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

Hi y'all,

I loved writing this new chapter. Don't freak out but let me take you down this road. I promise, I'll hold your hand!

Love, McJinx


Chapter 11

Derek's POV

Standing in an empty exam room, I was looking at scans illuminated on the viewing box; the enormity of tomorrow's surgery staring me in the face. A large brain tumor covered with multiple wispy fibers. This one would take me hours, at least twelve if everything went successfully. I sighed, switching off the light and removing the scans, checking my watch; 11 AM. My outpatient clinic was over for the day and I had time to inform Mr. Albright about the risky surgery that lay ahead of him.

On my way to the patient's room, I passed the nurses' station where Meredith sat, reviewing charts. She looked up when I passed and smiled but somehow her half-smile bothered me. It was as though she was making an effort but it was almost too much for her. I turned on my heels and walked back to her.

'Hey,' I said softly, '…are you OK?'

'I'm fine,' she mumbled but the look in her eyes told me otherwise.

'Are you nauseous again?' I asked.

'Stop hovering Derek,' Meredith sighed.

'I will if you answer my question,' I insisted.

She sighed again. 'Yes but it's because I'm tired.'

Warning bells started going off in the back of my head. Meredith was nauseous a lot lately…

'Have you had your eyes checked lately?'

'Six months ago…and I have perfect vision.'

So it wasn't that she needed glasses.

'Are you also experiencing some pain?' I asked while I kneeled down in front of her.

She closed her eyes momentarily and when she looked down at me, she softly said, 'My head…all over.'

'Meredith? This is not normal…let me check you out?'

She flapped a hand at me. 'It's just a headache, Derek. Stop worrying. I know you're a Neurologist but not every nausea or headache is a…tumor or…whatever.'

I placed my hand on her knee and softly said. 'You've been having a lot of headaches lately. You've said it yourself. It's not usual even when you're sleep-deprived. Please Meredith? I'd be happier if I checked you out.'

'You're really overacting,' she scowled at me.

I let out a frustrated groan. 'God…this is stupid. I've got a patient waiting to see me. Why are you being so stubborn?'

'Then go to him and let me get on with my charts.'

I shook my head, 'Not until you let me give you a quick examination.'

'Again…It's just a headache.'

But I didn't think it was…

Meredith guessed my thoughts because she rolled her eyes. 'Derek…you're seeing things that aren't there.'

'Let me check you out,' I urged her again. 'If I'm wrong and there's nothing wrong with you…I'll grovel for the next six months,' I gave her a pleading look.

'You're not going to stop, are you?'

'No.'

Meredith sighed. 'Alright you've got five minutes.'

But the quick neurological tests, I'd already secretly performed had me worried profoundly.

'You know…there's a hole in the middle of your visual field.'

'There is not.'

'Meredith? Stop denying…I know what I'm talking about.'

'You're overreacting,' she snapped at me.

I took in a deep breath and clenched my jaw. 'You're having a bad headache. You normally don't get headaches but you've had several recently—a lot you said. You do have a hole in your visual field. And don't argue with me—I saw how you turned your head so you could read the middle letters,' I paused. '…Does it feel like the worst headache you've ever had in your life?'

'No, it doesn't,' Meredith sighed. 'For the hundredth time…there's nothing wrong with me.'

I shook my head. Meredith obviously wasn't going to listen to me. Time to compromise.

'You have until lunchtime or until I've talked to my patient,' I said slowly. 'If the headache isn't gone by then, I want you to have a scan OK?'

Meredith angrily pushed my hand away. 'Derek, listen to me. I don't smoke, I don't drink to excess…well, at least not regularly and I don't have any medical conditions. My cholesterol levels are fine and my blood pressure is excellent…there's nothing wrong with me,' she said, gritting her teeth.

I got up and brought my face close to hers. 'Lunchtime! And Meredith? Be honest with me…otherwise, I'll drag you off to Radiology myself. Kicking and screaming if I have to.'

Meredith's expression told me she knew I meant it, despite the hospital gossip it would cause.

She lowered her lashes and sighed. 'OK. I'll see you at lunchtime but my headache will be gone by then.'


Meredith's POV

I continued reviewing my charts but at a certain point I realized I was squinting at the computer screen.

Was Derek right? Was I really having a hole in my visual field?

