Deluca made a shocking decision that will change Alex’s life during Season 13, episode 12 of “Grey’s Anatomy.” Prior to episode 11, it seemed the pediatric surgeon was certainly facing hard time for assaulting his co-worker and nearly blinding him, but now everything’s changed.

Alex (Justin Chambers) mysteriously goes missing in episode 11 of the ABC medical drama, sending Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and friends into a frenzy. They fear he’s been taken away to prison and are delighted to find him sleeping in Meredith’s bed. Although they’re happy to have him back, they have a lot of questions about his newfound freedom. A flashback early in episode 12 reveals the answers to those questions.

Alex is shown sitting with lawyers going over the details of his case when Deluca (Gicomo Giannioti) walks in. The young doctor reveals to the lawyer that he’s decided to drop his case against Alex. He claims that he was not truthful about what happened, telling a very different story about their fight. Deluca says it was pride that kept him from coming forward and he no longer wishes to pursue legal action against Alex.

Meanwhile, back at the hospital, everything is turned upside down. The doctors continue to ice out Dr. Minnick (Marika Dominczyk) and it’s ruffling feathers with upper management. Bailey (Chandra Wilson) calls Meredith into her office to discuss her refusal to work with Dr. Minnick and makes an unexpected decision. She suspends Meredith until further notice.

Meredith returns home where she finds Alex on his way out. He reveals that he’s on his way to meet with Bailey, unaware of what’s just happened. Alex tells Meredith his meeting is in the hopes of getting his job back now that he’s a free man and he plans to discuss her suspension with Bailey as well. Meredith urges him not to, but what are friends for?

Bailey agrees to allow Alex back after she has copies of his paperwork stating that he’s no longer being charged with assault. She refuses to discuss Meredith’s suspension with Alex and sends him out of her office in a rage.

Before leaving the hospital, Alex catches up with Deluca to say thank you and apologize for the fight, but it seems it’s too little too late. Deluca questions why it took Alex so long to say I’m sorry, telling him that’s all he wanted all along. He reveals that his motives for dropping the charges had nothing to do with feeling bad for Alex, but rather his desire to make Jo (Camilla Luddington) — whom he claims has “been through enough” — happy. It’s clear from their conversation that there’s going to be some tension between these two over Jo in the future.

Maggie (Kelly McCreary) is dealing with some surprises of her own, as her mother has unexpectedly shown up in Seattle. She’s at the hospital and is hoping to meet with Jackson (Jesse Williams) about plastic surgery. During her consultation, Jackson discovers that her problem area is much more than a skin irregularity. He biopsies the area and learns that she has an aggressive form of breast cancer. Jackson agrees to get Maggie’s mom the best care possible at home, fly out for surgery and help her tell Maggie about her diagnosis.

He arrives at Maggie and Meredith’s home later that night for the big reveal, but it doesn’t go as planned. Maggie is furious that her mother is making friends in the hospital and meeting important people in her life without her. She blows up on her mom, who quickly sends Jackson away before leaving herself. Maggie is still unaware that her mother is ill.

Back at the hospital viewers catch up with Arizona (Jessica Capshaw), who is heading home after a long day. She and Minnick are leaving at the same time and walking the same pace which forces them to talk. Minnick tells Arizona that her plan is working and Bailey may be close to getting rid of her. She then drops a major truth bomb on Arizona, suggesting that her firing isn’t what she truly wants. Minnick suggests that her being fired would force Arizona to face feelings she didn’t know she had about Minnick and the reality that they could actually be an item.

Before episode 13 ends, Jo surprises Alex at home. The two share a hug on the stoop, but do not speak. She leaves without saying a word, which makes the status of their complex relationship unclear.

Get more “Grey’s Anatomy” drama Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

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