Disclaimer: Nope.... I don't own it! I only own Cass and any other character's not in the show that you will learn of later.............. Plus, would I have a disclaimer if I did ha ;)
Summary: Meredith isn't quite sure why she can't stay away from eight year old patient Cassandra Noelle Scott. She isn't sure why she is so protective of her either. Maybe it's the fact that when her parents talked, Cass would cringe. Or after she was released from the hospital after "falling" down the stairs and needing brain surgery, Cass was back in a mere two weeks with another broken arm and lacerations...
------------------------------------------------------
"I like it in the hospital," Cass said. "I don't want to leave."
"But Cass," Meredith said immediately. "Don't you want to go home with your family. Your mom, you dad, and your baby sister?"
"I do," Cass said quietly. "But..... but.... but.... I'll never see you again."
"Cass," Meredith sighed. "I'm a doctor, I work here. Little girls who are now healthy shouldn't be here."
"I know," Cass whispered.
"Are you not telling me something Cass," Meredith looked at her skeptically.
"No," she said immediately. "I just... I.... I don't have many friends, and... the only people I ever see outside of school is my parents since I have no more family. And I just.... I liked seeing someone else."
"Cass.... your a bright girl, just open yourself up to others and they will be your friend," Meredith smiled but watched Cass's guarded expression.
"Yeah I guess, but I will miss you," Cass admitted.
"Well.... let's just say that we hope we'll never see each other again," Meredith explained. Cass looked confused. "That will mean you never fall down the stairs again."
"Yeah... I guess," the little eight year old said while looking down.
"Now let's talk about this fever, it's just an affect of the surgery and it will probably land you a few more days at the hospital," Meredith told her. Cass tried hard not to look excited. "I will have to speak with the other doctor Shepherd and your parents."
"Okay," Cass nodded.
"If anything else like this happens you will tell me right," Meredith narrowed her eyes at her.
"Right," Cass smiled.
"Okay, now get some rest Cass, I will check on you later okay," Meredith smiled.
"Okay.... bye Meredith!" Cass waved.
"Bye Cass," Meredith laughed and left the room. She saw Derek outside. He was frowning at her and shaking his head.
"Don't get attached Meredith," he warned yet again. Meredith replied with the same thing she has since Cass arrived at the hospital.
"She's only eight Der."
------------------------------------------------------
One week later...
"Thanks Joe," Meredith smiled as he handed her her order in a paper bag.
"See you around Meredith," Joe said back as she left the bar. She walked back across the street towards the hospital and went in.
"Hey Grey," Mark called when he spotted her.
"Shepherd," Meredith corrected but Mark ignored her.
"Is that for me," he smirked. "I you shouldn't have." Meredith smacked him on the arm.
"It is not for you idiot," she hissed.
"Then who is it for?" Mark asked.
"You'll tell Derek so I am not telling you," Mer pointed out.
"Oh.... it for the patient.... Casey or whatever," Mark shrugged.
"It's Cass," Mer hissed. "And if you do tell him.... I'll just have to tell my sister about the ring that has been hiding out in your back pocket since like... forever." Mark turned white.
"How does Derek put up with you," Mark shook his head. Mer smirked.
"It must be something about Grey girls," she said and Mark frowned.
"Go ahead and be all cutesy with the patient," Mark waved her off. Mer glared at him. "Hey... you may be married to my best friend but I am not afraid of you and am still the boss of you." Meredith shook her head and got on the elevator.
"Bye Mark," she smiled.
"Bye Big Grey," he called. Meredith rolled her eyes as she went up to the neuro floor. Meredith walked towards Cass's room. She was alone, like usual. Her mom had to take care of Maeve and her father was at work.
"Meredith!" she exclaimed when she saw her come into view.
"Hi Cass," Meredith smiled. She watched as Cass looked disgustedly at the tray of food that sat in front of her. "What's wrong?"
"This for is yucky," she frowned. "I am not hungry anymore." She pushed the tray away and Meredith smiled.
"Oh," she smirked. "So that means you don't want this cheeseburger and fries that I got for you." Cass's eyes lit up.
"Well..." Cass said sweetly. "I am a little hungry." Meredith put the bag on her tray.
