DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GREY'S ANATOMY, I wish I did.

Meredith has been running it over and over in her head. She has decided to tell Miranda Bailey that she is pregnant. She knew that she was better off telling her, than to have her find out from a nurse. Everyone knows how the rumor mill runs at Seattle Grace. Oddly enough, she was nervous. Much more nervous than telling Derek, or her mother for that matter. Miranda Bailey is a surgeon, a strong, independent woman. A role model. A leader. If anyone was going to be disappointed, it was her. Meredith was questioning it herself. Not because she didn't want the baby, or she wasn't ready, because she is supposed to succeed. She was raised to succeed, to be on top. This baby, and her new life would be her priority now. Not becoming a world renowned surgeon. She watched Dr. Bailey from down the hall. She was small, but she was mighty. She is the Nazi, after all. Finally, like someone pushed her from behind, she sprung forward. It's now, or never.

Meredith: Dr. Bailey?

Bailey: Yes, Shepherd.

Meredith: I , um, well, I was...

Bailey: Spit it out. Surgeons do not stammer.

Meredith: I was hoping I could speak to you.

Bailey: Speak. (As she said it, it reminded Meredith as a dog and trainer. So much like the way she felt.)

Meredith: (Looks around at the nurses, who's attention was obviously piqued.) In private.

Bailey: (Furrows her brow.) Okay. (They walk over to an empty room.) What is it?

Meredith: I am pregnant. I know what you are going to say. You are going to say that it will kill me. I will become weak. That I have ruined my chances at becoming a great surgeon. That it is irresponsible and foolish. I wanted to tell you, before you heard it from someone else. (She rambled.) So, I am pregnant. So. I already know. What you are going to say.

Bailey: Actually you don't. What I am going to say is, Congratulations.

Meredith: You aren't disappointed?

Bailey: It will be harder on you, no doubt. But it was bound to happen. You and Dr. Shepherd, everyone knew you would have kids. You will be fine. You are an exceptional intern. I don't think we will have a problem here. Not to mention I have noticed your scrubs getting a lot tighter. You weren't hiding anything. (She looks at Meredith.) Breath, Dr. Shepherd.

Meredith: (Lets out a gush of air.) Ahh. Thank you, Dr. Bailey. I'm going to go check on a patient. (She begins to walk away.)

Bailey: Dr. Shepherd?

Meredith: Yes?

Bailey: Thank you for telling me yourself. I appreciate not having to hear it in the halls. (Meredith nods.)

Meredith goes and checks on her patient. She feels like a weight has been lifted off of her shoulders. Dr. Bailey was the last person that she had to tell. Everyone who mattered already knew. She made her way up to the OB floor. Addison had gotten used to seeing Meredith a lot. She was worried, and Addison knew that if she came and got regular ultrasounds, she would feel better.

Addison: Hello, Meredith.

Meredith: I know, I am probably the only person in the world who gets weekly ultrasounds.

Addison: It won't harm the baby. Plus it gives you peace of mind, which is important. (Meredith lays back on the table.) I don't mind doing it, really.

Meredith: Thank you, Addison.

Addison: Look at that. A nice strong heartbeat.

Meredith: Good.

Addison: So, fourteen weeks already. You're moving right along. By twenty weeks, the baby should start kicking. In a few weeks, we may be able to tell the baby's sex. Do you want to know?

Meredith: Derek and I haven't really talked about it. We have both been so busy. This is-- (She pauses and looks down.)

Addison: What?

Meredith: We're already so busy. I feel selfish, I just hope we don't forget to raise our baby along the way, you know?

Addison: Meredith, you won't. A baby changes everything. You will see, soon enough.

Meredith: I better go. Thanks again.

Addison: See you next week. (She chuckles.)

Meredith trotted to the elevator. After meeting with Addison, she always felt better. As the doors opened, they revealed Derek, a nurse, and someone from the lab. She walked in smiling. They had been mum about the baby to the rest of the hospital. They wanted to have a personal life that wasn't all over the hospital. It made life easier to try and separate the two. Meredith was feeling pretty happy, and at this point, she didn't care if the whole world knew.

Derek: So?

Meredith: Our baby is doing wonderfully.

Derek: Great. (The nurse raised an eyebrow. He walks up and holds her hand.)

Meredith: He or she has a very strong heartbeat. Oh, and Addison wants to know if we want to know the sex. Do you?

