"So, I had my deposit ready, bags packed to head to UCLA and then I got a call. I couldn't turn down medical school at Penn. I've been commuting back and forth, but I need to find an apartment, so that's why I'm here!"

Meredith couldn't believe she was looking at her little sister and the word facetime wasn't involved. "You've been commuting back and forth from Boston?"

"I love Boston," Meredith swatted her hand towards Mark, who was failing miserably at trying to interject into their conversation. "Damn, all right."

"Yeah, I know. I'd crash at my exes house on his couch. Don't give me the look. I know. You know how hard it is to find an apartment in Philadelphia?" Lexie shook her head. "Well, on a student's budget within walking distance from campus?"

"Or, you can move into my apartment and learn how to use public transportation," Meredith shook her head. "It's really not that far and I guarantee it's much cheaper than renting over there."

"Stop, really?"

"Really! Cris and I have an extra bedroom. Why the hell not?"

"I mean she's here most of the time, so you'll barely have to see her," Mark tried, once again with a smile on his face. Derek stifled a laugh, sinking into the couch in embarrassment for his best friend.

"Matt, right?"

His smile faded quicker than it was plastered on his face. "Mark. Sloan. Wide receiver?"

"Never really got into football much," Lexie shrugged, moving her gaze back to her sister, "I'm going to run to the bathroom."

"Yeah, it's down that hall on the left," Meredith brought her gaze towards the living room. "How long are you going to hit on my sister for?"

"As long at it takes," He smiled. "Dinner? The four of us? Let's double date."

"You're not supposed to be out, Mark. Do you know what resting is?" She frowned.

"And this old man has to be at practice at seven am to run suicide sprints. And I still have to figure out how to apologize for decking douchebag," Derek wrapped an arm around Meredith as she snuggled next to him. "Only publicly of, course. I'd do it again in a heartbeat." He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"Cute, but let's try to avoid that."

"Oh, yeah! I saw that on the not top ten. You almost got first," Lexie sat down with a laugh.

"That's what I'm famous for? The not top ten?" He grumbled.

"To be fair, they said you had excellent form," Lexie shrugged. "Have you eaten yet, Meredith? I'm starving."

Mark shot a look straight at Meredith, who tried her hardest to ignore him. "All right, fine. We can all go out, but dinner and home. And you're using crutches, Sloan."

"I'll take what I can get."

x.x.x

"I was really hoping she was going to toss him to the curb," Meredith leaned against Derek at their little hole in the wall bar. They were in a corner booth, away from the crowd, keeping an eye on Mark and Lexie at the bar top. "I will break his other foot."

"All right, momma bear. You know Mark well enough to know this was going to happen. She's a big girl."

Meredith sighed, "All right, whatever. So, how was your day?"

"I sat on the couch," He looked over. "Spent most of the time emailing my lawyer back and forth. From the looks of it, we're going to have to go to court and fight. I don't know."

Meredith frowned, "Well, you know you have nothing to worry about, right?"

"I hope so," Derek yawned. "What time are you going in tomorrow?"

"I might go in with you. I have to get some things in order before I leave for England. Is it weird that I'm excited to sit through conferences for three days straight? I'm a total nerd."

He couldn't help but chuckle, "Definitely a nerd, but definitely cute. What am I going to do without you for a few days?"

"Not get into anymore fights?" She raised an eyebrow at him. "Because I'd really like to see you play over there."

"You have a point there."

Meredith grabbed ahold of Derek's hand, interlocking her fingers with his. She wouldn't admit it to many people out loud, but she was really falling for this man. At this point, all she wanted to do was lay in bed and cuddle with him. Derek leaned over and tipped her chin up. He kissed her gently at first, but then more aggressively. He grabbed the hair at the back of her head, pulling her into him. The only thing stopping them was yelling from across the bar. It wasn't towards them or anything in particular. Derek leaned his forehead against hers, "I'm ready when you are," Meredith giggled.

"Check!" He laughed, getting to his feet. He grabbed her hand, leading her towards the bar. "You guys ready?"

Mark looked over his shoulder with a frown. "It's nine."

"I'm old," Derek smirked as Meredith wrapped her arms around him from behind. "We should really go."

"Right, you're old," He shook his head. "I'm drinking your good shit, then."

"Fine, whatever."

The ride home was quick, yet long. Derek could help but play with the hem of Meredith's shirt. He ran his fingers along her leg, slowly. When the SUV came to a stop, Derek hopped out, helping his girlfriend and Lexie to the ground. "You good, Sloan?"

Mark slowly got out of the vehicle, cursing under his breath. "I hate crutches. Grey, can I be done with these yet?"

"You just had surgery," She shook her head. "And you're on pain medication, you shouldn't be drinking heavily, either."

"Does she only yell at me like this?" He frowned, hobbling his way to the elevator. Derek just kept his mouth shut as the elevator whipped up to the top floor. "I'll take that as a yes."

"I still get to be your doctor," Meredith smiled, jumping down on the couch from earlier. Derek grabbed a bottle of champagne and four glasses before sitting back down.

Lexie had found a seat next to Mark, even with her sister's semi-questioning look. "So, I can really move in?"

"Yes, Lexie. You can move in whenever you'd like."

"This is going to be awesome," She giggled, taking a glass of champagne. "Thank you for the hospitality, Derek."

"I poured it," Mark feigned sadness.

"So, I'm interested to find out what Meredith was like as a teenager. I've been asking, but haven't gotten very far," Derek smirked.

"Don't you dare."

"You haven't seen the pink hair?" Lexie glanced at her sister, who was now glaring at her. "Oh, come on. It's a great picture!"

"You're definitely drunk. It's a terrible picture."

"I can be the judge of that," Derek smiled.

"No, it's terrible. I had this dark and twisty phase in high school. My hair was badly died with pink and black streaks. It's a moment I'd never like to relive," Meredith frowned.

"That sounds pretty hot," Derek smirked.

"Okay, well this conversation has been riveting, but I need to go to bed," Meredith got to her feet. "Lexie, I have some clothes if you want to borrow them."

"Sure!" She jumped up, following her sister down the hall. "You keep clothes here? Is it that serious?"

Meredith shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. It's convenient since I spend a lot of time here, I guess."

"Bull shit," She coughed, taking the shorts and old t-shirt from her sister. "I haven't seen you this smiley in awhile."

"I don't know," She ran his fingers through her hair. "It's good. We're… good. So, what's this situation?"

Lexie looked confused momentarily, "Oh! Mark? He's hot," She shrugged. "You know I'm not looking for anything serious. With the whole medical school and… you know, medical school."

Meredith shook her head with a smile, "Whatever you say."

"I'll see you tomorrow!"