Lead Scrub Nurse Bonnie Kinzawa, affectionately known as Boki to all at the hospital, had finished her shift nearly two hours ago. She had seen the flurry of movement as people drifted towards the foyer, heard the faint whisperings that something was happening, that there was news on the plane. She had felt her heart rate increase but had fought the urge to run and join the others, she would not allow herself to lose control in that way, she had fought so hard to keep her emotions at bay these last four days, fought so hard to be professional, to keep this great place of healing functioning, to remain loyal to the spirits of those beloved people missing on the plane alive. After all, they had been on the flight to help heal…to save, to care….to save lives. She couldn't help them right now….but every day since they had been missing, she had stopped at the Chapel to offer her prayers, then headed to the OR and kept her team of scrub nurses functioning…kept this hospital…functioning. She had asked them normal questions about what books they were reading, about kids and husbands and boyfriends, had brought in home baked goodies and snacks…kept the coffee pots full…she had even take a leaf out of Dr Torres and Dr Robbins book and had started off little sing songs in the OR to keep her nurses awake…she had kept them going.

So now, two hours after her shift finished, Boki slowly and methodically prepped OR2 for the night shift, ensured the soap and disinfectant in the scrub in room was filled, made sure there were fresh towels in both the steriliser and the clean bin, had done everything….except rush to the foyer and allow her hopes to rise, only to have them dashed to the ground.

She had been married for 30 years, had four children and six grandchildren…now as she dressed to go home, she realised that she felt like a parent to her staff, cared and nurtured them the same way she did her own flesh and blood, the same way she did with the six doctors torn away from her…and it hurt. Closing her locker she took a quick look around and reached for her mobile. "Hey sweetheart" she said softly as her husband picked up almost immediately, sighing as he gently said, "you're late honey". She nodded to herself and took a steadying breath, ""I'm not sure baby, but…I think…I think there's news and I….and I…." Her husband chuckled as he finished for her, "you wanna be there…in case. Want some company? Won't take me long to get there…?" Boki smiled as her heart filled with love for this kind thoughtful man she had been married to all these years. "It's ok hun…I'll only stay long enough to see if there is news…will ring you as soon as I know. Love you baby…see you later"

She hung up and started walking out towards the foyer, smiling to herself at how wonderful her husband was and how happy they were together. She wished everyone could be that happy, and then stopped in her tracks as she saw the Attendants Lounge open, and Dr Karev holding Dr Torres tightly to his side as she struggled to stand upright. NO! Boki thought….oh no….there's news…she knew that now, but looking at Dr Torres…her red rimmed eyes and unsteady gait….it was not the kind of news she wanted to hear. Her heart somersaulted at the thought of Dr Torres without Dr Robbins, and she quickly squeezed her eyes tightly closed to push the thought away, before opening them in time to see Dr Karev gently rubbing Dr Torres in the small of her back as they headed back into the conference room. With a quick shake of her head she turned at the end of the corridor and made her way to join her family of nurse, smiling as she saw so many of them already waiting patiently in the foyer, nodding to herself as she saw they way they cleared a space for her, so she sat in the middle of them…able to give them all comfort and support…keep them going.

[xx]

Callie turned to Alex as she hesitated outside of the conference room door, she drew in a shaky breath as he smiled gently at her and rubbed at the small of her back. "It's ok Callie, whatever happens, you're not alone ok? All of us in that room….in the foyer….in the hospital….we're all here to help you, not matter what. Ok?" He ducked a fraction to look in her eyes, winking at her as she gave a small nod back before watching him open the door, and guide her through

"Hey" she whispered shyly as she made her way back to her seat and sat down, sighing gratefully as instantly Teddy reached over and placed her hand on her thigh. "Did I miss anything?" she asked as she reached for her glass of water

Teddy glanced around, but as nobody else seemed willing to speak she cleared her throat slightly before telling her. "The first chopper is about ten minutes outside of Boise, we've uh….we've told them that the woman they have on board with Yang is a Dr Grey, we just…uhm….don't know which one. The man on board is responding to the fluids and briefly opened his eyes, but wasn't able to stay focussed long enough to speak. The pilot is stable, but they gave him morphine so he is still unconscious …and Cristina is now barely conscious to, she seems to be having some sort of seizures, but they're not sure, she is …in some sort of shock. Maybe the fluids and some warmth will help huh?"

Teddy grinned at her but Callie could barely smile back. "I'm just….glad she's alive" she whispered, "she has always been a good friend to me…would be weird to image this place without her!"

