Off The Beaten Track..

Chapter 11

Meredith sighed as she leant back against the rock that she was using as a back rest. She stretched her legs out in front of her as she set her book on the ground beside her. It was the first of August and undoubtedly the park was bursting with tourists enjoying both the majestic scenery but also the intense heat of summer. She had been told by all the locals that this was the warmest summer the park had experienced in years and Meredith was pleased she was here to enjoy it.

Today was Derek's day off and in order to let her recover from the strenuous hike that Derek took her along with ten other brave souls on yesterday they both decided on a nice and quiet day.

Yesterday, Derek had been scheduled on one of the Ranger led hikes along the Highline Trail – a trail that started at Logan Pass and finished nearly 14 miles back on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It had been spectacular of course, the sun shone the whole day and by the time they arrived at the road, Meredith had practically fell into the waiting shuttle to take them back to West Glacier. Derek had even commented this morning about her walking like John Wayne which had earned him one of many dirty looks today.

They were currently relaxing at their favourite place, the Running Eagle Falls, where only a matter of weeks ago they had kissed and started this weird relationship. As Meredith was sitting relaxing by the rocks at the side of the waterfall, Derek was up to his ankles in the water fishing.

As soon as she saw him this morning she knew he was in a mood... she could read him that well. She had just had no idea what was bothering him, he had barely spoken her to all day... but then again she was not in a talkative mood either...

She closed her eyes for a few minutes and thought about what she would be doing if she were not here in Montana... her, Lexie and Cristina would be propping up a bar somewhere and getting very drunk... raising a glass or four for a missing friend. Today would have been April's birthday... it still would have been her birthday if Meredith had acted a lot quicker than she had...

Meredith opened her eyes, now was not the time to start thinking and remembering, she could do that in four weeks time on her return train journey back to Seattle and when she had to face the consequences of her actions...
The sound of voices made her turn to head to where Derek was standing in the water with another man and a small boy who she presumed was the man's son.

They were talking about fish and the dark mood which seemed to be hovering over Derek all day was disappearing. She smiled, Derek was great with children, a natural and she could not help but see him in five, maybe ten years' time standing in the same spot teaching his son how to fish... and deep down Meredith knew that she wished that his son would be their son...

'Stop thinking like that,' she scolded herself 'let's just get the next few months over with first of all,' she muttered as she stood up and put on her Wellington boots and decided that it was about time she too learned how to fish.

Derek smirked at the image of Meredith walking over to him in the river, she was grinning from ear to ear at her accomplishment. She was in some mood today... but then again so was he... three years, three years ago today he was a made a fool of and it still ate away at him...

"What are you doing?" Derek said as he smiled at her.

"You are going to teach me how to fish," Meredith stated in a surprisingly strong voice.

"Okay," Derek smiled as he handed her his fishing rod and told how and where to stand. Within minutes he was standing directly behind her he arms gently resting on her hips.

The father and son were standing beside them, the little boy laughing at his father who was still trying to figure out what to do.

"This is a beautiful area to fish," the man said to Derek.

"It is, I have been fishing here all my life," Derek replied.

"Really," the man replied.

"We are honoured to be taught how to fish by an off-duty park ranger," Meredith said as she continued to hold the fishing rod.

"Wow, imagine living and working here."

"Do you see bears?" the little boy asked him, his eyes wide with excitement.

"All the time," Derek answered smiling down at the boy. "My name is Derek, and this Meredith."

"Hi," Meredith said softly to them.

"I'm Pete and this is my son Lucas, we are here on holiday from Houston," the man said introducing them.

"Good to meet you," Derek said.

Within a few minutes Derek was explaining to them that the falls were actually named after a female Blackfeet warrior, called Weasel Woman and later known as Running Eagle due to her bravery and warrior experienced her vision quest. Derek continued to explain that the Falls themselves are sometime called the "Trick Falls" with their change in water flow. The lower falls were faster that the upper falls, which he explained would soon be turned into a trickle during the heights of summer.

Both Pete and Lucas listened intently to every word that Derek told them before they had to leave to join up with a boat cruise on the Two Medicine Lake.

As Derek watched Pete and Lucas walk back along the pathway, Meredith looked over to the Falls and gazed at the water flowing over the top and also out of the bottom section of the falls with the mountain in the background towering over them. In that minute she realised that she never wanted to return to Seattle...

"Earth to Meredith..."

Meredith was broken from her thoughts when she heard Derek talking to her and as she turned around she lost her footing and slipped... landing ass first in the cold water.

As much as she wanted to scream and cry, the second she saw Derek struggling to keep his face straight, Meredith burst out laughing.

