Title: Tangled Web
Author: Farrah
Disclaimer: If I had a couple million to spare, believe me Grey's would be mine, but I don't. I'm going to cry now :-(
Summary: Meredith didn't deserve the cards she was being dealt, so she took matters into her own hands. She left, but the death of a loved one brought her back. But when she returns, she's not alone. Post 'Into You Like A Train' episode. Set six years in the future.
A/N:
Long time no post hey? I know, and that is because I was trying to figure out whether I should or shouldn't put the surprise at the end in the story.
I want to thank everyone for sticking with me this long, I realize that ten chapters is a long time to wait for Mer to come back to Seattle, but I wanted it to be as realistic as possible, thus being the reason for dates at the top of each chapter. I wanted to get a feel for writing a fanfic (this is all new to me), to me everything needed to be introduced in steps, and not just have Mer rush back to Seattle. Well enough of this, I now give you, CHAPTER 10!!!!!! (cheers and applauds)
I'm just going to post my replies to the reviews left for the last chapter here. The alerts seem to be down so I figure this is the best way to get the replies to you.
ozzie-filo - Thank you so much. No more waiting, the time has come.
big fan - Thank you so much for leaving a review. Like I've said numerous times, i\I'm not sure what the pairing will be in the end. But not to worry, I still have some more great Mer/Mark moments coming up. I don't share you feelings when it comes to LOATHING Derek. But I must admit, he use to make me angry sometimes, especially when he implied that Mer was a whore. I must warn you, there will be some MerDer moments in this story, I hope I don't lose you as a reader and reviewer because of it.
soulmates - I take it you don't like the pace the story has been going at so far, neither did I. But I hope I made it clear in my A/N why it took as long as it did. The pace will speed up now that Mer is in Seattle Grace, that's for sure, I sure wouldn't wan't you to fall asleep. lol. As for your question as to how many chapters before Mer encounters Derek, it happens in this chapter, there is now way I would have dragged that part out. Thanks for the review by the way.
Shalia74 - No worries, I'm just honoured that you took the time out to leave me a review. I wish the writers would take some of my Mark for the show's Mark as well. But Mark in the last episode was sort of like my Mark in a way. In the sense that he's showing more emotion. Mark almost made me cry on the last episode, he's hurting so much. Did you see the preview for the next episode? What Addison says to him is just harsh, that's flat out wrong. But back to my story... lol, I get carried away when talking about Grey's sometimes. :-) I can't wait for Derek to meet Jeremy either. I have a few ideas about how he's going to find out, I just want to pick the best one.
WATTERS - I'm glad you liked the chapter. Thanks for the input.
mrs. derek mcdreamy - I'm delighted you love it
1987 - I love that you love the family aspect of my story. Reviews like your alway make me want to write new chapters.
tayababy - No more waiting, Mer is here, at Seattle Grace, YAY. I think I might just be more excited about it than you are. YAY, I can't wait to see if you all like the chapter
InGreyEyes - This might be a little mean, but i'm glad your torn when it comes to the pairing. I'm glad you recognized the part about their synchronicity... i think that's the word. lol. I do believe you are the only one to comment on it, for that I applaud you. Go ahead, take a bow, lol. Don't mind me, i'm just silly sometimes. I'm also glad you commented on the flashback of her last day at SGH. I really wanted to put that in there to show how Richard felt that day, how he felt about the role he played in the whole situation. He was struck with many different emotions that day, happiness for Addison, sadness that Meredith wanted to leave, understanding - because of his relationship with ellis. I'm glad you liked the chapter and hope you'll like this one too.
Chapter 10:
- Seattle Grace Hospital, WSH, July 1st, 2012 -
It was early in the morning, too early to be in the parking lot of Seattle Grace, but Mer and Mark wanted their arrival to be a surprise for their friends, the only way to do that was to beat them there. The clock in the dashboard of their new Yukon Denali displayed 4:30 in green. Mark had left the car twenty minutes ago to take Jeremy up to the daycare, that's exactly how long Meredith had been staring out of the windshield for. Before he took their sleeping five year old in his arms, Mark had told Mer to take her time, that he would meet her inside.
