"Hey," said Meredith when she found Derek outside the hospital.
They had gotten back from New York a week ago, and Derek had stopped acting weird towards her. Meredith had broken up with Dylan a few days ago, she wasn't really into dating anymore.
"Hey," said Derek.
"What are you doing out here?" she asked. It was pouring down rain and Derek was leaning against the wall of the hospital staring out into the parking lot. "I thought you had a date tonight?"
That was something else that had changed since New York, Derek was dating again! And Meredith had never been more jealous in her life. In fact she had spotted the woman he was going on a date with that afternoon in the hallway, she had to restrain herself for knocking her to the ground. Her name was Amanda Smith, she was a cardiologist, she had long brown hair, legs that went on and on and perfect features.
"I do," he said still looking out over the parking lot. "I'm meeting her here in five minutes."
"Oh right," said Meredith. "I'm just on my way home…I'll just leave you to it."
"Are you alright?" asked Derek. "You're rambling in that cute neurotic way you do when something is bothering you."
"I'm fine."
"Seriously does anyone believe you when you say that now?"
"No," she admitted. "But it's nothing really."
"Now I know it's something otherwise you would just tell me."
"It's nothing you can help with," sighed Meredith.
"Try me."
"No," she laughed. "Have fun on your date."
Derek nodded, and watched as Meredith walked towards her car.
"Just tell me, what's the worse that can happen?" he called after her.
"I broke up with Dylan," she shouted across the parking lot at him.
"Why?"
"Because…there's only one man that is ever going to do…but I'm pretty sure I pushed him away for good," she shouted. "I guess I'm going to grow old alone with seven cats and a load of hats."
"Meredith…" he called.
"Bye," Meredith called as she got into the car.
"Are you ready to go?" said Amanda slipping her arm through Derek's.
----------------------------------------
Derek was standing in Meredith's driveway lurking in the shadows so that she didn't spot him. She was sitting on the swing on the porch, she was wearing an oversized jumper and clutching a cup of coffee. Every so often her hand would curl around the baby monitor at her side, making sure it was on.
He didn't know if he should go up to her or not. He loved her, he loved her so much it hurt every minute he wasn't with her. They had a daughter together. The only thing Derek had ever wanted was literally a few feet away.
But he and Meredith had been through so much together, they had been so much in love at one point. But it still didn't work out. Part of Derek couldn't help but wonder if things were better as they were. Wasn't it better that they were friends and could raise Ella together. Could he really risk breaking up his family for good? Could he risk doing anymore damage to Meredith? He didn't know if he could trust himself not to hurt her again. He couldn't risk Ella getting caught in the middle of that.
"Hello," Meredith called. She must have heard him move. "Is anyone there?"
Decision time…