Save My Life

Chapter 1

He had it. He couldn't stop thinking that. He had it all; The job, the land, and the girl. He still had the job, but it wasn't the same. Not without her. He didn't have the land, not to himself and definitely not with great tribulations. His wife woke every morning complaining about thing after another, and he would try to ignore it while she left the house-no, trailer cursing up a storm. He remembered the days when Meredith had stayed over and everything had been peaceful. She would turn to him and smile like nothing in world mattered to her, and he would grin back, brushing her golden hair aside and gently connecting their lips. And they would stay just like that for hours till the sun was high in the sky and their stomachs growled. At that point they would slowly make their way to his couch, kissing and making love before breakfast. He ached for those days, so much so that he thought of just running to her in the middle of the hospital and kissing her.

His particular day was harsh, and he hadn't even eaten. It was already midday and he was alone. A brush of fresh air filled all of his body as he made his way to his car after changing into his scrubs. He wanted to be inches from her again. Last night, he's seen how happy she had been with her boyfriend. Last night, he'd come home sick to his stomach, thinking about them, about his hands on her waist. When he drove to the hospital, he saw them outside and immediately his heart tightened in his chest. This was painful, tortuous even.

He couldn't stand it anymore, something in him switched. He wouldn't stand it anymore. He rounded on his patients before walking to Addison in the attending's lounge.

"Are you busy?" He asked, a bitter tone he didn't mean.
"I'm about to go into surgery, actually." She said, "Why?"
"I just wanted to tell you something." He sighed.
"Well, can it wait till tonight?" She asked, getting up.
"Yea." He said, watching her walk out of the room.
"Love you." She called and he nodded before getting up.

"Doctor Shepherd." A familiar voice called as he exited. It was like an angel's and all he wanted was to turn back and duck into her lips, lift her into his arms and make her feel what he felt.

"Yes?" He sighed, "What is it?"
"Mr. Holden in 105 said he wanted to speak with you."
"Okay." He turned back and walked beside her.
"You look tired." She said simply, gently holding his arm.
"I am tired." He said, seeing her hand on his lab coat.

Her pager rang and she pulled back and looked at it, sighing. "I have to go to the pit, I'll catch up with you."

"Can you meet me tonight?" He asked before she left. "The lobby. 8' oclock. I have to tell you something."

He smiled and his heart fluttered as she nodded. He would tell her and then he would kiss her and everything would be okay.

"Start building that house I designed. I don't care about the money." He said into his phone.

An Hour Later

"Code Silver." The speakers said and she looked up at him.
"Come here." He said deadly quiet.

She had met him soon after her page.

"I want you to get out of here." He said quietly as he pulled her into a supply closet. She was surprised by his movement and they were pressed close in the small closet.

"What does Code Silver mean?" She asked curiously.
"They're going to tell you to stay in the hospital." He said.
"Doctor Shepherd." She said, "What does it mean?"
"You have to get out." He said. "It's not safe here."
"Derek." She said, pulling herself away from him.
"It's code for an active shooter." He said quietly.

She became silent and he shook his head. "Please go."
"What about you?" She asked softly and he he hesitated.
"I'll go see what Mr. Holden needs." He said.
"But..." She trailed off as he opened the door.
"You'll have to be quick, get out the tunnel entrance."
"Who else is leaving?" She asked.
"No one else." He said as he walked into the elevator.
"Then why do I have to leave?" She asked.