A/N That's called fast updating, isn't it? :)

Enjoy…

T H E G E E K A N D T H E R E B E L

Meredith sat at a lonely table in the corner, making a storm in her cup, and watched disinterestedly as crowds of people flowed through the coffee shop. Her shift was over but she didn't want to go home just yet. She put it off until it was unavoidable. She didn't want to go back and row. She tried to talked to him and she couldn't get her message across. Did he suddenly become so clueless? Or did they speak different languages? Whatever the reason she became even more irritated with his lack of understanding and the screaming match started all over again. Vicious circle.

"Meredith?"

She tensed hearing her name called. It was none other than Nancy.

"Nance," she smiled weakly as Derek's sister plopped down opposite her with a cup of coffee of her own.

"Damn, Mer," she frowned. "You haven't given me such a forced smile since we were in high school."

"I'm sorry," Meredith waved her hand dismissively. "I've just finished my shift, I'm exhausted."

"Bullshit," commented Nancy. "You're not gonna fool me, Meredith Grey. I see the world a bit more soberly than the twins, and even Kath."

"I… I think I should go-"

"Do you remember… what you told me…?" Nancy gazed at her knowingly holding down her hand.

"Of course," Meredith smiled again and this time it was real. "How could I forget? That's when we became sisters."

"We did," confirmed the brunette. "And it's not gonna change one iota if I say them back to you."

"Nancy," breathed out Meredith, her face falling. "Please, don't…"

T H E G E E K A N D T H E R E B E L

FLASHBACK

Meredith rounded the school building and made her way down to the field. Derek was practicing with the band for some important school event and she figured she might wait for him at the stands. She might even try to get him flustered. She enjoyed doing that. Their relationship didn't change much since their kiss in Meredith's house about a month ago. They were still the same Meredith and Derek, except that now they also kissed on occasions. Not that his mom knew. For the time being they kept it a secret. They suspected if Carolyn learnt about their new activities, some new rules would have to be introduced. Derek was really shy and insecure but he was slowly learning the ropes of the kissing thing. And he was eager to learn, the hand that strayed up her side last time they were having a moment was a proof enough. But the slow pace was good. And fun.

Before Meredith made it to the stands area , she caught the sight of Nancy sitting on one of the benches. Even from a distance she could see her form shaking slightly and hear the sound of the blowing nose.

Not thinking twice, she crossed the lawn to stand in front of her. Up close, Nancy looked even worse. Her face was red and blotchy and her makeup smudged all over.

She groaned when she noticed her brother's best friend. "Go away!"

They never adored each other to put it lightly. But they came to a sort of ignorant tolerance. They kept clear of each other's ways and it was working for them both.

"What's wrong?" frowned Meredith.

"Okay, you saw bitch Nancy weeping like a little girl," she spat out sarcastically. "Go gloat somewhere else!"

"Do you see me gloating?" snorted Meredith. "What the hell happened?"

"I walked on my boyfriend with some blond bimbo having a good time at the back of his car if you know what I mean!" she yelled viciously. "Are you happy now? Pitiful Nancy got screwed over!"

"Seriously?" Meredith rolled her eyes. "You know what's pitiful? The fact that you're crying your eyes out over some moronic dude who has fat tissue instead of his brain. That's pitiful all right!"

Nancy stared at her with wide eyes, the tears stopping to flow down her cheeks.

"The guy is a total douche anyway, what's there to cry over?" growled Meredith.

"He wanted that blond slut-"

"Listen," Meredith took up on a gentler note. "A guy who had you and didn't see what was in front of him because he was too much of a self-involved ass isn't worth a second glance of yours. Seriously!"

Nancy looked at her in total puzzlement, her mouth hanging open.

"Get your ass in gear," said Meredith. "Or you aren't half the girl I thought you were." With that she whirled on her heel and strode off in search for Derek leaving a completely stunned Nancy behind her.

T H E G E E K A N D T H E R E B E L

"When are you getting this damn braces off?" huffed Meredith, slightly out of breath, massaging her tongue against her own palate. It had slid too hard on of the metallic elements of the brace. Fortunately, she didn't cut herself or that would be a mood damper. "Feels like I'm playing hide and seek in your throat!"

"Sorry," he breathed out apologetically. "It's just a few months more. Are you okay?"

"Yeah," she chuckled quietly, catching his hand and rubbing his wrist with her thumb.

They lay in silence for a few minutes, grins on their faces. Derek sneaked to the guest room again and they engaged in a little kissing session. It was cute and fun but Meredith thought they might try out something new.

"It's a bit hot," she sighed flicking the cover down to her waist. She smirked as Derek's eyes went automatically south to her breasts. The moonlight coming from the window was leaving her in plain sight in her white T-shirt. She knew her nipples were jutting out. Her chest heaved excitedly.

She noticed his Adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed hard.

"What do you want, Derek?" she asked in a low voice. "Care to tell me?"

"I…" he gulped, his mouth dry.

