Chasing Cars {Jackson Avery}

Chapter 2\ She's Leaving Home

"Dr. Summer's." A familiar voice coaxed Hadley awake. She had no idea how she knew the person who spoke to her, only that she did.

"Where am I?" Hadley asked weakly, still trying to get her eyes to adjust to the bright lights.

"Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. You were in an accident. A semi truck hit your car." The voice sighed.

Hadley eyes fluttered open. Despite the pain, she turned to look at the doctor. As she saw his face, his name came back to her.

"Dr. Hunt, right?"

"Derek told me about you." She said.

"Derek ? Derek Shepherd?" Owen demanded.

"Yeah, we worked together in D.C. Didn't you know that? Haven't you talk to the doctors at the other hospital?"

"What other doctors?" He asked, confused.

"The ones at the other hospital. I never found out the name of the building, but I figured you guys would have. You know, the hospital Derek's being treated at."

"Dr. Summers, what are you talking about?" Owen demanded.

"The accident, Derek was with me. It was his car." Hadley explained.

A look of shock crossed his face. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure! I know what happened. There was a car accident right in front of us, and we got out to help. We saved four people. And after we were done, we pulled over, and then this truck came out of nowhere."

Owen's face fell. "I'm so sorry, but I have someone that I need to call."

As she watched Owen run from her room, she felt downright awful, but it had nothing to do with the accident. In all of her rambling, she'd forgotten that Derek worked with all of these people, and it was more than likely that they were all friends. On top of that, Hadley was nothing more than a stranger to them, and she hated that she was the one who ended up breaking the news of Derek's condition.

But still she was hopeful that Derek was alright.

****

"Are you...Hadley Summers?" A woman appeared at the doorway of Hadley's room. She stared at the woman. She recognized her, but just barley.

"Yes. And you are?" Hadley asked her thoughtfully.

"Meredith Grey."

Hadley's head shot up in surprise. That was how Hadley had recognized her. She studied Meredith for a moment. Her eyes were puffy, as if she'd been crying for a long while. Her eyes seemed blank, like she wasn't totally present.

"How's Derek? Have you seen him yet?" Hadley asked softly.

Meredith swallowed. It took her several moments to be able to say anything. Finally, she spoke. "Derek-Derek is dead."

"What?" Even hearing those words took Hadley's breath away. "I-I'm so sorry, Meredith."

"Yeah, me too." Meredith said flatly.

Hadley winced. She felt like an idiot. She knew that telling someone who had just lost a loved one that you were sorry  for their loss was customary, but she had forgotten how much she hated hearing it herself. Because no matter how sorry she had been, that would do absolutely nothing for Meredith or her children.

"I know that I'm just some random woman that your husband used to work with, but I just thought you should know how much he loved you and your kids. He talked about you all the time, I would know, I was the one who had a listen to it all." Hadley cracked a small joke, and even Meredith gave her the smallest of smiles.

"Even a few hours before the accident, he was kept talking about how excited he was to get home to you. I don't know if that does anything to help you or not, but I just thought I'd let you know."

"Dr. Hunt told me that once you're discharged, you're starting a job here. Is that true?" Meredith asked quietly.

"Yes." Hadley nodded.

"Then I look forward to working with you."