Hi all,
A nice long chapter for you here, please review!
McDayDreaming: Surprise :) I'm having so much fun with this twist. You have no idea.
McGorgeous: Oh Nebraksa, see if you can get those people to vote for Obama will you? Just kidding, glad you enjoyed the chapter and yes they are parents.
Right Hand Blue: Oh well, I like trying to surprise readers, and then leave them gaping. It doesn't happen often though.
addiekatefan: Thanks! I aim to be unpredictable at times. This was a beauty. When I first introduced Gracie back in the 20s, I was already planning, patience is a virtue, but whew long wait.
Crazy-chica6: some squee, sort of as requested.
Strong NC-17 in the middle during the flashback. I know it may not quite be the type of smut some of you wanted, but I promise Addek will be back.
Previously: "Is he Gracie's father?"
Summary: Re-introductions are made, but some things are left unsaid
Chapter 56: We Meet Again
"Is he Gracie's father," the words that he'd just spoken echoed in his mind.
Meredith stared at him for a long moment – as if time itself had frozen – before she nodded.
"Yes," she managed to whisper and Derek closed his eyes trying to realize what that meant.
"Mark, Mark Sloan," he said again, "he's Gracie's father?"
Meredith nodded, "I knew this was going to happen, since I saw his picture on the mantel, but I wasn't prepared for it," she sighed, "I don't know how one could really prepare."
Derek remembered teasing her about the recognition of Mark's picture.
"So you didn't just know him because of his fame," Derek realized.
"Well that's how I met him," she admitted finally, "but I suppose what you're saying is true."
Derek was trying to remember when Mark was in the Seattle area.
"He came out to a conference," she finally said, "I'd just graduated from college and was moving back here to go to medical school."
Derek couldn't imagine Mark with someone that young, "you were what, 21?"
She nodded, "just 21," she blushed then before she continued, "he was so charming."
Derek knew Mark had that effect on women, but this was Meredith. He wasn't sure how his friend was going to take this.
"Meredith you must have known that," he didn't know how to finish.
"He's a ladies man?" Apparently he didn't have to complete the sentence.
"Yeah," he trailed off lamely.
"I knew the moment I saw him, it's hard not to," she grinned, "he was on a panel, he was so assured, so solid," an embarrassed look flinted across her face, "I was young and impressionable."
"What happened," Derek asked and then backtracked, "I mean after he left."
"It was an accident, we were careful, but we were both intoxicated, and the condom broke," she sighed sadly, "it was all a blur."
"You didn't tell him?" Derek questioned.
"He was gone by the time I woke up," she finished and Derek felt a flash of anger at his friend.
"Come back to the house with me," he didn't know where that came from and judging from the look of horror on Meredith's face, she didn't either.
"I can't!" She was literally paling in front of his eyes.
"Yes you can, he's here for a bit, and he's going to see you soon enough, let's break the ice," Derek said finally.
Meredith looked frantic, "Derek!"
"Seriously Meredith," he urged her, "we'll be there for you."
She gaped at him, "but but," she was at a loss.
"You can't avoid him forever," Derek said softly, "he's going to be around for a week or two, and visiting quite a bit. You're one of our good friends out here, it's going to happen, why wait around and let it go until it seems weird that it hasn't happened and get all worked up about it?"
The younger woman wiped her eyes and nodded, "okay," she said finally standing.
Derek ushered her into the lounge to compose herself and then called his house.
"Hello," Addison answered the phone as Mark headed to put on his swimming trunks for the hot tub.
"Addie," Derek's voice sounded strained.
"What's up," she picked up a glass figuring he was on his way home and checking to see if they needed anything, which meant he was about ten minutes out.
"I just found something out," he finally said and Addison stopped doing stuff to listen.
"I don't have time to explain in detail, but I'm bringing Meredith back for the evening," he continued and Addison smiled.
"Sounds good," she said, "Mark can meet her then."
"Well, uh," her husband stammered and Addison frowned.
"What," she demanded.
"They've already met," he finally responded.
"When!" Addison questioned curiously.
"Well," Derek took a deep breath, "five years ago when Mark came out to present on a panel."
