Mary's journey had been anything but ordinary. Losing her mother at eight and growing up under Derek's and Mark's guardianship, she had developed a resilience and maturity beyond her years. Now, in the hospital, Mary's journey took an unexpected turn. Initially determined to follow in Derek's footsteps in neurosurgery, having trained vigorously under him for the first few months, her rotations in trauma and cardiothoracic surgery under the mentorship of Owen Hunt and Teddy Altman captivated her. She found herself drawn to the intensity and unpredictability of these fields.
During a complex surgery, Derek and Mary were working side by side. Derek, focused and commanding, directed, "Mary, I need you to retract here, steady and firm."
Without missing a beat, Mary responded crisply, "Yes, sir."
Mark, assisting on the other side, couldn't help but smile at her response. "Look at you, Little Shep, all professional and respectful. It's impressive."
Derek's expression, however, was more complex. Pride was there, but so was a hint of something else, perhaps a pang of jealousy.
Mary's relationship with Owen Hunt had grown stronger over the months. Derek had observed them in the ER during a high-stakes situation. An incoming patient, critical and unstable, demanded their immediate attention. Owen and Mary moved with a synchronicity that spoke of deep trust and understanding.
"Mary, I need you on the chest tube, now!" Owen's voice was firm but encouraging.
"On it, Dr. Hunt," Mary replied, her hands moving with precision and confidence.
As she worked, Owen guided her, his instructions intermingled with affirmations. "Good, that's it. Keep the pressure steady."
Derek watched from a distance, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He was proud, undoubtedly, of Mary's skills and growth. Yet, he couldn't shake off a feeling of being sidelined in her life, especially as he saw the mentorship bond between her and Owen strengthening. He could not let go of the fact that it was supposed to be him giving his sister instructions.
Later, in a rare moment of downtime, Mark found Derek in the attending lounge, deep in thought. "You okay, Derek?" Mark asked, concern in his voice.
Derek sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm proud of Mary, Mark. She's doing great, but..."
"But you miss being her mentor?" Mark finished for him.
Derek nodded. "I see her with Hunt, and I can't help but feel... I don't know, left out?"
Mark clapped a hand on Derek's shoulder. "She's growing up, Derek. Finding her own path. It's a good thing, even if it's hard for us to let go. She is not the eight-year-old kid we drove to school anymore."
Derek managed a small smile. "I know, I know. It's just hard to see your little sister not needing you as much anymore."
Mark laughed, nodding in understanding. "Trust me, I know. Broke my heart when she told me she did not want to go into plastics."
Their conversation was cut short by the sound of the pager. They exchanged a look, the unspoken language of surgeons, and headed towards the emergency room.
As the day unfolded, Mary continued to impress her colleagues with her skill and professionalism. Her interactions with Owen were marked by respect and a shared passion for medicine. Derek watched them work in the OR with a complex mix of pride and nostalgia.
Mary, under Owen's guidance, was performing a critical part of the surgery. Owen's voice was steady, guiding her. "Remember, steady hands, Mary. You've got this."
Mary's focus was unbreakable. "Clamp ready, Dr. Hunt."
Derek observed from the gallery, the mentorship between Mary and Owen evident. It was a partnership of mutual respect and learning, and Derek knew, despite his mixed feelings, that Mary was in excellent hands. That did not help his underlying feelings of envy, though.
--
Over the next couple of days, Mary found herself increasingly in the company of Teddy and Owen. They shared a camaraderie that extended beyond the professional realm, often discussing cases or indulging in light-hearted conversations over coffee. Derek, observing from a distance, felt a familiar pang of jealousy each time he saw them together.
One such afternoon, Derek discreetly listened in on their conversation. Owen was regaling them with anecdotes from his military days with Teddy. "You should've seen Teddy back then, she was fearless," Owen chuckled, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia.
Teddy playfully rolled her eyes. "Oh, please, you were just as bad. Remember that time in Baghdad?"
Mary, listening intently, chimed in with genuine interest. "What happened in Baghdad?"
Owen and Teddy exchanged a look, a shared memory passing between them. "Let's just say we had to improvise a surgery in less than ideal conditions," Teddy replied, the pride in her voice evident.
"I can only imagine," Mary laughed, her admiration for her mentors clear in her eyes.
Derek couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. His little sister, whom he had always guided, was now looking up to others.
