ALL-AMERICAN BITCH
❝𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒊 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔, 𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕.❞

season 3, episode 4 [part one]

✿︎

DEREK WAS AT THE FOOT OF AURORA'S BED, his palms out straight as he looked at Aurora. "Press against my hands." He tells her. Aurora was a bit tired, but she did it, smiling when she made a bit of progress. "Tell me if you can feel this," Derek says, taking a mark and putting it on her ankle before moving it upward. She nods her head, feeling a sensation that she didn't before.

"Yeah, I can," Aurora responds, and Derek smiles softly at her, pulling the pen away and putting it back in his pocket before grabbing the chart and closing it over.

"See, I told you. Patience is key." Derek informs her but she rolled her eyes playfully.

"You say that to all the patients even if it won't work." Aurora points out in an accusatory manner, and Derek presses his lips together tightly.

"Well, I was right this time." He says and Aurora sighs a little bit, glancing at Alex, who was still standing beside her.

"Moving my toes isn't exactly progress."

"You couldn't move anything below your knee yesterday, so yes, it is," Derek states, not wanting her to not see this as an improvement.

"So, when do I start walking?" Aurora questions. Mainly just wanting to get out of this bed.

"Okay, that's a big jump. I recommend continuing to move your feet a bit in the bed, I'm gonna have someone rotate in every hour in order to have you press against their hands--"

"That's it?" She scoffs a bit, raising her eyebrows. Derek knew she would be a bit impatient, but there wasn't much else he could do.

"We can't rush a spinal injury, Aurora." He denies. Derek knew this wasn't exactly what she had wanted but it was still progress. Tomorrow would be another day, and they could talk more then.

"I can almost fully sit up without leaning on the pillows."

"With the help of the bar," Derek added, and she clenched her jaw a bit. "Look, let's just take it one step at a time, okay?" He tells her. Derek had seen more than enough injuries like this and he knew rushing things could only make things worse. He squeezes her shoulder before heading out of the room.

Aurora let out a sigh as she tilted her head back. "There goes my sanity." She mumbled, closing her eyes for a moment.

"Hey, this is still big," Alex assures her with a smile. "You're gonna be up on your feet in no time," he tells her, but she groans a bit, turning her head to look at him.

"I don't want to wait."

"If you push yourself too fast, you could backtrack the progress, Rory," Alex says and he knew she'd want to go back to work, which wouldn't be a thing if she injured herself more.

"Not if you help me." She says with a bright smile, obviously hinting at him but he laughs, shaking his head.

"I am not about to be your accomplice." Alex denies immediately. "I'll help with the things Shepherd said. That's it. He doesn't need another reason to hate me." He says, mumbling the last part and Aurora just narrows her gaze.

"Maybe I hate you," Aurora states, and Alex rolls his eyes playfully, bringing his hand up to his chest.

"You warm my heart, Aurora." Alex teases back, and she just sulks as she crosses her arms. Alex only squeezes her ankle, before he got a page and had to leave her alone.

✿︎

CALLIE DROPS DOWN ON THE CHAIR BESIDE AURORA'S BED, a long groan leaving her lips as she tilts her head back. Aurora raised an eyebrow, looking a bit amused at the woman. "Can you talk to George?" Callie asks her with a huff, crossing her arms against her chest. "Honestly, it feels like he's not listening to me half the time." She admits, clenching her jaw in the slightest as she sits up a bit.

"I say this as a friend to both of you: you deserve someone else," Aurora responds, shaking her head. She just didn't think they were right for each other. From what Callie had said, George didn't exactly treat her right.

"I just thought that we had gotten past the bump in the road but nope, seems like we're right back at page one." Callie mumbles, rolling her eyes as she brings her hands up to cover her face.

"Maybe it's a sign. You know how much I ignored signs the universe was so obviously trying to send me? Look where it got me." Aurora points out with a scoff. She had ignored a tsunami load of warnings, and well, now she was in a hospital bed.

"You just need to get out of here, come to our apartment, and stop me from making any dumb decisions." She informs the girl who snorts, holding her hands up in defense.

"Okay, I am a horrible influence, so I wouldn't hold onto that assumption." Aurora denies. She would probably end up talking Callie into doing something crazier.

Callie moves her eyes to the girl, only to notice her trying to hold onto the bar above her. She narrows her gaze at her. "What are you doing?" Callie asks her in a now stern voice, becoming more serious.

"Sitting up." She responds simply, trying to pull herself into a sitting position. She hisses slightly as a slight pain moves through her.

"You see that look on your face? Yeah, that's pain." Callie points out as she stands up from the chair. "Didn't Shepherd say to take it easy?" She retorts, only for Aurora to roll her eyes, a bit annoyed.

