Running Away

Chapter 1

Meredith Grey sighed as she shut her locker door for the last time. She looked around the empty room, trying to absorb as much as she could about Seattle Grace. Meredith couldn't believe it had come to this. She couldn't believe that she, Meredith Grey, daughter of world class surgeon Ellis Grey, was running away. Nobody except the chief of surgery knew of her departure to New York. Not Izzie. Or George. Or Christina. And definitely not Derek. He definitely didn't know. Meredith swung her tote bag over her shoulder and trudged on through the halls of the Seattle Grace Hospital. Her resident, Doctor Bailey was ranting at an intern who hadn't filled out his post op notes properly. Just like Bailey, she chuckled. Luckily she didn't see anyone else, or she was sure to break down into tears. Meredith walked up to her car and turned around, admiring the hospital in all its glory. That was yesterday, this is today, she told herself.

"Come in," said Doctor Webber as Derek stepped into his office. Derek slumped into the chair in front of the chief's desk. "I'm so sorry chief. I couldn't save her for you. I know she was your friend, and i really tried. But i did my best and that's all that matters,"

"I know. It's a shame she has to go…"

"Um, chief? The woman is dead, not about to die,"

"Uh, sorry. Right,"

Phew. Almost let it slip, thought Richard

Derek noticed that the chief seemed a bit flustered after Derek reminded him that his friend was dead. I guess his friend has just died, reasoned Derek.

"Is that all?" asked Doctor Webber, not wanting to let Meredith's departure slip to the person she had insisted didn't know.

"Uh, yeah. Like i said, i am so sorry,"

But to Webber's surprise, Derek sat in the seat, as if glued to it.

"Is that all?" the chief asked impatiently.

Derek didn't reply, he seemed to be in deep thought.

"Derek!" exclaimed Webber. Derek suddenly looked up.

"Yeah," he replied as he finally got up and walked to the door.

Phew, thought the chief, that was too close for comfort.

Why is the chief acting so strangely, Derek asked himself. He seems so flustered, as if on edge. Meredith was acting the same way…

"Chief?" asked Derek as he turned around.

"Hmm?"

"What's really going on?"