A couple of days later, Derek was paged to the emergency room for a consult. As he made his way there, he noticed Owen and Mary discussing a case, Owen praising Mary's insight.
"Your analysis was spot-on, Mary," Owen said approvingly.
Mary responded with a modest, "Thank you, sir. We had a similar case last week, so it was hard to miss the symptoms."
Just then, an emergency unfolded. A patient's condition rapidly deteriorated, sending the team into high gear. Owen let Mary take the lead. "Shepherd, you handle this."
Mary didn't hesitate. She quickly assessed the situation, calling for a crash cart. "We need to intubate, now. I need two of epi and a chest tube set," she commanded, her voice steady despite the chaos.
Working swiftly, Mary stabilized the patient, her actions precise and confident. Once the crisis was averted, Owen pulled her into a side hug. "That was impressive. I'm proud of you," he said, a certain warmth in his voice.
For Derek, witnessing this moment was a turning point. His feelings of being sidelined as a brother and mentor transformed into a complex mix of envy and gloom, which were bound to come out at some point.
--
That evening, in the comfort of their home, the tension that had been brewing came to a head. In the living room, everyone was engaged in their own activities. Mark and Lexie were chatting, Meredith was absorbed in a novel, and Mary was studying a cardiothoracic surgery textbook, a gift from Teddy.
Derek, noticing Mary's focus on the book, couldn't contain his frustration. She used to read the neurosurgery journals he gave her. "Mary, can you explain the intricacies of treating a subdural hematoma without causing additional brain injury?" he asked, his tone laced with challenge, carrying an unusual bite.
Mary looked up, surprised at the tone. "Um, that's quite advanced, Derek. I haven't covered that in detail yet."
Derek's disappointment was palpable. "You should know this, Mary. You're a Shepherd."
Mary replied calmly, shrugging, "Yeah, but that's a neurosurgery question. I'm focusing more on cardiothoracic and trauma surgery now," gesturing to her book.
Sensing the growing tension, Mark decided to test her. "Alright, explain the procedure for a tension pneumothorax and the surgical intervention necessary."
Without hesitation, Mary detailed the procedure accurately and confidently.
Mark smiled, proud. "See, Derek? She knows her stuff."
Derek, however, was not appeased. He posed another, more complex neurosurgery question, to which Mary admitted, unfazed, "That's beyond my level as a second year, Derek. And this is related to neurosurgery again - you know I haven't been on a case with you in a while."
Derek's frustration boiled over. "You've always been above your level, Mary. I didn't expect you to suddenly become ordinary."
Mary's composure cracked. Hurt and angry, she retorted, "Ordinary? I'm no longer interested in neurosurgery, Derek. I'd rather specialize in trauma or cardiothoracic surgery under people who respect me, like Teddy and Owen. You should not be putting me down just because I want to follow a different path."
Derek's reaction was sharp and bitter. "I'm disappointed in you," he said before walking out, his emotions raw.
Mark quickly followed Derek to calm him down, while Meredith and Lexie tried to console a distraught Mary. But the damage was done. Mary, feeling misunderstood and hurt, retreated to her room, leaving the family in a somber mood.
Only minutes later, Mary, on call, received an urgent page to the ER. She grabbed her keys and left swiftly, the weight of the earlier argument still lingering in the air. Back in the living room, Mark, Meredith, Lexie, and a visibly conflicted Derek watched her go. Mark turned to Derek, his tone a mix of concern and reprimand. "You were too harsh, Derek. She's not just our little sister anymore, she's a capable resident. She has the full right to decide what she wants to specialize in." Derek did not respond, his thoughts elsewhere.
Arriving at the ER, Mary shook off her personal turmoil, her professionalism taking over. The ER was in chaos, overwhelmed by patients from a major car accident. Mary quickly assessed the situation, directing interns and nurses with calm authority. "We need two triage stations here, prioritize based on injury severity. Thomson, handle minor injuries, and empty beds as quickly as possible. Leerie, assist with the critical cases. I'll take the lead on the most severe ones."
Her efficient triage system soon brought order to the chaos. Several patients required specialized consults, including neurosurgery and cardiothoracic. As she attended to a patient with potential internal bleeding, as well as another one with abdominal trauma and a potential perforated liver, she instructed an intern, "Page Dr. Hunt, Dr. Altman, and whoever is on-call in Neuro. We need them here, now."
