After tampering with Derek's Alzheimer's trial, Meredith gets fired at the very beginning of season eight. And, because it's Grey's Anatomy, she gets fired amidst trying to adopt Zola . . . which prompts her to essentially kidnap Zola to get away from Social Services. But one episode later, Richard takes the fall for Meredith, telling Derek that she was just trying to help his wife. Of course, Meredith wasn't going to get fired, given that she's the main character and all.