Outside of Fear

Chapter Fourteen

"You're completely sure about this?" Michael says in a low voice to Meredith as she pulls a sweatshirt over her head.

"I am. He's a good guy, Mike. He won't take advantage, if that's what you're worried about. And besides, I'm a Marine, I can take care of myself. You taught me how." Meredith replies. She's being discharged from Seattle Grace the day after the fire, and the two Marines are alone in her room together.

The previous day, Kellin had only decided to stare down Derek, as if to assert his dominance. After, he settled into the chair beside Meredith's bed and talked, which left Derek both confused and shocked.

"And he actually does care about you? He's not just doing it because he feels obligated?"

"We've been on one date. And he saved my life once already, so it would be a real shame if anything were to happen to me again now." Meredith bites.

"I've saved your life too, doesn't mean I want to make out and move in with you."

"Oh, ew," she scrunches her nose at the thought of kissing Michael, "and don't pretend like I haven't saved your ass either."

He shakes his head slightly, a smirk on his face. "I have a couple of meetings at Puget Sound later, so I have to go." He starts towards the door.

"Let me know where you're staying, maybe we can grab lunch or something while you're here," Meredith replies, waving him off. Micheal nods and leaves, and not ten seconds after, Teddy walks in. Meredith smiles. "Well, look who finally decided to show up."

The cardio surgeon is in scrubs but looks tired and disheveled. "I knew you were fine, we've survived worse."

Meredith stops to study her friend and raises an eyebrow with a sly smile. "What were you doing all night?" Teddy turns pink, and Meredith laughs. "I guess that's a valid excuse for not coming by to see me. I assume you and Hunt are getting along well, then?"

Her best friend is getting laid. A lot. All the time. Jealousy flashes through Meredith.

Teddy nods vigorously, and Derek walks into the room with multiple boxes and bags. He lets them drop on the bed.

"Andy Herrera, the firefighter from last night saved whatever she could from your room. Here's your stuff. I can put it in the car when we drive back to the house." The neurosurgeon says, and Meredith brightens instantly.

She may not have had much, but everything important to her was in that hotel room. After digging through the boxes and bag, she's shocked to find that everything is still intact. Most importantly, her awards and uniforms.

"Thank you," she smiles, and she pulls him in for a quick kiss. Derek is in street clothes, and has the day off, as he was paged in the middle of the night the day before and hasn't been home since.

In a whirlwind, Derek gets the car packed and Meredith says goodbye to Teddy. The colonel doesn't have PT again until tomorrow. They get into Derek's car, since Meredith still doesn't have one, and drive the short drive back to Derek's house.

"It's all woodsy up here. You told me about this, but- holy shit." Meredith cuts herself off when Derek pulls into the gravel driveway and parks. She gets out, limping slight,ly and takes in not only the house but the view surrounding it.

"Amazing view, right?"

"All this is yours?"

"And I have no idea what I'm gonna do with it."

They stand in silence for a long few minutes, mesmerized by the beautiful land around them.

"How much for rent?" She asks abruptly.