"Chief!"

"Dr. Shepherd," Meredith smiled as she watched Derek turn the corner to catch up to her.

"Did you get a chance to look at the cases I sent you?"

Meredith glared at him, "Is this you going rogue and all hot headed Dr. Shepherd again? Don't start giving me any trouble, please."

"No," he chuckled, "But these cases did specifically find me. It's a good opportunity for the new interns and I already cleared it with Amy- she's gonna help. I just need your approval-"

"Done, I approved it as soon as I saw it this morning. I'm just giving you a hard time," Meredith laughed as she watched him go through a thorough explanation.

Meredith Grey had officially taken the mantle of Chief of Surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial. It was destined to be hers even if she had refuted that statement over and over again. She was well respected, admired, and each attending was pleased with her leadership despite the challenges that the first six months had presented in both her professional and personal life.

Now, a brand new class of interns graced the halls of the hospital and among them were interns who were determined to prove their worth. And were looking for second chances the way Grey Sloan was currently looking for theirs.

And on the personal front, Meredith and Derek held steady. They were happy and had found some sort of agreement as their responsibilities had increased.

Meredith scaled down on surgeries- and she had been happy too. She wanted to focus on the administrative side and most importantly be a mom at home. The last year spent between Seattle and Minnesota only proved that being a successful surgeon and a present mother took work. And she never went down without a fight.

Derek had been recently appointed as the newest Director of the Residency Program by the chief. He wasn't fully happy about it considering the class he was given. Well, really only one intern if he was honest. His nephew had joined them and although they had tried to keep it quiet, rumors spread quickly and the young intern was tired of his peers thinking he was sleeping with Aunt.

But their home life was thriving. Their kids were more than content with staying in Seattle, their sisters were happy and in love, and all seemed peaceful in the Grey Shepherd Household. It led to a peaceful coexistence at their work since there was no competition between any of them. And Derek had been at peace working under his wife. It surprised her in some ways and in others not at all. Things had changed. They had grown. And they were happy.

And walking side by side in the hospital hallways was always a shining glimmer throughout the day.

"Oh good, glad you keep me humble," Derek nodded as they continued their trek, "We also need to talk about the changes we thought about earlier and how we're going to bring in senior residents-"

"Okay well that's gonna have to wait till tomorrow," Meredith shook her head as she took the cup in his hand and took a sip of his coffee, "We're busy tonight."

"Are you neglecting your job already?" he jokingly scoffed as he took back the cup, "C'mon I had you down for at least a year, buck up."

"Stop it," Meredith laughed as she nudged him, "You may lose your money there."

Derek laughed along. He believed in her capacity as chief. He had been supportive and was determined to prove that no matter what she chose, he would be happily standing beside her.

"Okay so, I got Erin to stay with the kids tonight, they'll be too restless if they go with us plus they've got homework," Meredith continued to walk down the hall as he walked with her, "Amelia said she'll meet us at the school and Maggie said she and Winston might be a few minutes late," Meredith sighed, "You should ask Luke if he wants to join us, we can have dinner at the house after to celebrate."

Derek stopped and furrowed his brows in confusion as he watched his wife make her way to the elevator, "Wait, what are we talking about?"

It wasn't Meredith's birthday. Not that she liked celebrating that anyways. It wasn't any of the kids' birthdays either. He always remembered their special days. And the sisters or in-laws? Definitely not.

"Zola's presentation for the Pacific Northwest Scholars!" Meredith reminded him with a grin, "Her paper is a finalist for the amerit program, remember?"

Derek blinked as he suddenly remembered the event. Their genius daughter had written a paper about a person who had influenced them. She submitted it and to no one's surprise, she had become a finalist. It was an accomplishment she had been very proud of. Tonight, she'd be presenting her paper and she'd be up for a scholarship for her future academic studies.

"You forgot didn't you?" Meredith shook her head as she teased, "See, this is why I'm the favorite parent!"

