Chapter Five:

Meredith was scubbing in for a surgery with Bailey later that day. The short woman glanced at her as she washed her hands.

"And just what are you smiling about, girl? Don't tell me you've finally got something to be happy about"
Meredith bit her lip, mildly angry with herself for smiling. You're not meant to be happy yet! she scolded herself silently.

"Ah, just grateful to have this opportunity to work with you, Dr. Bailey."

The older woman snorted and shook her head. "Damn suck-ups" She muttered. Meredith followed her into the OR.
An hour later she was elbow deep in entrails, watching as Bailey carefully repaired the woman. She saw movement in the corner of her eye, and glanced up.

There was Derek, in the veiwing room above, grinning almost manically at her. She tried to shoo him with her eyes, but he merely sat down and procceeded to stare at her thoughtfully. Bailey noticed her intern's distraction, and glanced up too.

"Grey! Let's pretend that moron isn't sitting up there, wasting his damn time, and focus on your work. I'm going to let you finsih this up- if you think you can focus."

Meredith started. "Yes, Dr. Bailey. I mean, i can Dr. Bailey. Er- Thank you Dr. Bailey!"
Bailey glared at her. "Shut up."

"Yes Dr. Bail-" Meredith focused on closing the surgery.

As Meredith was scubbing her hands, Bailey walked into the room. She stared intently at the intern for an while, making Meredith nervous.

"I don't know what's going on with you, or with Sheppard- but whatever it s- I wanna be the first to know. This is going to mess with my day, and my interns, and you know I hate people messing with me. So just as soon as your little love life is sorted out- you coming running to me, Grey. Or I will make your day hell. Are we clear?"

Meredith nodded. "Crystal."
Bailey shooed her out. "Go do those labs, Grey" Merdith smiled as she walked out. The Nazi cared.

"I need those results back ASAP. They're for the Nazi' She told the lab tech. Turning around, she crashed into the one person she didn't want to see.

"Addison."
"Meredith". The red head looked the picture of professionality. Gone were the red eyes and tired skin. Meredith desperatly loked around, wanting to escape the woman's gaze.

"Meredith, I just wanted to say-" She paused, her face wavering. "Just wanted to say I'm sorry. And- and I forgive you."
Meredith stared. Sorry? Forgive? Addison?

The doctor sighed. "I'm sorry for keeping you from Derek- and I forgive you for loving what I thought was mine."
Meredith's eyes filled with tears. "Addison, no, I'm sorry. So very very sorry."

Addison nodded. "Back to work, Dr. Grey. You have patients."

Meredith nodded, and all but bolted. Turning a corner, she crashed into somebody. "Damnit, i have to stop doing this. I'm so sorr- Derek!"

He stared at her, a half-smile on his lips. "Never mind. What did you mean, have to stop?"

Meredith shrugged, not wanting to explain, not to him, of all people. "Never mind, yourself. What are you doing- and why the hell were you watching me in surgery?"

"Can't I look at you anymore?"
"In surgery? With Bailey?"

"Ok, not one of my smoothest moves. I was re-writing my speech. I needed inspiration"

Well, go get you inspiration elsewhere. I'm trying to focus on my job."

"And I'm a distraction?" He grinned.

Meredith scowled at him. Just then Bailey walked around the corner.

"I'll have those tests done right away, Dr. Sheppard."

"Thank you, Dr. Grey. Ah, Dr. Bailey. Wonderful to see you!"
Bailey glared at both of them.

"You're in my way."

They both scrambled, in opposite directions.

"Damn suck-ps" She muttered, continuing on her way.

Meredith walked along the corridor, and heard someone running behind her. It was Derek.
"I lost her!" He grinned.
"Who?"

"Bailey, of course. We can continue our discussion."

"No.. i'm not talking to you, Not for six more days."

"More like, five and a bit."

"What?"

"Ha, made you talk."

"Derek, you sound like a five year old."

"I know you are, but what am i?"

"I'm walking away. This is pathetic."

"You're pathetic" He called out cheerfully as she left. A few passing people stared at her.

"Great. Just great!" She groaned.

Christina ran up to her. "Guess who just operated on a heart!"

"George. right?"

Christina glared. "hahaha"

They walked into the locker room. "You off now?" Meredith asked.

"Yup- you too?"

"Not for an hour. I was justing getting my replacement battery for my pager." She opened her locker, and a small package fell out.

"What the...?"

She upwrappped it. Inside was a black marker. A fold piece of paper was attachemtn. She opened it.
"Draw the line, any line. I won't cross it- if you don't. Love, me"

Christina read it over her shoulder.

"Mer- no way. McDreamy? Seriously?"

Meredith shrugged, defensive. "what?"

Christina leveled a gaze at her. "Hmm. What? I'll tell you what- he's married!"

"Not for long. They signed."

Christina's mouth dropped open.

"Well. There goes my line of arguement. You getting back with the bastard?"

"I don't know. I've given him a week- to prove that he loves me. that he picks me."

Christina shrugged. "Who am I to talk? I'm living with an attending. Just make sure he knows I will kick his cute little ass to hell if he screws you over."

Meredith smiled. "Thanks, Christina."