Chapter 7
Derek turned, catching the sight of Meredith's back as she retreated around the corner, he knew it was her immediately- he had been watching her intensely from the first moment they met. "Meredith" he called, following her into the car park-not understanding when she didn't turn around. "Meredith" he tried again, louder this time
"What do you want" she half yelled, turning to face him, tears streaming down face
"What's wrong he asked?" hating seeing her like this
"You bastered" she yell hitting him with her bag
Stunned he stood there, eyes wide mouth hanging open; "You heard" he whispered
"Of course I fucking heard" she yelled, fumbling for her keys
"Meredith wait" he called, trying to catch her arm
"Leave me alone!" she sobbed, no longer able to keep her composure
"At least hear me out" he begged through her closed car door
"Why? I'm only alright" she scowled
He stepped in front of her car, prohibiting her from going forward; with a wall behind her she was stuck. "Derek get out of my way or I will run you down" she yelled through her windshield, revving the engine to make her point clear.
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He sighed, guessing there was no way to make her listen with her emotions running as high as they were. After watching her car screech out of the car park he walked inside, defeated, pushing past Bob on his way to the locker room.
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"Hey where is Christina?" George called, seeing Meredith through the front door and run upstairs "Fine! Don't talk to me" he complained, as she slammed her door
"Whoa…what was that for?" Izzie asked poking her head around the corner
"No idea" replied a baffled George "She went to pick up Christina form the hospital so I'm thinking its Christina or McDreamy related"
"McDreamy" they both stated looking at each other
"Well that is your department my friend" George said, patting Izzie on the shoulder as he headed into the kitchen in search of cookies
Izzie grabbed the second last of the cookies out of George's hand, placing it on a plate with the other remaining cookie and a mug of warm milk, "Hey" he exclaimed, pouting
"In order for me to work my magic I need comfort food" she smiled before heading upstairs.
"I'm coming in Mer" she called lightly through the door after knocking lightly and getting no reply "Hey, what's up sweety?" she asked when she saw Meredith huddled on her bed in tears, she continued with "What did he do?" when she got no reply
"He is a bastered" Meredith stated, reaching out for the cookie and milk as Izzie wrapped an arm around her, she continued after a few seconds "I overheard him when I went to get Christina, he…he…"
"It's ok, I'm here" Izzie comforted, hugging Meredith tighter
"He was telling Bob and some other interns about last night and he said I was alright, he was making fun of me, like it was nothing" she finally got out, before adding "bastered"
Izzie just sat and held her as she sobbed, initially she felt sorry for Meredith and hated Derek for hurting her like this, but then she started to think about the situation. After a few minutes and when she could tell Meredith had calmed down she started to speak "Mer I know you aren't going to want to listen to this, but just hear me out", seeing Meredith nod she continued. "Remember how upset I was when I heard that Bob was taking bets on how long it would take to get me into bed? And remember how you and Derek had reassured me that he was a cocky jerk and that he wasn't worth my tears"
"But I'm not talking about Bob, I'm talking about Derek-the guy I was falling for, the guy I did sleep with last night!"
"I know, but wasn't he talking to Bob, I know its no excuse but maybe you should hear him out. I'm sure he will be here soon"
"I don't care" she sobbed; although subconsciously her heart was preying Izzie was right.
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Meanwhile at the hospital…
"Ok fuck-up you can give me a ride home" Christina told Derek when he finally came out of the locker room ready to go. She had caught the end of the fight, with Burke filling her in on the rest. She had seen the pain on his face as his fist hit one of the lockers just as the door closed.
Most of the trip they were silent, lost in their own thoughts; until he broke it "I didn't mean it I swear" he started, only to be interrupted by her.
"Don't even think about it" she said, turning her face away "You owe Meredith an explanation-not me"
They did not speak again until he pulled into her driveway, his eyes immediately finding Meredith's window "Are you coming in?" she asked, not waiting for an answer
He followed her inside, sticking close behind her-using her as a shield.
"What the hell is he doing here?" questioned George when he saw Derek behind Christina
"Unless you want a morbid Meredith for the next month, he is here to explain. She can do what she wants with him after that" she said walking up the stairs, Derek in tow.
Lightly knocking on her door she called "Mer, its Christina-There is someone here to see you"
"Tell him to go away" came the reply, followed by footsteps.
Both Christina and Derek stepped back from the door-not quite knowing what to expect. "Ok so she is going to kill me" whispered Izzie "But she needs to hear it" she said looking at Derek "You didn't mean it did you?"
"No" came the quick and assured reply. Both girls then stepped away, letting him pass into her room.
He froze, seeing her curled up under the covers-face red and puffy from crying. Upon seeing him however, she jumped out of bed, scowling as she headed to the door. He jumped in front of it, grabbing her arms.
"Leave me alone!" she whispered, her anger growing with every word
"No" he stated with equal defiance "Not until you hear me out" he said, loosening his grip on her, hoping he didn't hurt her.
She used the opportunity to slip past him and out the door, her turned chasing her out. As she descended the stairs he gathered all his courage and began "Yes I did tell Bob and the others about last night, but only because they already knew" his voice trailing after her "We left so quickly last night that everyone knew and yes I did say you were alright" he spat, the bitterness of the memory impacting on his speech. "But only because I didn't want them to know the truth, them knowing we slept together is fine-but them knowing we made love, is horrible, it's a beautiful thing and them knowing out secret just distains it" he took a deep breath, realizing she had stopped at the entrance to the living room and was now leaning against the open door. Taking this as a sign she was listening he continued "What I didn't tell them was all the other parts, the parts that made it special, the parts that made it ours. I didn't tell them about how I could hardly breathe when you I led you into the room, I didn't tell them about how you bit your lip, or about how you smiled" he continued, his words becoming less rushed as his memory took over "I didn't tell them that when you touch me my skin burns or that I my favourite part of last night was watching you as you fell asleep, and knowing you would be the first thing I saw when I woke up." He finished, not having the breath to continue.
The seconds she took to turn around seemed like year to him. However, when she finally did face him her eyes were still teary but there was evidence of a slight smile creeping over her face. By now he had silently followed her down the stairs and was sitting on the bottom step, unable to go any further. Silently she sat down next to him, not so that they were touching but close enough so that he could feel the heat radiating off her. "You really like falling asleep next to me?" she asked
Gathering his confidence he turned to face her, not knowing what to expect. As he smiled in response he was rewarded by her glowing face. "I'm so sorry" he whispered, their faces millimeters apart.
"I know" she replied, before closing the gap between them and lightly kissing him on the lips.
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From the lounge room Christina whispered "I knew it would be good, but that was amazing"
Izzie just smiled broadly, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.
"I think that is our queue to leave" whispered George, as the kiss grew.
The three housemates quietly stood, using the back door to leave the house and give Meredith and Derek some time alone.