Just the Two of Us Chapter 26: What Happens in Seattle, a grey's anatomy fanfic

What Happens in Seattle

"Twenty more minutes," Ben Warren said trying to convince the beautiful Miranda Bailey to keep him company a little while longer. It had been a whole month and he finally—finally!—had her back in his arms. It might seem selfish, but he didn't want to let her go. Didn't care that she had a house waiting for her and husband to go home to. They were sitting on his sofa, the TV on mute, flashing in front of them. But they hadn't been paying attention. They were conversing intimately, kissing occasionally.

"You've been saying 'twenty more minutes' for two hours, Benjamin," she told him, a slight southern accent escaping.

"Stay. Stay the night." Stay forever, he thought. He didn't say that because it sounded insane.

"I have to go," she said dropping her bare feet from his lap onto the floor.

He lifted them again and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Fine. Go," he responded feigning nonchalance.

"You're holding onto my legs." He laughed against her skin and released her. "It's that easy for you to let me go?" She asked moving from the chair. He reached out for her too late and she was already putting on her shoes.

"What can I say to make you stay?"

"Nothing." His face fell. There had to be something. "But there is something you can say to get me to come back."

Ben's eyes widened. "What?" Anything. He stood up and walked over to her, picking up her jacket from a chair. He helped her put it on.

"Thanks."

"What can I say, Miranda?"

The woman turned to him and crossed her arms. "Say that this was real. That I didn't make you up in Minnesota and have that same delusion follow me to Seattle. Just say—"

He cut her off with a kiss, moving her arms and wrapping her up. It was long and intense, like the ones back in Minnesota. Miranda moaned passionately, turning him on. "This is no dream."

"Bruh!" A soft, deep voice said bringing him back to his reality, his best friend, Jackson Avery.

"What?" Ben said, salty.

"Have you heard back from the doctor you hooked up with in Minnesota?

Ben hid a blush. "Yeah, she, uh, called me this weekend."

"You must have been God-awful if it took her a whole month to remember you."

"Shut up."

"But her friend hasn't texted me back at all."

"We all have our flaws. Some more than others." Avery slid his palm over Ben's. "But, the thing about my lady is that… she's married."

"Say word."

"Word."

After he left the hospital for the day, he checked his phone no less than fifteen times to see if Miranda had called or texted. She hadn't. He thought he felt it vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out to see that it was just an email. Cursing underneath his breath, he got in his car and pulled off. Had she forgotten about him again? He blasted music loudly, drowning out his impending misery. A phone call came through and scared him as he sat a red light. "Hello?" He said, turning down the volume.

"Hey," Miranda said through the speaker.

He smiled widely. "Hello."

"You said that," she laughed.

"H-how are you?"

"I'm good. Are you… uh, would you like to go out with me?"

"What?"

"Hello?"

"Yeah."

"Did you hear me?"

"I think so, but I'm going to need you to repeat that," he chuckled. "My ears must be deceiving me."

"No, they're not. I'm asking you out. Tomorrow. Are you free?"

"For you? I am." The two of them continued to talk. Ben relaxed. "I thought you had forgotten about me," he told her as he dropped his stuff onto his kitchen counter.

"No, I just had a long day."

"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown," he said falling onto the sofa that they'd shared a few days ago.

"Henry IV, Part II," she said with a yawn.

"Exactly." They laughed and Ben was happy that he could make her laugh. "Are you at home?"

"Just pulling up now."

"Is your…?"

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"He's here."

Ben swallowed. "Okay."

"I don't want to mention him though."

"Logical."

"Like you said in Minnesota, he doesn't get to share in our… happiness." Ben smiled when she said that. So, she was just as elated as he was. "And, um, I just want us to stay in our Minnesota bubble a little while longer?"

He nodded as if she could see him. "Okay."

"I'll talk to you later."

"I'll text you?" He asked.

"I'll be waiting," she answered softly, her voice like music to his ears.

"Mama?" A child said as the call was disconnected. Mama? She has a kid?

The blinking cursor waited for him to begin typing under their thread. He started: Hey. Backspace. Hi. Backspace. Do you have a child? He could not start a conversation with that question; no matter how legit it was. Backspace. Hi, gorgeous. He let it sit for a few minutes before sending it.

Her response was immediate: Hello, handsome. Ben smiled as he peeled himself off of the sofa and made his way to his room. With the phone glued to his hand, he lay in bed. She replied just as he dozed off for a second time. I'm exhausted. Good nuight. He laughed at her mistake. See? *Night.

Good nuight, he responded.

The next day, Ben texted Miranda after he had his late breakfast. It took an hour for her to respond, but he didn't sweat it because she was the Chief of an entire hospital and they had a date. They had plans and he couldn't wait. He sent her another message and didn't hear back from her. On a lunch break, he called her a few times and it was futile. She was a ghost. As his workday wound down, he chalked up his losses and headed home, calling and texting her again. He didn't hear from her for three days.

After the third day, Ben was perfectly irritable. He was glad that he was an Anesthesiologist and didn't have to talk to patients. Getting home on the last day before the weekend, he stepped into the lobby of his apartment complex and was downright shocked to see Miranda sitting in a chair. Her back was to the door, but he'd know her silhouette anywhere—he'd memorized everything he could about her body. His heart started racing. Ben tapped her shoulder. She jumped: "Oh! God, Benjamin! Don't do that!" He wanted to laugh at her. "I didn't, ugh… Hey." He just nodded. She could do all of the talking. "Can you and I talk?" He stood up, wordlessly, and they walked to his apartment. "I'm glad I caught you. I know you're a, uh, busy person. I knocked on your door, but your doorwoman said that you hadn't returned for the night."

"You could have called," he said; his tone icy. They walked into his apartment and he dropped his stuff on the floor near the door.

"Yes, but you might not have answered." Clever. He probably would have ignored her call—maybe. "So I came right over."

"After three days?" She smiled up at him, the total opposite of his sour face.

"Right. Three."

"What do you want, Miranda?"

Her smile widened. "Are you mad at me?"

"Yes," he admitted.

