IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR
5x9

Rowan did not want to go into the hospital at three in the morning.

She was on about three hours of sleep and knew a particular brunette intern would be there, following her around, asking for her hand in marriage, if you will.

She really appreciated the offer, she really, really did, but there were quirks to marrying the younger Grey sibling.

Not only was she young— she was over ten years younger than Rowan. Then there was the factor that she was one of her best friends sister! Lexie also, was a very bad liar.

The blonde shook the idea out of her head, because if she thought about it any longer, she may just give in to the girl.

She looked around her somewhat plain room. She'd never really decorated the place, in fear her parents would come along and beg her to come back—they wouldn't leave if she didn't come with.

Surprisingly they'd given her space, but now that they found out about her ticket, they were most definitely sending her sister down.

And she was even worse than her parents.

Was it a bad idea to already start packing? I mean, she'd only known for a few days and she wasn't going to let anyone come to the rescue.

Rowan wouldn't budge, though. But one of her friends might. Mainly Derek.

She searches for her crossword book, but remembers she left it on the coffee table in the living room last night, or, I guess this morning.

She grabs her shoes and messenger bag, making her way out of her bedroom, shutting the door quietly behind her in case everyone else was sleeping— though the thought left her mind when she found Meredith and Alex in the living room. She put the messenger bag on the table on top of her crossword book.

Adding to her mental checklist, she needed to buy a new crossword book.

"Oh, what— what are you doing out here?" Rowan heard Meredith ask Alex as the obstetrician carried her shoes to the living room.

"You think you're the only one who paid off a nurse to page you with an appy?" Alex looked down as he put his watch on.

"That's not what I meant," Meredith shook her head, Rowan's eyes going round at the moaning coming from Izzie's bedroom.

"Oh," Rowan said under her breath, "Okay."

She sits on the couch, slipping her shoes on and picking her messenger bag back up.

Meredith points to the bedroom door. "That's what I meant. If you're both out here, then who's in there with Izzie?" Meredith's eyes widen too, "Derek?!"

"What?" Derek groans tiredly as he stumbles out of the room. "What? What's the matter?"

"Nothing," Meredith answered quickly, looking at the other two doctors standing in the living room with her, "Nothing. I just, um.."

"What are you guys doing dressed? It's three in the morning," Derek walked closer to Izzie's bedroom. "Who's making a porno movie in Izzie's room?"

"Maybe she's with O'Malley," Rowan joked as she picked her bag up—forgetting about her crossword book, that's how tired she was.

"Shut up, Rowan," Alex rolled his eyes. "She's flying solo. That's hot," Alex knocks on Izzie's door. "Iz, the parties over. We got an appy coming in."

"Death, let's go," Sadie called from another room.

"She's living here, too, Death?" Derek gave a side glance at Rowan, who just shrugs.

"Just for a couple of days, until she gets her own place, and then she's gone," Meredith assured.

"No more strays," Derek said.

"No more strays," Meredith agreed. "Unless it's— never.. mind."

Rowan waits until Alex leaves to talk to Derek, "You two are going to get my ass in trouble, you know that?"

"Hey, I didn't say anything this time," Derek put his hands up defensively. "You should be proud of me."

"Yes, I am so proud that you aren't telling others that would use this very helpful information to get me deported earlier than I already am," Rowan gave one of her best friends a sarcastic smile.

"What are you even going in for? It's a possible appendectomy," Derek pointed his hand to the door.

"You do remember, I help bring children into this world?" Rowan gestured to her pink scrubs. "I have a mother in labor."

"At three?" Derek frowned.

"Yeah, tell me about it. I'm not very excited," Rowan stood in place for a second, trying to remember what she was forgetting, her eyes landing on the worn out book on the table. She grabbed her crossword book and shoved it inside her messenger bag.

"Come back with a wife," Derek waves at her as she made her way to the door to go outside, so she could get in the car where Alex, Meredith and Sadie were waiting in the car.

"Go back to bed, Shepherd," Rowan opened the door, prepared for a very long night.

