I Always Feel Like Someone's Watchin' Me Epilogue
"Yeah…I'm sorry. I don't have time for games. I have to get back to the hospital," Cristina muttered through a grimace.
"She's right. She does have to get back to the hospital," Meredith agreed while she glanced at her friend. Derek who caught Meredith's gaze, interrupted, "We're not gonna talk about the hospital. We're here to play baseball!"
"Here…drink beer," Marc grinned as he handed out bottles of beer to everyone, "Drink beer!"
"What more do you want in life," Derek grinned at Cristina's annoyed look.
"How can I drink beer when just all my friends got fired," Lexie started muttering to Marc.
"You know…I'm sorry. I'm leaving," Cristina snapped while she turned around to leave but to her surprise, Owen stopped her," Oww…wow. You need this!" He placed a black helmet on Cristina's head and grabbed her shoulders to drag her back to the plate. "I..no..I," Cristina protested but Owen pushed the bat in her hand while Derek grabbed a catching glove from the ground.
"Now…hit the ball," Owen ordered while he hurried to the pitching machine.
"I don't wanna hit the ball," Cristina muttered. Before she realized what happened, the first ball missed her by an inch, "Oh my God…what are you trying…," Cristina shook her head.
"You need to stop thinking about what's going to happen. You focus on what's right in front of you…NOW…hit the ball!" Owen ordered while he pushed the remote, causing the second ball to launch.
Cristina stood at the pitcher's plate and automatically swung the bat. It hit the ball with a resonating crack, which merged perfectly with the sudden cheering in the background, "Oh my God…I hit it. I hit it," Cristina cheered while she handed the bat to Lexie, hugging Meredith, "I hit it!"
Marc placed the helmet on Lexie's head and she took her place on the plate. She missed the first ball but smacked the second one, way across the field.
"How about a real game? Us against you guys!" Lexie giggled. "You're on," Marc yelled while he took another sip from his bottle.
Derek smiled as Meredith turned to look at him. His heart almost melted at the sparkling look in her eyes. She was the very picture of health; a halo glowing around her skin and exposed to the cold night, air, a rosy flush was painted on her face. She grabbed the bat, bent her knees slightly and planted both feet with toes pointing outward, "Get ready Lex…'cause I'm bringing you home!"
Derek glanced at Meredith again. Several wisps of her golden hair had come loose from the helmet, and it curled around her ears. He lifted his hand in a wave and she smiled again before focusing on the pitch. God…how much he loved her.
Meredith pursed her lips in concentration. Setting her jaw as firmly as her determination, she gripped the bat even tighter, resolved to smack Owen's pitch over the fielders' heads.
"Knock it all the way to kingdom come, Mer" Cristina shouted from across the field. Meredith nodded and tapped her bat against the plate. The ball was high and…perfect. Meredith hit it with all her strength and Lexie slid across home after a perfect run. She stood up as Marc tossed the ball back to Owen. Cristina clapped and cheered, "We won…we won!" Meredith giggled as she took off her helmet, sitting down in the grass.
"Way to go, honey," Derek said as he sat down next to her, "Congratulations".
"Thanks." Meredith was short of breath and took a long drink of water, wiping her mouth with her wrist, "God…this was fun!"
"It was!" Derek's arms came around her and Meredith leaned back against him, tilting her head to smile up at him. Derek affectionately nuzzled her neck. She twisted in his arms, offering him her lips with a slow smile. Grinning, he kissed her, his hands sliding over her back to hold her hips.
Pulling away, he brushed hair out of her eyes, "It's getting late, you know?"
"Yeah," Meredith mumbled while closing her eyes, revelling in the warmth of Derek's hug.
"Who wants to join us for a drink at Joe's?" Cristina suddenly yelled.
"I'm in," Meredith replied, sticking her hand up in the air. Derek grinned a little before he got to his feet, dusting the dirt from his clothes then he grabbed Meredith's hand, pulling her to her feet.
………………….
At Joe's they sat, squashed around a little table. Meredith sat with a shot of tequila slightly back from the table, observing everybody rather than joining in with the conversation. The excited chatter drifted through many topics before it inevitably reached the merger with Mercy-West.