"Are you okay?" Derek asked as he helped her back up on to her feet.

"Apart from a bruised ego... yes I'm fine, although I have probably managed to scare away the fish," Meredith replied.

"Come on, let's get you out of the water and dried off and we can head back to the village," Derek said softly.

"No, we can stay here," Meredith said knowing how much Derek enjoyed the peace and quiet of fishing.

"Meredith, we need to get back to town and get you out of those wet clothes... don't worry we can still do something in town," Derek said as he picked up the fishing rod, "Come on."

As Meredith turned again to walk over to the path she grimaced as she put her foot to the ground and could feel herself hobbling after Derek.

"Meredith?" Derek said as he noticed her slowing down.

"I think I hurt my ankle," Meredith grimaced as she again tried to put her foot to the ground.

"Hold this," Derek said as he gave her the fishing rod to hold on to. Within a matter of seconds Meredith was in his arms and being carried out of the river. The next thing she knew she was being placed very carefully on one of the many rocks that were often used as seats.
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"Aww... Jesus you could have warned me," Meredith shrieked through clenched teeth.

"Sorry," Amelia replied as she placed more ice around Meredith's ankle.

"Yeah, you look it," Meredith grumbled.

"Look who is the horrible patient," Amelia smirked.

"Sorry... I just don't fancy spending my last few weeks here in Glacier unable to see or do anything because of a sprained ankle," Meredith sulked.

"It is a slight sprain," Amelia stated "and I think after a few days of rest and if you follow my orders, you will still be able to go for hikes before you leave."

"Thanks Amelia," Meredith replied quietly "I'm just having a weird day..."

"We are all entitled to an off day... especially if you spend every day with my brother," Amelia smirked "any way, I will check on your ankle again in a few days, and until then rest."

"Yes Doctor," Meredith replied sternly.

Amelia was about to give a sarcastic answer when Derek walked in to Meredith's hotel room with some more ice for her ankle.

"Owen said to call down to the bar if you need anymore and he will bring some up," Derek said as he handed the bag of ice to his sister.

"Okay," Meredith said smiling her thanks to Derek.

"He also asked me to pass these on to you – your sister has being calling on the hour, every hour since lunch wanting to speak to you," Derek said as he passed Meredith a pile of messages.

"Is there something wrong?" Amelia asked concerned.

"I don't think so," Meredith replied quickly "just my baby sister being impatient," Meredith explained, although she had a pretty good idea why Lexie was trying to contact her.

"Well, why don't I go and order us some dinner from the restaurant you can call her while you're waiting for me to get back with it," Derek suggested.

"Sounds good," Meredith muttered.

"What would you like?" Derek asked as Amelia packed up her medical bag.

"My usual pizza please," Meredith answered as she fidgeted with the strap of her watch.

"I am going to go, I'm needed back at the clinic, but I will call in again tomorrow," Amelia said to Meredith "Are you okay?"She whispered to Meredith.

"I will be," Meredith replied.

"Okay... come on Derek, you can walk me back to the clinic," Amelia said as she marched him out of the room sensing that Meredith needed some privacy.

"Since when did you ask anyone to walk you back to the clinic?" Derek questioned.

"Since I am carrying very strong drugs in this bag and there are a lot of strange tourists in town... come on..." Amelia said as she now kicked him out of the door whilst waving goodbye to Meredith.

The second the door closed Meredith lifted her cell phone and dialed Lexie's cell phone number. The phone was answered on the second ring.

"About time..." Lexie yelled as she answered the phone.

"Hello Lexie, how are you today?" Meredith said sweetly down the phone.

"I'm better now that I am talking to you... hello by the way," Lexie replied.

"There is no cell phone coverage in the park, if you need to speak to me it's best to call in the evenings," Meredith explained.

"Oh no... Cristina told me all about calling you in the middle of a hot session with the park ranger..." Lexie giggled down the phone.

"Well that will not be happening tonight," Meredith stated.

"Oh... lovers tiff?"

"No... He's in a mood, and to top it off I slipped and sprained my ankle," Meredith whispered dreading her sister's response.

"Are you okay?" Lexie asked.

"Fine... more of a bruised ego than anything else... god Cristina is going to love this..."

"I'll tell her tonight... she is too drunk to remember it in the morning," Lexie replied "You do remember..."

"That today is .... Was April's birthday," Meredith almost whispered "I remembered."

"Yeah well between that and the news we received today Cristina started drinking early," Lexie explained.

"I take it I am not going to like it," Meredith asked.

"The school board told her she would have to meet with a shrink before she returns to work... you will have to do the same, "Lexie almost whispered.