Addison sighed realizing what Derek meant, Mark was a typical manwhore and had slept with Meredith Grey.
"Derek," she groaned, "is there no place he hasn't managed to sleep with anyone in this country."
"That's not really the issue Addie," Derek sounded rushed and Addison hesitated.
"Wait, did you say five years ago," she suddenly felt everything getting fuzzy.
"Yep," Derek knew the light had gone on.
"Gracie," Addison finally said and heard the toilet flush.
"Yeah I wanted to let you know, but don't tell Mark, we're on our way," Derek said, "I've got to go."
She hung up and reached for her glass, fighting for her composure.
"Last one in is a rotten egg," Mark headed for the porch and hot tub.
"We'll see about that," Addison said under her breath.
Derek and Meredith were in the car, and Meredith was nervous.
"It'll be okay," he said finally.
"I don't have a suit," she responded and he almost laughed.
"Addie can lend you one," he assured her and climbed out going around to open the door for her.
"They're in the hot tub," he heard it going and led the way to the porch.
"Hey man," Mark grinned as Derek stepped out onto the deck and his grin faded instantly when Meredith stepped out from behind him.
"Meredith," his voice was stunned.
"Hi Mark," she finally said softly and although Derek could almost feel her trembling next to him, she held his eyes.
Derek watched Mark's expression, the whole thing was surreal, but Mark's eyes told him a lot. They were alight with a strange type of pleasure, intrigue, and desire. They were alive, more so than Derek had ever seen with anyone.
"You know Derek and Addie," he finally said.
"I'm an intern at Seattle Grace," she smiled hesitantly.
"It's great to see you again Meri," the nickname rolled of his tongue and Addison raised her eyebrows at Derek ever so slightly.
"Can she borrow one of your suits," Derek asked his wife, and Addison nodded quickly climbing out and wrapping a towel around her waist.
"Come on Meredith," she led the way inside and Mark let out a whoosh of breath as they vanished.
"Shit," he said.
"Having any historical regrets," Derek would have laughed if the situation wasn't so serious.
"Sort of, but not really," Mark hesitated, "I regret that I took off, she was special."
"She is special," Derek contradicted and Mark glanced at him suspiciously.
"Dude, I'm not you in any way" Derek rolled his eyes, "she's a friend of ours and she has had it rough."
"I'm sure having Ellis Grey as your mom sucks," Mark said finally and Derek resisted the urge to let the Gracie's gene pool slip. That was Meredith's news to share.
"Yeah well, fame and what-not," Derek finished lamely.
"Dude, go get your suit and get out here, it's awesome," Mark looked like he wanted to talk about anything else but the young woman upstairs.
"This should fit," Addison pulled out a suit and threw it at Meredith.
"I can't wear this in front of him," Meredith looked appalled at the skimpy red bikini.
"I don't have any others, and you've worn even less in front of him, what's the big deal," Addison ribbed her and Meredith flushed.
"He was just one of those guys," she admitted, "I wanted him."
"He still wants you," Addison informed her and Meredith groaned.
"You deny you still do," Addison pressed. Meredith shrugged.
"That's beside the point, there's Gracie now," she argued.
"So," Addison challenged her, "you can still want him regardless."
"Fine," Meredith glared at her and then got up to change in the bathroom.
"When are you going to tell him about Gracie," Addison called out to her.
"I was thinking never, I mean he doesn't really need to know," Meredith responded," he's not here for more than a week right, I could just avoid him."
"Meredith," Addison felt a flash of indignation.
"Addison, I really don't want him to get involved in this," Meredith snapped.
"Well it's not fair to have Derek and I keep this secret for you, he's our best friend. You can choose when and dictate the terms of it," Addison told her, "but we do have to tell him."
"Not tonight, but I will," Meredith emerged and Addison could only imagine the look on Mark's face when he saw her.
Meredith followed Addison down the stairs feeling a sense of dread in her, she remembered that dizzying night with Mark. If he was a ladies man, she didn't doubt why. She still remembered that day so vividly.
Flashback (NC 17 part folks)
"Check him out," Sally nudged Meredith as they settled into the second row into the seats their friends have saved for them.
