Untouchable face

56.

Generally, Meredith enjoyed her days off. She enjoyed the sleeping in and the lounging around watching crappy TV until she forced herself to actually do something. At least, she had enjoyed her days off before she had met Derek.

She really thought that a day off would be perfect. She wanted more time with Derek and while they're date was the next night, she really thought it'd be nice to maybe see him for a bit today and relax. Except she really hadn't factored in the moodiness she had already seen from him. She got that he had a reason to be moody, she really did. He was working so hard to get better and he was beyond sore. And she had seen him get moody before. She had been the one to get him out of those moods that made her almost hate him. She really didn't want to blame him for this, she didn't. His life had changed so much in such a short time and she got it. But his moods now affected her when she was home, and it affected her ability to relax and just enjoy having time to talk to him.

But he was in a mood so instead she was studying for a surgery. Studying was always good and it made her feel really productive. She just wished she could be cuddling with Derek instead. She was pretty sure he wasn't her boyfriend, at least not yet. They needed to go on a date for that or have a talk or something. She actually had no idea how it worked but it didn't matter anyway. What mattered was that she'd really like to be with him.

His text messages earlier had been short and sharp, and she had kind of wanted to tell him to snap out of it. But there was a difference between being his doctor and his maybe girlfriend so she couldn't. But it was fine, studying was better anyway. She was going to see him tomorrow anyway. It wouldn't be that long and hopefully by then whatever had gotten him in this shit mood would be over with so he'd be able to actually enjoy himself a bit. Being with grumpy Derek on a date would be hell.

So she was just going to stop thinking about him and study. Hoping her ringing phone was him was lame. "Hello?" she sighed.

"Meredith?"

"Derek?" she frowned at the sound of his exhausted voice.

"I need a ride."

"Oh, hi, Derek. No, I'm not busy. Just enjoying my day off."

"Meredith..." he groaned.

"Sorry," she sighed softly. "Why do you need a ride?"

"Because I can't drive my fucking self."

"Really? I had no idea," she rolled her eyes, even if he couldn't see her. "I meant where are you going?"

"Mer..." he groaned again. "I need papers at my house."

"Papers?"

"Paperwork for work."

"You're working?"

"Trying to."

"Okay...where's your mom?"

"She's out for a bit and I don't know when she'll get home."

"Did you try Mark?"

"Yes, I tried Mark," he grumbled.

"Derek..." she breathed.

"Listen, if you're too busy I'll just try to get a taxi or something, I just thought that you could help."

"Okay, first, can you do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Can you tell me why you're being such a huge ass?"

"Oh," he breathed.

"I don't want to be mean," she groaned. "I just...what's going on with you?"

"My back's killing me," he sighed. "And I'm sick of needing rides everywhere."