Chapter 20:

January 15, 2007- New York City, New York

"We have got to stop doing that," Meredith said out of breath laying next to Derek.

"What?" he asked both confused and worried.

"Having sex in the bed I shared with another man. It's weird. And not to mention, wrong," she said turning towards him.

"Oh," Derek said exhaling calmly, "I thought you were going to end the sex all together."

"That's not even funny to joke about."

Derek laughed, "You have no self control. It's sad. Really."

"We should get out of here," Derek said after cuddling with Meredith for awhile.

"What? It's my apartment. Jacob couldn't pay for it if he wanted to," Meredith responded.

"No, New York. We should go back to Seattle. Go back home and be together there," Derek said.

Meredith smiled at the idea. "I don't think the Chief is going to let that happen. I can't switch twice during my residency. I was lucky to be able to switch once."

"He can't say 'no' to you. He owes you too much," Derek said. Meredith had to agree with him about that. Besides, Cristina needed to go home. She was going crazy without surgery and her shopping bags were beginning to clutter Meredith's living room. "I'll talk to him. If he declines, then I can 'remind' him of his past. You're too nice to do that. But I'm not."

"I'm too nice?" Meredith asked.

"Just enjoy the compliment. It's not one that you'll get often," Derek said with a smirk.

"Hey, that's mean!"

"I said you were nice. Not me."

January 16, 2007- Seattle, Washington

It was early and very dark. Meredith couldn't believe that she had seriously just done that. It was completely unlike her. Even as unbelievable as it may be, she couldn't help but be glad she had. She walked across the grass towards her new home. She'd been here a million times before, but this time seemed different. This time not only was she not alone, but she wasn't hurt. She was actually happy. She stopped and looked at her home. It was simple and wouldn't impress other people, but to her, to her it was the best place in the world.

She felt a strong hand wrap around her waist. She looked up and caught sight of deep blue eyes and an amazing smile. She smiled back before she brought her lips to meet his. It was a quick kiss. A quick kiss that was quickly becoming a habit. A habit that she planned to keep for the rest of her life. The hand moved from her waist down to her fingers. Hand in hand, the two walked up the steps and then into their trailer.

The trailer looked different. Everything was different about it. Derek had redone everything. Not a single piece of furniture in there was the same as the last time Meredith had seen it. Not even the seats were the same. Meredith looked around the trailer, taking in its new appearance before looking at Derek, "Why?"

Derek knew what she meant right away. He smiled, "I didn't want it to be anything like it was when Addison was here. I thought about just buying a new trailer, but then I had memories of you in here too and for six months all I could hold on to were memories."

Meredith thought about the fact that she had left for six months. She thought about the fact that she had just left one night without telling anyone and it seemed to be the biggest mistake she'd ever made even though it had felt like the only option then. What if she had just done the same thing again?

"I'm so glad you're back. You're back home," Derek said as he wrapped his arms around Meredith. He just wanted to hold her and never let go. It seemed like whenever he did let go she got away and he didn't think that he could handle that happening again.

Meredith pulled away from Derek's chest, but held his hand and led him to the bed. He laid down and she did too, placing her head on his chest, never letting go of his hand. "Let's just lay here tonight," Meredith said.

"Okay," Derek said. He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it gently before putting both of their hands back on the mattress and soon they were both asleep.