Down for Love

Chapter 5

Greyeyedgirl

One whisper, one thought.

Lost battles fought

Can brutal burns be mended?

"How are you feeling, Dr. Shepherd?" Dr. Burke looked down at him, astoundingly pococurante.

"Um, I'm still in some pain, to be honest."

"Your surgery is scheduled for this afternoon. I've already shared with you my concerns, my...hesitancy, but if all goes well...you'll be walking out of here in less than two weeks, fresh as new."

"I'm not worried."

Burke forced a smile, not voicing his disquietude about that. "Good. I don't want you to be."

"I called my lawyer."

Burke looked down at him.

"I want to have my affairs in order. Just in case. I want to make sure Meredith is taken care of."

Burke felt his stomach flip inside out. His voice came out calm, reassuring. "That's not necessary."

Meredith came strolling into the room, her hair falling down her shoulders. "Hi," she said smiling.

Derek's face lit up. "Meredith."

Burke looked discomforted. "I have to go check up on my other patient," he stated, slipping past Meredith and into the hustling hall.

Meredith took a seat next to Derek, a smile on her face. "How are you feeling?"

"Perfect." His eyes twinkled as he smiled tenderly at her.

She beamed. "I'm so glad." She took hold of his hand, removing the small plastic bag she had been holding behind her back. "I brought you something. They were selling them by the harbor. I had Cristina pick it up." She carefully opened the bag and pulled out a small object. It was a perfect model of a tiny ferry boat.

Derek lit up, smiling brightly. "I love it." Meredith grinned, leaning down to kiss his forehead.

"Did you sleep well?"

Derek smiled sweetly. "Yes. I had a dream about you."

Meredith squeezed his hand. "Tell me about it."

Derek closed his eyes, his tired face bright with happiness. He began to recount.

They were married. They lived not in the trailer, but in a large, beautiful home that resided on the land he owned. They owned.

The little girl was three, and she had thick, wavy dark hair. Her eyes were the identical shades of Dereks'. Her shy smile, though, was Meredith's.

"Mommy, I got a splinter." Her voice sounded pitiful.

Meredith picked her up, inspecting her finger. "Well, I think we can get that out without too much problem," she teased.

"It hurts."

Derek bent his head, a large grin lighting up his face. He lifted an arm to ruffle her hair. "Mommy'll take care of you, Princess."

"Give me your hand, Ava." Meredith took the pair of tweezers Derek handed her, and set the little girl down.

"Ooooh, Mommy! It hurts!"

"All done." Meredith smiled warmly at the little girl.

"When are Aunt Cristina and Uncle Preston coming?"

"They'll be here soon."

Ava jumped up and down excitedly, her splinter already forgotten. "Are they bringing the baby?"

Meredith smiled at her. "They sure are."

"Yippee!"

Meredith smiled, squeezing Derek's hand. "Ava," she whispered.

Derek smiled sheepishly, and Meredith laughed. "It's cute."

"Ahem." Dr. Bailey's voice was quiet, coming into the room with Alex, Izzie, Cristina, and George in tow. "Rounds," she explained to Meredith.

Meredith looked up from her seat next to Derek's bed. "Which one of you's his doctor?"

Alex looked uncomfortable. "That would be me," he said uneasily. Meredith managed a weak smile.

"O'Malley, you're presenting."

George looked down at the chart in his hands. "Dr. Derek Shepherd, post-op day three. Scheduled for another surgery this afternoon to further repair his damaged heart."

Bailey nodded, looking tired. "Do you have any questions?" She asked Meredith and Derek doubtfully.

Meredith and Derek turned their heads to look at her for a few moments, and Bailey nodded quietly to herself, backing out of the room with the interns. "Feel better, Dr. Shepherd!" Izzie called chipperly as she exited.

"Mer," Derek said weakly, trying to sit up in bed.

Meredith frowned, trying to get him to lie back down. "Yes?"

Derek smiled feebly. "You know I said I wanted you to stay with me for a while, until I get better."

Meredith smiled back at him. "Yes."

Derek blushed, dipping his head, his hair curling downwards under the bandages on his skull. "What if you stayed longer than that?"

Meredith felt her face grow delectably warm. "You mean move in with you?"

Derek smiled, a few dips of color coming into his otherwise pale cheeks. "Yes."

Meredith grinned. "Yes."

Derek looked at her happily for a few moments, their eyes attaching themselves to each other's. Only in you can I completely lose myself. No, that wasn't true. With Derek, Meredith wasn't losing herself. She was just letting herself go.

"Derek?" Meredith stepped back into the room, looking at Derek's weak pallor and frowning. "Are you okay?"

"Meredith," Derek murmured, his body breathing hard. Meredith looked at him for a few moments, watching him shake.

"I'm going to page Dr. Burke."

"No! No, I'm fine," Derek whispered, sounding hoarse. "Sorry," he whispered. "It's just my...head. It's hurting, probably because of the concussion." He smiled jokingly. "But I'm not sure. The head isn't really my area of expertise."

Meredith looked at him worriedly, taking in his worn appearance. "Are-are you sure? You don't look very good-"

Derek smiled wanly. "Well, there's one way to talk to your sick boyfriend."

Meredith tried to smile. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Derek beamed at her, his color starting to return. "I'm fine. Just a little tired." He paused, smiling at her, the light back in his eyes. "I love you, Meredith."

Meredith watched him, concerned. "I love you too, Derek."

Wings bent, you landed by my side

A simple few feathers amiss

The angel of my dreams, so simple and pure

With lightning in your kiss

Breathing unnecessary

Two lungs work as one

Synchronized, amends

An old life rebegun.

I'd always been a hell-raiser,

But you pulled down Heaven instead

Made my world turn counter-clockwise

Reawoke the life in a dead

Pure white light, in an empty Grey world

Darkness' sunshine, everlasting rays

Pain unbearable, at the very thought-

Can angels fly away?