Summary: She wanted a fresh start and returned to the one place no one would think to look for her. He was a womanizer. Love em and Leave em, those were words he lived by. Neither were looking for a serious relationship. To bad fate had other plans. AU Mer/Mark
A/N: I know it's been done before. How unoriginal right? But this idea came to me and wouldn't leave me alone until I attempted to write it. Meredith's background it some what different from the show. You'll have to read to find out how. Mark, Derek and Addison's background is still pretty much the same. Mark and Addison slept together. Derek caught them, blah, blah, blah. You should know the rest. The only difference is Meredith and Derek never slept together…Why? Because she wasn't around yet. Where was she? Well, that will come in good time. I don't plan to follow the show and Derek and Addison are together in this story but the main focus will be on Mark and Meredith so if that's going to upset you, you may want to leave now. If there's any other questions feel free to pm me. Rated T for now, subject to change at anytime. After all it is Grey's Anatomy but we'll have to see how that goes. I don't want to scar you guy's for life.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you know from the show. Maddie, yeah she belongs to me.
Just a little warning, this story is un-beta. All mistake are mine and I apologize a head of time.
Who say's you can't go home?
Meredith was pulled from her sleep by a tiny foot kicking her hard in the side. Letting out a soft groan, she opened her eyes and immediately shot up, confused. It took a minute but it finally registered that she was laying in the middle of her living room, in her house…in Seattle.
Seattle. She hadn't been to Seattle since she was five year's old. Well, that was a lie. She was in Seattle just over a month ago, for her mother's funeral but before that, it had been year's. It was kind of ironic, when her mother fell ill, she returned to the one place she had been avoiding Meredith's entire life. When she was little, Seattle was the only place she wanted to go. Whenever her mom asked where she wanted to go on vacation, even though she knew they would never actually go on one, Meredith always said Seattle, home. Her mother was quick to point out that Seattle was no longer their home, Boston was and then change the subject. .
As she grew up, her mother's words rang true. Seattle was no longer home, it was the place where her father had abandon her. Left her to live a miserable life with her mother, to whom she was never going to be good enough for, no matter what she did. It wasn't long before she rebeled. Doing anything in her power to make her mother's life as miserable as hers. Turning into the prefect example of what you wouldn't want your only daughter to turn into. School came second to partying and alcohol made her forget her trouble life.
This carried over into collage and no one was more surprised then Meredith when she found out she would graduate. After traveled the Europe for a while she seem to have gotten her life back on track but it only took a week with her mother to send her back to evil way's. Not really knowing why, she entered medical school. It was then that she was offered a position in the surgical residency program at both, Seattle Grace and Albemarle in North Carolina. Deciding a long time ago she never wanted to return to Seattle, she accepted the position in North Carolina.
The birds chirping outside the window brought Meredith out of her thought's. She stretched and twisted her body, trying to bring some relief to the stiffness from sleeping on the floor all night. She hoped their furniture would be here soon. It was then that she realized bird were chirping outside her window. If the birds where chirping that meant she was late. She was suppose be in a meeting at eight and Madison was suppose to be at the school by seven thirty. Which meant she should be walking through the hospital before the bird's started to chirp outside her window.
"Munch, baby you have to get up." Meredith said shaking her young daughter while searching the floor for her cell phone. Finally, she found it and let out a groan when she saw it was past nine.
"Munchkin, I know you're tired but you have to get up. We're late." she said, once again shaking her. Maddie only response was pushing her mom's hand away and cuddling up under the warm blankets.
"Madison Marie, I'm going to get our clothes and by the time I get back, you better be awake." Meredith warned, scrambling to her feet to gather the clothes she had hung out the night before.
By the time she returned to the living room, Maddie was sitting up in the middle of the make shift bed, Meredith had built the night before, looking around confused. Madison Marie Grey, Maddie for short, was born August 10, 2001. Meredith was shocked to learn she was pregnant, a result of a drunken one night stand, never to be seen again. First came the shock, then denial, fear, panic and finally acceptance. The result was the beautiful five year old that sat in front of her. She was her mother's daughter all the way. The same color hair, darker in the winter, lighter in the summer. The same petite body, the same smile, personality and temper. She was Meredith's mini-me.