"Good."

"Good?"

"Yes." Ben cocked his head to the side. What was she up to? And why was she smiling? It was almost psychotic. Why had he let her into his house? "I never responded to your phone calls. You deserve to be mad."

"Or my text message," he added.

"I'm sorry," she said taking a step toward him. And she was apologizing? Who was this woman?

He jerked his head back. "You are?"

"Yes! Come, let's sit down." She took his hand and pulled him to the sofa. He couldn't walk past it without thinking about her, wanting her on top of him as they made love for a second time. "Ben?"

"Huh?"

"Did you hear me?" He shook his head, turning it to look at her. She looked so casual and beautiful; he couldn't help but to stare. "I said that I have two things to tell you. Do you want to know what they are?"

"Of course."

"The first thing."

"Yeah?" He said scratching his temple.

"I have a child. A son. He is the light of my life. He's ten and he is perfect. I had him with my husband and he is everything to me."

"Why didn't you tell me? We talked about everything under the sun."

"I thought that his existence was too important to reveal to a man that I've only known for… for a few days."

Ben nodded again. "I understand." He didn't have kids, but he understood. If he had children, he wouldn't introduce them to just anyone. "Thank you for telling me. I know you didn't have to. Although, I did hear him the last time we spoke." Miranda giggled, her hand falling against his thigh. Unable to keep his distance, Ben picked up her hand and kissed it. They turned to each other at the same time, their knees touching. "Hi."

"Hey."

"Do you want some wine?" Ben asked.

"Yes, please."

He walked into his kitchen and poured two glasses, grabbing a container of cookies on his way back. "So, er, what's the second thing?"

"I'm getting a divorce."

"What?"

"That's why I was unavailable. I needed a little time to make sure that I was doing the right thing by filing. And I am. I'm not happy with him. I don't think more time would change that. I have to move on. And then…" She inhaled and put her lips to the glass, not sipping any. "And then I thought about you. And how you played into all of this and if I wanted what we had to continue. And I do. This is the right thing. I mean, this is a step in the right direction. I can feel it. I… I hope you feel the same way, yes?"

"Yes," Ben answered; his voice scratchy. What was she saying?

"I said all of that to say that I've filed for divorce. I put the papers in yesterday. Hopefully, it will be final in 90 days."

"What if he contests?"

"He'd better damn not," she laughed. Ben stroked the side of her face, her chin, anything he could touch. "He won't."

"How do you feel about dissolving nearly fifteen years of marriage?"

She sighed and gulped of her wine and sat her glass on the table. "Uh, like a failure. I failed. And I don't usually do that, so I'm spiraling."

He looked at her over the top of his glass. "I'm here for you."

"I know," she said taking his glass from him. She put it on the table next to the sofa. They were both quiet for a long time. He didn't have a clue what she was thinking about, but his brain was bouncing everywhere. He didn't want this—whatever they had—to backfire. What if their judgment had been all wrong? He thought. And their one-night/one-day stand was only meant to be that—one. "I'm also sorry that I stood you up. You didn't deserve that."

"No, I didn't."

"But, I'm hoping that you're free tonight."

"I am."

"Good. Then we're going out. My treat."

No woman Ben had ever been with had offered to pay for an entire dinner; even if it was fast food. "We can take my car if you want," he offered.

"I have to drive."

"That's fine." They pulled off and Ben reached for the radio. "Music?"

She nodded and made a quick right turn. "Almost missed my damn turn messing with you."

"What did I do?" He said with a laugh.

"You're here. We're here together. That's enough to throw me off. I feel unhinged."

"Huh?"

"I'm usually in control of every situation. Always on top of things, but with you…" She didn't finish her sentence, he knew what she meant.

He chuckled at her admission. "Is Classical good?"

"Do you have any Pachelbel?"

"Do I have Pachelbel?" He shook his head and pushed a few buttons on the screen and soon "Pachelbel's Canon in D Major" graced their ears.

"This is such a beautiful song," she commented.

"Agreed." The music played and Ben was happy that she let him hold her hand as she drove. He stared at her far longer than he should, but he felt the same way—unhinged. "Where are we going?"

"Do you like seafood?"

"Yes, ma'am," he said. They drove around a busy block looking for parking. "There!" He shouted pointing to a free spot near the beginning of the street. Miranda zipped forward and parked stealthily. "A-plus."

Inside, they ordered their food and drinks. "Get whatever you want. I owe you."

He leaned across the table. "You don't owe me anything, Miranda, okay?"

"Okay."

"But I will get the Casino oysters for my appetizers and the rib eye." She shook her head. "What? I haven't eaten since you stood me up."

"Liar." When the waitress came back they ordered, agreeing to split the oysters.

"This is nice. I like this place."

"Yeah. I came here one time."

"On a date?"

"Yes, on a date."

"Really?"

"No! With my girlfriends." Their drinks came to the table and Miranda and Ben thanked their waitress. "The same ones from Minnesota." She nodded and took a sip of her martini.

He paid attention to how her lips covered the glass. He wanted those lips on his. Ben shook his head: "Oh yeahh! I remember them. You five were a wild bunch."

"Like your friends weren't just as wild."

"They are so wild!" He said as the oysters came back. His mouth started to water. Ben used the small utensils to detach the oysters and then he put it to his mouth. He looked over the front of his shellfish to see Miranda looking at him. She had the tiny fork in her hand and was poking at it. "Yeah?"

"That's how you're going to eat it?"

"This is how you're supposed to do it."

"Show me," she replied. Ben shifted his jaw as she smiled wickedly and batted her eyelashes.

"Do. Not. Tempt. Me. Miranda," he whispered.

She shrugged and continued to eat her oyster. "I didn't know that I could, Benjamin."

"You most certainly could."

They locked eyes for a long time. "I have missed you," he told her honestly.

"I've missed you, too," she replied.

"I mean, it's only been a couple of days."

"Yeah," she agreed, her brown eyes piercing his soul.

"But it felt like forever."

