Chapter 1
Meredith and Andy are married and have a one year old daughter when the fire hits Meredith's home. At the same time Maya collapses at the treadmill.
The alarm blared through the station, jolting the firefighters into action.
"Structure fire, residential, at Glover Street 354"
Andy froze for half a second when heard the address—her house.
"Go, go, go!" Captain Beckett barked.
Andy shoved her helmet on, her heartbeat slamming in her chest. "That’s my house!"
"Then we get there faster," Robert Sullivan assured her, already climbing into the rig.
Ben clamped a hand on Andy’s shoulder before following. "Meredith will get everyone out."
But Andy had already imagined the worst—Meredith trapped and their children, their daughter Alex crying, the house collapsing around them.
Back at Station 19
Maya ran. She ran harder than she should have, the treadmill’s belt a blur beneath her feet. Sweat dripped down her face, but she didn’t stop. If she stopped, everything caught up with her.
Then the dizziness hit.
The noise of the station faded. Her vision blurred, and the next thing she knew—
Thud.
Jack opened the station door just in time to hear the impact. "Maya?"
Silence.
His stomach dropped. He rushed in, finding her crumpled beside the treadmill, chest rising in shallow breaths.
"Maya!"
He was at her side in seconds, shaking her shoulder. She didn’t stir.
"Shit," Jack muttered, reaching for his radio.
"Station 19, firefighter down at the Station. I need an Aid Car stat"
Meanwhile at Andy's and Meredith's home
Andy was out of Engine 19 before Vic could properly stop the vehicle and put her mask on kicked the front door to get into her home. " Mer , Zola , Bailey call out!"
Soon she head her wife's voice. " Andy I'm trapped our bathroom with Alex. The bathroom box is holding the smoke. Zola , Bailey and Ellis are in trapped in the kitchen pantry. "
Andy looked around. The smoke was worse in the kitchen so she walked to the pantry and tried to open the door. " Kids I need you to get away from the door so I can get you all out. "
Andy hears Zola's voice. " We are away. Mami Ellis is having trouble breathing. "
Andy kicked the door down to find her kids cover in soot Ellis was seating on the ground caugting. Andy took of her mask and put on her daughter. Than she pulled out the pair of auxiliary masks and put on Bailey and Zola. Andy picked up Ellis on her arm. "Let's get you out of here. "
As Andy reached the outside Brackett. " Yelled her. Grey you-"
Andy cut him off. " You can yell at me later right now I'm going to save my family. " Warren Ellis has smoke inhalation. Hughes, Montogomey get a hose , Sullivan inside with me. "
Andy put Ellis on a gurney and put her mask back on before walking back inside the house. " Hudges, Montogomey open a path for us. They are on our bathroom. "
Vic nodded as she and Travis stated to attack the fire with water. Andy and Sullivan moving right behind them. Didn't take much longer before Andy arrived to the door of her room she kicked to walk inside. " Mer I'm coming. "
Andy kicked the door to the bathroom to find Meredith holding a crying Alex. " I got you mi amor. Give me Alex Sullivan will help you out. I got the older kids out we will be okay. "
Meredith didn’t hesitate. She handed Alex to Andy, her hands shaking as she brushed soot from the baby’s face. "She’s breathing, but she’s scared."
"I’ve got her," Andy soothed, cradling Alex close. She turned to Sullivan. "Get Meredith out of here."
Sullivan nodded, guiding Meredith toward the door. Andy adjusted her grip on Alex and followed, heart pounding as the heat intensified. The fire was spreading—faster than she’d anticipated.
Just as they stepped into the hallway, a loud crack echoed through the house.
"Move!" Andy shouted.
A section of the ceiling collapsed behind them, flames licking at the debris. Andy shielded Alex, ducking as embers rained down. Sullivan pushed Meredith forward, nearly shoving her out the door.
The second they were outside, Meredith spun around. "The house—"
"I know," Andy panted, clutching Alex tightly. "But we’re out."
Bailey and Zola ran to their mother, coughing but safe. Ellis, on oxygen, reached for Andy’s hand.
