Chapter Text
The alarm blared and blared into Clarke’s right ear. Reluctantly, Clarke opened her eyes and groaned as the sunlight blinded her. She moved her arm to cover her eyes in an attempt to stop the hammer pounding her head harder and harder.
“Ugh, turn it off..” A voice groaned from somewhere near her.
Clarke shot up, startled at the sound. She tried to replay the events of the night before hoping it would provide her with an explanation for the voice coming from what seemed to be the ground besides her.
There was a bar. There was tequila shots. Raven daring her to take vodka shots. A girl. A beautiful girl. With green eyes and brown hair. There was gazing. There were hellos. There was talking. There was flirting. There was kissing. A taxi. Clothes removed. Oh god, the sex.
“Seriously, I’m sleeping here.” The voice groaned once more not bothering to move from her position on the floor.
Clarke looked down besides her position on the couch and saw a bare, toned back nicked with scars and a long tattoo that ran along the girl’s spine. There was a brown duvet barley covering enough of the girl’s bottom and legs.
The alarm clock continued to ring from her phone and she reached to shut it off, noticing she was just as naked as the girl sprawled on her living room floor.
“Thanks. Much appreciated.” The girl mumbled once the beeping stopped.
Clarke would have laughed at her current predicament any other day, but today was not any other day. Today was her first day as a surgical intern at Seattle Grace Hospital. And she was already running late.
“Shit. You need to go. I’m late.”
“Late? Are you a church goer? Who is late at 7am on a Sunday morning?” The girl finally rolled over, not seeming to care she was very much naked.
Clarke felt her cheeks blush at the sight of the girls perfect chest and let herself stare for just a moment before shaking her head.
“Nope. You won’t distract me. I have work. You need to go. My roommates, they’ll never let me live it down if they find you here. In our living room. Naked.”
“You didn’t seem to mind my nakedness last night. In fact you ripped my shirt off. Into shreds. Quite impressive. First time that’s ever happened to me.”
Clarke grabbed the duvet from where it was wrapped around the girl’s waist and covered her body with it. She grabbed a pillow from the couch and threw it at the girl.
“Send me the bill. But, seriously. You need to go.”
“Sure, by the way. I’m Lexa.”
The girl hopped from the ground, stretching her hand out for Clarke to shake, smirk firm on her face.
“Clarke. Thanks. For last night. It was fun.” Clarke shook her hand.
“Yeah, I live to please. We should do it again some time. You’re the most gorgeous women I’ve ever laid my eyes on.”
Clarke smiled shaking her head again, taking in the sight of the women before her. Pillow covering her bottom front, leaving her boobs and perfectly defined abs exposed.
“You’re charming, I’m going to take a shower and when I come back down here, you will be gone. Bye, Lexa.”
The girl just smirked and nodded as Clarke quickly made her way up the stairs before she’d be tempted to let anything more happen between them both.
“See you around, Clarke.” Lexa chuckled as she pulled her ripped shirt from in between couch cushions shaking her head.
———
"A month ago, you were in med school being taught by doctors. Today... you are the doctors. The years you spend here as a surgical resident will be the best and worst of your life. You will be pushed to the breaking point…”
Clarke stumbled into the OR room she was told the rest of the interns were in. She was thirty minutes late and eyes were on her as the Chief paused and shot a burning glare her way.
“Dr. Griffin, I’m glad you could join us..” The Chief stated before continuing with her speech.
Clarke felt the red rush to her cheeks as half of her fellow interns chuckled and the other half gave sympathetic looks. No one wanted to be on chief’s bad side.
"Look around you. Say hello to your competition. Eight of you will switch to an easier specialty. Five will crack under the pressure. Two of you will be asked to leave. This is your starting line. This is your arena. How well you play, that's up to you…Now once you get back to your locker rooms, your resident will be waiting for. You all should know who you are assigned to. And remember we save lives here, take your position seriously.” The Chief finished, gesturing for the interns to head back to the locker room.