"Do you want to… touch?" she grinned mischievously.

"I… Can I?"

She almost burst out laughing when she heard the excitement he tried so hard to conceal.

"Help yourself…"

His fingers twitched but his hand remained immobile for the time being. Sure, she could just grab his palm and press it onto her boob but where was the fun in that? He had to work up the courage himself.

He seemed to be thinking along the same lines as he finally moved his arm to rest his hand on her waist. The touch was very light, timid, as though expecting she was going to flinch it off.

"It's… a bit higher you know," she encouraged, her breath quickening. It was as new for her as for him. She had reached the first base with one or two guys but they just seemed willing to maul her boobs. Maybe that was why she never decided to go all the way yet. There was nothing of the reverent discovery Derek was conducting.

He swallowed again and trailed his fingers up over her T-shirt.

"Mer?" he breathed out when he reached the side of her breast as though asking for permission again.

She nodded in anticipation and he slowly, painfully slowly, traced her mound with his fingertips, bypassing the hardened center for now.

Her heart was beating like mad now. "Derek… you won't her hurt me, you know?"

He nodded and finally covered her breast with his palm.

A soft sigh fell from her lips. "Oh, God…" But it clearly backfired as she felt him retreat. She clutched his hand impatiently and placed it back over her heart. "I was enjoying it!" she berated him.

"Oh…" he mumbled. "I… uhm, me too…"

"Then get back to it…" she grinned taking her hand away from his.

"Okay, okay," he inhaled deeply and his fingers flexed over the soft flesh of her breast. They slid down, his thumb grazing the pebbled peak curiously when… they stilled hearing the door handle click.

"Fuck," she whispered in panic. They didn't have time to hide him anywhere. If it was Mrs. Shepherd, they were screwed. "Don't move!" she ordered almost inaudibly pushing him down under the covers.

They waited in silence until someone crept in silently.

"Meredith?"

She turned her head around to see Nancy standing in the middle of the room.

"Nancy?" she gasped. "What are you doing here? It's... one a.m.," she said gazing at the clock on the nightstand.

"I'm sorry? Did I wake you?"

"Not… really. Uhm, what's up?"

"I wanted to thank you," confessed the older girl walking closer to the bed.

"Thank me?" Meredith sat up trying to block the big lump under her covers from sight.

"For what you said earlier," explained Nancy, sitting down on the edge. "You were totally right. He was a total douche bag. I don't know why I even dated that ape. Sure, he's on the team and all but God…" she chuckled, shrugging her shoulders.

"You can do better," stated Meredith confidently.

"Thanks," Nancy smiled in the darkness. "Sorry I was a bitch to you. You're okay."

"Ditto."

Suddenly a muffled sigh sounded across the room. Meredith kneaded Derek somewhere in his chest to make him behave, biting on her lip.

"What was that?" asked Nancy suspiciously.

"What was what?" Meredith shrugged innocently.

"That.. muffled sound…"

"Oh, that… was my stomach…" laughed Meredith. "You know I'm always hungry."

"I don't think so," grunted Nancy standing up and staring at the bed. "It sounded… awfully familiar…"

Unexpectedly, she tore the duvet off. "Oh, eww!" she grimaced taking a step backwards a the view of her brother squashed against Meredith's legs.

"He's… and you… what the… oh, my god!" she spluttered.

"Nancy, please keep quiet!" pleaded her Meredith as Derek took out a few deep breaths. Not that he didn't enjoy being so intimately pressed to Meredith's smooth legs but he was close to suffocating.

"Are you… really… dating?" gasped Nancy.

"Yeah, I guess we are," said Meredith nervously. The situation was getting slightly out of hand.

"Thank God you're not naked!" she sighed with relief.

"Nancy!" whined Derek. "We're not-"

"I'm not interested, dear brother of mine," scoffed Nancy. "No more details! I've been traumatized enough just now!"

"Meredith?" Carolyn's soft voiced carried from the corridor.

"Oh, fuck!"

"Shit!"

"Damn!"

"Are you all right?"

"Get under the bed!" Both Meredith and Nancy ordered Derek frenetically, pushing and dragging him down.

"Ouch!" he complained massaging his head.

"Don't cry, baby brother," huffed Nancy getting into bed with Meredith. "If you gave the guts to canoodle with a girl under Mom's nose, you can stand a little pain."

They pulled the duvet under their chins and waited in tension.

The door opened with a soft knock and they heard Carolyn whispering. "Meredith, dear? I heard you were awake? Are you all right?"

"I… I am, Mrs. S., now worries," she assured her. "We just… had a good laugh with Nancy… I'm sorry we woke you up."

"Nancy?" she asked, surprise obvious in her voice. "Is it Nancy with you?"

"Hey, Mom," Nancy forced a little laugh.

"Yeah," chuckled Meredith. "We… needed to talk."

"Girl time," added Nancy.

"Hmm. So everything is okay?"

"Absolutely!" said confidently Meredith.

"Go back to sleep, Ma. We're calling it a night soon too."

