Another update? This soon? This is insane!

Ha, let's see how long it lasts. I hope indefinitely

This is a shorter chapter, but it felt cohesive and I didn't want to mess with that! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 24: Let you know

Derek was showing up. He knew that was bad. He did. But he also knew that if he called Meredith up an asked her to meet him somewhere to talk, she'd come up with a million reasons to avoid it and hang up the phone. That left him with a quick phone conversation or showing up. He chose showing up. He figured that at the least, in this situation the kids would be there to break the ice, but that they would also be able to have some privacy. He might actually survive this.

Driving to his house, or technically Meredith's house, was still weird for him. He spent so much time on that land before Meredith even knew about it and then even more throughout the roller coaster relationship that led up to their marriage. Even after he shared the property with her, he still felt like it was one thing in the world that he had complete control over. It was his land. It was clam, predictable, and safe. Everything the OR and the rest of the world wasn't. It had been his salvation. Now, it was just a reminder of everything that should have been but isn't.

He pulled into the long driveway, but resisted the routine urge to click his way into the garage and park his car there. It was weird the way he still felt like that was a routine even though he hadn't done it in years and this card had never been here before. It just felt like part of his life. Even if it was over.

The little path from the driveway to the porch felt like forever and once he got to the steps, he waited, without knowing what he was waiting for. This was a new chapter in his life and it could go so many different ways, but that all began with Meredith's reaction. She could either freak out, or slowly let him into her life. He knew that he had no right to have expectations, but better judgment never stopped anyone before. He just wanted to be a small part of her life. He felt like that could be enough, maybe, somehow. It would be more than what he had now, so it had to be better. He didn't consider how torturous that limbo position could really be.

With the risk of appearing creepy, he decided he just needed to knock. The house didn't seem to be bustling with noise, but he could hear some music playing and the faint sound of voices coming from the back. Someone was definitely home.

A couple of moments passed and Meredith pulled the door open, talking on the phone in her other hand. Her expression immediately fell to confusion and she put a hand up to stop Derek from speaking as she turned and took a couple of steps back inside.

"Hey, look, I have to go. Derek just showed up."

Derek heard his name and immediately tried to determine who it was, but the list was too endless. He assumed the open door meant he was allowed inside so he stepped into the foyer and quietly shut the door.

"Yeah, I know. It's fine. And yes, she knows. He's one of Michael's best friends, so I know her really well. There shouldn't be any problems."

Even the last time Derek had been here when Michael was sick wasn't as weird as this. Then, Meredith just left him be, assuming he could function just fine in this house without her guidance. Now, he felt like a guest as he awkwardly stood in the foyer, waiting for her to start questioning his presence.

"Yes, definitely. I should be at the hospital Monday and Tuesday. I'll see you later tonight."

He could see a slight smile on her face at this point and her voice seemed more relaxed now that she was focused on the conversation and not him. The goodbye seemed sweet and it made him uncomfortable. He no longer thought she was just on the phone with Addison or Cristina.

She finally hung up and stuffed the cell phone in her back pocket as she turned back to Derek. "I was wondering when I was going to hear from you."

He laughed uncomfortably, "Yeah, the lame message wasn't my finest moment."

"One of many," Meredith mumbled, loud enough for him to here. She started walking into the living room, silently telling him to follow. She took a seat on one of the couches and pointed her body so that he'd know to sit in the next chair, not next to her.

"So how long is it for this time?" Meredith asked in a cold voice, completely different from the one he'd just heard on the phone.

Derek sighed. He deserved this anger. That he knew. If not for the divorce, then for leaving without an explanation. "I think this is going to be more permanent."

"You think? I'm not telling my kids that their Dad thinks he's going to be around now. Kids need stability."

"Okay, I'll correct myself. I have moved to Seattle, am renting a condo near their school and will be doing consults at the hospitals until something more permanent in Seattle comes up," Derek clarified tersely. Knowing he deserved this didn't prevent his temper from trying to rise up. At least they'd be more civil last time they saw each other.

