So, I've caught a couple of previews for the new season, and I have to tell you, it's not impressing me much. If this is how Shonda is trying lure back viewers, it's not working for me. Too much of SheWhoMustNotBeNamed from what I've seen. But it made me want to get our couple together here, so let's see how this chapter unfolds...

Chapter 12 – A Little Less Conversation

A little less conversation, a little more action please
All this aggravation ain't satisfactioning me
A little more bite and a little less bark
A little less fight and a little more spark
Close your mouth and open up your heart and baby satisfy me
Satisfy me baby

Meredith was sitting at the bar in the Bella Sera lounge, studying her glass of chardonnay, swinging her feet in their MiuMiu sandals idly. The little pink sandals had kitten heels which were lower than she normally wore, but she was supposed to dress casual. She was waiting for Derek – he was playing poker, and he said he would meet her here at eleven. Again, he was being mysterious about their destination, just telling her not to dress up. It was almost the end of the week, and Derek had been a perfect gentlemen all week – no sex, just kissing, well, very excellent kissing, she thought, but still…leaving her at her door every night was getting a little frustrating, and it was her suggestion. At this rate, she would self implode from sexual frustration soon, and she knew that he was doing it on purpose.

Taking a look around, she spotted a familiar figure hunched over a bottle of beer at the end of the bar. What was Alex still doing here? She ducked her head, trying to avoid eye contact, but it was too late. He grinned at her, and she groaned inaudibly, as he got to his feet and ambled in her direction.

"Well, Meredith, this is a nice surprise." Alex leaned against the bar rail, his eyes raking her.

"What are you still doing here?"

"Losing money, mostly." He shrugged.

"Alex, you know I'm not interested in you, so why don't you leave? Our involvement wasn't serious – you knew it was just fun." She sighed. "It was just sex, pure and simple."

"So why were you so pissed about Izzie?"

"You just don't get it, do you? It was MY bed, and MY sheets. Why did you have to bring her there? When you knew damn well I was coming home soon?"

Alex shrugged again, unrepentant. "Spur of the moment, Mer." He grinned at her with his usual cocky attitude. "She had been giving me all the go ahead signals and I just jumped for it. You know me…"

"Yeah, unfortunately, I do," Meredith sighed.

"And you bolted out of there so fast, you didn't give me a chance to explain."

"What's to explain? I figured it out on my own," Meredith said with a small smile Despite everything, Alex was just Alex. "Look, we had fun, it was hot , and the sex was good, but let's move on."

Alex eyed the ring on her finger. "So, you're really married to this dude?"

"Yeah, really."

"Thought you said you would never get married."

"Things change. Derek is a great guy."

"He must be, if you married him." Alex leaned in to kiss her cheek. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I liked you, we had some good times. My cock was thinking that night, and messed things up. I hope you're happy now."

"Alex….is that emotion there?" she teased him.

He ducked his head. "Yeah, don't let it get around. You'll ruin my image."

She patted his cheek. "Your secret is safe with me." Then she looked over her shoulder, seeing Cristina crossing the lounge. She had an irritated expression on her face as she joined them.

"Karev, back off," she said without other greeting.

He threw his hands up in self defense. "Who pissed in your cornflakes, Yang?" he asked, backing away.

"Two days of dealing with these damn models is making me insane," she sighed, signaling for a shot of tequila. She glanced over at the group of women hovering at the edge of the lounge. All over six feet tall, racer thin and coltish, their bodies clad in the latest designer fashions, they waved at Cristina. "They want to go to a strip club tonight." She rolled her eyes.

"Hmm…sounds like fun," Meredith murmured, sipping her wine.

"Those girls are damn hot," Alex commented, sliding his eyes over them. "Are you sure you don't want some male company?"

"Do I look like I need help?" Cristina demanded, tossing back the tequila.

"No, but I'd be willing to tag along, lend a hand or a tongue…damn, who is that?" Alex asked, eying the tall girl who just joined the group. She was voluptuous, with dark curling hair, and skin the color of warm coffee. Her outfit consisted of a sparkly tank top, and a short skirt, leaving the long legs bare, ending in wedge heel shoes.

