A/N: Yay! Here it finally is. The sequal to Out of the Darkness. Thank you for all your paitence while I planned this one out. I'm starting with bit of 'fluff' before we hit the drama. And let me tell you, there will be drama, because nothing is ever easy for poor Meredith and Derek. But at least I promise I won't throw Mer in any more oceans and have her memory erased. Promise. So read and review and sit back for the ride!

You're not alone; Together we stand
I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold; And it feels like the end
There's no place to go; You know I won't give in
No I won't give in

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Keep Holding on, Avril Lavigne

Derek parked the car and hurried over to the passenger side to open the door for his beautiful date. He smiled down as Meredith carefully stepped out. It still took his breath away at how stunning she was. That night she had chose tight dark jeans and a silk maroon top that accentuated her curves provocatively. Derek grabbed her small hand in his as they slowly walked up the few stairs to her front porch.

"I had a great time tonight Derek. Thank you for dinner." Meredith stopped and turned towards him at her door, leaning in for a kiss.

Derek mumbled something unintelligible as his lips met hers hungrily. He didn't stop when she tried to pull away, instead tightening his hold he had around her waist.

Meredith giggled and kissed him back, finally opening her mouth slightly to allow his determined tongue entrance.

The kiss deepened as Derek backed Meredith up against the solid brick wall, pressing his needy body against her soft one. He moved his lips down her neck to the spot he knew she couldn't resist. Her hands gripped the back of his navy blue sweater and Derek could feel her breathing quicken and her heart beat rapidly in her chest.

"Derek…we're …. taking things… slow….remember?" Meredith was barely able to utter between gasps.

"I can move slower if you'd like." Derek answered seductively, moving his hands to the bottom of her sweater, teasing the bare skin of her stomach with his warm finger tips.

Meredith didn't make any attempt to stop him or move away. "I meant slower than that…." Her voice trailed away as his mouth found hers again, her tongue obliging with his in a rhythmic dance of passion.

"Um, excuse me. Sorry to interrupt, but Hanna said she won't go to bed until either her mommy or daddy tucks her in, and she seems to be very determined. She's been sitting at the top of the stairs for over an hour now waiting for you to get back. Sorry."

Both Derek and Meredith had been so caught up in each other, neither one had heard the front door open and hadn't been aware of their audience until Izzie had spoke.

Meredith blushed and Derek sighed as Izzie stood with her arms folded across her chest, an amused look on her face.

"Okay, I'm sorry Izzie, I'll go tuck her in." Meredith pushed Derek off of her and quickly entered the house, Derek and Izzie right behind her.

"Hold on Mer, let me." Derek grabbed one of Meredith's arms and stopped her as she turned to head up the stairs.

"Daddy!" Hanna came bounding down the stairs full speed, her dark curls bouncing softly around her face. Her yellow My Little Ponies jammies covering her tiny body.

Derek swept her up in his arms and planted a big wet kiss on one of her cheeks. Hanna giggled full of energy, as Derek tossed her in the air a few times before bringing her to rest in his arms on his side. "You see? She wants me to tuck her in, right Hanna?"

Hanna clapped her hands excitedly and bounced in Derek's arms. Meredith could only roll her eyes. "Be my guest Derek. Now that you've got her all riled up, I don't think I could get her to sleep if I wanted to."

Derek laughed and placed Hanna on the ground. "Tell you what Princess. Why don't you go on up and pick out a story and I'll be there in a minute." Hanna nodded delighted, and ran up the long stair case as fast as her short legs would carry her.

"Well I see my work here is done. I'm off to bed, I have to go in early tomorrow." Izzie smiled and followed Hanna quickly up the stairs.

"Thanks for babysitting Iz, I'm sorry she wouldn't go to bed for you." Meredith called up after her dear friend, but Izzie just smiled and waved it off. Hanna was too cute for anyone to be angry with.

Once Derek heard Izzie's door click shut, he turned and grabbed Meredith, causing her to gasp in surprise.

He wrapped his arms around her small body and leaned in close to her ear. "Now where were we?" He started nibbling on her soft skin, causing her to shudder a little in his embrace.

"You, sir, were about to tuck in our daughter, remember?" She laughed at the pout he tried to give her.

"Hey it was your idea!" Meredith leaned in closer and whispered seductively in his ear. "If you can get her to sleep, then you can spend the night, and not on the couch this time."

Derek leaned back and looked at her with surprised, hopeful eyes. "Really? You're not sending me home to my empty trailer or making me sleep on that lumpy couch again? Are you sure Mer?" He laughed. "I mean as much as I've seriously been dying to get in your bed, I want to make sure you're ready, that you're okay with this." Derek searched her face, concern in his eyes.

"You have been a very patient man Doctor Shepherd. And I appreciate it. You've waited two long torturous months. I am definitely ready. Now hurry up and tuck her in so we can get started!" Meredith winked and patted him on his back side, causing his eyes to widen in surprise.

"Bossy! I like it." He stole a quick kiss before turning and hurrying up the stares, eager to get his hyper four year old asleep, so he could join Meredith in her bedroom, finally.

Meredith checked her reflection in the mirror for what must have been the hundredth time. She checked the flickering candles for the sixth time and smoothed the wrinkles on the red sheets that covered her queen-size bed.

Meredith reapplied her lip gloss and fluffed her hair again, just to be sure. She didn't know why she was so nervous. She'd been with lots of men in her life, too many to be exact. But things were so different with Derek. She loved Derek. It was a new and exciting feeling to actually be with someone you loved. Sex was on a whole different level. It wasn't just a mind blowing, toe curling, physical experience. When she had been with Derek, all those years ago, it had been a soul touching, heart sharing, whole body connection. Something she had never encountered with any other human being. And Meredith was looking forward to exactly that happening tonight.

She looked at the clock. It had been over forty five minutes. She wondered what could be taking him so long. Had he changed his mind and snuck out without her hearing? Did he not think she was serious and taken the couch for sleep instead?

Feeling a little frustrated, Meredith grabbed her ivory terry robe and threw it over her silky black night gown. She quietly tiptoed through the hall, not wanting to wake Izzie, and gently opened the door to Hanna's room.

Her heart melted when her eyes settled on the scene before her. Derek laid sprawled on the tiny bed that was decorated with pink and purple flowered blankets and pillows. A dozen books had been tossed to his side, and Hanna slept contently on his chest. Their bodies moved up and down in a slow, steady rhythm.

Meredith smiled, her love for this man growing even more, though she hadn't thought that possible. She gently removed Derek's brown dress shoes and sat them quietly on the floor. She reached in Hanna's closet and removed a large, thick quilt, and carefully covered it over the two sleeping forms. She placed a quick kiss on each of their cheeks, then tiptoed out, turning the soft light off behind her.

Meredith giggled, knowing Derek would be angry in the morning that she hadn't woke him, but thought it best he spent the night with his daughter. Hanna would be more disappointed if she woke and found her daddy had left.

Meredith entered her room and blew out the candles. She mindlessly tossed the robe over a chair and crawled into her empty bed. She fell asleep with a smile on her face, thinking how lucky she and Hanna were to have Derek in their lives.

A/N: In case you didn't catch it, this picks up about 2 months from where the last one left off. Stay tuned!