DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN GREY'S ANATOMY, I wish I did.

Derek and Meredith took a cab home from the airport. Meredith didn't want to bother Izzie, even though she had offered. She was now in charge of everything. Lois' house and assets went to her, along with John's. The attorneys were supposed to call her sometime this week. She just wanted this period in her life over. As they pulled up to the house, she felt a wave of loneliness.

Derek: Are you OK?

Meredith: So much has changed. I'm not even sure where to begin.

Derek: We'll take it one step at a time, and then and hour, and then a day. I'm with you. I will take care of you.

Meredith: Thank you. Today, I just want to rest. I want to watch some movies and just thank God I'm alive. (Meredith opens the front door. They carry their luggage in.)

Derek: Sounds like a plan.

Meredith had Izzie check the house and water the plants while they were gone. When she walked in the kitchen she saw a big plate of muffins. Meredith loved her muffins. She grabbed one and offered one to Derek. Derek of course chose the bran. Meredith chose chocolate. She loved junk food. Izzie had also left Meredith her favorite movie.

Meredith: Maybe we should watch this?

Derek: Sounds good to me. Whatever you want to do is fine.

Meredith made some popcorn and they settled down to watch the movie. Meredith laid her head on Derek's lap as they watched the movie. Derek stroked her hair and watched her. She was so strong, so amazing. He had never known anyone like her. As the movie went on, Meredith got up and walked out.

Derek: Where are you going?

Meredith: I can't. It's going to be sad.

Derek: Seriously?

Meredith: Yes. Seriously. (Derek started laughing hysterically. John was right.)

Derek: We'll turn it off.

Meredith: You can finish it, if you want.

Derek: Nah, I'm not real into chick flicks.

Meredith: Me neither. Nothing feels right. I don't know what to do. I don't want to be here, I don't want to go. I want to go back to work. I need to go back.

Derek: Meredith, you need the time off.

Meredith: I need to get my mind off of things. I know, let's watch some surgery tapes.

Derek: (Laughing at her. She was a surgeon, just like him. She was a surgery junkie.) That sounds good.

Meredith and Derek watched several tapes until they fell asleep in each other's arms. Derek woke up at 2 am and carried her to bed. He knew she would never last two weeks from the hospital. In the morning, Derek woke up and Meredith wasn't in the bed. He walked downstairs and he heard her on the phone. He grabbed a cup of coffee and a bowl of Muesli.

Meredith: OK. Thank you. I will be in later.

Derek: Good morning. (He kisses her.)

Meredith: That was the law office. I have to go there and sign some more papers. There is a lot of money Derek. A lot.

Derek: Well, that's good. Right?

Meredith: Yeah, I guess. It doesn't change anything. Not for me at least. Money has never mattered to me. He worked really hard for it. He was smart, he invested most of it. He paid for my college. He worked two jobs and went to school to support us. I feel guilty about it. Maybe I shouldn't keep it.

Derek: He worked two jobs, went to school and supported you because he loved you. He wouldn't have had it any other way.

Meredith: I am going to set up two scholarships in his name. One for law school and one for med school. He would appreciate that.

Derek: That is a nice idea.

Meredith: I talked to the Chief. We are both going back to work in two days.

Derek: Wha-

Meredith: I don't want to hear it. I can't stay in this prison anymore. I know you can't either.

Derek: OK, you're right. I have no idea what to do with this free time.

Meredith: Good. I'm glad we agree on something!

Meredith and Derek spent the day doing nothing. They were both ready to go absolutely crazy. Meredith got all of the financial things taken care of. John was worth over 12 million dollars. She was in shock. John worked so hard, he was poor all his life, and he never really got to enjoy it. He lived comfortably but he was always working. They had never taken a real vacation. Meredith got the scholarships set up. She also donated to several charities. That made her feel a lot better about having the money. She called the Mercedes dealership and made arrangements to buy John's car, rather than turn it in. She had always had a hard time letting things go. She was going to start driving it, along with the jeep. She needed one nicer car she told herself.

Finally it was the day. The day she got to go back to work. She woke up early, picked out some clothes and started the shower. She walked over to a sleeping Derek. He was sleeping so peacefully, she didn't want to wake him. She knew he had to get up. She softly rubbed his shoulder.

Meredith: Der, it's time to get up.

Derek: Already?

Meredith: Yep. Get up. I need your assistance.

Derek: With what?

Meredith: I need a shower wake up call.

Derek: (Jumps up, smiling.) I think I can help you out there.

Meredith climbed in the shower, Derek happily followed her. She smiles at him. He is prefect, the perfect man. She pours body wash on her loofa and washing her body. Derek cannot contain himself. The suds running down her body, the steam. He begins to run his hands down her body. She doesn't stop him. Derek begins kissing her, searching her mouth with his tongue. He continues kissing her body and tickling her with his tongue. She moans. She needs him inside her. She needs him desperately. He pushes her against the wall and enters her body. He thrusts into her slowly increasing in speed and intensity. She feels herself at the edge. She is looking over the cliff, her body wants to take the plunge into the deep. She holds herself back, extending her pleasure. He thrusts again, this time she cannot contain herself. She has to go there, her body wills it. She lets out a scream, Derek smiles at her pleasure. They climax together.

