Chapter 27: Telling Her Best Friend
"You're taking Christina to Savage Gardens?" Derek asks, watching lazily as Meredith peruses the contents of her closet. It's been two days and nights since Cristina's arrival. They have managed to work it out to get together in the evenings, avoiding too many questions. Cristina has been caught up in the wonders of the lectures she has attended, but Meredith is well aware it's only a matter of time before she needs to talk to her.
"Yes, I think she's going to like it. Do you think I shouldn't take her?" Meredith turns around, holding a short leather skirt and white silk blouse.
Derek shrugs. "Could be a bad idea, but I'm going with you. Wearing that outfit, you have in hand, I'm not letting you out of my sight." His possessive gaze rakes her from head to toe, as she saunters towards the bed. At the moment, she is wearing a silky green robe, belted loosely, the hem reaching mid-thigh. It draws his attention unerringly towards her legs.
"Oh, really? Are you worried, Derek?" she teases, dropping the clothes, and straddling his lap. Her fingers thread into his hair, as he pulls her closer. He nuzzles her throat, feeling the perfect beat of her pulse there.
"I never worry," he assures her, his hands sliding over the silky fabric. His powerful arms slide around the narrow circumference of her waist. "But I want to watch what happens when you walk in, my love. Knowing you are mine…"
Meredith places her hands on his face, leaning in to kiss him, her tongue darting in to taunt him. Eliciting a small growl of desire, she easily pulls him into a heated kiss. Slow and deliberate, each stroke of her tongue meeting his, giving him no doubt of her intentions.
"Are you sure we have to go?" he asks, his voice rich with desire. "Maybe we can send our regrets…?" His mouth slides in a slow dance of moist kisses along her throat and neck, the hint of stubble along his jaw in contrast to his tongue.
"Ah-ah…we have to be good hosts," Meredith laughs, pushing him back playfully. Derek falls to the bed, tugging her with him, covering her face with kisses as she gives in again momentarily. Feeling the unquenchable desire for him as always, and within moments he has her melting against him as if she were boneless. Making those little sounds of delight that only serve to arouse him further.
When he manages to pull away this time, he gets lost in the beguiling azure of her eyes, and he touches her cheek softly. "You're just too tempting, honey... we are fortunate to ever get anything else done..."
"Derek, it's not just the glorious sex...I just can't imagine being anywhere but with you. You are so much a part of me, my heart belongs to you, no matter what. I'm not so naïve to believe we won't ever argue, after all, eternity is a long time not to have some disagreements..." Her voice trails away, as he captures her hands.
"You are far from naïve, Meredith," Derek smiles, raising one eyebrow. "And glorious sex...really...?"
Meredith smirks at him, leaning closer again, to run her tongue along the defined muscles of his chest. "Your ego doesn't need stroking in that regard, does it?" she giggles.
"Not my ego, no...I was thinking of something else..." Derek teases, moving so gracefully and swiftly to pin her to the bed, she is lost in the magic of his kisses before she realizes it. All of his strength and experience flows over her, surrounding her in his love and ardor. Using his intimate knowledge of her body, combining touch and kiss and thought to take her into utter bliss. His mouth and hands seem to be everywhere, and without pausing even a heartbeat, he is naked and sliding into her.
You feel too good to resist... His thoughts fill her, as his body takes her hard and fast, making her cry out in response. Taking her into a deep slide of pleasure, pulsing hotly inside of her, as she clenches around him. His own deep growl of satisfaction signals how close he is to letting go of his own climax, feeling her tight heat pull him in.
Meredith arches to meet him again and again, almost unable to breathe. Her body convulses, caught in the most intense rush of pleasure, taking Derek with her. As she relaxes, catching her breath again, he kisses her gently, sprawled along the length of her damp skin, unable to do more than that.
"We will be late at this rate..." Her fingers glide over his back, relishing the heavy feel of him over her. "And it's all your fault..."
"I beg to differ..."
"Is this where we argue?" Meredith giggles again, as his hands find the ticklish spot at her waist.
"Not if I have my way..." he growls, tickling her harder, until she screams for mercy.
More than an hour later, the S600 purrs to a stop out of Savage Garden. Meredith and Cristina step outside and wait for Derek to park the car. Richard and Adele have declined to join them, deciding to visit with Thatcher instead.
"I'm so sorry we were running late to pick you up, Cris," Meredith apologizes again.
"Yeah, judging from the way Shepherd looks at you, I can understand why," Cristina smirks. "For someone who didn't even get laid before, I'd say you're making up for lost time. I'm jealous, Mer, seriously. I haven't been out on a date in so long I can't remember what it's like. Men are in short supply lately, and I don't want to get caught up in some hospital romance."
"Well, I think you'll be happy to see what this place has to offer, then."
"Men, not boys, either, please..."
