7x1: "With You, I'm Born Again"
One month. It's been one month since the hospital shooting. It hasn't been easy. I'm recovering bit by bit every day and I am fine.
I was walking through the halls when I felt an arm around my waist.
Mia: "Hi sweetie." I look up at my boyfriend and smile at him. Jackson and I have been doing well as a couple.
Jackson: "Hey angel. You have your meeting with Perkins today, right?"
Mia: "Yeah I do. I need him to clear me for surgery."
Jackson: "Are you sure you're okay to go into surgery, baby? You could give it a few more days or something. You don't have to dive right into it. You're still recovering."
Mia: "Babe, I need to save patients. I miss being in surgery."
Suddenly, I get a text from Mer.
Mer Bear 🐻 : "ur idiot dad was arrested again."
Me: "Are you serious?? That's the second time. Do you need me to get him?"
Mer Bear 🐻 : "No, I have him. We're walking into the hospital now. Come find me."
Mia: "I have to go yell at my dad. He thought it would be fun to get his stupid ass arrested for the second time."
Jackson: "Have fun sweetie. Good luck with Perkins."
Mia: "Don't. Anywho, see ya later. Bye!" I kiss my boyfriend goodbye then I run off to meet Mer and my dad. I find Cristina walking the halls and I stand next to her and read over her shoulder.
Mia: "I love that one."
Cristina: "Really?"
Mia: "It compliments your skin tone."
We see my dad and Mer get off the elevator.
Dad: "You said that already."
Meredith: "Oh, Derek got arrested again. Reckless endangerment."
Dad: "Meredith."
Cristina: "Did he lose his
license yet?"
Meredith: "Oh no, because they don't charge him."
Mia: "Let me guess. It's
because they worship him?"
Meredith: "Yes!"
Dad: "Because I saved some of their lives."
Meredith: "What are we picking?"
C&Mi: "Dress color."
Mia: "Cristina isn't wearing white."
Cristina: "Baby Shepherd's right. It's sexist and... vaguely racist."
Dad: "Oh."
Cristina: "No white, no veil, no rice."
Meredith: "Well, what will your mother say?"
Cristina: "No mother."
Meredith: "You know, I didn't get clear for surgery... and I'm pretty sure it's your fault."
Mia: "I'm probably not gonna get cleared considering that I'm pretty sure Perkins has my file"
Dad: "Meredith, I am the Chief. I can overrule the counselor."
Meredith: "You can?"
Dad: "Yes."
Mia: "Will you get your incredibly amazing daughter whom you love so much cleared for surgery?"
Dad: "... fine. Only if you agree to go to therapy."
Mia: "I don't need it"
April walks next to my dad and starts talking about a skull base chordroma. She was cleared for surgery so Mer and Cristina both call her a bitch. I was just happy for her. Not everyone can move on after they lose their loved ones.
I hear clapping and I look up to see most of the hospital staff clapping for my father. I catch Jackson's sight and I run up to him as my dad walks up the stairs.
Jackson: "Hey again."
Delilah: "Hey you."
Jackson hugs me and pulls me close to his chest.
Dad: "Thank you very much. It's, uh, it's great to be back. First of all, I'd like to thank Dr. Webber got stepping up in my absence. Thank you.
I start clapping for Dr. Webber and I smile up at my dad."
Dad: "Before I say anything more, I'd like to take a quick second to acknowledge the return of my beautiful daughter. She took bullets for me to save my life and now she's back and better than ever. Welcome back, Mia. I love you, sweetheart."
My smile grows bigger as everyone starts clapping and cheering for me, Jackson is a little bit louder than everyone else.
Dad: "Uh, I'm grateful to all of you, for all of your support during my recovery.
Thank you. Uh, it's just, uh, so great to be back as Chief. I'm grateful for the, uh..."
I notice my dad looking at the scans for the skull chordoma for a moment.
Dad: "I'm sorry. That's a lie. That's what people say and, uh, the truth is... I hate being Chief. I hate it."
