I always research everything I write. Surgeries, procedures, everything. Including the adoption story-line. I have looked through the rules and guidelines according to the state of Washington. I was appalled that "NME" implied that I did not. I believe that Mer and Der would be able to adopt a child. As of now, they aren't trying to adopt, they are trying get get temporary custody. Neither had a criminal background, which is a major thing. I also believe that they would be able to follow through all the necessary steps with no problem. While I commend you on taking such a strong stance on this issue, I have to assume that you have had some personal experience with it. I know of four families who have adopted both relative and non-relatives. Three of these families were not perfect in any way, shape, or form, and they did not have a problem. Two were bad, and should have never been allowed to adopt. Our system is screwed up. To think that it is not makes you naive. Kids end up in bad homes, watch the news. They do a lot to keep this from happening, but is isn't always enough, which is a shame. So I am saying, I am doing the best I can!

This is not high school, you don't have to read this, and there will not be a test. The fact that you want to boycott is absolutely hilarious! Please, find something important to boycott, like drugs, child abuse or unfair labor practices...whatever. Don't waste anymore of your time on my pathetic little fic. Which is what it is...FICTION! There are countless fics that are much better than mine. Please find one of those.

For the rest of you...thanks! So here is the next installment of my fic that has already stretched the bands of credulity. With it's Meredith that has the emotional maturity of a pot plant, and my limp wristed Derek, with it's poo plot twist.

Meredith went home right after her shift. Derek still had patients to round on. Not to mention he was much quicker than she was about getting ready. She ran directly up the stairs and began ripping clothes out of drawers and the closet. She had no idea what to wear. She wanted to look responsible. But at the same time, she didn't want to look fake. She threw out several possible outfit and went into the bathroom.

The shower was quick. She didn't have time to enjoy the hot water or the steam that would have cleared her sinuses from the on and off crying she had done all day. Right now, she didn't have time to cry. Because right now, things were looking up for her. After her conversation with Addison, she was feeling a little better. People don't get over their issues with one conversation, but she had taken a few bricks off of the top of Meredith's wall.

Meredith climbed out of the shower and put on her bra and underwear. She decided against the thong. She was being responsible. She grabbed her bikini cut panties and slid them on. Now the big task, deciding what to wear.

"What's going on?" Derek asked.

She jumped at his voice and turned around. He walked in the room, and right over to her. He took her in, standing in front of the bed, staring at the clothes. She admired her body. He watched her chest move as she breathed in and out.

"I don't know what to wear." She whined as she began moving the pieces of clothing around. "This skirt?" She asked as she held it up. He wrinkled his nose, and shook his head. "What about this dress?" She asked as she held up the conservative black dress.

"No." He moaned.

"This?" She asked with a pathetic tone. She received another from. "Then what exactly would you like me to wear, Doctor Shepherd?" She asked. He walked up to her and pressed his lips against hers. She dropped the shirt on the floor and grabbed the back of his head. His tongue plunged into her mouth. Finally, she pulled away.

"Stop. I'm being serious here." She said, trying to be stern.

"I think you should go with what you have on." He said with a cheesy grin.

"Oh yes. Hello, I am responsible. Just look at me...In my underwear." She whined. "You are pathetic."

"That I am." He returned quickly. "And I am also disappointed." He stated with a fake frown.

"About what?" She said with a nervous tone.

"You took a shower with out me." He pouted. "Don't you know you're only supposed to go to a meeting post-sex."

"Go away." She said as she shoved him lightly.

"Fine." He moaned as he walked into the shower.

"Hey." Izzie said as she walked up to the door frame.

"I see you chose the responsible underwear." Izzie laughed.

"You know it." Meredith laughed. "Derek gets me in trouble. I had to wear them."

"It works. When you have them on, I tell you. But not when you have granny panties on. That's just wrong." She said with laugh. "So what are you wearing?"

"I have no idea..." Meredith moaned. "I don't want to be too casual..."

