"We've all heard the saying. It's one of those things we learn in seventh grade science class. Adapt or die. Adapting isn't easy, though. You have to fight your competition, fend off their attacks, and sometimes, you have to kill. You do what you need to do to survive. Adapt or die. As many times as we've heard it, the lesson doesn't get easier. Problem is we're human. We want more than just to survive. We want love. We want success. We want to be the best that we can be. So we fight like hell to get those things. Anything else feels like death"

"as long as i know how to love, i know i'll stay alive"

Beck and Jackson were brushing their teeth in the bathroom. "Tell him that you were instrumental in getting the chief's trial approved for phase one testing. From mice to humans", Beck said.

"I'm not doing that"

"Yeah, ok. I know, you don't like bragging about yourself. You could really learn a thing or two from me, I love to brag. Besides, you don't even have to brag. Your diabetes trial does it for you. It's gonna win every award. Seriously. Just make sure that he knows that..."

"I got it"

"That you've been instrumental..."

"Got it!"

He walked out of the bathroom and Beck spit into the sink. "He don't got it", she said to herself.

Alex entered him and Lucy's bedroom to find her sitting on the bed, reading her phone. "Good morning", he greeted, kissing her. "What's that?"

"I just got offered a job"

"But you're a resident"

"I know, it's like a one year programme for ortho residents. It has amazing opportunities for really cool surgeries"

"That's amazing"

"Yeah, um, but it's in Texas"

"Texas?"

"Yeah"

It was silent for a few moments. "Obviously, I haven't decided anything yet but...", Lucy began.

"Look, I gotta get to work. Congratulations"

He kissed her and quickly left the room. She sighed.

Lucy approached Alex at a nurses station where he was on the phone. "How long of a commitment would you need?" he asked. "Ok. No, I understand. Yeah, I just wanted a few days. Yeah, I will. You, too". He put down the phone. "What was that about?" she asked him.

"I got a job offer with Nambose Clinic"

"Oh. So, are you thinking about going?"

"I don't know. I mean, I'd get to do incredible surgeries right there in the trenches. Plus, I'd be the boss. After bringing all these kids over here, I can't imagine going back to being just a resident. Being chief resident could be cool"

"Right"

"But, I mean, hey, if you're thinking about an offer, I might as well, too, right?"

"Of course, yeah"

She walked away slightly mad since she was coming over to tell him she wasn't going to Texas.

Meredith and Lucy caught up with Cristina. "Hey, what are you doing?" Meredith asked her. "Getting ready to remove a tree from a guy's lung. No time for mommy prep", Cristina replied, pointing at Meredith's baby book. "Ok, what if the social worker wants to ask me about the time I spent sleeping around Europe?" Meredith said. "That's easy", Lucy said. "You were absorbing other cultures".

"Ok, and what about the fact that my mother had early on-set Alzheimer's, and may have passed the gene to me?"

"Makes you more appreciative of the gift of life", Cristina said. "That's good", Lucy complimented.

"Thank you"

"Ok, I put my hand on a bomb in a body. She could think that was...", Meredith continued. "Suicidal? No, it was brave", Lucy answered.

"I told a shooter to shoot me"

"Change the subject", Cristina suggested and Lucy nodded in agreement.

Callie and Lucy approached Owen in the ER. "Hunt, my knee replacement got cancelled and I need to break some bones", Callie said. "Aren't you supposed to mend them?" Owen asked.

"Well, it's my first day back. And I left my baby for the first time since we got home. I need to remember why I love being a surgeon so much, or I'm afraid I will walk out of here and never come back. It doesn't have to be big. Just a sprained ankle, a hairline fracture. Anything"

"Ok"

They heard a baby crying nearby. "Oh, my God, anytime I hear a baby cry, it makes me think of Sofia", Callie commented. "They all sound like her. Wait, that really sounds like her". They turned around to see Mark with Sofia as some nurses admired her. They approached her. "What! What are you doing here?" Callie asked him as Lucy got distracted by Sofia. "Hi, gorgeous girl!" she exclaimed, booping Sofia's nose. "It's Bring Your Daughter to Work Day", Mark explained. "No, it's not", Callie disagreed.

"I bathed her, changed her, fed her, I napped her, we read a book, played with that little hanging jingling thing"

Callie picked her up. "And it was still only 11:30. I needed some adult contact", Mark continued. "Please take this baby away from me", Callie said.

