Warning: this story contains mature content.

Not your typical Grey's fanfiction


Elise Sloan was sitting at her school desk, a stack of building bricks arranged perfectly in front of her.

"Happy Birthday, Elise." A young girl handed the six-year-old a neatly wrapped parcel that her mother had instructed her to give to her classmate.

The little girl eyed the present through her long wavy brunette hair.

She didn't like the red shiny paper. She didn't like red.

Butterflies flapped relentlessly in her small stomach.

"Aren't you going to open it?" Another child chirped, a small crowd of girls had now formed around her.

She didn't like people near her.

"Open it, open it!"

She bit her lip.

"Open it, open it, Elise!"

Her small legs tried to kick back the chair, she tried to get up, but the gathering around her prevented her from going anywhere.

She couldn't help it. They were closing in on her. She was trapped.

She closed her eyes tightly.

Her little hand blindly reached out, fumbling across the table and closing around a green brick.

Seconds later all five children were screaming.

Amie Ross was sobbing, her nose bleeding where the wooden cube had collided.

Elise covered her eyes with her hands. She could hear the teacher approaching.


Meredith Grey's footsteps sounded against the floor as she walked down the school corridor, three blue and pink helium birthday balloons in her hand. She peered through the glass window of the door, her smile faltering. Most of the children had vacated the classroom, running outside to greet their parents. Elise Sloan was sat on a bean bag, her jacket and backpack on. Meredith immediately knew she'd been crying. She sighed, today was meant to be a good day.

She walked through the door.

"Dr. Grey."

Miss Jennings was a young teacher. She had the right combination of fun and discipline. She was sweet yet fair and above all passionate about her job.

Meredith knew all of that, and she had great admiration for the teacher, but her love for Elise Sloan made her overly defensive when it came to the teacher.

"Miss Jenning," She smiled sweetly.

"How are you?"

"Good, thank you. Is everything okay?"

"Actually, I need to have a word with you."

Meredith stiffened, she sent Elise a reassuring smile before edging toward the corner of the room.

"It's her birthday, I don't mean to be rude, but I want to make it special."

"I know, I'm aware, I'll try and make this quick. Amie Ross had to go home early today because Elise threw a play brick at her and gave her a bad nose bleed."

"Oh god, is she okay?" She frowned.

"She'll be just fine, but this is the fourth time this month, Elise has hurt one of her classmates, as you can imagine this puts me in a difficult position."

"I'm sure she has a reason, I'll talk to her, it won't happen again."

"Dr. Grey you assured me nothing would happen again last time. I completely understand that this is hard for you, but I think we should start discussing Elise having special one on one teaching."

"I really don't think that's necessary, it's important for her to be around kids of her own age."

"I have to put the other children's safety first."

Meredith brushed her hair behind her ear.

"There's nothing wrong with her. She's a clever girl-"

"This isn't about her mental ability-"

"Then why are you doing this?" She snapped impatiently. "She's been through so much. This is the only place she can be normal."

"Dr. Grey, I know you desperately want to believe she's like the other children but she's not. That's not a bad thing, but I think it would be best for her and the other kids if she was tutored on her own, she needs special attention."

"Just because she doesn't speak doesn't mean she's stupid."

"She's far from stupid, she's the smartest child in her class, but she's socially reclined."

"You know it isn't her fault. She's getting better. How do you ever expect her to have a chance if you isolate her? For god sake, kids do stuff like this all the time, you're just targeting her." Meredith hissed, she wouldn't listen to reason. "You know I could have you fired." She revealed harshly.

"I'm well aware of who you are Dr. Grey and I don't appreciate you blackmailing me-"

"I'm not," Meredith pinched the bridge of the nose and exhaled an aggravated breath. "I'm sorry. Please, Just- just give her one more chance."

Miss Jennings looked over toward the anxious child. She was only trying to do what was best, she was fond of Elise and like, what seemed to be the rest of the world, she was completely aware of the child's background. She was trying to be sensitive, but there comes a time when you've got to take action- especially if she was harming other students.

