Looking at you side ways

29

Derek started out the door after Meredith, but Mark put his hand out in a stop motion.

"Derek; go home and get some sleep. She's not ready to talk to you yet. Obviously, since she just volunteered to spend the night with a hopeless case."

"I have to talk to her!"

Mark said low so no one would hear. "Derek. Trust me. I know woman. You can talk, but she won't listen. She won't hear a thing you say right now. She's a mess, but she is doing what she needs to do to survive. Give it some time. You can talk to her tomorrow."

"But I can't not talk to her!"

"She ran out of here after volunteering to work extra hours babysitting. You think she is ready to hear anything you have to say? That was Meredith Grey in her best avoidance stance. Besides, she is sleep deprived and she needs to keep that baby alive. You will only screw her up more if you force her to listen to you. Please Derek. Go home. I am sorry to say this, but tonight...don't think about easing your guilty conscience. Don't think about easing your pain. Help her out. Ease her pain. She can't process being with you now. Let her do her job without adding to her burden tonight."

[i] Derek knew intellectually that Mark was right. But emotionally?[/i] He sighed and said, "Okay. You are right I guess. Will you check on her before you come home please?"

Mark looked at Derek's face. "Yeah. Your face looks better. Yang packs quite the punch. It's a good thing it wasn't a punch but a slap. Impressive little street fighter! Wouldn't want to meet her in a dark alley. If we ever have to pick teams, remind me to make her co captain, not you!" Mark was trying to inject some humor in the situation. He left and the others got changed into their street clothes.

Cristina whispered to Burke, "Drinks at Joe's."

Burked said back coldly, "I don't think so. I have to get home." He thought to himself[i] that ladies didn't behave the way Cristina just had. He wondered what his momma would think of her.[/i]

Cristina was surprised a little, but thought [i]WTF? If she scared him off, so be it.[/i]

Addison turned to Derek and said, "Come on Derek. Let's get you a stiff drink. You could use it and frankly I need it."

"No thanks Addison."

"Why not?"

"I have to study."

Addison whined, "Come on Derek. You need a drink."

He mumbled back, "I can drink at home."

Addison purred, "Do you want some company?"

"You heard DePalma. I need to study and get up early. Good night Addie."

Burke and Derek walked out of the locker room together and Addison thought to herself,[i] God; I must be loosing my touch.[/i]

Yang gave her the evil eye and left too. Cris was going to Joe's alone. [i]There was serious drinking to do at Joe's. [/i]

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Two hours later Mark was headed home. He went to the neo natal ICU to look for Mer. He saw her through the glass and tapped lightly to get her attention. She turned around and went out to see him.

"Oh Mer. You look exhausted honey. Why did you volunteer for this?"

She chewed her lower lip and said, "I don't want to talk about it."

Mark wanted to give her a hug, but she had on extra protective gear and he didn't want to contaminate her. "Can I get you anything? Coffee or dinner?"

"I have granola bars in my locker. And maybe two coffee's?"