Izzie paces back and forth as Dr. Bailey says, "Dr. Stevens! Are you going to get scrubbed or should we proceed without you?" she asks.
"Dr. Bailey…what would you say if I told you that I might have left out one small detail of the procedure when explaining it to the patient?" Izzie asks, nervously.
"I would say that you better have a very good reason!" Dr. Bailey responds.
"Well…do you sometimes feel like people are stronger than they give themselves credit for? Well, I do. I think that Lexie can handle this, but I think if I told her exactly what the procedure entailed, she might have opted not to do it and then regretted it later," Izzie explains.
"Just what did you neglect to tell her?" Dr. Bailey asks, sternly.
"I might have forgotten to mention that before we begin grafting skin with have to burn off the remaining damaged skin from her body in order to not spread any infection to the new tissue," Izzie admits.
"I would say that you better march in there and tell her what this procedure entails before Dr. Sloan gets here. I would also say that you better never mention to another person in this hospital that you attempted to manipulate a patient's decision because of your own beliefs," Dr. Bailey reprimands.
Izzie opens her mouth to speak, but Dr. Bailey puts up her hand.
"I might also tell you that sometimes giving patients small amounts of information at different times helps them to process it better, so if your decision was based on the fact that you did not want to overwhelm the patient with too much information, then it was a good idea, Dr. Stevens. But now you need to give her the rest of the information. It's time," Dr. Bailey says, softening.
Izzie nods and reluctantly heads into Lexie's room where she finds Meredith sitting on Lexie's bed. The two of them are passing the etch a sketch back and forth laughing like teenagers.
"Ummm…hi…you guys are having a good time," Izzie observes.
"Lexie's drawing dirty pictures!" Meredith says.
"I told her to draw Derek's and I'd draw Mark's! Do you want to try drawing Alex's?" Lexie asks.
Izzie holds up both hands and takes a step back. "No…ummm…no thanks! I'm not too good with an etch a sketch. I just wanted to go over a few things regarding the procedure with both of you. Meredith, Dr. Sloan will take the tissue sample from you this afternoon. It's a very simple procedure in which they…" Meredith cuts her off.
"Iz…I'm not worried. They take a small piece of my ass away. I'm fine with it. What girl wouldn't want to have a little bit of her ass shaved off?" Meredith asks, laughing.
"Yes. It's a simple procedure. And Lexie, I want to go over a few more things regarding your procedure with you. I want to make sure that you understand that…" Lexie cuts her off.
"I understand the procedure. They attach Mer's skin and it grows on me. Mer! Look at this one. This is what I'd imagine George's to look like!" Lexie says, handing the etch a sketch to Meredith.
Izzie peers over Meredith's shoulder. She and Meredith look at each other and shake their heads. "Nah. Not quite like that," Izzie says.
"This part is a little too wide…and this part is…" Meredith says.
"Shorter. Definitely shorter," Izzie says.
Lexie laughs until Izzie says, "But I didn't come in here to talk about penises."
"Buzz kill!" Meredith says.
Izzie shoots her a look. "Lexie…what I wanted to talk to you about is the part of the surgery before Meredith's skin is ready to be used as a skin graft for you. We need to make sure it is attached to a clean surface," she begins.
"Well, no one here has let me shower in like, forever…but I'm used to it. I smell like an intern!" she quips.
"We actually have to get rid of the damaged tissue to avoid corruption of the new tissue," Izzie explains.
Lexie nods, agreeably.
"With fire. We have to get rid of it by burning it off. It's going to feel…well…kind of like it felt to be in the original fire, but it will be contained to whatever area we are working on," Izzie explains.
Lexie shakes her head. "No," she says, simply.
"No?" Izzie asks.
"I can't do that. I can't feel that kind of pain again. I can't relive burning in the fire. Mentally, physically…I just can't, Izzie. I'm sorry…I know you've all worked hard on this, but you'll have to figure out something else," she says, definitely.
