Author's note: Thanks for all the great feedback. Short chapter—sorry. Enjoy and review.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Meredith zips her final suitcase close and drags it down the stairs next to the door with the rest of her stuff. She sits down on her couch and looks around the house. It felt empty and lifeless. The silence hurts her ears.

The house doesn't look much different. She decided to leave everything behind. She wasn't ready to sell the house, not yet. Izzie and George were going to continue to live in the house; there was no reason for them to have to find another place to live. They already have enough going on in their lives.

The doorbell rings and jolts her out of her thoughts. She gets up and freezes when she sees Derek standing on the other side of the glass door.

Why is he here?

Meredith walks to the door and opens it.

"Yes," she says sounding a little more than distant.

Derek reflects her cool composure but there is something broken about the way he looks. "I hear you're moving to New York."

"I'm leaving tonight," Meredith says as she opens the door a little further to show him the mound of bags sitting by the door.

Derek stands there looking as if he wants to say something.

"Is there something that you need," Meredith asks.

Derek looks down to the door mat and back up at her. "Meredith don't go."

What did he just say…

"Excuse me?"

"Meredith, please don't go to New York."

Meredith eyes flash with anger, "So I can stay here and let you continue to break my heart. Why the hell would I stay here?"

"Because I love you."

"No, no you don't Derek. You're in love with the idea of having me. If you loved me, you couldn't… no. You don't love me."

"Meredith, I didn't mean any of that stuff I said that night at Joe's. I was hurt and angry and I was just lashing out. Mer, I'm sorry…"

"No Derek you have to go. If I stayed, what would really change… you're still very much married. I can't stay here and wait for you anymore. I have to move on, and Mark gives me the opportunity to move on."

"Your choice, it's simple. Him or me. Meredith...I love you. So much that I'd do the whole radio thing and listen to Duran to Duran until I'm blue in the face. Whatever as long as your happy. Pick me. Choose me. Love me." Derek's voice shakes as he slowly paraphrases the same words that Meredith said to him months ago.

Meredith you have to get away from all of this. You have to…

Tears are running down Meredith's face. "Derek, please don't do this. Derek, please just let me go. You have to let me go." Meredith moves to close to door.

Derek puts his foot in the way of the door and forces it back open. He grabs Meredith into his arms and kisses her deeply. The kiss continues to deepen as Meredith feels her knees to begin give out. Meredith breaks away as she attempts to catch her breath.

Derek steps backward onto the porch still holding the door open. "Goodbye, Meredith." Derek takes one more longing look at her as he closes the door behind himself and gets into his car.

"Goodbye, Derek," Meredith whispers as Derek's car pulls out of the driveway.

gagagagagagagagagaga

Meredith looks through the door as the cab pulls into her driveway. Izzie, George, and Christina are standing by the stairs as Meredith puts on her jacket.

"Bye Izzie," Meredith moves towards her and hug the shell of what's left of Izzie. The sparkle her eye is gone. Izzie is gone. "Take care okay?" Meredith says as she embraces Izzie. Meredith felt badly for never really being there for Izzie, she was too wrapped up in her own life. She hoped Izzie would be okay, but deep down Meredith knew that she was never going to be the same."

Meredith moves to hug George. "Um… Meredith I'm sorry for calling you a, um… whore." Meredith smiles at George. "Don't worry about it… Seriously, it was a wake up call." And he was right. Meredith wishes she had listened to him sooner.

The cab begins to honk. "I have to go. I'll miss you guys. I'll give you a call as soon as get to New York."

"I'll help you with your bags," Christina offers as she moves towards to door carrying one of Meredith's bags.

Meredith takes one final look at her house, gives George and Izzie a sad smile, grabs her bags and exits the house.

Christina helps Meredith put her bags in the trunk. Christina moves to the sidewalk and stands next to Meredith. She throws her arms around the frail blonde. "Are you sure you want to do this."

I'm not sure of anything anymore.

Meredith nods.

"Because you have a lot of people who love you and will miss you. Here. In. Seattle"

"I know."

"Are you sure you want to run away from all this. Some things are worth fighting for. You know he still loves you."

Meredith nods again; not wanting to speak for fear that would begin to cry.

"Meredith, take care of yourself, okay. If Mark hurts you I'll be on the next red eye to kick his ass."

Meredith laughs slightly. "I know," she whispers. She hugs Christina again.

"I'll call you okay?"

"Okay."

Meredith climbs into the cab and closes the door. The driver begins to drive. Meredith watches Christina, her house, and her former live fade out of her view. She rests her head back on the seat. She thinks about what Cristina said and she sighs loudly.

The cab driver turns to ask her a question. "Where to Ms.?"