We've Got To Stop Meeting Like This

April Showers

Thursday, April 16th.

As if her day couldn't get any more hectic, her phone would not stop ringing. She pulled it out as it rang for what must have been the fourth time that day as she sat down to lunch. She vaguely recognised the New York number that lit up the screen and picked up, "Meredith Grey speaking."

"Good afternoon, Miss Grey," the voice on the other sounded as though it belonged to a young woman, the background noises making it obvious she was calling from a hospital. Must be her mother's assistant, "We've been trying to contact you all morning, as the emergency contact of Dr Ellis Grey?"

Meredith's brow furrowed, earning her questioning looks from her friends sat with her, although they continued with their conversation, "What's happened?"

"Your mother has been admitted as a patient, Miss Grey, I've been instructed to ask you to come to New York as soon as you can," the limited information she was given irritated her. Why can't people just be straight with what they want to say? She prayed the woman would just get to the point.

Don't even get her started on the fact the woman had said Miss Grey instead of Dr Grey, it wasn't a secret Ellis' daughter was a doctor, was it?

"Again, what exactly has happened? Is it life threatening?" The words 'life-threatening' piqued the interest of her colleagues and their conversation with each other died out as they focused on Meredith.

"Unfortunately, I can't divulge much information over the phone, I have only been told to request that you come to New York Presbyterian as a matter of urgency, we hope to see you soon."

Meredith groaned in frustration as the line dropped and she let her phone fall on to the table in front of her as she spoke, "Looks like I'm off to New York for a few days."

"What was that about?" Cristina spoke first. Being the person closest to Meredith, she knew most of Meredith's frustration came about because of her Mother who lived in New York.

Meredith simply rolled her eyes as she stood up with her tray, "My mother, who else."

While Cristina understood on a more personal level the relationship between mother and daughter, the others in the group had always begged to learn more about the famous Ellis Grey, and didn't understand Meredith's frustration with the current situation, and sat there with perplexed expressions.

Meredith simply shook her head and walked away from the group, discarding her tray on her way up to the Chief's office to explain the situation and request emergency leave. Knowing how interested Chief Webber appeared to be in her mother, she knew it wouldn't take much more than a few words for him to agree and let her go. It didn't even cross her mind who else was waiting in New York for her.

****

Friday, April 17th, 07:30am.

As the plane touched down in New York, the rain was hitting down hard. April Showers, was the first thought that came to Meredith's mind. Having checked the weather waiting for her in New York, she grabbed the raincoat she'd brought with her out of her carry on and put it on before she got off the plane. If her mother ever taught her anything, it was to always be prepared.

She may not have had the best relationship with her mother, but she couldn't help replaying the different scenarios going through her mind as to what could have happened for Ellis to have been admitted as a patient. As she walked across the airport, a memory flashed through her mind of the second time she'd said goodbye to him. She shook her head of the thought as she collected her suitcase from baggage claim. She'd only packed for a week, unsure of what she'd actually find when she got to the hospital, and how long she would need to stay for.