"Lexie, you are burned throughout almost 100 per cent of your body. It's a miracle you are alive. There is nothing else to try. This is it, and you're going to do it," Izzie says, forcefully.
Lexie forces a smile. "Is that Izzie my friend speaking or Izzie my doctor?" she asks.
"Well, Izzie your doctor can't tell you what to do. Izzie your friend shouldn't know this much about your procedure, so I guess it's Izzie your doctor friend. But if you want, we can ask Meredith, your sister-pervert over there. The one holding the etch a sketch with a bad picture of George's penis on it!" Izzie says, trying to keep the mood light.
Meredith looks up. "Lex…you don't have a choice. You're going to have to just do it. I'll be there, the whole time," Meredith promises.
"As will I. And of course, Mark and Dr. Bailey," Izzie promises.
Lexie's eyes water. "Thanks. I guess I don't have a choice, do I?" she asks.
Izzie shakes her head. "If you don't do it, not only will you be disfigured for life, but eventually, you'll become septic from infection and die. You have to do it," she says.
Lexie looks at Meredith. "That's Izzie the doctor," she whispers.
(Break)
Derek sees Mark in the hallway on his way to surgery. He falls in step with him, walking next to him, their strides taking on the same rhythm.
"Good luck in there…" Derek says.
"Thanks," Mark says. They walk along in silence before Mark asks, "Are we Meredith and Cristina? Are we fighting like a couple of girls?"
"I don't know," Derek says, looking straight ahead.
"About Addison, Derek…I never…" Mark stammers until Derek cuts him off.
"I was out of line, man. You've got big stuff to worry about now. Don't even think about it. Just take care of Lexie," Derek says, patting his friend on the back.
"Come on…I'm just trying to top that whole clinical trial that you published," Mark says.
"Yeah…that's why you're doing this…always trying to top me," Derek says. He pauses for a moment. "Good luck, Sloan"
"Thanks man. I'll keep you posted. If she seizes, I'll call you for a consult," Mark says, laughing a forced and tight laugh.
"Page me no matter what. I'll be waiting. Good luck," Derek says, as he and Mark part ways and go down opposite hallways.
(Break)
Dr. Webber stands at the door of the O.R. as Lexie is wheeled in. He greets Izzie and Dr. Bailey at the door and shakes Mark's hand, however, he stops Meredith at the door.
"Meredith, I assigned Stevens to this case. I don't believe there is room for two residents on this surgery. I don't make a practice of allowing immediate family in the O.R." he says.
Dr. Bailey hears this and says, "Chief, I have trained Dr. Grey here on some highly complex portions of this procedure and want to give her a chance to assist. This IS one of the top teaching hospitals, is it not?" she asks.
"Miranda…" Dr. Webber warns.
"Do you trust me?" she asks.
"Of course," Dr. Webber replies.
"Then leave Dr. Grey to me. I controlled her when she was showing up to work attached to an IV to flush the tequila out of her system. I think I can control her now," she says.
Dr. Webber narrows his eyes, but nods his head. "Very well, Miranda. But for the record, I'm not in favor of it."
"Your disapproval is duly noted," she says, politely.
Dr. Webber walks over to Lexie who is wide awake and terrified. "I just want you to know that this hospital is going to take good care of you. If you need anything, you let us know," he says, in a fatherly tone.
"Thank you," Lexie says, nervously.
When the chief steps out, Mark walks over to Lexie and kisses her on the lips softly. "I'll be your surgeon in a minute, but right now, I'm the guy who calls you his first and only love," he whispers.
"I love you too," Lexie whispers back.
"She's not going to love him in a minute when he lights her skin on fire," Cristina says to Alex in the gallery.
"This is going to be so bad I'm not even sure I can make jokes. Izzie showed me a video of the patients in the trial for this procedure. It's literally like burning in hell," he says.
"You would know, Evil Spawn," Cristina replies.
