"Beth come on or we're going to miss the movie." Meredith yelled as she grabbed her purse and keys.
Beth came down the stairs, "I'm ready." They both headed into the living room where Michael and Cindy were sitting watching TV. "Bye mom, bye daddy." Beth said as she gave them each a kiss and a hug.
"What time will you two be home?"
"The movie is two hours and then we are going to stop for ice cream so probably around 11 if that's okay mom."
Cindy saw Michael give a slight nod before continuing. "That's fine dear. Drive safe and enjoy the movie."
Meredith and Beth left and went to the movie. After the movie was over Meredith called Derek on their way to get ice cream. "Hey Der."
"Hey, how was the movie?"
"It was good. Are you going to join us for ice cream?"
"No I'm still with Mark and Alex going over plays."
"Don't you know them all already?"
"We're trying to come up with some new ones."
Meredith rolled her eyes. "Did you guys at least eat?"
"Yes, we got home right after you and Beth left according to mom and dad. Did you know he was off tonight?"
"He got home about an hour before Beth and I left, I thought he would be home later but I didn't ask him. I think he wanted to have a quiet night with mom. We're here so I have to go. Do you want anything?"
"No mom made chocolate cake so we already had that and I was hoping for some more desert when you get home."
"Dirty."
"I know but I couldn't help it."
"You could but you just choose not to. I'll talk to you when we get home."
"Alright. Bye Mer."
"Bye Der."
Meredith hung up the phone and her and Beth went in and enjoyed some ice cream. After they finished they started for home.
"Hey mom, dad. Do you mind if Mark and Alex stay over? We have a few more plays to go over and we want to get an early start tomorrow?" Derek asked as he entered the living room with Mark and Alex following behind.
"That's fine; it's too late for you two to drive home now." Cindy said right away.
"What's wrong?"
"It's almost 11 and Beth and Mer aren't home yet." Michael answered.
"What time are they supposed to be home?" Mark asked.
"11."
"I'm sure they are on their way home now."
"That's what I told your mother."
"Mer is never late. You know she is never late."
"Cindy you know how careful Mer is with driving. It was raining and I'm sure the roads were a little slick I'm sure she is just taking her time."
"She hasn't called." Cindy replied as the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it." Alex said as he went to the door since he was the closest one to it. Alex opened the door and came face to face with a police officer.
"Is Mr. or Mrs. Shepherd home?"
"It's Doctor. Dr. Shepherd and yes they are both here." Alex said not knowing what else to say.
"Son, can we come in?"
Alex nodded and let them in. He led them to the living room.
Cindy saw Alex come back into the room. "Who was at the door Alex?"
Alex didn't have to answer as the two officers appeared. Michael quickly rose and approached them.
"Dr. Shepherd I'm Officer Comen and this is Officer Pike."
Michael didn't say anything instead he offered his hand and shook each of the officer's hands.
"Dr. Shepherd how about you take a seat?"
"Where are my daughters?" Cindy demanded.
"Cindy." Michael grabbed her hand and pulled her to him as he sat down on the couch. He turned back to the officers and spoke. "Just tell us why you are standing in my house at this time of night."
"There was an accident."
Cindy and Michael both tightened their grips on each other.
"Your daughter and Ms. Grey were taken to Seattle Grace."
"What happened?"
"We don't have all the details yet however from what we know Ms. Grey was driving when she was struck by a car that was fleeing an officer."
"What?"
"The car was suspected in a robbery attempt and an officer was attempting to pull him over when it went through a red light and struck Ms. Grey's vehicle. Both Ms. Grey and Ms. Shepherd were taken to the hospital however I do not know any more of their conditions."
"Michael we…we need to go." Cindy cried.
"We can escort you if you would like."
Michael nodded and helped his wife off the couch with him. He turned to Derek and for the first time saw the pain in his son's eyes. "Boys you can ride with us."
"I…I can drive dad."
