intertwined ~ alex. karev

TEN

"WHAT is a significant cause of persistent leukocytosis?" Ivory asked the intern as he sat in front of her in the locker room.

Thinking to himself for a couple of seconds he answered, "Hematologic malignancy."

He looked at the girl, searching her face for an answer until her face lit up and she grinned at him, "Correct! See, if we do this every morning and every night, you'll ace those medical board exams for sure!" she exclaimed as the boy chuckled.

Before they could move on to the next question, both pagers began to beep erratically. Ivory frowned, picking hers up, "911? We just worked a 30 hour shift." she said, clearly confused.

The two stood up from their comfortable positions, quickly changing back into their scrubs before joining the other interns downstairs. Noticing Miranda all dressed up, Ivory raised an eyebrow, "If I didn't know you were married, I'd ask you out right now." she teased whilst Alex raised his eyebrow at her.

"What are you looking at?" Miranda asked the interns, brushing off her friend's playful comment. The interns remained quiet and prepared to go outside until Miranda approached Alex, handing him her purse and cardigan, "Hey, you, go get me my shoes. Let's move, people."

Heels clicking against the floor, she approached Yang for assistance, making eye contact with Meredith, "Hello. I seem to be a little drunk. I was off duty."

Ivory giggled at the intern, "So we're all of us, Meredith." she teased the girl who could barely keep her eyes open, "Has anyone else had a drink?" she asked as the others shook their heads.

"Grey, just stay out of the way. I'll deal with you later." Miranda said, shaking her head, "The rest of you, stuck with me and wait for your assignments. I know you get all a-quiver at the sight of blood and organs but it's gonna be a long night and you're already tired. I don't want any mistakes. Come on now."

The group walked into the ER as a smile grew wide on Ivory's face, "Ortho... ortho everywhere.."

"Got the leg!" A paramedic yelled, bursting into the ER holding up a severed leg and Ivory's eyes bulged as she watched George and Cristina attempt to get closer to her so they could be in on the case.

Walking to the gurney, Ivory tilted her head as the other paramedic began to speak, "He lost a lot of blood at the scene. Pressure dressings applied, two large-bore IVs started."

"Anything for pain?" Richard asked, causing Ivory to frown.

The other man nodded, "Base ordered morphine l. Five migs given so far." he told the man and the woman beside him.

Turning to Miranda, Ivory asked, "Dr. Bailey, who you got for this?" looking down at the leg of the man.

The arms of the two interns shot up and Miranda furrowed her eyebrows, "Cristina, go." she allowed the girl who began to cheer to take the case.

Glancing at the intern in front of her, Ivory smiled, "Rule out other injuries and book an OR." she instructed, as Richard left to speak to Derek.

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"THANK you." said Ivory, taking the equipment from the nurse's hand, "Cristina, how's the wound looking?" she asked the girl, who was examining the severed part of the leg.

She sighed, "Pretty clean. Some dirt and gravel mostly." she told the attending as she attempted to removed the dirt from the wound.

Nodding, Ivory bit her lip, "This dude is incredibly lucky. It's a guillotine injury. If we can do this right, his leg will be fully functional. More irrigation right there, please."

"When you're finished cleaning the wound, you can come help me here, Dr. Yang." Ivory said, watching the girl turn around with a confused expression on her face, "Is the wound clean, Yang?"

"Yes, but..." Cristina hesitated, looking down at the wound.

Ivory frowned at the intern, "But what?" she asked, "What's the problem, Cristina?" it was clear that she was becoming agitated.

Pulling the gurney beside the main one, Yang spoke, "His legs..." she removed the cloth covering the leg, "They're both left."

Her eyes bulging, Ivory looked down at the gurney and gasped, "Find the man's leg, Cristina! Find it now!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, ma'am." Cristina nodded, rushing out of the OR to find the correct leg.

Twenty minutes later, Cristina returned to the OR and Ivory let out a breath of relief when she saw her carrying the leg, "About time! I was starting to think that I could've been sleeping this whole time." she joked.

Cristina chuckled, "So sorry, Dr. Avery. It wasn't easy to find." she said in defence of herself, "I took the liberty of checking the wound and it's very clean cut, well preserved. Dr. Avery?"

Frozen, all Ivory could do was look at the leg that was being handed to her, "Dr. Yang, did you also notice that this leg took a trip to the salon for a shave and a pedicure? Look at my patient, Yang. He's not the type of man to go to the salon with his girls, is he?"

"No." Cristina responded in a monotonous tone, "I'll go find the right... the right right leg." she excused herself, watching the nurses and anaesthesiologist staring at her.

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"HEY, I got that leg you were looking for." the voice of Alex was heard, and when Ivory turned around, he was holding up another leg.

Slightly smiling, Ivory beckoned him over, "Put it here, let's see if this one is black." she joked, but when he placed it on the gurney, she sighed in relief, "Finally!" she exclaimed, and the other doctors in the room began to cheer, "Well, since you're here before Yang, you may scrub in, Karev." she winked at the intern, as he went to prepare for the surgery.

The door opened as Cristina entered but Alex was already scrubbed in, "Dr. Avery... I'm extremely sorry, I..."

"Pull that tendon down with those pick ups." Ivory instructed Alex, who was following her instructions perfectly.

Cristina frowned, "You found the leg?" she asked in confusion and disbelief.

Turning to face the other intern, Alex smirked, "I found the leg." he chuckled as Cristina nearly dropped the surgical mask covering her mouth.

"You missed out on this one, Yang, but I'm sure they could use a hand down in the ER." Ivory teased, "Extra gold stars for Dr. Karev."

Leaving the room, Cristina slammed the door behind her and Alex snickered before looking back at Ivory, "So... how do I redeem those gold stars?"

Ivory cleared her throat, noticing the stares from the doctors in the room, "Not here, Alex." she giggled, feeling warmth spread to her cheeks.

Leaning close to her ear, Alex whispered, "You may think that I can't see, but you're blushing." he teased and Ivory stayed silent, remaining focused on the surgery.