"No, no, I didn't forget-" Derek stumbled, "And you haven't clinched that title yet, she said she didn't have favorites."

"Uh huh," Meredith grinned as she pressed the elevator button, "she says that because you say that when she and the other Little Grey Shepherds fight about who's the favorite."

Bailey said it was Zola. Zola said it was Ellis. And Ellis said it was Bailey. But truly, he didn't have a favorite and neither did their mother. They were loved equally and loved for how different they each were. But the common thread between the three was how open and welcoming they were to everyone in their lives. How much they cared and how empathetic they could be at their young age. All traits their parents had.

"I did not forget!" Derek insisted, "And I don't have favorites!"

"You want to head over together? We could make it a mini date?" Meredith leaned up to press a quick kiss on his soft lips.

"Yeah, I'll meet you at your office," he nodded as he pressed another kiss to her lips before watching her step into the elevator.

The elevator doors began to close when Derek suddenly put his hand in between the closing doors. Meredith looked up as the doors opened, revealing her husband once more, "Hey, uh, you don't find it weird? Because I find it weird. "

Meredith pursed her lips, "What's weird?"

"Her paper is about-"

"Derek," Meredith rolled her eyes.

He pursed his lips together, fully knowing the same thought had crossed her mind, "I'm just saying, it's normal if you think it's a little weird."

"I don't care," she shrugged, "I'll show up for anything that celebrates our Zozo."

She smiled brightly at him as she stepped back into the elevator.

Derek gave her a curt nod and let the elevator doors close behind him. Meredith was right. Anything Zola Grey Shepherd did deserve celebrating.

"Hey family," Amelia walked up the stairs as she took her seat in the row in front of her brother and wife, "Look who's finally accepting his place in our chaotic mess of a family."

A dark haired twenty something year old trailed behind her. Lucas Adams was the newest surgeon in the family. At least it was what he was working towards. He was Derek's favorite nephew and reminded Meredith of Amelia in many ways. When his application fell onto her lap, she remained quiet about it as long as she could. Until her final decisions were made with the input of her attendings. Unsurprisingly, both Shepherd siblings resisted.

Amelia argued he wouldn't make it.

Derek said he was a mess.

And on his first day of internship, Lucas had made the worst possible mistake of informing the wrong family that their loved one was brain dead. It was then that Meredith told Derek the truth.

Lucas was a bit of a black sheep. She saw a spark of the family genius in him. And he needed a chance. He was every bit a Shepherd.

Amy and Derek didn't always buy it. Old wounds would be wide open and knowing Lucas' past, they weren't too sure he had what it took.

"And that's exactly why I'm hiring him," Meredith raised a brow as she snatched back the application from Derek's hand, "And both of you ganging up on me for this is not a good look for either of you. I like it better when you don't agree."

"That's because one of us is always on your side," Derek shook his head, "The interns will claim we're playing favorites-"

"And he will resent us if he fails," Amelia finished, "And his mother will hate us even more-"

"I am not scared of any Shepherds," Meredith smirked before dropping it altogether, "Except your mother she-she kind of scares me."

"Meredith-" Derek shook his head.

"It's done!" Meredith stood from her desk and made her way out the door, "Suck it up, it'll be fine!"

It had been an adjustment, but in the end, both siblings pushed to bond with him one way or another.

"We aren't a mess," Derek shook his head as he read the program in his hand, "Not everyday at least."

"Thanks for uh, inviting me," Luke nodded as he took the seat in front of his uncle, "Where's Bailey?"

"You're gonna be a bad influence on my kid aren't you?" Derek scoffed. Lucas had taken a liking to Bailey. He reminded him of himself at that age, and he distinctly remembered the bond he had with his uncle then. They'd become thick as thieves and Bailey loved having another male figure around.

"He's not gonna be a bad influence on our kid," Meredith shook her head before turning to the pair in front of her, " Bailey and Ellis are both home, did you see Maggie before you left?"