"Dude, I'm not the one laughing while Meredith's sister gets her skin burned off," Alex replies.
Derek and Owen sit down next to them. "How is she doing?" Derek asks.
"I didn't talk to her before she went in. She looks okay, but I think the chief tried to kick her out of the O.R. when he first saw that she was there," Cristina says.
"But Dr. Bailey took him on…and won," Alex explains.
Derek nods, distractedly. He stares at Meredith in such a way that Cristina can't help but comment. "Stop looking at her like that. You look like you're waiting for her to break and if she sees your face when she looks up here, she'll freak," Cristina says to Derek.
Owen looks at him sideways and says, "She's right, man. Put your game face on."
(Break)
Dr. Bailey gathers the group of doctors into a huddle that is somewhat reminiscent of a high school sports team. "Okay, gather round, people," she says to the doctors.
Everyone huddles around her as she begins her speech. "Who here has ever played basketball?" she asks.
A few of the mutter responses, but most of them simply stare at her looking confused.
"Well, Sloan here, is out star player. This isn't the time for any of us to try out our new surgical skills. The goal is to get the ball to Sloan so he can score," she begins.
Up in the gallery, Alex turns to Owen. "Did she just say score?" he asks, laughing.
Owen laughs and Cristina glares at him. "Don't encourage Karev. It only goes downhill from here," she says.
Derek looks at all of them. "Shhh…I can't hear with you all talking," he says.
Dr. Bailey continues. "I'm the point guard. I'll call the plays and work to get the ball to Dr. Sloan," she continues. Everyone nods in approval. Stevens, "You're the color commentator. You relay the plays to the audience as it's happening."
Izzie nods, to show her understanding.
"Grey. You're not a basketball player. You're a cheerleader. Your only job is to motivate. Don't touch the ball," Dr. Bailey continues.
"Did she just call Meredith a cheerleader?" Cristina asks Derek.
Derek chuckles softly as does Cristina, until it turns into a full blown laugh. The two of them laugh hysterically until Alex joins in. Owen stops them all. "It's starting," he says.
"That felt good," Derek admits.
"Play ball," Dr. Bailey says.
Izzie looks at Mark. "Are you ready?" she asks.
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be," he says, inhaling.
Izzie wishes him luck and then turns to Meredith. She opens her mouth to say something and then stops. She decides there are times where words are too much. She takes Meredith's gloved hand in her own and squeezes it. Meredith squeezes back and then they take their spots next to Lexie.
"Stevens…be the announcer. Explain the game to the crowd," she says.
"Ummm…by the crowd, do you mean…" Izzie asks Dr. Bailey timidly.
"I mean the patient! I mean, Lexie Grey," Dr. Bailey responds impatiently.
"Oh…okay," Izzie says quickly. "I never played sports," she whispers to Meredith.
"Me either. And I definitely wasn't a cheerleader," Meredith replies, nervously.
"What's with the basketball analogies?" Mark says to Dr. Bailey.
"I always wanted to play, but I was too short. I tried out every year, and every year they cut me. But this is MY team. No one can cut me now!" Dr. Bailey says, laughing.
"Okay…here we go. Lexie, are you ready?" Dr. Bailey asks.
"No, but I don't think I ever will be, so I guess we should just get this over with," she says.
"Stevens…start the play by play," Dr. Bailey says.
Izzie gives Meredith a look and mouths, "She's lost it!" before turning to Lexie and saying, "We're going to begin with your thoracic area this time. This procedure will be repeated three times. The next time will involve the extremities, and the final operation will involve the your face and skull," she begins. "Dr. Sloan is going to prepare the area by ummm…heating it up in order to get rid of the damaged tissue," Izzie says, swallowing hard.
Lexie nods to show her understanding and then looks at Meredith. "You probably shouldn't watch. This is going to be…"
"Awful," Meredith says, finishing Lexie's sentence. "It's going to be awful, and that's why I'm here. YOU told ME that this is what family does…right?" Meredith says.
