Author's note: The muse is back! Yay! I've got chapter nine written; it's being typed now. Enjoy!

Chapter Eight – Meredith

"Your incision is healing nicely, Mrs. Rodriguez. We should have you out of here in a day or so," Meredith pronounced, as she pulled the blanket up.

Her patient, or rather Owen's patient since he's the one who actually saved the woman's life, smiled. "Thank you, Dr. Grey." Mrs. Rodriguez glanced down, embarrassed. Meredith smiled and turned to go. "Dr. Grey?"

Of course, what else is new? "Yes, Mrs. Rodriguez?"

The dark haired woman smiled conspiratorially. "Could you thank Dr. Hunt for me? I'd do it myself but I know he's busy. Do you mind?"

Meredith grinned. Mrs. Rodriguez had been flirting outrageously with Owen since she'd gotten to the ER four days ago. Not even a rebar through her torso could stop the fiery brunette from ogling the trauma surgeon. Owen had taken the attention good naturedly, remaining professional through out. Meredith found it highly amusing. Cristina mostly fumed. Maybe having Owen around meant that the patients would leave Derek alone, not that she'd admit that to Cristina. "Of course, Mrs. Rodriguez. In fact, I'll make sure he visits you before you're discharged."

"Thank you, Dr. Grey."

Meredith left and proceeded to check on several other post-op patients. Task completed, she set off in search of Owen. The opportunity to embarrass Cristina's boyfriend was too good to pass up. Besides, she still didn't know the man that well. The odd nature of Cristina's relationship with him was mildly worrisome. It was all very hush-hush and Meredith couldn't fathom why. Cristina wasn't very forthcoming either, which was driving Meredith nuts.

Meredith found Owen in the office behind the fifth floor nurses' station. Through the window it appeared that he was researching something. Meredith knocked and opened the door. "Dr. Hunt?"

Owen looked up, slightly annoyed. "What is it, Dr. Grey?"

A little testy, Meredith thought. "Um, I finished those post-ops you asked me to check on," she said cautiously.

Owen's face softened. "Thank you, Meredith. Sorry for snapping. I was preoccupied."

Meredith had a sneaking suspicion that whatever Owen's preoccupation was it had something to do with her person. "It's okay. Anything I can help with?"

Owen suddenly became fascinated with the floor and his cheeks turned slightly pink. I knew it, Meredith thought. "Does it have to do with Cristina?" she asked gently.

Owen's blue eyes looked up at her with relief. "Yeah."

Meredith smiled. "What's the occasion?"

"None, really. I just wanted to do something nice for her."

Meredith's smile widened and for briefest second she was jealous of Cristina. God, no wonder half the staff was mooning over him. She suddenly understood Cristina's desire to keep Owen to herself. Meredith looked over Owen's shoulder at the computer screen.

"Manuel of Perioperative Care in Adult Cardiac Surgery." Meredith laughed. A book on cardiac surgery; Cristina would love it. "I'd say you're doing pretty well without my help."

Owen smiled, the first genuine smile Meredith had seen from him. "Thanks." He paused. "Cristina's unlike anyone I've ever known, you know?"

Meredith nodded. Yes, she did know. "Take good care of her, Owen."

Owen nodded, serious again. "I will."

Meredith smiled and turned to leave. As she opened the door, she said mischievously, "Mrs. Rodriguez made me promise to ask you to visit her before she got discharged."

Owen rolled his eyes. "Goodbye, Dr. Grey."

As Meredith headed down the hall, she heard Derek's voice from behind her. "Meredith!"

She stopped and turned as Derek skidded to a stop. "Derek, what's going on? You, of all people, running down the hall?"

"Tell me you didn't have plans tonight."

Meredith raised an eyebrow questioningly. "No, why?"

"Well, Mark and I sort of arranged a dart tournament at Joe's tonight. I need to you to bring the gang."

Meredith looked at him non-plussed. "This is why you're running? You want me to drag my friends to Joe's?"

Derek looked sheepish. "Yes, please." Then he got that McDreamy look in his eye, the one she couldn't resist. "Come on. It'll be fun. Attendings versus residents. What'dya say?"

He knew her too well. Damn. He just had to appeal to her competitive streak. "Fine. But you're going down."

Derek smiled in victory. "We'll see about that, Dr. Grey. We'll see."

Great. Now I just have to convince Cristina, Alex, Izzie and George…

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