Eric stood at the nurses' station after finishing rounds. He checked the chart as Lexie walked beside him.
"Happy thanksgiving!" Lexie greeted him. Eric furrowed his eyebrows as her voice ranged near his ear.
"God - you're too much," Eric hissed under his breath, massaging his temples.
Lexie stared at him, lips stretched into a smile as it gaped, "I'm just gonna assume that's... sarcasm..." She paused, looking around the neuro wing, "... Have you seen Derek?"
"No." Eric looked at her as he scratched his right eyebrow, "No, I don't." He repeated, shaking his head, no.
"Okay." She said, sighing, as she walked away. Lexie looked around the wing, searching for Derek Shepherd.
Eric watched as the resident moved around the floor, bouncing from foot to foot and humming as she looked around. He looked at Lexie with a pinched expression on his face. Even if he had been working with her for a month, thankfully without the usual bullying or confrontation, he still couldn't help but get annoyed at how cheerful, outspoken and overly nice Lexie was. It's like looking at a Disney character out of the rolled film. - absolutely comical. As Lexie turned back towards Eric, his pager beeped. He was being paged at the pit for a consultation. Eric put the patient's chart back at the rack and walked towards the elevator.
As Eric stepped inside the elevator, Lexie was behind him, moving inside the elevator as well. Lexie beamed as she reached her way in. She pushed for the ground floor and stood facing the doors.
Eric knew it would only take a beat for this resident to speak again, and as expected she did, "So..." Eric remained looking in front as she lingered with a cautious look, "... do you have plans today? I mean, for thanksgiving?"
Eric didn't know when Lexie felt like she could talk to him this freely. But if he were to guess, it started right after Halloween. And every time they worked together, Lexie seemed to talk to him like they had been speaking to each other ever since, and him bullying her didn't happen. He couldn't talk her out of it now, even if Eric tried. She's now unfazed with his sarcastic remarks and coldness that he practically gave up. Eric wondered if she was just ignoring his remarks, though. Arizona and Mark might have something to do with this.
"I don't," He answered quickly, not wanting to ignite another sentence or ten from her.
"Oh," She stopped with that response, looking straight at the floor screen above. Eric glowered at her in shock as she abruptly became surprisingly inarticulate.
"Oh?" Eric repeated. Lexie glanced at him and then looked away. Eric realized that Lexie was keeping something from him. Asking him that simple question is evidence enough that there is. For Lexie wasn't good at keeping secrets, Her face showed something's up, every time.
Lexie knew that Eric had picked up something from her question and that quick reaction she had after she blurted it out. Even her would suspect herself. She tried to look away as Eric stared at her. She shouldn't have said anything. Lexie's staring to fidget as nervousness prevailed.
As he was about to ask what it is, the elevator doors opened. Lexie sighed with relief and went out as soon as it opened, never giving Eric the chance to talk.
- - - - -
"Eric!" Arizona called him at the lobby, seeing him walked by. Eric stopped, watching Lexie walked away.
Lexie looked back at Eric before turning left at the corridor. She saw Arizona walking towards Eric.
"Hey," Arizona proceeded as she settled in front of Eric. Eric still stared at the hall where Lexie passed, "Do you have plans later?"
"- today's topic," Eric expressed as he faced the confused surgeon, "No, why?" Eric realized what her question was about. His eyes broadened as his mouth gaped. He let out a smirk but then formed a straight face, "No," He walked away.
"Wha - Eric?!"
"I don't do thanksgiving day, Arizona," Eric stated as Arizona followed him, "It's confrontational, as it is, stressful."
"Stressful and confro-" She halted, contemplating. She continued following Eric, "... quit being so freaking cynical!"
"I don't really get the whole "sharing everyone what you're thankful for" crap - Can I not be thankful right there at the exact moment it happened?"
"God... You - " She scoffed. She stopped Eric before he could walk away, "Come on, dude! It's our first thanksgiving with you. I promise it won't be stressful, or confrontational. We're just gonna eat dinner and enjoy each other's company."
