The Fight for Chief

Chapter 11

5 second rule

"Lex, come on! We're going to be late!" Meredith shouted as she slipped on her shoes and jacket. Lexie came running down the stairs. "The whole point of coming to Seattle was for a vacation, not to come to work with you" she said breathlessly.

"It's just one day, to see if you like it here in Seattle" Meredith tried to reason as she locked up the house and they walked to her car. "You know, you could just say you miss me and hate that I'm in New York when you're here" Lexie laughed as she climbed in the passenger side.

"Of course I miss you Lexie" she exclaimed as she started the engine. "You said on the phone a few weeks ago that you weren't even sure up if Seattle was a permanent thing. What's changed?" She asked. Meredith thought for a moment. "Dr Webber hasn't necessarily given me his job, I'm having to fight for it. If I don't get it-" she shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know what I'll do. I like it here in Seattle. I like the quiet" Meredith explained.

"You're having to fight for Chief of Surgery? Who the hell with!" Lexie exclaimed. Meredith laughed a little, knowing how ridiculous this all was. "Derek-" she stopped herself. "Dr Derek Shepherd" Meredith said.

Lexie's jaw dropped to the floor. "YOU WORK WITH DR SHEPHERD?!" She shouted, startling Meredith. "Yes!" Meredith shouted back as Lexie's nails dug into her sisters wrist. She shook her sister off. "Meredith! He's- he's- oh my-" Lexie said in disbelief. "Yes, yes I know he was the most published neurosurgeon last year. Everybody keeps telling me" Meredith rolled her eyes.

After a few more questions from Lexie about Dr Shepherds work, the conversation was thankfully diverted as they pulled up and walked into the hospital. "When you meet him, don't freak out like you did in the car, please" Meredith said desperately as they stood outside the Attendings lounge. Lexie nodded quickly.

As they walked through the door, Derek was there once again, making them a coffee, something which had become their regular thing. "Morning, Meredith" he smiled before noticing the brunette stood behind her.

"Hey, Der" she smiled as she walked to her cubby to deposit her things. "Derek, this is my sister, Dr Lexie Grey. Lexie, this is Dr Shepherd" Meredith said awkwardly.

Lexie reached out her hand, a big grin plastered on her face. "Hi, it's nice to meet you Dr Shepherd" she beamed, her smiled contagious and even making Derek smile. "Likewise" he said. "Dr Lexie Grey..." he mumbled, puzzled by where he recognised the name. Maybe he just recognised the surname because Meredith was a published surgeon, but-

"You did the clinical study on the reduction of arteriovenous malformation, right?" Derek asked as he shook her hand. "Right" Lexie grinned.

Meredith stood there, gobsmacked at the connection. "Yeah, it was really interesting to read about" Derek said before grabbing another mug from the cabinet. "Coffee?" He asked her. She only nodded, completely starstruck.

Meredith nudged her hard. Chill out she mouthed, only making Lexie laugh. Derek frowned, confused having missed the interaction. He handed her coffee over and they took a seat on the chairs, killing 20 minutes before their shift started.

"So Lexie, what brings you to Seattle, other than your sister of course" Derek asked. Meredith smiled as she watch him converse. He wasn't cold, or blunt or mean. He was beginning to form new friendships and move on from the last like he said he wanted to.