"Sure"

"I'm serious, take her, Mark. Oh, my God! Oh, my God! This baby's crack. She's a crack baby"

"You definitely shouldn't call her that", Lucy commented. "Torres, you're in luck. Motorcycle crash, 20 minutes out", Owen informed her. "Yes. Ok. Oh, I love you, but Mommy's gotta go to work", Callie said to Sofia. "Take her, Mark". "Give me the baby", Mark replied.

"Physically lift her from my arms"

"Ok"

"Oh, hi... No!"

Mark took her from Callie's arms. "No, it's not that big of a deal", Mark reassured. "Ok, I'll be right... Ok", Callie stuttered.

"Back"

"Ok"

Lucy nodded at her. "Let's go break some bones", she said and Callie smiled.

Cristina got into the elevator with Alex. "Marriage sucks", Alex stated.

"What's your problem?"

"Like you'd care"

"I don't. But I've got four floors to kill, and I'm on a hot streak"

"Arizona offered me this job at her old clinic in Africa and Lucy got an offer for this one year Ortho programme in Texas. So I thought since she was taking that job, I might as well take this one. But when I told her, she seemed kinda pissed about it"

"You're an idiot"

"Wait, how am I the idiot?"

"Do you know Lucy at all? She was obviously telling you about that programme because she wants you to ask her to stay. And now she thinks you're leaving her. Well done, Alex. You suck at marriage"

She got out of the elevator and he sighed.

Kelly walked up to Mark who had Sofia with him. He was being admired by nurses. "I think you're enjoying all this attention a little too much", she commented.

"I needed some adult interaction"

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah. Hey, I could get a nurse to watch her and you and I could have a quick adult interaction"

"No, be a good father!"

She kissed him and walked away.

Kelly went into a dark room to look at her scans but found Mark there with Sofia. "What are you doing in here?" she asked him but he shushed her.

"This is the only place I could get her to sleep"

"She's so adorable. I never got to say how happy I am for you. I know you really wanted this"

"I am very happy. I have everything I've ever wanted"

She smiled.

Alex approached Lucy. "I'm not going to Africa", he said. "It's the right thing. I want us to finish our residency together but if you want to go to Texas, that's fine. I'll support you. But I was an ass today, I should have considered how you were feeling. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I know that. I've known that for a really long time. But there's still that nagging voice in the back of my mind that this could still go completely wrong. But I don't care that I'm scared. I'd rather be scared with you than scared without you".

"I'm not going to Texas"

He smiled and they kissed.

Kelly was holding Sofia while Mark watched, smiling as they waited for Callie and Arizona. Callie and Arizona rushed over, smiling. "You held her! Isn't it amazing?!" Callie exclaimed and Kelly laughed, handing the baby to her. "I fed her, changed her diaper. Prettiest poop you ever saw", Mark said. "Hi, baby girl", Arizona greeted the baby. "I've missed you", Callie added. "Yes, Mommy got to be a surgeon again today. I got to fix two dislocated shoulders and save a leg from amputation". Mark grabbed Kelly's hand and the four of them made their way to the elevators.

Beck watched them from the balcony, wondering how Kelly can be so happy in a relationship like that. "What are you staring at?" Jackson asked from behind her, making her jump.

"The baby. Did you see her? She's really cute. How did the interview go?"

"I'm out"

"What? What happened?"

"It's a long story. It's fine. Seriously, I'm ok with it. I have you, what else do I need?"

He didn't notice her take in a shaky breath as he leaned in and kissed her. He put his arm around her and they walked off together.

Cristina, Alex and Lucy were sitting at the bar at Joe's. "You know it's gonna be Mer, right?" Cristina said. "It doesn't mean that we're bad surgeons or bad doctors. Some people just don't fit the bill. They're better at other things. Like you, Alex, and those kids. And you, Lucy, and mending bones and stuff. But between us and Mer? She's organised. People like her, people trust her, she's a natural". "People trust her", Alex repeated.

"I'm just saying, do what you're good at. I'll see you guys tomorrow"

She grabbed her coat and left. Alex looked pretty angry. "What's up with you?" Lucy asked but he just shrugged. Alex took another shot. Owen entered the bar with Aurora and went to the counter. "Alright, Karev?" Owen asked, noticing his demeanour. "Meredith messed with the Alzheimer's trial", Alex blurted and the three looked at him in shock. 

hope you enjoyed! comment your opinions! song is i will survive by gloria gaynor