So I debated posting this chapter today, but I decided to be a nice writer and post it. So enjoy!

Meredith was confused when Derek kissed her goodbye. She didn't know what it meant, and she was too afraid to ask. Luckily for her, the new shop Meredith is working on to open is distracting her. She'v been having meetings with her financial consultant to be sure she can afford to open another one without going in debt or bankrupt. She also has been looking at locations with a realtor to see what she could afford, and whether the location would be good for a coffee shop.

After meeting with her realtor, Meredith went back home to get changed. Her mother had won another Harper Avery award, and tonight is the ceremony. Of course Meredith has to go to give support to her mother.

Meredith put on a long black dress, with a plunging neckline. She arrived and was greeted by a few family friends; aka other great doctors. Meredith immediately was handed a glass of champagne, and then she found her table near the front.

"Look at little miss Meredith Grey all grown up."

Meredith turned around and got up to hug the old family friend. "Hi, Richard."

"How is everything with you going?" Richard asked. "Your business?"

"I'm great; my business is great. I'm actually planning on opening a second location soon."

"That's great, Meredith. So do you have anyone special in your life yet?"

Meredith shook her head. "Not really. I mean... It's complicated."

"Well I hope you figure it out. I see your mother. I'm going to go congratulate her before the ceremony begins."

"Bye, Richard."

The ceremony began shortly. Dr. Harper Avery gave an opening speech before the awards were being handed out. Ellis Grey was one of five receiving an award tonight for their medical breakthroughs. This will be her fifth Harper Avery award, so these type of events are not new for Meredith. Actually by the the third one, Meredith got bored, but she only goes to support her mother, who probably doesn't even care if she shows up or not.

Halfway through, there was a break for people to socialize. Meredith felt a tap on her shoulder and she turned around, seeing Derek in a black tux.

"What are you doing here?" Meredith asked.

"All the head attendings were invited." He explained. "Thought I'd come say hi. You look great, by the way."

"So do you." She smiled. "Who would had thought you owned a black suit. All I've seen you in are scrubs and jeans."

"I own more suits than you think."

"Really?"

"Oh, yes." Derek grinned. "This is just one of many suits I own."

"Mmm... Well you clean up nicely." Meredith took a sip of her champagne and smiled. "Okay, well thanks for coming over. This was fun, but you should go back to your seat way over there." She pointed in the direction his table is at.


Meredith found Derek sitting on her front porch when she arrived home from the ceremony. The ceremony was over hours earlier, but Meredith decided to go to the hotel bar to end her night on a better note. Derek stood up as Meredith was digging into her clutch for her keys.

"What are you doing here?" Meredith asked.

"I wanted to talk to you."

"What do you have to talk about at 1 am?" Meredith unlocked her front door and opened it. "How long have you even been waiting for?"

"Just two hours."

She walked inside and turned on the lights. "And it couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

Derek followed her inside. "It could, but I don't want it to. It's weighing heavily on my mind."

"I'm too tired to talk, Derek. I just want to get out of this dress and go to bed. So can we just do this tomorrow, please? I'm sure it's not that important."

"It'll be quick."

"Okay, fine." Meredith and Derek went to sit down in her living room. "So what is it that has to be talked about tonight?"

"You're avoiding me; I kissed you and now you're avoiding me."

"Good talk. Bye."

"Meredith." Derek said. "You're trying to run."

"What do you want me to say?" She asked. "Yeah, you kissed me, but what am I supposed to take away from that? I don't know what it means."

Derek tilted his head. "I think you do. I like you, Meredith. I want there to be something more between us."

"This doesn't have to be talked about tonight." Meredith said. "Especially when I'm semi-drunk. I'll say something I don't mean."

Derek stood up from the couch. "You don't need to answer now. Think about it and we'll talk again."


Meredith lay awake in her bed, not wanting to get out. She was thinking about what Derek had said to her last night. When Meredith finally got out of bed, she went over to Cristina's since she wasn't working today. She just needed Cristina's opinion on this all.

"I just don't know what to do, Cristina." Meredith said. "Tell me what to do."

"Well do you like McDreamy?"

"Stop calling him that. And I kind of do, but then there's things to consider; like the big age difference between us."

"How big of a difference is it exactly?"

"Like ten. He's like thirty-eight or thirty-nine. And I'm twenty-nine."

"So what, Mer. That's like the oldest I'd date someone."

"Okay, but he's a doctor."

"Um, you need to elaborate more on that one. What's wrong with him being a doctor?"

"I rarely saw my mom when I was growing up. I'd probably never see him."

"I thought you said you were ready for a relationship. These are just stupid reasons, Mer."

"I am, but I never thought I'd go for a doctor."

"There's nothing wrong with dating a doctor." Cristina said, and Meredith knew she was right. "What's the real reason?"

"Okay, I'm scared. The last relationship I was in was not a good one."

"Well one good thing about dating an older man is he's not childish; more mature, meaning he probably won't do stupid things. But then again, all men, no matter their age, do stupid things. He'd just probably do less. Oh, and he's probably more experienced in bed, if you know what I mean." She nudged her. "Date him, don't date him. I don't care, but it's your decision at the end of the day."

Meredith sighed. "That's the problem."

I know you all have been waiting for this one. Derek finally got his nerves up to ask Meredith out! In the next chapter we will find out what Meredith decides.

I love how you guys are suggesting what should happen in this story. I already have all the chapters written, with me going back and adding a few things as I get ideas, but I'll tell you what some of you guys are suggesting will be in this story some time in the near future. I guess we just think alike :p

Okay, so thanks for reading, and leave a review, follow, and favorite the story!