It was when Maddie turned and looked at her, she felt the twinge of pain. Everything was her but Maddie's eyes. Meredith's were small, almond shape and green while Maddie had big, brown, doe like eye's. And she knew how to use them to. From sad eyes to happy eyes, she swore Maddie could bring on tear's at the drop of a hat and when she was mad, they turned black. It scared the hell out of Meredith the first time Maddie sent a glare her way. It was the only reminder that her daughter was going to grow up with out a father.
Not that she was out searching for Maddie's new daddy, she wasn't. She was more then capable of caring for the young child by herself. She's done it now for five year's and they've survived. It hasn't always been easy but they've made it to where they are today with only a few bumps and bruises. What made her feel guilty was the fact that her daughter had to grow up with out a dad, much like she did and she was in constant fear their relationship would end up like the one she had with her mother.
"Where are we, Mommy?" Madison asked, her voice filled with sleep.
"Seattle Munch. Remember, today's your first day of school." Meredith said, trying to sound excited as she slipped off the night gown while Maddie was distracted.
"I don't want to go. Can I stay home with you?" she asked looking up at Meredith. She let out a sigh when she saw the slight pout come to her daughters face. Sure enough, Maddie's eyes seem to fill up with tears as she added "Please, Mommy."
She quickly pulled the shirt over Maddie's head to avoid looking at her sad face and pulled her in for a tight hug, saying "Mommy has to go to work, baby."
It wasn't a complete lie and she didn't look her in the eye. But when Maddie pulled away and looked at her, she felt guilty. She did have to go to the hospital, for a meeting she was an hour late for but that was all. The mover's were suppose to be at the house between noon and three and Richard wanted to give her a day to adjust, get her thing's in order and get everything situated before she began her residency. She still planned on going to the hospital, if only to receive a lecture from Richard about not showing up for the meeting. It would be nice to get the lay out of the hospital before she started tomorrow. She frowned when she checked her phone again to see that it was going on nine thirty.
"I can go with you. I'll be good. I promise." Maddie begged
"Not today, Munch. Besides, you'll have ton's more fun at school and maybe you'll make some friends."
"I want to stay with you." Maddie said, her voice trembling and fear in her eyes.
Meredith cursed the asshole who made her daughter feeling the way she was feeling. Then the guilty kicked in. She was the one that allowed said asshole into their life. They were fine before he came along. Meredith shook her head to clear her thought's. That was over and they would be fine, again. Soon, hopefully.
"Everything going to be ok. I promise, baby." Meredith said as she helped Maddie to her feet so she could pull up her jeans. The frown didn't wavier from Maddie's face and Meredith let out a soft sigh, saying "I want you to do something for me, alright?"
Maddie's eyes lit up and she nodded her head. Meredith laughed, as her daughter came to life.
"Today, when you're at school, I want you to draw me a pretty picture so I can hang it in my locker at work. Then before you know it, I'll be there to get you and when we get home, all your toy's will be here."
"You're picking me up?" Maddie asked
"I'll be waiting in the hallway."
Maddie stuck out her pinky, asking "Promise?"
Meredith smile at her as she stuck out her own pinky, hooking it with Maddie's, saying "Promise."
She kissed Maddie on the forehead before standing up. Grabbing some jeans and a simply shirt, she quickly changed, deciding that the outfit she laid out the night before no longer matter. She would only have time to talk with Richard before having to get back to the house, so there wasn't any reason to dress up. They quickly brushed their teeth and Meredith comb Maddie's hair, pulling the sides back and securing them in place with a barrette before grabbing a donut for Maddie to eat on the way to her school. She looked out the window and smiled. At least it's sunny out, she thought as she grabbed her purse, a light jacket for Maddie and her book bag. The smile soon fade after she buckled Maddie into her booster seat, when she looked up and saw the dark clouds looming. She drove the short distant to Maddie's school and pulled into the parking lot.
"Mommy, I'm thirsty."
Meredith hand Maddie her bottled water before getting out and helping her out of the back seat. She grabbed her book bag before taking Maddie's hand in hers, saying "Come on Munchkin, before it rains."
"I hate the rain." Maddie claimed making a face at the now sunless sky.
