Derek wouldn't let Meredith work the next day. She protested. She even offered to work scut. Scut would have been great compared to staying home. She hated hanging around her house. She had been busy for so much of her life, she had no idea how to spend free time. Laying in bed wasn't working anymore. Either her butt or her back ached. She walked slowly down the stairs and met up with Ian in the kitchen.
"Okay, I have to do something." She stated frankly as she grabbed a cup of coffee.
"Something? Like what?" He asked.
"Something. I am not allowed to work, and I can't lay in bed. I have to do something." She spat. "And why don't you make me some breakfast? If I eat muesli anymore this week, I think I will vomit." She said quickly.
"Well, what do you want?" He asked as he gave in and looked in the refrigerator.
"What is there?" She replied as she stirred her coffee.
"Uh, let's see. Nothing, nothing and oh look, it's nothing." He said with a shrug. "So what do you want. Nothing or nothing?" He asked.
"Seriously?" She asked as she walked over to the refrigerator.
"Yeah." He said as he walked away. "I ate that muesli shit this morning. It's okay if you add a half a cup of sugar to it.
"Crap, we really don't have anything." She said as she looked. "Where the hell is Izzie?" Meredith asked. She had gotten so used to Izzie doing all of the domestic stuff around the house. "And George, have you seen George?"
"I haven't seen them in a few days." Ian said quickly.
"Shit. Now what? There is barely any muesli left, Derek will kill me if I eat it. And I can't choke it down." She stated. "Whoa!" She said as she took a whiff of the milk. "This is no good! And this bread... It's moldy! How did we do it?" She asked. "How did we feed ourselves?"
"Well, I shopped sometimes. And we had Susan." Ian pointed out.
"Ah, yes. That was wonderful." Meredith said with a nod. "Izzie is my Susan. I miss her! How is she by the way?"
"She is still working for my father. She hated my mum as much as you did. But you know that already." Ian replied with a chuckle. "She still cleans the up house for me."
"Oh." She said quietly. Thinking back to all the time they had spent together made her sad. She had a life, and she just walked away from it. She decided to drown it out, and try to forget. "So, I am thinking I need to go grocery shopping." Meredith pointed out.
"You? Grocery shop?" Ian asked with a chuckle.
"Well, yeah." Meredith answered. "I don't want Derek to know."
"He doesn't know that you don't know how to shop? And you can't cook?" Ian asked.
"I think he knows I can't cook. But the shopping, no. Izzie has always had the food stocked up, I give her the money, she goes. If I didn't have her, I wouldn't even remember to eat. So, we need to shop." She said. "And go out to for breakfast, since we have no food."
Meredith grabbed her purse and car keys. She motioned for him to follow her. He slowly followed her to the car and got in.
"So you drive this piece of crap?" Ian laughed as she pulled out.
"I happen to like my Jeep." She said happily. "I am an intern, I am poor." She pointed out.
"Okay, first of all, my father paid for all of your schooling, so anything you make is more yours than the other interns. Secondly, you are dating a neurosurgeon. And thirdly, you are recently divorced and will be finding a gigantic sum of money in your bank account. So do everyone a favor, and retire this thing!" He demanded as he rolled down the window. "Shit!"
"What did you do?" She said as she looked over. "Damn-it!"
"It won't go up!" He said quickly.
"Use your hand, try to pull it." She shouted. "Here." She started to lean over.
"Mer, are you crazy? Get over there!" He shouted as he pushed her back. "Just drive this damn thing."
"I have had this car since high school, and you break the window!" She moaned.
"High school? Let's just drive it to the nearest dump..." Ian said with a laugh.
"You jerk!" She yelled as swerved.
"That bastard didn't use his indicator." He pointed out.
"His turn signal?" She yelled. "No shit!"
"Aren't we testy?" He replied quickly.
"Yes, we are testy. My ass hurts." She moaned as she shifted her weight.