"Sadie," Lexie whispers, remembering the code word they had used when their relationship was less stable.
Mark's hands shake as he picks up the instruments he needs to begin.
"Dr. Sloan?" Dr. Bailey says.
He stops and looks at her.
"The star player never chokes during the foul throw. You've been fouled, and you're at the foul line. All you have to do is sink the first shot," she says.
"Dr. Bailey?" Mark says.
"Yes, Dr. Sloan," he asks.
"If you make one more bad basketball reference, I'll light you on fire with this torch right here and right now," he says, stepping towards Lexie.
Dr. Bailey steps backward instinctively. "Yes sir," she says.
"Dr. Bailey, can you please apply disinfectant after the tissue is ummm…heated to an acceptable level?" Mark asks.
Mark turns on the flame and holds it above Lexie's torso.
"This isn't quite what I meant when I told me you light my heart on fire," Lexie jokes as her voice quivers.
Mark looks up at the gallery hoping that his best friend can offer him some strength, but Derek looks away. It is Callie, who sits next to Derek who gives him a thumbs up sign.
"I can't watch this," Derek says, standing up to leave.
"Sit down!" Callie says, sternly. "Your best friend needs you, so sit your ass back in that chair!"
Derek sits down numbly.
Meredith grips Lexie's hand. "Okay…don't take your eyes off of me. We're going to go on a little trip right now. We are leaving the O.R. and we're going to….ummm…Paris," Meredith says, pausing to think of her next step.
"Paris? That's where she'll go with Mark when he's not burning off her skin…not with her sister. Let's go to…ummm…Hawaii. It's nice and warm there!" Izzie says.
"Yeah…warm is just what she needs right now," Meredith replies sarcastically.
"Sorry…I wasn't thinking," Izzie says, cringing.
"Stevens, I need you over on this side. You're going to help me with this here," Dr. Bailey says.
Izzie gets up and between Meredith and Dr. Bailey.
"What do you need me to do?" she asks.
"Dr. Sloan is ready. Grab Dr. Grey's hand," she says.
Izzie looks confused. "Not Dr. Grey the patient! Dr. MEREDITH Grey. Dr. Sloan is ready to start, and Meredith's not looking so good. If she's going to help her sister, someone's going to have to help HER through this," Dr. Bailey explains.
Izzie nods, and puts her hand on Meredith's shoulder. "I'm here for you," she whispers.
Meredith smiles gratefully and turns back to Lexie who says, "I'm closing my eyes. Just tell me when it's over," she says.
"I think she'll know when it's over," Izzie whispers to Meredith.
Mark stands over Lexie but does not look her in the eyes or acknowledge her in any way. He needs to just be a surgeon right now and not have any emotional connection to the patient.
"Lexie…we'll do this in intervals of 10 seconds. It will take about 3 times before we cover the whole area. I need you to try to make it through all 10 seconds each time, but if you can't, let us know." Izzie explains. "Just tell us when you need to stop, and we will take a break," she says.
Lexie nods. "Just do it," she says.
Mark touches the torch to Lexie's torso. Lexie opens her mouth and screams. Izzie begins to count. "10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. Okay…you're done," she says, squeezing Meredith's hand tightly.
Lexie continues to scream as Meredith says, "Focus on me. Breath in and out. Just breathe…" she says.
"I can't. I can't breathe. Help me…Mer..I can't…I can't…" Lexie says
Mark walks away and whispers to Dr. Bailey, "Disinfect the area. I need a minute…" as he walks out of the room.
"Dude. That was awful! I almost couldn't watch!" Alex says turning to Cristina. "Wait…your eyes are closed. You couldn't watch. You closed your eyes!" he observes.
"I did not. I just had something in my eye," Cristina answers quickly and unconvincingly.
Owen puts his arm around her. "I closed my eyes too…" he admits.
Derek stands up. "Mark just left the O.R.! Torres! Let's go!" he says.
