A/N: Well, I'm back... had to take a little break to let ideas come and percolate... Thanks for your patience. I'm really surprised at the response from people! It's great! You guys are great! If you like this fic, you may like my other fics, The Call, which is a crossover with Code Black. Or perhaps Growing Pains, which is a crossover with Law and Order SVU. Check out my author profile!
Thanks to Mandyg67, Patsy, Kaitlyn, Evie, and the TheDoctorPieMaker... for all your encouragement!
Enjoy!
The next time she saw Michael Shepherd, he'd cleaned up. His hair was combed into gentle waves, shining in the light, and he was wearing nice pleated trousers and a white button up shirt.
It was the Sunday picnic.
Of course, he wasn't wearing a tie, and his sleeves were rolled up.
He stood awkwardly among the throng of church people, which was a few dozen, not to mention the several small children who pushed through the crowd and darted in between legs.
She hadn't noticed him there before. Of course, her family had arrived much earlier for the service and always sat three rows from the front. And she hadn't been in the choir this time so she wouldn't have noticed his arrival, as she was facing the front. Her curious eyes lingered, transfixed. He was handsome... now that the dirt had been scrubbed off and his hair tamed. For the first time, she noticed his dark blue eyes, and she skipped a breath.
"Carolyn! Come help me dear," Her mother called as she laid out her casserole dishes on the picnic table. "Bring the napkins in from the car, and the extra plates."
"Yes mother," she mumbled dutifully, and made her way to the car.
As she pushed through the crowd of picnic-basket carrying families, she couldn't help but overhear the whispers of the gossipers, Nicole, Tracy and Sharon.
"Did you hear about the new boy, Michael?"
"I heard he moved into the house beside the Grey House..."
"Really?"
"I hear he doesn't have any parents..."
"What?"
"Yeah, the paperboy Jasper says he lives with his Grandma..."
"Isn't that Phyllis Shepherd?"
"Ew. Phyllis is his Grandma?"
Carolyn took that time to intervene... "Hey!" She called, marching toward the girls. "If you did not see it with your own eyes, or hear it with your own ears, don't invent it with your small minds and big mouths!"
The three girls stared at her, rolled their eyes and scoffed. "Hey," said Nicole, the default leader, "I think the line is open for food, C'mon." She nodded to the park and her friends dutifully followed.
As they parted, she saw Michael. He'd heard everything, and his usual playful look was gone from his expression.
She drew near him, standing a few feet away. "Are you alright?" she asked.
His eyes glittered and his mouth curved to a half smile. "Just hiding my pain," he said.
"Don't mind them, they don't know what they're talking about."
He shrugged sadly.
"What's it matter anyway? Who cares? If you knew half the things about them that they think they know about you, you wouldn't give them even a moment's notice."
"Really?" he asked disbelivingly.
Carolyn decided to change the subject to something more cheerful. "Are you any good at the three legged race? I need a partner."
xxx
Grace felt she was watching a movie. Through grey stormy eyes she was pulled in, looking inside a person.
"Wait for me..." Grace heard someone say as a Carousel spun around.
She felt the presence of a man, a gentle intelligent soul. A soul that strived. She saw him, wavy dark hair, piercing blue eyes.
"Stay here," he was saying with love. "Wait for me."
"I don't know... I just feel like I got you back and now you're going again..."
"We can be extraordinary together rather than ordinary apart." The carousel spun and spun, and the little girl held on tight.
"I love you Meredith Grey and I want to spend the rest of my life with you..."
"I can live without you, but I don't want to, I don't ever want to." The girl was a woman now, and her smile faded.
"Give me the papers!" The Carousel spun faster and faster around and then...
"Where are we going mommy?" A dark skinned girl asked as she held onto her mother.
"Away sweetie."
It was empty... the Carousel spun, but no one was riding.
"It's okay, I'm a doctor, I know what I'm doing."
"Grace? Can you hear me?"
"Grace?"
The movie reel in her head stopped and now there was just blackness. Feeling was returning to her however, and she sighed. She felt pressure on her hand.
"Grace?"
Mom? What was she doing at school? Wait... something felt wrong. She remembered a noise, a horrible squeaking crunchy noise. And pain... a lot of pain, and it was hard to breathe... but-
Grace sighed again. She had to open her eyes. She blinked, and finally- "Mom..." she murmured.
"Hey, you're awake."
Grace blinked again, and now the brown blur in front of her became her mother's face. She returned her mother's squeeze and swallowed.
"Here." A few cold ice chips were offered to her on a spoon and she sucked on them greedily.
"You were in an accident on your way to school, do you remember?"
"I..." she started, thinking. Yes, she remembered now. "I didn't even see- it was just-" crunch.
"Oh hon, you broke two ribs and punctured a lung, and you have a concussion... but, you're going to be just fine." Her mother looked so relieved.
