First, thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews. This was my first GA fic and you were all so kind.
Chapter 8 was a difficult decision because I felt I was getting close to killing the story and I've got a lot going
on in the other stories and quite frankly, this one wasn't going to have the length the other two will have. The
final scene between Derek and Addison was probably one of the hardest to write, because there was so much
that could have been said, but when you look at their relationship, it seems like all they do is talk and it's their
actions that really do the communicating, so I thought it was fitting that it end without a word spoken. I hope
you enjoy the last chapter, I love the song that the chapter is named after, so once again, I'll be using the lyrics,
I hope you like it.
Against All Odds
Chapter 9: Please Forgive Me
Meredith couldn't breathe, couldn't move, couldn't think. She reached her arm back to New York Joe.
"Pinch me Joe." She instructed, her eyes never leaving Derek's. "I… I don't think I should." The man replied
weakly.
"Do it Joe. She needs to know this is real, she's waited a long time to hear these words, plus, she's
really bossy, so you're better off just doing it." Derek told Joe. A slight pinch on her arm followed.
"Thanks." She said, her voice distant.
She swallowed and opened her mouth, but just as she did, the strands of a soft, familiar song filled the bar.
"Dance with me." She told him. He nodded, didn't even hesitate. (She knew he wouldn't.) Truth be told, he
wouldn't have told her no at this point, not when there was so much on the line, he'd throw himself in front of a
train if he thought it would make a difference, so if she needed him to dance, he would dance, no matter how
much he hated it.
The soft lyrics of "Please Forgive Me" began as Derek tossed his coat on the stood and let Meredith lead him
to an empty corner, his hands gently resting on her waist.
Please Forgive Me
Still feels like our first night together
Feels like the first kiss
And It's getting better baby
No one compares to this
Meredith settled in his arms, her left hand in his right, her other hand resting on his shoulder. His left hand
was resting on her back, fingers splayed across, one finger grazing the skin between her shirt and jeans.
Still holding on
You're still the one
He tentatively pulled her closer, waiting to see if she'd pull back. Please don't Mere. Let me hold you.
This may be it, don't take it from me. She didn't protest and her head gently rested against his shoulder.
The first time our eyes met
The same feeling I get
Only feels much stronger
And I want to love you longer
You still turn the fire on
He inhaled deeply, her scent invading his nostrils. He'd been strung out her smell, he hadn't had it in weeks,
he'd been craving it. Her hair brushed against his neck, soft and warm. He glanced down at their hands, they
fit so perfectly.
So if you're feeling lonely, don't
You're the only one I'll ever want
I only want to make it good
So if I love you a little more than I should…
She closed her eyes, willing herself to hold her tears back, reminding herself that he was here for her, no one
else, nothing else, just her. She moved with him, he was a tentative dancer, but not a bad one. He led well, he
was sure footed. She squeezed his hand, just barely, to see what he'd do. He squeezed back, no hesitation.
She marveled at how their bodies connected so well, the way his arms came around her, the way her body
moved with his, like they were one being…
Please forgive me, I know not what I do
Please forgive me, I can't stop loving you
Don't deny me this pain I'm going through
Please forgive me if I need you like I do
Please believe me, every word I say is true
Please forgive me, I can't stop loving you
He felt her shift in his arms and he prepared to let go, but she was just moving in closer. He sighed softly
and let his eyes close, let his mind drift back to their early days. Nothing had changed, the feelings were still
their, just as powerful and strong as before. He couldn't help it, he leaned down and lightly dropped a kiss on
her head.
Still feels like our best times are together
Feels like the first touch
We're still getting closer baby
Can't get close enough
Still holding on
You're still number one
Joe had been right. He told her to wait, he said there was something there worth waiting for. Derek was
right here, dancing, doing something he refused to do with anyone. But not her. She felt a tickle on top of her
head. Felt like he kissed her.
I remember the smell of your skin
I remember everything
I remember all your moves
I remember you, yeah
I remember the nights
You know I still do
The second he lifted his lips from her hair, she moved her head. She turned her chin up to stare into his eyes.
So if you're feeling lonely, don't
You're the only one I'll ever want
I only want to make it good
So if I love you a little more than I should…
Say something Meredith. Please, you're killing me. She inhaled softly. "It won't be easy." She started
softly, sadness filling her voice. This didn't sound good. He felt his heart start to pound. "What won't be
easy?" He asked, trying to keep his voice from cracking.
Please forgive me, I know not what I do
Please forgive me, I can't stop loving you
Don't deny me this pain I'm going through
Please forgive me if I need you like I do
Please believe me, every word I say is true
Please forgive me, I can't stop loving you
Her eyes started to water. "Saying good bye to you." She whispered as the tears started to trickle down her
cheek. Tears of his own started down his face. "There's too much damage Derek. I- I just don't think I can
do it…" She replied, her voice choked with emotion. Say something, do something, fix this, I'm losing
her, I can't lose her. I can't. She's my world, she's my life, she's my reason…
The one thing I'm sure of
Is the way we make love
The one thing I depend on
Is for us to stay strong
With every word and every breath
I'm praying
That's why I'm saying…
She started to lower her face and pull out of his embrace, but he pulled her back and picked his hand up off
her back and took hold of her chin. He drew it up until she was eye level. See my pain, see my love, see my
heart. He silently commanded her. Her watery grey/blue eyes stared into his red, teary blue eyes. He let the
gaze linger as he released her other hand and let his arm come around the back of her. He let his eyes flutter
shut as he lowered his mouth to hers.
Please forgive me, I know not what I do
Please forgive me, I can't stop loving you
Don't deny me this pain I'm going through
Please forgive me if I need you like I do
Babe believe me, every word I say is true
Please forgive me, I can't stop loving you
His mouth was on the way down to hers. If she was going to stop him, she had to do it now. But she
couldn't… She was frozen. His lips covered hers and her entire body jolted to life. She hadn't felt him, this, in
ages. Her small hands came up to his arms, holding on for dear life.
Believe me, I don't what I do
Please forgive me, I can't stop loving you
He pulled back, both sides regretting the end of the kiss, but he had to say something. "There is no amount
of damage I can't fix. I'm not a quitter. I will spend the rest of my life fixing this, repairing you, doing whatever
I need to, as long as I'm with you, I can and will do anything it takes to make this OK, even if I spend the rest
of my time on earth doing it." He told her, his hands on both sides of her face, his voice barely above a
whisper. Her eyes fluttered shut at his words.
Can't stop loving you
He took the opportunity to run his hand down her arm, taking her hand and putting it in the jacket of his
sport coat.
Meredith felt her hand close around a velvet box as her head tipped down to look. His mouth was next to
her ear. "It's always been you. I got side tracked, but it's been you since the first night, since the first touch,
since the first kiss." He whispered as she pulled the box out. He flipped it open to reveal a tasteful, medium
sized emerald cut diamond. "Let me spend my lifetime proving it." He suggested. She finally looked up at him.
There were tears in her eyes, cascading down her face. "How am I supposed to say no to that?" She asked
softly. He smiled. "You aren't." He said as slid the ring on her finger and wrapped his arms around the woman
of his dreams, the woman of his LIFE. Derek Shepherd was finally home.
Fin.
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