Derek shook his head with undisguised misunderstanding, "Richard's gone crazy…all those qualified people he let go…today. Unbelievable…I tried to talk to him but he just wouldn't listen." Marc sighed, nodding, "Let's only hope…not more of us have to go." Lexie almost unnoticeably stiffened but Marc placed a hand on her shoulder, whispering something into her ear. She nodded at him softly, touching his cheek before she kissed him gently.
"If you don't mind…we're calling it a night," he declared, swallowing the remainder of his drink before setting the glass down and picking up his and Lexie's jacket.
"You might want to consider taking your girlfriend home too, doctor Hunt," Marc grinned as he pointed at Cristina who was dancing on one of the tables.
"I guess you're right," Owen grinned as he watched Cristina.
Marc and Lexie turned to leave, a chorus of goodbyes behind them. Meredith smiled as her sister walked away with Derek's best friend. Those two really had found each other.
"Can I order you one more?" Derek said as he leaned closer to Meredith.
"I…I…w..want o…one," Cristina slurred as Owen led her back to the table.
"Oh…no," Owen grinned quickly, "I'm afraid you've had one too many!"
"Geez…loosen up. We have somethin' to c..celebrate." Cristina turned to Meredith for support but she simply shrugged and smiled.
"F…fine!" Cristina sighed, picking up her glass and downing it in one gulp before grabbing Owen's hand to wobble to the exit. Derek and Meredith watched the couple in amusement. Derek definitely liked Cristina more when she let loose a little, had a few drinks in her, he thought amusingly then he turned to Meredith, searching her warm, eyes before leaning forward, "What do you say? We'll call it a night too?"
Meredith nodded before leaning forward to kiss Derek. The kiss started off passionate and slow; causing Derek's senses to tingle and goose bumps to shiver across his skin. He traced his tongue along Meredith's soft lips as she widened her lips, allowing him entrance to explore her mouth. His hand was tangled in her hair, the other curled around her waist, resting in the small of her back pulling her closer to his body. He only pulled away from Meredith when the need to breathe became too overwhelming to ignore.
"I wanna take you home." Derek said hoarsely, the intent in his voice sounding clear. Meredith knew exactly what he meant and a slight smile was playing on her lips as she nodded.
………………….
The fresh night air was a welcome relief after the warm bar. They walked along the sidewalk as Derek glanced beside him. He suddenly stopped to face Meredith and she looked up at him questioningly. Strands of her hair fell out of place and were animated by a breeze. She slowly raised her hand and put it on his cheek, "What?" she softly asked.
Derek could feel the warmth from Meredith's hand penetrate his skin. He smiled and pulled her to him, "Nothing…I just wanna tell you how much I love you."
"I love you too," Meredith smiled. Derek embraced her face and lifted her chin. She felt the smooth kiss come slowly but determinedly.
………………….
Derek unlocked the front door and pushed it open. Before they'd reached the stairwell, she was all over him; energy…pure energy and with one single kiss, she cooked him from the inside out. Slow and wet, the kiss turned rapidly stronger. Derek's imagination went crazy. Thoughts of stripping Meredith down to her skin and making love to her right there on the stairwell, swept over him like a wave. He wanted her and need rippled up his body in a hot charge. With a smile, he scooped her in his arms and carried her to their bedroom, realizing the bed was a whole lot more comfortable.
In the bedroom, he gently set her down, closing his arms around her and pushing his hands into her hair. Her mouth was tender and swollen from his kisses. Meredith's head started spinning, her blood was rushing and she sank into the dark, hot pleasure of Derek's mouth. She pushed her fingers into his thick, black hair and held on as Derek's lips and tongue played over hers with exquisite skill. A little moan escaped her which made him smile. Her hands ran over his thighs and a hard jolt of desire shot through him.
His mouth was suddenly everywhere…on her face, her lips and her throat. And when he dipped lower, Meredith closed her eyes. He zipped open her sweater, lifting her shirt and a second later, his mouth was roaming the swells of her breasts. He left a damp, tingling path behind and Meredith gasped for air.
"I want you," Derek softly whispered against her skin. He briefly met Meredith's gaze, before pushing her hair back and closing his mouth over hers again.
"God…do you know what you do to me?" Derek ground against her so she understood. Meredith's heart shot to her throat as she tangled her fingers in his hair.
