Will Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Alex (Justin Chambers) shippers finally see their wish come true when "Grey's Anatomy" returns for its 13th season?

With reports hinting that the upcoming season will focus on the remaining original cast members, some fans have speculated the possibility of Meredith and Alex becoming involved romantically, especially after a scene last season which showed them providing comfort to each other.

"I watched that scene and I thought, 'Oh people are going to start shipping Meredith and Alex, because there's such a sense of comfort and nostalgia. They're easy and wonderful together. I've learned to never say never at this point," Shonda Rhimes said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

While a romantic relationship is up in the air for the two characters, Shonda assures viewers that they will be going through the tough times ahead together as two people who genuinely care for each other with 13 years of shared history.

Fan speculation began amid Alex's rocky relationship with Jo (Camilla Luddington) after the latter rejected his proposal. Things got worse when Alex beat up DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti) and the latter's life was put in danger.

Meredith, on the other hand, is faced with a looming love triangle involving her sister after she learns that Maggie (Kelly McCreary) is falling for Nathan (Martin Henderson) who she shared an intimate relationship with in one of the episodes.

Meanwhile, a report from the Latin Times hints that Meredith could be keeping a secret that could jeopardize her relationship with the people close to her. It is being speculated that it would have something to do with sleeping with Nathan.

As for DeLuca, Shonda shared that he too will be going through tough times when the show returns.

"We're going to get to know DeLuca a lot better, who we don't know at all, and who we've just started to scratch the surface of. Now because this thing has happened to him, he has found himself in a spotlight that he was not interested in ever being in," she said.

"Grey's Anatomy" season 13 returns to ABC on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 8 p.m. EDT.