"Yeah." Their food was brought to the table and they dug in. Ben tasted a piece of steak and offered it to Miranda. "Thanks. Do you want some of my shrimp scampi?"

"Yes, ma'am." They took turns exchanging their plates as their conversation continued.

"I, uh…," Miranda started. Ben put down his fork. He was content.

When she didn't speak again, he prodded her: "What, baby?" It just rolled off his lips and he paused, hoping that she wouldn't think it was weird even though he'd said it before. It sounded official now. Ben breathed, slowly, picking up his fork again and pushing around the string beans that were in front of him.

She smiled. "I went after you in the club."

"Huh?"

"After I pushed you away in the club, I thought about it and realized that I may… have been making a mistake. But you were already gone."

"Damn." He put his head down and looked up at her. Ben watched her touch her cheeks as she blushed.

"I know." When the check came, Miranda pulled out her card.

"Thank you, Miranda."

"Don't say my name like that," she said giving him a look that foretold their future.

Ben laughed and excused himself to go to the bathroom and caught up with the waitress. "Hi, my wife gave you the wrong card. This is the correct one," he told the young woman while pulling out his own credit card. She took it and gave the other one back; something she probably shouldn't have done, but his intent wasn't malicious. "Thank you."

Back at the table, he slid her card over to her. "How…? What…?"

"Thank you for the offer, but I cannot let you pay for our first date. You can pay for the next one," he said knowing full well that he wouldn't let her pay even if she offered again. It's just the way he was raised. He looked at her and hoped that he wasn't being condescending and making her feel inadequate.

"You are something special, Dr. Warren," Miranda commented.

He could only shrug. Ben drove them back to his apartment. "Do you want to come in?" He asked.

"Are you inviting me into your humble abode, Benjamin Warren?" Hearing her say his name tingled his spine.

"Whenever you want, Miranda Bailey," he said looking over at her. His head was on the headrest and his eyes were droopy.

"Next time?" She said hopefully.

"Yeah, next time." Ben got out of the car and opened up the passenger side door. He helped Miranda out of the car and pulled her into his chest.

"Just couldn't wait to get your paws on me, huh?" She said putting her arms around his neck as if that's where they were always meant to be. And he was fine with it. He shook his head. "So? Are you going to kiss me or are we going to hold each other all night?"

"Whatever you want, Miranda Bailey."

He felt her body shift and she stood on her toes, moving closer to him. He reciprocated the action and leaned down. They met in the middle and kissed softly at first. His heart was beating so quickly; he didn't know how she made him feel like he was back in 6th grade with his first crush. Ben rubbed her back slowly and deepened the kiss by sliding his tongue into her mouth. She let out a soft, high-pitched moan. His body reacted. He knew that moan. Miranda pulled away suddenly. "I gotta go."

"W-Wait. What?"

"If you keep kissing me… like that…" He laughed at her stammering. She gathered herself. "I've got to go."

"Okay. Let me walk you to your car." Ben could see that she wanted to object, but he was ready to counter. This was all a part of his gentlemanly experience. He wouldn't have her just walking around by herself when he could be there to protect her. They walked side by side until they had to go through a narrow, dimly lit hallway. There, he got a pretty good view of her ass and briefly thought of all the ways in which he wanted to—

"Hellooo?" Miranda sang, her voice pulling him from very dirty thoughts.

"Yeah? Sorry," he said sheepishly. "This you?" She nodded and he pulled open the driver's door after she unlocked it. "Text me when you get home please."

"I'll do you one better. I will call."

"Good."

In his apartment, he lay in bed and replayed the events of the night. His phone rang on his nightstand and he reached over to grab it. He saw her name and smiled. "Hello?"

Miranda's voice hit his ears like ray of sunshine on a chilly day. "Hi. I'm calling to let you know that I'm home."

"Thank you." There was more that he wanted to say.

She grunted a little. "I'm actually in bed."

"I am, too," he told her. "I had a good time tonight."

"Me, too," she said with a yawn.

"Are you tired?"

"A little."

"Okay, well, goodnight. I'll—"

"I want to stay on the phone with you," Miranda told him.

"Until we go to sleep?"

"Yeah, like in high school," she giggled. "Is that weird?"

"No. I wish you were here…"

"I wish I was there, too, but I think we need space to think stuff through. At least I do."

"I think I know what you mean."

Miranda was quiet for a long time. He thought that she'd gone to sleep. He put the phone on speaker and settled into his bed. For the first time, it seemed too big for him. "When is our next date?"

He took a deep breath. "Are you going to stand me up?"

Silence. "No." Her answer was so simple and it shook Ben to his core.

The next couple of days, Ben felt really good. He was so cheerful. His cheer alerted his best friend. "Are you getting some," Avery asked.

Ben shook his head. That was why men were so emotionally stunted. They could only be happy if they were having sex. Although if he had been "getting some," he would have been on cloud nine. "No. Can't a man just be happy?" He asked the light-skinned man.

"I guess, but I think it's a woman."

"Well, you're right. It is a woman. But not just any woman."

"Bailey?" Avery said.

"Yeah!"

"No, it's Chief Bailey from Grey Sloan." He pointed up the hall.

"Oh. How do I look?"

"Nice scrubs."

"Walk away."

"Huh?"

"Avery, go away!" Ben demanded underneath his breath.

Miranda walked up to Ben. "Hi," she said with a smile.

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" He said putting his hands into his pockets. She grinned and bit her lip a little. "Careful," he told her and her spine straightened. "So, uh, what are you doing here, Chief Bailey?"

"Not that it's any of your business," she started sassily, pushing her trench coat back a little, revealing her wide hips. "I have a meeting. With your Chief."

"Would you like me to show you to Chief Webber's office?" He asked a little louder than was necessary.

"Of course," she said matching his tone. They walked down the hall, trying to be normal and coy. Ben stopped at a door. "I don't think that's his office."

