Disclaimer: I don't own Grey's Anatomy.

Enjoy!


Chapter 9

Meredith's POV

'This is it, dear!'

I looked around curiously. The living room wasn't very big but it was light and somehow, it looked spacious because of its large windows and the lack of furniture. To my left were two bedrooms. I opened the door to the first one and against the far brick wall stood a wooden four poster bed scattered with bright blue pillows and a soft fur blanket. To my right was a tall window, taking up half the length of the wall and outside was a small balcony overlooking the Elliot bay. The rest of the walls were a pleasant ash white with light blue curtains fluttering at the window. Straight across from me was another door, which I assumed was the bathroom. I scanned it quickly, immediately loving it, with its walk-in shower, bath tub and sink.

'This is great but I…I can never afford it.' I stammered while my eyes scanned the cozy bedroom again.

Mrs. Hudson, Cristina's landlady who'd accompanied me to the apartment, named the price of the rent and I nearly called out in my joy and amazement.

'OK, I'm taking it!'

'Alright dear,' Mrs. Hudson said, 'It's nice that you've decided to move in. Apartment 28C is a really lovely apartment but people often take it as too small.'

'I think it's perfect for me and my sister,' I replied with a satisfied smile.

Mrs. Hudson gently patted my arm, 'So miss Webber…?'

'Please call me Meredith,' I interrupted her.

The landlady smiled, 'of course, Meredith….Are you also taking the bedroom furniture, dear?'

Mrs. Hudson left while I checked out the rest of the apartment. The second bedroom had a high vaulted ceiling with a soaring corner window with white plantation shutters. A braided rug was lying on the beautiful wooden floor and a big comfy bed with large pillows stood against the gorgeous exposed brick wall. Slowly, I walked over to the bed. I sat down and rested my head on the large, soft pillows. Closing my eyes, it seemed as if an eternity passed while the massive pillows surrounded my head like warm marshmallows taken from an open fire pit; this was definitely my future bedroom.

Derek was chatting with my dad and Owen Hunt about post-operation procedures while I was waiting in front of the elevator. Derek's voice slightly sidetracked my attention because our night together still featured regularly in my daydreams. For a moment, I closed my eyes to chase away the vivid image of Derek naked in that large, cozy bed with its soft pillows but then Cristina walked by. She caught my eye and smiled, giving me a saucy wink and I slightly paled. Could she read my mind?

'You OK?' Cristina asked as we were waiting for the elevator together. 'You looked kind of day dreamy; like you're having a secret or something.'

I blushed again, and my hand automatically touched my burning cheek. Cristina and I had gotten to know each other reasonably well over the last few months but it was too soon to tell her about Derek and me, so I cleared my throat.

'Nah…it's just…Cristina? I've done it!' I smiled when I turned to her.

'You did what?'

'I've rented the apartment next to you.'

'You DID…but that's GREAT, 'Cristina yelped, drawing the men's attention.

Squinting at the screeching sound of her voice, I pressed a finger to my lips, 'Shh…calm down. I haven't told my parents yet.'

Cristina looked up at me, her mouth curling into a wide smile. 'We're gonna be neighbors,' she whispered. I giggled while I shot a quick glance at Derek. He was looking at me and almost unnoticeably gave me a nod with his head. My dad also stared at me with his gentle eyes and I caught myself smiling as a tore my gaze away from Derek.


Derek's POV

I was in OR 3, telling the anesthesiologist how long the surgery would last, when Meredith walked in.

'Hello Doctor Shepherd' she said, '…you called for me'?

'Hey,' I gave her a polite smile, reminding myself that I needed to act professionally around her.

'Doctor Webber, what do you know about choanal Atresia?' I asked while the anesthesiologist adjusted his equipment.

'A baby's nasal passage is blocked by bone or tissue, so it can't breathe properly, 'Meredith recited thoroughly. 'Are you operating on one?'

I shook my head, 'Today, they brought in a little boy; Ryan, six months old…both his nasal passages are blocked and he has trouble breathing. Doctor Robbins has scheduled his operation for tomorrow. She asked me to scrub in. Would you like to join us?'

'Of course,' Meredith nodded with sparkling eyes.

'OK…then come on. Doctor Robbins is in surgery, we'll have to inform the parents.'

By the time we'd reached the children's ward, I had told Meredith the full patient history. I opened the door room 4226 and introduced Meredith to the boy's parents.

