INT.HOSPITAL ? RICHARD?S OFFICE
Richard?s secretary sits behind her desk.
������������������������ CHRISTINA
��������� Is the chief in?
������������������������ SECRETARY
No, he isn?t. Do you want to leave a message?
�������������� CHRISTINA
No. When will he be back?
�������������� SECRETARY
Later today.
�������������� CHRISTINA
I?ll just check back later.
Christina walks away, doing a little dance of joy inside.
INT. HOSPITAL CAFETERIA
George sits at a table with Christina, who eats a bag of potato chips. George eats an apple and Alex sits down.
������������������������ CHRISTINA
��������� Evil spawn.
������������������������ ALEX
��������� Suck up.
������������������������ CHRISTINA
��������� What do you want?
������������������������ ALEX
��������� How?s Izzy doing?
������������������������ CHRISTINA
��������� Do you really care?
������������������������ ALEX
��������� Contrary to popular belief, I do like her.
������������������������ GEORGE
She?s doing okay. You should visit her. She needs all of us right now.
�������������� ALEX
She doesn?t want to see me. I?m the one who made it clear about my dislike for Denny.
�������������� GEORGE
You?re the only one that could talk to her and get her away from Denny when he died. She needed you then, and she needs you now.
��������� ���� ALEX
Yeah, right. She?ll probably throw me out.
�������������� GEORGE
All you can do is try.
�������������� ALEX
Very poetic, Bambi.
�������������� CHRISTINA
Burke?s mother called my pager and left a 911 for me. She wants me to get orange juice and apples for Burke.
�������������� ALEX
Burke?s mother?s in town? That?s harsh. What?s she like?
�������������� CHRISTINA
She keeps calling him her baby. She wouldn?t let me sleep with him last night. She wanted me to leave work to pick that stuff up. I?m a surgeon. I?m fighting the power.
�������������� GEORGE
So the chief wasn?t in.
�������������� CHRISTINA
No.�
EXT. MEREDITH?S HOUSE
Izzy pulls her keys out to open the front door when a familiar car pulls into the driveway. The engine turns off and Alex gets out of the car. Alex walks to the front porch, not climbing the stairs and stares at Izzy for a moment, who stares back.
������������������������ IZZY
��������� Alex. What are you doing here?
������������������������ ALEX
��������� I wanted to see you. See how you?re doing.
������������������������ IZZY
I?m doing fine? Did you? Do you want to come in?
�������������� ALEX
Yeah. Yeah. I?d like to come in.
Izzy unlocks the door with her keys and then opens it. She and Alex walk in.
������������������������ ALEX
George says you?re doing ok. As well as can be expected.
�������������� IZZY
Yeah. Well, my fianc� died.
Izzy?s eyes mist over.
������������������������ IZZY
I just? I wanted to say thank you. For the hospital. You were right about that not being Denny anymore. And thank you? For being there for me.
�������������� ALEX
No problem, Izzy. Izzy?
�������������� IZZY
Yes?
�������������� ALEX
I?m glad you?re okay.
�������������� IZZY
Me, too. Do you want something to eat? I baked up a storm a few days ago and we have more food then we know what to do with.
�������������� ALEX
Sure.
Alex smiles and they head towards the kitchen.
INT.HOSPITAL ? CHIEF?S OFFICE
Christina sticks her head into the chief?s office. Richard sits behind his desk, doing paperwork.
�������������� CHRISTINA
��������� Chief?
������������������������ RICHARD
��������� Yes Christina?
Christina enters the whole way into the chief?s office.
������������������������ CHRISTINA
Burke?s mother called. She wants me to go back. To the apartment. To help.
�������������� RICHARD
You?re at work
�������������� CHRISTINA
I know sir, I normally wouldn?t even think about asking sir. But sir? She?s the type of woman that you do not say no to.
�������������� RICHARD
Go home Christina.
�������������� CHRISTINA
Thank you sir.
Christina exits Richard?s office.
INT. MEREDITH?S HOUSE
The door slams behind Ripley as she runs into the house, glancing at her watch.
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� I call bathroom!
Ripley takes the stairs two at a time, runs to Meredith?s room, and rifles for something than sprints to the bathroom and the door slams.
Izzy looks at George and Derek who are chopping up vegetables while she cuts fat off several breasts of chicken.
������������������������ IZZY
��������� What was that about?
������������������������ GEORGE
��������� I don?t know.
������������������������ IZZY
��������� So, you and Ripley?
������������������������ DEREK
��������� You and Ripley? Did I miss something?
������������������������ GEORGE
��������� No. There is no me and Ripley.
������������������������ IZZY
��������� And the duets?
������������������������ GEORGE
I found someone with a mutual interest in music, that?s all. Is that a crime?
Meredith walks into the house and puts her bag on the table while she takes her jacket off.
������������������������ MEREDITH
��������� Hey guys.
������������������������ IZZY
Where have you been all day? I thought you had the day off.
�������������� MEREDITH
I did. I went to see mom. Then Ripley.
�������������� IZZY
You?re seeing, seeing Ripley? Isn?t that unethical? Since she?s your friend and all?
