-1"Hey Mer." Kathleen responded as Meredith answered the phone. "So what's up?"

"I need some advice." Meredith replied. "I'm trying to make some decisions."

"What sort of decisions?" Kathleen asked warily.

"Mostly about candidacy and seminary. I'm graduating in December."

"You like to rush things don't you?"

"No."

"What's candidacy?"

"It's a process in the church before you go to seminary. A way of declaring you're headed towards ordination. And a way for the church to decide if they will approve of you. You have to be certified as a candidate before you can begin ordination.

"Derek mentioned you were starting candidacy again. But I didn't know what he was talking about."

"You talk about me?"

"Relax all he said was you were taking classes and starting candidacy again when I asked how you were."

"Okay."

"Tell me about the decisions."

"I have to decide if I want to start seminary in January or wait until the following fall."

"What's difficult about the decision?" Kathleen asked.

"I wouldn't be going to school in Charlottesville anymore. Derek's only a year into this ministry. I want to make my decision, but I'm worrying about Derek finding out and feeling compelled to drop it all and go with me. If I go to school in January then he wouldn't be able to find a job. At least not a worthwhile one."

"So are you just worried about Derek tagging along or are there other reasons why you aren't telling him?"

"Our last big fight was my reactions to him rushing in to fix my problems rather than being the objective Derek he used to be. And I don't want another fight. I want to work through it on my own. It feels like something I should do on my own."

"You want him to be the sounding board he was?"

"Yeah."

"Tell him that."

"But…" Meredith began.

"The reason he rushes in is because he needs a role." Kathleen interrupted. "For years you begged him to fix it. It was absolutely heartbreaking to him to not be able to take care of you for whatever reasons. Now he can. He's trying to be what you've asked him to be. And it's not what you want. So tell him. Give him the role and he'll do it."

Meredith heard a lot of commotion on Kathleen's end for a moment, then a sigh. "Meredith I have to go. The kids are fighting."

"Okay. Thank you Kath."

"I'm serious. Talk to him."

They hung up and Meredith slipped into her bikini. She wandered downstairs as the tiny little puppy bounced around her ankles. She laughed grabbing a towel and opening the back door. While Bella flounced around the back yard Meredith dragged the cover to the hot tub off and started it up. She put down a water bowl for Bella and climbed into the water.

Some time later Derek was walking up the sidewalk to leave for a meeting. He noticed Meredith in the hot tub so he walked up to her, pressing a kiss to her neck. She jumped, startled by his touch. Her face melted into a smile as she realized who it was. She flipped her body over so she could face him. He leaned towards her, touching his forehead to hers. Her hands wound their way around his neck.

"How was your day Princess?" He asked. In response she pulled him closer, finding his lips with her own. "Mmmm good day." He laughed. "I have a meeting." He explained. She kissed him again as her fingers twirled his hair around themselves. When he pulled away she tightened her grip on his hair almost imperceptibly. "I can skip it." He offered returning her kisses with her face in his hands.

"No. I'm okay." She smiled at him as he watched her carefully. "I want to talk though. Will you be home soon?"

"Quick as I can." He promised, dropping one last kiss on her nose. "I'll bring back something for dinner. I love you."

"I me you." She echoed softly, watching him disappear around the house.