Growing Up Fast Chapter 2, a grey's anatomy fanfic

It was the end of the first week back after New Years. Derek, Mark, Izzie, and Alex were all at a party to celebrate making it half way through the year while Meredith had decided to go home since she had to work the next day. Derek was thinking about the last few months and how much his life had changed or rather how much Meredith Grey had changed his life. They weren't dating but they had become close friends.

Mark and Izzie were still together. It surprised Derek how much his friend/brother had fallen for Izzie and hoped that it would last. Alex on the other hand still hadn't found anyone special. He liked to play the field which he did very well. Derek, Mark, and Izzie were currently watching him hit on a girl trying to get her to dance with him.

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Meredith had made it to her room and locked the door. She slide down the door and soon enough the banging started again. She felt the door shake and her fear got more intense. She slowly pulled her purse from her desk and found her phone. Worried that the door would give way, she crawled to her closet and closed the door. She heard the shouts and pounding start to slow but she was still afraid and her body hurt as she quickly pressed the talk button selecting number 1 from her phones memory. She listened as it started ringing and the pounding and shouting started again.

"D…Derek?"

Derek felt his phone vibrate, he immediately answered without even looking at the caller id since his eyes were still on Alex. "Hello."

"D…Derek?"

"Mer is that you?"

"Derek?" Meredith got out a little stronger this time.

"I can't hear you hold on let me go outside." Derek quickly headed for the door. Once he got outside where it was quieter he tried again. "Mer is that you?"

"Derek, I…" Meredith started however she heard more shouting and the pounding seemed to get louder as she let out a gasp.

"What's the matter, what was that?" Derek asked now confused by the phone call.

"I'm sorry Derek I shouldn't have bothered you, I'll call Alex."

Derek knew something was wrong by her voice. He could swear he was hearing noises in the background which was worrying him. "Where are you Mer, what is that noise, are you ok? Please Mer just tell me." He pleaded.

"I'm in my room…I'll call Alex…I should have called him …"

Derek cut her off. "Meredith you called me now what is going on?"

"I shouldn't have come home today, this is my fault, make sure Alex knows, I'm sorry, it's not his fault, and make sure he knows…" Meredith ended the call before finishing.

"Mer, Mer, Meredith?" Derek called into the phone and then when he looked at the display he saw that the line was disconnected. Immediately he ran into the party and found Mark and Izzie. He told them about the call and how Meredith sounded. They quickly found Alex and dragged him outside.

They got into a car with Izzie driving and headed to Meredith's house. Derek and Alex were in the back seat while Mark was in the front with Izzie. Derek looked to Alex. "Alex, what is today?"

Alex had a blank stare as he looked to Derek. "What?"

"She said she shouldn't have gone home today. What did she mean Alex?" Derek asked as he saw a look of fear set in on Alex.

Mark turned around in his seat to also see the look of fear on Alex's face. "Alex what is it?"

"The accident, Jason died." Alex paused and then told the story. "Jason and my brother Jake decided to go to the mid-year party two years ago. I was home and was bored so I asked to tag along since I knew a lot of the people that would be there and I promised no alcohol. After being there for a little bit we saw Mer with Finn. Finn's brother was the one who was having the party so we should have known she would be there. Anyway, Jason left Jake and I there to take Mer home. On the way home their car was struck by a drunk driver only two blocks from their house. The guy hit the driver's side and Jason died immediately. Meredith ended up with a broken collar bone and some cuts from the broken glass."

There was silence from the others until Derek broke it with a question. "What happened after?"

"Meredith's mom and Ray had the funeral while she was in the hospital. They wouldn't even let her go to say goodbye. That summer after she got out of the hospital she ended up addicted to pain killers. Finn kept her on them. After about a month my mom sent Jake and I to Florida for the rest of the summer to live with my aunt. When we got back mom told us Ellis and Ray found out about the drugs a month after we left and she was sent to LA to live with her grandmother. School started and when I saw she wasn't in school I went to their house and Ray told me they decided to leave her in LA because it was better for everyone. He wouldn't give me her address or anything. I know that Ray and her mom always blamed Meredith for what happened. Ray never liked Meredith to begin with. He only tolerated her because he loved Ellis and Jason. Jason grew a connection to her right away and I did because Jake and Jason were best friends. He was a second brother to me."