Owen arrived foremost, immediately taking in the scene. He was impressed by Mary's handling of the emergency but quickly focused on the two most critical patients. "Mary, give me a quick rundown on the second patient," he said, his voice urgent but composed, as he tended to the first one with the liver problem.
Mary briefed him swiftly, her words concise. "Multiple fractures, possible internal bleeding, stable for now but needs immediate attention, the OR is booked."
Owen nodded, focused on his patient. "Go handle it. You're on the solo surgery for the internal bleed. I've got the abdominal trauma. Page me if you need anything."
Derek, the neurosurgeon on-call, arrived just as Mary was preparing to leave. He interjected, "She's not ready for a solo surgery, Owen."
Mary didn't stop, her determination clear. "I can handle it, Derek."
Derek moved to follow her, but Owen stepped in front of him. "Shepherd, you're needed for a head trauma consult. You don't get to decide if she is ready - I do."
A short, tense argument ensued. Derek's jealousy was evident. "She's a second-year, Hunt. It's too risky, this is not the type of surgery you should give a second-year as a solo."
Owen, his military background shining through, cut him off. "We don't have time for this. She's capable, and you have a patient waiting. Get to it, Shepherd."
--
In the OR, Mary took control with an impressive calm. She swiftly assessed the situation, her hands steady as she worked. "10 blade," she requested, her focus absolute. The surgery was complex, but Mary navigated each challenge with a skill that belied her experience. "Clamp. I can't see anything. Okay, Thomson, start suctioning, we need to stop this bleeding," she instructed, her voice steady.
Just as she finished the procedure, Owen walked in, having handed off his surgery to Bailey. He watched the final moments, his expression one of approval. He watched his mentee cauterize the final bleed, directing an intern to close up. He nodded again. "Good job, Shep. Beautifully done." His tone then took on a sterner note, "Don't let it get to your head, though."
Mary, still in her surgical zone, replied with a respectful, "Yes, sir," but her smile was undeniable.
--
The tension between Mary and Derek remained unresolved in the days following their argument. Mary, feeling hurt and waiting for an apology, kept her distance. Derek, on the other hand, was too entrenched in his stubbornness to bridge the gap.
The uneasy stalemate was tested when yet another critical case arrived in the ER: a patient showing signs of a ruptured brain aneurysm. Mary immediately paged Derek, the attending neurosurgeon, while Hunt supervised the process.
Upon Derek's arrival, Mary maintained her professionalism, addressing him formally. "The patient's CT scan suggests a potential aneurysm. We've stabilized him, but he needs immediate attention," she reported, her voice steady despite the underlying tension. She was not going to let their feud affect patient care.
Unfortunately, her older brother did not share the same sentiments. Derek, still harboring resentment, replied curtly, "I can see the scans. I don't need a second-year resident explaining them to me."
Mary, taken aback by his tone but striving to maintain her composure, responded, "Understood, sir. I'll assist as needed."
Derek, unable to mask his bitterness, shot back, "Maybe you should stick to trauma cases. Neurosurgery requires a level of experience you don't have yet."
Owen had instilled a level of discipline and respect in Mary that did not allow her to take the bait and talk back to her brother, so instead she muttered a "yes, sir."
However, Derek kept up his attitude; him calling his sister a child in front of the patient was the last straw. The sharpness in Derek's voice was too much for Mary. Feeling belittled, she turned to April Kepner, who was nearby. "Dr. Kepner, could you please take over here? I think my assistance would be better utilized elsewhere."
April, sensing the tension, nodded and stepped in without question, eyeing Derek in surprise. While there were usually no overt signs of favoritism, everyone knew that the Shepherd-Sloan trio was like glue.
Owen, returning to the ER, noticed Mary's absence from the case and approached her as she was stitching up a less critical patient. "Dr. Shepherd, a word please?"
Recognizing the authority in his voice, Mary stepped away, delegating the task to an intern. She faced her mentor, knowing he would be unhappy. Owen cut straight to the chase. "Why aren't you with your patient, Shepherd? You paged for a neuro consult. You should be there."
Mary, her frustration evident, replied, "Dr. Shepherd doesn't think my assistance is necessary, so I asked April to step in. I thought my assistance would be more useful elsewhere."
Owen, his tone stern, responded, disappointment evident in his eyes, "That's not your call to make. You're part of this team and that is your patient, so you need to see this through. Get back there, now."
