Marty escorts Meredith down to the sidelines, where she stands next to the team benches. She looks at Marty, expecting him to go back up to the suite, but he nods at her and smiles.

Marty: Sorry, Miss. Mr. Grey instructed me to stay with you.

Meredith sighs in frustration as she turns her attention back to the field where the players are warming up. She doesn't need a babysitter. She is almost twenty-one years old damnit! The coach of the Galaxy walks over to her. He doesn't recognize her, nor does he immediately notice the pass hanging around her neck.

Coach: I'm sorry, but you can't be down here.

Meredith smiles kindly at him. She doesn't want the coach of the team to hate her. He will be seeing a lot of her in the future.

Meredith: Actually, I can be. I don't think we've met.

Meredith sticks out her small hand.

Meredith: I'm Meredith Grey.

The coach's mouth falls open slightly as he reaches out his hand and shakes Meredith's.

Coach: So, you are the owner's daughter?

Meredith nods her head shyly.

Meredith: Guilty.

Coach: And you are the one who is taking over the management of the team next season?

Meredith: Guilty again.

Coach: And you are the one travelling with Derek Shepherd to Europe next week for the World Cup?

Meredith: Yes.

Meredith is starting to get annoyed with all of the questions. What is this guy's problem? Is it because she lacks a penis that he doesn't think she will do a good job managing the team? She folds her arms over her chest, in a gesture that shows she is getting defensive.

Coach: And how old are you?

Oh. So that was his problem. Her age. She could understand that. She is young. She is very young, but she has been living and breathing this sport for most of her life. She is the reason that her father bought the team in the first place. It was always his plan to hand it over to her. Sure, she was shocked that he had done it so soon, but she isn't complaining.

Meredith: I am twenty years old.

Meredith decides to interrupt his line of questioning and just be up front with him.

Meredith: I know that I am young. I know that very well, but you should know that I intend to be much more involved with the team than my father.

The Coach looks like he is about to say something, but Meredith holds up her hand to signal that she isn't done speaking.

Meredith: I do not plan to interfere with your coaching in any way. I think you are doing an amazing job and the players seem happy. My passion is this game. I love the game and I have a great appreciation for it so know that I want what is best for the team and I will work my hardest to make sure that that is achieved.

The Coach is stunned into silence. This young woman is really well spoken. Maybe he should give her a chance. He is just worried about his players. Half of them are married, but the other half, well, they might just attempt to eat her alive. He realizes that he really doesn't have a choice. The owner is signing the team over to her at the end of the season and if he doesn't act compiant, he could get the sack. So, he smiles.

Coach: I look forward to working with you, Miss Grey.

Meredith smiles, a feeling of relief washing over her.

Meredith: Call me Meredith.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Derek bends over and grabs his ankle as he stretches. He closes his eyes and enjoys the noises of his surroundings. He can hear the sounds of the growing crowd, an occasional "Go Shepherd" or "Galaxy Rocks" reaching his ears. He feels his adrenaline building as the time before the match winds down. Is it an evening match, as the aromas of the dusk fill Derek's nostrils as he inhales while switching to his other side.

He knows that this is the calm before the storm. The calm before his competitive spirit kicks in and tells him it's time to kick ass, because that is what he does, kicks ass.

He glances over to the sidelines and sees his coach talking with a young woman, a very hot young woman. He looks over to the player at his right.

Derek: Hey, Landon!

Landon looks over at Derek.

Derek: Looks like Coach is going for the young ones now.

Derek motions towards the coach with his head. Landon laughs.

Landon: Isn't he married?

Derek shrugs.

Derek: That doesn't stop some people.

Derek shakes his head in disgust as he straightens up. He glances at the hot blonde again.

Landon: She is hot.

Derek chuckles.

Derek: Yes. She is, but she also looks like she could be a bitch.

Landon laughs.

Landon: Been burned recently?

Derek: I don't get burned.

Landon laughs.

Landon: Right.

Derek glances at Landon before he begins to run, bringing his knees up to his chest as he loosens up his leg muscles. He glances over at the sidelines again and sees her smiling. She has an amazing smile.

Derek (to himself): Focus. You only have a couple more minutes to warm up. Focus, Derek, focus.

Derek looks up at the clock on the scoreboard and sees that it is time to exit the field before walking back out with the children for the National Anthem. He runs into the tunnel leading out onto the field and gets in line. He is first in line because he is captain of the team. He glances at the young boy whose hand he is supposed to hold as he walks out onto the field. The boy looks up at him and smiles, obviously a little nervous, and Derek smiles back. Derek bends down slightly.

Derek: Nervous.

The young boy nods.

Derek: What's your name?

Boy:J...J.. Jason.

Derek: Well, Jason, want to know a secret?

The boy nods.

Derek: I'm nervous too.

Jason: R...r...really??

Derek nods.

Jason: So, what do you do?

Derek smiles.

Derek: Well, I picture the crowd in their underwear.

Jason giggles.

Jason: Really?

Derek: Yup.

Jason: Does it work?

Derek: Everytime.

Derek reaches out his hand toward Jason, who quickly grabs it. Derek straightens up and looks at him.

Derek: Ready?

Jason: I am now.

Derek: Good. Let's go.

Derek leads Jason and the rest of the team out onto the field and they are greeted with a screaming crowd. Derek looks down at Jason and winks, causing Jason to giggle. They all stand in a line facing the American Flag, their right hands over their hearts as they hear the National Anthem being played. Derek mouths the words as he begins to convert his nervous energy into a useful force which he plans to use to defeat the opposing team.

The Anthem ends and Derek bends down to tighten his laces and pull up his socks, his eyes landing on a petite figure. There is something about her. There is something about her but he doesn't know what it is. The sound of a whistle telling him to get into position interrupts his thoughts and he runs to take his place, now completely prepared for the match to begin.

Wow. The response has been great. I will do my best to be accurate with all the football talk. I am American...so most people call it soccer...and it will be called soccer in the fic...but yeah...I will call it football when I talk about it in my author's notes. So yeah. Hope you enjoy.

-Marci