Meredith walked toward the entrance of Seattle Grace and stopped. The realization that she is now a surgeon there, that she is once again employed at Seattle Grace overwhelms her. Six years ago she ran, she ran from the hospital she loved, the friends that undoubtedly had become family, but mainly from the man that broke her. The first man she had ever fallen in-love with, the same one that had caused her to make the vow to never let a man shatter her world into a million pieces again. She stood outside of the hospital, looking up and through the glass that was the front of Seattle Grace Hospital, knowing full well that when she walked through those sliding doors, there was no turning back.
Meredith smiled as she stood outside of the OR listening to Richard speak to the new interns.
"Each of you comes here today hopeful, wanting in on the game. A month ago you were in med school being taught by doctors... ... today, you are the doctors. The seven years you spend here as a surgical resident will be the best and worst of your life, you will be pushed to the breaking point. Look around you, say hello to your competition. Eight of you will switch to an easier specialty, five of you will crack under the pressure, two of you will be asked to leave. This is your starting line, this is your arena, how well you play, that's up to you."
Richard left the room, allowing this years interns to marvel at their new surroundings.
"I can not believe you still use that speech." Mer said as she appeared out of nowhere, scaring Richard half to death, not that he would ever admit it.
"You're here early"
"I wanted to be here before everyone arrived"
"Good thinking... ... ... ... so where's that boyfriend of yours?"
"I'm right here" Mark said cheerfully, strolling up to them "You wouldn't believe the amount of forms I had to fill out so that Miranda, Alex and everyone else would be able to sign Jer out of daycare."
"How is my grandson doing?" Richard asked, smiling the way he would whenever he talked about Jeremy
"Fine, sleeping, but fine. It's almost five now so he should be waking up in another hour and a half or so." Mark said, also smiling
"Almost five?" Richard shot his eyebrows upwards
"Yeah, why, what's the matter?" Mer asked
"Nothing, just lost track of time. Only a half hour, C'mon we have to go over this now"
"Go over what?" Mer and Mark asked in unison
"I'll tell you on the way to my office..." He says and walks down the hall, leaving Mer and Mark to follow suit with questioning looks on their faces.
45 minutes later... ...
Doctor Webber leaned on the glass railing, a floor just above the surgical ward of Seattle Grace Hospital. His deep brown eyes scanned the crowd which had gathered to hear his announcement. He made sure that everyone who needed to be there was there. They were, so he began:
"Good morning, I am sure you all are wondering what the big announcement is today, but before we get into that, I would like to recognize the new Residents and Attendings of Seattle Grace."
Numerous clapping broke out on the floor, he saw three of Bailey's last five interns (The title most people around the hospital called them by when referring to the group) in the corner congratulating each other. This brought a smile to his face, he knew what he was about to announce would only make them happier.
"Okay, Okay" he said to shush the crowd "Now on to the reason why you were all summoned here this morning. There will be two new additions to the staff this year. I am confident that their presence will further Seattle Grace's status as one of the leading surgical hospitals in the country. Those of you that have been here for more that five years should remember her. Since her departure from Seattle Grace, her career has blossomed beautifully, as was expected; she is quickly rising as one of the most promising and sought after surgeons in her field. With that being said, I would like for you all to join me in welcoming back, Dr. Meredith Grey!!!!!!" he extended his left arm, indicating which corner she was going to come from behind
Mer was met with warm applause when she walked out onto the bridge and stood beside Richard, which caused her to blush slightly. "Thank you, it's wonderful to be back at Seattle Grace." She smiled as she scanned the crowd for her friends. When she found them her smile grew wider, their faces were displaying about five different emotions at once; something Mer didn't think was possible, but she could tell they were happy she was there, more than anything.
