Chapter 35: Shangri-La.

Derek spun around. He wasn't sure he had heard her correctly. "You want me to sleep in here? With you."

"…I don't want you to go Derek."

Derek walked back over to the bed and said, "You need your sleep, Meredith. You've had a terrible day. As much as I want…" Fuck! He wanted her from day one and now she was in his bed…

She said softly, "I know Derek. I mean can you sleep, sleep with me?"

Derek laughed and said, "I thought you meant..."

Meredith giggled lowly, "I want that too. When I'm not…like this. Exhausted, drained, and weak. I just…could you just hold me?"

"Of course. Let me go find some pajamas. I normally sleep naked."

Meredith groaned, "Don't tease me, I'll get wet!"

Derek pulled out a tee shirt and some pajama bottoms and said, "You're the tease. Asking me to sleep with you! I'll be right back." He walked into the bathroom to change.

He came out quickly and turned out the light. He got into the bed and pulled the duvet over them. She was lying on her side, and he pulled her close to spoon her. She sighed as she snuggled into him. She thought pure heaven. He nuzzled her neck and breathed her in. He thought, this was going to be a long night. He intertwined her hand with his and whispered, "Good night Meredith." She whispered back, "Thanks again. Night Derek." He listened for a few moments and felt her body completely relax. She was out cold. He lied there wide awake with his hard cock poking her ass sensing it was close to Shangri-La.

Meredith woke once in the night and nuzzled closer to him if that was possible. The only word she could think of was blissful. When the alarm went off, she didn't move. He groaned and reached over her to turn it off. Her warm, soft body was nestled up against his and he didn't want to move. He knew he had to wake her up soon, but just relished the feeling for a little while. He gently ran a hand over her curvy hip and thigh.

Meredith wasn't awake, but she wasn't asleep either. She was somewhere in-between. She vaguely heard the rain and felt a sense of complete contentment. She felt safe, warm, secure, and loved. She snuggled further into the bed.

Derek chuckled as he felt her nestle into the bed and him. Meredith was obviously not a morning person. He found a spot on the back of her neck and started kissing and sucking her sweet skin. He heard her moan loudly and sigh. He didn't want their first time to be a quickie, but in this moment, with her moaning and his morning wood, he was ready for anything. Damn, she smelled good!

Meredith slowly opened her eyes as she felt his hard body behind her and his lips working magic on her neck. She would have preferred that their first time not be a quickie, but he was making her toes curl and her pussy ache. She slowly rolled over to face him.

They both smiled and gazed into each other's eyes. She smirked and asked lowly, "Is this the part where Mark bursts into the room?"

Derek chuckled and said, "I've trained him well. He always knocks. But I didn't lock the door."

"I wish…"

His lips were inches from hers. "What do you wish Meredith?"

"I wish I didn't have to get out of this bed. I wish I didn't have to go be an intern. I wish I didn't have to make decisions about my mother that I'm not prepared to make. We're adults. When did that happen? How do we make it stop?"

"I wish I could make love to you all day and have amazing sex that would make you forget about your troubles."

"Amazing huh? Pretty full of yourself, aren't you?"

"He said confidently, "I am. Thank you Meredith."

She asked confused," For what? I should be thanking you. For…"

"Thank you for confiding in me about your mom. Thank you for letting me in. Thank you for letting me take care of you."

She moved her head slightly so that her forehead touched his.

"It's…always been hard to let people in. To let anyone help me. To let anyone care. I guess I don't so that I won't be disappointed when they leave."

He gazed into her eyes and said, "I won't disappoint you Mer and I won't ever leave. No matter how much you push…I'm going to push you back."

Derek glanced at the clock and sighed. He said, "Meredith. You really need to get up now. Are you feeling better?" Shit! They didn't have time, or she'd be late.

She replied, "Yes. The shower, the food, and the good night's sleep did wonders. I feel so much better." Shit! They didn't have time, or she'd be late. She couldn't afford to be late.

He tapped her nose and asked, "How about the attitude? Ready to go back to work?"

"Yeah. I know it's what we do Derek. But…"

"Some days are better than others." He smoothed her hair back.

He tossed the covers off and got out of bed. She tried not to look but couldn't help herself. Even in his pajama bottoms. That was a big tent! Jeez! She wouldn't just be late. She'd be AWOL for days! He grabbed his robe and said, "I'll give you some privacy to get ready. I'll be downstairs. Do you want breakfast up here?"

She said, "No. I am good Derek. I'll meet you downstairs."

"Are you okay if you run into Mark? He usually gets up early. But I can lock him in his room if you like."

She giggled and said, "Yeah. I'm better today. Last night…I just wasn't…I didn't want to see anybody. I didn't want anybody to see how…"

"I understand Meredith. I'll see you in a few." He closed the door and Meredith sat up in the bed and looked around. She could get used to this as she wiggled her toes. She got out of bed and started getting ready. Shit! She didn't have a lot of time.

