A few days later, Derek just couldn't get Mer off his mind. She was just amazing. He also felt very badly for cutting Alex off the way he did. Mark radioed and told him his tires were terrible and he was slipping which would make it easier to for Derek to take him. He didn't do this; he didn't play dirty. He wanted to win because he was the best driver, not because he bumped the competitor.
About this time, Derek looked up to find Mark standing there, "Man, you must be deep in thought; you didn't even look up when I came in the door."
"Yeah," Derek replied barely loud enough for Mark to hear. Mark was tired of seeing his buddy like this—not depressed, but just . . . it was hard to explain. He wanted to talk to Derek about what was bothering him, but just wasn't sure how to start. He knew it was because of Mer, which they assumed was short for Mary or Meredith, but not sure which. Saturday night had been a huge night for Derek—before and after the race. During the race, Derek did something that was uncharacteristic of him by bumping Alex. Mark didn't think it was a big deal and in fact, encouraged more bumping, but Derek wasn't the kind of man. . . However, the most important event of the night came at the end when the smart ass Asian chick came up to them—Mer was Alex's sister, but not just his sister, but his twin sister. Then she had to say something about treating her like a queen. . . Like that is going to help. She is Alex's twin; he would kill Derek if he even looked at her wrong.
Mark didn't dare mention her name since Saturday night; Derek was still pissed for Mark's comment about Brad. But, Mark couldn't sit around and let his brother wallow in self pity.
"Let's at least analyze the race from Saturday night. There some things we need to consider for next week." Mark said definitively.
"I don't feel like it." Derek replied grumbling.
"Are you ever going to feel like it?" Mark said as he was getting tired of Derek sitting around.
"Shut the fuck up, Mark." Derek furiously replied.
Mark had enough of this. . . "Ok, man, enough is enough. What the fuck is your problem? I know you can't get her out of your mind . . . grow some balls and do something about it. . . I don't think she is your problem. Hell, I think she would have fucked you on one of the bar tables by the way she was looking at you. You have to figure something out, because you can't go on like this."
Derek looked up at him in complete and utter shock. "You don't know shit about this . . . you just fuck girls and that is it. Mer—there is something about her, more than just getting a good fuck out of her. I think I may. . . " Derek stopped before saying another word and slowly looked up at his best friend, "what in the hell do I do?"
This is what Mark wanted. He knew his friend needed some help but knew Derek would have to ask—he was generally too prideful to ask for help or advice on what to do. But, Derek wanted some advice what he should do. . .
"Well, for one, I think you need to know something. I have watched the end of the race from the other night at least a hundred times. Yes, you bumped Alex, but really his tires gave and kind of slid into you."
Before Mark could say anything else, Derek asked, "How in the hell does that help me?"
"I think you need to call and talk to Alex about it, apologize."
"Are you fucking nuts?" Derek yells out in response to Mark's crazy suggestion. "How is this supposed to help me with her?"
Derek really was clueless. He had 4 sisters and was only close to one of them and even then, he wasn't very close. They didn't know anything about racing other than there were men in a car who raced very fast around a track.
"Derek, I watched Mer down in the pit Saturday night. She knows as much as any one of us out there which means she is a supportive sister—she learned that along her brother. She was even on the radio part of the night giving directions."
Derek couldn't believe this. None of the girls he had ever gone out cared much about it, they wanted the hot driver, but nothing more to do with the sport. But, Mer knew about it.
"So, she likes racing. . . I still don't see. . ." Mark cut Derek off.
"Look, I am going to put it to you like this. . . They are twins, they share a bond. You have to win over Alex to even have a chance with her." Mark laughed while continuing, "Well, you may not win over Alex, but at least appear like you are trying to be civil to him . . . the better guy for trying to talk to him, if for nothing else, then do it for Mer. . . do it to at least get her to talk to you."
"How do I do that?" Derek asked curiously. Maybe Mark is right about this. I mean, he is a dumb ass most of the time, but I haven't been able to come up with anything better, but what should I do?
