The comments have been wonderful thus far and I am very happy to see people reading and enjoying this story. I have condensed a lot of the story into longer chapters, since before they were each only about a page to a page and a half long per chapter, and I hope it doesn't make the story go too quickly, or seem rushed. I hope you all continue to enjoy my fic! I will probably post one more update later on today :)

It was raining. Meredith loved the sun, but she had missed the rain of Seattle, and now, she felt at home. She curled up in her bed, pulling the fluffy comforter up her body. The rain trickled down the roof and the windows. Without even opening her eyes, Meredith knew it was dark out from cloud cover. She stretched lazily against the mattress, relieving her muscles of the cramps they had formed in the night. When she opened her eyes, the only light in her apartment was from the coffeepot on the counter. It was almost black outside, the rain falling in sheets. She smiled, pushing off the covers. It was the perfect day to write.

Meredith started the coffee, setting a ceramic mug down next to the brewing liquid. She walked into the bathroom and followed her morning routine of relieving herself, washing her face, and lotioning her hands. She could smell the strong coffee and perched herself on top of the counter, drinking in the hot liquid. After a hot shower, and a warm breakfast, Meredith stepped into the hall to grab her newspaper. She was in loungewear, vowing to not leave the apartment this day. Upon entering the hallway, she noticed her neighbor, the one who had called her 'his' beauty the night before, was waiting for the elevator, his eyes trained on her. Meredith was flushed looking into his eyes. The elevator opened and he winked before disappearing behind the mirrored doors.

Meredith pushed her back to her open door, closing her eyes and holding tightly to the newspaper in her hands. She sighed, trying to bite back her smile. Now was not the time to have a fling, or eye sex, whichever, she needed to work. She settled down in her bed, turned on her laptop and opened up a fresh word document. The words flowed quickly.

Nearly two hours later, her fingers were cramping, but she had almost an entire chapter, and it most definitely was not about a woman in prison. The notice for a new e-mail popped up for the tenth time. Meredith took a break and clicked on the pop-up box.

03 June 2007 08:18:57 PM (PST)

From: Cristina Yang

To: Meredith

Subject: French man candy

So any hot French man candy yet? Remember, I need to live vicariously through you.

Meredith laughed. If only she told her about her eye sex.

04 June 2007 06:34:05 AM (EST)

From: Carly Winston

To: Meredith

Subject: Pages

Well??? When do I get to read the start of this novel? I can't wait all day Meredith!

So impatient.

The day had slightly cleared off – the rain had disappeared yet clouds still hung overcast and the ground was still soaked. A walk down the street to the café on the corner would be a perfect break. Meredith threw on a pair of skinny jeans and a fresh top. She slipped her feet into her rain boots, and covered her shoulders with a lightweight jacket. The streets were busier now; people were rushing around before the next rain shower came.

Meredith sat in a corner, sipping on a cappuccino and nibbling on a piece of biscotti. She watched people move around the shop, chatting and laughing. She tried to mesmerize the image so that she could write it later. It would fit so well in her novel. She noticed that it started sprinkling outside again. It was time to go.

When she stepped outside it was almost pouring. People shouted and ran for cover, but Meredith continued walking. But she slowed down, because all of a sudden, it didn't matter. It was rain. It was cold, but what was it going to do to her? Meredith opened her jacket, allowing the water to soak through her. Her hair lay matted to her face. She tipped her head up, allowing the water to run all down her. She closed her eyes and stopped on the sidewalk. People pushed past her, wanting to hide from the sudden downpour, but Meredith embraced it. She was thankful for it. She turned her head, opening her eyes, and smiled when she saw him standing across the street. He also didn't run from the rain, but stood there, his hands in his pockets.

Meredith giggled loudly, twirling in the rain. He watched her, enamored by her carefree nature, her laugh. He walked across the street, standing right before her. She looked up at him through wet eyelashes. She felt a surge of emotions.

"What's your name?" she asked over the sound of the rain splashing down.

He smiled, leaning closely to her, his lips almost pressed to her lips. He turned though, his lips close to her ear. His hot breath against her cool face made her body erupt in goose bumps. "Derek." He pulled back, a smug grin on his handsome face. His voice sounded completely American in that moment.

Meredith smiled, wiping rain from her eyes, "Meredith," she said.

"Meredith…" He repeated. "Hmm…" Derek stood there for a moment longer before he brushed past her and walked the opposite direction for the apartment building. She watched him leave, walking confidently through the rain. She watched as heads turned. Women swooned over him.

She smiled to herself one last time before walking towards her building. Little did she know, he had stopped walking and was watching her. The apartment provided warmth, and her run in with the man she now knew as Derek, provided her with some inspiration to write.

---

The night came quickly, and if it wasn't for her cell phone, Meredith would have been writing until the wee hours of the morning. She saved her document, too many times had she not saved and her computer deleted what she had written. She picked it up, smiling at the name across the screen.

"Hello," she sat down on the edge of her bed, pulling her knees to her chest.

"Why hello dear," George said in his usual, chipper voice. "How are you?"