"Wear these pants. And this sweater. You look casual yet responsible." Izzie stated as she handed her a maroon sweater and and black pants.

"Thanks, Iz." Meredith said with a smile. She heard the bathroom door open.

"There's still time...we could get back in." Derek stated.

"Derek. You are totally and completely pathetic. Over the top." She laughed.

"I'm gonna go..." Izzie trailed off as she walked out of the room.

"You're wearing that?" Derek said wide-eyed jokingly.

"Why?" She said in a panic.

"I'm kidding, Mer. You look great." He said as he pulled her close. "It will be fine." She laid her head against his chest and sighed.

"Oh my God." She said as she quickly pulled away and ran into the bathroom. Derek rushed after her, pulled her hair back as she retched. He grabbed a washcloth and handed it to her.

"Relax..." He whispered as he rubbed her back.

"I'm okay..." She said as she climbed to her feet. "I'm okay. What time is it?" She asked.

"It's six thirty." He said as he looked at his watch.

"We have to be there in a half an hour. Let's go. We have to go." She said as she pulled him by the hand, dragging him down the stairs.

------------------

Derek glanced over at Meredith every few minutes. She was staring out of the passenger window. He knew that he couldn't do anything to ease her worry. He reached his hand over and grabbed hers. She squeezed it back. He could see her tense up when they pulled into the parking lot.

"It's okay." He whispered and he put his car into park.

"Let's go." She said as she let out a heavy sigh and opened her door.

"Let's go." He said as he placed his arm on the small of her back and led her to the door.

They both took their seats. They were waiting for her. It seemed like that was what the whole week had been about. Waiting for this, and waiting for that. Derek looked around the room. Meredith just stared at her feet. They both had a ton of things going through their heads.

"Dr. Shepherd, Dr. Grey, right this way." A woman said as they quickly rose to their feet and followed her. "Carol will be in soon." She said.

They sat in the room, looking around. Waiting, once again. This time they were in a large room. It had toys and books. Derek smiled at all of the little stuff. The little chairs and tables. It was what he wanted. Meredith looked around the room at all of the stuff and smiled. It was cute. Little people, little things. She couldn't help but feel sad, thinking about how many damaged little kids came in and out of this room.

"Dr. Shepherd, Dr. Grey, how are you today?" Carol asked as she walked in the room.

"Very good, and you?" Derek asked.

"I'm good." She said as she motioned to them to sit. "Mr. and Mrs. Graves will be here in a while. Until then, I'd like to talk. While no decision has been made, I still wanted to have this meeting with you. I have to say, I am quite impressed by the number of references I received." She said with a smile. "You obviously both have many people who believe in you." Derek and Meredith both nodded. "Now back to business. Anna is still having problems. She will not talk to any of her temporary family. In fact, she doesn't talk to anyone. She is rather unresponsive. She has refused to eat on several occasions. She was assessed by our therapist. We do not feel that the current situation is working. We must find another home for her. We are having this meeting to see how she reacts to Meredith, someone she knows." Carol explained.

The door opens. They all look up. Meredith immediately looked at the little girl. She looked terrified as she looked around the room. She looked at Derek, and Carol. She stood there, on her own. She wasn't holding anyone's hand. She wasn't clinging. She was independent. She was standing strong, even through her fear. Finally, Anna locked eyes with Meredith. They both shared a secret. A broken heart.

Derek watched as Anna walked in. She looked so strong for a little girl who had been through so much. She was somewhat frail, and underweight. But there she stood, on her own. It somewhat reminded him of Meredith. They had both been broken beyond anything imaginable, but yet, there they stood.

Anna's eyes got wide when she realized it was Meredith. She immediately broke away from her guardian and ran straight to Meredith. Straight to the only person she really knew in the room. Straight to the person who had saved her life. To the person who had assured her that her father wasn't a bad man like everyone said. To the person who had told her that it wasn't her fault that her mother died. She ran as if her life depended on it. She ran and leaped straight into Meredith's arms.

