Chapter 50: Is It Time to Tell People?

It was about ten p.m. and the corridor was empty. Meredith stood up on the tips off her toes as much as her high heels allowed her to and started to creep towards Gretchen's office. The dark-haired doctor insisted to have late night brainstorm with her coworkers, but Meredith wasn't born yesterday. Plus, you didn't meet a man like Derek Shepherd every day, Miles would probably waste no time in catching him in her clutches.

She was Meredith's complete opposite, both in body and character. She was taller, broader, dark-haired, and adding to all that, smiley, flirty and giggly. What a whore… thought Meredith dryly. But she remarked with relief that she was also older and was much closer to getting all wilted and wrinkled.

"I walked over there two minutes ago, and I assure they weren't fornicating," Bailey's sarcastic comment made her jump and grasp the wall for support.

"You scared me to death!" accused Meredith rearranging her clothes and hair to save some dignity. But hell, she was more interested in something else. "What were they doing?"

Bailey frowned but took pity on her and said, "He was reading scans while she was trying to show him leg. What a waste of time, in my opinion, there were her assistants anyway."

"What a brainless slut!" huffed Meredith pacing up and down.

"Isn't she," nodded Bailey. "Drooling over Shepherd…"

"Yeah!" exclaimed Meredith.

"… on her first day at work…" went on Miranda stoically.

"Damn right!"

"Probably anxious to drag him to the nearest supply closet…"

"Exactly! Wait!" Meredith's head whipped at her. "What? I'm not anything like her! I love him!"

Bailey's expression softened and she sighed, "He's completely besotted with you. He doesn't want to do anything with her other than professionally. He would have to be stupid and blind, which he's not. But don't tell him I said that. And… trust him."

"I do," she breathed out. Did she really? "It's her I don't trust!"

"You could always let more people in our little secret circle," remarked Bailey offhand. "Dropping a hint around a nurse will do the trick."

Meredith's eyes went wide.

"You've already used the nurse gossip system quite effectively today," snorted Miranda.

"I… didn't," Meredith shook her head frowning.

"You sure?" chuckled the plump doctor. "You might not want to face your lover boy tonight."

Meredith stared at her retreating back wondering what she meant.

Meredith yawned, her head almost slipping from her palm onto her desk. She rubbed her eyes. Eleven p.m., she could've been home hours ago, but she chose to wait for Derek. She suspected it was going to be a long three months…

The door opened impetuously, and he stormed in.

"Thank God, you're finished," said Meredith getting to her feet and reaching for her briefcase. "I'm dreaming of a hot shower and bed."

"Not so fast," he stood firmly with his arms folded defensively across his chest. "We've got something to talk about."

Meredith eyed him cautiously. He had a scowl on his handsome face and his eyes were flashing. Why was he angry? Never mind, angry Derek was hot…

"I'd like you to tell me why I've been getting impotence advice all day," he snapped.

Oh, crap… cringed Meredith. How did that get out? Wait, the nurses…?

"Uhm, you have problems?" asked Meredith innocently. "Why didn't you tell me? I mean, everything worked more than fine last night."

He let out an ironic laugh, "Cut that shit, Meredith. I know you told Gretchen that I… wait, what was it, ah yes, that I can't get it up!"

She approached him with a coy smile and placed her palms on his taut abdomen. "But we both know you can, so… what's the problem?"

"You weren't the one at the receiving end of those sympathetic looks," he shrugged, her hands caressing his torso distracting him.

"I'm sorry," she purred into his ear, hooking her fingers under his belt.

"I'll accept your apology," he muttered. "You were just jealous after all…"

"I was not!" she said indignantly jerking from him.

"Yes, you were," he smirked.

"I was not!"

"I realized that when Dr. Miles offered her skillful help with the ailment Dr. Grey was so kind to reveal."

"I'm repeating once more, I'm not jealous! I don't get jealous!" she said irritably.

"Sure," he let out a small laugh.

"She's just one filthy whore!" yelled Meredith. "Flaunting herself at you!"

"And you're all green," he looked at her with satisfaction.

She bit her lip in defeat and turned away from him. Further arguing was useless. "Maybe!"

He gently caressed her arms standing behind her.

"Thank you," he whispered. "Where did you get the idea that I'd jump at her?"

"She's attractive," she remarked tracing invisible patterns on her desk.

Derek turned her over in his arms. "Is she?"

"Even if you're completely cheesy most of the time, you're still a male and as such you must have noticed. Especially if that was her point."

"Meredith," he shook his head at her chuckling. "I'm not interested in other women. Dr. Miles is just a coworker for me, and I don't look for anything else than that."

Meredith felt a bit more at ease.

"She has bigger boobs," she argued ready for him to defend her.

"I frankly don't see why you're comparing yourself with her," he sighed and snaked his hands from her shoulders to her chest cupping her breasts into his large hands. "But I happen to like your boobs very much, they fit right into my hands…"

"Mhm," she moaned breathlessly closing her eyes. "I have shorter legs…"

"Just ideal to hook around my waist so I can go deeper inside you," he murmured.

"Yes…" she groaned. "I'm sorry, Derek… I was just… and she was lifting a leg to pee on my territory."

Derek burst out laughing bringing her tightly against his chest. "It's okay… but you know, you can mark your territory so that everyone can see."

"You mean coming out of the closet?" she sighed breaking away from him.

"Yes, it's high-"

"I'm… I'm not ready," she interrupted. "Besides, how do you imagine doing this? Telling one of the nurses that you can get it up for me all the time? Letting someone walk on us in the supply closet? Sticking your tongue into my mouth in the middle of the lobby?"

"Wow," Derek commented on her outburst. "I've been thinking… about more subtle options."

"You've been thinking?" she raised her eyebrows. "For how long?"

"Long," he replied dismissively. "Let's go to the intern mixer together."

She stared at him speechlessly taking in his hopeful expression. They mentioned stopping to hide from everyone a couple of times, but he was… planning it actively.

"It's…" she trailed off.

"It's three weeks from now," he went on with a calm soothing voice. "We have some time to get used to the idea. I think it's a perfect occasion."

"Everyone… everyone will be there…" Meredith rubbed her temple slowly.

"Well, that's the point," he admitted. "The more people see us, the less gossip there will be."

"I… I don't know, Derek," she muttered, and he was able to detect the note of panic in her voice. "My sister might be present at the mixer… I… have to think about it!"

"We have three weeks, Mer," said Derek. "Now let's go home."

"Go first," she said quietly. "I'll join you in five minutes."

He nodded reluctantly and departed. Meredith knew he'd be waiting for her in his jeep at the back entrance to the parking lot, as always. He was giving her time again, but Meredith had no illusions. He might be supporting and soothing, but he was more and more insistent, and Meredith recognized his absolute right to do that. He had been the more giving party in this relationship so far. Maybe it was time to leave her warm comfortable cocoon? Well, not that comfortable anymore thanks to Gretchen Miles.