"What!" Meredith almost shrieked down the small phone.

"Yes and your meeting with the school board..." Lexie said pausing to take a breath before continuing "is going to be later than we thought."

"How much later?" Meredith asked dreading Lexie's answer.

"Well you know how you had to be back in Seattle for September 8th?"

"Yes."

"There has been a delay... you are now due back by September 24th," Lexie explained. "There has been a mix up – or something... so everything has been delayed by at least two weeks, and the school board want to see you afterwards... I'm sorry Meredith but from I can tell they have given your job to someone else..."

"I don't believe this..." Meredith muttered as her head was spinning... delayed by two weeks... she could stay here for an extra two weeks...

"They explained that afterwards and once you have spoken to the counsellor that they will consider a part-time role... they mentioned something about covering maternity leave..." Lexie continued.

"It's okay Lexie... I was sort of expecting it... still at least it means I get an extra few weeks here," Meredith said trying to remain positive.

"Does he know what happened, Meredith?" Lexie asked gently.

"No, and why should he," Meredith snapped "Lexie this place is heaven on earth... I really couldn't have picked a better place to visit, it's just so calming and relaxing... he has secrets too... things that he has not told me... we are just having some fun..."

"It's good to talk Meredith," Lexie said sighing.

"Well there will be plenty of time for that with the shrink," Meredith bit back. "If I told him the truth... and I mean truth... as in everything about me... he would walk out the door and never look back... I just want to be somewhere where no-one knows anything about me, my family or what happened..."

"I understand... but you know dad... he's already threatened to fly out and rescue you several times..."

"Oh god..."

"Don't worry I have managed to distract him with business... but Meredith... please come back soon... I miss you..." Lexie whispered.

"I miss you too... I promise I will be back in time for... well you know..." Meredith rambled "anyway how is your love life with Jackson?"

"Fantastic...."

It was not until Derek returned with dinner that Meredith really began to process what Lexie had told her... she had practically lost her job... she had to talk to someone about her feelings and then she had to... well she knew what she had to do... but the only thing she could think about was that instead of only having four weeks here, she now had six and as nervous as she felt she could not help but be pleased at the news. She suddenly realised that she did not know what scared her more... leaving West Glacier where no-one really knew her or returning to her old life in Seattle...

"Are you okay... is your ankle sore?" Derek asked as he finished his meal. "You have been quiet since you spoke with your sister?"

"The ankle is okay," Meredith replied "My sister just wanted someone to talk too, problems with her boyfriend... she can be so melodramatic sometimes..."

"Like my baby sister then!" Derek laughed as he helped her stand up and walk over to her bed.

"I need to speak to Owen tomorrow about extending my visit by two weeks," Meredith said as she sat back against the headboard.

"You are?" Derek said his face lighting up at the news.

"Oh yes, you have me for another six weeks instead of four," Meredith smirked.

"That is good news," Derek said as he climbed into bed beside her.

"I'm sorry that I have not been on great form today," Meredith whispered as she curled up beside him, suddenly grateful to have someone to support her.

"It's okay... what with your ankle..." Derek answered.

"Today is... was the birthday of a friend of mine..." Meredith said "she died earlier this year."

"Meredith," Derek said as he pulled her closer and kissed her forehead "I'm so sorry."

"Lexie and Cristina are currently out drinking..."

"And you wish you were there..." Derek finished for her.

"Sort of," Meredith replied.

"I need to apologise too... I have not been in great form either... today I should be celebrating my third wedding anniversary," Derek stated.

"Oh..." Meredith whispered, she really had no idea how to respond to that.

"I should be married, a father... in my dream house...." Derek sighed "it amazes me how quickly you can have everything and in the matter of a few minutes..."

"I know exactly what you mean..." Meredith whispered "I take it that was the woman who broke your heart..."

"Yeah... she didn't break it... she smashed it to pieces and danced on it," Derek replied. "But that is a long story... and all in the past..."

Derek really wanted to tell Meredith that she was his future, but somehow tonight did not seem the best night... They had an extra two weeks together and he did not want to say or do anything to ruin what they had... he wanted to enjoy every last second with her before she had to return to Seattle.

For Meredith, Derek talking about his ex made her think... she knew he had been burned from a previous relationship... but marriage... that was something else...
and the tone in which he had said it... Meredith could not but help but feel that he was still in love with the woman who had broken his heart...

Meredith closed her eyes to try and hide the tears... she could not be falling for Derek Shepherd.... she would be leaving in six weeks...

She opened her eyes only to find Derek staring back at her; she smiled and lay across his chest making herself a promise that regardless of the fact that he was in love with someone else she was determined to enjoy every last minute here.