The Seventh Sense is Love

Nervounsness

"Don't be nervous," Meredith states, squeezing her husband's hand as they walk together into Seattle Grace.

"Easier said than done," Derek grumbles and heaves a huge sigh in an effort to appear calm. "Wait," he says to Meredith and squeezes her hand in return.

"Okay," she answers and moves off to the side in the lobby with him.

"I knew I wanted this Mer," he admits quietly to her. "but it's really hitting me how much I want it. How much I need to practice medicine in some fashion again."

"Derek," she answers calmly, even though her heart is actually aching for him. "There's no choice but to take this one step at a time."

"I know," he replies and sighs again. "I know, but what if Richard turns me down. What if he tells me I had my chance and I blew it?"

"What if he does?" she challenges, knowing he needs her to be strong and not fall apart.

"I don't know," Derek answers honestly, vulnerably.

Meredith studies her husband for a few silent moments. Then she reaches up and adjusts his shirt collar, straightens his tie, and answers, "Then we find a hospital smart enough to hire you and allow you to teach, Derek."

"What?" he asks in shock. "No Meredith," he shakes his head vehemently, "no. I told you, me wanting to be with you and teach you is as big a part of this as me needing to teach the medicine."

"I'm sorry, wasn't I clear?" she asks and leans up to kiss him quickly, lightly on the lips. "It would have to be a hospital willing to hire me, too. After my Fellowship, obviously."

"Meredith..."

"No," she interrupts, "no protesting. You were willing to go with me to L.A when we thought my Fellowship was going to be at Cedars-Sinai. And now we're married and I love you. We're in this together, Derek."

He grins, feeling relieved. He leans down to kiss her then whispers, "I love you."

"I know," she giggles and moves them toward the elevator. "Now go convince the Chief to hire you so we don't have to face the hassle of moving."

"Right away, Dr. Shepherd,' he teases.

"Smart ass," she says, thankful they're the only two in the elevator.

"You like my ass."

"I do,' she agrees, "but that's a conversation for another time."

"Yeah, yeah," he says, walking with her down the hall. "I'm meeting Miranda after this, but I'll call you as soon as it's done."

"Okay," she answers. "I'll be prepping for a surgery that I have in two hours."

"I can't imagine that it'll take that long."

"I know," she replies and kisses him again. "Good luck."

"Thanks."

Meredith chews her lip nervously as Derek walks into the Chief's office. Then she turns and walks to the surgical floor - knowing she has to put it out of her mind and work. She checks her cell phone to make sure it's on and well-charged though, not wanting to miss Derek's call when it comes.
*

Meredith glances at her watch and sighs in nervous frustration. It's been close to an hour since she left Derek at the Chief's office and he hasn't called. Which means they're either still talking or Derek didn't like the outcome and doesn't want to talk about it yet. Of course, if they're still talking that could also mean more than one thing. It could mean they're hashing out details about Derek teaching. It could also mean that Derek's trying to convince the Chief to hire him. Meredith so wants to go walk by the Chief's office and see if Derek's still in there but she won't allow herself to do it. Her husband is a grown man - fully capable of handling his professional life. It would be absolutely pathetic if she hovered outside the Chief's office like a nervous mother hen. Even though that's exactly what she feels like.

Meredith jumps as her phone finally vibrates in her pocket. She pulls it out and opens it quickly upon seeing that it's Derek calling.

"What did he say?"

"What?" Derek laughs, "No 'hello' for your husband? No telling me how much you love..."

"Derek!"

"All right," he laughs again. "Richard is receptive to the idea of me teaching here. He wants to have a meeting with you and I together and then run everything by the Board."

Meredith waits for Derek to continue. When he doesn't she asks, "That's it? It's been an hour! There's no way that took an hour, Derek. I've been a nervous wreck - you could've let me know something!"

"Mer," he interrupts, a smile in his voice. "Don't be mad. I'm sorry you were worrying but Richard just stepped out to get Miranda for me. We've been talking all this time - or rather he has. He was telling me about some stuff he and Adele are going through. I called you as soon as possible."

"Oh, sorry," Meredith mumbles. "Now I feel stupid."

"Don't," Derek laughs again. "I love knowing you give a damn."

"Of course I do," she answers. "I still have an hour before surgery. Do you want to have coffee?"

"You do seem to enjoy asking me on coffee dates, Mrs. Shepherd."

"Yes or no?"

"Duh," he replies and she laughs.

"I'll see you in a minute," Meredith says to him and hangs up to walk to the Chief's office.
_________________________________

"When are you and Derek meeting with the Chief?" Lexie asks her sister many hours later.

"Next Wednesday," Meredith answers and then yawns. "Then the week after that the Chief will meet with the board."

"So realistically Derek could be working here in about two weeks."

"Yeah," Meredith answers with an involuntary grin. "I don't know if really will happen that fast, but it could."

"I'm glad you're happy about Derek possibly coming to teach here," Lexie states.

"Why wouldn't I be," Meredith questions with a slight frown.

"You should be happy about it," Lexie states quickly. "I was just worried you'd be a little sensitive about the situation. I mean, you were all about not mixing your personal and professional lives. You were..."

"Lex," Meredith interrupts her sister.

"Yeah?"

"I've changed a lot over the past year."

"I know," Lexie smiles and nods. "You're even friends with Cristina."

"Be nice," Meredith answers with her own smile. "I like Cristina."

"I know, you two are eerily similar."

"Anyway," Meredith says, rolling her eyes. "I'm really hoping the board approves Derek coming to teach here. For one thing, it's what he wants and needs. And for another," Meredith sighs, "I won't have to miss him so much because he'll be here."

"We should all be so lucky," Lexie states.

"What do you mean? You're dating Ryan from Radiology. I thought you said you like him."

"I do - a lot, actually. I just don't know if I'll ever love someone the way you love Derek."

"You will," Meredith states confidently, emphatically.

"I hope so," Lexie sighs.

"I know so," Meredith insists.

"Maybe."

"Hey," Meredith throws her arm around her sister. "You, Molly and I had a crappy dad. I believe that karma-wise we are now entitled to ever-lasting true love. Molly and I found ours - now it's your turn."

The sisters share a good, hard laugh. Then Lexie says, "You do realize how unscientific that sounds, right?"

"Of course," Meredith answers, "but when you can explain love in scientific terms - you let me know."

And with that she walks away. Leaving her sister to ponder karma and love.