peace

chapter 10

"Hey Mer," George called out as Meredith walked into the house.

"Hey," She said a little nervously.

"What's up?" George asked as he noticed Meredith's meek manor.

"I- um- Derek is coming over tonight. To look at the attic. Where he is moving in." She responded avoiding his eyeline.

"What." He said quietly, shock spread on his face.

"Derek is moving in."

"I can't live with Dr. Monster, Meredith. He- I can't." George shook his head.

"I need a room for a nursery." Meredith said quietly.

"You need- oh."

"I am sorry George."

"So you are kicking me out. For Dr. Monster."

"If you really want you can move into the library, but, I am going to have a screaming baby and Derek is going to be here."

"Oh so I don't have to leave but I am not wanted. Not important." George said as he threw his hands in the air.

"George." Meredith said trying to calm him. The doorbell rang and Meredith gave him a look of pity. "He is here." She added.

"Well. Don't make him wait, don't want him to go on another tirade."

Meredith rolled her eyes and went to the door.

"Hi Derek." She said as she opened the door for him to enter.

"This is nice. Your house. How do you have a nice house?"

"It was my mother's. I moved into it when I came to Seattle."

"Oh I am sorry."

"For what?"

"You said 'was'. You said it was your mothers"

"Oh she's not dead it's- Let me give you a tour of the house. This is obviously the foyer" She said avoiding the subject. She pointed to the right, "That's the living room that can be turned into the dining room." She pointed to the left. "That's the office, library, storage room. It might turn into George's room if he decides to stay. And down this hallway is the downstairs bathroom and the kitchen." They walked down the hallway to the kitchen where George was sitting.

"Hello -um- George." Derek said, unsure about using his first name.

George grunted a reply.

"George." Meredith chastised.

"What?" He asked defensively.

"Use your words." She responded, mimicking a teacher talking to a toddler.

"I think me and Dr. Shepherd," he sneered the name, "Have had enough words."

"Look," Derek interjected. "I am sorry for the way I treated you before. It was unacceptable. I know this isn't an excuse but I was going through a hard time. I am not saying you have to forgive me but I don't think us fighting would be good for Meredith. She is pregnant and an intern, that's enough stress without adding us bickering."

"Whatever." He said as he got up and left the room.

"Well that went well." Derek said as he watched the door close.

Meredith smiled at him, "He, probably, will come around. Thanks for trying to alleviate my stress."

"Anything I can do to help alleviate your stress." He responded with a sparkle in his eye. She wasn't quite sure but she thought he might be flirting with her.

She smiled back at him, "So this is the kitchen."

"It's a nice kitchen."

"Great kitchen. Um. I don't cook or anything but you can if you do. Izzie bakes a lot. There was cookies yesterday, but now there isn't. Blueberry apparently really likes cookies."

"I cook a little. If you have cravings, I can help with them." This time she was sure he was flirting.

"I'll let you know if any... cravings come up." She responded. "And that's the laundry room." She pointed to the room past the kitchen table. "Let's go upstairs so I can show you your room. If both Izzie and George move out, you can move to one of their rooms but until then, the attic will have to do."

"That attic is perfectly fine." He assured her.

"Ok." They reached the second floor. "This is where the main bedrooms are. George and Izzie's are these two." She pointed to two doors. Down the hall and on the right is the bathroom. And to the left is my room." She pointed to her door.

"Good to know." He smirked.

"And up these stairs." The walked up to the attic. "Is where you will be living." They arrived in a room with a bed and some boxes.

"This is- nice. Once I move in, it will be a whole lot better than the trailer."

"I'm sure. And blueberry will be thankful not to have a piece of bimbo trailer trash for a father." Meredith teased.

"Definitely not. Only the best for blueberry."

"So when do you think you will move in?" She asked.

"If it's okay with you I was hoping to move this weekend."

"That works." She started to walk downstairs. "I have a spare key for you in the kitchen."

"Great." He said as they reached the first floor.

"So I am on your service tomorrow."

"You are." He smiled.

"How is that going to work?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, our personal relationship has changed a bit. And last time it changed, we handled it by using the silent treatment, and I don't think that's the best idea."

"How about we go for friendly but professional. No special treatment, but I'll still treat you the same as I am now. And um- you are pregnant, I don't want to work you too hard with that."

"I'm fine, I just get tired sometimes."

"Ok I will make sure I don't run you around too much."

"But- never mind."

"What?" Derek asked.

"Just. Don't keep me out of surgeries. Even pregnant, I want surgeries. If I have earned them."

He laughed "I wouldn't dare keep you out."

"Good. That wouldn't end well for you."

"No it wouldn't. I would probably end up on the streets."

"No probably about it. You mommy track me and you will lose the roof over your head."