A/N: Dad, this is for you. For ruining everything and proving that I was right about you all along... But you gave me inspiration to continue this story. You made me realize exactly how this story must end. How this chapter in my life must end.

Song – No Surprise by Daughtry.

--

Pain Takes My Heart's Place

Chapter 6

Meredith lounged in her bed that morning, half of her attention on the television and the other half on the engagement ring on her finger. She absentmindedly twirled it around her finger, over and over, as the news channel spoke about a motor vehicle accident that blocked up a busy highway. The news anchor chuckled as his partner cracked and joke, and Meredith let out a sigh as she reached for the remote and promptly turned off the television. An accident wasn't funny, even if you did change topics. After a quick glance out the window, she stole another look at the engagement ring. She blinked once. Twice.

Some sort of inner-strength finally made it able for her to remove the ring. This process went about slowly, but the ring wound up in the drawer of the bedside table. The action did not take place in an evil manner; rather, relief seemed to spread throughout Meredith's body as she slowly shut the drawer, leaving the ring inside. In the darkness of the drawer... It sat next to a Bible, if that made a difference. She invested three years into this, and she realized how lucky she had it (well, in a sense) considering she did not spend twenty-one years with him. Three seemed better. And their wedding had not taken place. She did not have children with him, either, so she did not have to worry about another individual feeling hurt and abandonment by Mark's actions.

Looking down at her outfit, which consisted of sweatpants and a cute T-shirt, Meredith decided that house hunting was a necessity. She needed to get that out of the way so she could really begin her life, find herself without her other half. Meredith glanced in the mirror a final time before she bid farewell to Molly for a little while, and she walked out of the room. The cab ride to the real estate agent's office had its quiet moments, so Meredith thought over every event that has happened. At least Mark went with someone his own age; this made Meredith feel as though she looked beautiful. Mark did not get with a twenty-two year old... He stuck within his own age group.

I've practiced this for hours, gone round and round
And now I think that I've got it all down
And as I say it louder I love how it sounds
'Cause I'm not taking the easy way out
Not wrapping this in ribbons
Shouldn't have to give a reason why

Meredith did not ruin their promise. She remained faithful. Mark made the decision. He did this, and she appeared sick of blaming herself. Yes, a relationship takes two, and yes, Mark chose Addison. He made it incredibly clear as he went behind Meredith's back for who knows how long; he made time for Addison and he could not even do that for his future wife. He made his desires clear in his and Meredith's own bed... With another woman. After three years. Meredith did not even know if this affair was the first one. How many other women were there? One thing she knew for sure was that she did not care to know as she believed firmly in the phrase, "once a cheater, always a cheater." It happened too many times in her life, and she realized that she had been incredibly too quick to forgive. This was the death-blow, though. The straw that broke the camel's back.

She would use a bad example for a good one. What she saw in Mark, she would steer clear of in another man... But she was not quite sure if she wanted anyone else. She thought she was done. She thought she had found the one.

However, he did this to her.

The disgust, hatred, sadness, disbelief... It seemed too much to bear at some points. It seemed easier to drown her feelings in tequila and forget it all, but she did not and she knew it would not be easier. Truth: there was no easy way. Mark took the easy way, though, instead of telling her that their relationship was not working, instead of working through their difficult times with her... He found someone else. He replaced Meredith.

The path of least resistance. She chuckled numbly. Science.

It's no surprise I won't be here tomorrow
I can't believe that I stayed till today
Yeah, you and I will be a tough act to follow
But I know in time we'll find this was no surprise

Meredith's fingers found Derek's number in her Contacts list and she scrolled to the "Call Derek" option. She pressed it. Two rings passed before she heard his comforting voice on the other end.

"Can we talk?"

"Yes, I think an explanation could help me out here," he replied.

A short silence followed.

"Are you free now?" He continued.

"Yes."

"Coffee place closest to the hospital?"

"Yes. See you in a few," she stated, nodding to herself as she did so.

"All right, then," he followed.

Meredith's click followed his words.

Only a second seemed to pass before Meredith realized she had already arrived at the coffee place. She paused for a moment before thanking the cab driver and paying the amount due. With her purse snug around shoulder, she opened the door to the little shop and spotted Derek straight away, as if her eyes were trained to find him.

He smiled ever-so-slightly. She did not.

"Hi," she stated, sounding almost out of breath for whatever reason.

"Hey," he answered and pushed a coffee cup to her side of the little table.

"Thanks... Listen, I'm not good with the emotions... The opening up to people and the explaining what is going on in my life. I've had it rough. My father left and my mother was never there. I- I left the other night because my, well, I guess my fiance, flew into Seattle. He followed me from New York."

She paused.

"We were together for three years. I found him with a friend. In my bed... Our bed. Mine and his..." She couldn't cry. No, literally. There were no more tears left.

"That's when my world came crashing down. I never thought I'd become... Rather, that I'd find someone or that I'd fall in love. I didn't believe in marriage, successful relationships... I didn't. I don't. Well, I did..." She sighed, frustrated.

"So, he called when I was with you. I'd ignored him for too long and it became too much for me to bear. I answered. He came to my hotel room. Said things. He's always saying things... And I didn't know what to think. But I have been thinking about it. About all of it. Everything. I can't do it anymore. I can't let him hurt me again... And I'm usually quick to forgive. I just can't do it this time. I feel like there's something wrong with me... But I. Can't. Do it."

It came out like a river once I let it out
When I thought that I wouldn't know how
Held onto it forever just pushing it down
Felt so good to let go of it now
Not wrapping this in ribbons
Shouldn't have to give a reason why

And that's when her protective shell broke. Her emotions hidden in that little box which she thoughtfully stuffed in her metaphorical closet... Never to come out again. It was easier not to think about it.

She opened up Pandora's box.

She went to stand up, to leave the little coffee shop, but Derek followed and she did not know what to make of it. So, she did not make anything of it. They walked. Silently.

Meredith vaguely felt his fingers intertwine hers. She vaguely felt his arm wrap around her waist afterward.

She felt numb.

She felt that Mark could metaphorically kick her again, and she wouldn't feel anything.

But she was a strong, independent woman. She would get through this. The wounds were fresh, and she needed her coping time, just like any other human being would need. She needed a support group. At least one person.

If I could see the future and how this plays out
I bet it's better than where we are now
After going through this, it's easier to see the reason why