Derek's heart was pounding so hard, it almost hurt; the rushing sound of his blood filling his ears. Meredith twisted against him and he gently pushed her towards the bed, pulling her onto his lap, after they'd gotten rid of their clothes. Meredith shifted, straddling Derek's thighs when he realized she was trembling a little. He broke the kiss, staring into her eyes. He caressed her breasts and her eyes slammed shut; her moans low and whimpering. Derek caressed her everywhere, ignoring the hard throb in his groin, pleasuring Meredith, watching her soft features, feeling every pulse of her skin beneath his fingertips. Meredith's features were smooth, patient as the sensations suddenly came to her. Derek's own arousal grew painful as he watched her rise to the summit. He saw the flare of her eyes, heard her breath skip as her feminine muscles flexed wildly. He kissed her and then released her trapped breath as she trembled in his arms. He held her tight and buried his face in the curve of her neck.
Skin against skin, Derek's arousal pressed to her softness and then his control slipped fast. His gaze flew to Meredith's, dragging her between his spread thighs, trapping her, kissing her deeply and trailing his mouth down her throat. Again and again, he nibbled and licked, his hand smoothing down her hip. Meredith smoothed the hard contours of Derek's chest and her mouth followed, her tongue slicking over his flat nipples. The heat of him pressed against Meredith's belly and she slowly closed her fingers around him. In a flash, he captured her wrist, meeting her gaze, his eyes almost black with desire. She smiled and slowly moved her hand up and down his shaft; Derek closed his eyes and gasped. Meredith sighed, tasting him and then Derek cracked. He dragged her onto his lap and spread her thighs around him, breaking her hold. As much as he was enjoying her touch, he couldn't take much more. He needed to be inside her. He slowly leaned forward, pushing Meredith onto her back, her golden hair spreading across the pillows. Derek trembled as the tip of him pressed to her softness. She was ready, writhing beneath him. Derek entered her with unforgiving slowness, smiling when she begged for more. He pushed further, filling her completely. Braced on his elbows, he stared down on her, smoothing her hair back and dropping a tender kiss on her forehead, "You're beautiful…you know that?"
When she softly moaned, Derek withdrew and plunged, her body closing tightly over his, capturing him. Feminine muscles flexed and clawed, and their tempo increased; a pumping madness that fused them with every stroke. Derek closely watched Meredith's eyes. He's often seen the look when she was near and every time, it stole his breath away.
Meredith thought she would break apart; her heart was pounding so fast. They danced in a quick rhythm; eyes locked on each other, tingling heat spiralling through her like a tornado. Then it came, the exhilaration only Derek could give her. The passion she'd waited to feel. His arousal throbbed inside her, slick muscle and tender skin quaking with pleasure and sending it streaming through her body. "Mmmm, Derek…Ah..I'm…"
"I know, baby, I feel it," Derek whispered hoarsely, his gaze locked with Meredith as his own climax roared up his spine like an animal cut loose from a cage. He threw his head back, shuddering, his body flexing against her like a bow strung too tight. She gripped his hips, pulling him harder to her, the pulse and throb thrashing them over and over until they never thought it would stop. It shattered them and tears filled her eyes, the shocking power of their loving leaving her weak and breathless. Derek peppered her face and hair with tender kisses before his mouth settled warmly on hers. When he caught his breath, he rolled to his back taking her with him, pulling her leg over his hip and keeping her close. She gazed into his soft blue eyes and smiled. "Thank you…God knows, I needed it!"
Derek grinned. You're welcome!
………………….
An annoying sound in Meredith's ears brought her wide awake. In the next heartbeat, the phone on the nightstand rang for the second time. She gently pushed Derek's arm away from her waist, reaching for the phone, "Hello?"
Meredith glanced at the alarm…4.13 A.M. A strange feeling went through her; only bad news would come in the middle of the night and this one definitely gave her an odd feeling.
"Lexie…what's wrong?"
Derek could vaguely follow the conversation between Meredith and Lexie. Something was wrong…very wrong. Meredith broke the connection and replaced the receiver back on the phone, staring straight ahead, her face pale as a sheet.
"Mer…what is it?"
"It's Thatcher," she stammered, his name winding through her chest, leaving behind bad memories, "He's been admitted…he coughed up blood. It's something with his liver."
"OK…I'll get dressed." Meredith nodded, taking in a deep breath; the last traces of sleepiness leaving her while she watched Derek walk into the bathroom. At the horizon, the sun was already rising…what would this day bring?
More in the next episode...