💍

To be honest, the OB didn't really want to be there right now. When she got to the hospital, the mother was only two centimeters dilated, and probably would be all night.

Why she wasn't sleeping peacefully on a on-call room bed right now? She also had two other mothers in labor—one in the same situation as the first mother, and the third was really close to popping, she was about eight centimeters dilated, but wasn't ready just yet (nor had the mothers dilation changed the entire time she'd been there).

She sat at the nurses station, her head resting on her chin, on the verge of sleep. Rowan fought back the sleep, updating the chart of the third mother, as she literally just sat down after leaving her room.

George puts his hand on Rowan's shoulder, startling her.

"Oh, must've shut my eyes for a second," Rowan let out a breathy chuckle.

"Uh huh," George nodded. "Um, something happened with the interns. And, uh, Lexie won't talk to me."

"What happened?" Rowan lifts her head to look at the resident.

"You'll have to talk to her. I— I don't know the full story."

"Then give me what you know, Dr. O'Malley."

💍

After searching for the intern for forever, she finally found her on her way out the door.

Rowan didn't know how long she stood there, fidgeting with her tan messenger bag trap, when Mark came to stand beside her.

"You know, Derek, Addie and I used to see how tired you were," Mark chuckled and looked down at the ground at the memories. "We used to force each other to take you home 'cause you were all alone and needed a family. That was a good thing. So, either you bring her home, or Derek will. And only god knows what he'll say on the way."

💍

"Hey," Meredith smiled at the blonde who was gathering sheets and blankets.

"Hey," Rowan smiled in return.

"Lexie's here," Meredith's lips part to say something else but Rowan beats her to it.

"Yeah," Rowan tilts her head.

"Are you getting sheets and blankets for her?" The dirty blonde resident was getting at something the blonde immediately shut down.

"No," Rowan shook her head. "I'm just— making up a bed for her."

"You brought home a stray," Meredith realized.

"Yeah," Rowan chuckled. "I brought home a stray."

Rowan watches Lexie drink her coffee, folding up Lexies blankets and sheets. The woman held a finger up, walking into the kitchen.

"Hey, Grey," Rowan gave a tight lipped smile.

"Hi Dr. Potter," Lexie straightens up.

"If you're going to be staying here, it's Rowan," The woman reminded her.

"Yeah, sorry Dr— Rowan," Lexie tried out the name and Rowan had to admit, she liked the way her name sounded coming out of the interns mouth.  "Only if you call me Lexie."

"No." Rowan eyes watched Lexie's as she frowns. "Oh, it's not you. It just doesn't feel right," Rowan shook her head.

"How about my full name? If you still want to be formal, Alexandra?"

"Alexandra," Rowan nodded. "This doesn't mean I'm agreeing to anything."

"You thought about it, though?"

"Yes, and like I've said before, I can't except your.. proposal."

"Please, think about it. You're loved at the hospital. And everyone would hate to have you gone," Lexie pointed out—which, she wasn't wrong about.

"I have been thinking about it, and like I said two seconds ago, no. I can't let you do that to yourself. I already feel bad enough I'm putting Meredith, Derek and Mark through this, let alone, you," Rowan looked at the girl with sympathy.

"I want to help—"

"What would happen if a much hotter, smarter, doctor came to the hospital and they were interested in you, Alexandra?" Rowan raised her eyebrows. "Nothing. Because you'd already be married."

"It wouldn't matter, because I'd already be married to a wonderful, hotter, smarter, doctor. In a field I could potentially be interested in."

"If we do this, and I mean if," Rowan mentally kicked herself for even considering this. "You need to understand I cannot favorite you at the hospital. If you are to be on my service and someone asks— god forbid, please do not giggle while you lie."

"I don't do that," Lexie giggled.

"You just did. Nevermind, I can't believe I considered this. No. It won't happen," Rowan stood. "Get some sleep. You look like hell."

The blonde pats Lexie's shoulder, leaving the kitchen to make her way to her bedroom.

guess who's backkkk