"No Mark, none of you should be driving right now. We don't need any other accidents."
"We'll wait for you outside." Officer Comen said as he started to the door.
"Michael?"
"Ssh Cindy we don't know anything yet. Do you need anything before we go?"
Cindy shook her head no and both she and Michael started to the door with Derek, Mark, and Alex following behind. The drive to the hospital was quick and quiet.
When they arrived Michael immediately went to the nurses' station to find out more information. Soon a doctor came to let him know what was happening. He found out that Beth was taken into surgery due to some internal bleeding and she had a broken leg. Meredith however had not woke up since the accident. They were watching her because she had a concussion and a broken arm and she was being taken for a CT and MRI.
After what felt like forever Beth was moved from recovery to a room. Michael, Cindy, Derek, Mark, and Alex had entered the room and saw her. After seeing his sister resting peacefully in her bed Derek turned to his father. "Where is Mer?"
"She's getting an MRI and CT. Once they are finished if everything is okay she is to be brought to this room so they are together."
"How long before we know about Mer?"
Michael looked from Derek to Mark to Alex and back to Derek. "I know it's hard to wait but it shouldn't be too much longer."
"I don't like them being separated."
"I know Cindy that's why I'm going to make sure they are together but we have to wait for Beth to wake up and for Meredith's results."
"Just tell me they will both be okay?"
Michael was silent for a moment before responding. "I promise you that they both will get the best care possible and we will be here for them and…"
Cindy didn't let Michael finish instead she asked another question. "The sooner she wakes up the better right?"
Michael nodded. Neither of them said anything else while they held their daughters hands.
After about an hour Beth started to stir.
Meredith slowly opened her eyes and turned her head to the side however there was no one in the room. After a few more minutes she realized where she was and she remembered why she was there. She heard the door open and she immediately closed her eyes and pretended she was still asleep.
Two nurses came into the room and checked her vitals. While doing so they started talking. "I can't believe this happened to Dr. Shepherd." The first nurse said who Meredith could not recognize.
"I know I hope they will be okay."
"How can you be okay after such an accident?"
"I hope I never have to find out but I suppose it comes with the job." The second one finished as the two left the room.
Once the door closed Meredith opened her eyes as tears started rolling down her cheeks and she thought to herself. 'Beth…she can't be…Beth is dead and it's my fault…just like Jason…they can never forgive me…I have to leave, I have to get out of here, I don't want to see the pain, I can't see their pain.' Meredith slowly pulled herself out of bed and as quickly as she could she got dressed ignoring the pain she felt. She then headed out the door and out of Seattle Grace.
It had been easier than she thought. The halls were almost deserted so she didn't have to dodge many people and no one asked questions. For some unknown reason there was a cab outside when she got there and she gave instructions to the house that had become her home. She quickly ran in and threw some clothes in a bag. She didn't take much not wanting to take what they had given her. Once done she left a quick note and headed back to the cab where she gave her next destination.
"Mom, dad how is she?" Derek asked as he stood from the couch he had been sitting on.
"She's just waking up." Cindy said quickly holding onto Beth's hand.
Slowly her eyes opened and she looked right into her mother's before going to her father. "What…what happened?"
"You don't remember?" Michael asked trying to keep his eyes from the monitors.
Beth was silent for a few moments before her eyes met Michael's again. "We were coming home. We stopped at the red light for about 2 minutes before it finally turned green. The car in front of us pulled away and then Mer started driving. The car in front of us reached the other side of the intersection and we were right in the middle but I know the light was still green when…"
Beth looked around the room and realized she was missing Meredith. "Where is she?"
"It's okay sweetheart she's upstairs." Cindy said as she gently pushed Beth's shoulder back down since Beth had tried to get up.
"Why isn't she here is she okay?"
Cindy and Michael shared a look before Michael looked down to his daughter. "She hit her head in the accident honey, she hasn't woken up yet."