"Should I call him to apologize?" Derek asked after thinking for a few seconds. Stupid idea, Derek, why would I want to call that asshole. . . Could this work?? At the least, she would see me as sensitive and truly sorry for playing dirty. I need to watch the end of the race. . . I just couldn't though. . . But, if Mark is correct, this changes things. . .
"I think you could start there and see where it gets you." Mark replied not fully sure what Derek should do, but he had to do something. At least Mer would maybe see that Derek did appear to feel bad about bumping her twin. Mark didn't feel bad in the least, in fact, he always told Derek he needed to be more aggressive. . . Derek just didn't want to be that kind of driver. He knew that Derek did feel bad about it though.
"Ok, I don't even have his number. . ." Derek said sadly.
"That won't be a problem . . . give me a few minutes. . . "
Mark came back a few minutes later and gave the number to Derek.
"I have to go up to the school to settle some payments. I can't believe classes start next week. Our second year of medical school. . . I am excited about getting into the hospital more." Mark said as he walked out the door. He was ready to be done with the classroom part and get into the hospital. He was riding a career in plastics all of the way.
Derek sat with the phone in his hand trying to decide if he should call. He slowly dialed the number and waited until he heard a voice on the other end. . .
"Hello" The voice on the other end says.
Derek couldn't say anything; his voice was caught in his throat.
"Hello, is anyone there?" The voice says.
"Um, hello" The only thing Derek could manage to get off.
Meredith was getting annoyed at whoever was on the phone, "who is this?" In a pissed off voice. . .
"Well . . . um . . . this is Derek. . . Derek Shepherd" he managed to choke out. He had no idea what to say to her.
"I am hanging up now. . ." Meredith quickly replied back.
"Wait, I want to. . . " Derek said hurriedly, but decided to slow down when he didn't hear the phone click, "I actually was calling to talk to Alex about the race."
"I doubt he wants to talk to you after what you did." Meredith said positively.
Derek thought for a second and figured he might as well tell Meredith what he wants.
"Look, I really was just calling to tell him I am really sorry about the other night. I didn't mean to bump him at all and I am truly sorry for it." Derek said with sincerity in his voice. He really was sorry even if they didn't believe him.
"Well. . . I. . . " This is a shock for Meredith and she has no idea what to even say—she even sensed the sincerity in his voice. Racers didn't do this . . . they didn't apologize for this kind of stuff. They were usually too prideful for this. She knew her brother would NEVER call another driver to apologize.
"Mer?" Derek asked with the line going silent for a few seconds.
"What . . . wait, did you just call me Mer? Only my close friends and family are allowed to call me that . . . and you . . . definitely not that . . . no way . . . even if you are. . . " She stopped herself. What the hell am I thinking . . . did I almost just tell him that. . . SHIT . . . he is really dreamy though and hot as hell. . . SHUT UP . . . and don't ramble . . . boys don't like that. . .
"I . . . am . . . sorry. . . I didn't realize but that is all I have heard you referred to as. . . Can I ask you what you would like me to call you?" Derek asked hopeful.
"You will call me nothing . . . there is no reason to call me by any name. . . Nothing . . . not a thing. . . " Meredith said still rambling trying to convince herself he would never need to know her name.
Derek really didn't know what to say next. She was being really difficult and it made him want her that much more. He decided to go back to his reason for calling, "So, is Alex home?"
"No, he isn't. I can tell him you called."
"That would be great . . . Maybe I should leave my number and he can call me back."
"I doubt he cares to even talk to you, but I can at least give it to him." Meredith thought to herself as she knew Alex wouldn't want to talk to him.
"Well, I guess I should get going. I have some things I need to take care of."
"Yeah . . . me too . . . I have a busy few weeks coming up . . . " Meredith said back as she couldn't let him off of the phone. . . [IDamn, he even has a dreamy voice. I just need to hang up and play like the phone died or something. . .
"Well, I also have a busy few weeks coming up. Maybe we have more in common than you think." Derek replied smiling.
"What could we possibly have in common?" Meredith said this knowing they had a love of racing in common.
Derek couldn't believe she is actually having a normal conversation with him. He didn't want to say what he was really thinking, so he decided on, "Racing for one."
"Yes, we do, but we definitely don't cheer for the same person." She giggled on the phone.
