TWO

Putting The Plug In

She ran into the hospital, the tiny two year old clasped to her chest, one hand holding him up and rubbing his back in an effort to soothe his pain, and the other holding a towel to his bleeding head wound. She bypassed ER, and her friends, interns who were working with patients, instead heading straight to the neurology department. She ignored the stares of the nurses as she murmured "It's OK Luca, Mummy's here. I'm here baby" to her son, her only focus. She got to the door of the head of department and shoved it open, flying through the door, her face pale, startling the only occupier of the office.

"Doctor Shepherd!" She exclaimed, breathlessly. "Help. My son Luca."

"Doctor Grey?" Attending Doctor Derek Shepherd shot out of his chair and over to the ashen faced intern who was clutching a bleeding child in her arms. He removed the towel and looked at the wound.

"It's only a flesh wound, we'll get it sutured up after we take him for an MRI. What happened?" he asked placing a hand in the small of her back leading her out of his office towards the MRI room.

"He had a seizure. I don't know why, and he caught his head on a something as he fell."

"Ok, we'll do a MRI then a CAT scan." said Derek, signalling another intern over to help.

The tears that Meredith had so far kept at bay sprang to the surface as she mutely nodded. Derek reached for Luca who had by now calmed down and plucked him from his mothers arms. The child relaxed completely in the attending's arms. Derek used his other arm to reach round the stricken mother and slowly guided her into the MRI room.

An hour later found Meredith sat in Shepherd office, after doing the MRI, Doctor Shepherd suggested she take a moment to go to his office and collect herself, she saw how calm Luca was, trusting the neurologist to look after him she agreed and left Luca to be stitched up as she went and calmed herself down.

She had paged Burke and Cristina to come to Shepherds office as soon as their surgery finished, luckily they were both in the same one and moments later had both arrived and the trio were now sat waiting for Dr Shepherd and Luca to return.

Chief Webber was still in his surgery, unable to leave. Just as Preston was about to offer to go in search of Luca and Derek, the two came through the door with a giggling Luca in Dereks arms.

The two year old held a scrub cap with sharks on it in his hands and was laughing as he made them swim by rustling the fabric. On his forehead was a neat row of new stitches. As soon as Luca saw Meredith his laughing blue eyes lit up even more and using his limited vocabulary he proudly stated "Mummy! Derek my fwrend! Look, Derek fishies." The adults laughed as this simple display showed Luca being back to his normal happy temperament illustrating that he was no worse for his accident and the hospital trip.

Derek looked at Meredith, an intern who had scrubbed in on quite a few of his surgeries but who he knew little about, only that the Chief was her father and her mother was the famous Ellis Grey. And that she was a superb Doctor, showing real promise especially in neurology, which according to her resident Dr Miranda Bailey she wanted to specialise in. He gently passed Luca to his mother, and asked "Would you like to do this privately?" to which she shook her head.

"Auntie Cristina and Uncle Burke can stay." he raised his eyebrows in amusement at an embarrassed Burke, but nodded in acceptance and indicated that they should all take a seat. He sat with Meredith on the sofa whilst Cristina sat in his desk chair and Burke stood with Luca in his arms. Luca babbling away to his uncle "Bark" meant Derek had to raise his voice a little to overcome the noise.

"Right well, Dr Grey, it appears on the tests that Luca had an epileptic, that was why he had the seizure this evening. It's a little unusual as most seizures in children are from 4 months to 1 year or from 3 ears of age and over. I'd like you to bring Luca back tomorrow for more extensive testing and then I can devise a course of treatment."

Meredith, as shocked as she was at the nature of the illness, knew as a Doctor that she was lucky and so was Luca that it wasn't worse. As Derek finished speaking both Yang and Burke were paged.

"Its Webber. Must be complications. I'll call you later Mere. Bye Luca. Doctor Shepherd." Cristina explained, excusing herself, Burke also said goodbye and followed her out.

As Meredith was left with Luca and Derek she turned to the Doctor and thanked him. "Doctor Shepherd – "

"Derek" he said interrupting.

"Call me Meredith then." She smiled. "But Derek" she started again blushing. "Thank you so much. I didn't mean to ambush you earlier. Burke said you we're meant to get off an hour ago. Sorry for keeping you. I just…" she paused looking at the half asleep, smiling boy in her arms. "I needed and wanted the best. Luca is all I have really. I was so scared." She reddened, realising how she was rambling.

"Its OK Doctor Grey. You're a parent. I didn't know that! And I'm happy you think I'm the best." he said chuckling, before continuing "But seriously. Luca is a great kid. You and his Dad should be proud. He's amazing."

