Faint clicking and flashes of light.
These were the first things that penetrated Derek's sleep muddled brain. And as they slowly brought him closer to consciousness, the annoyances became more systematic and not simply random occurrences. The clicking grew louder and it was always accompanied by the light flashes.
Barely aware, Derek was unable to place the source or meaning of the annoyances. He groaned slightly as he shifted, pulling closer to his still slumbering girlfriend. He pressed his face into the back of her head, into her hair, breathing in the familiar scent. But there was more clicking, more flashes. He couldn't effectively shield himself.
"Oh, aren't they cute?" Izzy's voice drifted into his subconscious. He didn't know what she was talking about... and it hurt too much to wonder. He squeezed his eyes tighter, trying to make the splitting pain behind them dissipate. One more click followed by one more flash. And he felt Meredith move.
"Seriously!" He heard her voice, still scratchy from sleep. "Seriously? You guys are so dead." And with those words she was suddenly absent from his arms. There was a screech and sounds of a struggle. He groaned and opened his eyes, blinking hard as he adjusted to the light. He could see movement, but couldn't make any sense of it at this angle. Slowly, careful of his stiff limbs, he struggled into a sitting position. He immediately knew this was a mistake when his head and stomach shouted out in protest simultaneously. He ended up in a half-sitting pose, head in his hands with his elbows resting on his knees, waiting for the world to stop spinning.
As the dizziness and nausea decreased in magnitude the scuffling ceased with a triumphant, "ha," from Meredith. He ventured to open one eye, then the other, blinking furiously. After a moment of adjusting, the room came into focus. He spotted Meredith, a camera in hand, glaring at a guilty Izzy and Cristina. The origin of the clicking and flashing now made sense to him.
"Do I take pictures of you when you sleep?" Meredith was ranting. "No, I don't because I'm a good friend. That's why."
So they had been taking pictures of him and Meredith sleeping. But, why? What he wouldn't do for his brain to be functioning on a higher level right now.
"Oh, come on, Mer." Izzy's voice again. "You were so cute, we couldn't resist."
"Oh no, Barbie," Cristina cut in. "I will not be any part of thinking anything is cute. I simply thought it good to have blackmail pictures available for future use."
Meredith shook her head. "Blackmail pictures. Seriously? I just threw you a freaking party, and you want blackmail pictures?"
Cristina shook her head. "I didn't mean of you. I meant for him," she motioned toward Derek. "And hey, I deserve this, he tried to get in bed with me last night."
"He what?" Izzy demanded, turning towards Derek. "You what?"
It took Derek a moment to decipher her question, then quite a few moments to attempt to withdraw pertinent information from the depth of his foggy mind. He could remember stumbling out of the cab the night before, having trouble making his key work, then fumbling up the stairs. He had found his way to her room, removed his shoes and jacket. Then he had sat on the side of the bed, just starting to lay down when the figure on the bed turned over to reveal... someone who was very much not Meredith...and very much not happy.
"Don't even think about it, McDreamy!" Cristina's voice rang out. "Get the hell out!" And he had.
He was still trying to pull back the memories of what had happened after that when he realized the three girls were staring at him. Izzy, still clad in her pyjamas, had a surprised expression on her face, while Cristina, wearing what she had probably been wearing the night before, looked amused, but not surprised. Meredith just looked sympathetic. And what on earth was she wearing? He narrowed his eyes and tilted his head as he regarded her.
Then Izzy started laughing, pulling his attention away from Meredith's outfit. "Oh, my God, is he hung over?" She asked. "Are you hung over?" She turned her attention to him.
Derek wanted to shake his head, but didn't think he was up to the task. He sighed, not wanting to weaken himself in the eyes of people who were still technically his interns, at least for the next couple days. "Maybe a little," he finally admitted. And then Izzy and Cristina were laughing at him.
"Shut up," Meredith told them. "And get him some ibuprofen."
She shook her head as she turned her attention to Derek. "I'm sorry about that." She said sympathetically.
He shrugged. "S'okay," he muttered, motioning for her to join him on the couch.
She smiled and collapsed onto the couch beside Derek, smiling when he snaked an arm around her. "How're you feeling?"
"Better now." He told her, leaning his head into hers. "Morning," he told her.
She laughed. "Morning." And for a few moments, she simply revelled in being close to him, all negative thoughts attributed to the past week momentarily forgotten as the feeling of Derek's hand sliding slowly up and down her side calmed her.