"Yeah, it would…weird without any of them" Teddy muttered as again the faces of Arizona, Meredith and Lexie flashed in her mind., They were losing one of them…and in a way, Teddy was glad to have her new job to run away to, escape the pain and loss that had haunted her since Henrys death, and would be as fresh and raw as ever now she had lost one of her friends. She swallowed and pursed her lips together to calm down before giving Callie more details, but her voice wavered as she stared to speak again. "The uhm…uh…second chopper couldn't load the others on when it first arrived, they still weren't stable…but they were able to lift….uhm….lift the tail end of the wreck a fraction…so they were able to bring out….the fatality" she paused as she struggled to keep her voice even, locking her gaze on Callies big brown, hopeful eyes, "but they still haven't been able to confirm her ID, sorry honey"

"It's ok" Callie whispered as she nodded a fraction. "It's ok, really…we'll know….soon enough. Webber is on his way…and Hunt, and Bailey. They'll find out soon, and they'll let us know. I can wait"

"Talking of letting us know…I spotted there is quite a crowd out there in the foyer. We did say we were going to make some sort of announcement" Alex said as he indicated with his thumb

"Yes" Daniel Robbins spoke up as he saw the indecision from the doctors in the room, "you should make some sort of announcement. It's only fair. These people have been waiting days for some news…any news…you should tell them"

"Tell them what?" Callie half sobbed. "The plane is found, there are people who are alive and will be ok, there are people who are barely alive…and there is one… one…oh God…uhm, one who will never come home. Thing is folks…we don't know who is who! Think that's what we should tell them? Think that will help them?"

"No" Daniel said patiently. "But you should tell them the plane has been found, and tell them we know there ARE survivors…and we'll let them know when we know more as soon as we find out. Callie, these are your people….they are hurting to…they deserve to know….it's the right thing to do"

Callie nodded slowly. She knew her father in law was right, and the people waiting were kind and thoughtful and had been there for her throughout this nightmare. But part of the reason she was afraid to tell them was that she didn't know how to, without breaking down into a million pieces, and losing her rep as the badass Ortho Goddess with the heart of gold but the nerves of steel….more like nerves of jello right now she thought bitterly. Get a grip Torres she thought as she straightened up in her seat. "Ok….you're right…I'll uh….I'll just get my head together and I'll uh….I'll tell them what we know. It should come from me…it will give me a chance to say…thank you to them. It should come from me"

Teddy stood and looked at the others. "I think it should come from ALL of us. You go out there, and you can be the one to speak…but you don't go alone…you aren't the only one those people have been looking after…not the only one who wants to say thank you…so you don't go alone…we ALL go…all of us. Ok?" She glanced around the room as one by one the little group stood and nodded before all turning to Callie

"I'll stay" Avery said softly. "Just in case they radio in again. I don't think we should leave it unmanned, even for a few minutes"

Callie gave a small laugh before slowly standing. "Thanks guys" she whispered, before tossing her raven locks over her shoulders, straightening the light jacket she was wearing and clearing her throat. "Let's do this"

[xx]

The conference door opened and immediately everyone looked up. Boki was the first to stand as she realised the small group of people were walking towards the railing of the cat walk. Slowly Boki made her way to the bottom of the stairs, stopping as she caught the eye of Dr Torres who had walked a fraction passed the others to reach the top of the stairs. She came down two steps but saw Boki shake her head a fraction before descending any further , she glanced back and smiled as Dr Altman came to stand on the step behind her, both doctors looking down and smiling at Boki who was gently ushering the crowd now forming silently behind her. When Boki was satisfied that everyone was ready she turned back to look at Dr Torres and softly said "We're ready Dr Torres."

Callie nodded a fraction and looked up at the sea of people. All faces she recognised…some as friends, some in passing. She could see a big crowd of staff she recognised from Arizonas ward….saw her own staff, and Marks. They all looked the same…hopeful….scared. Daniel was right, she had to tell them. "Uhm…first of all, I want to apologise for keeping you waiting. We haven't been hiding anything, it's just the news is only filtering through a bit at a time, bit so you know, we ARE in touch with the chopper crews and Boise so everything we know is up to date. I ah…oh…" she looked up as she fought for control, feeling Teddy gently rest her hand on her shoulder and whisper, "you can do this" she stamped her foot down and called up her Torres zeal. "Six hours ago, a spotter plane found signs of wreckage, they sent in a second plane who confirmed the site. A Chopper was sent in and, and we have confirmation that it was the plane…."

She paused as everyone started to murmur softly, starting again as Boki silenced the crowd with a "Go on Dr Torres"

Callie clasped her hands together in front of her and held her head high, but locked her gaze on her favourite scrub nurse. "We were in contact with the chopper the whole time after it first arrived at the crash site. And I am very pleased to announce…that there are survivors. The pilot survived…and…and…five of our people are still alive"

She closed her eyes at the shocked gasped and the cries of "Five" "Survivors!" "Oh Thank God…" "They've found them"

Opening her eyes she continued. "Drs Webber, Hunt and Bailey left for Boise as soon as the plane confirmed the sighting. They will look after our people and bring them home. We…we uhm don't have full confirmation of the ID of…of…anyone yet. Two of those who survived are in critical condition and I would beg you to keep them in your prayers a little while longer! We DO know, that one of our doctors coming home is Dr Cristina Yang…it seems Dr Yang cared for everyone out there, she has been our hero yet again! We also know…that both Dr Shepherd and Dr Sloan are alive, though we don't know which of them is critically injured and which of them is more stable. Uhm, and we also know one of the other survivors, is definitely one of the Dr Greys…but I'm sorry….we don't know if is Dr Meredith, or Dr Lexie…that….that….oh God…uhm….that's all we know right now…all….all we know…but I uh…we…we…."