Richard began once again: "As you are all aware, Dr. Price, our head of Plastics has retired. I am pleased to inform you that we have acquired the number one (#1) plastic surgeon on the east coast. Without further ado, I give to you Dr. Mark Sloan, the new chief of the Plastics department from New York." he extended his right arm as Mark made his way over
Mark was met with warm applause, just as Mer was, the only difference was he could tell the women were staring at him longingly and the men were sizing him up. "Thank you, it's great to be here." he said giving them all his signature smirk
"With adding these two to our staff, I believe it can accurately be said that New York's loss is Seattle's gain." Richard finished addressing the crowd on the floor and turned his attention to the two standing next to him. "I'll give you some time to meet and greet but make it quick, this is a hospital not a social function."
"Yes Dr. Webber" said Mark while shaking hands with the Chief.
"Please, it's Richard"
"Richard" Mark acknowledged
Richard turned to Mer and placed a hand on her shoulder "I'm glad you're back. Remember, this is home, it's where you belong."
"I know, I'm glad I'm back" she replied as she took in her surroundings.
"Well, I have to go and take care of some things "
"Okay, I'll see you later"
Mer and Mark watch Richard disappear as he turns the corner. They turn to each other then look at the crowd of people on the floor, some of which are staring up at them, others talking amongst themselves.
"So this is Seattle Grace" he raises his hands in the air, stepping in front of her, his back to the crowd, effectively blocking their view of Meredith
"Yip, this is Seattle Grace" she smiles, looking upwards
"Nice" he replied as if he expected otherwise, which caused her to giggle
"I think so" they both laugh but are interrupted by George's shouting
"Meredith Grey, get your narrow behind down here this instant and give me a hug!!!!!!!!"
"Georgie!!!!!" Mer shrieked as she took the steps down to the surgical floor two at a time. She practically launched herself into his waiting arms and was instantly enveloped.
"We missed you so much Mer" he whispered as he squeezed her
"You just saw me three weeks ago George" Mer strained, George was squeezing so tight she was turning a light shade of blue
"I know but still... ... ..."
"Let go of her Bambie, she can barely breathe" Alex came over and rested his hand on George's shoulder. A wave of gratitude washing over her face
George pulled back "I'm sorry Mer"
"Don't worry about it George"
Now it was Alex's turn to get a hug "I'm glad you decided to come back Mer"
"I chose what would make me happy" reminding him of what he had told here in the airport terminal, the last time he saw her. He held on longer than usual, demonstrating how truly happy he was that she came back. That hey were what made her happy.
"That's all I wanted." he smiled pulling back from the embrace and giving her a kiss on the cheek "Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to have a little chat with our new head of department"
"Sure"
"Izzie, don't cry. Your supposed to be happy not crying" Mer went in the corner to console Izzie
"I am happy" she wailed, Mer smiled, she figured Izz what have a reaction similar to this
"Why don't you go in the bathroom and wash your face. You don't want to have a tear stained face on your first day as an attending do you?"
"No. I'll be right back" she had stopped crying and was now laughing
"Want me to come with?"
"No, I'm okay. Go ahead, meet some of the new doctors."
"Okay Izz"
Mer met some new doctors as well as nurses and spoke with some of the staff she had known from before she left. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around.
"Grey" Preston smiled as he gave her a hug
"Burke"
"You know you can call me Preston right" he told her as they separated
"And you can call me Meredith"
They examined each other for a while, "nah", shaking their heads and exclaiming in unison.
Even though they had become friends over the years Meredith still doesn't feel comfortable calling Burke by his first name, dropping the title before the name was just fine for her, besides Christina doesn't even call Burke by his first name, and they have a child together. Identifying Meredith by her last name had no longer been a way for Burke to indicate rank but was now a term of endearment. Only two of the 'interns' called Burke by his first name now, Izzie and George; George because he was Burke's 'guy', and Izzie because they both had bonded due to their love for the kitchen
"So where's Christina?"
"Taking Danielle up to daycare. She didn't want to hear the announcement" a smile playing at his lips
"Why not?"
"She woke up in a pretty foul mood this morning. Although she would never admit it, my guess is she didn't want to start her first day as an attending without her person being here" he finished putting special emphasis on the word person which caused Mer to smile "Of course if she knew the announcement was going to be about you coming back she would have let me take Dani up."
