Derek stepped into the elevator with a grim expression on his face. He leant against the opposite wall and narrowed his eyes at his former girlfriend and his former best friend whose hair was still messy from Meredith's hands running through them.

''Looks like you've found a distraction from me, Meredith.'' Derek gave a fake smile. ''But Mark? I thought your taste in men was better.''

Meredith snorted angrily. ''It's not your business what/where and with whom I do whatever. And for my taste in men, I think my sense of taste has been a little off the last two years but it's certainly getting better now.'' She smiled at Mark before turning back to face Derek.

''So, just do Mark and me a favor and get lost.''

Mark wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him, whispering in her ear.

''I'm proud of you, Mer.''

''Thanks, Mark.''

Derek pushed the stop button furiously and rushed forward to yank Meredith away from Mark's body and against himself. Meredith squirmed and tried to free herself unsuccessfully, Mark already on his way to help.

''You love me! We're Derek and Meredith! We're us! I'm sorry I hurt you but so did you! Mark's an asshole, he will never love -'' Derek's insistent talking to his struggling exgirlfriend was cut off when Mark pulled her back against with a firm grip, his eyes shooting daggers at his former best friend.

''Don't you dare to do that ever again! Never again, you hear me! Or I will personally cut off your penis and sew it to your forehead. Without anesthesia.'' Mark quickly leant over to push the stop button again, holding Meredith close to him.

The elevator doors slid open with a 'ding' and Mark got off, Meredith in tow.

''Thank you, Mark. I really owe you'', Meredith whispered softly to Mark as they entered an on-call room. She leant against the wall and sighed heavily.

''That asshole! That women-yanking son of a bitch! How dare he?! How does he even think he could do that?! I should've beaten him to a gulp! Yes, that's what I should've done, yes! That's it, I'm going back out there! I'll hold my promise! Someone give me a needle! I swear I'm going to -''

Meredith kissed his lips curtly and smiled at him. Mark looked at her in confusion, his mouth hanging open.

''It's okay, Mark. I'm fine. Everything's fine. You're fine, I'm fine, we're fine. I love that you helped me, saved me but now, just shut up and lie with me. I want to sleep.''

Mark grinned as Meredith as she threw herself onto one of the beds and gestured for him to come over. He quickly slipped off his shoes and lay next to Meredith on the bed, putting his arm over her waist with a satisfied sigh.

After a few silent minutes, Mark quietly asked her ''Mer, do you like me?''

''Yes, a lot'', came her sleepy response. Mark gulped.

''How much?''

''Hm ... I guess I like you very much.'' She paused. ''Why?''

''I was just thinking ... do you think you might be able to like me as much as I like you ... one day?'', he asked uncertainly.

She thought for quite a long time before answering him. ''I think I'm already pretty close to doing exactly that.''

Mark smiled wildly and closed his eyes after pressing a gentle kiss onto her neck.

''Sleep well, Mer.''

''You, too Mark.''