Eric cringed at the statement, 'enjoy each other's company'. Arizona noticed it.
"Yeah, I know you can't enjoy being with humans - God... Don't be such a hardass."
Eric glared at her for a while before answering, "...a smidge of drama then I'm out."
"Sure. Whatever you say..." She squealed with delight, "...this is gonna be fun!"
"Yey!" he remarked with sarcasm, raising his hands, cheering, as his lips drawn into a line.
Emergency Room
Eric walked towards Callie as the nurses pointed him towards the ortho surgeon.
"You paged?"
"Yes," Callie gave the chart to Eric as she continued, "Guy fell down the stairs - might be burst fracture. Need to clear it before I treat his foot. Alex already left to get the x-ray results."
"Okay," Eric replied, scanning the chart.
Alex walked towards the nurses station before going towards Callie and Eric. Through the emergency bay, a blonde girl walked in. She stood behind Alex and asked, "Excuse me," Alex turned around as the girl continued, "I'm looking for Dr. Mark Sloan?"
Eric looked behind him as he heard Mark's name. He saw the blonde girl beside Alex. Eric gestured at Callie, pointing at the girl with his head, "Someone's looking for Mark?" Eric said as he stared at the girl.
Callie was too occupied at checking their patient, "What?" Eric looked at her, realizing she was too focused at the patient. He continued scanning the chart, gesturing at Alex to finish his conversation with the girl, as he stood there, holding the scans Eric needed.
"Dr. Karev?"
Alex nodded at Eric, turning back at the girl. Alex pointed towards the screaming patient while Mark treated his burn, "Um. You see the dude who was burned trying to deep fry a turkey?" the blonde looked where he was pointing at, "Sloan's the guy making him scream like a girl."
Callie and Eric heard what Alex said. The two chuckled.
"So mature," Eric uttered, implying Alex's statement.
"You're one to talk," Callie countered. Eric glared at her as she smiled, looking at the patient.
The blonde then walked towards Mark. She stopped as she called him.
"Dr. Sloan?"
"Yeah," Mark looked at her and stopped. His eyes widened, noticing the resemblance. His heart began beating faster. He felt cold. Mark hoped her next words wasn't what he's imagining right now, or his life will end right there.
"Hi." The girl greeted nervously. She fidgeted as she added, "Um... so this is a little weird, but, um... My name is Sloan Riley..."
Alex walked towards Callie and Eric, giving Eric the scans. Eric lifted the scans against the light to look at it. But as the conversation between the girl and Mark was unfolding into a more controversial tone, They couldn't help but eavesdrop as the girl continued to speak and Mark's face turned serious. His eyes widened as the girl continued. It seemed he stopped breathing as his shoulders tensed and his hands stopped moving, inches away from his patient's burned arm.
"... And, uh... my mom's Samantha Riley," Eric looked at Mark and the girl, noticing Callie and Alex watching them as well, "... And, um... I'm pretty sure you're my dad," Sloan quickly let out the last phrase, making Mark leaned away in shock. He stared at her, eyes widened like it couldn't get any wider than before. His heart stopped and breath hitched.
Callie, Eric and Alex stared at them. The three gaped in shock as they heard Sloan. Suddenly, Lexie arrived, walking towards Mark and Sloan, practically heard her statement. She stood there dumbfounded, glancing at both Mark and Sloan. Mark looked at Lexie and towards the girl claiming she's his daughter, thinking about the mess that he was in.
Eric, suddenly let out a loud laugh, and stifling it as Callie and Alex stared at him. Alex's smile widened and began chuckling as he realized how fucked up Mark was. Alex's laugh triggered Eric to laugh again. Callie glared at them both.
"What's funny?" Callie said, trying to defend his best friend who's being roasted at the same minute.
Mark led Sloan away towards an empty room, continuing the discussion away from prying eyes. Lexie went with him but didn't go inside. Hoping to drown her thoughts away from the fact that her boyfriend has a kid. She looked for Arizona and Derek.
