A/N: Here we go again! Another new chapter! This one starts with a little SGH, but is mostly focused on the Cristina-Meredith interaction. I hope you like it! Lexie-Meredith will be featured in the next chapter.


"Look, Derek, I didn't ask the four of you to stay behind so we could argue over who gets to go to L.A. and who doesn't. That decision has already been made, and I won't be changing it anytime soon. I asked you to stay behind because I know that the three of you," Richard gestured to George, Izzie and Alex, "are very close with Meredith, and because you," he nodded in Derek's direction, "were at one point very close with her."

Derek winced, understanding the chief's very clear implication. Derek was included in this conversation as a courtesy, not because he had any real place in her personal life at that moment.

"Given your relationships with Meredith," the chief continued, "I know that the four of you will probably take this harder than any of the other staff, with the possible exception of Dr. Yang and Lexie. They, however, are not of as much concern to me at the moment because they will not be holding people's lives in their hands. I wanted to personally make sure that you will all be able to continue working to the best of your abilities. I would also like to use this time to let you ask any questions you might have regarding Meredith's condition. If there is anything you would like to know more detail on, now is the time to ask."


"Mark?"

"Yes, Meredith?"

"Not that I'm not happy to see you or anything, because I am…but I'm pretty sure Addison promised me my person and my sister as well as my fellow dirty mistress."

"They went to get some coffee and meet with the attending heading up your case. They should be back any second now."

Right on cue, the door opened and Lexie and Cristina entered the room.

"You're awake!" Cristina exclaimed in relief, rushing to Meredith's side. Lexie hung back, still unsure whether her sister would be happy to see her.

Mark stood up. "Well, I think we should give you two some time to chat."

He leaned in and placed a kiss on Meredith's forehead before ushering Lexie out of the room.

Cristina hesitated for only a moment before speaking.

"God, Meredith Grey do you have any idea how worried I have been? You have got to stop doing this to me! What the hell were you doing flying anywhere? And where exactly were you going?"

"The details are still kind of fuzzy, Cristina. I remember being in a bar after work on Thursday…Addison tells me it's now Saturday…I remember this guy named Ryan hitting on me; I'd met him the week before, I think…I remember him mentioning something about Mexico…the next thing I remember is being pinned under the wreckage and seeing Ryan lying dead a few feet away from me."

"I think you need to stop drinking."

"I think that might be a good idea."

They sat in silence for several minutes, studying each other intently.

"Cristina?"

"Yes, Meredith?"

"When I'm in my coma, you have to make all my decisions."

"I know."

"I need you to promise me something."

"Don't worry, I won't let Sloan give you a boob job while he's in there."

"Very funny. No, I want you to promise me you won't let them take my leg."

"Meredith…you know that might not be possible. Looking at it as a surgeon, regaining even partial muscle connectivity and associated limb function with the extent of your current injuries is statistically unlikely. You have a better chance at walking again with a prosthetic than you do with your actual leg."

"Cristina, could you please for once in your life not look at everything through a surgeon's eyes? Have you ever known me to do what the odds said I should? Would I even be alive right now if I let statistics determine my future?"

"I suppose you have a point there."

"Of course I have a point. I may ramble, but I always have a point. Well, okay, not always, but usually. Alright, fine, maybe six times out of..."

"Meredith…rambling again," Cristina laughed, with only a hint of mock annoyance.

"Sorry. In all seriousness, I haven't seen my chart, so you tell me…is there a danger of infection or some other reason that the amputation absolutely has to be done immediately?"

"No."

"Good. So get them to let me keep my leg long enough to have a chance at beating the odds. Because Cristina, I'm good at that, but I can't beat them if I never get a shot at trying. I promise, if it doesn't work, I'll let you cut the leg off yourself."

"Seriously?"

"Stop fishing for surgeries!"

"Sorry."

"Do you promise?"

"What am I supposed to tell the ortho guy when he wants to cut it off?"

"Who is it?"

"Um…" Cristina grabbed Meredith's chart and let out a soft whistle when she saw the surgeon's name. "Looks like you have all the luck, Mer. Tyler Garrison; he's the best orthopedic surgeon on the west coast, maybe even the whole country! I think he's still going to want to amputate, though."

"That's okay. He worked under my mother for a while. Just tell him I'm Ellis Grey's daughter and if he takes my leg, my mother's ghost is going to come haunt him."

"You want me to threaten Tyler Garrison with your mother's ghost?"

"Yes."

"What if he doesn't go for it?"

"Ask him about the big scar he's got on his right shoulder. He'll give you some bull about fighting off a mugger or saving a damsel in distress or something macho like that. He uses it to impress the ladies. His record almost makes McSteamy look like a respectable man." Cristina scoffed at this suggestion and Meredith managed to muster a small laugh.

"Just remind Dr. Garrison that I know where that scar really came from and why it healed the way it did. If I wake up with one leg, I'm not above telling this whole damn hospital."

"You want me to blackmail one of the most well known orthopedic surgeons in this country?" Cristina asked, just to be sure.

"Yes, please."

"Okay then. I suppose I am your person."

"You're my person."

After a few moments of silence, Meredith spoke again.

"Could you ask Lexie to come in? I want to talk to her before…before I go out."

"Sure."