Chapter 2: Breaking the Ice

Meredith's eyes roamed over the heads of her new staff as she replaced Dr. Webber behind the rostrum. Her levels of adrenaline were rising. She was facing her challenge and she felt wonderful, she loved challenges.

"Oh God," breathed Cristina. "Doctor Model! They must be kidding us!"

"Looks very competent to me," chuckled Mark, not taking his eyes off Meredith and her perfectly styled hair.

When she opened her lips to speak, the tone of her voice surprised them no less than her physique. It was firm, uncompromising and probably lethal to anyone who would dare to raise an objection.

Meredith's speech didn't take long, she limited herself to the absolute essentials.

"Thank you for the introduction, Dr. Webber. Ladies and gentlemen, surgeons of this hospital, it is with a great satisfaction that I take up the function of Chief of Surgery at Seattle Grace. I am aware that this hospital enjoys a considerable repute. However, there is no doubt in my mind that we can find room for improvement. I'll acquaint you with my plan of development at the end of the week when I have got myself acquainted with the local rhythm of work.

"Not to prolong our meeting unnecessarily," she added, "I expect every head of department to hand a detailed report by the end of the day. Thank you for your attention."

Then there was time for the chairman of the board to say a few words and after a short while the meeting came to an end.

"Did you just hear that?" asked Cristina contemptuously. "She's already bossing us around."

If Derek wasn't in shock before, he certainly was now. He couldn't believe his eyes. He lost to a girl that couldn't possibly have any experience. What was Webber thinking? Was he thinking at all?"

He got to his feet along with everyone in the auditorium. Report, he snorted inwardly, no way I'm going to report to her. It was high time Webber explained himself. Derek's eyes sought the Chief's graying head. He hurried towards the door where Richard was engrossed in conversation with Doctor Grey.

"Shep," he was greeted by Webber. "Meet your new Chief, Dr. Meredith Grey, an excellent neurosurgeon, just like you. Meredith, that's Derek Shepherd I've told you about, our head of neurosurgical department."

"It's nice to meet you," said Meredith, taking in the sight before her.

"It's nice to meet you, too, Dr. Grey," was his polite answer.

Meredith tried to keep her composure while the thoughts in her head were swirling at the top speed. He was hot; no, actually, he was sex on legs.

When their hands met in a firm shake, Meredith felt an electric charge running through her body. Strong, decisive hands… I'm sure he can do wonders with them, not only while cutting a brain…

"Meredith, could you excuse us for a second and wait for me in my-" Richard smiled nostalgically, "your office? I need to exchange a few words with Dr. Shepherd, but I'll be right back with you."

Very reluctantly, Meredith nodded and departed. She would rather stay to admire the blue-eyed doctor…

You shouldn't think that way about your subordinates! Subordinates…

With a smile plastered on her face, she entered her new office and looked around. It was all hers now! She took off her jacket and put on the lab coat with her name and position that was waiting for her, folded on the desk. It was weird how it all fell into place when she wore it, a simple piece of work clothing. M.D Meredith Grey Chief of Surgery…

Her mind wandered to dark-haired Dr. Shepherd. She glanced innocently at the computer on her desk. She already knew the password to personal files of her staff…

Richard Webber was worried with the look on Derek's face. He knew all too well his former student and employee. The neurosurgeon was civil and professional but that was just the problem. Derek had a warm personality and a sense of humor and with arrogance proper to neurosurgeons regarded doctors of his specialty as a different breed, but it was obvious he didn't feel a connection with Meredith Grey.

When the two of them were alone he sighed, "Derek, what is going on?"

"What do you mean?" asked Derek coldly.

"You're not yourself. Tell me what is wrong."

Derek glared at Richard. He respected him, he didn't want to spoil his last day at Seattle Grace, but he couldn't pretend any longer and block the words that were hanging in the air.

"Fine," he said harshly. "What is going on, Richard, is me wanting the answer from you; the answer why you chose her over me."

"Derek, you're a talented surgeon, a professional-"

"Just cut it; you chose her. Why wasn't I competent for the job?"

"You were," replied complacently Richard.

"But she was more?" asked Derek disbelievingly. "A girl without experience, probably more interested in clothes than-"

"You don't see it yet-"

"Then explain it to me!" spat Derek.

Webber's voice turned authoritative, "I believe she can give this hospital more than any other candidate. Don't judge her before you get to know her. Do you think I would entrust my hospital to incapable hands?"