"Me, too." Meredith said with a giggle when she saw her daughters face.
They walked into the school and immediately found themselves in the office. Meredith smile at the lady behind the desk as she picked up Maddie, placing her on her hip so she could see over the counter.
"Hi, I'm Meredith Grey, this is Madison Grey. Well, Maddie Grey. She was suppose to start today and we had a late start. We just moved here from North Carolina and when I say just, I mean just. We arrived around 10 last night." She rambled, absentmindedly rubbed the back of Maddie's head when she felt her hide her face in her hair. Normal, Maddie was an out spoken kid but moving clear across the country, starting school and everything they've been through in the last couple of months was a lot for a five year old to handle.
"Don't worry about it. It's not the first time it's happen and I'm sure it won't be the last. I'll check what class she in and then take you there." the women said with a smile before hit a couple of button's on the key broad "Ah, here we go. Maddie's in Mrs. Kenny class. Right this way."
Meredith smile as she put Maddie down. In return, she gripped her mothers hand tightly as they followed the lady down the hall and around the corner.
"Here we are." she said before going to knock on the door.
"Wait," Meredith suddenly said. Squatting down so she was eye to eye with Maddie, she said "You ready for this, babe?"
Maddie nodded but didn't look so sure of herself. Meredith felt a tug at her heart and she almost gave into the urge to pick her daughter up and run as fast as she could back to the car. Almost.
"I'll be right there waiting for you when it's time to go home, ok?" she said pointing to a spot on the wall.
Maddie, once again, nodded her head. A little more confident this time. She wrapped her arms around her mom's neck and gave her a tight hug, which Meredith returned. The women from the office gave Meredith a sympathetic smile when she saw her biting her lip to hold back the tears that had filled her eyes.
"Alright, Munchkin." Meredith said as she pulled out of her daughters tight embrace "I want you to be a good girl today and I'll see you in a few hours."
"Right there?" Maddie asked pointing to the same spot Meredith had.
"Right there." Meredith confirmed with a smile.
Maddie gave her mom a small smile before turn towards the door once again.
"Wait." Meredith once again call out. This time the lady merely raised an eyebrow, wondering if she ever planed on actually leaving. "It's her first day of school and I don't have a picture. Don't most parent's take a picture?"
The lady let out a small laugh as she nodded her head before looking at Meredith like she was waiting for something. When Meredith shot her a confused look, the lady said "Do you have a camera?"
"Camera, right. You need a camera to take a picture." she said. Finally, an idea came to her and she started digging around in her purse before pulling out her cell phone. "Alright, Maddie, smile big." she said as she aimed her phone at her.
A big grin cross Maddie's face as she put her hands on her hips and titled her head to the side. Meredith bit the inside of her cheek to stop the laughter that was dieing to escape. One thing was for sure, Madison was a ham when it came to getting her picture taken. She would always strike a pose, with a big smile on face and then would demand to see the picture. If she didn't like it, she would make you delete it and take another. By the end of the week, their house would be filled with picture of Maddie or Maddie and Meredith along with the countless amounts of photo albums and picture that filled up numerous amounts of photo boxes.
"Let me see." Maddie giggle as she took the cell phone from her "That's a pretty one mommy."
"It's beautiful, Munch." Meredith agreed.
As she reached for the phone, Maddie turned and handed it to the lady, saying "Now, you take one of me and Mommy."
"Madison Marie, where have your manner's gone?" Meredith exclaimed
Maddie turned to her mom, shooting her an apologetic smile before turning back to the lady. Meredith rolled her eye's as Maddie gave the lady a sad look, adding "Please?"
"It's fine," the lady said with a soft laugh "Besides, you'll want one of the two of you."
Meredith gave her a smile before quickly instructing her how to use it. She kneeled down so she was the same height as Maddie and rested her chin on her shoulder. "Smile big, Munch." She whispered in her daughters ear.
"Precious." the lady said, handing the phone back to Meredith "She look's just like you."
"I know, poor kid." Meredith joked
"Let me see, Mommy."
"Oh sorry."
Maddie looked over the picture before saying "Beautiful."
Meredith smiled at her before saying "Alright, it really time to go into the classroom now. I'll see you in a couple hours."
