The Starting Line (Reupload)

20

[TW: CHARACTER DEATH]

"You know, I can move so you can get a better view. I mean, we'll see it every day for the next year, so it's not as exciting, but still."

"Oh no, it's okay. I can see it later. But thanks."

"George O'Malley, by the way."

"Eleanora Amedeo. It's nice to meet you, George."

____

   Asleep in Izzie's room, Eleanora has her head resting on George's chest and her legs crossed over the edge of the bed and lying on Meredith's lap, her body somehow managing to stay even between the two beds.

She wakes up startled by the sound of pagers beeping, the balance she was holding lost as she falls to the ground.

"Ouch," Eleanora complained, George, helping her to her feet while everyone checked their pager.

"Oh, it's the Chief," Bailey tells them, she was there to check Izzie's morning vital check. She glances at all the residents around her, smiling a little. "Someone better make a coffee run. You all look like hell."

"I have to be in surgery in ten minutes," George tells them, stretching his back. Eleanora hums, fixing her hair quickly.

"I have rounds." She smiled at all of them, her eyes falling on Izzie's sleeping face for a moment before grabbing her lab coat and leaving the room with George.

There is silence between them for a moment before Eleanora speaks softly, tying her hair into a ponytail. "Are you telling them?"

George nodded, and the two of them walked quickly as they both needed to be somewhere. "Yeah, I'll do it after my surgery. I'll tell Bailey before, I think. Give her time to hate me while I'm safe in the OR." he joked.

Eleanora giggled, stopping him before he reached the elevator. She looked at him and squeezed his arm. "I'm proud of you, Georgie."

"No, I'm pretty sure you hate the idea of ​​me going on my way to Iraq." he joked, Eleanora rolling her eyes.

"Yes, I do, but I'm still proud of you." She glanced at her watch, giving him a quick hug before they separated in two different directions. "I'll see you after your surgery, okay? Good luck!"

"Thank you, Ella!" George called after her, stepping into the elevator and pressing the button to go to the operating room floor.

That would be the last time they would see each other safe and sound.

____

"Thank you, Georgie. Is it okay if I stay with you tonight?"

"Yes, Eleanora. You can stay as long as you want."

____

   "Good day, Nora," Mark spoke, sliding a coffee to his girlfriend with a quick kiss on the forehead. Eleanora smiled at him, leaning towards him as she took a sip of the coffee.

Her nose wrinkled, staring at the cup as if it personally offended her. Mark frowned and took a sip of his coffee. His face soon resembled that of his girlfriend, groaning as he changed cups.

"Sorry, doll. I mixed them up."

Eleanora smiled, taking a happy sip of her coffee that was actually hers. "I don't know how you like that stuff, Mark. It tastes horrible."

Mark let out a dramatic gasp, placing his hand over his heart. "Are you saying my choice of coffee is disgusting? Yours is practically gas."

Eleanora laughed, the sound of Mark's pager drawing her attention. "Trauma, fun." Mark moaned, quickly pressing his lips against his girlfriend's. "I haven't seen you all night and now I can't even have coffee with you. It's unfair."