"I’ve got you," Andy whispered, pressing a kiss to Alex’s forehead. She met Meredith’s gaze. "We’re okay."
Nearby, Vic and Travis were still battling the flames. Beckett stormed toward Andy, but Ben intercepted him. "Not now," he warned.
At Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital
Carina had been just paiged to the ER when she saw Jack om the varge of tears she knew something was up. " Jack what happened?"
Jack shook his head I alreaved to my Shift and found Maya unconscious at the gym floor. She hit her head. They didn't tell me anything. Everyone else was out on a call so I don't know for how long Maya was out. They took her to radiology"
Carina Felt her heart skeap s beat. " She didn't go for a call and no one even bother to check?"
Jack ran his fingers through his hair. " I don't know. Maybe Backett benched her. I don't really know. "
Was than that Andy walked in with Vic in her tow. " Andrea what the hell happened? My wife passed out at the Station I told you-"
Vic cut her off. " Carina Andy just got her family out of a fire. Her home burned down so now is not a good time for a fight. Is Maya okay,?"
Carina looked at Andy with tears in her eyes. " We don't know yet. Andrea you don't look okay let exam you. Victoria get her to a bay. "
Andy shook her head. " I'm fine I need to be with Meredith and my kids Ellis was having trouble breathing. "
Carina grabbed Andy's arm. " Andrea you can't help anyone if you pass out. Just let me exam you. Jack go find Derek and Lexie to get news on Meredith and the kids. She turned to the change nurse. " Doris make sure they will page me as soon they have news on my wife. "
Andy sat on the hospital bed, arms crossed tightly over her chest, jaw clenched as Carina ran a stethoscope over her back. Her breaths were shallow, each inhale feeling like fire in her lungs. But she didn’t care about that. All she could see was the image of her house burning, her children covered in soot, Ellis gasping for air.
Carina’s voice was calm, but firm. “ Andy your lungs don't sound good at all. I'm putting you on oxigen. "
The doctor turned to the nurse. " I need a chest x-ray and a full blood painel. "
Was than that Jack walked in. " Andy Meredith and Alex have some hit exhaustion, the older kids have smoked inalathion but they will be fine. Carina Dr. Altman wants to talk to you about Maya. "
Carina took a deep breath. " Tell her to come in. "
Jack nodded an soon Teddy ess inside. " Carina your wife has a nasty concussion, a badly sprinted ankle and rabiomiolises. She is going to be fine for now but she needs to take better care of herself. You should go see her. Let me handle Leuitenent Grey. "
Carina nodded. " Okay just keep an eye on her. I ordered blood work and a chest x-ray. "
Carina walked inside Maya's too to find her wife looking extremely agitated. " Carina I need to be out of here I want to go home!*
Carina aproched Maya's bed. " Bambina you can go home. You work yourself so hard that you body stated to bake protein. Right now you are at risk of kidney failure if you don't get treatment. So at lost you want a life time of dialysis and the end of your career you need to stay here. You missed a call today. "
Maya shook her head. " I was overwhelmed Andy had just bench me for no reason -"
Carina cut her off. " The call was to Andy's and Meredith's home. You were so busy with your on shit to pay attention to the address. You need help Maya. I love you but I won't watch you destroy yourself. "
Maya’s eyes widened, the fight draining from her body as Carina’s words sank in. “Andy’s house?” Her voice was barely a whisper, her face going pale. “Is everyone… are they okay?”
Carina softened, seeing the fear in Maya’s eyes. “They’re all alive, but they inhaled a lot of smoke. Meredith and Alex have heat exhaustion, and Ellis had trouble breathing. Andy… she’s not doing great either.”
Maya’s eyes filled with tears, guilt washing over her. “I didn’t… I should’ve been there. I should’ve—”
Carina nooded. " Yes you should. But you weren't because you were to busy running yourself to the ground at the gym to run from your problems. This is all you have been doing Maya! You weren't there for Jack when he was having a mental break down, or for me when I was struggling with the IVF injections and the negative pregnancy tests and now you missed the call for your nephew and nieces home! All because you were to focus on feeling sorry for yourself because you were demoted!"