"Oh, really? Well, let's just see," he answered opening the door to a supply closet. She chuckled and walked ahead of him. He scanned the hallway before following her. The room was dark and Ben searched the wall for a light. "Where is…" He felt Miranda take his hand and guide it to her hip. "Found it." They kissed and it felt like light years since they'd been alone. He caressed her back. Before he could stop himself, he was saying: "I want you." He slipped his hand underneath her shirt. She responded by pushing her body into his. He remembered their connection in Minnesota; remembered her hands on his skin and awakening his body like it was his first time all over again. He reached for her butt, grabbing a huge chunk, bonding them. Ben knew that Miranda could feel that he was overly ready. The ball was in her court.

Miranda touched his chest, backing him up. "Not here," she told him with a sly smile. Ben held onto her tightly. He never wanted to let go. He'd admit that. "Don't you have an office?"

He nodded wildly. "Let's go."

She laughed. "I was only joking, Benjamin. I really need to get to this meeting."

"Damn the meeting, I'm trying to conference with you now." They laughed at his corniness.

"C'mon," she said and they moved toward the door. "I'll find you before I leave."

"Okay." She went out first, looking left and right before joining the bustling hallway. He waited a minute for his body to stop raging before he continued about his day. His phone beeped two hours later and a message came through from Miranda. She wanted to know if he wanted to walk her outside. There was literally nowhere he wouldn't go with her. Ben wrapped up his day and met her in the lobby.

"You're leaving for the day?"

He nodded. "Yeah, sometimes they do let me out of this place." They headed to her car. "Want to catch a movie or get dinner or both?"

She looked down at the ground before lifting her head proudly. "I can't. I'm taking my son to the museum." Ben nodded. "You're not going to ask to join us?"

He shook his head. "I know you're not ready for me to meet him yet, so…"

"I think you're a good man," she said suddenly stopping at her car door.

"Do you now?"

"Yeah. I like you." The two doctors exhaled at the same time.

"I like you, too."

"I… have to go." She got into her car and rolled down the windows. "Call me later?" Miranda pulled off leaving Ben standing there, desiring her.

At home, Ben closed his eyes and his hands took over. He pleasured himself slowly. And found that he was unable to stop himself from imagining that Miranda was giving him the orgasm that he'd had to supply to himself. There was almost too much to take in. The woman did something to him. He was falling for her and it was agony. The anesthesiologist fell asleep half-naked feeling better than ever.

Ben Warren sat in his office and dialed Miranda's phone number. Now, it was his turn to ask her out. It rang a few times before she answered. "Hey," she said warmly.

A smile eased across his face. "Wow."

"What?"

"The sound of your voice makes me happy."

"Oh, cut it out."

"I'm serious," he admitted. Ben paused. When had he ever admitted that? Never, that's when. He shook his head. "So…"

"So…?"

"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight? Hopefully, it's not too short of notice."

"No, I believe that I'm free. What time?"

Ben moved around getting everything ready for his dinner with Miranda. He had asked her to dinner and knew that she was surprised when he'd told her that he would cook at his apartment, but he really didn't want her to think that he just wanted to get her back to his house to have sex. After getting dressed, he did an inventory of everything he needed for the night-he'd prepared the food, the house was clean, the music was playing softly, but he felt like he was missing something. She knocked on his door just as he remembered the candles. They were out, but he'd forgotten to light them. "One second!" He called out. He rounded his apartment and lit them quickly. He tossed the electric lighter on the counter and went to the door. Breathe. Turning the handle, he pulled the door open and saw that Miranda wasn't standing there. He looked up and down the hall and walked toward the lobby. One of his neighbors walked past. "Hey, Raj, have seen my lady friend? She's like this tall and gorgeous?" His neighbor shook his head. "Thanks."

"Gorgeous, huh?" Miranda said coming around the corner.

"Very much so," he said. "I thought you'd left."

"Well, you did keep me waiting."

"I forgot to light the candles."

Ben opened his apartment door and they walked inside. "Oh, wow, Ben. It looks good in here."

"It's all for you," he said whispering in her ear. He watched her shudder. "Can I take your jacket?"

She nodded and slipped out of her jacket. Ben saw that she was wearing burgundy pants, a white sleeveless blouse and black boots. She looked so good. He had to actively stop himself from thinking about what he knew was underneath those clothes. "You look good, Benjamin."

"Oh, this old thing?" He said putting her jacket on a chair. He was wearing a blue denim shirt and black jeans and his black Nikes. Ben leaned down to kiss her cheek. As he moved to check on the roast that he was cooking, he realized that Miranda was holding on his hand. She stepped to him and kissed his lips softly. "I am thinking fresh things," he told her. Miranda laughed. "Would you like some wine?"

"Yes, please."

They took their wine to the sofa. "How was your day?"

"It was good." He listened as she told him about a surgery that she performed. "Sorry I'm talking so much; let me stop rambling. How about you? How was your day?"

"No, don't apologize. I could listen to you all day." Miranda smiled and touched his hand. "I love your passion for medicine."

"Thank you. It was a problem with my marriage."

"I don't understand how someone could be bothered with anything you do."

"Do you always say the right thing, Ben Warren?"

"Am I saying the right things, Miranda Bailey?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. She blushed. "Ready for dinner?"

She looked at him over the top of her glass: "Maybe." While they ate, they got to know each other even more. They had way more in common than he expected.

"Stop! You went to Livingston? In Baltimore?" She nodded as she plucked up a diced potato. "I went to Montgomery!"

"Wow! Really? I thought you were from Chicago?"

"I am, but my dad was in the Navy and we moved a few times and all that, so I was at Montgomery for two years."

"That is… crazy."

"Down the street from each other for two years and didn't even know it."

"I wonder if we've ever been in the same place before—you know, before we met." They were both quiet, lost in their own thoughts.

"I don't know," he started. "But I'm glad we met the way we did."

"Really?"

Ben put down his fork and stared at her. He wanted her to know that he meant what he was saying. "Yes, it was meant to be this way." Lifting from the chair he moved around the table. "You're finished?" She nodded and he held out his hand. Miranda took it and he helped her to her feet. He put his hands around her hips and she settled her hands around his neck. They swayed to the low R&B song playing in the background.

The love I have right next to me, is here and always will be

"This is all I want to do."