Lucas furrowed his brows, "I was on Winston's service today, we finished early-"

"Um, I think they were right behind us," Amelia turned to look at her, "What was Zola's paper about by the way?"

Meredith blew out some air. She wasn't ready to talk about it with anyone other than her husband.

"You're gonna have to wait and listen to her presentation," Derek shook his head, "She made us swear we wouldn't say anything."

"Is it about her favorite aunt?" Amelia smirked, "C'mon you can tell me. It's about me."

"Why would it be you? And how do you know you're her favorite aunt?" Lucas shook his head, "She has like a million others-"

"Your mother doesn't count," Amelia cut him off, "And stop interrupting me."

"Yeah stop interrupting her-" Derek chided with a childlike grin.

"You invited me!" Lucas hissed.

"Both of you cut it out," Meredith shook her head, "It's not about you Amelia. Let yourself be surprised like we were."

Amelia shook her head before turning to her nephew, "You know she wants to be neurosurgeon. She says she wants to be like her dad, but I'm pretty sure she really means me."

"She does not!" Derek rolled her eyes.

Lucas laughed and turned his attention back to the program he was given at the door.

As the lights began to dim, Meredith released a heavy sigh. A strong hand gripped at the hand that picked at the skin around her thumb, "Hey, you okay?"

Meredith shook her head, waking herself from the daze she had briefly been in, "Yeah, I'm fine."

Meredith Grey was an expert at hiding away her feelings to everyone- except Derek Shepherd. He was an expert in all things Meredith Grey.

"You're weirded out because she wrote her paper about her aren't you?" he asked. His thumb caressed the back of her hand, assuring her he was right at her side.

"I'm not weirded out," Meredith shook her head. Her tone betrayed her true feelings.

"You know what Bailey would say?" Derek whispered, "He'd say you were a lying liar."

"Bailey wouldn't say that!" Meredith scoffed, "Ellis maybe, but Bailey is too sweet for that."

Her attention went back to the program. The second page had a picture of Zola with the title of her paper.

"What's wrong, Meredith?," Derek insisted, "You have that look on your face. I know you."

Meredith peered at him through her lashes before closing the program shut.

"It's just-," Meredith gulped, "I don't talk about her and the few times she's heard anything about her or she eavesdropped, she's never heard great things about her. I mean she was there when Maggie told me about the letter. She heard the whole thing! So, I-I-I am just confused. That's it."

Derek sighed as he continued to listen.

"And what kind of mother am I for letting her idolize her after all the crap she put me through-"

"Well she didn't write about her grandmother Ellis Grey," Derek whispered, "She wrote about the doctor who made advancements in medicine-"

"No, no," Meredith shook her head, "I think-"

"Wait, she wrote about Ellis Grey?" Amelia snapped her head, "Twist!"

The parents glared at her.

"I think they want you to stop interrupting them," Lucas smirked, "Right, Uncle Derek?"

Derek glared at the both of them, seemingly telling the pair to shut up, "Stop eavesdropping into my conversations."

Amelia rolled her eyes and turned back to face away from them as their nephew followed suit.

"It is weird. But this has nothing to do with you being like her at all," Derek sighed, "And I know that Zola knows you and that she loves you. And this thing about Ellis, it-"

Derek let out another sigh. He wanted to tell her that everything was fine. That Zola's choice of topic for her paper wasn't a big deal. But his own fatherly instinct told him something was up.

"It has nothing to do with you," he whispered, "You are her favorite parent."

Although she loved her children equally, Meredith and Zola had a unique bond. A bond between daughter and mother that Meredith never had with her own. And they both cherished it deeply. Meredith could still feel the pain she felt when she overheard Zola confess to Derek that she wondered about her biological mother and why she had given it up. At the time, she had been heartbroken. But now, she was grateful Derek had handled it. With time, she came to understand that all her daughter wanted was answers. Never to replace her.

Meredith turned to look at him softly before whispering, "She doesn't have favorites."

