Xander took a deep breath as he walked through the doors of Seattle Grace Hospital. After extensive research, he'd found out that if he wanted to get his eye fixed, this was the hospital to get it done at.
Paige had healed it enough so he didn't need the patch anymore, but it was sensitive to light and he still wasn't able to see properly from it. So he'd researched the operation carefully and found out the best place for him to get the procedure done.
And after flying out for several consultations in secret - there was no point telling the others if nothing was able to be done, it would just lead to more sympathy and he didn't want that - Xander finally was coming out for his cornea transplant.
"Alexander Harris, checking in," Xander said cheerfully to the receptionist, suddenly wishing he'd told someone so they could be here with him. Truthfully, he was scared to death. Maybe he should've called Willow. Maybe he'd call her once he was checked in and he'd spoken to his doctors. Yes.
Meredith and Derek
"You're staring at me," Meredith teased, as she and Derek stood in the lift.
"I'm not," Derek replied, smiling as he watched the petite woman.
"You are," Meredith protested. "That's what you do. You stare, and you stand there... you linger."
Derek smiled wider. "I do not."
"You do."
The lift opened and the pair stood there for a second, before Derek gestured for her to go first.
"What have you got on today?" Derek asked, as they walked down the hallway together.
"I'm in the clinic this morning," Meredith said.
Derek nodded. "I have a consult with the Chief, he's doing a cornea transplant, but his scan showed up something that he wants me to take a look at."
Meredith looked over at him as she left to go into the changerooms. "I'll see you for lunch?"
Derek leaned over to kiss her nose. "You will."
"Stop staring!" she called as she left.
Xander and Derek
"Mr Harris?"
Xander looked up as his doctor, Dr Webber, and another man entered his room.
"This is Dr Shepherd," Dr Webber said. "Dr Shepherd is the best Neurosurgeon, the best."
Derek smiled, embarrassed, but pleased by the compliment from his Chief. "Well, anyway..."
"The reason I've called Dr Shepherd in here was because we found something abnormal in your scan. I'll let Dr Shepherd tell you."
Xander looked slightly panicked and Derek did his best to put his fears to rest.
"What we found," he began, his voice soft and gentle, "was..."
Xander listened carefully, nodding and asking questions when he didn't quite understand what was being said.
"So," Derek finished. "While you're having your cornea transplant, I'll be in there, fixing it up."
"Is there... is there a risk?" Xander asked.
Derek paused. "As with any surgery, there is always a risk, however, we will be doing everything we possibly can to reduce that risk. We have the best staff on hand, the best, and this procedure has a 80% success rate."
Xander nodded slowly. "When... when do we get started?"
Dr Webber moved forward. "We've scheduled you in for Monday, 9am."