The Seventh Sense is Love

Dinner with the Sisters and Canceling Unexpectedly

Meredith is about to go into Molly's house for dinner when her phone rings. She reaches to silence the call and smiles when the display reads Derek.
She gets an immediate smile on her face as she answers, "Hello Derek."

"Hi Meredith. How are you?"

"I'm good - about to have dinner with my sisters. It's something we do once a week. How are you?"

"I'm good but I won't keep you. I just want to confirm..."

"Tomorrow night?" she interrupts.

"Yeah," he smiles. "Do you mind coming here and I'll cook for you?"

"I don't mind at all. I assumed that'd be easiest."

"I just wanted to make sure... my house is a little remote and I thought I should at least tell you."

Meredith laughs and teases, "Don't worry about it. You know the Chief and Bailey - they're good references."

"Don't forget Mark," Derek laughs.

"Mark?"

"Mark Sloan, he's been my best friend since grade school."

"Mark Sloan, Head of Plastics at Seattle Grace, is your best friend?"

Derek laughs again, "There's your surprised tone of voice again. And yes, that Mark is my best friend."

"He's not a good reference, Derek."

"Is he the deal breaker?"

"No," Meredith giggles.

"Good," Derek grins. "Have a nice dinner with your sisters. You can call me later for directions."

"It'll probably be late by the time I'm done here and get home."

"That's okay. We can lay in our beds and talk each other to sleep."

"That sounds vaguely dirty."

"Does it?"

"Bye Derek," Meredith says with a giggle.

"Bye Meredith."
*

Meredith was angry. She yanked open her locker and pulled out her street clothes to change as she sighed loudly - in complete frustration. There had been a huge accident at a downtown construction site. Meredith had been called into surgery and therefore forced to cancel her dinner date with Derek. She hadn't even been able to talk to him as she'd gotten his voicemail when she had called to let him know. She'd really been looking forward to their date, too. Which really said something because Meredith didn't normally bother with dating.

Meredith pulled her purse out of her locker after putting her boots on and turned to leave the locker room. She turned her phone on and discovered that she had three messages. One each from Molly and Lexie wanting to know about her date and telling her to call when she got home. Well, she wouldn't have anything to tell them. The third message was from Derek.

Hi Meredith - Thanks for letting me know you're in surgery. I remember many unexpected accidents that forced me to cancel plans. Come over and eat when you're done... you'll be hungry. Well, unless it's three in the morning. If it's that late call me tomorrow. Okay, bye.

Meredith's stomach growls as if on cue. She saves Derek's message and looks to see that it's 10:00. She hesitates before calling him. What if he's sleeping? She reasons that 10 isn't all that late and he did say to come over. She dials his number and he answers on the fourth ring.

"Hi Meredith."

"Hi Derek. I know you said to come over, but it's 10.."

"Meredith," Derek interrupts, "come over."

"Okay," she smiles. "Hey Derek?"

"Yeah?"

"How did you know it was me on the phone?"

"My phone has a voice feature. If the call is from someone on my contact list it'll say: Call from Meredith. If the person isn't on my contact list it says: Unknown call from whatever phone number."

"Oh. That's a cool feature. I'll see you soon."

Derek laughs and says, "Okay. Drive safe, Mer."

"I will - bye."

"Bye."

Meredith was smiling as she walked to her car. Derek had called her Mer and her stomach did a little flip. Except for her sisters she didn't allow anyone to shorten her name like that but she liked hearing it from Derek. It felt like an intimate caress. Meredith laughs at herself as she wonders if she needs a vacation. Since when does she get all warm and gooey over the sound of a man's voice saying something as simple as her name? She hears the little voice in her head whispering that Derek Shepherd wasn't just any man.

Derek smiles as he hangs up with Meredith and goes to the kitchen to toss their salad. He'd told her how he had known it was her calling and she'd said cool and let it go. She'd asked a simple question, gotten her answer and moved on without making a fuss about anything. Derek thoroughly appreciates the fact that Meredith is so calm about, and willing to take his blindness in stride. He feels pretty certain most women wouldn't be able to handle his situation. He hears the little voice in his head saying that Meredith Grey is definitely not most women.