"Who," Meredith was busy turning off her phone.
"Seriously," Sally asked staring at her in shock and Meredith looked up.
Her jaw almost dropped; lounging in his chair, eyes caressing the crowd, was a gorgeous specimen knew just how appealing he looked.
Just then his eyes met Meredith's and held hers, a knowing smile spread across his face and he winked at her.
"Oh my god!" Sally nudged her, "he just winked at you."
"Stop," Meredith blushed bright red looking at the floor.
"He's such a catch," Sally gushed and Meredith risked another look at him only to meet his eyes again.
This time their intensity took her breath away. She could almost imagine standing in front of him, as he mentally undressed her, and then he would walk towards her and…
"Feeling okay," Sally's voice broke through her lusty thoughts.
"Sure," Meredith pulled out her notebook.
She'd come to the conference just to learn more about the disciplines in medicine, but she left uncertain and not knowing anything.
"Meredith," Sally snickered at her and Meredith rolled her eyes.
"Let's go out," she said finally.
"Okay," Sally wasn't surprised. Meredith liked to party.
They dressed up and Sally gaped at Meredith as she stepped out of the bathroom.
"Damn girl," she admired her tight black strapless dress that went down to her mid thighs, her very tall black sandals, pearl necklace, matching earrings and black clutch with a silver clash matched the outfit. Her blonde hair had been washed, fluffed and thrown over sideways.
"You look hot," Sally studied her.
They'd been at the high end club for about twenty minutes and Meredith was on her second drink before she noticed Mark.
He was staring straight at her and before she could react or nudge Sally, he was headed straight for her.
"Hey," he stopped in front of her, towering over her tiny frame.
"Dance," he proposed.
"Sure," Meredith turned to find Sally and a few other friends sneaking glances, she signaled to them that she was headed for the dance floor and they made their way into the crowd.
"You look great," Mark complimented and Meredith smiled.
"Thanks, you cut a nice figure today," she returned.
"Mmm," Mark grinned at her, "glad you noticed."
"Please, every woman in that room noticed," Meredith retorted.
"I have that gift," Mark noted pulling her into him.
Meredith kept a straight face even as she felt his arousal press into her.
"What's your name beautiful," he asked softly.
"Meredith Grey," she managed to respond.
"Nice to meet you," he grinned down at her and she blushed feeling incredibly sexy.
Mark somehow managed to be a gentleman and move incredibly quickly for the next half hour. Meredith honestly felt that it wasn't really fair that she felt at ease with him and yet his lips were already working their way down her neck by the end of the third dance.
She was aware that her nipples had tightened and warmth was pooling in her stomach, he turned her around and his lips pressed against her bare neck.
"Meredith," he whispered.
"Mmm," she moaned back.
"Come home with me," he invited and although normally she would have said no, she found herself with little to no control over her actions.
She wasn't drunk, she just wanted him.
"I want you," he mumbled against her ear and she gasped softly hearing the lust in his voice.
"Where are you staying," She asked.
"Hilton, right around the corner, room 636," he told her perhaps anticipating her next question.
"Okay," she went to get her things.
"Sally, I'm going home with him," she said and Sally gaped.
"Damn girl, you don't waste time," but she saw the desire in Meredith's eyes.
"Where," she asked.
"Hilton, 636," Meredith told her.
"Call me tomorrow by 11," that was their rule.
"Bye," Meredith hugged her and followed Mark out.
The walk passed quickly and once in his room, Mark pulled her close kissing her with a passion that left her unable to stand.
He quickly unzipped her dress and she was left standing in front of him in the lacy underwear and bra and high heels.
"Jesus," he whispered and Meredith tried not to fidget watching his eyes take in every detail.
"Turn around," he said finally spoke, his voice tight, and Meredith hesitated.
Mark instantly lost some of his intensity, "are you okay?"
Meredith managed a nod, "yeah, sorry."
"Never apologize to me," Mark spoke firmly.
Meredith saw understanding and sincerity staring at her in his deep eyes and she turned around.
"You don't have to," Mark hadn't moved.
