Running in Circles - Lexie Grey x OC

The Past Has Come to Haunt Me

Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital - Pediatrics Wing Lobby
Sunday Morning

Arizona stood near the nurses' station, flipping through patient charts before starting her rounds. Every so often, her gaze shifted towards the double doors, awaiting the neurosurgeon she was expecting to join her during rounds.

She scribbled a final note on the clipboard, and when she looked back up, there he was.

Freshly showered. Navy scrubs crisp. Dark hair combed neatly back. The dark circles beneath his eyes were still faint, but the exhaustion that had weighed him down for days seemed lighter. And most notably, there was a smile. Subtle, but genuine. Like a weight had lifted.

Arizona blinked, lowering the clipboard. "Well, would you look at that. He's smiling. I thought maybe I was hallucinating."

Callie, arriving with a cup of coffee in hand, followed her gaze. "Huh. Definitely smiling. Should we alert Psych?"

"Or Infectious Disease," Arizona quipped. "It could be a virus."

Eric, clearly catching their quips, shook his head as he approached. "Morning to you, too." His usual deadpan tone wasn't quite as sharp, but it was still there.

Callie smirked, taking a sip of her coffee. "Morning, sunshine."

Eric moved to the chart rack, flipping through the files. When he didn't immediately find what he was looking for, a flicker of frustration crossed his face.

Arizona, not missing a beat, folded her arms dramatically. "Okay, what is it? Did you get eight hours of sleep? Win the lottery? Or—"

Eric barely glanced up, his attention still on the chart rack, until Arizona held up a file. Recognizing it, he swiftly grabbed it off her hands and walked away. The two women followed.

"Or wait," Callie added, grin widening. "Did someone finally convince you that coffee isn't a good alternative for water?"

Eric gave a low chuckle, the sound rare enough to earn matching amused looks from both. "No lottery. No intervention. Just a good day."

Arizona's teasing faded slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "She's awake."

Eric's smile softened into something more genuine. "Yeah. She's awake."

- - - - -

Pediatric's Wing - Post Op Room

Eric knocked on the door before stepping inside, with Arizona and Callie following. Russ stood near the monitors, updating Alicia's stats, while Lily sat in the chair by her daughter's bedside. Both looked up as the doctors entered.

"Morning," Eric greeted, his voice low. His eyes shifted to Alicia, her breathing steady and peaceful. Still sleeping, probably due to her lack of sleep. He offered Lily a small, reassuring smile before turning his attention to Russ.

Russ paused, his expression shifting as he gave Eric a once-over. There was a flicker of curiosity, surprise, even, at the sight of the surgeon looking so put together. But he quickly masked it, offering a small nod. He kept quiet trying his best to stop his ever so expressive face so as not to risk getting glared at. Smile is good.

Eric moved toward the bedside, flipping through Alicia's chart. "Stable. Vitals are solid. No sign of post-op complications. She woke up a few hours after surgery?"

Russ nodded in response.

Eric continued, "A basic neuro test was conducted. She ticked all the boxes." He glanced up, addressing Lily. "Her sleeping right now is just her making up for the lack of sleep — getting her strength back."