Maya took a moment to absorve what Carina was saying to her. " I'm sorry Car. I'm so sorry. You are right I need help. I promise I will do the work to get better but please don't leave me. I love you so much and I'm so sorry that I hurt you "
Carina grabbed Maya's hand her expression softening. " I love you too bambina. I want to stay but I need you to get the help you need. I need you take time of work so you can focus on healing your body and your maid. "
Maya looked at her wife. " I will Car. I promise you. I will take as long as I need. I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lose us. "
Carina kissed Maya's temple. " I don't want lose us either bambina. "
Meanwhile
Andy was put in the same room as Meredith, Alex and Ellis. Zola and Bailey had been relised and were keeping them company. Alex was in the same bad as Meredith. And Bailey and Zola were laying with a very scared Ellis
Andy shifted in the hospital bed, her body aching, lungs burning with each breath. But she barely noticed, her eyes fixed on Ellis, who clung tightly to Zola. The little girl’s face was pale, her small chest rising and falling with effort as the oxygen mask covered her nose and mouth.
“Hey, baby,” Andy whispered, reaching out to touch Ellis’s hand. The child turned to her, eyes wide with fear. “I’m right here, sweetheart. You’re safe.”
Ellis’s lower lip trembled. “I was scared, Mami.”
Andy swallowed the lump in her throat and squeezed her daughter’s hand. “I know, my love. But you were so brave. You all were.”
Bailey sat cross-legged on the bed beside Ellis, watching his sister closely. He was quiet, his usual energy dampened by exhaustion and the weight of what had happened. Zola, sitting on the other side of Ellis, reached over and brushed a hand over Andy’s arm. “Mami, you don’t look okay.”
Andy let out a soft chuckle. “I’ve been better.”
Meredith stirred in her bed, blinking up at the ceiling before turning her head toward Andy. “Hey.”
Andy’s chest tightened at the sight of her wife. “Hey yourself.”
Meredith’s eyes flicked toward the kids before settling back on Andy. “Are they okay?”
Andy nodded. “Zola and Bailey were discharged. Alex and Ellis are still being monitored, but they’ll be fine.”
Meredith exhaled deeply, her body sinking into the mattress. “And you?”
Andy hesitated. “Carina forced me to get checked out. Smoke inhalation, but I’ll be fine.”
Meredith studied her for a long moment. “We lost everything.”
Andy’s throat tightened, but she nodded. “Yeah.”
Silence settled between them, heavy and full of unspoken grief. Then, Meredith reached out a hand. Andy took it, squeezing tightly.
“We’ll rebuild,” Meredith whispered. “Together.”
A knock on the door broke the moment, and Derek stepped inside, his expression tense but relieved. “Hey.”
Zola perked up. “Dad!”
He smiled, crossing the room to place a hand on her shoulder. “You okay, kiddo?”
She nodded. “Tired, but okay.”
Derek glanced at Ellis and Alex, then turned his attention to Meredith and Andy. “ Gibson said the fire was pretty bad."
Andy shook her head. “We got out. That’s what matters.”
Derek nodded before looking at Meredith. “I brought some clothes, and Amelia is handling things at the house. You’ll all stay with my my house until we figure things out. We work opposite shift's anyway. "
Meredith exhaled in relief. “Thank you.”
Just then, the door opened again, and Carina walked in. She looked exhausted, her eyes red-rimmed, but her expression softened when she saw Andy sitting up.
“How’s Maya?” Andy asked immediately.
Carina hesitated before stepping closer. “She’ll be okay. But she’s been pushing herself too hard, and it caught up to her. I told her she needs time off to heal.”
Andy nodded. “She listen to you?”
Carina sighed. “She’s stubborn, but she promised to try.”
Andy nodded again, exhaustion washing over her. Carina glanced at Meredith before stepping forward and placing a gentle hand on Andy’s shoulder. “You did good today, Andrea.”
Andy let out a shaky breath. “Did I?”
Carina nodded firmly. “You got them out. You kept your family safe.”
