A little humor.. a little heat...

"Are you sure you won't reconsider. It's New Years Eve. You can't sit in the dorm all night alone. That's too depressing."

"I'm sure. Really. I'll be fine. Go have fun. I'm in a pajama's and ice cream kinda mood tonight. Not a party mood."

Meredith's roommate studied her for only a moment more before finally nodding, accepting nothing she said would change her mind.

"Well… okay. I guess I'll see you later then."

Meredith let out a sigh of relief as her roommate finally disappeared, closing the door shut behind her. She had been bugging her all day about going to some fraternity's New Year's Eve party and Meredith was just not up to it. Not this year.

She glanced at her phone one last time, seeing that it was indeed working and that she still had no missed calls, before moving to her bedroom, trading her jeans and sweater for sweats and a T. Trudging back out into the kitchen, she rummaged around the tiny freezer for a moment before retrieving her carton of strawberry ice cream and then busied herself with trying to find a semi clean spoon before letting herself plop on their comfy plush love seat positioned in front of the TV.

Meredith sank back, glancing at the clock. It was nearly ten. Only two hours to keep her mind off of the fact that she would not be receiving a New Year's kiss that year. Only two hours to keep herself distracted so her mind would not wander to Derek, and why he hadn't called in over three days, and most importantly not wander to who he was kissing at the stroke of midnight.

She lowered herself further into the couch, wanting to disappear as she began digging into the frozen pink cream. The sickening feeling settling in her gut as she realized, that with the time difference, he was already celebrating his New Year's and kissing his girl of choice. No wonder her phone wasn't ringing. She suspected that his little giggly friend of childhood was the furthest thing from his mind at the moment.

Shaking her head, trying to ease the anger that began to burn inside her, Meredith finally flipped on the TV. She flipped aggressively through the channels, noticing that each station was boasting their own party for the night, and opted for the DVD already in the player. Pushing play, she sighed content. This was better than any party. This was better than doing a cheesy countdown from ten while holding your breath as the perfect man leaned in for a kiss. Okay maybe it wasn't better, but watching Season 4 of Baywatch came in a close second for her.

Meredith woke with a start sending the empty ice cream carton and used spoon clattering to the floor. She blinked her eyes for a moment before sitting slowly up. The Baywatch theme song played in the background as the main menu page of disc one stuck on the screen, Pamela Anderson's ridiculously large chest bouncing in the background.

She must have fallen asleep. Turning the DVD player off, she changed the cable box until she found Dick Clark, noticing in the bottom right hand corner of her screen it read only one more minute till midnight. Just her luck. She had awakened just in time to ring in the New Year. Alone.

Meredith eyed the cabinet across the room just above the fridge and debated on whether or not she should open the sealed bottle of tequila hidden there. Even though they were both underage, Meredith and her roommate had bribed a couple older guys to get it for them, stocking it in their kitchen for emergencies. Underage drinking was seriously frowned upon at their University and outlawed from their dorm. It was risky even having it in the apartment and both girls had agreed to only break it out when it was really truly needed. Meredith couldn't help but think this was the perfect time.

She forced herself up off the couch, pulling her disheveled hair back into a messy pony tail as her eyes read the 35 seconds flashing on the screen. She really needed that drink.

Crossing behind the couch, a loud knock at the door caused her heart to jump in her throat. She waited and furrowed her brows. Everyone she knew was at the party across town. Who would be banging at her door with now twenty eight seconds to go till mid night?

Rolling her eyes at her childish nervousness, she crossed to the door, knowing the dorm security was pretty strict and no one got into the building that didn't belong there. She settled her hand on the brass door knob and was about to turn it when the incessant pounding rattled the thin wood again.

Whoever it was was being impatient and she was now annoyed. She flung the door open angrily as the countdown in the background began. She heard Dick Clark's voice, along with the heavy crowd of New York City chanting from the TV; 7, 6, 5, as she looked into the intruder's eyes and gasped.

"Oh my…."

Derek drummed his fingers impatiently on the smooth counter.

"You have got to freakin be kidding me?! You don't have anything? What the hell happened to the reservation I made days ago?!"

"I'm sorry sir. Please calm down. I'm doing everything in my power to find you a vehicle. Please be assured that we are looking into this situation and will not rest until we find out what happened. Customer satisfaction is our number one goal."