Derek: Yeah, I think so. Everyone likes the surprise, but I want to know what I should call he or she. I hate saying "it."

Meredith: I agree.

Derek: So, I have a surprise for you when you get off.

Meredith: Do you really?

Derek: I do. You'll have to wait to find out.

Meredith: Fine. (The doors open.) I am going to get something to eat. See you later, Dr. Shepherd.

Derek: Dr. Shepherd...

Meredith made her way to the lunch line. She was starving, and everyone looked good. She grabbed a ham sandwich, some chips, a chocolate pudding, and an apple. She walked over to the table where the other interns were about halfway done eating.

Izzie: Where have you been?

Meredith: Making sure my baby still has a heart beat.

Alex: Aren't you a little overboard about that?

George: She worries. Leave her alone.

Cristina: I scrubbed in on a aortic repair on an infant. It was awesome.

Meredith: I bet it was. (She starts to put her sandwich together. She puts mayonnaise on the sandwich and takes a big bite.) It's missing something... George, are you going to eat that pickle?

George: I guess not.

Alex: She wants fetus' pickle. (He starts laughing.)

Cristina: Get you head out of the gutter, Evil Spawn.

Meredith: I don't think I want you people around my baby. (She puts the pickle on the ham sandwich and takes a bite.) Nope. Still not right. (She opens her pudding, dips the sandwich in it and them takes a bite.) There it is.

Alex: That is nasty.

Izzie: Eww, pickles and pudding...

Meredith: It's really good. George, try it.

George: Uh, no.

Meredith: Come one, Georgie. (She shoves it in his face, he takes a bite.)

George: Oh God, It's even worse than it sounds!

Cristina: I have to get back to work. This is disgusting!

George: Yeah, me. (They all get up, leaving her sitting alone.)

Meredith: Alone again, naturally. (She sings to herself.) Well, not alone. I always have you, Baby. (She rubs her stomach.)

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Meredith waited patiently in the lobby. Derek said he would be down at six, and he was already fifteen minutes late. She sat down in a waiting chair and looked over at the baby magazine sitting on the table. She started to read it. It made her feel like she was behind. They didn't have anything ready. They didn't even know what they were doing. She started to cry. Between the hormones and the situation, she was feeling pretty bad. She looked down at her watch and realized she had sat there for forty-five minutes. No Derek. Finally Alex came walking down to leave.

Alex: Oh, I forgot. Shepherd said to let you know he was being pulled into surgery.

Meredith: (Teary eyed.) Oh.. How long ago?

Alex: About an hour.

Meredith: (Starts crying.) Oh...

Alex: Hey, are you okay?

Meredith: Yeah. (She cries even harder.)

Alex: No you're not.

Meredith: I'm having a baby. I'm having a baby and I have no nursery ready. I have no maternity clothes. I am wearing clothes that don't fit, and they bind me, and they hurt. I have nothing, and now you tell me that my husband probably won't be home tonight, which is fine. I mean, this is only a precursor of what's to come, right? Oh, and I can either take his car, or I can walk, so, yeah, I'm okay.

Alex: You are freaking out. Come on.

Meredith: What? I need to call a cab.

Alex: I'm taking you home.

Meredith: You don't have to.

Alex: Come on.

Meredith: Fine. (They walk to Alex's truck and get on. They drive down the road, and Alex stops at a small baby boutique.) What are we doing?

Alex: We are getting something for you to wear tomorrow. I for one, am tired of seeing your clothes rip in two.

Meredith: No, it's fine. You don't have to stop. You are busy.

Alex: It's fine. McDreamy is busy, and right now, I'm not.

They walk in and a sales assistant instantly helps Meredith. The assistant brings in several different outfits for Meredith to try on. Alex sits in a chair pretending that he isn't bored out of his mind. He reaches over grabbing a baby magazine, quickly flips through it and lays it back down. Meredith made her choices as fast as she could, trying not to make Alex wait. She goes up to the register with twelve interchangeable articles of clothing. Alex walks up and joins her.

Sales Woman: (To Alex.) Congratulations!

Alex: For what?

Sales Woman: The baby, of course.

Meredith: Oh, no he's not--

Alex: I'm not the baby's dad.

Sales Woman: Oh, I'm sure you will treat the baby just as if it was your own.

Meredith: No, I'm married.

Alex: Her husband is a neurosurgeon. He had surgery, she needed clothes. I'm her friend, so I brought her.