"I'm sure"
"Here she comes now" He pointed to a figure coming down the hall
When Christina looked up she stopped in mid stride, mouth hanging open, eyes wide, not blinking. Meredith leisurely made her way over with a smug look displayed proudly on her face
"You should see the look on your face" Mer teased, voice dripping with satisfaction
"Your back" Christina replied breathlessly, still a little bit dazed
"Yeah, I am." By this time George, Izzie and Burke had made there way over. George and Izz were smiling from ear to ear and Izzie couldn't stop giggling for some reason
"I mean what kind of person would I be if I let you endure this kind of punishment all by yourself for much longer?" she pointed at Izzie who was now bubbling over with excitement and still giggling
"A bad one" Christina barked, now returning to her usual Christina like ways "but you're my person..." she embraced Meredith
"I'm your person..." breaking apart they laughed but Meredith stopped short as she caught his eyes. Those eyes always made her stop what she was doing.
"Mer" George stepped in front of her, effectively breaking her contact with him
"Huh" she replied half heartedly, she had already tensed up
"Mer it's okay, you don't have to do this now" he said
"Yeah Mer you don't have to go over there now, just do it when your ready" Izzie added sweetly, but Christina and Preston stayed silent
"Thank's guys but there's no sense in prolonging the inevitable. I knew I had to see him sooner or later, I was just hoping it would be later rather than sooner. But such is life, right? Might as well get it over with now" Mer gave them a nod, letting them know she was okay and made her way over to him
(Derek's POV)
I wonder what this big announcement is, it has to be big for Richard to ask the entire surgical staff to come together. Maybe he's announcing his retirement, at least that's what the rumor mill, a.k.a the nurses in the hospital are saying. He's been sort of secretive this week, leaving in the middle of day, and I'm pretty sure he's been avoiding me. Probably not, after all busy lies the head that wears the chief's cap. I better get over there so I can hear what he has to say.
(He walks over to where everyone is standing looks up at Richard on the floor above)
Wow, it's a wonder he hasn't started yet, I guess I spoke to soon...
"Good morning, I am sure you all are wondering what the big announcement is today, but before we get into that, I would like to recognize the new Residents and Attendings of Seattle Grace."
That's right, today is the beginning of the new surgical year. New interns, residents and attendings. Speaking of attendings... ... ... Bailey's interns are attendings today. Good for them, amazes me that they all stayed in Seattle, all except for Meredith that is. Meredith. Wow, she's an attending today too, I wonder...
"Okay, Okay, now on to the reason why you were all summoned here this morning."
Right. The important announcement.
"There will be two new additions to the staff this year. I am confident that their presence will further Seattle Grace's status as one of the leading surgical hospitals in the country."
I sure hope they're for my department, lord knows we need more surgeons. I pray they're good, if they are for my department that is
"Those of you that have been here for more that five years should remember her."
Five years. Her. Could it be? No, chief would tell me, wouldn't he? (He looks over to Alex, George and Izzie) They don't seem to know who it is. That's it. It can't be her, it can't be Meredith. The way news travels around this hospital, there is no way the chief could bring The Meredith Grey back without anyone knowing about it. Or could he?
"Since her departure from Seattle Grace, her career has blossomed beautifully, as was expected; she is quickly rising as one of the most promising and sought after surgeons in her field. With that being said, I would like for you all to join me in welcoming back, Dr. Meredith Grey!!!!!!"
Oh my... ... ... ... ...she's back. H- How ... ... ...Richard didn't even let on, are you serious, this is wonderful. I wonder who all knew she was here. (Once again looks over to George, Izzie and Alex) Well they didn't know, that's for sure.
"Thank you, it's wonderful to be back at Seattle Grace."
That voice, what a beautiful voice. Talk about a sound for sore ears, just like I remembered it to be. I haven't heard that voice in nearly six years. That smile, jeez that smile is intoxicating.
"As you are all aware, Dr. Price, our head of ..."
