Author's Note: Due to requests and my own desires to reread my favorite fanfictions, I have re-uploaded my story. I apologize for any inconvenience. I re-uploaded it solely for enjoyment purposes only. So, enjoy.

The Importance of Trust

Chapter One

As Cristina finished Derek's last stitch, the Swat team entered the O.R. briefly to give the all clear and to tell them they were free to go.

Cristina felt her shoulders relax as the SWAT team left, and Jackson began to close on Derek's chest. Once again, Cristina's eyes met Owen's – his beautiful blue eyes were still staring at her. She then turned to Meredith and knew that they were thinking the same thing: It's going to be okay. We will all be okay. It was all worth it, we did the right thing.

Jackson and Cristina finished Derek surgery without a hitch. When it was over, everyone in the O.R. slowly removed their masks, letting out a collective sigh of relief. There was silence in the O.R. and everyone eyed each other to make sure they were all okay.

"I'll take him to the ICU," April said, breaking the silence.

Meredith went to Cristina's side and put her arms on her shoulders as Jackson and April prepared Derek to be moved.

"Cristina…" Meredith's voice was torn as her eyes went back and forth between Derek and Cristina.

"Go," Cristina said firmly. She wrapped her arms around Meredith and felt Meredith's arms encircle her body. "Go. I will be right behind you." With that, Meredith followed April and took Derek's hand in hers as they wheeled him out of the O.R.

Cristina's eyes followed Meredith out of the O.R. until she disappeared from view. She turned to find Owen and Jackson unmoved from their places in the O.R.

"Cristina…" Owen started. He stood up and moved towards her.

She did not move towards him, but her gaze was locked with his. "Are you okay?" she asked him warmly, her voice almost breaking.

"Yeah." When they were in arms' length of each other, Owen's good hand found her face and touched her as though she were his angel – returned to him after years of separation. "Yeah, I'm good," he said as she put her hands around him. Owen's moved his free arm cushion Cristina neck, drawing her closer to him. "Are you okay?" he asked into her neck.

"I'm okay," she responded against his shoulder, wrapping her hands tighter around him. Owen kissed her forehead. After one more quiet moment together, she released him, slowly moving away from him eyeing the scrub room. She looked at Owen one more time, "I'm Okay."

His arm stayed around her as long as possible, but before he knew it, his arms were empty, and Cristina was walking to the scrub room. Jackson followed her.

Owen watched her scrub out through the O.R. window, not knowing exactly what to think. Her eyes were closed as she washed her hands going in circles once, twice, and then a third time. Owen watched as Cristina pulled her scrub cap off, releasing her wild, beautiful curls and letting them fall down her back. She then put her hands once more in the cold water and put them both on the back of her neck and then over her face. Cristina turned around so that her back was towards him, but Owen still watched - futilely trying to figure out what was going on in the adjoining room.

"Thank you," Cristina told Jackson as she waited for him to finish scrubbing out. She felt the pressure finally leave her body as her hair hung loose on her shoulders. Some of the ache in her feet eased as she leaned against the sink.

Jackson turned off the sink and mirrored Cristina's movements, leaning against the sink and taking off his scrub cap. "You were amazing in there," he responded.

"Thank you." Cristina couldn't move. She needed a moment before moving into the hall and dealing with reality. "I could not have done that without you," Cristina admitted. "You saved all of us."

Jackson's eyes met Cristina's. "And yet, you were the hero in there."

The two sat in silence for one more moment as Owen still watched Cristina, still not moving from the O.R. With one more grateful look at Jackson, Cristina was ready to step back into the O.R. room.

Cristina's eyes met Owen's eyes, which were full of longing. "I have to go be with Meredith," Cristina whispered.

"I know," Owen said sadly. He regretted that she was so far away from him, leaning against the exit door. They both stood there in silence, eyes searching for unspoken words. Owen approached Cristina and put his forehead to hers and closed his eyes.

"I have to go," Cristina whispered again. She had to force herself to move away from him. She opened the door to the hallway to follow Meredith and Derek.

Owen watched as the door quietly closed behind her. The same door that gave way to the moment that almost cost his life. And worse than that, the life of the only woman he loved – the only woman that he could ever love, the only woman he could not live without.