A/N: Ahhh so I've been fantasizing about this chapter all day!!! Finally, school is over and I don't even care that I'm skipping homework. But anyways, if you know my stories, I absolutely LOVE angst. I'm not a huge fan of fluffy fics because they tend to lose my interest. But angst rocks! In my opinion, it makes the story really interesting. So this chapter is uhm…different, with loads of angst of course. So Read. Love. Review.

I honked the horn outside of Mark's house and checked my watch. The party started at exactly 8 and it was now 7:50. I beeped the horn once more then out came running Mark. He quickly opened the passenger door and crashed against the seat.

"Hey," I said as I started the ignition. "Ready to go?"

"You bet. Tonight, oh tonight…Izzie Stevens is all mine!"

"Dude, I think she has a thing for Karev." I smirked as I started to drive off towards Addison's house.

"No way! That guy is a total pansy! I'll kick him ass if she does!"

"Whatever you say…"

He grinned. "So have my five rules been working?"

"Surprisingly yeah in a way…"

"Good. Cause you and Addison are meant to be man…you and Meredith, screw that."

"You really think so?" I asked as I drummed by fingers along the steering wheel.

"Defiantly. Plus, Addison is gorgeous, sweet, funny, everything you would want."

"Yeah I guess…" I said not so reassuringly.

He stared at me through the corner of his eye. "Look, Derek, she's been one of my best friends for years, next to you. I know you two are meant to be. Plus, I don't want her to get hurt."

"Mark I'm not—"

"Don't hurt her Derek."

I nodded. "I won't, I'm not. You're probably right."

"Probably?! I know I'm right!"

"Okay, okay your right!" I yelled as I pulled up Addison's ridiculously long drive way. I beeped the horn once than sat back in my seat. Before I knew it, Addison swung the back door opened and slid into the seat.

"Hey guys!" she exclaimed a little too cheery.

"Hey," I mumbled.

I could feel Mark giving me a look, but I didn't care. All I wanted was this party to be over and done with.

I pulled up to Chris's house and sighed as I saw the millions of seniors partying, drinking, and acting like complete idiots. One guy even jumped from the roof into Chris's enormous pool. Like I said, complete idiots.

"Holy crap!" Mark laughed as I pulled the car into the last remaining spot. "Thank God his house is in the middle of freaking nowhere! If he had neighbors, this party would've been totally shut down."

Addison nodded. "I just hope they're not going to make us drink…"

"They can't force you to do anything, Addison," I said annoyed. "Plus, you don't have to be a goody-to-shoes all the time."

I saw her grimace and immediately regretted it.

"Derek, what the hell?" Mark asked me.

"Nothing, sorry, let's just go." I quickly opened the door then waited patiently for Addison to walk out of the car.

After she slammed the back door shut, I grabbed her arm. "I'm sorry Addie, I'm just having a rough day."

"Its fine," she sighed, her eyes sad. "Let's just have fun tonight okay?"

I nodded. "Fine by me."

She gave me a small smile then grabbed my hand. "Me too."

The party was completely insane. Drunken seniors were jumping from the balcony, the smell of beer intoxicated your nostrils, and everywhere you went there was at least three couples making out. To tell you the truth, it was a little sick. Chris was acting the same exact way and when he saw us, I immedialtey wanted to run in the opposite direction.

"SHEPHERD! SLOAN! WELCOME!" he yelled as he pushed his way through the crowd to us.

Mark smiled. "Hey Chris. Some party huh?"

"My parents don't even know about it. They're in Bermuda."

I shook my head. "Well you've certainty made them proud."

Chris shrugged then darted his eyes over Addison. "Wooo, hey beautiful!"

She rolled her eyes then hugged me a little closer. "Thanks, Chris."

He grabbed another beer off the counter then handed some to Addison. "Want some babe?"

"No and don't call me babe."

"Whatever, more for me…have fun tonight guys!" he said then turned to leave.

"Ass." I heard Addison mumble.

"Hey…" I turned her face towards mine. "Don't worry about it. Tonight we're having fun."

She smiled. "Right."

It was about an hour into the party and it was even more intense than earlier. I looked across the room as Addison chatted with some of her friends. Mark was off doing God knows what so it was just me and my buddy Mr. Bud Light.

"GET THE HELL OFF OF ME!" I heard someone say. My heart immediately did a flip because I knew exactly who was yelling.

"Oh come on Meredith, give the birthday boy a little kissy!" Chris puckered his lips at Meredith and pinned her arms against the wall.

"NO! Stop! YOU'RE HURTING ME!"

"Hey!" I yelled as I ran towards them. "Did you just hear her Chris? You're hurting her."

"What does it matter to you Shepherd?"

"Let go of her," I replied, my eyes cold.

"No! What are you going to do about it?"

I have no idea what got into me but I automatically pushed him off Meredith and punched him square in the nose.

"DEREK!" I heard her yell. But, before I could respond, Chris got up and charged after me, punching me hard in the stomach.

I quickly punched back, ignoring the aching pain in my stomach and chest.

Suddenly, I felt Mark's strong arms pull me off a badly beaten Chris. "Jesus Derek!" I heard him say.

"Let me go Mark!" I yelled.

"No! Derek, what the heck has gotten into you?!"

I looked directly across from me and saw Chris being held back by some of his friends. Luckily, people were so drunk they hadn't even noticed our fight. I stopped fighting Mark then took a deep breath. "Dammit," I whispered. I looked up and saw Meredith staring at me, her eyes a combination of shock and guilt. Then, she pushed herself off the wall and ran into an empty room.

Mark quickly let go of me. "Derek…" his voice was fierce and stern.

"Oh my God!" I heard Addison yell as she ran towards me. "What happened?!"

"I uh…got into a fight," I stammered as I stared at the wall where Meredith's tiny arms were pinned up against.

"About what?" she asked, concern overshadowing her already quivering voice.

"I, I don't know."

She sighed then ran a hand over my bruised cheek. "God Derek…we need to get you some ice. Mark, come with me."

He nodded at me then went off with Addison. I quickly turned towards the door where Meredith was hiding. I knew I shouldn't have but I grasped the brass door knob and stumbled inside.

She looked up, her eyes swollen, tears staining her cheeks. "You shouldn't have done that Derek…"

I slammed the door shut then walked up to her. "Why are you crying?"

"Derek…"

"Why are you crying Meredith?"

"I DON'T KNOW! OKAY?! I don't know and that scares the hell out of me! What you did…most guys would never do that for me." I gave her a small smile then heard her gasp. "Oh God, you're hurt!" She pressed her hand against my cheek and ran it down my face. I stared into her eyes and hesitated before outlining her chin with my thumb. Then before I knew it, our lips were pressed together and she was running her hands up my chest and behind my neck. I tangled my fingers through her hair and let her soft curls turn in my hand. I pushed her against the wall and pulled her face closer to mine. I knew it was wrong, believe me I knew it was wrong. She was with Brian and I was with Addison. But, it felt so right, so natural…

…until Mark opened the door.