Chapter 42: Cardio Drama

Meredith let out a mewl. She giggled inwardly, she was mewling and purring like a kitten. All thanks to Derek's tongue that was now plundering her mouth with meticulous thoroughness, like he couldn't get enough, and he couldn't.

He pushed her further onto her desk, prying himself between her legs. His hardness and her wet core were like two magnets, constantly under the violent force that called them together.

Not breaking the kiss, he cupped her heaving breast tightly through her blouse. She still didn't tell him she loved him, but Derek was very patient, and they were themselves again, in other words, incurably horny.

They didn't learn much from their past mistakes however as the door went open and they heard, "I'm… I'm sorry, I was told to come in…"

Meredith sprang apart from Derek, jumping down from her desk in shock, eyeing her father with wide eyes. What was he doing here? She rearranged her clothes and hair breathlessly while Derek took deep breaths to calm his raging loins.

"What… what are you doing here?" she asked the older man.

"I came to talk," his face was red with embarrassment. "I… played our conversation over and over in my head but… I didn't want to interrupt you and…" he threw a quick glance at Derek.

"This, uhm, this is-"

"Dr. Shepherd!" exclaimed Patricia halting in the still open door to the office. "How many times do I have to tell you not to come in without informing me first? Chief, I hope he didn't make any trouble?"

"Same as always," assured Meredith. "I've got everything under control." She chanced a look at her father first seeing his puzzlement and then understanding that they were keeping this relationship quiet.

"Dr. Shepherd," said Patricia sternly. Every time he managed to sneak into her office she got an earful from her boss. "I insist. You can give Dr. Grey some privacy, can't you? Her father came to see her."

Derek looked curiously at the graying man and then reassuringly at Meredith. He would like nothing better than to stay but Patricia was tapping her foot impatiently, like a mother of a misbehaved boy. He followed her outside; he would get a chance to meet Meredith's father later.

"I'm sorry for that," said Meredith to Thatcher when they were left alone. "Uhm, would you like to sit?"

"No, I…" he stammered. "I think I have to go."

"You just came here," she said suspiciously.

"I… I realized I need to do something. Good… goodbye, Meredith."

She sat heavily in her chair after he walked out. That was weird. She wanted to believe her father was simply flustered at the prospect of meeting her, but her mind was telling her otherwise. His eyes told her otherwise. They were slightly amused and warmed when he entered her office and cautious when he went out. Only why?

She wasn't allowed to ponder about this for much longer as the door burst open again revealing a furious Erica Hahn with Patricia at her heels.

"Dr. Grey, I'm sorry," she sighed irritably. "I have no idea what's going on with them today!"

"It's about Izzie Stevens, Denny Duqette and my patient's getting a heart stolen out of his chest!" barked Erica.

"Thank you, Patricia," Meredith let her secretary know to leave her alone with the angry cardiosurgeon.

She did know the entirety of the Denny Duquette story straight from the best source, the account of Izzie's former resident, Miranda. Meredith had asked Dr. Bailey to clarify it while she came across some blanks in the files.

"How is Stevens still working here?" asked Erica. "I guess I should direct this question to Richard as he was the one to condone it. But still, how can Izzie Stevens be making her career in Seattle Grace? How can something like this be unreported? What kind of hospital are you running?"

"Stop right there," warned her Meredith.

"I want an ethics review panel assembled," went on Erica. "I want Stevens' role in this investigated, and Bailey's as well, because she was her superior."

"We're not digging this up," assured slowly Meredith. "It didn't go unreported. It was reported to Dr. Webber. He dealt with it. From what I know, Stevens was punished. Apparently, she's learned from her mistake as she's an excellent surgeon." She didn't have any intention whatsoever of uncovering the whole affair. It would be a threat for Seattle Grace's credibility, even if it happened a few years ago. Secondly, it would put Dr. Stevens' career at a serious risk. "This issue had been laid to rest and I'm not going to rake it open."

"I don't think you completely understand my point," smirked venomously Erica. "I am not going to work for an unprofessional institution like that."

Meredith snorted inwardly. Did Dr. Hahn think she would blackmail her with her resignation? The decision took her less than ten seconds. She didn't see their cooperation last for much longer anyway. She stood up and reached out her hand towards Erica. "So, I guess it's a goodbye?"

Erica snorted and stormed off, not bothering to shake the Chief's hand.

Meredith sat comfortably in her chair nursing a cup of coffee. She imagined the shockwaves that were tripping through the hospital following her decision. Well, she practically sacked Erica Hahn, cardio goddess. She wondered how much her popularity rankings were going to drop. Hahn didn't work here much longer than her and was a known bitch. It was an unfortunate coincidence that Erica sniffed up the whole affair from the past but… it served its purpose. The cardiosurgeon was talented and professional, that went without saying. However, she also possessed some qualities that made her unfit for Meredith's team. The cardio department had better chances of development without her.

The phone rang and she heard Patricia's voice, "Dr. Yang is here to see you."

"Let her in," ordered Meredith. She had an urgent business with Cristina anyway.

"Chief," Yang stormed into her office. "Dr. Hahn cancelled all her surgeries and… the hospital rumor has it that she quit."

"It's true," answered Meredith stoically. "I accepted her formal resignation fifteen minutes ago."

"Now what?" inquired Cristina. "The department is swamped, we can't afford to function without a head."

"I have chosen the new head," announced Meredith.

"You have?" frowned Cristina. "May I ask whom?"

"You may," smiled her Chief. "You may even get the answer. Congratulations."

"I'm… sorry, Chief?"

"I guess I should ask you first," shrugged Meredith. "Are you able to take over the head's obligations as of today?"

Cristina burst out laughing but stopped abruptly seeing Meredith's unfazed expression. "Wait… you're serious?"

"I kind of am," Meredith propped her head on her hand and watched the cardio surgeon with hidden amusement.

"Why?" Cristina asked promptly. "There are surgeons, many at this hospital, that have longer experience."

"I heard that when I nominated George O'Malley for the deputy position," reminded lightly Meredith.

"True," nodded Cristina and added smugly, "My department is still understaffed though."

Meredith smiled, "I'm already taking care of that."

"I'll get myself busy," Cristina hurried to the door. "Oh, and there's someone outside that wants to speak to you."

"Oh?" Meredith craned her neck curiously.

"Chie- Chief?" asked insecurely Isobel Stevens. "Do you have a minute?"

"Come on in," frowned Meredith. She suspected it had something to do with Hahn discovering her hushed up mistake.

"Dr. Grey, you must have talked to Dr. Hahn already?" she stepped from foot to foot. "I want to know what it means for me."

Meredith looked at her closely, "What might it mean for you?"

"I understand… that you might want to start an investigation into…" she trailed off biting her lip, "to discover what really happened…"

"I know what happened," said softly Meredith seeing the pain in the blonde's eyes. "Dr. Hahn left this hospital about an hour ago and I don't expect to ever need to discuss that topic again. Unless it disturbs your current work…"

"No," she shook her head. "I'm sorry… You must think I'm completely irresponsible…"

"I don't," sighed Meredith. When Bailey confessed the truth all those months ago, she called Izzie's act a stunt that could easily cost her career. If Meredith had been the chief at that time, Izzie would have had to search for a place somewhere else. Now, she saw it much more leniently. "You were desperate to save the man you loved; love makes people do all kinds of things…"

"Wow," Izzie smiled. "He must be really lucky."

Meredith looked at her questioningly.

"The guy you love," clarified Izzie.

Her remark left Meredith out of breath. The guy you love…

"Well, I think he's kind of screwed," she chuckled finally.

Izzie looked up at her and grinned.