Meredith sat there in shock. He wanted to go out with her. To dinner. She drew in a deep breath. This was not happening. A perfectly nice guy was asking her to go out with him. But there was no way she could do that. Not with Derek. Not when she was in love with her body guard. And she was. But he didn't know that. She was so confused. She didn't know what to do. She knew that what she and Derek had was great. But she also knew that it couldn't last.

"Um... Dinner. With you." Meredith said quickly as she looked up at him. She swallowed hard as their eyes met.

"Yes. Dinner. Food, drink and conversation." He said with a cheesy grin.

"I can't." Meredith said frankly as she looked at him.

"Oh. I didn't realize you were seeing someone." Matt said with confusion in his voice.

"I'm- I'm not seeing anyone per say. I just-. I'm not available. You seem like a great guy. But right now it's- It's just not the time." Meredith told him with a sigh.

"So there is another guy." Matt questioned as he looked into her eyes. "Oh. I see... There is another guy. You're not seeing anyone. But you aren't available. You're waiting."

"In a way. I guess you could say that. It's a very complicated situation." Meredith told him nonchalantly as she sipped her wine.

"He's not free. He is with someone else." Matt said quickly. "Oh wow... He's married. You are a nice girl, Meredith. Don't get yourself into that mess. He's not worth it. If he is with someone else... You don't deserve that." Matt said kindly.

"No. He's- He's not married. Like I said. Complicated." Meredith explained. "But thanks. For the offer. You seem like a great guy. Just bad timing, I guess."

"Well, this guy must be pretty special. If you are waiting for him. Girls don't wait for guys. Not girls like you. You-" Matt said quickly.

"You don't know me." Meredith said quickly.

"You're right, I don't. But I do know that I can see in your eyes that you are not what everyone thinks you are. There is a lot more to you than meets the average person's eye." Matt said softly.

"Uh..." Meredith muttered as she looked around nervously. "So you are above average?" She asked.

"Maybe... Don't be afraid. I just- Dinner. You and I. Not a date. Just food and conversation. I want to know you. There is a guy. I can respect that." Matt said softly.

Meredith liked him. He was kind. And honest. He wasn't like the other guys that she knew. He wasn't that typical guy that only thought about one thing. He was intuitive. He made her smile. He was a nice guy. But he wasn't that guy.

"I don't think so. It just wouldn't feel right." Meredith told him again.

"Okay. Well, I will be in town for a few days. Like I said. So... I'll contact you. Maybe something will change." Matt said with a smile. "I'll wait in the wings." He said with a wink as he looked at his watch. "Okay. I need to go. I'm sure your father is working his evil somewhere. Just let him know-"

"That you are still mulling it over." Meredith finished his sentence.

"Yes. I'd like to hold it off for as long as I can." Matt said frankly. "Any ideas?"

"Avoid the destruction. If I were you, I'd hide out in a remote location. Somewhere where you can't be found. A cave, perhaps." Meredith said with a giggle.

"I will keep that in mind. It was a pleasure meeting you, Meredith." He said as he kissed her had. "Thank you for the company."

Meredith sat there alone at the table until Thatcher came back. Once Matt had left, Thatcher had no reason to be there. He was ready to go. Meredith told him what Matt had said, sugar coating it to the max, of course. He seemed like a nice, honest guy that was really going to be screwed. It just wasn't fair. She was ready to go home. She was ready to get away from this uncomfortable mess.

Meredith walked out of the restaurant on Thatcher's arm. As she walked, all she saw was white spots in her eyes. White spots from the flashes of the cameras surrounding her. She could hear them yelling at her. They were begging her to talk to them. And she wasn't going to. She just wasn't.

"How was dinner?" Thatcher asked as they climbed into the car.

"It was fine." Meredith muttered as she looked away.

"What's wrong, sweet-pea?" Thatcher asked as he rubbed her hand.

"Nothing." Meredith said simply as she continued to looked out the window.

"You're mad at me. You're mad about me not allowing you to drive." Thatcher said as he looked at her.

"I'm just tired. And not in the mood to talk." Meredith said without looking at him.

"You look beautiful in your mother's diamonds." Thatcher said as he looked at the necklace and earrings she had on.

Meredith ran her fingers over the diamond necklace. He had given them to her when she was young. He told her they were her mother's. He said that she wanted her to have them. And so she cherished them They were the only piece she had of her. The only link.

"Tell me about her. Something. Anything." Meredith said as she looked up.

"Honey... Let's not ruin this." Thatcher said with a sigh.

