14

hey, wake up."

Eleanora groaned from where she was laying face down on her pillow. She was curled in her blankets and could feel Alex's legs tangled in hers. She was comfy, relaxed. "Go away."

Alex snorted, pressing a kiss to her shoulder blade. "No, I can't. If you don't get up we'll be late, and you want to watch over Meredith, right? Be all momma bear on her ass?"

, she thought. She turned over on her back, pouting up at her boyfriends amused face. Meredith's first full day after the bomb, and Eleanora was probably more nervous than Meredith herself.

"I hate you sometimes." Alex smirked, leaning down to press a long kiss to her lips. Eleanora let one of her hands drift to his cheek, kissing him back enthusiastically. He pulled away after a moment, trailing kisses down her neck.

"No, you don't. You enjoy my company." Alex stated matter-of-factly. He pressed one last kiss to her bare shoulder before throwing the covers off of him. He leaned down and grabbed his jeans, tugging them on as he walked around the bed.

"I have to leave without you. Told Bailey I'd pre-round on some of her discharging patients before everyone else got there." He grabbed his hoodie and shrugged it on, winking at her. "Don't stay in bed too long, sweetheart."

Eleanora smiled, giving him a soft 'Goodbye' as she sat up. Stretching her arms, she quickly got up and shuffled to grab clothes. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand, running through how long it would take her to grab coffee before she went to the hospital. Her and Izzie had talked about that new place down the block from the hospital a few days before, and Eleanora had really wanted to try it.

Coming to the conclusion she could make it if she got ready fast, she smiled to herself. Pulling her hair up in a ponytail, she hopped towards the door as she pulled on her pants.

____

to Kelly's Spot, how may I help you today?"

The barista behind the counter was a younger woman with red hair and a grin on her lips. Eleanora flashed her a smile, stepping forward. She let her eyes dance across the menu above them, biting her lip as she thought.

"Um, I'll just take a large espresso with vanilla, please." The woman, Hannah if her name tag was correct, just rose a brow, punching in the order.

"You work at the hospital down the street?" She questioned. Eleanora nodded, rummaging through her purse for money. She knew her wallet was in there somewhere, but the contents of her purse were a mess due to last nights late ER shift.

"Yeah! I'm an intern, actually. Why do you ask?"

Hannah just let out a small laugh. "The only people who order large expressos around here work at the hospital. Concerns me a little, how much caffeine you people consume. Total's 5.78."

Before Eleanora could pull her wallet out, she sensed a body pressed close to her back. She froze, looking up as a muscular arm in a leather jacket reached around her with a twenty.

"It's on me. Just add a Bone Dry Cappuccino to it, large."

The strangers voice was low and confident. Eleanora looked up through her lashes at the stranger, letting her bag fall to her side.

He was handsome. No, scratch that, he was downright . He had dirty blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. Along with his sharp jawline came a clean cut beard, not to mention the height and the absolute muscle on the man.

Eleanora let out a nervous laugh, shifting from one leg to another. "T-thank you?"

The man locked eyes with her, flashing her a smirk thst would make any woman go weak in the knees. It surely made Eleanora a bit flustered, but all the young woman had to do was picture Alex and she was able to distract herself.

"Don't mention it, doll face." He leaned against the counter, looking her over. He licked his lips, and his eyes looked hungry. Eleanora quickly adverted her gaze, staring at Hannah, hoping and praying she'd hurry up with her drink before the man hit on her even more.

"Mark Sloan." He spoke. Eleanora didn't look over, just bouncing up and down on her heels.

"Eleanora." She replied. "Nice to meet you, Mark."

Mark looked at the small girl with his head tilted and eyes slightly narrowed. "I'm sure it is, Nora."

Hannah handed the girl her coffee, giving her suggestive eyebrows. Eleanora just curtly shook her head, turning to face Mark again.

"Eleanora, actually." She replied. She gave him a bright smile, taking a sip of her coffee. "Thank you again for the coffee. That was really kind of you. But, I have to go or I'm going to be late for work."

With that, the girl turned and rushed out of the coffee shop, finally letting a blush form on her cheeks.

Mark watched after her with curious and slightly surprised eyes. He didn't turn to look at Hannah, but is was obvious he was speaking to her. "Huh. That's not normal."

"What?" Hannah chuckled, starting to finish his drink. "Girls not giving you a second look?"

Mark nodded, finally looking at her. "Yes, that's what I meant." He looked her over, perking up slightly. Hannah snorted, rolling her eyes.

"Don't even think about it, dude. I have a girlfriend."

____

Burton, 15." Eleanora presented, holding the chart for her and Shepherd's patient to her chest. She was familiar with the patient AND his case. She was the one who admitted him and helped Shepherd with his labs and scans, and throughout the night had come to enjoy his jokes and happy nature.