Running in Circles - Lexie Grey x OC

We've Been Way Too Busy

Grey's Anatomy Season 8 Episode 3;
Private Practice Season 5 Episode 3

SEATTLE

One Week Later — Morning
Dexter Avenue Townhouse

Lexie woke a few minutes before her alarm.

For a moment she lay still beneath the blankets, staring at the ceiling.

Rain tapped softly against the windows.

Seattle.

Predictable as ever.

The townhouse remained quiet.

Nothing unusual.

Nothing worth thinking about.

With a sigh, she pushed the blankets aside and sat up.

The room was cool.

Gray morning light filtered through the curtains.

Lexie grabbed the sweatshirt draped across a nearby chair and pulled it over her head before heading downstairs.

Coffee first.

Always coffee.

The kitchen lights flickered on.

She moved through the familiar routine without much thought.

Filter.

Grounds.

Water.

Start.

The machine sputtered to life.

While it brewed, she opened the refrigerator.

Yogurt.

A banana.

Leftover takeout she should probably throw away.

Nothing particularly appealing.

She settled on the yogurt and leaned against the counter while scrolling through overnight patient updates on her phone.

Three admissions.

A trauma transfer.

Two consults waiting for review.

A page from Bailey sent at 5:14 a.m. that somehow felt threatening despite containing only six words.

The coffee finished brewing.

Without looking, she reached into the cabinet.

Her hand closed around a dark blue travel tumbler.

She set it on the counter.

Paused.

Then looked down at it.

The tumbler sat exactly where it always had.

Lexie stared for a second before pouring the coffee anyway.

The lid clicked into place.

She carried it upstairs with her.

By the time she finished showering, the townhouse had begun to brighten with morning light.

She dressed quickly.

The routine was automatic now.

Comfortingly so.

At the dresser she reached for her watch.

Then stopped.

The compass pendant rested beside it.

Small.