Beth got tears in her eyes as she looked between her parents. "It wasn't her fault daddy. The light was green, she didn't do anything wrong, it wasn't her fault."
"We know, the police officer told us Beth. You need to rest. You just had surgery and I'm going to have Meredith moved to this room as soon as her test results come back." Michael finished as his pager went off. He looked down and immediately looked back up to his wife. "I have to take this." He then went to the phone that was on the other side of the room and made the call as his wife continued to talk to the rest of his family. The nurse who had paged him told him what had happened and that enraged Michael. "What do you mean she's missing?"
After hearing Michael's raised voice conversation in the room stopped and all eyes went to Michael.
"What do you mean? I don't want your excuses, I told you to page me when the results are back. Never mind." Michael slammed down the phone as he turned back to his wife. "Cindy."
Cindy followed him out of the room. "Michael what was that?" Michael however didn't answer instead he walked further down the hall. "Michael?"
"Meredith is gone."
"What do you mean she's gone Michael? She was unconscious."
"It seems Meredith woke up and..."
Cindy didn't let him finish as she cut him off. "Is she okay, we have to go see her? Come on Michael let's tell Beth." Cindy had started walking back to Beth's room.
Michael caught up to his wife in front of Beth's room and stopped her. "Cindy wait. She is missing."
"What?" Cindy asked when she turned around to face her husband.
"The nurse said that she went in to check on her and she wasn't there. I think Meredith ran."
"Michael we have to find her. This wasn't her fault."
"I know Cindy I'm going to get Derek and then…"
"I'm coming with, let's tell Beth and get going."
"Cindy you need to stay with Beth and keep Mark and Alex here. Derek and I will bring Mer back."
"Michael."
"Cindy this is something I need to do let me bring her back."
Cindy looked closely into her husband's eyes and saw that he was right she silently nodded and they entered the room.
"Derek let's go." Michael said as he gave Cindy a hug and kiss. He watched her take a seat next to Beth as Derek came towards him with a questioning look. "I'll explain on the way."
"Michael?"
Michael turned back and looked directly at his wife. "It will be okay, fill them in and I'll call you I promise." Michael then turned and left the room with Derek following.
"Dad?" Derek asked confused as they entered the elevator.
"We need to find Mer."
"What do you mean find Mer?"
Michael started to tell Derek what had happened as they made their way down to the lobby and out to the car. "Where would she go Derek?"
"How long has it been since she left the hospital?"
"I don't know."
"We should try home first."
Michael nodded and drove to the house. The ride was silent.
As soon as Michael pulled into the driveway and stopped the car, Derek jumped out. Michael quickly followed and the two of them went up to Meredith's room. When they entered her room, they found it empty and there were some clothes on the bed.
Derek quickly entered the room and made his way to the nightstand next to her bed. He picked up the folded piece of paper and immediately recognized Meredith's handwriting. "It's from Mer."
"What does it say?"
Der,
I can't find the words to tell you how terrible I feel for taking your baby sister from you. All I can say is that I am sorry, really really sorry. You opened your heart and your family to me and I did just what my mother said I would do…I hurt you all. You and your family wouldn't be going through this awful time if I had stayed away from you all. I am just so sorry. I want you to know that I only took the clothes I brought. Get rid of the rest so you don't have to remember me. The check is for dad…I mean your father. Please give it to his accountant so that he doesn't know where it came from. I also left the necklace that mom…Cindy…Mrs. Shepherd and your father gave me. I want you to know I am only taking my things please if they ever ask let them know that. Derek I want you to know I love you. I thought I couldn't live without you but the truth is I'd rather live knowing you and your family hate me than stay close and see it in your eyes. I hope we will meet again in my dreams…I will always love you.
Mer
P.S. I did think of your parents as my parents, if sometime years from now they ever question that please let them know and I appreciated everything they have done for me more than I could ever tell them.
I'm so sorry!
Once he finished reading he looked to his father. "She thinks Beth is dead and that it's her fault."