'Oh, he's so beautiful,' Meredith said softly, stroking the baby's cheek and smiling at his mother, 'You must be so proud of him.'

'We are!' Ryan's mother bit her lip. 'But…'

'…You're worried about the operation,' Meredith said quickly. '…Let me assure you that have absolutely nothing to worry about. Doctor Robbins and Doctor Shepherd are excellent surgeons.'

'The operation takes about an hour,' I continued. 'It's under a general anesthesia so you won't be able to be with him during the operation, but you're welcome to wait here on the ward or in the cafeteria. We'll come and find you as soon as Ryan is out of the OR.'

'…so you can cuddle him,' Meredith completed my sentence.

'We can touch him afterwards?' Ryan's mother asked.

'Certainly,' Meredith assured her.

Ryan's mother sighed and turned to hug her husband.

'We'll come and see you tomorrow,' I promised. 'If you need anything…just ask.'

Ryan's parents, clearly overwhelmed just nodded as I gently took Meredith's arm and guided her out of the room.

'You,' I smiled. '…are brilliant. Thanks for your help with Ryan's parents.'

Meredith shrugged, 'It's just my job.'

'That's not how it comes across Meredith. You really care,' I said softly while I brought up my hand to stroke her cheek.

'Derek?' Meredith blushed and shyly glanced over her shoulder. '…Not here…what if my mother…'

Grabbing Meredith by her wrist, I reeled her in, pulling her into an empty on call room.

'Is it OK if I kiss you in here?'

'Maybe we should save the kissing for later,' she said softly while she swallowed hard.

'But I really need to kiss you right now,' I said gently. I stepped toward Meredith, wanted to pull her into my arms. She looked determent but I needed to touch her. Slowly, I took another step and another. When she didn't draw back, I reached for her. She moved easily in my embrace, her head coming to rest on my shoulder, a sigh escaping her. I felt her trembling.

Was I trembling too? I didn't know but there obviously was a strong physical attraction between us.

When Meredith lifted her head, I lowered mine and our lips met. A small moan escaped her and the need for more intimacy filled me at once. I reached up to cup Meredith's breast and she swayed against me, her hardened nipple abrading my palm through her scrub shirt. I felt I was already hard, more than ready to make to love to her but we couldn't…not now.

'I'm sorry,' I murmured against her lips when I removed my hand from her breast.

'Me too.'

'Maybe we can see each other later at my apartment?' She suddenly softly said while she straightened her scrubs.

I stared in astonishment at Meredith, 'At your apartment?'

Meredith's mouth curled up in a wide smile and a twinkle played in her eyes. 'Yes…my apartment. I'm moving out of my parent's house.'

Smiling, I nodded in approval, 'I'd love to see your apartment,' I said.


Meredith's POV

'OK, I'll her…thanks Doctor Torres,' I said while putting down the phone's receiver and looking at my not amused sister.

Lexie shook her head, 'I'm not leaving here.'

'Sweetie, you've made a full recovery. It's time to leave the hospital. Doctor Robbins is planning to release you this Friday,' I softly said.

Lexie sighed. 'I know…she told me. But I'm not ready yet. My chest still hurts and sometimes, I get these palpatations.'

'Lexie…'

'Meredith, I'm scared. Tears slowly started sliding down Lexie's face.

'Oh, Lexie…,' I sat down on the foot of her bed pulling her into my arms. '…you don't have to be scared.' I wiped away Lexie's tears as I pulled away.

'I'm not going anywhere. You're fine and the first sign something is wrong, I'll bring you back to the hospital. I promise,' I whispered.

'I know,' Lexie sighed as she leaned her forehead against mine. '…but I don't know where to go. You said it yourself that your mom doesn't approve me living with you. I'm not going back to that…dump,' Lexie cried again.

I smild and I leaned forward and tilted Lexie's chin, 'you're coming home with me Lex. I'v rented an apartment downtown. We can move in next Friday. I haven't bought furniture yet but the bedrooms are complete with beds and all. I hope you like a four poster bed?'

Lexie squinted her eyes at me, not expecting this, 'w…what?'

I nodded as I squeezed Lexie's hand, 'you're my sister and I'm gonna take care of me…and YOU. I've lived my whole life with my parents. It's time to live on my own…well, together with you sis. You want to?'

'I'd love to,' Lexie whispered while her face lit up with a smile.

'Now, I just have to tell my parents,' I said when a sick feeling started in the pit of my stomach.


To be continued...

Have ideas for this fic? Please let them know!