Derek feels the adrenaline pumping in his veins as the ref blows the whistle, signaling the beginning of the match. He is immediately in the game mode. All outside noises and thoughts disappear as he focuses on the task at hand.
He runs down the field as a teammate steals the ball from the opposing team. He glances around the field, spotting the other players, locking their current location in his mind and plotting his course as if he is planning a battle. Derek may be a midfielder, but he ranks first in goals scored in the MLS.
Derek groans in frustration as a teammate attempts to pass him the ball, but kicks too hard, sending it directly to the opposing team, but Derek doesn't linger. He immediately goes after the ball and the player. The opposing player sees him coming and Derek notices a glint of fear in his eyes.
Derek (to himself): That's right. You should be scared.
Derek runs towards the player and tackles the ball away and before the opponent can respond Derek is back on his feet and has gained possesion. Cheers erupt in the surrounding crowd, but Derek doesn't notice. He is focused on one thing and one thing only, scoring. He glances to his left and then his right and he sees that everyone is either behind him or on the other side of the pitch. He is the fastest player on his team.
Derek runs over the ball a couple of times as he races towards the goal to prevent an offside foul from being called. He is approaching the penalty box. The goalkeeper steps out of the goal box.
Derek (to himself): Big mistake.
Derek fakes with his left foot before kicking the ball with his right. Derek kicks a beautiful chip shot as it sails over the goaltender's head before bending back down into the goal.
Announcer: GOAL! GOAL! DEREK SHEPHERD HAS SCORED! LA GALAXY LEAD COLORADO RAPIDS 1-0.
Derek lifts up his jersey as he runs around the field exposing his chiseled abdomen, fellow players jumping on his back. He is yelling as he runs, oblivious to everything but the fact that he just scored. He scored in the first two minutes of the match.
He feels someone sussing his hair and he groans.
Derek: Stop it, Alex.
Alex: You kick ass, man.
Derek chuckles as he straightens the captain's armband that is around his arm.
Derek: Get your asses back out there and let's continue to kick some ass.
The team cheers before running back to their positions. Derek only allows himself a moment more of celebration before he returns to his field, his mentality reverting back to what it was previous to the goal. To him they are behind. He always plays that way. He always plays as if they are losing. He plays hard the entire game and that is what makes him the amazing player that he is.
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Meredith watches as the last fifteen minutes of the match are played out. The score is an amazing 3-1, two of which points were scored by none other than Derek Shepherd.
He is a great player. He has great stamina. He hasn't slowed down at all since the start of the match. She sees a look of determination on his face. He is definitely worth the money that her father pays him.
He goes after each ball as if that ball could win the game. He doesn't play as if they are ahead. He plays as if they are behind. She admires that.
She watches as he runs right by her. She can almost smell the pheromones radiating off of his sweating body. She insticitvely licks her lips. She can't. She can't be attracted to him. It's...wrong and she can't. She is practically his boss. He is probably an ass anyways. He looks like he would be an ass.
She continues to watch the game as the time winds down and they enter stoppage time. Suddenly the ball is flying directly at her. She doesn't panic. After all, it isn't the first time balls have flown at her. She simply catches the ball and hands it to a sweaty and smiling Derek Shepherd.
Derek: Thanks.
He is breathing heavily. Who wouldn't be after running constantly for basically the last ninety minutes with nothing more than a short fifteen minute break? His smile is so...
No. She doesn't allow herself to finish that thought. She cannot go there. She can't. She just...no.
She watches as he stretches his arms over his head to throw the ball in. He is dedicated. He is the most dedicated player she has ever seen. That kind of dedication needs to be rewarded. She needs to do something to reward him and to reward the team. She wants them to love the team they play for. She wants them to enjoy the game. She wants them to know that she cares and that she isn't just some immature owner's daughter who gets everything handed to her.
Okay. So her father is handing her the team, but he bought the team for her. She has been groomed for this her entire life. What can she do to show the team that she is serious? That she loves, understands, and respects the game? Suddenly and idea occurs to her. She walks over to the coach.
Meredith: Coach?
Coach: Yes, Meredith?
Meredith: I was wondering if you would mind if I participated in a team practice one day this week before the World Cup?
The coach's mouth falls agape as he looks at the young woman standing in front of him. He thinks she is joking so he starts to laugh, but then he sees the serious look on her face.
Coach: You're serious?
Meredith nods.
Meredith: Completely. I want these guys to know that I have love, understanding, and respect for the game.
Coach: But they will kill you.
Meredith smiles at the Coach.
Meredith: Do you remember the under 20 team of women that won the World Cup?
The Coach nods.
Meredith: I was captain of that team. I'm not saying that I'm in the league with your player. I'm just saying that I want them to know that I can play and that I know what I'm talking about.
The Coach nods.
Coach: Whatever you want, Meredith.
Meredith: Thank you.
Coach: Next practice is Monday at 7am.
Meredith smiles at him.
Meredith: See you Monday at 7am.
Meredith doesn't wait for a response as she walks back to her previous place on the sidelines. The ref blows the whistle, signaling the end of stoppage time and the end of the match. The members of the LA Galaxy remove their jerseys to exchange them with the players from Colorado Rapids.
Meredith can't help but notice the defined abs and upper body muscles of Derek Shepherd before she turns and walks off of the field escorted by Marty.
The response has really been great. Thank you all for your reviews. If I make a mistake in the terminology, I apologize. I have been trying to look them up if I'm unsure. The updates won't always be daily, it has just happened that I have had time every day to update. Once my fall semester starts that definitely won't be happening. Just a heads up. Anyways, review and let me know what you think...good or bad...I want to hear from you...
-marci