"Would he hurt her?"

"He already has Iz."

"What?"

"The second day of school Derek, Alex, and I went to her house and she told us he had hurt her. She wouldn't let us help her."

"She hasn't said anything else has happened and I haven't seen any more bruises."

"Guys bruises can be hid and do you really think Meredith Grey would tell anyone if she needed help?"

"I should have remembered what today was."

"You can't live in the past Alex."

"I know Iz but it was the day I lost my brother, how could I not remember?"

"I should have insisted she come tonight."

"Stop it. You all know Meredith does not ask for help and she doesn't accept it either so just stop blaming yourselves. We don't even know that anything is wrong."

"She was scarred; I could hear it in her voice."

The car was silent as they drove the rest of the way to Meredith's.

When they finally pulled into her driveway, the four got out of the car and ran to the door. Alex started pounding on the front door. There was no answer and Mark went to look in the window. He came back to his friends. "I saw him passed out on the couch. He has a beer in his hands."

Alex turned the handle and the door opened. "Mer?"

"She said she was in her room." Derek said as he pushed past the others and started up the stairs with the others right behind. "Where is her room Alex?"

Alex went to the door and knocked. "Mer are you in there?" He tried the handle but it was locked. He started to knock. "Mer please open the door. Let us in Mer."

Derek replayed her phone call in his mind and he heard how scarred she was which scarred him even more. He knew he had to get to her. "Alex, stand back."

"Derek what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to get in that room Iz."

"You can't just break down the door Derek."

"You didn't hear her voice. I am going in there now so stand back." With that Derek kicked the door open. He entered the room as the others followed but they did not see Meredith anywhere.

Meredith heard someone at the door again and started to shake more. She then heard the door break open and started to cry again she tried to hold it in knowing he would find her but she couldn't help it.

They were looking around the room and didn't see her. Izzie had checked the bathroom. Mark was standing close to Derek who was in front of the closet while Alex was by the bed. Derek thought he heard something. "Sshh everyone be quiet for a minute." They all stopped talking and stood still while Derek listened closely. He heard the whimpers and got closer to the closet. He opened the door and found her in the corner with her knees pulled up to her chest and her head was down. "Mer. Meredith, it's me Derek."

The others had come closer and saw her there. They all looked at each other but Izzie stepped closer to Derek. "Derek, help her."

Derek stepped into the closet and kneeled down in front of Meredith. "Meredith, it's me Derek. Can you look at me?" She didn't move but he could see she was shaking. "Mer it's me Derek. He's not here Mer; I'm not going to let him hurt you again. Please just look at me."

Meredith heard his voice and slowly lifted her head. "Der…Derek?"

When she lifted her head Derek felt his stomach turn. She had blood coming from her nose and a cut on her lip. He could also see bruises starting to form. Derek pushed down the anger knowing he had to help Meredith. "It's me Mer. Mark, Izzie, and Alex are also here. We came to…"

Meredith cut him off. "No you have to leave. Please if he finds you all here he will hurt you all. Please just go, go before he finds you here."

Derek saw the fear in her eyes and reached out to touch her. "No Mer, we are not leaving without you. Don't worry about him Mer. He is passed out on the couch…"

"And if he wasn't he would be knocked out cold on the floor." Alex mumbled under his breath.

"He'd be more then knocked out." Mark added.

Derek shot them a look that told them he agreed with them but also told them to be quiet. He then turned back to Meredith. "Let's get you out of here and to the hospital."

"No."

"Meredith you are hurt, we need to get you checked out."

"No Derek, my mom...she can't know about this."

Derek knew she needed a doctor but he also didn't want to make her deal with her mother. He thought for a moment and then decided what to do. "Ok Mer, we won't go to the hospital. Can you walk?"

Meredith nodded as Derek helped her up. When she stood she felt the pain in her sides and her ankle but she wanted to get out of the house so she tried not to think about it. She went to take a step when she stumbled.

Derek quickly caught her. "I think it's best if I carry you." Derek picked her up. He heard her gasp and wondered where else she was hurt but knew he needed to get her out of the house before he could worry about that.