Maddie nodded giving her mom one more hug as the lady knocked on the door. Meredith stood up and Maddie turned to face the door when it opened.
"Mrs. Kenny, this is Maddie Grey. She had a late start today." the women introduced
"I was wondering when you were going to show up." Mrs. Kenny smiled before shoot Meredith a smile "Are you ready to start kindergarten?"
Maddie nodded her head. With a big smile on her face, she turned and waved to her mom.
"By, Munchkin." Meredith said softly.
As the door shut behind Maddie, Meredith looked down at her phone and smile. She loved the pictures of her daughter posing but the candid shot's were her favorite. All of her favorite photo's of Maddie where taken when Maddie was just being Maddie and she didn't know her picture was being taken. In this picture, Maddie was looking at her mom, not the camera, with a big smile on her face, waving.
"Don't worry, it get's easier with time." the women said when she noticed the tears in Meredith's eyes.
Meredith let out a little laugh as she whipped her cheeks, saying "I hope so. Three thirty's pick up time right?"
The women nodded as the started to walk back towards the entrance.
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Parked in the hospital parking lot, Meredith stared at entrance of Seattle Grace. She had been there for five minutes and she couldn't bring herself to get out of the car. The dark clouds still hung in the sky, threaten to spill open at anytime. She wasn't afraid of the lecture she knew she was going to have endure from Richard. She's be on the receiving end of those lecture most her life. Richard was the closest thing she had to a father. She was aware of the 'special' friendship her mother and him shared, only realizing when she was older the exact definition of special.
What sacred her, was what the last name Grey meant to this hospital. Well, most hospital knew of Ellis Grey but this was where she started. Ellis was a hero in this hospital and she knew it wouldn't be to long before people started to connect the dot's. Over the past couple years, she quickly learned how to tell the difference between the people who wanted to know her strictly because she was Ellis Grey's daughter and those who wanted to know her, Meredith Grey. It wasn't like she could offer anyone anything, just because of who her mother was but most people seem to think she could. Now, more then ever, Meredith was nervous about letting anyone into her life, much less into Maddie's life. They've been through enough the past couple of months and Meredith wanted Maddie to feel secure again before letting anyone in.
The loud crackle of thunder brought her out of her thoughts and she focused on the windshield just in time to see a rain drop splatter against it. Great, she thought as she pulled the key's from the ignition. Jumping out of the car, she made sure it was locked before jogging towards the door. The rain came pouring down as soon as she reached the door. It was then she realized, she forgot her purse in the car. She watched as the rain poured down, bouncing off the ground as she debated on going back for her purse. Thunder crackled again as she took a step towards the car, making her stop.
"Fine, I'm going in." She muttered to the sky before turning on her heel and walking through the doors.
She had fuzz memories of Seattle Grace, seeing that it had been years since she's step foot in the hospital, she wasn't sure where to go. Deciding it would be best to go to Richards office, she walked to the front desk, surprised to see it empty besides, who she assumed was a hospital employee judging from the women's attire. The women looked up slightly before turn to her side, putting her back towards Meredith. A frown appeared on Meredith's face, wondering what the women's problem was. Shaking her head she looked around to see if she could spot anyone else that could point her in the right direction and was surprised to see how empty the main lobby was. Albemarle was always busy with people walking through the hospital but the only person around, beside the people in the waiting area, was this rude women. Who obviously didn't want to help Meredith. She waited five minutes before letting out a deep breath.
"Look, I just need to know where the Chief office is." Meredith finally said.
The women either ignored her or didn't hear her and judging from the way she had been acting since Meredith arrived at the front desk, she guessed the women heard her.
"Hey," Meredith said giving the women's shoulder a slight tap. The women couldn't ignore this and shot her an evil glare over her shoulder. "Just tell me how to get to the Chief's office and I'll-"
"Take the elevator to the second floor, take a right and keep walking until you can't walk any further, two left's then another right and it's the white door labeled Chief of Surgery." The women said cutting Meredith off and just as quickly as she spoke, her back was turned to Meredith, again.
"Thanks." Meredith mumbled under her breath as she walked away, not giving the women another look.
"Yang, Whose the hot chick?"
