Chapter 28: Bailey Needs A Favor

Meredith picked up her cup of coffee from the cart and strode energetically into the hospital. She scrunched her face; there was something in the air she didn't like. She glanced up at the sky. It wasn't too bad for Seattle, but it was definitely too calm. Besides, she loved stormy weather and dark leaden clouds. There was a particularly good spot to admire them at Derek's cliff.

She looked down into her cup before taking a sip. She didn't like what she saw either. It looked decidedly bland; no distinctive aroma, no enticing color. She sighed and released her hold of the cup over a trash can.

She boarded the elevator, pressed the number of her floor and leaned back against the wall. A hand with a briefcase insinuated itself between the closing door and seconds later she saw Derek's tall form joining her in the tiny space. His face lit up at her sight and she reciprocated radiantly. Maybe the day would be better than she thought.

His briefcase fell to the floor, forgotten, while he marched up to her purposefully, cupped her face and claimed her lips. She moaned happily into his mouth and hooked her arms around his neck, playing with the locks on the nape.

With the practice gained in many common elevator rides, they pulled away before they reached their level. They rearranged their clothing; the abandoned belongings were recuperated from the floor and blissful grins were replaced with glares of utmost loathing.

When the door opened, and they parted in opposite directions. No one paid attention to the tension between the two doctors. The scowls and arguments were a common occurrence. No one even registered their entrance, except for Bailey who raised her eyebrows knowingly at Derek. He cast his regard down; he wasn't able to hold her look since the incident in the supply closet. Since then as well, Miranda enjoyed her new favorite pastime – torturing him with her witty remarks. She always liked making fun of him. When he moved to Seattle three years ago, she hated him at first glance, his overly moussed hair as she described it and he was afraid of her. However, with the passage of time, they grew on each other and became friends they could always count on.

Right now, though, Bailey wasn't inclined to play sports of him as she had a very important business on her mind, a business with Dr. Grey.

"She's been sent from hospital to hospital," said Bailey hurriedly as they sat in the conference room. "No one wants to undertake the treatment."

"And that's what we should do," commented Erica Hahn crossing her legs. "We're not a charity institution."

"I think we stand a very good chance," insisted Bailey. "I've already explained to you my plan of action."

"You don't need my permission," said Meredith ignoring Erica's signs of protest and frowning at Miranda's scheme. She knew the mechanics of the procedure all too well. "If you think you can help that girl, you have all my support."

"That's good," nodded Miranda. "Because I happen to need your substantial support. I used this method several times successfully, but never in such an advanced case, that is judged as hopeless by the majority of specialists."

Meredith looked at her quickly with a dread of foreboding. She knew that day wasn't good.

"I feel that I'd be much more at ease if the creator of the method herself overlooked the procedure," stated Miranda. "That is-"

"Dr. Ellis Grey," sighed Meredith fixing her eyes coldly at the scheme.

"Your mother," finished Miranda glancing hopefully at Meredith.

"I believe that's impossible," she replied promptly. "Dr. Grey has an impossibly busy schedule. She can't leave Boston just like that."

"I think you'd be able to convince her. That's why I asked you. She won't refuse the chief of surgery…" Miranda blinked innocently.

"I believe it's impossible," repeated firmly Meredith.

"If… I ever did something for you…" trailed off Miranda expectantly.

Meredith sighed and propped her head on one hand staring at the wall and inner window…

"Who are all these people?" she inquired the sight of at least twenty men and women staring at them from the corridor.

"That's Torrie's family," provided tiredly Miranda. "They are here for her. They are very close knit and Torrie is the center of their world.

Meredith's lips thinned. Would she have any reservations seeking help from any other doctor than her mother? The answer was simple, no. She wanted her mommy dearest as far from her hospital and her life as possible, especially now that it involved Derek.

She once again looked at the hopeful desperate people on the other side of the glass. She had to act like the chief of surgery she was. She had to set aside the grudges in her family so that another one wouldn't be torn apart by a tragedy.

Her gaze travelled heavily back to Miranda's. "I'll see what I can do."

The shorter doctor smiled, "Thank God you can do everything."

Meredith rolled her eyes and got to her feet as tough facing an execution.