The story so far…

After months of trying to repair her marriage Addie decides it is time to move on, freeing Derek to return to Meredith. In town on business, Derek's younger sister Lily befriends Izzie, reconciles her friendship with Addison and falls for George.

After becoming ill again and requiring surgery Lily decides against staying in Seattle, leaving George broken hearted, Addison lonely and saying goodbye to Derek as he marks his future with Meredith by beginning to build there dream home.

10 months later…

Headlines

Izzie sat briefly at the coffee cart between patients. Distracted, she looked over at a small magazine rack nearby and smiled at one of the small headlines on the front cover.

New York Best Selling author signs movie deal!

Izzie picked up the magazine and flicked it opened to the page to see a stunning picture of Lily Maloney, Derek Shepherds younger sister… and her dear friend.

"What are you looking at?" Alex and George came up behind her, Alex resting his chin on her shoulder to read.

"Wow!" He said admiring Lily's photo. Izzie tried to shut it not wanting to re-open old wounds for George. Lily leaving had left him depressed for months. He was only now seeing a new paediatric nurse named Simone.

"Don't close it… " Alex grabbed it from Izzie.

"Show George the girl who left him behind" He held it up in front of Georges face. George looked at it, blinking for a moment before saying coolly "Nice photo".

Izzie looked at him not convinced. She knew seeing Lily affected him.

"Right O'Malley… man she is HOT!" Alex said and Izzie hit him in the arm.

"I'm just saying, not as hot as you though babe" He and Izzie had recently reunited.

"You're an idiot," She said, grabbing the magazine she paid for it and walked off with Alex following her. George stood looking at the pile of Magazine left behind, reading the headline and trying not to seem effected.

Meredith looked at Derek reading the article from the magazine Izzie had given her.

"Wow" He said as he finished it.

"I can't believe they're making a movie from her book… I wander who will play me" He looked thoughtful.

"Some crusty old washed up actor" Meredith teased.

"Maybe George Clooney… he can play a doctor" They both laughed.

"What's so funny?" Addison came up behind them and the two stopped laughing. Time had passed but Meredith still felt uncomfortable with Derek in front of Addison. Derek looked at Addison and smiled.

"We were just discussing who will play me in Lily's movie" He held up the magazine for Addie to see… she took it and read a few lines.

"Probably some has been actor," Addie mocked and Meredith and Derek laughed a little.

"She is doing so well… I see she has another book coming out" Addison folded the magazine and passed it back to Derek.

"Yeah in a few weeks apparently" Derek replied and Meredith watched the exchange not sure whether to make a comment or not.

"Wow" Addie said.

"Wow" Derek answered….

"Wow" Meredith said awkwardly snapping Addison and Derek of their conversation.

"I should go" Addison said walking away.

"I have a consult, will you ring the builder and follow up on those tiles" Derek asked Meredith. They were in the final stages of building their house and both were anxious to move in.

"Sure" She smiled and he kissed her cheek lightly in thanks.

Discussions

Meredith sat in the cafeteria drumming subconsciously on the table. Izzie and Christina shared a knowing look.

"Meredith please that is annoying on so many levels" Christina said abruptly. She halted instantly.

"What's bugging you?" Izzie asked, taking the last bite of her sandwich.

"And make it the short version please, I have patients" Christina added.

"In a word… Addison" Meredith said plainly.

"Oh McEx" Christina joked and Meredith shot her a look.

"Well it figures"

"What does that mean exactly Christina?" Meredith asked.

"It's just you've got Mc Dreamy… and you still choose to all mopey and negative…"

"I am NOT being negative"

"Then what Meredith? What. You've got the man, you've got your Mclife… what on earth could be the problem" Christina said in her Christina way.

"She's so perfect, why is she so perfect…. I mean she's this great surgeon… and she works with babies… you can't hate someone who saves babies lives, and she's so pleasant, Derek and her are so friendly still… and she looks so freaken good all the time, I mean look at me, my hair is in desperate need of conditioning, I have a families travelling luggage under my eyes… and…."
"And in the end none of that matters cause you have Derek" Izzie said.

Meredith sighed defeated. No one got it. Maybe it was fear that one day Derek may wake up and see her, really see her and thing "Why on earth did I let Addison go?"

"Hello" Derek leant over Meredith's Shoulder and picked up her drink and took a sip.

"Speak of the devil…. Or in this case the Devils ex" Christina said and Meredith again shot her a look to shut her up.

"The Devils ex… you were talking about Addison?" He asked a little surprised.

"I'm working with her today" Izzie covered.

"Oh" Derek said, looking at Meredith.

"Excuse us" She added, nudging Christina to move too.

"Oh apparently I have some other place to be" Christina cottoned on.

Derek watched them walk away and scratched his head.

"They're both a little strange" He said sitting down.

"It's Christina she has that effect" Meredith replied.

"Is there something wrong Meredith?" He looked at her intently.

"Wrong? No. Why do you ask?" Meredith stammered.

"Just a feeling"

"It'll pass" She stood up quickly.

"Then what's the rush" He stood up and grabbed her arm.

"I have… Burke wanted me to follow up on something"

"Something?"
"Something" She said back, walking away quickly leaving Derek shaking his head.

Arrivals

Lily stood still in the airport for a moment. She loved airports. Watching the people rushing past her she loved imagining where they were headed. To far off destinations, to visit long forgotten friends or begrudgingly travelling to distant relatives weddings.

She was interrupted by a hand on her waist.

"You have to get me out of here" A tall, dark haired man with sunglasses said to her having collected their luggage from the carousel.

She smiled at him.

"Don't you like airports Parker?" She asked.

He pulled a face in reply.

Parker was the latest up and coming director who had taken on the film based on her book. With so much based in hospitals he had wanted to do some research first. Lily had seen this as an opportunity to visit Seattle. She was filming her final story for Lifeline and had scheduled the two things together.

"When does your crew arrive for your story?" Parker asked as they began to walk.

"Day after tomorrow" She said.

"… And it's your last story, are you sad about leaving" He asked as the reached the sidewalk.

She stopped and thought about the question, then shook her head.

"It's the right time, everything was just a stepping stone to here"

"To Seattle?" Parker teased.

"No… to writing, full time, books, movies, whatever" She smiled at him.

"Fair enough" He returned the smile.

"Hotel first… then the hospital" She told him as they hoped into a taxi waiting near by.

"Sounds good" He said.

Returns

Lily and Parker were talking when they got off the elevator.

"Lily" Izzie shrieked and Lily looked over at her and smiled.

"Who's the blonde?" Parker admired quietly.

"Taken" Lily said from the corner of her mouth.

"All the good ones are" He muttered.

Izzie embraced Lily.

