Short stories of Merhayes

Bar talk - Owen and Hayes

After episode 18.04

Owen and Hayes arrive at Joe's after along day at Grey-Sloan. Even though Hayes knew what was happening with Megan, he couldn't break HIPPA even if he wanted to tell Owen so bad, knowing that Megan could get all the support she needed. In a way, it was an excuse for him to not get as close to Megan or for Megan to get close to him, because he knew that his eyes were only for Meredith.

As they went to go sit down at the bar stool, Owen and Hayes both asked for whiskey, and chuckled about it.

"So Hayes, how's it been after switching from Switzerland?" Owen asked trying to forget about what happened with his vet patient that basically blew him off because of his friend that died due to a complicated tumor removal that he was HEAVILY against. "It wasn't that bad how it expected to me; however, COVID did put some hardships into it." Hayes said back as he took a sip from his glass. "I mean having two teenage kids, who haven't had the necessary exposure of making friends, dealing with their death of the mother, and the emergent surgery their aunt had to endure, they've dealt with it better than I ever could." He said.

"Ah, what I've meant was how'd you like Grey-Sloan so far?" He asked. "So far so good. Better than I expected. I mean Yang, already gave me a run through of what to expect, but with everyone I've meet so far, she was selling you guys short." He laughed remembering how annoying Yang was being after he accepted her offer to go to Seattle.

"Wait, you know Yang? As in Cristina Yang? Head of the Klausman Institute?" Owen said baffled. "Oh you betcha. She was bloody good at her job but also bloody cocky. I've also heard that you married her at some point if I'm not wrong?" The Irishman said as he tipped the glass towards Owen before taking another sip. "Yeah, sure did. She was the one, but I was so bad towards her, but that's another story to tell, since it's long and pretty painful for me to even discuss." He said ashamed as all the flashbacks came.

"Hey, don't worry about it. You tell me when you're ready. Plus it's not like we're friends." He said to the red head knowing that his only friend, his special friend was Meredith Grey.

"Well let's change that" Owen said as he motioned them to clink glasses. Hayes got the memo and they both toasted. "To being friends and new beginning" Owen said as they both gulped down their whiskey. As they set it down, he asked the bartender to refill their drink.

"So..... anyone catch your attention here in Seattle" Owen asked as the whiskey was slowly getting to him. "What do you mean by that, mate?" Hayes asked him back, knowing exactly what he meant, but he'd rather be play dumb as much as he can before he confesses what really happened.

"Oh c'mon Hayes, you know what I meant." As Owen was pushing because he knows it's Grey, because he was the one that caught him sneaking into Grey's room when she was on the vent due to COVID.

"Well there's no one in particular" Hayes shot back, not knowing what was next. "So you're telling me, that you weren't sneaking into Grey's room every time you got the chance when she was on the vent. C'mon Hayes, seeing what you did and how you looked at her, you fell for Grey. I don't blame you, it's nice and refreshing seeing someone pine over Grey, who's actually worth it." Owen said shocked at himself for that part.

As his eyes grey huge in amazement over how the redhead exposed him so fast and without any humor. He sighed in defeat. "Yeah, it's Grey. It's always been Grey. Ever since my first day. Something was so intriguing about her that I couldn't place. I was slowly talking about things I wasn't comfortable talking to anyone about. It was like we understood each other." As he gulped down his whiskey and shot the bartender to serve him another glass.

"We started dating after the wedding, it was like something magical and unexpected. I shared some of my first with her. But I had to end it, even if it broke my heart." He said looking down to his new glass of whiskey.

"Wait, why?" Owen asked in awe about what he just said. Him and Grey. No wonder both of them were so happy. It was like they found someone that they could easily understand one another. Owen was happy, knowing that Cristina's person finally found someone worthy of her. Despite, Nathan and how he hated him at the beginning, he liked him with Meredith, but once Megan came back that was over. With Deluca, he saw how his disorder hurt Meredith and it made him turn into someone he despised and didn't like how he treated Meredith. But, Hayes; it was like someone he saw Meredith with right after Derek.

"One of my sons, Austin. He started to have nasty panic and anxiety attacks after I told them I was thinking about dating. My oldest Liam didn't have an issue, in fact all he said was "I could tell, this woman has made you the happiest I've ever seen and it's nice seeing you happy again". But I understand, Austin was the one that took it the hardest when his mom died. So I told Grey I had to be a father first, and she understood and when I tell you it pained me. I had to let go of her despite not wanting too." He said as he gulped yet another full glass of whiskey. But he was done for the night , because if he drank more, he wouldn't be able to drive back home.

Owen didn't know what to say, but feel bad for the Irish man because he knew that this man loved Meredith Grey even if Hayes didn't know it himself yet. All Owen did was pat his shoulder in a way of reassurance.

"Look, man. Don't give up on her or your son. He's going to need the help. I didn't believe in getting help and once I did it helped me a lot through my issues and PTSD. Seek a therapist for him, it's the only way. I know teenagers, they don't like to talk about their emotions and they'd rather just be quiet about them. My advice is wait it out, seek a therapist for not just him, but all three of you. Meredith Grey isn't someone you want out your life." Owen said. In a way Hayes took this as a sign to seek help, even if he isn't the type to seek it. But knowing what Owen just said, he might as well.

"Thank you, mate. By the way, can you not mention anything about me and Meredith. We kept it a secret until all our kids were okay with it, but since it never happened, I don't want rumors around the hospital."

"That's fine with me Hayes. Anyways I gotta get going. I left Teddy with the kids by herself and I don't want her getting mad at me. Anyways see you around Hayes. Trust me things will turn okay, just look at me and Teddy." As he grabbed his bag and left.

Hayes just sat there, reflecting about what happened. It was like the waiting game, but he hated waiting because all he wanted to do was have Meredith in his arms but he couldn't. When he knew the alcohol wasn't going to affect his driving, he got up grabbed his bag and left.