Chapter 66: Love of His Life

Derek pulled up to the hospital and took a deep breath the moment he turned his car off. Everything worked out for now. He had dropped the two off at the crash site along with the others, and headed straight to the hospital. There were no questions asked, which Derek was happy about. His father said Pete, the CO of the command took things much better than expected. William just hoped no one questioned any of this too much. He knew he was sticking his neck out on the line, but he would do anything for his family. He was retiring in two months so he figured this would be his last line of duty to see through. He knew there was really no harm to be done. He had served his time and was ready to retire, spend time with his family. He knew the potential risks, but he wanted to see his family happy. He also realized very early on that Derek had a career and a future in the military. He had to help him do this because he knew his son; Derek was so much like him. William knew if it was his career or the love of his life, love wins. It always would.

Derek got out of his car, trying to keep his breathing steady and calm. It took all of his power not to run in the hospital straight to her. He had found out her room number from Alex just 20 minutes ago, as they were getting her settled into the room. He had to remember there were people watching. Military personnel could barge in at any time. He knew the CO, Pete and some of the other officers would eventually be coming.

Derek found his way to her room very easily; not that it was that difficult in a smaller hospital. He stopped right outside of her door to get a hold of himself. He loved her. This much he knew without any doubt. The rest, he had to take on faith.

He immediately jumped when he heard the door fly open as he was ready to enter. "Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was out here." The nurse grinned sheepishly looking up at Derek as her cheeks reddened a bit.

Derek didn't even notice the nurse, but tried to look inside the room, "Yes. I am here to see Ms. Grey." Derek spoke in a cautious tone, remembering that all of his actions could be watched.

The nurse frowned at the news of him seeing the woman in the room and not even glancing in her direction, "She is right in there. We just gave her something, so she is going to be out of it for a while."

Derek couldn't help but be disappointed that she was going to be asleep for a bit, but his father had gotten him at least a few leave days.

"Shepherd." Alex came to the door limping a bit. He looked at the nurse and shook his head when he saw how she was looking at Derek. He wasn't even looking at her.

"Derek."

Derek's heart stopped, hearing the sweetest voice he has ever heard mutter his name. He didn't even stop to really take notice of how terrible Alex looked, but there was only one focus for him now.

The second he walked into the room and walked far enough in to see her, his eyes focused on her and only her. She couldn't see him as she was lying flat on her back, but she knew he was there. All of the emotion came pouring out with just one look at her, a look that he would never forget.

"Meredith." Derek whispered, taking a few more steps toward the side of her bed, never taking his eyes off of her. His brain was going a million different directions. She was alive, she was hurt, she had machines hooked up to her, and she was the love of his life.

Alex hated to interrupt this moment when he walked back in, but he needed them to know they had a few minutes. "Shepherd, I will be right outside of the door."

Derek didn't take his eyes off Meredith as he moved to stand beside the bed; he knew by the tone in Alex's voice exactly what he meant. "Thank you." Derek said as Meredith and Derek's eyes were finally able to meet. The electricity in the room heightened.

Alex smiled slightly to himself happy Derek was here with Meredith. She had been asking for him off and on while in and out of consciousness. He walked out of the room, closing the door. He had asked the nurse to get a chair for him to sit in while he stood watch.

Meredith's eyes were getting heavy, but she had to stay awake long enough to talk to Derek. She had been thinking through the thick fog of medicine how much she had to see him. She had heard about the instances when a person thinks they are going to die, and their life flashes before them, but she never really believed in it. Derek flashed before her eyes, all of their times together, his smile, everything about him was right there before her in a split second. She knew she couldn't leave him; he was worth fighting for. "You're here."

"I'm here." Derek stroked his hand carefully around her head, the part that wasn't braced. From what he could tell, she was wearing some sort of body brace that he assumed was to hold her spine straight. He looked down at her and forced a smile to cross his lips. She needed the reassurance that he was in fact there.

