Title: Sick Day
Author: MissMouseMD
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: Don't own it.
A/N: And the blood is explained! Also, lots of other stuff. Anyway, there will probably only be one, maybe two chapters after this, so REVIEW to get my thoughts rolling, lol.
Sleepwalk
Derek's POV
He freezes
Tries not to panic.
"What blood? Mere, what blood?"
She's not saying anything.
He can tell that this is difficult for her.
He holds her tighter, to make her feel safe.
The sound of her voice breaks the silence.
Startles him.
"After the bomb blew up, I used to sneak in with Izzie or George at night. Having someone else there comforted me, I guess. But then I got embarrassed. I'm 26 years old; I should be able to sleep by myself. So I tried.
And then the nightmares started. It's the same thing, every night. I see the bomb. But it's always someone different holding it. And they're looking at me. Blaming me. Asking me why I gave it to them. I can't help them. I can't answer them. I'm frozen. I can only watch. And then there's an explosion. And I'm covered in blood. But it's not mine."
He's cursing himself.
For not expecting this.
She almost died, for Christ Sakes.
He should have known it would affect her.
A thought occurs to him.
"When did the nightmares begin?"
She thinks on it.
"Maybe a month ago? Something like that."
"Do you sleepwalk?"
"I don't know. I don't remember."
"Do you think it's possible?"
"I guess, yeah."
He breathes a sigh of relief.
She turns to look at him.
"Why?"
She looks puzzled.
"I think that you, young lady, having been beating yourself up in your sleep."
She smiles.
His playful tone makes her feel better.
Happy, almost.
She hasn't felt happy in a long, long time.
When he speaks again, he's serious once more.
"Why didn't you tell someone?"
She shrugs.
"Nobody would care."
He can't believe she thinks that.
"What are you talking about? Everyone would care."
"I guess."
He sighs.
Wonders how she can possibly think no one cares.
"Meredith, look at me. Izzie and Cristina could have gone home. They could have gotten some sleep. Washed. But they stayed here, slept in those uncomfortable chairs. Just to make sure you were going to be okay. Would they do that if they didn't care?"
Her eyes begin to glisten with tears.
"Everyone cares about you, you hear me? And don't you ever doubt that, okay?"
She nods.
The fierce protectiveness in his voice comforts her.
He cares.
She allows herself a small smile.
They sit there for a minute, content.
"Meredith, I have to go."
She frowns.
"No. Stay."
He plants a kiss on the top of her head.
"I have work. You don't want to get me fired, do you?"
She pouts.
"Fine."
He smiles, and eases himself off the bed.
He's halfway out the door when her voice stops him.
"Derek?"
"Yes?"
"We're friends, right?"
He smiles.
"Of course."
But as he walks through the hospital halls, he frowns.
Friends.
Just friends.
He wishes they were more.
A/N: Don't worry, they will get together before the story ends! REVIEW, PLEASE!