Teddy stepped forward and spoke up. "We all want to take this opportunity, to thank you, from the bottom of our hearts….for the love and care you have shown our family and friends who have been missing, and to us who have been waiting and…falling apart! Without you people…without each and every one of you…we wouldn't have survived this…so thank you…and God bless you all."

With that she gently pulled at Callies shoulders and went to guide her back up the stairs, hesitating as they heard Boki call out. "Dr Torres?"

Callie turned and looked back at her, knowing what Boki was going to ask she said softly. "I don't know about Dr Robbins yet. I don't know….but I'm praying Boki, I'm praying"

Silently the older woman climbed the stairs towards her, and gently wrapped her arms around her as Callie started to sob. "There baby, there there now" Boki whispered. "It will be ok, you'll see…she's strong, and a fighter…she's gonna come back to you…you'll see."

"One….one of …one of them isn't coming back…it…it's a woman…and….the woman…woman who is stable was in…light blue scrubs" Callie sniffed before raising her tear stained eyes to look at Boki. "Don't you see what that means? Light blue. Both of the Greys were in light blue…so…so one of them is stay….stay….stable….then that means Ari….Arizona is either critical…or….or….ohhhhhhhh"

Boki pulled her tightly back against her shoulder and softly stroked her hair. "Shhhh now….shhh now" she whispered, before slowly walking back up the stairs and letting Dr Altman and Colonel Robbins pull Callie into their arms. She watched as the small group went back into the conference room before walking back to the stop of the stairs and looking down at the large group still silently standing there. "I uhm…Dr Torres asked us to keep the survivors in our prayers. I think…I think now is a good time to offer our prayers of gratitude for the survivors, for strength to them and to their recovery. But also to find strength and courage for the group of family and friends in that conference room…and right here…in this foyer." She nodded as everyone shuffled and nodded, before she started…"Oh Lord….."

[xx]

Dr Karev had been the last one in the room, he hesitated as he heard the prayer begin….and opened the door wide so that everyone in the conference room could hear it. As the large crowd murmured "Amen", so did the small crowd in the room. With a soft smile he clicked the door closed and looked at Avery. "Did we miss anything?" he asked as everyone was settling back in their seat, Callie was still wrapped in the arms of both her father in law and Teddy, but she looked up and whispered. "Avery?"

Jackson Avery wasn't sure why he was in here. He wasn't family, he wasn't really friends anymore…he was Lexies EX boyfriend, but he felt as if he was looking out for everyone in here, felt it was his job to be here to help…care for them…if the things got….messy. So he didn't expect to be the sudden focal point of their interest. But, he had to be….the radio had sprung to life almost as soon as they had stepped out of the room, and his head was buzzing. "Yeah," he finally stammered out, "you missed a bit. Our plane has landed at Boise and Webber, Bailey and Hunt are on the way by car to the hospital, they should be there….in about five minutes. The chopper has already landed and the pilot has been transferred to their spinal injuries unit….the other three patients are in the ER…looks like the guy is going to be going into surgery though, he has lost a lot of blood from his hand so the idea is to do a temporary external repair just so they can seal the wound and stop the bleeding…treat the infection…he was the first one of the chopper…uhm…"

"Avery" Altman said softly, "what else?"

"Dr Yang has been….sedated. She seems to have had another seizure on the chopper. They are going to give her a full head CT and do an MRI, there doesn't appear to be any external injuries bar her shoulder, so they don't know why this is happening"

"She feel from the freakin' sky and spent four nights in the middle of nowhere is why!" Karev hissed

"Well, yeah" Avery nodded. "The second chopper is on its way back…they have started blood transfusions and IV antibiotics for both critical patients. They will go straight to the OR to sort out the internal bleeding, and again a temporary external fix will be used for the open femur, at least until they can do more detailed scans and X-Rays, which they can't do until she has surgery to stop the bleeding and is more stable."

"So, they won't be home tomorrow then?" Altman asked softly

"Unlikely" Avery replied, his gaze drifting to Dr Torres as he added. "One more thing. They said…they said that as they were moving the woman off the first chopper she briefly opened her eyes and asked…where's Lexie….where's my sister?"

"MEREDITH!" Alex gasped. "Oh it's Meredith"

Avery nodded his head and whispered. "So it seems" as he looked at the pale and strained faces of Colonel and Mrs Robbins before his eyes met the wounded stare of Dr Torres. "So it seems" he repeated softly