Chapter 53: It's Show Time!

Meredith carefully examined her expression in a small mirror she had placed on her desk and put final touches on her hair that was clipped on the side of her head while the wavy locks cascaded on her shoulder. She heard a soft knock and Derek stealthily slipped into her office.

She gaped at him for a moment, taking in his dashing appearance that made her pulse quicken. He was wearing a black suit, underneath which he donned a silk shirt with a tie. He straightened the lapels of his jacket nervously under her scrupulous gaze. "Uhm, something wrong? I was to wear my good-looking red shirt but with you… chose something more formal…"

"No," she giggled watching him rake his hair that was styled to be messy and windswept.

"I thought maybe I should have shaved," he eyed her rubbing his jaw.

"Nah, the stubble's hot," she said coyly playing with one of her locks absentmindedly. "Makes you look all manly, that crooked nose too."

He rolled his eyes and walked up to her, keeping one hand behind his back. Now she was the one to squirm self-consciously under his scrutiny, feeling more exposed than if she was naked.

"So… we were supposed to meet downstairs…"

"I thought it would be safer if I saw you beforehand…" he breathed out halting inches from her, "to have a few minutes to recover in private after being sent to my knees by your staggering beauty."

She felt her cheeks going warm. She blushed… she actually blushed. She never blushed before… not since she was in college.

"And… I wanted to give you a little something." He produced a flat box and opened it.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed at the sight of a delicate necklace. A thin chain held a small silver globe that gave beginning to several rays that hang down. "It's… beautiful…"

"Then you like it?" he asked with a smile.

"Of course, I like it… but… you shouldn't have," she argued just for the sake of the situation tracing the necklace with her fingertips.

"I realized with shame that I have never given you anything," he said taking the chain from the cushion.

"It's expensive," she looked at the piece of jewelry appreciatively.

"I can afford it," he grinned, "as you know well enough since you're footing my bills…"

"Would you…?" She showed him her back lifting her hair.

"My pleasure…" her swanlike neck called his lips.

"That's not what I was asking for…" she whispered looking at him over her shoulder. "At least, not now…"

He chuckled and put the necklace around her neck. She checked her expression while his hands trapped her against his body.

"You're… breathtaking, Meredith. You're perfection," he whispered burying his face into her locks while his eyes closed. They swayed together sensuously. "I can't wait to rip that dress off you… see you clad only in this shiny thing …"

She breathed irregularly. His words were making her warm around her heart and hot in her core.

"I can't wait to rip it off of me too…" she moaned turning to him and taking his hands. With all the work for the trial and their recent arguments, they weren't intimate for the longest period since their passion got the better of them for the first time in her kitchen. "But…"

"But we need to go there first," he sighed with a dreamy smile.

"Yeah, make a shocking appearance…" she cocked her head, "and meet new interns…"

"Everything's going to be okay," he pulled her back into his arms, "I'll be there, all the time, always…"

"I'm glad," she kissed his cheek lightly. "Go now, wait for me downstairs."

"I'll be waiting."

He closed the door behind him throwing her one last look. She was already turned back to him, so he allowed his face to express his true state of mind. He was worried for her. He easily detected her tension, caused partly with them coming out this evening, partly with the unavoidable meeting with her unknown sister. Apart from that, he was haunted by little pangs of guilty conscience. He felt he should confess to Meredith what transpired between him and Gretchen the previous night but there didn't seem to be a convenient moment. They spent the night apart and they saw each other briefly in passing.

Of course, he could have mentioned the unfortunate encounter during their little rendezvous seconds ago but… he couldn't bring himself to trouble her mind with just another problem. Meredith was insanely jealous of that woman. Maybe she would be calmer without the knowledge. He and Gretchen explained everything anyway, there was nothing more to say.

Meredith strode into the crowded hall, a reserved smile on her lips, her chin raised confidently. She felt a bit like on her first day at Seattle Grace; only a bit, because today, her nerves were in shreds. Her fingers wandered to Derek's necklace on their own, calming her somewhat. It was amazing, there had to be around a hundred people, but she could easily feel his regard on her burning her skin, making her feel safer.

She stepped up to the microphone that was set for her and silence fell immediately. Her eyes swept over the gathering. Derek was standing not that far from her, along with Addison and Mark. He smiled up at her. Only minutes prevented them from being officially together. As for Alexandra Grey, Meredith didn't see that dark-haired head anywhere, so much for the better.

"Good evening, ladies and gentleman," she greeted everyone. "I was asked to say a word of greeting tonight. I would like to welcome each and every one of you at Seattle Grace Hospital, our capable staff, doctors and nurses, and foremost, you, interns of all specialties, who are joining us tomorrow. If you do not know me by now, I'm Dr. Meredith Grey, the Chief of Surgery. And keep in mind that, from now on, you will have to know the answer to a question before it is asked."

She stifled a grin as some of the new faces turned to each other exchanging nervous looks.

"You might have heard a lot of stories about us. One of them I can vouch for; you are facing a great challenge and even greater amount of work. But that is for tomorrow when your residents will let you in on every detail of functioning of this hospital. Tonight, meet your new colleagues, new friends, new competitors. Welcome to the game."

She nodded her head and was gratified with thunderous applause. She shook several pairs of hands in passing, smiled at a few familiar faces all the time navigating herself towards her closest friends.

"Nicely done," said Derek with a gentle smile all the time letting her know that their fate was still in her hands and the back door remained open.

"Thank you," she reciprocated the smile standing next to him. "You think I made the desired effect?"

"Yeah," he breathed out snaking a hand on her waist, just above her hip. "I would be dead scared coming here tomorrow."

"Oh, you just dropped a bomb," said slowly Mark watching the crowd behind them. "Are you going to kiss? That would be the kill."

"They're not going to kiss," Addison shook her head at him with pity.

"We're not here to put up a show," berated them Meredith impatiently and took a furtive glance over Derek's shoulder. Many heads quickly turned away.

"It will be okay," assured her Derek rubbing her waist through the soft material of her dress.

"Dr. Grey," a jovial voice called for their attention. "As sharp-tongued and beautiful as ever."

"Mr. Patterson," Meredith nodded her head while the portly but expensively clad man brought the bac k of her hand to his lips. "I'm glad you've found the time to join us today."

"Nonsense," he rolled his eyes. "Thank you for inviting me… and that gentleman is…?" he noticed how close Derek stood to the beautiful woman.

"Dr. Derek Shepherd," she introduced him. "My… head of neurosurgery. Dr. Shepherd, it's Mr. William Patterson, one of our most generous donors."

"It's nice to meet you," Patterson shook his hand without enthusiasm.

"Likewise," replied Derek and put his hand back around Meredith possessively, a little tighter than before.

"Be nice," hissed Meredith when Patterson moved away, a bit disgruntled. "He really gives a lot of cash for Grace."

"Did I do something that would discourage him from continuing his selfless help?" he smirked.

"I think we need to make some rules to this official dating," she looked up at him cocking her head. "Rule number one: not scaring away the hospital's sponsors."

A self-satisfied smile was his only response.

"Rule number two," she went on, giving him a knowing look, "no more secret dates in my office."

"What? Why?" he frowned.

"Because now, you know what everyone will think if they see us entering a room together."

"I have no idea," he shrugged his shoulders innocently. "Illuminate me."

"Meredith, Derek."

They were once again interrupted, this time by Richard.