4 Chapter 4

Later that night, Derek stood outside Lucas's room, lost in contemplation. Dr. Stevens noticed him and approached, remarking, "The kid had such a difficult life," her gaze shifting towards Lucas. Multiple scans revealed that his brain injury was not life-threatening, just a flesh wound. However, considering his other previous injuries, Lucas continued to be monitored and receive medication to aid his healing. Child Protective Services had also been informed of Lucas's presence at Seattle Grace.

"Only 14 years old and he's been through so much," Derek responded, his voice heavy with sadness. Despite the surgery he had performed earlier, Lucas's situation weighed heavily on his mind.

"It's hard to trust the system after what he's been through, even if C.P.S. takes him. He'll need extensive therapy," Stevens added, expressing her concerns.

After a momentary silence, Derek decided to steer the conversation in a different direction and inquired, "By the way, have you happened to come across Meredith and Lexie lately?"

Intrigued, Stevens responded, "I think Meredith is currently checking up on her patient who underwent reattachment surgery earlier this afternoon, and Lexie is still on her first shift as an intern, she could be either checking on Cristina's patients or managing some paperwork. Why the sudden interest?"

After a brief pause, Derek replied, "Oh, it's nothing", deciding not to give an answer. "Just keep me informed if there are any updates regarding the kid. I want to stay in the loop." With those words, he walked away from Lucas's room, leaving Stevens perplexed about Derek's heightened curiosity regarding Lucas.

From a neurological standpoint, there didn't seem to be any pressing concerns. All examinations indicated that the kid was fine, making the need for constant updates to Derek seem unnecessary. Nevertheless, as a first-year resident, she had no choice but to comply with an attending request.

As Derek made his way out of the hospital, lost in his thoughts, he was approached by Mark Sloan, who appeared from the side. Mark noticed the somber expression on Derek's face and remarked, "What's wrong with you today? It feels like there's a dark cloud following you around."

Derek let out a sigh and began to reply, "Look, Mark, not today. I--"

Before Derek could finish his sentence, Mark interjected, cutting him off, "I'm the one who could use a friend." Derek's face registered surprise at Mark's unexpected statement. Despite their complicated history, Mark had been trying to rebuild their friendship and seek forgiveness for his past mistakes. He had felt hurt by Derek's avoidance and silence.

In a moment of vulnerability and sincerity, Mark continued, "I didn't come to Seattle for Addison. I didn't come to Seattle to become Chief. I came to Seattle for you. I came here to win you back."

Both Derek and Mark were taken aback by the weight of Mark's confession. The words hung in the air, unspoken truths finally finding a voice. The tension between them gave way to an awkward silence, until Mark broke it with a hint of self-deprecating humor, "I know. I want to take it back now, but I've already said it, so..."

In that moment, both men couldn't help but chuckle simultaneously, breaking the tension. Derek wore a smile on his face as he said, "Maybe we should have that drink." Witnessing the genuine sincerity in Mark's words, Derek made a spontaneous decision to forgive him on the spot. Such heartfelt words were not easily spoken between two straight men, and it touched Derek's heart.

"Yeah, that would be nice," Mark agreed.

"Come on, let's go to Joe's," Derek suggested, taking the lead.

In an attempt to lighten the mood, Mark quipped, "I should have said those words from the start, huh."

"Shut up," Derek responded, still amused by the unexpected turn of events.

In the distance, Dr. Bailey could be seen with an awkward expression on her face as she witnessed everything that transpired between Derek and Sloan. Under her breath, she made a comment about the clear bromance the two men have, a smile marking her face.

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Meanwhile, in another world, a man reluctantly began to dress for work. He felt a growing annoyance toward the company he worked for, as they had recently implemented a mandatory return to the office policy. While he recognized the impact of the global pandemic and the lives it took, he had found solace and contentment in the work-from-home setup it produced. The absence of office distractions allowed him to swiftly complete his daily tasks within a mere three hours every single day. He had developed a clever strategy of using a mouse-clicking software to create the illusion of constant activity, enabling him to enjoy a perfect work-life balance.

However, all good things must come to an end. The 3 years of remote work he had cherished were about to be snatched away. Donning the same attire he wore before the pandemic, the man let out a heavy sigh and ventured out into the unusually quiet streets. Lost in his thoughts, he was suddenly jolted out of his reverie by the sound of screeching tires and the impact of an oncoming truck. The world seemed to freeze for a brief moment as shock coursed through his veins. Darkness rapidly engulfed him as he realized his death.