Recap:

Preston had been crying. He couldn't lie. "Derek, I've got horrible news…"


"What is it, Preston?" his hand twitched involuntarily, and his mind went into overdrive. It had done that only twice before—when Addison had died, and when Grace had gone missing right before Christmas when she was six.

Preston felt the tears streaking his face, "Derek… it's Grace. She, Mer and Izzie were all leaving the house. The girls were taking her out for a distraction, as planned. The front left tire blew as they were getting on the freeway," his voice caught, worry taking over. "One car flipped over them, and another t-boned the passenger side where Izzie and Grace were. They're on their way here by helicopter… the only thing we've heard so far is that Meredith is in need of neuro—I've called Doctor Ashland down, I didn't think you'd feel like doing that. Izzie is bruised, but conscious…"

Derek was crying, his face ashen, his hands trembling uncontrollably, "What about my baby, Pres? What about Grace?"

"All I know is she's unconscious. Could be a head injury, she could need a neurological consult, but you are too emotionally involved. Which is why I called Dr. Baker in from Mercy South, he's on his way. He's only number two because you're around…"his joke didn't work, but he had to throw it out there.

He didn't try to protest. His heart was broken for his daughter. 'Addison…' he thought, 'please… guide her through this. Bring her back to me. She's just all I have..."

Preston crossed the room in just one swift step, and embraced his long-time friend. Someone he considered a brother, who'd given him the honor of being an uncle. It wasn't uncomfortable to him, to be holding Derek steady, because if someone had just told him Grace had been in an accident, they would be holding him up, keeping him from collapsing. But, right now, he needed to be stronger than that. Someone else was hurting more—Derek needed him right now, and what else would a best friend do?


Dr. Bailey examined Izzie as quickly as she could. The blonde was impatient and crying, worried out of her mind. "It's my fault, Dr. Bailey. I should've done something. It should be me, not her. Did you know today's her birthday?"

Dr. Bailey nodded silently. The mother in her couldn't speak, and the doctor in her was getting impatient with Izzie for squirming and talking.

"God, if I would've just waited five minutes to leave. If I would've stalled just a little…" She began crying again, tears violently streaking her pale face. Bailey's heart broke a little, knowing the guilt that she was going through, the thoughts plaguing her.

"I'm going to get someone in here to calm you down, Dr. Stevens, and then when that's happened, I will make sure to update you on the status of both Dr. Grey and Grace. Please, for your sake, try to remain as calm as possible…" Bailey's eyes shone with compassion, something that Izzie had never been on the receiving end of where Bailey was concerned.

"Dr. O'Malley!" Bailey shouted to the resident doctor, who was currently crouched in a corner, his head buried in his hands. He popped up, wiping his eyes and rushing over to her.

"Yes, Dr. Bailey?"

"Are you aware Dr. Stevens, Dr. Grey, and Grace have been in an accident?"

He nodded, and whispered he had heard.

"Stevens is in room 2205, and she needs someone to talk to. That's all you're to worry about, you understand?"

"Yes, Dr. Bailey," he started to walk towards Izzie, but stopped, "Thank you."


"Oh, God Izzie, I was so scared!" He said, rushing over to her and squeezing her.

"I am still. Any news, Georgie?" Her left cheek was bruised, a large gash was placed on her forehead, and there was a deep, ugly bruise forming on her neck from the seatbelt. All her injuries were mostly to the surface, and he was grateful.

He took a deep breath, "Mer is getting a consult from Dr. Ashland…"

"Neurological? Is she conscious? What about Gracie?"

"She's conscious, but there's some concern about a head injury so they're checking her out. She's getting a CT right now."

"What about Grace? Why won't you answer?" Her eyes widened and filled with tears, "Oh, God… is she dead?"

"No! No, she's just… she's unconscious. That's all I've heard so far. Calm down, a little at least. All this stress can't be healthy. Here's what I'm thinking. You should lie down, just to rest for a few minutes. And I'm going to go check on Grace and Mer, and see if I can't find anything out." He kissed her cheek, and helped her lie down comfortably, before heading to find Grace's room.

"George!" Derek was crying, but ran to him and hugged him. His sadness consumed the hallway, permeated the walls and hit George before he could realize what happened.

"How is she?"

"She's, uh. She's unconscious. She's in a coma… she's got a broken right wrist and both her legs were pinned under Mer's seat… they broke. If she wakes up, she's going to be in a wheelchair for a few months, and then she'll need to do therapy… she'll need to learn how to walk allover again…"

George smiled, "She had enough trouble the first time around. Do you remember when she was just learning, and we were trying to get her used to shoes… and she was smiling so big, and she stood up, took one step and fell on her face?"

"She didn't even cry. She just got up and kept going, kept trying…" Derek started crying again, staring at his frail, helpless baby.

"She'll pull through this, Derek. She's strong; she's a fighter. She's your daughter… she's Addison's daughter. And she will wake up, Derek. Soon…"

"Hopefully. You know as well as I do, George, that if she doesn't wake up or show signs of brain activity within the next 48 hours…" He didn't need to finish. He couldn't.

"Don't think like that. I have to go check on Mer, and then go report back to Izzie. I'll be back in a little bit… if there's any change..."

"I'll page you." Derek hugged him again, and then faced the window to his daughters' room, watching the new interns talking around her, discussing her case. He sighed, and looked away for a second. That's when he heard it… the code blue.