Chapter 77: Final Decision
"Lieutenant Commander Grey. Upon discussion with the medical team on your case, the navy has made a formal decision about your future in the US Navy. Do you have anything you would like to say?" The CO talked with her formally, it was just a very small group of people in the room.
Derek drove her to base, which was on official orders, seeing as how she still couldn't drive. It took everything he had to walk in normally with her, she as his superior. There was no hugging or kissing good luck. There was just a final look of love before she headed up the stairs to the command conference room.
"No sir. I am prepared for whatever decision has been made." Meredith said feeling her stomach turning upside down.
"Are you sure?" He asked with a little more compassion in his voice.
Meredith realized she wished Derek was right beside her, hearing this decision. "Actually, there is something I would like to say without fear of retribution."
"The floor is yours." CO Pete Wilder said.
"You know, before the accident, I could think of nothing more than wanting to fly. Not only did I want to fly, I wanted to be the biggest and most badass female pilot in the entire navy. I would have tried to be the best in the air force as well." This caused a little bit of laughter in the room from the dozen or so people in the room, including the doctor she had been seeing in Oak Harbor.
She continued, "I have tried to think about what I really want for my future. Even still I find myself wanting to fly, trying to figure out a way to get back in the cockpit. As my doctors have said, that is impossible for me at this time and that isn't going to change anytime soon. Sure, I have thought about all of the jobs I could have in the navy as an officer. But, I can never deploy, I can never get near a flight deck." She took a deep breath feeling herself becoming emotional. "You know, before the accident, I could have never gotten through this alone. There is only one reason I have."
Meredith looked around the room carefully and not a person moved, she even wondered if they were breathing as they were drawn to every word she was speaking.
"What is that, Meredith?" Pete said in a quiet whisper.
"Love. I have so much love in my life and that saved me." Meredith closed her eyes and smiled thinking about Derek.
No one spoke a word. They were shocked this was the same Meredith Grey from before the accident. The Meredith before the accident was all about business.
"Anyone we know?" Pete asked. The officers really did form a bond. They had all stopped by to see Meredith, but most of them always called or mentioned to Alex they were going to stop by. Derek either had to hide or leave for a little bit. They always made sure his car wasn't around although one day when Erika stopped by, Derek was there. Erika was suspicious; however, they blew it off as Derek stopping by to check on her.
"Derek Shepherd." Someone from the back of the room said clearly.
Meredith closed her eyes, knowing exactly the voice. She turned back to see Addison sitting in the back of the room.
"Hmmm." Pete didn't really react, nor did anyone else in the room.
Meredith had no idea what to say and panicked internally.
"Oh, come on. Seriously people? Did you think he was just helping out? They have had a thing from day one of him being here. He couldn't keep his eyes off of her." Addison said curtly.
"Enough." Pete said clearly to Addison. He didn't seem to be phased by this last bit of information which surprised Meredith. He gave her a very quick reassuring glance, one that might have been missed had she not been watching his every move.
He cleared his throat. "I want to remind everyone; this is a confidential meeting. The contents of this meeting are not to be discussed with anyone and any officer who does, will be brought up on charges, does everyone understand me?" He waited to hear from each person, making eye contact with every person. The last person his eyes traveled to was Addison, someone who has always been a challenge for him in more than one way. She was someone he wanted since the day he came to the squadron, but he was the CO, and she was one of his officers. He was all about business and had resisted every temptation. He knew the day he was no longer the CO of this command; he was going to pursue her. It wasn't uncommon for officers to date and even get married; however, not in the position he was currently in. It would be very frowned upon.
Addison finally broke contact with him, rolling her eyes in agreement.
"Now, our initial intent here was to give the final decision regarding your future with the US Navy. We have looked at it long and hard. Your doctors have been an integral part of this decision. On a personal note, you have been a great asset to this squadron. Your leadership, talent, and overall ability is unparallel to others in the same positions. You have so much to offer the US Navy."
Meredith looked down. She couldn't believe it; they were actually keeping her in the military. She didn't expect this feeling, but she didn't want to stay in. She wanted Derek, not the navy.
"You have been given the opportunity to choose between a few options given the circumstances of this unique situation. You were well on your way to being one of the best female pilots in the navy. You are one of the most knowledgeable people we have in this area about the new Growler that has been put into place. You will not be forced into this option, but this is the one we are hoping works for you as it sure works for the navy."
Meredith looked up; she really had no idea what he was about to say. All she knew is she felt nauseous at the idea that she would still be an officer, she would still be in the navy. This meant she and Derek would never have it easy.
