8th World Wonder

25.

She wasn't in her bed. Not in her bed and it was dark outside, but the room she was in had a light on and the more she opened her eyes she realized it was Derek's trailer. She now remembered coming back here, completely quiet as she fell asleep with his arms around her, only now there weren't any arms around her. She turned over, to find him sitting up, reading. "Hi."

"Hey." He breathed, closing his book.

"I'm sorry...about earlier...."

"You don't have anything to be sorry for."

"You shouldn't have had to....it was a lot to take in." She breathed, pulling the covers over her.

"I was fine. It's you that I'm worried about." He said.

"I'm fine."

"Really fine?"

"Yeah." She shrugged.

"How often does he come over like that?" Derek asked.

"Not often....but Lexie and Molly have to deal with him at least twice a week."

"There are things you can do...so he can't come over like that."

"He's not dangerous."

"I know. I just want to...I don't want him to upset you."

"It's not a big deal." Meredith whispered as Derek let his bodyy lie next to hers.

"Was he like this before your mom died?"

"No...they weren't together." Meredith replied, "When Susan died....this all started."

"Susan was your step mom?"

"Yeah...she died...two years ago."

"This has been happening for two years?" Derek sat back up.

"Yeah but...he's sad and it's not...Derek just stop."

"Okay. I'll...I'm sorry, I'll stop."

"I just don't want to worry about it...it's not my problem so....we're here to get away from that."

"Yeah...I'm sorry."

"I like it here." She whispered, trying to change the subject.

"Me too."

"I still can't believe you made me leave my cell phone at the house."

"I turned mine off too."

"So this is a trend? No cell phones right now?"

"Nope. Not allowed."

"Oh...."

"Just ignore everything right now...It's just you...and me, here."

"I'm really okay....." Meredith insisted, her voice soft.

"I know."

"I don't need anyone to save me."

"I'm not trying to save you." Derek whispered.

"Okay."

"I'm just trying to be there for you."

"I um....okay." Meredith breathed, pushing a curl from his face.

"Do you want something to eat?" He whispered.

"No....not hungry."

"Drink?"

"Water?"

"I think I can do that." He smiled, giving her a kiss before getting out of bed and going to the fridge.

Meredith sat up in the bed, pushing her hair behind her ears as he quickly came back with her water and a box of crackers. She reached out for the water, "Thanks."

"Want some?" Derek offered the crackers to her, his mouth full.

"No thanks."

"What time do you have to be at work tomorrow?"

"Nine."

"Do you want to get breakfast...not a date...just breakfast? Or I could make breafast."

"I can grab something on the way to work." Meredith replied, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Trying to avoid eating with me?" Derek joked, wrapping his arm around her.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I don't know." She whispered, breathing him in as she pressed her nose against his neck.

"I make really good pancakes." He kissed the top of her head.

"I don't do breakfast." She whispered, tears suddenly coming to her eyes.

"Hey...What's wrong?" Derek asked, hearing her voice quiver.

"Nothing..."

"Mer..."

"I just want to go to bed."

"Here or...do you want me to take you home?"

"No...I just...I want to sleep..." Meredith tried to rid herself of the tears.

"Okay." Derek whispered, pulling the covers back up over her.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"For what?"

"Everything."

"You haven't done anything wrong."

"I just....let me say sorry."

"Okay. Well...you're forgiven."

"Thanks...." She whispered.

"I think we should play hookey tomorrow." He laughed softly, kissing the top of her head. "I want to stay here."

"Some how...I don't think that would work."

"Probably not."

"Derek?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for making me feel safe." She breathed, her back turned away from him.

"Always." He whispered, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into him.

"Can we sleep now?"

"Definitely sleep."

"Good."

"Sweet dreams." He whispered, kissing her before laying his own head back on the pillow.