This is my first try at writing something myself. I wrote this in the lead up to season 17, wishing that Derek would return and trying to find a way for him to be alive, that doesn't ruin his character.
Disclaimer that I do not own these amazing character created by Shonda and crew, this is just my idea of path the story could have taken.
They were out for drinks after a long day in the lab when they all got the same text, "come quick". They four of them quickly payed their tab and rushed back to the NIH.
They entered the building they were quickly rushed down to where they had kept the patient for the last five years. As they got to the room they stared in disbelief as they saw the night nurse extubating the patient. The treatment had actually worked!
"Dr Meredith Grey?"
"Yes?"
"Please hold for the president of the united states"
It had been five years since Derek had worked for the president on the brain mapping initiative. Five years and never once had the government reached out. What the hell was happening?
"Dr Grey? This is the president."
"Sir? How may I help you"
She was flustered, realising how Derek felt when he got that fateful call that changed both their lives.
"This must be a surprise for you, to get this call out of nowhere after all these years. This must be very confusing, as will be me next request. We request your presence in DC as a matter of urgency, it is about your husband, he is alive. We will explain more when you arrive. We are prepared to book a flight and accommodation for you, please notify us of your preferences using the number we will send shortly."
As the president hung up the phone, Meredith slumped against the wall collapsing to the floor. She was in so much shock that she didn't notice Amelia was speaking until she threw a box of tissues at her. "Sorry, what were you saying?", "Who was that on the phone? And why do you look like you've seen a ghost?". Meredith took a moment to centre herself before replying "that was the president. He says Darek is alive? Though I have no idea how that is possible since he died in my arms. They want me in DC now. I need to page Maggie. Have her take the kids." She looked up at Amelia and saw her starting to get out of bed saying, "I'm coming with you, he's my brother, I need to come with you."
Meredith took Amelia's hands and helped her back into be reminding her that she gave birth to a baby less than twenty-four hours prior. "I will go to DC and I will call you and update you every chance I get, but you are staying in bed and taking care of yourself. I'm calling Link to make sure you stay here."
She left the room in a haze, not noticing who was passing her or what was happening around her. She made her way down to the ER to find Maggie who had been called in on a consult. Still in a dream, she privately filled Maggie in on what had happened and asked her to take the kids.
Meredith didn't notice herself going through the motions of packing her bag until someone tapped her on the shoulder. She jumped, turning to find Jackson looking at her with concern. "Maggie filled me in" he said as he reached out to help Meredith with her notes. "We are taking the foundation jet. It is fuelled at the airport and ready to leave in an hour. I'm coming with you as your only available friend who hasn't just had a baby or is taking care of your kids." A smile flitted across her face as she let him lead her out of the building and into the car.