By that time, Derek joins them, taking Meredith's arm possessively. Music snakes out into the night air, as Gregor holds the door of the club open for them. Cristina gives him a sidelong glance, admiring the sheer size and musculature of him. His black t-shirt is stretched over his chest, the black trousers snug on his trim hips.
"Damn, Mer…" she whispers. "You weren't kidding..."
"Welcome to our club," Gregor grins. "It's pretty busy in here tonight, but there's always room for beautiful women." He nods at Cristina and Meredith. "Enjoy…"
"Thanks, Gregor," Meredith replies, pulling Cristina away into the dim interior.
"Mer…the guy's biceps are huge…is he for real?"
"It's not steroids, if that's what you're thinking."
Derek leads the way, striding easily through the milling crowd. The music thunders, preventing further conversation, rising into a crescendo of bass that goes right to the heart. The air is thick with the scent of sweat and blood, a combination both Derek and Meredith are attuned to. They can see Mark and Alexei lounging at the bar, along with Victor and Nikolai holding court at their usual elevated booth. There are many other vampires among the crowd, their preternatural senses sharpened, watching with predatory eyes at the new mortal in their midst.
Cristina hurries to keep up, unable to keep from staring at the men in the room. As they get closer to the bar, she grabs Meredith's arm. "Meredith, what is this place? These guys all look like something out of one of those Sherrilyn Kenyon books that Izzie is always raving about. With guys named Kyrian, and Talon...Acheron..." Her head swivels again towards the band, the lead singer now crooning a slow ballad. His rich, mournful voice seemingly filling the crowded room without any effort.
"Cristina, you have no idea…" Meredith grins, then nods towards the singer. "That's Gabriel, he's amazing, isn't he?"
"Hmmm…hot is more like it…" Cristina smiles in appreciation. His blond hair shimmers with light, his body displayed to perfection in tight black pants and full, white shirt that is open to the waist. His chest is ripped and muscular, tempting every female in the room. "Is there something in the water here?"
"Not the water…" Derek smirks, catching the last part of the conversation.
"Damn, I need a drink. Do they have tequila in this place?" They stop at the bar, alongside Mark and Alexei. The bartender, a striking looking young woman, with eyes like glittering topaz, nods at Cristina.
"We have anything you desire," she purrs, her tawny hair like a rough around her face. She swings a bottle of tequila off the shelf behind her and pours a shot with a flourish. Without prompting, she pours a drink for Meredith as well, with a knowing nod.
"Cristina, you need to meet Derek's old friends," Meredith murmurs, drawing her attention to Mark and Alexei, managing to avoid drinking anything, as the bartender swiftly switches it for an empty glass. Derek winks at her, catching the subterfuge, smoothly moving closer to turn the attention to his friends.
"Mark Sloan and Alexei Karev – this is Meredith's friend from the States, Cristina Yang."
Alexei glances at Meredith, who shakes her head imperceptibly. "Ah, Meredith was telling me you are a Harley fan. You ride also?" His cool eyes take in her casual appearance, the dark red sweater and trim slacks in contrast to Meredith's golden hair and artless elegance. True to Derek's prediction, there are many of the men watching her closely. The white silk shirt flows over her slim body, the short black skirt emphasizing the length of her legs. No boots this time, but Louboutin pumps instead. Derek is a lucky man, Alexei thinks appreciatively, but knowing full well to keep those thoughts to himself. Derek would rip him, or anyone else apart, for lusting after his mate. Vampires are known to be capricious, living only for the moment and the pleasure a willing body can bring, but once they mate, their possessive nature takes over.
"I do – it's nothing fancy, but it gets me around," Cristina admits. "You know, obviously Meredith neglected to mention I was supposed to wear leather tonight," she adds, admiring the way the well worn leather pants hug Alexei's hips, and the scuffed leather jacket that has obviously seen better days. He appears laid back, yet his eyes are dangerous in the dim light, missing nothing.
"A pleasure to meet you, Cristina," Mark murmurs, moving closer, taking her hand and kissing her fingertips. Despite the little flutter that generates, Cristina finds herself looking back at Alexei. "Leather attire is not a requirement here - it's just kind of a habit," he comments with a wink. Dressed impeccably as always, in charcoal slacks and black silk shirt beneath a long leather coat, his restrained elegance opposite to Alexei's casual attire.
"Really? I've never seen this much leather and hot men combined since Izzie dragged me to a gay bar..."
Alexei laughs out loud at her comment. "Trust me, Cristina, it's not a gay bar." The way his eyes focus on her is almost disconcerting, but she shrugs.
"You have to admit, you're all unbelievably good looking, even the women..." She watches Derek lean into Meredith, the two of them seemingly so tuned to each other they were sharing in something without speaking.
"Thank you for the compliment, then," Alexei grins.
