Chapter 33: Trouble in Paradise

Within the small bedroom, where Meredith had spent so many hours of her young life alone, she now stretches languidly, feeling the sweet ache of desire bubble in her. Squeezed together in the cramped space of her old bed, their bodies touching everywhere possible, she doesn't want to move too far from Derek. "Are you happy we did this?" she asks softly. Again, the sheets and pillows are in a twisted confusion around them, attesting to the urgency of their earlier passion.

"This…as in making love with you?" Derek teases her, his fingers tangling in her hair again, as he shifts the pillow beneath his head with his other hand. "If so, then yes, very happy…I thought you could tell." His hips flex against her, indicating he is so very ready for more.

"No, I mean about the whole wedding, smartass…" Meredith taps him lightly on his chest.

"Oh, we're back to that term of endearment again..." Derek sighs. "And here I was the love of your life when I was making you cum..."

Meredith giggles softly, as he gives her a mock look of disappointment. "And a glorious job you were doing with that, baby..."

"Mmm...baby, much better..." Derek's hand slides along her back, finding the little ticklish spot at her ribcage so that she giggles harder, begging for mercy. He stops and kisses her temple. "Yes, of course I'm happy. And I love you to distraction, so knowing you are now Meredith Shepherd for the rest of eternity is all I want." Derek kisses her fingertips, one by one. "No one can part us; no vampire or mortal can come between us."

"Why does that sound ominous?" Meredith raises her head to catch his eyes, searching for something out of the ordinary.

"It's not…" Derek works to keep his thoughts on her, not on any kind of trouble. There would be time enough to discuss that later. "Now, can we stop discussing this and just enjoy our time here?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"I would like to start with your mouth and move my way along your luscious body… making you shake and scream my name. And even as you cum, you are ready for more."

Meredith feels a reflexive shudder at his words, and the mental images to go along with it. He moves swiftly, so that she is over him, supported easily by his arms. Her hair falls around him, lavender scented, mixing with her sweet female essence. Heat simmers between them, their eyes meeting in gold. Her mouth hovers above his, light and sweet, as she moves over him. Flicking her tongue along his lip, teasing him with the thought of where she might be going. Her breasts graze his chest, as he slides against her.

Before he can claim her mouth, though, she eludes him, with a naughty giggle. He gives a little soft growl of frustration, until she plants a warm kiss on his navel. Her intentions clear, making her way lower. The scrape of her sharp little fangs against him makes him clench in anticipation and desire. Knowing she is careful, yet the action is dangerous enough to arouse him. Now she nips him, soothing away any hint of pain with her tongue immediately.

Her fingertips skim along his hips and thighs, dancing a prelude to her warm mouth. The fall of her hair trails along his belly, and he moves it away, watching her eagerly. Her tongue darts over him, sliding along the hard length, tantalizing him with the damp warmth of her mouth. She is so utterly erotic, so giving and sweet, it makes Derek shudder at the sight of her. Her small sounds of pleasure against his aroused cock adds to his desire, and he can already sense her increased pulse. The aromatic perfume of her body engulfs him. He can see the gold coming to life in her eyes, as she flicks her gaze up at him, her talented tongue nearly making him undone.

My hot sexy wife…you are taking me away…

Then you can scream my name…

With a ragged breath, Derek pulls her upwards, sliding along his body, his cock hard and demanding between them. She straddles his hips, giving him just as much as he gives her, her palms flat on his torso as he rises up to meet her. Sliding so quickly and smoothly, he is inside of her before any other thought takes hold. And their thoughts are joined, each of them knowing exactly what the other wants. Meredith is eager and wicked in her movements, driving him almost insane, sliding away from him and then capturing him again, deeper every time. He can feel the clench of her sweet core around him, as she pants and cries out his name, the orgasm making her lose focus.

Derek takes advantage of her moment of weakness and brings her beneath him. "Now love…my turn…" He slides out of her momentarily, kissing her breasts, marking her belly now with a scrape of fang, licking at her wetness with sure long strokes. Playing his hands over her sensitive skin, making her delighted cries turn richer and more vibrant.

"Derek…you are making me crazy…"

Derek reached to hold her tightly, driving into her again. "Good, then we are even, sweetheart…" Each thrust is slow and possessive, over and over again, holding his own need back. Even as her body hugs him into her, her wetness and heat decadent and glorious, he is not ready to come. "We are well matched…you are so perfect…" His thumb grazes across her clit, finding the sensitive nerves, slowing his hips to add the right amount of touch and thrust until she is screaming.

