His eyes struggled to remain open. An aching pain soared through his body, and he felt a stinging in his ribs. What happened? He struggled to sit up until strong hands held him down.

"Don't try to get up, your already hurt."

"Meredith…" he groaned, choking on his saliva. His fingers trailed his shirt which was torn in half. He felt the stitches on his stomach. 22 he guessed.

"Do you know what happened?" her voice asked, cutting open the remainder of his shirt.

"Uh…no." The pain was so strong, so incredibly hard to avoid. "But can I have some morphine."

She touched his cheek, rubbing her soft fingers along his stubble. "Shhh, it's okay, I know it hurts." She reached for his hand and held it tight. "We're going to get you morphine as soon as possible."

He cracked a small smile. "Thanks…"

She returned the grin. "That kissing of yours got us into this mess."

"Hmmm?"

"You kissed me in front of everyone, including Derek." She tried her best to act pissed, but she was secretly rejoicing. That kiss was amazing, no more than amazing. And the best part was it didn't come from Derek, it came from Mark.

"I'm sorry," he coughed as she applied more stitches, "I couldn't resist."

"It's okay," she replied nonchalantly. "But is it going to happen again?"

He looked up, grinning from ear to ear. "Probably."

"You have got to be the stupidest person I have every known!" Rose angrily yelled as Derek iced his swollen lip. "What the hell were you two fighting about?!"

"Uhm…nothing." His neck was stiff and his stomach killed, but Mark was more beat up than him which was definitely a good thing. "Work stuff."

"Work stuff?!" she repeated, her hands in the air. "Derek you could have gotten really hurt!"

"Well I'm not, okay?! It's over, done…"

"No, no it's not. What were you fighting about?!" she screamed. She wanted to know, needed to know. Why wouldn't he tell her?

He looked down, his breath hot against his chest. He had to lie to her, or at least change his story. "I just found out that he slept with my ex wife."

She sighed, pausing to collect the thoughts that swam in her head. They weren't fighting about Meredith Grey…thank God. "Oh…I'm sorry Derek."

"It's alright." He pulled the ice pack off his lip and struggled to stand. "I'm fine."

"You sure?" she asked concerned. "Here, let me help." She pulled him close to her and allowed him to drape his arm over her shoulder. He winced in pain at the movement, but soon recovered.

"Thanks," he mumbled, appreciating her help.

"Anytime," she smiled.

He let out a small grin then felt something, or someone, watching him. Looking up he met Meredith's eye. In that one moment, he knew exactly what she was thinking. She probably thought he was a coward, a bastard. Who wouldn't? He continued the gaze, never wanting to stop. She's beautiful he thought. Then, almost as soon as it happened, she shook her head and walked away; breaking the look they shared, breaking him. But who's to say he didn't deserve it. He broke her, many times. It was only natural that she would soon do the same. Of course, he never thought it would be Mark. But maybe that's the thing about karma; it has a way of sneaking up on you and biting you right in the ass.

"Okay I need details," Izzie squealed as she dropped her lunch tray next to Meredith's. "You kissed McSteamy!"

Meredith smiled. "I kissed McSteamy."

"Was it great? Was he a good kisser?" she eagerly asked.

"It was…satisfying," she replied taking a bite of her sandwich. The kiss was hers, no one else's. She didn't want to share the details. Plus she hardly remembered it. The only thing that came to her mind was the rapid beating of her heart and his luscious lips on hers.

"Satisfying?" Izzie repeated not too enthused. 'That's it? That's all you are going to give me!"

Meredith giggled. "Yes, that is it."

"Why?!" she whined, biting angrily into her cupcake. "It's not fair!"

"I just don't want to discuss it."

"Discuss what? Shepherd and Sloan duking it out at the nurses' station, dude…" Alex slid his try next to Izzie's and grinned at Meredith. "Rumor has it they were fighting over you."

"Shut up," she hastily replied, taking another bite out of her sandwich.

"Oh you are so digging it, having two guys fight over you. You are totally eating it up."

