Title: Sick Day

Author: MissMouseMD

Rating: K+

Disclaimer: Don't own nothing.

A/N: Don't worry, I won't kill Meredith! If I did, then she couldn't get together with McDreamy, and that would make me sad and depressed.


Diagnosis

Derek's POV

His mind went blank for a moment.

Divorce.

The word kept repeating in his head, over and over, like a broken record.

And then he remembers why he had come out in the first place.

He's checking her test results.

He's pretty sure he's got half the puzzle solved.

When he opens her door, Cristina wakes up.

"Izzie, what are you doing? Izzie, WAKE UP."

Izzie jumps about a mile in the air when Cristina yells into her ear.

"JESUS!"

The two look guilty when they remember that Meredith's sleeping.

Well, not anymore.

"What's going on?"

Her voice is a slurred mumble.

"Izzie, Cristina, could you leave us for a second? It's important."

They see the look on his face and nod, slipping out the door.

"Meredith?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you have anything to drink, before you got sick?"

She shifts, obviously uncomfortable.

"Why?"

"It's important, Mere."

"Yeah. But don't tell Izzie, please?"

"I won't."

"Promise?"

"I promise you."

He's silent for a moment, and then he speaks.

"You have Alcohol Ketoacidosis. It's caused by binge drinking on an empty stomach."

She's silent. A tear traces a path down her cheek.

"I'm not an alcoholic."

"I believe you."

"I was lonely. And anyway, I said I was celibate, not sober."

"I know."

"The vodka was right there. It's weird, you know? I don't even really like vodka. I was looking for a quick fix, I guess. Something to make me happier, faster."

He nods.

"Your fever should be down, and once you're rehydrated, the nausea and dizziness will go away."

"Okay."

He's worried.

He wonders if it was his fault.

If he caused that loneliness.

He knows the answer. He just doesn't want to face it.

Izzie pokes her head in.

"Hey, Mere, you're awake! Cristina and I have rounds, but we'll come visit you after, okay?"

Meredith nods.

There's silence in the room.

Until he breaks it.

"I'm getting a divorce. She wants to divorce me."

Meredith looks like she just got the wind knocked out of her.

"Ohh."

He doesn't know what to say next.

Neither does she.

And then he remembers something.

"Mere? You still haven't explained the bruises."

She looks down.

And says nothing.


A/N: If you guys have any ideas on what could cause bruising...let me know, okay? ANY ideas whatsoever. And REVIEW while you're at it!