Heels clicking on the tile floor made many heads turn. The presence of an unknown doctor always made the attendings and residents uneasy, fearing that a new co-worker could bring unwanted drama to the workplace or worse, a replacement. The hospital was being subjected to a new, but needed, change. Not many knew about the change, but many doctors suspected it. Meredith Grey was a world renowned General Surgeon who also specialized in pediatrics. Her young age and appearance threw many people off, and many just treated her like an intern. After graduating from high school and med school earlier than most, she quickly made it through her intern year and residency making her the youngest attending seen in decades.

The nurses on the fifth floor watched as Meredith Grey walked towards the chief's office, her head held high and eyes never straying from in front of her. She could feel the stares, but pretended that they didn't affect her. She reminded herself that although she appreciated the nurses help, they often were the carriers of all the gossip. She was sure that most of the staff would hear about the visiting doctor and expected a bit of a crowd by the time she stepped out of the chief's office. The Chief's secretary greeted Meredith with a smile before leading her into the Chief's office. The door opening made the Chief stand up, eager to greet an old friend.

"Meredith Grey, last time I saw you, you were a mumbling mess who made all the interns feel stupid because you could answer questions they couldn't and you were younger than them." Meredith smiled at that comment, laughing softly at that memory.

"Miranda Bailey, l haven't seen you since that year. To say your phone call was a surprise is an under statement." The duo moved to sit, and Miranda closed the blinds so people couldn't see into the office.

"Grey, I was serious on the phone. The position is yours. Your people are here, I made the best offer money wise, state of the art technology, best trauma center in the states, and I'm offering exactly what you want." Miranda leaned forward on her desk, hoping to sell the job more.

"Dr. Bailey, I'm already here. That's me accepting and it's about time I move out here and stop expecting my husband to travel to me every weekend. I already told Cristina and Alex to expect a very cool surprise, which is me." Meredith reached into her bag, pulling out the paperwork that had been emailed to her a few weeks ago. All signed, she handed them to Bailey. "I don't want a big fancy introduction I'd rather just start working." Bailey smiled, okay with her terms as she stood up and shook Meredith's hand.

"Go surprise Yang and Karev."

The whispers had already started, and that didn't change especially when she walked into the vacant Chief of General's office. She sat her purse down, smoothing her black skirt, a nervous habit of hers, before grabbing the white lab coat that held her name and credentials. She exited the office, a small smile on her face as she roamed the hospital. Meredith wasn't planning on actually working today, but getting a feel of the hospital once again and seeing old friends was on the agenda. She headed to the pediatric center, knowing that Alex would be around there but to also familiarize herself with the layout. The elevator ride was short and uneventful, and the short walk to the nurses station was filled with more stares. She turned the corner to find Alex working on some charts. Meredith made her way over there, slowly and quietly before placing her hands over his eyes.

"Jo, I'm working."

"Good thing I'm not Jo." Alex turned quickly at the sound of his best friend's voice. He smiled, a laugh escaping his mouth as he pulled Meredith into a big bear hug. Alex hadn't seen Meredith in person in a few years. The last time they were together was when Cristina and Owen had gotten married.

"Mer, what are you doing here?" Alex asked as he pulled away, not believing she was in front of him. "Does Cristina know? How long are you staying?" It was at this point in time that he noticed her lab coat. Meredith Grey, Chief of General Surgery. His eyes widen before he hugged her again. "You're staying? For real this time?" Meredith laugh, smiling as she hugged him again.

"Yes. I'm staying. And what do you mean 'this time'? Last time I was only here for a consult and I never actually made it to inside the hospital because the patient coded and died while I was on a plane," she reminded him. Alex and Meredith had been friends since med school, having gone through everything with him and Cristina. Alex was like her big brother, and Cristina was her person. People always asked her what she meant when she referred to Cristina as "her person" and her answer was simple, 'she's the person I go to for everything. The person I can't live without,I can't stay mad at, and the person that supports me in everything that I do. Being someone's "person" is a commitment. A commitment that Cristina and I promised to be to one another,' and usually they would leave her alone after that. Alex pulled her into a hug one more time before turning and placing the tablet on the table and pulling Meredith in the direction of the pit.

"Have you seen Derek yet? Of course not, he'd be following you around like a lost puppy. Wait, you found me first? Does this mean you like me better than Yang?" His smile was huge as he continued, "I always knew you liked me more!" Meredith laughed and shook her head.

"Now where's this wonderful fiancée I've heard so much about? As your Best Woman, I kinda need to know her to approve of this wedding."

"She currently in surgery with God himself." Alex winked and laughed, spotting the person he was seeking out and prepared himself for the moment he's been dreaming of all his life, even though it is clear the person was previous engaged. "Christina Yang, I have some bad news. I took your spot on the best friend list, I'm now number one."

"Karev, I'm with a patient. I apologize, Mrs. Keely, but your labs look clear and you should be good to go home within the hour." Dr. Yang stood up and pulled the curtain around the bed, rolling her eyes as she turned towards the number one nuisance in her daily life. "What did I say about disrupting, Karev? You're just as bad as the interns, I swear—" Her hands flew to grab Alex's form as she stared at the smiling woman behind him.

"Now Cristina, he's came a long way since we first met him. Cut him some slack."

"Meredith Grey, you're suppose to be in New York mending children's stomachs and waiting for our FaceTime session that's due to start in two hours!"

"But I'm here instead. To stay."

"To stay?" Yang looked at Karev for confirmation, Alex nodding his head enthusiastically before Cristina let out a squeal that was very out of character. "I can't wait to terrorize the interns with you, and believe me, they are all dumb." Cristina and Meredith hugged, something they hadn't done in so long that it felt foreign.

"Now if you don't mind, I have a surgeon who isn't aware of my presence and a claim to stake." Mer smirked and winked at the duo infront of her before strutting down the hallway, a new purpose fuelling her steps.

The gallery above OR 1 stared at the woman who stared intently at the surgery below. She hadn't bothered to take a seat when she step inside, not that she could if she had wanted to, but rather had walked right up to the glass and immediately immersed herself in the complex procedure below.

Dr. Derek Shepherd had a patient with an exposed brain on the table, looking like he was just about to finish. His voice filled the viewing area and it soothed Meredith instantly. He handed off his tools and started taking off his surgical gown, before asking Dr. Jo Wilson to close up. Meredith held a look of disbelief, having never seen Derek teach and allow someone to take over such an integral part of the procedure, she pressed the intercom and spoke with a smile.

"Derek Shepherd letting someone close? If the medical journals could see this!" All eyes snapped to her, but Derek was the only one she made eye contact with. They mirrored one another's smile before Dr. Shepherd turned and ran to scrub out of surgery and go find Meredith in the lobby. He didn't have to wait long as he practically ran into her in the hallway. He grabbed her face in her hands, pressing his lips to hers and momentarily forgetting where they were. They broke apart at the sound of a catcall, which cause the couple to laugh.

"Mer, what are you doing here?"

"Wow! Can't a wife just surprise her husband at his workplace?" She rolled her eyes playfully but savoured the feeling of being in his arms.

"Meredith, you haven't came and visited Seattle unless for work in the last four years. The innocent act isn't going to work for too long." His smirk was set in stone and Meredith silently questioned herself how she ever allowed herself to be apart from the amazing human in front of her.

"I got an email a few weeks ago from a certain Chief of Surgery, and I had to come to town to meet her and give her an answer." Derek raised an eyebrow at her words, urging her to continue. "You better get started in the building of my dream house. Living in a trailer with your ego doesn't sound too appealing."