"NO I am not! I would prefer if they did not fight," she said as though it was obvious. Yet deep down inside she was flattered. Two guys never fought over her, ever. And now…the two hottest surgeons on the West Coast were punching each other out for her, Meredith Grey, and what girl wouldn't like that?

"Right…" Alex rolled his eyes and took a bite of his green apple. "Oh and I also heard a strange rumor that you made out with Sloan."

"Who told you?" she asked curiously.

"Uhm the whole hospital saw it!"

"Crap," she moaned. She hated being the center of attention; she wanted privacy, not an entire hospital staff breathing down her throat.

"So who are you going to pick?" Izzie interjected, moving closer towards her.

"What are you talking about?"

"Derek and Mark! Which one are you going to choose?"

Meredith paused. She hadn't thought about it that way. At the end of the day, she had to choose, Derek or Mark. "Uhm…I don't think I'll need to."

"Why?" Izzie questioned, stuffing her mouth full of chocolate cupcake.

"Because…because Derek is with Rose." She grabbed a water bottle, suddenly feeling hot and Closter phobic. Even though Derek was the biggest ass hole on the planet, she still had feelings for him. After all, he saved her life. That didn't just go away. Then again, she really liked Mark. He was there for her when Derek wasn't. He took care of her. Plus, he was a really great kisser.

"So? That doesn't matter," Izzie spat back. "If Rose doesn't get the hint that he's still in love with you then she is clueless."

"You think he still loves me?" This thought made her feel giddy for some strange reason.

"DUH! He's basically drooling all over you!"

Meredith sighed, brushing back some strands of hair. This was a lot more complicated than she thought. The answer was simple really…she should go with Mark. He was everything. Good looking, smart, funny, totally into her…but then there was Derek, who would always be there haunting her every thought, her every decision.

"Maybe I just need to get to know Mark better." It was true, she knew nothing about him. Maybe that's all they needed…some time alone.

"You should ask him out," Alex suggested.

"You think? Would that be weird? I mean aren't guys suppose to do that?"

"Nah, you can do it. Plus, a guy like Mark would find that attractive."

"You should Mer," Izzie agreed.

She nodded, feeling more confident than ever. "Alright, I'll do it."

"But you have to promise to tell me everything!" Izzie desperately cried.

Meredith smiled, "Okay, okay…I will."

"Beaten Mark Sloan, 12 o'clock," Alex warned her.

She turned her head and grinned as the badly bruised McSteamy marched through the lunch room right up to her.

"Well there's my dirty mistress."

"That line never gets old with you does it?" she laughed, tilting her head to the left, secretly trying to turn him on.

"It's my punch line," he shrugged, grabbing her hand. "I wanted to thank you for everything. These stitches are really good, I couldn't have done them better myself. And…well your kissing isn't so bad either." He winked at her, causing her stomach to immediately flip.

"You're not so bad yourself." She took a step closer to him, wrapping her tiny arms around his muscular waist. "Let's try it again though…" He grinned mischievously, leaning his lips towards hers. When they finally touched, she had the same feelings all over again. Kissing Mark was pure magic. Pulling away he tangled his fingers in her hair. "I really like kissing you."

"Likewise," she replied seductively. "How about you take me out to dinner tonight and we can do more of it?"

He nodded, grinning as wide as his face muscles would allow him. "It's a date."

As he walked away from her she felt her heart. It raced against her hand. She loved this feeling, the feeling of being wanted. But when she looked up that feeling immediately went away because there he was, haunting her, staring at her, with that sad longing expression on his face.

And that feeling of being wanted was replaced with guilt.

God, Derek

A/N: Heyy guys! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm still not sure about these ships. Meredith is also feeling troubled. I mean it's only natural that she would still have feelings for Derek. HE PULLED HER OUT OF THE WATER! But then there's Mark who acts all flirty and sweet around her so our girl is torn. I think I know where I want this to go but we'll see…

REVIEW PLEASE!!!