Looking at you side ways

35

Meredith's alarm clock went off and she bolted straight up.[i] Shit! It was already 0330. It really was the middle of the damn night![/i] She went in and turned on the shower. She quickly washed her hair and showered and knew she didn't have time to blow dry it. As she looked in the mirror, she saw mini waves already forming. [i]Crap! Bad hair day![/i]

Derek had woken up at 0330 also. He took a quick shower and dressed.[i] He had told them he would drive and get the coffee on and intended to do just that.[/i] He poured glasses of juice and finished preparing their lunches. Grilled chicken sandwiches, chips, and an apple and cookies. The bags sat on the counter. He was making their breakfast when Mark shuffled in.

"Fuck! It is the middle of the fucking night."

"Get in the shower. It will wake you up. Here, drink some coffee." Derek poured him a cup and handed it to him.

"DePalma wasn't so bad," Mark whined.

"It's a marathon, not a sprint. Go!"

Mark scratched himself and looked quizzically at Derek. [i]Fucking morning person[/i] he thought. Then Mark thought [i]about how Derek was up before him and had made the coffee, and the lunch, and probably breakfast.[/i]

Mark mumbled "Sorry."

Mark shut the door to the bathroom and Derek was grateful when he heard the shower come on quickly.[i] Mark had been known to fall asleep on the toilet during medical school. [/i]

Derek went back to his prep work and scowled. [i] He really should be mad at Mark. After cleaning up last night, Meredith and Derek had settled in on the couch with their laptops studying, just enjoying each others company. Mark had spent an extraordinary time in the bathroom and then he weaseled his way in between them with his laptop. It was just a little too crowded. Meredith had finally yawned and said goodnight and then Mark was all for going to bed too. Derek was left with a massive hard on.[/i]

Meredith walked into the kitchen with her hair in glorious waves. Derek smiled at her and handed her a cup of coffee. He inclined his head towards the juice and said, "Drink up."

Meredith scrunched her nose and said, "Juice? Um..I think I will just have a Pepsi."

He blocked the front of the refrigerator and said, "A good day starts with a good breakfast."

Meredith whined, "I need caffeine!"

"Drink the juice and then have some coffee."

Meredith eyed the juice and thought [i]what the hell? It's a small glass.[/i] She threw it back like a shot and the acid did tickle her throat enough to wake her up a little more. She washed it down with some coffee. She eyed the three lunch bags.

"Um Derek? Do you think you could make one for Cristina? I mean she is my friend and she has no one. She's kinda a stray. I'll pay for her." She gave him her best pout.

Derek sighed and said, "Sure."[i] He didn't want to feed Yang, except to the bears most days, but couldn't refuse Meredith anything when she gave him that look.[/i]

Mark emerged and they all filled their to go cups. Derek said, "Okay, Mark go warm up the car. It will take me less than five to make breakfast."

"We are not stopping for fast food?" asked Mark.

"No. This is a good healthy breakfast and we can eat on the way. We are going to get there before Dr. Bailey."

Mark and Meredith clutched their to go cups and staggered into the garage.

Derek microwaved the eggs whites and put the whole wheat English muffins in the toaster. He slapped Canadian bacon and cheese on them and wrapped them in foil.[i] There were two for Mark and two for himself and one for Meredith. It would get them through the next couple of hours.[/i]