Derek carried her out of the room and out to the car. Mark, Izzie, and Alex all followed behind. When they got in the car, Derek continued to hold her. Izzie turned and saw how tenderly he was holding her and she saw how Meredith was hiding her face in his neck. Izzie looked back to Derek. "Where are we going?"

"Go to my house Iz." Derek saw the question on her face as he felt Mark and Alex both looking at him. "She needs a doctor and my dad is home tonight. I'll take her to the room above the garage so no one else will bother her until she heals. Just go Iz."

Izzie nodded, turned around, and started the car. The drive was quiet except for Derek's soft soothing words to Meredith. After a few minutes they pulled into the driveway. Everyone got out of the car. Derek still had Meredith in his arms but he knew she had fallen asleep by her breathing. They all walked up to the room and he gently laid her in the bed. He turned to the others and motioned for them to follow him. They all stood by the door. "I'm going to go get my dad. I'll be right back." He left and went into the house. Derek quickly made his way up to his parent's room and then quietly made his way into their room. He went to his father's side of the bed and gently shook him. "Dad."

Mr. Shepherd heard his son and quickly opened his eyes. "Derek, what is it?"

"Ssh, don't wake mom. Please can you just come with me?"

"What is it, is it Beth?"

"No, please dad I need your help."

Mr. Shepherd saw the worry and pleading in his son's eyes and made his way out of bed.

Derek stepped out of the room and went to get the first aid kit from the hall closet. He went back to the door of his parent's room when his father came out.

Mr. Shepherd saw the first aid kit and looked to his son. "Derek?"

Derek started walking back down the hall and heard his father following. When they got downstairs he spoke. "It's a friend dad. She…"

"She Derek? Is it Izzie? What is going on?"

Derek stopped just outside the door to the house and looked at his father. "It's not Izzie, its Meredith dad. She…her stepfather hurt her tonight and I know she needs a doctor so can you please help her for me?"

Mr. Shepherd remembered meeting Meredith. "If she needs a doctor Derek why didn't you take her to the hospital?" Mr. Shepherd watched his son fidget nervously but he didn't speak so he tried again. "Derek, why didn't you take her to the hospital?"

"She didn't want her mother to find out."

"Derek?"

Derek sighed and then turned back to his father knowing he couldn't lie to him. "Her last name is Grey."

"Grey as in Ellis Grey?"

Derek nodded. "Yes Ellis is Meredith's mother. Meredith doesn't want her to know what happened. They aren't exactly close."

"I didn't even know she had a daughter. She talks about her son all the time, I think his name is Jason. But I don't recall her ever mentioning a daughter."

"Jason died two years ago."

"What?"

"There was a car accident. A drunk driver hit him and he was killed instantly. Meredith was in the car and was hurt but she survived. Her step father Ray and Ellis blame Meredith for it. Ellis stays at the hospital as much as possible and Ray…he has hit her before, at the beginning of the year but Meredith told us she would be fine and could handle it herself. I shouldn't have listened to her; I should have done something sooner."

Mr. Shepherd put his hand on Derek's shoulder. "Son, this isn't your fault. You said Ray did this to her. It sounds like her parents didn't know how to deal with their grief over losing a child but they shouldn't have taken it out on her. You can't blame yourself for this Derek."

"I hear what you're saying but still I just, dad she looks really bad, he really hurt her."

Mr. Shepherd watched his son and then he realized what was bothering his son. "I thought you said she is a friend?"

"She is why would you ask that?"

"Because you are acting the same way I act when I am worried about your mother." Mr. Shepherd paused and then added. "You love her." When he finished Mr. Shepherd had a smile on his face as he watched his son take in the information he had just gave him. He patted Derek on the shoulder. "Come on let's make sure she is alright."

Derek and his father made their way up to the room. When they entered Mark, Izzie, and Alex all greeted Mr. Shepherd and he made his way to Meredith. "Did she pass out?"

Derek stepped closer to his father while the other three made their way to the other side of the bed. "No dad. She fell asleep on the way here."

Mr. Shepherd started with taking her pulse when she jerked awake.

"No please."

Derek knelt down close to the bed. "Mer it's ok. You remember my father. He is a doctor and I asked him to make sure you are ok. He won't hurt you and I'll be right here with you."

Meredith nodded. "Ok." She tried to shift in the bed and winced.

