A/N Thank you for all your comments and keep them coming ;)

Hope you continue to enjoy…

THE GEEK AND THE REBEL

His pen danced across the rubrics of the chart.

Simmons Jennifer…

He sighed feeling his stiff neck. Two weeks on the couch. He didn't even bother to extend it for a couple of nights. His own comfort was something that was the last on the list of his concerns. Besides, he deserved that. Every wince. Just another form of self punishment.

Post-op complications… developed fever…

The melodious giggle. It was like a breath of fresh in the stuffy lobby. His head shot up unmistakably. He could only see her from her shoulders up but it was enough. It was more than nothing. Her face was all lit up as Izzie Stevens chatted away walking beside her. Then, the smile relaxed and was gone. Without a trace. The sparkle in her eyes expired before he could contend himself with its warm glow.

He knew what this meant. She was unhappy. She was in pain. She pretended to be okay and got people around believing she was perfectly fine. That mask wouldn't work on him. He knew each and every one of her faces. They had no secrets from him. Only… how had he stopped noticing them for so long?

He leaned back heavily in his chair, Meredith disappearing from his line of vision. He was disgusted with himself. At some point, he must have stopped looking at her. He stopped seeing her. She was just beside him fulfilling the role of his fiancée, of some future trophy wife. He deserved everything being thrown at him, literally and figuratively. He would be almost fine with this if Meredith didn't have to pay for his mistakes. On the other hand, he remarked guiltily, her pain was an intangible proof she still loved him in spite of his blunders.

"Shepherd!"

He was abruptly pulled out of his depressing thoughts by Karev who almost fainted on the counter breathlessly.

"Man, you look like you're bored. Help me!"

"With what?" Derek asked suspiciously.

"The vagina bitch is on warpath," he grumbled. "Okay, I said something that might have sounded… insensitive, I guess, but it's my fifth day looking down ho-" he glanced around nervously. "I can't take it anymore!"

Derek snorted. Some men should just know where the line was. The laughter died on his lips instantly. Like he was the one to talk…

"I'll do anything!" Alex begged desperately, opening his patient's chart in front of Derek's nose. "Please, just swap whatever you're doing with me!"

"No wa-" Derek paused mid-sentence as his eyes accidently fell on the patient's family information. "Okay."

"Yeah?" Alex gasped with both disbelief and incredible relief.

"Yeah, I've got enough of filling charts," lied Derek getting to his feet. "But I'll hold you to that anything you'd do."

"Thanks, man," sighed Karev and took Derek's place behind the counter. Meanwhile, Derek took the chart left to him by Alex and walked away a few feet. He took a deep breath and opened the file.

Once again he read the familiar name. It didn't necessarily have to be him… but it was more than probable. And the man had a family… Derek cursed under his breath. Meredith didn't need this right now. He couldn't hide it from her though. No secrets. And he would hate if she learned from some other source. He needed to make sure it was really the man before he alerted Mer.

THE GEEK AND THE REBEL

FLASHBACK

"It's going to be okay," he whispered reassuringly as they slowly walked towards Meredith's house. House, it stopped to be her home a long time ago.

"It won't," she said with a brief resigned smile, her fingers rubbed his, their hands intertwined.

Four hours earlier they sat down to dinner celebrating their graduation. Two hours earlier Derek knelt down to ask her hand in marriage and was accepted. One hour earlier they unhurriedly set out with Carolyn's blessing to Meredith's house in order to inform Ellis Grey of the happy event.

It wasn't a sudden decision. They discussed breaking the news about their relationship to Meredith's mother on many occasions throughout the year. Meredith was always keener to wait. Ellis wouldn't even probably take a school sweethearts' relationship seriously. Now, it was a completely different matter. They were engaged to be married.

"You're an adult already, Mer. What else she can do than to accept your decision? Even if she's not okay with it initially," he argued trying to keep her spirits up.

"She can do a lot," she sighed. "You know that. She can bring a hell on earth…"

"Even if she does," he took a mischievous approach in hope of cheering her up, "I'll take you to heaven tonight…" he whispered hotly against her cheek. We've got that engagement sex in plans, remember?"

"I'll take your word on it," she grinned and climbed to her tiptoes to press a kiss, small but full of promise, to his lips. "Let's go and have it done with it. The sooner, the better."

"I love you, no matter what."

"I love you to. And… She's in," she took a deep breath noticing the lights in the living room. She squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry for whatever you might hear, Derek. I'll make it up to you."

If he was to be honest, he was full of misgivings as well. He met her mother only on a couple of occasions throughout the four years of their relationship and she always made on him the impression of a coldhearted woman, quite the opposite of Meredith. She didn't even bother to come to see Meredith during one of the most important days of her life. Hospital was more important than her only daughter's graduation.

Meredith took out the key from her bag, quietly opened the door and led Derek through the foyer, their hands never parting.

"Mom," she called her halting in the doorway.

"Meredith. I expected to see you home sooner. Your graduation-" Ellis trailed off as she realized her daughter was in the company of a young man. She readjusted her reading glasses and narrowed her eyes dangerously at their joined hands.