Derek pressed a kiss to her head. He had his own unique bond with his daughter. Long ago he once told her she was the only medicine he ever needed. She was a fourth of his guiding stars. Another reason he was able to stay afloat after feeling like drowning. And the bond between father and daughter was an unbreakable one.

A sudden voice interrupted them, "Our next scholar has chosen to discuss-"

The words melted around them as Maggie and Winston both waved and took their seat next to the parents.

"Zola Grey-Shepherd," the teacher announced as their daughter stood from her seat and made her way to the microphone. She wore a perfectly tailored navy suit and a red blouse under. Her hair was neatly drawn into a half updo. She graced herself with confidence and determination as he eyes locked with her parents'. She gave them a brief smile as she began her speech.

Derek took his wife's hand into his and turned to her, "Hey?"

"What?" Meredith whispered without taking her eyes away from her daughter. Derek loved these moments. The moments where Meredith lost herself in the greatness that their children were. All those years ago when she felt she wasn't enough or that she'd be a terrible mother were years wasted as the woman next to him had only proven that she was the best.

She put them above everything. She loved them endlessly and without any conditions.

Their home was filled with photographs of a perfectly content family. Drawings were on the fridge and some were even framed. It was all her doing.

She was the anchor to the family they built.

It was all so perfect. Even when there were moments when everything wasn't so perfect like those trips to Minnesota. But that was now in the past.

"That's our little girl," Derek echoed the words she once told him when they decided to adopt her. When Zola chose them.

Meredith turned to him with a bright smile, "It's our little girl."

The parents turned back to their daughter, fingers threaded in each others' hands.

"While at The Clinic, in Minnesota, Dr. Grey completed six different clinical trials that helped lead to advances in cellular regeneration related to liver disease," Zola spoke from the stage as the parents watched mesmerized.

The little girl they had fought so hard for was growing up into a beautiful young woman. And though proud as they were, it also broke their heart just a bit.

Zola held tightly to her note cards.

She was up next. Carly would finish and then she'd be the next one up.

She looked out to the audience and smiled at the sight of her Aunt Maggie making her way to the seats. She saw her family together.

Clearly, her siblings had been left at home. Bailey wouldn't be able to sit still and Ellis would've fallen asleep. But she knew they were proud- even if Bailey played it off. Before he was picked up after school, he made it a point to find her and wish her luck. He gave her an awkward younger brother type hug and ran off to Erin.

She loved her siblings. She loved her entire family.

Her Aunt Amy sat next to her cousin Luke. He seemed a little bored, like he was hiding the fact that he was happy to be around family. But she liked having him around. He was like an older brother she never had and she kept Bailey distracted. She had seen how her father was nervous about bringing him home but over time, she realized they were once very close. Probably like Bailey and their dad.

Behind them sat her parents. They whispered something to each other. Aunt Amy turned around only to get a glare from the pair.

She must've said something inappropriate and her parents might've reminded her to filter herself. Zola nearly giggled at that. Her parents were good at that. Making her giggle and forget why she was nervous in the first place.

Her dad was always trying to make them laugh with his cheesy dad jokes and her mom always brought him back down to reality. One look from her and the great Derek Shepherd was at her beck and call. They were the best parents ever. She loved them so much and she couldn't have had any better parents.

Zola watched as she noticed the both of them continue their conversation until her mother leaned over to her dad and he pressed his lips to her head.

Zola heard her name being called and stood from her seat. She looked at her cards once more and walked to her podium.

"Thank you, Mr. Ryan," She smiled, "Dr. Ellis Grey was a world renowned surgeon."

Zola read her speech. She had a feeling it'd confuse her parents, especially her mom.

She looked up to her parents for assurance and then back at her cards.

"While at The Clinic, in Minnesota, Dr. Grey completed six different clinical trials that helped lead to advances in cellular regeneration related to liver disease," Zola continued.

But why was it suddenly so hot?

"She began a seventh, but she unfortunately never completed it because she started exhibiting signs of early onset Alzheimer's disease."

Suddenly, the lights were too bright.