Ian and Meredith went to the nearest coffee shop. That was where Ian wanted to go. It was the one that she had met Chase at. She shuttered at the thought. Part of her wanted to wheel around and run out like she was on fire. But she didn't, she gave her order and sat down next to Ian, eating her breakfast. She ate as quickly as she could. Ian kept up and they were off and running. He asked her what was wrong but she didn't answer, she proceeded on. Meredith quickly pulled into a parking spot. She looked around the parking lot full of mini-vans. She couldn't imagine being a soccer mom. Carting five children, being a taxi. That wasn't her life. She is a surgeon. She cuts. Ian and Meredith made their way in the store.
"Holy crap!" She stated. "Food is expensive."
"No kidding." Ian sarcastically responded.
"I like sending Izzie. This is no fun." She moaned as she began throwing things in the cart.
"Look at this meat. How do you know what to buy? What is the difference between this crap?" She asked as she looked at the different packages of meat.
"Well, here is a london broil. It has to be good, it says London." He pointed out.
"You are an idiot." She said as she smacked him with the package of meat. "But I am the one staring at meat for the first time, so..." They proceeded through the store.
"Oh look, potatoes in a box." She said with a laugh.
"Yeah, they are called instant potatoes." He said pointing at the box.
"Hmm." She said as she walked away. "Don't let me forget Derek's muesli."
"Is that all he eats?" He asked.
"Pretty much. Because it's healthy." She said quickly.
"Maybe he should work out, or run. Muesli doesn't do that for you!" Ian said with a chuckle.
"Hey, I think Derek is just fine the way he is!" She said loudly. "I need candy." She said as she starting filling the cart with candy bars.
"You need to eat healthier. I thought I was bad..." Ian laughed.
"I do eat healthy." She said. "Oh, orange juice. We should probably get some of that." She added as she grabbed two cartons. "And tampons."
"Oh, God." Ian said as he covered his face in embarrassment.
"Oh come on, they are just TAMPONS!" She said loudly, causing everyone to look at she and Ian. "Come on." She said as she dragged him down the aisle. She spent a few minutes schooling him on the different kinds. She had never seen him more embarrassed in her life.
The rest of the shopping trip went uneventful. Ian almost died when she started talking about tampons and periods at the checkout. It fueled her even more. He walked out of the store quicker than she had ever seen him move. Meredith sighed as the loaded the last bag into her jeep. She was happy to be done with it. It wasn't something she wanted to do anytime soon. To her, it was a complete waste of time. She had much better things she could be doing. Anything was better than that, even rectal exams.
Meredith worked around the house for the rest of the day. Anything besides sitting down. She was proud of herself. It was like a game. She was playing Ms. Domestic for the day. Ian followed her around like a lost pup. Normally she would yell at him, but she knew he was leaving in a few days, so she was going to be nice to him. She decided it was smarter to just boss him around.
------------------
"Damn-it Ian!" Meredith shouted for the hundredth time.
"I'm home." Derek said as he walked in and gave Meredith a kiss. "You sound testy."
"She is." Ian laughed.
"Thanks for the warning." Derek said with a nod. "I brought someone."
"Great." Meredith said sarcastically.
"Hey you!" Drew said as he walked into the kitchen. "Be nice."
"Hey!" Meredith responded happily. Drew crossed the room and hugged her. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, I came just to see you." Drew said with a chuckle.
"Sure you did..." She laughed. "Why are you here really?"
"I'm here for a consult." Drew responded. "Who the hell are you?" He joked as he pointed to Ian.
"Drew, this is Ian--." Meredith started.
"The ex-husband." Drew pointed out. "I'm the ex-" Drew started, and got a sharp look from Derek. He quickly changed his comment. "I'm a friend...and Derek's cousin."
"Who also had sex with Mer." Ian pointed out with a smirk.
"Um." Drew said.
"It's okay. He has radar for these things. Yes, Ian, Drew and I had sex. Okay?" She joked as she cocked her head.
"Don't worry Drew, she's had sex with you and every other man in the world." Ian returned. Meredith smacked him in the back of the head. "Hey!"
"You're lucky that is all I did." She shouted.
"Nice to meet you..." Ian said warmly.
"It's nice to meet you, too." Drew returned, shaking his head.
"Seriously, how did you know?" Drew asked as he point to he and Meredith.
