Chapter 20: Vodka

"Hey." Meredith said as she climbed onto the elevator with her mocha latte.

"Hey..." Lexie said quietly.

"Um..." Meredith said as she stared forward. "It's a nice day." She's avoiding me. I know avoiding. I do it all that time. That little bitch is ignoring me. Sure, I want to screw her husband, but she doesn't know that. Yes, your husband was the love of my life. And the only serious relationship I've ever had. But she doesn't know that. What the hell is going on?"Okay, so what the hell is going on?" Meredith finally snapped.

"I- I'm really sorry. I had no idea." Lexie said guiltily as she looked up.

"No idea about what?" Meredith asked as she looked over.

"Your little problem. I just- I gloated about Derek and I... I never realized." She stumbled through her words.

"Never realized what?" Meredith pressed again as she took another sip.

"You don't have orgasms." She said reluctantly. Lexie jumped back as Meredith's latte hit the floor and splashed.

"What?" Meredith said in complete shock. "What do you mean, lack of orgasms?" She asked as she whipped her head around.

"Well, that's what everyone is saying." Lexie explained. "So, it's not true?"

"No!" Meredith shouted. "No, it's not true!"

"Oh. They're just saying... You and Adrien have a horrible sex life." Lexie said quickly.

"We are fine. I am fine." She spat loudly.

"So, I guess you didn't do porn either? And you're not into whips and chains?" She said reluctantly.

"What? Oh, you have got to be kidding me..." She shook her head in disbelief.

"This is my floor. I'll- I'll try to set it straight." She said as she began to step off.

"Don't bother." Meredith grumbled.

That jackass. She couldn't believe he said that. He insulted her. He insulted Adrien. She was just kidding, and he took it a step further. And now she had to work with her interns who would no doubt be laughing behind her back. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. That was definitely going to be tested. When the doors opened to looked up to see Derek standing down the hallway.

"You son-of-a-bitch!" She shouted in the nearly empty hallway.

"Oh, don't you look nice. Brown looks great on you." Derek said with a chuckle.

"Fuck you, Derek." She spat as she walked to the locker room.

"So, you didn't enjoy the karma?" He asked with a smile.

"Karma? That was not karma. That was man-made revenge. And you are an ass!" She spat as she threw the door open.

"Oh, come on." Derek said with a chuckle.

"Whatever, Derek." She said as she turned away from him.

"You're not mad." He said with a smile.

"What? I am pissed." She spat as she ripped her dirty scrubs off.

"No, you're not. I know you. You can take a joke. Like you didn't know it was coming..." He said with a smile. "So, it was nice playing with you, Dr. Grey."

"That sounded dirty." She said with a smile.

"It was supposed to." He said as he walked out.

"So, Dr. Grey... How much money did you make off of doing the porn? Because I really need to pay off my loans." Danny Carter asked as he ran alongside her.

"Not enough. Not what you'd think." Meredith said with a chuckle.

"So, it's true?" He said in shock as he looked at her.

"Hell yes, it is." She said with a serious tone. "I just did it for fun."

"Fun. You're kidding, right?" He asked with a smile.

"Nope. I enjoy porn. Just thought I'd contribute for anyone else who does the same." She said as she looked at the scans on the screen.

"So, would you do it again?" He asked quietly.

"Do you really think this line of questioning is suitable for your boss?" She asked as she looked up. His face dropped. "No. I wouldn't. Adrien and I have far too much fun. I don't need to go anywhere else." She said with a smile.

"So-" He said in shock.

"Don't believe everything you hear, Dr. Carter." She said as she walked away. "And I hope that you ran the tests for room 429. I would think the results should be done by now." She said as she continued on her way.

"And the whips and chains..." He yelled.

"Wouldn't you like to know!" She said with a smile.

Meredith walked with her tray to the table with Lexie. She was done avoiding her. She could do this. She could sit there with her best friend and think dirty thoughts about her husband. She could sit there and hold the truth inside. She could think about the past. She could do all of it. And do it with a straight face.

"Hey..." Lexie said with a smile.

"Hey." Meredith said as she plopped down.

"So, the rumors seem to have died down a little." She pointed out as she took a bite of her hamburger.

"A little." Meredith said with a nod. "I don't care. If people don't have anything better to do. At least I provide free entertainment." She said with a shrug.

"If it were me, I'd be freaking out." She said frankly. "Who do you think it is?"

"I know exactly who it is. But that isn't important." She said with a faint smile playing on her lips. It's your husband. And he wants to play with me. That's right. He wants to play. And I don't mean chess. Chest, yeah, maybe chest... Like his mouth on mine. So what do you think of that? Straight face. Straight face...

