she viewed the puncture wounds from Lexie's death grip. After examining it Torres pushed Meredith into a seat before grabbing some supplies so she could clean and bandage the wound.
"I have to get back to my rounds." Meredith grumbled as she tried to stand to only be pushed back into the seat. "Sit down, Grey." Callie warned.
"Where is Arizona?" Lexie asked, sitting up when she realized Robbins had not entered with Callie.
"Is she still with Mr. Stanford?" She asked, trying to get up.
"Where are you going?" Mark questioned "You're about to fall over."
"I need to find Arizona."
"Hon, she's okay," Callie promised. "She's not alone with the man we believe assaulted you. She went to ask Yang a few questions."
The room fell silent at the bluntness of the statement, all eyes landed on Callie.
Callie looked around before turning her focus back to Meredith's arm. "Am I wrong Lexie?" She challenged calmly "Did Arizona, Meredith and I read the situation wrong?"
Lexie felt Mark and Meredith's eyes on her. Practically drilling holes into her soul. Her throat became tight and her eyes filled with tears. She swallowed hard as her hands shook.
"May I be alone with Meredith?" Lexie finally found her voice. "Please?"
Mark stood, his hands clenched in fists as he headed for the door. "Which way did he go?"
Callie patted Meredith's freshly bandaged arm. She gave her a look that clearly said stay calm before she stood. "Whoa Rocky, wait for me." She called after him. "You can't just go kill him Mark…Wait for me.. I don't have bail money right now." She paused long enough at the doorway. "Talk to your sister, little Grey. I'll keep Mark from going to prison." She assured her before letting the door close. Her figure could be seen running past the door calling after Mark.
Meredith stood and headed for the door that had just closed behind Callie. "I have rounds…"
Lexie's eyes fell to her lap as her lip quivered. "Meredith…"
"What? It's not like you are talking to me." Meredith challenged crossing her arms over her chest as she narrowed her eyes at her sister. "I'll send Robbins in, or see if Molly can get here sooner. Maybe you'll talk to her!." She mumbled before taking a deep breath and walking out the door quickly, letting it shut behind her.
Lexie watched the door shut and her heart sank. She fell back against the pillows in exhaustion. After taking several deep breaths to calm herself down. Her legs were still shaking. She felt like she could pass out at any given moment, but she absolutely could not let her sister walk the halls of this hospital if He was still wandering around like he owned the place. She slowly made her way to the door.
Each step sending sharp pains throughout her body. Her hand shook as she reached for the door. Using what strength she did have to open the door and step out. Her balance wavering, the blood rushing to her head. The feeling of heat filling her cheeks, a high pitched buzzing sound ringing in her ears. Her vision going gray. She knew she was about to pass out. She tried to reach for the door to steady herself. Her hands connected with someone as her knees began to wobble
She felt herself being steadied by someone. "Breathe in, and out… I've got you."
The ringing started to fade away. Her vision was returning. She looked up to see Meredith supporting her weight holding on tightly to her. She hadn't left…She'd stayed by the door.
Meredith helped Lexie steady herself and the two slowly made their way back into the room. She climbed onto the bed slowly while Meredith helped her get situated followed by hooking the IVs and monitors back up.
"You didn't leave?" Lexie asked quietly.
"Of course not, but I needed you to actually realize you needed me." Meredith took a seat on the end of the bed. Placing her hands in her lap as she locked eyes with her sister. "I think it is time for you to start talking to me." She spoke calmly, "I know you're afraid, but there is nothing you can say to me that is going to scare me away. Or make me look at you differently. I promise."
"The problem is Meredith, I don't know where to start" Lexie admitted.
Meredith moved up the bed closer to her sister squeezing in beside her gently wrapping her arm around Lexie's shoulder. "Start with stop trying to push me away, and let's team up and work together."
Lexie's body stiffened for a brief moment before allowing herself to relax under Meredith's arm. "Team up?" She questioned.
"Yes, team up." Meredith repeated "Instead of this being a you fight, let's make it a Grey sister's fight. We're stronger together Lex, think about it." She smirked "Our stubborn sides uniting? We could own this hospital in a matter of seconds. Everyone would cower in fear." She teased.
Lexie let out a small laugh "Well...maybe. not Cristina...But everyone else for sure."
Meredith brought Lexie closer. Turning slightly so she could rest her chin on the younger one's shoulder. The room, growing mostly silent for a moment. The only noise was the noise the medical equipment made around them. "Were we right? Did that man hurt you?" She finally asked.
"Yes" Lexie responded quietly "He was that man that mistook me for you…He wanted to hurt you, to hurt Ellis."
"That's why you didn't want him to know we were sisters." Meredith guessed "Thought maybe if he put it together, he'd come back to finish what he started Or realize that you weren't the right Grey?"
Lexie nodded against Meredith's shoulder "I can't let him hurt you, Meredith. I won't let him. Not ever."
