A.N. Hey all! So this is my first time writing fanfiction in over a decade (I know, right?) so please bear with me. I love Meredith/Alex both as a friendship or romance, so had an idea to write a whole bunch of Merlex one-shots. They should be done in a format that means they can be read as continuous or alone, I'll specify in summaries if romance is involved or if it can be read as purely friendship for those who aren't fans of them as a relationship. They'll take place based from episodes, although likely won't be every episode, just ones I felt I could pull inspiration from. Anyway, hope you enjoy!

What's that saying? 'Why do I keep hitting myself with a hammer? Because it feels so good when I stop.' She was stopping now, she was grabbing a comfort blanket.

"YASSS, it's the Grace of Seattle!" a voice boomed down the phone. Meredith chuckled despite herself.

"Hey, M.I.A... how are things in - well, wherever in the world you are right now?" She had made sure to sneak carefully out of her room without waking Derek, and tiptoe to the porch swing to find solace in her friend after sleep had evaded her and she had spent so much time tossing and turning.

"I'm in England... don't ask. It involved rhubarb and a spice salesman, it's a very long story. But I'm currently in a gorgeous park and I was just thinking of you, because there are weeping willows!"

"You know I love those."

"I know you do! So, what's up?"

That was a very loaded question to Meredith. But wasn't this why she had called Mia? She was her sounding board, after all.

"Well... the others found out about McDreamy."

"Oh, shit! How did they take it? I mean, I know Cristina knew already, but I can't imagine it going down well with the others!"

It still amazed Meredith how much Mia could understand about this exclusive 'doctors world' while not being a part of it. She understood that Cristina never felt in competition with her, but the others were grasping at a cliff edge, desperate not to fall.

"You would assume correctly. It all started this morning..."

She recalled to Mia how she had woken that morning, with her naked in bed with Derek. How she had tried to usher him out before the others saw him, and Izzie questioning her about her 'radical sex last night'. How later, comments were made in the locker room about Meredith being a bad boy with a sex life. Mia listened intently throughout.

"So, what do they make of it now? Now that the news has sunk in?"

"Well, I don't know about George. He hasn't said anything, but Derek said they spoke about it earlier and he seemed okay. Izzie was really pissed. We bumped heads a little today. But when I came home, she was baking. She let out her frustrations and then she stopped because-"

Meredith paused there. She didn't really want to admit what Izzie had said.

"Because she realised you were falling for him? Mer, I've known you for long enough now."

The silence spoke volumes.

"It's okay, we don't have to talk about it. Last time we spoke you said you'd tell me more about this Alex Karev. And since I've now seen photos, and deemed he is walking sex, you need to spill the deets."

Meredith laughed. What could she say about her friend that Mia wouldn't have already found out through her stalking missions?

"Ha, okay... well, I've decided he was definitely worth the effort. He's kinda your dream guy, actually."

"So what you're saying is, if you were to give him my number, I'd be extremely lucky if he actually called me? Because I never land my dream guy." This was, unfortunately, true. Mia always seemed to land with these nothing guys, when she deserved so much more.

"Every little step I take, he's there. He's not good at showing it, but he's got my back under any circumstances. I'm just baffled at how he portrays himself - the version I get of him is so different to everyone else. I can't really explain it."

"Hmm, sounds like you care about him. Is this THE Meredith Grey actually being affectionate?"

"Shove off" she laughed in response. "But yeah, I guess I've got his back, too. I think really he's quite vulnerable, I feel like I have to protect him sometimes."

Mia made gushy noises down the phone, loudly enough that Meredith had to hold it away from her ear and shake her head in exasperation.

"No, seriously Gracie," Meredith chuckled at the nickname, "When I come visit, you have to hook me up with him. Promise?"

"I promise."