Meredith woke up in the morning in Derek's arms and loved the way it felt. She didn't want to move in case she woke him up so she just laid there, in his arms, staring at the living room. 'It had to be close to 5 when everyone would be getting up' she thought. She adjusted a little bit and heard Derek groan then tighten his grip around her. She loved the feeling of his arms around her, she felt so safe. It might be the only place that she truly felt safe at all.

"Hi" she said as she snuggled closer to his chest.

"Hi" he said in the sexiest voice she'd ever heard. He leaned in close and whispered in her ear very quietly and very huskily, "Good morning….maybe we should go up to your room before everyone gets up…."

Meredith smiled at his comment and knew exactly what he was talking about. And as much as she wanted to, she knew that they needed to wait until things were completely over with Addison. "mmmm…..I would love to, but I need to shower and get to work…and so do you if I recall correctly."

"We could make it quick….and you know what? I need to shower too…." He whispered in her ear again, giving her goosebumps all over her body. As she started to get up, Derek pulled her back down to the couch.

"Where do you think you're going missy?" He pulled her into his chest and tangled his legs with hers. As he looked into her eyes, Meredith couldn't help but get butterflies in her stomach. "If we're not going to go upstairs to do what I REALLY want to do right now, then you're going to have to cuddle with me here for at least another 15 minutes." Then Derek kissed her very softly and sweetly just as George walked into the room.

"Oh….sorry…uh….I'm….uh….so sorry you guys. I was…uh….just wondering if you were going to ride with us to work Mer cause um….we're gonna leave a little early today."

"It's ok on chat for a minute" said Meredith as she tried, but failed, to untangle herself from Derek.

"No….uh….it's ok….I have to finish getting ready, but I was um…..just wondering." George continued very nervously.

Meredith looked at Derek with a questioning look, but he did the answering for her.

"I think me and Meredith are going to go out to breakfast, George."

"Thanks though Georgie…" Meredith said in her most innocent voice. She didn't want everyone to know that anything was happening between them so soon. Addison and him weren't even officially divorced yet, or separated, for all she knew.

"Ok…just checkin."

After George walked away, Meredith finally managed to get up out of Derek's grasp and started walking upstairs.

"You're just going to leave me hanging with that kiss?"

"Looks like it. I'll be right back down…get some coffee. You remember where it is?"

"Of course." He said as he got up and looked Meredith up and down before she started to walk upstairs. "Are you sure you don't want me to help you pick out some clothes to wear?" He said in his most innocent voice.

"That's not necessarily what I want to hear at 5 something in the morning" said Izzie as she walked down the stairs past Meredith. "What's he doing here?" she whispered to Meredith. "He came to talk and we fell asleep on the couch. Cross my heart….nothing happened." She said as she held up the scout's honor sign.

As Izzie walked into the kitchen, Derek was pouring himself a cup of coffee and sensing her concern, he thought he'd say something first. "Nothing happened. I promise. I just wanted…needed….to see her. And talk to her."

"None of my business. But aren't you still married? Just curious."

"Not for long. After Mark showing up, I think we both know it's over."

"But did your wife know you were here last night?"

"No….she didn't. And please don't say anything just yet. I'm going to talk to her today."

"Ok. But just remember, you hurt her," Izzie said as she pointed upstairs, "and not only will you feel the rath from me, but Cristina will probably murder you in your sleep."

"I promise." Derek said while staring Izzie straight in her eye. "I love her Izzie. I really do. And I will NEVER hurt her again."

"Ok…as long as we're clear on that. See you at work."

"Bye Izzie."

After Derek heard Izzie and George leave, he decided to go and see how long Meredith would be. He quietly walked up the stairs and opened her door. She was bent over, naked, digging through her drawers with the music blaring. Her body wasn't completely dried off from the shower and her hair was wet and sticking to her back. He watched as she pulled on a cute pair of panties and then continued to rummage through her drawers. He couldn't help himself anymore so he walked up and wrapped his arms around her tiny waist from behind.

"Ahh!" she screamed before realizing that it was Derek. "You scared the shit out of me Derek," she said as she turned around and slapped his chest. She had forgotten that she was completely naked except for her panties. As she stood there in Derek's arms, completely naked and vulnerable, she realized that this is what she wanted….to be in his arms for the rest of her life. He looked into her eyes. She felt like his eyes could see into her soul and she never felt more comfortable than in that moment. He leaned down and kissed her, but this time it was full of passion and hunger. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back just as passionately. He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to the bed. He laid her down and immediately she was taking his shirt off and unbuttoning his pants.

"I love you Meredith." Derek said as he looked into her eyes. She stared back and held his face in her hands, "I love you too Derek."

She pulled him to her and wrapped her legs around his waist again. He kissed down her body and pulled her panties off while grazing her clit with his thumb. He quickly lost his boxers at the sound of her moans and grabbed a condom from the nightstand. As he crawled back on top of her, he whispered in her ear, "and I've missed you….a lot."

"I've missed you too."

After they finished, they lay on the bed, both incredibly out of breath. Derek rolled over and pulled Meredith into him. "And I've really missed this…" he said as he kissed her neck and shoulders. "We're going to be late if we don't leave right now Derek."

"Oh come on….5 more minutes."

"Fine….5 more minutes, but that's all…I don't want to be late for rounds."

And they laid there….for 5, then 10, then 15 minutes before they finally made themselves get up and get dressed for work. This was what Meredith missed. Being together in the morning….it made her feel less alone.

Well, there's the 3rd chapter. Hope you liked it! I'll try and update soon, but I have papers and presentations due next week. And as always, I love hearing your reviews!