A/N: This story alternates from Derek's perspective to Meredith's with each chapter. I am ignoring the IW situation. I actually started writing this prior to the news. Anyways I hope you enjoy this fic, and constructive criticism is appreciated.

One

Meredith had left him at the chapel. There were no goodbyes, no kisses or hugs. She just walked away as if he did not even exist. He should have expected the choice, knowing that her friends came first always. She never picked him. Derek bet that she would not even come home. It was pointless, then, to return to her house, but at the same time he did not want to take the ferry boat back to the trailer.

Even ferryboats did nothing for him today.

As he walked by the nurses' station, he realized the gossip mills were already running. Apparently, everybody knew that Preston had left Yang at the altar. Of course, it was not actually at the altar, but people certainly enjoyed embellishment. He knew that from personal experience, Derek thought with a bitter grimace.

He had already checked on his post-op patients. Nothing left to do, but get some sleep. In the morning, he would find Meredith and he would get his answer. He needed her to give him the word whether or not their relationship would survive. Breathing was her problem and he could not help her with it anymore.

The on-call room was dark and Derek immediately stubbed his toe on some foreign object. "Dammit!"

He flicked on the lights to find Preston seated on the bottom bunk, holding a trumpet in his hands. The man looked at him, seeming dazed and uncertain. There was a bag next to him overflowing with CDs. Derek could see the corner of a frame peeking out of it. On his other side, there was a gym bag.

"Why aren't you at home?"

"I…I…I'm leaving her the apartment. I just needed to grab some of my stuff." His voice was filled with pain.

Surprised, Derek sat on the chair across from the bunks. He had assumed they just decided to put it off, that Burke had not really left her. They were sure and steady, everything that he and Meredith were not. So what if they did not get married right away? Couples like Preston and Yang had that innate sense of who they were to each other.

At least that was what he had believed.

He tried to be comforting. "You should go home. I'm sure she'll talk to you." Besides, the sooner Preston was home, the sooner he would receive an answer from Meredith.

Preston let out a wry laugh. "Cristina, talking?"

"Okay, she may be a little bit angry about you leaving her there. Remember when I told you that women didn't like to wait at the altar? I don't think they are a fan of being left there either." He grinned.

"She needs time." He paused. "I've never given her that."

"Well, when you are ready. I recommend elevators. They're fantastic for romance, like ferry boats."

"Elevators?"

"Elevators."