"Me? You want me to go…I don't know if I…" Callie stammers.
"Just go! No one cares about any of the other crap right now. Just go!" she snaps.
Callie follows Derek downstairs where Mark is leaning against the door to the O.R. with his eyes closed. Callie and Derek stand on either side of him and put their hands on his shoulders. "I can't do that two more times. I just can't. You can't even imagine what it's like…you can't even imagine…" Mark says, sinking down to the floor. He collapses his head in his hands and begins to sob.
"No! You do not get to lose it yet. You have to finish this. It's hell and you'll never be the same after the two of you go through something like this together, but you love her…and love isn't always easy. It's hard and it's stressful and the worst part is when the one you love is hurting, but keep it together, Mark. It's not you on that table…it's her…and she needs you to be her surgeon right now!" Derek says, forcefully.
"Derek and I are up in that gallery… We're watching you be a real hero. You're doing great. Hang in there a little longer. If Lexie can be that strong, you can be that strong for her. She's really amazing…and she deserves your best!" Callie points out.
Mark smiles at Callie. "Thanks, Torres. Besides…I still have to beat Derek's stupid clinical trial…don't I?" he asks.
"Yeah…I think so. Someone has to keep Shepherd's ego in check..." Callie says.
"Take five minutes, Sloan. Let everyone breathe. Then go back in there and finish up," Derek says.
"Thanks man," Mark replies.
Inside the O.R. Lexie continues to panic. Meredith feels her own anxiety level start to rise. Dr. Bailey says, "I'm going to disinfect the area so that Dr. Sloan can attach the first tissue sample when he returns." Her words are calm and matter of fact, but Meredith detects a slight raise in pitch in her voice.
"How bad is this?" Meredith asks Izzie.
Izzie shakes her head, implying Don't ask.
Dr. Bailey pours the solution on the area that Dr. Sloan has finished treating and Lexie screams again. This time, she stops abruptly and gasps, "Meredith!"as Meredith falls to the floor and Izzie catches her.
"I think she fainted!" Izzie says.
"Your girlfriend's a genius. All those years of med school and now she can identify a fainting spell when it happens," Cristina says to Alex as she gets up to go check on Meredith. Derek stands up and runs to follow her.
"Stevens, stay here with Lexie. Looks like our cheerleader has been benched," she says as Derek and Christina rush into the O.R.
Derek picks Meredith up and carries her outside. Christina sits down next to Lexie and Izzie. "Okay…here's something I never thought I'd say. I'm your new cheerleader. I'm filling in for Meredith." Cristina says.
Izzie laughs. "I'd pay good money to see you do a cheer right now," she says.
Cristina looks up in the gallery where Owen and Alex sit.
"Not right now…It's halftime. We're going to save it for when we need it," Cristina says.
Izzie looks at her strangely as Mark reenters the room. "Okay, I'm ready for the next round," he says.
"Mark, I…" Lexie's eyes are pleading as she looks at him.
Mark puts his hand on her forehead. "Shhh….when this is all over I'm going to crawl on that table with you and stroke your hair because I know that's what you like when you are hurting…" he promises.
Lexie closes her eyes. "Okay," she says in a small voice.
Dr. Bailey looks at Izzie. "We're ready," she says.
"Wait…" Cristina says. "We're not. Ummm…Izzie and I need a team huddle for a moment," she says.
Izzie looks at her quizzically but steps away from Lexie. Cristina whispers something to her, and Izzie smiles and whispers back. They nod at each other and return to Lexie where each of them sits on either side of her.
"Is Meredith okay?" Lexie asks when they return.
"I'm sure Meredith's fine. You know her…always wants the attention on herself," Cristina says, smiling.
Owen watches from the gallery, admiring Cristina's compassion. For all her tough talk, she really comes through when people need her. Alex looks at him and says, "Are we the luckiest guys in the world or what?"
