18. Trust

DAY ONE

"Your family is nice, George. Your dad is so friendly but your mom, uh, asked me about the sexual relationship between us and-"

"Just ignore her and if she offers to iron your clothes, don't - just leave. She will iron everything," George interrupted with an attempted smile. Emily closed her binder with a sympathetic look to her, offering a granola bar she kept in her pocket. "I'm just looking at his chart, I'll put it back when I'm finished."

"That's fine with me, just make sure Meredith finds it later." She placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. When he still didn't look up, she spoke again, "Hey, what does your dad say all the time?"

"O'Malleys are fighters," he mumbled before repeating it louder. "O'Malleys are fighters."

"Damn right. He is going to get through this," She smiled when he took her offered snack, holding onto it tightly. Nodding, he stood and placed the chart back where he found it and made his way to his father's room. Emily sorely hoped her words were to be true.

.

The door opened and she started awake, staring blearily at the outline. Mark was standing there, trying to close the door as softly as he could as light streamed into the dark on-call room.

"Mark?" she mumbled hoarsely and he glanced over once the door clicked close. Reaching blindly for the light on the nightstand, she flipped the switch as he dove onto the bed next to her.

"Sorry. Didn't know you were in here." Resting her hand on his back to make sure he was actually here, she rolled onto her side, crossing her arms as he turned his head to look at her.

"What're you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" he retorted, reaching for the switch and turning off the light. The room plunged into darkness.

"I just finished scrubbing in on a craniotomy with Shepherd. On his service for this week," she mumbled and he sighed, eyes closed. He turned onto his side to face her, scooting closer and she bent her arms, hands below her chin. He took one, sighing again.

"Are you okay?"

"Let's just stay in the quiet for a while," he whispered and dark eyes searched ever darker eyes. In the blackness of the room, they could see each other's silhouettes and that was enough. She used her free hand to touch his face, to feel his deep frown and then nodded.

"Okay."

.

When she woke up, he was still there. Nudging him awake, she smiled but wrinkled her nose at his morning breath.

"Morning," she murmured as he pushed himself up. "Oh, god, what time is it?"

"Almost midnight."

"What? Oh, god, my sleep schedule is completely screwed up. I thought I need sleep and then I go and only get two hours?" she exclaimed, rolling onto her back. He managed a hoarse chuckle, leaning over and kissing the spot before her ear. Eyes widening, she turned her head to stare at him. He seemed just as shocked at what she was.

"Sorry."

"No, it's… no, it's fine," she said and he smiled slightly. There was something tired about the edges and she mimicked the smile. "Why do you look so sad?"

"Just tired," he replied and she sighed, climbing over him and slipping on his shoes. Mark turned to watch her go and she spared him a glance. "Wanna go back to the Archfield? Get some sleep on a decent bed?"

"Uh, if you'll have me, sure," she accepted hesitantly and his smile grew, the edges grew sharper, clearer and he sat up. "I'll meet you in the lobby?" asked the woman and he nodded, scooting to the edge of the bed beside her.

"Okay." Tired, she took a hold of the side of his neck and brought his head to her, pressing a quick kiss to the side of his head.

"Ten minutes," she promised.

"Ten minutes," he agreed.

DAY TWO

When she woke up in the Archfield, it was to Mark's still asleep form and her clothes all on and she counted that as a success. Pulling the covers closer to her body, she groaned and squeezed her eyes shut, trying to get back to sleep.

"Moore, you awake?" he mumbled and she responded by nodding and squirming closer towards him for the warmth. It was so cold and the rain was pattering the windows. "Why are your feet so cold?"

"Because I generated warmth for my body and not my appendages," she murmured into his back and he twisted at the waist to look at her. Emily buried herself underneath the covers when he moved away, trying to soak up whatever warmth he would leave behind as he got up from the bed.

"Ugh, you know you kept yanking the blankets away, too?" he complained and she sat up, getting off the bed with the blankets still around her shoulders and body. It dragged behind her like a cape as he went for the phone.

"I'm a competitive sleeper," she said and he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Picking up the phone, he began ordering breakfast as she brushed her teeth, the blanket still all wrapped up and then waddled out and collapsing on one of the lounge.

