I Will Follow You Into the Dark

CHAPTER 62

Later that night as Derek was flying back to Seattle, Meredith and Steve had everyone settled for the evening, and they were getting ready for bed. Steve was reading.....or pretending to read. Meredith finished brushing her teeth and climbed into bed with him.

"You OK?" Meredith asked as she climbed into bed beside him.

"Yeah," Steve said flatly.
"I'm so glad he's home," Meredith said, sliding down and getting comfortable on her side of the bed.

"Me, too," Steve said, obviously distracted.

Meredith shrugged it off. She knew that Steve had been more upset about Trent's disappearance than he let on. He had also been there for her as she completely fell apart with worry. She figured he needed a little time to settle down now that the storm was over.

"Derek still loves you," Steve said, shocking her completely.

Meredith lay there a few minutes uncertain what to do. Then she said quietly, "I know." There was no point in lying to her husband.

"And you still love him," Steve said in a way that begged for an answer but let her know that he really didn't want to know.

"Yes, I do. And I love you, too, Steve."

"I love you, Meredith. I was an ass this afternoon. I saw the way you squeezed his hand, and something inside my head malfunctioned. I was so happy that Trent was home and in one piece, and I........well, I'm not trying to make excuses, but I kinda went crazy jealous on Derek when you took Trent inside."

"I thought you might have," Meredith said.

"Really? How did you know? Did Derek say something?" he asked.

"No. It was what he didn't say. He had that I-want-to-hurt-someone-so-I'm-being-overly-nice look on his face," Meredith said. "I know this is complicated, and I know it must be awful to know that I still love him, but you have to cut him some slack. He's had so much loss and pain in his life, Steve--Trent's all he has besides his sisters. He's a really great guy, and he's been through so much. Under different circumstances, you two might have been able to be friends. I'm not asking either of you for that, but I need you to be civil to each other, for Trent's sake..........and for mine."

"I know. And I'm sorry. Like I said, I was an ass. I really wanted him to take a swing at me so that I could knock him flat, and I was surprised that he didn't. I really thought I had pushed his buttons."

"Do I need to know what you said?" Meredith asked.

"No. Just.......just tell him I'm sorry the next time you talk to him, OK? Unless you think I should call him......"

"No. I'll tell him. Sounds as if you two have had enough quality conversation for a while."

"I just love you so much..........," Steve said, pulling her into a tight embrace.

They said their "love you's" and fell asleep in each other's arms.