Miranda Bailey aimed the remote control at the TV and absent-mindedly flicked through the channels, she paused on one channel as a re-run of one her old favourites came on…frowning a fraction as one of the characters reminded of her of someone… sighing in frustration as she couldn't place who…she didn't think she knew any blonde nymphomaniacs with cute dimples and blue eyes. Nope, it was just annoying she thought as she flicked to another channel, no longer really paying any attention. She paused as she heard a moan then a whimper from the dark haired woman sleeping restlessly on the couch next to her, and turned to gently stroke her friends cheek as she whispered, "It's ok baby…it's ok…just sleep now, there's a girl…just sleep."
Callie whimpered again, "Arizona?" she whispered, her eyes briefly flickering open as she went to sit up, but Miranda gently reached for her shoulders and pushed her back against the soft cushions. "Shhh now Callie, it's ok…I'm here…Sofia is asleep, just rest"
"Arizona?" Callie whispered again
"Will be home real soon honey, now…go back to sleep…that' is…sleep now" . Bailey watched as Callies breathing once again slowed down and she seemed to have drifted back off again. With a small sigh she let go of her friends shoulders and stood up to stretch the kinks out of her own muscles. She was just about to sit down when she heard the muffled whimpering of Sofia over the baby monitor. Glancing quickly at Callie, Miranda hurried into the nursery and tried to soothe the baby girl. But Sofia could sense something was wrong and wasn't willing to settle straight back down. Reluctantly Miranda lifted her out her cot and started to rock her gently, bouncing her up and down as she carefully crept back into the lounge.
"Look Sofia, there's mummy see….there's mummy" she said as she angled her arm so Sofia could see the sleeping Callie. It worked, Sofias whimpers started to ease up, and Miranda was walking her back to her nursery when the toddler suddenly pitched forward in her arms, nearly causing Miranda to drop her. "Sofia!" she gasped. Oh Sofia…" she whispered as she realised that the bright young child was twisting her head around to see into her mothers bedroom. "I know who you're looking for baby girl. " Miranda crooned as she walked into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed…she reached out for the framed picture she had noticed many times before on her visits there…and brought it up for the little girl to stare at. Small hands reached out and stroked at the glass, a smile playing on the lips so like her mothers…her chocolate brown eyes drooping as she tried to pull the framed picture closer to her. Miranda nodded to herself as she stood up and carried Sofia and the picture back into the nursery. She placed a drowsy Sofia back into the cot, then moved the small table nearer, and turned the small nightlight a fraction. Then she placed the photograph under the light, facing Sofia. The little girl blinked and waved her hand in the direction of the picture, her eyes locked on it, as Miranda gently stroked her back and hummed a lullaby. Gradually Sofias eyes fluttered down, and with a little whimper she drifted back to sleep, her chubby hand still out stretched to the picture on the table. The picture of a brightly smiling Arizona.
Miranda picked it up and studied it for several minutes. Her mind flooding with memories of the joy and laughter she had shared with this bright woman.
"Do you know what you need in your life Miranda Bailey? Wheelies!" Arizona had chuckled as he short friend glowered back at her. "Seriously…wheelies…best way to feel good in the morning. Can't help but smile when you're on wheelies"
"Do I look like the kinda woman that does…wheelies!" Miranda had huffed as Arizona giggled some more before pushing herself up on to her wheels and skating around her friend. "Stop that!" Miranda scolded, "you're making me dizzy!"
Again Arizona had giggled. "But your smiling Miranda Bailey
"No…I'm not…I'm…I'm frowning…disapprovingly!" but despite her words, the edges of Mirandas mouth were twitching upwards. It was hard not to! Arizona Robbins, one of the top Peds Surgeons in the whole of the country…was actually skating circles around her and giggling like a five year old…hell f it wasn't contagious
"What size shoe do you take Bailey?" Arizona asked as she gracefully did a little spin and came to a stop in front of her.
