Chapter 64: I Have to Get There!

Derek didn't say much of anything the entire drive to Pendleton, OR which is where they were going to clean up the wreckage. The wreckage he prayed he had not caused. He was following Mark and the caravan that was driving to the crash site. Probably a good 30 or 40 people from the command were on their way. They had no idea what kind of conditions they would be facing. The word was the plane was in a million pieces on private property. The owner of the land has been contacted and arrangements were being made. Derek knew this meant the man would get a ridiculous amount of money for the inconvenience.

When everyone was deciding who was driving and what vehicles were going to be taken, it was quickly decided that all first class and above would be driving just to have cars for people to go back and forth in if needed. It was about a 6 hour drive, but they were unsure how this was going to work. They basically had to find all pieces, put them into boxes carefully, and send them back to Oak Harbor so that the plane could be reassembled if possible and/or investigated for a possible reason of the crash. Of course, there were key elements of the plane they would be looking for.

They were on the road for two hours when Derek heard his phone ringing. He immediately felt the pit at the bottom of his stomach. The last 3 phone calls in the last hour caused him to feel that pit, but two were from Mark and one from his dad. William had heard of the accident and was immediately concerned for his son, knowing his feelings for Meredith. Derek had two younger sailors in his car with him so he knew he couldn't say much. He didn't recognize the number when seeing it flash across the screen of his cell phone.

"Hello?" Derek tried to keep the nervousness he felt out of his voice with George O'Malley and the other guy out of his shop that was going with them.

"Where are you?" Alex asked plainly.

"We are just through Seattle on our way to the crash site; me and two of the guys out of my shop are in my car." Derek was doing all he could to stay calm but needed to let Alex know he had people in there with him.

"Damn, I did hear you were on your way with younger sailors. I was hoping someone didn't know what they were talking about." Alex tried to think of the next best solution.

Derek couldn't take much more of this and had to know what was going on. He knew he had to be vague. "Can you update me of the current situation?"

Alex sighed. "Well, they of course have checked me out. I have a broken leg from the landing, and they are taking care of that now here at this hospital in Pendleton. She is stable but still incoherent for the most part. The navy officials they are talking, currently want to take her to Fort Lewis, but only can transport her if she is stable enough. She needs surgery with her arm crushed and her back…" Alex took a deep breath, knowing this part was going to be tough for everyone.

Derek closed his eyes for a second, trying to grab a hold of himself. He couldn't fall apart with others in the car. He had to get to her; there were no two ways about it. He tried to collect his thoughts. He had to know more because the things running in his mind were bad. He had to ask the question, but he had to find a way to ask it without the other two knowing exactly what he was asking, "So, is there movement in it?" Derek swallowed hard.

"There is. She isn't paralyzed, but Derek, it is fucked big time. I actually heard the doctor outside of my room talking about it which is the only reason I know. Hospitals, they don't pay attention to who might be around to hear." Alex said trying to lighten the mood.

Derek had to get to her, "Let me stop and make a few phone calls. I may have another course of action very soon. Is this a good number to reach you at?"

"It is. I had my cell phone on me as did Meredith, but I am not sure where hers is at this time. I don't have my charger of course, so I need to find where hers is at. I have pretty full charge though because we charge them before heading out." Alex explained.

"I will call and let you know. I think calling in a few favors is required." Derek knew it had to work. If it didn't, he didn't care about what problems might come from this later, he was getting to Meredith, his Meredith.

"Before you go, one more thing." Alex said.

"Yes?" Meredith said.

"She had a picture of you… she does now when she flies. She puts it in the cockpit with her. I am not sure what parts survived and what didn't. And at this point, I don't think she cares who knows except she can't jeopardize your career." Alex explained.

"That doesn't even matter to me anymore. This is what matters to me and at this moment; I just have to get there. Do you think you will be going anywhere soon?" Derek wanted Alex to know he really didn't care about his career but needed to continue to use correct wording. He didn't need rumors to start from the two in his car.

"I don't know. They are waiting to make sure she can. They are really worried about her back though, so at this time, I am not sure. They can't do the surgery here from what I understand, but need her to be stronger before transporting her. We are treated like fucking royalty though." Alex hadn't gotten an update in the last 30 or so minutes while they have been preparing and casting his leg.

Derek let out a small laugh, "Royalty? Interesting. Let me get going on this and I will call you back shortly. The longer you are there the easier it will be." Derek knew if they transported her to Fort Lewis, things would get dicey to visit her and be with her. He never asked for any special treatment or favors from his father, but this was one time, he had to at least try. He could never ask his father to jeopardize his career; however, Derek knew if it came down to seeing Meredith or not, he would risk it all.