Chapter 20

Meredith was overwhelmed by everyone who were hugging her and congradulating her on April being locked away in prison for life. She waited until everyone turned away and she ran out of the building as fast as she possibly could.

The second Meredith was outside she breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, after everything that happened, she felt a moment of peace. The breeze hit her face and seemed to wash away the stress she felt. A lone tear slowly rolled down her cheek. She felt relief. April was finally locked away. She would never have to face her again.

Meredith wrapped her arms her stomach and took in as much fresh air as she could. She nearly chocked on the air that flooded through her. But she was thankful for it.

The air erased her mind for a moment and she sighed in contentment.

But she didn't hear her name being called. She didn't hear the footsteps aproaching. So when the hand landed down on her shoulder she jumped and screamed in teror, remembering the last time that she hadn't been expecting to have anyone waching her. The time that she was nearly killed.

"Relax Grey," it was Alex's voice. "I just came to find you. Shepherd's been looking everywhere for you. He's gettin' all worried and crap."

Meredith nodded her head and tried to catch her breath, but she couldn't.

That's when Alex noticed the tears running down Meredith's cheeks. "Mer," he murmured, suddenly concerned, but not really showing it. "You okay?"

Meredith nodded slowly and Alex just sighed, a little unsure of what to do. Instead he just took Meredith into his arms and held for a moment while she cried.

"Life sucks sometimes Mer. But they put that bitch in jail. You'll never have to see her again."

"I-I-I know... it's just... I can't stop crying."

Alex released Meredith just as Derek came running through the door. His suit jacket had been unbuttoned, reveiling the shirt underneath and his tie was loosened. His jacket blew back behind him as he ran.

"Meredith!" e called. "Are you okay?"

Meredith turned away from Alex, still crying and still gasping for air.

"She can't stop crying," Alex exclaimed.

"Okay, I've got her," Derek assured Alex. "Can we please have a moment?"

"Whatever," Alex muttered, turning and walking away.

Derek opened his arms to Meredith and she ducked into them. "I'm afraid," she whispered.

"I know," Derek murmured. "I understand. But April is locked away for life."

"No," Meredith shook her head. "I'm afraid of losing you. I'm tired of being seperated from you. I nearly died. I can't take that happening again."

"Shh," Derek hushed her, rubbing her back slowly. "I'm not going anywhere. Nothing can ever take you away from me."

"I love you," Meredith whispered, holing Derek tighter. "I love you so much. That's never gonna change."

"I love you too," Derek murmured into Meredith's hair.

Meredith looked over Derek's shoulder and saw Cristina and Lexie standing in the doorway. Lexie waved sheepishly and Cristina rolled her eyes and smacked Cristina in the back of the head.

"We have an audience," Meredith whispered. "We should go home."

"Okay," Derek sighed. "They want a show, we'll give 'em one."

Derek wrapped his arms around Meredith's waist and slowly leaned in to kiss her. Meredith slowly deepened the kiss, running her fingers through Derek's hair.

And then they forgot that it was a show, forgot that they were trying to prove something. They were just lost in their own little world.

But it broke and fell to peices when they heard the loud, booming laughing. They spun around to find the source of the voice.

Mark stood there, shaking his head. "Snd you call me the whore."

Derek rolled his eyes and snaked an arm around Meredith's waist. "Come on Mer. Let's go home."

Meredith giggled and Derek took her towards the car. Meredith opened her car door and heard someone scream her name from far away.

Meredith turned around to see Lexie running towards her. "Meredith! Wait up!"

Meredith spun round and smiled at Lexie who was tripping over her own feet, running towards her.

"Hey," Lexie said as she got closer. "I just wanted to say congradulations.

"Thanks Lex."

"Aren't you glad this this is all over?" Lexie asked.

"It's not," Meredith said. "I'll always have the memories... and the scars."

Meredith pulled the sweater she was wearing down a bit and Lexie saw the pink scar on her shoulder. Lexie rolled her eyes and pointed to her neck where the was a small pink scar. "This is where she tried to stab me in the throat. It nearly killed me. But it also reminds me that I didn't die, that I faught to stay alive. It reminds me of how strong I can be. Yours should remind you that you survived it. It was in the past. We can move on. It's just a mark on our skin. But in our hearts we know the truth. She didn't kill us. We beat her."

A tear ran down Meredith's cheek. "Did I ever say thank you?" she whispered.

"For what?"

"For having April locked away. For risking your life because of me."

"Nobody messes with my sister," Lexie assured her. "We Grey's have to stick together."

Meredith quickly pulled Lexie into a hug and whispered, "Love you Lex."

"Love you too," Lexie said, pulling back.

Meredith smiled, ducking into the car. She waved at Cristina who was standing in the parking lot, hlding Owen's hand. Crisdtina gave a quick wave and then walked away toward her car with Owen.

As Meredith and Derek walked into their room Meredith could feel the exaustion swarming through her.

She nearly fell onto the bed, her legs hanigng off the bottom of it and Derek flopped down beside her. "So what now?" Derek murmured.

Meredith smirked, devilishly and leaned into kiss Derek again. Their lips moved together for a moment before Meredith stopped moving and Derek pulled away to see what was wrong, only to find that she was asleep.

Derek chuckled to himself and slid his arms under Meredith, lifting her up so he could move her to the top of the bed. He slid the comforter out of the way and place Meredith down. He placed the comfortor on top of Meredith and smiled softly at her. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I love you, Mer. You're safe now."

Derek stripped out of his cloths and put on a pair of sweatpants. He got into bed and curled up next to Meredith, enjoying the peace that they now had.

They were safe.

A/N: So sorry that I took so long to update. I got really into a book. It was The Host. You all should read it.

Anyways, inly the epilogue left.