Meredith Grey never saw herself doing this . . . in a kitchen . . . cooking . . . well, trying to anyway and she was surprised to learn how much fun cooking could be. She couldn't believe this was her third attempt to cook with these ladies. She stopped by the night after Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd came home from the hospital in Denver to bring something from Turtle Rock and was amazed to find so much food. She mentioned to Mrs. Shepherd she would have liked to have cooked something for them, but she had no idea how to cook. Mrs. Shepherd said she would love to teach her on Sunday nights. Every Sunday night for the last 8 years, the Sullivan's and Shepherd's ate together. The women cooked and the men cleaned up. For the last 3 weeks, since William has been home . . . they have been at the Shepherd's each week and the woman are doing both cooking and cleaning. Meredith didn't mind the cleaning part; the only thing she had to worry about was breaking something.

Somehow cooking with these women seemed so natural . . . and every time she came over, it seemed to be more and more natural. Tonight's lesson was apple pie. . . Krista Sullivan was trying to show her how to mix the dry ingredients first.

"Now, Meredith . . . this is the trick to a good pie crust . . . mix the dry ingredients first, but you can't over stir it. Just mush the Crisco in with the flour and the pinch of salt until it is mixed together." She said kindly to Meredith.

"Oh . . . um . . . ok." Meredith looked down at the recipe Krista had written out for her. She couldn't believe these ladies do this from memory. She didn't think she could ever do that. She got the dry ingredients into the bowl and started to combine the ingredients.

"Yes, Meredith, that is great. Just keep going until it is blended . . . you are doing it perfectly . . . you aren't stirring to fast or anything." She said smiling at her. Amanda stopped what she was doing to look as well.

"You have the touch. Must be the doctor hands. . . " Amanda added looking over at Krista, both of them smiling.

Meredith looked at both of them, knowing there was a story . . . Krista started, "Darby actually does the best crust . . . no one can top it. But, you . . . you may."

"Does he get the flour all over him because I am quite sure I have more on me already than what is in this bowl?" Meredith said laughing. She truly enjoyed being in the kitchen with these women. They helped her and encouraged her, something she wasn't used to, but was embracing it here in Laramie.

They both joined Meredith in laughter, "Dear, I think he gets more over everything when he does it. But, he says that is what makes it the best." Krista said continuing to laugh.

Krista then explained how to add the wet ingredients. The key to that was not to pour in all of the water at once . . . and never work the crust too much. When the crust was in a good ball, Krista explained how to flatten it out to make the crust. Meredith did as instructed and put it in the bottom of the pie pan.

"Now, you get to make one all by yourself . . . for the top of the pie . . . I am going to start getting the salad ready." Krista said warmly to Meredith.

"Oh. . . I don't think. . . I am not sure. . ." Meredith looked at her worriedly.

"You can do it, dear. . ." She said giving her the confidence she needed.

"Yes. . . I can." Meredith said knowing she needed to at least try. She wanted to do this. It was part of her growing and this new life she was starting to really enjoy.

Meanwhile, Darby and William are outside on the porch swing drinking lemonade and talking. . .

"It is really good that Meredith is getting out more . . . she seems to have made big strides in the last month. I didn't go into the office once this week . . . the people in town are really starting to like her as well." Darby said smiling.

Both men noticed a car driving up the driveway. . . "She is doing better it seems. Is that my son? He is not supposed to be home until tomorrow."

Darby and William stood up as Derek stopped the car. He was not supposed to be there until tomorrow but after telling Jill this morning that he was moving, he decided to get in the car and come home today... He knew he shouldn't have avoided her for weeks, but it seemed he was just so busy and there was never a good time. He had not even seen her since the day in the hospital . . . the day of his dad's surgery. He was shocked that she was even upset . . . much more than he expected her to be and this was the reason he left today instead of tomorrow. Maureen was disappointed, but he was worried Jill would just show up and make a scene. Mark was going to continue to go to dinner with the family.

William got to the car slowly while Darby opened the door. . . "It is great to see you. . . Welcome Home." Darby said, shaking his hand, tightly.

"Thanks. . . Dad . . . how are you? You look good, are you sure you should be walking this far?" Derek said making sure his dad was doing ok.

"Derek, I am fine and am glad to see you, but weren't you coming tomorrow?" William asked curiously.

Derek sighed not wanting to tell him the real reason, "Well, if you want, I can turn around and come back, but I thought I would just surprise you and mom. I knew you guys would be cooking enough for an army." He said smiling at his father.

"No, no, I am glad you are here . . . your mother is going to be thrilled . . ." William said giving his son a big hug.

The three men walked into the house, immediately into the kitchen, "Look at what the cat dragged in . . ." William said with a huge smile on his face.

