Chapter 41: See You Later

Derek had to eat his breakfast rather quickly, knowing he really needed to leave. Meredith was his department head, but he had a Chief that was the next in line in his chain of command that would get on him about being late.

"You need to leave." Meredith looked down taking another bite, slowly feeling her heart tugging inside of her.

"I do." He forced a smile, taking a last bite of his omelet. He took a deep breath in the kitchen. He walked back around to where she was sitting. "You are welcome to go back to sleep in my bed if you would like."

"I probably should." She wasn't sure if she would be able to sleep much but she needed to try with her flight scheduled for later in the day.

Derek didn't know what to say but he had to leave, "I should…"

"Yes." Meredith replied, looking up at him from her seat.

They both looked carefully at each other neither able to move or say anything, but let their eyes do the talking for them.

"Be careful." Derek whispered, trying to keep even breaths, moving one of his hands to her cheek to stroke it lightly.

"I will text you when I get there. I am not sure… I will try to call you if or when I can, but maybe… just text." She continued to watch him but wanted to let him know how much she wanted to call him; she just wasn't sure what the evening would look like after they got to San Diego.

"Okay."

Another few seconds go by with their eyes locked.

"I have to go." Derek broke the eye contact.

Meredith stood up causing Derek to take a step back. "Derek."

He had no idea what to say. It was a strange feeling they both were having. They were saying goodbye but would see each other every single day when Derek got to the boat on Sunday.

"Remember… normal morning." Derek smiled, thinking about their conversation earlier. He cocked his head, "I will see you later." He said and leaned into kiss her gently.

Meredith wrapped her hands around his neck pushing her body into him; her lips forced a more needful kiss from him. She didn't know when she would get to feel those lips again on hers. Meredith pulled back after a minute knowing he had to go and that if she didn't right then, they may never leave.

Meredith looked up to him with a half-smile, "See you later."

"Be careful." Derek kissed her slightly on the forehead like this was a normal morning with him going to work. Turning around to leave, he grabbed Mark's keys off of the bar, and opened the door.

Before he could walk out, he stopped and moved his head around to take one last glimpse of the beautiful woman only wearing his t-shirt. There was so much he was feeling and wanted to say, but all he could do was smile warmly and walk out.

Meredith closed her eyes tightly the second the door shut sitting at the kitchen table thinking about how hard this would be. She had a feeling it would be harder than anything she had ever imagined. She opened her eyes and looked around. What in the hell am I doing here? She had no idea. She got up slowly, picking up her plate and taking it to the kitchen. Meredith quickly washed up the few dishes he had used to cook with and walked back to his bedroom.

She looked around his bedroom that was decorated simply for a single man. She walked slowly to the bed thinking about what they had already shared in this bed and what they would share together. Meredith took off the t-shirt she was wearing exposing every curve of her body. She put his t-shirt on her side of the bed. She snuggled into his side of the bed smelling every part of him on his pillow and sheets. This was something she knew she would miss as she wrapped up into the pillow and fell asleep.

Derek found a parking spot at work trying to clear his head before getting out of his car, knowing it was all business the minute he walked through those doors. Mark pulled into the parking spot beside him in Derek's car since he had it for the night. Derek looked over to see an interesting face sitting in the passenger side. He opened his door first to get out before the passenger opened with Mark walking around to meet Derek.

"You are alive." Mark looked nervously at Derek as the passenger got out of the car.

"I am." Derek looked down.

"You missed one hell of a night Shepherd." Cristina smirked at Mark and Derek.

"It seems like I definitely missed something." Derek looked between the two.

"Busy day today with the planes leaving out." Mark changed the subject quickly walking towards their hanger.

"Yeah, we have to get 502 up and going with a test flight this morning so that…" Derek stopped before he said Meredith, but that was the plane she was scheduled to fly out to the boat later today.

"It can get to the boat." Mark finished, knowing this was Meredith's plane.

"Well, you ladies have fun. We have our own shit to worry about in the mech shop. As always, call us if there is anything you and your babies can't do." Cristina laughed walking into the building but happened to turn back to Mark with a mysterious look that Derek noticed.

Mark stopped Derek before they walked in, "Are you in this today?" Mark asked.

"Honestly, I don't know. I have to be. I have to find a way to do this, and I will. I am good at what I do." Derek had thought about this on his way to work.

"If you need me, let me know, not that I would be much better." Mark shook his head and looked down.

"You seem a little preoccupied. It wouldn't have to do with you and Yang driving in together, would it?" Derek smirked.

"Shit happened last night, and I don't think either of us regretted it." Mark looked down.

Derek stood in shock, "You fucked Yang."

"Shut the fuck up. We have been skirting around it for some time, but I was ignoring it and flirting with Black. Last night we had been drinking and things were said." Mark explained.

"Sloan, Shepherd… how is everyone doing this morning? That was some night last night, too bad you missed it Shepherd but hope you are planning on going out with us tonight." Aiden Kelley asked as he was going in. He was a fellow first class in another shop.

"I'm doing great this morning actually." Derek smiled big choosing to think about the amazing night he spent with Meredith, "And, drinks tonight sound great."

"Tough day Shep, hope your shop can get the plane up this morning." Everyone knew it was Derek's shop that had the issues with the plane currently.

"I always come through." Derek said cockily while opening the door for them to walk in.

"I am sure you do." Aiden responded while Mark shook his head.

Derek walked into his shop and got his work coverall's on before going to the maintenance meeting at 7am. He knew this would be a tough day, but he had to stay focused on one thing when his mind wandered to Meredith. He was falling in love with an incredible woman and anything that came his way… he would have to deal with.