"Who. You have to tell me who!" She said with an intrigued giggle.

"Nope. Besides, you don't want to know." Meredith told her quickly.

She looked up and frowned. There he marched. Straight towards the table. Now this was going to be a real problem. A huge problem. He couldn't join them. Sitting with Lexie was one thing. Sitting with both of them. Now that was an entirely different story.

"Ah, lunch time." Derek said as he sat down with a big smile.

"Yes. We eat." Meredith responded coldly. "And that is all we do." She said as she glared at him.

"So, how are you today, Meredith, right?" He asked with a smirk.

"I'm fine, Dick. Oh, Derek. Sorry, Derek." She said as she looked at him across the table.

"I'm good. How are you?" Lexie said as she kissed him on the cheek.

Oh. Gag me. You have got to be freaking kidding me. Please stop! Thank god.

"So, I hear you are with Adrien de Gaulle?" He said as he looked up. "How long have you been together?"

"About two months, right Mer?" Lexie said with a grin. "I set them up! They are so perfect together."

"Is that right?" He asked as he looked up. I want to rip your clothes off and have my way with you in front of everyone.

"Mmm." Meredith muttered. If that little tart weren't here, I would drag you to the nearest on-call room. No, you wouldn't, quit lying. You've told him no, how many times... It doesn't matter...a girl can dream...

"She never smiled. And like that last week, she has been- They are great together." Lexie asked. "They bring out the best in each other."

"Is that so?" He asked Meredith as he cocked his head. That was it. He was asking for it. Forget dreaming. Let's do it...

"Yes. It is so. He makes me ever-so-happy. We are completely content." Meredith spat as she looked at him. "Never better..." Get out of my head.

"Really... Now isn't that nice?" Derek chuckled. You knew I could get in your head... And I'm not leaving.

"Oh my god! Let's all go to Joe's tonight!" Lexie said with a huge grin. Meredith sucked in a breath, choking on her piece of chicken. They both looked at her as she attempted to breathe.

"I think she's choking!" Lexie shouted.

"Ahh..." Meredith choked. Derek slapped her on the back, causing the chicken to dislodge. She looked up and started breathing. Get out!

"So, what do you think?" Derek said with a smile. "Two couples, having friendly drinks." Nope, this is too much fun.

"Um... I'll- Adrien. Yeah. Yes. Definitely. Drinks at Joe's. I can do that. I will." She said with a confident smile. "Joe's..." Shit.

Uh huh. I knew if I gave you enough rope, you would hang yourself.

I hate you.

You love me.

Damn-it...you're right.

Derek sat down at the table next to Lexie. Her and her big ideas. At first, he thought it would be fun. Another way to make Meredith squirm. Another chance to watch her under pressure. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that he had buried himself. Sitting next to her. Watching her with another man... The thought made him sick. And now he had induced his own illness.

"This is going to be so much fun." Lexie said with a smile as she glanced over at Derek.

"Uh huh..." Derek said with a nod. "So where are they?"

"Oh, I'm sure they're on their way." Lexie said as she looked up. "Oh, Adrien!" She said as she waved him over.

"Hello, Lexie. Oh... Derek, is it? Mark's friend, right?" He said as he walked up and shook his hand.

"Oh!" Lexie said, taken aback. "Derek, I didn't know you knew Mark..."

"You know Mark?" Derek said as he looked at her in shock.

"Well, of course. He's like Mer's best guy friend and he lives with her!" Lexie said dumbly. "How do you know Mark?"

"I've known Mark for a long time." Derek said quickly. "But that's not important. Adrien is here. Let's not be rude." He said as he looked up at Adrien who was sitting across the table. Lexie gave him a perturbed look, and then turned away.

"So where is Mer?" Lexie asked as she looked up at Adrien.

"She should be here any minute. She was just finishing up with her patient when I left." Adrien said with a smile.

"Well, I'm going to grab us some drinks. Adrien, what would you like?" Derek asked with a necessary smile.

"I'll have a dry martini, no olive." Adrien said with a faint smile.

"You know what I'll have." She said with a smile. "I'm a cosmo girl." She explained.

"Double scotch, single malt, a dry martini, no, regular, make it a regular martini, two olives and a cosmopolitan." Derek smiled at the Joe.

"You new around here?" Joe asked as he fixed the drinks.

"To Seattle, no. I just transferred from Mercy-West." Derek said with a faint grin.

