Sutures and Secrets || Mark Sloan

35 | Not Mine to Carry

05x09

Charlie stood under the stream of hot water, her head tilted back, letting the warmth ease the tension from her shoulders. With the competition for the first solo surgery now underway, she wasn't going to risk looking anything less than her best.

She sighed, running her hands through her hair, the steam clouding the glass and fogging up the bathroom mirror. Suddenly, the unmistakable sound of a key turning in the lock made her pause mid-rinse.

"Uh, hello?!", Charlie called out, peeking around the shower door as the bathroom door swung open.

It was Sadie, one of Meredith's oldest friends.

"Don't mind me.", Sadie said breezily, striding in like she owned the place. She made her way to the toilet, not even sparing Charlie a second glance.

Charlie groaned, her frustration echoing off the tile walls. "Are you kidding me right now? Who just unlocks the door and walks in while someone's showering?"

Sadie shrugged as she sat down on the toilet, completely unbothered. "It's not like I haven't seen basically everything before. Bodies are just bodies, you know?"

"That's not the point!", Charlie snapped, gripping the edge of the shower door to maintain some semblance of privacy. "This is basic human decency, Sadie. Knock next time!"

Sadie waved her off, flushed the toilet and went to wash her hands. "Relax, I'm done anyway. And nice soap, by the way. Smells fancy."

Charlie opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Sadie gave her a cheeky once-over, smirked and then walked out as casually as she'd come in.

Charlie let out an exasperated sigh and turned back to the water, muttering under her breath. "What is wrong with that woman?"

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After her shower, Charlie quickly finished getting ready and met Meredith in the hallway. She was adjusting her coat when Sadie joined them, her usual unbothered expression plastered across her face.

The three of them began walking toward the stairs, passing Izzie's bedroom when a distinct sound stopped them in their tracks.

Moaning. Loud. Persistent.

Sadie smirked and tilted her head toward the door. "Hot."

Meredith and Charlie exchanged a look before both muttered simultaneously. "Porny."

Just as they were about to continue, Alex appeared at the other end of the hallway. He was leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, as if he had all the time in the world.

Meredith narrowed her eyes at him. "What are you doing out here?"

"What?" Alex said defensively, straightening up. "You think you're the only ones who've paid a nurse to page you with an appy?"

"That's not what she meant.", Charlie cut in, gesturing toward Izzie's bedroom.

Alex followed her finger and froze. The noise coming from inside the room suddenly registered and his confusion turned to disbelief.

Charlie cocked an eyebrow at him. "If you're out here, who's in there with Izzie?"

Before Alex could respond, Meredith's eyes widened in panic. "Oh my God. Derek!"

A moment later, Derek popped out of Meredith's bedroom further down the hall, pulling on his shirt as he walked toward them.

"What's going on?" he asked, looking between the three women and Alex.