"It's soooooo good to see you, what are you doing here?" She leant back to look at her friend.

"I'm here on work" Lily smiled warmly at Izzie.

Izzie and Parker looked at each other waiting to be introduced.

"Oh…this is Parker Andrews… he's directing The White Lillie's Movie" Parker extended his hand and gave Izzie a charming smile. Uncontrollably she blushed.

"Hi" She shook his hand.

"I'm Izzie"

"Nice to meet you… Izzie" His voice oozed charm.

"Accent?" She said referring to his soft drawl.

"Australian" he responded.

"Australian – Nice" Izzie smiled.

"Do you know where Derek is?" Lily asked as Izzie and Parker continued to stare at each other.

"Izzie"

"What? Oh Derek… I can page him," Izzie snapped out of it.

"That'd be great" Lily replied.

"I have an appointment with Webber, tell him to meet me there" She said, before turning to the elevator again.

"Lily" Izzie said and Lily turned to her.

"Are you going to see George… I mean while you're here," Izzie asked and Lily stopped still. Her face fell for a moment, then to cover she quickly smiled.

"If he's around," She said, turning away again.

"Nice to meet you" Parker said to Izzie.

"You too" She gave him one more flirtatious smile, then left to Page Dr. Shepherd.


Family

"Thanks Richard I appreciate it" Lily shook Dr Webbers hand having just signed off on her final Lifeline story.

"The stories on Addison proved a great success, the exposure was sensational. This should be similar," He said seriously.

"I hope so," She said looking to the door at the sound of a knock.

"Come in" Richard called and Derek opened the door smiling widely at his sister.

Taking two big steps, he enveloped her as she stood to greet him.

"Hey Mush" He said.

"Hey yourself" She stood back and smiled happy to see him.

"Your sister is doing her final story here at Seattle Grace…"

"Part of it" Lily interrupted Richard.

"Really, your leaving Lifeline" Derek asked.

"You should return more phone calls," She teased.

"What's it on?" Derek asked.

Lily looked at him and smiled. Derek looked from her to Richard waiting for an answer.

"It's kind of an eclectic piece" Lily said.

"I've almost finished actually, filmed most of it in New York"

Derek looked at Richard who was wearing a strange smile as he looked at him.

"Lily" Derek said quizzically.

"It's my farewell story, so it's on the Doctors in my life, Dad, Audrey, Lucy, Ava…" Lily named her sisters.

"… And you" She smiled at him.

"Me?" Derek was surprised.

"Most importantly you" She repeated.

"It'll be great for the hospital" Richard injecting fearing he might say no.

"Don't worry Richard, he doesn't have a choice… this…" She turned to face her brother, taking his hands and rubbing them affectionately.

"This is about family," She said, and Derek smiled back at her.

"Of course" He answered.

"So, can I ask now" Derek and Lily were at the coffee cart.

"About?" Lily asked.

"This Parker guy… are you and he…"

"Oh no" Lily shook her head. She certainly found Parker attractive but any kind of attachment would be inappropriate, the two were going to be working together for at least the next four months.

"Really?" Derek looked surprised.

"Cross my heart" lily made the motion.

"Why - were you going have a word to him" She teased.

"Probably" Derek admitted.

"I got your last scans from Dr Simons" Derek said referring the three monthly CT scans she was having since the operation.

"I thought that would shut you up," Lily said, and Derek smiled at her. They both understood each other so well.

"No signs of recurrence" he said.

"And your recovery appears to be great"

"I finished physical therapy a few months back I was still having some residual concerns with my hand movements… but I'm all better now" She gave him a big grin.

"Let's do dinner tonight, you me and Meredith, can you do it?" She finished her coffee and waved to Parker standing near by on his cell phone.

"Of course" Derek said as Lily started to walk away. Over her shoulder Derek saw Meredith and George rounding the corner. George stopped still when he saw Lily.

Parker finished his phone call, and to apologise for keeping him waiting Lily gave him a friendly hug, not seeing George.

Who's a Shepherd?

"Addie" Lily stood in the door of the Nursery watching her work.

Addison turned around and for a moment looked surprised before a huge smile crossed her face.

"Lily Shepherd why on earth didn't you say you were coming to Seattle" She walked to Lily and hugged her warmly.

"Surprise" Lily stood back and smiled.

"You always call me Shepherd" Lily rolled her eyes.

"Habbit… for you and me, I've gone back to Montgomery, but it's hard to remember" Addison looked a little sad for a moment.

"Potato, tomato" Lily Shrugged her shoulders to lighten the mood and Addison laughed at her humour.

"Hi" Parker walked up behind Lily and smiled at Addison.

Addison stood transfixed by Parkers smile. Lily tried not to giggle, before realising parker was equally as transfixed.

"Addison this is Parker, a friend, and the director of my movie" Lily said, looking at the two of them.

"Parker… hello" Addison managed and Parker gave her an even larger smile.

"Hello" He said.

"Dr. Montgomery" A nurse called and Addison snapped from her gaze and turned to look at the Nurse.

"I'd better go." She turned back to Lily.

"We'll talk soon, yeah," Addison asked.

"sure, I'll be her for at least a fortnight" lily answered looking at Parker to acknowledge that. He nodded with a smile towards Addison. She smiled, a little surprised at his obvious interest in her.

"Nice to meet you Parker" She said before heading back into the NICU.

Lily turned to Parker.

"No" She said.

"No, what?" He asked innocently.

"Addison" She said as he looked at her, she shook her head.

"No"

"Why not?" he asked looking in Addison direction.

"Because you're not here long and she doesn't need a fling… she doesn't need it" Lily said protectively.

"You're protective… or jealous" Parker teased as they began to work.

Lily laughed.

"Don't flatter yourself… I'm protective, she's my brothers ex and she deserves more than a fleeting romance, she doesn't need it" Lily said again.

"Maybe it's just what she needs" Parker smiled at her cheekily as the elevator arrived for them. He boarded it and turned to look at Lily.

"You coming?" He asked.

She nodded then entered the elevator.

Dinner

"More Drinks?" Parker asked Lily, Meredith and Derek who were seated in a booth at Joes. They had finished a meal at a restaurant near by and were now enjoying a few drinks.

Meredith signalled her and Derek's empty glasses and smiled at Parker in thanks.

"He's cute," She said to Lily as he walked away. Derek scoffed and Meredit squeezed his hand lightly.

Lily looked in Parkers direction admiring the view. He was every inch the quintessential Aussie guy. The one you read about and see in movies. Tall, tanned blondish sun kissed hair and a crooked smile that would melt your heart. His voice was warm and his accent thick and appealing.

But she wasn't interested at all. He was her new friend and her colleague.