Cristina turns back to him. "Tell me about your bike - have you done any custom work to it?" Mark shrugs, his best overtures rebuffed. She gets caught up in the discussion of the pros and cons of various bikes, something that surprises Alexei. Most of the women he meets aren't interested in mechanics - hell, they weren't interested much in talking. Neither is he usually, and it is a refreshing change.
Before long, the others have drifted away, and Alexei looks around in surprise. "You seem to have been left alone with me, Cristina. Would you like to go for a ride?"
"You serious? Hell, yeah..." Cristina accepts happily.
Behave Alexei...she isn't aware of what we are yet... Meredith manages to invade his thoughts to warn him gently.
Relax, Meredith...I'll behave...Scout's honor...
Why do I have a feeling you were never a Boy Scout, Alexei?
Meredith watches them leave, looking at Derek a little worriedly. "Should I be concerned?"
"For Alexei..." Derek smirks, laughing at her little groan. "Come...Gabriel is singing a ballad again, and I have this need to dance with you..."
"Mer…isn't there something you want to tell me?" Cristina asks, folding her arms across her chest. It's the next night, and they are alone together at the penthouse. "I mean, last night was totally strange, I mean, other than meeting Alexei."
"I knew you'd hit it off with him, did he keep you out late?"
"Late enough," Cristina admits with a little smile. "But there's something going on, and I want to know what. Your boyfriend disappears at the blink of an eye, and those guys at the club were so damn perfect it's scary, and you're just not the same. Talk to me, Mer..."
"You're right, I owe you an explanation," Meredith sighs, sinking down onto the sofa that faces the wall of windows. London glitters outside, the inky night sky beckoning her. "Do you want a drink?"
"Are you having one?"
"No. But we have wine, tequila, whiskey, Scotch…" Meredith gets up and checks the bar. Nervous energy is making her restless, needing something to occupy her.
"See, you don't even drink – this is wrong." Cristina follows her, accepting a tequila shot. "Don't think I didn't catch that last night. And why haven't I seen you during the day?"
Meredith leans on the polished teak bar, gathering her thoughts. Thinking of the night that Derek told her the truth about himself, and her father. She senses Cristina's thoughts, picking up only curiosity and her usual cynical take on life. That much Meredith knows without even having to delve into the thoughts. She brushes her hair back and looks up at her friend. "I have something to tell you, and I want you to listen with an open mind."
"Mer, you know me," Cristina points out. "I have the most open mind on the planet. Just tell me what the hell is going on."
"Meredith grins at that. "You're right, as usual. Okay, my father is Thatcher van Arden, a very powerful man. He met my mother when she was here for a conference. They fell in love, and in time, I came along. Normal love story, right? Well, except for one thing – he's not a normal guy."
"Not normal. What do you mean?"
"Cristina, my father…and those of his kind…"
Cristina holds up her hand. "Wait, his kind…what is he…an alien?" Her eyebrows are up, her usual expression of disbelief.
"No….not an alien…"
"Mer, I'm not an idiot, and I won't freak out like some wimpy weakling." She grabs the bottle and pours another shot of tequila.
"Okay, you know there are a lot of things that are myths, or what we've been led to believe are myths. Legends of things that rule the night, that might be considered monsters. To my father, and now myself, they are not myths. These kinds of things exist, alongside mortals, as immortals. Vampires…"
Cristina blinks, taking the tequila down in a burning shot. Meredith can sense the rapid chain of thoughts firing through her mind. "Vampires…seriously? Like keep out of the sun, blood-sucking Dracula kind of thing? You're kidding… right?"
Meredith shakes her head. "Vampires exist, and aren't so different from humans – you'd be surprised."
"Oookay….so next you'll tell me there are werewolves, and the tooth fairy is real…"
"Um, well, I can verify the tooth fairy isn't real, but werewolves are indeed," Meredith smiles, thinking of Richard fondly. "You even know one…and the bartender at Savage Garden is a were-cat. Her eyes are so beautiful, didn't you think?"
Cristina stares at Meredith, trying to make sense of this now very strange conversation. "Wait…so your Dad is a vampire, and then Derek, and those guys, everyone at the club...Alexei?"
"Yes, Derek, Alexei, Mark...there are mortals that also frequent the place, but it is where a lot of us go..."
"…and you...I mean, does that make you…"
Meredith nods. "I didn't know anything about this though, until Derek came to find me in Seattle. My father sent him to protect me and bring me here for my birthday." She gives Cristina an abbreviated version of what has happened since then. "I became fully vampire on my birthday, and I'm still adjusting to it myself. I hope you can understand. Cristina, I've been so afraid to tell you. I'm still me…just, a little different…" Her eyes plead for Cristina to understand.
Cristina takes a deep breath, raking her hair away. "Crap…so you're…immortal? Like, not ever going to die?"