"Here you go." Joe said with a smile as he slid the drinks over. "Welcome."

"Thanks." Derek said as he walked away with the drinks.

Derek's heart jumped in his throat. He heard the ding of the small bell on the door. There she was. Pure perfection. Her jeans hugged her every curve. They fit like they were made for her. A perfect mold of her body. Her tight low-cut sweater illuminated her eyes. Her hair fell softly on her shoulders. Derek nearly dropped the drinks as he looked into her eyes. She was a total knockout.

Derek couldn't say anything. All of the saliva had long since disappeared from his agape mouth. This was wrong. Completely wrong. She wasn't supposed to be there with that tool. That jackass. Derek slid the drinks to Adrien and Lexie and nodded to Meredith. He quickly turned on his heel and walked back to the bar.

"Tequila." Derek said with a grin.

"Now that one looks like trouble." Joe said with a smile and laugh. "She's not. Not really. Not unless you get her on a bad night... She's a regular."

"Yeah?" Derek asked as he glanced over at Meredith who was smiling. He could hear her infectious laugh in the background.

"And you seem to know her poison." Joe said as he slid the tequila over to him.

"That I do." Derek said as he grabbed the shot and walked over. "Here you go." Derek said as he slid the tequila to Meredith.

"How did you know that Mer drank tequila?" Lexie asked as she looked at him in shock.

"She- Um- She told us..." Derek muttered as he sat down.

"She did?" Lexie asked, unconvinced.

"I did." Meredith confirmed as she sipped her tequila.

"I don't know how you do that!" Adrien said as he watched her.

Derek couldn't keep his eyes off of her. This was cruel. Cruel and unusual punishment. He watched as Adrien placed his hand on her leg. He couldn't even see it. But he knew. That is what he would do. He would have his hand on her leg. It should be his hand.

"So, how was the surgery?" Lexie asked as she looked at Meredith.

"It went really well. Patient is recovering nicely." Meredith said with a smile.

"Meredith is going to make a fine cardio surgeon." Adrien said happily.

"Well, it helps that I have an excellent teacher." Meredith giggled as she looked over at him. "And you, Dick. How was your surgery?" Meredith said with a grin. "Oh! Derek... Sorry, Derek... I don't know why I always call you Dick. You kind of look like a Dick. Well, a Richard. I mean you look like a Richard. Obviously, you don't look like a Dick. You're a little to hairy to look like a Dick."

"Meredith!" Lexie said as she shook her head.

"What?" Meredith said innocently.

"I do not know this woman, sorry." Adrien said with a chuckle as he looked at Derek.

"You always get it right when you talk to me." Lexie said with confusion.

"I know. I don't know why I do it." Meredith said innocently. "Anyway, so how was your surgery?"

"It was good. Very good." Derek said with a nod. "You look like you need a refill."

"Ah... Yeah, I think I do. This time I'll have an apple martini. I think I need something sweet..." She said as she raised her eyebrows.

"Hmm... Vodka..." Derek said in shock, knowing what it did to her.

"Yep." Meredith said with a nod.

"Adrien?" Derek asked as he looked at him.

"Same. But dry this time. And no olive." He said, with a look.

"No, he'll have the olive. I'll eat your olive." Meredith said as she bit her lip and looked up at Derek, who's eyes bugged out. She grabbed the toothpick and ran her tongue around the olives before popping them in her mouth.

"Olives... Only if you'll do that again." Adrien said as he buried his head in her neck.

"Of course." She said. She watched Derek walk up to the bar with clenched fists. He heard her giggle.

"You seem pretty jealous for a guy who's here with his wife." Joe said frankly as he made the martinis.

"What the hell does that mean?" Derek snapped.

"I'm just making a simple observation." Joe said with a shrug. "If it's any consolation, she's looking at you the same way."

"I'm married." Derek stated as he looked at Joe.

"I see that." Joe said simply as he looked at his ring.

Derek marched to the table. His frown turned to a smile when he walked to the table where Meredith was now alone. She was alone. It would just be him and her. For a short second, it would feel like it used to feel, all those years ago.

"Where did everyone go?" Derek said as he sat next to her.

"Adrien was paged and he went outside to call. And Lexie is in the bathroom." Meredith said as her green eyes locked with his blue ones.

"This is horrible." Derek finally admitted. "You're here with him. I'm with her. This was a bad idea. Why the hell did you agree to this?" Derek grumbled.