My eyes widen as I hear everyone start to murmur.
Dad: "Chief Webber... Chief Webber is our Chief. Um... and I'm sorry, but this giant... sorry, I gotta go look at this chordoma. I, um, I'm sorry, but... I quit."
My eyes widen more as my dad walks away with April.
Mia: "he was supposed to clear me for surgery. Now I have to go to my stupid meeting with stupid Perkins! He could've at least quit after he got me cleared." I groan and lean my head on my boyfriend's chest as I complain.
Jackson: "Come on baby. The faster you go through this meeting with Perkins, the faster you get cleared for surgery."
Mia: "I know. I just don't wanna talk about my stupid trauma or whatever."
Jackson: "Princess, your "stupid trauma or whatever" isn't stupid. You need to talk about it. I know you don't want to because you're being stubborn, but you have to."
Mia: "I hate that you take care of me."
Mia: "Baby, I care about you. I want to help you."
Mia: "I know baby, but I just wanna put it behind me."
I let out another groan when I heard my pager go off.
Mia: "Time to go talk about my stupid trauma or whatever with stupid
Perkins."
Jackson: "See you later?"
Mia: "Mhmm."
Jackson: "Page me if you need me."
Mia: Hmm.
I quickly checked to see if my dad or Mark was around and when I saw that the coast was clear, I kissed Jackson and then ran off to my meeting with Perkins.
(but they are in scrubs)
-conference room-
Perkins: "How are you feeling today Dr. Shepherd?"
Mia: "thankful that I'm still alive."
Perkins: "You seem to be doing better than the last time I saw you."
Mia: "Well you asked them and I'm fine. Nothing I couldn't handle."
~Flashback~
I'm sitting in between Jackson and April in a mandatory therapy session with Andrew Perkins. They want us to talk about our trauma.
Jackson was holding my hand for support.
Perkins: "Does, uh, anyone have anything to say? I know that, uh, a lot of you are only here because this has been mandated. So, let's talk."
The room was silent for a little bit. Nobody had a word to say.
Perkins: "Anything at all?"
Cristina: "I ate a really good taco from one of those trucks by the side of the road."
Meredith: "When?"
Cristina: "Last night. You were asleep."
Mia: "I wasn't. You could've texted me."
Jackson: "Which one? The one on 7th?"
Alex: "I wanna go. I like tacos."
Mia: "same. Babe, can we go get some tacos after work?"
Jackson: "Sure princess."
April: "Me too. Can I tag along"
Mia: "Of course Aps "
Lexie: "I read a book... about the history of mass murders in the US.
That's- that's the actual name of what happened to us. It was a mass murder. You can call it a terrorist attack because the murders weren't political. And we weren't the victims of a serial killer, because Mr. Clark would've had to murder several people over a period longer than 30 days to qualify as a serial killer. We could call it a spree killing... which is defined as killings at two or more locations with no break or pause in between, because Mr. Clark shot that guy in his car before he got here. But I'm not sure that that counts as a true second location since it was so close to the hospital, which means that we were a mass murder because it happened in one place by one person, and more than four people were killed."
I chuckled while others went silent.
~present day~
She sat, her stoic countenance concealing the turbulence within, seeking surgical clearance but inadvertently opening the door to a cascade of memories.
"I'm here for surgery clearance, not therapy," Mia declared, a resolute tone maintaining the façade of control. ( As she spoke, echoes of her infancy reverberated, recalling the desperate cries of a newborn against the backdrop of a chilling attempt on her life.)
Dr. Pierce, composed behind the desk, acknowledged Mia's intent with a nod.
"Indeed, Mia. However, unraveling the tapestry of your past can illuminate the path forward."
Mia, exhaling slowly, delved into her history. "My biological parents tried to drown me as a newborn. It was a fight for survival from the very beginning." ([Images flashed of a vulnerable infant, engulfed by icy water, struggling against the threat of drowning.])