The women rolled her eyes and turned to face the owner of the offending voice, saying "Where's Izzie?"
"About to kill her interns." The man said with a shrug of his shoulder "Whose the hot chick?"
"Don't you have somewhere to be?"
"Not until you answer my question."
"I don't know. I didn't get her life story, she just wanted to know how to get the Chief's office."
"Ah," the man said with a slight smirk on his face "They just keep getting younger and younger."
The women rolled her eyes, saying "Or it could be the new resident that never show up this morning."
"Right, the meeting." the man said "How'd that go?"
"Well, if either you or Izzie bothered to show up, you would know." she said with a smirk before walking away "The sectary had to grab something real quick, watch the front desk until she returns."
"What!" the man exclaimed as the women just waved over her shoulder "Cristina, I'm not watching the front desk for you."
"Sure you are." the women said as she stopped and turned to face the man "Or I just might have to fill Izzie in on the 'hot chick', Karev."
The man's face paled slightly and the women laughed as she continued on her way, disappearing around the corner.
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"Here's your coffee, Dr. Sloan."
Mark Sloan turned to the voice and snatched the cup of coffee out of the interns hand. Taking a drink, he made a face, saying "This is the third cup of coffee you've brought me. How many times do I have to tell you, four teaspoons of sugar, half milk, half cream and the rest coffee. It's not that hard." he paused to throw the cup in the nearest trash before saying "Go make yourself useful in the pit."
A smirk appeared on Mark's face as he watched the intern scurry down the hallway as fast as he could. He turned to look behind him when he heard a chuckle and the smirk only grew.
"What was wrong with that cup?"
"Nothing." Mark said with a laugh "You should know by now I like to mess with the interns head, Shep."
"One of these day's they're going to get brave and put something in your coffee." Derek said "Think about it, you always taste it before throwing it way."
Mark leaned his back against the counter, where Derek was going over a file and laughed "No they won't because then they won't be able to scrub in for any surgery for at least a month. I can promise you that."
Derek shook his head and laughed. They've known each other for years and Mark hasn't changed. Confident and arrogant as hell, Mark Sloan always did things the way he wanted to and anyone who tried to stop him, could go to hell. He was a ladies man and no matter how bad he treated them or how much they tried to resist him, Mark won. If Mark wanted it, in the end, he got it. Did what he pleased with them and then tossed them way, ready to move on t the nexts. They lost contact for a while because Mark crossed the line. His womanizer way's getting the best of him and he ended up betraying Derek's trust once again. It was one thing when he slept with one of his sister but when Derek found him in bed with his wife, all bet's were off.
Derek disappeared to Seattle only for Addison to follow some short months later. Mark eventually ended up there too. At first it was to claim Addison and get her to go back to New York with him. At least that what he said but soon, his true feelings started to show when he finally admitted to Derek that it was their friendship he wanted to mend, the hell with Addison. Slowly but surly things started to mend between Addison and Derek which resulted in Derek talking to Mark. They didn't have the kind of friendship they had before and both of them knew it would never be that way again but at least they were speaking. As for Mark and Addison, they tolerated each other for Derek's sake. None of them brought the past up but rumors seem to find their way around the hospital and Derek didn't know whether to laugh or be angry at the fact that it only seem to boost women's interest in Mark.
"Fresh meat." Mark's whisper brought Derek out of his thoughts. He looked up just in time to see a flash of a women pass them, stopping at the end of the hallway for a minute before turning right and disappearing from sight.
"Done with Jenny, already?" Derek questioned turning his attention back to the file in front of him.
"Jenny's old news." Mark said with a shrug of his shoulders "Besides, I've seen something else I want."
Derek laughed as he closed the file and pushed it aside. He looked over at Mark, asking "Drink at Joe's after work?"
Mark nodded as he started walking in the direction the mysteries women had gone.
"I thought you had a consult?"
"I can't let a lady wonder around lost, can I?" Mark replied innocently before he too, disappeared around the corner.