"Well, what does he know?" She mutters while Callie just places her hands on her hips as she watches the girl struggle.

"A lot? He's kind of in charge of you and one of the top surgeons in his field."

"And you're sucking up to him, why?" Aurora retorts. Callie sighs as she moves her hands to Aurora's arms.

"Your arms are shaking, Aurora. Let go." Callie demands, but Aurora doesn't budge. "I'll get Bailey." She warns, looking damn serious as she glared at the blonde. Aurora huffs but lets go, allowing Callie to place her back against the pillows.

Just then, Mark walked into the room. "How's my favourite coworker doing?" He asks as he walks up to the bed with a smirk on his face.

"Oh, so we're just coworkers now?" Aurora teases, raising an eyebrow as she crosses her arms against her chest.

"Gotta be professional; it's my first week."

"I heard you caused a patient to catch on fire." She says with a laugh. Even though she knew it was just an idiotic patient lighting a cigarette, technically, it was because they were all looking at Mark.

"I didn't do anything." He denies with a roll of his eyes.

"Agree to disagree," Aurora says with a dramatic gasp, and he just nudges her shoulder slightly.

"Working at the same hospital as your ex best friend and your ex lover-- must be tough." Callie points out causing Mark to squint his eyes as he glares at the woman.

"I didn't come in here to be judged." Mark retorts and Aurora just smirks back at him.

"You get that for free."

"Wonderful." He mutters as he shakes his head.

"Push against my hands," Callie said and Aurora seemed annoyed but did what she said, her feet slightly moving.

"You hear that intern Derek was with might be pregnant?" Mark asked and Aurora looked a bit confused.

"Her name is Meredith, and they haven't been together for weeks." She points out, but Callie just glances away from them, a knowing look on her face.

"That's just what I heard," Mark tells her, and Aurora drops her head back.

"Well, what would I know? I've been confined to this room." She points out, gesturing to the small hospital room which is the only thing she's laid eyes on in weeks.

"You're not getting the sympathy treatment from us." Callie denies bluntly, making Aurora scrunch up her nose.

"I wouldn't wanna be around you anyways."

"Wow, you actually ate a bite of your sandwich. I am so proud of you." Mark says as he notices it on the table. Aurora stares back at him.

"That sounded so condescending." She admits not being able to tell if he was genuinely being nice or not.

"Its just the vibe he gives off," Callie adds on with a nod.

"Okay, I'm leaving this very judgmental room," Mark tells them, holding his hands up as he turns to leave.

"Oh, I'm actually going that way, too. I can give you some walking judgment as well." Callie tells him, following after the man who groans loudly while Aurora just laughs, shaking her head as she laid back in her bed.

✿︎

AURORA LETS A SIGH LEAVE HER LIPS, tapping her fingers against the covers as she just rests her head back against her pillow. Bailey was in her room, checking things were good with her vitals and her incisions. But her eyes were glued to the chart in her hand, and she hadn't really said anything. "Bailey-- Miranda, can I call you Miranda?" Aurora asked, filling the silence as she stared at the woman. Bailey scoffs as she continues what she is doing.

"Not if you want me to respond." She denies and Aurora scrunched up her nose a little bit.

"You call me by my first name." Aurora points out, narrowing her gaze. Bailey still didn't glance at her as she shook her head.

"Youre my intern and as long as you are under my watch and between these four walls, I can call you whatever I damn well please." Bailey scolds, her tone firm. Aurora couldn't help but smile.

"So, you're saying I can call you Miranda outside of the hospital?" She asks. Bailey just sighed as she glanced up from her chart, giving the girl a blunt expression.

"What do you need, Aurora?" Bailey retorts, tilting her head as she places a hand on her hip.

"I'm bored. I'm tired of staring at the TV all day." Aurora stated with a small groan. Bailey simply raises an eyebrow as she shrugs her shoulders.

"Find a magic lamp, then your delusions can come true." She says sarcastically as she looks back down at the chart.

"Can I just go outside for like five minutes?"

"Shepherd left specific instructions in this file, Aurora." Bailey points out but Aurora didn't see why she couldn't just go out for a few minutes.

"I won't be trying to walk, just put me in the wheelchair." She suggested, gesturing to the wheelchair that was by the door. Bailey looks at it as well, as if contemplating in her mind. "Five minutes, please?" Aurora pleads, clasping her hands together.

Bailey knew she wouldn't stop persisting, and maybe a bit of fresh air would benefit Aurora. Her eyes move out of the room, seeing Alex walking down the hall. "Karev, come in here." She calls out to him. Alex looks around before entering the room.

"You need something, Doctor Bailey?" The man asked, his eyes moving to Aurora for a split second.

