Chapter 1

"Fifty bucks says she's gone mental," said Alex tactfully.

It had been four weeks since Meredith and Derek's break up. Derek had been on three dates with Rose. Meredith had been acting strangely for two weeks now, at first she had been sad but she had kept it together and not let Derek see how hurt she really was. But for the past two weeks, she was constantly smiling and happy and went for walks alone during the day. Her friends were now taking bets about what was wrong with her, as they gathered round the nurses station.

"She doesn't go walking, she goes to psych and they lock in her a padded cell," Alex continued.

"No she met a guy," said Izzie. "I bet she met a guy and they fell in love and that's why she's so happy."

"Nah she's playing the guilt card with Shepherd for the whole screwing a nurse and he's letting her scrub in a load of surgeries," said Cristina. "Damn I wish I could have done that."

"What's going on here?" asked Derek who had overheard part of their conversation.

"We're just trying to work out what's wrong with Meredith," said George. "So nothing that concerns you."

"Dr. O'Malley," said Derek sternly.

"A hundred dollars says it's life altering, and it's great," said Lexie somewhat smugly.

"Do you know?" asked Cristina grimly. "If you know and you don't tell, I will make your life a living hell…"

"Dr. Yang," said Derek.

"Oh go and hump a nurse will you?" snapped Cristina.

"Do I need to remind you I am your boss and I will not hesitate…" started Derek his eyes blazing in anger at their blatant disrespect.

"I bet she's doing Sloan," said Cristina. "I mean from what the nurses say…he would be enough to keep her smiling like that…"

"I'm still with the whole psych thing," said Alex. "Anyone else want in?"

"I want in," said Meredith standing behind her friends, not looking as pissed off as she should be.

"Mer…we were just…we didn't mean…" stuttered George.

"They want the dirt on why you're so happy," said Lexie still smiling smugly.

"Twenty dollars on…" said Meredith taking money out her pocket and throwing it on the pile. "It's a girl and I'm keeping it."

"You're pregnant!" Izzie finally whispered.

"Correct," smiled Meredith.

"Oh my god," said Alex clearly stunned.

"You told her!" Cristina hissed pointing at Lexie. "Before me!"

"Who's the father?" said George trying to keep his voice down so Derek wouldn't hear.

Derek was just standing there, staring straight ahead, trying to take in what Meredith had just said. They had stopped sleeping together a month ago, it had to be his. Unless she was sleeping with someone else, they were dating other people…until she had told him she didn't want him to date anyone else. There was a chance it wasn't his…but there was an even greater chance that he might be a Daddy sometime soon.

"Dr. Grey," The Chief hollered. "My office now!"

"Okay," said Meredith not seeming too bothered about the fact that she had just announced her pregnancy to half the staff before she had told the Chief.

"I hope you know what you're doing," said Chief. He and Meredith had discussed the impact her pregnancy would have on her work schedule, he had talked her through all the health and Safety legal requirements.

"I do," said Meredith firmly. "It feels…right. I can't explain it but it feels like…this is exactly what I need. I was so lost for so long and now…I don't have a choice I have to grow and deal with all my parental issues because I'm about to become one."

"If you ever need anything…"

"Thank you Chief," said Meredith gratefully.

"I mean it," he said. "Anything at…personal or professional. You're going to need a lot of support if…I mean if the father…"

"I don't know the father's plans," said Meredith. "That's still a bit of mystery…his plans I mean not…I didn't mean that I didn't know who the father is I do it's just…I haven't exactly got round to telling him."

"Alright," said Chief not sure how to handle Meredith's rambling. "Well you know where I am."

"Thank you," said Meredith turning to leave, then she saw Derek waiting for her. She wasn't ready to talk to Derek…not yet…not here where they were almost guaranteed to be overheard. "Uh…Chief…"

"I'll take care of it," said the Chief immediately understanding. "Take the rest of the day off."

"Thank you sir," said Meredith gratefully.

Meredith got up and opened the office door, Derek immediately started to storm towards her. Before he could say a word to her, the chief stood right in front of her.

"Shep, departmental stats I need them now!" he said firmly.

"Not now…I have to…"

"Now!" said the Chief.

"Fine," muttered Derek shooting Meredith a dirty look, she was avoiding him, like she always did.

"Sorry," she mouthed at him before scurrying off.

Sooooooo...what do you all think?