Echoes of Resilience

47

"Meredith! Meredith! Do you have a second to answer any questions!" Reporters surrounded Addison and Meredith as they sped walk towards the entrance of the court house. "Did Burke ever come to the shed when you were there? What was his relationship with Derek Shepherd like?" The blonde did her best to block everything out as her girlfriend kept an arm secured around her to remind her that she wasn't alone. "Is it true that Derek contracted Burke to kill you, but you escaped before he could carry out the murder?" Meredith stopped in her tracks, her feet unable to move.

"What?" Meredith whispered, her breath becoming ragged and labored as the reporters continued yelling out questions. "Derek was going to have Burke kill me?"

"You vultures need to back up now!" Addison yelled at the reporters as she carefully knelt in front of Meredith and cupped her face. "I need you to breathe with me honey, we're almost there just a few more steps and we'll be inside."

"Can't... breathe..." Meredith panted. "Addie." She whimpered, melting into Addison when the redhead lifted her up and tucked her head into her neck, carrying her through the mass of reporters and into the court house. The older woman walked them through the corridors until they reached the waiting room where Cristina, Teddy, and Arizona were.

"Hey, we were just wondering where you guys were." Arizona smiled, her eyes showing a hint of concern at how Meredith was tucked into Addison's neck. "It's crazy out there with the reporters, isn't it?"

"They're lucky that Mer needed me, otherwise I probably would be in jail right now for physical assault." Addison growled through gritted teeth as she sat down and turned towards Teddy and Cristina. "How are you guys doing?"

"The prosecution is calling me first." Cristina whispered. "I don't know if I can do this." Her voice broke as tears welled up in her eyes. Meredith lifted her head from Addison's neck and looked over towards the brunette, extending a hand and smiling softly when her person took it and squeezed.

"I don't know if I can do this either." Meredith confessed in a whisper. "But according to the subpoenas, we have no choice." The blonde rolled her eyes as a small, broken chuckle escaped Cristina. "At least we have each other, right?"

"Right." Cristina smiled. "We have each other, our hot girlfriends, and the peppy pudding supplier. We'll be just fine."

"Seriously?" Arizona laughed. "The peppy pudding supplier? That's how you guys see me?"

"Yes." The other four all responded in unison, breaking into laughter as Arizona just shook her head.

"I need new friends." Arizona muttered as she attempted to appear hurt, her smile giving her away.

"You mean like Callie?" Teddy smirked. "Didn't she kiss you in the elevator yesterday?"

"She did?" Meredith sat up and looked at Arizona. "No more kissing her until me and Addie get to meet her! She needs to pass the vibe check before you get serious with her! It's a rule!"

"When did that become a rule?" Arizona chuckled.

"About thirty seconds ago when I found out you guys kissed for the third time without us meeting her!" Meredith crossed her arms across her chest and narrowed her eyes at Arizona. "For all we know she doesn't like chocolate pudding!"

"She definitely likes chocolate pudding." Arizona assured her. "And I promise, you'll meet her soon. Once the trial is over we can set something up. What I can't promise is that I won't kiss her until then because she just has the most perfect lips and every time I see them it's like an instant to kiss them." She sighed dreamily.

"And you say I'm whipped." Addison teased with a chuckle.

"Because you are." Arizona retorted as a bailiff walked out and called Cristina's name. "Good luck. We'll be here when you're done."