I know this is short, but it is the way it works with the stories. . . natural breaks. . . I hope it is ok. Hope you continue to enjoy. . .

The next day. . .

"Hey, what do you want to eat?" Alex called to Meredith who was in the laundry room.

"I don't care—any suggestions?"

"How about a grilled cheese . . . " Alex suggested being that was about all any of them could make.

Meredith came in the kitchen, "we are pathetic . . . we don't know how to cook . . . "

"Well, we could go grab a bite to eat since Cristina went to the library."

Meredith raised an eyebrow at her brother, "Since when do you call her by her first name?"

"Uh . . . well, we do live together . . . we should try and get along . . . " Alex said kind of stuttering.

"Ok, let's go to the café down the street. They have really good soups and salads." Meredith suggested.

"Sounds great to me. . . "

They get to the café and are seated out on the veranda.

"So, there is something I need to tell you. . . " Meredith said nervously. She didn't want to tell her brother Derek had called yesterday, but she knew it would come up and she thought now was as good a time as any. They were at a public place so he couldn't lose his cool, could he?

"Ok, so shoot." Alex said nonchalantly.

"DerekShepherdCalledToTalkToYouYesterday." Meredith said quickly.

"What did you say?" Alex said, thinking for a second, "Did you just say what I think you just said—that asshole called me yesterday."

"Yes, but, let me explain. Please calm down and let me talk." Meredith said hurriedly. She is hoping she can talk to him rationally about Derek. She needs him to listen. . . She needs him to . . .

"So, he was calling to talk to me. What did the as. . . What did Derek want?" Alex said trying to listen to what Meredith had to say.

"He was calling to say . . . to say he was sorry . . . "

"He has nothing to be sorry for, he is a sorry piece of shit that bumped into my car. Because of that, I have to pay way too much money to get the paint re-done."

"Alex, just listen. Please." Meredith knew this was hopeless. It is now she realized they could just never be. She had to just get him out of her mind.

"Meredith, do you want me to listen to what he had to tell me? Or, is it more than that. . . "

"I just wanted to give you the message that Derek left." Meredith replied back in a hushed tone.

"Ok, so what did he want?"

Meredith took a deep breath. "He called to apologize . . . for the race the other night . . . "

"Wow, I guess he has no balls . . . what else did he want."

"That was about it." Meredith said biting her lip something she does when she is nervously.

"What in the hell did you guys talk about." Alex said with a little more urgency in his voice as he noticed Meredith's uneasiness.

"Nothing at all . . . not a thing . . . I just wanted to make sure you got the message. He did seem truly sorry though . . . "

"I am sure he did once he realized . . . " Alex wanted to finish, but saw the pleading eyes of his twin and couldn't say anymore. By seeing the way Meredith was reacting, Alex knew that SOB only called to try and make himself look better in the eyes of his sister. But, he knew she didn't need to hear it now.

"Look, I told him I would give you the message, so that is the message . . . "

"Thanks . . . I hope he doesn't expect a call back."

Meredith let out a small giggle, "I told him not to be waiting by the phone for one."

"Good . . . I may have to say something at practice tomorrow. You know, be a real smart ass."

"You wouldn't be you if you didn't . . ."Meredith said laughing.

Towards the end of the meal Alex asked, "So, I could really use your help tomorrow at practice. We are having some trouble with one of the turns at the track and could use a new pair of eyes. Do you know anyone good?"

"Well, I may just know of someone who is great . . . "

"Does this person have any plans?"

"I think she can make time to come to the track."

"It is a she, is she hot?"

"You are hopeless . . . "

"I may be . . . but you love me . . . "

"That I do baby brother." Meredith said.

"Hey, I am only 4 minutes younger. "

"Doesn't matter . . . I am still the older."

"And you will never let me forget." Alex said laughing.

"I would be glad to come to the track tomorrow to help out."

"There should only be a few other people there."

"Good, we don't need any distractions." Meredith said, not sure if she really believed that. . .