Derek made coffee and started making breakfast. He wanted her to have a good one before she left. He flipped on the TV to catch the news and the weather report. Mark walked in and poured himself some coffee.

"Is Meri still here?"

"Yeah. She should be down shortly."

"Do you want me to go back upstairs until she leaves?"

"That won't be necessary. She's better this morning. Just lay off any wise cracks please."

Thunder and a little lightening shook the house and Derek said, "Hey. I need you to do me a favor."

"Sure. What do you need?"

Derek handed Mark keys and said, "Go over to Mer's house and get her car and pull it into our garage."

Mark whined, "Why? It's pouring out."

"I know. I don't want her to get wet."

Mark asked, "But it's okay if I get soaked and maybe electrified?"

Derek laughed and said, "Pretty much. And besides you owe me big time."

Mark snorted, "Why is that?"

"I went jogging yesterday morning and Meredith thought I was an attacker. She stomped on my instep and kneaded me in the groin and I went down like a brick!"

Mark grimaced and said, "Oh fuck!"

"Yeah."

"Why is this my fault?"

He said simply, "Because you made Meri think the park was a scary place and besides, I can't blame her for hurting me and she can't blame me for scaring her. So, we blame you."

Mark scowled, "Why do I get blamed for everything?" He snagged a sausage link out of the frying pan.

Derek said sharply, "Hey! Those are for Meredith! And I got my balls kicked in!"

Mark sighed and said, "So I'm going across the street now. You at least are going to feed me, right?"

Derek grumbled, "I guess so."

Mark grabbed the keys and left. He was back in a few minutes as Derek was pouring batter onto the griddle.

Derek laughed as Mark was drenched. "Fuck! I think the skies opened up more just as I walked out the door."

"You could have taken an umbrella."

Mark frowned, "Not very manly. So, you went down screaming like a girl huh?" He poured more coffee to warm up.

Derek grimaced as he remembered, "She's tiny but she packs a punch. There was no screaming, but I did lie on the ground for a while. Until this elderly lady and her dog ruined the moment."

Mark raised an eyebrow as he grabbed a towel and ran it over his head. They both looked up as Meredith walked into the kitchen.

Meredith said shyly, "Good morning." She sat her bag down.

Mark said brightly, "Good morning beautiful."

Derek said, "Sit down Mer. Breakfast is almost ready."

She giggled and asked, "Do you guys eat like this every morning?" She saw the stack of pancakes and sausages warming on a plate on the stove. She lightly licked her lips.

Mark said, "No! Just when Derek wants to impress someone. Coffee?"

Meredith sat down and said, "Um….okay."

Derek poured juice for everyone and put the food on the table. "Dig in everybody."

Meredith smiled slightly and said, "You are going to spoil me."

Derek winked at her as he sat down, "Nothing wrong with that."

As Meredith quickly ate, she asked, "Are you working today?"

Derek replied, "Yeah, but not until eight."

Mark said, "Yeah. Me too. Bankers' hours."

Meredith sighed and said, "Must be nice. Jeez Derek. These are really good."

Derek smirked and said, "I have all kinds of hidden talents."

Meredith blushed a little and Mark rolled his eyes. "Okay. You two are making me gag here a little."

Derek said, "Hey. No one said you had to stay."

Meredith finished quickly and said, "I should get going. With the rain and everything. Derek. I can't thank you enough. For everything." She stood up as did Derek. She walked her dishes over to the sink and Derek put some things in her bag quickly.

He poured coffee for her into a thermal cup.

She turned around and asked, "I think you still have my keys."

He grabbed them off the counter and said, "Here you go. Here is some coffee to go. Your car is in our garage. So you won't get wet.

She looked at him incredulously and then over to mark whose clothes were still damp.

She smiled and said, "You guys are the best!" She collected her bag and walked into the garage. Derek hit the door opener and Meredith got into her car. "Thanks again Derek. I'll see you at work?"

"For sure Mer. Have a good day."

He watched her back out and closed the garage door. As he came back into the kitchen Mark said, "You know. She's gonna get wet getting into the hospital."

Derek started cleaning up and said, "The news says the rain is almost over."

Mark sighed and said, "Well. I am going to take a long hot shower, so I don't get pneumonia!"

Derek smirked and said, "Don't worry. I'll make sure you get that student nurse Shonda to take care of you. You know. Give you sponge baths and such.

"Hah! She doesn't know her ass from her esophagus! She'd probably use bleach instead of water!"

"So, I'm guessing you had better stay healthy."

"Yeah. Yeah." He went upstairs as Derek finished cleaning up.

As Meredith drove into the parking lot, the rain stopped and she got an upfront space. She thought, maybe this will be a better day. She smiled as she remembered waking up with Derek. He was a god! She wanted to wake up with him every day.