Eric acted like he's contemplating about Mark's situation, "No. No. I - don't," Eric uttered, "He had it coming."
"Shut up," Callie countered Eric, "You? Just think about what will happen if Olivia went back with your kid?" Alex's smile turned into a scowl.
"Dude... that's... you're messed up," Alex stammered.
"Yeah, yeah. Nothing's funny is what I'm saying," Callie stated as she walked away.
Noon
Operating Wing
He couldn't wait to share what happened at the pit to Arizona. He went straight away at the OR floor after his consultation at the pit, leaving Callie to help Mark with the mess he's in. Eric rushed towards Arizona before she could go inside the operating room.
"So..."
Arizona got startled as he suddenly spoke.
"Wh-what are you doing here? Don't tell me you change your mind?" Arizona glared at him, "Keaton, I swear.. I'm gonna..."
"I'm... no - I - " His eyebrows met. He shook his head, "... actually, I -uh - got your keys," Jangling the keys in front of her, "Callie gave it to me..." He paused, narrowing his eyes as he looked away, rubbing his left chest.
"Why? Where's Callie?"
"... more like jabbed the keys on me," He whispered. Eric flinched as he continued rubbing the part that was jabbed earlier. He then looked back at Arizona as he continued, "She's busy. She said I should wait at your apartment."
Arizona arched a brow, "and Mark?"
"The real reason I'm here," He paused as a grin spread on his face, "Have you heard?" Eric stifled a laugh.
"What?" Arizona stopped. Eric grinned as Arizona eyed him, brows furrowed together.
"Mark's -"
Derek stepped beside them, interrupting Eric, "Mark got a kid. He's having an existential crisis as we speak," Eric darted at him as Derek stole his line.
"Wha - I was just about - "
Having the same grin as Eric, Derek repeated, "He has a kid. Ha!"
"Yeah. yeah," Eric sighed, glaring at Derek as he walked inside the OR room, "I was about to tell her that, mate!" He shouted as Derek stepped inside the scrub area, waving his hand at him.
"Wha- what?! How?" Arizona asked, pulling Eric to face her.
Eric grinned again. He was about to tell the story but stopped, noticing Lexie walking towards them.
"Mark has a kid - a teenage kid!" Lexie snarled as she stepped inside, exhaling. Arizona watched her as she went inside. She then looked back at Eric, now looking uninterested as he looked at Arizona.
"You know what, I think they'll tell you about it inside," He paused, "See you at your apartment," Eric said, leaving Arizona.
Callie's Apartment
Eric went by the store as Callie requested and brought the groceries to Callie's apartment. He opened a beer as he waited for them to arrive, browsing at the magazines at the end table. Not that long when Callie arrived, exhausted as she breathed deeply, going in.
"Where's Mark?" Eric asked, noticing she was alone.
"Oh," She sighed, "He's waiting for the results with Sloan. That kid is difficult, I tell you," Callie said as she removed her coat, "Did you buy those things I ask?"
"Yes. Yes. They're at the counter," Eric said as he continued to read the journal he's holding. Callie stepped towards the kitchen as he continued, "Will Yang and Hunt join us?"
"No. They're not. Owen took more hours at the pit, and Cristina - she's not into thanksgiving..." She paused as Eric glared at her, pointing at himself as he realized he could also say no at this dinner like Cristina, "- Stop it! You can't say no, now. You're here," Callie's voice amplified on each word.
Eric watched Callie as she pulled out the vegetables from the bag. He put down the journal and stood up, "Well..." He stretched as he walked towards the bar, "Where do you want me? I can cook the potatoes..."
"Oh... no. no. no. I don't want you to burn down the house."
"How many times do I have to tell you - We're drunk!"
"You're not that drunk."
"It was not even my idea - Come on! Let me help..."
"No. Just stay there and do nothing," Callie said.
- - - - -
Callie had boiled the potatoes and checked the turkey at the oven when Arizona and Lexie arrived. They removed their jackets and walked inside. Both stepped inside the kitchen, helping Callie.
