Disclaimer: I do not own Grey's Anatomy. Everything belongs to the creators of the show.


Foreigner

The rain was streaking down the glass in long rivulets that branched and reconvened, each separate stream pulsing and rippling like a living animal. Beyond the window was a parking lot slick with puddles that were pitted with raindrops. Along the length of the front of the hospital was an impressive glass corridor high above the entrance, flanked with brick walls on either side. Dr. Sloan peered up at the heavens which seemed to be opening themselves upon Seattle, and, with a sigh of resignation, shrugged into his jacket, pulling the zipper up to his chin. His fingers lingered on the car door for a moment before he forced himself to wrench it open and dart out into the torrent of rain.

Ducking his head, he ran the short distance to the door and moved into the dry warmth. He closed his eyes and breathed in the sterile, slightly abrasive smell of hospital. It wasn't an odor most people enjoyed, but of course he had long ago grown used to it, and here, in this wet, green, foreign city, the smell was at least familiar, like a bit of New York he'd been able to bring with him. In fact, it was the only bit that he still had. The rest of his old life had somehow found its way here, to Washington of all places, and he had inevitably followed. Even as a child his footsteps had never strayed far from the path Derek forged. Realizing abruptly that he was standing motionless with his eyes closed like a fool in the lobby of a large and famous hospital, he quickly shook himself and set off in search of the nurses' station. If anybody knew where to find the Shepherds they would be there.

Looking around, his attention was immediately captured by a thin blond in scrubs with long legs and a slight frame who leaned against the counter of the nurse's station. The corners of his mouth twitched upward as he thought that maybe it wasn't quite so imperative that he find Addison right away after all.

He moved up behind the woman quietly and then reached out in front of her to point at the volley of serious conditions listed on a patient's chart, saying in a carefully causal voice, "That guy's pretty much a goner, huh?"

"Sensitivity. I like that in a stranger," she said, looking up at him, her eyes playful. "Are you new in town?"

He grinned back and answered, "Visiting. Confounded by the rain and it's only my first day in town."

"You get used to it," she said conversationally, and then flipped the patient's chart shut and began to walk away. Dr. Sloan frowned a bit, disappointed at how quickly she'd lost interest in him. He wasn't accustomed to being ignored.

Unable to resist, he remarked in a purposefully gravelly voice, "Makes me want to stay in bed all day."

The woman turned back, smiling wickedly. "We just met and already you're talking about bed. Not very subtle."

"Subtle's never been my strong suit." Already able to see that this was somebody he could get along with, he leaned in and said conspiratorially, "So. Do you ever go out with coworkers?"

A queer expression full of hidden meaning flitted across her face and she answered after a thoughtful pause, "I… um… make it a rule not to."

Suddenly it dawned on him. It was her. The mistress. Derek's mistress. His face glowed with recognition. Already his interest in her was dissolving into playful sisterly affection, but he kept up the banter, falling into a comfortable routine. "Then I am so glad that I don't work here."

"Are you hitting on me?" she asked, her eyes twinkling. "In a hospital?"

"Would that be wrong?"

She shook her head at him as though he was hopeless and extended her hand, offering a real smile of friendship. "Meredith."

He reached out to grasp her small hand in his large warm one when-

There was a blur of navy scrubs, a white coat, and black hair, and sudden pain blossomed across his cheek accompanied with the huff of someone exhaling loudly. He stumbled and hung on to the edge of the counter, his vision blurring and his eyes smarting. In the background shock and mild disapproval mingled in Meredith's voice as she said "Derek! What the hell was that?"

"That, " Derek answered, quiet rage burning in his voice, "was Mark."


A/N: This is my first Grey's Anatomy fanfiction. I hope you enjoyed it. Right now I'm unsure of whether I'll continue this or just leave it as a one-shot, so let me know what you think. Reviews = love, and whether you liked this story or not I want to hear your opinion, so please review. Thanks for reading.