I'm caressing your body emotionally, as you can feel and will see

"What? Dance with me?"

Why can't we go all the way to the top, the fullest extreme

"Yes," he said with a wicked grin. They moved slowly in the empty space next to the table.

"Or make love to me?" Ben couldn't tell if it was her heart or his that was pounding.

The sounds are here when you're with me, express the way that you feel

"I want it all," he answered honestly. No need to be coy about what it was he wanted—she wasn't.

And you say—Miranda stopped moving. She stood on her toes and kissed Ben deeply. Her hands went to his face, pulling him. He touched the back of her head and ran his fingers through her hair. She grabbed a handful of his shirt and pulled him toward the back of his apartment. "Is this the right way?"

He cleared his throat. "All the way in the back."

In his room, he watched her take off her blouse and it fluttered to the floor. Her breasts sat in a black and white bra that he wanted on the floor next to her shirt. His mind went back to their wonderful night in Minnesota and how she undressed herself. He reached out and touched her. He wanted in this time. "Let me," he said gesturing for her to get on the bed. Ben crawled between her legs and kissed her chest. He bit her skin softly and she reached under his shirt and scratched his skin. His body jumped. "Yes?" He unbuckled her pants and kissed down her body before he pulled them off. Miranda unbuttoned his shirt with a smile on her face. After getting out of it, he put his face between her legs.

"Oh my God!"

"I haven't even started," he chuckled.

She moaned. "Hurry up, Benjamin!"

"Okay, okay," he said lazily. He slowly kissed her thighs, licking a trail on her skin. "May I?" She breathed a confirmation. One of his favorite parts of sex was oral. Ben pushed aside her dark blue panties. He had a gift, one that was proving itself by making Miranda squirm and curse. "How's that, beautiful?" He asked as he rose up and kissed her before returning back between her curvaceous legs. One of them landed on his back. He lifted his body and came to his knees.

"I wasn't finished," she pouted. She was so cute. If he got to look at that face every day, he'd consider himself blessed.

"I know. I just need to get out of these jeans." She came up off of the bed and touched the front of his pants, unbuttoning them and sliding a hand inside. His head went back. This moment was straight out of his mind movie from the other night. Miranda slid her hand up and down, creating a rhythm. Ben wanted to tell her how much pleasure he was feeling and how appreciative he was. She didn't have to reciprocate the action, but, damn, it sure felt good. But all he managed was: "Shiiiiit!" She laughed and fell back on the bed. "That's not funny," he told her as he searched inside of the dresser next to the bed and pulled out a condom. After putting it on, he pushed back the hair out of her face and watched her smile. Miranda guided him into position and clenched her body, making him curse. His face fell into her chest. He reached behind her and unhooked her bra. Full of admiration, he watched her breasts exit the fabric and he caught one in his mouth and heard Miranda moan. "Mmmhmm."

He grabbed her hips and pulled her to him some more, locking them together. "Ben!"

He laughed. "You called me Ben," he said echoing his phrase from Minnesota.

"Just keep going," she told him with a laugh of her own.

"Unh-huh." He moved slowly, knowing that it pissed her off, but he knew the feeling was intense and he wanted to keep it that way.

"Benjamin?" She purred into his ear. The hairs on his body stood up. She knew exactly what she was doing.

"Yeah, baby," he grunted.

"Go deeper."

"My pleasure." He went to his knees and stroked her, opening her legs wider and giving her everything he had. "Fuck, Miranda," he said as he felt his body getting ready to explode.

"I'm coming!" She yelled, undoubtedly cluing his neighbors as to what they were doing.

His hands fell to her chest and he played with her nipples, making her orgasm first. When her body shook, his overreacted and soon he was shaking, too. "God!" He said as he finished how he started, moving slowly.

When Ben's back hit the bed, he stared up his ceiling. He put an arm around Miranda and she cuddled up next to him. "So, this is why you wanted to have dinner at your place."

They laughed, high for their sexual explorations. "No, I just wanted you all to myself. Is that so bad?" She shook her head. "Good." He was quiet, lost in a myriad of thoughts.

"What are you thinking about?"

Ben took a deep breath. "About how a trip to freaking Minnesota landed me with the best-looking woman I have ever seen." She touched the hairs on his chest and he stroked her arm. "Are you real?"

"I am no hologram."

He nodded. "Because that would be weird," he told her with a yawn.

Miranda fell asleep first. He held onto her, unable to fall asleep, worried that she'd leave. He finally fell asleep, too, his face in her back, an arm around her waist. When Ben woke up the next morning, he looked over to where Miranda should have been. She wasn't there. The bra he'd tossed off the bed was gone. Her shirt and pants were missing, too. He inhaled. She'd slipped away just like he'd done. She was paying him back. He heard water running and went to the bathroom, knocking on the door. "Come in!" He did as he was told. "Good morning, handsome," she said turning toward him. He got a great, albeit blurry, view of her entire body through the glass. "Did the water wake you?"

"No, I thought you'd left."

"Oh, you thought I did what you did in Minnesota?"

"Something like that."

She stepped out of the shower and moved toward him. "Nope," she said popping the "p". "I just needed a shower."

"Mind taking another one?" She raised an eyebrow and stepped back behind the glass.

He pulled on his denim shirt on and she helped him button it. "Stay… let's have breakfast."

"I wish I could, but I have to get home and get changed, Benjamin." She looked at her phone for the time. "And I'm still going to be late. Shoot."

"Aren't you the Chief?"

"Yes," she told him putting her hands on her hips.

"Then…?"

"You want me to abuse my power and stay here to have breakfast with you?"

"Yes and yes," he said kissing her cheek. He touched the small of her back to help her with her decision. Ben put his cheek against hers and kissed her ear. Her body buckled a little and he knew he had her. "I mean, either you stay for breakfast and be late. Or we make love again and… you be late."

"Well, what's a girl to do?" After they made love again and had breakfast, Ben walked with Miranda to her car. "This was fun."

"I agree," he said simply.

"Can we do it again?"

