Highway to Hell

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Meredith was sick of sitting in her hospital bed. She was sick of it. People were visiting her, and she was never left alone, which she did like. But she felt trapped.

"Mer what's wrong?" Derek asked. He had noticed she wasn't talking much, and she was just...absent.

"Nothing Derek. I'm fine." She replied, not making eye contact.

"You know what? I know exactly what you need." He said with a smile as he stood up from his chair and walked out the door.

Minutes later, he returned with a wheelchair and walked over to her. He threw back the covers, revealing her motionless legs and smiled at her.

"What are you doing?" She asked as he wrapped his arms around her back and under her legs.

Derek said nothing and simply placed Meredith into the wheelchair, getting her legs up on the rungs. He grabbed a blanket and gently put it over her and wordlessly began to leave the room.

"I got sunshine..on a cloudy day." Derek sang as he pushed his wife through the halls.

"Derek!" Meredith squealed with a giggle.

Derek wheeled him and Meredith outside to the little area in the back of the hospital. He stopped moving Meredith's chair and sat on the bench next to her.

They took in the scenery for a while and the peace. There was never really a quiet time in the hospital.

"Nice day out, huh?" Derek asked.

Meredith murmured something in agreement and sighed in relief.

"Listen Mer, I know this is hard. But don't shut me out, please. All I want to do is help you." He started.

"Derek-"

"No Mer. This is going to be a long, difficult journey. For both of us. It's gonna be challenging, and we're both going to need each other. I want you to tell me if you're in pain. If you're sad. Anything. This is going to change our lives, but that's okay, because we have each other. And we'll adjust."

"I'm sorry." Meredith said as she frowned and looked away. "Now, I don't want you to apologize. I just want you to let me in so I know that you're okay."

"I-I'll be okay. Not now though. The-the guilt is eating at me from Zola and I-I feel incompetent. In PT, I can barely do anything, Derek. It's stupid! I need to learn how to fucking sit right. Maybe I'll stand up, maybe, Derek! I have to be careful for damn colds, they could kill a patient with SCI. I won't walk instead I have to push myself in a damn chair" She yelled angrily.

"Get it out. Come on." He said softly.

"I- I'm a surgeon! How can I be a surgeon when I can't even walk for god sake! Why? Why me? It's like the universe is just beating me down every time I get back up. It's not fair Derek!"

Derek walked over and gently scooped Meredith into his arms and sat back down. "It's not fair." She cried into his chest. "I know Mer." He replied as he kissed her forehead softly.

•••

After Meredith broke down, it made her tired. Derek gently placed her back into the chair and wheeled her into the hospital.

"Where'd you two go?" Bailey asked as she noticed the two. "Just took her outside to get some fresh air." Derek replied.

"And why is she asleep?"

"She had a slight breakdown. Long overdue. She's okay." He replied. "Good. She's a tough one." Bailey praised. "Believe me, I know."

Derek situated her back into her bed and took a seat in one of the chairs surrounding the room.

"Mr Shepherd?" Lucy asked as she entered quietly.

"Hey Lucy."

"How's she doing?" She asked 

"She's okay. Dealing with some emotional stuff, but I'll let her tell you more." He replied.

"We're scheduled for an appointment now. Should I reschedule? She looked exhausted." Lucy pointed out. "That would be great. Maybe tomorrow morning?" Derek asked. "Alright. Sounds good. Tell her I said hi and I'll be seeing her in the morning."

•••

A little while later, Derek quickly answered his phone when it started ringing and took it outside.

"Hello?" He asked into the phone.

"Derek, dear. Why haven't you been returning my calls?" Carolyn, his mom answered.

"Oh, mom. We've been...busy." Derek replied.

"What aren't you telling me?" Carolyn asked with a knowing tone.

"Mom...Meredith was in an accident. She's okay, but...she has a spinal cord injury. She's paralyzed." Derek admitted. "Oh my." Carolyn muttered.

"How did it happen?" Carolyn asked.

"Her and one of our colleagues were doing a baby run and got hit on the highway."

"And how is she doing?" She asked.

Derek sighed. "She's...struggling. Emotionally and physically." He replied.

"That's expected. I'll be down there in the new few days, don't worry." Carolyn said.

"You're gonna come down?" He asked in surprise.

"If that's okay. Sounds like you two need it, and besides, from when I met her, that girl needs some serious mothering."

"That would be good mom. But please don't bring the girls." Derek answered.

"I won't. I'll text you my flight details. Love you." She said.

"I love you too mom." He replied as she phone hung up.

"Who was that?" Mark asked as he approached Derek. "Moms coming to town to help." Derek replied. "Oh, that's good. How's big Grey doing anyways?" Mark asked.

"She's doing okay. Moms coming and I think the tall help her." Derek said. "Mama Shep is a miracle working. They'll be alright." Mark said before walking away.

Derek stepped back into the room and saw Meredith whimpering slightly in her sleep. "Mer?" He asked quietly. Nothing.

Derek slid into bed next to her and wrapped his arms around her. She unconsciously burrowed into his arms, her whimpers slowing. "You're safe. I got you." He whispered, feeling her whole body relax. Derek soon let himself nod off as well after a long day.

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