'Grey's Anatomy' season 12 spoilers: Meredith and Nathan was just one night only

How will Meredith and Nathan deal with what happened between them in "Grey's Anatomy" season 12 finale? ABC

In the final minutes of the penultimate episode of "Grey's Anatomy" season 12, a potential, albeit odd, couple emerged -- Ellen Pompeo's Meredith and Martin Henderson's Nathan.

Those who are hoping these two will take things to the next level are in for bad news. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Pompeo and Henderson revealed that Meredith and Nathan's steamy night is not supposed to mean anything.

"We're going to see Meredith have flings with safer people who she knows she can't fall in love with, and know she can't really be with, aka Riggs," the actress revealed on what her character will be up to in the love department in "Grey's Anatomy" moving forward.

Pompeo also explained that her character still has this lingering fear that she will never find happiness and another great love. She felt like this with Will Thorpe and their relationship was short-lived despite Meredith genuinely into the guy.

"Riggs is super safe because everybody hates him," the "Grey's Anatomy" lead star went on to explain. Henderson agreed, adding that like Meredith, his character does not want commitment, especially with her. Add to that Meredith's view of Nathan.

"Meredith interprets Riggs as a certain kind of guy. She projects onto him her fears of what he's going to now demand of her," the actor said.

However, Henderson hinted that even though Meredith and Nathan planned for all this to be casual and nothing serious, things will start to change as "Grey's Anatomy" season 12 and also season 13 progress.

The actor revealed that due to Nathan's take on what they just developed during that life-changing night, Meredith will feel relaxed in the aftermath of their hookup.

"No one is really putting any pressure on each other. Born out of that is this nice — it's ambiguous the way it's written — but it's going to lead somewhere. But I don't know where," he teased.

Could a real relationship between the two on the cards? Many fans hope. Although many viewers are fans of the newfound pairing, Kelly McReary's Maggie won't be.

"I think she's going to be crushed. Genuinely crushed," the actress told TV Line. She added that she will express her heartbreak in the "Grey's Anatomy" season 12 finale. McReary added that their sisterhood and bond will be at risk because of this.

"Grey's Anatomy" season 12 finale "Family Affair" airs Thursday, May 19 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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