"As many times as you'd like," he responded. He put his hands on her car door, harmlessly trapping her. "We can do it right now." Miranda pushed him away. "Just do me a favor."

"What's that?"

"Don't take a month to call me back." She giggled. Damn, he was so obsessed with her. "I'll call you later on today."

"Okay." He tapped the side of his cheek and she kissed him. "Have a good day." Ben headed back to his apartment. Hearing her door close, he turned back and walked over to her and tapped on the window.

She rolled it down. "Did you forget something?" He leaned down and put his lips on hers; she grabbed his face and eased her tongue into his mouth.

"Yeah, forgot that." She smiled. "And, uh, you look amazing by the way."

"I'm in the same clothes from yesterday."

"I know, I know, but still…"

What Happens in Seattle

"You've been saying 'twenty more minutes' for two hours, Benjamin," she told him, a slight southern accent escaping.

"Stay. Stay the night." Stay forever, he thought. He didn't say that because it sounded insane.

"I have to go," she said dropping her bare feet from his lap onto the floor.

He lifted them again and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Fine. Go," he responded feigning nonchalance.

"What can I say to make you stay?"

"Nothing." His face fell. There had to be something. "But there is something you can say to get me to come back."

Ben's eyes widened. "What?" Anything. He stood up and walked over to her, picking up her jacket from a chair. He helped her put it on.

"Thanks."

"What can I say, Miranda?"

The woman turned to him and crossed her arms. "Say that this was real. That I didn't make you up in Minnesota and have that same delusion follow me to Seattle. Just say—"

He cut her off with a kiss, moving her arms and wrapping her up. It was long and intense, like the ones back in Minnesota. Miranda moaned passionately, turning him on. "This is no dream."

"Bruh!" A soft, deep voice said bringing him back to his reality, his best friend, Jackson Avery.

"What?" Ben said, salty.

"Have you heard back from the doctor you hooked up with in Minnesota?

Ben hid a blush. "Yeah, she, uh, called me this weekend."

"You must have been God-awful if it took her a whole month to remember you."

"Shut up."

"But her friend hasn't texted me back at all."

"We all have our flaws. Some more than others." Avery slid his palm over Ben's. "But, the thing about my lady is that… she's married."

"Say word."

"Word."

"Hey," Miranda said through the speaker.

He smiled widely. "Hello."

"You said that," she laughed.

"H-how are you?"

"I'm good. Are you… uh, would you like to go out with me?"

"What?"

"Hello?"

"Yeah."

"Did you hear me?"

"I think so, but I'm going to need you to repeat that," he chuckled. "My ears must be deceiving me."

"No, they're not. I'm asking you out. Tomorrow. Are you free?"

"For you? I am." The two of them continued to talk. Ben relaxed. "I thought you had forgotten about me," he told her as he dropped his stuff onto his kitchen counter.

"No, I just had a long day."

"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown," he said falling onto the sofa that they'd shared a few days ago.

"Henry IV, Part II," she said with a yawn.

"Exactly." They laughed and Ben was happy that he could make her laugh. "Are you at home?"

"Just pulling up now."

"Is your…?"

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"He's here."

Ben swallowed. "Okay."

"I don't want to mention him though."

"Logical."

He nodded as if she could see him. "Okay."

"I'll talk to you later."

"I'll text you?" He asked.

"I'll be waiting," she answered softly, her voice like music to his ears.

"Mama?" A child said as the call was disconnected. Mama? She has a kid?

Good nuight, he responded.

"You could have called," he said; his tone icy. They walked into his apartment and he dropped his stuff on the floor near the door.

"Yes, but you might not have answered." Clever. He probably would have ignored her call—maybe. "So I came right over."

"After three days?" She smiled up at him, the total opposite of his sour face.

"Right. Three."

"What do you want, Miranda?"

Her smile widened. "Are you mad at me?"

"Yes," he admitted.

"Good."

"Good?"

"Or my text message," he added.

"I'm sorry," she said taking a step toward him. And she was apologizing? Who was this woman?

He jerked his head back. "You are?"

"Yes! Come, let's sit down." She took his hand and pulled him to the sofa. He couldn't walk past it without thinking about her, wanting her on top of him as they made love for a second time. "Ben?"

"Huh?"

"Of course."

"The first thing."

"Yeah?" He said scratching his temple.

"I have a child. A son. He is the light of my life. He's ten and he is perfect. I had him with my husband and he is everything to me."

"Why didn't you tell me? We talked about everything under the sun."

"I thought that his existence was too important to reveal to a man that I've only known for… for a few days."

"Hey."

"Do you want some wine?" Ben asked.

"Yes, please."

He walked into his kitchen and poured two glasses, grabbing a container of cookies on his way back. "So, er, what's the second thing?"

"I'm getting a divorce."

"What?"

"Yes," Ben answered; his voice scratchy. What was she saying?

"I said all of that to say that I've filed for divorce. I put the papers in yesterday. Hopefully, it will be final in 90 days."

"What if he contests?"

"He'd better damn not," she laughed. Ben stroked the side of her face, her chin, anything he could touch. "He won't."

"How do you feel about dissolving nearly fifteen years of marriage?"

She sighed and gulped of her wine and sat her glass on the table. "Uh, like a failure. I failed. And I don't usually do that, so I'm spiraling."

He looked at her over the top of his glass. "I'm here for you."

"No, I didn't."

"But, I'm hoping that you're free tonight."

"I am."

"Good. Then we're going out. My treat."

No woman Ben had ever been with had offered to pay for an entire dinner; even if it was fast food. "We can take my car if you want," he offered.

"I have to drive."

"That's fine." They pulled off and Ben reached for the radio. "Music?"

She nodded and made a quick right turn. "Almost missed my damn turn messing with you."

"What did I do?" He said with a laugh.

"You're here. We're here together. That's enough to throw me off. I feel unhinged."

"Huh?"

"I'm usually in control of every situation. Always on top of things, but with you…" She didn't finish her sentence, he knew what she meant.

He chuckled at her admission. "Is Classical good?"

"Do you have any Pachelbel?"