Meredith reaches for him, pulling him close, desperate for his kiss. Her body convulses, as she meets his tongue in a very erotic dance to match his cock. Now Derek…in the heat of the moment…you are mine forever…

Willingly yours…

In that moment, they are overwhelmed with the climax, her muscles contracting around him, in heat beyond anything else. His own release is explosive and raging with potent desire in the fulfillment of this moment. Too perfect and sweet, he rocks against her, reluctant to let her go.

Meredith clings to him, her own body weak, unable to formulate any coherent thought. Her face buries against his neck, as the aftershocks of their passion still fire along her nerves.

We seem to find new heights of intensity...

...and new ways to make each other satisfied...

Derek's body still covering her, he takes her hands and holds her tightly. "Shall we see what other ways we can come up with then, love?" He gives her a wicked smile, before kissing her again.

Alexei and Cristina have been walking along the quiet garden paths outside the house for a while, talking about things they discover they have in common. He has kept his distance, wanting to give her the space she needs. Her thoughts are giving off distinctly confusing impressions, and he isn't sure where this will lead. If anywhere.

The air is warm and damp, stars beginning to poke through the clouds. His hand touches her arm as she stumbles over a small rock, and she is startled to find the unexpected touch arousing. "Damn..." she murmurs, stopped to take off her sandals, rubbing her foot where the rock had poked against the thin sole of the shoe. "Can we sit for a minute?"

"No problem," Alexei assures her, quickly lifting her onto the low stone wall surrounding the pathway. He swings up beside her, just close to touch his shoulder against her, sitting in companionable silence for a moment.

"So, what are you doing after this?" she asks finally. "Going home?"

"Home…I suppose so."

She leans slightly against his arm. "You don't seem too sure. Isn't London home?"

"For now." Alexei moves closer, one hand on her arm, so that she turns to look at him. Closer still until his mouth is nearly touching hers again. "I don't really settle long in one place. Derek and Mark are good friends, as vampires go, so London has been comfortable." He shrugs lightly. "I can leave anytime."

Cristina reaches up one hand to graze his face. "Do you get lonely?"

Alexei grins. "Never, just bored, which can be trouble. But I have to admit, you have been in my thoughts since we parted."

"Must be my charming personality."

"You're more than charming, Cristina. You are damnably arousing, opinionated and you drive me crazy. Why I bother even thinking of you is beyond me."

"So, don't think, just kiss me."

Alexei grins briefly again, his fangs gleaming wickedly. "You got it baby." His mouth makes contact, as her arms go around his neck. Heat and sharp desire flare along her nerves as she responds. Ready for him this time, giving just as much as she gets, tongue and teeth in a wild kiss that takes them both out of control. His hands glide along the silk of her gown, over her hips, cupping her against him hard. Her pulse and her blood are calling to him, but he restrains, careful to keep from touching her with his fangs.

"Damn, Cristina…" he rumbles, sliding the tiny straps of her gown off her shoulders. "You make me crazy. I want you so much, but I can't go there." But his mouth glides over her skin, sending goose bumps along her spine.

"Why not?" she breathes, aflame for him.

"You made it clear last time…" he starts, kissing her throat, the pulse beneath his mouth dancing madly.

"I was wrong. I admit it, I was wrong…" Cristina gasps, ready to surrender. In a swift movement, Alexei sweeps them off the wall, his powerful arms surrounding her, lifting her up off her feet.

"Is that a yes?" he asks, holding her against his muscular chest. Inhaling the scent of cinnamon and spices that surrounds her.

"Damn yes…" Cristina hisses. "what else does it take?"

"Nothing else, babe…" Alexei sweeps her away, taking her into the night, before she changes her mind.

"Tell me what you and Mark were discussing, and what my father was hiding," Meredith says firmly, pulling her hair away from her face. The night is ticking away into dawn, and they are spent and drowsy in the little cocoon of her bedroom.

Derek lazily sifts the strands of her hair along his fingers. "There is a possibility of some trouble brewing. From a faction in Russia."

"What? Why now?"

"Quite honestly, I'm not sure. But there is a female vampire in St. Petersburg that is raising concerns about you."

"Me?"

Derek sighs. "Just that you are, rather were, half mortal."

