Disclaimer: I spent my day shopping and had a very limited amount of money I could spend. How does that relate to me not owning Grey's? Well if I owned Grey's my family and friends would be getting cars for Christmas, not candles.

Yet again...thanks for all the great reviews. Actually I don't know if I got great reviews...because I haven't been online since I posted it last night...but I imagine I got great reviews. So thanks.

I have to explain these next 2 chapters, kind of. They go together, which well all the chapters to, but these two are written to really go together. As in they're both happening at the exact same time. This one is an email chapter and the one immediately following it is a IM chapter. I hope to get both posted tonight. And they're basically Derek's reaction to Meredith's emotional email. So you'll see how he took it. This chapter is actually two emails, to many people. You'll see.

Enjoy!

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To: guys,

Hi from sunny Africa. Okay, actually, Africa is hell, I don't suggest you come here, but that's beside the point.

I need a favour. A really big huge favour that usually only Meredith would get away with asking, because she's impossible to say no to. But try to understand this big huge favour is actually for Meredith, but we all know she is the last person to ask for the thing she needs the most.

She's feeling down, dark and twisty, as she put it, and I know what she really wants is me, but I need to ask you to be subsitute me (Sloane, not in that way, keep your hands off her). I know you're already helping her so much, but she's still feeling so alone. And as much as I realize you can't fill the void my not being there has left, it's something. And right now, Meredith needs something. I hate having to ask you for anything, I want to be able to take care of her myself, but I can't.

And you're her family. She really needs you guys.

I wish I could be there, I really do. I'm home in less than 4 months, and I'm counting the days. It's the only place I want to be.

But I can't.

And you guys are there, so please be there for her, really be there. She needs it so badly. And I know this email is probably pointless, because you are all being so wonderful to her already, but as the boyfriend and beyond proud father, I had to do that asking myself.

I'll be home soonish.

I miss you all. I miss Seattle. I miss the life I had.

Thanks guys. I really appreciate everything you guys have done for her and everything you will continue to do. It means the world to both of us.

Derek

To: should have written this email a few weeks ago, but I put it off, because this situation should be more than a little awkward. But I'm writing it now.

First, thank you for volunteering to be Meredith's doctor. I know it was probably slightly awkward for you, but thank you so much. It means so much to me, to us. I know it's easier a much easier case than what you usually take on, but I want the best to be treating my lady and little man. And Addie, that's you.

Can you believe I'm going to be a father? I know we were never ready to take this step, it was never right. But with Meredith, god it's right. I'm going to be a dad. It's the most wonderful feeling in the world. I jsut can't believe it.

I just wish I was there to enjoy this.

And that's where the favour comes in. Well a two level favour. Meredith isn't coping well, not that I expected her too, because I'm not coping so well either. But I'm not carrying my son (ask Mer about the son thing, it's a funny story actually). Meredith is. She's growing a tiny little human being. As her doctor, can you please keep a close eye on her? Yes, Addie, I know that's your job and that of course you will watch out for her. But right now, I'm being the overproctective boyfriend and dad. I need you to watch out for them. Make sure she's not working to hard, make sure she's eating and sleeping, just watch out for her. And please watch her stress levels. She has a way of worrying too much.

Second, I need a favour as a friend. I've already asked the others to help her out, but after being married to you for 11 years, it's you I trust the most. We're friends, really truly friends. Meredith likes you. Please be there for her. She needs somebody, and I know how good you are at being there, at being rational, at being a calming pressence. Meredith needs that.

Okay, one more favour. You can't say no to me. Is there anything I could do to make this work better? Anything I can do to relax her, even cheer her up. Coming home isn't an option at the moment... but there must be something. Give me something.

That's all for now. I'll be home soonish.

I miss you and everyone else.

Please watch out for Mer for me.

Derek

Okay no song line, it just doesn't fit this chapter.

I think the first email speaks for itself...Derek emailing the family (including Mark and Callie, and excluding Burke as I don't like him right now and I don't want to hear complaints, I'm allowed my opinions) about taking care of Meredith. Which he know they're already doing but he needs to reassure himself, he needs to ask. (kind of like how he had to check on Mer at the end of the superbowl episode). So yeah.

The other email was to Addie. And I know it might have seemed like he was rubbing things in Addie's face...but remember, this fic takes place a year after where we are now. So they're in different spots emotionally. I don't know if Addie and Mark are together in this fic, never had to make it clear, but Addie isn't hurting. Derek's over it, Addie's over it. And they have become friends of sorts. So he's not rubbing anything in her face, he's generally happy and she's in a place where she can be happy for him. And they're also in a place where he can ask for her help, especially since she's Mer doctor.

I'm not sure how much this sounded like Derek, but we've never really seen him in this situation so it was hard to do.

Going to work on the next update...Mer/Der IM conversation. That he had with her while writing these emails. But it won't be posted tonight...long story. Look for it tomorrow.

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