"I want to," she felt much better.
She almost trembled as she felt his huge physical presence behind her.
He said nothing, their heavy breathing was the only sound in the room, suddenly Mark vanished and Meredith snapped her head to the side, watching as soft sounds of Enya filled the room.
"It's the relaxing station," Mark said softly, "I like to use it to calm my mind before I give talks."
Meredith wanted to laugh for a minute before she realized that he was serious, and then that she was being given a glimpse behind the masked Mark most probably knew.
His hands brushed away the hair from the back of her neck and his lips fell to kiss the nape, she inhaled sharply.
Next his hands ran down her arms, and then slid to her belly and to the top of her lacey black thong.
He stopped there and gently nipped her earlobe; Meredith groaned loudly feeling the warmth now building. She wanted him to touch her.
"Mark," she couldn't hide the desperation.
"What do you want Meredith," his voice was languid, carefree, husky.
"Please," her young body, somewhat experienced, had never before felt like this.
"Shush," he whispered, "just enjoy it."
She bit her lip trying not to beg him.
"I bet no one has treated you like this before, given you pleasure," Mark guessed. He knew the young beauties were in high demand, but ones Meredith's age – early 20s, sometimes hadn't known the pleasures of much older men. He could feel her urgency, and also her uncertainty; she didn't know how to handle the pace he was setting. He wanted her to melt into a mess before his eyes; he wanted to pleasure her until she couldn't move. There was vulnerability behind her expressive eyes, a sign she was craving someone to take care of her and she was trying to hide it. Mark found himself responding strongly to her poised nature, and attempted strength. He wanted to lavish attention on her, make her feel cherished; possess her to an extent she'd never experienced. It would take time.
"Pffffff," she tried to control her exhale, somewhat unsuccessfully.
"Have they Meredith," he demanded.
"No," she admitted.
"I'm going to make you come until you don't have energy to move," Mark promised, "until you can't do anything but beg for me to stop and continue at the same time."
Meredith closed her eyes unable to handle the images that came to mind.
Minutes later, one hand slipped beneath the elastic. She'd gotten so used to his presence all around her, so at ease with his movements, that she was startled by it.
"Oh," she gasped.
"Spread your legs Meredith," he urged her.
She did so, and he leaned over and whispered, "Now open your eyes Meredith."
Puzzled at how he knew that she had closed them earlier, she opened them and a gush of liquid wet her thong as she realized they were standing in front of the mirror.
She watched Mark's pleased expression and then he bent his head again to her shoulders.
Meredith felt like she was going to collapse, "Mark," she whimpered, "I'm feeling faint."
Instantly she felt him sturdy his balance behind her and his left arm crossed in front of her under her breasts, and his hand came to rest on her right breast. Suddenly she was braced firmly against him.
"Even if your knees give out, I've got you," he assured her.
"Ohhhh," she groaned out loud.
His hand inched lower and she closed her eyes to avoid watching the mirror.
"Open them," his voice in her ear made her tense.
"I can't," she gasped.
"Open," he urged her.
"Mark, I'm going to come," she had never before met someone who could almost make her come without touching her.
"No, you're not," he was firm in his conviction.
"You don't know that," she squirmed.
"Easy," he said, "inhale," his hand had paused.
She did so, "and exhale," he coached. She felt some tension leave her body.
"Open your eyes Meri," the nickname fell off his tongue.
She obeyed this time and his eyes burned into hers as they stared at each other.
"Ready," he asked and she nodded feeling a sense of control.
"I won't let you break," he continued, "you're not going to come until I want you to."
Meredith felt her knees buckle, but she didn't move, he was really holding her and slowly she felt them stabilize.
His hand slipped all the way down, two fingers grazed either side of her throbbing clit squeezing it softly, before going lower, and slipping into her. Meredith wailed, her head falling back on his chest.
"Good girl," his hand stilled while his left hand gently pinched her tight nipple. She felt his lips touch her cheek.
"You're a goddess Meredith Grey," he whispered.
"Ahhhh," she wailed incoherently.
Mark felt her embarrassment, but he knew that as he continued to pleasure her, she would relish it and become more at ease.