"But that's insane. Derek…why?"

"Hush, love. It's nothing, I'm sure. Nathalia is more talk than action."

Meredith raises one eyebrow. "You know her that well?"

"It was nothing. Just a passing fancy. I felt at the time she was too volatile, and I refused to get further involved with her. It was a very, very long time ago, sweetheart." Derek soothes her, his voice calm. "Mark knows her as well, and he felt a ripples of something at the chapel."

"Wait…I felt it too, and I caught a flash of red hair. I thought Dr. Montgomery was there."

Derek frowns. "What do you know about her?"

"Not much. She arrived from New York not too long before you came to Seattle for me. Is there some connection?" Meredith tries to recall the few times their paths crossed at Seattle Grace, but it hadn't been often.

"I do not know, love. But if you saw Dr. Montgomery in the daylight, then it can't be the same person." Derek pulls her closer against, within his embrace. He kisses her temple, sensing her slowing heartbeat, with the beginning of the daylight. "Whatever it is, Thatcher is well aware of it. And we will deal with it."

"I hope you are right," Meredith sighs sleepily. "I love you."

"I love you. Sleep well." Derek holds her lightly, his senses alert for any kind of intrusion. Despite his calm words, he is still on guard, and after the day sleep claims Meredith, he eases away from the bed. He can wait awhile longer yet and will sleep better knowing the house is secure.

He prowls the quiet rooms, a vague sense of unease touching him. The preternatural rippling along his skin bothers him. Thatcher? Touching the amulet at his throat, he waits for a response. The sky is nearly fully light, birds chirping already outside, as he checks the doors and windows once more.

But there is no response from Thatcher, and Derek heads back up to the bedroom. This could be nothing, but he wishes he had some of his weapons here. Nathalia could be a vindictive woman, and he has no desire to meet her unarmed. He settles back on the bed, lacing his fingers with Meredith, as the sleep claims him as well.

Thatcher starts to rise from the bed, only to be held back by a soft hand. "Cherie, don't leave. There is still time before dawn." Sweet and seductive, Veronique coaxes him to stay. But his senses are tuned to something cold and evil and he gives her a small smile.

"Love, not that you aren't tempting enough, but I'm afraid there is something else more pressing at the moment. Something is out there."

Veronique sits up beside him, her thick black curls tumbling around her creamy shoulders. Her violet eyes catch his in the dark. "You're right, of course. I can sense it too now." Her ears pick up the sound of approaching footsteps, the signature scent not of their coven. The hour is close to dawn, enough time to signal a vampire attack.

Thatcher is already up and dressed, ready to move. "Nathalia and others…" He points to the door. Veronique dresses in the blink of an eye, wrapping her hands around a small knife to strap to her ankle. He can hear Derek calling to him, but Thatcher blocks his thoughts for the moment. No need to interrupt their wedding night. He and Veronique glide silently along the hallway, heading for the main floor. Ribbons of soft light are beginning to peek through the slatted blinds, and they weave carefully into the shadows. He nods towards the family room, now littered with the debris of the reception. The drapes at the French doors have been pushed aside, and shafts of light fall across the polished hardwood floor. Floor that is spattered with blood, with more seeping from two bodies sprawled there.

"Merde…"Veronique hisses. The sun is already blackening the limbs, already eating away the bodies. "Why…?"

Thatcher shakes his head, the amulet at his throat had just pulsed and gone cold. Indicating the deaths of these two. Too late to save them, and he looks around carefully. From behind the curtains, the red-haired female vampire appears, followed by three male companions. "Ready to die, old one? Just like these two fools?"

Thatcher smiles thinly, crossing his arms. "You are the fool, Nathalia. You don't have enough power to fight me."

"Where is your half-blood daughter?"

"Not here. And you will die before you touch one hair on her head."

"You may be correct, but when the sun sets and there are more dead are burning in it, you will realize the error of making me angry."

Veronique hisses behind Thatcher. "Child, you are so wrong. There is no need for this."

"I won't stand for a half-blood child to take over."

"She is just as much a vampire as you. And bonded with Derek, there is no doubt of her heritage." Thatcher waits patiently. "Do not do this, Nathalia."

"Derek Shepherd…" Nathalia grins, fangs flaring white. "Respect him, do you? He doesn't deserve that – he graced my bed enough times to be a liar about his faithfulness."

