The Seventh Sense is Love

Is Meredith Ok?

"Hi Derek."

"Hi Lexie," he answers and turns his head to the side. "How are you?"

"I'm okay but I'm actually wondering what's going on with Meredith. She won't tell me but I'm hoping you will."

"What's wrong with Meredith?" Derek asks in alarm and grabs Lexie's arm tightly.

"Ow Derek," she says and he immediately releases her arm and mumbles an apology. She continues, "Meredith says she's fine but she's acting weird. I caught her literally falling asleep over a chart this morning. And she turned down a muffin from the coffee cart. She never does that. And there's other small stuff."

Derek sighs in relief and answers, "She's trying to do too damn much for Christmas and she's exhausting herself. Plus, she's freaked out about having everyone over tomorrow night."

"Okay," Lexie replies and gives an audible sigh of her own. "Maybe you can convince her to go take a nap in an on call room. She doesn't have surgery until later this afternoon."

"I'm sure I can," he chuckles.

"Good," Lexie states, "because here she comes now and she is dragging." She says bye to Derek and makes a quick retreat in the opposite direction of her sister. Lexie isn't in the mood to have her head bitten off by Meredith again."

"Hi Derek," Meredith says as she walks up to her husband and wraps her arms around his waist and lays her head on his chest.

"Hi Mer," he replies in surprise because she never goes for the public display of affection at work. Maybe Lexie was right and something was wrong. "Are you okay?" he asks and hugs her back.

"I'm fine," she answers and pulls away from him. "Just tired. I'm actually going to lay down. Do you want to come with me?"

"Yes," he answers and holds out his hand. She takes it and leads them to the nearest available on call room. They lay down together on the narrow bed and Meredith is asleep in Derek's arms almost immediately. He frowns in concentration - trying to recall exactly when her fatigue had begun. He couldn't remember the exact day but thinks it's been about a week. He stays with Meredith - holding her tightly. He promises himself to pay better attention to how she's taking care of herself.
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Derek was feeling very restless. Meredith was sleeping again. She'd gotten up with him that morning and she'd been excited and happy about Christmas. They'd made love, had breakfast, taken a shower together and then gone out for a walk on their land. By the time they'd come back to the house she was yawning. When he'd asked her how she was feeling she'd said fine just tired. She went in to lie down and fell asleep quickly.

The doorbell rang and Derek went to answer it before whomever was at the door rang again and woke Meredith.

"Merry Christmas," said Mark. "I came over early in case you and Meredith need help with anything."

"No," Derek said, waving his friend inside and shutting the door. "We're all set. The gifts are all wrapped and the food arrives at four."

"Where's Meredith?" Mark asks after looking around and not seeing her. He sets the wine he's brought on the counter.

"Sleeping," Derek replies.

"She's been doing a lot of that," Mark states.

"I know," Derek sighs. "Do you want coffee?"

"Did you make it?"

"No," Derek grins.

"In that case, yes, but I'll get it."