Chapter 8: The Stares

"Shep, you look like shit." Mark said as they walked into the hanger.

"Thanks, you are so full of compliments." Derek said sarcastically.

"You didn't drink tons last night, so what the hell is up?" Mark wondered the second he saw Derek this morning before they left.

"I didn't sleep." Derek simply responded. He couldn't get her off his mind and he was going to be meeting with her again.

"Why not? You knew today would be busy." Mark was clueless to why he didn't sleep.

"I just had a lot on my mind."

The light bulb went off in Mark's head, "Grey… she is on your mind. Shep, you have to stop whatever… it is that is going on."

"Nothing is going on." Derek emphatically shot back.

"Ok, but, I think you are playing with fire. I noticed last night… the looks." They both had stopped right outside the door and looked at each other with understanding.

Derek just sighed, "It is a game Mark, that is all. She is playing games. I will win, I always do."

"I think she always wins." Mark quietly commented almost under his breath.

This caused another sigh from Derek, "I think you are right. I just have to beat her at her game."

Mark just contemplated this. He was worried for his best friend, but he knew what he was doing. He was one of the best at playing the game. "Let's get going. We have our maintenance meeting at 0730. I am assuming you will go for the AT shop with the stupid ass AT2 that has attempted to fill in since they fired the LPO (leading petty officer) of the shop."

"Yeah, my Chief said I would be going with him to get acquainted. Let's go." With that Derek opened the door after putting his ID in the slot. He couldn't help the feeling that hit his body when he thought about his impending meeting later this morning. He knew she was scheduled for a flight at 0830 with "Slobber Knocker." He thought about her call sign, "Fiery Temptress." He couldn't wait to hear the story of how that came to be her call sign. There was almost always a story behind how people got their call signs. She was fiery… there was no denying that. A temptress? She was sure tempting on so many levels. He had to figure out a way to not think about her… how perfect her ass was in her flight suit, how perfect her lips were shaped, her tiny ineffectual fists, and her hair.

"Sloan. Stop your ass. I have to meet the other piece of ass you have with you." They heard from behind him.

Mark groaned at the sound of her voice, "Well, Shep, I guess you get to meet the vulture." He smirked and turned around at Cristina.

"Well, I see we have another pretty boy in the squadron. Just what we need, someone who doesn't want to get his hands dirty." She snapped back to him.

"I am AT1 Shepherd, you must be the old hag I have heard so much about—the jet mechanic." He flashed her a smart-ass smile.

"A cocky ass as well… you two really are brothers." Cristina came back.

"If the shoe fits… " Derek continued.

"Yes, I wear the shoes, I am never scared."

"I bet you aren't. It will be great working with you." Derek said, knowing she was going to be good to work with because she was confident and didn't take shit from people. He was glad she was the LPO of the mechanics shop because their shops would be working closely together.

"Well, I wish I could say the same for you. The jury is still out until I see you in action." She knew he would be good, just like Sloan. And, if he managed to live up to the reputation that preceded him, he would be great to work with. She whipped her head around and headed into her shop.

When the door was shut, Derek looked to Mark, "She is good isn't she?"

They looked at each other at the same time and busted out laughing, "Seriously?" Mark barely got out.

"I don't think I want to find out." Derek laughed.

"Hell, I bet she gives good angry sex though." Mark laughed.

"I don't even want to think about that." Derek continued to laugh.

"I will see you in 10 minutes. We can walk upstairs together." Mark offered.

"Ah… will you hold my hand as well?" Derek smirked.

"Shut the hell up and get going." Mark rolled his eyes and headed in the direction of his shop.

Derek stood watching him for a second and turned to go to his shop and stopped abruptly when he noticed the petite, honey blonde standing 100 feet away, talking to another officer in a flight suit. He had noticed him around yesterday and at the bar with Meredith. He wasn't the one she hung all over all night and then eventually left with. It was like they acted as brother and sister. He just wished his body didn't respond to the way her flight suit curved her ass… the way she stood in such a way that made him want to walk up to her so that she could feel his hard cock.

Meredith could feel a burning in the back of her head; she could feel the distinct stare and knew it could only be coming from one person. She tilted her head down and around, ever so slightly and saw him. The second she could feel his intense stare, she could feel her body reacting, but she couldn't… she was on her way to do a check of the plane her and Alex would be flying today. Concentrate… she had to concentrate. Her body couldn't react.

"Fiery Temptress… hello… are you there?" Alex said, noticing her off in another world.

"What? Oh, I am here. Let's go out and look over the plane. It suddenly got hot in here." Meredith said needing water…

Alex looked around and noticed someone he recognized but didn't know looking in their direction. He didn't think much about it, knowing he must be new in the squadron. "Let's get out there. I bet the plane captain is out by now." The plane captain was a young, enlisted man usually low ranking.

"I feel the need… the need for speed, are you ready Slobber Knocker?" Meredith smirked, knowing she had to get up there. She needed the rush of the speed… of the g-forces. She needed to concentrate on her mission at hand and that in no way involved Derek Shepherd.