The truth has been revealed! In tonight’s episode of “Grey’s Anatomy,” fans of the hit ABC series finally learned the real reason Derek suspiciously fled from D.C. to Seattle. And just as we had suspected, it did have something to do with Renee Collier (Scottie Thompson), Derek’s East Coast fellow with a perky sounding voice. But hold on -- don’t grab your pitchforks just yet! There’s more to this story than was initially revealed in the opening scene of episode 17.

When “With or Without You” kicked off, Derek was sticking with the story that nothing had happened between him and his extremely smart (not to mention good-looking) employee. But Mer (Ellen Pompeo) wasn’t buying into her husband tall tale -- after all, she was his resident once too and knows firsthand just how charming Dr. McDreamy can be.

Following Derek’s alleged confession of why he returned home (which he claimed was to save his crumbling marriage), Meredith decided to go to work to try and take her mind off her shady spouse. But Mer couldn’t detach from her personal problems no matter how hard she tried.

After Mer’s long day, which included the heartbreaking death of a 17-year-old boy, the doctor returned home only to find her husband eager to tell her the truth -- the whole truth. So, brace yourselves, “Grey’s” fans, because this is what really happened back in D.C.:

Flashbacks revealed that when Derek first met Renee, he spotted just how promising she was from the get-go. She was passionate, intelligent and determined to figure out how to cure autism, a disorder that her younger sister suffered from. Over time, Derek became more drawn to Renee and her commendable research. This is what ultimately led to the duo’s one a.m. lab date (aka a recipe for disaster).

After making a late-night discovery, the twosome celebrated with cheers. But their jamboree was put on hold following a very sexually charged pause. Eventually, both parties caved, resulting in a lip locking that MerDer fans definitely weren’t pleased to witness. However, their make out session stopped when Derek pulled away.

“I can’t do this. I’m sorry,” he told her. But Renee wanted more! She acknowledged the chemistry between them, which scared Derek. “I don’t want anything other than what I have with [Meredith]. I have to go,” he said, leaving behind his house keys and cellphone. (Cue Meredith calling and Renee picking up.)

Derek then pleaded for his wife’s forgiveness. “I thought D.C. was everything and I was wrong,” he admitted. “You -- you’re everything. I love you and I’m not going to stop loving you.”

Mer’s husband added that he didn’t want to live a life where she wasn’t involved. “I’m going to do everything in my power to prove it,” he concluded.

So how did Meredith respond? Did she forgive her husband or tell him to pack his bags?

“I can live without you,” she began. “But I don’t want to. I don’t ever want to.”

Are you really surprised with the outcome? If MerDer can survive a gunman, a plane crash and other “Grey’s Anatomy” shenanigans, then they can certainly survive Renee.

Other Major Moments From Episode 17:

  1. Owen’s mother (Debra Mooney) was admitted into the hospital. But it wasn’t her Grey Sloan debut that shocked her son, it was the fact that the younger-looking man who accompanied his mother into the ER was also her boyfriend!

    Needless to say, Owen didn’t take too kindly to the news. “There’s something wrong here,” he said of his mother dating a guy who was half her age. “I think he’s using you for money.”

    Although Evelyn adored her current beau (especially his kissing) she valued her son’s opinion more. So, she broke things off with her man for the sake of her son. The stressful breakup then caused the blood pressure of Owen’s mother to drop, resulting in urgent care. But thankfully she survived -- and so did her relationship! After reconsideration, Owen decided that he couldn’t ban his mother from dating (even if the man she’s seeing was old enough to be his brother).
  2. Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) and Owen took their relationship to the next level in episode 17. Not only did Amelia get to meet Owen’s mother (who she got along with famously) but the two even decided to move things from the on-call room to the bedroom!
  3. The medical drama of the day was too interesting not to mention. A woman, who recently did a bit of traveling, came in with a major headach. But Jo (Camilla Luddington) couldn’t figure out why -- that is until a slimy, black creature came slithering out of her nose. As it turned out, a leach had crawled us her nose and was living in her cozy, damp and warm sinus cavities. Thankfully Jo managed to pulled the sucker from her patient’s nostril. And if you didn't think that the story could get weirder -- just wait! After curing the walking leach hotel, Jo opted to keep the animal as a pet.

What did you think of tonight’s episode of “Grey’s Anatomy”? Sound off in the comments section below.

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