Disclaimer: Grey's Anatomy is not mine. It is, in fact, Shonda's. And unfortunately In Shonda's Grey's Anatomy, McSteamy and McDreamy are not fighting over me. Boo Shonda.

Derek sat on Meredith's porch swing, awaiting her return. He cradled his head in his palms, running his hands through his hair anxiously. He saw headlights pull into the driveway and sit, stalled for a few moments. He finally saw Meredith step out of the car, her face slightly flushed, and walk towards the house. The car waited for a moment before leaving, almost as if the driver had watched her walk to the door.

'Meredith.' Derek uttered lovingly.

'Derek…What are you doing here?'

'I had to talk to you. Like I haven't been able to do in a while.' Meredith sat silently, unsure of how to respond. 'Mer, who brought you home? It's late. Where have you been?' A blush crept her cheeks.

'Oh, nobody you would know. Just having dinner with a friend,' she quickly lied. She knew Derek could see through her. His gaze could penetrate her. 'Fine. It was Mark. Mark and I went to dinner. But only as friends. We were just getting to know each other. Nothing happened.'

'Meredith,' Derek said softly, 'I trust you. If you say it was nothing, then I believe you.' There was the slightest sense of bitterness in his voice, which he tried to hide. Meredith stood uncomfortably and averted her gaze. 'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. That's not why I came here, though.' Derek grabbed Meredith's hand gently and guided her to sit down next to him on the swing. He sat overwhelmingly close. 'Mer, I love you. I can't be without you. I need you. And I know things have been difficult recently, but you have to know. I love you.'

'What does this mean, Derek? Did you divorce Addison?' Derek shifted uncomfortably.

'Meredith…' She pulled away from Derek. She quickly moved off of the swing. 'I don't love her. I love you. I intend to divorce her.'

'But you haven't. Seriously! You can't say things to me while you're married. You just can't Derek.' Meredith walked towards her door, but he grabbed her arm firmly.

'I let you walk away too many times before. But not now. I know that this is bad for you. It isn't good for me either. We were blissfully happy together and all I can dream about is what could have happened if I hadn't been so ignorant. But here's the thing, I love you. And I can't imagine my life without you.' He pulled her into a passionate kiss. Shivers surged through Meredith's body. When they pulled away, there were tears in her eyes and she tried to normalize her breathing. She stared into his eyes, shaking her head slightly.

'Derek, I just can't.' Meredith walked away, and this time Derek didn't stop her from walking away.


Derek drove out of Meredith's driveway, dejectedly. He went home to his empty trailer and sat on his porch, a glass of scotch in hand. He had seen the pain in Meredith's eyes when he kissed her. He knew she loved him; he could tell, but the look in her eyes was so full of pain and regret. She didn't want to love him anymore. He hated hurting her. He hated it more than anything. Seeing Meredith had finally led Derek to understanding that he had to make a choice; that he couldn't remain indecisive, hurting all three people involved.

Derek hadn't been in love with Addison, consciously for two years. He had been married to her for eleven. He had loved Meredith for two months. Derek nostalgically remembered his happy years with Addison. Most of his memories involved Mark as well. He wished those days had never ended. Their lives were blissful then. But everything was different now. He loves Meredith. Mark loved his wife. Derek knew what his choice would be. It wasn't really one he had to decide. The answer had always been there. Derek went inside and took out the divorce papers Addison had given him a few days before. With little hesitation, he took his pen in hand and signed the papers, effectively voiding the last eleven years of his life and making way for a future with Meredith.


Burke was walking down the halls of Seattle Grace looking for Cristina when he got a page from Chief Webber, calling him to his office. Burke went into his office and shook the Chief's hand firmly.

'Preston, I spoke with Dr. Yang yesterday. She's taken a leave of absence for a… minor procedure. I wasn't sure if you knew that she was leaving…and I figured you might want to be there too…' Chief said awkwardly.

'Ah. I was aware of the procedure, but not that she was leaving so soon. Thank you for informing me, Chief.'

'Do you need to take a leave as well?'

'I believe so. I have to be there for her. I want to be there for her.' Chief Webber and Burke shook hands and nodded their goodbyes. Burke left the office and headed towards the parking lot.


Mark sat alone on a bed in an on-call room. He hadn't slept much the previous night, after being paged into emergency surgery during the middle of it. He didn't mind much, though. He knew it would have been a sleepless night anyway. He again attempted to sleep, but thoughts of Meredith and him invaded his mind. He had never found a connection like he shared with Meredith in a woman. Addison had been more of a mutual lust, repressed and forbidden enough to be confused for love. He thought fondly about the way Meredith smelled, giggled, breathed. But Derek was always there to ruin his happy reflections. Guilt wracked his mind. He had already taken Addison. How could he possibly even think about betraying Derek a second time? A second time that would be even more fatal to their friendship than the first.

A soft knocking broke his reverie, before a graceful redhead waltzed into the on-call room.

'Addison…' She closed the door behind herself and sat down on the bed next to him. Mark sat up.

'Mark, I'm so confused. I don't even think Derek wants me anymore. He doesn't love me. He loves her.' Addison gave Mark her best vulnerable, depressed look. But Mark was now immune.

'Addison, I'm sorry. But I just can't.' Mark walked out of the room, leaving a rejected Addison.

I'm so sorry about the long wait for the next chapter. I'm already working on the next update so we get to find out exactly what is happening now that Derek has signed the divorce papers and Mark shows an intense conflict of interests. As always, reviews would be greatly appreciated. Any adivce or even potential plotlines you would particularly enjoy are always welcome suggestions.