Author: Echo-ofaScream
Title: Far Away
Pairing: MD
Summary: Set after Losing My Religion.

Chapter 1.

Her eyes shift from Derek to Finn. Finn to Derek. She was in a trance-like state. Contemplating the advantages and disadvantages of both men. Comparing them. Intense or calm. Surgery or pony births. "I love him so much" or "I could like him."

Derek. Married.

Finn. Single.

How does one make a decision when your heart is conflicting with your mind?

You don't.

"Mer-" Derek begins to say her name again. He starts taking a step towards her.

Back to reality.

"Izzie," Meredith states. "I have to go find Izzie. She needs me." Meredith leaves both men standing.

Derek wants to run after her, but he doesn't. He's married.

Finn just stands there, not fully comprehending what just happened.

-

Meredith drives herself home. She walks inside her house, Alex and George are in the kitchen.

"Where is she?"

George points to the stairwell. "In her room. She's probably asleep," he answers.

Meredith nods, and and quietly travels up the stairs. She stops at her room first, and changes out of her dress into more casual clothing. She then reaches Izzie's door, it's cracked open. Meredith pushes on the door slightly, which then reveals a sleeping Izzie. Meredith goes back to her room.

-

Derek drives himself home. Addison is already there. She's in bed, reading. Derek changes from his tux into something more casual. He sits at the edge of the bed, his back towards Addison. He's silent. She's silent. Derek doesn't want to say what he's about to say. Addison doesn't want to hear what he's about to say.

"I slept with Meredith," Derek finally forces out of his throat. It's painful to say. He can't believe he cheated. He looks over his shoulder at Addison. No response from her. He keeps going. "Tonight. During prom," he clarifies.

Addison looks up at Derek and back down towards her book. It's painful to hear. She wishes he wouldn't have said it, but they both know she needed to hear it.

"You love her," Addison replies nonchalantly.

Derek stares at her. Addison keeps her eyes focused on her book, although it's not like she's reading the words. Addison can't believe she just told her husband he loves someone else. No matter how true it is, she still can't believe it.

Derek's mind reacts like what Addison had said is the most shocking news since the 9/11 attacks.

"I do. I love her," he hesitates. Like he's finally understanding this piece of information only now.

A tear streams down Addison's cheek. She looks up to meet Derek's eyes. "I'm sorry, Derek."

He understands her apology. She's apologizing for not finding a more logical way to getting her husband's attention back in New York. For everything.

"I'm sorry, too."

She understands his apology. He's apologizing for falling in love with another woman. For everything.

-

Finn drives himself home. His suspicions of Meredith being involved with Derek were all but honestly confirmed at the prom. He was falling for Meredith. Too fast.

Finn didn't know what to do.

-

Derek finds himself at Meredith's front door. It's late. He shouldn't be there. Addison told him to go see her, though. No matter what had happened, Addison still wanted Derek to be happy. Meredith made him happy.

Derek knocks on the door.

George gets up from the kitchen table to answer the door.

"Dr. Shepherd." George opens the door, but doesn't let Derek in.

"Hi, I was wondering if I could speak with Meredith," Derek replies. His voice is uneasy. He is so nervous. He doesn't have anything planned as to what he's going to say.

George doesn't reply. He's slightly confused.

"Is she, uh... here?" Derek chuckled nervously.

"Yeah, I'll... get her for you."

George trudged up the stairs. He glanced at Derek one last time before going out of view.

Derek is scared. Would Meredith be happy to see him? Would she be mad at him?

He looks up and saw Meredith through the glass door. She wasn't wearing the black dress from the prom anymore. Derek decided he loved that dress. He loved sliding the black fabric off her shoulders and down her arms to reveal her soft skin.

Meredith walks outside to Derek. She's nervous.

Derek still doesn't know what to say, so he just stares. He stares into her calm blue-grey eyes. He feels like her can see into her soul while gazing into them. He stares at her lips. He remembers how soft they are, and how perfectly they fit with his. His eyes shift to her hair. He wants to entwine his fingers through her blonde locks, while his nostrils flood with the scent of lavender. He's lost himself in everything her.

It feels like they've been standing there outside on her porch for eternity. Not doing anything except existing.

Meredith doesn't know what to say. But, she doesn't want to go back inside and upstairs to a lonely bed. She breaks Derek's gaze and moves to sit on the steps of her porch.

Derek's eyes never leave her body. Earlier, he didn't want to admit that he'd been looking at her. Now, he can't keep his eyes off of her. He doesn't care anymore. He just wants to look at her for the rest of his life.

Derek follows her to the steps and takes a seat beside her. His side brushing hers. There was always this closeness about them. Like a force darwing them near each other. Like Hester Prynne being drawn to the scaffold.

Meredith looks forward. She looks out into the darkness. She looks at anything besides how close Derek's body is to her's. His presence always made her want more. More of anything him.

He glances over at her. The moonlight fell with romantic affection upon her glowing face. She was beautiful.

Derek finally speaks. "I can't..." He pauses. His voice is hesitant and strained, but he continues, "I can't get over you."

She's almost suprised that he feels exactly the same way she does.

This whole time she's been with Finn, she's been convincing herself that she's moving on.

This whole time he's been with Addison, he's been convincing himself his marriage is improving.

They were both wrong.

Derek looks out into the darkness. His mind is flooded with a million thoughts. He doesn't want to open his mouth. He'll just start rambling about how sorry he is and he'll tell her he loves her. He knows "I'm sorry" and "I love you" are not enough. Not anymore.

Meredith wants to reply. She's about to when they both see headlights and a car pulling into her driveway. A man steps out of the car. Finn.

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A/N: This is the third fanfic I've written, but the first time I've posted here. If you all like it and want me to continue, I will. I don't have another chapter written, so it's up to you guys if you want another one.