A/N: This is a first for me. I know that the Derek and Meredith story has been done a million times, BUT they are my favourite couple hands down. So here's my spin on it.

Hope you like it. Please review and let me know what you think.

Big thanks to Kaz for proof reading.

Disclaimer: I don't own Grey's Anatomy or any of the characters. If I did, Derek and Meredith would be together already!

Derek stood at the front of the church with Mark, both of them looking to the rear of the church in anticipation. It was Mark's wedding day, he was marrying Addison, the love of his life. Derek should have been thinking about them and what he could do to help his commitment phobic friend through the next few minutes until Addison arrived and Mark started to breathe normally again. Instead all he could think about was Meredith and the fact that she was about to walk through the door. Considering he was only the best man, he was doing a good impression of a nervous groom!

As he stood there waiting the arrival of the bride and her maids, all he could picture in his mind was Meredith and the moment that they'd had the previous night at the rehearsal dinner. He hadn't seen her in 8 years, not since she had told him that she was going to Oxford and leaving him. After all the plans that they had made. How could she just up and leave him? They'd loved each other; they were Derek and Meredith for god's sake! He thought that he was over her, that he had moved on. How wrong could a person be? One look at her when she arrived at the church for the rehearsal and all the old feelings came flooding back. Not that he would ever admit that to her. After all he wasn't crazy!

Meredith looked over at Addison and smiled reassuringly. Addison was marrying Mark today, her one true love. She should be happy for Addi and Mark, she was happy for her friends. It was just there was something bothering her and she couldn't quite put her finger on it. If she was honest she knew exactly what (or should she say who) was bothering her, but Meredith was never honest with herself - at least not where matters of the heart were concerned.

As she stood there waiting for her cue to walk down the aisle to witness her best friend marry all she could think about was Derek. Why was she not surprised? Derek was never far from her thoughts. Seeing him yesterday talking to Mark outside of the church she was shocked at just how much he could affect her. She had been sitting in her SUV across the road from the church when she saw him. God he'd looked good - even from a distance. Sitting in her car she had taken the opportunity to have a good look at him.

"Meri?" Addison looked over at her friend questioningly, Meredith didn't seem to be paying any attention, she was lost in her own little world.

"Meri" Addison walked over and gently touched her on the shoulder

Meredith turned to look at her. "What's the matter Addi?"

"Are you OK? You look a little troubled"

"I'm fine. Do you need me to adjust something?" Meredith asked trying desperately to get the spotlight off her.

"No, I don't need anything...except for you to start walking, I want to get married!" Addison laughed in reply - she knew exactly what (who) Meredith was thinking about, she had that look.

Meredith shook herself visibly, "God Addi, I'm sorry, I'm not very good at this. Of course, let's get going and get you married. Mark must be crapping himself out there waiting for you to walk through the door. He'll be thinking that you've done a runner!"

Meredith was babbling and she knew this, but that was her thing when she was nervous and felt uncomfortable, she babbled. Turning she nodded at the usher who opened the doors, the music began to play, she took a deep calming breath and began to walk.

At the sound of the music, Derek and Mark both looked up at the same time. Nothing could have prepared Derek for what he saw. Meredith was walking down the aisle, towards him. As he stood there looking at her, his eyes locked with hers and he could almost imagine that this was their wedding day and she was walking towards him, about to become his wife. Jeez, Derek where did that come from? As he stood there mesmerised by her beauty he realised that this was what he had been missing from his life. She was what was missing. For the past 8 years he had felt as though something was missing, but he could never quite figure out what it was. Sure he had his share of dates (well to be honest he was a bit of a player), he had a job that he loved, but it just never seemed to be enough. Now he knew why. In that moment he decided whatever it took he would win her back. He needed Meredith in his life again - permanently and he would do whatever it took to make that happen.

Mark looked over at Derek and grinned, he knew exactly what was going through his friend's mind. Meredith looked gorgeous and if he hadn't been so crazy in love with Addi since jnr high, he might have taken a chance with Meri. Although, he knew that for Meri it was Derek all the way, always had been, they just got a little caught up on the unimportant things and let them get in the way. He and Addison had hoped that getting them together at the wedding might make them wake up and realise where they had gone wrong. Looks as if we were right, Mark thought to himself smugly.

Elbowing Derek in the side to get his attention Mark says "She's gorgeous isn't she?"

"Addi? Of course she is Mark" Derek replied

"I'm not talking about Addi and you know it man. I know that you're thinking impure thoughts in the house of the lord about a certain Chief Bridesmaid"

"Mark, you really have lost the plot. This wedding has got you seeing every single person as a potential love match for someone else. Meredith and I tried it out, it didn't work and we've moved on. Let it go man. Concentrate on the hot babe that's walking down the aisle behind her!"

As they stood there waiting for Addison to make her way to the front of the church Derek took a deep breath to calm himself. Mark had been a little too close for comfort in his little speech. He had only just admitted to himself that Meredith was what he was looking for, he wasn't ready to voice it to someone else. Even if that someone else was his best friend.

As Meredith stood at the front of the church waiting for Addi her thoughts wandered to Derek and the looks that he had been giving her as she walked down the aisle. She could have sworn that he was giving her the "McDreamy" look. It was almost as though those piercing blue eyes could see right into her soul. Once her and Derek had locked eyes, she hadn't been able to look away. Then again, neither had he. She had once pictured herself and Derek standing in this very church in front of their friends and family committing to love, honour and cherish each other for all eternity. Seems it just wasn't meant to be. Being here today though watching Mark and Addi pledging their love in front of all and sundry made her wonder.

Standing there listening to the minister Meredith began to play a dangerous game in her head.

What if?...

A/N: So what did you think? Please review and let me know. Constructive criticism is most welcome.