This is a Meredith /Mark fic. It's set at the end of Where The Boys Are when he asks her to start fresh. Usually I'm completely MerDer but I got the idea for this one so I decided to run with it! If you all like it let me know...the more reviews I get the more inspired to update I am. )

GAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGA

Mark and Meredith were sitting at a table in the back of Joe's Bar, having a drink after a long shift at the hospital.

"This could be just a drink...or it could be more than a drink." Mark flashed her that almost desperate look that would vanish just before you realized what he meant by it.

"I can't start something with you" Meredith answered smiling and shaking her head.

"You could," he said with a nod, "Start over Meredith, start fresh." His beeper started going off. "Saved by the bell" he murmured standing up, he pick up his beer and finished it off, "Order me another beer." He gave her his best McSteamy look before walking away.

Meredith laughed at him to herself as walked over the bar. Starting something with Mark Sloan would be crazy...or ...no it is. It would just be CRAZY...He is kinda sexy, she thought to herself smiling so wide her cheeks were starting to hurt, No, bad Meredith. I have to remember to slap my wrists later.

"Hi. I'm Derek Shepard". An all too familar face was now looking at her smiling with his hand held out to her.

Meredith laughed a cynical laugh out loud as she was looking at his hand. Then she looked up at him, "What are you doing?"

Derek's smile got bigger, "We met at this bar, you remember? We met and well you said, 'I'm just a girl' and I said 'I'm just a guy' and we started this thing." His eyes were shining bright with love and reminiscence, "We started this thing and you didn't know anything about me. The good, bad, wife. You didn't know even know my name," he smiled a little bigger, "You didn't know me, I want you to know me. I want to start over from the begginning...So, Hi, I'm Derek Shepard." He held out his hand again but she still didn't take it.

He can't just do this, tell me that he wants to take time one day and then as soon as he's ready he expects me to just fall back into his arms like nothing has happened...Thats not how this works! Meredith took a deep breath, "You walked away, and now it's too late. There too much water under the thing or whatever."

I love Derek but what if...there are too many what ifs. That is the problem.

At that moment Mark walked up a couple of feet behind Derek and the smile on his face slowly faded when he saw the look on Meredith's face.

"Meredith...Please" Derek got that soft look on his face the was just like he was saying 'I'll love you forever if you just do what I asked' that you're the only one for me look. Then he smiled and went all McDreamy.

"I can't Derek. You hurt me and now I need time to find myself, start fresh with myself. I'm not sure that you're the best choice for me. I'm not sure you're the person who would never hurt me anymore. I'm just not ready."

" I completely understand. I'll be here whenever you decide. Whenever you realize that we really do belong together." He smiled again and walked out of the bar, fully confident that it wouldn't take Meredith long to make the realization.

Mark walked up to her with the slightest bit of confusion painted on his face. "Why did you turn him down?" he asked curiously.

Meredith smiled, "Just like I said I'm not so sure that he is the one who 'would never hurt me' thats what I'm looking for." She laughed at Mark and said, "And while I know you would and probably will hurt me, in all fairness you did ask for the fresh start first."

Well it was kind of hard to write Meredith picking Mark but when I first saw that episode I thought well..what if? I hope you all liked it! This was kind of like the intro, the next chapter will be the first date. Please review and I will love you forever.

Oh I forgot the disclaimer: I do not, and sadly never will, own Grey's Anatomy or any of these characters.