The Seventh Sense is Love

You Need Sleep

"You look like shit, man."

"Thanks," Derek answered sarcastically.

"Is something wrong?" Mark asked after chuckling at his friend.

"Just tired. Mer isn't sleeping well -"

"So, neither are you," Mark finished and actually sounded sympathetic. "Come on, I'll buy you a coffee."

"I can't," Derek stated and actually groaned. "Meredith is missing it and craving it. I was hoping to make it easier on her and told her I'd give it up, too."

Mark laughed and said, "That's just stupid."

"Yeah well, it sounded good at the time."

"And now?"

"Now it sounds stupid," Derek grinned.

"Why don't you go take a nap in an on-call room. Afterward I'll treat you to that coffee. Meredith will understand," Mark said when it appeared as if Derek was going to protest. "How are you going to take care of her if you're just as exhausted?"

"You're right," Derek nodded. "Thanks," he said and walked toward an on-call room for a much needed, uninterrupted nap.

"Meredith?"

"Huh?" She blinked, unaware of how long she'd been standing at the nurse's station just staring at the chart in front of her.

"It can't be good for you or the kid to be this tired," Cristina stated quietly.

"Is it that obvious?" Meredith asked her friend.

"Yes," Cristina nodded. "How long has it been since you've had a decent night of sleep?"

"God," Meredith half laughed, half cried, "I don't even know. I think I'm more tired now than I was during my intern year. I expected this after the birth but not before. Dr. Chu said this is just nature's way of preparing us for the first few months with a newborn. How do people do this?"

"Hell if I know," Cristina answered with a slight shudder. "I do know you need some sleep, though."

"I have surgery in two hours," Meredith said.

"I'll grab one of your interns and take care of everything for you while you sleep in an on-call room."

"I can't," Meredith protested, even though she wanted to agree.

"Yes, you can," Cristina insisted. She stepped closer and asked softly, "Do you want the Chief Mommy-tracking you?"

"Hell no," Meredith answered, heat in her voice. "That's why I can't let him think I can't do my job."

"Exactly," Cristina said and laughed at Meredith's confused look. "Okay listen, Lexie and I have spoken about this and don't be pissy about it. The thing is - you're going to need our help for the end of this pregnancy and the first few months you're back after having the kid. And you're damn well going to accept our help, like it or not. The truth of the matter is, you succeeding at being a mommy and a surgeon will make it a lot easier on Lexie and I when we decide to have kids."

Meredith was so touched she thought she might really cry. To keep from doing that though, she teased Cristina, "You want kids?"

"Shut up and get your ass to an on-call room for a nap. Lexie and I will prep your patient and keep the Chief off your back."

"Thank you, Cristina."

"You're welcome," Cristina sighed. "I may suck at the baby shower planning and being gooey part, but I can - and will - help out in this way."

Meredith smiled and went to a blissfully empty and quiet on call room. She was asleep moments after her head hit the pillow.