A look of disbelief filled her face as her light green eyes met his gaze. Her lips parted slightly, sharply taking in a breath of air. He wore the same shocked expression on his face; his brilliant blue eyes never leaving hers. Feeling the room getting warmer, her face began to turn a bright red. Teeth gritted, she broke eye contact, turning to leave from the entrance in which she'd just entered.

Wading through the blurred sea of pastel dresses and white suits, she locked eyes with the door that now seemed so far away. She closed her eyes for a brief second, thinking frantically 'It can't be him. He cannot be here'. She could hear the thud of footsteps behind her, following her as she began to break into a sprint. She struggled as her movements were slowed by the heavy fabric of her dress. Don't fall. Don't slow down. She muttered rhythmically under her breath. She could almost feel the cool air outside as her hand reached out for the door's handle. Suddenly, a strong hand pulled her back by the shoulder with a firm but gentle grip. Taking a deep breath in, she turned, already knowing who the hand belonged to.

"Meredith," he breathed softly, out of breath from his sprint. He wasn't sure why he'd stopped her from leaving. It was clear she didn't want to talk to him. Yet, he couldn't help himself. After so many years, all the feelings that once was came rushing back with a single glance.

"Hey...Derek," she smiled meekly. How many years had it been since she'd seen those deep blue eyes? She could feel herself getting lost in them, but her life was different now. She was no longer the Meredith that used to be so familiar to his tongue. She'd moved on to a new in her life, one where he no longer had a role. Yet, looking into those soft, pleading eyes, she was Meredith, young and naive. With one glance, she was the Meredith he knew and loved.

"How are you?" he asked. His eyes stayed on her, unwilling to believe that she more than mirage, careful not to look or think too hard for fear of her disappearance. He'd missed her. Her eyes, her smile, her presence… Her departure from his life had always left him puzzled. He'd never asked why; he'd assumed she'd tell him someday. Perhaps on the day that she would come back to him. But she never did come back.

"I've been...good," she replied, hesitantly. She could feel her fight-or-flight response being activated. You need to get out of here, she thought to herself. She wasn't supposed to see him, not now, not ever. This was supposed to be a chapter of her life that had long ago been resolved...or, at the least, buried. Even when she'd moved across the country to escape him, somehow he found her. Somehow he was right in front her.

"Good...good," he echoed. When she'd left him, he'd been so worried, so terrified that she wouldn't be able to take care of herself, that she wouldn't have anyone to take care of her, that she would lonely, that he wouldn't be there… It'd always been his job to be her protector.

"I actually have a patient I have to tend to right now. I should probably go…," she pointed to her escape route. Sure, she told a white lie, but some lies need to be told. Considering that fact that she could barely breathe let alone keep it together in his presence was enough justification. Before he could reply, she turned to make her way out.

"Wait! Maybe we can catch up sometime? When you're not busy? For coffee or something," he shouted out the door. She was lying, he could tell. It made him smile know that despite all these years, she was still a terrible liar.

"How long are you in Seattle?" she inquired. She could feign busy for the next week or two until he went back to New York.

"For as long as they'll have me," he smiled, nodding his head toward the party inside. "I guess you could say I'm the guest of honor," he elaborated.

"You're the new Chief?!" she yelled, in disbelief. She could feel the world closing in on her as she saw him nod in reply.