"At twelve, Addison and Derek rescued me. A supposed haven, but life had other plans," Mia continued, her voice steady, betraying little of the turmoil within. ([A vivid snapshot emerged] The doorstep of a new life, faces beaming with hope, yet shadows lurking beneath the surface as Mia entered a realm of familial refuge intertwined with abuse.)
She spoke of betrayal, Addison and her godfather Mark's infidelity, and the fragility of trust shattered. "Their actions shattered the illusion of safety. Family, too, could be a battleground." ([A scene unfolded] of confrontations and shattered illusions, emotions raw against the backdrop of familial betrayal.)
"At sixteen, I chose a different battleground – the army. Shot, stabbed three times in the back, made decisions that would haunt anyone," Mia recounted, her stoic face masking the turmoil of her military service. ([Visions of a young recruit] navigating the physical and emotional battlegrounds, marked by the trauma of being shot, stabbed, and the excruciating decision to unplug a comrade, a friend forged in the crucible of war.)
"And in sacrifice, my team and I served our country. Sacrificing ourselves for a cause greater than us," she continued, her voice unflinching. ([A tableau emerged] of the last mission, shadows of camaraderie, and the weight of sacrifice, with Mia standing as the sole survivor.)
Dr. Pierce, a silent observer, absorbed Mia's narrative, sensing the weight of each recollection. "How did you navigate these relentless challenges?" the psychologist inquired.
Mia, with a fleeting softness, shared two powerful quotes that had anchored her through the storms. "During abuse, I'd tell myself, 'Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.' And during the toughest moments in the army, 'I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.'"
([Images flashed] of Mia whispering these mantras to herself in moments of darkness, using them as a lifeline in the tumultuous sea of her past.)
"I am a survivor," Mia affirmed, her eyes holding a depth of experience. "I don't seek pity. I want to leave my past behind and continue saving lives."
Dr. Pierce, respecting Mia's resilience, redirected the conversation. "You are undeniably strong, Mia. I believe you're capable of navigating the challenges ahead."
Mia, with a hint of defiance challenged the psychologist. "Admit it, then. Acknowledge that I'm a strong young woman who doesn't need therapy but requires clearance for surgery."
After a thoughtful pause, Dr. Pierce conceded, "You are indeed a strong young woman, Mia. You have my clearance. Go out there and continue making a difference."
As Mia left the office, with a slip from Perkins. The weight of her past lingered, but there was a newfound clarity in her gaze. She carried her scars with pride, a survivor unburdened by pity, ready to face the future she had fought so hard to claim.
I wrote to Aunt Amelia
Mia: *picks up her phone and dials Aunt Amelia's number*
Aunt Amelia: Hello, Mia! How are you, sweetheart?
Mia: Hi, Aunt Amelia. I have some news to share with you. I just had a session with my psychologist, and she cleared me for surgery. It's finally happening!
Aunt Amelia: Oh, Mia, that's wonderful news! I'm so proud of you for going through all of this. You're such a strong young woman.
Mia: Thank you, Aunt Amelia. It hasn't been easy, but I'm determined to move forward. And speaking of moving forward, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about.
Aunt Amelia: Of course, dear. What is it?
Mia: Well, you know how I've been spending a lot of time with Jackson lately? We've been getting closer, and I wanted to let you know that we're dating now.
Aunt Amelia: Oh, Mia, that's fantastic! Jackson is a wonderful young man, and I've seen how he cares for you. I'm thrilled for both of you.
Mia: I'm glad you're happy for us, Aunt Amelia. It means a lot to me. Oh and Nor dad nor Mark didn't know about us.
Aunt Amelia: Thank you for telling me, Mia. I'll keep this secret from them. You know I'll always be here to support you in whatever makes you happy. I hope this new chapter brings you all the love and happiness you deserve.
Mia: Thank you, Aunt Amelia. Your support means the world to me. I couldn't have gotten this far without you.
Aunt Amelia: You're like a daughter to me, Mia. I'll always be here for you.
Mia: Thank you for everything.