Derek ran his hand frustratingly through his hair. "Well you being sorry and looking in to things does not change the fact that I have to be across town in less then twenty minutes. And now I have no means of transportation. I'll leave out the fact that my plane was delayed thirty minutes, only to have my lay over extended from one hour to five… yes five! And now the rental car that I was promised upon reserving my ticket is missing. Your damn apologies mean shit to me right now!" Derek hollered, slapping his hand against the counter and causing everyone in the small room of United Rental to jump.

"Sir…again…all I can say is I'm sorry." The nervous woman answered back. "May I suggest a cab?"

Derek let out an aggravated noise and turned on his heel. He didn't have much time. He needed to hurry. Grabbing his carry on suitcase, he raced out of the small office of the airport and onto the curb, looking up and down for any sign of the desperately needed yellow taxi.

The night was cold and dark; the streets damp form a daylong down poor. One lonely cab sat patiently on the curb and Derek raced for it. He was almost to the back door when a grey haired lady stepped in front of him and pulled the handle, opening the door for herself.

Derek groaned. "Mam. Please. I'll buy this cab from you. I guarantee I need it way more than you."

The woman gave him a disapproving shake of her head and continued to move forward, preparing to shift her old body into the vehicle.

Desperate, Derek held out his arm, blocking her entry. "Mam. I'm begging. I'll pay you one hundred…" Derek removed his wallet and counted some bills. "… make that two hundred dollars! I'll even share it with you. Just please. I need this cab."

This infuriated the elderly woman and Derek never saw her large purse coming until it was too late, knocking him square in the middle of his forehead, causing him to take a few feet back as he blinked through the lights flashing in his head. Before he could recover, the little old woman took her place in the back of the cab and Derek watched helplessly as the yellow disappeared.

Cursing out loud, he racked his brain for another solution. The streets were basically deserted, no one in their right mind would be at an airport in a foreign city with only fifteen minutes till mid night on New Year's Eve. No one but a love sick idiot who couldn't shake the idea of kissing his Meredith at the stroke of twelve.

Headlights came and Derek knew this was his last chance. He waved his arms up and down and unashamedly did a little jump to get the drivers attention. He was at the point of hitchhiking with a stranger, whatever it took.

The car came to a screeching halt, but not before passing him, sending a thick puddle over most of his clothes. Derek clenched his jaw and took a breath, his nostrils flaring out of frustration. The passenger window rolled down slowly and Derek lowered himself to speak to the owner of the vehicle. He was immediately releaved to note that a normal looking man in a cowboy hat sat behind the steering wheel.

"I'm sorry sir. I'm desperate. Is there any way I could hitch a ride to the University. I'm kinda in a hurry and I'd be willing to pay."

The man studied Derek just a moment before pressing the power unlock button and nodding. "Sure thing son. Not a problem."

Derek sighed relieved, grateful that one thing had worked out for him in this day of complications and obstacles. He climbed in and showed the stranger a postcard with the target address. The man nodded, obviously familiar with the area and drove ahead. Derek pressed his eyes closed, hoping he wasn't too late. Hoping beyond some miracle he'd be able to find her and kiss her before the clock moved past twelve.

To Derek's relief, the man drove fast, even speeding when the empty streets allowed. They pulled up in front of a large brick building, the walls lined with windows and Derek smiled knowing this was definitely the right place. He turned to the stranger and let out a breath.

"Thank you so much sir. I really appreciated this. Please let me pay you." Derek again pulled out his wallet, ready to pay any amount when the stranger stopped him.

"No. Cash isn't necessary. Just give me your shoes."

Derek furrowed his brow, looking down at his shoes and then back into the man's face, half expecting him to start laughing. His eyes went wide when he realized that the man was not joking in the least and decided to oblige, knowing he had only seven minutes left to find Meredith.

Slipping off his brown Doc's, Derek opened the door, eagerly to exit the strange cowboy's presence, when the stranger stopped once more.

"And your shirt."

"Excuse me?" Derek wasn't sure if he'd heard right.

"I like your shirt. Give it to me too."

Derek shook his head, growing more freaked out by the second. He slipped the tan polo over his head and tossed it to the man, grabbing his small suitcase and hurrying out of the car. He jogged quickly to the awaiting building, too afraid to even glance back in fear that his pants would be the next required item.

