Rewind
Author: Poliwonk
Rating: T
Plot: An AU fic. What would Meredith's life be like had Richard divorced Adele all those years ago and married Ellis?
Disclaimer: I'm not Shonda Rhimes, I don't own these characters, I just like to take them out and play with them sometimes, so please don't sue me. Oh and reviews are nice- they make me happy.
Chapter 6: Take Me Out
Meredith felt very lucky, her shift ended early so she would have time to wash up before the onslaught of interns arrived. But, shortly after she'd hopped out of the shower and pulled on some clean clothes the door bell rang.
"George, could you get that!" But there was no answer. He had gone out to get some beer. So Meredith stomped down the stairs and opened the door to find Derek standing on the other side.
"Hey, I thought you could use some help setting up so I thought I'd stop by early." Meredith was too shocked to say much. She had thought when he had asked for an invitation earlier that he had simply been joking around. She hadn't actually thought he would show up. "So, are you going to invite me in."
"Yeah, come in."
"So, what do you want me to do?" There were many things Meredith could think of for Derek to do, but none of them involved helping her set up for the party.
"Uh, there's chips on the table in the kitchen you can put them in a bowl as well as the ice. George should be back soon with the beer."
For the next half-hour Meredith and Derek worked together setting up the bar and the food. It felt nice having him here doing something that might, to an outside observer, look like something any long established couple did. Not that they were a couple, Meredith reminded herself. They were friends; she had drawn a line and not just a line in the sand type of line, a real line. Meredith searched in vain for a top of conversation and before she could reign herself in she began talking.
"So tell me about your wife or ex-wife. I mean is it over, over, or just you know on hiatus. We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but I just figured that we are friends after all and we've know each other for three weeks, we work together, we've had sex- I just- you know I should shut up now." The large grin vanished from Derek's face. He looked at Meredith and seemed to consider whether he wanted discuss it.
"Well, she slept with my best friend and I found them together in the act, using my favorite sheets by the way, so I packed up my things and took the first plane out here."
"Have you spoken to her since?"
"No. I should I know, but every time I go to pick up the phone I just keep seeing her with him, in our bed, and I just get sick to my stomach." She could see how much pain he was in, the hurt seemed to overwhelm him. She placed her hand on his and they stood there silently with him looking down at their hands for a few minutes until the door bell rang and the guests began to flood in.
Once the guests began to arrive Meredith didn't have a chance to really speak with Derek for the rest of the evening, with the exception of a few glances across the room. Around 2am people began to leave and by 3am only George, Meredith, and Derek were left. Izzie had stayed to take on a surgery with Burke at the last minute, missing the party she herself had organized.
The three were sitting on the couch exhausted, drinking the last of the bears. George looked over at Meredith and Derek and feeling like an unwanted third wheel announced that he was heading upstairs.
"So." Derek said looking over at her, with "their" look.
"So?" Meredith smiled. She could feel herself turning to jelly at his glance but she knew that there would be hell to pay if she gave in. "You should get going. I have rounds early tomorrow and you have surgery."
"Yeah I suppose I should." They got up and Meredith walked him out to his car.
Derek opened the car door, but didn't get in.
"Meredith, I really like you. For the first time in a long time I'm happy and I don't feel like I'm drowning."
"What do you want me to say? You're still married, and still an attending."
"I know." And with that he caressed her face and then kissed her, a long deep kiss that made Meredith's head spin. Instead of getting in his car Derek shut the door and he and Meredith walked back up towards the house and to her room.
The next morning Meredith felt the warmth of a body next to hers and smiled wickedly remembering the previous night's activities. Suddenly there was a knock on the door downstairs. Pulling on pair of sleep pants and a top, she shook Derek awake.
"What time is it?" He said groggily
"5:30." The knock came again more insistently.
Derek groaned and got out of bed pulling on his clothes. He went into the bathroom to wash up.
Meredith crept downstairs to the door. Opening it she was surprised to find her step-father there with, a box in his hands.
"Dad! What are you doing here, it's early."
"I wanted to drop this off before you left for rounds. Besides I'm used to the time after all these years. Are you going to let me in?"
Meredith nervously opened the door for her father. At that moment, Derek came downstairs, equally astonished to see his old mentor standing in the front hall. He tried to pull himself together and act like his presence was perfectly normal, and not the result of an illicit tryst.
"Richard, good to see you." Unfortunately, his voice bellied his nerves.
"Derek" Richard's tone was gruff and he had straightened himself up to his full height as if to signal his willingness to beat Derek to a pulp should the need arise.
"I guess I'll be off then. Meredith, I'll see you later."
Richard turned to Meredith.
"Dad, let me explain."
"You're a grown woman Meredith. You don't need to explain, but do I have to remind you that he's an attending, a married attending at that. You're risking an awful lot here."
"I know."
"Alright. I should be going. I'm expected at the nursing home in an hour and then I have class. You know your mother would appreciate a visit once and a while."
"Yeah, I'll try."
With that Richard left the house and Meredith felt like something lower than a toad.