I'm at the part where my grandmother get's alzheimer's- why is it so hot?- Why is the light so bright?

And a ringing sound was echoing in the room.

Where is mom?- Where's dad?-keep going-keep going-keep reading- it's not real mom is-Why is it so hot? Is that sweat on my forehead? Why was it dripping?

And she forgot how to talk.

It's not happening right now, mom is fine, mom is fine!

"Early-" Zola couldn't breathe, "Early Alzheimer's can be a genetic illness-"

And everyone's eyes were on her.

Why is the room spinning? Why did I choose this topic? What was that ringing noise? Why? Why? Mom is fine! Just read it Zola!

The ringing noise. The bright lights. The sweat. The spinning room. The eyes on her. It was all too much.

Mom is gonna get it. Aunt Maggie. And my dad-. They all almost died. Mom and Dad almost died too many times and I'm gonna-

"It means my mom and my aunt will get it too. They'll get it. They're gonna die like my dad almost did and then they'll die. They're gonna die. They're all gonna die and I'll have no one!"

Meredith rubbed her thumb on the back of his hand. He knew exactly what to do to make it better. He knew her quirks and he knew them well. Long ago he learned that her dark and twisty ways took her places that even she didn't want to go. He never let her roam on her own. He always hovered- stupidly hovered. And sometimes she just wanted to push him away. And even when she did, they always found a way back. And he never left her out in the dark.

"She began a seventh, but she unfortunately never completed it because she started exhibiting signs of early onset Alzheimer's disease."

She paused. Zola's voice shook and her parents watched as she paused to take a breath.

"She's nervous," Derek whispered in an attempt to calm the worried mother next to him- but he knew better. He knew his daughter better to know that she wasn't just nervous.

Meredith leaned forward. He was wrong and even she knew he didn't buy his own words.

"Early onset Alzheimers is- it means - it's genetic," Zola stammered. They watched as she reached to rub her chin.

"No, something's wrong," Meredith whispered back as she scooted to the edge of the seat and released his hand.

"It means my mom and my aunt will get it too. They'll get it," Zola whimpered.

Their daughter began to fall apart right before their eyes.

"Derek-," Meredith gripped his arm, acutely aware of the scene in front of her.

Derek was already up when he felt her strong grip, "She's having a panic attack-"

He quickly walked down the aisle trying to rescue his daughter and stop the madness ensuing in her mind. He knew what that was quite well and he was keenly aware his wife did too. He could hear Meredith's steps behind him as she followed.

"They're gonna die like my dad almost did and then everyone's gonna die. They're gonna die. They're all gonna die and I'll have no one!"

Her daughter's words echoed in her ear. And for Meredith, the walk seemed eternal. Like the room was stretching as they got closer and closer and Zola only got farther.

Once they reached her, Derek cupped her face, "Hey, look at me princess, it's okay-"

Meredith wrapped her arms around her daughter and led her off the stage, "We've got you, it's okay."

Zola's eyes were filled with tears as she continued to whisper under her breath. The parents quickly helped her off.

And the evening ended.

The car ride was silent. Meredith sat in the back with her daughter, her arms around her as the girl quietly cried. She could feel her tears soaked through her shirt.

Derek pulled to the front of the house and shut the car off, "You want to talk about it before-"

"No, I want to go inside," Zola murmured.

"Okay," Meredith whispered as she undid the seat belt securing her daughter. She looked at Derek through the rearview mirror and nodded. He'd go in first. Thank Erin, and let her go home. He'd encourage the kids to go to their rooms as quickly as possible so they wouldn't see their sister this way.

At least that was the plan.

Derek opened the front door and Zola pushed her way in with her arms crossed.

"Momma, daddy you're home!" Ellis shouted in her pajamas from her table. She was coloring another drawing. Bailey looked up from his book, "Hi- what's wrong with Zo?"