"Ok Ms. Grey just stay still." He turned to Izzie. "Izzie, can you get some warm water and some towels so we can clean her up?"

"Of course Mr. Shepherd."

"Derek why don't you grab a sweatshirt and some sweatpants so we can get Ms. Grey more comfortable?"

"I don't want to leave her dad."

"I'll get her something Mr. Shepherd."

"Thank-you Mark. Now Ms. Grey let's make this easy, can you tell me what hurts."

Mark and Izzie came back as Meredith started to talk. "My ankle but I think it's just sprained. I cut my lip and…"

"What is it Mer?" Derek asked but was met with silence. "Mer, my dad can't help you if you don't tell him everything."

Meredith looked to Mr. Shepherd who nodded with a small smile. "I think I broke one or two ribs."

"Ok, I'm going to lift your shirt a little so I can see then." He watched for her to nod and then he slowly lifted her shirt. When he did he heard everyone's sharp intakes of air. He looked at Meredith and saw a tear roll down her cheek. He saw the bruises and as gently as he could he checked her ribs. When he was done there he checked her ankle. "Well Ms. Grey you were right about your ankle and you have two broken ribs on your left side and one on your right side. I have to run to the hospital to get some pain medicine and…"

Meredith cut him off. "No, no pain medicine. It's ok Mr. Shepherd, I'm fine no pain medicine please, Derek, I don't want any pain medicine."

"Ok, Mer. No pain medicine." Derek said and then turned to his dad. "Dad can I talk to you for a minute. I'll be right back Mer." Mr. Shepherd nodded and followed Derek to the door. "She was addicted to pain pills after the accident. She's been clean for almost two years now but she was addicted for two months."

"Ok. Go ahead and clean off the blood and have Izzie help her out of those clothes. I'll go back to the house and get what I need to bandage her ribs and ankle. We can give her some over the counter pain pills for now but tomorrow I am going to the hospital to get something stronger." Mr. Shepherd saw the look on Derek's face. "She has 3 broken ribs Derek, it is painful and the over the counter stuff is not going to help with that much pain. I'll get something, it won't be pills but she needs something stronger to help with that pain. She is trying to hide it but as a doctor I know how much pain she is in so, I'm not going to argue this and its final Derek." Mr. Shepherd stepped out the door and headed to the house.

Derek was a little surprised by his father's words but he went back to Meredith. "Mer. I'm going to clean your face and then Izzie will help you change ok?" Meredith nodded and Derek took the towel and water Izzie had brought and started to wash her face. "Dad said we can try some over the counter pills for the pain."

"Thank-you Derek."

Derek smiled and finished washing her face. Once he was done he signaled for Izzie and then got up to follow Mark and Alex out of the room when Meredith grabbed his hand. "Don't go Derek, please."

"Mer, Izzie is going to help you change." Derek said but saw the pleading in her eyes. "Alright I'll stay." Derek then saw Izzie's face. "I'll close my eyes so I don't see anything inappropriate."

"Alright Meredith let's start with your top." Izzie walked over to help Meredith sit up with Derek's help. Izzie lifted her shirt up as Derek closed his eyes and she put the sweatshirt on. "Ok now let me help you with your pants." Izzie then helped change Meredith's pants as Derek again closed his eyes. "There you're all set. Do you feel any better?"

"A little thank-you Iz." Meredith finished with a yawn.

"My dad should be back soon and as soon as he bandages your ribs and ankle you can get some sleep." Meredith nodded as Mr. Shepherd came back into the room.

"Sorry that took so long. Derek get some water so she can take some pills." Mr. Shepherd handed him the bottle of pills and then set to work with the bandages.

Derek watched his father gently bandage Meredith. He saw her flinch many times and knew she wouldn't vocalize how she felt. He got lost in his thoughts. He continued to think about how he had changed since he met her. He remembered every interaction he had with her and soon he began to wonder if his father was right, did he really love her? He was pulled from his thoughts by his father's voice.

"Ok Derek, give her the pills so she can get some sleep."

Derek gave her the pills and helped Meredith so she could take them.

"Thank-you Dr. Shepherd."

"You're welcome. Now get some rest and I will check on you tomorrow when I get home." Meredith nodded and closed her eyes. "Derek a word."

