Sooo...I've been busy and away from home, and finally had a chance to get something written on this one! Again, apologies, but I believe we are coming to the end of this story. I never intended for this to be a long one, just a fun and happy fic, with a happy ending! Probably one or two updates left to go - just warning you!

Chapter 18 - This Love

I had a good lifeBefore you came
I had my friends and my freedom
I had my name

Still there was sorrow and emptiness
'til you made me glad
Oh, in this love I found strength I never knew I had

And this love
Is like nothing I have ever known
Take my hand, love
I'm taking you home
Taking you home

There were days, lonely days
When the world, wouldn't throw me a crumb, no no
But I kept on believing
That this day would come

And this love
Is like nothing I have ever known, no no baby
Take my hand love

I'm taking you home
I'm taking you, home
Where we can be with the ones who really care
Home, where we can grow together
Keep you in, my heart forever

Meredith slipped away from the bed, careful not to disturb Derek. They had moved from the shower to the bed, where he had fallen into sleep almost instantly. She had a moment of panic, checking his breathing, thinking it was too instant, but he seemed fine. Now she grabbed her short silk robe and went onto the balcony, enjoying the warm damp air. Her eyes swept around the strip of beach that she could see, watching the waves curl up along the edge lazily. She heard Derek mumbling in his sleep, and she peeked over her shoulder. Wincing slightly, remembering the sight of his crumpled car this afternoon – the thought was morbid, but she couldn't bear to think of what could have been.

For a few minutes, she leaned against the railing, deep in thought. If someone had told her a month ago, that she would be here, married, and head over heels 

in love, she would have scoffed at the idea. A little smile curved her lips, thinking how life had changed.

"Hey…" Derek whispered suddenly from behind her. He pressed his mouth against her neck, his arms sliding around her waist. Meredith leaned back, with a little laugh.

"What are you doing out here?" she asked, tipping her head up.

"I woke up and I missed you…" His lips slid along her temple.

"You should be sleeping – I wasn't a very good wife before, molesting you in the shower…"

"I wasn't complaining, honey," Derek assured her, with a chuckle.

"Still…" Meredith sighed, suddenly aware of the fact that he was very naked and very aroused behind her. "Derek…you're naked…"

"You just noticed?" he laughed, pressing harder against her.

"But…"

"Nobody can see me." He tugged the robe off her shoulder, and she moaned a little. His mouth moved along her skin, as he rubbed against her harder. "Don't move, Meredith…" His voice was hot and low, as his hands roamed along her skin. "We can be a little adventurous, can't we?"

Meredith was torn between moaning, and the urge to move. "Ohmigod…Derek…" She spread her legs a little wider, letting his fingers move up into her sleek wetness.

"Shh…nobody's watching…"

"Ohhhh…." Meredith felt the tremor start in her core, and run through her like mad. Her hands clutched the railing as he teased her into a series of tiny orgasms. His lips found her ear, his tongue dancing along the lobe, until she was shaking harder. The robe inched higher as his other hand moved to her waist.

"Do you want me to stop?" Derek asked, his voice like warm caramel, making her nipples pucker more in the humid night air.

"Don't stop…" Meredith let the scent of him envelop her, his pure masculine essence that she could never get enough of. He suddenly spun her around and tugged her upwards, so that she was spread wider, against his cock. Meredith's head went back, and he nuzzled her neck, the stubble along his jaw scratching. 

"This is crazy…." Words failed her then, as he pushed into her. No one else ever made her so breathless, so wanting and desperately needing more of him. As he thrust slowly, lovingly into her, he planted wet, hot kisses everywhere he could. She was slick with desire, biting her lip to keep from screaming in satisfaction.

Derek muttered something incoherent, moaning against her mouth then. The sinful sound of his need pushed her over the edge almost instantly. The delicious limbo before orgasm consumed her, as the slow glide of his cock took her away. She rode the wave of her climax until she almost sobbed. He captured her lips, sliding his tongue between them, adding more erotic pleasure to the heat that raged between them. Slow and deliberate, he took her deeper, until she clung to him, the pleasure making her clench around him, gripping his cock like a glove. Derek's head went back, and he came with a deep growl, his cock pulsing into her. Meredith feel against him, gasping and laughing, almost dizzy from the intensity and the rush of the excitement.

"Insanity…" she whispered, as he gathered her up and carried back inside, kissing his neck where his pulse beat solidly.