�������������� MEREDITH
No. I went to visit her during her lunch break. I had to find a different Chief approved therapist.
������������������������ IZZY
Do you know where Ripley?s going? She tore off upstairs, claiming the bathroom.
�������������� MEREDITH
I don?t know. I?m not the keeper of Ripley. George is better suited for that. What are you guys doing?
�������������� GEORGE
Dr. Sheppard calls this cooking. And I don?t know why you would say that.
�������������� MEREDITH
I didn?t know you could cook.
�������������� DEREK
You never asked. Here. Chop up the fruit.
�������������� MEREDITH
I can?t cook. Seriously.
�������������� DEREK
You can chop up fruit. Here, you take a strawberry, then cut the top off, then slice it like this, then slice it again this way.
Derek demonstrates for Meredith, then holds out the handle of the knife to her. Meredith takes the knife from Derek and does how he demonstrates.
������������������������ MEREDITH
��������� I guess.
������������������������ DEREK
This is good cutting practice for you. Izzy, trade places with me and cut up the rest of the broccoli.
Derek goes over to the chicken and puts it in a pan on the stove, letting the chicken sizzle.
Upstairs, a blow dryer is turned on.
������������������������ MEREDITH
��������� That girl is going all out. Doing her hair?
������������������������ GEORGE
��������� She doesn?t normally?
������������������������ MEREDITH
Everything about that girl is natural. No make up, no hair products. It?s like pulling teeth to even get her in high heels and a dress.
�������������� GEORGE
She?s a naturally beautiful woman? I can?t believe I just said that.
�������������� IZZY
Georgie and Ripley sittin? in a tree?
George gives Izzy a death look.
�������������� GEORGE
Never call me Georgie. Ever.
INT. DINING ROOM
George, Izzy, Meredith and Derek were just finishing eating dinner when Ripley finally began to descend the stairs.
George was the first to notice one high-heeled sandaled perfectly pedicured foot materialize into two perfectly shaved legs, into a black dress slit up one side with an angled hem and only one shoulder strap. Ripley?s brown hair bounced in waves around her. Her make up was light, and emphasized her eyes, making them seem wider than normal. The dress hugged every curve that Ripley had with the hem flowing with her movements.
George begins to choke on the water that he was drinking, coughing loudly.
������������������������ IZZY
��������� Are you okay, George?
������������������������ GEORGE
��������� Fine. (coughing.) Fine. (coughs).
������������������������ MEREDITH
��������� (whistling) Don?t you look hot. Hot date?
������������������������ RIPLEY
Nah. I?m going out with some of the Psychologists in the area.
������������������������ DEREK
��������� You guys hang out?
������������������������ RIPLEY
You guys usually only have friends in the surgical department, we usually only have friends in the psych department. If nothing else, it?s to check out the competition. Of course the guy that asked is hot, which is completely beside the point.
Ripley stops at the mirror by the front door and fluffs her hair up.
������������������������ RIPLEY
I have to go meet them at the restaurant. Don?t wait up.
Ripley exits the house.
������������������������ MEREDITH
��������� Hey, Derek. Want to spar?
������������������������ DEREK
��������� You don?t fight fair.
EXT. MEREDITH?S HOUSE ? BACK PORCH
Meredith sits on a wooden swing on the back porch, a medical book held up and one foot pushing off the ground, making the swing go back and forth. Back and forth. Derek slips out the back door, expecting the back porch to be empty. Meredith looks up in time to see him turn to go back inside.
������������������������ MEREDITH
��������� Hey.
Derek turns back around to face Meredith.
������������������������ DEREK
��������� Hey. I?ll just go back inside.
Derek turns to leave.
������������������������
MEREDITH
��������� Derek.
Derek turns back at the sound of Meredith?s voice.
������������������������ DEREK
��������� Yes?
������������������������ MEREDITH
Why haven?t you apologized for calling me a whore?
Derek sighs and sits down next to Meredith. Meredith tucks both legs underneath her and puts her book aside.
�������������� DEREK (sighs)
I didn?t call you a whore. Is that what the punching was about?
�������������� MEREDITH
No? Okay, maybe part of it. But you sure as hell implied it.
�������������� DEREK
I know I did. And I?m sorry. Really sorry. Can?t we just forgive and forget?
�������������� MEREDITH
Forgive and forget?!?!? You implied that I was a WHORE. It?s not going to be that easy, Derek.
�������������� DEREK
Meredith, you make me crazy. The thought of you with the Vet? Crazy. The thought of you with George? The first someone that I knew that you slept with after me? INSANE?
�������������� MEREDITH
That whole time you were with Addison.
�������������� DEREK
She was my wife.
�������������� MEREDITH
That fact didn?t make it any less painful for me.
�������������� DEREK
I know.
�������������� MEREDITH
You had no right.
�������������� DEREK
I know I didn?t. It?s just? Meredith? I love you?
�������������� MEREDITH
You chose Addison.
�������������� DEREK
I know.
�������������� MEREDITH
That doesn?t change anything right now, Derek.
