Disclaimer : I own nothing. Grey's Anatomy belongs to Shonda Rhimes.
Author's note : Hi all!!! Thanks for taking the time to read and review, it makes me really happy! Forgive any grammatical errors.
Chapter title is a song by Joss Stone.
Where am I? What's going on?
Derek's eyes flutered open. He blinked a few times, trying to remember yesterday's events.
Meredith's brother's couch. That's where I am.
He looked down and saw a small frame snuggled to his chest, peacefully sleeping.
She's so beautiful. How could you possibly want to hurt someone so small and beautiful?
Derek knew this was his chance. His chance to show her what a real loving relationship felt like. He wanted her to feel liken the most beautiful woman in the world because that's what she was to him. From the first time he had seen her, at the cafeteria, he had known just how much they could be happy together.
He tried to get up without waking her up but failed. She stirred lightly before opening her eyes.
"Hey", she whispered, looking up to him.
"Hey", he responded back.
He took his arm off of her shoulders so she could sit up.
"How are you today?, asked Derek. Yesterday had been very emotionally draining for Meredith and Derek was very impressed by how good she was handling things.
"I'm doing great. Finn is out of my life for good and I can breathe now and you're here.", she replied, diving her eyes into the the blue sea that was his.
Derek smiled at the last bit of her sentence. They got up and made their way to the kitchen where Meredith took a piece of pink paper sitting on the counter, next to a basket of homemade muffins.
Meredith,
I baked some muffins for you and and I moved your things into the guest room. The coffee is ready.
I told Dr. Bailey that you were taking the day off so rest and eat something. Cristina is gonna come by today to check up on you.
Izzie,
Ps: Tell Dr. Sheperd that me and Alex are very grateful for what he did for you.
XXX
She smiled at the sweetness of her sister-in-law. Meredith knew for a fact that Izzie was the kind of woman would make a great mother someday. She joined Derek at the table with two cups of coffee and two muffins.
"Thank you", gratefully said Derek taking the items in his hand. He took a bite of the muffin and let out a moan of appreciation. Meredith giggled with a knowing smile. Everyone who had ever tasted Izzie's baking had the same reaction.
"Is everything alright?", Derek said, refering to the note.
"Oh yeah, I have the day off and my friend is coming by today. Cristina Yang. She's a resident in oncology and she loves your work."
"That's good.", he answered with a flattered smile. He quickly finished the muffin and took two sips of coffee."I have to go. I have a surgery this morning. But know that I would much rather stay with you."
The last words of his sentence brought fire to her cheeks. She flashed a bright smile, matching his.
"Me too."
"Are you going to be okay?". He got up and eyed her with concern. He wanted to stay, arms wrapped around her body to shield her from pain.
"Go, you have lives to save. I'll be fine.", she assured, looking up to meet his regard. Derek leaned over her and softly put his lips on her pale forehead. She closed her eyes and exhaled. When she opened them, she saw Derek straightening his posture and walking away from the kitchen. A few moments later, she heard the front door close and the sound of a motor engine starting.
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Derek got inside his car and drove away from the house. He had time before he needed to be at the hospital.
Perfect.
He just had to make a stop before going to work. Something he had wanted to do since yesterday.
He put his hand in his trouser's pocket and took out a small piece of paper.
Veterinarian Clinic,
Dr Finn Dandridge
3455 Amery Road
After a small moment, he parked in front of the veterinarian clinic. He had some things to clear up with Finn. He walked the front door and into the desert waiting area. He spotted the veterinairian looking over a file at the receptionist's office with a black eye and a swollen lip. Derek walked over to him with assurance.
"You should get your face checked out", he commented. " Doesn't look too good."
Finn took his eyes from the file and met Derek's disdained look.
"You're the one who's screwing my girlfriend? Get out."
With quick and sharp movements, Derek took Finn's arm and twisted it behind his back. He pinned him down with force on the desk, his face smashed on the hardwood. Finn let out a small cry and tried to wiggled out of this position but Derek's strength was too great thanks to hours of weight-lifting and biking. Add to that yesterday's beating who had probably taken its toll on the veterinarian's body.
"Ex-girlfriend. You lost the right to call her your girlfriend the day you put your filthy hands on her, you piece of shit. I came here to give you a little piece of advice. Do not ever try to contact Meredith Grey. You are dead to her. You're in the past. If you don't follow this advice, I will make sure that you never walk again. I am a neuro surgeon and believe me, I know how to do it. Are we clear?", Derek declaimed in a rather menacing tone. It seemd to have his effect on Finn because he franctically nodded yes with his head.
"Glad we had this talk." Derek sarcastically replied, letting go of Finn's arm. With a hand through his black curls, he walked out of the clinic, ready to go cut a brain open.
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Meredith had moved from the kitchen to the couch. She had just finished her second muffin when the doorbell was heard though the house. She walked up to the entrance and opened the door to see Cristina behind it.
"Hey", Cristina greeted before side stepping Meredith and throwing her thin body on the couch because she was Cristina and that's what she always did. Meredith chuckled, being accustomed to her person's behavior, closed the door and settled next to her.
"So, how are you?", she asked with a hand playing in her long dark locks.
"I'm good, great even."
"Are you sure? Isn't it a bit soon to be great Don't you wanna cry all day and with a pint of mint chocolate ice cream and Celine Dion's music?", she asked with a disbelieving tone and raised eyebows.
Though it was soon, Meredith felt like Finn was in the past. She felt ready to move on. It's at that moment that she realized she had fallen out of love with Finn a long time ago. Even before he had started hitting her, things were not as passionate and exciting as the first couple of months they had been together. During those weeks he had broken her down and and stripped of her self-esteem and dignity. She slowly but surely gaining it all back and that was partly thanks to Derek. He had listened to her and gave a little peak of what being in a true and loving relationship could feel like. She was ready to move on and she definitaly wanted Derek in the picture.
"Yes, I'm sure!", she said with am amused tone. "I'm happy this bastard is out of my life and I'm ready to move on."
"I will kick his ass if he ever comes back around here.", Cristina threatened. Meredith smiled, realizing how much everyone around her was protecting her.
"Alex already took care of that and I'm fine."
"Okay good because I'm getting married in a week and I'm happy. I want you to be happy too."
"Don't worry, I am."
"By the way, who's gonna be your date? We can all agree that Finn is out of the equation."
"For sure. I was thinking about inviting Derek."
"Derek? Dr. Sheperd? Isn't he engaged?", Cristina asked.
"Nope, not anymore. She was cheating on him and she only wanted him for his money."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously.", Meredtih stated with a smile.
"And since when are you two.....", she asked leaving thre rest of the question in the air.
"It's recent. He's nice and funny and charming-"
"Yeah, okay I got it. He's everything", Cristina said, putting her halt to Meredith's tirade.
I should totally invite him. I'll give him call later and see if we can go out tonight. It'll be the perfect opportunity.
The two women continued to chat about last minute details of the wedding and hospital stuff.