"Insanity…woman, you have no idea…" Derek grinned, setting her down carefully. Meredith wound around him, pulling him into the cool sheets with her.

"Derek…what if something serious had happened to you today?" she asked, running her fingers along his cheek. "It's dangerous…"

"Honey, I can handle it. This was just one of those things. I'm not going to quit racing over one small incident," he said quietly, kissing her fingers.

"Is this one of those crazy guy obsessions?" she sighed. "Being all macho and tough?"

Derek winked at her. "Probably…just another reason why you love me…"

Meredith swatted his arm. "Ass…still arrogant, aren't you?"

"But you love me that way," Derek chuckled seductively, lowering his head to kiss her again, and finding the pulse that beat in her throat now, and making it his mission to make it beat even faster….

The Vegas sky was streaked with orange and violet, and the warm air was scented with dozens of roses, that mingled with sprays of orchids. The flowers were massed everywhere, in pots and on tables, and strung in swags over the arched trellis. The white glowed warmly in the twilight. Myriads of tiny lights 

twinkled in the potted trees and among the flowers. The guests were hushed as the words were spoken by the minister, indicating the end of the ceremony.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride…"

Derek smiled at Meredith. "This is twice now – you're really stuck with me…" he murmured, before claiming her mouth slowly. His arms wrapped around her, and his tongue slipped between her willing lips, and they lost track of everything else. Until the sounds of claps and whistles made them break apart reluctantly, and the flash of Cristina's camera made them blink.

"And you're stuck with me, honey," Meredith whispered back, ignoring everyone for a moment longer, drowning in the deep intensity of his eyes. Then they turned to face the small group, their fingers laced together, unable to keep from grinning like crazy. Swirls of confetti surround them as they moved forward, catching in the creamy lace of Meredith's gown, and Derek's dark hair.

"Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd…!" Danny shouted, leaning on his crutches. He shook Derek's hand, and kissed Meredith's cheek. "Good luck…" His eyes slid away to Delinda, who was standing a few feet away.

"You guys back together?" Derek asked, gauging the pull of attraction between the other couple.

Danny shrugged. "What can I say? I get shot in the leg chasing after this guy who wanted to shoot Cooper, and suddenly I'm irresistible…" He grinned, shifting his weight carefully. "And since Sloan left, we talked, and agreed that I'm going to arrange my schedule to get a few days off now and then, and she's not going to demand that I be there whenever she wants. We'll see…" He turned back to Delinda, who hurried over to help him, managing to smile happily at both Derek and Meredith.

"I love your dress..." Delinda whispered to Meredith as she and Danny headed towards the bar, and the food.

Sam hurried over then, in her blue silk halter gown, her Louboutin sandals tapping across the tiles. "Here…just as you wanted…" She handed over two flutes of champagne.

"Thanks, Sam, you did a great job on this, you know," Meredith said, with a wink.

"Weddings… bah…" Sam replied, winking back.

Derek drew Meredith away from the crowd for a moment, and they paused, before clinking the glasses together. "My little card shark, my love and my soulmate…" Derek murmured, watching her eyes in the soft light.

"My crazy race car driver, my love and my soulmate…" Meredith echoed, watching the deep blue of his eyes darken further. "To us…"

"To us…"

They each took a sip, and then he kissed her, sealing their breath, their tongues dancing with the cool tang of champagne lingering. "Forever…"

"God, I've never seen two people so crazy in love," a voice behind Cristina commented. She turned to face the bartender, offering a shot of tequila. The tall, blonde woman shook her head in amazement again, watching Derek and Meredith whispering and laughing together, oblivious to everyone else.

Cristina took the shot glass. "Yeah, they're crazy all right…" she agreed, tipping her head back to drink. "Never thought I'd see it, but Meredith found her guy…" She held up the glass for a refill.

"It happens to the best of us," the bartender commented slyly, passing the refill over. She leaned forward, her wide blue eyes focused on Cristina's. "Are you still looking?"

"Always," Cristina smirked, aware of the immediate attraction that had pulsed to life between them. "Looking is fun too…"

"Isn't it?" Letting her hand graze Cristina briefly, the blonde passed her card deftly into her palm. "Call me," she murmured with a wink.

Cristina's brows rose, watching the other woman walk away, and she turned the card over slowly.

Erica Hahn

Silver Thyme, Bartending

Song lyrics from "Taking you Home" by Don Henley