“Dr. Griffin, a word please.” The Chief said as the interns filed out of the room.
Clarke sighed and waited till the room was empty.
“Mom, I can explain..”
“You were late. On your first day. Do you have any idea how that makes you look, Clarke? How it makes me look?” Abby asked, clearly disappointed at her daughter.
Clarke remained silent knowing very well her mother was right. As it was, people would already be giving her a tough time, given that her mother was the chief of surgery.
“I know. I’m truly sorry. It won’t happen again.” Clarke mumbled, playing with the stethoscope around her neck.
Abby sighed and gave her daughter a hard look.
“Your resident is Lincoln. Don’t think just because he’s like family, you can slack off. This job is important, Clarke. People’s lives our in our hands, your hands. Don’t take it lightly. Now, hurry to locker room. I’m sure he’s already waiting for you.” Abby spoke before leaving the OR, not giving a chance for Clarke to say anything back.
Clarke silently cursed herself. She didn’t take this lightly. In fact she knew very well the importance of this job and what it meant to be a doctor. Hell, her mother was chief of surgery. But she knew she messed up and she’d have to find a way to prove herself again and make sure her mom knew she deserved to be here.
———
“So, last night. I saw you went home with the blonde…”
“I thought you left before me…”
“Nope, me and Lincoln were shooting darts in the back. How was it?”
Lexa ignored Anya’s question and pretended to focus her attention on a patient’s chart right in front of her.
“That bad, huh?” Anya laughed looking at some blood work one of her interns had handed her.
Lexa shook her head no. The night was not bad at all. In fact it was probably one of the best nights Lexa had had in a very long time. She walked into the bar, thinking she’d just cut loose with her best friend and brother like they had been doing for the last two months, playing darts and drinking cheap beer. She had no idea she’d make eye contact with a gorgeous blonde woman and fall in love.
“Quite the opposite actually.” Lexa closed the chart and handed it to one of the nurses behind the nurse station with a smile.
“So, what’s the problem.” Anya looked up from the blood work, waiting for an explanation.
“Nothing. We had a good time last night. I left my number on her fridge and decided to bless this hospital with my presence.” Lexa joked as she grabbed a coffee from an intern walking by.
Anya stared at her funny, knowing there was more to it then her best friend was letting on.
“You liked her, huh? That’s why your acting all weird.”
“The Commander likes who?” Lincoln came up to them, several interns walking like ducks behind him.
Lexa shook her head and ignoring Anya’s teasing stare.
“Wait, last night…Anya said you left the bar with some blonde chick. Nice job, Lex. Anya, didn’t think anyone would go for you. Way to get back on the horse.”
“I was never off the horse, Lincoln. And of course she’d go for me. I’m hot and dreamy.”
“Never say that again. Ever.” Anya made a gagging noise.
“What that I’m dreamy? I’m pretty dreamy.” Lexa replied taking a sip from her coffee.
“I don’t know…interns…do you guys think Dr. Woods here is dreamy?” Lincoln asked the fresh out of med-school kids behind him.
They all looked at each other not sure if they were supposed to answer or not.
“Yeah, I’d say you’re hot and dreamy.” One of them replied.
Lexa looked at where the voice came from and found a very attractive brunette smirking at her like she was ready to climb her like a tree. Lexa blushed and quickly looked away.
“Nope, her opinion doesn’t count. She’s an intern. They’ll say anything right now.” Anya said before walking off to the OR for another surgery.
Lexa took another sip from her coffee trying to forget that this whole conversation was taking place.
“I’ve got rounds, but we still down for food later?” Lincoln asked curiously as his interns whispered behind him.
Lexa caught the eyes of the brunette again who was not ashamed or hiding what so ever at how hot and dreamy she thought Lexa was.
“Sure. I enjoy our brother and sister time.” Lexa spoke looking away from the intern quickly, not wanting to encourage whatever the intern was thinking.