Zola quickly made her way to her room as Meredith followed behind her. She could hear Derek speak to Erin and the kids behind her as she closed the bedroom door behind her, "Zola do you want to-"

"No," Zola cut her off, "I don't want to talk about it yet. There's nothing to talk about. I had a panic attack and didn't get-"

"Zola, that's not what I meant, baby," Meredith insisted.

Zola pulled a pajama from her drawer and turned to her mother. The look on her face nearly killed Meredith.

Her cheeks were flushed. Tears streamed down her face. And the painful awareness of the reality of the genetic markers in Meredith's DNA were written all over her face.

"I just want to go to sleep," Zola insisted, "Can you just let me go to sleep, please?"

Other times, Meredith would lie in bed with her. They'd talk until Zola was asleep. It used to be Derek who'd chase the monsters away, but as she grew older, the inseparable pair would have these rituals of their own.

But now her daughter didn't want to be a part of it. Not now, anyway.

Meredith gulped as she hesitantly nodded, "Okay. Sweet dreams, Zozo."

Meredith made her way to the door and closed it behind her. She felt her heart shatter piece by piece.

Derek set both his hands atop the bathroom counter. He exhaled deeply. He could still hear Zola's words ring in his ear. They were like a broken record player playing over and over again.

It means my mom and my aunt will get it too. They'll get it. They're gonna die like my dad almost did and then they'll die. They're gonna die. They're all gonna die and I'll have no one!

He had tried to stop it. He had tried to cure it. He wanted to do it more than anything but he just couldn't. Meredith messed with the trial and his ambition in research had blinded him to what truly mattered. Now it all felt like an endless train wreck and his daughter was bearing the same fears he did.

Derek jolted as he heard the bedroom door close.

"Bailey and Ellie?" Meredith stepped in front of the bathroom. She stood there as she took off the watch on her wrist.

"They uh, they're in bed," he nodded, "You're not staying with Zola?"

"She doesn't want me there," Meredith shook her head as stepped away from the door after tossing her watch on her side of the bathroom counter. She walked into the bedroom and kicked off her shoes. He watched as she went through the drawer and took out a fresh set of pajamas.

He knew her well enough to know she had shut everything off. She was holding back her tears. Holding back her emotions. She was keeping it together. And failing miserably.

Because when she shut the drawer closed, the photograph of a younger Zola stared back at her. A carefree, happy, smiling, four-year old whose only concern was to go higher on the swing.

Now she was nearly thirteen and her anxiety had worsened. And the panic attacks had once again sprouted.

"That's why she chose her," Meredith mumbled, "It's why she wrote about Ellis. Because she's been thinking about it since-"

"Yeah," Derek leaned against the bathroom door frame with his hands stuffed in his pocket, "It makes sense."

She continued to stare at the photograph, "What am I gonna do if I-"

"I promised you I'd remind-" Derek's head snapped up. He made a promise long ago. A vow. And he made that vow once more when they decided to give their youngest the wedding they never had. He'd promise it over and over again. As much as she needed to know she was not alone. She'd never be alone. Not by his account.

"You can't promise me that anymore," Meredith cut him off as she turned to glare at him, "because what's gonna happen if you die first?"

Derek felt the knife through his chest twist as more scenarios twirled in his head.

"Meredith-"

"People get shot! Airplanes crash and people get hit by a semi in the middle of the road! We can't promise our kids something we can't follow through with-"

"Meredith-"

"No, Derek! Don't Meredith me and don't try to make it better when you damn well know you can't!"

The door shut behind her.

Closing any chance to comfort one another.

And ending any security they had once felt.

A/N: So I lied. I am writing another fic ~inspired~ by Zola's big scene this season. I genuinely think that it's about time she's explored further and although I know EP is leaving and they have to rush the storyline, I am a tad disappointed with the speed of it.

Have I actually seen the full episodes? Haha nope. But I (as some of you know) have lurked on the twitterverse once more. I have my own plot in mind for this but will continue to lurk to try to connect with the storyline in some way because clearly we Merderers need our fix, right?

Anyways, thanks! Hope you enjoy! And here we go!