Grace managed a smile and squeezed her mother's hand again, to offer reasurance. "I know mom, I always knew. Meredith was there." She remembered looking into those eyes, and somehow just knowing that she would be okay.
"Meredith?"
I'm Grace, what's your name?
Oh. Meredith.
"The lady in the other car... how is she?"
Grace saw a strange look on her mother's face. "She's... a little banged up," she said. "But she's alright I think."
"You think?" Grace asked. This was unusual. Her mother was hardly uncertain about anything. Especially people.
Her mother seemed to be aware of this too. Her expression was confused and pained.
"Mom?"
"I just... I can't read her Grace... I don't know why."
Grace sighed. So that was it... but- "I think I can mom, and I don't think she's okay."
Mom leaned in closer, her eyebrows furrowing with concern, "What do you mean?"
"I think that... she's alone and a little lost." Grace swallowed and gripped her mother's hand tighter. "Mom, she's got nowhere to go."
Her mother looked away from her for a moment and then back into her daughter's eyes. "I'll go talk to her. Brandon just went to get lunch, he'll be back in no time."
"Okay Mom." There was just something about those stormy eyes, and the love that used to be there but wasn't, and Grace had to know that Meredith was alright.
xxx
"Sam!" Cassie called out to her friend as she saw him by the front desk. "Do you know where Meredith is? The other driver?"
He shook his head, "She signed herself out about an hour ago."
"What?"
"Yeah, against medical advice."
Cassie wrung her hands worriedly, "Do you think she'll be okay?"
"I saw her scans, she'll be sore, but there's nothing to be overly concerned about." He squinted. "Why?" he asked. "Is this- the thing?" Sam knew about her 'Second Sense,' and often remarked on it
"Grace is a little concerned, and I am too," she acknowledged.
He nodded, "Well she can't have gone far, her car is totaled. It'll be awhile before insurance gets her a rental. I bet she's still in Blairville."
Cassie breathed in relief... "Well... that's alright then, I guess. I should get back to Cassie."
"Dr. Radford?" A nurse brusquely walked by. "Labs for Meredith Grey."
"Thanks." Sam picked up the folder and looked inside. "Mm," he murmured as he flipped the folder closed. "Can you fax this to my office please? Just in case she shows up."
xxx
Meredith wearily exited the taxi for the forth time. She unbuckled Zola and Bailey from the backseat and waited for them to crawl out.
"Come on," she said, taking Zola's hand. "Take your brother's hand."
Zola obeyed with a sigh, and the three of them limped to the hotel door. "Please have a room," she muttered to herself. The last three hotels had all been full and this was the last one in Blairville.
"Excuse me," she called at the desk, "I need to book a room."
The old woman shook her head, "I'm sorry dear, we're all booked up."
"What?"
"It's the heritage festival this weekend, everyone is here from around the state."
"Well is there anywhere I can go? I have kids and my car is totalled and I just- don't have anywhere to go..." she swallowed back a sob. "Please?" she squeaked. God, she hated begging, but she was sore and tired and Bailey was cranky and her purse was getting too heavy...
The lady hummed for a moment. "Well, there is that bed and breakfast in Middleton, I'll call ahead for you to make sure there's a room alright?"
"Thank you."
xxx
"So how long will Grace be in the hospital?" Cassie asked Sam as he drove her home. She'd been reassured by all the medical staff that Grace would be just fine and even Grace herself practically pushed her out the door, which was strange... but she was glad that she had Sam for company right now. Besides, Brandon was there looking after Grace.
"Barring any complications, a few days," Sam replied, nodding.
"Good, I'm just thankful she's alive."
"Hm." he said.
They rode in silence for a few moments. "So what was your impression of Meredith?" Cassie asked. She just had to get another opinion of the woman, because her instincts were... off.
"Well, from what I heard, she stayed at the scene, called 911, left her own children to check on Grace, inserted a perfectly placed chest tube to help your daughter breathe properly and remained at her side until they arrived at the hosptial. That's pretty impressive if you ask me."
"She seemed to have a lot going on," Cassie added.
"Maybe so, but she asked about Grace. I know a good doctor when I see one, and despite whatever she was going through at the moment, she put grace first. That's a point in my books."
"Yes," Cassie agreed, "I suppose it is."
They pulled up to her house and Sam put the car in park. "Do you... um want me to stay or anything?"
"I'll be okay Sam. I'm going to get some things for Grace tomorrow, and... I'm sure Abigail will want to be filled in.
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Good night Sam."
"Good night Cassie."
She stepped out of the car and walked swiftly into The Grey House. Home. Although she hated to be away from her daughter, she knew she would be fine, and she was just glad to be here now, in the comfort of her home.
"Hello?" she called, hoping Abigail or George were here.
"Cassie?" A voice called from up the stairs.
"George." She replied to her father in law. Well, not exactly, he was Jakes deceased wife's father... not that it made a differance now. He was like a father to her, and a grandfather to Grace, so it didn't matter.
