Derek leaned against the bar top. Eventually he had taken a seat next to Meredith. His friends were still in the corner, more than likely watching the pair's every move. He shook his head at the thought. "So, tell me how you ended up here?"

"Well," The tequila was definitely resonating within Meredith's system now. "I had a really long and exhausting day at work, so I figured a drink or ten would be a good idea."

"Oh, you're a funny one," Derek swirled his drink with the two small black straws he was given.

"I come from a long line of doctors," Meredith shrugged her shoulders. "Except, I didn't want to do the typical thing. I wanted something different. My volleyball coach in college got me into the best program for Kinesiology and I fell in love. I graduated with my Doctorate in six years at twenty-one. I was homeschooled, so I started college very early."

"That's highly impressive," He nodded. "Don't you want to know about me?" Derek smirked at her, waving toward Ralph for another round. "Send one to the boys too, so they don't hate me."

"Derek Shepherd. Red shirt freshman for The Ohio State University. Heisman trophy recipient in 2002, which would be your freshman year. Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006, by trading their twenty-third pick with the Browns' number one pick, which I was not thrilled about, by the way."

Meredith stopped her rambling and looked at Derek who had an amused expression on his face. "High school?"

"Round Valley Central High School, Westchester, New York. And now I look like the biggest stalker in the universe." Meredith sighed, "I'm not, I promise. I just happen to follow sports very closely. Especially when my team traded the entire United States for Italy."

"I'm not sure whether I'm flattered or offended," Derek couldn't help but smile towards this woman.

"Oh, I… I didn't-"

"Hey, Meredith," He cut her off. "I'm fucking with you."

She couldn't help but giggle. "You can't do that. I'm a tad intoxicated," Meredith smacked his upper arm.

Derek felt someone grab him by the shoulders, and shake him, "Careful, Doc. Old man here is fragile. Mark Sloan, by the way, since my rude friend here decided to ditch us."

"Jesus," Derek grumbled underneath his breath.

"Meredith Grey," She smiled, shaking his hand. She felt her phone ringing, so she quickly excused herself towards the bathroom.

"Alright, you've been talking to her for three hours now," Mark sat down next to him. "What are you doing?"

"Just that," Derek looked at him with a tired look. This conversation has been coming up way too often lately.

x.x.x

Meredith leaned against the bathroom wall, answering her cell phone. "Hey, Cris. Everything alright?"

"I'm just making sure you're still alive."

"Yeah! I'm good. I haven't gotten murdered, yet, so that's pretty good." Meredith hit her wall. She shook her head, focusing her eyes on the sign hanging in the bathroom across from her. "I will be home shortly."

"I've heard that one before."

Meredith pushed her phone back into her pocket. She looked in the mirror and adjusted her hair and fixed her make up. When she arrived back at her seat, there was another shot waiting for her. "Okay, now I know you're trying to get me drunk."

"Me? No way, Doctor Grey. If I was, I wouldn't be drinking the same amount, if not more, than you."

"Whatever you say, Derek." She tossed the shot back with a smile that would not leave her lips.

"I'm sorry," He leaned back in his chair with a smile, "What was that?"

Meredith looked confused momentarily, but shook her head, "Oh, whatever." She glanced at the clock and her heart almost dropped. "Please tell me it is not three thirty in the morning."

Glancing down at his watch, Derek shook his head, no. "It's three fifteen, actually."

"I'm sorry, I have to go," Meredith grabbed her bag, reaching for her wallet. "I have to be at the stadium at nine."

Derek's eyes went wide, "You're going to have a fun day, aren't you? Put your wallet away. This is my thank you." He handed his credit card towards Ralph, after he indicated that Meredith's tab had become his own. "You're not driving, are you?"

Meredith fumbled with her keys, trying to find the right one. She definitely did not need that last shot. "Nope. I'm walking."

Derek watched her struggle with her keys and there was no way he was letting this woman wonder in the streets of Philadelphia. "Can I walk you?"

Meredith stood up, stumbling immediately. Derek jumped, grabbing her waist. "I live upstairs, I'll be fine!"

"No freaking way," He chuckled. Derek looked over his shoulder to see his friends gone. "You think you're going to be okay?"

Meredith shook her head, no. "I swear, it all hits you when you stand up. It's the craziest thing."

Derek grabbed her keys as the pair walked out of the bar. He unlocked the bottom door located right next to the bar's entrance. Derek stayed right behind her, making sure she didn't fall backwards.

Once the door was open, Meredith walked inside, letting Derek follow as well. "Hot quarterback didn't murder you?" Cristina rounded the corner and laughed. "Well, then, I'll be going to bed now."

Meredith pushed her hair from her face, "Thank you, Derek. I really appreciate this."

Derek looked at her. Even though she was a tad wasted, she sure was beautiful. He stopped himself. "Don't even worry about it. Get some sleep and I'll see you in the afternoon."