Lincoln smiled before punching his little sister in the arm and walking away, interns following right behind.
“Goodbye, Dr. Woods.” The brunette said, trying to catch Lexa’s eyes again.
Lexa just nodded and quickly took off down the hall. The last thing she wanted was an intern thinking she was interested. Besides, she knew it was never a good idea to date someone you work with, especially an intern.
Lexa felt her cell buzz in her pocket, distracting her from her thoughts, and reached to pull it out. Instead, she found her self bumping into another body and dropped the cell, watching the screen shatter right before her very eyes.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” A somewhat familiar voice panicked, reaching the same time as Lexa for the phone, but instead colliding forehead into Lexa’s nose.
Lexa stumbled back in pain feeling warm liquid trickle down her upper lip and chin before tripping over an IV stand behind her. Falling to the ground, hitting her head on the floor.
“Owww.” Lexa groaned, covering her nose with her hand not even sure of what was hurting more. Her nose, her head, or her ego.
“OH MY GOD, ARE YOU OKAY?!?” The voice asked more frantic this time.
Lexa looked up above her, surprised, and unable to believe her luck.
“I know you were upset about being late this morning, Clarke, but honestly I don’t think I deserved this.” Lexa tried to joke as she attempted to get up from the ground.
Instead, she stumbled into the blonde whose face was one of mixed emotions as she caught Lexa before she could fall again.
“Not funny. I think I broke your nose. Also, maybe a concussion.” Clarke responded seriously, helping Lexa onto a hospital bed nearby.
Lexa would have laughed, but she was getting very dizzy and things were blurry. Clarke was probably right about the concussion.
“Hey, Dr. Woods, don’t close your eyes okay. You may have a concussion.” Clarke grabbed Lexa’s face observing her nose and applying a piece of gauze to stop the bleeding.
Lexa could tell now from the throbbing pain and nausea that she very well had a concussion. She was a trauma surgeon after all. But she figured she’d let Clarke have her fun for a moment. In fact, embarrassment aside, she was quite happy Clarke had stumbled into her. Lexa kind of had the feeling that Clarke wasn’t going to call and that she’d never get to see the beautiful blonde again.
“So, this morning it was Lexa, now it’s Dr. Woods. Are you always so formal with people you sleep with?” Lexa mumbled while Clarke shined a light into her pupils.
“Keep your voice down. People might hear you.” Clarke replied putting the light into her white doctor’s coat and applying her fingers onto Lexa’s nose.
“Are you worried people might….OW, MOTHER OF GOD!” Lexa shouted after Clarke put her nose back in place.
Lexa could have sworn she saw Clarke grin, but let it go as she reached for the nearest trash can to throw up in.
She definitely had a concussion. And if that didn’t make it worse. She had just puked in front of Clarke. Not something she wanted the woman she had a major crush on, and also slept with, to see.
“What the hell is happening here? Lex, you look like you got your ass kicked.” Lincoln came into the hospital room Clarke dragged her to, interns still in tow.
“I thought you were on rounds.” Lexa groaned holding on to the trash can not sure she was done with it yet.
Lincoln came up and grabbed her face, examining it just like Clarke had.
“Lost an intern. Found her here with you. Brief me Griffin.”
“Well, um, Lexa..I mean Dr. Woods, well I accidentally broke her nose and it seems I’ve also given her a concussion.” Clarke replied looking as embarrassed as Lexa felt.
Lincoln looked at both girls curiously, still holding Lexa’s face in his hand.
“You two know each other?” Lincoln asked.
“Yes.”
“No.”
Both girls said at the same time.
“Interesting. Well, Lexa, I’m afraid Dr. Griffin is right. You’ve got a broken nose and a killer concussion. Dr. Griffin, get Dr. Woods here checked in. I’d like to keep her here for a 24 hour observation. Also, since you’re the one that apparently assaulted her, you will be the one observing her. I’m certain you know what signs to look for. I want to be updated every two hours.”