I know I should be paying attention to what Richard is saying, but how can I do that when she's right in front of me, when she's so close to me I can almost touch her. My god, she's back. She's really back.
She looks happy, she hasn't aged a day since I've last seen her, she's so beautiful. I wonder if she still hates me, hell I wonder if she even thinks about me at all. What will I say to her? Will she even talk to me... ...
Who's this guy in front of her? This idiot is blocking her, argggggggghhhh.
"Meredith Grey, get your narrow behind down here this instant and give me a hug!!!!!!!!"
Look at her fly down those steps. I wish she would do that for me. Stop it Derek. You hurt her, you have no right to think about her this way. NO right.
Karev? That's a long hug for Karev isn't it. They're still hugging, did he just kiss her, I had no idea they were this close. When she left they weren't this close, none of them liked him actually. Stop acting like a jealous boyfriend Derek. So what if he kissed her, it was just a peck on the cheek, besides, he and Stevens are engaged. There is nothing going on between them. It has nothing to do with me anyway.
I have got to stop staring at her, stop watching her. I know, I'll go look over some charts.
(Goes to the nurses station and grabs some charts, every so often peering over the top of it to catch a glimpse of her.)
Preston? Preston hugged her? Preston hugs? Meredith and Preston. They hug? When did that happen? Since when did they get close. I know the rest of them are friends with Meredith, but Preston too? Well he is Yang's fiancee. I just never figured they... are they laughing? They're laughing with each other. Oh my go-... I'm doing it again. What is wrong with me? I have got to stop this, if we're going to be working together... we're going to be working together. Okay now wipe the smile off of your face Derek, your starting to get weird looks.
I don't believe I've ever seen Dr. Cristina Yang look like that before. Quite funny really. She's always so in-control, but now she's ... speechless. I guess Meredith coming back could do that to a person. Meredith. Look at that smile. That laugh, she stopped... she sees me.
Those eyes, just like I remember them, still as alluring as ever. Dammit O'Malley, get out of the way. They're talking, he's probably convincing her not to talk to me, now Stevens. They're probably telling her not to come over here. I wouldn't blame them, I wouldn't want my friend talking to me either. Meredith did nothing wrong, she didn't deserve what I did to her. I should have never led her on the way I did. I wouldn't hold it against her if she never wanted to see me again, much less talk to me.
She walking this way, I guess they weren't trying to convince her not to talk to me. Well maybe they were, maybe she just wouldn't listen to them. If she did in fact ignore their protests, then maybe she doesn't hate me. She's getting closer, I knew I should have shaved this morning. Did I comb my hair? Shoot... she's here. She's smiling at me, what am I going to say... ... ...
"Dr. Shepherd" she says with a nod, the smile still etched on her face, not a fake smile, but a real one, one that reaches her eyes. I can't say anything, I just stare. She holds my gaze, but not too long though. She turns to my left
"Dr. Montgomery-Shepherd" ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Dun dun dun. Talk about cliffhanger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really wanted to do the POV from Addison's perspective, but that would have given it away. So what do you think? Like I said before, the reason this one took extremely long to post was because I was going back and forth with whether or not to implement Addison into the story. I'm sorry but I had to, I had to have some kind of added drama to Mer coming back to Seattle, there needed to be some sort of angst. This fic has been too fluffy so far, that needed to be disrupted.
I know a group of you MerDer lovers probably want to beat me to a pulp, or mutilate me with an old rusty pipe, but please don't. I won't hold the anger you feel toward me right now against you, if I was reading this and not writing it I would be the same way. Feel free to bash me in your reviews though. It's the least I can do after that. But look at it this way, if it indeed is a MerDer, then this will all just be a testament to how much love they have for each other.
I bet the MerMark shippers are rejoicing right now though, DON'T, cas like I said earlier I intend to make this very hard on you guys, by the end of this I want to have some MerDers wanting it to go MerMark and vice versa. (Probably just my wishful thinking though)
I will tell you this though, it WILL be up to YOU who Mer chooses in the end. I just need to make it really hard for you to choose first. (evil grin)