AN: I just wrote this after not being able to get this moment from the show out of my head. I'm sure there are dozens of versions of this scene, but this is mine. Post 1x08, Pre 1x09. Based on Derek's speech from 2.17. I appreciate hearing from you, so if you enjoy even a single line in this short story, please leave a comment.
Meredith wakes to Derek's mouth on her breasts, pulling her from dreamland into something wholly better. She sighs and stretches beneath the weight of his body on hers. The room smells of coffee and Derek—like mist rising off a lake at dawn. She runs her hand over her mouth, covering her smile for even thinking something so…cheesy. She's never been the kind of woman to do cheesy or romantic, but maybe she's changing.
Derek's head is beneath the comforter, his tongue hot on her skin. She shivers from the attention and reaches to lift the material to reveal his face. He grins around her nipple, pulling his mouth from her just enough to say, "Good morning."
His hands grip her sides as he gets back to work.
Meredith watches as his blue eyes look up at her, a glint of seduction reflecting in his ocean eyes. She's spent a long time between the sheets with many different men. Men she hardly knew, men she knew well, some men she even loved, but she's never felt so wanted by a man. Derek makes her feel like she might not even know who she was before, like she doesn't know who she's becoming as they create a future together, and that should scare her. Much less has scared her away, but she's not afraid with him.
As Derek descends lower, Meredith pushes the comforter with him, exposing her flushed body to the cool morning air. She can't imagine a better way to wake up.
Sometime later, Derek stands from the bed and pulls on his boxers.
"I'm thinking I should leave clothes here, so I'm not re-wearing the same boxers day after day or lugging a bag back and forth."
Meredith sits nude on the edge of the bed. She looks over at Derek. "Are you asking for a drawer?"
He grins at her—it's the kind of heart-breaker grin that makes everything in her explode with glee. "Is it too early for this conversation? Should I bring you a fresh cup of coffee first?"
She pushes herself up from the bed and walks over to him. She wraps her arms around his waist from behind, pressing her cheek against the warmth of his back. His hands fold over hers. There's an electrical charge between them, or maybe its something chemical. They're quiet for a moment. Meredith closes her eyes and listens to his breathing.
After a little while, Derek says, "It's okay if you don't want me to have a drawer."
He's mistaking her quiet for fear. For reluctance, which is absolutely not the case. But for some reason, Meredith can't look into her eyes when she says, "I want you to have a drawer. You can have a whole dresser, if you want." Her heart begins to race. She's afraid Derek will feel it. "I'd hate for you to keep wearing the same boxers. That's kind of gross, Derek," she teases to break the tension.
Derek laughs and looks over his shoulder towards her, but he can just see her hair caressing her shoulder. "I've started going without. Let me tell you, scrubs are not supportive."
It's Meredith's turn to laugh. She moves so she can meet his eyes. "I'm sorry I missed the show."
He adjusts, turning enough for Meredith to tuck into his side as he wraps his arm around her shoulders. "Ask the nurses at the OR board nurse's station. They got the full show. I mean: big top circus. All the clowns. Even a tiger and elephant."
"That's too many euphemisms for this early."
Derek leans down to kiss her soundly. He can't help himself. She looks so perfect in the morning—so desirable. Meredith holds him tightly against herself. At this rate, they'll never leave her bedroom.
With a sigh, she pulls back. "I'm going to shower."
It's sort of an invitation, but they both know that kind of invitation will make him very late. Derek cups her cheek. "I would if I could. I need to check on Mr. Walker before I head in. See how his spine is doing." Derek kisses her softly. "I'll bring you coffee."
She sighs. "Music to my ears."
Derek continues getting dressed and Meredith heads into her bathroom. It seems a routine is forming. Yesterday was much the same, and the day before that. Even since Derek showed Meredith his trailer, it just makes sense being here, in the warmth of Meredith's home. Derek was right when he said she liked it here, being surrounded by her things. While the night in Derek's trailer was wonderful, it was also hard to sleep in a different bed. Derek doesn't seem to have that problem.
She should give him a drawer.
Meredith tries hard not to think of the future. There are still things Derek needs to know, chiefly about her mother, just a few miles down the road at Roseridge. She knows Derek would understand the necessity of moving her mother into an extended care facility, but it's still hard to admit because she promised her mother that she wouldn't tell anyone. But if they're going to keep doing these sleepovers and having conversations about drawers, he needs to know eventually.
It's nearly 7 a.m. when Meredith runs the towel through her hair once more and climbs back into bed, now in a pair of worn sweatpants and her favorite Dartmouth t-shirt. Her shift isn't until noon and she has a stack of medical journals to study, but first pulls out the newspaper from Derek's nightstand. It's yesterday's edition, but still news to her.
Derek keeps his promise and opens her bedroom door while juggling two cups of coffee. He walks over to her side of the bed and hands her the mug. "Where have you been?" she asks. She'd expected to spend a little more time with him before he'd have to leave, but it's been over a half hour since Derek went to grab them both coffee.
He looks a little guilty. "Izzie," he says, which nearly explains everything. "She and I worked on a case the other day and we were sort of debriefing. And now I'm late for surgery. I'm sorry."
Meredith shakes her head. "No need to apologize. I like that you get along with my friends."
Derek sits on the edge of the bed and pulls on his shiny dark brown shoes. "I like your friends." He meets her eyes. The newspaper lies forgotten in her lap, her hands wrapped around the dark blue mug. She looks so beautiful—damp hair, flushed skin, a light shining from her eyes. His heart squeezes at the sight of her. He needs to tell her. About New York. About Addison. About Mark. But not today. He just wants to be happy for a moment longer.
Meredith watches him grab his briefcase and look around, presumably for his keys.
"They're in the bowl by the front door. Your coat is hanging on the coat rack."
He sighs with relief. "What would I do without you?"
"Not have six a.m. sex, that's for sure."
Derek laughs and walks over to her. He touches her cheek, so warm from the shower. Her hair smells like some kind of flower. It's intoxicating. "I'll see you later," she says and reaches out with one hand, places it on his chest, and leans in closer. She kisses him. It's quick. The kind of kiss that promises more kisses later. Maybe a lifetime of kisses, if you're lucky.
Meredith pulls away first. "You're late."
He doesn't want to go, but he has to. "I'll see you soon."
She nods and turns back to the newspaper. Derek leaves through her open bedroom door and Meredith listens to him rush down the stairs, pause to grab his keys and coat, and rush out the front door. She doesn't stop listening until his car starts up. She continues on with her morning routine, only allowing herself to stop and daydream about seeing Derek later, oh, about a hundred times.