Meredith rubbed her hands along her jeans. "Derek, why are you doing this? I mean after all this time, I don't get it. When is Elizabeth joining you? And what about her kids?"

Derek was surprised at her question. He didn't consider the fact that it seemed like he was going back to Elizabeth to get married, not to break up with her. He should have been able to put this together, but he just figured she felt as much from their night together as he did.

"Meredith, I broke off my engagement with Elizabeth."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

Meredith shook her head; she didn't have time to think about this. In fact, she didn't care. She had Will now. And Will, he was great. Perfect. She was happy. Derek didn't get to throw a wrench into all of that. That wasn't fair.

"We can work out some sort of schedule with the kids. Switch off dinners and weekends depending on our schedules. Like we did before, but they have more going on now."

Derek nodded, but he could tell there was something going through her head that he wasn't telling her. He expected yelling or something when he told her about Elizabeth. Not indifference. Coming from Meredith, that was never a good thing.

"So where are the kids?"

"Jackie is at a friend's house and Michael is at the batting cages. I needed a day for paperwork and cleaning. It's been a little hectic lately since I took so much time off with Michael."

"Okay, well I can take them for the night if you need more time. I'll be here now. I'll be able to help you." Derek tried to reassure her that this was legitimate. That he was here and part of this family.

Meredith sighed, "No, that's fine. We… uh. We have plans tonight."

"Oh, okay. What exactly?"

Meredith stood up and took a step back. "Look, you really don't want to hear about that. And more importantly, I need to get back to my work before I have to get to my umm plans. So, you should go. Just text me your address or whatever and I'll figure out the kids schedule for next week and let you know. Texts and e-mail. That's how we can do this."

At this point, she was wringing her hands. Taking nervous little steps. She was beyond uncomfortable and she was definitely hiding something. Derek was fairly certain that she knew he knew all of this, and that was sending her into even more of a panic. Since their divorce, knowing each other extremely well has been beneficial, but also really frustrating and annoying.

Derek stood up, trying to level out this conversation. "Meredith…."

"No, Derek. Seriously, no. You are not a part of my life. I don't have to tell you everything. Seriously, you should just leave. I'll tell Michael and Jackie. They'll be excited and they'll see you soon. That's how it's going to go. Don't 'Meredith' me." Meredith walked backwards as she lectured him, heading back into the foyer.

Derek followed her, realizing he wasn't going to accomplish much today. He knew that coming here, but it was still hard to face. He wanted to skip all of this and just figure out his life, but that's not how it worked. He made his choices and now Meredith gets to make hers. That's only fair.

Meredith opened the door as soon as she reached it, not being at all subtle in the message she was conveying. Derek was going to leave silently, but on his way out, he saw a picture out of the corner of his eye. It was of Meredith, Michael and Jackie. They were sitting on the dock; Michael and Meredith's legs were hanging over the side. Jackie was only a couple of months old and Meredith was pregnant again. It was such a beautiful day and Derek had been so happy to get them all outside for a little bit. Everything had gone so perfectly well that day and the memory of how perfect everything had been raised his spirits a little bit.

Derek took one step out of the door onto the porch before turning back and looking at Meredith. He smiled at her, but she just looked at him curiously. "Meredith, I'm not expecting you to change your life since I'm back. I wouldn't want that. You've done an amazing job here these past couple of years. I just want you know that I didn't leave after that night because I regretted it. I left because I needed to end things with Elizabeth, so I could come back here and be with my family, in any and every way you'll let me. I know my record isn't so great at this point, but I'm not leaving. I'm here for the long hall, so you won't have to worry about dealing with things all by yourself anymore. I'm here. And that's not changing."

Meredith didn't move, so Derek just smiled again and turned around, letting the door close behind him.

Baby, I am standing here and trying to get past the fears
Hoping you won't let me go
Oh, I wanna let you know