"Not my type" Lily simply said and smiled at Meredith who seemed to look at her in disbelief.

"I should go help him with the drinks though" Lily stood up from the booth. As she did the bell above the door jangled and she looked over to see George and Christina standing in the doorway. Christina continued to walk, as if not noticing that George had stopped still, staring straight at Lily.

She stood for a moment returning his gaze, before managing a smile.

She slowly walked over to where he stood.

"I don't bite George," She said warmly when she reached him, resisting the desire to embrace him.

Looking at him she couldn't remember the reason she had ended it. His deep, caring eyes erased the memories. But looking at her now they were cold.

"I just wasn't expecting… you, here" He said in his usual way.

"Well, here I am" She stretched her arms out.

He walked around her towards the bar.

Lily stood for a moment still facing the door. Should she follow him? Maybe it was better to leave it. She was after all the one who convinced him to put his heart on the line last time, only to be the one to break it. She hadn't left for lack of love though. In the short time they had been together she had fallen in love. But she knew that they were moving in two different directions, in the end that pulls you a part and it's a whole lot more painful. She was based in New York then, him in Seattle, both at pivotal places in their careers, who should've been the one to give.

So she had done what she knew how to do. What she had done when she moved to College in San Francisco, away from the pre destined path of her family, she put distance between her and George. She left him a note and she ran home to New York.

She had thought the distance had made her see things clearly. She had thought it was the right thing for them and that the distance had eased the pain.

But as she turned around to look at his back she knew the distance had only numbed the pain. It had served as a poor anaesthetic and now in reality, the pain… and the love were still there.

She walked to him.

"Can't we be friends?" She leant slightly over his shoulder and said.

"I'm seeing someone" He turned to say to her and it was like a slap in the face.

"Of course you are," She said sincerely. Why wouldn't he be? He was fantastic.

"She's great, really nice, a psychiatrist at work" He said, faking self-confidence.

"OH George, you're seeking a shrink" She tried to tease, thinking of her sister Audrey who was a psychiatrist too. He flared at her, hurt by her teasing.

"I'm sorry," She said.

"I should go," He said and started to walk out, she grabbed his arm.

"Wait" She said and he seemed to give in, just as Parker came over.

"You're drink's waiting, I just have to go to loo" He said.
"The bathroom" Lily laughed a little at his Aussie slang.

Lily returned her gaze to George who was watching Parker walk out.

"Who's he… the crocodile hunter, didn't see him as your type" He said, with a nastiness that surprised Lily.

"He's a friend," She said as George shrugged off her arm.

"I should go" He said more firmly and walked out the door.

Research

Parker drank his coffee at the cart in the hospital. Lily was meeting him so they could make some notes for the film. He was going to observe in Neurology to help with inspiration for White Lily.

He looked around and watched the hustle and bustle of early morning at a hospital. Taking it all in he saw it as if looking through a screen.

"Morning Parker" Derek came up behind him and ordered and espresso.

"Morning" Parker said.

"You're hear early" Derek said.

"Research" Parker held up the script.

"Oh right, with me later" He turned and said, Parker nodded.

Over Derek's shoulder Parker could see Addison in the distance.

"Where's Lily?" Derek enquired.

"She should be here soon… ah, excuse me, I see someone I need to speak with" Parker said, side stepping Derek and heading in Addisons direction. Out of curiosity Derek turned to see who he was headed towards. He was surprised to see Parker greeting Addison.

"Hi" Addison was caught of guard when she saw Parker, both by him coming up to her and by the butterflies in her stomach. She pushed some hair behind her ears and smiled.

"I was hoping I'd see you" Parker's voice oozed charm and he lightly touched her arm.

"Really?" Addison asked, surprised.

"Can I help you with research, or something?" She asked.

"You can help me… by going out to Dinner with me, tonight" He said straight out. She looked at him, surprised by his brazen invitation.

"Um… I'm not sure what to say" She said.

"Say yes" He stepped in slightly closer, and she felt giddy for a moment. This was stupid, Addison told herself. She hadn't had a man make her feel like this since… Derek.

She looked down at her feet for a moment, and then up into his eyes stopping herself from letting out a small giggle.

"Why not?" She said.

"Good, tonight, meet at the bar across the road, say 8.30" He said looking over to where Lily now stood looking at him disapprovingly.

"Sounds great" She said, and Parker leant in and kissed her cheek.

"I look forward to it" He said in her ear before leaving her standing, holding her cheek, amazed that she felt like a teenager again.

Big Girl

Addison stood in front of the mirror and looked at her reflection. She frowned a little. Spontaneously accepting a date with the hot Aussie hadn't allowed her much time to prepare. She combed her hair up into a loose bun allowing some hair to fall out and frame her face.

She fished inside her pocket for her red lipstick, applying it as Lily entered the bathroom.

"I was looking for you everywhere, want to do dinner?" Lily asked.

"I'm having dinner with Parker, I told you that" Addison put the lid back on her lipstick and turned to face Lily.

Lily knew that. But it worried her. She wanted Addison to move on, but she was unsure if Parker was the one she should be moving with.

"Do you think that's a good idea?" lily asked tentatively.

"You don't" Addison could hear the disapproval in her question.

"You're not interested him are you?" she asked.

"Oh god no, really, I'm just…." Lily wasn't sure exactly what her concern was.

"It's just you know he's only hear for a short stay" Lily tried to put her words together.

"It's okay Lily, I'm a big girl" Addison walked past her and out of the bathroom.

Following her Lily tried to explain.

"I just don't want you to get hurt"

"Like I said I'm a big girl" Addison kept walking towards the exit, passing Meredith on her way out.

Lily stopped and smiled at Meredith.

"You okay" Meredith asked.

"Sure" lily said, focussing on Addison.

"Where's she off too?" Derek startled Lily as she joined them both.

"Addison has a date…. With parker" Lily said.

Meredith looked at Derek, unable to read his expression which seemed a mixture of disapproval and perhaps anger. She feared it may have been jealousy too.

"I think it's good" She said and both Derek and Lily looked at his in surprise.

"This can not end well" Lily said looking over to see George getting off the elevator. He stopped when he saw her and they looked at each other.

"These sort of things never do" Lily broke her stare and looked back at Derek and Meredith.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow" She said sadly and walked out into the cold air.

Then he smiled

Parker stood up at the bar as Addison approached. She looked at him and tried to calm her nerves, silently telling herself she was a grown woman, a confident, world-class surgeon, and it was ridiculous to be feeling like a silly schoolgirl.

Then he smiled!

"Sorry I'm late" she said.

"I'm sure you're worth waiting for" He smiled leaning in and brushing her cheek with his lips.

"Drink?" He asked.

