Chapter 68: Here Comes Ellis

"I can't believe you people even call this a hospital! We are in the middle of nowhere and my daughter is not getting the proper treatment. I demand she be transferred immediately." Everyone in the hallway stopped to look at the woman who was talking loudly.

"Ma'am. I can assure you we are doing the best we can—" The nurse said with fear laced throughout her voice.

Alex had heard enough, and Derek was just frozen wondering exactly how this would factor into everything. Alex walked as fast as he could to her with a slight limp from the injuries he had sustained

"Ellis. Stop." Alex said in a forceful but calm voice.

The nurse breathed a sigh of relief seeing they had finally arrived back at the hospital.

"You left her last night? You should have stayed with her." Ellis barked towards Alex.

"Why? To be overbearing? I don't think so. Why are you even here anyway? I am surprised you could find the time to be here." Alex scathingly said. He detested Ellis for all the things she has put Meredith through.

Ellis looked at Alex coldly and said very quietly so that only he could hear, "You need to remember I can have your career. I could make this accident look like your fault and no one would ever question me. I hold the power." She stepped back a step and looked over Alex's shoulder to Derek. "I heard she had someone assigned to her but why you. Why the son of William Shepherd? You are a first class. I can only imagine why you were the one 'chosen.'" Ellis said the last word almost mockingly like she knew there was more to this story.

Derek had no idea what to say, but had to remember the story they were telling everyone. He had to stick to it. He was scared shitless, but he in no way could show any fear towards this woman that was supposedly the mom of an amazing woman who he was in love with. He cleared his throat, held his head high, and looked straight into her eyes, "Ms. Grey and I knew each other previously and it was best if she had someone, she knew to take care of her affairs."

"I bet you take care of those affairs well. You sure look like you would be good at that." Ellis watched Derek Shepherd carefully.

Alex had enough, "Cut the shit Ellis, what in the hell are you doing here?"

"My daughter was in a plane crash. She is laid up in this shitty ass hospital and they are hoping to transfer her today, but these imbeciles can't seem to think she is strong enough. They obviously do not understand Grey women. Life makes us strong." Ellis continued in her pursuit of making everyone around despise her.

Alex just shook his head, "I have heard enough of this shit. We are here for Meredith. You are not, you never are. You come in, you berate her, and leave for me or Der… or someone to pick up the pieces. So, get the hell out of here the same way you came." Alex knew he almost said too much talking about Derek picking up the pieces, but he was tired of being the one that saw Meredith basically drink herself almost to death.

Ellis looked to Alex and then to Derek. She picked up on Alex almost saying Derek. She was even more curious about what exactly had been going on between her daughter and Derek.

Derek knew he had to step in. He understood why Alex was so angry, but the bottom line was that Ellis was Meredith's mother and as the mother of the woman he loved, he had to try to make peace with her. "Karev, why don't we all take a step back?"

"How can you even say that? After what you witnessed?" Alex reminded Derek without saying too much.

Derek looked carefully to Ellis, "How is she this morning?"

Ellis glanced back at Derek cautiously, "She is doing well. In a lot of pain, but that is to be expected. She is a tough woman though; she will come through it just fine and be flying in no time."

Derek didn't know much, but he knew enough to realize Meredith would possibly never fly again and he wondered how she would handle that. But at this point, he just wanted to see Meredith. "Yes, she is very strong. Why don't we all go in there and tell her good morning. See if she needs anything."

Alex eyed Derek not sure exactly what Derek was trying to accomplish. He didn't like it, but he would go along with it. "Fine." Alex muttered.

Derek led the way into the room, He had to quickly prepare himself for Meredith lying in the bed all banged up. He wished he could do something more to help her, but there was nothing. Until she had surgery, she would be in a lot of pain and even afterwards, there was no guarantee she would feel better.

"Meredith." Derek said tenderly as they walked into the room, knowing she couldn't sit up to see them.

"Good morning." She groaned slightly, but was happy to hear his voice.

"How are you this morning?" Derek walked to her bed so that she could see him. He didn't remember her mom was following behind him.

"I am better now that you are here." Meredith smiled slightly.

Ellis stood back and watched the interaction between Derek and Meredith. She couldn't see Meredith's reaction, but there was a change in her voice from the few moments she had talked to her this morning to now. It was softer, much more relaxed at seeing Derek. She was starting to wonder if there was more to his assignment with Meredith. She had no idea what she would do with this information at this point other than to just observe. Leave it to her daughter to fall for a Shepherd… an enlisted man. Ellis always wondered why Shepherd men went enlisted when they were capable of being an officer.

"Have a good night?" Alex spoke, walking up on the other side of her as she turned her head slightly to look at him.

"Yeah, since you left her during the night, and I came to find her all alone." Ellis fired at Alex.

Meredith closed her eyes. "Mom, I told you I was fine. There was no need for Alex nor Derek to stay here. They need to sleep. It was a long day for all of us."

"Good morning, Ms. Grey." The doctor walked in smiling.

"Finally. You finally show up. What kind of hospital is this? I demanded to see a doctor an hour ago and you are just now coming in. This is unacceptable. She needs to be transferred today." Ellis immediately started on the doctor.

Alex looked up to Derek who was looking down at Meredith, her eyes still closed. "What in the hell were you trying to prove out there with Ellis?" Alex whispered.

"Not the time." Derek said moving his hand to Meredith's cheek, knowing Ellis is occupied. He didn't care to get into it with Alex.

Meredith opened her eyes at his touch. Their eyes locked and without having to say anything, Derek knew he was doing the right thing with Ellis. Meredith realized Derek would be there despite her mother.

Derek heard the doctor stammering and stuttering. He knew it was his cue again to talk some reason into Ellis. He gave Meredith that perfect McDreamy smile and walked over to Ellis and the doctor. "Ms. Grey, why don't we sit down and listen to what the doctor has to say. I am sure he will give us the answers to all of our questions."

Alex couldn't believe his eyes when Ellis actually looked to Derek hesitantly, but decided to take the few steps to sit down on the small plastic couch in the cramped room. As Ellis sat, the doctor got Derek's attention to give a visual thank you without any words spoken. Derek sat beside Ellis on the couch that only two could sit on. Alex had no idea what it was about Derek, but he definitely had Ellis doing what he wanted. He had never seen Ellis like this.

Ellis sighed and looked up to the doctor, "They are waiting for her at Madigan, and she needs to get there for her surgery. It needs to happen today. We need it to happen today."

"Yes, we are making the arrangements now." The doctor didn't want to add anything.

"Well, at least this hospital is good for something." Ellis rolled her eyes.

"Mom." Meredith said with strain in her voice. Derek didn't like hearing the tension in just the one word from her.

"I am just trying to do what is best for my daughter. Is that so wrong?" Ellis asked getting up to stand beside Alex.

"No." Meredith said quietly. She didn't know how she felt about her mother here. The last time she was here, she made Meredith feel like a complete disappointment and now… she wasn't sure how she felt about it. Ellis was still her mother; nothing would ever change that. She was a hard mother to have, but a person has to love their mom, right?