Something was up with Derek, it was plainly obvious to Meredith. The hard part is that she was to exhausted and sore to figure it out. He'd been quiet and brooding all the way home from the hospital and not nearly as hovery as she'd been expecting. It's not that he wasn't hovery, every time she'd whimper or gasp in pain he would squeeze her hand and give her a concerned look, but he wasn't asking if she was okay every five minutes or doing other Derek-like worrying things. But as they pulled into the driveway he had pulled himself out of his head and before she managed to wiggle out of her seatbelt, he was opening her door and gingerly helping her out of the car. Derek swung the bags over his shoulder and gently wrapped his arm around Meredith, letting her lean most of her weight on him. He guided her into the house and helped her out of her jacket before quickly sliding out of his jacket and scooping Meredith up.
"What are you doing!" She yelped as he made his way to the stairs with her clutching his sweater tightly.
"Bailey said no strenuous activity." He said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Meredith sighed dramatically but put her head on his shoulder and let him carry her. He gently set her down on the bed and she winced as she settled. Derek helped, propping her up on the pillows and handing her some water and painkillers. He grabbed a set of pajamas for Meredith and gingerly helped her into them while she tried really hard not to cry. After he was done Derek precariously balanced on the side of the bed next to Meredith. "It's really bad huh?" He said softly while brushing the hair from her face. She nodded and took a deep breath.
"It was better with the constant morphine and limited movement. Now I feel like I've run a freaking marathon." She said laying back against the pillow and staring off at some point to Derek's left. He pulled the covers around her and gently pecked her forehead.
"Well then I should let you get some sleep then."
"Wait!" She grabbed his wrist before hissing in pain. At least she had his undivided attention now. "Will you tell me what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. I'm fine." Derek placated before standing up to grab his own sleepwear.
"See I'd believe you except for the "fine" part." Derek climbed into bed and kissed her cheek.
"Honestly Meredith, it's not a big deal." He said. "Just go to sleep."
"No." She replied stubbornly crossing her arms over her chest. Derek chuckled and rolled his eyes.
"You're so stubborn. Unfortunately I think the painkillers have the upper hand." Meredith held her ground.
"I refuse to sleep until you tell me what's wrong." Derek sighed and looped his arm around her shoulder,giving in more for her benefit than his.
"There was a patient in the ER tonight who died of smoke inhalation." Derek began."One of the Mercy Westers, Kepner I think, forgot to check her throat and from there it just went downhill. By the time we had to call it, nobody knew who the patient belonged to. It was utter chaos and Richard had this whole investigation thing going on. Kepner got fired but honestly I think it was just the chaos not Kepner." Derek sighed and Meredith rested her head on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry you had a bad night." She whispered blinking heavily.
"I called Richard out. I accused him of letting this place fall apart." Derek whispered back.
"Well because you're an awesome husband you don't have to deal with him for four days." Meredith yawned. "And that gives me four days to be a little less exhausted and high so I can help." She giggled tiredly.
"Go to sleep Mer, we'll talk more tomorrow."
"He suppressed the urge to laugh when the end of his sentence was cut off by a loud snore.