"And I am never going to allow him to hurt you.. ever again. That's a promise my little Grey."
One would think it was crazy that sneaking off late at night to pick up extra hours in the ER as a way to unwind. Yet to Ellis Grey it was her escape. She had tried to be home and present like Thatcher had wanted that evening. She'd done the whole eat at the table with her husband and daughter. She knew most women loved moments like that. She however loathed them.
She hated making small talk with Thatcher about his day. She did sometimes enjoy hearing him prepare a lecture for his English literature class. Sometimes if she wasn't too tired she'd even help him with paperwork for Grants.
Tonight was not that night. She was tired. He seemed whiney about his college classes. As if what he did was hard. It was not like if he made a simple mistake in his line of work some could die.
What Ellis did was important. Every second mattered. It was life or death for others.
Also at dinner that night Meredith had been extra clingy, sticky and loud. While Ellis loved her daughter. Sitting across from her while she used her chubby little fingers to twirl pasta around them, while singing some ridiculous preschool song she just learned that was at the top of her lungs, was not an ideal night at home for Ellis..
To make the night even brutal Meredith had climbed over the seats to try and crawl onto her lap the girl had knocked over a glass of wine spilling it over the table. Splattering everyone with drops of red staining wine. Right before she used her sticky pasta covered hand to grab onto Ellis's arm to keep from falling. Leaving a perfect red sticky print over her shirt.
And Ellis yelled and pushed the girl away. Thatcher immediately got on her, for the treatment of their daughter. Reminding her she was just a little girl. The child did not need to be coddled. Which led them to fighting for the rest of the evening.
Once Thatcher had headed up to put Meredith to bed he claimed he'd go to bed right after. Ellis took that opportunity to head out. The hospital would be the place that would calm her nerves after that long dinner.
Now she was floating from trauma to trauma with a new sense of peace washed over her.
That was until she stepped behind the curtain to her last trauma of the night. One that would stay with her for the rest of her career.
With chart in her hand Ellis pushed back the curtain stepping into the latest trauma of the night. She couldn't explain it but the air behind the curtain changed. Grew cold, dark and heavy.
A shiver went down Ellis's spine and for a brief moment she wished she was home reading Meredith one last annoying bedtime story.
She found a woman close to her age on the hospital bed. She was withering in pain in a fetal position while sweating profusely. Her breathing labored, her skin was a horrifying grayish color.
One little boy around the age of eight or nine sat on the end of the bed rocking back and forth as he kept repeating "Mama" Over and over again. His hand trying to pat her leg.
An older boy fourteen or fifteen maybe. Was pacing the room. His eyes wide. Blood running from a cut above his eye. His nose had crusted blood dried around it and the discoloration showing a fresh break.
A tall man stood at the side of the room. His eyes wild as his nostrils flaring as he tried to control his breathing. He was cradling his hand, his fingers swollen and purple. Most likely a break. He too had blood running down the side of his head from an open wound. He glanced at Ellis for a brief moment before looking down at his shoes.
Ellis quickly called for more help knowing they had wounds that needed to be treated.
"What happened?" She asked, receiving no answers from any in the room. Though she didn't need them to tell her what happened. She knew.
"Help mama." The little boy on the bed finally spoke. "Help mama."
Ellis pushed the woman back so she could get a better look. She was horrified at seeing bruising, wide open gashes, burns and even a bite mark on the woman's mid arm.
"Help me" The woman requested quietly reaching for Ellis's hand. "Please."
Ellis allowed her to take but before she had time to speak the woman began throwing up mass amounts of blood. Causing her stomach to drop. Things had gone from horrifically bad, to even worse.
"This woman has an internal bleed we need to get her into the OR NOW" She yelled gathering her thoughts as she moved the kids out of the way allowing her team to prep and move the woman to surgery.
"Save my mama...Please" The little boy's voice cracked. "I need my mama."
"I am going to do everything in my power to try." Ellis promised her eyes landing on the father. Rage filled her to the core. The damage that had been done to this woman was horrific. If the woman died she'd make sure he paid the price. He'd never lay a finger on those boys or anyone else.
"Lost one?" Richard guessed coming alongside Ellis. Who was leaning against the wall. Her hand resting on her forehead.
"Lost one" She confirmed "Domestic violence. She'd been beaten. Wasn't new even either. I saw several old injuries that had never been treated."
Richard shook his head "Those cases are always tough."
"Looked like he'd taken a baseball bat to her stomach." Ellis winced "She had been bleeding to death before they'd even gotten here. I couldn't stop the bleed."
Richard placed a calming hand on her shoulder "We can't save them all, Ellis."
"What good is it being gifted in surgery, if I fail?" Ellis mumbled.
"You lost this one" Richard agreed "Because it was already too late before she got here. All the other people you saved and are going to save in the future, is the good from being gifted in surgery."