"Something. Is she alive? Is she dead?" Meredith asked. "Where is she..."

"Meredith. It's- It's just too painful. I don't want to talk about it." Thatcher told her frankly.

"Why? Why can't you just tell me? She is my mother! I have no idea where she is! Who she is..." Meredith cried out.

"Sometimes knowing is more painful than not." Thatcher told her as she looked up at him.

"No. Not knowing is hell! Not knowing is... I just want to know. I want to know what happened." Meredith said as she began to cry.

"No, Meredith. It is- I will not hurt you. Just- Forget it. Forget all about it." Thatcher said frankly as he closed the topic.

Meredith had never been so happy to be home in her life. She didn't want to talk to Thatcher. She was beginning to realize that it wasn't worth it. It got her absolutely no where. What was the point. She was hoping that Derek was still home. Even if she couldn't be with him. She could still be around him.

Derek was jealous. Insanely jealous. Meredith was out with another guy. He didn't have the right to be upset. But he was. He really was. His feelings for her were strong. Maybe too strong. Maybe it was because she was forbidden. He knew he couldn't have her, so he wanted her more. Whatever the reason, he found it impossible to do anything but sit in the sofa and stew.

"Mr. Grey." Derek said with a smile when they walked in.

"Derek. How was your evening?" Thatcher asked as he walked in and began pulling his cuff links off.

"Relaxing." Derek said simply as he looked over. "Meredith." Derek muttered as he looked up at her.

She still looked beautiful. But sad. She looked sad. He was sure that she had another fight with her dad. He hated to see her that way. It broke his heart. If her could, he would take all her pain from her and make sure she was happy for the rest of her life.

"Hey." Meredith muttered before heading upstairs.

"I need to turn in. I have a very early morning. Thank you, Derek. Thank you for everything." Thatcher said as he shook his hand.

"No problem." Derek said simply as Thatcher walked away. Tony smile as he walked over and sat on the sofa. "So how was dinner?"

"It was great. Interesting, you could say." Tony replied with a chuckle.

"Why is that?" Derek asked, pretending to be interested. But he was. He was dying to know what happened on that supposed date.

"He was quite a guy. Young. Probably in his mid-twenties. Owns a very successful business. He was definitely interested in Meri." Tony said with a chuckle.

"Oh." Derek said nonchalantly. "That's nice."

"Yeah. He was definitely into her. Who wouldn't be? But I think she has lost her mind." Tony suggested as he glanced over.

"Why is that?" Derek asked with a raised brow.

"Well, he asked for a second date. She told him no. I couldn't hear what she said. But it was a definite no. Poor guy." Tony said with a chuckle. "It wasn't for lack of trying. He was definitely trying. Oh well." He said with a shrug as he looked up at the clock. "Shit. I need to hit the sack. Early morning."

"Night." Derek said as he watched him walk out.

So Meredith said no. Interesting. She said no to a second date. He couldn't help but smile at the fact that a good looking successful guy was turned down by his girl. Yes, she was his girl. No matter what, she would always be his girl. Derek looked up at the clock. He should go to bed too. No reason to stay up. Just a lonely night.

As Derek walked by her room, he sighed. He wanted to be in there with her. He needed her. She was his oxygen. But it was just one night. One night without her. He could handle one night. He brushed his teeth and climbed into bed. Oh how he wanted to wrap his arms around her.

Derek laid there willing himself to go to sleep. He tried everything. Counting sheep. Counting anything. Thinking about the past. Thinking about the further. Derek tossed his body as huffed loudly. He never had trouble sleeping. That's what she did to him. Derek's eyes flashed open as he felt the side of the bed go down. He looked over in shock as his blue melted into her green.

"Mer... What are you doing in here... Your father!" Derek whispered.

"He's sleeping. And I couldn't sleep." Meredith told him as she drew in a deep breath. "I needed to be with you." She said as she burrowed her head underneath his arm.

"Are you okay, honey? You looked so sad earlier." Derek pointed out as he kissed her softly.

"Yeah. I- You're here. I'm fine." She said as she looked up and kissed her. "Were you okay? What did you do while I was gone?"

"Watched t.v." Derek said simply.

"I'm sorry. You know I would rather be with you." Meredith said with a faint giggle as she looked up.

"Would you?" Derek asked with a grin.

"I would." Meredith said frankly as she leaned in and kissed him.

Derek licked Meredith's bottom lip softly before pressing his lips against hers. Meredith parted her lips as Derek's tongue slid in past her teeth. Their tongues meshed gently as Meredith rolled over on top of Meredith. She loved the way he tasted. She loved the way he smelled. It was all so perfect. Meredith moaned as she felt his hard member press against her.