�������������� DEREK
But Mer-
�������������� MEREDITH
No, listen to me. It doesn?t change anything right now. You?re still married to Addison. You chose Addison. And that hurt. A lot.�
�������������� DEREK
So the exam room?
�������������� MEREDITH
��������� You tell me, Derek.
������������������������ DEREK
It made me realize that Addison? We tried to fix things. Really tried. But? Ever since she came, there?s been a dark cloud over me. Following me around. Just trying with her? It wears me out? But with you? You?re when the sun comes out after a rainstorm.
�������������� MEREDITH
It?s not enough right now, Derek. You have a lot to prove to me. A lot to make up for.
�������������� DEREK
I know.
�������������� MEREDITH
It?s not going to be easy. And I?m still with Finn because he?s perfect for me.
�������������� DEREK
Nothing that is worth it ever is. Nothing with you is ever easy? Perfect you use that a lot to describe Finn. Did you ever use that when describing me?
�������������� MEREDITH
I don?t have to answer that! And he is an amazing guy. As long as we?re clear that I?m with him?
�������������� DEREK
As crystal? I still have your panties.
�������������� MEREDITH
Damnit. I want those back.
�������������� DEREK
It?s been awhile since you went to Joe?s.
�������������� MEREDITH
How do you know that?
�������������� DEREK
Because I?ve been going there every night since the exam room.
�������������� MEREDITH
Are you stalking me?
�������������� DEREK
Just some friendly stalking. Joe?s been asking about you guys.
�������������� MEREDITH
I know. Izzy?s here? She?s needed us. But I think she?s getting better. Not great, but better.
The back door opens and Finn stands there, looking unsure of everything.
������������������������ FINN
��������� Meredith?
Meredith jumps up off of the swing.
������������������������ MEREDITH
��������� Finn! It?s not what it looks like.
������������������������ FINN
��������� What does it look like, Meredith?
������������������������ MEREDITH
��������� Like I?m talking to Derek.
������������������������ FINN
��������� I can?t handle this.
Finn walks around the side of the house. Meredith hesitates only a second before sprinting after him.
������������������������ MEREDITH
��������� Finn, wait! Pleas. Wait.
Meredith catches up to Finn and Finn wheels around.
������������������������ FINN
What have you been honest about Meredith? Because you said there wasn?t anything between you and Derek, but there was. You slept with Derek, and waited to tell me. And I show up here, to surprise you and you?re with him. Is there anything that you HAVE been honest about Meredith?
�������������� MEREDITH
Finn, he?s staying here. On the couch. Addison threw him out and he had nowhere else to go.
�������������� FINN
You could have said no.
�������������� MEREDITH
Regardless of everything that?s happened, he?s still my friend.
�������������� FINN
Friend that you slept with who is still married. (pause) How can I trust you that he?s sleeping on your couch, anyway?
�������������� MEREDITH
Ripley.
�������������� FINN
Ripley? What does she have to do with this? Are you sleeping with her, too?
�������������� MEREDITH
Acutally, yes. She?s been staying at my house, in my bed since she came into town because she doesn?t have anywhere else to go. George and Izzy can vouch for that, too.
�������������� FINN (angry)
Isn?t that convenient? (pause) Meredith you have to be honest with me all of the time. Not part of the time, not when it?s convenient. All of the time.
�������������� MEREDITH
I know. I?m trying. Really trying, here Finn. I promise. I just couldn?t find the words to tell you that Derek is staying here. Indefinitely.
�������������� FINN
What are we doing here, Meredith? Because love? relationships? Shouldn?t be this hard.
�������������� MEREDITH
I?m trying, here. You?re a vet, who births ponies and has plans and who likes dogs. And who has an ex-wife. And you are absolutely perfect. I?m not perfect. But I?m trying so hard. To change for the better. Not because you asked, or demanded. Because I want to.
�������������� FINN
I?m trying to be patient.
�������������� MEREDITH
I know you are. And I appreciate it more than you could ever know.
�������������� FINN
You?ve given more to him than you ever have to me.
�������������� MEREDITH
I?m working on that, too.
�������������� FINN
This is it Meredith. I can?t give you anymore chances. You have to be honest with me. Because there is a good, very high possibility that I might be in love with you.
�������������� MEREDITH
Might be?
�������������� FINN
Might be. I don?t want to get hurt again, Meredith. I can?t go through all of that again.
�������������� MEREDITH
All right. Things will be better. I promise. Girl Scout?s honor.
�������������� FINN
Were you a girl scout?
�������������� MEREDITH
No.
Finn starts laughing.
������������������������ FINN
��������� Come here, you.
Meredith hops into Finn?s arms.
������������������������ FINN
I do have plans. I want you to be apart of those plans. But we can?t do this forever.
�������������� MEREDITH
I know. I?ll tell you the truth. All the time. Even the truths you don?t want to hear.
�������������� FINN
Good.
�������������� MEREDITH (V.O.)
Yes, the things we put off do catch up with us. Rather quickly, at times. Sometimes we?re let off easy, sometimes we?re not. But everything catches u
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