"The only thing Mark is proud of is his ability to get laid." she replied without thinking, forgeting hat it was her boss she was talking to and not one of her bitching sessions with Cristina, but looking up she saw a smile of understanding on his face. Looking into his eyes she saw there was no patronising look, just one of agreement and support.

"Sounds like my ex-wife." he said grinning. "You look like you need coffee." he looked at his watch noticing it was nearing 12 midnight. "If you're waiting for the Chief then how about I go grab us some coffee and we can bitch about our cheating exes?"

Meredith looked down at her son, immediately realising she couldn't bear to wake him she nodded agreement. "Sure sounds good."

"Great," he stood" I'll be right back."

Just before he reached the door the sound of Meredith's voice calling him stopped him.

"Wait you're not on-call, if I'm keeping you from someone---- something, I can go wait in my Dads, I mean, the Chiefs office."

He turned his head to her, still facing the door, hand on the handle.

"There's no-one and nothing waiting for me. Relax Mere. I'll be right back." he said grinning at her.

Tearing her eyes away from him she nodded "Thank you Derek" and smiled as he asked how she liked her coffee, which as with most doctors was simply "Strong."

Less than 5 minutes later Derek was back with two coffees and a carton of juice for Luca, as well as a few muffins for them all to share. Upon returning he walked into the office and was greeted with a sight which for some reason left him momentarily speechless.

Meredith left the seat on the sofa after Derek had left the room. She gently place Luca down on it instead, using the few cushions to make a barrier at the edge so he wouldn't fall off the edge.

Derek looked at Luca laying on the sofa, gently snuffling in his sleep. Meredith sat in front of the sofa on the floor, between the sofa and the coffee table. She was stroking Luca's cheek, softly murmuring words of comfort to him in his sleep.

Taking care to not bang the door or disturb the sleeping child in any way he made his way over and set the tray of food and drinks on the small coffee table. He handed Meredith her coffee, picking his own up and relishing the kick of caffeine as he took a long sip of the warm liquid. After they had both taken their fill of the refreshments Meredith broke the easy silence by asking "I thought we were going to bitch?"

Derek nodded "Wanna go first or me?" he asked.

"You." replied Meredith grinning as Derek rolled his eyes at her.

Checking that Luca was still asleep, he took a breath and started.

"Ok. My story. Met a girl at college. Addison. She was great. Classy, nice, hot." he grinned. "Anyway, we dated, graduated, did our internships at the same hospitals, her as OB/GYN in the end, me obviously going for neurology, my best friend Mark, he was with us too. When we became 2nd year interns I proposed and the 3 of us went to Vegas for the weekend, with Addie's sister too, and me and Addie got married. So, the next 10 years we work in NY happy, so I thought. The last few years both got more absorbed in our jobs but that's like everyone right? It was a rough patch. Anyway, one night, 10 years of marriage, walk in the house, see a jacket on the floor. It wasn't mine but I recognised it. I knew then something wasn't right, and sure enough I walk up stairs and found her and Mark in bed. I left. Well, I turned round and threw them both out. Then I left. Filed for a divorce, she signed too. I was living in a hotel in NY pissed and depressed when Webber, who was my mentor called, offered me this job, I accepted, wanting to get out of NY as fast as possible. So I brought a huge chunk of land here in Seattle, and lived in a trailer on it whilst my house got built. I moved in a few months ago. To a huge house. On my own. Addison tried to come and get back with me but.. I said no. Single since then. You?"

Throughout Derek speaking Meredith made the right sounds, nodded her head, exclaimed "That McBastard!" When he said about his best mate sleeping with his wife, and generally listened to him saying it in a tone with no emotion just the cold truth of facts.

"Okay." She also checked Luca was sleeping, firmly entrenched in dream land, before beginning her own story. "I was at Dartmouth, and had to go to a medical conference at a NY Hospital on plastic surgery, about how it was beginning to get into a more profitable market. I went with my whole class, and anyway, after a lecture I met one of the speakers. Mark. We got chatting. Started dating, which was hard but, we made it work. You know the long distance thing, not seeing each other much. We'd call and email. He was working full time and I was studying, neither could change, we accepted it and lived with it. Anyway, a year in, I get pregnant. I'm like. Shit! How do I tell him? He wont want this. And what about school? This was just after my Mum had been put into the home, so all I had in the world was Mark and my Dad. I talked to Dad and he told me to tell him, so I fly out and go to his apartment. Open the door and find him at it with a red-head. Her scrubs on the floor, clothes everywhere making it obvious it wasn't a one night stand. I told him. Just stood in the door way looking at him and his whore and screamed it at him. Then left. He didn't care. Didn't say sorry, nothing. Him and his stupid blue eyes." She paused, breathing unsteady at the anger.

"You don't have to continue." said Derek placing a hand on her arm.

