Independence

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Disclaimer: Don't own the og characters. Not a native speaker, so don't hesitated to leave corrections in the comments at the side.

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Independence is what we aim for growing up. Our parents raise us so that we can become independent when we're older. At least most parents do. My mum kind of missed the 'older' part. I've always been independent. I had to be. As adults our independence is one of the greatest gifts we have. That doesn't mean that we can't or shouldn't accept help. But being independent makes us free.

-    Meredith Grey

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"Ready to go?" Derek asked as Meredith placed herself in the wheelchair beside the hospital bed.

When Meredith nodded, he grabbed her bag and pushed her out of the hospital room.

Derek's mother had invited them for dinner so that is where they headed.

During dinner there seemed to only be one topic:

"How are you Meredith?", "Does anything hurt?", "Can I help you with anything?", "How are you feeling darling?", "Is everything alright Meredith?"

And although Meredith knew that Carolyn just tried to care for her, it was annoying. She just wanted to have a normal conversation and not be reminded of her 'situation' the entire time.

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Meredith was so happy when they finally arrived at their hotel but then Derek started doing the same.

"I'll help you with that" he said while taking the cloth Meredith was just putting in the wardrobe out of her hands.

"For god's sake do you think I am not capable of doing anything on my own?!" She asked while ripping the cloths back out of his hands. "I have lived this way for month now I don't need your help with everything I do."

"I'm sorry Mer, I just thought..."

"Oh you thought again?!" Meredith interrupted him in annoyance. "I'm sick of you always assuming. If I need help, I'll tell you or you could just ask, but don't just rip stuff out of my hands."

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"Well done, Meredith. You can continue these exercises at home, but please remember not to overdue it. Okay?" Dr. Roberts said. She had been Meredith's physical therapist in New York, since she wasn't able to go back to Seattle.

"Yes, see you on Wednesday!" She answered turning towards the exit, but stopping in her tracks. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about traveling back to Seattle." Meredith said.

It had now been three weeks since she was released from the hospital and she really just wanted to go home. The problem was, that it seemed as if Derek wanted the exact opposite. He kept pressuring her into staying at his mum's, no matter how many times Meredith had made it clear, that she didn't want to do that. Besides her just wanting her privacy, there was also the fact, that the house was not at all wheelchair-accessible. It started with the steps at the front door and continued with the wrongly furnitured bathroom and most rooms only being reached by taking the stairs. Although she was starting to take small steps again, she was nowhere near being able to navigate through that house on her own. So if they stayed their she would pretty much loose the last of the independence that Derek had already taken way to much from.

"I know Dr. Härtl advised me not to travel for at least a month, but I really just want to get back home. So is there anything I should pay attention to?" Meredith asked.

"Well first of all, I don't think this is a good idea. It's going to be really uncomfortable, but I also know that you have a mind of your own, so if you do go back, you have to take the train. Because flying is definitely a no go right now, but I assume you were already aware of that. I would also advice you to wear a back brace, to stabilize your spine. Also make sure to drink plenty, I know it seems unrelated, but it'll help. If the pain becomes to much don't torcher yourself and take something for it. I'll be mailing Dr. Anderson all your files and give him all the information on what we have done so far and how your processing. Other than that I wish you the best and maybe we'll meat again under other circumstances. Good bye Meredith!"

"Thank you so much, good bye."

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"So Derek, we need to talk," Meredith said.

"Oh, have your changed mind, about st..." Derek started.

"For god's sake no, I haven't and I won't. I told you if you want to stay their do so, but I really can't do that." Meredith interrupted him.

"I can't just leave you here alone."

"I'm a grown women and I've been in way worth shape then I am now. I'm really able to stay on my own. But I actually wanted to talk to you about leaving." Meredith replied angrily.

"Leaving? Are you crazy?! Dr. Härtl told you that you couldn't for at least a month better two!"

"He told me not to fly, we can still take the train, I've already talked to my physical therapist about that, it's not a problem."

"Oh so now you're making the decisions without talking to me?"

"Okay, first of all this is a very different situation. I'm not making a decision about your life. We came here for my health and the only reason we're still here is because of the prolonged recovery. I'm also not forcing you to join me, you're very welcome to stay. Secondly, we are talking right now, I didn't make promises to anyone I only talked to my physical therapist so that we have all the necessary information. And to answer your other question, every time I walk into that hospital or see one of the doctors that treated me, I get a flashback. Every time I have to think of how I woke up in the middle of surgery and couldn't do a thing about it. Every time I am reminded of waking up at night screaming, because I had another nightmare. So yes Derek, maybe you're right, many I've gone crazy, because this place is making me crazy." Meredith said lowering her voice again but still with an angry undertone.

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AN

I updated, didn't believe that would actually happen again, so don't get your hopes up.

What do you think? Worth continuing? How will Derek react?

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