Meredith laid her head against her arm, balancing the phone on her shoulder. "I am good. I've actually been writing all day. How are you?"

"I am quite well. I've been very busy today. And Forrester is away for the night, so I decided to call my favorite American and see if you wanted to go out with me tonight."

"Sure, I'd love to."

"Oh great!" She could hear the excitement in his voice. "What would you like to do?"

Meredith sat and thought for a moment. "I don't know. What would you suggest? I mean, I don't know much about the city besides what I see on the Travel Channel so, I am willing to go anywhere."

"Well…" George began. "I have an idea of something we could do."

---

Nearly an hour and a half later, George and Meredith stood outside the Moulin Rouge. Meredith nearly bubbled over in excitement when she saw the familiar windmill turning slowly. She had seen the film Moulin Rouge and had fallen in love with the idea of love in Paris. George's arm was linked through hers as they crossed the street. Women stood out front, wearing full Burlesque costumes, including ornate head pieces. Meredith could barely form words as George pulled her into the building and to their seats.

The interior was of course different than she had imagined. Meredith was in her glory. The lights dimmed a few times, signaling the beginning of the show. People continued to take their seats as the curtain began to rise.

The show was an array of colors and sounds. The women of the show put on a brilliant performance, lifting their skirts and dancing across the stage. The music boomed over the crowd, and the lights lit up the stage, casting a glow across the viewing crowd. Men and women cheered and carried on. Meredith didn't move as the curtain came down and people began to empty the theater. George just smiled, knowing the silly grin on her face.

"So I take it you liked it?"

She turned, "It was incredible. I've seen Broadway, but nothing like that."

"Nothing compares to the Moulin Rouge," George smiled. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah."

They walked out of the building, Meredith turning to look up at the windmill once more. George smiled at how happy the show made her. They walked back down the street towards her apartment, which wasn't far from the Red Light District.

"So how is everything else? How is writing coming?"

Meredith smiled, thinking of Derek. "Writing is better."

"Did you find inspiration?" George leaned into her.

Meredith blushed and smiled at him.

"You did!" He yelled, a wide grin forming on his face. "Tell me about him!"

"I don't know much. He's my neighbor, completely gorgeous, and that's about it. His name is Derek, and I think he's American. But he has this French accent sometimes."

"A French accent that makes your knees go weak."

Meredith smiled, "Don't you know it."

"So are we trying to get in bed with this hot French American?"

"Maybe…" she blushed. "Not really. I just…it's nice to have him looking, you know?"

George chuckled. "I definitely know what you mean. Before Forrester, any man that even looked my way I was on my knees for, and not just in a dirty way."

Meredith laughed loudly.

"But seriously, I do know what you mean. It feels good to be desired."

"Well I don't know if he desires me, but he looks, which is nice."

George wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Believe me if I was straight I would desire you. You're hot."

Meredith giggled. "Stop…"

"You are. You're gorgeous. And I say get this hot guy into bed, tonight."

"George…" she rolled her eyes.

George smiled, "Prude."

"I am not a prude! But I am not going to sleep with the hot French-American, who just so happens to be my neighbor," she said loudly, her face reading mock anger.

Meredith felt a hard body walk past her. She turned. Derek walked past her and she caught the smirk on his lips. He had heard everything she had just screamed in the streets. Meredith turned ten shades of red and turned away. He just continued to smile and walked into their building.

"That was him…" George smiled knowingly.

"Shit!" Meredith sighed.

George rested his hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, really. At least now he knows you want to sleep with him," he laughed.

"Shut up!" She hit his arm.

"Well, he's hot, and he definitely just undressed you with his eyes. Go for it."

Meredith smirked, "Maybe tomorrow."

George leaned in, kissed each of her cheeks. "Have fun tonight." He winked.

"You're porny!" She yelled as he walked down the street.

Meredith walked into her apartment, opting to take the stairs instead of the elevator. She pulled open the door to her floor and walked down the hallway. She noticed him standing against the wall, not just standing, leaning. He was leaning outside her door. And of course he looked beyond amazing. Meredith's skin instantly burned up. She stepped in front of him, slipping the key into the door. He was standing dangerously close.

"So, you were on a date?"

She couldn't help but smile, "Jealous?"

He smirked again, "Of the short guy? No."

"Then why are you asking?"

"Just wondering."

Meredith stared at him for a moment. "Why are you leaning against my door?"

"I'm not." He leaned closer to her. "I'm leaning against the wall."

"You're a smartass."

"Lots of people say things about my ass, never smart."

She rolled her eyes. "And you have a huge ego."

"You like it," he smiled.

"No, I don't."

Derek leaned closer to her ear. "I don't want to sleep with you either."

Meredith's skin erupted in goose bumps. She swallowed the lump in her throat, her eyes never faltering from his. Derek turned and walked away, his grin wide. He walked into his own apartment. Meredith slipped into her apartment, resting her back to the door. She laid her head back against the wood and sighed loudly. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to wash away pornographic images of Derek. This was definitely not in the cards and Meredith knew it couldn't go any further than an innocent crush.