"Oh, that's one of the assistants," Cristina told him, with a smirk. "She's really not your type…"

"If she has breasts, she's my type," Alex murmured. "Take me with you, c'mon Yang…"

Sam joined them then, and Cristina grabbed the brunette's arm. "Sam…you have to help me. These bimbos want to go to a strip club, and I need a limo and a place to go. Any suggestions?"

Sam looked over at them. "Well, sure, but there aren't many male strip clubs in Vegas…"

"No, they want the female clubs."

"Ohhhh…." Sam said softly. "The best in Vegas is 'The Spearmint Rhino.' Let me call for the limo and we'll go. I can get you in no problem."

Cristina looked over at the group again, before turning to Meredith. "You have no idea what I've been through in this shoot. These girls are insane!"

Meredith giggled. "And you love it. Take Alex with you, he needs to have some fun."

Cristina looked at Alex, still staring at the same girl. "Mer, that girl he's interested in…Keesha…she's not…"

"Is she gay?"

"Noooo…" Cristina breathed, leaning in to whisper in Meredith's ear. "She's a he…in drag…transvestite, whatever you want to call it.."

Meredith stared at her friend, laughter bubbling up in her. "No…seriously?"

"Seriously." A little smirk played along Cristina's lips as she realized the implications of this.

"Don't tell him, just take Alex with you, please…" Meredith giggled, clutching Cristina's arm. "And take pictures, whatever you do…"

"You owe me," Cristina told her, before turning to Alex. "Evil spawn, this is a night you're not going to forget…" she said, pulling him along to meet the group, as Sam led the way to the waiting stretch limo. Meredith giggled again, finishing her drink. Payback's a bitch…

Derek finished the poker game, and raked in his winnings with a grin. More successful tonight, than the other night, but still it wasn't the same without Meredith there. She had been watching for awhile, but she left, giving him a little wave and a soft smile. His game had been tainted with thoughts of her, thinking of how much he wanted her. It had been a long week so far, he thought with a rueful smile. He wasn't sure how much longer he would hold out, before giving in to the lure of her body.

As he prepared to leave the poker room, his arm was snagged by someone and he turned to see Danny McCoy behind him. "Hey, man, can we talk?" Danny asked urgently.

"Sure, what's up?"

They headed towards the lobby, and Danny rubbed his hand over his hair. "It's Delinda – I know, I know, she broke up with me, but …I want her back, and I just want to ask you about Sloan, I know he's your friend…"

"Mark is just a player. He likes women, all kinds of women – he's never serious about any of them despite the fact he says he likes to be in love. At any rate, he's leaving tomorrow, and once he's gone, Delinda will be just a happy memory for him."

"So you're telling me I shouldn't beat him up and leaving him bleeding in the parking lot?" Danny asked, with a laugh.

"No, you know, I think Delinda is just pushing your buttons. Trying to make you jealous…maybe you should just call her bluff."

"You think?"

"It's up to you, but if you love her like you told me you did, you won't let her go without a fight." Derek tried to keep his attention on Danny, but he caught sight of Meredith waiting for him. "Look, I have to run, but maybe just give her time. Play it cool, and once Mark is gone, see what happens. I'm hardly the guy to give romantic advice, though."

"You seem to be doing pretty well with Meredith," Danny grinned. "Still married, after all…"

"Yeah, well, it's only been a few days. And I'm running late, so I don't want her to think I'm standing her up."

"All right. Have a good night. Thanks for listening, Derek."

Derek crossed the lounge, and came up behind Meredith, slipping his arms around her waist, leaning in to kiss her cheek. She gave a pleased little sound at the feel of him behind her, turning to meet his lips. "Mr. Shepherd, you're late," she teased him.

"I know, I'm sorry, the game ran longer than I expected. You know how it is." His deep voice sent shivers along her spine, and a tingle took up residence in her clit again. "Am I forgiven?"

"Hmm…I'll have to think about it." She smoothed her fingers along his silk tie. "What's with this? You said casual."

