Meredith Grey woke up to a dim room with machines bleeping around her, ensuring she was still alive. It was the first time her eyes had opened. She wanted to talk, to call out, but her throat was dry and her voice stuck somewhere deep inside it. She pressed the button to call a nurse, and watched Nurse Henderson, her favorite from the ICU, enter her room. "Oh Dr. Grey, you have no idea how long we've waited for you to press that button! How are you feeling? Would you like some water?"

Meredith nodded. She greedily sipped the cool, clear liquid, enjoying the way it comforted and healed her. She hadn't realized before that she had taken that for granted—the simple joy of sipping something. Her head ached and her body throbbed, but she smiled gently. "Thank you. How long have I…"

"It's been just over a week, Dr. Grey." The young nurse looked at her shoes solemnly. "I have to go and page Dr. Shepherd and Dr. O'Malley. They've been here in alternating shifts since you all were admitted, but they went to check on Dr. Stevens… I'll let them explain everything. It's so good to see you awake, Dr. Grey."

"It's Meredith," she said to the brunette's retreating back, "I can't be a doctor while I'm hooked up to these machines."


George looked down at his pager angrily as it signaled he was needed elsewhere. He sighed and kissed Grace's forehead, "I'm sorry sweetie…"

"I know, Uncle George. I've been around that sound long enough to know you have to go. So go ahead. I'll be fine," she smiled at the concern that was written across his tired, unshaven face. "I promise!"

"Alright. I'm just worried, after everything that's happened…"

"Go on. Someone out there needs to be saved. And… later, after your shift… you should really shave that beast that's growing on your face. You can't kiss Aunt Izzie with that…"

He shook his head and laughed before kissing her again, "You're absolutely ridiculous. I'll be back as soon as I can be. Page me if you need anything, and I mean anything…"

"Okay." She watched as her uncle walked out of her room. She waited until she was sure he couldn't hear her to begin to cry.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

Her eyes popped open, and she wiped furiously at the tears staining her red cheeks. Her Aunt Cristina and Uncle Preston had rushed into the room, each taking a side and defaulting to Doctor mode. She laughed, "Guys… it's all right. I'm okay. I'm just worried about Aunt Izzie. No one's telling me anything, and every time I try to close my eyes to sleep, I just replay that moment all over again…" tears fell again, and her usually stern, almost emotionless aunt crumpled with her.

"Oh, Grace…" Cristina said, after a pause; "I'm so sorry you had to see that whole thing. She didn't tell anyone she'd been feeling ill, because she knew they wouldn't let her come see you. And she didn't think she could wait any longer, because the guilt was killing her. Trust me, though, she's regretting coming here and having you witness that… she feels horribly. She's doing a lot better now that we know something's wrong and we're working really hard to fix it…"

"What she means," Preston cut in, "is that Izzie fainted because of the increased stress on her body from being elevated for the first time in a week. It was the first time she'd actually been sitting upright for more than a few minutes, and her body wasn't ready for the elevation, and the moving. Not to mention how upset she was over the situation as a whole. But it's all better now, sweetie. We're keeping a good eye on her at all times."

Cristina looked at him, grateful he'd known what to say to comfort and calm the young girl.

"If it's okay, I really want to try and sleep now. Don't get me wrong, I want to talk to you both, I've missed you so much… but I don't want to fall asleep in the middle of a conversation…"

"You don't need excuses; we understand. We'll be here for a few hours, visiting everyone. So page us when you wake up from your nap. I love you."

"I love you guys, too. See you in a bit…" She closed her eyes and listened to the sound of their retreating bodies. When she no longer heard their feet on the linoleum tiles of the hall, she let a few more tears fall. Yes, she was upset over her aunt and what had happened just a day ago. But more than that, she could feel the break in her right leg, and she was stubborn like her father—she would face this herself. Without their knowledge. Without their pity. Without their medication to dope her up and block her emotions. She would get through it. What was that saying she'd always loved… "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger…" she smiled to herself. She knew it was foolish, to not tell her doctors and her family that she was in pain. But she was just trying to get through it alone. If it were too much, if it got too hard, she'd tell them.


Derek and George ran into Preston and Cristina on the elevator. They'd all gotten the same page, and they were on their way to the ICU. Though none of them would say anything, they all shared the same fears. What lied before them, just past those elevator doors… they were scared for their friend, for someone who had been like a sister to them for so long. The doors slid open, and Nurse Henderson was there, waiting, tears streaming down her cheeks. Their faces fell, one by one. Only one remained high, tears welling in his eyes… "Please…" Derek whispered…