Chapter 23: Rivals
At the end of the week, Meredith was able to head home. Derek was trying to stop blaming himself for the trap. Now, he had back tracked into blaming himself for not killing Victoria. Meredith had tried to convince him that he had saved her, regardless and she was thankful for that. Emmet dragged him to her room the last night of her hospital stay, and Meredith made him promise he'd visit her. Ever since their kiss, Meredith was unsure of so many things. What were they now? It seemed superficial to call him her "boyfriend". It just didn't seem to fit as far as a title went. Finn was a boyfriend. Derek... was what? A companion...? A lover...? Meredith felt heat rush through her as she came to that thought. Half of her scolded her mind for jumping to such a conclusion, after what happened the last time, she became intimate. How could she even be thinking about sex after being betrayed like that? Still... the other half... She shook her head and rubbed her temple. And what if he was just kissing her to calm her down or appease her. Yet... Derek hardly seemed the type to do things to merely "appease" someone. If he did something, he either meant it or was forced into it. She didn't even notice that they were home until the truck stopped. She looked up and spotted Mark's pick up. She had almost forgotten about him. Guilt weighed down on her for some unspoken reason. She opened the door; then, her and Thatcher went inside, where Mark and Billy were waiting with a "WELCOME HOME" sign. Meredith smiled weakly.
"I was only out for a week and a half," she said, propping herself on the counter.
"This is for both of you," said Billy with a grin. "You two are the most hazardous people I think I've ever met. Three hospital trips within three months! You're danger prone, I swear."
Mark helped Meredith in as his dad spoke, rubbing her arms after taking off her jacket for her. While the adults talked; then, Meredith was helped up the stairs and into her room, where she sat on her bed. "I think I missed the last day before winter break," she remarked, looking out to the gray sky. It was still day out, and the snow glistened along the treetops as beautifully as they always did. It made her sad... for some reason she couldn't quite place. Perhaps it was all the confusion weighing down on her. Mark noticed this and sat beside her, pulling her into a one-armed, friendly hug.
"I'm sure you'll be able to catch up," he assured her, smiling gently. Meredith nodded, looking up to him.
"Thanks..." She let herself fall to the bed, staring at the ceiling. She closed her eyes, a wrist laying over them. She just needed to think things through.
"You ok?" Meredith poked an eye out from under her wrist and looked to Mark. She shrugged.
"Just thinking," she said.
"About what?" He laid beside her on his stomach, his blonde hair washing against his shoulders. Meredith sighed and rolled on the right side of her body; her hands folded beneath her head as a pillow. Should she tell him...? She was teetering on it. Something told her that it would hurt him if she did. Still... he was one of her oldest friends. Perhaps he could help?
"I know you don't like him," she began, "but... do you think Derek's the kind of person to... um..." She furrowed her brow, trying to piece words together. "I mean... he seems tough on the outside, but he can be really nice and... well... do you think that... if he wanted me to feel better...?"
Mark frowned at where she was going. "What? Did he do something to you?" He sat up, attentive and alert. "You just say the word and I'll tear his throat out."
Meredith blinked at him and smiled, sitting up. "No, no... it's not that." She took his hands. She got cold feet. She couldn't tell Mark about the kiss. She was right – somehow, it would hurt him. Whether it was because he and Derek despised each other, or for another reason, Meredith wasn't quite sure. He didn't need to know. "Nevermind..." Her smile became bigger to distract from the subject. "So how did you fill your time when I was away?"
For the next couple of hours, they talked and talked. Meredith had no idea that it was almost sunset by the time they finished. They spoke of everything that was happening. Mark was irritated that he wasn't more involved with getting the nomads out of Forks. He was the type of person who didn't like to wait around and watch what happened. Meredith knew that from when they were children. She shared the same sentiments, reiterating her annoyance that there wasn't much she could do to protect herself. Their conversation – despite the subject matter – was easy. Meredith had never realized just how nice it was to talk with him. They had similar viewpoints on many matters, making the conversation even smoother. As a matter of fact, she doubted that she even had such easy conversations with Finn, when she was still in Boston... No. This was something that she and Mark shared. It was special. To them and only them.