"Meredith," he said after a moment, his hand stopped its movement. "What are you wearing?"
"Hmm?" She questioned as she opened her eyes, glancing down at her clothes. She jolted when she realized she was still wearing the toilet paper dress from the night before. She jumped up. "Shit," she muttered as she tried to come up with a suitable explanation. She spun around when she heard movement behind her. Izzy and Cristina had re-entered, ibuprofen and water in hand, respectively. Meredith glared at Izzy, it had been her stupid idea in the first place.
"Hey, Mer..." at the sound of his voice, she turned back around to face Derek, only to be momentarily blinded when the camera she had left on the couch, that had somehow ended up in his hands, went off. She stood with a shocked expression on her face as he smirked at her. Izzy and Cristina were laughing as they passed her, bringing Derek his necessities.
"Thanks, guys," he said gratefully as he took the pills and drained the water.
"Good job, McDreamy. I'm impressed. I didn't know you had it in you." Cristina said.
"Yeah, that was hilarious," Izzy was nodding emphatically, turning to stare at Meredith, who was now glaring at her boyfriend.
"I can not believe you just did that," Meredith told him.
"Well, we're just going to leave you two alone to talk," Cristina said as she grabbed Izzy's elbow and making to leave. They were both still laughing.
"Hold on a sec," Derek said, standing up. "Izzy," he said, holding out her camera. There was a pause as Izzy and Meredith realized at the same time what was going on. And Izzy was closer. She grabbed the camera out of Derek's hand and bolted, right in time for Derek to grab Meredith and prevent her from following Izzy, who was now on her way up the stairs. There was no way Meredith could catch up before Izzy could reach her room, and more importantly, lock her door.
Meredith yelled at her roommate, as Derek held her struggling form as still as he could.
Cristina was appraising him, one eyebrow raised. She smirked. "Well, McDreamy, let me just say that I'm glad I'm not you right now." She turned her attention to Meredith, who had stopped struggling, but was still in his arms, stunned at his sudden traitorous behaviour. "Well, Mer, thanks for the party. I have to get going. Uh, let me know if I have to make a wedding party change, will ya?" She motioned at Derek. And with that she was gone.
Meredith turned in his arms, pushing away from him.
"I cannot believe you just did that!" She was on the verge of yelling, standing in front of Derek, not caring what she was wearing anymore. "I was protecting you, and this is how you repay me, Derek I swear..." She cut off at the smile on his face and twinkle in his eyes. He held a small, black square out in his hand, as if some sort of peace offering. "What..." She cut off when she realized he was holding a photo card. Then she laughed, grabbing the small object out of his hand. "You're an ass, Derek." She swiped out playfully at his chest.
He laughed as well, and pulled her close again. "Hey, be nice. I'll always have your back, Meredith."
Meredith smiled, pulling him closer. "I know, I just forgot for a moment."
He smiled. "So, now that I got you your prize and your revenge over Izzy when she realizes what happened, are you going to explain the outfit?"
She sighed, pulling away to arms length and staring down at herself, suddenly feeling the need to pull the makeshift dress off. Or, at least, what was left of it. The strips that had once been hanging gracefully from her waist were in shambles, some having ripped off overnight and the remainder hanging bent and awkward. "We were playing a game...and somehow I got volunteered. We were supposed to take turns, but somehow I don't think we ended up doing that."
Derek laughed at her embarrassment.
Meredith smiled. "Cristina wanted to set me on fire..."
He smirked. "Well, I think you look very pretty." He placated, only half filled with sarcasm.
"Shut up, Derek, and help me get it off."
He placated her by holding onto the end, while she spun circles in front of him.
"That's better," she said when she was free of the paper dress.
He shrugged. "I liked the look." He smirked. "And I can see it whenever I want." He held up the disk.
"Give me that," she demanded, her small fingers not having to work hard to pry open his larger hands and claim her prize.
She pocketed the disk, mock glaring at him before sinking into his arms, leaning her face up against his chest. "How's your head?" She questioned.
He sighed happily. "Better now."
"That's what I'm here for," she muttered. And then they were both laughing.
AN: So, due to a semi-challenge by skye3, I plan to update everyday for one week. Lol So, wish me luck, because there's a good chance the last update will be one paragraph long. haha, I hope not. Oh, and I wanted to take chance to say a big thank-you to everyone who is reviewing, you are keeping me motivated and ensuring I know the story is being understood. Thanks!