A/N: Thanks for the feedback. I split this chapter so I could post sooner.


Meredith arrived at the Blarney Stone Pub slightly before Cormac so she went in and found them a booth in the quieter area of the pub. She ordered them each a whiskey, the black bean dip and chips, and the Leprechaun Ballz. He arrived just as the whiskey was placed on the table and he slid into the booth beside her placing his left hand on her thigh under the table. "Sláinte," he says, picking up his glass.

"I ordered some appies. If not I wouldn't be able to drink," she says.

"Rough week?"

"Lack of sleep, it just hit me. Ellie is struggling to sleep in her own bed, so nightly snuggles with a nearly 5 year old is no fun. She kicks," Meredith says.

"Hopefully she'll settle down now that we are back into the school routine," he says.

"I hope so, she's been so tired, she's falling asleep early and waking by 3AM, so climbs in with me."

"Wish I could help with that," he says.

"You have your own kid issues. How is Austin doing at the highschool?"

"He's adjusting fine. He's got some friends in most of his classes so he's happy. Football tryouts are going well this week."

"That's good. And Liam?"

"He's got his courses sorted out. He has a heavy workload. Especially with coming to the hospital every Monday afternoon."

"He can do it. I think he's driven like his dad," Meredith says.

"A little…," he agrees. At Meredith's look, he adds, "OK, maybe a lot like me. Are you sure he's OK coming into the hospital?"

"Not a problem."

"And how's Amahle?"

"Happy with her courses. They're pushing my house rules," he replies.

"Oh?"

"They were making out when I got home last night. Teens being teens, but I hate having to be bad cop and enforcer all the time," he says. Their food arrives and they order a second round of whiskeys.

"So there's something we need to talk about," she says cautiously.

"What's worrying you?" he asks.

"Andrew's due back at work on Monday," she states.

"Are you OK with that?" he wonders.

"Yes, but I will need to talk to him. He and I weren't together when he went into treatment, and you and I are much closer now, but…,"

"You had a relationship with him. And he wasn't happy with me," he finishes.

"Yes. But I want to ensure he's clear that he and I aren't a possibility. That there will be no relationship between Andrew and I," Meredith adds.

"I understand. I know he didn't do his boards, what will he be doing this year?" Cormac asks.

"He's been working part time in the free clinic for the past two months. Officially he's repeating his 5th year, but he's going to start working on independent research. We can't give him fellowship privileges because he didn't do his boards, but as it was a medical reason, Bailey doesn't want to penalize him for taking care of his mental health. His surgeries will need to be supervised at the same level as the 5th years, which will be a pain, but it might work well with Richard heading back into surgery. I was thinking of pairing them together," Meredith says taking another sip of her whiskey.

"That is a good idea, they make a good team anyways," he says.

"Yes, and then I don't need to supervise my mentor as closely knowing a 6th year resident will be in with him. I just need to ensure Richard's hands are steady and he can handle the hours in the OR," Meredith adds. "But I really don't want to work with Andrew, but he chose General Surgery."

"Hopefully you can get Richard and Bailey to take him as their fellow. I'm glad he doesn't want paediatrics," he says.

"Yes. That is the plan. I had a meeting last week as part of Richard's back to work review with both of them. They are on board, and if this year doesn't work out, he'll have to find a fellowship elsewhere. And you two wouldn't work out together. If he really wanted to work with kids, I'd have to see if there was space at Children's."

"He doesn't like working with kids."

"Not really. He hates the parents of the kids even more. Are you sure you'll be OK with him back?"

"Aye. It'll be fine. As long as he doesn't verbally attack you again."

"Agree. I don't want to deal with the yelling and anger. I'm not sure I can meet with him alone," she admits.

"Do you have to?"

"Yes. First part of our conversation isn't work related. And as head of General Surgery and Chief of the Residents and Interns, I need to meet with all my students individually from time to time. And that starts with Monday morning's appointment," she says.

"Can you hold it in the conference room by Bailey's office so the admin staff are around?"

