Outside of Fear

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"Semper fi, Colonel."

Meredith stops in her tracks, finally making eye contact with her friend, a small smile on her face. "Oorah!"

Derek frowns, he'd been standing in the back of the room while the women scrubbed. Meredith's posture was, strangely, like normal. If one of his sisters had been shot, Derek knows for sure he'd be a mess, but the two veterans in front of him seem completely fine.

He understands why they're acting the way they are, but it leaves him in awe. They both are able to control themselves and stay clear-headed. It's amazing.

"We got this, Derek. We've done this thousands of times before." Teddy breaks him out of his thoughts with a glance over her shoulder before stepping into the OR.

Derek moves up to the gallery, figuring he'd have a better view up there. He turns on the intercom and the quiet, empty space is instantly filled with Meredith's assertive voice, as well as Teddy's.

They've already made the opening incision and are searching for the bullet.

"Suction! Damn it, there's too much blood. Push heparin."

Derek sits, gaze stuck on his girlfriend. He's never seen her operate before. Of course, he knows the surgeries she's done and how great of a doctor she is, but for the first time he actually gets to see her performing a real surgery.

Terrible circumstances, but breathtaking nonetheless.

She's confident and calm, her voice clear and commanding. Her hands are perfect, deft fingers moving quickly.

She looks really, really good. It's magical, seeing Meredith back in the OR. Magical.

Many hours later, Alex is being wheeled out of the OR and into the ICU.

They had almost lost him. Twice.

As the room clears, Meredith rips off her mask and gown and sinks to the floor, leaning against the wall. Her entire body hurts. She breathes, slowly, and feels someone else move right next to her. Teddy.

"He's gonna be okay. We did everything right." Teddy says quietly. Derek leaves his spot in the gallery to make his way back to the OR.

"He crashed on us. Twice." Meredith sighs. "And I shot a man today."

"You what?"

"I took down the shooter with one of the security guard's guns. I killed him."

Teddy is quiet for a long minute. "And we thought we would be done with guns when we got back to the States."

Meredith smiles softly, "That's what I said."

The door to the OR opens and Derek steps in. "That was...incredible."

Both women frown, then Meredith smiles, "That's the first time you've seen me operate?"

"Yeah, and the two of you together...Alex will be okay, I'm sure of it."

Meredith rests her head back on the cool wall as Teddy stands. "I have a couple of patients I need to check on. Good work, Death."

"Oorah," Meredith replies weakly. The Marine's battle cry. Teddy laughs lightly and leaves, so Derek takes her spot on the floor next to the blonde surgeon.

"I need to look at your arm now," he whispers.

"I'm not moving, grab a suture kit and do it here," she orders. In reality, her body would probably give out on her if she tried to stand or walk anywhere. Derek gets up and crosses the OR to grab sterile equipment and returns to her side. She pulls up her sleeve, revealing the blood-soaked butterfly bandages just barely holding together the crusted gash on her arm.