𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗘, greys anatomy

(don't fear) the reaper.

chapter 10.
(don't fear) the reaper.

☆★☆★→ ←☆★☆★

Charlotte had been standing outside of the hospitals entrance for nearly two hours, just trying to work up the courage to enter. she knew she was being unreasonable—paul was dead. jo had seen it herself. so, rationally, charlotte knew it was not at all possible for her to stumble upon the man if she entered the building. but irrationally he was just inside, waiting for her. and that one irrational thought ruled over all commonsense charlotte may inhabit.

she wasn't eating, wasn't sleeping, was barely even speaking, and now she couldn't even bring herself to enter the place where she had spent nearly every single moment in the past year.

☆★☆★→ ←☆★☆★

Carina notices jo watching out the window of the hospitals catwalk. "good morning, dr. wilson," she greets, joining the doctor.

"oh, hi, dr. deluca," jo briefly glances up, "you headed out?"

"si," carina nods, following the other woman's gaze out the window. "how is the bambina?"

"not great. she's been out there since seven thirty this morning." jo sighs. "i would have let her stay at the loft, but i just don't want her alone right now."

"i can take her." carina offers after a beat of silence. "i'm headed to the station and i'm sure they'd all be happy to see her."

"are you sure? this is the first time she's left the apartment since paul and—"

carina cuts the rambling doctor off, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "i'm sure. i've got her."

jo lets out a breath and glances back at the anxious teen standing outside. "okay. but call me if anything happens. please."

"of course. but she'll be okay, dr wilson. we've all got her." carina assures. "call me if there's any trouble here." she finishes, smiling softly before walking off down to the lobby.

☆★☆★→ ←☆★☆★

Carina cautiously approaches the stock-still teen, calling out, "hey, bella." charlotte only numbly watches the approaching figure, making no attempt to respond. "i'm going to the station, why don't you come with me?"

"no, i can go in. i'll go in." charlotte stares straight ahead. "i just need a minute."

carina lays a tender hand on the teens shoulder. "charlie, you've been out here for two hours."

charlotte lets out a large breath, moving away from the touch. "i know, i'm sorry. i thought—this is stupid. i'm being stupid. he's dead. i know he's dead, i just—i thought..."

carina angles herself to stand in front of the girl, cupping her hands over both shoulders. "bambina, breathe. just come with me, it's okay." charlotte nods, letting out another deep breath before allowing the doctor to lead her away from
the hospital.

☆★☆★→ ←☆★☆★

Andy herrera was the first to greet the teen and doctor upon their arrival at the station. "hey, charlie! how are you?"

charlotte shrugs. "peachy. couldn't walk into the hospital so jo hired her to drag me here." she points to the doctor beside her.

carina smiles gently, slinging an arm over the teenagers shoulders. "a change of scenery can help."