"Help me get her into the wheelchair," Bailey tells him and he seemed a bit hesitant.

"Uh, is she supposed to--"

"Do I look like I am asking? I am telling you, get her in the damn wheelchair." Bailey demands, and Alex brings the chair over. Both of them move to the bed, grabbing hold of Aurora and moving her to the edge. "Not too fast," Bailey says as she sees how the girl winces. As Alex moves Aurora's legs, now dangling from the edge, she grips their arms tightly as she squeezes her eyes shut. "Just take a deep breath, honey, okay? Got all the time in the world. We're right here." She assures the girl, who nods slowly.

After a moment, Alex wrapped his hands around her, lifting her up. Her feet sort of touched the ground before she felt her legs wobble beneath her. Alex was quick to press her to his chest so she didn't go tumbling to the ground. "I got you." He assures her before putting her in the chair. He bent down, putting her feet on the small ledges.

"Take her outside-- fifteen minutes max-- and then bring her back in, got it?" Bailey tells him, pointing her finger at him.

"Yeah," Alex responds with a nod. Bailey glances at Aurora again before shaking her head and leaving the room. "Do you want me to take the IV bag?" He asks as Aurora adjusts herself in the chair.

"No, I'm fine." Aurora denies. He moves behind her in order to start pushing her toward the door.

As they made their way outside, Alex stopped them beside the flowers at the entrance of the hospital. At least then, they would have fewer onlookers. Aurora already felt like an animal in a zoo with how everyone would stare into her room from the nurses' station. "Do you want me to leave you alone?" Alex questions, wondering if he should just take a lap and then come back,

"You can stay." She responds and he nods, sitting on the small bench that was beside them. Alex leans his elbows on his knees, his eyes drifting around before they settle back on Aurora.

"Did you wanna talk about something?" 

"Can we just sit in silence?" Aurora asks him.

"Yeah." Alex brings his gaze down to the ground as the silence engulfs them. But it was a comfortable silence, both of them being okay with just each other's company.

They had known each other for so long, and even though they didn't always get along with one another, they knew there was an unspoken rule about always being there for each other. Aurora was always there when things happened with his family, and he was there for her when she needed help with Isaac. Although he wished he would've found out about it a lot sooner.

"Karev, what the hell do you think you're doing?" They both look to the side, seeing Derek making his way toward them and he did not look happy. Alex cleared his throat as he stood up.

"Uh, Doctor Bailey told me to bring her outside--"

"Is Doctor Bailey in charge of Aurora's case?" He asks sternly, giving the man an angered look.

"No.." Alex trails off, sharing a glance with Aurora.

"Then why are you going against my direct orders to keep her in bed?" Derek asks as he gestures to Aurora.

"Doctor Bailey said-"

"You told me what she said."He snaps back at Alex who goes quiet. "Get her back in her room, now," Derek demands, his focus solely on Alex.

"I just wanted to be outside for a few minutes, it's not his fault." Aurora tries to defend him. She was the one who had asked Bailey; Alex hadn't forced her out here.

"And what if you had twisted the wrong way when getting into the wheelchair?" Derek asks as he stares down at her. "What if your head wound caused you to be dizzy, and you fell out of the chair when he wasn't paying attention?" He adds and she frowns, looking down at her hands. Derek lets out a small sigh. "I'm not giving these directives to punish you, Aurora. It's to make sure nothing lengthens the healing process." Derek tells her. He didn't want to make her injury worse, especially since it was still very delicate to deal with. "Take her up to her damn room," Derek informs Alex before walking away from them.

Alex moves behind Aurora, starting to bring her back toward the hospital. "Sorry." She apologizes, but Alex shakes his head. He knew Derek was right in a way.

"Something tells me he won't yell at Bailey like this," Alex grumbled, and Aurora couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, he's too afraid of her."

✿︎

DANIEL WRITES SOMETHING IN THE CHART HE HAD AS HE STOOD BY THE NURSE'S STATION. He rubs his face with his hand, a small sigh leaving his lips. He was tired, to say the least but he couldn't exactly take time off at the moment with Burke still being out. He would just have to push through. Hearing someone clear their throat, he glances over, seeing Cristina standing near him. He just raises an eyebrow. "You need something?" He asks curiously as he just stares at her.

"Uh, you paged me, sir." She answered as she moved back and forth on her heels. Daniel had completely forgotten that.

"Right. You're on my service." Daniel states as he closes the chart in his hand.

"Mhm."

"We have a patient to talk to. You familiar with the case?" Daniel questions as he begins to walk, Cristina trailing after him.

"Yes, sir," Cristina responds and Daniel was glad he didn't have to coach her like he did the other interns.

