Everywhere I Go
danger will follow me now
everywhere I go
angels will call on me
and take me to my home
well this tired mind
just wants to be led home
Meredith was exhausted, beyond even. Travelling from Seattle to Minnesota and back pulled off all her left energy to argue with her husband – who in fact had his fair share of exhaustion from the hospital and running the household while she's not around – and yet, a ball had dropped, and they spent the rest of the night fighting.
She sat still on the couch after they were interrupted by a phone call. Now she's contemplating the fiery words they threw towards each other – or the offensive words she threw on him. Some of it were lame, and bad, and just came out of frustration and weariness. They knew better than to say things. They've matured, right?
"If you want to say yes to Hamilton, then do so. Why do you have to make things about me?" Derek barked as he got up from sitting on the bar stool, an almost empty glass of scotch on his hand.
They'd been at it an hour or two after the kids had gone to sleep – just to make sure they were really sound asleep. She came home scowling, straight from Minnesota after David offered her – more like bombarded her – a job with a prestigious number of honoraria in return that can make Derek a house husband and pay for everything.
But this wasn't about the numbers. She was proposed to be the head of a research laboratory, originally dedicated to her mother, and chief of general surgery at The Clinic. Intern Meredith Grey would never have to have a second thought about it and just say yes to the job.
Well now, the tables have turned, and she has a family to go home to. A husband to consult and share insights about big decision making, and three perfect kids that need both their parents and stability. And this job needs her on the other side and away from her favorite people. Unless they decide to move across the country and leave Seattle – but that was only a blur thought.
She and Derek met here. They got married, had a family, raised their kids here. They have a whole village who had seen them win, and lose, and fail, and pull it all back together. They can't leave this place without considering every possible thing there was. And as much as Seattle had caused her trauma of a lifetime, it had also given her the bests of life. Seattle is home, as much as it is a nightmare.
"I am so not making this about you, Derek! I am asking for your opinion on this." she retorted back and eyed him. He sipped the last bit of scotch on his glass and left it on the sink in front of him.
"You stay, you go, I'll be right behind you. We will all be. Don't base this decision on me." he had a long day at the hospital and the last thing he needed was an argument with her wife with the topics of her staying or her to continue the debilitating travels. Or maybe them moving to Minnesota.
He erased the latter thought as he looked at her. She had her eyebrows furrowed, arms crossed to her chest, and her eyes were just raging. Wait, was she mad at him?
"Are you mad at me?" sure he had a glass of scotch, but she can hear how sincere he was. And they can't be where they were way back on their D.C. debacle. This was different. This wasn't D.C.
She looked at him, biting her already dry lips.
"No. I-I don't know." she sighed, her shoulders slumped as she sat on the couch. "I just don't want you to resent me. Or the kids to resent me. This travelling thing had already taken a toll to our family."
"Oh, here I thought I was being supportive."
"Were you?" she dared.
"What does that mean, Meredith?" he retorted back, challenging her to say more.
"You know what? This is going nowhere. We're both tired –" she rubbed her face with both palms, a clear sign that her tiredness was already getting the best of her. And their conversation was starting to fume a deeper argument she thought they were done fighting.
"Oh, no, no!" he stopped, "Get it all out, Meredith. Say whatever it is that you want to say!"
She breathed, trying so hard to level herself and refusing from saying things that'll only add salt to the wound. She stood up from sitting on the couch and faced him.
"This is D.C." she blurted out, bitterness and annoyance heard on her tone. He flinched and was admittedly taken aback. They were passed through this. At least he thought they were.
"Wha- what are you –"
"The travelling thing, missing time with the kids and the spouse. This was all it! I am you from years ago!" she snarled. "Except I don't have a fellow to mingle to."
She regretted it the moment the words came out of her mouth. It was unfair and uncalled for. It was completely out of the line. He admitted it was a total mistake and she had forgiven him all those years ago. He had heard stories of the transplant guy wandering around in Minnesota, trying to flirt with his wife. But he knew better, and he trusts her.