Feeling a little nervous, I rose from my chair and glanced at myself in the window and suddenly, everything seemed to make sense; my recent headaches, my constant tiredness and the occasional urge to vomit. I felt like I was suffocating, like something was pushing against my lungs while I tried to breathe in. Nervous sweat erupted through my pours, giving my skin a wet sheen that made me look even worse. I couldn't believe this was happening…what would my parents say?

I walked towards the sink and gripped the cold porcelain, inspecting my face. My skin looked paler than normal and my green eyes looked flat without any sign of a sparkle. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath but then I turned away from the sink and walked out into the hallway.

'Hey Mer,' Cristina greeted me enthusiastically while she passed me in the company of Miranda Bailey.

'Hey,' I mumbled.

'You alright, Doctor Webber?' Doctor Bailey asked while she looked at me questioningly.

'Yes, doctor Bailey,' I sighed while I rubbed my stomach; '…I just need to sit down for a minute.'

At that same time, Derek walked into the hallway, '…Doctor Webber? Remember lunchtime? I'm clipping an aneurysm. Any interest?'

'Oh my God, I gagged, instantly spilling the contents of my stomach all over the floor.

'Crap…are you pregnant?'

My heart started beating in my throat as I got up and shot a warning look at Cristina but the wave of nausea it caused, had me vomiting again and I hunched over while she grabbed hold of my hair and pushed it out of the way.

'Meredith?' In the corner of my eye I saw Derek's worried face while he walked in my direction.

'Nah…uh-uh, Miranda Bailey said rapidly, '…looks like you did enough already.'

While Cristina and Miranda Bailey guided me to an empty exam room, I spotted my mom at the balustrade glaring at me with disapproval. It was now that I realized she'd witnessed the whole scene.

'Miranda, I want you to take her to Radiology…NOW!'

'Doctor Shepherd, there are such things as queues,' Doctor Bailey scowled while she glanced in Derek's direction.

He shook his head, 'Doctor Bailey…I'm worried about Meredith; seriously worried. And I'm damned well not going to let anything happen to the woman I love. Not when I can help it!'

I stared at Derek in shock. He said it…in the presence of Cristina, Miranda Bailey…and my mother; the woman I love.

'DEREK?'

He stared at me, unsmiling. 'WHAT?'

'I…I,' I couldn't bring out a word. Not when he looked so serious.

'Ladies…please excuse us but I'm taking Meredith to radiology,' Derek said softly. He took my hand and tugged me down the hallway. 'We'll do the questions on the way in…OK?'

I nodded and secretly loved the way he grabbed hold of my hand.

'Any metals in your body?'

'Nope…just a few fillings.'

'OK…they don't count. No bullets or shrapnel?'

'No.'

'Joint replacement?'

'No.'

'Drug allergies?'

'No.'

Derek took in a deep breath and then halted, turning towards me, 'Any chance you might be pregnant?'

I swallowed hard and then our eyes met, 'I…I don't think so…I'm on the Pill.'

'You can take a test while I'm filling out the questionnaire. Just to be safe.'

And what if I was pregnant? What then? I pushed the thought away…this was more than I could deal with right now.

I was about to yell at Derek when I saw the worry etched in his face. Ice started trickling down my spine. If I was pregnant…did he want the child?

Nausea erupted again from my stomach. 'I…I'm scared Derek?'

…...

I was in an empty exam room, unwrapping the pregnancy test. As I unwrapped it, I carefully read the instructions, softly murmuring that morning urine was needed. With an encouraging smile, Derek handed me a plastic cup and I disappeared into the adjoining toilet. Holding my breath, I plunged the tip into the cup filled with my urine. Having it held in there for ten seconds, I withdrew it and carefully replaced the cap. My hand trembled as I laid the test flat on the side of the sink. Now, we needed to wait. My emotions went through the roof; this was not what I had intended. We barely knew each other and I was in the middle of my residency. My tension rose and Derek noticed, I trembled.

'Hey…come here you,' he whispered softly while he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me to him.

'My mom's going to kill me,' I whispered.

'Shhh…,'Derek stroked my hair, softly whispering words of encouragement. We both stared at the clock, watching the second hand slowly making its way around. Finally the time had come.

'It's time!'

Nervously, I snatched up the plastic wand and together we focused on the control window of the pregnancy test. Was there a blue line confirming, I was carrying Derek's baby?


To be continued in Chapter 12