“Linc, not necessary. I’m totally fine.” Lexa tried to get up, only to be pushed back onto the bed by both Clarke and Lincoln.
“No, you’re not.” Clarke simply responded, Lexa unable to get a read on whether or not Clarke was upset or okay with her new babysitting duty.
“Whose side are you on here?” Lexa asked Clarke who was now avoiding looking at her altogether.
“Lex. Don’t be difficult. You have a concussion. You know this is serious. Rest. Watch TV. Eat jello. Listen to my intern. I’ll be back around lunch. Behave.” Lincoln gave his sister a serious look before taking Clarke off to the side and speaking quietly with her.
Lexa watched, mostly just looking at Clarke, before someone got in her view.
“Would you rather I observe you Dr. Woods? I’m sure the other Dr. Woods wouldn’t mind..” The brunette from earlier spoke almost suggestively as she got close to Lexa.
Lexa instinctively backed away, not used to someone being so forward with her, especially in front of other people.
“Dr. Snow, Dr. Woods will be just fine with Dr. Griffin. We have rounds to finish up.” Lincoln interrupted before Lexa had to say anything.
The brunette slightly frowned before turning away to join the other interns. Lexa let out a sigh of relief, glad she wouldn’t have to be watched by that one. If she was going to be observed for 24 hours, she much rather it be by Clarke.
-
“So. You’re an intern?” Lexa asked as Clarke pulled up a chair besides Lexa’s bedside.
Clarke nodded and grabbed the remote attached to the hospital bed and turned on the tv hoping it would make for a nice distraction between the two.
“Are you upset? You seem upset. Which is odd given I’m the one with a broken nose and injured head.” Lexa tried again, Clarke feeling her gaze while she flipped through channels on the TV.
“I’m not upset, Dr. Woods. I’m sorry. For the nose and the head thing.” Clarke finally responded settling on some sitcom and placing the remote back on the hospital bed.
“Back to Dr. Woods. You know, I thought we had a good time last night.”
“We did. But you’re practically my boss. It’s not appropriate.”
“Well, neither is breaking my nose, but hey. These things happen.”
“That was an accident.”
“Have dinner with me. When I’m not dizzy and puking in trash cans.”
“Lexa.”
“I thought it was Dr. Woods.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
Clarke turned to look at Lexa who looked like a beautiful mess, a real mess, but a damn beautiful one at that. Blood from her nose had begin to dry on her face and she seemed a little paler than Clarke remembered. Her scrubs were also a bit disheveled and she looked like she was in a good amount of pain from the migraine she had to be feeling. Clarke immediately began to feel bad. Yeah, she kind of gave Lexa the boot this morning, but in her defense this job took place over a one-night stand, no matter how amazing the sex had been and how drop dead gorgeous the company was. However, Clarke had not in her wildest imagination expected to run into Lexa at the hospital, much less find out she was a doctor here as well.
They hadn’t really done much talking the night before. Clarke faintly remembers seeing Lexa across the bar and both their eyes meeting. She remembers thinking how mesmerizing the girl looked and giving her a playful smirk hoping Lexa would take the hint and come over. Eventually, she did and one thing led to another. Now that Clarke thought about, it was so cliche and such an unoriginal way to pick up someone, but damn there was just something about how drawn Clarke had felt towards Lexa and even though she knew she had work in the morning, Clarke couldn’t resist taking the girl home with her. And so she did, and surprisingly here they were.
“I’m really sorry about your nose and head. Shit, I also broke your phone.” Clarke apologized again remembering Lexa’s broken phone she put in her lab coat pocket and pulled it out.
The screen was shattered and no way salvageable. Clarke handed it to Lexa who just shrugged and put it on the table besides the bed. Clarke watched as Lexa put the garbage can she barfed into on the other side of the hospital bed carefully. It was obvious the girl needed to rest and so Clarke got up from the chair and helped Lexa lay back.