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Meredith repeated the rude women's direction in her head as she stepped off the elevator. Second floor, check she thought. Now take a right and walk until you can't walk any further. She was relieved when she took the second left and the hospital room's seem to transform into offices. She picked up her pace to escape having to talk to, who she assumed were doctor, leaning against a counter. She paused and looked around until she saw the door labeled Chief of Surgery. Letting out a sigh of relief, she approached the door and reach out for the door knob only to pull her hand away. Richard was going to mad enough without her bursting in. Knocking light on the door, she waited.
"Come in." came the grumpy reply.
Meredith took a deep breath, mental papering her defensive before she reached for the door knob again. Plastering a smile on her face, she open the door.
The Chief didn't bother to look up as he said "Nice of you to finally show up."
"I'm know and I'm so sorry Rich- Chief. Maddie was a nightmare to last night, none of our stuff is here yet and the stupid alarm didn't go off this morning. Maddie was two in an half hours late for school." Meredith rambled.
She didn't miss the smile that crossed Richard's face when she mentioned Maddie, after all he as Papa Richard to her.
"How'd that go? Dropping Maddie off at school?"
Stick to Maddie, he can't stay mad when you talk about Maddie, she thought before saying "Maddie was fine. Me, on the other hand, I was complete wreck. It took all my strength to leave her there. Oh, I've got pictures."
He raised an eyebrow when she pulled out her cell phone. He got up from his chair and walked around the desk, standing in front of her.
"I forgot a camera." she said sheepishly before pushing a few buttons on her phone. Finally, she hand it to him.
"God, she looks just like you." he said as he flipped through the picture "I expected a copy of one of these."
"Of course. As soon as I have the computer set up." She nodded
He let out a sigh before saying "This can't happen again, Dr. Grey. I called a meeting this morning, pulling most of my doctor's and resident's away from their work to meet you only to tell them you had an family emergency and wouldn't be able to make it."
"It won't happen again, Chief." she promised
He nodded before pulling her into a hug, saying "I'm glad you're finally home, Meredith. I've been going crazy for the past month worrying about you two."
She merely nodded as she returned his hug. It was similar hug, he gave her at her mother's funeral that brought her here. She never shied away from Richard so when he pulled her in for a hug at the funeral, he didn't miss the way she flinched and pulled away. The wince of pain that crossed her face when he gently rubbed her arm, asking her if she was ok, didn't go unnoticed by him either. It was later, at the dinner when he cornered her and demanded to know what was going on. Not being able to hold the secret in any longer, she broke down sobbing and told him everything. It was decided that night, she would return to Seattle, live in her mother's house and continued her residency at Seattle Grace. It took all his strength to let her and Maddie broad the plan back to North Carolina and he called a couple times a day to check on them.
Honestly, he was scared that she wouldn't return to Seattle but the fear eased when she started asking for his help arranging everything so when they showed up, Maddie could feel at ease. He found a good school, close to the hospital and her house, he let the painter in so they could repaint the entire house before they came. He even offered to let the mover's in, so the house would be set up when they arrived. She merely mumbled something about not being able to pack until the day before she left. Not wanting to raise any suspicion. He didn't push the subject any further and told her told call once she arrived at the house.
"What time are the mover's suppose to be at the house?" he asked
She looked down at the phone in her hand before saying "In an hour."
"Well, let me give you a quick tour of the hospital before you leave."
Meredith nodded as she followed him out the door. She ignored the curious looks she was getting from everyone they passed as the walked around the hospital. He made a quick introduction to Dr. Bailey, who looked unimpressed. They finally arrived at the front door and he reached out, putting his hand on her shoulder, giving her a gently squeeze.
"You ready for this, Meredith?" he asked softly
"I'm ready to get on with my life. A fresh start for Maddie and me." she said giving him a slight nodded.
"Well, then I'll see you at eight." he said sticking out his hand for her to shake it.
They had already discussed not reveal the fact that they have known each other pretty much her entire life. She wanted people to judge her on how she performed as a doctor before she let it out that she knew the Chief on a personal level. She was going to have a hard enough time once people learned she was a Grey.
"Thank you" she said shaking his hand, sending him a smile.
"A.M. Dr. Grey." he called out to her before she walked through the doors.
She let out a small laugh as she turned and nodded her head. Walking outside, the smile only got bigger when she saw the sun shine again. Who says you can't go home? She thought as she walked towards her car.