"Oy!" came Billy's voice once sunset rolled around. "Food's here!"
"Oh..." Mark laughed. He as well wasn't aware of the time. "You want me to get you something?"
Meredith nodded. "Yeah ok." She smiled, taking his hands. "Thanks..." she said sincerely. He smiled at her and then left her to her bed. Meredith felt the weight of her shoulders loosening considerably. She was still unsure about Derek, as she made sure that the subject didn't pop up again. Still, as far as everything else went, she had a little more certainty on things. It was comforting.
A tap on her window brought her out of her thoughts. Looking up, she spotted Derek clinging to her wall, peering through the window. The blue in his eyes dimming. He needed to hunt soon. Meredith smiled, her heart starting to warm. Despite the confusion and the uncertainty about the whole thing, it was nice to see him keep his promise. Meredith moved to the window, opened it, and let him come in.
"Are you ok?" he asked, touching her arm. Meredith nodded.
"I'll be fine in a day or two..." She sat on the edge of the bed. She thought briefly that the two boys may not be happy when Mark returned with food, but she'd jump off that bridge when it happened. Right now, she wanted to speak with Derek; get on the same page, as it were. "Listen... about... our kiss and stuff?" A lame way to start off on the subject, but she wasn't sure how else to go about it. He shifted nervously and sighed.
"You were uncomfortable," he said, his head lowered. "I knew it... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done anything so forward..."
Hope shot through her and she stood, taking his cold hand with two of her own. "No," she said quickly. He looked up to her cautiously. "Not at all... actually..." She let her eyes trail to his hand, her cheeks filling with red in slight embarrassment. "Actually... I liked it... a lot..." There was a pause as Meredith kept her head lowered. Her mind began to reel. He sure was taking his sweet time to respond to that. She was ready to take it all back when she felt fingers on her chin. Gently, he lifted her head so the two stared at one another. He was smiling at her – truly smiling. The smile that he stored away only for her. It made her heart thrill and she smiled brightly back. He leaned forward and lightly pressed their lips together once again. After a short, four second kiss, he pulled back and looped his arms around her waist, letting his forehead drop to her shoulder. He let out a breath.
"I still can't figure out why I couldn't kill her," he confessed. "I've searched every reason. I had her right in my hands... If I took off her head and burned her body in the sun, then she wouldn't be able to come back... but I just..." Meredith tightened her grip around his torso.
"Derek, listen to me," she said in a gentle, firm voice. "I'm alive and well. That's all that matters. Yes, she got away. But with any luck, they'll leave. I know you wish you could have done something more, but what's done is done." She cupped his face and turned him to look at her. "Besides..." She smiled. "It just proves me right. Even though you come off as a tough guy, if you had a choice, you wouldn't hurt a thing. You're nothing but a big pansy." A sheepish smile came out and he leaned in, lacing his long fingers through her hair. He leaned in for another kiss, when a plate clattered to the floor, causing them both to turn to the door. Mark stood there, the food at his feet. He glared incredulously at the pair, his lips parted in shock. Meredith saw as his face twisted into a leer, a growl coming from his throat. She also felt Derek's arms tense on her body.
"What's he doing here!?" they both demanded at once, pointing to one another. Mark stormed into the room getting right up to the two and taking Meredith's arm.
"Back off, bloodsucker!" he snapped. "You're not fooling anyone here. Don't think you can trick Meredith into letting you sneak a bite!"
"Oh please," Derek hissed back. "Like you have room to talk? You follow her around like a little obedient puppy! What, hoping she'll give you a flea bath?"
"She's my friend," Mark snapped back. "Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot you don't know the meaning of the word."
"Oh, that hurt. Is that really the best you've got?"
"I'm just getting started."
"Is that right?"
"Yeah!"
"Then bring it, Cujo."