"Manhattan" She smiled and he nodded at the bar tender standing where Joe usually did.

"What are you drinking?"

"Fosters" he said referring to the Australian Beer.

"Not the best Aussie beer, but at least it's a taste of home," He said sitting back down.

"You must get homesick" Addison said looking at him thoughtfully.

"Every day… but there are plenty of things to love about being here" He turned to her, smiled sincerely and Addison couldn't help but blush a little.

"I guess there are… but I miss my friends and family in New York… but they're not on the other side of the world"

"Why are you here Addison? Why are you in Seattle?" Parker asked.

Addison thought for a moment, ultimately the one thing keeping her here after her divorce was the contract she had signed.

"A contract keeps me here"
"A contract?"

"I signed it when there was a chance my marriage would work… with the hospital"

"You could look at that way… or you could focus on the fact you are here for your career, a stepping stone to greatness… like me, that's why I'm in the U.S." he said and he took a swig of beer.

"Hurry up" He said placing a fistful of money on the bar.

"What? Where are we going?" She finished her drink.

"Addison, please I may be Australian and for some reason everyone thinks I live in pubs, but I don't wine and done beautiful woman in them… I have plans that are worthy of you," He said extending his hand.

She looked at it, extremely flattered by his words, warning herself to go slowly. Then she took it and he lead her out.

Meredith tossed in bed willing herself to go to sleep knowing she had rounds in a little over 5 hours.

"Is something on your mind, Mer?" Derek rolled over in bed and embraced her.

"No" She lied.

For a moment Derek said nothing, but he could certainly tell something was bothering her. The beauty of their relationship was the quiet understanding. That was the part he loved the most. The way they could read each other.

"Mer" He said softly.

"I was just thinking about Addison," She said and Derek sighed heavily.

She sat up and looked at his facial expression in the dull moonlight.

"What about Addison?" He asked trying not to seem a little annoyed. He had hoped there was a point he would no longer need to reassure Meredith that it was her he loved. It was her he wanted to be with, it was her his heart wanted.

"I was just wandering… when you saw her going to her date… with Parker, you seemed annoyed, maybe jealous" She managed to say, knowing it was her in fact that sounded jealous.

Derek sat up and looked at her.

"Meredith I love you, I've loved you from the day you tried to kick me out of this house without knowing my name, I've loved you since the moment I saw you dancing with a bottle of tequila outside…" He stopped and put his hand on her face.

"I loved you, for continuing to love and admire me… even though I broke your heart and went back to her" He leant in and kissed her. At first she kissed him back, but then she pulled away.

"That doesn't answer my question, were you jealous"
He looked down at the bed then he met her eyes.

"I haven't loved Addison in longer than I can remember… not like that… but I still care about her, and I guess when I saw her… going on a date… well I don't want her to get her heart broken… I really don't" Meredith looked at him, the thing she loved more than anything about him was the compassion in his eyes.

"I know you don't," She said quietly, rubbing his hand.

"I guess I still feel bad sometimes," He added.

"For what, for me? For us?" Meredith wondered.

"No, not at all… you Meredith Grey are the love of my life" he kissed her quickly.

"But I made things complicated going back to her, giving her hope when I couldn't see any"

"You did what you thought was the right thing to do" Another thing she loved about him was his honour, his determination, she couldn't hate him for working at his marriage, she could never have hated him for that.

"You just don't want her to be hurt" Meredith leant in close.

"But it's not your place to worry anymore, it's not your place to tell her"

"We're still friends" Derek said.

"I know you are… friends just have to watch, friends just have to be there to help if it goes bad… and to celebrate if it works out… will you celebrate if it works out?" Meredith asked, looking for reassurance again.

Derek looked at her, tilting his head slightly. He kissed her quickly again.

"I will celebrate" He said and smiled.

"You know when else I'll celebrate," He asked and she shook her head.

"I'll celebrate… when our house is built and we can move out of here and start afresh" She smiled as he leant her back and started to kiss her lips, then her neck, then her stomach…. And she began to giggle uncontrollably lifting a pillow to muffle the sounds so her roommates wouldn't hear.

Coast Clear

Lily walked up the stairs slowly. Looking behind her she saw Izzie smile encouragingly at her.

"Go up there" Izzie said.

It was 11.45 and Lily and Izzie had just come home from a catch up dinner. Both girls felt like they had known each other their entire life and had missed each other when Lily returned to New York.

Izzie had somehow managed to convince Lily to come home to Meredith's house with her and try talking to George again.

Lily smiled back meekly before continuing up the stairs. Standing in front of George's room she shook her arms and shoulders as if she was trying to prepare herself for a football match.

She knocked on the door quietly first and then a little louder.

Waiting for a moment she almost convinced herself he was sound asleep and started to step away from the door, when suddenly George opened it, looking at her sleepily he waited for her to speak.

"Hey" She said.

"Hey" He managed, rubbing his eyes.

"Coast clear?" She tried to joke hoping not to find him in bed with his new girlfriend.

He looked confused at first then seemed to realise what she meant.

"Ah, she's, ah at a medical convention in Boston" He stumbled, wanting to slam the door on Lily but finding it impossible.

"Can we talk? Just for a while" Lily looked at him and gave him a small flirtatious smile.

Again he told himself that he should say no. He had taken the chance with her before, against his better judgement and desire to be hurt… and she had ripped his heart out.

He looked at her intensely and returned the gaze. Then he opened the door a little wider, saying nothing, she stepped inside.

"So" lily looked at Addison the following morning over a coffee.

"How was your night?"

"I should ask you the same question" Addison attempted to dodge the question.

"You first" Lily said.

"Well, his Aussie charm certainly is … charming" Addison nodded, smiling despite herself.

"Did you sleep with him?" Lily asked and Addison just looked at her, answering the question.

"Addison, you dirty stop out" Lily flicked her in jest with her arms, and the two last.

"I must say I feel uncomfortable discussing this with you" Addie said.

"Why?"
"Well, you are Derek's sister…"
"And your friend" Lily interrupted. She wasn't certain if she though Addison and Parker was a great idea, but Lily believed in letting go and allowing the shazam so who was she to argue.

"So, what about you and O'Malley" Addison asked.

"We ah… we talked"

"Just talked"

"Um… well… not quite" Lily said and Addison sat intrigued.

"We kissed, a little, but he stopped it, he's seeing someone, but I slept with him all night, and he held me, it was nice" Lily smiled a little as she felt a warm feeling as if in reflection from the night before.

"So what's going to happen?" Addison asked.

"What's going to happen with you and Parker?" It was Lily's turn to dodge the question.

"Touché" Addison smiled at her and they both knew the answer was the same… who knows?

