The tequila bottle was strewn on the floor, the last remnants of the alcohol staining its way into the carpet. Chewed limes lay in a pile on the table. It was raining just like any other typical night in Seattle.
They lay on the floor, unable to move, the heap of blankets softening the floor. All they could do was lie there and listen, listen to the rain through the open window.
"I remember listening to the rain with Derek. He liked the rain." Meredith said, breaking the silence.
"I can't believe you miss him already…" "I don't miss him!" Meredith stated, cutting off Christina. "I just want the break-up sex."
The two laughed, obviously intoxicated. It got silent once more as the two girls gathered their thoughts.
It seemed like an eternity that the two lie there listening to the rain. The loud clap of thunder broke the silence.
"I miss Burke"
"Don't even go there, Christina, that's a disaster waiting to happen. He left you and sent Momma to pick up his things." Meredith said, sitting upright.
"I know." Christina said quietly, thankful for the darkness that was covering the sadness in her eyes.
"What are you hiding? I know you're hiding something!"
"I'm not hiding anything except for another Tequila bottle in my bag." Christina said in hopes of getting Meredith off of the Burke topic.
Meredith perked up and looked through the darkness for Christina's shoulder bag. "Ah Tequila. Who needs a man when you have wonderful Tequila?"
It hadn't been long since Meredith broke things off with Derek after she found out about Rose. She was grateful that the ER had been busy all week. The recent burst of cold weather caused the roads to become extremely icy, which meant a lot of car crashes. No one seemed to pay much attention to the fact that Meredith and Derek were done for good, maybe they were all used to it by now.
While Meredith seemed to be moping over her most recent break-up, Derek, on the other hand seemed to be quite content.
"Man, you just need to get over her already. I'm sure she's hot and great in bed, but she's not what you're looking for. From what you told me, Rose wants a guy that she can settle down with and have a family. Just give it a try."
"I don't know Mark, there's just a connection with Meredith. I might not always understand the way she does things, but isn't it worth fighting for anyway?" Derek, at the moment, was still struggling with the fact that him and Meredith were over. He just wasn't ready to give her up.
Mark looked at his friend with a small smile, "She just isn't right for you, she wants to stay out all night partying while you want to get married and have kids. I'm going to support you either way, but I'm sick of seeing both of you moping around after another big break-up."
Derek sat in the chair, angling the X-ray towards the light. "You know, maybe your right. We've had plenty of chances, and it just never seems to work out." Derek stood up and headed off to the direction of the nurses station.
"Hello." Derek glanced behind to his left to see Rose standing there. "Do you want to go out to dinner?"
"So I take it things between yourself and Meredith aren't going to be getting back to normal any time soon?" Rose said as she tried to hide her excitement. Meredith was a nice girl, but she couldn't keep McDreamy all to herself.
"I'm thinking about moving on. Who knows, maybe I'll find someone better along the way." Derek paused to look his patient's chart, before looking at Rose, "If you want to be that someone, then you'll go out to dinner with me, tonight."
Rose couldn't help but smile, she had been waiting for this since their kiss. "How about we go for a drink, instead? I know you're not over Meredith that fast. This way, we'll be in a relaxed atmosphere, having a few casual drinks and if things get awkward we can play a game of darts." Rose paused, giving Derek the chance to think about what she had just said. Just as Derek was about to respond, she continued, "Not to mention, I'm working late and you're doing a lengthy surgery. Dinner can be the second and more formal date. I'll be at Joe's at 11pm, and I really hope you show up." Rose said as she leaned close to Derek, placing her delicate hand on his arm, but quickly turned and walked away.
All Derek could do was stare at her as she walked away. "What was that all about?"
"Hmm, what? Oh that was nothing." Derek replied to Mark.
"Well I think that 'nothing' was you getting over Meredith." Mark stated in his sly tone.
Derek said nothing and walked away, thinking that maybe things would start looking up for him after all.