Ellis let out a sigh "Logically I know you're right." She exhaled and rubbed her face "The look of fear in her eyes.. Her little boy pleading with me to save her… This one is going to haunt me for a while."
"Did you report it?" Richard asked "The abuse? Are the children safe?"
Ellis shifted her weight from foot to foot while nodding "I have to tell the little boys their mom died, while their father is being arrested for murder. I doubt the boys will view it as them being safe."
Richard winced "It is not fair, is it?"
Ellis shook her head "Those poor boys witnessed their father beating their mother. The father beating the eldest son." She began to walk slowly down the hall with Richard walking beside her. "Now their mother is dead and they will spend the night with social services, because nobody can get a hold of the aunt in Texas."
"It's not your fault Ellis." Richard reminded her "Some nights are harder than others."
"Maybe I should have stayed home with Meredith." Ellis rolled her eyes "Suddenly her chubby little sticky fingers don't sound as bad as they did earlier."
Richard let out a chuckle. "Sticky fingers, but at least she's cute."
"You called the cops?" The little boy's eyes were wide and red as he watched the cops grab his father roughly. "Daddy." He cried trying to run to his father only to be picked up a social worker.
"Son, you be a good boy" The father managed to get out. "Listen to the nice lady. We'll figure this out" He promised.
"You were supposed to save her." The boy wailed, pointing an accusing finger at Ellis. "I trusted you to save her. You let her die and you called the cops! You ruined my family! I HATE YOU!"
Ellis watched helplessly as a tired social worker tried to gather the screaming eight year old into her arms. While the teen boy stood quietly. Holding an ice pack to his nose. Fresh stitches above his eyebrow. He was looking between his screaming brother and his father in handcuffs. Still he said nothing or made no effort to help with his little brother.
He turned his head feeling Ellis's eyes on him, his eyes met hers briefly before looking away quickly.
Before she could process anything more a familiar cry was heard.
"Mommy….. I see Mommy"
Her head snapped up and she turned around to see Thatcher standing by the nurses station holding Meredith. Her little hand was clutching an ice pack that was by the corner of her mouth.
"I want mommy, daddy." The girl cried out as her free arm extended toward Ellis.
The social worker gave Ellis an encouraging nod. "We've got this, you've done all you can Dr. Grey. Thank you."
The police had already escorted the father out. Ellis glanced at the boys one last time. "I am so sorry boys. I am." She offered quietly "Mrs. Edna is very kind and she's going to take good care of you. You're safe now." She tried to encourage them both.
"You have know idea what you've done!" The youngest child hissed at her. "You have no idea!"
Ellis wished she had something more comforting to offer the child. All she could do was offer one more quiet apology before turning and quickly heading to where Thatcher and Meredith were standing.
Her next movements surprising both father and daughter as she quickly pulled her daughter from her father's arms. She held her tightly. Taking in her light scent of baby shampoo and chocolate milk. For one brief second all was right in her world.
"What happened?" She asked Thatcher quietly as she rocked Meredith in her arms.
"Got up to go potty" Meredith answered proudly, "Big girl."
"She got tangled up in her sheets trying to get out of bed" Thatcher explained. "She hit the side of her night stand and split the side of her mouth open. She's going to need stitches.
Ellis kissed the top of Meredith's head while nodding to Thatcher "Come on let's get her stitched up and back home. That end table is going on the curb first thing in the morning."
As they headed down the hall, Ellis's hand cradled the back of Meredith's head. She turned around one last time to find the eyes of the teenage boy still on her and for a brief second she thought she saw a smirk.
"I know this is hard for you to talk about." Meredith took her sister's hand in her own. Her fingers wrapping around Lexie's slender fingers. She offered a small squeeze. "Why don't you take me back to the day this happened." She instructed her sister. "Walk me through that day."
Lexie took a deep breath her eyes locked on Meredith's hand holding her hand firmly in hers. Offering her a reminder she was not alone.
"Go slow" Meredith encouraged "I know your photographic memory is probably haunting you a little. I am sure it's just as vivid and scary as it was the day it happened." She acknowledged "But unlike the day it happened, I am right here with you. I am holding your hand." She held up their hands to Lexie's eyes level. "Squeeze my hand when you need a break, or a reminder that you're safe."
"It was the day we got into that big stupid argument before work..." Lexie said quietly. "Do you remember that morning?"
Meredith closed her eyes for a moment. Of course she'd remembered that morning. There had been yelling, door slamming threats and tears all before she'd had her first cup of coffee. That day had not started out good and apparently went from bad to worse...She took a deep breath as she prepared herself to hear the events that led to her finding her sister's battered body in her bathtub. She realized it was most likely going to be as hard to listen to the story as it would be for Lexie to tell.
"Take your time." She finally encouraged "And tell me everything. Even if you think its going to hurt me, I am tough. I can take it." She promised. She just hoped she was as tough as she was promising.