(A/N: Many thanks to everyone reading and commenting. I appreciate each and every comment!)
Derek and Meredith turned to look at a pissed off Cristina standing in the doorway. Alex pushed his way past Cristina as Izzie paused beside her.
"What the hell is going on here?" Alex stormed into the living room and yanked Meredith away from Derek.
"Dr. Karev…" Derek sighed. He was exhausted and had hoped to avoid Meredith's friends tonight.
Alex pushed Meredith behind him. "Don't worry Mer, I'll get rid of him."
"I've got dibs," Cristina interrupted as she grabbed Derek by the arm and pulled him toward the door. "I warned you that you hurt Meredith for the last time," she muttered over her shoulder to Derek.
"Dr. Yang, this isn't necessary. Meredith and I…"
"Stop it!" Meredith yelled. Alex turned and pulled Meredith in a hug meant to provide comfort but all it did was fuel Meredith's anger. She struggled but Alex tightened his hold. "Cristina, let him go!"
Izzie stood in the doorway, uncertain of what to do. She was as shocked as the others when they spotted Meredith and Derek together. But while Alex and Cristina were moved by anger to act, Izzie noticed the comforting hold Meredith had on Derek, the soothing motions of her hands against his back. That was not the action of a woman in pain or anger. It was the action of a woman still in love with her man. Izzie looked over to Meredith and saw the anxious look in her eyes. She blocked the doorway as Cristina and Derek approached.
"Let him go."
"Step aside Barbie. Ass whooping coming through."
Crossing her arms across her chest, Izzie drew herself up to her full height, towering a few inches over Cristina.
"I said," Izzie spoke slowly. "Let him go."
Cristina stopped, and looked up Izzie. "What is your problem?"
"I like you Cristina, I really do. But if you don't let Derek go like Meredith asked, I will kick your ass."
Cristina weighed her options for a moment. "Fine," she dropped Derek's arm as if it were something nasty and walked over to where Alex stood holding Meredith.
Izzie gave Derek a stern look. "Derek, please don't make me regret this."
Derek heard Izzie's softly spoken words. He admired the loyalty of Meredith's friends, but was grateful to Dr. Stevens for stopping Dr. Yang. The last thing he wanted was to "discuss" the situation further with Cristina.
Meredith pushed Alex away and walked over to Derek, stepping in front of him. She touched Izzie's arm in appreciation. Alex and Cristina wondered what hell was going on, but their confusion quickly escalated into a pissing match over who would draw first blood.
"Meredith, you're tired and upset. I'll drag …"
"I told you Evil Spawn, his ass is mine!"
"Shut your hole Yang," Alex growled. "Mer, why are you…"
"Will you all just SHUT UP!" Meredith yelled. "If anyone is going to kick someone's ass around here, it will be me!"
"Meredith, you don't have to…" Derek whispered in her ear. She turned and placed her index finger in warning against his lips.
"Don't speak."
"Yes ma'am," Derek smirked and kissed her finger. Meredith smirked in return.
"You don't get to do that. This mess is your fault."
Derek solemnly nodded his head once in acknowledgement.
Meredith turned back to her friends. "Alex, Cristina, leave Derek alone. Do not lay one finger on him. I am the only one with that right."
"But Meredith, you saw what he did." Alex protested, flashing back to the look on her face as they left Joe's.
"Mer, you can't be serious?" Cristina questioned.
"Look. I'm tired. I want to go to sleep. Derek is sleeping on the couch tonight," Meredith looked at Cristina. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
Alex elbowed Cristina. "Yeah Yang, we want to go to sleep."
Cristina elbowed Alex sharply in the side. "Stick it, Alex."
"Guys…" Mother Hen Izzie warned Alex and Cristina.
Cristina walked towards the door, stopping in front of Meredith. She looked Meredith straight in the eyes, seeking some sign that her person was being forced to protect Shepard. Though she wouldn't admit it, Cristina recognized the deep affection lurking in their depths.
Meredith stepped forward and hugged Cristina. As is her custom, Cristina didn't return the hug but took the opportunity to shoot a dirty look at Derek. He stared back for the few moments it took Cristina to blink first.
"You know this constitutes hugging."
"Shut up, you're my person." Meredith retorted. "Now go home."
Izzie called out to Alex. "Come Alex, let's go upstairs."
Alex wiggled his eyebrows. "Sure Iz."
"You're such a pig Alex," Izzie rolls her eyes as she leaves. "Goodnight Mer. Goodnight Derek."
Meredith stops Alex before he leaves, hugging him tightly. "Thank you Alex."
Derek looks away as Meredith kisses Alex's cheek. He knew Alex and Meredith were only friends, but he couldn't control the twinge of jealousy at the sight of her lips against his skin.
Alex returns the hug, placing a brotherly kiss against her forehead as he silently wills Derek to look at him. At that moment, Derek looks up. The men stare at each other in mute challenge until Meredith unknowingly breaks the deadlock.
"Goodnight Alex."
"Goodnight Mer." Ignoring Derek, Alex exits the living room.
Meredith turned to Derek.
"Goodnight Derek." Kissing his cheek, Meredith followed Izzie and Alex upstairs.
Derek sighed heavily as he turned off the lights and collapsed on the couch.