"I just want to make sure she is a sleep first." Derek knelt down and listened to Meredith's breathing for a few minutes and then looked back to his father. "Ok dad." He followed his father out of the room and the others also followed.

"Is she going to be ok?"

Mr. Shepherd nodded. "She should be but you saw her flinching, she needs something stronger for the pain."

Alex stepped forward a little. "Mr. Shepherd, she…"

Alex was cut off. "I know about the addiction Alex, Derek told me. I understand that she doesn't want to go back to that but she is in pain and though I admire her for wanting to go through this without the medicine I know how much pain she is in right now and I don't want to see that when I know how to help so I am going to go to the hospital in the morning and get something for her. I will talk to her and I'll make sure she doesn't have any problems."

"Thank-you dad."

"Don't thank me yet Derek. You need to tell your mom about this."

"Dad I don't…"

"No you are going to tell her tomorrow morning. I will get up and head to the hospital and be back for breakfast. After we eat you and I are going to sit down and talk to her." Mr. Shepherd saw the appreciation in his sons face. "She needs to know so she can help you care for her."

"What?"

"I know what you're thinking Derek. You want her to stay here."

All eyes went to Derek. "She can't go home dad and she doesn't have anywhere else to go."

"We'll talk to your mother tomorrow. I'm going to head back to bed before your mother wakes up. Goodnight kids."

Mark, Izzie, Alex, and Derek all said goodnight as Mr. Shepherd left. "I need to get going. Mark, Alex do you guys want a ride?"

"Thanks Iz." Alex said and then he turned to Derek. "Call me if she needs anything and I'll stop by tomorrow."

"I will Alex don't worry, I'll take care of her."

"Iz, I'm staying with Derek tonight remember? I'll call you tomorrow ok?"

Izzie nodded. "Okay, goodnight you two." Izzie gave Mark a kiss and a hug. She then turned to Derek and gave him a hug. As she hugged him she whispered in his ear. "Take care of her."

"I will. Goodnight Iz." Derek said as Izzie left leaving Mark and Derek alone. "Why are you staying?"

"Remember I told you my parents are on vacation."

"Sorry, I forgot. Help me move the pool table over so we have enough room and then I'll get the sleeping bags."

Mark helped Derek. "The couch is a pull out."

"It is."

"Then why are we sleeping on the floor?"

"Because I didn't want to be rude and just make you sleep on the floor."

"Oh that's so kind of you but its ok with me if you want to sleep on the floor since you can't sleep with Meredith. Don't worry; I'll be very comfortable on the couch."

"You are not sleeping on the couch." Derek said completely ignoring Mark's comment about Meredith.

"I'll start out on the floor but don't fault me if I end up on the couch."

"Just as long as you stay away from me." Derek said as he laid down closer to the door of his room. "Goodnight Mark and thanks for helping me tonight."

Mark shut off the light and took his spot. "That's what friends are for. Goodnight."

After a few moments of silence Derek spoke again. "If I ever see him again I'll kill him for what he did to her."

"You can't kill him Derek but I'll help you do some damage."

"I didn't realize it was that bad."

"None of us did. You know she doesn't like to talk about herself. It doesn't surprise me that she didn't ask for help."

"I know it's just…"

"She called you Derek. When she needed someone the most she called you."

"Thanks Mark."

"Anytime now let's get some sleep. Morning will be here soon and I want to be wide awake for your moms French toast and for your conversation about Mer."

"You can have the French toast but you won't be there for the conversation."

"We'll see about that."

"Let's go Derek, I'm sure mom has breakfast ready and we don't want her coming up here before you have a chance to talk to her do you?"

Derek pulled his attention from Meredith and turned to Mark. "You're right. I just don't want her to wake up with no one here."

"She will probably sleep for a while. She had a tough night. Did you hear dad leave yet?"

"Yeah. He already left and came back. Let's go."

Derek and Mark both made their way down the stairs and entered the kitchen. They found Michael, Cindy, and Beth sitting at the table and all three looked up as the two entered.

"Look what the cat dragged in. Did you two sleep well?"

"Sure."

"I made French toast and bacon. Let me know if you need anything else."

"It smells great mom."

"Thanks Mark. Are you going to spend the night again?"