"Hey. Have you started cooking?" Lexie asked, looking at Eric sitting at the table. She then looked around for Mark, "Where's Mark?"
"Waiting for the paternity test," Eric answered as he turned the page of the magazine. He then crossed his legs, shifting into a more comfortable position.
"So, Mark has a kid," Arizona said.
Eric made a mind blown gesture and puffed out air for the dramatics, "It didn't come as a shock, really. The way Mark got around before he's..." He paused staring at Lexie who was looking at him with narrowed eyes and flared nose, "...just saying, it's possible there are a few more..." Arizona punched him on his arm, "Ow!" He stifled a laugh.
"You and Derek - you two are mean," Arizona said as she chuckled.
"Don't you have something better to do - like, uh, help?" Lexie retaliated with a response, gaining 'ooohs' from both Callie and Arizona. Lexie's glare didn't take long as it developed into a smile.
"Yeah - real mature," Eric glared at the two as he answered Lexie, "Callie doesn't want me to help."
"There's a reason for that," Callie uttered, looking at Eric.
"Damn it," Eric blurted out, standing up, "You just have to share it to everyone now, do you?"
"Why not? It's freaking funny?"
"What? What is it?" Lexie said, now curious on what it is, leaning closer towards Callie and Arizona as she sat at the bar.
"Torres!" Eric growled.
"You see that idiot right there almost burned his apartment - cooking salmon!" Arizona laughed as she blurted out the story.
"Woah, wait right there," Eric said, stepping closer as the three women snickered, looking at him, "...you might be too drunk to remember but you're the one who had the idea of flambe-ing the salmon - pouring the fucking vodka in it - I almost got burned, mate!"
"Shut up - we're not talking to you," Callie said as she turned Lexie towards her and Arizona, away from the fuming Eric. The three mumbled away where Eric couldn't hear them.
"Yeah, okay. Right, okay," Eric growled as he sat back at the couch.
- - - - -
The three continued to prepare the food. Eric fidgeted as he finished the magazine.
"Can I please help with something? I'm fucking bored," He said, standing up in frustration.
Lexie glanced at him and answered, "You can help cut the vegetables."
"What?" Callie chuckled, "You really want him to mess up with the vegetables, too?"
"Oh, shush! You know that I can cook." Eric uttered as he walked beside Lexie.
"That's it - I... I don't. Ha-ha," Callie stated, looking blankly in front of her.
"It's just a simple task," Lexie joked. Eric stood beside her as he turned, looking at her with an arched brow.
"You're joking now?"
Lexie continued looking at him, "I can show him how."
"Really? You can show me how?" Lexie chuckled as Eric stepped beside her.
He was pissed off as the three continued to gang up on him.
"Alright, here," Lexie, feeling guilty as she looked at him - His eyes were narrowed, brows furrowed together. She didn't want the guest to feel anymore pissed - recognizing him as a guest as he was. Lexie gave him a knife and proceeded chopping vegetables.
As he watched Lexie cut up some carrots and celery with a sharp knife, Eric remembered when he was bullying her. He chuckled as he tried to make a joke about the situation, but feeling a little nervous as he went on, "So... I uh... Alexandra... I - just tell me... you're asking me to help you, right? - and not - you know - make me come up here for you to stab me with that knife? sharp. knife," He gulped. Callie and Arizona chuckled hearing him.
"What?" Lexie chuckled, stopped and looked at him. She then looked back at the chopping board and continued, "Maybe?"
Eric let out a gasp, "fu-" He chuckled, "wh-"
"Be careful now, Eric," Arizona teased.
Eric let out a nervous laugh, looking at the three, "... funny," Lexie glanced at him and smiled, "funny, Grey. You're funny now."
A few minutes later, Mark knocked on the door and went in. Eric was too focused on cutting the carrots nicely that he didn't notice Mark walking in. He only noticed it when the three suddenly greeted Mark in chorus.
"Hey!" Arizona, Callie and Lexie, in chorus, greeted him joyfully. Eric was still not used by their cheery tone, greeting in chorus.