"Do I have Pachelbel?" He shook his head and pushed a few buttons on the screen and soon "Pachelbel's Canon in D Major" graced their ears.

"This is such a beautiful song," she commented.

"Agreed." The music played and Ben was happy that she let him hold her hand as she drove. He stared at her far longer than he should, but he felt the same way—unhinged. "Where are we going?"

"Do you like seafood?"

Inside, they ordered their food and drinks. "Get whatever you want. I owe you."

He leaned across the table. "You don't owe me anything, Miranda, okay?"

"Okay."

"But I will get the Casino oysters for my appetizers and the rib eye." She shook her head. "What? I haven't eaten since you stood me up."

"Liar." When the waitress came back they ordered, agreeing to split the oysters.

"This is nice. I like this place."

"Yeah. I came here one time."

"On a date?"

"Yes, on a date."

"Really?"

"No! With my girlfriends." Their drinks came to the table and Miranda and Ben thanked their waitress. "The same ones from Minnesota." She nodded and took a sip of her martini.

He paid attention to how her lips covered the glass. He wanted those lips on his. Ben shook his head: "Oh yeahh! I remember them. You five were a wild bunch."

"Like your friends weren't just as wild."

"That's how you're going to eat it?"

"This is how you're supposed to do it."

"Show me," she replied. Ben shifted his jaw as she smiled wickedly and batted her eyelashes.

"Do. Not. Tempt. Me. Miranda," he whispered.

She shrugged and continued to eat her oyster. "I didn't know that I could, Benjamin."

"You most certainly could."

They locked eyes for a long time. "I have missed you," he told her honestly.

"I've missed you, too," she replied.

"I mean, it's only been a couple of days."

"Yeah," she agreed, her brown eyes piercing his soul.

"But it felt like forever."

"Yeah." Their food was brought to the table and they dug in. Ben tasted a piece of steak and offered it to Miranda. "Thanks. Do you want some of my shrimp scampi?"

"Yes, ma'am." They took turns exchanging their plates as their conversation continued.

"I, uh…," Miranda started. Ben put down his fork. He was content.

She smiled. "I went after you in the club."

"Huh?"

"After I pushed you away in the club, I thought about it and realized that I may… have been making a mistake. But you were already gone."

"Damn." He put his head down and looked up at her. Ben watched her touch her cheeks as she blushed.

"I know." When the check came, Miranda pulled out her card.

"Thank you, Miranda."

"Don't say my name like that," she said giving him a look that foretold their future.

Back at the table, he slid her card over to her. "How…? What…?"

"You are something special, Dr. Warren," Miranda commented.

He could only shrug. Ben drove them back to his apartment. "Do you want to come in?" He asked.

"Are you inviting me into your humble abode, Benjamin Warren?" Hearing her say his name tingled his spine.

"Whenever you want, Miranda Bailey," he said looking over at her. His head was on the headrest and his eyes were droopy.

"Next time?" She said hopefully.

"Yeah, next time." Ben got out of the car and opened up the passenger side door. He helped Miranda out of the car and pulled her into his chest.

"Whatever you want, Miranda Bailey."

"W-Wait. What?"

"If you keep kissing me… like that…" He laughed at her stammering. She gathered herself. "I've got to go."

"Hellooo?" Miranda sang, her voice pulling him from very dirty thoughts.

"Yeah? Sorry," he said sheepishly. "This you?" She nodded and he pulled open the driver's door after she unlocked it. "Text me when you get home please."

"I'll do you one better. I will call."

"Good."

In his apartment, he lay in bed and replayed the events of the night. His phone rang on his nightstand and he reached over to grab it. He saw her name and smiled. "Hello?"

Miranda's voice hit his ears like ray of sunshine on a chilly day. "Hi. I'm calling to let you know that I'm home."

"Thank you." There was more that he wanted to say.

She grunted a little. "I'm actually in bed."

"I am, too," he told her. "I had a good time tonight."

"Me, too," she said with a yawn.

"Are you tired?"

"A little."

"Okay, well, goodnight. I'll—"

"I want to stay on the phone with you," Miranda told him.

"Until we go to sleep?"

"Yeah, like in high school," she giggled. "Is that weird?"

"No. I wish you were here…"

"I wish I was there, too, but I think we need space to think stuff through. At least I do."

"I think I know what you mean."

Miranda was quiet for a long time. He thought that she'd gone to sleep. He put the phone on speaker and settled into his bed. For the first time, it seemed too big for him. "When is our next date?"

He took a deep breath. "Are you going to stand me up?"

Silence. "No." Her answer was so simple and it shook Ben to his core.

The next couple of days, Ben felt really good. He was so cheerful. His cheer alerted his best friend. "Are you getting some," Avery asked.

"I guess, but I think it's a woman."

"Well, you're right. It is a woman. But not just any woman."

"Bailey?" Avery said.

"Yeah!"

"No, it's Chief Bailey from Grey Sloan." He pointed up the hall.

"Oh. How do I look?"

"Nice scrubs."

"Walk away."

"Huh?"

"Avery, go away!" Ben demanded underneath his breath.

Miranda walked up to Ben. "Hi," she said with a smile.

"Not that it's any of your business," she started sassily, pushing her trench coat back a little, revealing her wide hips. "I have a meeting. With your Chief."

"Would you like me to show you to Chief Webber's office?" He asked a little louder than was necessary.

"Of course," she said matching his tone. They walked down the hall, trying to be normal and coy. Ben stopped at a door. "I don't think that's his office."

Miranda touched his chest, backing him up. "Not here," she told him with a sly smile. Ben held onto her tightly. He never wanted to let go. He'd admit that. "Don't you have an office?"

He nodded wildly. "Let's go."

She laughed. "I was only joking, Benjamin. I really need to get to this meeting."

"Damn the meeting, I'm trying to conference with you now." They laughed at his corniness.

"C'mon," she said and they moved toward the door. "I'll find you before I leave."

"You're leaving for the day?"

He nodded. "Yeah, sometimes they do let me out of this place." They headed to her car. "Want to catch a movie or get dinner or both?"

