Hiding in the Shadows

83. Bickering

Kathryn Wyatt sat back in her chair and regarded the couple that sat before her...the very silent couple. She rolled her eyes subtly. God they were made for each other...they both were like this on their first day of therapy individually and now here they were as a couple and neither were saying anything...hell they weren't even touching. Yet she could feel the emotions flitting from person to person...it was almost electrifying in a way...as if words were not necessary for them to communicate. She could detect lust, admiration, anger, reluctance, fear and love, but there was the underlying dose of tension that she wanted to cut through...immediately.

"Okay, I am not getting any younger so talk. Now." She demanded.

They both jumped as if they were lost in their own individual thoughts, thoughts that were tied together like an invisible string traveling to each other.

"Meredith?" Kathryn asked.

"Why do I have to go first?" Meredith whined.

"Cause I want to torture you most." Kathryn teased, but her eyes showed her seriousness.

Meredith cracked a smile.

"So why don't you tell me why you are here?" Kathryn asked.

"Cause Derek seems to think I need to be here telling you all my deep dark secrets and fears." Meredith snorted indelicately.

"And you don't think you need too even after all you went through with Ma..." Kathryn began.

"Don't...don't say his name...please." Meredith said, her voice steely.

"Okay...after all you went through with Voldemort." Kathryn amended.

"Voldemort?" Meredith asked confused.

"Yeah...you know...Harry Potter...ugly old dead guy who is trying to kill Harry Potter."

Meredith looked blankly at her.

"He who shall not be named?" Kathryn asked, trying to jog her memory.

"Sorry...not a geek." Meredith said.

"Fine...'him'...after what happened with 'him'. You don't think you need to talk it out?" Kathryn asked.

Meredith shook her head.

"I'm fine." She insisted.

Derek groaned.

"What?" Meredith snapped.

"You are not fine, you are the furthest thing from fine that there is. Matt...yes I said his name...attacked you, tried to kill you...again. You need this." Derek said.

"Who are you to tell me what I need? I survived just fine before you came into my life Derek Shepherd and now is no different. I have been through this before and I know how to get past it. If anyone needs therapy it is you." Meredith said loudly, jabbing her finger into his chest to make her point.

"And I have been going!" Derek yelled.

Meredith looked at him and then to Kathryn, startled. Kathryn nodded once.

"You've been going to therapy? For how long?" Meredith asked in a whisper.

"Since you drug my drunk ass home and left me Kathryn's card." He admitted. "I have been working through my issues and now it is time to continue working on yours just like you did before...only there is one difference now." He told her.

"Oh, yeah and what is that?" She asked, her voice thick with fear.

"I will be here with you every step of the way." He promised her. "I know that is taking some getting used to, me underfoot all the time. I know you need some space and I will give you as much as I can, but Meredith...I am not letting you deal with this yourself. I just got you in my life and I will be damned if I am going to let you get too far away from me. Of course why would you want to. I am a catch." He said winking at her.

She rolled her tear filled eyes.

"Of course you are dear." She mocked.

"I am." He insisted.

"Hmmm...hmm." She said, noncommittally.

Derek looked to Kathryn for help.

"Tell her I am a catch." He demanded.

"Oh yeah, you are the Cat's Meow Derek." She said, raising an eyebrow.

Derek slumped back on the couch and crossed his arms.

"Well, I know how great I am." He muttered.

Meredith hit him with a couch pillow.

"Do you see how violent she is?" He told Kathryn.

"Can't say I blame her, someone needs to take your ego down a notch." Kathryn murmured.

Meredith took a deep breath and was suddenly serious.

"I know he can't get to me now...or ever again. That doesn't change the fact that he got to me twice. I close my eyes and I see him, standing over me with this look of dark hate in his eyes. It was like looking at the devil himself." She turned to Derek suddenly. "I will deal with this, I will come to therapy, but I have to do it by myself. Don't think I am shutting you out, I'm not but..."

Derek placed his finger over her mouth and nodded.

"I understand. You have to do this alone. I get it. I'm not mad, but I am here if you need me." Derek told her.

Meredith nodded and kissed him softly.

Kathryn shut her composition book with a snap.

They looked to her in surprise.

"What the hell am I getting paid for if you are going to deal with your issues without me?" She mocking complained.

Meredith cracked a grin.

"Oh don't worry, you will get your money's worth from me."

"I know, but I thought this was couple's therapy?"

"You want issues? Oh we have issues." Meredith said.

Derek laughed.

"Like what?" Kathryn asked.

"The hair products...all the hair products."

"The complaining."

"About your hair products and let's not forget the fishing gear you can't use."

"I told you I like to look at it."

"Who likes to look at a fishing pole and those wobbly things."

"It is called bait Mer."

"Whatever, it is not normal."

"Neither is your very loud snoring."

"I do not snore..." He shot her a look. "Okay so I do, you have earplugs now so shut up. Nothing helps your funky breath in the morning."

"I am so sorry that I have morning breath, we can't all be perfect like you."

Kathryn looked at them before leaving her office and closing the door on their bickering.

She was sorry she had asked.