"I haven't had a chance to change – come up and wait for me," he told her, moving to stand between her knees as she perched on the barstool. Meredith met his eyes, and drew an unsteady breath, as his hands landed on her thighs. He tilted his head, and gave her an engaging smile. "I promise to behave…if you will…"

Meredith tugged on his tie, pulling him down to her mouth. "What if I don't want to behave?" she whispered, flicking her tongue along his lip. "What if I'm tired of this self-imposed celibacy vow?" Her mouth was soft and inviting, and Derek caught the faint taste of chardonnay along her tongue. Then she leaned back and slipped off the pink cardigan that matched her shoes, revealing the thin satin camisole underneath. Her hair fell across her shoulders, as the material strained across the swell of her breasts. Derek followed the movement of her hair, his eyes falling on the hardened nipples beneath the satin, sharply aware of his cock suddenly demanding attention.

"It's a little warm in here, isn't it?" she asked him, leaning forward, giving him an opportunity to see her creamy skin exposed by the scoop neck of the camisole. His mouth suddenly went dry and he reached for her wineglass, taking a long gulp.

"Very warm," he agreed, wanting nothing more than to take her hard nipple in his mouth right then and there. "Are you trying to seduce me, Meredith?" he asked her then, his voice low and seductive, leaning towards her as well, his mouth at her ear. "Because if you are…I'm more than willing to give in." The hell with their celibacy – he wanted all of her sweet body wrapped around him, giving her all the pleasure that they had been denying themselves.

Meredith stared into his eyes, watching the color shift from smoky blue to dark indigo, and she bit back a little moan. Derek moved even closer, placing her hand over his erection, the action hidden under his jacket. "You feel that? I think I'm past the point of holding back. I don't want to take another cold shower tonight." His hips shifted against her hand, and Meredith swallowed slowly. Her clit throbbed like a drum against the tight seam of her jeans.

"I think you're right," she whispered back. "I don't want to play games anymore. I just want you."

"Are you sure?" Derek asked, wanting her so badly, yet not wanting to mess up the delicate balance they had achieved.

"Yes, I'm sure," she replied with a little squeeze of her fingers, making him close his eyes for a moment. "Do I have to beg?"

"Much as I like that idea, I think we should get out of here before I do something to embarrass both of us," he murmured, helping her down to the floor. He scooped up her sweater in one hand, and laced her fingers with his other. Without another word, he led her out of the lounge towards the elevators. Heat and desire raced through both of them, as her thumb rubbed his palm. "Your place or mine?" he asked with a chuckle as the elevator ascended quickly. "How cliché is that?"

Meredith laughed infectiously. "Yours…that way Cristina won't walk in on us."

Derek grinned. "No, we don't want any interruptions." Then he wrapped his arms around her again, claiming her mouth in a long, hot kiss. Her lips parted eagerly, and he swept his tongue inside, stroking in a rhythm that promised what he was going to do once they were alone in bed. His palm slid across the silky camisole covering her breasts, and his thumb flicked over one nipple, eliciting another soft whimper from her.

The elevator opened, and they stumbled out, laughing together, his arm around her shoulders as they made their way along the hallway. Stopping at his suite, Meredith took the keycard from his fingers, and attempted to slide it through the reader. She was trembling, feeling his heat behind her, smell the scent of his cologne, hear his breathing as he moved closer to her. His hand tangled in her hair, stroking his thumb along the nape of her neck in lazy circles. "Need help?" he whispered, his breath fanning warmly against her ear.

Meredith leaned back against his body, surrendering the keycard. "Obviously."

Derek reached around her, and swiped the card smoothly, as she turned the door handle, his mouth sliding along her temple as they pushed into the room. The door slammed shut behind them, and he finally moved against her, backing her up against the door. His mouth landed along her throat, his lips parted, tongue skating along her warm skin. Wet, slow kisses along her collarbone, flicking his tongue at her pulse point, feeling it hammering madly. Trying to regain his focus, Derek made himself stop for a moment. Before she could say anything, he swept her up effortlessly, and headed towards the bedroom. "I'm not fucking you up against the door, honey."

Meredith wound her arms around his neck, pressing her mouth against his throat. "No?"

He shook his head. "No, I promised you I would make love to you…and that's what I intend to do." The passion shimmering in his dark eyes was enough to make her tingle and her clit to jumpstart into aching for just that.

"Mmmm…" Meredith wrapped her hand in his tie and pulled his head lower, touching the tip of her tongue against his mouth. "Then take me to bed, lover…"

Song lyrics from "A Little Less Conversation" by Elvis.