"French toast okay with you?"

"Fine," she called back and he nodded before continuing to talk. When he finished speaking, he went to brush his teeth and she turned on the TV, surfing the channels. There was nothing interesting so she settled on a news network as Mark settled down beside her. "Why're you sad?" she asked again and he sighed, looking at her.

"Stop asking," he said shortly and she sighed, turning in her blanket burrito to look at him. "Share the blanket." Sighing again, she untangled the blanket and curled up against him, sharing it with him.

"Bossy," she mumbled under her breath as he cleared his throat. He sounded stuffy and she looked at him. "You're sick. The rain must be really hard on your body," she murmured, taking in his red-rimmed eyes. He had an arm along the back of the couch and over time it slid down to her shoulders.

"Just, don't ask, okay?" he finally said and she looked up at him.

"Okay."

.

Walking into the elevator with Mark, she sighed and wiped away the few raindrops that had managed to catch onto his sickly face.

"You look even worse than this morning," she murmured and he pulled her hand away.

"Moore, stop worrying."

"I can't. You're sick."

"Confunded by the rain," he managed to say, resisting a shiver. "Who's on my service today?"

"Alex. Be nice," she said as the elevator doors opened. Walking out, their shoes squeaked slightly and she took his hand instead, her other hand holding the umbrella they had used to get over here in relative dryness. As they approached the lobby, Alex intercepted them.

"Bone dry cappuccino." He presented a cup to the attending as she released his hand without gaining attention.

"At least something's dry around here. Does it ever stop raining in this hellhole?" Raising the cup to his lips, he scoffed when Alex said no. "Great. Good to know," Sipping, he swallowed painfully, lowering the cup before turning to the intern who had started walking away. "What the hell is this, Karev? Vanilla?"

"Mark - Alex, go, he's having a bad day." Putting herself between her friend and her attending, she placed her hand on his chest.

"Are you trying to poison me or are you just trying to make my day a little bit worse?" he growled, pushing against her hand. Alex walked back up to them as Addison let out a warning from where she stood behind the counter.

"Coffee cart must have screwed up." Alex lied, a smug look to his face. Shaking her head, Emily opened her bag to grab her wallet, trying to fish out a few quick dollars.

"You know, if you can't handle coffee, you can't handle plastics. Maybe you oughta head back to the gynie squad where life is all squishy and pink." He sent a venomous look to Addison before shoving the drink to Alex. Walking around her, Mark shoved his hands in his pockets as they shared looks. She tried to say something, her mouth moving but no words forming. When it was clear there was nothing to say, she walked after him.

"What is wrong with you? Why're you snapping at Addison like that?" she called after him and he turned to her, an annoyed and vengeful mask covering his face. "Sloan! Hey!"

"Why do you care?"

"I care because you're my friend," she retorted, crossing her arms. He ignored her and continued onward and she trudged after him, grabbing his arm. "Mark!"

"It's none of your business, okay?" he whipped around, a snarl twisting his lips. "Stop being so damn nosy! I asked you not to ask. Can't you just keep your word?" Recoiling, her hand sprung open and he ripped his arm away from her. "Leave me alone, Moore."

"Fine," she said coldly, pivoting around and walking away, her back stiff and jaw set. The hurt that pulsed in her lungs stole away any air as she ignored the feeling of her heart seizing so hard she thought it might burst.

DAY THREE

"Hey, Izzie. Thought you had a surgery-"

"It got cancelled. Insurance problem," the blonde replied before making her way down the hall.

"The check?"

"In the bank."

"Iz…" She paused, making the blonde turn around. A sad expression played with their faces before she glanced at her shoes. "Tell George I said hi?" A smile flitted across her face before she nodded. "Thanks. And I'm sorry about the surgery." She wasn't just sorry about that and Izzie knew but she chose to focus on that. Nodding again, the blonde went to the end of the hall, sitting beside a brunet. George looked up at her approach as Emily turned to walk the opposite way.

.

Standing beside the still man, she inspected him closely. He was still in his hospital clothes, staring hard at something behind the counter. His hands braced him up as he just kept staring. Not touching him, she gently closed the binder and stacked it on top of the other one he had. A nurse accepted them gratefully with a concerned glance at the attending and Emily turned back towards the man. His eyes reflected the torment inside him, the stormy look in his eyes causing her blood to chill. She wouldn't be the first one to speak. It was always him, he was the one suffering.

