Three weeks later…

Meredith slipped beside him at the bar. He passed her as shot that had had ordered for her as he did every time they got a drink after work. She took it and drowned it quickly without a word being said. They had settled into more of a routine as days ticked by. They hung out a lot having dinner and lunch together most days. They bought each other coffee or dinner if the other was on-call. They got drinks after work often and listened to each other rant. Meredith would talk about the latest Derek and Lexi news or just about her interns in general. He would talk about surgeries, annoying patients, or stupid interns.

The Lexi situation wasn't really changing much but Meredith kept Derek away from her the most she could. But in another week she technically could be back on his service and there was no telling what would happen. Meredith wasn't sure exactly what was true in the rumor mill. Sometimes she heard they were dating. Some said flirting. Some said they were nothing.

"How was surgery?" She asked looking over at him. He didn't say anything just shrugging a little. "Hey. What's wrong?"

It took awhile for him to answer sipping his scotch in the mean time. "Addi called."

"Oh…" She sighed knowing he would tell her why when he wanted. She didn't want to push him. That's why they got along so well. They got each other. They got each other's situations. They knew not to push each other into talking.

"She wanted to know how I was…" His voice faded as he brought his glass to his lips.

"Seriously?" She said looking over at him again.

"Yep." He tapped his finger on the glass and sighed.

"Are you okay?" She asked resting her hand on his arm.

"I, honestly, don't know."

She wrapped her arms around his upper arm and laid her head down on his shoulder. "You'll be okay."

He finally looked over at her. "So will you?"

"Jury's still out on that." She sighed.

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She couldn't sleep. Her head was full of what was said that night. She glanced at the clock to see it was almost two in the morning. Throwing her feet over the edge of the bed, she stood up and walked to the window. The moon was barely peeking from behind the heavy storm clouds. It was raining.

She had begun wondering whether or not they would ever be fine. Over the last month, she's continued to try and move on. But she would see Lexi and Derek and… it hurt.

She walked to the nightstand and picked up her cell phone quickly dialing a number. After a few rings there was an answer.

"Hello?"

"Did I wake you?"

"Meredith?"

"Yeah…"

"No, I was awake. What are you doing awake?"

"Can't sleep. You?"

"Me neither."

She crawled into bed flicked on the bed side light. She and Mark talked for about two hours.

"Mer?" He said into the phone once he noticed the silence. "Mer?" A light snore came from the other end of the phone. He smiled. "Good night, Mer." He laughed lightly as he shut his phone. He turned off the light and rolled over.