Coming Back

Dinner and Disaster

I knocked on the door and stepped inside, finding Derek half asleep at his desk, paperwork everywhere. "You alright?" I questioned moving to sit in the chair facing his desk.

"Yeah, yeah" he sighed, rubbing his eyes and sitting up. "So much to do" he shrugged, going back to where he'd left off.

"I get it" I chuckled as I stood up and patted him on the shoulder. I grabbed my clothes and said goodnight, finding a place to change.

After I was done and had made sure I looked alright I started for the truck, waiting for the text saying she was on her way.

"Owen!" An excited Teddy Altman rushed towards me, obviously on her way to the OR. "You look nice" she mused as she stood on her tiptoes to fix my hair.

"Date with Christina"

"She's probably pissed" she laughed

"Very" I nodded shaking my head. Just then my phone buzzed, showing the text from Grey. "Wish me luck" I raised my eyebrows as I showed her the message.

"Good luck" Teddy gave a small wave as she started towards the elevator. "Don't screw this one up" she gave me a serious glance before she stepped on and the doors closed. I was wasting time, if I wasn't in the truck she would have bolted for the fifth floor.

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Dinner went astonishingly well. We talked about our pasts, families, and hopes for the future. I was driving back to her apartment, Christina had fallen asleep and was snoring lightly on my chest. For the first time in what seemed like forever I was honestly content with everything in my life, great job, great friends, and an amazing future for Christina and I to come.

Once I had parked I turned off the truck, watching her snuggle closer to me with a slight shiver. I slowly opened my door and groaned as light filled the dark cab, waking the tangled mess of red dress and black hair beside me.

"What the hell?" She groaned as I slipped out, pulling her out slowly and placing her feet on the ground. She immediately fell into me, relying entirely on my body to keep her upright. "Me sweepy" she mumbled

"Alright come on" I bent down and gently picked her up under her knees. She snaked her arms around me and nuzzled my neck. Once we had gotten to the door I fished her keys out of her purse and unlocked the door, pushing it open. I went straight to her bedroom, sitting her down on the edge of the bed and helping her out of her dress and heels. She relaxed into the warmth of her comforter as I gently kissed her cheek.

"Noooo" a small voice growled as I started to leave the room. I shook my head unbuttoning  my shirt and slipping off my shoes. I climbed in beside her and sighed, I too was exhausted. "Do we have tomorrow off?" She whispered as she wrapped herself around me.

"You do, I'm pretty sure Grey does too" I gently stroked her hair and took a deep breath, beginning to doze off.

It was all downhill from there.

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I woke to a sudden drop, above me was a terrified Callie and beside me I could see Christina coughing and gasping for air.

"W-What happened?" I managed, slowly riding to my feet.

"I heard screaming and I ran in here, you were on top of her mumbling things while you choked her!" Callie yelled

"I choked her?" My eyes darted from Callie to Christina just as she made a mad dash for the bathroom, slamming the door and locking it behind her. My mind raced, trying to remember what happened. I hear soft sobs from behind the door, breaking my heart slowly.

"Christina" Callie knocked lightly on the door "let me in?" She asked, continuing to glare, her eyes locked on me.

"Meredith" her small voice squeaked between sobs.

I started moving towards the dresser, my phone next to my wallet. Callie stepped in front of me, opening the path to the front door. "You've done enough" her voice was cold and firm. I stared at her, my gaze then traveled to my hands. They were rough, callused, and red. I opened my mouth to say something, but couldn't find words. Callie was on the phone, a watchful eye on me. I could hear a tired voice on the other end, which quickly turned into concerned, shrill cry.

Meredith arrived a short while later, still in her pajamas. She came straight into the bedroom, passing Callie and stopping in front of me. "What happened?" She asked with a small amount of sympathy 

"I don't know" my voice was raspy and weak.

"Mer?" I heard a break from the sobs and the lock turning once more.

"I'll talk to you later" she nodded and walked inside, shutting the door behind her.

I did know what happened, it had happened before, I woke up to loud banging on my door, my neighbors saying they heard screams. I gathered that I had been dreaming, I probably woke her, when she tried to wake me I protected myself. When this happened I was in full combat, the makeshift hospital being raided. We raced to save ourselves as well as our patients, the patients often coming first.

I was mortified, I could have killed her. I could have killed the woman I love.