"Good," Mer laughed. "Because I got two and I didn't want to eat alone."
"Thank you," Cass smiled.
"Your welcome sweetie," Mer smiled. She grabbed a pile of charts she brought in and started writing. Cass looked up.
"What's that?" she asked.
"Just patient charts," Meredith shrugged looking up.
"Is it fun?" Cass asked.
"No, not really," Mer admitted.
"Then why do you do it?" Cass questioned. Mer smiled.
"It's my job Cass, if I don't do it, I would get fired," Mer explained.
"Oh...." Cass said. "Do you like being a surgeon?"
"Yes... I like to help save lives, why are you so questioning today?"
"No reason," Cass shrugged. "It's just... how did you know you want to become a surgeon?"
"I wanted to make my mother proud," Mer said.
"Oh," Cass whispered.
"What?" Meredith questioned.
"Nothing.... it's just.... that's why I play soccer, I want to make my parents proud." Mer opened her mouth to say something but her pager went off. She looked down.
"Sh- Crap," Meredith covered. Cass giggled. "Sorry Cass, I have to run. I will be back later." Meredith ran down to the pit where she only found her idiot interns screwing up yet again. After helping them and scolding them, she returned to Cass's room. She was shocked to see Derek in there, along with Eileen and David holding Maeve.
"Hello Dr. Shepherd," Derek greeted her with narrowed eyes when she walked in. "So nice of you to join us."
"Hello Dr. Shepherd, David, Eileen, Cass," Meredith nodded professionally.
"We were just about to discuss Cass's recovery," Derek said.
"Is my Cassie alright now?" Eileen asked. David just stared at Derek.
"Cass has made an amazing recovery. The only side effect that seemed to show was the fever which is now gone. Her incision is healing nicely and her hair should begin growing back shortly," Derek explained.
"Good, so she will stop wearing that stupid scarf," David scoffed. Meredith frowned and Cass flinched at his harsh tone.
"When can she come home?" Eileen asked.
"Very shortly, within the next few days," Derek told them. "I would like to do a follow-up CT scan but I see no reason why she will not be out of here by this Friday." Today was Wednesday.
"Is there any.... precautions we should take?" Eileen asked with a side glance to Cass and David. "What will her recovery be like?"
"Cass should rest up, take it easy for the next few weeks," Derek explained. "No sports for at least a month, no rough play, and if there is any specific loss in motor skill, speech, or a spike in fever take her to the doctor or back here immediately. I would be happy to check it out."
"Okay," David said. "Thank you so much Dr. Shepherd." He nudged Cass. "Cassandra, what do you say." Meredith just remembered Cass was in there. She was surprisingly quiet. A rare occasion Mer has learned in the past week.
"Thank you Dr. Shepherd, thank you Mer- Dr. Shepherd," Cass said quietly.
"Your welcome Cass, be careful on the stairs from now on. I will have someone bring her down for CT soon." Derek warned and watched as she picked up the burger and began eating again. "Dr. Shepherd could I see you outside." Meredith sighed and dismissed herself.
"Yes Dr. Shepherd," Meredith said.
"I warned you not to get too attached," Derek said sternly.
"But Der I..." Mer protested.
"Meredith, don't think for one second I didn't recognize the burgers from Joe's. That I know very well the eight year old girl in there did not get up out of bed, leave the hospital, and order a burger in a bar without any money," Derek spat.
"I'm sorry Derek," Meredith said.
"You should be," Derek sighed. "Your off the case, or what's left of it. I will have someone else take her down to CT.... you can go." Meredith looked down and walked away, but not before looking in on Cass who was laying in her bed, staring forward, silently.
------------------------------------------------------
Cass is going home. And since a lot of you have guessed it so if may not be a total surprise, but the end of the next chapter reveals the reason Mer was very suspicious. Once Cass is out of the hospital, you will see more of Mer's friends and a lot of Cass's home life....
This, like all my stories, will definitely have a happy ending... just not until the end. ;) It will get really angsty I won't lie but there will be a great ending, I will make sure of it! One of my other stories has the same kind of theme to it... you know, the bad thing that happens and stuff....
Please R&R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!