(A/N: Once again, I do not claim any part of Grey's Anatomy. I'm borrowing the characters for my own entertainment. Thanks to all for reading and commenting!)

Callie stood off to the side as George sat next to Lexie, issuing a stern warning about staying away from Derek. From the glazed look on the woman's face, Callie knew George's words were not registering.

"I'll be right back." George excused himself and headed to the restroom. Callie placed her empty beer can on the bar, and approached Lexie.

"I know you're not understanding much of what George just said to you about Derek. But I've always been a big believer of action speaking louder than words." Callie stepped behind Lexie's bar stool. "I know you will remember action more than words tonight."

Grasping the uprights of the bar stool, Callie pulled – hard. Lexie landed on the floor with a hard thud, her jeans soaking up the rest of the spilt alcohol.

"Stay away from Dreamboat, er, Derek."

Settling up with an amused Joe for their drinks, Callie went to wait for George.

(gagagagagagagagagagagagagagagaga)

"Is Mer asleep?"

Izzie shook her head and contemplated the meager contents of the kitchen fridge. They really needed groceries. "No. She's pretending to be asleep, but I know better."

"What the hell was Shepard thinking?" Alex accepted the cold can of beer from Izzie and grabbed a seat at the kitchen table.

Popping open her can of beer, Cristina leaned back in her chair. "Who cares? He's done."

Izzie shrugged. "I doubt he was thinking. Did you see all those empty glasses? There were what, 4 or 5? I bet he was drinking on an empty stomach."

Cristina looked at Alex and raised her can of beer in his direction. "Welcome back to Fantasyland."

"And who was the skanky brunette? Man, I thought the dude had better taste."

Gasping, Izzie spit out her beer. "Damn it Alex, warn me first. Skanky?"

Cristina threw a couple of napkins in her direction. " 'Skanky' fits."

"Hell yeah. Shepard was robbing the skank cradle." Alex nodded.

"Skank cradle?"

"What's wrong with skank cradle?"

"Nothing Alex," Izzie chuckled. "Nothing."

Meredith could hear their voices as she tiptoed down the staircase and past the kitchen door. She loved her family for being there for her, but right now Meredith needed some space and fresh air.

The door quietly shut behind Meredith as she stepped out onto the porch into the weak glow cast by the low-wattage porch light. Glancing to the right, the porch swing was a few steps away. She stared at it for a moment. Normally Meredith would have taken a seat on the old swing. Now it was too closely associated with Thatcher. She made a mental note to have it hauled away this week.

Meredith sat down on the top step, on the side not touched by the porch light.

Her sweatpants and long-sleeve t-shirt provided some protection against the crisp night air. She shivered, which meant she was starting to feel again. She didn't want to, but Meredith knew she couldn't avoid it anymore.

Meredith stared at her slippered feet as her mind wandered, her long dark blonde hair hanging loose and half covering her face. The brunette in the bar. And Derek. Derek and the brunette in the bar. She almost wished she could have stayed to see the look on their faces when Joe delivered the drinks.

A long suppressed tear rolled down Meredith's cheek. Followed by another. Though she knew deep down that Derek wouldn't cheat on her – it still pained Meredith to see them together. He wouldn't cheat – but he would walk away. He's done it before. Twice. First when Addison appeared, and then after her appendicitis operation. And lately he hasn't been around much. But if she was honest with herself, Meredith would admit that she didn't actively seek Derek out this past week. Not when she should have. How did things go so wrong?

Using her sleeve, Meredith wiped at her wet face.

"Meredith?"