"Well, I was married to her a very long time. There is a look she gets." Ian stated frankly.
"Okay then..." Derek said, trying to change the subject. "I think we should go out to dinner. All of us. Where is O'Malley and Stevens?"
"I don't know. Neither of them have been coming home." Meredith pointed out. "So I guess it's just us. The three of you, and me." She said as her face turned sour. "Maybe I'll just stay home." She said, hoping to get out of it.
"I don't think so." Drew said. "I haven't seen you in a long time! So why didn't you tell me about this bone marrow thing?" He asked.
"Maybe I would have, but you haven't called." She said pretending to be hurt.
"Aw, are your feelings hurt?" He asked as he rubbed her back.
"Well yeah. I'm sure you have been too busy." Meredith whined.
"Yep, getting laid it a full time job!" He said with a laugh.
"Between that and being a nurse's aid, I can see how you would be busy." She laughed.
"A nurse's aid?" Derek asked with a laugh.
"Ah yes. Drew told me he was a nurse's aid when I met him." Meredith laughed.
"And she told me she was a garbage man." Meredith glared. "Oh I'm sorry, garbage woman. She drove the truck." Drew said as he laughed. "Right?"
"You two are pathetic." Derek answered, shaking his head.
"So how does it feel to have her last?" Ian asked. Meredith looked up at him and gave him a sharp smack across the face. Drew looked at her in shock.
"Don't even." She said to Ian. "You never learn, do you?"
"By the look you just gave me, I assume you didn't know she is abusive." Ian pointed out.
"Only to him." Meredith clarified.
"Seriously?" Ian asked.
"Yeah. Derek doesn't say or do anything to deserve it. He never steps out of line. You know your place, don't you honey?" She asked.
"That I do, babe." He said as he leaned down and kissed her. "So, where do you guys want to go to dinner?"
"How about that Irish restaurant? I think I need a drink." Meredith said as she looked around at all of the men in her life.
"I second that." Drew said.
"As do I." Ian agreed.
--------------
Meredith looked stunning as she walked down the stairs. She was wearing a skin tight pair of jeans, a nice low-cut, fitted top, and black boots. She definitely caught the attention of all three men. They all glanced up as she made it down the last few steps.
"You look great." Derek said as he grabbed her hand.
"I think this payback for every bad thing I have ever done." She said as she pointed at the three of them. Derek placed his hand on the small of her back as they walked out the front door.
"Oh come on, it isn't that bad." Drew said. "We won't pick on you."
"Speak for yourself." Ian said as he opened the car door and stepped in.
"You get that I hate you right now, right?" She asked Derek quietly.
"Come on, it won't be that bad." He whispered back. "Besides, we had to eat."
"Ian does not know how to behave himself. I'm not guarantee anything." She said back.
"Relax..." He said as he placed his hand on her thigh. He slid it father down. She smiled at his touch.
"Behave up there." Ian spoke up.
"We could just kick them out and have our own party here." Meredith pointed out.
"Or." Ian started. "We could all have a party here..."
"Oh, look honey, Ian wants to have an orgy with you, Drew, and I." Meredith laughed. "I didn't realize you were like that."
"Not funny." Ian said sternly.
"Hey, it was your idea." Meredith giggled.
Derek just remained silent. In the time Ian had been around, he had realized that was how is was. He said whatever e wanted. He didn't care what anyone thought. Meredith and Derek both breathed a sigh of relief when they pulled up to the restaurant.
They were all seated at a table in the back. The restaurant was semi-casual, and had a great atmosphere. She and Derek had gone there several times. The waitress came up and they ordered appetizers. Meredith studied the menu, and they all studied her.
"She is so indecisive." Drew pointed out.
"She always has been. She will decide she wants everything on the menu. But then at the last minute, she will get the same thing she always gets." Ian pointed.
"Quit talking about me like I'm not here." She demanded as she studied the menu. "You think you know mw so well!"
"I do." He pointed out.
"So how was the hospital?" Meredith asked Derek.
"Don't worry, you didn't miss much." He said, hoping to make her feel better. "What did you do today?"
"I went shopping." She boasted.
