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Author's Note – This story was originally a one shot but I have written way too much for it to be a one-shot so I have divided it up. It takes place directly after Beth's surgery in season 4, episode 17. I hope you all enjoy…
Derek's Point of View
Where the hell is she? I've tried paging her, calling her, texting her; all the while searching the corridors, elevators, on call rooms and patients rooms of Seattle Grace. I can't find her anywhere. We should be celebrating right now. We should be together, opening the bottle of champagne I bought...Oh shit! I threw it away. Running down the hall, I spot Christina, writing up charts, at the nurse's station.
"Where's Meredith?" I ask, instantly regretting it, realising it came out more as a demand than a question. She looks pissed, making me inwardly wince.
"Nice to see you too, Dr Fuck up," she scowls at me before turning back to her chart.
"Christina," I plead. "Beth's surgery was a success. I need to let her know."
"She already knows," she breathes, not even glancing at me as she continues to write.
"How? Why didn't she come find me?" I ask, baffled.
"Maybe because she realises, once and for all, that you truly are a McJackass," she snips.
"Christina," I groan loudly. "I just need..."
"I don't care what you need!" she snaps, finally turning to face me. "I care about what she needs! And what she needs is for you to leave her alone," she says more calmly, staring at me intently.
"But I..."
"Leave-Her-Alone," she breathes slowly, emphasising every word.
"I ..."
"You what?" she asks, looking as if she's ready to explode right in front of me. "You what?" she repeats.
"Just tell her I am looking for her!" I snap, walking away.
What else could I say? I love her? I can just imagine Christina's reaction to that one. The problem is if Christina doesn't realise I'm in love with Meredith then what chance do I have of Meredith believing me when I tell her? How am I going to convince her?
Meredith's Point of View
'Meredith,' Dr Wyatt greeted me as I walked back into her office.
'It worked,' I beamed at her as I flopped onto her couch, finally allowing my body to feel the exhaustion it had been fighting all day.
'That's excellent news Meredith,' she smiled at me, seeming genuinely pleased for me. 'Congratulations,' she nods, taking her usual seat.
It's strange how relieved I feel. I thought I'd be more happy and excited than relieved.
'How do you feel?' she's asks me in typical Dr Wyatt fashion.
'Relieved,' I confess, content with closing my eyes for a second.
'For you or for your patient?' she queries and I can hear the hint of curiousness in her voice.
'For me. For her,' I breathe. 'For Jeremy,' I add, feeling the sadness from earlier, well up inside me. They should be in recovery together right now. Instead, Jeremy's in the morgue.
'What about Derek?' She asks as I open my eyes.
'I have to let him go,' I whisper, fighting back tears.
'Why?' She asks, giving me a perplexed look.
'Because it's the right thing to do,' I smile at her sadly.
'What makes you say that?' Wyatt asks with a glint of shock in her eyes.
'It's like you say; 'He's with Rose',' I sigh, standing up from the couch and beginning to walk towards the door.
'Meredith...'
'Besides,' I start, turning back to face her, 'If you really love someone, sometimes you have to let them go.'
'Meredith...'
'I'm due some vacation time. I'm taking a week off to get my head together. I just need...I need...'
'Some time?' she asks, smiling at me.
'Exactly,' I murmur. 'That's exactly what I need.'
She smiles warmly at me and for the very first time, I feel like she understands me.
'I'll see you in a week Dr Wyatt.' I nod and before she even has a chance to respond, I'm out the door.
Derek's Point of View
I can't believe she's been gone a whole week. It wasn't that long ago that she joined Christina on her honeymoon. Why would she go away again? It's not like her to volunteer missing surgery. She's ruthless. She lives for the cutting. Most of her daily thoughts are of surgeries...So why go on holiday from the thing you love doing must? Did she really need to get away from me that badly? Was the trial too much for her after losing Jeremy? I was tough on her but as her attending, I had to be. It's my job. The trial was far from easy. It pushed both of us to our limits. I thought she could handle it though. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I am wrong. Then again, this is a woman who held a bomb in a chest and managed to extract it safely in order for Burke to save his patient. She was a hero that day. A stupid one but a hero none the less.
'I hear Meredith's back today,' Mark whispers from behind me.
'What?' I snap, stopping in my tracks and turning to face him.
'Hey,' Mark smirks. 'No need to get snappy or jumpy. I'm just saying that I heard she's back today and with you moping around here all week, I assumed this would cheer you up. Although, Buck teeth hasn't been around all week so maybe the problem all round has been...'
