A/N : This one-shot is set in an alternate universe where Mer and Hayes are dating in S18 (we can dream, can't we?). All this Easter Egg talk from Ellen Pompeo has got me wanting my own call backs. I kind of wish Dead Baby Bike Race was an annual are no spoilers for S18 in this one-shot

Prompt : Hayes becomes acquainted with the good and the bad of Dead Baby Bike Race day.

Thank you for reading. I truly appreciate all your continued feedback (favs, follows and comments). Hope you all enjoy this blast from the past :)

Standing in front of the OR board, arms folded over her chest, Meredith can't help but admire her magnificent organization skills displayed in all its glory. Well-timed, balanced and efficient. A board one can truly be proud of. The smirk unfurling on her lips is evidence of said pride.

"Gloating's not a good look on you."

Meredith jerks, startled by the husky breath teasing the crook of her neck. A shiver snakes down her spine at her boyfriend's teasing. Flushing slightly at Hayes' proximity and trying mightily to suppress the inferno sweeping her body, she glances behind to catch the curl of his lips and his knowing stare. She rolls her eyes. He totally caught her reaction.

"Not gloating. Just appreciating some nice handy work."

Amused, he hovers behind her, his lips so close they sensuously ghost over her neck.

"Whatever you say... You free tonight?"

Her stomach clenches at the fire momentarily flashing in his eyes, there one minute and gone the next, mindful of the time and place. The promise of things to come doesn't help settle the blast of heat spreading through her.

"I might be...with the right incentive," Meredith answers coyly, stepping back into his warmth, appreciating the intimacy. "What did you have in mind?"

"The boys are staying over at friends' houses. I have the place all to my lonesome self. So I was thinking..." his words trail off, letting her draw her own conclusion as to his plans.

Before she can respond, they're interrupted by Bailey and the roving residents trailing behind her.

"Grey! Dead Baby Bike Race started 30 minutes ago. You know the drill." Miranda marches on, residents following her hurried pace.

Head hanging momentarily, Meredith emits an exasperated grunt before yelling, "Alright people! Dead Baby Bike Race day! Get ready!"

Forgetting Hayes for a moment, she turns back to the board—huffing in the process— and eyes the multiple surgeries scheduled for the day before grabbing the eraser and getting to work. Wiping all that beautiful feat of organization hurts her soul.

"Hold on! What's happening? Why are you erasing the board?"

"It's Dead Baby Bike Race day. All elective surgeries are cancelled." Is he supposed to know what that means? Just when he thinks this hospital can't get any weirder...

Eyebrows knitted in complete confusion, mouth hanging slightly open, questions lurks in Hayes' eyes. "Come again. What day?"

"Dead Baby Bike Race day. Every year, the Dead Baby Bar holds an underground bike race. Never on the same day. It's completely illegal. A bunch of bike messengers racing against traffic to beat each other for free shots of tequila." Meredith rolls her eyes, shaking her head in disgust. "The race barely has any rules. No eye gouging; I think that's the only one. Brings out all the crazies. The pit overflows in a matter of hours. The ORs get filled with emergency surgeries. Basically, everyone in Seattle gets caught in the crosshairs."

With every word, Hayes' brows furrow more and more, the lines in his forehead deepening. "Bloody hell! I'm sorry I even asked."

Wound up at the conjured image of what she imagines awaits them, Meredith pouts a little, "No date tonight. This is a whole day kind of scenario."

"Seriously?" Hayes grumbles.

"Seriously. You'll see... All out lunacy," Meredith warns. "It's going to be an all-hands-on-deck kind of day. You better head down to the pit. I'm paging every department."

Heading over to the nurses' station, she steadies herself against the counter, grabbing a tablet to reschedule the cancelled surgeries and start paging everyone who's available.

Stuffing down the stress determined to make its way up, Hayes chimes in. "Are we just going to gloss over the fact that that pub name is revolting? Complete poppycock."

Chuckles bubble out of her at his Irish slang, always at the tip of his tongue when he's irritated. She shrugs, "No arguments from me. It is what it is. They're kind of famous now."

Staring him dead straight in the eyes, she adds, "Before you go, a bit of advice... Don't let anyone leave AMA."

She knows her boyfriend, and she knows his stance on patient care and consent. But her experience comes in handy on days like today. "I'm not kidding. You have to be firm with these fools. They think they're invincible, but they're really just reckless." Dropping a feather-light kiss on his lips, Meredith returns to her tablet, resuming her reorganization as Hayes heads off to the ER.