"Correction: We went shopping." Ian stated with a laugh as he sipped his bourbon.
"Okay, we." Meredith corrected herself.
"Oh. That sounds like fun." Derek said with a laugh.
"It was an adventure." She said with a smile.
"An adventure?" Derek asked.
"She has never really been grocery shopping..." Ian pointed out. Meredith immediately glared at him. "Sorry." He shrugged as he looked at her.
"You're kidding me..." Derek said with a chuckle.
"Man, you picked a winner here." Drew said with a laugh.
"No kidding!" Derek joked.
"Hey!" Meredith shouted. "You see that bar over there. I could go pick up some other guy, and you could go home. Alone. To your trailer."
"She'll do it!" Ian said. "You have to watch her, she is vindictive."
"I am not!" She retorted.
"Oh no, not you." Ian responded sarcastically. "She shaved my eyebrows and legs while I was sleeping one night."
"You deserved it." Meredith pointed out. "He told me my ass was getting big!"
"Ouch." Drew said. "You are pretty rotten. You did kick me out of your bed in the middle of the night. I walked down the road to find a hotel, and got mugged!" Drew told Ian.
"Yeah, well she dumped me at the park a few weeks ago." Ian said. "She threw me on a bench. I woke up to the law in my face."
"I guess I have been pretty lucky." Derek said with a sigh.
"You have been a good boy." Meredith said as she patted him on the leg. The waitress walked up and smiled.
"Are you ready to order?" She asked with a smile. Everyone ordered. Meredith was last.
"I'll have the grilled-" She started, Ian cut her off.
"The grilled chicken with honey-chipotle sauce, redskin mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables." Ian said happily. Meredith shut her mouth and looked at him in shock. The waitress looked at her and she nodded.
"Hmm." Meredith said quietly. "I guess I am predictable. I am going to go to the restroom." She said as she stood up and walked away.
"So what the hell did you give that girl to get her drunk enough to marry you?" Drew asked Ian with a chuckle.
"Drew..." Derek said quietly.
"What? He is leaving in a few days. We need to find these things out now." Drew asked.
"Tequila. Lots of tequila. And some bourbon, and a little vodka." Ian said happily. "That then you have to rush to the nearest vegas wedding chapel."
"That is just wrong." Drew said shaking his head. "I am not even that low."
"Yeah, well, she didn't have it too bad." Ian said with a smirk. "I think she had a good time. She'll never admit it, though. So, did you find out your score yet?"
"Um. Yeah, I did." Derek said.
"So what is it?" Ian asked.
"What score? What are you talking about?" Drew asked. Meredith sat back down.
"So, what are we talking about?" Meredith asked as she took a drink.
"Well, Derek was about to tell me his score." Ian laughed.
"And I was trying to find out what the hell they are talking about." Drew said with confusion.
"She has a book." Ian boasted. "It has everyone she has ever slept with in it. Plus their scores. She scores everyone."
"Seriously?" Drew asked, as he looked over at her.
"No. Not seriously. No scores. There is NO book!" She said loudly, causing people from the tables around her to look.
"There is." Ian argued. "So, I'm assuming your score was low." He said to Derek.
"Derek has a very high score. If score were given out." She said quickly. "And we are not talking about this.
"Well, what's my score?" Drew asked.
"There are no scores!" She yelled. The waitress walked back with their food. "Oh thank God!" She muttered. "Lets eat!"
"You're no fun..." Drew said with a smile.
"I guess I'm not." She muttered as she took a bite of her chicken.
"So, I've bee here for how long?" Ian asked. "And I've yet to meet my mother-in-law."
"No kidding. You were married how long?" Drew asked.
"Nine years." Ian replied as he took a bite of her steak.
"And you never met the Ellis Grey?" Drew asked.
"You aren't missing anything." Derek said dryly. "Believe me."
"She would hate you." Drew said affirmatively.
"She would." Meredith said with a smirk.
"I'm going to have to meet this woman." Ian said with a smile.
"Oh no you're not!" Meredith said quickly.
"Why?" He asked. "She doesn't know...does she? She has no idea that you were married. Oh, this is good!" He said with a chuckle.