"She was so talkative," Meredith's eyes went glassy. "And then..."

The kindergarten teacher instinctively touched her arm. "I'm sorry. I know. I'm sorry." She sighed. "I can't even imagine how hard this is for you. I'll see what I can do. But if we have any more complaints from the parents I really won't have a choice."

"I understand," Meredith said appreciatively. "Thank you."

Miss Jennings nodded, watching as she made her way over to the young girl.

"Hey, birthday girl. Are you okay?" Meredith held her hand out. Elise gingerly placed her smaller palm in the larger one. "Come on kiddo," Meredith loosely tied the balloons around her wrist. "You like them?"

Elise nodded.

"Good. Now, what do you say we go home for your birthday gifts from your Uncle Derek, Aunt Cristina and Uncle Alex?"

The six-year-old scowled, an expression that she'd perfected long ago, an expression that was identical to that of her mother's and also her sister, an expression that always made Meredith's throat constrict.

"No?" Meredith cringed, she knew why and she'd been hoping her birthday would be enough to distract her from what today was. Elise's great big brown eyes stared up at her pleadingly. "Really? Okay," She sighed. "It's your birthday, whatever you want."


The prison's visitor's room was far from pretty. The dull gray walls and battered, plastic chairs and tables only accentuated the bleak situation. Mark forced a wide smile as the door opened, trying his utmost to make it seem like he was in the happiest of places.

Elise immediately let go of her Aunt Mer's hand and catapulted across the small room.

"Hey baby," Mark wrapped his strong arms around her little form lifting her off the ground. He didn't know what was harder, not seeing her or these one hour visitation that only left him wanting more, reinforcing everything he was missing out on.

He looked at Meredith, offering her a small nod as he sat down on a chair. Things between the two were strained and had been for a long time now, but his daughter was in her and Derek's care and even if she despised him, he was thankful that she was giving Elise all her love.

He cupped her small face, smiling brightly. "Happy Birthday," He kissed Elise's forehead. "Having a good day?"

She shrugged a shoulder and he pulled her back against his chest, running his hands through her soft hair. She deserved to be happy and God, it is heartbreaking to see his little girl this way.

Like always, Mark spent the remaining of the time telling Elise stories, making her promises that they'd be together again soon while intentionally ignoring Meredith's disapproving stares. She'd trace his face with her little forefinger and he'd memorize every little expression she'd make. He'd try not to see his wife's eyes staring back at him, he'd try not to see her face, but later that would be all he could focus on because, despite everyone's efforts, there was no denying that Elise Grey Sloan was a carbon copy of her mother.

Eventually, the guard would interrupt and their time would be up and it never got easier, Mark was positive that it would always feel like someone was cutting off one of his limbs as he said his goodbyes to his little girl.

"Come on honey, you'll see your Daddy again soon." Meredith coaxed the best she could. She wanted to just stop these visits full stop. She always came away thinking they did more harm than good. Elise would be just starting to adjust to a healthy routine and then she'd come here and Meredith felt like she had to start completely over with helping the little girl to settle back in. When she told Mark that four weeks ago, it had not ended well. He'd told her she had no right to stop bringing her and she'd just shouted back that she had every right. And she did. As Elise Sloan's legal guardian, she had every right, but she couldn't find it within her heart to be the bad guy, even if at the end of the day, she was certain it would be the best for her niece.

Elise refused to let go of Mark's orange jumpsuit, her small fists grappling at the material. She never wanted to let go and it was no surprise when the tears ensued.

"I'll see you again soon, baby," Mark promised, kissing her head a dozen more times before reluctantly unraveling her hands and allowing Meredith to drag her flailing body out of the visitor's room. It was done quickly, and even though Mark had to hear her heart-wrenching sobs echo down the corridor, he would forever be thankful for that noise. The last time they heard her talk was two years ago and any noise that escaped those perfect little lips made him sway with hope, hope that she'd be okay, that she'd start speaking again, that he'd get out of here and be able to be the father she needed, for them to live their life again, together.


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