It occurred to her the next afternoon that in three days she would be starting her internship.

Meredith hadn't really thought about it all that much, her mind to preoccupied with thoughts of her mother and thoughts of Derek. In three days, she would not only be a doctor, but she would be working along side the man that she lived with. Somehow, they were going to have to be able to keep it a secret. Only Webber knew so far, but Meredith had the sneaking suspicion that Dr. Burke had known something was up that night outside Derek's office. She'd have to be especially careful not to piss him off.

Feeling stir crazy, she whipped out her cell phone and dialed the number of one of the girl's she'd met at the mixer. Cristina Yang. They'd hit it off, but Cristina like Meredith had left early. She'd given her number to Meredith before leaving, telling her they should do lunch sometime. Now seemed like as good of time as any. Derek wouldn't be home for hours if at all tonight, saying he had at least four surgeries on the board when he had called her that morning.

After confirming with Cristina that they would meet at a little bistro not far from the hospital, Meredith darted up the stairs to change out of her yoga pants and t-shirt. Donning a pair of jeans a stretchy long sleeve shirt, she grabbed her keys and her phone before heading out. She got there in no time and waited impatiently for her sort of friend to show. She was surprised but not to see Cristina walking in, holding a motorcycle helmet in one hand. Cristina seemed like a live life on the edge type of girl.

" Hey, " Cristina greeted as she sat down across from her.

" Hey," Meredith repeated back.

" I'm glad you called. I thought I was going to have to kill my neighbor with his freakin' loud ass music, " Her friend replied as she picked up a menu.

" I was going stir crazy anyways, " Meredith shrugged.

" So what's good here? "

" I don't know. I just remembered seeing this place and thought it'd be easy for both of us to get too. "

" Well you're certainly helpful, aren't you? "

Meredith laughed and continued reading over the menu.

Neither girl had particularly felt like going home after their late lunch, so they decided to head over to Joe's. Joe grinned broadly when he saw Meredith.

" Well, hey there stranger, haven't seen you or Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome in a while, "

Cristina watched Meredith carefully. She seemed to be nervous about something and it took her a minute to answer.

" We've just been busy, " She replied evasively.

" What's that about, " Cristina asked after Joe turned away to fix their drinks.

" Nothing."

" You can't lie to me, Meredith. I can spot a liar. I am a liar. I know the signs very well, " Cristina said to her in a matter of fact tone.

" Seriously, it's nothing, " Meredith assured her.

" Whatever, " Cristina laughed.

Derek had wanted nothing more than to just go home and sleep when Preston Burke had caught up with him and asked him if he wanted to go for a drink. Deciding that maybe a single malt scotch would help him unwind, he agreed. He had told Meredith not to wait up for him, because he didn't know when he'd be home. That's why when he walked into Joe's and saw her holding court at a table with a girl and two other guys, his already bad night got worse.

She didn't see him enter and he wanted to keep it that way. This situation was already screwed up enough. He was here with his co-worker, who in very few days would also be the boss of his girlfriend, who was sitting across the bar obviously smashed. Feeling more than just a little hurt, he made his way to the bar while Preston went to the bathroom.

" I was just talking to your girlfriend about you, not two hours ago, " Joe said by way of greeting.

" So she's been at it for two hours huh? How many shots, " Derek asked as he turned to look at her. Her back was to him, so she didn't see him,

" Well, she was doing alright until that friend of hers invited those two schmucks to sit with them. Ever since, she's been downing my tequila like water, " He replied, his distaste of the two men apparent.

Unable to do anything, Derek just simply glared.

" Hey don't look now, Mer, but there's a really hot guy sending you some serious looks, " Cristina giggled as she downed her latest shot.

" Oh? What's he look like? "

" He's totally hot. Dark hair, great eyes, nice body."

Meredith felt the beginnings of dread forming in her stomach. She refused to turn around. Instead, she looked at Cristina very seriously.

" What's he wearing? "

" Khaki pants and a sweater over a button down, " Cristina described, her eyes never looking away from the said hot guy.

Crap, Meredith thought.

" I think I'm going to be sick, " was all Meredith said as she dropped her head down on to the table.

" What's the matter with her, " Cristina asked the two guys sitting with them.

She was answered with clueless looks and shoulder shrugs.

Derek had been trying his damndest not to stare at her and pay attention to what his colleague was saying, but he was finding it increasingly difficult. He'd picked a table where he could keep an eye on her without looking suspicious. Except anytime he saw one of the guys lean towards her and whisper something to her, his fist clenched under the table. He simply tried to focus on what Preston was saying and give appropriate answers. He was more than a little relieved when he saw his friend glance at his watch and realize just how late it was.

" Well, Derek, I'm going to call it a night, " Preston said as he stood.

" We'll have to do this again sometime," Derek responded politely as he stood himself and shook Preston's hand.

" Just let me know when, " He replied and with that he was gone.

It seemed like hours ticked by before the two guys got a clue. At least in Derek's mind. With Preston gone, he was free to go over and say something to her, but the look she sent him stopped him from doing just that. Instead, he moved to the bar taking a seat in front of the table so he would be able to overhear their conversation.

" Alright, Meredith. I think I'm going to call it a night too. I'll see you at work, okay? " Cristina slurred as she got to her feet.

" Seriously, Cristina, let me call you a cab. There's no way you can drive, " Meredith pleaded with her friend.

" Nah. I don't live that far from here. I'll just walk, " Cristina replied as she waved goodbye to both Meredith and Joe.

Once Cristina was out the door, Meredith turned around in her chair to look at him. She looked utterly miserable and for that he took pity on her.

" So on a scale of one to pissed, how mad are you? "

" Mildly irritated. You're not driving home by the way, "

Meredith's head dropped back down on the table.

" Secrets suck, " She muttered.

" I'm not inclined to argue with that one. Can we go home now, " Derek's voice was amazingly calm.

Standing on shaky feet, Meredith held her hand out to him.

" Lead the way, Jeeves ."