Coming Back

Choices

Before I knew it I had been at Seattle Grace for a little over eight months. Cristina and I had moved in together, everything seemed fine. I was thinking about proposing, I knew we both secretly wanted to get married but I thought it was kind of soon. I walked the hallways of the hospital, having nothing really to do. I eventually found Grey and Shepard in a planning room, observing a CT. I knocked gently on the door frame and walked inside, sitting at a table and running my hands over my face, fighting over whether or not to ask her.

"What's wrong with you?" Shepard sat down across from me, Grey beside him. Without a word I grabbed a small red velvet box out of my pocket and slid it towards him.

"Awe Owen" Meredith gushed as she and Derek examined it. "She's gonna love it"

"You don't think it's too soon?" I asked taking the box back and running my finger over the closed lid.

"No" she shook her head, looking at Derek for approval, "you guys are really cute together"

"How the hell am I supposed to do it?" I asked putting the box back in my pocket.

"We'll help in any way possible" Derek chimed in.

"Thanks" I nodded and leaned back in my chair.

Meredith's eyes got wider and she cleared her throat "so Dr. Hunt, how would you assess this tumor?" She brought up the scans on the screen.

"Hey you" Christina smiled as she kissed my cheek.

"Hey" I smiled and turned back to the scan. "Could you take it out nasally?" I questioned, shifting the angle of the image.

"Yes, I think that would work" the two across the table agreed and stood. On the way out Meredith patted my shoulder reassuringly.

"What was that?" Cristina wrapped her arms around my neck as she stood behind me.

"Just helping out where I can" I sighed, hoping she couldn't tell something was up.

A little later Meredith met me in the hallway anxiously. "She's onto us" she shifted back and forth.

"How much does she know?"

"She knows somethings gonna happen, as far as I can tell" Meredith replied looking around cautiously.

"Thank you" I nodded as she sped away to an elevator. I fiddled with the box in my pocket. How was I gonna do this?

--------------

Later that night Christina and I sat on the couch quietly watching television. "Can I ask you something?" She looked up at me, her eyes serious.

"Sure" I feared what her next word would be and how I'd answer.

"Are you cheating on me with Mer?" Her voice was blunt and she meant business.

"What?! No" I furrowed my eyebrows disgusted.

"You and her have been really weird lately, sneaking off and whispering in the hallway." My heart began to sink. She really thought I'd cheat on her, and with her married best friend.

"She needed my help with some things" I answered honestly "and I needed her help as well"

"Help with what?" She stood up and crossed her arms "figuring out a way to dump Derek and I and run away together?"

At this point I was furious and disappointed. I had to tell her. I didn't want to, but I had to. "You really wanna know what we've been up to?" I raised my voice as I stood and stormed into the bedroom, coming out with the box in my hand. "Here" I slammed the box onto the table and grabbed my coat, ready to leave.

"What th-" I watched her open the box, her rage instantly melted away and was replaced by regret. "No, no" she looked up at me with tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry" she breathed as she collapsed to her knees. I stood at the front door breathing heavily and contemplating my next move. I shook my head and grabbed my keys, slamming the door on the way out. I jogged down the stairs and to my truck, driving to the hospital. That night I slept in an on call room. I honestly couldn't believe her. She thought I would cheat on her. I was ready to marry her, now I wasn't so sure.