Outside of Fear

Chapter Eleven

"Dying, huh?" She can hear the smile in his voice and she rolls her eyes.

"I don't exactly have the energy to banter with you...like usual, Michael. No matter how much I want to...get the last word."

"That bad?" He softens.

"I'm alone in a hotel room. Dying. This absolutely sucks."

"Damn."

"Something tells me this isn't the real reason you called? Not that I don't enjoy hearing your...beautiful voice."

He laughs. "I wanted to check up on you. Honestly. I've gotten no word about your condition. You're like my sister, Death."

She smiles to herself at the warmth in his voice. "I got out of the hospital yesterday. The last of the drugs they gave me wore off...a couple hours ago. I doubt I've ever been in more pain than I am now."

"I'm sorry."

She inhales lightly, wrinkling her nose at the faint smell that has begun to take up her room. It's disgusting that she knows it's coming from her, yet there's nothing she can do about it. "I'm healing pretty slow." Meredith is positive he'll hear the defeat in her voice. "I don't know what to do with myself."

If Cristina heard that, her response would be how about Derek? Kellin's response isn't too different.

"That surgeon of yours could never seem to take his eyes off you when I was there." He replies through the phone, somewhat snarkily.

"Ah, so that's why you're really calling."

"I'm serious!" His voice raises slightly on the defensive. "I was there for half an hour and he was like...I don't know, a lost puppy looking at its master."

"That's a terrible metaphor."

They both laugh, Meredith abruptly stopping at the pain it causes. In a weird way, it warms her that people have noticed a certain way Derek looks at her.

"I don't know him well enough to form any real opinions yet, but if you ask me no one is worthy of you."

"Ha ha. He saved my life."

Micheal is quiet for a moment. "I guess that scores a couple points."

Meredith smiles, holding back another laugh. "He's a good guy. He really is. And...I may have scored a first date- outside the hospital."

"I don't even know how to respond to that. I'll beat the shit out of him if he hurts you. Make sure he knows that."

"I'm sure you will. And don't worry, I have people in my corner here." She smiles, thinking of Alex, Cristina, and Teddy.

"Speaking of there, I forgot to mention I'm back in the states for half a month in four weeks."

"What?" Meredith is shocked, and wishes she could sit up. Laying on a bunch of pillows in bed is probably the most vulnerable position she can possibly be in.

A buzzing interrupts their conversation. It's on Micheal's side. Even through the phone, Meredith recognizes it as a raid alarm. "I'll see you in four weeks. I'll be in touch." Before Meredith can say anything else, the line goes dead.

She's somewhat grateful, as her energy was quickly draining. Who knew holding a normal conversation with someone was so exhausting? Worry spikes in her chest, but she shoves it away. Michael knows how to take care of himself.

It hits Meredith that she doesn't even know where he is at the moment. Somewhere in the Middle East. She closes her eyes, forcing her mind into calm and swallowing back her pain.