Looking at you side ways

46

Cristina and Meredith sat at the large table while Derek, Mark and Burke got the drinks.

"So, you and Burke are talking again?"

"Yeah, a little."

"What happened? Who apologized first?"

Cristina snorted and said, "Nobody. Just one time, he burped or I coughed or vice versa and the vocal factor went out the window."

Meredith snickered and said, "You guys crack me up."

Cristina shrugged and said, "It works for us, for now."

"For now?"

"Yeah, until someone better comes along."

"Thanks for taking care of my mother. She can be a...a handful."

"No problems Mer. I caught her at the top of her game. She was reliving her attending years. I actually learned a lot while I was with her. Once she got over my pinched face. I don't know how you do it. She's brilliant Mer, but she's a bitch."

Meredith nodded and said, "Yeah, she is."

"I'm glad Derek was there for you last night. I asked Dr. Bailey if I could leave yesterday and she told me Derek was on it."

"Really? That was nice Cris."

Cristina shrugged and nonchalantly, "You're my person."

The guys came back with the drinks and sat down.

Derek sat Meredith's wine in front of her and she gave him a bright smile.[i] Derek was so happy that she seemed to be okay. He actually had learned some things about Meredith's and Ellis' relationship today. He had taken Ellis around to the x-ray room and asked her advice about things to occupy her. There was no way he was just going to sit in her room and have them stare at each other for a few hours.[/i]

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[i]"So, Dr. Grey.Thank you for the consult. What do you think?"

"Well, Dr. Shepherd. I have to agree with your diagnosis. Bowel obstruction. When do we scrub in?"

Derek stalled and said, "They are prepping him now. But it's going to be awhile. The OR's are busy."

"Oh. That's too bad. I can't wait to get in there."

"Dr. Grey. Do you have a family?"

"What?"

"Just killing some time before we can cut. Just curious how you are such a top notch surgeon with a family. I heard somewhere you have a family?"

"I'm divorced, but I have a daughter. But she won't apply herself. She's very intelligent and beautiful, but she wastes all her talents. I have to push her every chance I get. She could be president of the United States if she chooses to."

Derek hesitated before asking any more. He didn't want to push his luck. "What does she want to do?"

Ellis said with distain. "Oh it changes. One day its school teacher. The next she wants to be a chef. The latest is social worker. She's not speaking to me at the moment. I refused to let her go to a slumber party. She needs to study. Her grades are off the charts, but I'm not raising her to be ordinary. She could be anything! She could be a God damn neurosurgeon, but she likes to travel and read Russian romance novels and day dream about night in shining amour bullshit!" Ellis was getting agitated.

Derek flipped off the x-ray screen and sighed. "I think we should head out Dr. Grey. By the way, how old is your daughter?"

Ellis said angrily, "Too young for you. She's only ten!" [/i]