'Don't go there Mark,' I warn as he continues to smirk.
'Touchy, touchy,' he laughs.
'How do you know she's back today?' I ask, trying not to sound desperate.
'She's on my service,' he shrugs, as we start walking towards the lobby.
'I have Yang. Do you think we can switch?' I ask, trying to be subtle.
'I knew it,' He grins like that freaky cat in Alice in Wonderland. 'Meredith leaves, you pout and 'Buck Teeth' disappears! You did something," He laughs, pointing at me.
'Mark, get your head out of the gutter," I groan. 'I need Dr Grey for some post trial paperwork,' I state, putting on my best professional voice. By the look of Mark's face, he can see right through me.
'Dr Grey,' he scoffs. 'Who are you trying to kid here? I'm not blind. And as for that trial paperwork, you finished that days ago.'
'There are still a few loose ends that need to be tied up," I smirk, unable to stop myself.
'I bet there are, you dirty...'
'Mark,' I warn, smiling before I order us both a coffee from the guy at the coffee cart.
'Are you still in love with her?' He asks me bluntly as we are handed our coffees.
'Yes,' I answer instantly, showing no hesitation.
'Ok then,' he nods, before patting me on the back. 'It looks like I have Yang for today.'
'Yeah. You do,' I laugh as we make our way up to the surgical floor.
Richard's Point of View
I need an excuse. I need to think of a reason that will allow me to drop in unexpectedly on my wife. I could go down the whole romantic route and buy her flowers and chocolates but after everything that I've put her through, she deserves so much more than flowers and chocolates. Besides, nowadays, anything I do, she's wondering what the ulterior motive is. She always seems convinced that I have an agenda. In this occasion she'd be right...I have to win her back. She is my wife. She's my lover. She's my best friend. And as horribly corny as it is; we are meant to be.
"Morning Chief," I hear Sloan tweet chirpily from behind me. I turn to see both Shepherd and Sloan with big grins on their faces. What are they up to?
"Morning Sloan, Shepherd," I nod at them both. Something has got into these too.
"Morning Chief," Shepherd grins. This makes a change, considering he's been mopping about this place, snapping at everyone for the past week.
"What's made you cheery this morning?" I ask them both but really I want to know what's put a huge smile on Derek's...Wait...Meredith's back this morning.
Crap!
"I'm just in a much better mood today Chief," he shrugs. The nurses will be relieved to say the least. They have not coped well with Derek's dark mood.
"Derek actually needs a favour Chief," Mark smirks, giving his best friend a huge pat on the back as Derek suddenly looks uncomfortable. He's got to be kidding me.
"What's that?" I ask, trying to act cool and collected.
"Well...uh..." he stutters as Mark smirks at him. Even I know what he's about to ask. "There's still a lot of trial paperwork to be finished off so Sloan and I were going to switch residents for the day," he nods while Mark grins at me.
"You've got to be kidding me Shepherd," I snap, watching as a look of shock crosses both their faces. "You are not using the time I pay you to save lives to try and patch things up with Meredith Grey!"
"Chief..." Derek starts to defend himself and Sloan looks like he's ready to jump in and defend him. They've come far from last year, considering they couldn't stand one another. Now they're as thick as thieves.
"Before Meredith left to go on holiday, she came by my office to remove herself from your service," I inform him. "Permanently." Way to be gentle Richard. Derek and Sloan give me a stunned look but the difference between the two of them is the hurt that crosses Derek's face. "Look Derek," I sigh. "She told me that you told her you no longer wanted to work with her. Something about you blaming her for a lot of the deaths and that she felt it be best for both of you and this hospital if you no longer work together."
"How can she..."
"Apparently she took the words right out of your mouth," I whisper. "She insisted that this is what you wanted. Now, as far as I was aware, the paperwork you handed in completed the clinical trial so unless you can give me a good reason for Meredith Grey being back on your service then I'm sorry Derek, I can't help you. Now, If you'll excuse me," I nod, walking away from both Sloan and Shepherd, leaving them stunned.
If I honestly had the strength and time then I would meddle. I'd pull Meredith aside and tell her she was torturing the man that is in love with her. However, maybe the time apart from one another is what they both need to appreciate one another. Just like Adele and me. The time I've had away from Adele has made me realise exactly how much I love and miss her. One way or another, I will get her back...Now to finding an excuse to drop in on her.
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