Where Do We Go From Here

Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Derek/Meredith
Summary: We all need a knight in shining whatever. For Meredith Grey, it's Derek Shepherd, whether she likes it or not.
A/N: Okay, I know I should be working on Three or Crash, but… this popped into my head and it's begging to be let out. You know the drill – Read. Love. Review.

Prologue

Meredith Grey stands still, peering out into the dark sky from the observation deck of the Seattle Space Needle. Technically, it should be closed right now. Apparently, technicalities don't matter when you're Derek Shepherd because here they are. Meredith isn't sure why Derek wanted to come here after midnight anyway, but he won't disclose any information about why they're there.

"The view is beautiful," Meredith says. She turns and expects to see Derek beside her, but she blinks in confusion when he's not. "Derek?"

Derek Shepherd can't hold back his grin when he sees the confused yet relaxed look on Meredith's face. Quietly, he walks up behind her and slips his arms around her waist. He teases her with soft kisses along her neck and almost wishes that other people weren't coming to join them.

"What's going on?" Meredith tries to sound serious, but she fails miserably. Derek's hands are now roaming around her neckline, and she's having trouble standing straight, let alone be serious.

Derek sighs softly, and then he spins Meredith to face him. Somehow, after all they've been through, her eyes still manage to hold a sort of blissful innocence.

"I can't take my eyes off you. There's no good explanation for how this happened. I was supposed to be done. But then I came out here, and I met you, and I realized that I hadn't even started.

"You were never just a girl in a bar, not to me. I fell in love with you, and that didn't go away because I stayed with Addison. I'm in love with you forever.

"The others are here. They need you to… I need you to… to choose…" Meredith's even breaths suddenly become more ragged, and she stares at Derek's ice blue eyes.

"This sounds vaguely familiar," she whispers. Tears fill Derek's eyes as he nods.

"I cannot lose you, not again."

A/N: I know this was short, but… it should be interesting. The next chapter should be up by… dare I say tonight or tomorrow, but almost definitely before Thursday night!