"So, this is what your everyday life sounds like?" Eric blurted out, "Ow!" Callie stomped his feet. Eric looked at Mark, "Hey," Eric intentionally greeted sarcastically, on a tone lower than the gleeful three, earning a stare from Arizona. He looked at Arizona and mouthed, "what?"
Sloan Riley stepped inside the apartment right after Mark, closing the door.
"Hey," Sloan greeted.
"Hi," Callie greet a little less enthusiastic.
"Hello," Arizona said in a tone lower than her first.
Eric looked at the girl as a smile formed again on his lips. He leaned beside Callie, looking at how her face went from joyous to tense as he blurted, "Ooh, what happened there?"
Lexie tried to let out a smile, looking at Mark and the girl.
"Hello. Happy Thanksgiving..." Callie paused, feeling the atmosphere suddenly becoming hostile. She knew what to offer to make it bearable, "... who wants wine?"
Callie stared at Arizona who was feeling awkward by the second. She turned the other side, looking at Eric with widened amused eyes, watching everyone's reaction. She looked back at Arizona, reaching for the bottle of wine.
"Ooh, I do," Sloan said. Eric raised his glass towards the kid.
"No, you — you don't," Mark stopped Sloan. He smiled on everybody, "Uh, hey, everybody..."
"Oh, fun!" Eric whispered. Lexie looked at him, glanced at Mark, faking a smile and went back cutting celery.
Callie and Arizona were now chugging wine.
"Uh, well, the results are in," Mark said, looking directly at Lexie. Lexie looked at Mark, still cutting the celery, "It, uh, turns out Sloan was right," Lexie glanced at Sloan, "... about her parentage. I am her dad..." Callie nodded as Mark continued.
Eric had remembered what he said about leaving when drama ensued, but he didn't realize how amusing this one could be. He stayed, watching the drama unfold in front of him, with his friends unfolding as well. Arizona should know by now what he meant about thanksgiving being stressful and confrontational. Whatever the reason may be, why everybody always shared significant news that would change an event's dynamic, the only question that mattered was why they always ruined a holiday. Why couldn't they do it on a regular day - like Mondays?
He looked around him as Mark continued to speak, "...Um, so here's another thing to be thankful for..."
"Hear. hear," Eric uttered, raising his beer. Arizona chugged her wine, getting overwhelmed at the development of the situation. Eric and his maniacal mocking wasn't helping.
"Lexie..." Lexie looked at Mark, again, "... Sloan here is gonna move in with us for a little while."
Lexie let out another fake smile as she continued to chop. Eric chuckled under his breath, donning a wide grin as he gulped his beer. His brow furrowed when an unusual crunch echoed behind his ear. It differed from the crunch from the celery Lexie chopped that he glanced at Lexie.
Lexie cut the tip of her pinky finger in shock as Mark finished his statement. Sloan cringed in disgust as she saw Lexie's bleeding finger.
"Holy hell," Eric reacted. Eric turned towards Lexie as he realized she cut herself, immediately grabbing the nearest clean cloth he could find.
"Oh, my God," Callie said.
"Oh!" Arizona uttered, moving towards the fridge.
Mark rushed towards Lexie. He stopped as he saw Eric clasping her wounded hand.
"Got it," Eric said, looking straight at Lexie.
"Ouch," Lexie uttered, lethargically, staring at Mark and Sloan.
"Lexie, you okay?" Mark asked.
"I - I am," Lexie stammered, now staring at Eric. She was pale.
"Do you have a first aid kit?" Eric asked as he elevated her hand, moving out of the kitchen and towards the living room area. Sloan moved away in disgust, standing beside Arizona as she watched.
Arizona looked at the dry heaving teen as she said, "I think you should take her to the hospital, just in case."
"I'll come with," Mark said. Eric stopped him.
"No. You should - stay with your kid. I got this," Eric assured him.
Mark nodded, "I know you do."
Eric and Lexie walked out of the apartment as Lexie was still dazed.
