"Dude where were you last night? I turn around for one second and you're off with some cute blond wrapped around yourself." Mark asked as Derek came bounding in their apartment. Derek smiled as he stepped around some boxes.

"That is none of your business." He commented sitting down on the couch next to his best friend. Derek grabbed the remote and began to surf through the channels.

"So how'd you kick her cute ass out of bed this morning?" Mark snatched the remote back returning to Cold Pizza.

"I didn't, we had breakfast and then she told me she had to leave." Derek shook his head running his left hand through his hair. Mark choked on the bowl of cereal he was nursing in the other hand as he caught sight of the platinum ring Derek wore.

"You okay there?" Giving him a hard pat on the back.

"You're married?" Mark spit out putting the cereal bowl down.

"Oh yeah." Derek inspected the ring nodding. "I got married last night."

"Not to that cute blonde you took home?" Derek grinned nodding his head. "You are a dog. She couldn't have been older than seventeen."

"Oh come on. I know she looks young but she's definitely legal. And not a virgin, virgin's don't move like that." He said recalling the activities of the honeymoon.

"She must have been. How else could you get married without parental consent? Do you even know anything about her?"

"We'll figure those things out. It's the gravy." He answered getting up from the couch.

"Gravy huh? What's her last name?"

"Shepherd." Derek shouted from his room.

"So how was that party last night. Meet any hot prospective brain surgeons?" Meredith's neighbor Olivia asked perched on her bed. Meredith smiled bringing a pair of Siwy jeans to her chest and smiling.

"Well I don't know about brain surgeon, but I met someone." She said stuffing some more clothing into her warm chocolate brown Longchamp luggage.

"Was he cute?" Olivia asked flipping through a fashion magazine.

"He's gorgeous and just so happens to be my husband." Meredith said thrusting her small hand into her unsuspecting friends face. The beautiful diamond shone brightly as the natural light in the room bounced off every unique incision.

"What!" Olivia tossed the magazine in favor of the new sparkly gift Mer had just acquired. "You got married to a total stranger last night?"

"He's not entirely a stranger. I've seen him around these surgeon doctor-palozza thingies before. And besides I'm an adult I can make whatever decisions for myself when I need to."

"Yeah but marriage is a big step. I mean you hardly know the guy." Olivia paused letting go of Meredith's hand. "Is this about what happened with…"

"No. Yes. Maybe. I just need a fresh start and Derek… maybe he's just what I need. I mean the sex is great we definitely have chemistry, and maybe I could learn to love him." She stepped away from Olivia and zipped up her overflowing suitcase.

"Ok I'm out of here." She sighed. "You're welcome to anything in my closet." Meredith offered as she wrapped a bright purple scarf around her neck. She smiled back at her neighbor; Olivia was a good friend. She was an excellent listener, never believed any of the nasty gossip the girls at her stuffy private school said, and she was always ready to lend a hand if help was needed. If it weren't for Meredith's inability to let others in they would have been best friends.

"Are you sure? You have one of the best closets in Manhattan." Olivia asked chewing on her bottom lip.

"I'm sure." She grabbed her Balenciaga bag pulling it over her shoulder and pushed her Chloe sunglasses on her eyes.

"Take care of yourself." Olivia pulled her into a brief embrace and let go watching as Meredith walked out of her bedroom and the townhouse.