Before she came, he withdrew his fingers wishing to postpone her pleasure for one more minute.
Meredith felt an unbearable sense of loss, of connection and she flinched. Mark felt concern wash over him and hesitated, "Meredith?"
She met his eyes and he saw the loss, his heart ached.
He had wanted to make her crave her release, to savor it, but not at the cost of her expression. He knew that the longer he could hold it off, the more enjoyable it would be, but "tell me what you want."
"Please put them back," she whimpered and as his hand slid down and fingers back she gasped with relief and her hand rested on top of his. He waited quietly for her to relax.
Meredith didn't need him to move his fingers, but the sense of loss had startled her. She knew he saw it, but she wasn't used to this type of love-making where the lover was about this type of connection before sex. It startled her how content it made her feel.
"I want you," she whispered softly then.
"You have me," he assured her and he felt her stiffen slightly.
"I know," she finally responded, but he knew her words meant more.
With one last rub of her clit he pulled his hand out, and suddenly scooped her up depositing her on the bed.
He stood above her disheveled form and stripped down to his boxers before pulling a condom out and putting it on the dresser. He then knelt at the end of the bed and removed her sandals before kneeling between her legs and seductively removing her underwear.
He stared down at her open and willing feeling his heart swell, her arms reached for him and he sprawled over her tiny form kissing her as if his life depended on it.
Her wetness was on his boxers and she gasped feeling him pressing against her.
"Mark," she begged.
He divested himself of his boxers and rolled on the condom, "how do you want to do this?"
Meredith stared; normally the men she slept with would go ahead in the traditional position.
"Meredith?"
She hesitated, "um?"
"What do you want to do?" He asked and suddenly she rolled over.
Mark grinned, he knew most women had preferences despite the traditionally thought of positions.
She felt him resting on her and she spread her legs, as he thrust slowly up into her, every sensory nerve exploded and she gripped the sheets.
Mark paused waiting for her to adjust before he continued and he felt Meredith relax, he pushed further until he was buried inside her, pushing up against her cervix.
"Jesus," she whispered as he finally filled her, she felt full.
"Okay," he asked.
"You're huge," she laughed nervously and he almost came right then.
Willing himself to have more willpower he settled down slightly to her right, propping himself up on his elbow and gripping her right hand in his.
His left hand slid south and she jerked as his fingers found her clit again.
He began to move, his huge body rubbing against hers, and Meredith closed her eyes and let herself float, before long she was starting to wail.
Mark loved watching her, "I want you to feel this Meredith, hold on a little while longer," he encouraged, "how do you feel?"
"I need to come," she cried out.
"No, you want to come," he murmured, "you don't need to yet."
He moved his hand to her stomach to steady her and felt her relax a bit; Meredith concentrated on feeling him move in and out of her.
"Mark," her face held an expression of bliss.
"That's it baby," he smiled, "soak it in."
Feeling him in her, filling her, surrounding her and loving her made Meredith want to stay sheltered by him forever. He just kept giving and giving, her body craved him like a poison. Mark felt her opening up to him, trusting him and trying to follow his encouragements, he knew she was ready.
"Okay Meredith," he soothed, "I'm going to make you come," years of certainty he knew would help here, "and I want you to relax as much as you can and feel it coming."
Meredith heard his words, heard the promise, and tightened her grip around his hand.
Mark lifted her leg higher sliding his leg further between hers to brace them for the coming onslaught, angling his knee into the mattress. He slid his left hand back to her clit holding her close to his frame with his arm at the same time, and began sharp thrusts, hips snapping against her tiny frame with rapid urgency, then finally concentrated his rubbing against her swallow clit with extra firm strokes around the bundle of oversensitive nerves.
Meredith screamed into the pillow, her body writhing trying to get away from the sensations, but he held her firmly in place. She was so confused, he was making her want more and less at the same time. Her free hand flew behind her to bring his head towards hers where she seized a kiss, but had to break away for air. She held his neck, held him close to her even as she squirmed against him.