"Are you okay?" Eric continued to ask.
Lexie shook her head as she answered, "I'm fine," She looked at Eric and repeated, "I'm fine."
Eric stared at her for a bit and looked away, "Okay. Your finger is not. I'm going to take care of it."
- - - - -
Eric opened his car for her and drove her to the emergency bay. He walked inside and straightaway ordered Ryan to get him some sterilized gloves and suture kit. He checked the wound closely, looking for any signs of tissue or bone injury before dressing her finger.
Meredith noticed them as she went inside the pit. She rushed towards Eric as she realized it was her sister who was being treated on the bed.
"What happened?!"
Eric glanced at Meredith as Lexie cringed, looking at her finger, "Hi - Meredith - it's - nothing."
Meredith and Eric stared at each other.
"She cut her finger..." Eric glanced at Lexie before adding, "... while she was cutting vegetables. Nothing serious, really. I just needed to dress the wound."
"Where's Mark?" Looking around, Meredith asked.
"Oh, he's with..."
"... back at the apartment," Eric interrupted Lexie.
"Oh, so you..." Meredith paused. Eric glanced at her and back at Lexie's finger, "... okay, thank you."
Christmas Day
Meredith and Derek's House
"You came?" Meredith said, as she greeted Eric.
"Of course I would. I'm Arizona's date," Eric implied. Meredith looked towards Arizona and glanced back at him, "...and not because - you asked me to." He grinned.
"Anyone who treated my sister's finger gets to be invited at Christmas dinner."
Eric scoffed at her statement, "Have you forgotten who I am?"
"All in the past. All in the past. Come on in! I want you to meet someone," Meredith said as she pulled him by his the towards the kitchen. As he followed Meredith, he recognized the old man eating appetizers at the kitchen. It's Thatcher Grey.
"Oh, I - " Eric stammered as Meredith continued to pull him. They stopped in front of Thatcher.
"Thatcher this is Eric Keaton. Eric, Thatcher Grey," Thatcher glanced at both Meredith and Eric, clueless why Meredith was introducing Eric to him. Thatcher wiped his hands on his trousers, removing off the crumbs on his hands before shaking the surgeon's hand.
"H-hi," Thatcher nervously said, "I'm Thatcher Grey."
"I just want you to meet Lexie's teacher...," Eric darted at Meredith. He suddenly felt nervous as Meredith paused. Eric wasn't planning on being beaten up by the father of the person he once bullied, not on Christmas Night. He sighed with relief as Meredith said nothing. Eric faced Thatcher and shook his hand.
"Pleasure to meet you, Sir. Happy Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," Thatcher smiled, "So - You're Lexie's teacher?" Thatcher asked.
"Yes, Sir. I am," Eric replied.
"Teacher, huh? You're from what department?"
"Neurosurgery."
"Oh, like Derek."
"Yes, Sir. He's my mentor."
"hmmm. Great great." Thatcher paused, feeling the awkwardness starting to creep in as Meredith watched them, "Great. I'm not gonna keep you any longer. Nice to meet you, again Dr. Keaton,"
"Likewise, Sir," Eric said. Thatcher then walked away.
Meredith tried to stifle her laugh as Eric turned towards her, "What? at least you finally met him."
"Finally met him?" Eric looked at her, confused at what she meant. She smiled.
"I saw you... that night, so... I just thought, It's time you meet her father."
"You knew."
"Yes. Eric, I knew," Meredith said, widening his eyes as she uttered, She smiled as she moved away, taunting Eric.
Eric looked at Lexie who was now talking to Thatcher.
"Meredith introduced me to your teacher," Thatcher said as he stepped beside his daughter.
"Who?" Lexie turned towards her father.
"That guy," Thatcher pointed his head towards Eric and Meredith.
"Oh,"
"He's nice," Thatcher commented.
Lexie looked at Eric - now watching Arizona and Richard singing. She contemplated about the past weeks and how she was beginning to know him and his lighter side, "Yes. Yes, He is."