"Derek, I –" before she had the chance to continue, she was cut off when his phone rang loud.
"I have to take this." he muttered emotionless and tried not to look at her.
She slumped back down to the couch while he went to the hallway to answer the phone.
His footsteps were heavy as she heard him walked back. He appeared on the living room with his phone on his left hand but didn't bother to look at her. She, on the other hand, trained her eyes on him.
"That's a former colleague from New York. I have to fly out for an emergency consult and a surgery if tests say so." he mumbled, his eyes not leaving the phone on his hand.
Aside from his ego being hurt by her words, it was the thought that it seems like the D.C. debacle will never be over to her. That was a low blow but a pointful one. He knows it, and she knows it.
"What, right now?" she furrowed her brows, crossed her arms once again to her chest, as she stood back up to level him. She can't let him leave the house while he's mad at her, or her mad at him.
Because planes crash and cars get hit by semis. And what if this was their last argument – she's worried. That's one thing added on her resume. And no one told her that being a wife, a mom, and a surgeon all the same time will have you worried on instances and situations you never imagined were worrisome.
"They booked me a flight at five, so I have to pack now and leave by two if I'm gonna make it on time." he mumbled, almost like a whisper.
"How long are you gonna be there?" her face and voice softened as she continued to eye him.
"Two, three days. Four days tops." he sighed and finally looked up. "I'm going to take a shower." he turned and stepped a foot, but she stopped him.
"Derek," he looked back, his eyes visible with exhaustion, like he'd had enough of the day, "I'm sorry, I –"
"Yeah. We've both had a long day. It's okay."
"Of course it's not okay!"
"Meredith, you've said things, and I've heard enough. I am too tired to fight you on this." she knows he's really trying his best not to let his emotions get the best of him. Because if then, they'd be fighting over night and yell to the top of their lungs until the kids get woken up. "Now, I have to try and save somebody's husband, I gotta get ready."
He walked out and went to their bedroom, leaving her and her thoughts wandering around inside her head. How are they here again after everything?
His side of both closet and dresser were widely opened. It takes him time to pack his things as he was pacing slow, result of the long day he had at work, and the night he and his wife shared, arguing.
She entered their bedroom unsure of what to say – or was there really something to say after earlier? And the thing was, he never bit her back, much to his ego's disappointment. Maybe the call was just on time to interrupt them, or he really had no energy left to fight her.
"You got everything you need?" she asked cautiously as she walked to sit on the side of the bed, across and facing him. The bed was a mess as his things lay scattered on top of the sheets.
"Yeah," he mumbled, "Can you work something out for the kids? I know you'd be leaving again on Thursday, and I don't know for sure if I'm gonna get home before the weekend."
"Oh, my flight's not until after the weekend. I should be home like on normal days." she answered, folding his sweater neatly.
"Really?" he looked at her. She probably pulled some days off to spend time with him and the kids. And now with him going off for good three days, they have at least the weekend and one more day to catch up for the previous week.
"Mmhhmm. I-I told David I need an ample of days to think about the offer, spend time with all of you." she continued folding, unaware that she's already helping him pack and making his work easier for him – her own luggage sat untouched on doorway.
She glanced up at him when he responded with silence. Derek was the chatty one – with or without a fight. He would always come up with something to talk about; may it be the kids, their sisters, their marriage, nurses' gossips, hospital stuff – everything. He would tell her about everything.
But silent Derek was another story to tell. And it worries her a bit.
He piled the last sweater and closed the luggage, the zipper making the only sound inside their bedroom.
"Do you want me to drop you off at the airport?" she tried to converse as they walked out again to the living room. She was tailing behind him, testing the waters of his temper.