"Okay," agreed Carolyn. "Try to get some sleep girls. Remember we're having a busy day tomorrow? Well, today already. Mia and Lanie won't be forgiving if you're lifeless during their birthday party."

"Sure, Mom."

"Right at it."

"Goodnight then, girls," she said and retreated. "And just one thing..."

"Yeah?"

"Derek, please, get out from under that bed and kindly find your way back to your room. Alone."

A consternated silence fell over the room. The three of them didn't even dare to breath.

"I am not an naïve old lady, you know," she chuckled. "I have eyes and I have ears. And I think we're going to have a little talk tomorrow. Good night, dears. It's really good to see you're getting along so well at last, Mer, Nancy. I'm proud of you. Derek, you have three minutes." With that she was gone.

"How did she know?" gasped Meredith, slapping herself on the forehead.

"She's Ma, she knows everything," sighed Nancy.

"So, what is the talk going to be about?" Meredith asked nervously

"It's going to be embarrassing," mumbled Derek heaving himself up. "I eavesdropped on Nancy and Kath."

"Just perfect," she grumbled.

Nancy shook with laughter beside her and after a moment all three of them were laughing like there was no tomorrow.

END OF FLASHBACK

T H E G E E K A N D T H E R E B E L

"Mer," Nancy looked her in the eye, her regard soft but decided. "A guy who had you and didn't see what was in front of him because he was too much of a self-involved ass isn't worth a second glance of yours."

"No… no…" Meredith shook her head frantically.

"Meredith, you know I'm not saying this lightly," sighed Nancy. "It tears me up inside. You're my sister and Derek is my baby brother for God's sake. But you're drowning. And he's not doing anything to keep you afloat."

"I can't, Nancy," she whispered, her eyes wide. "I love him… I can't live without him…"

"Can you live with him?" Nancy asked gently squeezing her hand. "It's not working."

It's not working… That was what Cristina said.

"Why is everyone assuming it's so easy to leave him? Like he was just a broken chair?" she snapped. "I've spent twelve years with him, very good twelve year. That's twice the time you've been married."

"I know," Nancy said quietly. "And it kills me because I thought you were a rock relationship. I saw you grew up and mature in this wonderful feeling you had for each other. But I can no longer see it. I just see how he hurts you."

"He loves me," argued Meredith though her stomach was sinking.

"When is he going to act like it? He's a thinking adult, Meredith. Look, I'm not saying… maybe you just need to get some space, take a break…"

"Nancy, I don't think I like talking about this any longer," she shook her head getting to her feet.

"You know I'm here for you, right?" the brunette gave her a small sad smile.

"I do… but… I need to do this my own way. I can't just let go," she stated. "Don't say anything to Ma."

But when she was out of the coffee shop, she didn't have the courage to go home yet. She didn't want everything Nancy just said to turn true. She sent a short message to Derek that she was going to study with Cristina and in fifteen minutes' time was at her colleagues door. Apparently, Cristina was in the middle of her episodes, her music episodes. The loud tones blared though the door hindering Meredith's movements as she reached for the doorbell. It was just a song. An old hit. But it hit her like a train.

You and me
We used to be together
Everyday together always
I really feel
That I'm losing my best friend

"Mer!" Cristina opened the door. She breathless from dancing. "Come on in!"

I can't believe
This could be the end
It looks as though you're letting go
And if it's real
Well I don't want to know

Her legs felt like they were made of lead. The words were shattering her heart from inside.

Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me cause it hurts
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me cause it hurts

Our memories
Well, they can be inviting
But some are altogether
Mighty frightening
As we die, both you and I
With my head in my hands
I sit and cry

Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me cause it hurts
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me cause it hurts

"Mer?" Cristina reappeared in the doorway to investigate why she didn't follow her inside. "What's going on?"

It's all ending
I gotta stop pretending who we are...
You and me I can see us dying...are we?

"Can you… turn that off?" pleaded Meredith, her face pale.

"I… yeah, sure." Cristina looked at her oddly.

"Thanks," she sighed sitting down on the bar stool tiredly.

"Boy problems?" Cristina stated knowingly but there was no usual teasing in her voice.

"You think I should just walk away?" Meredith asked quietly.

"I… I don't know."

"I don't want to…"

"Okay," Cristina braced herself into a supportive mode seeing as her friend was in a desperate need. "What's with not giving up on him?"

"What if it's out of my hands now?"

"Nothing is out of our hands, Mer," she eyed her confidently. "We're gods. Besides, you've been doing a good job lately standing up to him. The worst thing you could do is to quit in the middle."

"Okay… Thanks! I needed to hear that," she fidgeted nervously on her seat

"Okay," she nodded asking no more questions.

T H E G E E K A N D T H E R E B E L

A/N The lyrics of the No Doubt song "Don't Speak" clearly do not belong to me. It's one of my all time favorites but it just hit me a couple of days that it perfectly gives the essence of this story so I decided to incorporate it.

Comments?

Em