"No. Its about all." she continued. "I never went back. Hate plastic surgeons on principle now. I just coped you know. Had fortunately very understanding teachers who said I'd be able to cope with the work load. And dad, the chief, he was great. Then Luca was born. He was amazing, perfect, even with his dads eyes. The rest just like me. And all the shit of Mark didn't matter. I looked down at Lucas and just.. felt right you know? I had this little person who was my responsibility, I had to let go of my anger and just love my son. Which I do."

"Was anyone with you?" Meredith snorted in amusement at Dereks question.

"That's the kicker. I was 8 months pregnant and in New York, at the last conference before the birth and school finished. So I'm at the hospital in a lift, my waters break, went to the maternity ward and guess who delivered Luca?"

"Who?" said Derek.

"The bitch who had been screwing Mark."

"No way" Derek eyes wide. "Hang on. What was his name? Mark? His name.. what was it?" he implored.

Meredith looked at him not understanding the desperation in his voice.

"Sloan, Doctor Markus Sloan." Derek went rigid. "What is it?" she asked, worried.

Derek slowly looked at her taking a deep breath a look of stunned astonishment on his face. "Markus Sloan was my best friend. My wife was red haired Addison Montgomery a OB/GYN in New York."

He wait whilst it sunk in.

"Wait." she said. Shaking her head "Are you.. are you saying your ex wife was sleeping with the father of my baby, who she was cheating on you with, and it was she who delivered my baby?" Derek nodded.

Silence filled the room as they stared at each other amazed. Before they both broke into silent laughter. Meredith's eyes shone with tears of mirth as she said "They couldn't write this stuff!" Derek nodded. "The McBastards" she exclaimed.

"I'm sorry." said Derek a look of guilt on his face.

"Why?" eyes filed with confusion. "For what?"

"In a way its my fault that you found them. I let her go. I didn't fight. Luca lost out on a Dad."

Meredith shook he head in wonder, "No, no Derek. Its them. Their faults. Their guilt. Not ours. Not yours. I'm glad I found him then, it saved me and saved Luca from hurt further down the line. I had the chance to get out. This way Luca grows up with out a cheating bastard of a father, but with a Mummy who loves him. A granddad, a crazy grandma, Uncle Burke and Auntie Cristina. A family. That loves and protects him. And maybe one day he'll get a Dad." she said shrugging her shoulders. "But it doesn't matter if he doesn't cause he still has a Mum who loves him."

They gazed at each other, fire in Meredith's eyes, forcing him to believe her. Silence fell, and both had an intensity in their eyes which the other couldn't figure out. Both drawn to each other, wanting to take away the suffering they had experienced.

The mumbled words of "Mummy" by Luca broke the silence, and the moment. She smiled at Derek before turning and lifting Luca up and putting him on her lap.

"You had a good sleep Lucas Thatcher Grey?" she asked. He nodded, and smiled as Derek passed the juice to him. "Thank You. Juice Derek!" he cried grinning adoringly at the older man.

"Yeah little man, juice and muffin" Meredith smiled at the trust Luca had given Derek. Usually the boy wasn't quite as outgoing with strangers but as he had proved earlier allowing Derek to stitch his head he already trusted the doctor. Luca passed the surgical cap he had kept holding since being brought back to Derek.

"Thanks little man."

Not long after, the 2 Doctors had eaten the muffins and were watching Luca play with a stethoscope when Dr Webber arrived. He poked his head round the door and the cry of "Hello Granddad!" alerted the adults to his presence. As Richard walked over the others stood, greeting him with "Chief." and "Dad". He apologised, explaining how the surgery had become complicated. Which the other two understood, and Luca babbled on to his Granddad about his evening. Meredith glanced at hers watch and realised it was nearing 1am.

They said goodbye, laughing at Luca practically leaping out of Meredith's arms and into Derek's, hugging him and saying "I love Derek. We play 'moro!" Derek smiled, his chest tightening at the words from the innocent child, he shook off the feeling and replied "Sure thing little man. Be good for Mummy tonight, and you'll get a surprise tomorrow. Okay?" Luca nodded frantically, and went to Richards arms.

"I'll take him out Meredith, see you in the car." said the Chief. "Night Shep. Thanks for taking care of my grandson." Shepherd nodded "No problem Chief, bye little man!" as they left.

Meredith and Derek left alone in the office found the air become instantly awkward. Both of them could feel the attraction but neither knew how to proceed.

"I'll see you tomorrow Doctor Shepherd." said Meredith wincing as she realised how stand offish she came across, before she impulsively leant forward and brushed her lips across his "Thank you Derek" she said smiling.

"Don't mention it Mer. See you tomorrow."

She flew from the room, leaving Derek grinning after her.