Stitches of Survival

Love the One You're With

Chapter Twenty-Five: Love the One You're With

*~*~*~*

"Derek Shepherd- multiple hand fractures with a median nerve injury. Arizona Robbins- open femur fracture with resultant above-knee amputation." One of the hospital's lawyers recounted everyone's injuries from the plane crash as we all sat around one of the hospital's conference rooms. I found myself seated next to Derek, a stand-in for Mark since he was still on bed rest. Though, he had been discharged from the CCU and moved to a regular room. "Lexie Grey- deceased. Mark Sloan- cardiac tamponade with resultant heart transplant. This doesn't include extreme..."

I found myself no longer paying attention to the woman's words. Instead, I found myself replaying the events of these past few months in my head, how close I had came to losing Mark forever. Even a week later, I was still shaking, waiting to wake up and find out that all of this was just a dream. 

"How is- How is the investigation going?" Derek questioned the lawyers, clearly frustrated, too. 

"Have they found what caused the crash?" Meredith asked. 

"The investigation could take years." The lawyer for the plane company informed us. "That's why we want to help you put this tragedy behind you."

"I think you mean, you clients would like to put it behind them." Our lawyer, Barbra, shook her head. 

"So I am authorized at this time to propose a onetime settlement. Bayview Aeronautics takes your loss seriously." The man assured us as he slipped a folded piece of paper. I glanced down at the number before passing it to Derek, the paper making it's way around the table. "Now the settlement agreement must be unanimous, and it releases Bayview Aeronautics from any and all other claims, known or unknown, but... most important, it will allow you to put this painful time behind you and move on with your lives."

*~*~*~*

"That's a lot of money." Mark commented as he and I sat in his hospital room together, Melinda in my arms while Joel snoozed in a chair, Ashley having brought them over after dinner so they could see Mark. 

"And they need an answer in three days." I reminded him. "So, what do you think we should do? Should we settle?"

"I don't know," he sighed. "I mean, this money could do a lot for us, for the kids. They wouldn't have to take out loans for college or anything. We'd all be taken care of. We could even stop working."

"You, not operating?" I scoffed at the suggestion. "Yeah, I don't see that happening."

"Seriously, what are you thinking?" He asked me as I readjusted Melinda in my arms, trying my hardest not to wake her up. "Do you think we should settle?"

"I wasn't on that plane Mark. I don't really get a say." I shook my had.

"The hell you don't." He swore. "Now, what do you think we should do?"

"I don't know," I was honest with him. "I mean, I want this all to be over and behind us, but I'm not sure this is the way. How can we be sure that they'll really find and fix the problem if we take this deal? They could just brush it all under the rug and put others at risk. It's not right. We didn't know where you guys were, if you were dead or alive, for an entire week. Then we find out that Lexie- that Lexie was dead and the rest of you were hurt. Mark... they were about to take you off life support. We were so close to losing you, I honestly thought that Melinda was never going to get to meet her father. I just don't see how we can forget about that, no matter how much money they're offering."