Sleeping With the Enemy
Chapter Two: The Futility of Explanations

Grey's Anatomy
George/Alex
George/Callie undertones
R

"How'd it go with George last night?" Meredith asked Alex after Cristina had left the lunch table.

"He didn't say anything?" Alex looked across the table at Meredith.

Meredith thought Alex was acting kind of strange today. He hadn't even touched anything on his tray. She shook her head. "No. I've barely seen him all day. And when I have seen him, he just walks really fast with a fixed stare."

Alex sighed. "He pretty much just gave me the cold shoulder."

"I'm sorry," she replied.

"I guess I deserve it," Alex said. He pushed his tray forward, slouching in his chair.

"So... why'd you do it?" Meredith asked slowly.

"I was drunk, I dunno. And she slept with Sloane, and I don't think George deserves that," he mumbled.

"Wait, Callie slept with McSteamy?"

"If that's what Sloane goes by these days. And she slept with me. He just shouldn't have to be in that situation."

Meredith took a drink, thought over what she was about to say. "Alright, Alex, two things: one, George isn't even with Callie right now, and two, why do you care about George's well-being?"

"George is still hung up on her, and it's like this: if they're going to end up getting back together, he needs to know that she rebounds quick." Alex frowned at his tray, and finally decided to pick up his apple.

"You didn't answer my question," Meredith said.

"What's that?" Alex asked through a mouthful of apple.

"Why do you care about George's well-being? You've never cared about what's happened to him before."

Alex shrugged. "He's my friend. I'm trying to watch his back."

"Since when are you and George friends?" Meredith asked incredulously, almost laughing a little.

Alex glared at her. "So we've had our differences. It doesn't mean I don't like the guy."

"You gave him syphilis," Meredith said.

It took all he had not to yell at her. She was being stupid. "Everyone always brings that up! I didn't 'give' him anything. I had slept with Olivia first. It's not like I intentionally did it. That doesn't even make sense, Grey," he growled, and picked up his tray and left.

Meredith just sat there.

All day, George was pissed. Well, confused more than pissed, but still a little pissed, nonetheless. Had Alex Karev seriously kissed him the night before? Alex Karev, the manwhore of Seattle Grace? The previous night still seemed surreal to George. The one minute they were arguing, and the next, Alex was underneath him, kissing him. George suddenly got the chills, thinking about it. It was weird to think about.

He debated telling somebody. But, there really wasn't anyone to tell. After the incident with Meredith, they weren't as close, and Izzie and Alex were still having their awkward tension, so she was out of the question. Plus, what was the point in telling anyone, really?

So all day, he walked the halls with a steely disposition. He wanted to look as if he were on a mission, so hopefully he didn't have to talk to anybody. He wasn't the best with hiding his emotions, and if someone ragged him enough, he'd lose it.

He had been lucky enough to not yet run into Alex, but that was only because he headed straight towards his destinations and skipped lunch. But, there was still a long day ahead of him. In Seattle Grace, there was literally always a surprise (either pleasant or unwanted) around every corner, and George was sure that he couldn't avoid Alex all day. Stuff like that just didn't happen there.

George cleared his throat as he stepped onto the elevator, nodding at the few doctors and nurses already on. And sure enough, as the doors were shutting, Alex stuck his hand out to catch the ride. He stepped in quickly, and seeing George, he froze. "George," he greeted, awkwardly.

"Alex," George forced, just because there were others on the elevator. He gritted his teeth, hoping this fucking elevator just hurried up. There was nothing like an awkward tension to slow down what would have been an otherwise decent elevator ride.

They both stood there, quietly, George staring at the twin, metallic doors, and Alex looking at George from the corner of his eyes. Finally, the elevator stopped and the doors slid open. Everyone got off – everyone except George and Alex.

The doors closed again, and George had a feeling things weren't going to get any better during this ride. Sure enough, Karev pulled the button to stop the elevator.

"Why does everyone in this hospital have a fascination with that fucking button?" George said to no one in particular.

"Look, George, about last night–" Alex began.

"Alex, I don't want to hear it. You and Callie... fuck, man."

Alex was slightly taken aback. "Oh. I wasn't talking about that."

George finally looked at him. "What, the kiss? Big deal. It happens. But nothing else is going to happen because you... you and Callie... fuck..." George trailed off. He reached over and pushed the button back in. The elevator started moving again, and when the doors opened again, George hurried out.

Alex just stood there.

"Yo, Alex!" Cristina called as she approached him in the parking lot.

He turned, shoving his hands in his coat pockets. "What's up, Yang?"

"Can I catch a ride? I rode with Burke today, but he's not ready to go yet. And I have a lot of shit to do at home," she asked, catching up to him. They walked in stride towards Alex's car.

"Sure, I guess." They reached their destination, and slid into their seats.

Most of the way to Cristina's, the two rode in silence. They didn't commence with their usual snarkiness. Alex didn't even point out that Cristina's shirt was on inside-out. There was just silence.

Until Alex finally stopped outside Cristina's place. But instead of getting out, she turned towards him. "So who turned you down?"

"Huh?" he asked, bewildered.

"You know, who rejected you? Who didn't want to hop into the sack? Who said no to your offer to do the horizontal tango?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" he frowned, staring at her.

"I've known people like you before, Karev. People that never get refused for some good, wholesome babymakin'. And I know that face you've been making all day. You're not used to being turned down, and someone refused the Karevmeister," Cristina smirked. She was good at this. She always had been.

"Nobody, Yang. I thought you had a lot of shit to do?"

"Seriously, who was it? That nurse Kendra? Or that attending, Dr. Lanthrop? She's pretty hot. Or–"

"Yang, leave," Alex said, short.

"Or was it Izzie? Are you still trying to hit that?"

"Yang..."

"Or that girl in records, Carolyn?"

"Really, Yang–"

"George?"

Alex stopped. "What?"

"Was it George?" she asked, completely serious and nonchalant.

"What do you mean, was it George?"

"Exactly what I asked."

"Yang, you been hitting the morphine? I'm not–"

"Karev, like I said, I've known people like you. You've been acting weird around O'Malley for weeks, and today it hit an all-time high. I don't care if you're into George. You're down with the rainbow, right?"

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Look me in the eyes and say it's not George."

Alex looked her in the eyes. "It's not George."

Cristina shrugged. She opened her door and slid out of the car. She shut it, and as she walked away, yelled over her shoulder, "don't worry, I won't tell anybody. I'm not a gossip." She went inside.

And Alex just sat there.

Not too much George/Alex interaction in this chapter, but hope you still enjoyed it... Chapter three, soon...