"She must have heard some of the nurses talking and miss understood them."
Derek and Michael were both quiet as they let the letter sink in before Michael spoke again. "Derek, where else would she go?"
Derek thought for a minute before he looked back to his dad and answered. "Jason. She would go to Jason."
"But Jason's…"
Derek didn't even give him a chance to finish as he walked out of the room however he yelled back. "The cemetery dad. It's the only other place she can go. Hurry we have to go."
Michael started to follow Derek and when he heard him yell back he picked up his pace and met Derek down at the car. He quickly got in and drove as Derek gave him directions.
"Where did dad go mom?"
Cindy looked to Beth and then looked to Mark and Alex before looking back to Beth. "Derek and your father went to get Meredith."
"She woke up…that's great…is she okay…is he going to have her moved to my room…is…"
"Wait a minute Beth slow down."
Mark and Alex had been silent however they had been watching Cindy since Derek and Michael had left the room. Both of them knew something was wrong.
Mark decided to speak up. "What's wrong mom? Why did dad get so upset and take Derek with him?"
Cindy looked at the two boys and decided it was best to just answer straight especially since she was too worried to come up with something different to tell them. "Meredith woke up and left the hospital. Your dad and Derek went to find her and bring her back."
Mark and Alex immediately stood and started for the door.
Cindy anticipated this and stood in front of them. "Hold on you two, where do you think you are going?"
"To help them find her."
"No you are not. Both of you sit down." Cindy paused and waited for them to do as she had said. "Good, now your father is going to find her and bring her back and we are going to wait here for them all to get back. I know you want to help but this is the best place for us to be. He doesn't need to be worrying about where you two went."
Mark and Alex both looked at each other before looking back to Cindy and they gave her a nod letting her know that they would do as she said. After that Cindy sat back down and the room was silent.
Michael pulled up to the cemetery and both immediately jumped out of the car. Michael then followed Derek as he led the way to Jason's grave. As they got closer both of them saw what they had been looking for.
There lying on the ground crying was Meredith.
Derek was the first to approach her and kneeled next to her. He softly put his hand on her shoulder to let her know he was there. "Mer."
Meredith felt Derek's hand but didn't look at him and her tears continued.
"Meredith please look at me."
"Go away Derek; go be with your family…they need you now."
Derek looked to his father with a question on his face.
Michael knew that he was the one that had to get through to her. Especially after what had happened with Jason and Ray. He stepped forward and motioned for Derek to get up. As Derek moved he took his spot by Meredith and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Meredith honey can you please look at me?"
When Meredith heard his voice and then felt his touch she quickly pulled away. ""I'm so sorry dad…Dr. Shepherd. Please just let me be."
"I can't do that honey."
"I didn't mean for anything to happen."
"I know you didn't, and nothing happened that was your fault."
Once she heard that she turned to look at him. "How can you say that? Beth is dead because of me…just like Jason."
Michael reached out and helped Meredith sit up before he put his finger under her chin and gently pulled up so she was looking him straight in the eyes. "You Meredith Grey did not do anything wrong. Jason dying was in no way your fault and Beth is not dead."
"My mom was right. I ended up hurting you and your family."
"Meredith, we are your family and you did not hurt us unless you count the fact that you have us out here with you instead of in the hospital with Beth and the others."
Just then it started to rain and the drops mixed with Meredith's tears. "I am so sorry Dr. Shepherd."
"You have nothing to be sorry for Meredith. Beth asked for you when she woke up. She is worried about you and so are we."
"But Beth…"
Michael stopped her and put both his hands on her shoulders as he spoke. "Meredith Beth is okay. She had some internal bleeding and a broken leg but I promise you she is okay."
"But I heard the nurses, they said you lost someone."
"I lost a patient earlier. That's why I was home earlier than expected but that's it."
"But, I'm so sorry that Beth is in the hospital." Meredith said as she continued to cry.