"And leave the kids sleeping by themselves in the middle of the night?" he didn't intend it to sound accusing but once the words came out, the look on her face said otherwise. "Sorry." he mumbled as he faced her. "I'll make a quick stop at the hospital to grab some things. I will leave the car and take a cab from there."
"But you had scotch." she pointed, worry creeped through her voice.
"It barely touched my throat. I'm all good." he insisted. He walked farther until he reached the doorway and grabbed his coat hanging on the rack.
"You know I'm really not okay with you leaving – while you're mad, obviously."
"I am not mad." he muttered, not looking at her as he fixed the collar of his button down. She hesitated to extend her hand and fix it herself but ended up doing so. Because why would she hesitate in the first place? It's her husband. He's being an ass but he's her husband.
Derek wouldn't admit, but he finds it sweet and very domestic whenever Meredith gets to do the littlest things for him. Like helping him pack, fixing his collar, cuffing him – all those little things.
This marriage got the both of them whipped.
"You haven't fired back at me. Of course you're mad. At me."
"Is overthinking your new hobby?" he furrowed his brows, and she was sure he's teasing now.
"I'm your wife, and the mother of your three hyperactive children. I earned all the rights to overthink." she smirked as she finished off with his collar.
There was a moment of silence and awkwardness before he stepped closer to her. His manly scent satisfied her nostrils.
"I have to get going." he whispered. "I will call you when I get there." she was itching to touch him but something inside her says not to.
"Please be safe. I want you to come home." he nodded and graced her the slightest smile.
Blue orbs met her greens. The earlier rage transformed to soft stares – the ones with just love and fondness. Their bodies were desperate to hold each other and feel one another's warmth.
She broke the tension forming up in between them and snaked her arms around his neck, pulling him down as their lips met.
They kissed.
And then one more.
Then, again.
"Sorry I was awful. You know I trust you, right?" he slowly wrapped his free arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. Derek knew all about Meredith Grey. He had memorized her, every inch of her body, every personality she unfolds – everything. But she still takes his breath away, like the first time he saw her sitting by her lonesome at Joe's bar.
"Hmm." he pecked her lips once again. "You are making it hard for me to leave." he mumbled, not letting her go just yet.
"Oh, am I?" she smirked teasingly, her hands playing a handful of his curls at the back of his neck. He loves her hands caressing him fondly. Meredith leaned her head on his shoulder and embraced her husband a little tighter.
Her time in Minnesota was fun, career wise. But her wifely and motherly self was desperate to fly back out to Seattle and just be with her family. She misses them a lot and it creeps her to the bones. It's not enough to just see her kids or her husband on screen every time she was out in the cold of her hotel room. She aches to be with them, and this offer Hamilton threw her forces her to drop another ball and open a can of worms between her and Derek.
It's just too much.
"We'll talk more when I get home." her lavender conditioner filled his nose pleasantly as he rested his head on top of hers. They were swaying alone together, quietly, as they kill the time being before he really has to go and leave the house for a couple of days.
"I don't want you to leave." he chuckled as he heard the exact same voice their youngest uses whenever she wants something. God, she's just like her.
"I don't want to either." Derek kissed the top of her head and hesitantly pulled away from her.
"We've barely seen each other for the past days." she muttered, pouting charmingly the way little Ellis does. He chuckled at the sight in front of him.
She may be tough, and competitive, a force of nature, and unstoppable. The extraordinary Dr. Meredith Grey every resident feared of. Stubborn.
But inside their home, she's simply Meredith. Or Mom. Mama. Mer. Soft and loving. The one that melts easily by the laughter of her three bundles of joy. She, who picks pillow fights with her husband in the middle of the night. She, who is Derek's wife. Her clingy and needy side unfolds when it was just the two of them.
"I know. But right now I have a plane to catch, and you need sleep."
"Right." she tiptoed until their lips met again. "Go now before I wouldn't let you." he snorted, grabbing his carry on and walked to the door.
"Let me know when you land." he looked back and smiled at her.
"I love you." he blew her a kiss as he stood by the door.
