Chapter 15: Explanations and Invitations

"Meredith." Addison called as the blonde's leg connected with Derek's groin. Derek doubled over in pain.

"Pathetic." Meredith's voice was cold as she stood above Derek.

"What in the world is going on here?" Richard bellowed behind them all but everyone ignored him as their eyes were glued to Meredith and Derek, who had left small amounts of blood sprayed onto the floor.

"You don't need those, do you?" Meredith stood over him shaking in anger. "If you ever lay a hand on her again I'll make sure that's the last thing your hands get to do. Are we clear Dr. Shepherd? Or should I spell it out for you?" Derek stayed silent through the whole thing, blood smeared on his lip, a hand on his jaw and the other covering himself as he straightened up. "You are a pathetic excuse for a man. I don't even have it in myself to feel sorry for you, to pity you."

"Meredith, I love you." Derek said softly.

"No, you don't. You only love yourself. You think of yourself as a god. Someone who we should praise and admire. Someone who we should all run to. But no. I'm not running to you. I will not lower myself with the likes of an arrogant bastard that thinks that by raising his hand and making threats he'll get whatever he wants. You are weak and pathetic and a damned coward." Meredith said bitterly. "And get this through your head Dr. Shepherd," She tapped the side of his head with her finger, "I don't need you. You are nothing to me, I don't love you. Let me repeat that. I do not love you and you are nothing to me" And with that she was done making her way back to Addison.

The panicked look in Addison's face broke her as she walked to her. The redhead's eyes darted from her to Derek and back as if scared that he may snap and do something but that did not happen. Meredith reached her and then looked back at the sorry excuse of a man she had once thought was the love of life.

"You know what, Derek?" She said as she stood next to Addison linking her pinky with the redhead's. "I do feel sorry for you." Derek's eyes widened as she spoke and she felt Addison squeeze her finger. "It's sad that you lost the most amazing, caring, brave, and kind person I've ever met. But then I honestly don't think you ever deserved her." She could see tears well up in his eyes and remained cold because nowhere within her did she find a reason to care for him. The person she cared for was already next to her holding tightly onto her finger.

Addison watched Meredith in awe as she spoke to him without an ounce of fear. The coldness in her eyes towards him made even her shiver and she prayed the blonde would never look at her that way. She was glad everything was done. Even if Mark had been idiotic enough to break his hand but then it had been to protect her. She looked at Derek once more, his gaze down and shoulders slumped in defeat. She looked and looked trying to find the semblance of the man she had fallen in love with but did not find it.

Feeling Meredith's warmth get closer made her tear her eyes away from Derek to get back to the blonde. Her face had softened into a small smile, gone was the cold gaze and steely eyes she had given Derek. It had all been replaced by warmth and care making Addison feel instantly calm, grounding her. The redhead found herself smiling back and Meredith's face brightened some more.

Soon she felt someone else's presence on her other side. She looked over to see Richard inspecting the bruise poking out underneath her scrub's sleeve. Gently he lifted the sleeve, seeing the whole extent of the marks marring her skin and looked up at her. She quickly averted his gaze instead focusing on a dot on the ground. Ever so gently he lifted her chin and smiled.

"I thought I taught you to always look up, Addie." He smiled that fatherly smile she had grown accustomed to.

"Right." She smiled back at him.

"You are so brave. A little stupid for waiting but brave nonetheless." He grinned then turned and walked towards Derek.

"You have the rest of the day to pack your office and leave." Richard's voice was calm and steady.

"You can't be serious." Derek shook his head.

"Oh, I'm serious. And be grateful that Sloan and Meredith got you already so I can contain myself." Richard said, making Derek swallow.

"Richard, it was a mistake. I'm your star surgeon." Derek tried.

"You are the furthest thing from the star surgeon you used to be. Now get the hell out of my hospital." Richard began getting progressively louder with each word.

Addison watched as Derek silently turned and left. He did not meet her eyes once during the whole ordeal and she was glad for it. Richard made his way back to the group and suggested they go into one of the empty conference rooms so they could talk. Bailey paged Callie so that she could check on Mark's hand. The Latina met them along with Cristina, who had brought Addison's white coat at Meredith's request and left soon after, as they walked into the conference room.

