bad blood

Day 0

Meredith walked into Richards office to find Shepherd, and all of 'award-winning' hair sitting in front of the chiefs desk. This was never good. When both her and Shepherd were called into the chiefs office, it usually ended in a very unpleasant yelling. Richard never approved of their rivalry and always seemed to want them to hold hands and be chummy, but how can you be chummy with someone like Derek Shepherd.

His whole life was like a ridiculous fairytale, nothing ever went wrong for Prince fucking Charming. He was attractive, smart, and charming and worst of all, he knew it. If he needed a nurse to do anything, he could just flash his eyes and smile at them and then they would be pudding in his hands. It was disgusting. Everything came easily to Derek Shepherd and he just floated through life being a complete ass.

Meredith on the other hand had to work tooth and nail for everything she got. She was the Ellis Grey's daughter, and even though most people would think that was an advantage, it wasn't. Everyone was comparing her to her mother or thought that she only got into med school because she had a famous mom. They didn't care that she worked her ass off for everything. She wasn't even in the same specialty as her mother, she was all in with neuro, even if her mother thought she would never make it in that specialty. But she was going to make it, and she wasn't going to let some guy who everyone dubbed 'McDreamy' get in her way.

"Meredith please sit down." Richard said, gesturing to the seat next to Shepherd.

"Sure." She responded uneasily as she sat down.

"So as you both have most likely figured out, Dr. Ababio is retiring and I have to pick the next head of neuro." This was it. Either Dr. Grey or Dr. Shepherd is going to be the next head of neuro at Seattle Grace hospital. And it had to be Dr. Grey.

"And I'd like to make you two the co-heads of the department." He continued. Derek and Meredith looked at each other briefly then turned to the chief.

"Both of us?" Derek asked.

"Yes." Richard answered.

"Together?" She asked.

"Yes, you two will be splitting the job." He responded.

"But why?" Derek frowned.

"Because my goal for Seattle Grace is to be the top location for neurosurgery in the country. Last year both of your projects brought in a huge amount of money to the department and if you continue this innovation and passion in my hospital, it would be idiotic of me to not to put our best foot forward."

"But why not just pick one of us to head the department, it would be much simpler if we put, say, the one that is known for being better with people, in charge." Derek grinned.

"or the one who's project brought in more money." Meredith bragged while Derek scoffed.

"Yours only brought in marginally more." Derek sneered.

"Still more." She glared back to him.

"Quiet!" Richard said at almost a yell, effectively shutting them up. "The job either goes to both of you or neither of you."

"What?" Derek and Meredith said in unison.

"You are two of the best up and coming neuro surgeons out there. You're both hard working and passionate, yet I have a hesitation with promoting either of you."

"Dr. Web-" Derek started.

"Shut up." He responded harshly. "I have serious concerns about your abilities to work with others. Ever since Derek transferred into this program five years ago, you two have been at each other's throats. So if you can't work with each other, I'm not sure I want either of you heading this department."

"We can work together." Meredith said quickly.

"And I want to believe you." Richard responded.

"We can." Derek assured.

"I'm not so sure about that. Which is why I'm giving you both a test." Richard said.

"A test?" Derek asked.

"What kind of test?" Meredith asked quickly.

"Tomorrow, the two of you will be going to Chicago for the Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery conference together." Richard stated.

"Are we presenting?" Meredith asked.

"No. You will be spending the week there, looking for new recruits. I'm looking to hire two or three top neurosurgeons for the department and it will be your job to recruit them. Find people you think will fit in your department and convince them to join you. I'll give you the department budget and what you are allowed to offer them, but it is your job to work together on this." Richard explained.

"We can do that." Derek nodded his head.

"And I've spoken to a couple old friends who have been ordered to spy on the both of you. There will be no dividing and conquering, no public yelling matches, and no passive aggressive spats. You will be getting along and working together or you will not be heading this department. Both of you, if one of you is the problem, then neither of you will be promoted. Do I make myself clear?" Richard asked.

"Yes sir." Meredith said.

"Derek?" He asked.

"Yes sir." Derek responded quickly.

"Great. Patricia will give you the details of you trip." He said as he guided them out of the room. "Oh and you will be sharing a rental car and a hotel suite. If either of you try to rent yourself another room or car, the job is gone so don't even think about it." He warned.

"Chief." Derek sighed.

"You two need to work out your crap. I want you to be heading the department but I can't have you at each other's throats. I don't want a childish head of neurosurgery who is prone to stupid rivalries. Learn to work with each other." He demanded.

"We can do that." Meredith nodded.

"Definitely." Derek said as they exited the office and closed the door behind her. This was crap. Complete crap, how is she supposed to work with this tool probably for the rest of her career? She couldn't leave, that would be letting him win. Plus giving up the opportunity to head up the top neurosurgical department in the country definitely wasn't an option. She could only hope to get through this week and then find a way to not have to deal with him for the rest of her career.