"Hmm, love you too."
She hasn't been sleeping well since the travelling started. Being alone on a bed in a hotel room only worsened the abandonment issues she'd had as a kid with neglected childhood. When Derek came and they started living together, it had somehow eased her. He was the type of guy that commits and would do the whole planning the future thing, so it, at some point, gave her the assurance that he wouldn't leave her any moment now.
She looked at the digital clock on the bedside table. 4:34, it says. Derek's probably boarded. She turned to his side of the bed, his scent lingered through her nostrils and gave her the comfort she never knew she needed. She smiled as sleepiness finally creeped her system.
Her slumber didn't take that long as thud of tiny, little footsteps interrupted her nap. The door burst open and the next thing she knew, all three of her little monsters were all over her – smothering her with good morning kisses. Just the perfect way to restart her day.
"You three had a very good sleep, I say." she mumbled in between giggles, her eyes squinting and adjusting to the bright light.
Zola, who was on her right, had her leg on her waist. Her brother's arm snaked around Meredith's upper torso. And the youngest laid on her stomach on top of her mom. Meredith missed every bit of her children and sometimes she feels like she was just wasting time, out in the cold of Minnesota, curing the impossible than being with them and staying in Seattle.
"I missed you, Mama!" Ellis uttered gleefully in her very cute voice.
"We saw each other last night. I tucked you in, silly!" Meredith fully opened her eyes and smiled at the sight in front of her. She moved her arms out of the comforter and tried to embrace all three of them as much as she could. They are getting bigger. Where did the time go?
"Did Dad get in early?" Zola asked as she noticed a missing presence in her parents' room.
"Actually, yeah. Daddy got a call from an old colleague last night. It was very late and you were all snoring." that earned her favorite giggles. She moved up so she can lean on the on the headboard but refused to move her hands away from her kids. "So, he had to head out to New York to do a consult and a surgery."
"At Nana's?" her son cut in. She looked at him and his eyes were like premium copies of his dad's. They were blue – charming, calming, and so warm.
"Not quite, but he's probably going to drop by to your Nana's and say hi." she ruffled his brown-turning locks and smiled.
"What's his case? It might be super hard for them to be needing Dad's reinforcement." Zola butted in. She knew that enthusiasm in her daughter's voice. Everything Derek did – may it be emergent or non-emergent, a consult or a surgery – Zola wants to know everything that has something to do with the brain. Thanks to his husband's influence, they practically have a neurosurgery junkie waiting in line.
"You have to ask him yourself when he calls."
"Can we call him now?"
"I think he's still on the plane. He'll call us when he lands." she took the sight of them all again and whispered to her lucky stars to stop the time, right then and there.
"I'm hungry." Ellis bluntly blurted, snapping her out of her thoughts. She tickled her – and the other two, eventually – and the room was filled with just little laughs and giggles.
Maybe this was the life she was afraid to let go.
She stays. She goes. They stay. They go. Whatever the decision will be, she had to make sure to not make the same mistakes they did all those years ago.
Because the laughter that fills the room, and these little persons she holds, were the ones she'll lose should she make that one wrong move.
The door quietly opened, and a confused Amelia entered the room, keys dangling on her hand. Meredith drove to the hospital after dropping the kids to school to check in and gather some updates about the residency program. She was in his office pretending to be burying herself with something and hiding away from the snarks of her mentors.
"Did Derek call you yet? He left me instructions for his patients, I seem lost." she uttered as she closed the door behind her. Meredith looked at her phone on his desk. No signs of missed calls or text messages from her husband.
"Nope. His plane lands at 10:30. It's still quite early." she answered, swinging his chair behind the desk.
"You're stowing away from Richard and the chief, aren't you?" Amelia settled herself on the couch, a teasing smirk painted on her face.
"Shut up." she sighed. "I don't want to do anything with that decision until Derek and I settled it out on ourselves. They're just going to justify why I should not leave, considering what's happening in here."
