Chapter 46: Covering for Him

"So that is your plan? Yeah, I will stay here and continue with my shots of tequila." Meredith rolled her eyes, indicating to the bartender another shot.

Alex looked to him and shook his head no. She had more than enough at this point especially if they were going to go down to the pier no matter what. He knew Meredith not seeing Derek tonight, was not an option.

"You can't tell me to stop. You are not the boss of me. In fact, I am the boss of you technically." Meredith sputtered feeling the effects of all of the shots she had consumed.

"Actually, I can because I do not want to take care of you in the morning, attempting to get you back to the boat. Secondly, we are going down to the pier. Derek is down there until midnight, and then he will be on the boat it looks like." Alex said not giving her an option of a different choice.

"Sometimes I do not like you." Meredith said, getting off her bar stool, falling into him slightly from the alcohol that was clearly flowing.

"Yeah, well, that works both ways sometimes. Let's go see Romeo." Alex helped her out, grabbing a cab for them to take to the pier.

"Romeo, he is hotter than Romeo and I bet he fucks better as well. He is really good, but you probably do not want to know that." Meredith rambled more than she normally does.

"No, I really didn't, but well, you are a little inebriated and it comes with the territory." Alex sighed, getting her in the cab.

They road in silence until they were almost at the pier, "So… what will we do? I mean, will this work?"

"I will cover. Shepherd will have to know that I know though. I will be the one to go up to him initially and tell him where to meet you. You can't exactly do it. Will he be okay with it?" Alex asked.

Meredith thought hard, knowing her brain was not in the best of shape at this particular moment, "He should be. He knows you are my roommate. He… was jealous when we walked into Rockfish. It was actually pretty hot on him, the jealously that is. Although he would tell you he isn't jealous." Meredith giggled.

Alex just laughed watching her ramble. "Most men would be jealous having their girlfriend walk in with a hot commodity such as myself."

"No, no, not girlfriend, he is not my boyfriend. We are just, well…" She looked puzzled, "I am not sure what we are exactly. Can we be anything in our current situation?" Meredith started to wonder with a more serious look crossing her face.

The driver of the cab indicated they were there. Alex paid the cab and went around making sure Meredith got out ok, which she did.

"Why don't you go sit right there and I am going to grab you some water real quick. I will have to leave you for a bit while I go and get Derek. I need to know you will be okay by yourself in the dark. I also need to meet my buddy who is arranging this for you." Alex explained.

"I am fine. But, water would be good." Meredith smiled, taking a few deep breaths realizing just what was happening. She was going to see Derek and needed to remember every last second of their stolen moments together.

Alex quickly got back to Meredith about 5 minutes later, "Okay, things are set. My buddy is waiting to let us in a back entrance to an old subway shop they are remodeling for a new candy store. You owe me big time for this one." He pretended to be put out, but Alex didn't mind one bit doing this for her.

"Do I want to even know how you know this buddy?" Meredith asked.

"You met him last night at the bar. He is a local at the bar we were at which is the only bar I really enjoy on the pier. At first, we just casually talked, but anytime I am in town, I try to have a few beers with him at least." Alex explained.

"So, no rule breaking?" Meredith knew what getting caught meant.

"No, he owns the building." Alex stated.

"Okay, so we are okay?" Meredith drank the water quickly, feeling her pulse starting to beat at a faster rate anticipating what was to come with Derek.

"Yes. Are you about ready? Lawrence is waiting on us there."

Meredith took a deep breath and took the last big gulp of water, "Yes, I am."

Alex walked them to the building and saw Lawrence standing by the door. The front of the sub shop was boarded in, so you couldn't see in or any light that may be on. "Lawrence." Alex smiled and shook his hand.

"Well, I can say this was an interesting request, but you can use the building. Just lock up when you leave. I won't worry about the dead bolt tonight and please don't get too loud with your guests." Lawrence explained.

Meredith tried to stifle her laughter about staying quiet.

Lawrence led them in, showed them the light switch and just asked they turn that off as they leave as well. He reminded them no one would see them in there, so they needed to keep the noise down so that people don't become suspicious.

"Thank you again, we really do appreciate this. It is just hard with us all pulling out tomorrow." Alex knew how to play this game. They shook hands and Lawrence was off.

"Are you okay?" Alex asked Meredith.

"Yeah, I am fine. I will sit here. At least I am not in the dark like you thought." Meredith rolled her eyes at Alex.

"No, this is actually not terrible. There is a lot of plywood but could be worse." Alex sighed. He would do anything for the woman who had become his sister over the years.

"Very true." Meredith bit her lip.

"This is what you want?" Alex asked making sure she realized the depth of commitment here.

"More than ever. You know me, I am not a one-man woman, but Derek, there is no question. I don't even want anyone else." Meredith said very seriously.

"That is what I wanted to hear. I will just come back here when Derek gets back. I am going to cover for him while he is here, but no more than 30 minutes. We can't have anyone getting suspicious." Alex knew this was putting him at some risk, but he didn't hesitate.

Meredith inhaled and exhaled slowly, "Okay." She nodded her head to indicate she was ready.

Alex headed out to find Derek, knowing the vicinity he should be in. Izzie was the officer on duty tonight, so it was easy to get any information he wanted. He walked to the pier and noticed Derek standing against a wall, not looking too great himself. He noticed the gaze he wore on his face, looking out in the Pacific Ocean, looking a million miles away.

"Shepherd." Alex said rather quietly, thankful Derek was kind of off the beaten path, watching people, or trying to. Alex could clearly see the anguish on his face as well.

Derek turned to look at Alex Karev, curious as to what he wanted, "Sir."

"I am not here on official business." Alex quickly said.

Derek looked at him curiously knowing this was the man that lived with his… the woman he was falling hard for. "Then what are you here about?" Derek said respectfully being this his superior, but making it clear, there was nothing friendly about it.

"Meredith."