Mary, starting to argue, was quickly cut off. "But, Dr. Hunt-"
"I don't want to hear it. I will not repeat myself. Let's go," Owen insisted, his authority clear.
"Yes, sir," Mary acquiesced, her respect for Owen overriding her reluctance. Had it been anyone else, any other attending, other than Altman, she would have stood her ground.
Together, they returned to the patient's bedside, where Derek and April were discussing the case. Owen addressed April, "Dr. Kepner, step out, please. Dr. Shepherd is back on this."
April exited without complaint, leaving Mary and Derek facing each other once again.
Derek, not hiding his irritation, said, "I want a senior resident on this, Owen. The kid is not experienced enough for a case like this."
Owen, standing his ground, retorted, "The 'kid' in question is a surgical resident, one of my best, who is more than capable. She stays on the case."
Derek, his voice rising, argued, "This is a delicate procedure, Owen. I need someone I can rely on, not someone who does not know what they are doing."
Owen, unfazed, shot back, "And Mary has proven herself reliable. You're letting personal issues cloud your judgment."
Derek, taken aback but still defiant, replied, "My judgment is about patient safety, not personal issues."
Owen, his patience wearing thin, countered, "Then trust the training she's received, that I have given her. She's here to learn and assist, and that's what she'll do. This is a teaching hospital, so do your goddamn job and teach."
With the tension palpable, Derek reluctantly acquiesced, allowing Mary to remain on the case. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation as preparations for the aneurysm repair began. Mary, ready to assist, followed Derek towards the OR.
However, Derek halted abruptly in the hallway, turning to face Mary with a stern expression. "You're not scrubbing in on this one, Mary. I'm not going to let a teen assist on a neurosurgical procedure," he declared, his voice loud enough to carry.
His words echoed through the hallway, capturing the attention of several attendings nearby - Teddy, Miranda, and Richard, along with Mary and Owen.
Mary, taken aback by the public reprimand, felt a sting of humiliation. Going for her age was a low blow, especially since Mary had already scrubbed in on aneurysm repairs numerous times. She opened her mouth to protest but closed it, realizing the futility of arguing in such a setting.
Owen, witnessing the exchange, stepped forward, his tone even but firm. "Derek, she's more than just 'a kid.' She's a skilled resident."
Derek, unmoved, responded sharply, "This isn't the place for her to learn, Hunt. It's a complex case."
Bailey, known for her no-nonsense approach, chimed in with a hint of disapproval in her voice, "Shepherd, we train our residents to handle these situations. Excluding her doesn't help her growth."
Despite the collective support for Mary, Derek remained resolute. "My decision stands. This surgery requires experience she doesn't have yet."
Mary, feeling a mixture of disappointment and frustration, stepped back, her eyes briefly meeting Owen's. Owen gave her a reassuring nod, silently conveying his support.
As Derek walked away, the group of attendings dispersed, each processing the unusual display of discord in their own way. Mary, feeling the weight of her brother's words, turned to Owen. "I'm sorry, Dr. Hunt. I didn't mean to cause an issue."
Owen shook his head, his expression understanding. "You didn't do anything wrong, Mary. This is on Derek, not you. Whatever is going on between you two does not give him the right to go straight for the carotid."
Mary, feeling a mixture of disappointment and disheartenment, made her way to the gallery overlooking the OR. As she watched, lost in her thoughts, Owen quietly joined her. He took a seat beside her, his presence offering a sense of solidarity. After a moment of silence, Owen spoke, his voice gentle but earnest. "Mary, I know Derek's actions hurt, but there might be more to his behavior than just professional concern."
Mary turned to him, her expression a mix of frustration and curiosity. "What do you mean?"
"Derek's always seen himself as your protector, your mentor. Seeing you grow, develop bonds with others, it's not easy for him. He's struggling with the change," Owen explained, his eyes fixed on the surgery below.
Mary considered this, her brother's actions taking on a new light. "I hadn't thought of it that way. I guess I should talk to him, explain my side."
"That might help, Mary. He needs to see you as the capable surgeon you are becoming, not just his little sister," Owen encouraged.
As they spoke, Owen placed a supportive hand on Mary's shoulder, a gesture that Mary appreciated deeply.
At that exact moment, Derek looked up from the operating table. His eyes met the scene in the gallery - Owen comforting his sister. A flare of jealousy ignited within him for the hundredth time, his emotions complicated by the sight.
