Delicate Hearts

Seven

Meredith had insisted on driving her car, Derek being who he is insisted she didn't and that they went within his squad car.

She branded him a 'show off' of course but he didn't mind, he smiled at the fact she managed to make a joke of his neediness.

He felt proud however, he had her in his car. Although it was the police car she was still there beside him. Humming lightly to the stereo. 

She looked so beautiful,  he hadn't seen her so natural before and it was a look he wanted to see more often.

"You okay Derek?"Meredith asked noticing he had tensed slightly. He nodded hoping he had masked the look on his face. "You don't have to pretend"She added

"Meredith there was a shooting her 3 nights ago. We caught him but this neighbourhood has never had this"He sighed. Meredith placed her hand on his arm.

"You can't stop everyone Derek.  Addie said you are amazing at your job and I don't doubt it.  So you came to see how is it down here?"She asked as he pulled up where she had directed.

"No Mer. I came to protect you."He didn't elaborate . He simply stepped out of the car and walked to her side, opening the door for her. 

They walked towards the home she had grown up in. Derek stood close behind her as she unlocked the door. The scent of her mothers air sprays rushing out of the door. 

Derek shut the door behind them. He scanned the walls seeing numerous photos of Meredith. One that caught his eye being her graduation, how proud she looked, how proud her parents looked.

He followed onto where Meredith was, feeding the tank full of fish.

"How does he pick one"Derek frowned.  Meredith smiled. 

 "This is his guppy tank. This is Bobby"Meredith turned to the other tank. It was huge and inside sat only one fish with the most beautiful tail. "Bobby is a rainbow rosetail betta, dad loves him"Meredith fed the fish pellets. Gasping as she felt Derek's arm snake around her.

"Too much"He asked, he wasn't sure if he had pushed her. He hadn't met her many times.

"No, its just a weird feeling. "She giggled. Derek understood what she meant.

"So your whole life is here"Derek asked, Meredith nodded slowly. He couldn't see the sadness in her eyes.

"Since I was nearly 6"She managed to let out as she slowly turned in his arms.

"What do you mean"He asked so gently.

"I...I can't say. You will run"She looked down, his hand moved to cup her cheek, forcing her to look at him.

"How could I run from you. Look at you, you are so beautiful"Derek stroked her cheek. Meredith exhaled.

"I will be honest, I just..you..its silly because I met you that day and have seen you twice since. But you make me feel safe. But if you want to leave after this you can" She took a breathe " I can't remember much before I became a part of this family. Just that I used to be so hungry. All of the time but my biological mother wouldn't stop injecting herself to feed me. The man who was supposed to be my dad abused me. I remember being locked in the shed. The cold feeling. I remember always being alone. I still remember the sound of the drawer opening so he could get the spoon to hit me with. But what I remember more is the day the social services came. They took me to the hospital where I met my mum. Doctor Grey. She was so patient and calm. It took five months but eventually I went home, here. They are my parents as I see them. Addie is like a sister to me.  She grew up next door."She let the tear slip.

 Derek could only feel hurt for her, he bare to think someone treated her like that. He had seen those cases before , children who had been beaten and starved to the point of malnourishment. 

He pulled her close to his chest. 

"You are so strong, I admire you. Thank you for opening up to me"His words were so warm.

"Derek, there is something else" She looked up as he looked down.

"What is it?"He whispered to her.

"My ex, he is the only person who ever saw me naked..I haven't...with anyone else. I hate myself more than you'll ever know. I only have one scar, its on my back, low back. He knew I hated myself. He would pick on every insecurity  I had. I don't want to just be some random girl to you" She sniffled.

She'd opened herself fully to him, laid it all out and all he could feel was admiration. She had been so honest with him. 

"Look at me Mer. I know you are scared, but we will go at your own pace.  I won't do anything you don't want me to do. Just let me be there for you"

She hadn't experienced anyone like him before. so gentle and kind.

"How did I find you. Three meetings and you know everything yet you want me still"Meredith's look into his eyes was deep. "I don't deserve you" The frown on his face caused a small laugh to escape her lips.

"I want to know all of you. Your trauma isn't you. Your ex is a dick. Letting you go will be the biggest loss in his life yet the biggest gain in mine. Now let me get you home. I hear you have shopping tomorrow"He teased lightly.

"I do, thank you for doing that with him earlier he creeps me out"The frustration looked cute on her. 

Derek kept close behind her as he walked back to the car, he knew she was going to be the most precious thing in his life.

"Meredith, I want you to know I will put my all into you. To show you a gentleman. That is why I won't kiss you yet. I want to get to know you more." Derek spoke openly.

"Thank you, I respect that, I respect you and I especially respect how hot you look in your uniform"She allowed herself to flirt with him.

"You are a cheeky one. Everything shared is between us, I won't ever bring it up. We both feel this connection. I am happy you told me those things. "He spoke with truth.

They decided they would keep everything between them for the time being. They weren't a thing, they weren't dating at that moment. He knew she felt safe with him and happy. She knew he fancied her. They had shared their moment of closeness and she had shared her insecurities.  

He knew she wouldn't be able to resist a cuddle, which was the hard part. He wanted to encase her but he didn't want to overcrowd or make her feel uncomfortable.

As he drove he could still feel her skin against his hand, he hoped he hadn't been too touchy with her or scared her from him. 

"I am sorry if i was too intimate"He blurted. Meredith again placed her hand on his arm

"It wasn't something I am used to, but you make me feel safe and I needed to feel that when opening up. Plus we nearly kissed earlier"She added. Derek sighed with a laugh.

"I am sorry, Don't tell Addison she will kill me."He pulled up outside her home. "Now I would hug you but we are saving that aren't we" He wanted to, oh he wanted to . But he had to be careful. She had a delicate soul something of which he had discovered.

"Thank you, I will see you Friday, here is my number by the way. I will send Mark and Ruby out. Goodnight, Officer" 

Derek knew in that moment she would be the one.