Karevmacon

"Do you still love her?" Izzie asked George across the cafeteria table. She knew that Lily hadn't left till the morning, but she was looking for more details.

George stared blankly back at her.

"I'm seeing Violet" He said.

"That's no answer George" Izzie replied.

"I'd go for Lily, in a nano second" Alex said, reaching for his coke.

"For what it's worth" He added as Izzie looked at him. She wasn't concerned at all, she knew that was just Alex.

"That was an answer, I'm seeing someone… and I kissed Lily" George stumbled.

"You kissed her, seriously, did you hear that Alex, George Kissed Lily" Izzie shrieked loudly.

"Way to go O'Malley, you just moved up on the Karevmacon"

"The karevmacon?" Izzie and George repeated.

"It measures coolness" Alex said in jest and Izzie rolled her eyes at him.

"Don't listen to him George… if you love her, you need to settle things with Violet" Izzie said gathering her rubbish to put in the bin.

"Come on Karev" she knocked Alex's feet that were resting in the table to the floor.

"Let's leave George to think" She said as they walked away.

"So the crew arrive tomorrow, I want to film the first interview in the afternoon" Lily was going over the notes of the story with Derek. It was her last report for Lifeline and she wanted it to be perfect.

"Then I want to do another one, maybe at your house, more personal.." Lily kept rambling not noticing that Derek had something he wanted to talk to her about.

"Mush, I can't get a word in… I want to tell you something" Lily put her pen down and looked at her brother.

"What?" She asked.

"I want you to be the first to know…" he sounded almost nervous and Lily waited in anticipation.

"I'm going to ask Meredith to marry me" he said and he waited for Lily's immediate congratulations… but she sat surprised.

"What? Don't you like her? Don't you approve?" He asked. Lily had always been his bounce board in the family, her response was unexpected.

"It's not that, I love her, she's great, and the thing I love most is she adores you… I just wasn't expecting that, so soon, you're barely divorced" Lily managed to string a sentence together.

Derek stood up frustrated.

"Addison and I were over long before we realised it" He said.

"I know that" lily said softly standing up as well.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put a dampener on it, I think it's truly fantastic" Lily hugged her brother.

"So tell me more, when, where, how, this sister needs details" Lily stood back to look at him.

Derek started to smile wickedly.

"That's where you come in," He said, and Lily looked back at him intrigued.

McDown Under

"Could he be any hotter?" Izzie asked, placing another fry in her mouth. She was seated with Christina and Meredith at Lunch and the three were watching Addison and Parker across the cafeteria sharing a meal.

"He could only be hotter if he was holding a scapel" Christina acknowledged but even she was unable to deny Parker's obvious appeal.

Addison threw back her head in laughter and the three fell silent as they tried to hear what she was saying.

"McAussie is certainly a dish" Meredith said.

"McAussie, that is so lame" Christina looked thoughtful for a moment searching for the right word to sum up Parker.

"McDevine… no"

"McDelish" Izzie screwed up her nose.

"Mc Eat him with a spoon" Christina said.

"No No this is it" She quickly added.

"Mc That's not a hottie this is a hottie" She laughed wildly at the obvious Aussie Pun, both Meredith and Izzie looked at her confused.

"You know croc Dundee" She said shaking her head in disbelief that the girls had not seen the humour.

"I have to wonder if he even gets a Mc Name, maybe we should reserve them for Doctors" Meredith said.

"Oh no, he deserves a Mc Name" Izzie replied.

"Well then I like yours Izzie, McDelish" Meredith smiled standing up.

"McDelish it is" Izzie stood too.

As Christina stood too, she was still amazed that the pair weren't laughing at her joke.

"McDundee then, Mc Croc Hunter… c'mon I'm running out of Aussie puns" The girls rolled their eyes at her and walked away.

"I've got it" They stopped and turned to face Christina.

"McDown Under" Christina said pleased and Meredith and Izzie finally laughed at the obvious double meaning.

"I wander what's so funny" Parker said nodding his head in the direction of Christina, Meredith and Izzie.

"Who knows, interns?" Addison shrugged her shoulders.

Parker had insisted on meeting her for lunch at the hospital and despite her reluctance she was really enjoying herself.

"So you're a country boy then?" She asked.

"Born and bred, moved to Melbourne to study at Film school" He smiled at her. Addison found every word he said sexy.

"I've been in L.A. 6 months, working with the studio after they picked up my short film"

"Exciting" Addie said.

"Sometimes" Parker leant in and lightly touched her arm on top of the table. Then Addison pager went off, she looked down to view the message.

"I have to go" She stood quickly.

"Work" She gave him an apologetic smile.

"Of course" He said and she started to leave.

"Addison" She spun around and he was standing behind her.

"I want to see you tonight" He pulled her in and before she could resist because of the public display he was kissing her, strong and forceful. He pulled her back and she brushed away the hair from her cheek as if regaining her compusure.

"That was… unexpected" she smiled.

"Tonight?" He asked.

"Definitely" Addison said quickly walking away.

Secret Business

"Three giggling girls, what's going on here" Derek stood with Lily watching Meredith, Christina and Izzie walking their way.

"Secret girls business" Izzie managed as the other two tried to hold in their laughter.

"Oh… best I don't know then" Derek quickly kissed Meredith's cheek and continued on his way.

"Where's he off too?" Meredith turned to ask Lily.

"He has to check someone post op before we do our interview" Lily said.

"So what's this secret girls business?"

"I'll tell you later" Izzie replied grabbing a chart from a nearby dock and leaving with a wave.

"I better fly to, I want in on Burkes cardio case," Christina said.

"Alex has that" Meredith looked at her confused.

"Ahhh I have ways" Christina teased walking off.

Meredith turned to look at Lily again.
"So, what have you and Derek been up to this morning" She asked. Lily smiled at her, forming her response. The truth was she and Derek had been discussing his proposal.

"Secret sibling business" Lily answered.

"Okay" Meredith looked at her trying to work out what that meant.

"We were just planning my interview" Lily added.

"Okay" Meredith still didn't believe her.

"I'd better…"
"… Get to work" Lily finished her sentence"
"And I'd better…"

"… Get back to work too" Meredith replied awkwardly.

"Yes" Lily smiled again, before leaving Meredith to stare at her back and process their encounter. She knew Derek and Lily were close. What was she hiding?

Aussie charm

Lily's crew had finally arrived for the shoot. Jim and Toby were setting up the camera and audio while Lily stood rehearsing her opener.

Parker sat nearby on his cell again. Hanging up he looked at Lily.

"I just talked to the Bobby, he's going to send some location scouts out next week" Parker was making plans to shoot part of White Lily in Seattle.

