Chapter 78: Promotion and Retirement

Derek had been on edge the second he and Meredith left the house this morning, but now he was downright panicked. He had not heard from Meredith but knew they were out of the meeting. Chief Callie had come to let him know that they were having a command meeting within the hour. Derek had no idea what that meant, but nevertheless, he was standing at attention watching the CO walk down the stairs from upstairs. What he wasn't expecting was the love of his life following down those steps with him. He had no idea what this meant.

Meredith walked down the stairs carefully as things such as this is not easy for her since the accident. Her entire career she wanted to walk these steps, or this "walk" when she was the CO of her own command, or even more, the CO of a base or an aircraft carrier. She wanted nothing more than to run down the stairs, find Derek and tell him the amazing news. She knew about where he would be standing since they stood in ranks.

Derek watched her carefully descend down the stairs in her formal uniform. His breath hitched slightly the second she locked eyes on to his. He wanted to run to her, but he was conformed to the ranks. He had Mark on one side and Cristina on the other side. Mark cleared his throat as quietly as he could, trying to get Derek's attention off Meredith before anyone noticed the longing in both sets of eyes.

"Stand down." Pete said as he walked to the podium after the formal introduction that happens anytime, he is to speak to the command. He started with a greeting and thanking everyone for putting down everything quickly in order to make it. He gave a rundown of where they were at with the recent investigation of the crash and at this point, it looked like they would be deploying on schedule, securing a plane to replace the one that crashed. He did say it looked like the plane crashed due to something that was unavoidable and wouldn't have been detected.

Pete cleared his throat and looked back to Meredith. "All of you know we have been without Lieutenant Commander Grey since the accident over a month ago. She is back with us today and has some news to report to the command. Ms. Grey." Pete nodded to her, and Meredith walked forward slowly. Meredith knew what she was about to do, and she hoped she could do it without showing her true emotion. She had many feelings welling up within her. It was as if Pete was letting her stand in as the CO for this one announcement. This was something the CO did unless he wasn't able or present which in case the XO, second in command would do it. If this was her only shot, she couldn't think of a better shot to have.

Meredith looked up when she grabbed the podium to steady herself. She smiled softly scanning the crowd and landing on the one and only person she was focused on right this very second. "Good morning." She felt a surge of tears well up in her eyes. She took a breath and suppressed them, knowing this was business, it was business, only the business of the command. She had to keep running this through her head in order to keep from shouting to everyone that she was in love with Derek Shepherd and that she was going to spend the rest of her life with him. Meredith Grey used to be about all business, it was easy for her.

"This morning, I have the pleasure of announcing something very special and exciting for this squadron and the navy." Meredith could feel herself smiling but trying not to look in Derek's direction because she wasn't sure how she would react.

Derek watched Meredith carefully and was more than anxious about why she was up there, giving this announcement, whatever it may be. He became a little fidgety when he realized she was scanning the crowd, but not ever looking at him. He considered many possibilities, mostly possibilities that caused more problems for the two of them being together.

Mark whispered under his breath to Derek, "Damn, I wonder what this could be."

"Yeah." Derek swallowed the lump in his throat.

"First off, this individual deserves this promotion for many different reasons." Meredith smiled still gazing around Derek.

Everyone in the crowd started to look around curious as to exactly what was going on. No one expected there would be any kind of promotion; most assumed she was announcing her plans for the future. "I worked with this sailor and saw many wonderful characteristics of what a model sailor should be. At work, he is flawless, paying attention to all details. His superiors call on him when needed and his subordinates look up to him as a role model, someone they should strive to be in order to be the best sailor in the US Navy." Meredith's eyes wandered without control to the man she was talking about.

Derek couldn't help but smile at Meredith upon seeing her stare straight into his eyes. He mouthed the words, "I love you" as he had no idea what was coming.

"It is my pleasure and great honor, as probably my last official duty in the US Navy." She paused and smiled at Derek. She cleared her throat and continued, "to announce our newest candidate for the Warrant Officer program, that is if he accepts, Petty Officer First Class Derek Shepherd." Meredith beamed from ear to ear looking straight into his eyes.

Derek stood still, the smile quickly erasing from his face. "Holy shit." He said loud enough for those around him to hear. They were already starting to pat him in congratulations, but Derek kept his face focused on Meredith in disbelief. She nodded her head in reassurance, continuing to wear the huge smile that he loved so much.

"Okay, do I need to kick your ass up there?" Mark said, smiling at his best friend and brother.

"Did she really just say... she just said she was... that was her last official duty, and I am… hit me Mark." Derek broke his eyes from Meredith and looked dead serious to Mark.

"What? I am not hitting you." Mark said, laughing and shaking his head.

"I think I am dreaming." Derek said quietly.

"I don't think so man. Get your ass up there and see what the hell is going on."

Derek made his way up to the front and stood right in front of the woman he loved more than anything.

"Congratulations." Meredith smiled at him, wrapping her arms around him.

"No." Derek pulled away.

"Oh shit." Mark said as he noticed Meredith trying to hug Derek. He also stepped toward the front just in case help was needed.

"I am done. I just signed the preliminary paperwork to be medically retired."

"I can still… no." He took a step back from her and smirked, "But, later, we will definitely be celebrating."

"Congratulations Shepherd." Pete walked up to officially congratulate him. "As I told Meredith an hour ago, we would love for you to go through your program and come back to serve as the Warrant Officer here. You know our warrant officer is going to be transferring soon and we need someone to fill his shoes."

"Thank you sir." Derek said in amazement.

"Why don't you finish in the celebrations and take the rest of the day off. We will have a formal ceremony in a week or so, for both of you." Pete suggested.

Derek shook his hand, "I am just stunned."

"You deserve it. The two of you deserve it." Pete looked between them.

Derek looked to Meredith who for the second time in the last minutes assured him with a nod of her head. "I don't know what to say sir."

"Don't say anything. I know my place as an officer, but Derek, you were never just an enlisted man. You took this route out of respect of your father. He and I have had several conversations over the last month and at times he wishes he would have made you go through Officer Candidacy School after you graduated college. Sometimes you can't help who you fall in love with." Pete said catching a quick glance in Addison's direction who was watching the exchange closely from about ten feet away.

"No sir, sometimes we can't." Derek looked at Meredith and smiled as he spoke those last words to Pete.

"I am going to wrap this up." Pete said, walking to the microphone as the XO called everyone back to attention.

"You all might also be wondering about the news Lieutenant Commander Grey gave regarding herself. She is going to be medically retired. She has some opportunities in her very near future to explore so that we will still have her expertise and knowledge in this naval community. She is one of the most talented pilots the navy has seen and is one of the first fully trained aviators on the new Growler's that we will be phasing in very soon. We will be having a formal retirement for her within the coming weeks. Everyone is dismissed." Pete said walking away from the podium, up the stairs to his office.

Meredith and Derek stood there almost in shock. "We have some things to discuss later." Meredith winked.

"Seems like we do. About ten minutes and then I say we blow this joint."

"Sounds like a plan Shepherd. You are on my service today you know." Meredith said as people enveloped the two of them separately. They were both all smiles and couldn't be happier in this moment in time.

And the forces align for the good.