"You… can you be here? Alex said it was all worked out, but Derek…" Meredith tried to move her arm to grab his hand but winced instead.

Derek's heart broke, seeing how much pain she was in, even with medication, "Don't move. I am here and don't worry about any of that, I am here with you for as long as need be. Even if it wasn't worked out, I would be here, no matter what. You… I love you and nothing would stop me from loving you." He wasn't sure how it would all work out, but in this moment, he didn't care. He just needed her to get better.

Meredith closed her eyes, hoping the tears she felt coming up in her eyes didn't fall. She was starting to feel the pain medication work throughout her body. Her eyes closed before any tear could fall. There was so much to say but all she could say was, "Love you too. Be here when I get up." She drifted off quickly.

Derek leaned over and kissed her forehead, lingering there for a bit knowing the tears were starting to fall. He didn't realize how far in he really was until he saw her. He didn't care what happened; he wouldn't leave her until she was better. He didn't care about the costs.

He sat in the chair beside her for a few minutes just watching her, letting the tears freely fall now that she was asleep. He wanted to be strong for her, but she looked so frail, so broken lying in the bed. He almost lost her, and he had no idea what he would have done. He heard the door open and quickly dried his eyes with his hand. He breathed a small sigh of relief when he saw Alex.

Alex sighed seeing the expression on Derek's face. He couldn't imagine feeling this way about someone. He pulled up a chair and sat close to Derek.

Derek forced a smile at Alex, "She's out."

"Yeah, they are giving her pretty strong doses."

"The doctor? I would like to talk to the doctor. I want to know what is going on." Derek said quickly, needing to know exactly what was going on.

"Derek. You… you probably shouldn't." Alex suggested. He knew he would have to be the voice of reason.

"I don't give a fuck. Let them find out. I am here and will be with her every step of the way. I have to be. She is… she is the love of my life." Derek wanted Alex to realize he wasn't backing down.

Alex knew right now there was no reasoning with Derek, but he needed to try to do what he could to keep Derek level-headed. He changed the subject, "I just got a phone call."

"Ok?" Derek said puzzled.

"They are hoping to transport her this evening or in the morning. Fort Lewis just got her scans and thinks it is best to try to get in there sooner than later. They say if she is braced well, it should be ok to transport her." Alex informed Derek.

"Ok, then I will be going as well. My father has taken care of things." Derek explained.

"Yeah, Feeler Healer." Alex corrected himself quickly realizing Derek many not realize who he was talking about, "The Co, Pete, he just called and explained you would be her personal assistant for an undisclosed amount of time. He didn't explain and said it was not to be talked about with others." Alex didn't reveal the other information Pete gave him, it was not necessary at this time. However, it was apparent to Alex, Pete knew there was more to this than what met the eye. He asked Alex if he had seen anything suspicious between Derek and Meredith and Alex didn't reveal much other than he did know of their previous "relationship" years ago in college, but that was about it.

"Okay." Derek thought for a few minutes, "She will be alright?" He needed the reassurance.

"They say she will be. She is a fighter." Alex paused to turn his eyes from Meredith to Derek, "And she has something worth fighting for. But she doesn't want you to be stupid about this. You have to remember you are still an enlisted sailor of the US Navy. With that comes responsibility." Alex stopped the second Derek started shaking his head.

Derek knew everything he was saying was 100% correct. After a few seconds, he spoke up, "I know. It sucks ass, but I need to remember. But I am going to need help."

Alex nodded as Derek looked at him prompting Derek to continue, "I need you to help keep me in check. I realize this..." Derek looked back to Meredith and swallowed hard before looking back to Alex, "this could be a career ending injury for her. I have to keep my wits about me."

"I will help. In whatever ways I can, I will be there." Alex replied quietly.

They both heard the door open and immediately straightened up not sure who was on the other side.

The forces were now at the hand of something bigger than Meredith and Derek… would they stay in check?