"Sounds good, are you sure it will work?" Lily asked, in the end knowing it was not her place to second-guess the director.

"Of course it will, trust me, haven't I pulled through on everything else, I have to fly back to LA. Tomorrow for two days to finalise casting" he said standing and walking over to Lily.

"Lily I promised you I would treat your story well, we'll still do the bulk of it in New York" He warmly grabbed her hand, just as Derek came around the corner. He stopped to look at Parker and his sister.

"I'm ready" he said approaching them.

Parker looked at Derek and smiled.

"I was just telling your sister I am heading back to LA for two days, to finalise casting"

"Oh, who's playing me?" Derek had been dying to find out.

"Lily wanted Johnny Depp… but we're not quite up there yet… her nezxt script definitely" Parker said and Derek smiled at the thought of being portrayed by Johnny Depp.

"The studio was trying to lump us with some 80's actor that was in a heap of teen flicks… but Parker said no" Lily teased.

"We're actually talking to Rob Lowe… not exactly A list but it is only a supporting roll" Lily playfully punched her brothers arm.

"Anyway I better leave you two to it" Parker said, leaving the two.

"What was that about?" Derek asked.

"I was just teasing you, though the Rob Lowe part is true" Lily adjusted her microphone.

"I meant what was the hand holding about… the hospital is all talking about Addison and him, yet he's here holding your hand" Derek seemed unimpressed by Parkers Aussie Charm.

Lily rolled her eyes at him.

"He was talking to me about the movie, we're friends… and he is very interested in Addie, does that surprise you… or make you jealous?" Lily asked annoyed, she headed to where Jim and Toby were standing leaving Derek alone to consider the question.

Hard for me to think

"So I have to fly back to LA for casting" Parker put his drink down on the booth table and looked at Addison.

He moved an inch closer to her and following his lead she closed her eyes and kissed him softly. Her head was swimming, in the shortest period of time she had become infatuated with a man she hardly new. She was a logical woman and this made no sense.

"It's probably a good thing" Addison said pulling away from him.

He looked at her quizzically.

"So I can think… something about you makes it hard for me to think" She smiled.

"You have the same effect" He said, returning her smile.

"Should we get out of here?" She wanted to be alone with him again.

He didn't answer; instead he stood, extended his hand and led her from the bar.

"Did I sense some tension between you and your sister?" Meredith asked Derek as they pulled up at the land. They had finished a little earlier than usual, Meredith meeting him following his interview with Lily, as they had wanted to get to the house to inspect it.

"Tension? No" Derek brushed it off, knowing he couldn't explain that he and Lily had fought about Addison and Parker.

He met her at the front of the car and took her hand and the two stood for a moment admiring their home.

"When did the builder say we can move in?" Meredith asked Derek, hardly able to contain her excitement.

"Next weekend, only carpet to be lair in the other bedrooms" Derek said, continuing to admire the home. It was everything he had dreamed of when he had arrived in Seattle, a home, on his land, and the love of his life to share it with. He kissed the top of Meredith's head and they started to walk towards the house.

"Are you sure you weren't fighting?"

"Lily and I… you don't have to worry about us, we work things out" He said. Meredith looked at him unsure what to make of it.

"Listen" He stopped her.

"I have something I want to say" Derek looked at her for a moment, and a slow smile crept over his face.

"What?" She asked.

"I just can not believe how much I love you… and I gave up on us" He said remembering his decision to stay with Addison.

"You did" Meredith nodded, but she had eventually understood his decision. She could never hate Derek, she had tried, but it was impossible.

"I did… but I'm so thankful for where we are now" He pulled her into an embrace.

"Me too" She said, the words muffled by his chest.

"Next weekend, I want to spend our first night here… just you and me, no boxes, no furniture… just you me … and a TV" He said, leading her towards the house again.

"A TV?" She was confused.

"I have something to show you" He said. It was the plan Lily and he were working on.

"OK, you're confusing me, but ok" He stepped up on to the porch before her and turned, extending his hand.

"Trust me… I'm a Doctor" he joked.

"I always do" She took his hand and let him pull her into another embrace.

It's about time

Lily sat in a chair in the hospital waiting room for a moment.

She had had a long, exhausting day filming stand ups and intros, plus the interview with Derek. Not to mention the argument she and her brother had had.

"You okay Lil's?" Toby, her audio tech asked. All her crew had become over cautious with her since she had returned to work after the operation.

"Just tired, thanks Tobes… you off to the hotel?" She asked, rubbing a little at her temples.

"Jim and I are going for a drink first, Jims wife flew in to Seattle today just to visit him" Toby said.

"You wanna come with us?"

Lily considered it for a moment, but then over Toby's shoulder she could see Izzie and George walking towards the exit.

"Rain check" She asked.

"Before you leave us" Toby smiled and walked off.

Lily stood up as George and Izzie got closer.

"You look tired" Izzie said.

"I am" Lily's eyes were fixed on George.

"Are, you… are you feeling okay" George asked, concerned.

"Just tired, I promise" Lily was used to third degree every time she was a little unwell.

"Um…I should… I should be … just over there," Izzie said, not to subtly pointing at the hospital exit. She walked away.

George and Lily continued to look at each other, neither sure what to say.

"I spoke to Violet.."

"You did" Lily said.

"I did" George replied.

There was silence again. Lily scared to ask what he said in case it was not what she wanted to hear.

"I told her… I told her I wasn't over you," He said, keeping his head down, he didn't see the smile on her face.

"I'm not over you either George" She quickly said to reassure him.

"You're not" He looked up, relieved.

She shook her head.

"I never was" She stepped in and kissed him.

From her view point Izzie let out a loud Whoop, waving her arms like a crazed football fan.

"Well, it's about time" She teased, as the two turned to look at her, she laughed… and the three made their way to the car, Lily and George hand in hand.

Lucky

Lily stood at the front of the hospital waiting for a taxi. It was early; she had come in with George and Izzie for their rounds. She wanted to get back to the hotel and have a few extra hours sleep before coming back to shoot more vision for her story. She was wearing dark sunglasses and sipping at coffee, when she saw Addie approaching. She too was wearing dark glasses.

"You're a bit late" Lily said, looking at her watching and teasing Addison.

"Don't tell on me" Addison joked and stopped to chat for a moment.

"What were you up to last night? Or do I not want to know?" Lily asked.

"I was with Parker" Was all Addison replied.

"Ahhhh so we both got lucky" Lily joked, and Addison laughed a little.

"George?" She wandered and Lily nodded, and gave her a little smile.

The stood quietly for a second, distracted by Derek pulling up in the parking lot. They watched as Derek opened the door for Meredith, and the two stopped to kiss for a moment.