"Sorry, Mom," she said in the most calm and good-natured voice she could muster. "We've had a little celebration with Derek's family."

"Derek's?" Ellis asked sharply.

"Derek Shepherd, Ma'am," he sent her a little smile.

"Derek Shepherd, the lab partner?" she arched her eyebrow skeptically.

"Yes, Ma'am," he breathed out. For now, everything seemed to run relatively smoothly.

"Derek has been a lot more to me than just a lab partner, Mom," confessed Meredith and couldn't help a soft smile bloom on her lips. "He's been my best friend and… also my boyfriend for the last few years."

"And why are you telling me this?"

Meredith's heart skipped a beat and grasped Derek's hand with two of hers.

"Mom, Derek proposed tonight. And I said yes."

"Excuse me?" Ellis gasped getting to her feet, tearing her glasses from her face with irritation. "I hope this was just a joke in a very bad taste!"

"It was not a joke. We are engaged, Mom-"

"I won't allow it!" snapped Ellis. "Have you lost your mind? You're eighteen years' old Meredith! Eighteen years' old!"

"It doesn't matter, I love Derek-"

Ellis interrupted her laughing sarcastically. "You're being silly. You don't have the slightest notion of love."

"Dr. Grey," Derek decided he should speak up. "I truly love your daughter. And I believe I can take care of her as her husband."

Ellis snorted loudly starting to pace up and down around the room, walking closer to them.

"I knew what was going on between you two but I thought it was harmless," she gritted out.

"You knew…?" frowned Meredith. How? They were always so careful…

"I'm not blind, Meredith," she shook her head coming to a halt before them. "I can tell when someone is sexually satisfied."

Meredith's mouth gasped open, just like Derek's.

"Oh, please, I knew he was fucking you."

Meredith cringed at her choice of words. She knew her mother wasn't wary of vulgar language but it sounded like sacrilege when she described her union to Derek that way. Even if they used the word themselves when they were in bed.

"Dr. Grey, I assure you-"

"I don't care. You have no say in this. I'm talking to my daughter," she glared at him and moved her eyes on Meredith. "Now listen, young lady. You will stop with this nonsense right now. You will end this relationship, it has come too far already, and you will use the brains god gave you by going to premed."

"I am, mother," she explained, her voice harsher. "We are both going to Harvard in the fall."

"Harvard is not high school," snorted Ellis. "He will only distract you from studies. Relationships are not only sun shines and rainbows in the real life."

"I am able to take whatever life throws at me," said Meredith fiercely. "As long as Derek is with me!"

"You have a chance for a brilliant career in medicine, Meredith! Don't you understand how lucky you are? How grateful you should be? Have you any idea how hard it was for me to get where I am?"

"I am lucky, mom, I appreciate it," she nodded. "But you know why I'm lucky the most? Because I have Derek. I have his love, this is what I am most grateful for!"

"You little ingrate!" hissed Ellis making a step forward which made Derek react quickly. He stepped between them taking her in his arms, really afraid Ellis might raise her hand at her.

"Dr. Grey," he reasoned, his hand rubbing soothing circles on his fiancée's back. "Let's just sit down and discuss-"

"We don't need to discuss anything," announced the older woman curtly. "Meredith, you have a choice. And you have to make it now. Either you tell this boy to leave this house and never return or you walk out with him and try to figure out how to pay for your education with your husband."

"Think once again if you really want to give me this ultimatum because I already have the answer. I had it before you even thought about it."

"I will not repeat myself, Meredith."

"Then it's a goodbye, mom," she whispered, her voice quiet but steady. "I'm choosing Derek. I'm choosing the love of my life. I'm choosing life."

"Very well," spat at her Ellis. "Take your things and get out of my sight. We'll see each other when you run back in tears."

"Never gonna happen," told her Meredith and pulled Derek upstairs.

No more than half an hour later, they heaved down two suitcases and a large handbag.

Ellis stopped at the door as they carried the luggage to the door.

"You'll remember my warning in due time," she addressed her daughter for the last time. "When you're jobless and stuck at home snowed under with diapers with another brat on the way."

"You don't really need to tell me I was such a burden to you again, mother," Meredith faced her without a stammer. "You made sure I was aware of that every day of my life. Don't worry, you won't see me again. You can live your life without any constraints from now on. Financial or otherwise. Goodbye, Mom." She gave her the last sad look, deposited the key on the table and walked out closing the door behind her.

THE GEEK AND THE REBEL

Meredith sank, boneless, on the soft bedding, post-orgasmic bliss still reigning in her body while Derek rode on his pleasure releasing inside her. He finally stilled with a satisfied sigh and was to roll on his side with her snuggly in his arms but she grasped on his biceps to stop him.

She could spend forever like this, relishing the moment after. She adored the sweet weight of him on her lithe frame, his invasion into her body. It was making her feel like she belonged to him. Which was as wonderful as surprising. She understood her mother's independent streak. She wanted to have the control of her life in her hand as well. But at the same time, she craved to be his, sometimes it reaching an almost animalistic level.

"Can you stay like this? Inside me?" she asked softly. "You complete me. You make me whole."