The hospital's a mess and that's another thing that adds up to the million thoughts she has.
"Well, do you want to leave?" her sister cautiously, but also curiously asked. Amelia had been so gracious to say yes when she offered her to travel with her back and forth and do the research. She was thrilled to be a part of a once in a lifetime medical invention and didn't hesitate to go with her.
The moment David offered her a job, Amelia was beyond the stars and was simply happy for her. But then she remembered her brother and how it would possibly affect their marriage. She had known briefly about D.C. as Derek would tell stories about how it changed him and put his family to rocks in ways that ruined both. And she had seen them on their worsts. And it wasn't good at all.
"Honestly, I don't know." she blew a puff of air and closed her eyes as she turned his swivel chair around. She leaned back and put her hands on top of her stomach, fingers interlocked. "I just want all of this to be over, you know. Have a break, spend all my time with Derek and the kids." Amelia could hear something in her voice but she can't pinpoint what.
"When you offered me to go with you, you weren't fifty-fifty then, Meredith. You're a hundred percent." she tried to reason out. "And I remember Derek pushing you because he knows this is a great window of opportunity for you. So, I don't know what you're thinking and where you seem to come from with all of these." she finished. She may be the sister who finds a way to laugh hardly on serious things, but she makes sense.
She was enthusiastic and overly eager to start doing the research. But not until lately that she was offered a permanent position in Minnesota. That was just the time she realized she was going too far from her original destination.
She heaved a heavy breath.
"I made a stupid comment about his time in D.C. last night when we were fighting." Meredith straightened up but remained her hands on top of her stomach. "I kind of opened a can of worms, and then he went silent. And just before he left the house, we were okay again."
"My brother could never resist you, Meredith. You do exactly what your daughter does, he's coming, running back to you." Meredith rolled her eyes at her comment, despite knowing that it was what happened last night. "He's Derek. He'll get over it and tell you when he already come up with something."
"Tell me this isn't D.C." she looked at Amelia, her eyes begging for her to say the words she wanted to hear.
"Meredith," she sighed. She wants to be a help to both her and her brother but being stuck in a middle of a marriage is reason enough to just let them figure things out by themselves. "As a sister, I love you. I love Derek, too. And I am not fluent about D.C., so you have to sit this one out and talk to him."
"Well, thanks. You're no help."
"I tried." she shrugged. Her pager beeped a few seconds later. "I gotta go." she stood up from the couch and fixed her coat.
"Why are you here anyway? Did you need something?"
"I'm hiding, too." she winked, causing Meredith to furrow her brows at her. "Okay, I'm walking away now." Amelia chuckled and made her way to the door. Before he closed the door behind her, she popped her head once more, "Talk to him, Meredith. Explain things and let him know how you feel. And try not to open another can!"
She could have walked herself out of his office confidently hours ago, but she didn't. Bailey and Richard are all over the hospital, trying to woo the official the Medical Board sent to evaluate the residency program. And she can't be on their hair, too, because she will only be questioned and she has no answer to anything just yet.
So she stayed and paced his office back and forth until her ankles complained. She has to face them at some point but now is not the time. Because she still have to figure out the next steps before blabbering it out to the whole hospital.
Her most anticipated call arrived just a few moments after she sat back down on his throne.
"Hey! You made it!" she answered the FaceTime smiling. There he was, wearing a different shade of blue scrubs and his hair were kind of disheveled. He's landed safely. Phew.
"I did." he smiled wearily, the dark circles under his eyes explained why. "Did you sleep after I went out?"
"Barely. You don't look that good, too. We're even." she raised a brow, challenging him to say more.
"I didn't say you don't look good!" he quickly defended as he walked to the hallways of the hospital where he, Mark, and Addison did their residency.
"Yeah, whatever." she playfully rolled her eyes at him, a gentle smile plastered on her face. "How is New York? And why are you in scrubs already?"