She was glad Cristina had done so and so happy Meredith had thought about it. She did not want to keep explaining to others why she had finger marks on her arms. Meredith happily helped her into it and sat next to her at the table. Everyone followed suit and sat as well.

Callie was fuzzing about Mark's knuckles, it seemed at least two were broken but he would need x-rays to have a better idea. For the moment though he had opted to have her splint it until he had some time to go get it checked.

Addison started wringing her fingers together waiting for all the inevitable questions she was certain Richard would ask until she felt a soft tap on her thigh. She looked down to see Meredith's hand palm up and then looked up to the blonde who smiled at her, that bright smile that seemed to soothe her. Baby blue eyes flickered to the outstretched hand and then back to her and Addison happily took it.

"Well…" Richard cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention. "Addison, could you tell me what happened?"

She swallowed hard and took a deep steady breath. She felt the light squeeze of reassurance from Meredith and then began.

"The night after Dr. Grey got back from recuperating Derek cornered me in the elevator as I was leaving." Addison spoke looking at her free hand resting on the table. She was about to continue when Meredith's, Bailey's, and Callie's pagers went off.

"I uh…" Meredith looked at the pager and then back at her.

"I'm sorry Addison but we need Grey." Bailey said as she stood and Addison nodded.

She looked at Meredith, who looked back at her worried, and smiled. Meredith still did not move though so Addison turned fully to her.

"I'll come back to you as soon as I can. Ok?" Meredith smiled.

"Ok." Addison echoed back and Meredith stood but still did not leave. "What?" The redhead asked.

"My hand?" Meredith chuckled a bit.

"Oh. Right. Sorry." Addison said and quickly let go.

Addison's eyes followed Meredith until she walked out along with Bailey and Callie and then fell on Mark who was sitting in front of the door. He made a face that made her flush.

"Not a word, Mark." She glared at him a bit and he chuckled.

"You and Meredith?" Richard asked.

"No I… I mean we… ummm…" Addison stumbled over what to say and Richard just smiled.

"You two would definitely be hated." He said with a grin that left her speechless.

"I know right." Mark added and chuckled some more.

"But enough of that. Addison please continue." Richard said as both men finally sobered up.

Suddenly she felt the absence of Meredith's warm hand in hers but nonetheless she began. She told them how Derek had gotten upset over her spending time with Meredith even when Meredith had been on her service. About how he threatened her and when that did not seem to scare her enough he threatened Meredith. She told them she decided to stay away from the blonde until she could figure out what to do.

"Addison." Richard grumbled.

"I know, I know. Stupid." Addison sighed and continued.

She told them how he kept on coming by her OB wing to check on her. How even outside of the OB wing he was still always close to her, threatening her and Meredith. Then she told them what had happened today. Mark got up and paced the length of the conference room while Richard was drumming his fingers on the table. Anger roiled off of both men as she finished.

"I wish you had let me finish what I started." Mark said.

"I'm glad you didn't. It wasn't necessary. And now he's leaving." Addison tried to ease the anger. "Right, Richard?" She directed towards the chief who she knew was in the same boat as Mark.

"Right." Richard shook his head. "Why don't you take tonight and tomorrow off." He offered after a while, his face softening again.

"That's not necessary. Besides, I have a newborn with OI, who's not going to make it. I want to be here for my patient." Addison explained and just like magic her pager went off. She looked at the name and took a deep breath.

"Go on. And after you are to go home. It's not a suggestion, Addison." Richard added before she could complain.

The sudden rush of the E.R. had finally died down. There had been a building fire but luckily all tenants had been able to get out with minor burns and smoke inhalation. So Meredith had treated some superficial second degree burns and helped stabilize some patients' oxygen levels. All in all, everything had calmed down pretty quickly and now she sat at the station next to Bailey putting the final touches to the new patients charts. They had been working quietly and diligently until Bailey broke the silence.

"Grey?" Bailey called Meredith, stilled her pen and looked at her. "I'm proud of you."

"Why?" Meredith was shocked. She had a hard time wrapping her head around Bailey being proud of her.

"You fool, what do you mean why? You stood up for her. You defended her. I don't condone violence but he deserved what he got. And then what you said to him. I'm just proud of you." Bailey finally huffed.

"Dr. Bailey… thanks." Meredith smiled.

"Don't repeat it. I'll make you suffer if you do." Bailey gave her a look and turned back to her charts.

