Meredith Grey wasn't sure what she wanted to be; but one thing she knew was that she didn't want to follow in her mother's footsteps and be a surgeon. She didn't want to be constantly compared to her great surgeon of a mother. So after graduating from high school, she decided to take a gap year and travel across Europe with her best friend, Sadie. This trip had opened Meredith's eyes at what she'd like to do with her life. As she was traveling, she pondered across all these cute little stores and shops. She decided she was going to open one herself, and that meant she needed to go to college and get a business degree.

Jumping forward ten years later, Meredith is now twenty-nine with a popular coffee shop; The Village Cafe. Why this coffee shop was popular wasn't because she just sold coffee and tea and drinks like that. Meredith also sold baked goods like scones, muffins, donuts, and would like to expand to sandwiches, as well, to please those who come in for lunch.

"Next in line please." Meredith waved over. "Hi. What would you like?"

The man kept staring at the menu not one hundred percent sure. "I've never been here before; first time in Seattle, for a matter of fact. But I saw this on the way to my new job, and decided to check it out..." The man glanced off at the menu and looked at the woman. "What would you recommend?"

"Um..." Meredith glanced down, rubbing her lips together. "Well what do you like?"

"Coffee." He laughed.

Meredith laughed as well. "Well good thing we sell coffee. Since you're so indecisive, how about I just surprise you?"

"What if I don't like it?"

"Well let's not think that far into the future until you try it." She smiled and reached for a cup and marker. "What is your name?"

"Derek."

"Derek." Meredith scribbled on. "Great. So will one surprise cup of coffee be all then?"

"Yes."

As he was beginning to take his credit card out, Meredith stopped him. "No, this one will be on the house."

"I don't think your boss would like that very much."

"Well it's a good thing I'm my own boss. I'm the owner. So go ahead and take a seat. It'll be ready in a few."

Meredith decided to let Derek try a new coffee bean she recently bought for her shop. She hasn't yet put it up for sale, only because she's nervous it won't sale, since it's new, and people who usually come into her shop are regulars who buy their usuals.

"Derek." Meredith called. She smiled as she reached over the counter to give it to him.

"Thanks." Derek took the lid off and added some cream to his coffee, since he doesn't like it totally black. He took a sip and nodded his head after he drank it. "Pretty good. What is it exactly?"

"Well it's new; new as in you're the first person to try it." Meredith said. "When I was traveling last summer, I went to this village and discovered this shop selling this coffee. I wasn't familiar with it, so I ordered a cup. Long story short, I asked if I could possibly get an order for my store here. What you're drinking it called Tanzania Peaberry. It's different. I like different, but not everyone does."

Derek nodded and took another sip. "It's good."

"Well I hope you'll come in again." Meredith took a step back from the counter and returned to the cash register to take another order. "Next, please."

By Meredith's surprised, the next day she meets him again. She smiled when he reached the counter to order. "You're back."

"I am back." He gave her a smile. "Surprise me again, but this time I'm paying." Derek reached into his wallet and handed Meredith his credit card.

Meredith nodded and took it, swiping it into the computer. "Derek Shepherd." She read aloud the name that showed up on the computer screen. Meredith handed him back his credit card, and Derek placed it back in his wallet.

"So you know my name, but I don't know yours."

"No, you don't." Meredith ripped the receipt from the printer and handed it to Derek. "Meredith."

"Meredith." Derek repeated, followed by a smile.

He went to take seat and waited until she called his name. This time instead of calling him from behind the counter, Meredith walked the coffee to where he's sitting.

"So why a coffee shop?" Derek asked.

"Huh?"

"Why did you decide to open?"

"I wanted to do something different from my family. I wanted to by my own boss, and be able to travel when I want to. I love to travel and want to see the whole world. This gives me the opportunity to. I don't constantly have to be here; only when I want to. So..." She gave Derek a smile. "That's why."

Hey, guys! Look, a new story! I actually have all the chapters written, and I'm really happy with how this story went. This is obviously an AU, where Meredith isn't a doctor because she didn't want to follow in her mother footsteps and be compared to her her entire life. This story will have in total 20 chapters, but not all is going to be posted at once.

Also, my other story will be finished by next week. I'll be posting the latest chapter later today.

So I hope you liked this chapter, and I hope you'll like this story! Leave a review, follow, and favorite!