Ever The Same

32

She should be thinking really hard about the patient chart in front of her but she couldn't. Instead, her husband's cuts and bruises kept flashing through her head when she was supposed to try and be the doctor for someone else. The Chief had approached her today, told her she could be with Derek, but she couldn't. She couldn't be near him because if she was, she'd keep being scared and she could use the excuse that she'd already spent too much time away.

"Hey Mer." Izzie said quietly, approaching Meredith at the nurse's station.

""Oh Hey Izzie." Meredith whispered, before looking back down to the chart. The chart of the patient didn't actually say anything important, except for the patient was fine and could be released as soon as possible.

"Got anything good?"

"Not yet."

"How's Derek?" Izzie breathed.

"He's fine." Meredith said, handing a nurse the chart. "Page Dr. Finnegan and tell her to release Mrs. Dwell."

"Yes Dr. Shepherd." The nurse nodded.

"So...Izzie..."

"Sorry...I know...You don't talk about stuff."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Meredith asked.

"Nothing..."

"Okay." Meredith looked at her strangely before turning around to lean against the nurses station, a hand moving over her stomach.

"How are you feeling?" Izzie asked, changing the subject.

"Hmm...good." Meredith whispered, rubbing her hand in circles.

"I have something I want to show you..." Izzie said.

"Oh...pregnant man?" Meredith's face lit up.

"No...Not a pregnant man." Izzie laughed. "Follow me."

"So...were you able to book the photographer you wanted?" Meredith asked.

"Yeah. He had somebody else who was about to book him but we got him first."

"That's great." Meredith replied, as they walked down the hallways towards the offices of the attending's. "And you think my dress is okay? I mean...I don't think my stomach is going to grow a large amount in five weeks."

"We're going to do a final fitting a few days before the wedding so they can make any last minute alterations." Izzie replied.

"Okay." Meredith breathed.

"So...This is what I want to show you." Izzie said quietly, as they stopped in front of Derek's office.

"What?" Meredith frowned.

"Go in."

"Are do you have the cake samples in...." Meredith stopped as Izzie opened the door, revealing Derek sitting on his couch, in a polo and jeans.

"Hi." Derek smiled, waving to the both of them.

"Hi." Meredith whispered.

"Mark has the car downstairs when you two are ready to go." Izzie breathed.

"Thanks Izzie." Derek nodded, as she shut the office door.

"Okay...Iz..."

"I'm...free." Derek breathed.

"Okay."

"You didn't come back to my room last night."

"You didn't come back to my room last night."