Chapter 4: Brotherly Chat

"Damn it, I hate checking in. I just want to get to everyone, so I can get working." Derek said as he walked into Mark's shop. He didn't know his way around yet but knew Mark's shop as it was right next to his own.

"Who do you have left?" Mark asked, knowing this part was the worst thing about getting to a new command.

"The CO wasn't in; I have to go back later. Oh, and I have to see my department head, Lieutenant Commander Grey. Which from what Dad said, he knows her."

"She is going to be pissed you got to her last." Mark shook his head.

"Why? She is just the department head. I know she is a pilot."

Mark smirked, "You are fucked. She is not just the department head. You know she is one of the youngest females to ever make Lieutenant Commander. She is a damn good pilot… they say one of the best. She is hot though."

"Leave it to you to make sure to let me know she is hot. She is just another one of the female officers that think they are hot shit."

"This one doesn't think… she knows she is hot shit. Go in and be confident, she doesn't like pussies. You my friend, have pussy tendencies." Mark loved picking around with his brother like this.

"Pussy tendencies? I don't want to even know." Derek shook his head. He was still tired from his flight. He was thankful Mark had found a house to rent for them.

"Yes, you don't want me to start the list. Seriously Shep, you better get up to her office. She said yesterday, before I came to get you, that you were to be in her office first thing. I am telling you; she is the most important." Mark laughed.

Derek didn't have the desire to go right this second. He had been running around all morning getting his medical records checked in and seeing all of the people in the command. Most of the enlisted people knew who his father was, but thankfully, they treated him normal which is what he preferred. "I am just going to hang out here a few minutes. I will be up to see her when I get up there." Derek said confidently.

"Well, she is going to fucking kill you. I bet she is hot when… um… I… hello Black." He stopped dead sentence to look up at his young airman, Lexie.

Derek looked at him like he was crazy but seeing exactly why Mark all of a sudden couldn't speak.

"We are done with 502 (the airplane they are working on), the others are just cleaning up along some of the wires but will be in soon. I think they are going for a test run at 1300." Lexie said.

"Good. That's good." Mark said quietly.

Derek continued to watch him and saw something just a little different than normal. He watched the two of them look at each other, not in a way that screamed they were having sex, but in a flirty way that said, 'I like you.' He had no idea what to say or do, "I guess I am now invisible. Hello, I am AT1 Shepherd." He stuck out his hand to the young girl standing close to him.

"Hello, I am Airman Black, and I work here in the AE shop." She said a little shyly but emitting a few giggles.

"She has rated in AE and will make 3rd the first time she is up for it. She takes the test the next cycle." Mark proudly said.

"I am sure you will be making sure she is well prepared." Derek looked to Mark, knowing Mark deserved every bit of what he had to dish out.

"He has already been so great in helping me. He has taught me so much. I am appreciative of AE1." Lexie emphatically said.

"You are pretty great all on your own, you know." Mark smiled ever so softly.

"I can't wait to see your skills. I am sure there will be times our shops will be working together." Derek piped in.

"Yeah, we work with the AT shop often." Lexie offered.

"Yes, and Shep here is going to have to clean it up." Mark growled a bit, knowing things had really been rough in that shop the last few months.

"What?" Derek asked quickly.

"You haven't heard yet? No, I am sure that is something you will learn from Lieutenant Commander Grey when you meet with her." Usually, he wouldn't use her name so formally, but with Lexie, a lower ranking enlisted person, he needed to show proper respect.

"Shit. I am walking into a hell storm, aren't I? No wonder I ended up in this squadron." Derek said without realizing exactly what he had said. He wanted to be in the same place as Mark, but not necessarily in the same squadron. Derek was on a course much like his father and it was expected he would make chief the first time up. Mark was advancing as he should but wouldn't be up for chief for another 2 ½ years. He didn't want Mark or himself to feel any strain from Derek being a chief because things did change a little with them both being 1st classes… especially with them in the same command.

"Ended up here?" Mark questioned.

Lexie knew she needed to leave this conversation, "I am going to make sure they don't need any help finishing with the cleanup. We will be in shortly, I am sure."

"Okay, make sure the area is all clear." Mark said smiling, watching her nod and walk out.

"What the hell?" Mark quickly asked, getting back to where they had left off.

"Mark, look… my orders were originally to another squadron here at Whidbey. My detailer called a few days after he had put in for them and said I was requested here, and I would be taking those orders." Derek explained.

"Well, I am glad you are here." Mark smiled and patted his brother on the back.

"I am too. I have to say I have missed you." Derek smirked.

"Ah… that is the brother I love. Now, we just need you to make Chief so I can do as I please." Mark laughed, knowing this was going to happen and really, he was happy for Derek.

"You mean, you don't do as you please now?" Derek asked, letting a few chuckles escape.

"If I did, I would have asked Black out a long time ago." Mark said without thinking.

"You like her." Derek stated.

Mark sighed, "I do, but I can't. I am her boss. It isn't in the usual way either. She is new here. She is good though, better than most of my 3rd classes and a few of my 2nd classes. Because of that, I have tried to keep my distance, but it is hard."

"Yes, I never mix business with pleasure. I steer clear of any military women. Nothing good can come from them." Derek said clearly.

"Sometimes you know you can't help who you want . . . or even feel a connection with." Mark didn't use the L-word ever.

"Maybe. I guess I should be heading up to meet the one they call the Fiery Temptress. What a call sign. Can you imagine? What kind of women would allow that? You know there is nothing I hate more than a cocky ass female officer." Derek loathed.

"I would lose that attitude; she will really eat you alive." Mark laughed, knowing Derek was in for it if he didn't shape up before he went into her office.

"See you later. I want to see more of the island. It really is beautiful here. Dad says there are some amazing places here."

"There are. Good luck up there. You will need it." Mark said, watching Derek walk out.

Derek walked upstairs to her office knowing she was just another female officer who thought she was god's gift to the navy. He was told she was the daughter of the great Ellis Grey and anyone in aviation in the navy had heard of her. His dad had mentioned a Meredith Grey and something about her being in his first command, but that was about all he could remember.

He got to her door and sighed heavily before knocking.

"Come in." Meredith said in a controlled voice, not looking up from the paperwork she had in front of her.

This pissed Derek off more than anything. She didn't even have the common damn courtesy to look up to see who was even at her door. "I am AT1 Shepherd to check in. I just need you to sign this. I have work that needs to be done."

Meredith shot her head up wondering who in their right mind would come in and demand anything of her. However, the second she looked up, their eyes clashed immediately and the forces started their pull…