"He never opened the door for me?" Addison said, sounding a little sadder than she whad wanted. Lily looked at her.

"I'm sure he did, in the beginning" She said.

Addison shrugged her shoulders.

"Maybe, I don't remember…. Mus be something in the air around here" She added as Lily and her continued to watch Derek and Meredith kiss.

"I should go" Addison turned back to Lily and smiled.

"Later" Lily said as Addison passed her to go inside the doors, Lily squeezed her hand lightly in a small show of support.

"Hey you two, glad you came up for air" Lily teased Meredith and Derek when they were near.

They both laughed.

"Hey Lily" Meredith said, before racing inside, late for rounds.

"So, you had a nice night" Lily looked at her brother, he nodded.

"Good – here's my taxi" Lily pointed to the cab pulling up.

"We're okay Mush, right?" Derek asked, sensing a distance.

Lily gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"We're always okay" She smiled, she wasn't angry with Derek. She knew he was in love with Meredith; she just wanted him to set Addie free too.

"Oh Derek" She said standing at the dor of the cab. He turned to face her.

"I sent that stuff to New York, they're going to edit it, and feed it back via satellite when it's done" She said. He smiled at her. He couldn't wait.

"Great"

"Great… I'll see you in a few hours" She said, getting into the cab.

Moving on

Addison flipped open her cell phone to read the message she had just received.

Missing you already xx

She smiled as she read Parker's words.

"Addison" Derek greeted her at the doors of the elevator.

"You had a consult for me".

"Yes I have a prem that needs a neuro consult, can you do it now?" She asked.

"Of course" He said, a little to shortly.

Addison tilted her head slightly, sensing his attitude.

"Is something bothering you Derek?" She asked.

"Should there be," He asked, stepping into the elevator. Addison followed.

"I don't know – you tell me"

Addison continued to look at Derek in a mixture of confusion and anger. Confused why he was acting so short with her and angry that he had the nerve.

Her cell phone beeped with a message again and flicking it open she couldn't help by smile.

What – you're not missing me too? Parker wrote in reply to her not answering.

"Love massages from your boyfriend?" Derek peered over her shoulder and she snapped her cell shut.

"Isn't that a bit juvenile for you Addison?"

"Kissing in the parking lot…. Isn't that a bit juvenile for you" She shot back in defence.

He stood unsure what to say.

"Spit it out Derek" She said with fire in her voice, at the same time she pulled the emergency stop on the elevator, both of them grabbing the rails to steady themselves.

"I'm just saying Addie" He looked defiantly back at her.

"What? What are you saying" Her voice was rising with each word.

"What I can't be happy? You can move on, but I can't" She asked.

"Addison"

"What!" She asked but he had nothing to say.

"You want me to miserable, you want me to pine away fro you" She inched closer.

"Not going to happen sweetie" She gave him a small mocking smile.

"You moved on… it took me a little longer, but I am too… you need to deal with that"

"I don't care" Derek managed to say.

"Then why are you acting so pissed, you forget I know you, I know that tone, I mean c'mon Derek I paid my dues… I'm sorry I cheated, but you punished me long enough… now I'm moving on"

"Maybe you should get over yourself Addie" Derek said.

"Oh yeah, I just know this is about you still loving me" She said sarcastically.

"That's not it at all – this is painful for you because I'm happy – and you'd prefer that I wasn't… I see you're in love with her…. You don't think that hurts me… still" Addie was softening slightly.

"You get your pain everyday," She added – restarting the elevator.

"Addison, I'm sorry" Derek said lamely.

"But I am moving on, and that pain will stop… and you'll just have to find someone else to offer your eternal judgement and punishment too" She said as the door opened she stepped out.

"Now if you can do that consult, I'd appreciate it," She said, turning her back and walking off. Derek followed quietly.

As I'll ever be

…. 5 days later

Lily stood at the coffee cart, reading her notes. She was taking a moment to prepare herself for her very last record for Lifeline. She was surprised by the mixed emotion she was feeling, but confident in her decision to move on. She had already filmed her final interviewed for the piece that was her tribute to her family and simply needed to lay down her sign off.

"You ready Lily" Jim called from a distance. He was standing close to the camera, and Toby sat with his headphones checking audio levels.

She took a deep breath to prepare herself.

"As I'll ever be" She said and her voice was a strange mixture of confidence and uncertainty.

"I'd like to make one change to my sign off for my final report" Lily said into the camera barrel. She had acquired an audience as she had been filming her stand-ups. George, Izzie and Derek stood near by.

"It seems only appropriate, tonight I'm Lily Shepherd, wishing you good health and good fortune" Lily managed to get the words out without crying. But as soon as Jim turned off the light, she dropped to microphone to her waist and looked to the ground. Lifeline had been her lifeline. Her support whilst writing, it had been what had allowed her to finish her novel.

She looked up to the applause from George, Izzie, Derek, Jim and Toby and smiled, a small laugh of relief escaping her lips.

Toby and Jim offered their congratulations as they began to pack up the equipment. George kissed her lips lightly, and Izzie embraced her warmly. But she had no idea what anyone actually said.

Then through the loudness in her mind, her brother's voice broke through.

"Lily Shepherd… who's that again" He smiled at her. Lily had spent much of her life running from the confines of her name.

"You're looking at her" She smiled back.

"Want to go to Joes to celebrate" George asked her.

"I do," She said.

"I just need a moment with Derek first, I'll catch up" She said to George and Izzie as they walked away.

Lily went over to her bag on the floor near by. She fished inside through a mountain of paper and pulled out a tape. Handing it to her brother.

"Tonight's the night" She handed it to him.

"Have you spoken to Addie" She asked him. Lily was hoping he had told Addie himself of her plans.

"Do you think I should?" Derek asked, wrinkling his brow in concern.

Lily sighed. She wasn't really sure what the best thing was. She knew that Addison was moving forward she just didn't want Derek proposing to Meredith to be a set back.

"Too late now" Lily looked over Derek's shoulder; he followed her gaze to see Meredith walking towards them.

"I'll talk to her" lily offered.

"I appreciate it" Derek said as Meredith joined them.

"How'd you go?" She asked Lily.

"I was sad" Lily smiled back at her.

"She was amazing" Derek said genuinely.

"You're just saying that" Lily replied.

"Yes, yes I am" he teased and Lily playfully punched his arms.

"It's better go, I said I'd shout these guys one last beer" She motioned to Jim and Toby.

"Yes we have plans too" Derek winked at Lily and started to walk off with Meredith. He reached the elevator near by.

"Lily" he called back to her and she turned to look at him.

"You really were amazing," he said, the pride he felt for his sister clearly evident. She smiled back as he stepped into the elevator.

