Outside of Fear

Chapter Eighteen

TW: The italics at the end of the chapter contain a description of suicide. If this may be triggering to you, you can read up until it italics, then skip to the next chapter.

"Megan was absolutely elated when I told her about this Aquatic Therapy," Meredith grumbles.

"What do you have against Megan? She seems really nice." Derek laughs.

"Exactly. She's too nice. Too perky. It's annoying." Meredith replies. She pulls a sweatshirt over the one-piece bathing suit she's wearing, then walks out of the bathroom. She and Derek had been holding their conversation on either side of the door. "At least I don't have to see her today. I'd much rather be spending the day with you."

The waterproofed bandages bulge slightly through the one-piece, and Meredith feels extremely awkward wearing it. She had to go out and buy an actual bathing suit- she didn't have one. The last few times Meredith's been 'swimming' have been in full BDUs and with a fifty-pound backpack.

Derek smiles. "Ready to go?"

"If this goes well, maybe I'll do it every day. Anything to avoid Megan."

"I seriously don't understand why you hate her so much." Derek shakes his head as he walks out the door. With a night shift tonight, he has the day to go to the indoor pool which they rented out for Meredith to use.

After the short drive, the two walk into the empty area. There's not even a lifeguard. Derek tosses his stuff down on a chair and takes off his shirt, as Meredith does the same.

When he turns, her gaze instantly flicks down to his chest.

Shit. Meredith has seen plenty of topless guys who are extremely sculpted, but her breath hitches at this sight. He looks just as good, if not, better.

Derek smirks, watching her face until she realizes she's gawking. Meredith makes eye contact with him, then realizes she stared at his exposed skin for a solid minute. She reddens instantly. This is the first time she's seen him topless.

Derek laughs out loud, and Meredith, rarely ever flustered, clears her throat and tries to change the subject.

"So, uh, what are we doing?"

"Clearly you're admiring what you see." Derek grins playfully.

"Oh my god," Meredith presses her hand to her forehead, trying to hide her embarrassment. "I mean tell me what I'm doing to strengthen my body. That is the whole reason we're here, after all."

"Well, we should get in first," Derek suggests, then, without hesitation, he jumps right into the deep end of the pool, which is about nine feet.

The strong smell of chlorine is what Meredith focuses on as she takes a different route, gripping tightly onto the railing as she eases herself into the cool water down the steps.

She lets out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding when she finally hits the bottom and moves away from the stairs. The water barely reaches her waist in the shallow end, and Derek comes over to her.

"Are you okay?"

She nods, "I think so."

Derek nods, studying her. She does the same, but for a different reason. His usually perfectly styled hair is a long, sopping mess around his face, and the water glistens, dripping down his chest and neck. Meredith can't seem to stop ogling him.

"Let's start with just some treading water. Can you do it for a minute?"

While holding tightly onto the wall, Meredith makes her way to the deep end and then begins to tread water, surprised by how easily it comes back to her.