What if

Mid June (part 4)

(Meredith POV)

I woke up, very excited for my first surgery back. It was very simple, just a bronchoscopy, but still. Derek and I woke up and got the kids ready before we zipped out of the house and to the hospital.

"Are you sure your ready for this Mer?" Derek asked after we dropped the kids off at daycare. "Derek, I haven't operated in months. Besides, it's just a bronch." I replied.

"I know, but-" Derek started.

"I'm still recovering." I finished. "I'll be fine, Derek. I know my limits." I said in a softer tone.

"Okay. Just be careful, please. What time is it at?" Derek asked. I checked my watch. "In about an hour." I replied.

"I'll be there. Make sure to eat something and hydrate before." He said with a warm smile before running off.

I got the patients chart and began looking through it as Bailey approached me. "You sure you're ready for this Grey?" She asked with a hint of concern.

"I am."

"Schmitt is scrubbing in with you. If you feel faint, tired, sick, anything, you take a break and sit down." Bailey said sternly.

"I know, mom." I teased.

"Hey, I don't want you to be collapsing in an OR. I've seen enough of you in a hospital bed." She replied. "I'll be fine, Bailey, and I'll take care of myself." I assured.

"Okay." She sat, patting my shoulder before leaving.

About an hour later, I stood in the scrub room with Schmitt scrubbing my hands. "First surgery back?" The young resident asked, although I'm pretty sure he already knew the answer considering he was on my team while I had covid.

"Yup." I answered.

"Congratulations, dr Grey." He said kindly.

"Thank you, Schmitt." I replied while entering the OR. My patient, Gurley, was all prepped and ready.

I entered the scope, and it was like riding a bike. I may have been out of the game for a while, but it all comes rushing back to me. I looked at Derek in the gallery and he smiled under his mask.

"Look at all this fibrosis and scar tissue." I exclaimed as I moved the scope.

"I can't believe it's this bad." Schmitt breathed. "Culture tube." I ordered, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath in hopes to wave off the dizziness I'm feeling.

"Dr Grey?" Schmitt asked in concern as I wavered slightly on my feet. "Is everything okay?" He questioned.

"Saline flush. And someone get me a wheelchair." I said, closing my eyes once more.

I saw Derek stand up in the gallery. "What's going on?" He asked.

I sat down in the chair and let out a breath. "I'm dizzy. My breath is shallow, my heart rates gotta be in the 100s." I replied, looking at Derek who looked very concerned.

"Should we page chief Bailey?" Schmitt asked. I looked at Derek. "Yes." He said for me.

Derek came into the OR and wheeled me into the scrub room, where he helped me scrub out. I was so dizzy, and breathing wasn't very easy at the moment.

"Easy." Derek warned as I swayed.

(Derek POV)

I don't know what's going on, but I'm scared. "Sit back down." I said, guiding her back into the chair.

"I...I need to take this helmet off." She said, panting. "Okay. Okay." I said calmly as I pulled it off. She leant her head on my shoulder as she took a few deep breathes.

"Why was I- Meredith?" Bailey barged into the scrub room, a look of annoyance turned to concern. "What's going on?" She asked as she came over and took Merediths pulse, which was as Meredith said, definetely in the 100s.

"She said she felt dizzy and shallow breathing in the OR. And her pulse is super high." I explained. "Okay. Let's- let's get her to a room so I can examine her." Bailey ordered.

I pushed Meredith through the halls next to Bailey while keeping a close eye on her. I could hear every intake of breath, and saw her eyes closed as she fought off the dizziness.

We got to an exam room and went inside. "Mer, can you get on the bed?" I asked. She nodded and slowly hopped up.

"How are you feeling, Grey?" Bailey asked as she snapped on a pair of gloves. "Still dizzy. My breath is returning to normal." Meredith replied.

"Okay. Deep breath for me." She said, pressing the stethoscope to her chest. Meredith grabbed my hand tightly as she did so, and I could tell she was scared.

"Did you eat anything today?" Bailey asked.

"A bagel and a water this morning." She replied. Bailey nodded and checked a few more things.

"Your oxygen level is low." Bailey pointed out. "That's a normal side affect, right?" I asked. She nodded. "It is. And it's not covid because your still in the 90 day zone. I just think your body is still recuperating and isn't used to you standing up all day time." Bailey explained.

"So it's nothing bad, right? She's okay?" I asked worriedly. "She's just fine. I do want to put you on oxygen for a little while to get your levels back up, but after that your going home. And no surgeries for a little while." Bailey said.

"But-" Meredith protested. "But nothing." I cut in, hooking up the oxygen mask that was hung on the wall and strapping it over her nose and mouth.

"Go home, Grey. I'll see you tomorrow." Bailey ordered.

(Meredith POV)

I'm annoyed. Stupid, stupid, stupid covid! All
I wanted to do was operate for the first time in months, yet I'm sitting here with an oxygen mask once again.

About 30 minutes later, Derek finally decided I could go home and we walked out slowly together. He apparently had Alex bring home the kids with Jo.

"I'm bored." I whined in the car.

"I love you." He said with a wink.

Hey guys! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and hope your all doing well. If you guys have any ideas for future chapters feel free to drop them! Thanks for reading.