"How's Grace?" He asked, coming down to her.
"Well, she'll be in the hospital for a few days, but she'll be okay."
He breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank God," he said.
"Hm, yes." Cassie said. "I could really use a cup of relaxing tea, can I make some for you George?"
"Oh, sure, start one up, but... I have to get one of the rooms ready, we have a guest arriving."
"Oh." Cassie replied softly. Was this why Grace pushed her to go home?
"Got kids too, we don't usually cater to families like this, but she seemed pretty desperate, all the hotels are booked up in Blairville," George added.
"Hm." Cassie said, starting the water for the tea, she sighed and settled in to wait. She looked up when she heard the noise of a car approaching, the headlights flashing against the window. Car doors opened and closed. There was a hush of voices. That must be her guest. She gracefully stood up and walked to the door, opening it widely.
Cassie gasped, although she suspected that if Grace was here she would have smiled instead, because Grace knew this would happen.
At her doorstep was a familiar pair of exhausted grey eyes. Meredith. Her arm still bound in a sling, a jacket thrown over her shoulders, just covering enough of the blood that lined her shirt so it didn't stand out. Her previous head bandage was removed, but under dirty blonde bangs was an ugly band of stitches. Her hand clutched her daughters who clutched her son's and a heavy purse hung over her good shoulder.
"The Grey house? Seriously? And you're... the the- person that runs it? Seriously?" Meredith choked. She looked pleadingly at the departing cab.
"Meredith-" Cassie started.
"Um... it's fine, it's okay. I'm sure you don't want me to stay here. If you can just call me another cab... My phone battery died and the charger is in my car and-"
"Meredith-" Cassie interrupted.
"I never should've left Seattle- God, I'm so stupid!-"
"Meredith!" Cassie raised her voice.
Startled, Meredith looked up, meeting her gaze again.
"I don't turn Guests away. Please come in, you're welcome here." She wouldn't refuse this woman. There was a reason she was here, there was always a reason people stayed at Grey house.
"Are you sure?" Meredith asked.
"Yes, come in, you look exhausted. Your room is almost ready."
"Mommy...pwease can we stay here?" The girl asked, swinging her mother's arm.
"I tired." The boy whined.
Meredith looked down at her children, "Okay..." she said, "Okay."
"Room's ready!" George called from upstairs.
"Please, sign in here, and come this way." Cassie said, showing her the guest book before leading her upstairs
Cassie led them to the room, it was their biggest room, with the biggest bed. The kids ran to the bed immediately and began to jump on it, laughing as they did so.
"Bailey! Zola!" Meredith yelled, immediately stilling them. "Sit down and be quiet."
Cassie saw a change in the children's expression, like they were about to cry and Meredith deflated, knowing what was going to happen next. So Cassie quickly intervened, "It's against the rules to jump on the bed when it's bedtime," she said, "But if you're good, there may be a yummy breakfast ready in the morning when you wake up."
"Can we have waffles?" the girl asked.
Cassie smiled. "That sounds like a wonderful breakfast."
Meredith sat down on the edge of the bed, and her kids leaned against her. She kissed her son's forehead and sighed, her free hand scrunching the bed sheets. She shook her head, "Thank you. Thanks- I..."
"I know." Cassie said again, "Grace woke up... and she'll be fine," she smiled. "She actually was worried about you."
Meredith raised an eyebrow. "Oh."
"Meredith," she started.
"You know, I never got your name." Meredith said.
"Cassie."
"Cassie." Meredith said, nodding.
"Meredith, it was an accident..." She stepped closer, knowing it was important that Meredith know and understand how she felt. "I know you didn't hit her on purpose."
"I wasn't wearing my sunglasses, I left them at home and the sun-" her voice cracked.
Cassie sat down beside the upset woman and placed a hand on her knee. "It's okay, and you're welcome to stay here as long as you need to get your... bearings." The word just came to her, and she wondered why she'd spoken it. She's a little lost... Grace said earlier.
"Okay." Meredith whispered. "Thank you."
"You look like you need some rest... I'll check in on you later. The kitchen is open... I've got a few premade snacks in the fridge if you're hungry."
Meredith nodded and scooted to the head of the bed, grabbing extra pillows to prop her up. Cassie took it as her cue to exit.
She left the room, closing the door behind her and sighed. There was definitely more going on with Meredith. She just hoped she could help. Speaking of help... she went to her room and opened a drawer, picking out some comfortable sweats and refolded them. She went back to Meredith's room and knocked softly on the door. "Meredith?" she asked, stepping into the room.
Meredith was already asleep. the television was playing a cartoon that the kids were watching while eating grapes. Zola stared at her with big brown eyes. Cassie put the sweats on a chair. "Clean clothes for your mom," she said to the solemn four-year-old. Sighing, and offering a prayer to whatever may be out there, she hoped Meredith would find what she was looking for.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Please review!