"I channeled a bit of you when I was talking to him." Meredith grinned as Bailey turned to look at her once more. "Guess we do learn some things." She smirked and Bailey shrugged and turned away but Meredith could see the small smile she was trying to hide.

"Are you finished with those?" Bailey asked after a bit.

"Just have this one left." Meredith pointed at the open chart in front of her.

"Leave it." Bailey said quickly.

"But." Meredith tried.

"I said leave it. Go on and find Montgomery." Bailey gave her a knowing look as Meredith felt her face growing hot in embarrassment. "Go on before I change my mind." She added and Meredith nodded and tripped over herself trying to leave the now chuckling resident as quickly as possible.

Meredith made her way back to the conference room. She doubted they would still be there but better safe than sorry. Peeking inside she noticed the empty room and sighed making her way towards the elevators. She pressed the up bottom as the elevator dinged open to reveal Derek.

Just for a moment she thought he might do something however he just stepped out and around her. She turned and he stopped walking, turning to face her.

"Meredith?" He called and she stepped into the elevator.

"Goodbye, Derek." She said pushing the button for it to close faster. She had to put up distance before she lost her cool as images of marks and bruises filled her head.

Derek stood her watching her until the doors closed. Finally she let go of the breath she had been holding and leaned into the wall of the elevator.

Meredith stepped out of the elevator at the OB wing and immediately went to find the redhead. She walked over to the nurse's station where her person sat, her eyes staring down the hall. She walked to her and followed her gaze. At the end of the hall Mark stood outside of a patient's room.

"What's going on?" Meredith asked.

"The baby just passed a few minutes ago. Mrs. Burns is getting ready to go home." Cristina said in a sad tone.

"Are you ok?" Meredith asked, worry clearly defined in her voice.

"I will be." Cristina threw her a smile. "What are you going to do?" She asked a while later.

"About what?" Meredith tilted her head.

"About McHot." Cristina gave her an 'obviously' sort of look.

"Weren't you sad about the baby?" Meredith mumbled.

"Yeah, and?" Cristina looked at her. "I need to focus on other things too."

"And this is what you wanna focus on?" Meredith rolled her eyes.

"I want to focus on the fact that she was hurt." Cristina gave her one of her looks.

"I know that. I just saw him again." Meredith released a deep sigh.

"Did he act stupid? I'll end him if he did." Cristina stood up looking towards the elevators.

"No. He did nothing. Calm down and sit." Meredith shook her head.

"No, let's go get out of these scrubs." Cristina said, getting her stuff and walking around the counter.

"But I wanted to…" Meredith began but Cristina was already pushing her back to the elevators.

"I know but you reek of burnt stuff." Cristina continued to shove her. "Besides, she leaves at the same time we do. We'll meet her at the entrance."

"I do not smell." Meredith complained.

"Yes you do." Cristina countered.

"I do not." Meredith grumbled.

"Yes you do." Cristina repeated as they stood in front of the elevator. Meredith frowned at her as the elevator dinged open. "Get in!" The brunette said exasperated.

"Fine." Meredith marched in, much like a child, as Cristina rolled her eyes.

After some quick showers both of them made their way to the entrance. Meredith made Cristina stop by the coffee cart with her to get some hot chocolate. When Cristina asked why she simply said juju as if Cristina would understand. They sat to wait on the couches by the entrance. Every time Meredith heard anything she would look and be disappointed when Addison was not the one coming by.

"She's going to come chill out." Cristina huffed.

"I know." Meredith replied. "I get to be worried though so shush." She added and suddenly sprung up. "They're coming." She said excitedly and made her way towards Mark and Addison.

"Finally." Cristina mumbled and walked along with her.

"Red, are you absolutely sure you don't want company. I'll behave. Promise." Meredith heard Mark saying.

"I'll be fine. I'm a big girl." Addison replied, her eyes suddenly found Meredith's and she smiled.

Meredith was smiling back at her holding the two cups of the still warm juju until Cristina shoved her towards the redhead. Addison's hands were quickly on her shoulders, steadying her. By some miracle she had not dropped the hot chocolate which she was thankful for. Unbeknownst to either Meredith or Addison, Cristina and Mark were having a silent conversation as the both women stood upright once more.

"Hey, you ok?" Meredith asked.

