Thank you to all who have reviewed. I've enjoyed writing it! Hope that you enjoy the rest of the story (several more chapters to come)…

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Eyes shining, Derek laid out his heartfelt appeal.

"Meredith, when I came to Seattle I was completely destroyed. My life had been built on the notion that I'd worked really hard and excelled. That, as a kid, I'd excelled in school. I'd made good choices. I chosen to become a doctor, and then married my college sweetheart, who just happened to be the most beautiful woman that I'd ever met. I picked one of the specialties that required the longest residency and was the hardest to learn, requiring the utmost skill and precision. Even though it wasn't a great thing, my pride had a very large role in my life. And, when I caught my wife betraying me with my best friend, all of that pride disappeared into thin air. I knew then that I probably hadn't been a perfect husband, or friend. I knew, at the very least, that I hadn't been very perceptive, and that I didn't have it all, or balance it all well."

"So, when I met you, I was looking for a pick-me-up. I was looking for something, or someone, who would help me forget what a failure I was. One-night-stand, or something." His voice wavered as he continued, "At first, it was superficial. And seeing you at the hospital—realizing that you were an intern was amusing. But it didn't take long before I realized that I was in love with you. So in love with you, in fact, that I wanted to forget that there was an Addison. I figured that she'd eventually get the picture. She wouldn't hear from me, would figure that I'd moved on, eventually I'd get papers and things would be settled. I just figured that everything would work out. You were like this miraculous second chance for me. It had to work out. And we were getting closer. We were revealing the secrets—the details—that we didn't know about each other. At our own pace—and I was getting ready to tell you about my life in New York."

"And then Addison showed up. And I felt like I'd been robbed—of my chance to find happiness again. I was so pissed and so bitter about that, and it totally threw me. I didn't know how to move on. And, in some ways, that prideful part of me was telling me that I had to go back and prove that I wasn't a bad husband. There were so many negative emotions clouding my relationship with Addison that I couldn't remember the times that we'd been happy. But I felt obligated. I've been making choices to go with the work, the anti-fun, all my life. I passed up playing with my friends to do extra credit assignments. I spent all my time studying in college, instead of partying or going out with my girlfriend. I spend time in the hospital instead of actually developing a life. I've always picked what is hard, thinking that more difficult equals better. So when faced with a choice that I truly didn't know how to handle, I picked what I'd always gone with—the most difficult, least enjoyable path."

"It didn't take long before I realized that I made the wrong choice. I'd let down the woman I truly loved, and instilled a false sense of hope in the one I should've let go. I tried to give it a shot; plus, I felt like I was stuck. But, after a short time, I realized that it wouldn't work with Addison. I stayed in limbo, and kept the two of you in limbo, way too long. Finally, you and I started our walks with Doc. It reassured me to think that you didn't completely hate me and hadn't given up on me forever. And, finally, Addison forced me to make some choices. I was so relieved. But then it was too late."

"I thought that I'd be patient, that I'd wait it out while you were with Justin. But I didn't want you to make any choices in your relationship with him without knowing how much I loved you. And once the words had escaped my mouth, it became much more difficult to hold back."

"I know that we can't just pick up where we left off when Addison came. I know that we've changed so much since then. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much I love you. I want to live my life to make you happy."

"I spend my days hoping for a chance to see you. I don't feel like I've begun my morning until I've been close to you as we're doing morning rounds. And I lie there at night, trying to sleep, wishing that you were in my arms. When I hear something funny or interesting, I want to tell you about it, just to hear what you'll say. And it grieves me to think that you'd be hurting or need support and I wouldn't be around to help you through it."

"The scent of your hair, the way your skin feels against mine, the softness of your lips—my senses are awakened by everything you, even if it's just the thought of you. I love seeing your eyes peering at me over the surgical microscope, and the way that your eyebrows arch when you're saying something witty or sarcastic."

"I can't handle just being your friend. I can't do it, Meredith! I want to be your lover, your confidante. Your cheerleader. A shoulder for you to cry on. Your support. Your husband; the father of your children; and the grandfather of your grandchildren. I want to fall asleep next to you every night; and wake up next to you every morning. Anything less will not be enough."

"And having that chance—will make me the happiest man alive." He wiped the wetness from under his eyes.

"Pick me." He moved closer, eyes shining as he gazed at her.

"Choose me." Head tipped slightly, he reached up and took her face in his hands, stroking her skin softly.

"Love me." He brushed his lips against hers, savoring their taste as if it was the only thing keeping him alive.

Their kiss grew passionately and, with a ragged breath, Derek pulled away. He reached up to brush the tears from her cheeks.

She began to laugh, tears still spilling from her eyes, "You had me at one-night-stand!" she laughed.

He joined her, laughing, then looked deeply into her eyes. "Meredith, will you give me that chance?" he begged, adding, "I will never leave you, and I don't ever want to hurt you again."

"Yes, Derek. I love you so much," she whispered as she rested her head on his shoulder, "Now how am I going to break this to Justin?"