Meredith found herself the seat across from Mark. Addie sat right next to Mark. She whispered something into his ear and his features softened.

Meredith looked over at Alex again. "Lex?" she asked quietly.

Alex looked up at her. "Wall" he answered.

Meredith sighed. "But why?"

Alex looked over at Mark. "I was frustrated"

"Oh"

"Look how can you keep this from us Mer? You're our sister." he exclaimed. She could hear the frustration building and see the pain in his eyes.

"Do you remember" she began. "when you used to be my secret keeper and I yours?" Meredith asked. "We used to tell each other everything. I had been dating Richie Newton for a year. He was a sweet guy and always said the nicest things.

I confided in you the night before grad that I thought myself ready to take our relationship to the next step. You acted so understanding. You were my twin brother, but you were also my best friend. I loved you and I trusted you, but you went running to Mark as soon as he came home."

Meredith looked at her two brothers. "I loved Richie. He was the first person who truly spoke to me. We had connected on a completely different level. Our love want based on sex, like the other couples in senior year. It was about so much more."

A tear escaped her.

"Between you two, the next night when Richie came to pick me up for the party, your cornered him. I don't know what you guys said to him or did to him. But he broke up with me that night. So please don't ask why I didn't want to risk telling you about someone that I love because 

I didn't want him to leave me too.

First Thatcher, then mom, Sally, Simone and Richie. They all left me in one way or another. I didn't want to lose him too. I can't lose him too."

Mark looked over at his sister. His heart aching for her. "Mer we love you and just wanted to protect you." he told her. "You're our baby sister. We didn't want anyone taking advantage of you."

"Dammit Mark" she yelled in frustration "I told Lex I was ready, and you guys scared him away doing the tough guy big brother act. He wasn't going to take advantage of me, he loved me."

"Do you love Derek?" Mark asked.

"More than I ever thought I could love another human being." she confessed, "yet I am scared as hell to do so."

"And the baby?" he asked.

"I found out a week ago. Derek was the only person I officially told. Christina figured it out." she answered. "I wanted to go to Addie but I didn't want you, Lex or Dad to find out. Not until I had told you about Derek."

Mark nodded, and Alex took the icepack off his hand.

"So you're keeping it?" Alex asked.

Meredith looked up at him shocked. "I couldn't abort my child. That would be murder. You know I don't believe in it."

"I was just asking!" Alex replied defensively.

"Look, I know having this baby shocks you and quite frankly it scares the shit out of me. But I am doing this with or without your support." Meredith told them.

"Besides I know this little one will never leave me." she whispered, not thinking the others could hear her.


Mark and Alex stood at the same time. Both made their way to Meredith. "We love you Mer" Mark told her and pulled her into his arms. "Were not going anywhere."

Mark pulled away and Alex stepped in. "I'm sorry I betrayed your trust Mer." he told her, "If you say you love Shepherd then I'll back off. Both Mark and I will."

Meredith nodded "Thanks"

"What are brothers for?" Mark asked with his trade mark smile.

Meredith smiled slightly.

Suddenly Meredith and Alex's pagers went off. Alex groaned "Bailey?" she asked.

Alex nodded.

"Me too" she replied

Both left. Meredith quickly giving Mark a kiss on the cheek and Addie a thank you hug before leaving.

gagagagagagagagagagagagagagagagagagagagagagagagagagagagaga

Richard had talked to Derek about him taking over the head of Neurosurgery. "I don't want you favouring Meredith, and Bailey won't stand for it either."

Derek nodded "I don't intend to." he replied.

"Ok, well is there anything else work related?" Richard asked.

Derek nodded. "I have a case flying in tomorrow night. The patient isn't too happy about having to come to Seattle but she will get by."

Richard nodded. "What do you need?" he asked.



"Well I consider her v.i.p so I want her in our best room. She has tumour near her optical nerve and one on her spine. I'm doing the one on her optical nerve first. Then after some days I intend on taking the one on her spine."

Richard nodded. "You have to be careful not to take her eye sight."

Derek agreed "I understand, I'm sure she would kill me if did. After all she is a very busy woman."

Richard studied Derek's facial expression. "You seem very fond of her." he stated.

"I admire her work" Derek shrugged.

"Ok, well anything you need will be at your disposal." Richard finished.

"Thanks" Derek replied before standing. "I better get back and check on my assigned patients."

Richard nodded. Both men shook hands before they departed.