Hiding in the Shadows

52. Give me a Reason

"Okay, listen up people...I don't have all day. I have a surgery with the new guy, who is one step away from a sexual harrasment suit on his second day here. Stevens, you can scrub in with us, if you can refrain from dry humping him...I mean really he hasn't been here for twenty four hours...just nasty." Izzie blushed. "Now...O'Malley you are on Peds, Yang...cardio, Karev...plastics, and Grey...someone is popular today...you are on Neuro. Don't make me regret that." Bailey ranted.

"So Dr. Weller or Dr. Crichek?" Meredith asked.

"Dr. Shepherd." Bailey said, raising an eyebrow.

"Fun." Meredith said, rolling her eyes.

"What? Aren't you two big buddies these days?" Bailey mocked.

"Yeah, we are bestest friends...I just painted his toenails last night." Meredith said.

"Is that sarcasm I hear?" Bailey asked.

"Yes."

"Okay, just checking. Now get to work." Bailey said, leaving the room with Izzie rushing after her.

"Ugh! What the hell did I do to deserve this shit?" Meredith ranted.

"Well, let's see...you pissed off Shepherd, passed out and hit your head, pretended to be his girlfriend in front of his mommy, let him stick you with his prick and then let him dump you and your fake relationship...damn, you are pathetic." Cristina said.

"I personally think it all comes down to hitting your head. We should do a MRI. You didn't start liking him until then, so clearly you have brain damage." Alex interjected.

"I hate you both!" Meredith hissed.

"Oh, you love me, Evil Spawn not so sure about." Cristina said.

"Oh she loves me too." Alex said winking at Meredith.

"Ugh...whatever. I have to go find McDouchy." Meredith groaned as she went to go find Derek. The same Derek she had thrown herself at and the same one who had pushed her away and walked off.

"Hey Mer! Wait up!" Alex said, jogging up to her.

"What's up? More jokes about how pathetic I am?" Meredith said, raising an eyebrow at him.

"No." Alex looked down at his feet. "Iwonderedifyouwouldgooutwithmetonight." He said in a rush.

Meredith stared at him in shock.

So did Derek, who was coming to find his late intern. He wanted to apologize again and he felt he should be punished for the way he acted. A day with Meredith in close proximity, breathing her in, looking at her beautiful face...punishment. Looking at her, knowing he in no way deserved someone so wonderful...punishment. Watching Dr. Jock Itch ask his dream woman out...definite punishment. He knew it was irrational, he knew he had pushed her away, he knew she deserved better than him, but in that moment...he wanted to kill Alex Karev, yes he knew his name too, and hide his body somewhere on his forty acres.

"Oh." Meredith breathed.

"I know we talked about it the other night and I understand. I just want to get to know you better." Meredith looked at him knowingly. "Not like that. Just maybe grab some pizza and a couple of beers. I mean, no one really likes me here except you and that red headed nurse." He whispered in her ear. not wanting anyone to listen in to that statement. He had a reputation to uphold after all.

Meredith giggled.

"Meet me in the lobby at eight?" Meredith asked.

Alex grinned.