Resentment

Denial

(Meredith POV)

Susan died. I feel numb. She was the closest thing I ever had to a mom. I had a mother, but not a mom. I fail everyone. I can't do anything right. I want Derek to comfort me. He always makes me feel better. "You want to deliver the news to your father?" Richard asks softly. Without saying anything, I slowly walked over to thatcher with tears evident in my eyes. As I approached thatcher, he looked me straight in the eyes with a hopeful look. "I, we did everything we could." I said, my voice breaking. I knew Derek and bailey and the chief were watching from a distance, so I hope he wasn't gong to humiliate me. "What?" He asked, in shcok, a now sad look on his face. "She- she had the hiccups." He stuttered. "I'm so sorry." I whispered.

He brought up his right fist and landed a punch right on my jaw. "You, you said it was routine, and that she would be okay!" He yelled, landing another punch on the left side of my face this time. I staggered backwards. He grabbed my arms and turned me around so that he was holding me against the wall. I was just waiting for Derek to come and protect me. "You killed my wife! You ruined my life! I don't know why your mother ever had you!" He exclaimed as he kneed me in the stomach multiple times. It wasn't just the physical pain I was feeling right now, but it was the emotional pain I feel too. All I've ever wanted in life was to be accepted by my family and friends. He punched me again in the face. My vision blurred, and I could feel the hot, warm blood running down my face. I made out 3 figures running my way.

"Let go of her!" I heard Derek yell. He grabbed thatcher and pulled him off of me and to the ground. I fell to the ground, unable to hold my self up anymore, giving in to the dizziness. "Mmm ow." I muttered. I saw thatcher scurry off in the distance. "Meredith, what hurts?" I think it was Bailey who asked. "Head, stomach." I whispered. I suddenly sat up, my stomach protesting at the action, and emptied the contents of my stomach. I felt two strong arms slide around me and hold me up into a sitting position. "It's okay Mer. I love you." Derek said. "Uhhh." I moaned. "I'll get a gurney." Richard said as he got up. "Why?" I asked to no one specifically. "Why did he do it again?" I asked, not realizing exaclty what he said. "Mer, did he hit you when you were a kid?" Derek asked softly. I nodded against his chest.

(Derek POV)

I look away for one minute and look back to see thatcher holding Meredith against a wall, repeatedly hitting her. I run over to them with bailey and Richard close behind. "Let go of her!" I yelled as I pry him off of her and throw him to the ground. He runs away and leaves. I turn back to Meredith, who is now laying on the ground. I kneel down and stroke her hair lovingly. She jolted up suddently and vomited everywhere. "It's okay Mer. I love you." I wshiepred, trying to comfort her. I held her up against my chest. "Why?" She asked. I looked down at her with a confused look. "Why did he do it again?" She continued. 'Do what again?' I thought. Oh. No. He didn't hit her as a kid, did he? "Mer, did he hit you when you were a kid?" I asked, dreading the answer. She said nothing, but nodded against my chest. "I'm so sorry Mer." I said to her. Why would anyone hit someone like her, so small and fragile? She turned around in my arms and wrapped his small arms around me. I did the same, wrapping my larger arms around her small frame.

(Bailey POV)

Meredith, who is one of my most prominent interns, has been abused as a kid. I knew she hsd some... emotional problems, but now I know why. For the past weeks, I've watched her try to build a relationship with thatcher and Susan. She's tried. Now the only family she has left, is gone. I watched Meredith as she turned in dereks arms, hugging him tightly and resting her head on his chest. I would never admit this, but they were a cute couple, and clearly needed each other. Derek looked up and met my eyes. I could see the pain in his eyes. Anyone could tell you that he just wanted Meredith to be happy and to keep her safe.

(Derek POV)

"I got it." Richard said as he came in with a gurney. "Mer." I whispered. It wasn't until then when I heard the soft snores coming drom her mouth. "I think she's asleep." I said quietly. "Okay. Stand up and put her onto the gurney." Richard said. I stood up with Meredith still held firmly in my arms, her arms still around my neck. I tried to place her down, but she wouldn't let go. After a few more failed attempts, we just gave up. "How about you just carry her to ct?" Bailey suggested. I nodded and adjusted Meredith in my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist. I felt her breath against my neck as she sighed in contentment. We walked together to ct, just to make sure everything was okay.