Chapter 4: Coffee Date

"What would you like?" Meredith asks Derek as they walk into Starbucks.

"The French Roast drip," Derek answers, feeling the slightest bit uncomfortable not knowing the floor layout.

"Are you okay?" Meredith asks as he stops walking along with her. Great, I'm an idiot, she thinks when she turns to see how tense he is suddenly. She goes to him and says quietly, "Derek, no one is sitting in here and there are only two people in line ordering. What's better for you? A table or the cushy chairs?"

"Definitely a table," he answers. "Preferably in an inconspicuous place if that's possible. "He feels relieved that Meredith understood what he needed without him having to spell it out to her.

Meredith takes a deep breath to control and push down the anger and sadness she suddenly feels at Derek's statement. She wonders what kind of greater being or whatever would allow Derek to feel like he had to ask for an inconspicuous place to drink a coffee. She wasn't going to think about that now but knew for certain she'd dwell on it later. "I'm going to take your arm now. Is that okay?"

"Of course," Derek says with a grin as he offers her the crook of his elbow. "I knew you couldn't resist touching me for long."

"Shut up, "Meredith says but smiles and rolls her eyes as she slides her hand into his arm to lead him to a table.

"Did you just roll your eyes at me?"

"How the hell did you know that?"

"I'm magic," Derek jokes as he allows Meredith to help him sit down. To his surprise he isn't feeling at all awkward having her assist him.

"What you are - is full of crap," she says with another roll of her eyes. "I'll be right back."

Derek grins as Meredith walks away. He wonders what it is about her that makes being around her so easy. He finds himself hoping that Kathleen and Kevin take a long-time shopping.

"Okay, here you go," Meredith says as she sits down and places his coffee in his hand."

"Thank you," Derek says. He is amazed that she thought to make sure he knew where the coffee was located. He didn't have to grope around for it - which was a nice change.

"You're welcome," she answers. "Do you want cream or sugar for it?"

"No thanks," he answers with a grimace.

Meredith laughs at his expression and says, "Okay, strong black coffee - I'll remember that."

"Really?" Derek asks - grinning. "So, you're already admitting we'll have a second date."

Meredith gives a little laugh to acknowledge hearing him and takes a drink of her coffee.

"Did you roll your eyes again?"

"No," she answers. "Just drinking my coffee."

"What did you get?"

"A white chocolate mocha."

"That's disgusting."

"Have you had it?"

"No, but it sounds disgusting. 'White chocolate' tells me it's sweet and it's probably full of milk.

What's the point of ordering coffee - if most of what's in the cup is sugar and milk?"

Meredith laughs, "That's way too much of an analysis for a cup of coffee."

Derek just smiles at her in response. They are both quiet for a bit as they drink some of their coffee. After a minute or so Derek asks, "Why did you choose Neurology as your specialty?"

Meredith is quiet as she fiddles with her coffee cup, glancing at Derek and contemplating whether or not to tell him the truth.

"You don't have to tell me," he states.

"I usually just tell people it's the field that interests me the most."

"And while that would be reason enough - there's more to it for you."

"Yes," she answers. Then continues with a tiny bit of hesitation in her voice, "I chose Neurology for two reasons and both have to do with my Mom."

"Miranda told me your mom is Ellis Grey."

"Miranda?" Meredith asks, confused. "Do you mean Miranda Bailey?"

"Yes," Derek answers with a laugh. "We've known one another since I came to Seattle seven years ago. I annoyed the crap out of her when we first met, but I guess I grew on her…"

"Like fungus?"

"Hey," Derek says with a grin, "That's not nice. Probably accurate, but not nice."

"Poor baby," Meredith replies with a giggle. "Go on."

"Anyway, Miranda is one of my closest friends. She's one of a few people who…" he trails off - surprised at how easy it is to talk to Meredith.

"Who stuck by you?"

"Yeah," he answers with a sigh. "Anyway, Miranda was bugging me to take the job Richard offered and said she had surgery with 'Grey'. I thought she meant you. However, she meant your sister."