Thatcher snarls, raising his arm. "I will not listen to your lies. He is my son-in-law, as well as bonded with Meredith in blood."

"She is nothing – a weakling."

Thatcher unleashes his full fury on her then, reaching out with a powerful force that knocks her off her feet. She lands against the wall, as the ones with her scramble to get out of the way. With a strangled curse, she gets to her knees, glaring up at Thatcher from beneath the fall of coppery hair that covers her face. "I do not give up."

"Out of my sight – you are banished…"

"You will be sorry for not taking me seriously." She laughs evilly, before gathering herself, and disappearing out of the room, leaving only a swirl of air and the scent of evil. The others with her follow quickly, leaving Thatcher and Veronique with the dead.

"Mon dieu, such anger. And these two young ones did nothing to deserve this."

Thatcher nods. "Ethan and David, two of Derek's protégés from London – obviously no match for her power.'

"Such a waste."

"Thank god Meredith wasn't here. She will need to be told tonight. I sensed Derek's thoughts earlier, but kept him shielded." Thatcher hates to have Meredith dragged into another round of danger, after all that happened with Michelangelo.

"Oui, and we need to keep any others from being harmed." The sun is growing stronger, and they both move quickly to shroud the two bodies in the rug, rolling them out of the light. Their own skin stings from the searing touch as they perform the task, just enough to add to their anger.

But Thatcher touches her arm gently, after they settle the dead ones out of sight. "Time to rest, Ver. We have a long, busy time ahead of us."

Alexei eases away from Cristina, grabbing his pants from the floor. She rolls closer, hooking her fingers in the belt loops as he sits down again to pull on his boots. "You have to leave, I know. And I'm okay with that, seriously."

Turning easily, moving to kneel beside her, Alexei searches her eyes for sign of reluctance. "No regrets?"

"No…in fact, I can't remember being so totally turned inside out from being with a guy. I'm going to demand an apology from every other guy I've been with, for being so inadequate."

Alexei grins at her, leaning in to kiss her. "I aim to please, babe."

"Oh, you succeed, babe…" Cristina replies happily. "Look, I'm not the kind of girl who wants a long term thing. So, don't think you have to hang around and worry about me."

Alexei cups her cheek. "You will hear from me again, that I promise. You're special to me, Cristina, and I won't hurt you. Can you trust me?"

"Yes." Cristina closes her eyes as he kisses her forehead softly, and then he is gone, leaving the room in a wash of cool air. She curls under the sheets again, holding the pillow - whether he touched her to ease her memory of him or not, she is completely relaxed. Smiling softly to herself, drifting to sleep…

The sun is setting again, the shadows shrouding the city in gentle darkness. Meredith opens her eyes, finding Derek already awake and dressed beside her. "What is it?" she asks, sensing some emotional turmoil beneath his usually calm expression.

"We need to return to London. Immediately."

"But…tell me what's wrong first." Meredith takes his hand, searching his face for a clue, then trying to get his thoughts.

Derek closes his eyes briefly. "There has been trouble – the death of two young vampires at the house where Thatcher is staying." He squeezes her hand. "Your father is fine, but we need to get home. Before something else happens."

Meredith falls against his solid chest. "Thank god Father is safe, but I thought you said Nathalia wasn't going to be a problem. It is her, isn't it?"

He nods shortly. "Obviously, I was mistaken. Thatcher didn't expect it either, or he didn't want to concern you last night. I'm sorry." He kisses her hair, relaxing slightly in her embrace.

"What are you sorry for?"

"For taking this too lightly. If you had been hurt, or worse…I felt something was wrong…" Derek buries his hands in her hair, thankful she is still safe. Then his ears pick up the sound of Mark approaching, and he kisses her lips softly. "Go, get dressed and ready. Mark will be here in a few moments, and we can all go to Thatcher together."

"Is he bringing weapons?" she asks, returning his kiss before scrambling lithely out of bed.

"You have to ask?" Derek raises one eyebrow, admiring the trim curves peeking from the sheet she draped around her.

"I guess this means the honeymoon is over?" Meredith pauses at the door, giving him a little smile. Tossing her sleep rumpled hair over her shoulder as she waits for his answer, she looks delectable and sweet.

"Trust me, not for long," Derek assures her. Only the fact that Mark is nearly there keeps him from following her to the bathroom and joining her in the shower.

"Good…" Her soft giggle despite the situation makes him smile.

"Just hurry, love…"