All three women turned around . . . His mother immediately dropped what she was doing and went over to her son, embracing him in a tight hug . . . "Derek, what are you doing here? I thought you were coming in tomorrow."

"Well. . . Surprise . . . Guess I was just excited to come home and did not want to wait another . . ." He stopped suddenly when he looked over and saw the most beautiful thing ever. . . Meredith . . . in his mother and father's kitchen covered in flour. . . "day." He choked out. This face . . . this person . . . he had thought about her for three straight weeks and he wondered when he would see her, but he never thought she would be here. . .

The older adults in the room took notice of Derek and his eyes. . . How much they changed in a split second. Derek walked over to her, "Hello Meredith . . ."

"I am glad you and your father have finally learned my name." She said smiling at him before realizing she must look like a mess with flour everywhere. She immediately turned around to wipe the flour that she knew was on her face.

Derek did not want to laugh but could not help himself . . . she looked so cute standing there with flour on her face.

"Derek, Meredith is making apple pie . . ." Amanda said smiling at her son, "your favorite."

"Yes, it is. . ." He said smiling at Meredith.

"I have actually never made an apple pie before . . . so, don't expect much. . . I actually. . Um. . . I don't cook. . ." She said rambling.

The more she talked the more Derek wanted to hear. . . "I am sure it will be great." He said giving her a reassuring smile.

She wasn't sure why she couldn't take her eyes off of him and the smile. . . their eyes connected . . . The four adults in the room saw the look as well. . . One day . . . there could be so much more between the two. . .

Derek was the first one to break the stare, "Um. . . I have to go . . . get the stuff out of the car."

As Derek walked out of the kitchen, Darby leaned over to William and whispered . . . "I think there could be a romance in Laramie brewing. . ."

William just nodded, "I believe you could be right." He said smiling. . .

Meredith caught her breath, "yes . . . good. . ." She had to get back to cooking . . . cooking was good . . . She knew she shouldn't be . . . looking at Derek . . . she couldn't . . . it was too soon . . . but, his smile . . . made her heart swell. . .

By the time Derek got back to the kitchen, Amanda was putting the food on the table.

They sat around the table talking about the ranch. Derek found out the new stud they brought in a few weeks ago had done his job. . . Queenie was expecting a foul in about 10 ½ months. . .

Derek told his dad how proud of him he was for letting George take over until he got here. William knew Derek had been on the phone with George almost daily to make sure things were running smooth. Derek hadn't been heavily involved in the operations of the ranch for a long time, but he knew how it ran. There were a few minor things, but George did great with everything.

After dinner, Amanda and Krista started to clear the table as Meredith went to check on the apple pie she put in the oven right before they sat down for dinner. She was told it would take 45 minutes and there was nothing like fresh-out of the oven apple pie with vanilla ice cream. Derek immediately came over to his mother and grabbed the towel out of his mother's hand, "Tonight, both of you go and spend time with your husband's. . . I will clean up."

Amanda started to say it was ok but William saw this as the perfect time to have Meredith and Derek spend a few minutes together, "Come on Dear, the boy wants to clean so let him clean . . ."

Darby and William just looked at each other . . . Both knowing why Derek wanted to stay in the kitchen to clean. They thought it would be good; it would give them some time for Meredith and Derek to casually talk.

The four of them walked out of the kitchen leaving Meredith and Derek alone . . . Meredith was taking the pie out of the oven and sat it down on the cooling rack.

Derek walks up to her right shoulder and peaks over her, "ummmm, smells delicious."

Meredith didn't know why but, just having Derek stand beside her like this . . . gave her chills up and down her spine. No . . . I can't . . . feel anything. . . Why . . . it is too soon . . . way too soon. . .

Meredith looked at him a little lost on exactly what she needs to do next, "So, I guess we should get this out to them. . ."

Derek smiled at her, "I think it needs to set once it comes out of the oven."

She looks down . . . she should know this . . . "Oh right . . ."

He gives out a little chuckle. . . "So, how would you like to help me clean up while it sits?"

"Now, that is something I know I am good at." She said smiling back at him. . .

Once the dishes were done and put away, Derek carried the pie out to the living room and Meredith brought in the ice cream. . . The rest of the evening was spent eating pie and playing cards. . . They all commented on how good the pie was and warned Darby there was a new crust maker and he was going to have to fight for his position. Meredith insisted it wasn't that good . . . but, it really was. They kept saying it was the hands . . . the magic touch. Derek watched her in admiration all night, the way she giggled and was at ease with anyone. She had a calmness about her that was breathtaking. They exchanged glances throughout the night; glances that didn't go unnoticed by the other 4 in the room . . . they knew that if any two people deserved this, it was these two.