Meredith stood staring at a blank whiteboard in the lab. She had walked over to it knowing exactly what she wanted to write on it, but now she just stands there lost in thought. It had been three days since Andrew's father had left to return to Italy. Andrew had not spent those three days avoiding her technically. He had scrubbed in on two of her surgeries and talked to her when required, but he was not his usual self, and this unnerved her more than she wanted to admit. She had gotten used to their stolen moments everyday. Being near him was becoming a necessity and her new normal. If someone had told her a year ago she would feel so drawn to Dr. Andrew Deluca she would have laughed until she cried. Now here she was essentially pining for him when she should be working. She and Deluca were in a place she definitely had not seen coming, but the last three days had confirmed for her that she was not ready for whatever this was with Andrew to be over.

"Hey, Mer, have I told you how much I love you," Alex said with genuine warmth in his voice as he walked into the lab and over to her.

Meredith continues looking at the whiteboard as Alex walks up. She replies, "Yes, you have told me, but you definitely should tell me more often. What exactly am I being thanked for?"

"For having my back with the board this morning. I was reckless to move forward with Deluca's dad. You warned me, and you were right, but you had my back in the meeting this morning anyways."

"Vincenzo had a really great idea, so I understand why you gave it shot, and in the end no patients got hurt. I had no reason not to support you, Alex."

"Thanks again though just the same," Alex says turning to look at Meredith.

She turns to meet his eyes, and they share a brief warm smile.

Alex ends the sappy moment, "Umm why are we staring at blank whiteboard?"

Meredith turns back to the whiteboard, and says, "I am staring at a blank whiteboard because of Andrew Deluca."

"Things not going so well since Daddy Deluca decided to drop in, huh?"

"Look at this blank whiteboard and you tell me," Meredith said flatly.

"Go talk to him, Mer. He's probably really embarrassed and disappointed."

"I know," Meredith whined. "I want to be there for him, but everything is still so new and undefined. I don't want to overstep."

Alex turns to her and says, "You're my best friend, Mer, and so I know what an amazing and supportive friend you are. Be that for him right now and I think that'll be enough."

Meredith nods and smiles at Alex. His advice has been an actual comfort. Alex left shortly after to return to his office, and Meredith began writing on the whiteboard.

Andrew was working in the pit. This was a relief, because it was a break away from working with Meredith. It was also torture, because he missed her a lot and he wanted to make things right, but he was stuck in a funk. He had not slept well for 4 nights. He laid awake at night replaying all the details of his epic mistakes with his dad and cringing over his immaturity during his exchange with Meredith after the fact. Andrew is angry with himself for trusting his dad and for letting himself be manipulated. He had been hit with a major professional and personal blow, and it had left him reeling. At least that was what he was feeling when Meredith had found him in the research lab 4 nights ago. It is why he had lashed out, and why he had been unable to tell her that he needed her. Plus, they had only been dating for such a short time. He did not know if he was even allowed to need her like this so early on. Their relationship so far was defined by fun and romance, and Andrew was not sure Meredith had signed on for so much drama so soon.

Andrew's shift was over. He had changed into his street clothes and was on his way home to try and finally get some decent sleep. He was walking by the attending's lounge on his way to the elevators when Meredith walked out of the lounge and directly into his path. She stopped in front of him, seemingly as startled as he was, and they looked into each other's eyes for a moment saying nothing.

Meredith spoke first, "Hey."

"Hi," Andrew says while looking at her with the pain of the last few days and intense guilt etched on his handsome but sad face.

Meredith knows she will have to be the one to make the first gesture. She gives him a warm smile and says, "I am actually glad I've run into you. I wanted to talk. Can we talk?"

"Yea, I would like that" Andrew says wearing his first small smile in days, "I was gonna go home and order in. Would you like to join me?"

Meredith shook her head yes, and they headed towards the elevator. They said nothing as they waited for the elevator doors to open and nothing as they stepped inside. The silence continued once the doors closed. Meredith and Andrew stood side by side arms close but not touching. Meredith reaches over to take his hand in hers, and Andrew grabs on. The silence goes from uncomfortable to comfortable just by the small physical contact. The act of holding hands saying plenty amid the otherwise quiet and low hum of the elevator. Meredith leans her head on his shoulder. There were still things they needed to say to each other, but she already knew they'd be ok.