Plus One

"Yeah, that went well."

Grace smiled as she looked over at Derek. She chuckled once she saw his white knuckles on the steering wheel. "Honey, you can ease up a little. You're still alive."

Derek glanced at his grip and loosened it, returning her smile with a smirk of his own. "He hates me."

"And since when does Derek Sheppard care what other people think?"

"When said-people are the parents of my girlfriend."

Grace offered a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay. As long as I like you." She leaned back into her seat. "That's all that matters anyway."

She took his silence as the beginning of his return to ease. "Besides, he doesn't hate you. If he did, he wouldn't have talked to you at all."

The next morning Mark woke up and reached for Meredith. Surprised to find that she wasn't there, he sat up quickly and searched around the room. His body protesting the sudden movement, he brought his hand up to his head. "Ow."

He slowly got up and made his way towards the bathroom where the light was on. He smiled, not remembering the last time his wife was up before him. He pushed the door open slowly so he wouldn't startle her. "Mer?"

The smell hit him before an answer did. She was asleep on the floor next to the toilet – a much needed to-be-flushed toilet. He flushed the toilet which seemed to wake her up as he knelt beside her.

"Meredith, how long have you been in here?"

She leaned into his embrace. "I don't know; maybe a couple of hours?"

He spoke softly, "Why didn't you come and get me?"

"Uh, I don't know, maybe because I was too busy throwing up?" She immediately noticed her tone, although Mark didn't seem the least bit phased. "Sorry."

He chuckled, "It's okay. But I think you need to shower and wash up."

Meredith smiled. "You are not subtle. Are you trying to say I smell Sloan?"

Helping her up he answered, "You said it, not me."

"Alright, I'm not an invalid. I can take a shower by myself." She began to undress. "What time is it?"

Mark quickly glanced in the bedroom. "Nine fifteen, why?"

"Because I'm running late, that's why!"

"You're not going in today," Mark said matter-of-factly.

"And why not?"

He answered with a look of obviousness.

"I am perfectly fine. It's all out of my system."

"Honey, I think you should—"

"I'm going Mark."

He sighed, walking out and allowing her to shower. "I didn't want to do this, but I'm pulling rank."

"What?"

"I'm your boss, now shower and then go to bed." He gave her a quick kiss before her wrath fully manifested. "I'll call to check up on you." He shut the door and grabbed his bag.

"Guess I'll just have to shower there."

"Just because you're all married and happy doesn't mean that you can rub it in people's faces."

Mark looked at Derek incredulously as they were passing time in his office. "What are you talking about?"

"Quit smiling. You're always smiling."

Mark couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, seriously, what is your problem?"

"You," Derek answered, fidgeting in his seat. "You and Meredith, all happy and smiling. And you didn't have to go through the parents, because, well, they're kind of dead, and now you're married. All happy and married."

Mark leaned forward in amusement and interest. "You're going to ask Grace!"

Derek sulked back in his chair. "I don't know anymore, she has a dad."

Mark chuckled, "So do most people."

"Yeah, but her dad is kind of, scary. I knew Mr. Montgomery, when I was with your wife," he looked at Mark, "sorry," he continued, "it wasn't an issue. But with Grace…I just wish it was easier."

Nodding in understanding at his friend's nervousness and vulnerability only privy to himself, he walked over and shared the couch with his friend. "Do you love her?"

Derek looked at him like he was an idiot.

"Well then," Mark continued, "go for it." Seeming reflective, he added, "don't let anyone or anything stand in your way. True happiness is hard to find. When you do find it, don't mess it up."

Derek smiled, "I'm sensing that was a moment."

"And I'm sensing that if you ever repeat what I just told you that Grace won't have any of you left to marry."

"Where is your wife?"

The two men's attention shifted to the figure who just barged in.

"Christina, what do you want?" Mark asked, not at all surprised by the occasional 'visit' from his wife's person.

"Are you hard of hearing?" She walked further into the office. "Where is Meredith?"

Mark leaned back, "She's at home, resting."

Derek turned to Mark, "Is she okay?"

"I don't know, she was throwing up this morning, I told her to stay home."

Derek chuckled, "I don't imagine that went well."

Mark shook his head, "I don't even want to know how it's going to---"

"She threw up again?" Christina demanded.

"Again?" Derek questioned.

"Yes," Mark answered.

"And you didn't bother to check her out?"

Mark, growing slightly agitated, didn't see what the big deal was. "No. She can just sleep it off."

Christina threw her hands in the air. "Unbelievable! Do you just tune out any medical skills not associated with restructuring someone's face?"

"Christina."

"Nevermind. I'll check on her myself." She walked out, muttering to herself, 'Sleep it off, hmm!'

Once the door was closed Derek looked at Mark. "Seriously?"

Mark got up to check on a patient. "What?"

"Meredith!"

Christina threw her stuff on the couch and headed upstairs. She wasn't worried that it was serious…she was worried that it might be something seriously unplanned.

"Meredith?"

She walked into Meredith's room and saw her sitting on the edge of a made up bed, her eyes trained on her hands and the item they held.

Christina sat next to her, and glanced from the tube back to Meredith.

"Mer?"

Meredith vacantly looked at Christina and then refocused on the test strip. "I'm pregnant," she managed, her voice flat.

She took the strip out of Meredith's hand and replaced it with one of hers. "So, are we going to Seattle Grace or Mercy West?"

"Crap." Meredith played with her gloves on the way back home. "Oh crap, oh crap oh crap!"

Christina offered a wry smile as she glanced from the driver's seat. "I wondered when it was going to hit you. You haven't said a whole sentence until now; and even that was pretty basic."

"Crap."

"So, you're pregnant."

Meredith nodded, staring straight ahead. "Like really pregnant."

"How do you think Mark will take it?"

Meredith wiped the silent tears that had fallen. She wasn't quite sure why she was crying. "I don't know. We've only been married a month. He loves kids though…" her voice trailed away.

"So you guys have discussed it."

Meredith nodded.

"How do you feel about kids?"

Meredith hesitated. "I don't know. Honestly, I thought I'd be…"

"Older, have finished your residency, and been married for at least a few years?"

Meredith chuckled, "Yeah."

"Well, life doesn't work like that kid."

"Kid?" Meredith laughed. "Look who's talking."

Christina smiled, pulling up to Meredith's house. "Exactly."

Mark came home with some flowers and soup. He found Meredith sitting in the family room on the couch, looking nervous (and to Mark, sick.) He quickly put both items down and walked over to her.

"Honey, are you okay? What is it?"

Meredith nervously smiled and took a deep breath. She could do it. No she couldn't. Yes she could.

She grabbed on to that last thought and went with it. "I'm pregnant."

A/N: Okay, sorry for the LONG wait. I usually update quicker. Let's say from now on they'll be one every couple of days. Hope you all enjoyed (and there are oh so many more surprises along the way!)

Surgery-Girl: Yup, sequel it is! Look for some unexpected turns…as usual. 

MarianaTeresia, Murgy 31, merdreamy5: Thanks!

Only-onechance-8720: I know…scary summary…but hopefully good story! Thanks hun!