Oh my god, she is killing me. I want to know that giggle. . . hear that giggle. . . kiss the place the giggle comes from . . . Calm down Derek, you can't let this go wrong . . . you have to play this just perfect. . . not too much in this phone call. . . you called to apologize . . . to her brother. . . her twin brother. . . who hates you. . . Ok, stop rambling in your head. . . "No, I guess we don't, " replied a happy but frustrated Derek. He was frustrated with this whole situation. He knew he wanted to get to know her—take her out to dinner—talk to her—and do all of the things that came after all of that.
After a few seconds of silence, Meredith responded with, "I will let Alex know you called. I will tell him why you called. I don't think Alex will call you back, but don't take it personally. He is a real competitor as I am sure you are. That is why I am really surprised you called. It is something that happens in races. It speaks to your character. . . " Meredith said shockingly as she is finding herself enjoying talking to him. She also just complemented him. . .
"Well, there could be many things you find surprising about me. . . " saying flirtingly, but he minute the words came out of Derek's mouth he took a sharp breath in feeling hopeful. . .
"You think so?" Meredith replied in a flirty tone.
Derek let out a sigh of relief that she didn't hang up on him, but was even more surprised she seemed to be flirting with him.
"Yes, I definitely think so, but maybe we shouldn't tell your brother. . . " Shit. Derek knew he just messed up. . . Why did I have to mention him. . . BAD. . . VERY BAD. . . I just fucked up big time.
"Derek Shepherd, I will give my brother the message." Meredith said as she hung up the phone.
Derek just sat in complete shock. He didn't know how long he had been sitting there, but at some point Mark came in.
"What in the hell happened to you?" Mark asked,
"Mer, or better known as no name. . . "
Mark had no idea what Derek was talking about, "Man, I don't know what the hell happened but you look like shit . . . Did you call?"
"Yeah, I called alright and heard the most amazing voice in the world . . . the most amazing giggle . . . and talked to the most amazing person in the world."
"Wow, are you trying to tell me something Derek. . . I mean, Alex . . . is he really your type. . . " Mark tried to hold back his laugh as he was sure Derek was not talking about Alex.
"Why do I put up with your dumb ass?"
Mark just busted out laughing and said, "So, the call didn't go so well."
"It was going great, I even had her giggling, but then I had to go and fuck it all up . . . "
"Well, I am glad to know my best friend was not talking about another man being amazing. . . "
"Fine, I am just going to go seeing as you are being a real. . . " Derek said with anger in his eyes.
"Ok, Shep, calm down and talk." Mark said quickly realizing Derek really needed more than his sarcasm right now.
"I called . . . she answered the phone and she sounded just amazing. . . " Telling Mark all the details about the phone call up leaving out the last stupid thing he said.
"Wow, man, it sounds like she may be coming around. . . Definitely flirting. . . So, you said you fucked it up . . . sounds like you did great to me. "Mark said confidently. Then dropping his head again as he said, "But, you said something really stupid."
"Yes, I had to bring up her not telling her brother. . . "he trailed off.
"God, for a future brain surgeon, you sure can be stupid."
"Yeah, I am well aware of that." Derek said grumbling.
"Well, what did she do then?"
"Told me she would give Alex the message and hung up. Oh and she called me by my first and last name."
Mark thought for a minute and said, "Is she worth it, is she worth this?" Mark was sure he knew the answer to this question, but he had to ask.
Derek looked up at Mark with desperation, "Mark, I know you can't understand this seeing as how you are a manwhore. . . but, there is just something about her. . . " Derek paused before continuing " . . . Up to this point, I haven't met a woman that made me unable to think. . . to breath. . . that is what Meredith does. There is something about her and I don't care who her twin brother is or anything else for that matter. . . I have to get to know her. . . She doesn't even want me to know her name . . . her real name . . . I don't even know what to do . . . "
"You have it bad, man. This is exactly why I stick to my philosophy."
"I can't have it bad . . . it can never happen . . . she has made that very clear . . . I just don't know if I can . . . "
"Let's go out then . . . I bet some scotch can help . . . ease the pain . . ."
"Might as well . . . help ease the pain . . . "