"We are. I don't know what those two are doing with a couple of slobs like us!" Owen says.
"Speak for yourself, dude!" Alex replies.
Meredith and Derek are in the on-call room. Meredith begins to regain consciousness and says, "Did I…oh my god! Lexie! I have to go back in there!" she says.
Derek shakes his head. "No…you're sitting right here with me," he says, wrapping his arms around her.
Meredith fights him. "No! I can't. I need to be in there with her! Let me go!"
"Meredith! Izzie, Cristina, Mark and Dr. Bailey are with her. You need to stay calm. You need to just relax and take care of yourself. Right now, Lexie's in better shape than you.." he says.
Meredith stops fighting him and collapses in his arms. "It was awful, Derek! So awful! And that's what she felt in the fire and then again…and then Dr. Bailey…the wounds…and Sadie…she died in that fire…and I…I don't know…Derek…help me!" Meredith sobs into his chest.
"Shhhhh…it's okay. It was awful. I watched from the gallery, and did you know that Cristina closed her eyes it was so bad. Even she couldn't watch. You were so strong for your sister. And now, you need to be strong for yourself. You haven't slept, you haven't eaten. You need to take care of yourself…or let me take care of you. You'll be there for her when it's all over. Right now, take a break…" he says.
Meredith doesn't fight him. She simply lets him hold her to his chest and says "Thank you," as she cuddles up to him on the bed.
Derek holds her and tries not to think about how secretly glad he is that he is not Mark Sloan right now.
"I love you," he whispers.
"I love you too…" she whispers back as she closes her eyes and falls asleep with Derek holding her.
Mark looks at Dr. Bailey. "If I can get a good 10 seconds, I think I can finish the torso area without a third round. I got a lot of the area last round….more than I expected. I didn't really think she'd last 10 seconds," he says.
"Stevens, Yang, did you hear that?" Dr. Bailey says, motioning to Izzie and Cristina to come closer. She whispers, "If he can get 10 seconds, he thinks he can finish the torso area without a third round," she says.
They both eye each other and give a small smirk. Dr. Bailey eyes them strangely, but does not ask questions.
"Okay. We're ready," Mark says, purposely not looking Lexie in the eye.
"Lexie…Keep your eyes on Cristina and I…okay?" Izzie asks moving next to Cristina.
As Mark brings the flame over her and Lexie braces herself, Cristina and Izzie break into cheer. "L – E – X – I – E! She's the best that we can see! YAAAAAAAAY Lexie!" They cheer complete with hand gestures. At the end, Izzie does a perfect straddle jump and Cristina attempts to follow her but somehow her legs get tangled on a table nearby and she lands in a straddled heap on the floor.
Before she can get up, Mark is finished and Lexie wipes her eyes. "Oh my god! You just did a cheer for me! Cristina Yang just did a cheer!" she says outloud.
"Izzie was actually a cheerleader in high school," Cristina says.
"No I wasn't. It was fourth grade and it was at the local park. I got knocked up in high school!" she says.
While Lexie laughs at Cristina trying to get up off the floor, Dr. Bailey pours the disinfectant on the area and Lexie grimaces.
"You better be done, Sloan, because I'm not doing another cheer," Cristina says.
He nods. "I got it all. Thank you, Yang. Stevens. You guys were great today," he says.
Dr. Bailey begins to clean up and Mark walks over to her. "You can play on my basketball team anytime," he says.
"Thank you," she says, proudly.
"Now, everyone get the hell out of the O.R. so I can spend some time alone with the most beautiful patient I've ever seen," he says.
As everyone clears out, Mark crawls next to her on the O.R. table and strokes her hair. He is careful not to touch the exposed area.
Lexie closes her eyes and allows herself to relax against his touch.
*******
Intense chapter!!! I tried to build in a lot of humor! Can't wait to hear what you all think of it! I also can't wait for tomorrow's episode!!! So excited!! Please read and review!! Can't wait to hear from you!