"Probably. My parents are out of town for the next month. It's their summer vacation."

"Then you will be staying here."

"How was the party?"

"Beth, finish your breakfast."

"Mom I just want to know how it was."

"It was a party Beth, nothing special."

"That's what you always say Der."

"Well when something exciting happens I'll let you know."

There was silence while the family continued to eat. After a while Beth asked to be excused and she left to go to a friend's house. Once everyone was finished eating they all helped clean up and when they were finished Michael spoke.

"Cindy let's sit down. Derek has something to tell you."

Cindy looked from her husband to her son as she made her way to the table. "What is it Derek?"

"Well last night I…at the party there was…so I…"

"Oh for goodness sakes just spit it out son."

"Michael be nice."

"He brought a friend home."

"Mark."

"Well you weren't going to say it so…"

"Derek what does he mean?"

Derek took a deep breath and decided just to tell her. "I got a phone call from a friend who needed help so we all left the party and picked her up. I didn't have anywhere else to go so we came back here so dad could help her. She's up in the room above the garage."

"Her? And what's this about your dad helping…Michael?"

Michael shook his head not wanting to get into trouble. "Cindy I told him he needed to tell you right away this morning. I didn't want to worry you last night."

"Why would you need your fathers help?"

"Her…her step father hurt her. She didn't want to go to the hospital because she didn't want her mother to find out so I brought her here and got dad to look at her."

Cindy turned her attention back to Michael. "How bad?"

"Three broken ribs, a sprained ankle and some cuts and bruises."

Cindy shook her head and turned back to Derek. "Who is she? Do I know her?"

Derek shook his head in response and before his mother could ask again he answered. "It's Meredith."

"Meredith…your lab partner?"

Derek nodded.

"I knew something was wrong."

Meredith slowly opened her eyes and realized she wasn't in her house. She looked around and soon the memories of the night came back to her. As the memories came back panic filled her and all she wanted to do was get out of the room she was in and hide. She slowly pulled herself up. The pain shot through her but she knew she had to move. Slowly she swung her legs over the side of the bed and went to stand only to fall back down. That's when she remembered that she hurt her ankle.

With determination she managed to get up and make her way out of the room into the joining room. She found a phone and quickly made a call. After hanging up she looked at the clock and knew she didn't have too long to get home. She took a deep breath and started to make her way to the door. The pain was almost unbearable but she knew she had to bare it so that she could get out of there. Once she opened the door she saw the stairs and took another deep breath as she started to make her way down them.

She realized she was only half way down when she heard the car pull up and honk. She looked up and gave a small wave asking the driver to wait for her as she continued to make her way down the rest of the stairs.

"What was that?" Michael asked as he watched Mark stand and make his way to the window.

"It's a cab."

"A cab. What on earth is a cab doing here?" Cindy asked as she too made her way to the window.

Derek and Michael shared a look before Derek spoke. "Meredith." Michael nodded as he stood and followed Derek out the door with Cindy and Mark following behind. Michael turned to Mark. "Mark send the cab away."

"Yes sir." Mark replied as he parted from the group and made his way down the driveway.

"Meredith."

She heard her name and paused for a moment. She looked up and saw Derek and Michael coming towards her with Cindy following behind. She didn't want them to see her so she tried to pick up her pace. She had made it down the stairs and was starting to go down the driveway. Due to her ankle however she stumbled and braced herself for the fall that was coming.

"Meredith what are you doing out of bed." Derek asked as he caught her.

"I'm going home. I called a cab, I need to go home."

"Mer, you can't go home. Not after what he did to you."

"It's okay, I'll be okay. I need to get breakfast made before he wakes up."

"You are not going anywhere except back to bed."

Meredith looked up to see Michael standing next to Derek.

"Thank you for your help last night Dr. Shepherd. I really appreciate it."

Michael watched the girl trying to hide her pain. She was tough that much he knew. "I'm glad you appreciate it Meredith now let's get you up to bed so that you can heal."

"I'll be good at home, thank you."

Cindy had watched the exchange and decided to step forward. "Meredith, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine Mrs. Shepherd, thank you for asking. I just need to get home." Meredith said keeping her head down.

