Meredith and Owen:
Owen was just coming out of Derek's room to check on his progress and see what he could do to help the hospital run smoothly when he saw the petite blond heading his way.
"Hello, Meredith. How are you doing?" Owen asked gently. She was braver than he had expected. And stronger. He had gained a new respect for Cristina's friend after the other day's horrific events. "Look, I know I'm not your favorite person, but I just wanted to tell you that I'm so sorry about what you had to go through. And if there's anything I can do for you and Derek, please let me know."
Meredith looked Owen up and down, her expression inscrutable:
"You know, I don't hate you, even if I've come this close to kicking your ass recently. You need to understand, I meant what I said to you a few weeks ago about Cristina finally being happy again and I know that's mostly because of you. For the first time since I've known her, she started laughing out of joy, not just out of out a feeling of superiority or mockery.
I know you think I've meddled and that I have no business interfering. But I won't apologize for trying to protect my friend from any more unhappiness as long as I have the power to do something about it.
I know what it's like to love someone who chooses someone else, who's conflicted about his past. I almost didn't make it through when it happened to me. And that was in the early stages of my relationship with Derek – I don't think I could have ever recovered if it happened at the point you are Cristina are. Derek and I found our way back to each other, finally, but I never wanted Cristina to go through what I went through.
Just for the record, I defended you last fall because I knew you had Cristina's best interests at heart and thought you would do the right thing for her even though it cost you something. And you didn't run when she had her crisis over career and offered to trade you – you stuck by her when any other man would have walked away. So I was happy for her. But I could see something was going on with you these last few weeks, even if you weren't admitting it to yourself. And it doesn't matter to me if it's related to PTSD or not, intentional or not, because all I care about is how it affects Cristina. Cristina was hurt very badly before by another "good man" who didn't fully understand what he really wanted out of life until it was almost too late. In the end, he may have done the right thing, but I will do anything I can to prevent something like that from happening again. And if you had seen her in the hours and days and weeks after the wedding . . . . well, you just might kick your own ass for what you've been doing. She's had her share of pain.
You made your first step when you came clean about what happened with Teddy. And then the other day . . ., well what I saw - it wasn't so much that you came back to help her – I know that whatever your choice, you still cared about Cristina and that you were a decent enough person to want to save her and anyone else you could. The thing I saw was how Cristina gained strength from your presence. What I saw when you told her to keep going was someone who recognized how strong she is, how brilliant she is, who didn't patronize her, who didn't try to stop her from doing what she needed to do just because it might be better for him - someone who knew just how important her friend is to her. I saw the kind of man who may deserve her. And I saw a man who was terrified of losing the woman he loves and willing to give his life for her.
So, as long as you are honest with her, and you are vigilant about keeping up your therapy, I won't try to stand in your way. And Derek likes you, so there's another point in your favor. But make no mistake, I'll be watching you.
Owen started breathing easier as she spoke but he knew he would have a long way to go before Meredith would stop waiting for him to mess up. He took a deep breath, "You're right, I was pretty angry with you and I thought you were sticking your nose where it didn't belong. I thought I was entitled to figure things out for myself. I told Cristina and I'll tell you, my love for her was never in doubt – I have never felt this way before and never will again. But I doubted a lot of other things – what Cristina deserved, what I deserved. I thought you just didn't understand what I was going through. But I realize even if I told myself I was just protecting Cristina, it's clear trying to hide my problems wasn't the answer. It turns out I was just hurting her – the one thing I've been trying to guard against. And trying to make decisions involving us without talking to her about it did more damage than any uncomfortable conversation I could have had with her about past memories and feelings I was trying to reconcile with my present. I should have known better. So, I guess what I'm saying is, maybe you were right. I can see how much you love Cristina, and how you were willing to put your life on the line for her. I'll make you a deal: you come to me first if I ever act stupid again and I promise to listen to what you have to say."
Meredith paused for a moment: "Deal."
"You know, we could have used people like you and Cristina in Iraq. You were both incredibly brave and determined in there."
"Why would I give up all the excitement of Seattle – bazooka ammo in stomachs, ferry boat accidents . . . never a dull moment. " She started to walk out then turned around. "Once Derek's back home you and Cristina should come over for dinner. And bring your guitar. Derek needs a guitar buddy."