"No!" Bailey hissed. "Uh uh…no way! Alright for you Robbins…all skinny and graceful…but put a real woman like me on those things…"
Arizona grinned and her eyes twinkled. "Ah…so you've thought about it! Deep down …Miranda Bailey wants to do wheelies across Seattle" and with another giggle she pushed herself into another circle around her friend
"You're crazy….crazy!" Miranda muttered…but chuckled as she walked away.
"Bailey?"
Miranda turned back and smiled as she saw Arizona standing looking at her. "Mm?"
"It's your birthday soon Bailey…"
Miranda waved her hand in dismissal, but couldn't stop the grin from breaking free. "You and Torres deserve each other…both as mad as the other. Crazy fools"
"But you love us!" Arizona called out as Miranda stepped into the elevator
"Yeah yeah!" Bailey waved at her, but called out…"I take a four!" as the doors slid shut.
With a deep sigh, Miranda placed the photo back on the small table, angling it to ensure Sofia would be able to see it. "Sleep tight baby!" she whispered as she glanced one last time in the cot…and with one last look at the photo whispered, "you to baby, wherever you are"
She made her way to the kitchen and made herself a warm milk. Her eyes glancing around the apartment as she waited for it to warm. There were several photos of this special family dotted all around, with her warm milk in mug hugged close to her, Miranda smiled as she meandered around and looked at all of them, her heart breaking as she fixed on the large wedding photo Callie had placed on the coffee table in front of her. With a shaky breath Miranda rubbed at her temple, the tension starting to make her head ache. "How can this be happening?" she whispered to herself, "how? How?" She leaned on the counter and took another deep breath. "Get a grip Bailey" she muttered, "don't lose it…Callie needs you…c'mon…get a grip"
She was just about to sit back down next to Callie when there was a soft tap at the door. Glancing quickly at her sleeping friend Miranda hurried to the door, cautiously she opened it, breathing a huge sigh of relief as Owen Hunt looked up at her. "I uh, got chased out of the hospital by Webber…but …couldn't bring myself to go home. " Bailey smiled gently at him and stood to one side to usher him in. "How is she?" he asked quietly as he glanced at the sleeping Callie
"Exhausted" Bailey replied, "same as you. Come on…sit down..I'll make you a sandwich"
"I'm not hungry"
Bailey glared up at him. "I'll make you a sandwich!"
Owen sighed and nodded as he dropped down on to the sofa, carful not to disturb Callie. He looked at the wedding picture on the table in front of him and smiled weakly, memories of his own wedding day crowding into his mind. He let his head drop back and fought for control, he had come to check on Callie, not upset her more. He vaguely heard the theme music to the local news station in the background, paying little attention until he heard the news anchors solemn voice.
"Tonight, we have further breaking news on the missing plane carrying surgeons from Seattle Mercy Grace. Viewers of our channel may recall that last year our programme was given exclusive access to this busy and thriving hospital, to see how the staff were recovering from the devastating shooting that had taken place there six months before our crew visited. During our time there we met several of the staff…many of whom struck a chord with you, our viewers, with their warmth and dedication" The man paused and seemed to be visibly upset.
Owen by now was sitting upright, his eyes glued to the set, he sensed Miranda had come to stand next to him, she to riveted to the screen
"Sadly, tonight, it has been confirmed, that all six of the doctors missing tonight…took part in our programme.
Miranda gasped as clips from the previous programme were played as part of the news item.
The anchorman continued his solemn narrative. "Mark Sloan, the charismatic plastic surgeon was on board the chartered flight as he and five of his colleagues flew to Boise Idaho, to operate on conjoined twins. Derek Shepherd, the Neuro surgeon who fought back from serious injury in the shooting was with him, his skills required to help separate the twins who are joined at the cranium, sternum and hip. His wife is also on board the plane. As is Dr Cristina Yang the heroic doctor who continued to operate on her friend even at gun point. The news show then cut to a clip of the previous documentary
"I'm not a hero!" Cristina whispered as the camera zoomed in close. "I just did…what anyone would have done."
"Many of our viewers disagreed after hearing the full story" the news man continued, "and you flooded our enquiry lines with messages of support for the traumatised Cardio whizz kid. Another doctor who captured the hearts of our viewers was Peds Fellow, Dr Arizona Robbins, one of the youngest and brightest Paediatric Surgeons in the country. Again the new item cut to the previous footage.
