Well, this was intended as a one shot, except that I've gotten a request for more, and I've decided to put up another chapter. If anyone thinks that this chapter has detracted from the original piece, please let me know and I won't write anymore on this piece. Hope you enjoy :)

Thanks to my reviewers for their words of encouragement. This chappie is for you guys.

Disclaimer: I don't own Grey's or the characters, just the idea... you know the drill.

Oh, I've changed the rating from K+ to T for the bit at the end, just to be safe.

"Look at the stars," Meredith gasped. An unusually clear Seattle night sky displayed a few dim stars, more than one can see on an ordinary evening. She looked beautiful even in her scrubs, her face flushed with the exhilaration of Derek's return. Derek walked a short ways behind her, laughing with her and enjoying her childish freedoms. They walked down the middle of the dark street talking quietly, one hundred and seven days having melted away.

Meredith shivered suddenly, not from the cool Seattle air but from the sheer delight of Derek's return. She'd counted the days he'd been gone. She'd waited for him, for one hundred and seven days. Not that she would ever tell him. No… he'd think she was crazy. She looked up at him and he smiled; slowly, perfectly, McDreamily.

Derek felt a small, cold hand slip into his own. Their skin tingled at the touch of the other. Meredith shivered again, and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. This felt right, completely natural. There was no more waiting. No more waiting for this. He drank in the moment. A handful of stars glittered faintly overhead as the two of them walked slowly down the centerline, hand in hand, forgetting the past and living in the moment. A moment he never wanted to end.

"Let's go back," Meredith said. She was beginning to get cold, wearing nothing but her scrubs. Derek nodded, and took off his leather jacket and placed it around her slim shoulders. She sighed happily; the smooth, warm leather on her bare skin was almost erotic. Derek pulled her close, his arm snaking around her waist. She rested her head on his shoulder as they walked, perfectly in step with each other.

By the time they arrived back at Meredith's house, Izzie and George were home, in the middle of a slightly confused argument.

"She wouldn't pack a suitcase and then leave without it!" George was saying.

"It's quite a nice suitcase," Izzie speculated. "Are you sure it's hers?"

"What, I can't have nice suitcases?" Meredith interjected. Her two friends looked up, relief on their faces. The relief slowly changed to shock as they took in the sight of Meredith wearing Derek's jacket, and Derek standing comfortably to her left.

"You're back, Dr. Shepherd," George finally said awkwardly.

"He's back," Meredith smiled shyly.

"I'm back," Derek replied easily. "And please, outside of the hospital, Derek is fine."

"Right, right… Derek," he mumbled.

"Would you like something to eat?" Izzie offered, staring at the two as she gestured into the house, "I think there's some pancakes in the fridge from this morning."

"That would be nice," he said, and the discomfited foursome moved towards the kitchen.

"They're quite good once you put them in the toaster," Izzie said as she popped the rubbery pancakes into the toaster.

"I'm sure," Derek squeezed Meredith's hand under the table. She smiled at him. "You're awfully quiet," he said in a low voice.

She shrugged, "Just enjoying you being home," she whispered back. George set plates on the table with a quiet clatter, looking at the two suspiciously.

"W-where's Addison?" he blurted.

"George!" Izzie said as the pancakes popped up, still rather rubbery looking.

"Still in New York," Derek said, leaving out that she'd gone back to Mark. He knew he had to tell Meredith. The question was shining in her eyes as she looked into his. Those gorgeous eyes that made it difficult for the young woman to hide anything. He held her gaze and hoped she would understand.

"Here ya go," Izzie dropped pancakes on their plates. When she turned around, Meredith poked them subtly with her fork. They didn't look very edible. She took a deep breath and popped a piece in her mouth anyway. They tasted alright, but it was like chewing rubber. She delicately set the fork down on the table and swallowed hard. Derek took a bite of his own and gave her a funny look. She laughed as he made the polite effort to finish the pancake.

"They're terrible, I know," Izzie said as she bit into her own. "You don't have to eat it. They taste horrible warmed up."

"But you said –" Derek began.

"It's just what we keep telling ourselves about leftovers," George said, his chin resting in his hand."

"Well thanks for the food, but I should get going. I've got to see if I can find a hotel to stay in until I can get my trailer set up again." Derek said standing up.

Izzie and George pretended not to be listening as Meredith said, "You could stay here, you know. We've got a couch, and… and beds… that have blankets…" she finished lamely.

Derek smiled, "I'd like that."

"Me too."

Leaving Izzie and George laughing silently at the table, Meredith and Derek took the stairs up to Meredith's room, oblivious to the world around them. As Derek gently lowered her onto the bed, he thought of Addison. Of all the times for the firey red head to pop into his head, why now? He stopped kissing her, taking a moment to think. But before he could think about it, he heard her whisper, "I love you, Derek," and he heard himself respond.

"Addison went back to Mark."

She stared at him, her hands on his chest, ready to push him off.

---

Think with your head, but never forget to give your heart some input. Those who act strictly on the impulses of their hearts fail to respect the hearts of others. Those who carefully plan and execute every action and movement without consulting their heart will never truly live and enjoy their lives. There has to be a fine balance between the two, respecting the hearts of both yourself and the people you love.

Maybelline