Pete continued, "The navy has requested us to medically retire you. They have also requested that you come back to work at the air wing of this base as a civilian contractor. You would be working with the air wing of this base to fully implement the new Growler planes to all of the squadrons as well as working with the pilots in the simulator to be the best pilot they can be. This of course would release you from your official position of being an officer with the US Navy. The details of this are still to be worked out; however, the wing is hoping you will consider this option and work with them." Pete smiled warmly to Meredith.
Meredith couldn't believe what she had just heard. This was a lot to take in. "Do I have to give you an answer now? You said there were more options?" She questioned.
"Yes, the recommendation from your doctors is that you are medically retired. The civilian contract is your option."
She took a minute to let this sink in. She was out. She was free of this. Nothing would hold her and Derek back now. She could be in public with him, kiss him, hug him, and do everything in between with him. "Where do I sign?" She smiled as she stood up.
"You are okay with being medically retired?" Pete asked cautiously.
"I think I am." Meredith replied.
"What about the offer from the wing?"
"Can I discuss this with Derek?" She said candidly.
"Yes." Pete said not even flinching for a minute when she asked if she could talk to Derek.
She took a deep breath and looked around the room. She was in a uniform she would no longer put on. "Can I speak with you in private?" Meredith asked Pete.
"Sure." He looked around the room. "Everyone go about your normal duties, remember confidentiality." Pete led Meredith to his office and shut the door.
"Sir, I do have a question for you." Meredith said quickly.
"Go ahead." Pete walked behind his desk and sat down.
"Derek… you didn't even flinch when Montgomery said something, then when I asked if I could discuss it with Derek, you didn't react. He can't… please don't cause trouble for him." Meredith said clearly.
"Meredith, I have known about you and Derek since the day your mother found out. She has saved my ass a few times, and I owed her one. She called in a favor. Derek is just fine. In fact, we just got some results back. He has been granted entry into the Warrant Officer program if he decides that is a career path for him. Of course, this just came in this morning, no one knows." Pete explained.
Meredith couldn't believe it, she was so proud of him, "Wow."
"We want him to do this then we want him back at this squadron kicking some ass as an officer." Pete smiled. Derek would have to go through the program before he would be commissioned.
"Are we releasing this information today?" Meredith smiled.
"Well, I was kind of thinking we would have a command meeting in an hour and announce a few changes, yours being one of them. We will be having an official retirement you know."
"Great. Just what I want, to be the center of attention." She rolled her eyes.
"You have been quite the talk with the accident anyway; this will be nothing in comparison."
"True." Meredith stood, still completely stunned by the turn of events of the morning.
"I need you to sign a few things. Can you stay for the stand down in an hour?" Pete asked.
"Yeah." Meredith responded and went to leave, but turned around. "Pete?"
"Yes?"
"You said my mother called you. What did she say?" Meredith asked curiously.
Pete sighed and wondered if he should tell the truth. "She said she had never done anything as a mother to show you she cared, much less loved you. For once, she needed to put herself aside and do what was best for you. I was ordered to give Derek temporary orders to be with you and to not ask questions."
"Hmmm. Thanks for the truth." Meredith said, feeling the tears in her eyes welling up, grabbing the doorknob. Ellis never made decisions that didn't benefit her, but she did when it mattered most.
"Meredith."
She turned around and waited for him to continue.
"Your mother is a hard woman; she was a damn good pilot, but she was scared. She just wants the best for you even if she doesn't tell you that." Pete explained.
"Yes. Thank you Pete. I will be in my office." Meredith stopped realizing it wasn't really her office anymore. "I mean, I am going to get some of my things from my office."
"Think about the offer. I know we would greatly benefit from it." Pete was hopeful she would consider.
"Well, I have to work. I mean, I can't be a lazy ass. I don't want to give a definite, but it actually sounds like an amazing opportunity." Meredith smiled. She couldn't believe how things were shaping up.
"I will come and get you and we will walk down together. A lot of people have been asking about you. Just meet me here in about 45 minutes. Let me call down to get everything in order for a command stand down."
"Thank you. For everything."
"Your welcome." Pete smiled warmly at her as she walked out of the room.
Meredith stepped outside of his door and felt her entire body relax from the tense position it had been in. She couldn't believe this was really happening. Within the hour, Derek would be finding out he had the option to move into the warrant officer program and they would be able to be together, nothing holding them back.
The forces, once in a while, once in a blue moon, they align and fall together.