He heard the tires squeal away as he reached the main entrance. Pulling on the handle of the glass door, Derek cursed under his breath when it didn't budge. It was locked. Of course.

Derek looked around, knowing there would be a security guard around somewhere. He spotted him just inside, sitting in an arm chair in the lobby napping. He raised his fist to the door and began to bang, desperately needing to wake him, desperately needing to get in. He had less than five minutes.

The small man woke with a start, narrowing his eyes at the man outside who had woke him. He crossed the distance to the door, adjusting his heavy waistband of the pants that were too big and Derek had to hold back his laugh that this was the man in charge of keeping the residents safe.

The glass door opened a few inches and the skinny boy tried to sound intimidating.

"This building closes at ten. Only residents allowed in after hours."

"It's an emergency. I'm here to see Meredith Grey. She's in room…" Derek glanced down at the post card. "…415. Please just let me in."

"Nope. It's the rules. Come back tomorrow."

"Please. You don't understand. It's real important."

"I don't care." The security guard was obviously annoyed at Derek's persistence. "You have to have a Student ID to get past these doors. Plus we have a dress code here on campus. I think you need to go back to wherever it was you came from and leave us alone."

The guard had took a once over of Derek's appearance, damp hair, thin undershirt, dirty water stains on his pants, no shoes. Even Derek admitted he was quite a scary sight.

But something snapped inside Derek. He hadn't seen Meredith in six months and now that he was so close, nothing was going to stop him. Before he fully realized himself what he was doing, he raised his fist and swung through, making satisfying contact with the security guards nose. The tiny male flew backwards, creating an opening for Derek to get by.

Stepping through the doors and over the unmoving body, Derek shook out his fist as he raced for the elevator. He noticed the bright paper from down the hall and when he stopped in front of the elevator, he could have almost assumed that of course the paper read OUT OF ORDER.

Shaking his head and letting out a laugh of incredulity, he headed towards the stairs. Throwing the heavy doors opened he took the cement steps two at a time, glancing at his phone to see he had two minutes left.

Out of breath, shirt drenched in sweat, spirit beaten and broken, Derek stood before room 415 with thirty seconds to spare. He raised his sore fist and hit the door a few times, not caring that pain coursed through his body, only praying that somehow… by some shift of fate, she would be there.

When only quiet met him, Derek felt his legs go weak. Of course. He had been insane. Meredith was young and beautiful, like she would be home on a night like this. He was so stupid. All his plans had blown up in his face. If only his flights hadn't been delayed. If only his rental car had been waiting for him as promised. He could have gotten to her earlier. He could have taken her out for a fancy New Year's Eve dinner and taken her dancing. The little things that he had plotted in his head now mocked him.

In one last desperate attempt, Derek raised both fists this time and pounded harder, more persistent. Taking his aggravation from the night out on the innocent door. Just as he was about to give up and turn around defeated, the door flung open and the most beautiful sight met his eyes.

His blue eyes locked on her fiery green ones and he suddenly found himself speechless. Her mouth dropped open as his eyes swept her body, thinking that even in sweats and a t-shirt she was the most gorgeous girl he had ever laid eyes on.

He moved his eyes back to her stunned ones as he heard the TV countdown in the background. A smile finally spread across his face, the first of the day, as he heard a male voice ring out.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1…"

"Happy New Year Mer." He said softly before finally crossing the gap between them. He put his large hands on either side of her face, pulling her to meet his lips. His large ones crashed down on hers, hungry for her taste, hungry for what he had spent six months dreaming of.

Their lips pressed hard against each others. A burden was lifted that neither had realized was there as Meredith sunk into his body, wrapping her arms around his neck and her heart fluttered as Derek's large hands moved to her hips, pulling her body against his.

They stayed in that position a moment, eyes wide open, lips firmly touching before Derek pulled away. He kept his eyes locked on hers as he gently moved a strand of hair out of her face. Not being able to resist the separation any longer, his lips claimed hers again, this time more fierce, this time more needy. His tongue parted her lips aggressively as she eagerly opened her mouth to meet his determination. Their tongues wrestled for power, neither being able to get enough as they bit and sucked on each other's lips.

The heat began to build and the realization that a very angry security guard and possibly some back up would be coming for him soon caused Derek to push Meredith inside the small apartment, closing the door securely behind him with his foot.

