The family of a now brain dead patient was suing. Mr. William Patterson had had a brain aneurysm and Derek had operated on him with the assistance of Dr. Bailey and her interns. After his brain surgery, Mr. Patterson's wife had requested that her husband have plastic surgery to hide the scar, and so Dr. Sloan had performed a skin graft on the same day. However when Mr. Patterson had woken up it became apparent that something had gone wrong with the brain surgery and because of the skin graft Dr. Shepherd couldn't operate again for another week. Mr. Patterson had slipped into a coma, and following his transfer to Mercy West hospital he had remained unconscious for three weeks.
This a month after Derek picked Addison over Meredith. Mark had started to work at the hospital the same night.
Derek had called his sister once he found out that he was being sued. Nancy had recommended her new divorce attorney, apparently she had been married to some distant cousin a few years ago, and had a great reputation for malpractice suits and she just happened to be in Seattle for a few weeks.
So Dr. Bailey, her interns, Mark and Derek were sitting at a table in one side of the court room with a hospital attorney. On the other side was Mrs. Patterson and her son with their lawyer. The Chief and Addison were in the spectator gallery watching the proceedings.
"Alright lets get started," said Judge shuffling some papers.
Derek looked round to see if his lawyer was coming, he really didn't have much faith in the hospital attorney, he stuttered and shook and didn't look much older than twenty.
"So sorry I'm late your honor," said a blonde woman as she strutted into the court room.
Immediately there was something impressive about the way she carried herself, she was definitely someone Nancy would pick. She was wearing tight black suit skirt with a slit up the side, a fitted white blouse than emphasized her impressive cleavage, and a black suit jacket, she was carrying a Gucci satchel, and carried herself like she was wearing the most comfortable shoes in the world instead of six inch stiletto heels. She had a blonde hair cut into a soft bob, she looked really familiar but Derek couldn't quite place her, perhaps he had seen her at some family function.
"I am private counsel retained by Dr. Derek Shepherd," said the woman, lifting the file from the table, she glanced round and glared so fiercely at Meredith that she visibly shrank in her seat. "And Dr. Meredith Grey."
"And both parties are aware of this," said the judge.
"Yes," said the woman. Derek and Meredith both nodded.
------------------------------------------
"Well this is certainly an unpleasant surprise," said the opposing counsel as court was adjourned. His name was Philip Roswell, he was a leading lawyer in Seattle and he loved nothing more than to stand in front of a news camera.
"And here I thought you would be happy to see me," retorted Derek's lawyer. "You didn't really think I would pass up an opportunity to kick your ass and make you cry like a little girl, did you?"
"It's a high profile case the daughter of Ellis Grey," said Philip. "Have you heard of Ellis Grey?"
"Yeah I know about her."
"Should be a juicy case," Philip commented.
"Yeah that reminds me," said the woman pulling out a small bundle of papers. "A gag order."
"You had time to get a gag order?" said Philip raising an eyebrow as he took the bundle and scanned it.
"Yes I did, so if one word of this gets out to the press or any member of the public, you'll be bent over in the communal showers in Rikers before you can blink."
"As witty as ever Gracie," chuckled Philip.
"This should be fun then."
"I'll look forward to seeing your defense," said Philip. "And as much fun as I'm having I must be off, I have a hearing in ten minutes."
"Yeah see you," said Grace looking around.
"What are you doing here?" demanded Meredith as she pulled Grace out of earshot of anyone else.
"I came to represent your boss, not that I knew he was your boss, imagine when I find that you are being sued. Why didn't you call me?"
"Why would I?"
"I can help…"
"I don't want your help," Meredith interrupted. She was shaking from a mixture of shock and rage. "Just leave."
"Meredith," said Grace hurt.
"No don't Meredith me, you can't just show up here like this. You can't help…not anymore you left it too late to help," said Meredith quietly. "Just leave and don't…don't come back."
"Meredith," Grace called after her, but she kept walking away. "Meredith I'm…I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."