"Oh Derek..." She moaned as he kissed her neck. Derek abruptly quit kissing her neck and looked up. "What's wrong?"

"We can't. Your father is right down the hall. We can't. I like my dick attached." Derek said frankly.

"He's a sound sleeper." Meredith said as she pulled away. "Besides, I like your dick attached too. Do you think I would do anything to endanger it?" She asked with a giggle as she bit his ear and stood up.

Derek watched as she pulled the drawer open and pulled a condom out of the box. She sat it down as she pulled her silky nightie over her head and pulled it off. There she stood, in all her glory in front of him. It was the first time that she allowed him to look at her fully without apprehension.

Derek felt his cock start to twitch. It needed her. He needed her. Her sweet pussy was his cock's home away from home. He felt so comfortable and perfect inside of her. They meshed in sweet harmony. Two odd puzzle pieces cut for one another. Derek pulled his shirt off and shimmied out of his pants. He leaned over and undid the condom wrapper and rolled it on.

"You have to be quiet." Derek whispered as he pulled her down on top of him.

"I can do quiet." Meredith said softly as she felt his warm flesh press against hers. Derek rolled her gently onto her back and covered her body with his.

"Sure you can." He said, unconvinced.

Meredith moaned softly as he ran his hand down her body. She loved the way his mouth felt around her sensitive nipple. Her heated core was screaming for him as he kissed her abdomen gently. Meredith gasped and arched her back as he touched her clit with his finger. Her slowly slid two into her moist heat.

"You are so wet." Derek said with a smile as he made his way back up to her neck and sucked.

"I just need to feel you Derek. I need to feel it." She moaned as she ran her hands down her back.

"Okay, baby..." Derek agreed as he gently parted her legs and slid his length deep inside. "Oh Mer..."

They paused and looked into each other's eyes. It felt so perfect as his large cock pressed her walls to their brink. His cock was seated deep inside of her. Their warm bodies felt perfect laying against one another. Derek leaned down and placed his tongue deep inside of her mouth as he gently pulled in and out.

It wasn't sex this time. It was a deep emotional connection that was firing faster and harder than ever. Derek's tongue mimicked his cock as he dove in and out out of her. They remained quiet as he laid against her, feeling her hard nipples press against his muscular chest. Meredith ran her hands down his back and rested on his ass as he plunged his length into her hot creamy core.

"Oh..." Meredith moaned as she felt herself begin a strong powerful climax.

"Mer... Baby." Derek said softly as he continued to plummet.

Meredith's tight walls began to strangle Derek's large girth. She could feel him pulsating inside of her. His cock was threatening to explode. She moaned and bucked her hips with his motions. As she began to climax, her nails dug into his back. She moaned as she felt herself right there on the brink. They remained silent as the waves of their orgasms began to run over them like a hot rain. They were so wrapped up in each other. So wrapped up in the unspoken passion that consumed them. Derek collapsed on top of Meredith as he came down from his high. They both closed their eyes and panted quietly.

"I need this to go on forever... I'm not ready to give it up." Meredith said in an almost silent whisper.

"What's that?" Derek asked, knowing what she said.

"Nothing." Meredith said as she cuddled against him. "I just... I just want to lay here with you. Just for awhile."

"Okay." Derek agreed as he tossed the condom and pulled her close.

As Derek laid there, he thought about what she said. I'm not ready to give this up. What did it mean? What was going on? What was she up to? The thought of it ending was enough to make him sick. So he held her. He had to. He wasn't giving it up.

Meredith and Derek fell asleep in each other's arms. They didn't mean to. Meredith had intentions of going back into her room after she had her little visit with Derek. But she couldn't pull herself away from him. She could never pull herself away. He made her feel whole. And that was a feeling she wasn't willing to let go of.

Thatcher Grey woke up bright and early. He had already said goodbye to Meredith last night. He was feeling uneasy about how things went the night before. He was feeling guilty that he had been so cold with her. He always told himself no to be. But it seemed it never listened. As he walked by Meredith's door, he paused. His hand turned the knob as he stood there. He wanted to go in and say goodbye. He contemplated. Soon he decided that last night's goodbye was enough and he wouldn't bother her so early in the morning. His hand dropped as he walked away.

So there Thatcher went. He rode off with his entourage. With his little henchman. Meredith and Derek were still in their peaceful sleep. They had no idea just how close they were to being caught. Derek smiled in his sleep as he smelled her lavender hair in his face. It was all so perfect.