Chapter 47: This is for Her

Derek shot his eyes up at Alex, trying to read the situation. Derek had no idea why Alex would be there to talk about Meredith. Many different thoughts ran through his brain simultaneously, but one thing remained constant, he couldn't break no matter what. "Why the fuck are you here to talk to me about Meredith?" Derek had no way of knowing that Alex was in the know and opted to fiercely protect his and Meredith's secret until proven it was safe otherwise.

"Let's step over here so that we are not overheard." Alex said worried this may get loud.

"I am fine right here." Derek said, clearly with a seething tone.

Alex took a deep breath, remembering he was doing this for Meredith; if not, Derek would have had a hand across his jaw for being such an ass. Alex couldn't imagine what this must be like for Derek. It was evident the passion Derek had for Meredith was showing through. Alex took a deep breath and shook his head, "Look, I know you must have questions but trust me right now."

"Trust you, the man that lives with the woman…" Derek stopped himself. He had to keep it together.

"The woman what? Finish your sentence." Alex knew he stopped himself and he had to know Derek did care for her as much as she seemed to care for him; Alex would even go so far to say she was falling in love with him.

"What are you doing here?" Derek asked deflecting the conversation.

"You finish your sentence, and then I tell you why I am here." Alex knew he needed to test Derek a little, see how he would react if someone did start asking questions.

"The woman who is nothing more than my boss." Derek took a deep breath, hating himself for saying it as coldly as he did, but he needed to. He still wasn't exactly sure what Alex wanted, what he knew, or didn't know.

"Good. You need to remember that statement when you are at work or doing anything work related." Alex was almost amusing himself, but could tell Derek was none too amused.

"Okay." Derek stated, not sure what to say next and would take his cue from Alex.

"Ah… you are learning well. I thought this would be a bit more difficult. But, the quicker you learn I would do anything for Meredith, the better off we will be." Alex smirked slightly.

"Don't you fucking lay a hand on her." Derek fumed.

Alex chuckled a bit, "Look, I am no competition. She has eyes for one man and that is you. She is my sister."

Derek looked at Alex with a hint of shock on his face, "Sister?"

"Well, not biologically, but we might as well be as close as we are." Alex explained as Derek nodded. Alex realized he needed to get to the point, "Look, now that we have some shit established, I have some things to say and you are going to listen, then I will tell you exactly why I am here."

"Why should I listen to you?" Derek softened a bit, but kept a semi hard edge to his face.

"Because right now, you need me." Alex plainly said.

Derek sized him up a bit, but decided he had to give in at the hope he really would be there to help them, "That has yet to be seen." Derek was clearly the most relaxed that he had been during their entire conversation.

"Fair enough." He paused before continuing, "Meredith has been through a lot of shit. Don't fuck around with her."

"I am not fucking around with her and would never. She is more… than that." Derek swallowed between the last few words unsure how Alex would take it.

Alex shook his head in agreement at Derek's admission. He could hear Derek's voice change drastically when speaking about Meredith and what they were. "Good." He took a deep breath, "I can't say I think this is a good idea, but I know Mer and I can see she wants this. Because of that fact, I have to support her 100%."

Derek shook his head, showing he understood exactly what Alex was telling him. Derek sighed and looked down, "I keep telling myself this is a really bad idea, but it doesn't change how I feel."

"Which is why I am here and will help in whatever ways I can. I am not sure how much she has told you about things, but we are basically all each of us has in a family." Alex explained, and continued, "But, right now isn't the time to discuss that." Alex couldn't help but smirk knowing what he was about to say. He couldn't help but feel good about this. He saw Meredith's face light up at the prospect of seeing Derek tonight.

"Then what are you here to discuss?" Derek asked even more curiously finding himself letting his guard down a little. He had a feeling this was someone that he would be able to trust when it came to his and Meredith's relationship. He hoped so anyway seeing as Alex seemed to know everything.

"She is waiting for you. I have you covered for about 30 minutes. Let's just say it is your dinner break." Alex cocked a smile.

Derek's eyes got wide, "She is… what?" He couldn't think straight.

"No time for questions. She is at a shop that is all boarded up in the process of being redone."

"She is by herself? Is she safe there?" Derek's immediate concern was making sure she was okay.

Alex looked at him almost a little surprised that was his first question after finding out he could see her. "She is safe. You can't tell anyone is even in there with the boards. I have the key, just leave it in a place the owner can find it in the morning."

"How? I mean, this is… wow." Derek couldn't even move.

"Okay, are you going to stand here, needing me to answer questions, or would you rather spend your time with her?" Alex rolled his eyes as if he was annoyed.

"Her, definitely her." He smiled huge, "Where did you say this place was?"

"I thought so." Alex said before explaining where to go.

When he was done, Derek looked at Alex, man to man, "I know this must be difficult on all levels." Derek was not only referring to Alex and Meredith's relationship, but the risks Alex was taking by supporting this rather than the opposite. Derek did wonder how it all came out, but he knew it was possible Alex was staying at the same hotel. He had many questions, but Alex was right, now was not the time to ask them.

Alex inhaled and exhaled, "She deserves greatness, and my gut is telling me this is. For that, I am willing to do what I need to, at all costs." Alex knew he was really sticking his neck out, but he had to. He stood by those close to him.

"Thank you, you have no idea." Derek said before starting to walk off.

"Shepherd." Alex stopped him quickly.

"Yes?" Derek turned around.

"At work, she is your boss. Both of you have to stay professional and not forget that. It is something I am going to talk to her about as well, but this will not be easy." Alex knew this situation could become difficult for both of them.

"This might be the hardest thing I ever do." Derek replied.

"One more thing, you hurt her, I kill you; going overboard can be an accident." Alex said joking with definite serious undertones mixed in.

"I understand." Derek nodded swallowing slightly. He wasn't planning on hurting her, but he also knew no one was perfect. He had a feeling Alex was talking about bigger than day to day things.

"Go, now. She is waiting, hopefully less intoxicated by now." Alex shook his head.

"Let's hope. One quick thing, when I leave, what happens? Do you come and get Meredith? What?" Derek was thinking it through which he usually did.

Alex was impressed he would even think about this. He wouldn't admit it at this point, but he liked Derek. "Come back here, and I will be there to take her back to the hotel."

"Thank you for this and taking care of her tonight. I was… pissed when I found out about this, but there was nothing I could do. See you tomorrow." Derek said and quickly walked away.

Alex stood there watching Derek. He was doing the right thing. He knew this would be really hard for them, but he would do everything in his power to help them. There was one thing he saw in both of their eyes and that was true admiration for the other. They responded with a certain look when they talked about the other that made it clear, they were falling in love.