Cindy stepped closer and raised Meredith's face so that they were looking at each other. When she saw Meredith's face she wanted to cry but she knew that wouldn't help. "You're not going anywhere sweetheart except to bed. We are going to help you get better and then we can figure out everything else."

Meredith looked into her eyes and saw the love there. She had wondered so many times what it would feel like to have a mother's love like Cindy had for her children and just for a moment she felt it. In that moment of weakness she nodded.

Cindy felt Meredith nod and looked to her husband. "Take her up Michael."

Michael nodded and picked Meredith up. He noticed right away how light she was and when he looked down he noticed that she had passed out. "It's from the pain. Let's get her settled and I'll give her something to make her more comfortable." Michael finished as he started towards the garage room.

"Wait Michael. Take her up to Nancy's room. If she's going to be here I want her close so I can help take care of her."

Michael smiled and turned towards the house while Cindy, Derek, and Mark followed him in and up to the room Meredith would now be staying in.

Once Meredith was settled and Michael had given her something more for the pain Cindy, Michael, Mark, and Derek all made their way down to the living room.

"Now Michael tell me what I need to know to take care of her."

Michael smiled knowing his wife wouldn't pass up an opportunity for more mothering. "We just need to keep her comfortable and allow her to heal. There really isn't anything else to do for her."

"Well that shouldn't be too hard then. I'll just make sure we have everything she would need in the room for her."

Mark let out a laugh at Cindy's response.

"Is there a problem Mark?"

"I'm sorry mom but you don't know Mer all that well. She is not just going to lie in bed."

"She will if she knows what's good for her."

"Mom, Mark's right. Mer is use to doing everything for herself and others. She doesn't know how to let others help her and she is very very stubborn."

Cindy smiled and turned to Michael. "Well then I'll just have to make sure she knows she doesn't have a choice."

"Good luck mom."

"I'm going to head up and sit with Mer."

"I'm going to head up and play some games. Feel free to join me once you get bored with the babysitting." Mark replied as he headed up the stairs towards Derek's bedroom.

Derek smiled at his parents before following Mark up the stairs however he entered Nancy's room while Mark went one door further.

Cindy turned back to her husband after the boys had disappeared. "He loves her."

"I think you are right dear."

"She's a good girl."

"Again, I think you are right. I know I haven't spent much time with her however I see the way Derek looks at her and I know he wouldn't look that way at just anyone."

"What are we going to do?"

"Let's just get her healed first and then we can worry about the rest."

"She's not going back to that man."

"I figured you would say that. Don't worry Cindy I wouldn't dream of sending her back to that place after seeing what that man did to her last night."

"He's hurt her before."

"What?"

"I wasn't sure however after seeing what he did to her last night I know he has. She tried to hide it but…I should have pushed her harder."

"Don't be so hard on yourself Cindy. She's here now and we'll make sure she doesn't get hurt anymore."

"We?"

"I see the look in your eye. It's the same look that you had when you found out that Mark's parents were never around."

"So she can stay here?"

"I don't see why not now that Sara, Nancy and Kathleen are out of the house we do have the room. Although I have a feeling it is going to be pretty hard to convince her to stay."

"Don't worry about that, I'll take care of it and I have a feeling Derek will be a great help."

"I will agree with you on that. Come on lets go check on her."

There you have how I started living with the Shepherds at least that time. Later I found out that Mrs. Shepherd knew that something was wrong. I think that's why it was so easy for her to open up her home to me or maybe it was just the way she was, after all she did take in Mark.

I was a little worried about Mr. Shepherd though. After all, I hadn't spent a lot of time with him. He was not one that talked much so usually he would say hi and either head to his office to finish some paperwork or spend some time with Beth or Mrs. Shepherd when I was there. When I would stay for dinner he still didn't talk much. He usually just asked how everyone's day was and then let them talk. I remember sitting at the dinner table with them on many occasions wondering if that was what a real family was.

Since I didn't know Mr. Shepherd very well I was surprised that he let me stay with them and that he helped me. Looking back now I should have known better. Mr. Shepherd would do anything to help those that he cared about and I think at that time he cared about me because Derek and Mark who were his sons cared about me.

Auther's Note: I would appreciate any comments you can give if you have a few minutes after taking the time to read...I hope you enjoyed if not all some of the chapter. Next chapter should be up in a week.