AN: I am so sorry this took forever. I was really busy and kinda in a rut. Also, I'm sorry if Christina's attitude toward Derek is no what you envision but all I could think about was snarky Christina. Oh and sorry if Derek being super emotional makes you mad too. I am just very emotional right now so it's reflecting into my writing. So let me know what you think. Again, that you so much for all the lovely reviews. They keep me going. Love you all 3


That evening, Derek knocked on the hotel room door. He was so glad he ran into Christina. Hope filled the air and Derek started to believe he could see his wife and kids again someday. On his way home, he daydreamt about meeting Meredith.

Walking down the airport corridor, he catches eye contact with her. She begins to tear up and puts her head through her knees. He runs to her and squats down so his face is face-to-face with her. They kiss and it feels like he never left. They walk out of the airport with arms around each other holding the other tightly.

He knew this daydreaming would only provide temporary joy but he deserved that minute of joy.

Christina answered the door and invited Derek in. "So am I allowed to call you Derek or will the CIA kill me?"

"I do have another name, but since we aren't in public, Derek is fine." Derek chuckled at her sarcasm. It brought back the days they spent a Grey Sloan Memorial. A lot has changed since then. Inside the hotel room, Derek sat on the couch while Christina poured him a drink. She then settled in the chair. "Nice room. It's big."

"Thanks, perks of being a world-renowned surgeon. The hospital in Paris spoiled me." The small talk was awkward and she was bursting with curiosity. She couldn't wrap her brain around the fact that Derek didn't die in a car crash. Christina decided to just jump right in. "So, tell me everything. Start from the beginning."

"Honestly, I can't tell you much. I've been trying to figure it out myself but they've got my phone bugged, they follow me everywhere, and it's not like I can just google it." Derek took a deep breath. Saying all this out loud was hard. He hadn't had anyone to talk to about this. The agent didn't count. He was just protecting his ass, he didn't care about Derek's feelings, at least that's how Derek felt. "All I know is that after the car accident, I somehow ended up in a Paris hospital."

"Do you not remember Meredith coming to that hospital out in the middle of nowhere? She unplugged you. You were brain dead and she unplugged you."

"I vaguely remember her... " Derek had major memory loss from the traumatic accident. He was trying to remember but it was making him emotional. "Christina, I'm sorry…" Derek started to tear up. This was too much for him.

Christina noticed Derek's tears. She walked over and sat next to him. "Look, they mostly likely gave you a sedative when you were supposedly brain dead. It was probably strong enough to lower your heart rate to nothing. When she unplugged you, the drugs made you seem like you were dead. That's my professional opinion." Christina started to giggle a little because she thought of something to lighten the mood. "That's how I would do it if I wanted to make someone disappear."

Derek laughed at Christina's comment. She always knew how to lighten the mood. Derek needed that. He needed her. "Why do you think they did it? I've been over my work in D.C. a thousand times. None of it was risky. It was brain mapping. There's nothing top secret about it."

"I don't know. It could be anything. What about that girl who picked up your phone when Mer called? The one you cheated with?"

"For the record, I did not cheat. She kissed me, I got upset and got on a plane to Seattle. I never saw her after that." Bringing up Renee brought back memories of Meredith and him fighting about D.C. He started to get emotional again.

"Okay, sorry I opened up old wounds. No offense, I don't remember you being this emotional..." Christina felt bad for Derek but she wasn't going to miss an opportunity to tease him.

"Why don't you get hit by a semi truck, almost die, and then end up in a different city with a different name. Oh and don't forget that you can't contact anyone ever again." Derek knew that coming to Christina's hotel tonight and talking to her was a step forward. But he was not in the mood for her sarcasm. He needed five minutes of support. Maybe he was overreacting but he didn't care at this point. It was Christina and he knew she would tolerate him for tonight.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I know this is tough. I'm willing to help but we need to talk about when Meredith finds out that you aren't dead."

"I know it will be hard for her. But seriously Christina? Meredith has been through a lot. She can handle it. She is stronger than I am."

"I'm just saying she has been through alot this year. We just need to make sure we find the right place and time. Especially with the CIA. This could get messy. Are you willing to risk that?" As she was saying this, she realized that Derek didn't know about Ellis. Christina contemplated telling Derek about his new child.

"I will do anything to see her again. She is the love of my life, Christina. The past few months have been hell. I just want to see her again." Derek took a deep breath.

"Derek, I need to tell you something... about Meredith." Christina hesitated. She didn't want to have to tell Derek this. No matter how much she didn't want to tell him, she knew he needed to know. This news would give him hope. "Meredith was pregnant during your accident. She just had a beautiful baby girl, Ellis…"

"Really?" Derek seemed calm on the outside but his mind was going crazy on the inside. Meredith was pregnant? A baby? A baby girl? Ellis? "Are they doing well? Is Amelia helping her out? Is Meredith ok?" Derek wanted to know everything.

Christina was expecting a different reaction. However, she was glad at how he took it. Derek's eyes lit up the moment she said the word 'pregnant'. "She moved to New York for the pregnancy. After the accident, living in Seattle and pregnant with your baby was too much for her. She needed a break. They are back in Seattle now and doing very well. I've been talking to her once a week. Meredith doesn't say much about how she feels. I can tell she is still struggling but like you said, she is strong. And yes, Amelia and Maggie and Alex are there for her."

At that point, Derek leaned toward Christina and gave her a hug. He was so grateful for running into her at the hospital. He finally got the breakthrough he needed. A new dose of hope gave him the boost to continue to fight for his family and freedom. "That's great to hear. Can you keep me updated? Now that I know about my daughter, I am anxious to hear all about her."

"Sure, no problem. I understand." Christina could tell that Derek was feeling better and she was overjoyed.

"Hey, sorry, but the CIA guys think you are some prostitute or someone I am hooking up with tonight. Can I just sleep on the couch? I'm really don't want to go back to my lonely apartment."

"Sure, I'll get you an extra blanket and pillow."

That night, Derek dreamt about Meredith and his baby girl. He envisioned her looking like Meredith; light brown hair and green eyes. Derek couldn't wait to meet her. He couldn't wait to see her bright smile.