In a heart beat

Lily entered the bar with Jim and Toby. Looking around she saw George, Izzie and Alex at the bar. She smiled at George who caught her eye, before heading to the booth where Addison sat alone.

"Why are you sitting alone?" She asked as she sat opposite Addison.

"I don't really fit in with them" She took a drink of her Manhattan and smiled at Lily.

"I was on the phone to Parker anyway" Addison said. Parker had been held up in LA longer than expected.

"He wants me to come out to LA for the weekend"
"Are you going?" Lily asked.

"No, it's to early for that" Addison said quickly letting her logical side speak.

Lily sat quietly, then reached over and grabbed Addison's drink and took a small sip.

"I wanted to talk to you" She put the drink back in front of Addie.

"Sounds ominous" Addie said, half seriously.

"It's important, something I wanted to prepare you for"

Addison tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, trying to brace herself for what Lily wanted to say.

"It's about Derek…" Lily looked at her hands playing with the coaster on the table.

"…And Meredith" She added softly, meeting Addie's eyes she knew instantly that Addison was aware of what she was trying to tell her.

"Ssshhhh don't say it" Addison managed, tears welling in her eyes; she closed them quickly in an effort to trap them.

Lily sat silently, her heart breaking for Addison. She wanted her to be happy.

She leant across the tale and placed her hand on Addison's, which was fumbling with her glass.

Addison took a deep breath.

"Maybe I will go to LA this weekend, why not?" She looked at Lily, shrugging her shoulders a little.

"Sure Addie, why not" Lily said softly.

Derek led Meredith into the lounge of their home, and he flicked on the switch, dimming the lights a little. Meredith took a deep breath and looked around at their home. She was so excited at the thought of this fresh start for her and Derek. She watched as Derek lit the candles around the room.

"You were here earlier" She commented.

"I paid the carpet layer extra to put these out… I think ahead," He teased.

He bent over and pulled an old sheet off a new LCD TV.

"Ta Da" he said, and jokingly worshipped the TV. Meredith laughed at his humour.

"Sit" he said spreading out a blanket.

"I have something to show you" He pulled out the TV.

"I have something for you" he sat down and handed her an envelope. As he poured her a wine, which had been left chilling, she opened it to reveal plane tickets.

"New York" She read.

"I want you to meet all my family" He said as a smile filled her face.

"Here's a start" He said pulling out Lily's tape.

"It's Lily's last report… on our family" He put the tape in the machine.

"It's not finished yet, they have to add her stand up from tonight, but I want you to see some of my family" He said as the tape started.

Meredith smiled as the story started.

Lily was on screen introducing her family. She smiled as she described the Shepherds. A big name in New York Medicine, and Meredith could relate, being the daughter of Ellis Grey.

Lily went on to explain how she was the only one who hadn't gone in to medicine. She introduced her Dr. Tom Shepherd, her father and talked about he's work as a leading urologist. They shared a warm interview, where he admitted he often wished she were a Doctor, and Lily almost cried on screen when he told her he had loved her book.

Then Lily interviewed her three sisters, Audrey, Lucy and Ava. She talked to them first as Doctors, about their fields and experiences. Then she spoke to them as her elder sisters, and they shared stories of learning to be mothers from the day their Mom had bout Derek and then Lily home.

Meredith sat enthralled, occasionally looking at Derek, she could see his love for his family as he watched them on the screen.

Then Lily spoke to Rose, the matriarch of the Shepherd family. She talked to her about being a medical widow, and watching all of her children follow their paths.

Then it cut to Seattle, vision of Derek at work.

"And then there is my brother" lily's voice over started.

"Words begin to escape me when I try to sum him up… and that rarely happens to me. He has been my Lifeline on many occasions, my helper and my friend. He never judged me for the wrong turns I made, he only helped guide me in the right direction"

It cut to their first interview; which was strictly focused on medicine. Then there was more vision of Derek, this time in Surgery.

Then the interview moved to their second sit down. This time focused on their relationship.

Derek: I never looked at you as a little sister. You were always my friend. I saw your potential.

Lily: Even when I didn't.

Derek: No Even when you didn't want too.

Lily: And now you're in Seattle. So far away from the world you excelled in, and I've never seen you happier.

Derek: There are many reasons for that.

And Derek Smiled.

Then the screen cut to static.

Derek looked at her.

"That's where they have to add in her closer" He said and he turned to smile at Meredith.

"So you think you're up to meeting them" He asked her over the shite noise of the static in the background.

Meredith grinned and nodded.

"Good" he said. Then the screen flicked.

Meredith looked at it to see Lily again.

"My brother… one word to describe my brother… love… and support."

"That's two words" someone said off camera.

"Love then… unconditional love" She said. The screen flicked again.

Back to the second interview Lily had with Derek.

Lily: Seattle suits you.

Derek: I like Ferryboats.

Lily: It's more than – New York has the Staton Island Ferry boat… you never like that.

Derek: Well, Seattle has other things going for it….

Meredith looked at Derek. But he sat looking at the screen as if wanting her to focus on it too.

She looked back at Derek on the television, a close up on his smile.

Derek: Seattle has Meredith.

The screen cut to Static again.

And this time Derek stood and turned the TV off. Meredith looked at him confused.

"Derek" She said as he walked into the kitchen.

"Just a second he called" Meredith's heart was beating faster and she wasn't exactly sure why.

He came back in with a large bouquet of Lilies.

"It was going to be Roses, but my sister insisted on Lillies" He handed them to Meredith then sat beside her again.

"I love Lillies" She said as he took her hand. Hers wad shaking.

He rubbed it softly.

"This is our home Meredith, can you believe it" He whispered and when Meredith looked at him she could see his eyes were teary.

"Derek" She stroked his face with her free hand and he turned his head to kiss her cupped hand.

"I love you… I think I feel in love with you the moment I saw you in the bar… I know I loved you when you tried to kick me out of your house without even getting my name" Meredith laughed at the memory.

"There are so many things I love about you… but I can't begin to name them… so many moments…. But the thing that stands out is that you believe… you believed in us and you didn't give up on us" He leant in and kissed her, softly then with force, pulling himself back he reached into his pocket and pulled out a stunning white gold, square diamond ring.

"It's from Tiffany's… I've still got a little New York in me" He held it up in front of her. Meredith stared at it, unable to form words.

She looked at the ring, then up into Derek's loving stare.

"I love you Meredith Grey, I want you to be my wife, I want to love and honour you forever, will you marry me?" He asked, looking at her for some sign.

She looked at the ring again, and then back at him.

She nodded, slowly at first and then with more defiance.

"In a heart beat" She laughed as he pushed the ring on her finger, before kissing her again with all the passion and love he could muster.