Once, Meredith Grey said it to Derek Shepherd.

Now, ‘‘Grey’s Anatomy’’ is saying it to you by reuniting the pair (finally!)

and injecting more humor into Seattle Grace’s angsty hallways.

Ellen Pompeo

Credit: PHOTOGRAPH BY JUSTIN STEPHENS

Ellen Pompeo is happy.

But alas, the guy on the table didnt survive.

(In a seductive way, of course.)

Thats when Pompeo completely loses her cool and steps out of character.

Giggling, she makes a beeline to the director and holds up her hand.

Are we really going to have thumb sex?

Hey, at least theyre havingsomekind of sex.

Before it was, Can we do this and make it work?

Now its Wecando it and make it work.

But watch what happens when we do.

Its going to be incredibly interesting.

The actors, no surprise, were thrilled by the news.

Its nice to see all these relationships moving forward.

And the characters are making fun of themselves in a good way.

Were getting back to the sense of humor, getting away from all that shark-jumping, unbelievable stuff.

Adds his onscreen girlfriend: Chemistry wins above everything else.

Suddenly, you have 20 actors and two writing staffs that need your attention.

But I dont feel likeGreyssuffered when my time was spread thin.