"Not a problem," he chuckled and lowered himself onto his forearms, resting his head between her breasts. "Not a problem at all…"

She giggled and combed his black mane with her fingers.

"Mhm, I love engagement sex," he huffed out, his breath fanning the side of her soft mound.

Meredith laughed even harder but he shushed her. "You don't want Ma to intervene, right?"

Meredith clasped her mouth with her hands but the tremors of laughter shook her body, making him jump on her chest.

"Sorry," she breathed out. "I just remembered what my mother said." She cleared her throat and ranted in a low angry voice, "I can tell when someone is sexually satisfied."

It was his turn to laugh and she pressed her palm to his lips to gag him. He bit on her flesh lightly, making her squeal.

"You know," remarked Meredith. "She doesn't look sexually satisfied. She should try it out."

"Mer," he frowned, "not really want to go there…"

"Me neither…" she trailed off.

They lay for a moment in silence, his flaccid length still buried inside her.

"I don't hate her," her bewildered voice broke the stillness of the night. "I thought I did but… I don't. All I feel is pity. She's alone. By her own choice."

"I don't think you're capable of hating anybody," he said gently, his hand finding hers.

"Oh, I don't know," she sighed. "I think I still hate my father. Or actually, I hate the man by the name of Thatcher Grey."

"I pity him," replied Derek and shifted up to her lips, his tongue slipping through her parted lips for a moment. "He doesn't know what he's lost."

"Derek? Thank you," she whispered and squeezed her vaginal muscles around his penis subsequently while one of her hands traveled across his back to his firm backside.

"Mer…" he breathed out, hardening due to her ministrations.

"I want to thank you, Love," she murmured locking her eyes with his. "You gave me everything."

"So did you," he said back and flexed his hips, sliding in and out of her ever so gently.

END OF FLASHBACK

THE GEEK AND THE REBEL

Derek walked down the corridor with purpose, his eyes concentrated on Meredith who was a few feet ahead of him.

He was sure now. With a quick unsuspecting interview with the family and a few calls he gained certainty. There was nothing left to do but tell Meredith.

"Meri," he caught up with her, taking her gently under her arm. Her eyes widened like those of a deer in headlights, both from his unexpected touch and her shortened name.

"Derek…" her voice was wary. He felt her backing her arm from his fingers.

"Meredith, I need to talk to you," he said seriously.

"About what? Derek, we went through this-"

"Not about us, I promise," he pleaded. "You need to listen to me, it's not about us. You still trust me, don't you?"

She bit her lower lip, revising her options. "Okay," she sighed finally. "I'm listening."

"Not… not here," he shook his head and steered her to a nearby on-call room.

She kept close to the door as if ready to bolt, a frown on her forehead.

"Mer, I promised I wasn't here to talk you into taking me back," he sighed, slightly dejected that her confidence in him seemed to be ruined.

"Okay," she breathed out nervously and fired, "Are you seeing someone?"

"What?" he spluttered. "No! Of course, not! Why would you even think so?"

"Well, you wanted to tell me something important. You didn't want to make up with me so… that conclusion seemed natural," she blinked.

"I didn't say I didn't want to make up with you," he corrected her. "I said I wasn't going to try to persuade you so."

"Okay, okay… so…?"

"I… have a patient," he began.

"Right."

"I swapped with Alex. He… he showed me the chart today and I… the name… it was… I put two and two together."

"Derek," she cocked her head suspiciously. "You're not making much sense."

"I know," he turned on his heel and back to face her. "But it's… not easy. Okay, I… I saw your father's name in the chart."

Her mouth opened in surprise. That was one of the things she would never guess it was all about.

"What? This… is impossible. My father, he's…" she trailed off. "He's not…"

"Mer," he said gently. "You didn't know anything about his whereabouts, and… he's at Seattle Grace."

He moved closer to her. Not touching her, leaving a safe distance. But letting her know, letting her feel he was there.

"Are you… are you sure?" she choked out.

"I am, I checked and double checked," he nodded. "I wouldn't alarm you for nothing."

She rubbed her forehead absent-mindedly.

"You said he was your patient? He's sick?"

"He's not the patient," he explained heavily. "His… he is married."

"He is married," she repeated hollowly.

"And… he has two other daughters…"

For a brief moment, her face didn't express anything but astonishment. And then, slowly her forehead creased as she followed the train of thought he exactly predicted her to. She turned her back to him, lowering her head only to look up at his face again. He knew she was thinking that her father replaced her with two new daughters, that he judged her unworthy of attention. Because, honestly, that was what it looked like.

"Oh… God… Derek," she sighed, her eyes frantic.

He couldn't stand her solitary torment any longer, he couldn't watch her beat herself up with it. He closed the short distance between them in one stride and swiftly took her into his arms, enveloping her in his warm reassuring embrace. He let out a sigh feeling her close to him again. He had never gone so long without touching her before, never. He was on withdrawal. Maybe he was using the moment of her weakness to satisfy his need for her proximity but he couldn't be happier when she gave up her silent battle with herself and clung to him for dear life, burying her face into his chest.