Derek fixed his stare at Webber's determined face. He knew the Chief loved the hospital like his own child. Still, his decision was incomprehensible.

"Just give her a chance. All of you, give her a chance."

Meredith was standing on the staircase landing with her arms firmly gripping the balustrade. Overlooking the lobby, her spot was a perfect place for observation of her new staff. A lot of the doctors were still in the lobby, where they gathered to see off their retiring Chief.

Yes, Richard Webber left the hospital premises about five minutes ago, leaving Meredith the sole empress of the empire.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Addison closing in, already in her brand-new lab coat.

She greeted Meredith with a smile, "So, how does it feel like to be the person pulling all the strings? You're ok?"

"Never better," Mer was breathless. "I've never felt such a high, you know. Not even when we accidentally smoked weed instead of cigarettes on our first day on the campus."

Addison laughed at the memory, "Is that possible?"

She followed Meredith's gaze and exclaimed, "Captain, I see some very hot stuff at the horizon!"

"Dr. Montgomery," hissed Meredith. "Stop ogling my employees!"

"Like you were doing something else," snorted the redhead. "Seriously, Mer, who would have guessed that we were going to find such hot specimen in Seattle. Oh, the one with the mousy hair! Oh God, and the one beside him! And another, oh that one's cute, too; not our usual choice though."

Mer cleared her throat, but she was grinning, "So, the first two examples of fine specimen are actually from New York – Dr. Derek Shepherd, head of neuro, and Dr. Mark Sloan, head of plastics. Three years ago, they sold their practices in the Big Apple and came here. I don't know who the third is but the cute one's George O'Malley, from general."

"So many hot men at your feet; I'm jealous," said Addie with a longing in her voice but a sudden thought popped in her head. "Wait a sec, how do you know all that?"

"I skimmed their files," Mer curved her lips innocently. "I've got to know my staff."

"Uh-huh," tutted Addie. "Spill, who do you have the hots for?"

Mer attempted to give her a reproving look but failed miserably.

"Ok, I'll guess myself! Must be one of the two, you took the trouble to dig through the papers…" Addie frowned and considered the choice.

"Got it! Did you say Dr. Derek Shepherd, head of neuro? You have common passion!"

"I would so hit you right now if I wasn't a serious professional Chief!"

"Yeah, you have to be careful with the pushing and shoving," chortled Addie. "I might take you to court for that, manhandling your employees." They both laughed.

"But let's get back to the brain man-"

"Don't call him brain man!" huffed Meredith. "Sounds like rain man!"

"Oh, you're so after him," Addie gave her friend a knowing smile. "In that case, it's time for…"

"No!" objected Mer violently. "Absolutely not! We're not giving any nicknames; it might fall under harassment at the workplace thing."

"Cut it out, Mer."

"I said-" her lips twitched. "Fine," she gave in.

"Ok, let's think…" Addison tensed up in concentration. "Lots of dark hair… McHairy? Definitely not…"

Mer grimaced her face in disgust, "I think the jet lag is finally catching up with you."

"Shut up! I'm thinking of something original here! The nose is detracting me; his plastic friend could help him out…"

"There's nothing wrong with his nose!" Meredith defended ardently Derek Shepherd's breathing organ.

"First stage of infatuation; you don't notice any faults," diagnosed expertly Addie. "Be silent for a minute, I'm still thinking."

"Oh, I can see how much effort it costs you."

"Where was I? We rejected the hair… Wait, wait! He's just smiled! Mhhhm, he's charming. McCharmy… no… Mc Dreamy! That's it, McDreamy!"

"McDreamy," Mer tested the nickname.

"It's perfect," Addie summed up. "Now, it's your turn, take his friend. We could double-date."

"Addie!"

"Mer!"

The latter rolled her eyes. "Fine! He's tall, hot, with a stub… It's not that easy. Hold on! He's flirting with a nurse! McSteamy! By the way, Addie, it doesn't bode well…"

"We're gonna have so much fun here," said Addie.

"Yeah, maybe. I guess I haven't taken into consideration that little disadvantage of being a Chief. It would look really unprofessional if I started to flirt with my subordinates. I should have thought about it before," complained Meredith.

Addie gave a hearty laugh, "Since when have you been afraid of a little challenge?"

"Challenge is my second name," replied Meredith resolutely.