"She knows." Meredith said nervously.
"You're lying." Ian returned.
"Okay. I am lying. She has no idea. She can't she hates me enough as it is." Meredith said sadly.
"Hmm." Ian muttered.
"Don't even think about it." Meredith told him. She forked a piece of his steak.
"Hey." He whined.
"That's pretty good." She said as she happily chewed it. Next she forked a piece of Derek's fish. "That's pretty good too!"
"You're a cheeky cow." Ian spat.
"You know it." She returned lightheartedly.
They made light conversation for the rest of the dinner. They boys knew that they had better not push her too far. After all, she was a minority at the table. Ian and Drew decided to go to the nearest bar. Meredith and Derek were not so secretly relieved. They decided to go home and watch a movie together.
---------------
Meredith could feel Derek's eyes on her. The movie hadn't even been on ten minutes. His eyes weren't the only things on her. She wasn't giving in, and neither was he. She would just giggle and move away. That was until he reached the spot on the nape of her neck. Then everything was out the window. Derek began to slide her top off. She started to unbutton his shift. That was when they heard the front door open. Their heads shot up quickly.
"Oh!" Izzie said in shock. Meredith and Derek quickly began dressing. "Todd, these are my friends, Meredith and Derek. As you can see, they can't keep their hands off of each other. This is my boyfriend, Todd."
"Hi." Todd said as he stuck out his hand. They both shook it.
"Hello, Todd." Meredith said with confusion.
"Oh! I love this movie!" Izzie stated. "Can we-"
"Sure, Iz. You can watch it with us." Meredith agreed. Derek gave her an evil look.
Meredith laid in Derek's arms during the movie. He had his arms wrapped around her and every once in awhile he would kiss her lightly. She just enjoyed him being wrapped around her. She took a deep breath and breathed him in. She looked over at Todd and Izzie. They were cute together. Izzie looked happy. Now she knew why she hadn't been around. Meredith closed her eyes and just enjoyed being near Derek.
"Mer..." Derek whispered. She stirred slightly, snuggling her face deeper into him. "Mer... Let's go to bed." He said softly.
Meredith opened her eyes. The t.v. was off and Izzie and Todd were gone. Ian was standing over the two of them. She blinked several times and stood up.
"Wow. I'm glad I don't have to wake up next to that anymore." Ian joked.
"You're an ass." She said tiredly. "And I need some water. I'll be up in a few minutes."
"Okay." Derek said as he headed up the stairs.
Meredith was more awake when she made it to the kitchen. She saw the dishes in the sink. She knew she should clean them. She quickly started the water and started cleaning the kitchen. After about forty five minutes, she headed upstairs, now fully awake.
Lonely feeling deep inside
Find a corner where I can hide
Silent footsteps crowding me
Sudden darkness but I can see
"Where have you been?" Derek asked as she walked in.
"The kitchen was a mess." She said as she peeled off her jeans and top. She threw on an oversized tee shirt. "I couldn't leave it." She added as she laid down in the bed. "And now I'm not tired." She said as she laid her head down on the pillow.
"Really?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Really..." She said as she peeled her tee shirt off and exposed he pink bra and thong.
"So, this book..." Derek said softly.
"Oh you have got to be kidding me!" She said loudly as she pulled away from him.
"Come on..." He whined. "You're killing me here. I don't care if there is a book."
"If you didn't care, you wouldn't go on about it." She snapped.
"Is Drew in the book? My cousin, is he in the book?" Derek asked, she rolled over. "What is his score?" He said defensively. "I'm sorry. It's just..." Meredith rolled over and faced him.
No sugar tonight in my coffee
No sugar tonight in my tea
No sugar to stand beside me
No sugar to run with me
"You have nothing to worry about. I promise." She said softly. "All the boys are done. I am done. I found the guy. I don't even think of all the others."
"How many are there?" He asked. She rolled her eyes. "Ten?" He asked. She chuckled. "Twenty?" She rolled her eyes. "Forty?" She smiled. "Sixty? More?" He said in shock. "More than sixty? My God! Should I be tested?" He joked. Meredith's face dropped.