"That's a good idea. Just since I was attacked I don't like confrontation or being alone with someone who might get agitated."

"That's understandable. Have you talked to Dr Carr about your fear of being attacked again?" he asks. He knew that she still went to bimonthly appointments with Dr Carr.

"It's one of the things we've talked about. The other main topic is the flying thing," she admits.

One uneventful night they were both on-call during the summer, they sat in his office and chatted about some of the nasty events she'd been a part of: the bomb, the shooting, the ambulance crash and the plane crash. She admitted she'd been in therapy a few times but her most recent therapist really understood her, and she still saw him every month or two. That night she fell asleep in his arms sitting on the couch, his arms wrapped around her in support. Another evening, he held her as he'd talked about the support he'd received for his kids through the hospice and how that had helped when Abby's body had given up. He talked about how her battle was long and hard, how tough it was with the kids and her last two years she spent more time in the hospital than at home.

He has become her person, a person to vent to, to share concerns with, to chat with. He was slowly replacing Alex or Cristina as the one she'd call on for support. Her friend, her confidant, OK mostly her confidant, as they kept avoiding the attraction between them. In private, they often held hands, cuddled on his couch or his hand was on her thigh, her back, her shoulders. Never anything crossing the line to anything sexual, although they had talked a few times of her first time with someone other than Derek.

"I've got to get going. I need to be home to relieve the nanny," Meredith says regretfully.

"I understand. I have to pick up my kids from football practice," he says, squeezing her hand.

"Let me know if anything changes for Sunday," she says as they head out to their cars with his arm wrapped around her waist.

"Good night," he says as they get to her car. He pulls her into a hug and gently dips his lips to hers, capturing them in a gentle kiss. Her arms slip around his neck and she returns his kiss. After the gentle kiss they stay tight together, arms around one another, not saying anything and just holding one another, feeling one another's breath against their cheeks, taking in one another's scent, her sweet lavender smell, his citrusy woodsy scent. He kissed her a second time before they reluctantly separate knowing they must go be responsible and be parents.


That evening after feeding his kids, reviewing homework and touching base with each of the boys, he grabs a medical journal and sits in his room with a whiskey. He thinks about Meredith, about their kiss. His first kiss. He wants more. More than just a kiss. He wonders when they could have more. This working, parenting and dating was tough. He didn't want to damage their friendship, but he wants more. He thinks she wants more too. He grabs his phone and sends her a quick message, "Good night, I miss you."

His phone rings and he picks it up seeing Meredith's number. "Hi," he says.

"Hi, how were your kids tonight?" she asks.

"Good. Hungry. They were tired after football tryouts this week. Yours?" he replies.

"Noisy, but they are all asleep," she says.

"So what are you doing?" he asks.

"Having a bubble bath with a glass of wine," she replies. She hears him groan.

"You are calling me from the bathtub?"

"Why not? Nice hot bubbles, a glass of wine and a good friend to chat with," she says trying to sound innocent.

"Uh, ya," he manages.

"And what are you up to?"

"Whiskey and a medical journal," he replies.

"And thinking about our first kiss," she adds softly.

"Oh?"

"I liked it, and hope you want more too," she teases. He can hear the water splash in the background.

"Definitely more. So we should go out for dinner again," he says thinking about their first kiss.

"Guess it'll have to be next Thursday or Friday as we are out with 5 kids on Sunday," she says.

"I know we need to do dinner with the kids but I'd rather just go out with you," he admits.

"Responsibilities first. Now my bath is getting cold, so it's time to say goodnight," she says.

"Sweet dreams," he says.

After their chat he debates having a cold shower, or just crawling into bed. He does a quick walk around his townhouse, ensuring both boys were in bed and the lights were all off, before climbing into bed. Laying back in the bed, he thinks of Abby, his first love, and how he misses her, and then his mind wanders to Meredith. Her smiling face, her cheeky replies, her friendship, her companionship and loves having someone he's started to share his worries with.