"I'm ok." Addison chuckled. "But shouldn't I be asking you that? You were going down." She grinned.

"Was not." Meredith tried to cover and then gave up as Addison threw her an amused look. "Thanks."

"Not a problem." Addison smiled and then it got a tiny bit awkward.

"So umm…" Meredith began and stopped.

"Yeah?" Addison tilted her head in a way that some strands of hair fell slightly across her cheek. Meredith just looked at her and thought the redhead could not look more adorable than that. Cristina clearing her throat made Meredith snap away from her reverie.

"Well I-I was wondering umm…" Meredith started fumbling for her words once more.

It was one thing to go to an on-call room in a spur of the moment and just comfort each other and an entirely different thing to actually ask to do it outside of the hospital. So here she was trying to figure out what to say and how. Would she say no though? It was clear Addison cared for her. She had wanted her. Needed her and yet she still felt so unsure and insecure. But there was also the time that...

"You know, Red, sleeping in an actual house might be better." Mark said next to Addison and the redhead snapped to look at him.

"You can go to Mer's." Cristina added and now it was Meredith's turn to snap over to her friend, who shrugged and signaled with her eyes to do something.

"R-right umm. You could stay over if you'd like." Meredith gave her a small smile.

"And she's off tomorrow, like you." Cristina continued. Now Meredith was just confused when she looked at her because that was a lie. She was not off tomorrow.

"Remember 'cause we switched?" Cristina nodded.

"I umm…" Meredith looked at her person, still mildly confused.

"Are you sure, Meredith?" Addison asked and Meredith faced her once more. "I can just go to the hotel."

"I'm sure." Meredith replied quickly. "Absolutely." She nodded with a smile.

"It's settled then. You two love birds are staying together." Mark smiled brightly.

"Prefect." Cristina chirped.

"Mark!", "Cristina!" both Addison and Meredith admonished respectively.

"Sorry, Red." Mark snickered, while Cristina shrugged.

"Umm shall we? We could take my car. Or yours. Or we can drive separately." Meredith nervously shifted from one foot to the other.

"You can drive us." Addison smiled and her eyes went to the cups Meredith was still holding onto. The blonde followed her gaze and spoke.

"Oh, umm I brought you uh… juju." Meredith said, offering her a cup.

"Juju?" Addison smiled brightly as Meredith nodded. "I'd love some. Thank you." She happily took it.

"Alright then. Shall we?" Meredith said offering her arm, for a second feeling stupid to have done so until Addison took it.

"We shall." The redhead said and off they both went.

"She didn't even say goodbye." Mark said as he stood next to Cristina after both Meredith and Addison had walked out.

"You're not that important." Cristina replied.

"Neither are you apparently." Mark chuckled.

"Shut up." Cristina grumbled.

"Yang!" Bailey said behind her, making them both jump.

"Dr. Bailey, that's mean." Cristina whined.

"She caught you." Mark chuckled and Cristina took a deep breath.

"Please, do be quiet, Dr. Sloan." She said more calmly and looked at Bailey for approval.

"I'll allow that." Bailey nodded. "Are they going to be ok?" She asked, glancing towards the entrance.

"I think they'll be just fine. But uh halfling spy," Mark looked at Cristina who sent him the biggest glare, "oh, you're almost as scary as Addison. Anyway, make sure your person locks all the doors."

"Right." Cristina said, fumbling for her phone.

"Now how about a drink to celebrate a job well done." Mark smiled.

"What job? You didn't do anything." Cristina frowned. "I do want a drink though." She said and finally agreed. "Fine. Just this once."

"Yang, don't forget you have to be here before rounds." Bailey said as she walked away.

"I wanted to sleep in tomorrow." Cristina groaned as she and Mark headed out.

"Ah the perks of being a best friend." Mark chuckled.

"Shut up." Cristina replied.

"We're back to that? Where's Bailey?" He looked behind them.

"Hurry up or you'll be drinking by yourself you one-handed loser."

And then there were 15! Hope you enjoyed. Not much to say this time but… the girls are going home together :D. Anyway thanks for all the reviews and likes and votes and kudos. You guys are awesome so stay that way. It is the last day of Pride month but keep it alive, yeah? Be happy, be proud, be whoever you want to be, and love whoever you want to love. Until next time. ;)