"The Chief offered you a job?"

You sound surprised," Derek says.

"I am. Is that what the meeting was about that day?"

"Yes. Haven't you discussed anything with him?"

"No," Meredith answers, confused. "Why would I have anything to do with the Chief offering you a job?"

"He wants you and I to work together."

"What?" Meredith asks in shock.

"Don't worry," Derek laughs, "I turned him down. You don't have to work with me."

"I'd be honored to work with you," Meredith states honestly and without hesitation. "You're the best."

"Thank you," Derek says, feeling humbled. "Why Neurology?"

"My Mom had Alzheimer's," Meredith answers. "She's gone now, but seeing what she went through…"

"I'm sorry," Derek says, reaching his hand across the table palm up.

Meredith sees this and to her own surprise slips her hand in his and allows the comforting contact. "It's okay," she says. "My parents and my step mom are all gone but I've made my peace with it. Plus, I'm close with my sisters - so that helps."

"Yeah, sisters do help. What's your second reason for choosing Neuro?"

Meredith laughs and says, "You don't miss much. My mom was a general surgeon. I didn't want to do what she did. I want to create my own path and stop living in her shadow."

"I get that."

"You do?"

"Of course. I think all children of powerful, successful parents get that."

"Yeah, maybe." Meredith pulls her hand gently from Derek's and asks, "So, what do you do now?"

"I fish," Derek says with a smile.

"You fish? For a living?"

"There's that surprised tone again," Derek says. "Yes, I fish for a living. I have to do something, or I'll go crazy. Fishing was always something I enjoyed and it's something I can still do on my own. I fish for trout out on my land four mornings a week. Someone from the fish market comes out and buys the fresh fish each morning and I get a check every two weeks. It works out well and I feel like I'm still productive."

Meredith let's Derek's story swirl around in her mind as she quietly studies him. She doesn't know what to say because she doesn't want to sound condescending.

"Meredith…" Derek says, sounding the slightest bit insecure.

Without thinking she quickly grabs his hand again. She says, "Derek, I really hope I don't sound condescending, but you amaze me."

"There's nothing amazing…"

She squeezes his hand and states emphatically, "Yes, you're amazing Derek. I'm not kissing your ass, either. I'm being honest. If I lost my sight - I wouldn't handle it well. I'd most likely shut everyone out of my life and throw myself a pity party with many bottles of tequila. I certainly wouldn't find a way to create a new and rewarding life for myself. So, I'm impressed, okay?"

"I'm telling you - there's nothing to be impressed about. I drove people away and had a pity party, too. I was a real bastard."

"You came back from that," Meredith insists. "I'm telling you, I probably wouldn't."

"Okay," Derek gives a huge sigh. "Let's talk about something else. What's your favorite ice cream?"

Meredith giggles and says, "Mint chocolate chip. What's your favorite movie?"

"'Die Hard.' What's yours?"

"'Four Weddings and a Funeral."

"Of course, a chick flick."

"Of course, yours was a blow-everything-up, bloody guy movie."

"That's better than a movie that's so boring you want to poke your own eyes out as a distraction."

Meredith laughs and asks, "What's your favorite dinner?"

"Steak, salad and wine."

"Okay, I can agree with that."

"Good, that's what we'll have when you come out to dinner with me."

"What?" Meredith laughs again. "I don't recall agreeing to dinner with you."

"Why wouldn't you agree to dinner with me?"

"You are incredibly arrogant."

"That's not an answer," Derek says.

"You haven't asked me a question that deserves a proper answer."

"Fine," Derek sighs. "Meredith, would you like to have dinner with me?"

"That's better," she teases.

"That's not a proper answer," he chides.

"Yes," she giggles. "How's Friday night?"

"That works for me," he answers with a grin.

They finish their coffee, exchange phone numbers and talk some more until Kathleen and Kevin arrive. They all talk for a few minutes more and then go their separate ways. For the first time ever, Meredith is happy that she had to go shopping. She decides she'll have to thank Molly and Lexie for forcing her to go, but not today.