"New York's still New York. All kinds of pizza everywhere." he snorted.
"Okay Mr. Healthnut, you don't get to mock New York pizzas!" he giggled on the other line.
"They dragged me straight in here from the airport. I'm just waiting for the scans now so I can give a judgement." she moved around the office, as he can see on the screen, walking from the desk to the couch to find a more comfortable spot. "Wait, are you in my office?"
"You don't mind, right?" she laid her body on the back of the couch, her coat crumpling as she did.
"No, but why are you there?" he asked as he seem to smile at someone afar. He waved and even made a joke she didn't understand.
"Let's just say I don't want to be seen by Richard and Bailey." she answered, rolling her eyes at the thought of them cornering her with tons of questions.
"So, my office is your hideout?" he wrote something on what seemed to be his patient's chart and turned to look up at her.
"Apparently, it's Amelia's too." she smirked.
"Why are people hiding in my office?" he asked, confusion pasted on his face.
"Because!"
"Excuse me, Dr. Shepherd?" she heard someone on the other line. "I have Mr. Miller's scans." The voice was shy, but perky. Like the merger April Kepner type of voice she once hated when she found out that Kepner has a huge crush on her husband.
"Thanks." her husband responded, examining the scans on his hand. She was just simply looking at him on her screen. His face was more relaxed, though tired, unlike last night. "Damn it." he mustered.
"Hey, if you're busy you can just call again another time." she tried to ease him up, knowing that the case handed to him was tough.
"Yeah. I have to go in as soon as possible." he turned to her briefly before he spoke to the perky doctor beside him. "Page Dr. Crane, keep him on the loop, and tell him I need an OR stat!" she can sense him tensing up as he focused staring at the scans, his brow slowly furrowing. This might be an interesting story for Zola when he goes back home.
"Derek." a knock n the door forced her up on her feet.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry. Call you later?"
"Okay." her next words were just silly thoughts but became a thing when she uttered it out loud. "I don't think I like that perky-voiced doctor so much." he looked at her, completely confused, but his lips twitching to a smile.
"Come again?" feigning innocence, he asked.
"I'm just saying I'm hanging up now. Go save lives!" he chuckled as she rolled her eyes. They memorized each other so much, even the quirks and the unfunny jokes they threw at each other.
"I'm sure I heard – " she cut him off before he even finished his sentence.
"Go now! Bye!" she heard him chuckle before she hung up. Another knock on the door snapped at her, this time, louder.
She walked towards the door and opened it unhesitant, not knowing that the person knocking was the one she was stashing away from. Bailey stood in front of her, brows furrowed, holding folders of paper works on one hand.
"I'm pretty sure I've taught you everything but to hide from the chief of surgery."
What a day.
The next days were crucial. And tiring, to say the least.
With Bailey and Webber breathing on her neck now, it didn't make anything easier for her. The residency program's being monitored, and some of the attendings were interviewed for evaluation.
There was not a day she didn't think of ways to help the hospital before it completely falls. They built this institution years ago after the bankruptcy and they had made a strong foundation as years pass by. But with all the uncertainties from the previous year, it felt like they were back to square one and everybody's looking at her – expecting her to calm the storm before it washed out everything they've worked hard on.
She stepped inside the dream house and just left everything by the door. It was quiet. Like coming back to her hotel room in Minnesota after a day full of research. Maggie and Amelia had the kids at the frat house over night to spend time with Scout who they were fond of and declared as their favorite cousin.
She slumped on the couch, never wanted to move or even change her clothes. She had enough of the day and it got the best of her. Closing her eyes, she got comfortable but she can't seem to shut the thoughts away.
Ages ago, this would have been a no-brainer. An opportunity for her career opened, she'd grab it with no second thoughts and no questions asked. Because it will be a hard yes from the beginning.
Now she has everything on her plate and it gets heavier day by day.