Her hand tightened on his in a vice grip, even her nails, as her body seized, the tension built to an unbearable degree, everything went hazy, and then suddenly she broke, her head snapped back and her mouth opened gasping for air noiselessly as waves of warmth flooded her.
Mark felt her entire climax violently run through her and watched her succumb to it.
She finally slumped against him, Mark stayed where he was.
"How did you not come," she finally managed to ask.
"Practice," he said teasingly and she laughed weakly.
"God, that was amazing," she was lost in him, helplessly lost.
End flashback.
"Meredith," Addison had stopped when the younger woman's footsteps paused behind her. She noticed how Meredith's face had a wistful expression on it and eventually a sad one.
"Sorry," Meredith pulled herself together. After that amazing night, complete with more wonderful hours of love-making and falling asleep in each other's arms, it was over. Now that man, who'd she allowed herself to fall inexplicably for was sitting outside unaware that he had a daughter. He was Mark Sloan – surgeon of the highest caliber – and he wasn't staying. She wouldn't tell him about her daughter, wouldn't let that tie him down. She knew that despite his reputation he had a good heart, she wouldn't burden him with their lives.
Derek avoided the topic of Meredith, and was halfway through a story from earlier that day at the hospital when he noticed Mark staring, and not listening anymore.
Following his gaze he realized that the sight of Meredith had him speechless as she walked out the door.
"Jesus," Mark breathed quietly under his breath.
Derek smiled to himself, Mark and Meredith…and Gracie.
"Hi," Meredith approached them uncertainly, Addison leading the way.
Derek offered her a drink as she climbed in and she accepted gratefully.
Mark stared at her, "you look great Meredith," he complimented her.
"Thanks," she whispered softly remembering that night he approached her and she lost her breath, she wasn't that naïve anymore, but her heart still fluttered.
Addison had settled next to Derek and they were both watching the interaction. None of them knew exactly what transpired but it was growing clear that perhaps it hadn't been the typical Mark routine. Maybe she'd gotten under his skin.
"It's been a while, how have you been," Mark questioned.
"Great," Meredith responded biting her tongue about Gracie, she saw Addison's expression and focused on Mark.
She gushed about her residency, and of course working with Derek and Addison, she never once let on about anything in her life outside of the hospital.
"So you do anything else except be a perfect doctor," Mark teased lightly.
Meredith grit her teeth realizing she was so close to letting the cat out of the bag, "nope," she said grinning, "it's what I do best."
"You got to make time for people Meredith," he said and Addison fought a roll of her eyes.
Derek watched Meredith fighting her urge to tell him about Gracie, but it wasn't his place to say anything. He let his friend tease the younger woman and assumed that Meredith was trying to protect everyone from getting hurt.
"I think we should call it a night," he finally announced, "it's late and we've been in here a while."
"Meredith," he questioned, "can you stay over?"
"I need to get back," for Gracie, the unspoken name between them.
"Okay," Derek stood up.
"I'll take you," Mark said quickly and Derek didn't miss the look of panic on her face.
"You've had a long day and lots to drink buddy," Derek shook his head, "we're good."
In the car on the way to her place, Meredith was silent.
"Why not tell him?" Derek asked.
"Why bother," she quietly responded, "he's leaving soon anyway."
"He really likes Gracie," Derek said softly remembering his friend's affection for the little girl.
"I'm glad, but she can't get her heart broken," Meredith said firmly.
"And you," Derek finally asked her.
She said nothing for several minutes, and after he'd pulled up and she'd climbed out, she then turned back to him.
"I somehow believed that the one night might be the beginning, but it ended quickly," she sighed softly, "I started over Derek, I never expected to be so taken, and then take it so hard."
"I know," he realized that she was an independent soul, to be suddenly intensely connected to someone and have it last one night could have been devastating.
"Without Gracie," she sighed, "I would have been able to move on, but I see her and I dream about what might have been."
"What could still be," Derek said feeling the need to correct her.
"No," she shook her head, "he shouldn't be obligated," and she closed the door with a smile despite the sadness in her eyes.
"I don't think he'd see it that way," Derek said out loud as he put the car in reverse and headed home.
Please review. It's nice and long to make up for the last short one.