"Today feels like a good day." Meredith said to her reflection in the mirror as she flossed her teeth. "Maybe there will be a guy that'll come in and be ready to sweep me off my feet." She felt her heart sink as she hoped it would be Derek.
"Mer, let's go, we're gonna be late…again!" Izzie yelled from down the hall. "I'm coming!" Meredith said out of annoyance.
The ride to work was quiet. Meredith was starting to regret those last few shots of tequila, even though it seemed like a good idea at the time.
"Hey Grey, how're you holding up?" Meredith glanced to see Mark Sloan standing at the entrance to the lounge. "I'm a little hungover, but today is a good day. I'm going to have a good day." Meredith said, more so trying to convince herself.
"Well it's good to see that you're finally over the jerk." Mark stated, his eyes gleaming wildly.
"Stop it."
"What? I can't look out for a friend in need?" Mark replied, trying to act innocent.
"I know that look, and I know your games Mark. I can be your friend, but I'm not going to be added to the long list of Seattle Grace employees to have slept with the infamous Mark Sloan." Meredith stated as she made her way towards the door.
"I'm infamous? Don't make it sound like such a bad thing Grey, you need a real man!" Meredith rolled her eyes, slamming the door behind her.
"Listen up people, there's not a lot of surgeries today, so keep an eye out. We all know that a quiet board means trouble, so keep yourselves and your interns on the look-out and out of trouble." Bailey said looking at her interns. "Do you all understand me?"
The group mumbled their understanding. "So, what do you want us to do then?" Christina said, wishing for cardio.
"Take this time to teach your interns. Share your wise and valuable wisdom Dr. Yang. If you don't believe that we have a quiet board, take a look for yourself." Bailey said pointing to the OR board.
Bailey was by no means joking around. What was normally covered in black marker and full of surgeries, was bare except for a few minor surgeries that the second year interns could probably complete on their own.
"Go wait by the pit. If you so much hear a siren, have me paged immediately. I am not going to be stuck suturing and taking care of runny noses all day." Christina stared at all of her interns. "What are you waiting for? GO!"
All of her interns turned quickly in the direction of the pit, thankful to get away from Christina. All except Lexie, of course. "Do you care about your future as a doctor? Because if you do, then I suggest you join those other little runts."
"I just don't see how I'm going to learn something by sitting around. Why don't you do what Dr. Bailey…" Christina cut her off by saying, "Because Bailey isn't here that's why. And you're learning how to take orders because that's what gets you to the top in this place. A lot of sucking up and taking orders is what you should be doing. Now, if you don't get over there and find me a surgery, I'll make sure you pay for this."
Lexie stared at Christina but made her way towards the pit with the other gullible interns.
"Someone is in a worse mood than usual today." Meredith chimed in with a wide grin on her face.
"What are you so happy about? Christina remarked. "What are you so grumpy about?"
"What? I can't have a bad day once in awhile?"
Meredith laughed, "Everyday is a bad day for you Christina, now tell me, what's bothering you?"
"What's bothering me is that there are no surgeries going on. A quiet board means trouble.." Christina said as she looked back towards the board, in hopes that a surgery was added.
"Whatever. I think McSteamy is hitting on me." Meredith said with a shrug of her shoulders.
"Oh that's nothing new, maybe he could help you get over McAsshole or whatever it is he should be called now…because he is definitely not your McDreamy anymore." Christina said as she looked past Meredith.
Meredith turned around to see what Christina was looking at, and didn't expect to see Derek and Rose. Together. Together and smiling.
"I guess it didn't take him too long to get over our house and our future." Meredith said as she walked away.
"Hey Rose."
"Hey Derek. Or should I call you McDreamy?"
"Don't call me McDreamy. There's a lot of…baggage with that little nickname." Derek said as he seen Meredith walking away. "So," Derek began, gathering his thoughts, "I was thinking about your invitation, and I will gladly meet you tonight." Derek finished with his famous smile.
"Well, that's good to know." And they both headed off in separate directions.