--
As Derek scrubbed out of the successful surgery, his mind still churned with a mix of professional satisfaction and personal turmoil. Mary, gathering her courage, approached him in the hallway, hoping to bridge the gap that had formed between them. Teddy and Owen were nearby, deep in their own conversation, providing a backdrop to the unfolding drama.
Mary tentatively started, "Derek, can we talk?"
Derek, his emotions still raw, barely slowed his pace. He responded tersely, "Maybe you should talk to Owen instead. He seems to be a much better mentor for you."
Owen, overhearing this, intervened, sighing heavily. "Derek, that's not fair. You can't just—"
Derek cut him off, his tone laced with bitterness. "What now, Hunt? You're her advocate?"
Owen replied calmly but firmly, "I'm standing up for my resident and my friend. That's part of my job."
Derek's frustration escalated. "Stay out of it, Owen. This is a family matter."
Mary, feeling a surge of emotion, spoke up. "Owen has been treating me more like family than you have in the past week!"
Her words struck Derek deeply, misconstrued as a betrayal of the years of love and care he had invested in her. "After everything I've done for you? All these years?" he retorted, hurt evident in his voice.
Mary, her voice steady but earnest, tried to explain. "You and Mark will always be my family. But that doesn't mean I can't have other support. You have Richard, Mark has Callie, and that's okay."
Derek, however, refused to see the parallel. "It's not the same, Mary," he argued, his voice rising. "Why don't you just go join Owen and Teddy, your 'new family'," he said before storming off, leaving Mary standing there, a mix of hurt and composure in her eyes.
As Derek disappeared down the hallway, Teddy and Owen joined Mary. Teddy, understanding the emotional weight of the moment, pulled Mary into a gentle hug. "Come on, let's go to Joe's. You could use a break."
Owen, in a lighter tone, added with a joking smile, "And just a reminder, you're nineteen, so no drinking."
--
Derek arrived home, his mind still reeling from the confrontation with Mary. The house was dark, save for a dim light in the living room where Mark sat, waiting.
Mark looked up as Derek entered. "Where's Mary? It's late, or rather, early," he asked, his voice tired.
Derek, exhaustion and frustration mingling in his tone, recounted the evening's events, albeit from his perspective. "We had a confrontation. Mary basically said I'm not her family anymore," he said bitterly. "She's probably passed out somewhere in the hospital by now."
Mark, sensing there was more to the story, pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Teddy. Within moments, his phone buzzed with a reply. He read the message, his expression changing as he absorbed Teddy's version of the events, which painted a different picture from what Derek had described.
"Actually," Mark began, turning his phone towards Derek, "Teddy says they're at Joe's. Mary, Owen, and her."
Derek's face hardened slightly, his sarcasm not quite masking the hurt underneath. "Great, her new family."
Mark set his phone down, choosing his words carefully. "Derek, I think there's a misunderstanding here. Mary didn't say you weren't her family. Teddy said Mary was trying to explain that she can have other people in her life who support her, just like you have Webber and I have Torres."
Derek sighed, running a hand through his hair, the weight of his actions and words starting to settle in. "Maybe I overreacted," he admitted reluctantly.
"Maybe you both need to talk, really talk. You know, without the hospital drama in the way," Mark suggested, his tone gentle but firm. Derek nodded slowly, the reality of the situation beginning to dawn on him.
--
Mary, exhausted but not inebriated, was grateful to be home after the long, emotionally taxing night. As Teddy and Owen dropped her off, she offered them a tired but sincere smile, thanking them for their support and company. She approached the front door, where Mark, ever the vigilant older brother, was waiting to let her in.
Once inside, they headed to the kitchen, a familiar and comforting spot in the Shepherd household. Mary grabbed a glass of water, her fatigue evident in every movement. As she sipped, she began recounting the events of the night to Mark, her face lighting up as she shared the humorous anecdotes Teddy and Owen had told her.
"And then Owen said, 'If you think that's crazy, you should've seen what happened in Mosul!' Their stories were unbelievable, Mark. They had to construct OR tables from totaled cars!" she said, a hint of laughter in her voice despite her tiredness.
Mark, leaning against the kitchen counter, listened intently, his expression a mix of amusement and pride. "Sounds like you had a good time. I am glad you had fun, kiddo."