Michael pulled her to him and hugged her. "Honey the accident was not your fault, the police told us what happened and it wasn't your fault. Beth is going to be okay. I promise you this is not your fault and no one blames you for it."
Meredith finally listened to what he was saying and when he finished she gave into his hug and hugged him back. "I thought you would hate me like Ray did and I didn't…I couldn't see that look in your eyes."
Michael pulled back and again looked her in the eyes. "Honey I know it wasn't your fault and I promise you that nothing you do could ever make me hate one of my daughters."
Meredith just looked at him with her mouth open before she spoke. "Daughter?"
Michael smiled. "Meredith you have been like a daughter to me ever since Derek brought you home and that feeling has become even stronger the longer you have been with us. I love you Meredith and I know I can speak for Cindy as well and I can say she loves you just as much." Michael stopped as he looked to Derek and then he looked back to Meredith and lowered his voice a little. "I also know that a certain young man standing behind me loves you very much and none of us want you to leave."
As the smile appeared on her lips she hugged him again. "I love you too…dad."
Michael gave her one more squeeze before he stood and then helped her stand. He watched as she walked to Derek and gave him a hug.
"I love you Mer…don't ever leave like that again."
"I won't and I love you too Der."
"Alright, you two. Let's get back before your mother comes looking for us along with Mark and Alex."
The three started to head back to the car and right before they got to the car, Meredith fainted. Luckily Derek caught her before she hit the ground. "Dad."
Michael quickly came up and looked her over. "She'll be okay Derek. She's in shock; we just need to get her back to the hospital so we can make sure everything is okay."
Derek nodded and quickly got in the car as Michael helped get Meredith in before he went around to the passenger's side and started back to the hospital. On the way he called Cindy and told her what happened so that she could let the others know. She said she would meet them at the door so she could see with her own eyes that Meredith was okay.
The accident brought back memories of the first accident. I know it was different than that one but I really thought Beth had died. That thought was unbearable and I had to get away so I did what I do best and ran. It had been awhile since I had ran but it was the first time that something that terrible had happened since I started living with the Shepherds.
When Ray hurt me he didn't hurt anyone else. When I got the cancer it didn't affect anyone else. I know it affected the Shepherds but I knew if anything happened to me they would go on. When Derek got in his accident it hurt the Shepherds and me but I knew how to fix it and I went back to my mom and Ray. Again only I was hurt so there was never a reason to run. But when I heard what I heard and thought about Beth I knew that running was the only answer.
I never thought anyone would run after me let alone dad. I'm glad he did and I learned after that what it means to really be part of a family.
Once we got back to the hospital dad took care of me. He had some more tests run and then I was brought to Beth's room. When I saw that she was indeed okay tears came to my eyes. I wasn't able to give her a hug because as I tried to get out of the bed mom gave me a look and I knew I had to stay there so instead I reached out and grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze.
Beth and I were both in the hospital for a few days and all the sisters came to visit. I also got an ear full from mom and dad was right by her side agreeing with everything she said and a couple times he even commented that he had already told me that. I couldn't help but smile and once she was finished I told them both that it wouldn't happen again because I knew I was part of the family and I wasn't going to take that for granted.
Derek also had a conversation with me. I saw tears in his eyes because he was so worried that he had lost me. That made me cry after realizing that he really does love me and I knew that he felt for me what I feel for him. It is the best feeling ever.
Senior year went on without any other drama besides figuring out which college to go to. Then of course we had to agree on a medical school. All my life I had said that I wanted to be as far away from Seattle as I could get. Knowing what I know now I just wanted to be away from those I thought were my family. Now that I know who my real family is I don't want to be so far away from them so we stayed as close as possible and we went home as much as possible. Besides, mom and dad wouldn't have had it any other way.
Note: I'm sorry this has taken so long to get up...there is one more chapter which should not take as long since I want to get this story finished so I can finish my other one. I hope you enjoy and if you have a few minutes please review.