Andy looked at her wife, at their children curled up on the beds, and felt the weight of the day settle in her bones. She had done her job. They were alive.
And now, they would rebuild.
Later that day Meredith and Alex had been relised but Ellis and Andy would need to be in the hospital for the rest of the night. Warren walked in. " Leuitenent Grey I tough you would want to have that. "
He handed Andy get engaged ring and her weeding band. " That you Ben. It means a lot that you found it. "
Andy slipped both rings back on her finger. " I guess we got out what really matters. That rest we can rebuild. Andy Idea how the fire stated?"
Ben nodded. " Seam's like was an electrical fire that stated on the leaving room AC the wires were good so it probably was a over charge caused by a lighting. It wasn't your fault Andy. I will let you rest. Call me if you need anything. "
At the next day Andy was discharged and went to see Maya. " Hi Bishop. Where is Carina?"
Maya turned to face Andy. " She was called into sergury. Andy I'm so sorry. For missing the alarm and for being an asshole to you. "
Ands grabbed Maya's hand. " It's okay Mai. You were struggling but girl you need to get help. You can't keep going like this. "
Maya looked down to the ground. " I know. Carina wants me to go to therapy but I don't think that will work for me-"
Andy cut her off. " Bishop I let you tried to handle on your own and look where it took you. If you don't get help I will report you too Ross. "
Maya crossed her arms. " Andy you can't do that to me !"
Ands clenched her jaw. " I can and I will. "
Maya shook her head. " I would never expected that form you. "
Andy exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down her face. “Maya, I’m not doing this to hurt you. I’m doing this because I care about you. You need help, and if you won’t take that step on your own, then someone has to push you.”
Maya looked away, her jaw clenched. “I just… I feel like I’m losing everything. My job, my marriage—now you?”
Andy’s expression softened, and she sat down beside her. “You’re not losing me, Maya. But I won’t sit by and watch you self-destruct. None of us will. Carina, Jack, the team—we all care too much about you to let you keep going down this path. If you keep pushing yourself past your limits, next time, it might not just be rhabdomyolysis. It could be worse.”
Maya swallowed hard, her defenses cracking. “I don’t know how to fix this, Andy. I don’t even know where to start.”
Andy reached out, squeezing Maya’s hand. “You start by accepting that you need help. You go to therapy. You take time off to heal, both physically and mentally. You let the people who love you support you. Or you can't continue with all that shirt and I will make sure you are spend the rest of your career handling paper work v
Maya let out a shuddering breath, nodding slightly. “Okay. I’ll go. I’ll try therapy.”
Andy smiled softly. “Good. That’s all we’re asking.”
Just then, Carina walked into the room. " So you were going to quit therapy until Andy treated your career- That is all you care about! I'm done Maya. If I don't matter to you I won't be begging for you to care. "
Carina said before walking away.
Maya looked down to the ground. " She left Andy. I just lost my wife. "
Andy shook her head. " Bishop stop feeling sorry for your self ! I had been where you are and it only got better when I got help. I fought for myself and than I fought for Meredith. You have to do the same. "
Maya took a deep breath. " Andy you don't understand-"
Andy crossed her arms. " I do Bishop. Know exactly what is going on Beckett he triggered your childhood trauma. You are acting like Lane would want you to because your brain is so messed up you feel like hi is still around somehow ready to punish you of you don't go all eyes forward. "
Maya looked at Andy. " You know me to well. I guess you are right. I'm scared Andy. Scared that therapy will open the Pandora box of my past trauma. "
Andy grabbed Maya's hand. " It will. Therapy made me realize apart of me always knew my mom had left. Part of me always had abandonment issues that was why I had some much trouble with commitment. That is why I couldn't handle not being promoted even though I wasn't ready. It was rough but you can't heal a illness you don't know. You have to do this Mai. "
Maya took a pregnant pause. " Okay I will. You don't have to treat my job. I just hope is not to late to fix my marriage. "
Andy took a deep breath. " I hope for that too Mai. But you have to do that for yourself. You deserve better than what you have been given yourself "