The Seventh Sense is Love

Tired But Missing You

Meredith turns off the engine of her car and then just leans her exhausted head back as the garage door shuts behind her. It was the first time she'd been home for seventy-two hours. She was two months into her Fellowship and could not even fathom how she was going to get through the rest of it.

"Mer?"

She smiles, the sound of her husband's voice has am immediate healing effect. She opens her eyes and gets out of the car to go and hug him.

"Hi," she says and lays her head on his shoulder.

"Hi," he whispers in return and wraps his arms around her waist. They stand there - in the doorway between the garage and the mudroom - simply holding one another for several long moments.

Meredith feels herself nodding off and musters enough energy to mumble, "Bed."

Derek chuckles and says, "I don't know if it was the best idea for you drive home in this condition."

"I know," she says around a yawn, moving toward their bedroom, "but I just couldn't stay at the hospital for another moment."

"Go get in bed," he says and kisses her tenderly. "I'll bring you some tea."

"I don't want any tea," she answers. "Can you just come lay down with me for a while."

"I don't know," he teases. "That might be a hardship."

Meredith giggles and walks with Derek to their room. She crawls into bed. He follows and pulls her into his arms. Within moments she is sound asleep - exactly where she wants to be.

Derek holds his wife while she sleeps. Her Fellowship is a lot harder than he expected it to be. He finds himself getting cranky about halfway through her marathon shifts. It's an odd - and some what humbling - sensation to miss her so much. He has also started feeling restless for the medical world again. He hasn't said anything to anyone yet, but he's starting to seriously consider the teaching position Richard had offered him..
*

Meredith opens her eyes after becoming aware of the fact that she's alone in bed and something smells sinfully good. She takes a deep breath and her stomach rumbles with hunger at the scent of fresh garlic and onions. She glances at the clock and sees that she's been asleep for six hours. She's still tired but she's also hungry and wants nothing more than to have dinner with her husband. Actually there are other things she wants to do with - and to - him but dinner would be a great start. She stretches and gets out of bed to walk to the kitchen.

Derek senses her and turns as she walks in, "Hey, do you feel better?"

Meredith walks over and wraps her arms around him, "I do now."

"Me too," he admits, returning her embrace. "Are you hungry?"

"I'm starved," she giggles. "I swear, the hospital food is getting worse."

"I don't know if that's possible," he states with a shudder.

"What are you making?" Meredith asks, popping a baby carrot into her mouth. She turns to start washing vegetables for a salad.

"Seafood pasta," he replies, and smiles as she places a kiss on his cheek while reaching for a knife. "Does that sound good?"

"Yes, it does," she answers as her stomach rumbles yet again. They work together in companionable silence; touching or kissing at every opportunity.

When they sit down to eat Derek says, "Mer, I need you to make me a promise."

"Okay," she replies and sighs in pleasure with her first mouthful of pasta.

"Promise me that you'll never again drive as tired as you were earlier."

"Oh," Meredith sighs and swallows her food as a guilty lump forms in her throat. She puts her fork down and says, "I knew that was dumb when I did it, but I just wanted to get home."

"Exactly," Derek says and there's a bit of unintended snap in his voice. "And as much as I love when you are at home with me - I'd prefer you stay alive."

Meredith moves from her spot at the table to hug Derek. "I'm sorry," she whispers, "I really didn't mean to worry you. From now on - if I'm that tired I'll sleep for a few hours before driving home."

He pulls her into his lap and wraps his arms around her waist and squeezes tightly. "Okay," he answers," nuzzling his face into her hair and breathing her in. "I was trying to let it go..."

"Hey," she says, and kisses him softly. "It's okay."

They hold one another for a little longer. Derek feels her stomach rumble again and laughs. "Finish eating," he says, giving her a little nudge back toward her chair, "so I can take you back to bed."