chapter four

no man's land.season one, episode four.

George complained as him, Izzie, Meredith and Cassie got out of the car. The latter rolled her eyes at his dramatics, finding amusement in vehement need to be seen as a .

"Oh, that reminds me," Izzie reminded him, throwing her hair into a loose bun. "We're out of tampons."

"Already?" Cassie wondered. "I feel like I just bought them."

Meredith shrugged, "That's what happens when three girls live together, I guess. We're synced."

George groaned into his hands, glaring at Izzie and Cassie. "You two are parading around in your underwear when I'm naked in the shower!"

"Can you add it to your list please?"

"What?" he asked exasperated.

"Tampons."

"To the list. It's your turn," Meredith added.

"I am a man!" George shouted, drawing the attention of many passerby's. "I don't buy girl products. I don't want you walking in while I'm in the shower, and I don't want to see you in your underwear!"

"What's the big deal?" Cassie asked. "It's not like I walk around naked. Besides, I'm super hot. If anything, you should be paying me for the free show."

"It doesn't bother me, okay?" Izzie said. "Look at me in my underwear, George. Take your time. It's no big deal."

George mumbled unintelligibly under his breath, glancing at Meredith out of the corner of his eye. Heaving a heavy sigh, Cassie turned to him.

"Look, if it really makes you uncomfortable, then I'll stop, okay?"

He sent her a tired smile. "Thanks, Cass."

☆

"I'd better get good patients today," Meredith said as the interns were dispersing out of the locker room for morning rounds. "Yesterday I had two guys with colostomies who needed dressing changes every fifteen minutes."

"I had some asshole who wouldn't stop calling me " Cassie shivered.

"I'm gonna be in surgery," Cristina stated matter-of-factly. "Today's my day."

"On what?"

"Like I'd tell either of you." Cristina scoffed.

"What do you know?" Meredith asked skeptically.

"I know that I was here at four, and you two didn't get here till four thirty," Cristina replied smugly.

"Tell me!"

"No," she shook her head. "I'm not the intern who's screwing an attending."

Cassie frowned. "What about me?"

"Everyone likes you," she deadpanned, walking out the door. "You get in on surgeries without even trying. This one is ."

Meredith rushed after her, Cassie following amusedly behind. "Wait, Cristina, I'm not screwing—"

"Derek," Cassie greeted with a nod, smiling at the man as he collided paths with the interns.

"Cassie," he acknowledged her briefly, before setting his sights on Meredith and handing her a bagel and coffee. "I have a cordotomy at five. I'll be out at six. I thought I might buy your breakfast before your rounds."

"Hey!" Cassie gasped, offended. "You brought your one night stand a bagel, but not me?"

"You can have it," Meredith handed her the food. "I've already eaten."

"What did you have?" Derek inquired.

"None of your business."

"You a cereal person? Straight out of the box? Or all fruit and fiber-y? Pancakes? Do you like pancakes?" He looked at the brunette. "What did she have?"

"Leftover grilled cheese, probably moldy."

"I hate you," Meredith mumbled to Cassie, glaring at her out of the corner of her eye.

"That's sad. It's pathetic. A good day starts with a good breakfast."

"Look, I'm not being seen with you in this hospital. Learn it, live it. It's unprofessional," Meredith rolled her eyes.

"I'm just an attending getting to know one of his interns."

"He slept with the intern."

"Barely knew her."

"And it should stay that way," Meredith said with finality.

"You want me to be professional? I'll be professional."

"That's what I want."

"Then that's what you get."

She glanced at the clock. "You're gonna be late for your cordotomy."

"Nice talking to you, Dr. Grey," Derek said loudly in an overly formal voice, making Cassie snort as Meredith strutted away.

"I can't wait to be the aunt to your future kids," Cassie sighed sarcastically, earning an elbow to the ribs.

"Shut up, Cass."

☆

"All I'm saying is that there need to be some rules," George said in reference to him and the girl's earlier argument.