Meredith knocks anxiously on Dr. Webber's door, hearing his muffled voice call her in.

MER: You wanted to see me sir?

CHIEF: Oh, yes, Meredith, come in come in. Take a seat, please.

Meredith nervously makes her way over to the chair, and sits facing Webber across the desk.

CHIEF: Listen, I know you've already had a shift since, but I just wanted to see how you were handling things? You know, after the bomb…

Meredith sighs, relieved.

MER: Oh Chief, I'm fine. Eager to be back today actually.

CHIEF: A little skeptical Well, if you feel you need time off, I wouldn't hold it against you.

MER: I'm fine, really.

Meredith gets up to leave, but Webber ushers her to sit back down.

Uh oh.

CHIEF: Listen Meredith, there were rumors circulating in your absence yesterday…

Meredith gulps.

CHIEF: About you and Derek…

She glances off to the right.

CHIEF: Normally, I wouldn't say anything Meredith, but I changed your diapers when you were little. You've been like a daughter to me, I don't want to see you get hurt again…

Meredith stares at him for a second, suddenly becoming very angry.

MER: practically yelling How dare you pretend you ever had my best interests at heart!

CHIEF: Meredith what's going on?

Meredith calms down a little, she needs to if she wants to get out what needs to be said.

MER: I've been going over this and over this in my mind trying to piece this together. It was you, you're the reason my parents broke up. And it wasn't just an affair, she really loved you. She left her husband for you. But you stayed with your wife. You're the reason my father left, the reason I grew up without a dad. Don't you dare tell me you don't want to see me get hurt again, when you're the one who caused the pain to begin with!!

Richards shocked face, and lack of denial, only confirms what Meredith already knew.

With that, she storms out of the Chief of Surgery's office, slamming the door. The reality of what she just did sinks in.

MER: Crap.

-----

Meredith storms into Derek's office, and startled, he looks up from the post op notes he'd been working on. Without saying a word she begins to pace angrily back and forth across the length of the office, muttering to herself.

MER: How dare he question who I choose to see? Jerk. Ass. MAN!

DER: concerned Woah, Meredith calm down! What's wrong!?

MER: What's wrong!? Oh I'll tell you what's wrong! It's you, men, think you know everything, when really YOU'RE THE ONE THAT WAS SLEEPING WITH MY MOTHER!!

Derek looks at her, a little shocked.

DER: taken aback Meredith I don't know what you've heard, but I most certainly have not been sleeping –

She waves her hand dismissively at him.

MER: No, no, no! Not you! Him! points at the closed door

Derek stares at the door confused, then gets up out of his chair and cautiously approaches her. A little nervous she might attack him, he slowly reaches out, grabbing her arms to steady her. His touch calms her and she immediately exhales deeply and stops to face him.

DER: Slow down. Explain.

MER: The Chief. He had an affair years ago with my mother. He's the reason my father left.

DER: surprised Are you sure? How do you know?

MER: I was talking to him, and he said something, and it all just suddenly fit Derek. And then I was yelling, and he was sitting there and oh god, Derek. I could kill him, I really could.

Meredith starts to sob a little and Derek pulls her in close, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her protectively. Whispering in her ear;

DER: Shhhh, Mer, it's okay. It'll be fine, you'll see..

MER: sniffling I just yelled at the Chief of Surgery.

DER: kisses her on the head I'm sure he'll get over it, considering the circumstances…

MER: Oh I could care less how he feels right now.

DER: affectionately You really let him have it, didn't you?

MER: giggling a little I slammed his door too..

Derek smiles at her sudden change of temper, and gently wipes the tears from her eyes. Smiling up at him, she pulls herself up to sit on his desk, and he moves to stand in between her legs, hands on her waist.

MER: grinning widely We have some time before lunch…

With one quick motion Derek sweeps the files and papers off his desk, sending pens flying across the room.

DER: laughing I've always wanted to do that.

Meredith gazes into his eyes, which are filled with a desire that reflects her own. She slides herself further back across the hard surface, then roughly grabs his collar helping pull him up onto the desk and on top of her.