She looked down at the ground before lifting her head proudly. "I can't. I'm taking my son to the museum." Ben nodded. "You're not going to ask to join us?"

He shook his head. "I know you're not ready for me to meet him yet, so…"

"I think you're a good man," she said suddenly stopping at her car door.

"Do you now?"

"Yeah. I like you." The two doctors exhaled at the same time.

"I like you, too."

"I… have to go." She got into her car and rolled down the windows. "Call me later?" Miranda pulled off leaving Ben standing there, desiring her.

Ben Warren sat in his office and dialed Miranda's phone number. Now, it was his turn to ask her out. It rang a few times before she answered. "Hey," she said warmly.

A smile eased across his face. "Wow."

"What?"

"The sound of your voice makes me happy."

"Oh, cut it out."

"I'm serious," he admitted. Ben paused. When had he ever admitted that? Never, that's when. He shook his head. "So…"

"So…?"

"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight? Hopefully, it's not too short of notice."

"No, I believe that I'm free. What time?"

"Gorgeous, huh?" Miranda said coming around the corner.

"Very much so," he said. "I thought you'd left."

"Well, you did keep me waiting."

"I forgot to light the candles."

Ben opened his apartment door and they walked inside. "Oh, wow, Ben. It looks good in here."

"It's all for you," he said whispering in her ear. He watched her shudder. "Can I take your jacket?"

"Yes, please."

They took their wine to the sofa. "How was your day?"

"It was good." He listened as she told him about a surgery that she performed. "Sorry I'm talking so much; let me stop rambling. How about you? How was your day?"

"No, don't apologize. I could listen to you all day." Miranda smiled and touched his hand. "I love your passion for medicine."

"Thank you. It was a problem with my marriage."

"I don't understand how someone could be bothered with anything you do."

"Do you always say the right thing, Ben Warren?"

"Am I saying the right things, Miranda Bailey?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. She blushed. "Ready for dinner?"

She looked at him over the top of her glass: "Maybe." While they ate, they got to know each other even more. They had way more in common than he expected.

"Stop! You went to Livingston? In Baltimore?" She nodded as she plucked up a diced potato. "I went to Montgomery!"

"Wow! Really? I thought you were from Chicago?"

"I am, but my dad was in the Navy and we moved a few times and all that, so I was at Montgomery for two years."

"That is… crazy."

"Down the street from each other for two years and didn't even know it."

"I wonder if we've ever been in the same place before—you know, before we met." They were both quiet, lost in their own thoughts.

"I don't know," he started. "But I'm glad we met the way we did."

"Really?"

The love I have right next to me, is here and always will be

"This is all I want to do."

I'm caressing your body emotionally, as you can feel and will see

"What? Dance with me?"

Why can't we go all the way to the top, the fullest extreme

"Yes," he said with a wicked grin. They moved slowly in the empty space next to the table.

"Or make love to me?" Ben couldn't tell if it was her heart or his that was pounding.

The sounds are here when you're with me, express the way that you feel

"I want it all," he answered honestly. No need to be coy about what it was he wanted—she wasn't.

He cleared his throat. "All the way in the back."

"Oh my God!"

"I haven't even started," he chuckled.

She moaned. "Hurry up, Benjamin!"

"I wasn't finished," she pouted. She was so cute. If he got to look at that face every day, he'd consider himself blessed.

He grabbed her hips and pulled her to him some more, locking them together. "Ben!"

He laughed. "You called me Ben," he said echoing his phrase from Minnesota.

"Just keep going," she told him with a laugh of her own.

"Unh-huh." He moved slowly, knowing that it pissed her off, but he knew the feeling was intense and he wanted to keep it that way.

"Benjamin?" She purred into his ear. The hairs on his body stood up. She knew exactly what she was doing.

"Yeah, baby," he grunted.

"Go deeper."

"My pleasure." He went to his knees and stroked her, opening her legs wider and giving her everything he had. "Fuck, Miranda," he said as he felt his body getting ready to explode.

"I'm coming!" She yelled, undoubtedly cluing his neighbors as to what they were doing.

When Ben's back hit the bed, he stared up his ceiling. He put an arm around Miranda and she cuddled up next to him. "So, this is why you wanted to have dinner at your place."

They laughed, high for their sexual explorations. "No, I just wanted you all to myself. Is that so bad?" She shook her head. "Good." He was quiet, lost in a myriad of thoughts.

"What are you thinking about?"

Ben took a deep breath. "About how a trip to freaking Minnesota landed me with the best-looking woman I have ever seen." She touched the hairs on his chest and he stroked her arm. "Are you real?"

"I am no hologram."

He nodded. "Because that would be weird," he told her with a yawn.

"No, I thought you'd left."

"Oh, you thought I did what you did in Minnesota?"

"Something like that."

She stepped out of the shower and moved toward him. "Nope," she said popping the "p". "I just needed a shower."

"Mind taking another one?" She raised an eyebrow and stepped back behind the glass.

He pulled on his denim shirt on and she helped him button it. "Stay… let's have breakfast."

"I wish I could, but I have to get home and get changed, Benjamin." She looked at her phone for the time. "And I'm still going to be late. Shoot."

"Aren't you the Chief?"

"Yes," she told him putting her hands on her hips.

"Then…?"

"You want me to abuse my power and stay here to have breakfast with you?"

"Well, what's a girl to do?" After they made love again and had breakfast, Ben walked with Miranda to her car. "This was fun."

"I agree," he said simply.

"Can we do it again?"

"As many times as you'd like," he responded. He put his hands on her car door, harmlessly trapping her. "We can do it right now." Miranda pushed him away. "Just do me a favor."

"What's that?"

"Don't take a month to call me back." She giggled. Damn, he was so obsessed with her. "I'll call you later on today."

She rolled it down. "Did you forget something?" He leaned down and put his lips on hers; she grabbed his face and eased her tongue into his mouth.

"Yeah, forgot that." She smiled. "And, uh, you look amazing by the way."

"I'm in the same clothes from yesterday."

"I know, I know, but still…"