Meredith: Yes.

Sales Woman: Oh, sorry. That was very nice of you. Here's you receipt. Have a good day.

Meredith: You too. (They walk out.) Thanks, Alex.

Alex: No problem. (They get in his truck.)

Meredith: I guess I'm going to have to stop calling you 'Evil Spawn'.

Alex: I guess so. (They make small talk on the way to the house. Meredith smiles when they make it up the drive. She loves her house.) I don't get how you can stay in this house by yourself.

Meredith: Why?

Alex: Can you see Izzie, she would freak out.

Meredith: You get used to it. It's very quiet. Do you want to come in for a drink or something? Have you eaten?

Alex: No, I'm fine.

Meredith: Oh come on. I was going to make some burgers or something. You have to eat!

Alex: Okay, as long as you don't gross me out.

Meredith: I'll try not to.

Meredith went right to work cooking hamburgers. Alex was beside her cutting up tomatoes, onion and lettuce. They made a pretty decent team. Meredith always knew he was a good guy at heart. She was surprised at how much compassion he had shown her. Finally when the burgers were done, they sat down and ate.

Alex: You make a pretty good burger.

Meredith: I am learning.

Alex: Cristina has been non-stop pouting. I think she is already jealous of your baby.

Meredith: I knew she would be. To her, my life is ending. It is, I guess.

Alex: No it's not. That's what baby sitters are for.

Meredith: I suppose so. Mmm, you know what would be good on this burger?

Alex: What?

Meredith: Hot fudge.

Alex: Ah, God, that's gross! (They are both laughing. The door opens.)

Meredith: Oh, Derek, I didn't think you'd be home tonight. Here, have a burger.

Alex: She makes good burgers.

Derek: Is that so?

Meredith: Yep. Alex was nice enough to bring me home. He also took me to that cute little baby boutique by the hospital.

Derek: Oh. That's...nice.

Alex: (Sensing the weird air in the room.) Well, I need to get home...

Meredith: Already?

Alex: Yeah, it's getting late. (Meredith hugs him.)

Meredith: Thanks, Alex.

Alex: No problem. (Alex leaves.)

Derek: Wasn't that cozy?

Meredith: What?

Derek: You and Alex, having dinner, shopping together.

Meredith: Alex is a friend.

Derek: No, George, Izzie, and Cristina are friends. Alex is--

Meredith: What?

Derek: Alex is a guy.

Meredith: George is too.

Derek: George is different. Alex is--

Meredith: Are you jealous? (She chuckles.) You are jealous!

Derek: Hell yes, I'm jealous! You don't think it is inappropriate?

Meredith: To have a friend over? No.

Derek: I wasn't here. Alex, he could want you, you are gorgeous.

Meredith: You are kidding me! Yep, Alex and I were just getting ready to go at it. Alex wanting me? Ha! Maybe a year ago. Now, now you have branded me. I'm married, and I am a fat, pregnant girl. No one wants me! (She shakes her head.) You are unbelievable. I was sad, you got pulled into surgery. I had no clothes. Alex was nice enough to take me.

Derek: I am supposed to take you! I had this surprise planned, and now. This our first baby, and he was the first one to take you shopping. I was supposed to be there. I was supposed to see you in your new clothes. I am supposed to sit in the chair, beaming over my hot, pregnant wife. Beaming because I am going to be a father. Not an intern, not Alex, not a "friend".

Meredith: I didn't realize you would get this upset! You weren't around!

Derek: I have a job! I have a responsibility to the hospital.

Meredith: I do too. I also have a bigger responsibility inside me, as we speak. What are you going to do when this baby comes? What am I going to do? Damn-it. (He walks up, embraces her and kisses her on the head.)

Derek: I'm so sorry Mer. I want to be around.

Meredith: I know you do, Derek. I didn't mean to-- I didn't think you would care.

Derek: Well tomorrow, we are going shopping. You and I.

Meredith: Okay.

Derek: We will make this work.

Meredith: Do you know what sounds good?

Derek: What?

Meredith: A bath. Would you like to join me?

Derek: Do you really have to ask?

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Okay, so Alex was a good guy. I have always thought he was. He and Meredith have a connection, on a friendly level, I thought I would bring it up. Derek being jealous...He is so cute when he is jealous. On the show, he looks so tired, so stressed out. I really feel bad for him, he is truly worried about Mer. I hope the season doesn't end with them fighting like everyone is predicting.