“I’m fine, Clarke.” Lexa repeated weakly, not looking fine at all.
Clarke observed her once more before taking her seat back on the chair. She couldn’t get over how terrible she was feeling about this whole accident and prayed word wouldn’t get back to her mom that she had broken a doctor’s nose and gave her a concussion.
“Eyes open, Lexa.” Clarke said gently, understanding how much Lexa must’ve wanted to sleep right now.
“Easy for you to say, Dr. Griffin. You’re not the one who was attacked.” Lexa mumbled, reluctantly opening her eyes.
Clarke laughed and found herself reaching out to grab Lexa’s hand.
“I’m truly sorry for giving you a broken nose, but honestly you’re the one who tripped over the IV stand…” Clarke joked, but keeping a serious face.
Lexa faked a hurt face, but didn’t seem to have a problem with Clarke’s hand still on hers.
“Also, I’m sorry for kicking you out this morning. Well, not really. I had work, but I think you know what I mean.” Clarke added staring at Lexa’s hand in hers before remembering that even though she was the one who initiated the hand holding, anyone could walk in and she was nowhere near ready to try and explain what was going on between her and Lexa.
So, she let go of Lexa’s hand and leaned back into her chair. Ignoring Lexa’s piercing gaze once again.
“We should forget it happened.” Clarke sighed after another moment of silence.
“What? You sleeping with me last night or you throwing me out this morning? Two memories I’m very fond of by the way.”
Clarke was almost certain, the brunette was smirking at her.
“Nope, no memories. You and me can’t be a…whatever this is..You get that right?”
“You took advantage of me, and now you want to forget about it.”
Clarke nearly jumped from her chair, even though she knew Lexa was probably joking. Yeah, she had flirted first and maybe she got handsy, but that was just the tequila. In no way did she take advantage of the other doctor.
“I did not!” Clarke exclaimed.
Lexa leaned back in the bed. Throwing one of her arms over her eyes.
“I was drunk, vulnerable, and good-looking, and you took advantage.” Lexa mumbled as if she was hurt. Clarke would have believed it if there wasn’t a smug smile on her face.
“Okay, I was the one who was drunk and you’re not that good looking.”
“I was last night. You said so yourself. Many, many, times, if you get my drift..”
“Dr. Woods…” Clarke shook her head again. So much head shaking and it wasn’t even noon yet.
“I had my black sweater on. My nice black sweater. You took advantage.” Lexa sighed dramatically.
“You can take advantage again, though. I’ll allow it. Friday morning? Are you free? Let me make you breakfast.”
“No. You’re an attending. I’m an intern. It’s inappropriate.”
“Look, Clarke…this isn’t Grey’s Anatomy. We are two very attractive adults. We can be mature. I can be mature. If we break up or whatever. If that’s what you worried about…”
“You think we’d break up?” Clarke asked curiously, forgetting how she wasn’t supposed to be encouraging this.
“No. I’ve ruined you for anyone else. Just like you’ve ruined me for anyone else. I say we’re married by this time next year.”
“Are you a neurosurgeon? Because that would explain the ego.”
“Shhh, my head hurts.”
“So, breakfast. Friday?”
“Inappropriate.” Clarke muttered getting up from the chair to check Lexa’s pupils again.
“Well. I guess I have 23 hours and 41 minutes to humor you.”
“Humor me?” Clarke asked holding Lexa’s chin in her hand, eyeing the doctor carefully.
“Yeah. Use some cheesy pick up lines. Serenade you, make eyes with you, make romantic declarations…” Lexa stared back too intensely for someone with a concussion and injured nose.
Clarke almost smiled, but opted for taking a seat back in her chair grabbing the remote and switching the channels again. Anything to distract her from the fact that she had spent the previous night making love to her attending, her boss, mentor, whatever you wanted to call her, and now that she really thought about it, she wasn’t entirely sure she truly regretted it.