Derek had repeated over and over in his head the whole trip across the country that he would not make love to her. He would not lead her to believe that that was the reason of his visit. Because honestly it wasn't. He had wanted to see her. Hear her giggle next to him, not across a staticky phone line. He had wanted to breathe her in and hold her body next to his. He thought he didn't need the sex.

But looking into her eyes, half closed in desire and gently sucking on her tongue, a familiar feeling began to grow inside him and he knew it was no use pretending. He needed Meredith. And not just in his arms as his friend at that moment. He needed her intimately. He needed to make her moan in desire and writhe with pleasure. He needed to be inside her. Immediately.

The following is very mature.

Their lips continued the heated battle as their hands began to explore each other's bodies, becoming reacquainted with the familiar curves and lines. His hands found the bottom hem of her thin t-shirt and was about to pull it over his head when the realization that they were in the living room of her apartment and he had no idea if they were actually alone crossed his mind.

He pulled back, interrupting the intensity of their hungry actions and breaking Meredith's trance. She finally looked up at Derek and raised her eyebrows, at last taking his appearance in.

"You look like you just back from war. What the hell happened to you?"

"It's a long story Mer." He said defeated, shaking his head and removing his hands from her small body to run it through his messy damp locks.

She studied his expression before nodding and letting a large smile cross her face. "I can't believe you're here. Actually here in my dorm."

"I can't believe it either. You have no idea how hard I tried to get here Mer. I wanted to surprise you with dinner and the whole sorts… but apparently I made someone upstairs very mad and today was his day of revenge. Nothing went right. I've had the day from hell. But now… standing in front of you… staring at your beautiful face… none of that seems to matter. All I can feel is happy."

Derek knew he said too much. He had definitely crossed that line they had been so careful constructing the last six months. But he didn't care. He was intoxicated from her drugging kiss and would deal with the consequences later.

"Derek…" Meredith was at a loss for words and turned her head quickly, not wanting him to see the emotion in her eyes that his beautiful words had inflicted. She spotted his small piece of luggage and jumped at the chance to change the subject. "Here... let me take this to my room. You can shower in my bathroom and get cleaned up. You really look bad." She giggled.

"Thanks a lot." He replied feigning hurt, but couldn't help but smile as he followed her to the tiny room that connected to an even smaller bathroom.

Meredith laid the luggage on the end of her bed and entered the bathroom, checking for clean towels and then starting the water. It took a moment before the freezing water turned warm, but soon soft steam filled the air of the small room.

She turned to let Derek know things were ready and jumped in surprise, finding him in only his boxers, his head tilted as he watched her, arms folded casually leaning against the door jam.

"Oh… um…" Meredith tried to catch her breath and forced her wandering eyes to remain on his face. "Shower's ready."

Derek nodded before taking a few steps forward and stretching his hand under the steady stream of water, testing its temperature himself. He nodded in satisfaction and Meredith took that as her cue to leave, hesitantly stepping away from his scantily dressed body.

His hand found her arm and the sensation of skin on skin caused her to turn her head in surprise.

"Aren't you going to stay and keep me company?"

"Keep you company?" She replied skeptically, a small smile playing at the corner of her mouth.

"Mmmhmmm." He answered softly, stepping towards her, his eyes never leaving hers as for the second time that night, his hands found the bottom hem of her t-shirt, but this time with no more delays, he pulled it over her head, his eyes immediately darkening at the display of her bare chest.

Neither one spoke as Derek next found the waist band of Meredith's sweats, easily removing those for her as well, taking her panties down with her pants in one swift movement.

Meredith's cheeks grew warm as she watched Derek's eyes sweep over her naked body approvingly. She chewed on her bottom lip nervously as she waited for Derek's next move, the tension and arousal almost too much for her to take.

He moved his boxers down with his hands, kicking them to the side as he extended his hand to Meredith, taking her small one in his and pulling her into the awaiting shower with him.

The hot water mixed with the cool air sent goose bumps over Meredith's flesh and immediately hardened her nipples. Derek couldn't resist the temptation and his hands immediately claimed them, his hard erection growing stiffer as he pressed it on Meredith's flat stomach.

He noticed her skin was paler, the dark tan of a summer under the sun long faded but it was still as beautiful as ever. His fingers caressed her curves, their home they'd been away from for far too long as his lips found hers, his own knees going week at the soft moans escaping her lips.