"We can be killed, by fire, or sunlight, or silver weapons, but we do heal fast from other kinds of injuries. It's really kind of cool…"
"So, how old can you live to be?"
"Well, my father is over 900 years old, and Derek is nearly 500. He was part of the Tudor court when Father transformed him…"
Cristina smirks. "Talk about your older man, jeez…" She moves away to stare out the windows, hands jammed in her pockets.
Meredith gives her some space for a moment, realizing the whirl of emotions zinging through her friend's mind. "So, are you mad?" she finally asks, coming up closer.
"I'm just…kinda speechless. And you realize that doesn't happen too often."' Cristina laughs a little. "You aren't going to bite me, are you?" She eyes Meredith, who shakes her head. "You have to, um, you know… do the blood drinking thing…?
"Yes, but it's not what you would expect…" Meredith smiles, letting a little hint of fang show.
Cristina stares at her for a moment. "Damn that looks freaky. I just need some time to process this…"
"I understand. But it's all real, trust me."
"And you're happy here, with McDreamy? Are you going to marry him? Have little vampire babies?"
"Yes, seriously, I'm happy here – Derek loves me, and we're already mated, in a different way from traditional. Babies I don't know about – it's rare in the vampire world, I'm told. For my parents to have conceived me was amazing – a perfect moment in time." Meredith touches the amulet at her throat, feeling the connection to Thatcher. "You need to meet my father, he's a kind, wise man. He loved my mother very much – can you understand why I accepted this?"
"I don't know, I need some time…" Cristina moves away, to gather her jacket and purse. Meredith dashes forward, with a speed that shocks Cristina.
"Please, Cristina…I don't want to lose our friendship over this."
"You won't lose me, Mer," Cristina sighs, raking her hair back again. "I can accept change, seriously…just give me time…"
"Okay," Meredith leans in and hugs her quickly, despite knowing Cristina's thoughts on it. "So, we're good?"
"It was never bad – I just wish you could've trusted me enough to tell me before." Cristina shrugs into her jacket, as Meredith turns away and fusses with some of the objects along the top of the polished piano. Without thinking, she picks up a small letter opener, the handle carved ivory, the blade pewter. As soon as she touches it, she is sharply aware it had belonged to Kiera. A rush of heat assails her, and she feels dizzy. She can see through Kiera's eyes again, this time seated at a mahogany desk, littered with parchment. Derek is nowhere in sight…the only sound is wind rattling the leaded casement windows.
Meredith slumps to the floor, suddenly weak, and Cristina jumps forward. Looking into her friend's eyes, shocked to see the change in her so abruptly. "Mer?" She reaches for her wrist, wondering if the pulse is the same as a normal human's. What kind of heart rate was a vampire supposed to have anyway? "Damnit…Mer, wake up!"
Lost in the vision, Meredith doesn't hear Cristina, seeing only the papers in front of her. Writing in neat letters, putting names onto a list. An open Bible lays beside her hand, where another, much more yellowed parchment is already marking a place. The quill scratches over the page, as she finishes the list, adding her son's name to the bottom. Her mother had stressed the importance of keeping the family genealogy intact, and she smiles fondly, tucking the paper away and closing the Bible.
"Mer! C'mon…someone help! Derek...damn...if you can hear me..." Cristina can do nothing except hold her friend as she shakes, her eyes flicking behind closed lids. Suddenly a rush of chill air hits her, and she sees Derek appear. Ignoring Cristina's look of surprise, he gathers Meredith into his arms. Kissing her brow softly, murmuring to her gently.
"Come, Meredith, relax…" He slides the letter opener away from her fingers, handing it over to Cristina. "She has these visions…" Derek explains. "She is linked somehow to someone from my past." There is another chilly blast, and this time, Thatcher appears.
Cristina stares at both Derek and the older, silver haired arrival. "This is getting seriously weird…" She turns the letter opener over, tracing the carved design. "Is she going to be all right?"
"Derek, we need to bring Veronique in soon – this can't continue," Thatcher says, worry creasing his face. "I know you wanted to wait, but…"
I didn't want to do it with Cristina here, but we have no choice, do we?
No…she knows what we are now. Thatcher easily senses Cristina's thoughts, her face giving away just as much as her mind is at the moment.
Derek nods in agreement. "Summon her. I want Kiera to rest…"
"Wait…who's Kiera? What about Meredith…?" Cristina demands.
"My dear, it's a long and complicated story, and we aren't even sure of all the details," Thatcher says soothingly, touching Cristina's hand. "But you are her friend, she needs you to accept this change in her, and be supportive. Can you do that?" His compelling black eyes meet hers, and Cristina finds herself nodding slowly. "Good. I will summon Veronique, and Richard and Adele will attend as well."
"Attend what, sir?" Cristina has to ask.
"The ritual of putting a restless spirit to rest." And with a gentle smile that encompasses them both, Thatcher is gone again.