"You don't run when you get a 911 in Peds…every second counts, every second" Arizona shyly smiled at the camera and blushed.
"Who can forget that during our time at the hospital, Dr Robbins was treating a young girl called Lily…who had developed a tumour that was inoperable, and sadly…at that point…considered terminal. But in a show of upmost skill and dedication…and pioneering medicine, Dr Robbins grew a new trachea for Lily…patiently working with her assistant, Dr Alex Karev, this amazing young woman saved the life of the young girl, changing her fate…! Sadly, tonight…along with her five colleagues…Dr Robbins fate hangs in the balance as she remains missing for second night"
"Oh god!" a soft voice whimpered
Both Owen and Miranda had been engrossed in the news item and had not noticed that Callie had instantly woken when she had heard Arizonas voice. As soon as Bailey heard her she reached for the remote and switched the TV off, instantly sitting down next to her friend as Callie continued to stare at the blank screen
"They, they must have been asking at the hospital" Owen muttered to himself. He was also staring at the blank screen, but in his own mind all he could see, was Cristina…and her words echoed in his mind. "I'm not a hero. I'm not a hero"
[xx]
I'm not a hero, thought Cristina, I need to sleep…it will be ok…if I just sleep…just for a little while….just a nap. So tired. So…very tired . Her eyelids were so heavy, her eyes grainy as she tried to keep them open…even though all she could see was dark shadows, and stars. The growling was closer tonight…either that or she was getting used to the night sounds. It was colder to, colder than last night. Maybe, if she could just…sleep, she would be warmer when she woke. Her head dropped forward, she could feel herself leaning more on Arizona…listening as her friend coughed slightly and groaned. Cristina pulled herself back upright and shook her head. "Stay awake Yang!" she muttered "wake up!"
But she was so tired that almost immediately she was starting to lean back on Arizona, her eyes drifting closed.
"Cristina?" a soft voice called to her
Cristina looked up, it was dark…but she could see who it was so clearly. "Lexie?" she whispered.
"You have to stay awake Cristina. You have to. They need you" her friends kid sister said softly
"Too tired" Cristina groaned.
"Please Yang…wake up!" Lexie pleaded
"I/m sorry I couldn't help you!" Yang muttered. "Sorry I couldn't…save you"
Lexie smiled as she crouched in front of her. "Nobody could have saved me…not even the mighty Cristina Yang!"
"Still" Cristina said softly. "I like you…I'm sorry…I couldn't …save you"
"You like me huh?" Lexie grinned at her. "I thought you just tolerated me cos I'm Mers kid sister!"
"You're the vanilla version of Meredith" Cristina chuckled, "how could I not like you! Lexie?"
"Hmmm?"
"Please, don't take Mark or Arizona. Don't take Mark with you…even though I know he wants so much to join you…please…don't take him"
Lexies smile was sad as she leaned towards Cristina and whispered. "Not my call Yang."
"Please" Cristina whispered again
Lexie glanced over at were Mark was sleeping. "Then…you'd better wake up. Be my hero and save him…Wake up Cristina…Mark needs you…wake up…"
"Cristina!" Arizona gasped as she weakly shook at her shoulder. Please…wake up, oh puh…puh…please…I th…I think Mark….he….he's not breathing….ahhhh"
Cristina shook her head and blinked several times before she heard Arizona gasp weakly "Cristina….Mark"
Cristina scrambled across the dirt and reached to find a pulse. She cried out as frantically pressed against his neck, her fingers desperate to find even the slighted trace of life. In frustration she thumped twice on his chest, jumping back in shock as Mark coughed loudly and drew in a deep wheezing breath
"Way…to…go Yang. "whispered Arizona from behind her. "Quite…the…the …hero" She gave a soft chuckle and drifted back into unconsciousness.
Yang stared at her for several minutes, then stared back down at Mark before calling out in to the dark. "Thank you, Lexie….thank you"