She opened her eyes and stood up from laying back as she heard keys ruffling by the door. The knob twisted and not too long, Derek graced her his appearance. So this is the rainbow after all the raining? Maybe.
"You're home!" she practically squealed, her mind drifting to him and her thoughts were set aside. He walked towards her smiling.
She hugged him back as his arms snaked through her waist automatically, burying her face on the crook of his neck. Her tensed nerves slowly calming and easing in his embrace.
"I missed you." he breathed.
"Me too." she pulled away enough for her to kiss him. Then, again. And one more. She smiled, "How was your patient?"
"He made it, miraculously. I pulled every card I have and it was worth it." he stared at her and she was just the person he needed after the excruciating days that passed, as he was to her.
"Good. That's good." he leaned down until their lips met once again.
"How are you? Zola called, so I know you subtracted three little monsters on your list of possible worries. At least for tonight." she chuckled at the comment, neither were ready to let go of their hold. They remained contented on their own tiny bubble.
"Well, the residency program's still under evaluation." she sighed. "They started on the attendings for questioning. It's a mess. So that's one." he nodded. He was just there, holding her and listening.
"Two, Bailey and Webber heard about the offer and my possible migration to Minnesota." she continued, getting frustrated as she remembered the happenings of the past days. "Which leads to number three. We have to make a decision as soon as possible."
"Everybody's gripping on me tightly, like they were expecting me to do the rescuing. I mean, I get it, I do. But they have to give me the benefit of the doubt!" she pulled away from him and started pacing the living room. He just has to let her get it all out. "Everyone in my intern and residency class has either left or died. And I was the only one left. But that doesn't mean I have to stick to this place until the actual death summoned me! That is completely unfair!" he stood there, hands on both pockets.
He learned from years of their marriage that listening and just being present is more than enough to cope with her rambling and outburst. She grew up with no one to ramble to – a busy mother thriving for her career and an absent father in general – and he completely understands how that turned her into. So he tries to be consistent on showing up and just being there for her.
"Am I selfish if at some point I want to just pack things up and leave?" she questioned, tears brimming on her eyes.
He stared at her. She wasn't the same Meredith he had known from years ago. She was stronger, and braver, more opened, and had made her own name in the medical field because she was simply extraordinary. She didn't need any protecting – not from him, not from Richard, not from the people who tried to.
She carried herself so damn well through the tests of time. And to be called selfish was the biggest insult anyone could give her.
He walked to her direction but refused to make contacts with her. He kept his both hands on his pockets.
"When Cristina left," he started carefully, "You were very persistent not to leave this place. You also made that point before and after the plane crashed. Because you told me we have a family to be left here. And it's not just Lexie. Everyone in that hospital is family." he gulped, picturing the strong village they had built.
"I understand why you wouldn't want to leave, then. You've opened yourself to those people, became too attached." he sat on the space she had occupied earlier. "It's hard for you to push them away and move forward with life. I understand that. I also understand why you would want to leave now."
"Look, you've owned the right to leave this place. You've lost and gained, you've failed and got up again. You've stayed here long enough you witnessed how life messed us up thousand times." he looked at her again and pat the space beside him, motioning her to sit. "If everyone has their eyes on you and expects you to solve this maze, leave it to them. You're right, you were the only one left. You can chase that dream just like how the others are doing without anyone's approval." biting her lip to suppress her tears, she gazed at him.
Damn his face, his charm, and his words. They were all just so perfect.
She leaned on his shoulder while she allowed him to comfort her. They were silence for a moment, just taking it all in. He kissed the top of her head as his hand worked on rubbing her arm fondly.
"Do me a favor?" he whispered.
"What?" she looked up, waiting for him to continue.
"Trust me when I say I'll go wherever you go."
Maybe she had changed, maybe she didn't. But for as long as they remained, she's good in all possible way.
A/N: This account had gone fluff!
Reviews and feedbacks are most welcome, as always. *winks*