Aunt Amelia: It's my pleasure, sweetheart. Take care of yourself, and remember, I love you.
Mia: I love you too, Aunt Amelia. Talk to you soon.
Aunt Amelia: Goodbye, Mia.
Mia: Goodbye, Aunt Amelia. *hangs up with a smile on her face*
I get a text from my dad.
Coolest Dad Ever: "ur scrubbing in on the skull chordoma. Please tell me you were cleared for surgery because I want/need my daughter by my side"
Me: "I just got cleared for surgery. Wait, don't you still need to get cleared??"
Coolest Dad Ever: I'll be fine sweetheart. Are you in or out?
Me: in. 100% in.
-Later-
I'm eating lunch with Mer, Cris, Lexie, and Jackson in the tunnels. I was sitting on Jackson's lap with his arms around my waist as I talked to Mer and Cris.
They've been supportive of my relationship with Jackson. Plus, I made them swear not to tell my dad or Mark about it. Most of my friends know already but I haven't told Dad or Mark. I'll tell them at some point but I just want to find the best time to tell them. Anywho, we start talking about the wedding.
Jackson: "I dig weddings. I do a mean chicken dance."
Cristina: "Oh, there will be no chicken dance. And if you start a conga line, I will physically throw you out."
Jackson and I both chuckle at Cris as I lean my head on his shoulder. I see April joining the group.
April: "We just went to the cafeteria, and some nurse called me Reed and then said, "I thought you died"."
Lexie: "Yeah, you don't go to the cafeteria for lunch. They just point and stare."
Jackson: "Is that why you dyed your hair?"
I chuckle and playfully hit Jackson as Lexie glares at my boyfriend.
Cristina: "They stare because we should've died."
Delilah: "Yeah, I'm supposed to be dead right now." Jackson hits my shoulder and gives me a pointed look.
I shrugged my shoulders
Lexie: "Pack a lunch. Keep it in your locker."
I see Alex walk by with a sour look on his face. His face immediately goes from a frown to a smile as he shows us his slip to be cleared for surgery.
Meredith: "You are kidding me! You got cleared?"
Alex: "It's down to you, Yang, Hudson, and Mimi now."
Mia: "actually..... I was cleared earlier today. My meeting was after my dad quit being Chief."
Meredith: "You got cleared and didn't tell me?!"
Mia: "Sorry."
Meredith: "I hate you."
Mia: "Love you too Mer."
Meredith: "That is not funny."
Mia: "Well, Perkins is no dummy."
Cristina: "She's not wrong. He can see the crazy right under the Meredith Grey surface."
Meredith: "Again Cristina, it's not funny because you're not gonna get cleared either, and the two of us are gonna be serving slushes at the multiplex."
Cristina: "Really? I'd choose dermatology over multiplex."
Mia: "Same, to be honest."
Jackson: no, I'd go gynecology over dermatology.
Cristina: "Oh, of course you would. Perv." I chuckle at Cris and punch Jackson.
Jackson: "You know I don't mean it, baby."
Mia: "Sure you don't."
Jackson playfully glares at me as I give him a mischievous smile then I kiss him.
Cristina: "blegh! Go be a cute couple somewhere else."
Mia: "Shut up Cris. You and everybody else have been on our asses to get together and we finally are, so suck it up."
Lexie: "I think I'd go with Psych."
We all look at Lexie.
Lexie: "That was a joke."
We all let out a small forced laugh.
Jackson: "That was good."
Mia: "Really good one Lex."
Meredith: "Anyway, I don't know what Perkins' problem is with me."
Cristina: "Maybe he saw your file."
Alex: "Maybe he knew your mother."
Jackson: "Maybe he heard how you told the shooter to shoot you."
Meredith: "Not funny."
Jackson: not a joke." I whack Jackson on the arm.
Mia: "Be nice."
Jackson: "Sorry baby."
Suddenly, I see Bailey walk over to us.
Mia: "Dr. Bailey!"
April: "Welcome back."
Alex: "You okay?