"I think you deserved it. Now everyone at Seattle Grace thinks I'm a porn star who can't have an orgasm. You deserved it." She said in a huff. "And the cave comment. A little over the top. That was just cruel..." She said softly as she leaned to his ear. "But you know better. You know just how tight I am..." She said as she nibbled his ear. He felt her hand graze his shaft. She rested her hand on him and began massaging. "So tight..." She whispered as she felt his erection grow. "So very tight..." She pulled away when she saw the bathroom door open.

"You are cruel." He muttered as he looked at her.

"Oh. I feel much better." Lexie said with a smile.

"I think you had the right idea." Meredith said as she looked up. "I saw some of the nurses on the other side of the bar..." Meredith pointed. "I think they were looking for you."

"Oh. I better go say hi." She said as she walked over happily. "Yep...off to the bathroom I go." She said as she ran her arm across his back, tugging his arm.

Meredith walked nonchalantly towards the restroom. Derek waited a few minutes. He looked around. What was she doing? What was he doing? He looked down at his awaiting erection. At least he knew what his body was doing. He glanced around again. Lexie would be over there for a long time. Once she started talking to them, she couldn't pull herself away. He looked over at the door. No Adrien.

Derek quickly climbed to his feet and walked towards the restrooms. Left. Men's is left. He looked back, and turned right. Swinging the door open he walked in. He immediately felt her spin him around, her hand turning the lock as she attacked him.

Derek looked into her eyes. She had vodka eyes. Only vodka did that to her. It made her spontaneous. It made her crazy. But more importantly, it made her horny. Meredith could feel Derek's hard erection against her abdomen as she forced her lips onto his, sticking her tongue into his awaiting mouth.

Their tongues meshed. Sliding. Slipping. Pressing. Tasting. It was erotic. It was full of need. He heard her moan softly as he bit her bottom lip, sucking it into his mouth as he tasted her sweetness. Apple. Like a Jolly Rancher. And he was hoping he would be jolly rancher soon. Because all he wanted at the moment was to tame this wild mare in his arms.

"I thought you'd never come." She said as she pulled away breathlessly.

"Oh, I always come." Derek said as he raised his eyebrows. "What do you want?" He asked, praying that she wouldn't say no. Praying that she wouldn't tease him. Praying that he would be able to feel her around him. Praying that he could hear her shout his name.

"I want you." She said frankly. She ran her hands down his crotch.

"What do you want?" He asked, dragging it out of her.

"I want you to fuck me. I want you to cum inside of me. I want to feel your cock pulsate inside of me." She moaned as her dark eyes looked into his.

"Way to be frank." He said as he pushed her against the other wall, devouring her neck. She felt her fumble at his jeans. She pulled them down swiftly and then did her own.

"Condom." She said as she looked at him.

"Wallet." He muttered as he ran his hand down her ass. She bent down and grabbed his jeans. She looked up at his hard cock in front of her face. She smiled as she leaned in and ran her tongue down his thick vein. "No time." He muttered as he looked down. He watched her tear the package open and roll the condom onto his penis.

"Fuck me..." She moaned as he shoved her against the wall. She wrapped one of her long legs around him, resting it on his ass. He looked down at her and smiled before thrusting deep inside.

"You are tight..." He said with a smile.

"Only for you, baby." She moaned into his shoulder, biting down on him, leaving teeth marks.

"Oh god..." He moaned as she moved her hips.

"Harder... Derek, I need it harder..." She moaned as she pushed into him. He smiled as he drove into her as hard as he could. They heard someone jiggling the doorknob.

"Someone's out there." he said as he pounded into her, feeling his cock pulsating hard. She could feel her core heating up and tightening even more.

"Fuck them." She moaned as she began to melt. Yep, vodka. "Oh god...oh god...fuck...Derek!"

"Shit...Oh god Mer...fuck." He moaned as he squeezed her ass with his hands.

"Ohhhh..." She moaned as she tightened around her, releasing hot fluid around him.

"Oh god..." He moaned as he released. He could feel her clamping and releasing around him. "Oh..." He felt her pull away, her feet hitting the floor. She quickly pulled her pants on.

"Thank you." She said with a dirty grin.

"No...thank you." He mumbled softly. He looked into her eyes. "I love you..." He said softly. No response. She watched him throw the used condom in the trash and work on his belt.

She quickly walked out of the bathroom and to the table. Adrien looked up at her with confusion. She sat softly down next to him. He looked over at her and smiled. She had no idea how long he had been on the phone, and she was not going to act guilty. She was going to act like she had only been gone a few minutes.

"Where's Derek and Lexie?" Adrien asked as he looked around.