Encouraged by his interest, Mary continued, her enthusiasm growing as she recounted her handling of the ER. "We had so many cases coming in at once, but I managed it, Mark. I triaged, delegated tasks... it was intense, but I felt in control. I like trauma surgery- it is exhilarating. There's no time to think, you just have to... do. And I am good at just doing."
"That's my sister," Mark replied, his smile broadening. "You're making a name for yourself, Mary. Just like Derek."
At the mention of Derek, Mary's smile faded slightly. She hesitated before delving into the more painful part of her night - the confrontation with their brother. "Derek... he didn't want me in the OR. He did not let me scrub in on a patient who had a ruptured brain aneurysm. I have been assisting him on those since I was an intern, but he said I was not experienced enough. He called me a kid, right there in the hallway, in front of everyone."
Mark's expression turned somber. "He did what?"
Mary nodded, her voice tinged with hurt. "Yeah, in front of Teddy, Owen, Bailey, and Webber. It was humiliating, Mark. I know I'm the youngest, but I've worked hard. I don't deserve to be belittled like that just because we are at odds and I do not want to specialize in neurosurgery anymore."
Mark moved closer, his protective instincts kicking in. "You don't deserve that, Mary. Derek's going through his own stuff, but that's no excuse. You are more than capable of assisting him on surgeries, especially aneurysm repairs."
Mary's eyes welled up with tears, the emotional dam finally breaking. Mark, seeing her distress, pulled her into a comforting hug, his own frustration with Derek simmering beneath the surface.
"It's just..." Mary began, her voice muffled against Mark's shoulder, "I respect Derek so much. But it feels like he doesn't see me as a surgeon, like he does not respect me. You guys have been my only family for a really long time, and I love both of you, but I should be able to make friends, right? I should be able to choose my own career, my own specialty."
Mark held her tighter, his voice soothing. "Of course. Derek loves you, Mary. He's always been protective, but he needs to see you for who you are now. You're a talented surgeon, and you're making your own way."
As they spoke, unbeknownst to them, Derek had quietly approached the doorway, drawn by the sound of their conversation. He stood there, listening, the pain and regret in Mary's voice striking a chord in his heart.
Mary, gradually calming down, pulled back from the hug. "I just want him to be proud of me, Mark. Not just as his sister, but as a fellow doctor. I am trying so hard, I am doing so much, and it feels like he does not see it because I am not following his path in neurosurgery but carving my own in trauma."
"He is proud of you, Mary. He just has a hard time showing it right now," Mark reassured her, though his glance towards the doorway hinted at his awareness of Derek's presence.
Derek, standing in the shadows, felt a wave of remorse wash over him. Hearing Mary's words, her admiration for him, and her hurt due to his actions, was a sobering moment. It dawned on him how his protective instincts, however well-intentioned, had hindered his ability to appreciate Mary's growth and independence.
As Mark sensed the profound moment unfolding between Derek and Mary, he quietly excused himself, leaving the siblings to their long-overdue heart-to-heart conversation. Derek hesitated for a moment before stepping fully into the kitchen, the weight of the situation palpable.
Mary, wiping away the last of her tears, looked up as Derek approached. There was a mixture of apprehension and hope in her eyes.
Derek took a deep breath, his usual composure wavering slightly. "Mary, I overheard you talking to Mark. I... I think we need to talk."
Mary nodded, her expression guarded yet open to what her brother had to say. "Yes, we do, Derek."
Derek pulled out a chair and sat down, facing her. "I want to start by saying I'm sorry. The way I spoke to you, in front of everyone, it was unprofessional and uncalled for."
Mary's guard lowered slightly, her voice soft but firm. "Der, you can't talk to me like that, especially not in front of other attendings and residents. It undermines my credibility."
Derek nodded, acknowledging her point. "You're right. And you handled it with more professionalism than I did. I'm proud of you for that."
There was a pause as Derek gathered his thoughts. "I've been feeling... jealous. Of Owen. It felt like he was taking my place as your brother, your mentor."
Mary sighed, understanding dawning in her eyes. "Derek, no one can replace you, or Mark, for that matter. You've been so much more than just a brother to me. You're my family, my parent, my best friend. But Owen and Teddy, they're just mentors. Good ones, but they don't change what you mean to me. You are still the person I look up to the most."
