I'm sorry it took so long again. I'm having major writer's block, and I've been a bit busy. Thanks SO much for all your reviews! Sorry if I haven't replied to yours yet, but like I said, I've been busy with school and whatnot. It's finally break at school, so I'll have more of a chance to update faster. Hope you like this chapter… It's not one of my best, but review all the same.

I don't own anything, nor will I ever

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"You're wrong."

His head jerked up.

"Mer?"

"I could hear you," she said slowly, her lips moving painfully with every word.

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"What?" Derek asked unbelievably. He stood up quickly, knocking over the chair he had only moments before vacated.

"I—I could hear you," she said again, closing her eyes.

"No, I heard that. But—but you're awake… They told me you didn't have a very good chance of waking up."

"It was you," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "You came to save me. You didn't leave me alone to die."

He stroked her hair, staining his fingers red with her blood.

"I promised, didn't I?"

Tears fell from underneath her bruised eyes and onto her swollen cheeks.

"Oh Mer, don't cry. Don't cry baby."

'Shit. Did I just call her baby?'

Her eyes opened, and she looked up at him. Her eyes were glassy with tears, but she seemed to ignore him calling her baby and just whispered, "Why did this happen to me?"

"Because—because. Oh hell Mer, I don't know. I have no idea."

He righted the chair and sat down, sinking his head into her bed. He started to break down, and she ran her good hand through his hair.

"Derek, how come you came all the way here for me?"

He lifted his head up and looked at her, his eyes bloodshot from the tears. "I promised Mer. I promised you I wouldn't leave you alone."

"But that was almost four years ago."

"A promise is still a promise."

"Promises were made to be broken."

He took her hand off his head and held in his hands. He fingered the silver ring again, remembering the day he had bought it for her.

'It's a promise ring Derek. Haven't you ever heard of them?'

'No. What, do you make promises on them?'

'Something like that. We buy each other promise rings, and it's like a promise to each other. You know?'

He looked down at his own ring finger. The thin silver ring was nestled behind his wedding ring. He hadn't even noticed he's been wearing it all these years. It was apart of him.

"Do you still have yours?" she said, her voice interrupting his thoughts.

"Yeah—yeah I do."

"Some promise," she said quietly, closing her eyes.

"Yeah," he said softly.

They stayed there for a long time, the only sound the room coming from the multitude of machines keeping her alive. He watched her chest rise and fall with every labored breath. Finally she opened her eyes.

"I like your shirt," she said, a smiling spreading across her broken face.

"I knew you would."

"You know a lot of things Dr. Shepherd. Very smart man you are."

"That is an accurate diagnosis Dr. Grey," he said, finally cracking a smile.

She giggled weakly as he playful teased her for her comment. He let out a small chuckle, but it turned into a laugh as she giggled even more.

"I'm not a doctor anymore," she said as the laughter died away.

"I didn't tell Addison I was coming here for you."

"I live all alone now."

"I made up with Mark."

"I haven't been to Emerald City Bar in three years."

"I haven't worn this shirt in three years."

"I miss you."

"I love you."

She looked at him and smiled.

"I love you too Derek."

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Sappy sappness. But you all know you love it. It's what makes us human. :)