"Hell, if I know. Probably off screwing somewhere." She said with a shrug. "And I need another." She said as she picked up her glass.

"Not a problem." He said as he jumped up and grabbed another. Derek returned to the table and sat quietly, looking up at her. Adrien walked over and sat the drink down in front of her, kissing her neck. "Here you go. How would you like to visit the restroom with me?" He whispered.

"Thanks." Meredith said as she took a sip. "But I was just there." She giggled.

"That's not what I meant." He said with disappointment. "Where's Lexie?" Adrien asked.

"Talking to her friends." Derek said with a shrug. By the way...I just hit that. Uh huh. I just came inside your girl. How do you like that, fucker?Derek was taken aback even by his own thoughts.

"Sorry I was gone so long, guys." Lexie said as she came back to the table. "I hope you kept yourselves busy..."

"Oh, did we ever..." Meredith muttered with a chuckle. "I need another." She said with a smile.

"I just got you one." Adrien said in shock.

"Well, I drank it. I need another." She giggled.

"Mer, maybe you should slow down." Derek said softly, causing Lexie to look over.

"Maybe she wants another one, Derek." Lexie snapped. Adrien rose to his feet and went to the bar. "It is her choice."

"She doesn't- Whatever." He muttered as he looked away. Several drinks. Too many. Derek watched. Disaster is building. Trouble. Big trouble.

"I love this song!" Meredith shouted loudly.

"Shhh! Mer, you're being a little loud." Adrien warned.

"I am fine!" Meredith squealed as she started singing loudly. "Let's dance..." She said as she grabbed Adrien's arm.

"Mer, I- No one else is dancing..." Adrien said quickly.

"Who gives a shit!" She yelled. "Derek?" She asked, he shook his head no.

"Fine, I'll dance by myself." She said as she stumbled out into the middle of the bar.

"We should stop her." Derek said in shock as he watched her dance around.

"It's cute. She's having a good time." Lexie said with a giggle.

"And she won't be able to walk in the hospital without hiding her face tomorrow!" Derek said quickly.

"Why do you care, Derek?" She snapped quickly.

"Holy shit." Adrien said as he looked up to see Meredith up on the bar. They could hear people yelling and whistling.

"Grey's gone Coyote Ugly!" One of her interns yelled.

"Damn-it." Derek said as he stood quickly and walked to the bar, grabbing her down.

"What are you doing? Get your hands off of me!" She yelled as she hit him.

"You are going home." He said as he threw her over his shoulder. Adrien looked over in shock. Lexie and Adrien jumped up and followed him out as she pounded on his back.

"I'll drive you guys home." Derek said, having had only one drink.

"Okay." Adrien agreed as he watched Derek throw her in the back seat, Adrien climbed beside her.

"Fuck, you, Derek." Meredith spat from the back seat. "Asshole."

"Meredith..." Lexie said as she looked back.

"Fuck you too." Meredith spat. "Once as ass, always an ass, Derek." She muttered.

"Meredith..." Adrien warned.

"Seriously?" She spat. "Fuck you too."

"What the hell?" Lexie said quickly.

"It's the vodka." Derek said as he shook his head. He was relieved when he pulled in front of her apartment. He looked back to see Meredith passed out in Adrien's arms.

"Thanks." Adrien said as they pulled up. "And sorry. She didn't mean it." He said as he scooped her up and walked away.

"What the hell, Derek?" Lexie spat loudly.

"What?" He snapped back.

"Why so protective?" Lexie asked loudly.

"She's your friend." He said with a shrug.

"Yes, my friend. Not yours." She told him.

"By proxy she is." He explained as he glanced over.

"And what did you mean, it's the vodka? How would you know that?" She asked with an attitude.

"Well, I'd say that's obvious. She doesn't normally act like that, does she?" He asked as he looked over.

"No. But she said once an ass, always an ass. What was that?" Lexie asked.

"How the fuck should I know? She's drunk!" He shouted.

"Something isn't right..." She muttered.

"Yeah. Maybe you're a delusional bitch..." He said under his breath. She heard but didn't respond.

Derek drove home in silence. He should be home with Meredith. Not Adrien. Adrien was going to let her dance on the bar. He didn't care about her. He didn't want to protect her. And now Lexie was asking questions. And they had sex. And now he was digging a hole. Now it was becoming a mess. Once was not enough. Not for him. Not with her. And now she was going to have a horrible day tomorrow. And she wasn't going to remember it. Not the dancing. Not the conversation. Not the amazing sex. That was vodka. That's what it did to her.