Disclaimer : I own nothing. Grey's Anatomy belongs to Shonda Rhimes.

Author's note : Hey everyone! I was on vacation, hence me not updating sooner. Happy Holidays!!!! I hope everyone is having a good time. I can't believe 2009 is ending. :-)

Thank you for reading and reviewing last chapter and enjoy this one! :-)

Derek stood in the middle of the kitchen upset, vulnerable. Her words still resonated in his mind.

I don't believe you.

The pain in her eyes was heart-breaking. Never had he wanted her this way. He was here to protect her; to keep this Miler guy from harming her. Instead, he was the one to cause her pain. Had Derek been in a better mood, he might have laughed at the irony of the situation. He took a deep breath and left the room. He had to calm down and start thinking rationally. Right now, a maniac was hunting Meredith, so he had to stay focused. When Derek got back to the living room, he found Meredith and Ellis talking on the couch. He was about to sit down when his phone rang.

"Excuse me for a second.", he said as he walked to the other side of the room to take the call. Meredith watched as Derek took the phone out of his pocket and put it to his ear. When she turrned back to her mother, she could see a mischevious smile on the older woman's face.

"Mom, what is it?", she asked. She knew that smile. That "I'm going to ask you something that's none of my business" smile.

"Is there...something between you too?", Ellis asked nosily.

Meredith looked down shyly. Why was it this particular time her mother had chosen to inquire about her personal life?

"Why would you say that?", Meredith replied innocently.

"I'm your mom, Meredith. I know things.", Ellis shrugged. "Besides, I see the way he looks at you. It's so obvious. You're not being very subtle either."

Meredith's cheeks instantly turned to red. Was it really this obvious?

"It's complicated, mom.", she sighed. "Very complicated."

"Then make it simple, sweetie. Your last boyfriend was......interesting, to say the least. However, this one, he's the right one. I know it.", Ellis assured.

At this moment, Derek walked back to them, his cellphone in his hand.

"It was the Bureau.", he started, as he took a seat in front of them. "My superior said the situation was too dangerous for you Meredith, to stay here. We have to go somewhere safer."

"And w-what about my husband and me? Are we safe?", Ellis stuttered, visibly upset at the words Derek had said. Meredith sat in silence, trying to process all of this information. Her life had changed so much in so little time. How did she go from a promising surgical resident to a deviant's target?

"Yes, you are safe. Miller isn't after you, he's after Meredith. You'll have a agent with you in the mansion, but there's no need to worry.", he calmly replied.

"My daughter is in danger; I can't not worry.", she replied, squeezing Meredith's hand.

"I know and I will do everything in my power to protect her.", Derek promised. "I'm just going to call my partner, and then we will have to go.", he declared as he stood up. Derek took out his cellphone for the second time and dialed Mark's number as he walked away from the two women.

"Why do you like me?", Mark inquired, caressing Izzie's blond locks. They were laying on her bed, only covered by a white sheet. Clothes had been discarded all over the floor and the moonlight was beaming through the windows.

"Let's see.", Izzie giggled, comfortably snuggled against his chest. "You're really hot, nice, and good at lovemaking."

Mark let out a hearty laugh.

"Wait, that's it?". he said, feigining indignation.

"Well, we haven't known each other for long now, have we? I'm just getting to know you.", she replied, making imaginary circles on his arm.

"Fair enough.", he chuckled.

"Seriously though.", she said as she looked up to meet his gaze. "I like you because you're a good man. You save people's lives."

"Just like you, doctor.", he responded with a sly smile.

This candid exchange was interrupted by the buzzing sound of Mark' cellphone. He picked it up from the nightstand and glanced at the caller ID.

"That's Derek.", he stated.

"Sheperd, hey.", Mark answered, the phone to his ear. He sat up, waiting for Derek to speak.

"Mark, the Bureau called.", Derek said. "I have to take Meredith to another location. I'll text you the address later."

"Alright."

"Everything good at Meredith's?", Derek asked.

"Yeah, everything's fine. I decided to stay the night, just in case.", Mark shrugged, which made Izzie giggle.

"Right.", Derek replied in an amused tone. The giggle hadn't gone unnoticed by him. "Talk to you later."

"Okay.", Mark replied before hanging up.

Derek got back to Meredith and Ellis.

"It's time to say goodbye. I'll wait for you out front.", he said. "Ellis, my partner will keep you informed on the progress we're making on the case."

With that said, he left the room, giving the two women some privacy to say goodbye.

Meredith turned to her mother, annoyed that tears had already made their way to her eyes.

"It'll be okay, baby.", Ellis whispered as she opened her arms. Meredith hugged her mother, trying to hold back the tears.

"I love you, mom."

"I love you too, sweetie. Be careful and listen to Derek, okay?"

"Okay.", Meredith smiled.

She let go of her mom and got up. Meredith gave her one last look, then turned around and walked away.

Izzie sat up next to Mark, as he put the phone back on the nightstand. Worry was displayed all over her face.

"What is it, sweetness?", Mark asked, seeing the expression on her face. He pulled her chin up, waiting for her reply.

"Are you sure she's in good hands with Derek?"

"Meredith? Of course.", he replied with confidence. Seeing that his answer didn't give her piece of mind, he continued.

"Look, I've known Derek since kindergarten. He is absolutely trustworthy and competent. Believe me, your friend is with the best FBI agent I know."

Izzie's mouth slowly curled up into a smile.

"Thanks, I needed that.", she replied. She placed a soft kiss on his lips and put her head back on his chest.

When Meredith arrived to the front door, she found Derek leaning on a wall, waiting for her.

"Are you ready?", he asked, noticing the sadness on her face.

"Yes, let's go.", she quickly answered, avoiding his gaze.

Derek opened the door and motioned for her to go first. He closd the door and followed her outside. As they sat in the car, about to go, Meredith couldn't help but feel the awkwardness of the situation. Just like earlier, being so close to him in such tiny space was uncomfortable. Especially after the conversation they'd had in the kitchen. she wondered how long they were going to have to stay in the car together.

"Where are we going?", she asked, as he put the key in the ignition and started the car.

"I'm taking us to a cabin, right outside of Seattle. We will probably stay there a day or two before I get other instructions.", Derek answered, his eyes on the road. This was the perfect opportunity for him to gain back her trust. He had to prove to her his feelings were real. He didn't know how, but he was dead set on succeeding.

Derek and me, alone in a cabin? That's going to be interesting, to say the least.

"I'm going to need clothes, you know.", Meredith remarked. The only items she had with her were the clothes on her back and her purse.

"We'll buy some on the way. It wouldn't be safe for you to go back home.", he replied.

Meredith sighed and turned to watch the road. Meredith suddenly found it odd that the thing she was the most preoccupied about was her relationship with Derek, and not Miller coming after her. Wheither or not she wanted to admit it, she subconsciously felt safe with Derek, even though she didn't fully trust him. It was all in his eyes.