The hot water continued to cascade over both their naked bodies as Meredith's small hands found his large member. She had almost forgotten how good it felt to take him in her hands and hold a power over him that she'd never experienced before. His body responded to her soft purposeful touches and his own hands became more determined, more needy. His lips deserted her mouth and moved slowly down her neck, journeying down her collar bone and capturing an aching nipple in his mouth. His tongue teased and flicked and licked as one of his skillful hands parted her thighs, immediately finding the spot he was searching for and drawing tiny circles with his fingers, causing Meredith to gasp from pleasure.

She pushed his hand away, not ready for her orgasm as she slowly lowered herself in the shower. Derek watched on surprised as she kissed her way down his chest and across his stomach, following his happy trail to his extended shaft, begging and throbbing for her.

She pleased him with her hands as she placed small kisses up the side, working towards the enlarged tip, only to tease it with a long lick and kiss back down the other side. The sensations were overwhelming to Derek, who had never experienced this particular level of pleasure with Meredith yet, and he tried to keep his shaking legs steady as she skillfully pleased him.

After torturous moments of teasing, Meredith finally took him completely in her mouth, causing Derek to call out. She sucked hard and moved her tongue in circles, getting just as much satisfaction out of the act as Derek was.

"Mer..." Derek gasped. "I want … I need... I need to be in you… Now."

Meredith giggled, deciding that arguing the fact that technically he was in her wouldn't do any good, and reluctantly released him, straightening up before him. She moved the shower curtain aside as she dug around under the bathroom counter for the box of condoms she knew was down their somewhere and was relieved when she found it full. She took one small wrapper and hurriedly unwrapped it, replacing the shower curtain and finding Derek just as eagerly waiting.

Her hands carefully put the condom in place as Derek's lips found hers again. He suddenly turned her, pressing her hard against the cold tile wall and grabbed her legs, a strong hand under each thigh. Not being able to wait any longer he lifted her slightly and thrust into her, both screaming in pleasure as he fit perfectly in her tight wet opening. She wrapped her legs around him tightly, wanting him more than she could ever remember and needing him to be further in her. His thrusts started out deep and fast and only escalated from there, their six month separation evident in every push and pull and bite and nip. They needed each other. They needed each other in a way that only they could understand.

Derek pressed hard and urgent into her as her nails dug into his back. Heat washed over her as the waves of pleasure overcame and soon they were both coming, gasping and panting as their bodies took over, taking them to a whole different world.

They held each other, neither wanting to let go, neither wanting the moment to end. Meredith didn't want him to pull out. She wanted to stay like that. Forever. And so did he. But soon the hot water turned warm and soon the warm water turned cold. And they had to pull away. She had to release him.

They reluctantly parted as Meredith turned the cold water off. Neither spoke, still panting heavily from the earth shattering sensations they had both experienced. Derek stepped out first and grabbed a purple fluffy towel, handing it to Meredith. He then grabbed another one, wrapping it around his waist, before turning and helping her step out.

He pulled her close, wanting to hug her, wanting to keep her in his arms as much as possible, knowing that he'd soon be leaving and wouldn't be able to hold her for a long time. He carefully placed his chin on the top of her head as she rested her head against his bare chest, still covered in water droplets.

"So…. you've been practicing." Derek said half serious half joking, but still wanting to know.

He felt Meredith shrug in his arms. "Maybe. I have to admit it was solely out of curiosity. I wanted to know if everyone was as amazing as you."

"And?" Derek prompted.

"And…" Meredith went on. "… there is only one man who can make me scream and moan in pleasure the way you do Derek Shepherd." Meredith smiled, knowing that was exactly what he wanted to hear, and knowing she wasn't even lying.

"That's what I like to hear."

Meredith giggled. "So… how long do I get to keep you for?"

He frowned. "Unfortunately I leave in only a few hours. I have a lot to do before classes start up again on Tuesday."

Meredith nodded, swallowing her disappointment. "Well… then we don't have a moment to waist. Loose that towel Shepherd and let's get going with round two!"

She slipped from his grasp, dropping her own towel as she hurried past him, disappearing into her room and jumping on her bed. Derek smiled, loosing his towel as he was instructed. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation as his body responded, already growing hard at the thought of what the next few hours with Meredith would bring.