Twenty-Five

Meredith found him when he was walking into the hospital. She seemed a bit cranky and irritated. That must be a side affect of being with Cristina so much. They took the same elevator together. It brought up great memories, but now was not the time for nostalgia. If he was lucky Meredith would give him the answer he wanted today. Once she did, he could clue her in on the plan and restart it.

"So how are you?" His voice was calm and nonchalant as if they had never had a conversation yesterday.

" Fine, Derek. Can we cut the crap so I can go round?"

"What, no coffee yet?" She glared at him.

Boo, he missed teasing Meredith. "So what's did you find out?"

"Who said I found anything out? Maybe I just felt like having—"

"I thought we were cutting the crap." He gestured for them to walk into the on-call room.

"I still think he doesn't deserve her, not after what he did." He wanted her to move on from the protective best friend role.

"As is your right. But you know that she loves him anyway?"

"Love isn't that important."

"Of course it is. It makes the world go round." Weren't women supposed to be the romantics?

"So she does. What proof do you have that it will be enough for them?"

"How do you know it won't?"

"The failed wedding." Valid point.

"It will this time. I have a plan."

"Oh your plan's been working out so freakin' fantastic lately."

"I got you on my side didn't I?" That shut her up. "Happy friends, that's the end result."

She sighed heavily. "Fine. I'll help you, but no gloating, smirking, or whatever." Her face was twisted up in the prettiest way. It made him smile.

"You're smirking."

"I'm done. I'm done." He had won. He, Derek Shepherd, kicked ass. "What changed your mind? Was it my irresistible charm, my righteous quest, or you know the hair?"

She walked out of the room and slammed the door. "So we'll talk later," he called after her.

A wee bit touchy were we? Never mind, none of that mattered now. What mattered was that he had won, which meant Preston had won, which in turn would lead Meredith back to him. Life was a wonderful, beautiful thing. Derek could not resist grinning. He was sorely tempted to tell the entire hospital, but that would alert Cristina, which would be bad for the plan.

Oh, the sacrifices he made.