In Your Dreams

21.

Dr. Torres said the bones in my legs were healing well but I still needed to go to physical therapy three days a week to build the muscle up again, after not being able to use them for so long they'd atrophied a little. Deacon was there every day, cheering me on and encouraging me. But everyone was still silent and cold towards him, yet no one offered any explanations. Even Dr. Shepherd only came in my room to give me a report on my progress now. But Deacon was there, and he was nice. Maybe too nice, like he was trying too hard, but he was there.

"Good job Mer." He said as I walked along the parallel bars with hardly any support "Just a few more steps."

"You know I'm not a toddler." I giggled "I love your encouragement but I'm not a toddler."

"Sorry." He mumbled "I guess I am just excited to see you get better, it's the coach in me."

"So you're still teaching physical education at the high school?"

"Different high school." He shrugged "but it's closer to the house."

"Well you were always passionate about what you do." I said, he smiled and I glanced over his shoulder and found myself grinning involuntarily as a man in deep blue scrubs headed my way with a similar smile on his face "Dr. Shepherd?"

"Meredith." He breathed my name so sweetly, I saw Deacon's eyes tighten a little "I came to see how you're doing."

"Aren't you the brain doctor?" Deacon muttered "Shouldn't you just be worried about her head."

"Deacon." I hissed "The man saved my life."

"Sorry." He said apologetically "I guess I'm just a little overprotective of my wife now."

"Understandable." He smiled and brushed Deacon's comment off "I also wanted to tell you that if you keep up the good work you'll be able to discharge at the end of the week."

"Awesome." I grunted as I took another step "I can't wait to get back to work."

"What!" Deacon gasped "No...no you're not going back to work."

"Yes." I muttered "I am."

"You can't go back to work Mer." Deacon hissed "It almost killed you!"

"My work didn't kill me." I rolled my eyes "Getting into something that is over my head is what almost killed me."

Deacon kept silent, he either didn't want to argue anymore or didn't have an argument to hold onto. Dr. Shepherd's face softened to a look of seriousness and smiled politely.

"They're ok by the way." He said.

"Who is?" I asked.

"The women you were helping, they're all in a rehabilitation facility and Dmitri is in jail for life."

I looked in shock, how the hell did he know about the women? I felt my head spin and the next thing I knew I was on the ground looking up to see Dr. Shepherd looking over my and Deacon standing over him with looks of concern.

"Meredith." Derek said "Meredith are you ok?" he looked over at Deacon "Go get a nurse."

Deacon nodded hesitantly and then rushed off out of the room.

"Mer." He said as he took his flashlight out, I swatted it away.

"Stop that." I muttered "I'm fine."

"You just collapsed." He argued "You're not ok."

"I was just caught off guard." I squinted "How did you know about the women?"

His face fell slightly, almost like he'd shared too much information. But he covered it quickly.

"Mark found your letter." He said "Shortly after that we stumbled on you."

"Oh." I gulped as I sat up slowly and looked gratefully at him. "Thank you."

"They meant a lot to you." He smiled "I would want to know how they're doing too."

I gave him a cheesy school girl grin as words failed me. I didn't understand how but it seemed like this guy could see right through me, it was like he knew me better than anyone else, like we were....soul mates. Shame we were both with other people.

"Thanks for letting me know Dr. Shepherd."

"Derek." He smiled.

"What?"

"Please, call me Derek."