Derek's expression softened. "I guess I've always seen you as my little sister who I needed to protect. It's hard to see you growing up, becoming this incredible surgeon."
Mary leaned forward, earnest. "But that's just it, Derek. I am growing up. And I need you to see me as a fellow surgeon too. Just like you see Mark."
Derek let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, speaking of Mark, he didn't react like I did when you chose not to go into plastics."
Mary raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile on her face. "Exactly. And you did react this way when I rejected neurosurgery for trauma. It hurt, Derek. It felt like you only valued me if I followed in your footsteps."
Derek looked down, a pang of guilt evident. "I never meant to make you feel that way. I guess I always imagined us working together in neuro. But, at the end of the day, you will make your mark, whether in neuro or trauma."
Mary's expression softened. "I still value your guidance, Derek. More than you know. But I have to make my own choices. My own mistakes."
Derek reached across the table, taking her hand. "And I'll be here for you, always. As your brother, your family, and now as your colleague. I'm sorry for not seeing that sooner."
As the first light of dawn crept into the kitchen, Derek and Mary stood up, their bond stronger than before. They knew there would be more challenges ahead, both personal and professional. But this conversation had laid a new foundation, one built on mutual respect, understanding, and an unbreakable familial bond.
--
The next day, Derek found Owen in the hospital's cafeteria. He recognized that he still had amends to make - this time with Owen.
Approaching Owen, Derek cleared his throat. "Can we talk?" he asked, his tone more humble than usual.
Owen, looking up from his coffee, nodded, surprised at the unusually modest tone. "Sure, Shepherd. What's on your mind?"
Derek took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "First, I owe you an apology, Owen. I've been unfair to you, and to Mary."
Owen's expression softened, a nod acknowledging Derek's admission. "It's been a tough time for everyone."
Derek smiled slightly, then ventured into what was truly on his mind. "You know, Owen, you said Mary is a friend to you and Teddy. That's... that's new for me. I'm used to being her mentor. I've always seen her as my little sister, but she's more than that now."
Owen leaned back, his demeanor relaxed. "Mary's impressive, Derek. Despite her age, she's mature, a great conversationalist. She would've fared well in the military."
Derek shuddered at the thought, his voice laced with a brother's concern. "Our mom was a navy nurse. The idea of Mary in the military..."
Owen raised an eyebrow, a hint of humor in his eyes. "At the end of the day, it's Mary's decision, right?"
"Sure." Laughing, Derek replied, "Just don't give her any ideas, okay?"
Owen grinned, but his tone held a measure of seriousness. "No promises. But she seems to have found her footing in trauma surgery. She has all the qualities that would make her a good soldier."
Derek joined in the laughter, then added, "Teddy and you have already had an impact on her. Her posture, the way she addresses people formally, even calling me and Mark 'sir.'"
Owen chuckled. "I never required it, but she picked up on it quickly. Chain of command, respect, discipline – they're crucial in trauma surgery. I wouldn't work with a resident who didn't display these values."
The conversation drifted to other residents, and Owen mentioned Jackson Avery. "Jackson avoids me like wildfire. I've had to ream him out more than once. He doesn't always show the respect required to senior doctors and attendings."
Derek laughed, then curiously asked, "Has Mary ever argued against you or Teddy?"
Owen's expression turned playful yet serious. "She knows better. She argues, and I would have handed her ass to her. But, she's smart, knows when to push and when to back off."
Derek nodded, a mix of pride and amusement in his voice. "She was always smart beyond her years, but man, the attitude on her... If she ever got in trouble, it was for how she spoke to me or Mark. She could talk her way out of a lot of things, but her mouth also got her reprimanded a lot."
Owen, smiling, added, "I can imagine. That wouldn't have flown with me, though. Avery literally turns around in the corridor and walks the other way if he sees me coming."
Their conversation meandered through various topics, from hospital politics to anecdotes. Derek found himself appreciating Owen's perspective, understanding more about Mary's choice of mentors and her development as a surgeon. Owen, in turn, gained a deeper insight into Derek's protective nature towards Mary, seeing it not just as overbearing, but also as a sign of profound familial love and responsibility.
As the conversation wound down, Derek stood up, feeling lighter and more at peace. "Thanks for the talk, Hunt. And for looking out for my sister."
Owen nodded a sincere smile on his face. "Anytime, Derek. We're all here to support each other, and that includes Mary."