This Life

Chapter 19

Christina looked at the clock at the nurse's station - 1am.

She could not help but think back to this time 24 hours ago when her, Meredith, Derek and Owen – and a few others were being kicked out of Joes after a night of heaving drinking and partying to celebrate not only Derek's successful clinical trial but also Meredith's birthday.

This morning when she had literally crawled out of bed was the first time ever that she wished she did not have to come into work she was that hung over.

An hour later her hang over was the last thing she had to worry about as she assisted Derek who was battling in vain to save Melanie's life. Truth be told Christina did not want to be in surgery – she wanted to make sure her person was okay. When they had to call time of death Christina prayed this day wouldn't get any worse, then Owen told her about Meredith's head injury and she was as relived as anyone when Dr Weller had diagnosed a mild concussion.

She might not have been able to help her best friend earlier in the day but she could now. Christina had volunteered to be the Resident on call and therefore be the one to check on Meredith's condition throughout the night. Christina volunteered because she knew there would be no way in hell she would sleep until she knew for herself that Meredith was going to be okay.

She picked up Meredith's chart and walked into her room to find Derek lying beside Meredith on the bed. She tip-toed over to the other side of bed trying not to waken Derek.

"It's okay I'm awake." Derek whispered.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to waken you" Christina answered.

"I haven't slept yet – too busy making sure she is still breathing." Derek replied.

"Mer." He whispered in her ear. "Mer, you need to wake up for a few minutes"

"Um, what"

"Meredith can you open your eyes for me?" Christina asked.

A few minutes later and Christina had carried out all the checks she needed to do. She looked at Derek who agreed with her that Meredith's condition was fine and they both agreed to carry out another observation at 3am.

"Derek, why don't you go home and get some sleep?" Meredith asked her voice still groggy from sleep.

"No. I'm staying here"

"Derek no offence, but you look worse than me. Even go to one of the on-call rooms and get some sleep – please." Meredith said

"She's right Dr Shepherd. Especially about you looking worse than her and she was the one who was shot." Christina stated which earned her a dirty look from Derek.

"Look, I'm the resident on call, I have charts and notes to catch up on I will be sitting right here in the room with her. If anything changes I will page you." Christina answered more firmly.

Derek knew she was right – he took a deep breath and walked over beside the bed.

"I'll go and sleep in the on-call room at the end of this floor. I am thirty seconds away if you need me okay?" Derek said to Meredith

"Okay – now get some sleep."Meredith answered as Derek knelt down and kissed her.

"I love you" Derek whispered in her ear.

"I love you too." Meredith replied as Derek turned and walked out of the door.

"I thought you could do without the hovering for a few hours" Christina said

"Thank you" Meredith answered.

"Remember what you said this morning – you rambled something about not being sure if Derek really loved you." Christina said as she stared at her friend.