"Oh, honey."
Meredith averted her gaze from Bailey's pitying expression. She was too exposed. There was a CT scan of her guts tacked to the wall and if she stood up the paper gown she was wearing would expose her entire ass.
"I never wanted kids, Dr. Bailey," Meredith amended softly.
"I want to take a look at that incision. Lie down," Bailey instructed, crossing the room. Meredith did as she instructed and Bailey lifted the hem of the gown, pressing down lightly onto her stomach. "These are severe injuries, Grey." she eyed her critically. "You're not going back there are you?"
Regretfully, Meredith shook her head. "Didn't plan on it."
A half smile crossed Bailey's face. "Came here to beg for your spot in the program back, did you?"
"Actually -" Meredith pushed herself back into a sitting position. "I finished my residency back in October. I was wondering if you had room for another neuro attending."
Bailey looked impressed. "Neuro, huh? I had you pegged for general."
Meredith shrugged. "I doubled up in neuro and trauma. I mean, it was all trauma." she scrunched her nose. "But I don't want to work in the ER."
"Shepherd is still the head of neuro," Bailey pointed out cautiously.
Raising a brow, Meredith tilted her head to the side. "So?"
"Just saying," Bailey said defensively, holding up her hands.
Using her arms to propel her, Meredith pushed herself off the exam table. "Am I free to go, or were you planning on admitting me?" she asked, smiling wryly.
Bailey waved her out of the room. "Oh, please. Do not let me keep you, Lieutenant Grey."
[]
"Hey, you can't be here. Light blue scrubs only." Cristina said, stabbing her plastic fork in Meredith's direction. She, Alex, and Izzie were sitting in a circle in the residents lounge having lunch. Everything was exactly as Meredith remembered it.
"Meredith!" Izzie exclaimed, jumping up and running to hug Meredith.
"Hi, Izzie," Meredith said, smirking slightly at Cristina from over her shoulder. Rolling her eyes, Cristina shoved the final bite of her salad into her mouth and tossed the plastic container into the trash.
Izzie stepped back and held Meredith at a distance. "Look at you! You're an attending! Do you get to write on the board now?" her eyes widened in excitement. "Oh my god, can I be on your service?"
"Jesus Iz. Let her breathe," Alex said, coming up behind her. He slugged Meredith in the shoulder. "Nice to see you're not dead."
"Where's George?" Meredith asked, taking notice of his absence.
Alex snorted. "O'Malley failed his intern test. He's probably in the locker room making out with your sister."
Meredith furrowed her brow. "My sister?"
"Alex!" Cristina hissed, shooting Alex a deadly glare. She got up and grabbed Meredith's elbow, guiding her to the doorway. "Come on Mere. You have attending business to take care of."
"But Alex just said-"
"Come on. Lets go find a nice tumor to cut out of someone's brain. You can let me assist and I'll explain everything."
Glancing back in confusion, Meredith allowed herself to be led out into the hall.