"You think I have an STD?" She screamed. "Get out!" She said as she jumped out of the bed. "Go! Sleep on the couch! Get out." He just stared at her. "Damn-it!" She said.
In the silence of her mind
Quiet movements where I can find
Grabbing for me with her eyes
Now I'm falling from her skies
"I was just kidding!" He said apologetically.
"Ugh." She moaned.
She grabbed his leg and pulled him off the bed with as much force as she could muster. He grabbed the sheets trying to hold on. He pulled them off with him as he fell to the floor. She started kicking him lightly.
"Go!" She shouted. He stood up and walked out with his head down. "Here." She said as she shoved a pillow and blanket into his hands.
She watched as he slowly walked down the stairs. He looked like a puppy who had just been scolded. She looked around the room. She was mad, and upset. How could he say that? She grabbed his clothes for the next day and his bag.
Walking down the stairs, he knew he screwed up. How could I say something so stupid. Now what? He walked over to the couch where Ian was sleeping. He looked down at him. Ian opened his eyes.
"Move." Derek said, full of irritation.
"What?" Ian asked.
"Move." He said again.
"No." Ian spat.
"Fine." Derek said as he swiftly shoved him off of the sofa.
"Hey." Ian said. Then he started laughing. "She kicked you out."
"Not funny." Derek said. as he laid on the sofa. Ian laid on the floor and threw his pillow under his head, and covered himself up. Then they heard it. It was the wrath that was Meredith.
"Here." She said as she dumped the pile of his things on his stomach, causing him to grunt. She stood there in her underwear, with her arms crossed.
No sugar tonight in my coffee
No sugar tonight in my tea
No sugar to stand beside me
No sugar to run with me
"Holy shit Mer. What's wrong with you?" Ian said as he at up in shock.
"It must be the insanity from my syphilis!" She yelled loudly. "Between that and the herpes, I don't know how I function. I hate you boys, and your stupid penises. I don't need the penis. You use it. You two enjoy each other." She spat as she walked away.
"I love the pink!" Ian said, referring to her lingerie.
"Fuck you!" She yelled angrily.
"Okay!" He returned.
She just groaned loudly. On her way up the stairs she walked by Izzie's room. Izzie and Todd both stood there in the doorway. Todd's eyes were wide and his jaw was on the floor.
"What are you looking at?" Meredith snapped as she walked by. She continued down the hallway and slammed her door.
"Get used to it. This is normal." Izzie said as she walked back into her room and shut the door.
Meredith laid there in her bed, alone. The sheets weren't even on it anymore. Derek had pulled them to the floor. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She knew in her heart that Derek didn't do it to be nasty. He was just joking. But she wasn't getting off that easily. She grabbed her blanket, covered herself, and closed her eyes. She would deal with it in the morning. Right now, she was going to let Derek marinate.
Derek laid on the sofa, staring at the ceiling. He wished he could go back in time. Maybe then, he would be having sex. Instead he was laying on a lumpy sofa next to Meredith's ex-husband. He wanted to go up and beg her for forgiveness, but he knew that would just make it worse. Instead, he was just going to lay on the lumpy sofa and stare at the ceiling.
Meredith woke up at two a.m. She rolled over. Instead of her arm landing on the man that she loved, it hit the empty spot on the mattress. She sighed as she looked at the vacant area. She quickly threw on her robe and marched down the stairs. She was surprised when she reached the sofa and blue eyes met her green.
"Come on." She whispered as she grabbed his arm.
"Mer-" He started.
"Shh." She said as she pulled him up the stairs. She made the bed and threw his pillow on the bed.
"I'm sorry." He said apologetically.
"I know you are." She said and she motioned for him to lay down. She laid down on the bed and laid her head on his chest. "There are a lot of guys. You don't want to know how many. But there will be no more. There is only one man for me, for the rest of my life. I love you. I want you. That is all that matters." She said as she pulled him closer. He didn't speak. He didn't want to ruin the moment. He kissed her softly an the head.
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The song was No Sugar tonight by The Guess Who. I know that is not what the song is about, but I thought is would be cute! Sorry I didn't get this up sooner. Please review!