"Mer?" He said tapping her lightly.

Meredith muffled a yawn but managed to get up.

"What time is it?"

"4:30" Mark said softly, smiling at her.

"What time is our flight?"

"8"

"Sorry. We'll probably get there at 7 at this rate."

"S'okay. Take all the time you need Mer."

"Thank you." She smiled.

"No problem." He said giving her a quick hug. "You pack all the stuff you need?"

"Yeah, just a little more then I'm done."

"Have you called Christina? George?"

"Not yet... I wanted to tell them in person. This isn't something you can tell them on the phone, you know?" She snapped.

"I know, I know but wouldn't you want to give them a heads up?"

"Was I given a heads up?" She said bitterly.

"I'm sorry. Forget I asked then." He said throwing his hands up in the air.

"I'm sorry, Mark. It's just hard."

"But are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She said.

"Fine isn't a word with you Meredith." He pushed.

"How do you expect that I'm fine?? I just got fired from my job, I might never see my friends again, I'm leaving the place I spent my life in, all because of one simple choice. So I want to think I'm fine, even if I'm not, it's easier for me and for everyone else." She snapped.

"Not for me, Mer."

"What? You like seeing me all gloomy and depressed?"

"Of course not. It's not easier for me to help you, Mer! If you just keep on hiding and avoiding, how will you survive?"

"Maybe I don't need your help Mark!"

"Maybe you don't, but I need to help you!"

"Why?!"

"Because I care about you, Meredith. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you. It hurts so much just seeing you in this amount of pain. That's why I want to help you as much as I can." He said softly, caressing her cheek. She felt a tear slide down her cheek and into the palm of his hand. He slowly brushed it away and pulled her closer. "It so hard knowing that you're hurting and I'm not able to help."

"It's not easy.... it's not easy trusting someone after you were screwed over one too many times." Meredith sighed.

"I know, I'm not asking for your trust right now, I'm asking if you could just have a little faith in me."

"Okay. I could try to do that I guess."

"I'll be here okay?"

"Yeah." She said quietly. "I have to go" She said quickly. She left the room and headed downstairs to look for Izzie.

"Izz?" She said, she noticed the beautiful blonde cooking pancakes at the kitchen.

"Morning Mer. Strawberry pancakes?" Izzie managed a smile.

"Sure. Where's Alex?"

"He said he'll meet us at the hospital. He had to finish some of his charts."

"He didn't want to see me didn't he?" She quivered, catching Izzie's lie.

"He's doing his best, Mer."

"We all are at one point right?" She said bitterly.

"Don't think he doesn't love you Mer! He does, a lot. He just doesn't know how to deal yet."

"Yeah. We better get going after breakfast." She said softly. She sat down on the counter and started eating the pancakes. She continued to play with her last piece of fruit until Mark came down, already dressed.

"Morning Stevens."

"Hey." She smiled politely and left to leave the couple alone.

"I'm sorry for this morning." Mark said. "I just... it's asking a lot I know."

"No it's not. I would have asked the same thing, don't blame yourself Mark."

"Thanks. For the effort." He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her forehead tenderly. She smiled up at him.

"Did you just help me so that I could be your wingman to pick up the ladies?"

"A chick to pick up chicks? Hasn't crossed my mind." He smiled.

The truth was, he hasn't looked at any other girl the same way again.

"Please tell me everyone is lying." An angry asian surgeon shouted.

"I guess you know."

"Stupid idiots and what they do for surgery." She winced.

"I'll miss you, you know?"

"You better. That still doesn't make up for your incompetent decisions!" Christina exclaimed.

"Are you mad?"

"Furious. Absolutely furious."

"I love you, bitch."

"I love you, whore." Christina smiled weakly. "It's not going to be the same without you, you know that right?"

"Just promise me, you'll try, okay? Don't wallow."

"Meredith, wallowing is what we do best. You wallowed for Derek, Alex for Ava, Izzie for Denny, Me for Burke, George for.... probably for the death of some turkey or something, but seriously, we wallow. Don't expect us not to."

"I'm just asking you to try, Cris."

"I'll try. Don't count on me to succeed though."

"I know you will."

"Why are you so stubborn, bitch?"

"It's what God made me. I guess." Meredith smiled.

"Then damn god."

"I better talk to George." Meredith sighed.

"Fine. Go." She said quietly. "Just..."

"Just what?" Meredith said.

"Don't be stupid okay?" Christina smiled.

"I wouldn't be Meredith if I wasn't!" She laughed.

Meredith hugged her friend tightly. Sighing, she let a tear fall from her eyes. Losing her person was like losing her sister and she didn't know how she would suvive in New York without them. She let go, noticing a stray tear on Christina's cheek. She knew her person was trying her best not to cry, out of pride maybe, but it didn't really matter.

"George!" She said running towards her friend with open arms.

"Good morning." He smiled politely. "How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"Good." He said awkwardly.

"I'm going to miss you. That's all I've got to say."

"Me too... Listen, I know this is a horrible time, but I was planning on asking you something."

"fire away" Meredith said, swinging her arms back and forth.

"I was planning on asking.... Lexie out. Would that be okay with you?" He asked nervously.

"Go ahead George. You're perfect for each other." Meredith smiled. "Take care of her!"

"I'll try." He smiled weakly.

"Oh my god. I'll miss you so much, George." She sighed. "I wish I could have stayed."

"I wish that too, Mer. I'll come visit you, okay? We'll keep in touch."

"Don't ever forget me George O'Malley."

"Don't you ever forget me Meredith Grey." He smiled.

_______________________________________________________________

"I'll personally kick your ass if you hurt her."

"Excuse me?" Mark said, amused.

"I'll chop off your 'manly' parts if you make her cry." Christina repeated.

"Thanks for the warning." He chuckled.

"Why are you finding this funny?!"

"You of all people should know!" He said.

"Know what?!"

"You don't actually know, do you?" Mark smirked.

"No! That's why I'm asking you, idiot!"

"She could hurt me in a minute! You know I'll always be second to Derek! I'm much more vulnerable then her. You don't see that?"

"Then why'd you get with her anyways? If you knew that Derek will beat you to her?"

"Wow. Thanks." He said sarcastically. "I don't know. We started off casual."

"That's how it always does." she said rolling her eyes.

"I really don't know, Yang. She's got something. She's got something that captivates me." He smiled.

"This is going to be real hard for Mer." She said.

"What?"

"Having her attending in love with her. Again. Do you know how teased she'll be in New York."

"What?"

"Don't look stupid Sloan. You're in love with her, everone can see it."

"See what?!"

"That you're in love with her, you're an idiot. Try not to follow Shepherd."

"What does that mean?"

"Don't..."

"Don't what?" He said, already frustrated.

"If I have to listen to her whine about another attending breaking her heart. I swear to God. I will punch the living daylights out of you."

"Point taken."

A/N. Not the best chapter that I have written. Please bear, encounter with Derek is coming up soon. I would really appreciate reviews!