"Meredith!" The small child said happily.

"Hey you." Meredith responded as she pushed the hair out of her face.

"I knew you'd come. I knew it. Mrs. Graves says everyone has an angel, and you're my angel." Anna explained exuberantly. Everyone's eyes began to tear up. They had thought she was unreachable.

"Is that so?" Meredith asked. Anna climbed into her lap.

"Dr. Nick says I'm gonna be okay." Anna said happily. "Are you okay?" She asked as she looked at Meredith.

"I'm okay." Meredith said as she looked into her brown eyes.

"Good." She said. Her eyes lit up. "Did you bring me chocolate milk?" She asked.

"No, I'm sorry I didn't." Meredith said sadly.

"That's okay." Anna reassured her. "Who is this?" She asked as she pointed at Derek.

"Well, that's Derek." Meredith said as she looked into his eyes. They were threatening to release tears.

"Is he you're boyfriend?" Anna asked with a giggle.

"Yes he is." Meredith said with a smile.

"Hi Mr. Derek." She said with a smile.

"Hi Anna." He returned. He looked up at Meredith and gave an approving nod.

Anna continued talking to Derek and Meredith like she had known them forever. Carol Baker could not believe the change she had just witnessed. It was day and night. The child had opened up. She seemed truly happy. They spent over an hour together. Anna told them stories about her temporary family. She stayed consistent, with the fact that she did not want to be with them. Then it came time for her to go home.

"Anna, honey. It's time to go home." Lynn Graves said as she walked up to the little girl.

"I don't wanna go home!" She shouted loudly as she buried her head in Meredith's chest.

"Anna.." Carol said as she came up and grabbed her. "NO!" She screamed. I wanna stay here!" She said as she wailed.

"Honey you have to go." Carol said softly. She gave Meredith a pleading look.

"Anna. You need to go home." Meredith said softly as her voice crackled. "It's time, okay. I know you don't want to, but you have to be strong. Please, do this for me."

"No." She cried.

"Please..." Meredith whispered softly. She allowed Lynn to pull her away. She gave one last look at Meredith before she walked out of the door. It broke her heart. She looked so sad, so betrayed.

"I will be in touch." Carol said as they both stood up. "I have to say, I am amazed at the change."

"It was amazing." Derek said as he led Meredith out. She just nodded. "Thanks again." Derek said as they walked out. Derek looked up with surprise as he began to walk out.

"Dr. Shepherd?" The man said in shock.

"Mr. Phillips." Derek said as he shook his head. "Meredith, this is Don Philips." He said as he introduced her.

"Nice to meet you." Don said with a smile.

"Don is the Director here." Derek said, remembering what he did for a living.

"What are you doing here?" He asked as he ushered them back inside.

"Well, Meredith and I were visiting Anna Livingston. We are trying to obtain temporary custody." Derek explained.

"I had no idea." He said as he gave Carol Baker a glare. "Dr. Shepherd saved my life. Brain aneurism. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here." He emphasized. "He's the best Neurosurgeon in the world. So, Mrs. Baker, how did it go?" He asked.

"It went really well. Anna was responsive. She was talking. She seemed happy." Carol explained.

"Well, this is good! Very good to hear. That poor child has been through hell." He said sadly.

"Yes she has." Meredith chimed in.

"Meredith was there. When it happened. With the dad." Derek explained. "She was in the room. She was the last one to see him alive."

"Oh my God. You poor girl." He said with a sympathetic hug. Meredith looked at Derek in shock.

"Meredith also donated the bone marrow that saved her." Derek said proudly.

"You are simply amazing." He said with a smile.

"Well, we had better get going. We both have an early day tomorrow. It was nice talking to you. Mrs. Baker, thank you for your time." Derek and Meredith said with a handshake.

"Goodnight." They both said. Meredith and Derek walked off to the car hand in hand.

"Carol, I want their file on my desk now!" He said as he walked off, leaving Carol standing there in shock.