Twelve hours later, exhaustion has firmly set in, no one evading the chaos of Dead Baby Bike Race. Everyone is sniping at each other; doctors, residents, interns, nurses, patients and family members. Getting everyone to settle down proves to be a Sisyphean task.

The ORs have been crammed with abdominal injuries, brain bleeds, broken bones; anything and everything one can imagine. It's been a while since Meredith's been on her feet this long. She's finally finished her last surgery. Only one hour left on her shift before she can escape.

As she navigates her way to the pit to check out the latest in the carnage, Meredith winces as she hears her boyfriend's shouts from around the corner.

Bracing herself for what she's about to encounter, the sight before her is worse than she could have imagined. Drunken idiots looking sheepish; Hayes' glaring, furious eyes and reddening face.

"A child is paralyzed, and you lot are sitting here laughing your arses off! A child has lost the ability to walk because of your recklessness; a kid who had their whole future ahead of them," Hayes barks out, rage simmering underneath every word. The tide of anger rising inside him makes everyone around him give him a wide berth. The need and impulse to shake these bloody idiots threatens to overwhelm him.

Meredith draws in a sharp breath, understanding flaring in her eyes. His entire expression and demeanor causes a deep ache to settle in her bones. Standing there transfixed by the scene before her, her throat swells up as she watches her boyfriend tear into these idiots, a small measure of comfort after the most dreadful day. She feels him coiling up, slowly but surely. It's nearly impossible to look away from the scene; Hayes at his boiling point, crusading for his patients.

Sweeping through the ER with the single-minded focus of a girlfriend on a mission to ease her boyfriend's palpable pain, getting him out of there is the only appropriate course of action—for him and for the stupid racers.

"Cormac!" She says softly as she closes the gap between them, approaching him tentatively. She places a comforting hand on his shoulder, breaking the spell he finds himself in. Spinning quickly at the sound of her voice, Meredith's heart slams against her rib cage at the sight of his grief-stricken expression.

"Come on… They're not worth it," she rasps out, pulling him away from the fray. The unbridled anger and despair stamped all over his face breaks her heart into a million tiny pieces. Drawing in shallow breaths, he tries to expel his frustrations, one loud exhale at a time.

Her hand reaches for his, grasping it tightly and tugging him into the nearest empty supply closet.

In the peace and stillness of the room, Hayes collapses against her, clutching her tightly against him. Releasing a shaky breath, he shudders against her as they stay locked in each other's embrace.

Silence stretches as they remain plastered together. As she feels him coming back to her, Meredith pulls back, the haunted resignation in his eyes swimming into focus.

Their gazes hold for what seems like an eternity, the tension of the day finally breaking free. Agony flashes over his features; tears pricking at the back of his eyes, threatening to fall. He swallows the lump in his throat, keeping his crushing feelings at bay—even as they fight to be released. Coherent words seem beyond him.

Cupping his face between her hands, her thumbs brush down his cheeks with the smoothest touch, offering any bit of comfort she can. Whispering "let it out" in her most soothing voice, she slides her arm around his neck once again, drawing him back into her space.

"It's senseless," Hayes murmurs against her skin, voice tremulous as he tries—and fails—to grope for reason.

"I know," she says over and over again, helpless to stop this sickening tragedy.

Meredith finally senses his breathing evening out. "You gonna be okay?" She wonders hopefully, tipping his chin up to get a better look at what's lurking behind his eyes. There's a sadness reflected back in them she's never seen before—one she never wants to see again.

His frown morphs into a look of acceptance. "Aye… Not much we can do now but help the family cope." The pain lingers in his rough voice, defeated tone plain for her to grasp.

"They're not all like this, but just one is too many."

His creased brows compel her to elaborate. "Dead Baby Bike Race. The riders… They try to steer clear of school zones to avoid endangering kids, but no one can predict what will happen. And accidents do happen."

"How has this gone on for so long with absolutely no repercussions?" Fuming disbelief laces his every word.

"The city's tried to fine the bar, but the event has become so popular now. It even brings in tourists from nearby areas. These days, the cops just try to manage it as best they can."

"Christ," he snaps out, resting his forehead against hers.

Laying consoling kisses against his cheeks and neck, Meredith strokes his back comfortingly.

Hayes purrs, his rumbling voice ruffling the hairs on her neck, "That feels nice."

"Did you inform the parents?"

"Aye. They're devastated, obviously."

"Is there anything you need?"

"Just stay with me," Hayes implores, a sense of calm at last washing over his body. "For a few more minutes?"

"Always," Meredith promises.