AN: Thanks so much for the awesome reviews. It motivated me to get started right away on another chapter. I have at least 3 more planned out. Hope you enjoy.
Derek pulled his car up to the house and turned off the engine, glancing sideways at his silent girlfriend. Her dark mood had brightened briefly during their rainy drive home, but she had withdrawn back into herself and become silent once more. After brief contemplation Derek had allowed her to remain quiet, deciding she needed some time to process all that had happened. No one had vocalized the events of the past few hours, but he felt it safe to assume that she had not only lost her new 'fake mommy,' but also any chance she had of forming a relationship with her father.
"Hey over there," he said lightly. "We're home."
She turned to meet his eyes, her own bloodshot eyes in stark contrast with her pale face in the dim light of the car. However, instead of the dull stare he was expecting, she surprised him with the finest wisps of a smile. He cocked his head slightly, returning the smile without grasping its causation. Much later that night, when he was holding an exhausted, finally-sleeping Meredith protectively in his arms he would realize just how easily the term 'home' had rolled across his tongue.
She didn't look away, but their shared gaze was weakened when she blinked several times. Derek's expression turned sympathetic as he watched her eyes fill with water, holding the maximum volume before a single drop finally gave way to gravity and spilled over her lower lid, initiating a steady flow trailing down her cheeks. He reached a hand out to cup her face, wiping a tender thumb across her cheek.
"You okay over there?" He asked, already knowing the answer.
Meredith opened her mouth to respond with her usual 'I'm fine,' but something stopped her. She shook her head. "No, not really," she finally admitted.
Derek nodded his head, not really knowing what to say to make her feel better. Before he could conjure up something deep and supportive he saw a shiver run through her form, still wet from her rainy nap. With the car, and with it the heater, now off the effects of the rain and cold were getting to her.
He reluctantly pulled his hand away from her cool face. "Let's get you inside."
Meredith allowed him to help her out of the car and lead her up to the door. Her body was in autopilot, simply doing the motions necessary and nothing more.
With one arm around Meredith's shivering form, Derek pushed open the door and guided her into the front hall. He helped her remove her soggy jacket and was in the process of hanging it up along with his own when he heard footsteps coming out of the kitchen.
"Hey Meredith, we're out of-" Alex's voice cut off as he took in their dark appearance. "What happened?" He questioned.
Derek glanced at Meredith whose shattered expression left his heart aching. He knew she wasn't up to explaining the situation, and he definitely wasn't about to do it in front of her. "Just had a bad day," he told the younger man.
Alex didn't seem sure, especially when Meredith made to move past him towards the stairs and he caught sight of her left cheek. "Hey, are you okay? What happened?" He repeated.
Derek shook his head at Alex, motioning not to push the issue at this time, but Alex's eyes flashed at him in a way he had never seen and an arm snaked out to grab his wrist as he tried to follow Meredith. He was taken aback by Alex's actions, especially when the young doctor would not loosen his grasp as Derek tried to pull away.
"What the hell did you do to her?" Alex practically hissed at him, anger quite evident in his eyes.
"I didn't do anything to her," Derek answered as he tried to pry his arm away. Meredith stopped at the stairs, realizing he was no longer behind her. She turned to face them, a quizzical look momentarily overtaking her numbed expression. Derek didn't want to deal with Alex right now. All he wanted to do was get Meredith upstairs.
"Like hell you didn't," Alex said, turning his attention to his roommate. "Mer, what did he do to you?"
Derek froze as he watched for her reaction. He didn't want for her to have to deal with this right now. He just needed to get her up the stairs.
Meredith took in the question and contemplated her answer as her eyes shifted from Alex to Derek and back again. She shook her head slowly. "Nothing," she answered quietly, confusion lining her voice. Although she knew Alex could be an ass, she also knew he would only behave so defensively if provoked. He had proved himself to be a good friend.
"No," Alex shook his head, his grip still not loosening on Derek's arm as he glared at the older man before turning his attention back to Meredith. "I'm sorry Mer, but you can't come in looking like you do, with a-." He hesitated briefly. "With your face looking like it does and try to tell me he didn't do anything. And don't think I'm going to let him anywhere near you if he's hurting you."
A look of understanding passed across Meredith's face as her hand came up to her cheek, her fingers brushing over the bluish skin as she remembered the pain she had been numb to only moments before. "He didn't do this, Alex, now let him go."
Alex was thrown off by her simple, honest statement. He loosened his grip, but did lot let go.
A faint smile graced her delicate features for a moment as she gently shook her head. "Derek would never hurt me, Alex. It's okay," she said. "Let him go," she commanded quietly.
Derek suddenly found his arm free and his heart aching at the sheer honesty and belief she had spoken those words with. He nodded at Alex as made his way to where Meredith was standing. She was still staring at Alex. As he came up beside her and laid a comforting hand on the small of her back, she leaned into his warmth.
"It's okay, Alex." She repeated, meeting his eyes. A look of understanding passed between the two interns. Derek suddenly sensed that Meredith may have further knowledge that explained this situation, and as he glanced back at Alex, he felt his mind reprocessing his experience with the young doctor, and was surprised to find the level of respect he held for him rising.
Then Meredith trembled under his hand and he was ushering her up the stairs and into the comfort and security of their room. Later that night when he contemplated the ease at which he had spoken the work 'home,' he would include in his thoughts the realization that some time recently her room had become their room.
They didn't speak about the encounter with Alex as they peeled off their saturated clothes; they didn't need to. Derek tossed her a robe as he donned his own and grabbed towels before heading across the hall.
Meredith silently turned on the shower, stepping under the scorching spray with Derek right behind her. She found herself in his arms and turned to face him, his arms pulling tighter around her middle as she reached her arms up, around his neck. Overcome by a wave of emotion, she blinked away tears and pressed her lips tightly against his. He was responsive and she immediately deepened the kiss, pushing into his mouth. All she wanted was to forget the horrible day. She needed to forget. And she forced all thoughts out of her head and pulled him closer still.
She moved her hands from his neck to his shoulders and slowly down his chest, lower and lower still until suddenly they weren't moving anymore. She fought against the loose hold around her wrists, but wasn't successful, and Derek was suddenly stepping back, breaking their kiss. Trying to catch her breath, Meredith gazed up at his panting face, meeting his worried eyes momentarily before squeezing hers shut and forcing herself against him once more. He didn't, however, allow her advances this time. He released a hand and lifted an arm to chin, gently forcing her face towards his as he patiently waited for her to open her eyes. When she finally did, she looked away as if embarrassed.
"I'm sorry," she muttered. "I just..." She trailed off.
"It's okay," he whispered, pulling her closer, trying to comfort her.
She tried to resist, but ended up allowing herself to be propped up against him. "I just want to forget," she whispered.
"I know," he said and his arms were around her. "I know."
"I need to forget." Meredith gave into the embrace and wrapped her arms around him again, only this time not urgently. She rested her forehead against his and closed her eyes, taking a deep, comforting breath. When she opened them again they were filled with fresh tears.
In one movement, Derek cupped the back of her head and gently guided it down to his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around her sobbing frame. He rested his own head atop hers, trying to be as close as possible as his own eyes filled with tears, unable to see the woman he loved so much in so much pain. But there was nothing he could do right now except hold her, and let her cry until there was nothing left, periodically whispering comforting statements. And when they finally stepped out of the shower the hot water had dried up, leaving a tepid stream flowing from the faucet above.