Twisted

CHAPTER NINE

The interns' locker room at Seattle Grace was usually a place of hurried transitions and hushed confidences, but today it was the stage for a confrontation that had been brewing under the surface for some time. Alex Karev, known for his often brusque demeanor and no-nonsense approach to both medicine and personal matters, was venting his frustrations about the visible closeness between Nathan and Jessica.

"You know, it's like she's totally changed since she started seeing Nathan. It's Nathan this, Nathan that," Alex grumbled as he slammed his locker shut, clearly annoyed.

George, who was also in the room, tried to offer a more neutral perspective. "Man, she's happy. What's so bad about that? They seem good together."

Alex scoffed, not ready to back down. "It's not about being happy, it's about her not seeing how he could be just like any other guy playing nice. It's like she's blind."

At that moment, Izzie walked into the locker room, catching the tail end of Alex's rant. Her expression shifted quickly from neutral to annoyed as she processed Alex's words. Having been one of Jessica's closest friends, Izzie felt a protective surge. She stepped closer to Alex, her voice sharp with irritation.

"Alex, enough," Izzie snapped, her tone commanding attention. "You have no right to judge Jessica's personal life or her choices. Nathan has been nothing but supportive and caring, especially now when she's dealing with so much."

Alex looked at Izzie, taken aback by her fierce defense. "Izzie, I—"

"No, you listen," Izzie interrupted, stepping even closer. "Jessica is one of the strongest people here, and she's my best friend—my person. She's going through a lot that you don't even know about. So maybe have a little respect instead of making assumptions about her relationship."

George, sensing the tension was about to escalate further, tried to intervene. "Guys, come on, let's just—"

Izzie held up a hand to stop him, her focus solely on Alex. "No, George. Alex needs to hear this. We should be supporting Jessica, not gossiping about her when she's not here to defend herself."

Alex's expression softened, guilt mingling with frustration. He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. "Look, Izzie, I get what you're saying. I just don't want to see her get hurt."

Izzie's expression softened slightly, understanding the root of Alex's concerns but still upset by his approach. "Then support her, Alex. Be there for her instead of criticizing. We all need to look out for each other, and right now, Jessica needs us more than ever."

There was a heavy silence in the room as Alex considered Izzie's words. Finally, he nodded, his demeanor deflating as he realized the impact of his actions. "You're right, Izzie. I'm sorry. I'll talk to her."

Izzie nodded, satisfied that her point had gotten through. "Thank you, Alex. Just try to think before you speak next time."

After a long day filled with the complexities of hospital life and the emotional weight of her personal concerns, Jessica found herself alone in the quiet of her bedroom. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm light across the room, creating a comforting, if somewhat melancholic, atmosphere. Her thoughts inevitably drifted towards Nathan—his condition, their relationship, and the uncertain future they faced together. The mixture of love and fear in her heart was becoming a familiar companion, yet tonight it felt particularly heavy.

Unable to sleep and feeling a need for connection, Jessica picked up her phone and scrolled through her contacts. She hesitated momentarily over Nathan's name but decided against calling him, not wanting to disturb his much-needed rest. Her thumb hovered over other names until it landed on Mark Sloan. Without overthinking it, she tapped his number and waited for him to pick up.