When Derek had finished all else that he had to do, he returned to Ellis Grey's room. Unfortunately, he also still found Meredith sleeping on Tom's lap. When he entered the room he told Tom that he would just quietly check Dr. Grey and Meredith could page him when she woke. While he examined her, Meredith started to stir. Derek heard her say to Tom, "Wow, how long have I been sleeping? I haven't slept that well in a couple of weeks. Those arms are as good as ever."
"I'm glad to hear that sleepyhead, see some things don't change."
"Thank goodness because I don't know how much more I can handle right now. Speaking of change, how is my mother doing, any changes with her?"
"No, but Dr. Shepard is here right now examining her, so you woke up at a good time."
Meredith thought 'easy for him to say, I might have to disagree with that.' She slowly started to move to get up when Derek said, "Meredith, we're going to give your mom a few more hours to wake up and then we will start doing a couple of test just to make sure that everything is as it should be. I'm really not too concerned at this point, but I'll want to make sure if this continues. She is resting comfortably and all of her vitals are good so there is no reason for concern there, I just want to make sure that we stay on the safe side." As Meredith stood and stretched, Derrick asked if she had anymore questions.
"So you'll be back in a few hours to check on her then, and decide what to do at that point if she is still not awake?"
"Yes, that will be the plan," Derek said plainly, and his new attitude didn't go unnoticed by Meredith.
Tom said, "That will work out great Meredith, you can get a shower, get into some of your clothes and I'll go and get us some breakfast to eat here in the room. Thank you for stopping back by again Dr. Sheppard."
"Your welcome, it was no problem at all. Meredith, page me if you need anything in the meantime." And with that Derek walked out of the door and straight into Addison.
"What now Addison?" Derek asked impatiently.
"My, my, aren't we a little grumpy this morning?" She retorted
"Only because my sleep in the on-call room was interrupted by some obnoxiously annoying person during the night."
"Ouch! What's the problem babe, girlfriend hasn't forgiven you yet? Or could it be that juicy young man that she spent the night with? Possibly both?" Looking at them through the doorway she said, "they do make a cute couple don't they? And they seem very comfortable around each other."
Derek didn't need Addison pointing out the obvious to him. "Did you need me for anything Addison because I have other things to do?"
"I need you for plenty of things, just like I know you need me. How about we meet back at my hotel room this afternoon?" She said playfully.
Derek just couldn't believe this, and as he looked back through the doorway, he saw Meredith watching them now. "Addison, I'm not meeting you today, or any other day, now leave me alone unless you have signed divorce papers to give me."
"Well darling, see that is where we have a little bit of a problem. I can't sign them because I don't truly believe that it is what either one of us wants right now. Sure you're upset now, but given the chance I am sure we can work through it. And if you want me to sign the papers, you are going to have to give me, us, another chance. Let me know when you want to get together to iron out the details of our reconciliation." As she turned to walk away she added, "And Derek, you'll have to get rid of your little girlfriend too."
Derek was so mad at that point, that it was probably a good thing that they were there in the middle of the hospital. He turned to look at Meredith again, but she was no longer standing there watching him. He wondered how much of that exchange she had heard, if any.
About an hour later Derek's pager went off. He was being paged to Ellis Grey's room. When he arrived Dr. Grey was stirring and mumbling with Meredith there at her bedside. Obviously she and Tom had been eating some breakfast and Meredith had recently gotten out of the shower because her hair was still damp and smelled fresh with the shampoo that he enjoyed so much. He examined Ellis and everything appeared normal and she was in a slightly confused state. That was until Tom stepped up next to Meredith by the bed. Ellis Grey focused in on him and said, "Tom is that you? It has been a long time. How are you doing and what are you doing here at my hospital bedside?"
Everyone was equally surprised by these comments, and once again Meredith was amazed at what and when her mother remembered things.
Tom told Ellis that he was here to visit with her and to be with Meredith, and to help out in whatever way he could.
"Tom, you have always been just fabulous to Meredith, and as a mother I truly appreciate it."
"That's very easy to do Dr. Grey; Meredith is a truly fabulous person. You must be very proud of your daughter, I know that I am."
"I am, but what will be truly fabulous is when you two tie the knot. I don't remember, have you two chosen a wedding date yet? I'm not getting any younger you know, and neither are you two."
"No mom we haven't, but I think that Dr. Sheppard here would like to finish examining you before we continue reminiscing if he could. We can talk about all of this later, I'm just so glad that you are awake now."
Derek said, "Actually I'm done here, you're doing great Dr. Grey. Now I'm going to go home and get some rest and I'll be back later to check in on you again. In the meantime, you have a very capable doctor right here at your bedside should you need anything. Meredith can I talk with you for a moment?"
"Sure I'll be right back" she said to her mom and Tom.
When they got out into the hallway Derek wanted to ask about her and Tom and their past and present relationship, but realizing he had no right, he said, "I know this is not the time or the place, but I want you to know that I will wait as long as I have to, to be able to explain to you what the heck is going on. I know you have a lot going on right now, and I'm not going to force the issue, but I will pursue it for as long as it takes me to get my time with you to explain this horribly messed up situation. I know that you are furiously mad and upset with me, but I can't just let it end this way. So I will give you all of the time and space you need, as long as I know that one day I will get my time to explain and to apologize to you outside of these hospital walls."
Meredith just stood there looking at him, and after a few moments said, "okay, you give me space, and at some point, I'll give you time. Deal!" And with that she walked back into her mother's room, and away from Derek, again.