With a glare, Mark pushed his shoulder. Derek released Meredith and pushed him back, this time a little harder. Through the whole back and forth exchange, Meredith had tried to get a word in to try and stop things. It didn't look like she was working. They pushed each other until Derek raised his fist, ready to slam him in the jaw. Meredith grabbed his arm. "Stop it! Right now!" she ordered. They looked at her and then at each other. A smirk came onto Derek's lips.
"Right. This mutt isn't worth my time. Besides... he can't do this."
Without warning, he grabbed Meredith by the waist, dipped her, and dove in for a solid kiss. Her eyes shot open, unsure of what to do. She wasn't sure if she should kiss back or simply stand there and see what happens. When it was over, he stood her to her feet, the quick change in position making her lightheaded. Mark glared, his over sharpened canines starting to show quite well.
"You... you son of a bitch!" he barked.
"Wouldn't that be you?"
With a howl like yell, Mark lunged for Derek, the two of them flying backwards, crashing out the window, and tumbling down into the snow. Meredith barely had time to think before she was at her window ledge, watching the two attempt to strangle one another as they flopped around like a couple of fish on a dock.
"What's going on up there!?" came Thatcher's voice.
"Nothing!" Meredith gripped her cane and swiped the bell, rushing as quick as she could downstairs and through the kitchen door so her father wouldn't see. She yanked it open and hurried outside, the Mark supporting a bruised cheek and Derek with a split lip. She shook the bell with all her might. The inaudible sound caused them both to curl forward, gripping their ears, much like Victoria did at the hospital. With a huff, she put her hands on her hips. The two boys looked up to her, panting in the cold. "That is enough!" she snapped harshly. "You two are acting like children. I know you don't like each other, but this is stupid!"
"He started it," said Mark.
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Agh!" They cried out once more as Meredith rang her instrument. She then stopped and pushed on her temple. All of this was giving her a monster of a headache.
"Listen," she began evenly. "You two don't have to be friends, but for God's sake, don't try to kill each other! There are nomads for that!" They grumbled and glared at one another from side glances. Though it was evident that they still hated one another beyond belief, Meredith was right. Among the attacks of the nomads, this was no time to have inner battles between... erm... somewhat of comrades.
"Parasite," Mark mumbled.
"Ass sniffer," Derek retorted.
"Stop it," said Meredith, nipping the name calling in the bud before it escalated. They quitted, still on their knees in the snow. "Now say your sorry and make up."
Derek flinched. "Meredith, come on... this is humiliating – "
"You should have thought of that before you ruined my window!" She pointed to the broken glass. "Now say it! Go on!"
As though he were trying to swallow glass, Derek turned and took a breath. "I'm... very very... s...sorry..."
Mark ground his teeth together. It was amazing that none of them broke. "It's... fine," he seethed, his hands in fists. "I'm s...sorry too..."
It wasn't the greatest make up in the world, but Meredith took it. She looked over just in time to see Thatcher and Billy make their way to the door. Her father panted. "What the hell happened out here?"
"Weren't you two in your room just now?" asked Billy. Meredith blinked and looked to where Derek was sitting. Didn't they see him? But after seeing nothing but his imprint, she supposed he must have taken off when he heard the kitchen door open. She and Mark were able to make up a story about the window shattering because Mark was leaning on it. It was an old window, so it was very plausible that it would break from pressure. Once the Sloans left (Mark's eyes averting Meredith at every cost), Thatcher helped Meredith put a sheet over her window until the glass could get fixed, and then they went to bed. Meredith herself was just ready to settle in, when she heard a voice.
"Pst... psssst!"
She looked up and moved to the window, lifting the sheet. Derek clung to her wall, smiling sheepishly. "Hi..." His smile fell and he looked to the broken glass, tapping it. "You still think I wouldn't hurt a fly?"
Meredith rubbed her eyes and leaned against the frame of the window. She shook her head, a meek smile on her face. Leaning forward, she tilted his chin up and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. "Please try to remember that he's my best friend. So, no more fighting... Ok?"
Derek didn't like the idea, but he caved. "I'll contain myself... Or at least try." With a cute little smirk, he gave her one last kiss before turning and leaping out of sight.
