Chapter 58: Back in Rachel

"Are we in Rachel?"

"We're not even out of Las Vegas, Mark," Derek chuckled as he drove through the city's outskirts, blending in the traffic on one of the highways. There couldn't be anyone excited and impatient to be back in Rachel than Derek, but somehow it was Mark who was behaving like a nine-year-old on a sugar rush.

Not even a mile later, Mark whined from the backseat, "Are we there yet?"

"No, Mark," Derek rolled his eyes and proceeded to explain patiently, "We're not that much closer than five minutes ago when you asked for the last time. I told you Rachel was further off from Vegas."

"Fine," Mark sighed and sank back into the seat as far as it was possible with him squeezed between Addison and Amelia.

About a quarter of an hour later the road split into two and Derek expertly took the one on the right, where the traffic was much thinner.

"So," Mark asked once more, "are we there-"

This time, three female voices that so far kept quiet, due to the heat and general sleepiness after several hours of journey filled the car, "No!"


"Dr. Grey! Dr. Grey!"

Meredith groaned inwardly as she saw Mrs. Livingstone rushing towards her through the narrow alleyway in the food section of Rachel's only store. Judging by the overzealous expression on her face, she was a woman on a mission. Meredith already suspected what the purpose of this mission was. The tale of the newest development in her love life had spread through Rachel like wildfire. Plus, she felt she was Rachel's charity case once again, the community's efforts at making her happy ever so stronger as everyone felt personally offended with Derek's betrayal of trust.

"Dr. Grey!" Mrs. Livingstone halted in front of her breathlessly. "You will not guess who is back in town!"

"The aliens?" Meredith quipped in response but the sarcasm in her voice was barely noticeable, certainly undetectable to the old lady.

"Oh, you like making fun of me, don't you?" Mrs. Livingstone rolled her eyes. "I'm talking about my nephew Jimmy!"

"Oh?" Meredith drew a blank but did everything in her power to look politely surprised. She would grin and bear it, even if she was seething inside. Her anger was not directed at the townies though. True, their matchmaking was irksome to say the least, but they wouldn't have taken place if it hadn't been for Derek… Stop, she was not going to think about him, just like she wasn't talking to him despite his many attempts. Her cell phone was ringing constantly since she got back. Well, not anymore, she went as far to avoid him as to change her number and Derek was unlikely to procure the new one.

"You've met Jimmy," Mrs. Livingstone droned on, "at my diamond wedding party. He's a real estate agent in Vegas…"

"Right…" Meredith smiled feebly something stirring in her memory. Blonde, piggy eyes, no visible neck? Did she really seem that desperate?

"He may not be… the best-looking man out there," the old lady said diplomatically as though guessing Meredith's trail of thoughts and looked at her pointedly. "But there are some qualities about him… like honesty… or reliability… that some men lack altogether. Good looks are not everything."

"I know that," Meredith replied dryly and discreetly looked around searching for an emergency exit. Then she remembered leaving Bert outside. Lately Bert became clingy and protective, sensing her being out of spirits. So, it was not unusual when he hopped into the jeep this morning. "Mrs. Livingstone, I would love to stay to chat," Meredith smiled at her. "I think I can hear my dog whining… He doesn't like being left alone."

"Oh, all right," Mrs. Livingstone conceded. "We'll have lots of occasions to reintroduce you to Jimmy!" she shouted after Meredith. "He's coming for two entire weeks! He's going to be at Cristina Yang's birthday party!"

"Can't wait for that," Meredith muttered to herself as she made waited in the checkout line. Should she hire an assassin to kill Derek Shepherd already or should she wait to meet Jimmy for her patience to end?


The so hated object of her thoughts could not be in more different spirits as he drove the familiar road running through the heart of Rachel. Every trace of nervousness in his system was being replaced with euphoria when he recognized every sign, every building and many every passerby who wasn't a tourist.

"The place is smaller than a matchbox," Mark groaned from the backseat.

"Everything is too small for your ego, Mark," Derek quipped absent-mindedly, proud of himself for achieving Meredith-like irony.

"My, my, aren't you perky, Shep," Mark smirked. "I wonder why that is? Probably the thought that you'll finally get laid tonight makes you all that bubbly."

"Mark!" all three if the females groaned, rolling their eyes.

"What? Just telling the truth! I don't know which Derek I prefer, the moody and broody or the one on sugar high."

"The town has visibly changed since I was here for the last time," Carolyn sighed wistfully as she eyed the stalls with tourist souvenirs and new extraterrestrial decor. "A lot more aliens for sure."

"You should have seen the opening parade in the summer," Derek chuckled, warmth spreading through his body at the tender memories. "It was nothing like twenty years- Oh, God, it's Mer's car!" he yelped enthusiastically stepping on the brakes.

"Geez, Derek!" Mia berated him seconds after everyone jumped forward on impact. "We're happy for you too but we'd rather survive this trip!"

Derek was no longer listening as he tore the seatbelt off his chest and jumped onto the road, his eyes scanning the surroundings beadily in search of the one person he yearned for since he left months ago. The anguish and worry at how he would be received had vanished momentarily. Nothing mattered except the fact he was going to see her.

"Meredith!" he yelled as his eyes, finally, at long last, saw her walking form the grocery store with a paper bag in her arms. She had the usual denim dress on her. Her hair was in a messy ponytail, some of the fugitive tendrils framing her lovely face.

She went rigid when she heard her name called and turned towards him with wide disbelieving eyes.

"So that's her!" Mia craned her neck to get a better look at the woman his brother was currently running to.

"She's hot," stated Mark unsuccessfully avoiding Addie's fist. "Good for Shep, I mean!"

"Is it really?" Mia said skeptically. "She doesn't look too happy…"

"Nope, she doesn't…" Addie muttered, lifting her sunglasses. "And she has a dog with her…"

"Oh-oh," Mark cringed. "Anyone else thinking it's not going to end well."

"Yeah."

"Totally."

"Yeah, was just checking."

"Shut up, you three," Carolyn silenced their running commentary. "I can't hear anything."