A Fight to Remember

So, You Still Love Me?

A/N: A little bonus chapter before things get really crazy. Note this takes place about two weeks before the Tsunami.

Please note time change below:

Seattle Meredith, June 5 2028

"Mer, phone's for you, it's your agent." Derek appeared in the study with the phone. He sounded... put upon.

"Oh..." I closed my book and reached for it.

As I spoke to my agent regarding my latest trip, I could only watch Derek's expression darken as he listened to my half of the conversation. I turned away and walked further into the study to look out the rain-specked window instead.

She had a whole hectic thing planned. I wrote down the details of my multiday book tour and speaking engagements as she spoke. It was a lot, but I believed in this, and I wanted to see it through to the end. If it meant showering Northeastern US medical colleges with my presence, then so be it. Finally finishing the conversation I ended the call and stepped into the hallway. Derek was there, hands on his hips, an exasperated look on his face.

"What?" I asked.

"You didn't feel the need to include your family in your plans?" he asked.

I honestly didn't. Because I thought we had an understanding. "Well, I-"

"You're going to Boston on the twelfth. That's Zola's Graduation."

"Oh." I'd forgotten about that. How did that happen? Well, I definitely wasn't going to miss that... "Well let me check my speaking time, maybe I can take a red-eye, or reschedule or something," I walked back to the study to find my post-it of scribbled dates and times.

"That's not the point!" Derek called after me , and I sighed under the weight of his expectation. I was going to fix it. How could that not be the point?

"Derek... I don't understand. I thought you were supportive of this." We'd talked, argued, and fought over my career choices these past five years, and I thought that finally he got it. Got me. Apparently not.

"I was..." he said, running a hand through his hair. "I am-"

"But?" I prompted. Wait for it now.

"We made plans Meredith. That trip to BC, Zola's Graduation, Bailey's birthday... and you practically scheduled over everything."

I didn't. Except for Zola's Grad, I planned to be there for all those things. I mean, it'd be a stretch, but- "I might be a little late for the vay-cay, but Amelia's got Bailey's party planned and I've already figured out his gift... It's just a matter of cake and presents before I take off for Hopkins," I said.

Derek scoffed and shook his head.

"What?" I asked. What did I do now? It felt like I couldn't do anything right.

"Will you be there, Meredith? Really there?"

I rubbed the bridge of my nose, a defensive posture... Now I was the absent one? "I don't know what you mean, Derek."

"You won't be on the phone, or off in la la land, or late, or stuck at some airport?" he said, citing some recent examples

Okay that stung.. "Derek-"

"Because that's what's happened this past year, you... you're missing so much, Mer, and the kids are starting to notice."

"You don't think I know that? You don't think I want to be there?" I bristled. I was trying... I was trying my best to juggle all the balls thrown at me or whatever. He of all people should understand that.