So she was silent until he looked up blearily. He blinked multiple times before coughing. It appeared he still had a cough from the rain before. Then he realized she was standing beside him and glared, "What are you doing here? Told you to leave me alone, didn't I?" When she tried to form a sentence, he returned to his stormy look and over-the-counter distant gazing.

"You did," she agreed, scanning the man. He looked miserable, his eyes betraying the pain and his posture revealing how little sleep he had gotten. "But I won't leave you alone like this. So you're going to have to deal with it. No matter how much you lash out at me, I will always come back to you. Somehow, it's always you." He was quiet, watching her.

"Moore-"

"I - I don't know what's happening to you this week but I want to help. I can't do that if you don't let me.". His lips twisted into a deep glower and he turned to her. The dangerous, poisonous look in his eyes made the need to run rise up but she squashed it down, standing her ground. Grabbing his wrists, she forced herself to stare into his eyes. "Friends do not leave their friends behind,"

.

Mark had to fight the anger that rose in him like a growing flame. It licked the insides of his body and set him on fire. How could she? Today, we'd be having a baby. Instead, I'm here in this hellhole. And his week was only getting better when he yelled at perhaps his only friend in Seattle. But here she was, coming back to him. No one had done that before. Derek's been there since the beginning but he had driven him away. No one had come back for him except for the girl with hazel eyes. The flames lowered to a few flickering embers. Her eyes were narrowed intuitively at him, brown hair pulled back from her face.

This morning they were eating french toast together. Now she was here, waiting on him to talk. She was an angel, he the taint that ruined her wings.

"You're not leaving anyone behind." He assured tightly, pushing off the counter and walking in the direction of the attendings lounge. "I'm fine, Moore. Seriously, get away from me."

He didn't turn back, afraid of the anger or even hurt that would be on her face. He didn't turn back, afraid of the flames grew again, higher until it scorched his throat at his lies, at his I'm fine. He didn't turn back, afraid that when he did, she would be gone. Or maybe, she'd be there. Mark didn't know which one he was more afraid of.

DAY FOUR

His throat was dry and his nose was constantly running. Karev tried to get in on a surgery but he had shunned him, even with the offered cappuccino. The drink didn't quite taste the same without the normally accompanied smile and cheerful laugh, but he had taken it anyway. Closing his eyes, he tried to imagine it in his mind, able to see the brunette perfectly as her lips curled into a grin. A loud bang and his eyes opened. The nurse had dropped a binder loudly against the counter. Scowling, he continued on with his day. His version was never going to be as good as the real thing.

DAY FIVE

"You would have made a terrible father, Mark. I did want a baby, I did. I just… I just didn't want one with you," Addison said, walking past Emily as she made her way out of the office. Her blood was cold.

He stirred his coffee as he stared at her apologetically. "Dr. Sloan."

"Moore, I - yes, hey." He sighed, reaching out for her. His eyes were rimmed with red and his voice was nasally. Her heart reached out for him but she chained it back when she reluctantly let him touch her. "I didn't want you to hear that."

"I didn't want to hear it either," she replied quietly, pulling away. Turning to exit, she paused, her fingers curling around the doorframe. Opening and closing her mouth, she wanted to say something but didn't, shrugging it off and walking away. The burning on her arm was spreading like a wildfire. Her stomach was in knots, sorely missing his smile and laughter. Now she knew why he was avoiding her like the plague and she didn't like how much it hurt he didn't trust her.

DAY SIX

She settled beside Callie as they waited patiently for someone to leave the room.

"How long has it been?"

"An hour." And so they waited, the quiet ticking of the clock the only thing keeping them company. A soft, muffled crying escaped the room and they ducked their heads. It wouldn't be long now. Emily glowered at the floor. Mr. O'Malley was a nice man. Bad things shouldn't happen to good people.

When the door swung open, all of them raised their heads and she saw George, his jaw set. He walked past them, silently and with no tears. None of them said anything, letting him pass without a word.

A/N: Edited - September 9, 2018