Bailey: I'm happy to see you all. Especially you Shepherd, I'm glad to see you alive."
Mia: "It's hard to kill me"
I give Bailey a genuine smile.
Bailey: "Karev, there's a patient in 2304 that needs an endoscopy. Grey and Yang, surely your paychecks cover more than stuffing your face in the basement. Get to the clinic now. And you two... I'm sorry about the loss of your friends."
April: "Thank you."
Jackson: "So are we."
I grab Jackson's hand and squeeze it.
Bailey: "2213 has a bowel impaction, and I'm sure as hell not about to stick my hands in there." I kiss Jackson before walking away to find my dad.
Mia: "Hi!"
Dad: "Hey baby." My dad wraps his arm around me and kisses my temple.
Dad: "You ready to go into surgery with me today?"
Mia: "Of course dad"
Dad: you think you're ready to be back?
Mia: "I'm sure dad"
-Surgery-
I take a deep breath before walking into the OR where my dad, Callie, Mark, and Lexie are waiting. I look up at the gallery and I see a bunch of people looking down at us. I make eye contact with Jackson and he smiles at me, causing me to smile under my mask. We put our patient under and we start the surgery.
-the next day-
Cristina is getting married. I'm in my apartment getting ready for the wedding when I get a text from Mer.
Mer Bear 🐻: your dad was arrested. Again!! Permission to kill him?
Me: "Permission denied. As much as he deserves it, I still need my father haha.
Just check on him then leave him in there for the night. Get the rings from him and leave."
Mer Bear 🐻: "this is why you're my favorite Shepherd."
Me: "I know."
As I finish my makeup, I hear the front door open.
Jackson: "Hey baby!!"
Mia: "Hey! I'm in my room."
I start touching up my hair when I see Jackson walk into the room dressed in a suit. I turn around and smile at my incredibly sexy boyfriend.
Mia: "damn. My boyfriend is hot. How did I get so lucky?"
Jackson: "I could say the same about you."
Jackson walks over to me and kisses me, causing me to smile into the kiss.
Mia: "We should get going. I need to check in on Cristina and make sure she makes it down the aisle."
Jackson chuckles at me as I grab my purse. I take his hand in mine, Rex trails near my leg. Then we drive to Mer's.
Once we get there, I bolt upstairs to Mer's room to see Cristina in her dress. I felt tears in my eyes looking at my best friend who looked so beautiful. But I keep them inside.
Mia: "Oh Cris.."
I walk up to my best friend and hug her.
Mia: "You look so beautiful."
Cristina: "Thank you, baby Shepherd. Can you help me out here?"
Mia: "Of course."
I take Cristina's necklace and help put it around her neck.
Cristina: "I'm doing the right thing, right baby Shepherd?"
Mia: "Yes you are. You are marrying Owen because you love him and this is what you want. You are getting married, Cristina. You are doing the right thing.
Owen loves you and you love him, and this is what you both want. You're ready Cris."
Cristina lets out a deep breath.
Cristina: "You're right."
Mia: "Of course I am. I'm always right. I need to be."
Cristina chuckles at me.
Cristina: "How are you and Avery doing?"
Mia: "We're doing good. He's been good to me." I hear the door open and I see Mer come in.
Cristina: "I never gave you any crap about your post-it."
Mer joins us and stands on the bed with us.
Meredith: "You look beautiful."
Cristina: "I know. How's Owen? Is he good?"
Meredith: "Owen's perfect."
The three of us link arms and we walk down to see Owen waiting at the bottom of the stairs. We give Owen to Cristina then we walk out into the living room. I stand next to Alex as Cristina and Owen walk down the aisle.
Throughout the ceremony, I look over at Jackson with nothing but love in my eyes.
Jackson sends me a wink, causing me to smile at him.
I was smiling, watching my best friend and
Owen places their rings on their fingers and exchanges dos.
I want that. That's what I want. Because I deserve the happiness. And I want to live happily for my teammates who sacrifice themselves for me.
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