This Life

Chapter 35

"Take it," Cristina said as she handed a shot glass to Meredith.

"What is it?" Meredith asked.

"Tequila," Cristina stated as Meredith knocked it back.

"God Christina are you trying to kill me..." Meredith spluttered.

"You need something stronger than wine tonight Mer," Cristina said as she reached for her best friends arm.

"Pizza's here," Lexie said as she walked into Cristina's apartment.

"I'm not hungry," Meredith replied.

"Tough you are eating something," Cristina responded as she passed the pizza to Meredith.

Meredith relented and after a few minutes managed to eat half a slice of pizza.

"Can I get anything for you?" Lexie asked gently.

"No, I'm okay thanks," Meredith smiled at her friend.

"Let it out," Cristina said as she sat facing Meredith "It is no good to bottle your feelings."

"Who are you and what have to done with Cristina Yang?" Meredith asked staring at her friend. She looked over to Lexie who was equally shocked.

"Mer, you are in shock, you need to let it out, I'm here," Cristina said as she looked at Lexie "and so is Lexie. What you say and do in this room stays in this room it will not be repeated," Cristina stated.

"I appreciate that I do, but if I start I will not stop, and I need to keep going. I have a lot of things to sort out," Meredith said as she stared at the ground.

Just then someone started knocking and banging on the door to Cristina's apartment.

"Meredith!" Derek yelled.

"Great," Cristina muttered.

"I really do not want to see him," Meredith said shaking.

"I'll go," Lexie said as she stood up.
"No – allow me the pleasure," Cristina said as she walked over and opened the door and stepped out into the hallway closing the door behind her.

"Meredith... I need to see her, Meredith!" Derek yelled only to be pushed backwards by Cristina.

"No – you don't – do you not think you have caused enough damage for one day?" Cristina stated staring at him.

"I need to apologise to her, please just let me see her," Derek said almost pleading.

"No, now get out of here before I call the police," Cristina said as she turned and walked back into her apartment and slammed the door.

"Meredith I am so sorry," Derek yelled through the door. "Meredith..."

Mark came out of his apartment to see where the noise was coming from and stared straight at Derek.

"Where's Beth?" Mark asked.

"At the crèche," Derek said as he ran a hand through his hair and started to pace in the hallway.

"Come on, we'll go and get her and I'll drive you home," Mark said as lifted his jacket and car keys.

"No I'm staying here," Derek answered.

"No you're not. You made a whole song and dance about Beth and when she needs you, you leave her in the crèche. Your going home Derek, let Meredith get some sleep," Mark stated.

"Did you see her, did you speak to her?" Derek asked staring at his friend.

"Briefly," Mark answered "She looked like hell; she had just gotten off the phone with an uncle in London and had just told him the news."