Grey’s Anatomy fans can thank the writer’s strike for at least one upcoming plot twist. Creator Shonda Rhimes tells Entertainment Weekly that time off provided during the WGA strike gave her perspective about getting Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek “McDreamy” (Patrick Dempsey) back together for good. Rhimes goal is to get them to the point where they “try to figure out what it is to be in a relationship in the future.”

EW says that Rhimes has already met with Dempsey about the potential Meredith-McDreamy reunion. She will reportedly meet with Ellen Pompeo on the matter later today. She says both actors are deeply invested in those two characters relationship.

The current state of the characters’ relationship is more “friends with benefits” than committed soul mates. Because of Meredith’s many anxieties and hang ups she and McDreamy have drifted apart in recent episodes. They’re relationship is currently a physical one only. Meredith doesn’t want him to date other people but can’t commit to being anything more to him either. The show left off with McDreamy’s budding flirtation with Nurse Rose (Lauren Stamile).

Fans will have to wait until April 24th for Grey’s Anatomy to return with five new episodes. EW says Nurse Rose will be back for all five new episodes, suggesting that Meredith and McDreamy won’t be back together anytime soon. Elizabeth Reaser will also return for three episodes as “Jane Doe”. 

Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.