"Great." He retorts, just making his way down the hall. Cristina rubs her hands together, her eyes flickering to Daniel every few seconds, not sure if she should talk or not.

"Can I ask you something?" Cristina asked him and Daniel seemed hesitant as he met her gaze while they stopped and waited for the elevator to arrive.

"Is it about the patient?"

"It's about Aurora." She stated. Daniel didn't say anything, but he seemed a bit taken off guard. "Do you think she's gonna be able to continue the program?" Cristina questions. All of them had been wondering if she was gonna be able to come back even though the chief did say she could take the intern exam.

"Why don't you talk to her about this?" Daniel retorts. His sister seemed eager to return, but Derek wasn't gonna fast fast-track her progress.

"I don't really know what to say. I'm not good with the whole... comfort thing." Cristina responds awkwardly, clearing her throat. Daniel sighs as they enter the elevator.

"Shepherd is optimistic, but obviously he doesn't want to go too fast with things." He answers her. Cristina nods her head. It was pretty obvious that with a head/spinal injury, you had to take more precautions during the recovery.

"Does she remember anything yet?"

That was something they couldn't be sure of. It's not like they could see into her brain and confirm whether or not memories would come back to her. "No." He stated, a slight disappointed look on his face.

"I know she will. She's strong." Cristina tells him, and Daniel stares at her, narrowing his gaze a bit.

"You should go tell her this."

"I'll skip the awkwardness."

"You don't know how much just sitting in the room can help someone. That's what she did with you." Daniel informs her and Cristina couldn't help but frown a bit. Her eyes move to the floor momentarily.

"I'm sorry about what happened." Cristina apologizes. It wasn't like they didn't see something like this happening but everyone felt terrible that they weren't there to maybe stop it or make sure it didn't happen.

"I'll appreciate that once that assholes locked behind bars," Daniel admits with a small scoff.

"It's either gonna be him or Alex," Cristina says with a shake of her head.

"Don't let Karev do anything stupid. Aurora needs him right now." He demands, knowing just how Alex acted. He didn't need him going AWOL or completely losing his mind and being thrown behind bars.

"I guess I'll keep an eye on evil spawn." She stated with a roll of her eyes, and Daniel looked slightly amused.

"That's what you call him?" Daniel asks her, and she simply shrugs her shoulders.

"It's fitting, isn't it?" Cristina responds and Daniel chuckles as he shakes his head before heading off of the elevator.

"Let's go see the patient."

✿︎

LAYING IN HER HOSPITAL BED, Aurora let a sigh leave her lips as she stares up at the ceiling. She felt like she was confined to her room. Which she was since she got told off by Derek for going outside. She knew he was just trying to help, but not letting her have some fresh air was a bit excessive in her eyes.

She wanted to ask what was going on with Meredith but she didn't exactly have anyone to ask. Aurora felt a bit awkward asking Derek, and well, she hadn't seen Izzie since before the incident. George wasn't visiting as often since Callie was, Cristina never really stopped by and Alex probably didn't care enough to know about whatever problem was going on.

Aurora felt not only isolated physically but mentally as well. Most people who visited her just asked how she was instead of taking her mind off of it. And even then, she wasn't visited by anyone other than the people who worked in the hospital. Her parents still hadn't called Daniel back but she honestly shouldn't be waiting for anything anymore.

As she adjusts herself in the bed, she winces as she feels some pain in her back. Letting out a shaky breath, she leaned back against the pillows, but it didn't seem to mask what it was. Aurora pressed her lips together tightly, looking toward the call button, but luckily, Derek had walked in George, who must be on his service.

Derek seemed to notice her discomfort as he had placed the chart down on the table and rushed to her bedside. "What is it?" He asks her, concern in his voice as he looks down at her.

"T-theres a sharp pain," Aurora admits, her voice a bit shaky. Derek brings his hands to her shoulders before looking over at George.

"O'malley, hold her up." He demands and George makes his way over and helps sit her up, frowning as she lets out a pained noise. "Let me know when to stop," Derek says, moving his fingers down her spine gently. At first, it was a dull ache until he got to the root of the problem.

"Right there," Aurora tells him, and Derek takes note of it as he pulls away, setting her back gently.

"And is it more of an ache,  or does it feel like something stabbing you?" Derek asks her.

"Stabbing."

He stares down at the chart. "Okay." He said, his face not really giving away much, but Aurora could tell something was wrong. "Give her two of morphine," Derek informs the nurse as he moves toward the door, George following after him. He turns to him, keeping his voice low. "Get her up for an M.R.I...And book an O.R.," Derek states.

"What's going on?" George asks and Derek sighs as he glances back over at Aurora momentarily before shaking his head.

"I don't know."

✿︎

Authors note; Bailey and Aurora >>>

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