Chapter 23: Bailey is Back

Miranda Bailey was tired and cranky. Not that she was usually overflowing with happiness, but today she was extra grouchy. Her flight from Sacramento arrived late last night after being delayed three hours due to heavy fog. She hoped to have a quiet, slow morning and get caught up with her husband and son, whom she hadn't seen in weeks. Her pager started going off in the middle of their calm breakfast and she barely had time to kiss her son off to school before having to head into the hospital.

She was waiting, tapping her foot impatiently, when an old familiar face approached, joining the growing line for the elevator. "Alice?"

"Oh, Miranda?! I didn't expect you back from your conference for a few more days! It's so good to see you." Alice smiled, pleasantly surprised to run in to her old acquaintance.

"We wrapped things up early, a few of the doctor's had pressing matters to return home to." The elevator finally arrived, and the doors opened with a chime. The two friends stepped on and stood together to the back to continue their conversation. "So how did things work out with the mystery girl? Were you able to get a consult with Dr. Shepherd?"

Alice shook her head and eagerly replied, wanting to share the incredible twist the story had taken. "No, I wasn't but…"

Dr. Bailey quickly interrupted her, "I was afraid of that. That dumb man." She shook her head.

"Well actually, he was on a leave of absence when I called, but…" Alice tried again.

"That foolish, arrogant doctor. He spends his time mopin' around and sits in his self-pity. If he'd just snap out of it, he'd see that life goes on and he doesn't have to be such an ass."

Alice was surprised by the last comment. She'd known Derek for a week now and she thought he was an amazing father and had seen how much he loved Meredith. "Oh, um… I've met him and he didn't seem…"

"Don't take it personally, Alice. That's just how he is. He comes across bitter and conceited to cover all the pain he keeps denying he's in. He's a dumb fool if you ask me. Most of the time I can't stand the man." Dr. Bailey shook her head.

Before Alice could respond, the elevator chimed again, and she was at her intended floor. "This is me, Miranda. If you get a minute later come find me. I'm visiting a patient in recovery room 318B. It was nice talking to you." Alice hurried off and on her way, laughing to herself at how some things just never change.

Dr. Bailey gave a small wave and turned her thoughts back to her day ahead. When she reached the surgical floor, she hurried off eager to get through the day in hopes for a romantic dinner with her husband that night.

She was almost finishing rounds with the few patients she'd been assigned to and was rushing through the hallway when a strange sound caused her to stop in her tracks. Not that the sound itself was strange, but the place it was coming from made her suspicious. She followed the light, cheerful whistling, to Dr. Shepherds office and looked in through the opened door.

Dr. Bailey put one hand on her hip. "What the hell is going on?"

Derek looked up from his paperwork and smiled at the short stocky woman who stood scowling in his doorway. "Ah, Miranda! You're back."

Dr. Bailey could only shake her head in disbelief. It was like a scene from the twilight zone. Smiling and happy just didn't go hand in hand with this man. He'd been dark and broken for five years now. Something was just not adding up.

"What are you doing?" She asked suspiciously.

"What?" Derek feigned innocence. "It's called whistling. It's what people do when their happy. You should try it sometime. It feels much better than scowling Miranda." Derek closed the charts on his desk and got up to head for the door. He passed the flabbergasted woman on his way out and gave her a quick wink.

"You think you're so damn fine. And don't call me Miranda." She stood as tall as possible and stared Derek down. "I leave and you're all… woe is me. Now, I get back and you're… you're all…whatever the hell you are. What's going on?"

As bad as Derek wanted to say something witty in response he couldn't. He had to admit that he was more scared of Miranda Bailey then anyone he had ever met. For such a small woman she sure terrified him. He took a retreating step back, away from her demanding glare and searched for where he should begin.

Before either doctor could speak again, they were both interrupted by a little voice shouting down the hall. "Daddy!"

They both turned and Derek's anxious face immediately softened into a large grin. "Hey Princess!" Derek held his arms out and swooped Carwyn up in a hug.

Dr. Bailey stood speechless, unable to figure out what exactly was going on.

"Carwyn, why are you all alone? You didn't leave your room again without a grown up did you?" Derek asked his daughter worried, angry that the nurses let her get out of their sight so easily.

"No Daddy! I beat 'Stina!" Derek furrowed his brows and looked back down the hall, not comprehending what his small daughter was saying.

Before he had a chance to question her further, Derek and Dr. Bailey heard Carwyn's name being called, shortly followed by a frazzled Cristina hurrying around the corner.

"Carwyn!" Cristina quickly caught up to the other three. She looked at Carwyn and painfully used the most kind, kid-friendly voice she could muster, "Carwyn, remember what Aunt Cristina said about running away from me? It isn't nice." Cristina kept a forced smile on her face.

"I beat you!" Carwyn giggled and clapped her hands.

"No, we weren't racing." Cristina tried her best to remain patient.

"We were racing and I beat you 'Stina!" Carwyn was smiling triumphantly.

"No, Honey." Cristina forced the term of endearment, "You couldn't have won, because we weren't racing."

"Yes huh!"

"No, you didn't."

"Yes, I did! And I beat you at go fish!"

"No, you didn't! You cheated. You told me you didn't have the red duck and you did. So I won."

"Nu uh! I beated you." Carwyn was still grinning, knowing she was driving her grown up friend crazy.

"No you didn't. I…"

"Okay! Okay!" Derek interrupted and swung Carwyn to his other side, distancing the two competitors. "Dr. Yang, she's four."

"Whatever. We weren't racing so you didn't win. Just so you know, I never loose." Cristina turned to leave but was stopped by Carwyn's small voice.

"Stina, can we play go fish tomorrow?"

"You betcha kid. But you better bring your nickels and dimes, because tomorrow we're playing for money!" Cristina's smile was genuine now as she hurried off down the hall.

Derek chuckled watching Cristina's retreating shape. He had almost completely forgotten about Dr. Bailey until she cleared her throat causing him to turn back towards her and meet her wide, shocked eyes.

"Dr. Bailey, this is my daughter Carwyn. Carwyn? Can you say hi to Dr. Bailey?" Derek immediately felt Carwyn's grip on his neck tighten but she smiled and gave a quiet, shy "Hello."

"Hello Carwyn." Dr. Bailey answered gently; she was full of questions but didn't even know where to begin.

"Daddy, can we go see Mama now? 'Stina said you'd take me." Carwyn asked Derek shyly, very aware of the stranger staring intently at her.

Before Derek could reply he heard Dr. Bailey gasp. "Grey! You're mother's Meredith Grey. You might have your daddy's hair and eyes, but I'd recognize that tiny face and petite frame anywhere." Dr. Bailey shook her head trying to piece everything together.

"Mommy was sick but she's getting all better and Daddy's going to take me to see her!" Carwyn quickly overcame her bashfulness and informed her newest friend.

"Dr. Grey's in the hospital?" Dr. Bailey directed her question towards Derek. And then it hit her like a ton of bricks and before Derek could answer she hurried on, "What room is she in?'

Derek was confused at Dr. Bailey's sudden change of tone. "Um, she's in a recovery room. Room 318B."

"Oh my ever lovin'…" Dr. Bailey couldn't finish her sentence. It all made sense. Sad, gut wrenching sense. She just looked back at Dr. Shepherd and remarked at how all his hate, grief and regret, his pure fear of life; had been replaced with love, hope and an eager anticipation for what life might hold for him in the future.

Silently, an unspoken truce being called, they both turned and went on their way. Dr. Bailey moved towards the patients she needed to tend to; and Derek and Carwyn headed towards the elevator, eager to see the woman they both loved so much in Room 318B.