Derek: (Panting.) Now that is the way to start the day.

Meredith: No, that is the breakfast of champions!

Meredith drove to the hospital in John's Mercedes. Derek drove separately. He was supposed to get off much earlier than she was. He promised to make her dinner. She was so happy to be going to work. She loved her job. She couldn't imagine not doing it. She pulled into the parking lot next to Alex.

Alex: Nice wheels.

Meredith: Thanks.

Alex: You are back early. Aren't you supposed to be off another week?

Meredith: I was going nuts. I needed to be here.

Alex: So I'm supposed to ask, how are you?

Meredith: I'm OK.

Alex: That's good.

They made small talk all the way up to the locker room. She felt more comfortable in the hospital than anywhere else. She walked down the familiar halls. Nurses and doctor alike were welcoming her back. She felt different today. She didn't feel strange being back. When she opened the locker room Izzie ran right up to her and gave her a huge hug.

Izzie: Mer! You're back!

Meredith: I am.

George: How are you?

Meredith: I am great!

Cristina: Hey, I'm your person here! I haven't had anyone to bitch to lately.

Meredith: I missed you too!

Cristina: So you're all bright and cheery for someone who just lost her husband.

Izzie: Cristina!

Meredith: Nope, it's OK. I can handle her. She's my person, remember.

Bailey: Thompson! I didn't know you were back today.

Meredith: I am. I am ready to work.

Bailey: SCUT. You need to get back in slowly. You've been through a lot.

Meredith: I need a surgery! Please! Anything.

Bailey: Fine, you're with me. I have a bowel resection on the board.

Meredith: Thank you!

Bailey: Yang, you're on the case too.

Cristina: So you're all bright and shiny.

Meredith: Yeah. I had a good breakfast.

Cristina: You got laid! You little whore.

Meredith: What can I say? Shower sex is good. Shower sex with McDreamy is great!

Cristina: I don't think I like this side of you.

Meredith: Don't worry. I'm still all dark and twisty.

Cristina: Good! (They begin to scrub in.)

Bailey: OK, Let's get this done. Meredith, are you sure you are ready?

Meredith: I'm ready. Thank you for the flowers, by they way.

Bailey: I was just thinking of you. And no, I am not going soft.

The surgery went well. Meredith was so happy to be in the operating room and back in the real world. This was her world, this was her life. She had Derek and she had surgery, she didn't need anything else. Meredith, Cristina and Bailey were in the scrub room.

Bailey: Just to warn you, Thompson, your mother is in the building.

Meredith: I thought it was hot in here. Did you smell the burning flesh?

Cristina: You are so bad!

Meredith: I know!

Meredith and Derek had lunch together. He had ran out to the deli and got her ham and swiss, her favorite.

Meredith: So, my mother is here.

Derek: I thought I saw a broom by the entrance. Are you going to talk to her?

Meredith: I'm thinking the usual. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

Derek: That may not be a bad idea.

Meredith: I'm just not ready for her comments yet.

Derek: I don't know how you ever are.

Meredith: Thanks for the lunch, I have to go. I can't wait for dinner.

Derek: Well I can't wait for dessert!

Meredith: I bet you can't, you dirty boy. Make sure you pick up some whipped cream.

Derek: You bet I will!

Meredith: I bet you will...

Meredith was walking down the hall, reading a chart that Bailey had given her, when she ran into someone.

Ellis: Meredith!

Meredith: Ellis.

Ellis: Meredith, I am your mother.

Meredith: Well, you never acted like it!

Ellis: You have been through a lot, I'm sorry.

Meredith: That's what everyone says. I'm sorry. Well, I'm sorry too. I'm sorry that my husband died. I'm sorry that my mom died.

Ellis: That's not- Meredith I am sorry. I am sorry to you. I am sorry about Ray. I'm sorry that I didn't give you enough attention or love. I'm sorry that I alienated you. I wish I could go back. I wish I could change everything. I can't. I just can't. The happiest day of my life was the day you were born. I held you in my arms, and I promised I would take care of forever. I didn't keep my promise, Meredith. I want to keep it now. Please, please Meredith, give me another chance. Please. I want to get to know you. You are my daughter. I am proud of you. You are everything I wish I was. I wanted to be a great surgeon, and I am. But I forgot one thing along the way, I forgot to care. I'm ready now. Lois did a wonderful job with you, she loved you. I want to love you. I love you Meredith. Please, let me.

Meredith: (So full of emotion. She thought of John and how she couldn't let that night go. She had to let go. She had to learn to forgive.) Oh, Mom! (She hugs her. Everyone is looking. This was a big deal, Ellis Grey hugging her daughter, in front of everyone.) I love you, Mom.

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I think tomorrow will be the last chapter. It is so sad. I don't know what I will do when it's over! People need to update their fics!!! It's killing me. I am reading 11, and only 3 were updated in a week's time.