I know - I meant this story to be just a one shot, but I've been thinking about a different way for the Derek/Rose thing to be resolved, since Shonda seems determined to make us fans suffer. I had to write something to make myself feel better - maybe some of you will like this too.

So what if fate had a way of bringing Derek and Meredith together again...?

You can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway…

"I'm suddenly free for dinner," Derek said, looking at Rose. His heart was tight in his chest, and he felt like he'd been punched in the gut. The only thing he knew was that he didn't want to be alone. Didn't want to think about Meredith walking away from him, hurt and angry. But what did it matter, they were done…finished…over, so over…

Rose looked up at him, an eager smile on her lips. "I see…well, then so am I." If McDreamy was on the prowl, she thought, she was going to take full advantage of the situation. She jumped to her feet, and strolled over to him, putting her hand on his arm. "Are you all right? Is there something I can do for you?" Suggestive and intimate, she made sure to leave no room for doubt that she would be willing and ready for whatever he had in mind. Just to get his gorgeous body naked in bed, dear lord please….

For a moment, Derek stood motionless, feeling disgusted with himself, seeing the greedy look in her eyes. What was he doing? Jumping right into a situation with someone who was so opposite of Meredith…letting his cock direct him…was that all this was?

He sighed a little, and backed away. "Just dinner, Rose…" he said wearily.

"Sure, absolutely, whatever…" she said rapidly, backing away as well. Oopsy…too much too soon…need to give him time to come to her…her calculating mind whirred with the possibilities. "Will you pick me up, or shall we meet somewhere?"

"I'll meet you at…" Derek paused, unsure of where to go. He almost said Joe's, but that would be insanity at it's finest. Thinking of how it had gone with Meredith when she found him there with Lexie….well, it had led to some good sex, but even so, he wasn't prepared for a scene. "Look, let's just leave from here. I'm done in an hour…"

"Me too..sure, I'll be waiting in the lobby."

"Sure, see you then." And Derek escaped, berating himself already. Mistake, this was bound to be a mistake…

So deep in his thoughts, he didn't see Mark until he felt his friend's hand on his arm. "Hey, Derek, what's wrong, buddy? You look terrible." He pushed the elevator call button, waiting for an answer.

Derek rubbed his hand over his face. "Meredith and I seem to have broken up…again…"

"I see, but you were just showing me the big house plans..."

"She isn't ready for a house, or a relationship, or me, obviously," Derek replied morosely. "I should have known it was too fast, I pushed her too far. And she knows about Rose…"

"Aha…that's the real reason then. She's jealous, Derek. That's a good sign – it means she still cares."

"And you know this, how? You're not exactly the one I'd go to for advice on my love life," Derek commented dryly, as they stepped into the elevator. "Meredith is complicated, you don't know how she feels…"

"I suppose you told her about Rose, out of some misguided feeling of obligation."

"No, someone else obviously saw…shit…" Derek rubbed the bridge of his nose. "This morning, Rose mentioned it, said how we should just be friends. Someone must have overheard. I'm sure they couldn't wait to run to Meredith with the news."

"So…you need to learn how to be more discreet, my friend. Where are you meeting Rose?"

"In the lobby, in an hour…"

"Derek, Derek, Derek….that's the worst thing you can do. What if Meredith sees you? Or one of her friends?"

"You're right. I didn't think – and now I wish I had taken back the invitation." Derek gave Mark a tired look. "Maybe I should cancel. Talk to Mer…"

"No, let me handle this. I'll run interference for you – meet with Rose, and explain the situation. I'll call and make a reservation at this little Italian restaurant I found, and you can meet her there."

"Thanks, Mark. But…"

"One date, Derek…you need to expand your horizons."


This world's gone crazy and it's hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway…

An hour later, and Derek was in the elevator again, leaning against the back wall, eyes on his cell phone. His heart still felt tight and heavy, his thoughts chaotic, the text on the small screen almost meaningless. The door whooshed open, and he didn't bother to lift his eyes, until the familiar waft of lavender scent assaulted his senses. "Meredith…" he said in surprise.

"Crap…I hate elevators…" she muttered, ready to back out, a startled look of pain in her eyes.

"Wait…" He caught her hand and pulled her inside. "Please don't leave…let me explain…"

"Explain what?" she hissed. "Kissing Rose? Seriously, Derek, I think I get that part."

The doors closed, trapping them together. She crossed her arms, giving him a glare of annoyance. He moved closer, and she backed away, refusing to give in, even though she longed to have him take her into his arms and wipe away all the doubt and uncertainty. "Mer, honey…"

"Don't call me that," she warned him. "I laid my heart out for you, I told you I didn't want you to see anyone but me…and that it was scary and not to rush me…" She took a deep breath. "How could you kiss her, Derek?"

"I admit – it was a mistake," he said softly. "But it was just one kiss…not like we had sex…"

"Oh, well I'm sure that's gonna be next…" Her eyes swept over him, noting that he had changed into his cobalt blue shirt, the one that brought out the intense blue of his eyes, and that his hair was damp and curling along the collar of his jacket. And the scent of his aftershave tantalized her, reminding her sharply of all the mornings they had spent together, when he would catch her hands and kiss her before they left for work, the scent of him lingering on her like a warm reminder. "You're seeing her tonight, aren't you?" she asked accusingly.

Before Derek could answer, the elevator gave an unexpected jerk, and stopped dead. "What the hell…" He looked at the display, punching the emergency button, but nothing happened.

"This is just great," Meredith said, sinking to the floor, and resting her head on her knees. "We're stuck."

Derek dropped down beside her. Stuck in more ways than one, he thought. He pulled his phone out again, and tried to call for help, but something was wrong. There was no service, and he flipped the phone shut. "Looks like you ARE stuck with me."

"What about your date?" she asked harshly, not lifting her head.

"I'd rather be with you."

"Stop it, Derek. Stop being all McDreamy and sweet…just…stop…" Her voice broke, and she sobbed. "Damn it, anyway, why does this happen to us? Why is this so difficult? We can't even break up properly…"

You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
And in a moment, they can choose to walk away
Love 'em anyway…

Derek sighed and slipped his arm around her shaking shoulders. She didn't resist, just fell against his chest, sobbing quietly. "Meredith…" he breathed softly, stroking her hair. "I meant what I said, I want to grow old with you, having babies and fights, and whatever else comes along. I understand you're scared – but I'm scared too, honey. My marriage with Addison wasn't exactly a stellar example of wedded bliss, but I'm willing to try again. You are the one I want to try with – only you…"

Meredith raised her face, tears sliding down her cheeks. "You're scared too?" she asked softly, her bottom lip trembling. "I thought surgeons were above that…"

"In the OR yes, where it's all cut and dried, but being in love is scary and messy, and I think we should face it together…" He brushed his lips over hers, unable to resist the soft temptation of her mouth. A pure rush of emotion poured through him, and he pulled her a little closer, their mouths opening, tongues searching, their breath catching. Her hands slipped up to wind in his hair, responding eagerly to every nuance of his kiss. Somehow his hands found their way under her shirt, caressing the familiar curves and hollows of her tiny body, until she quivered against him.

"Is this break up sex again?" she whispered, fumbling with the buttons on his shirt, running her hands over his strong chest.

"No…it's better, honey…it's making love with the woman I adore…" he replied, pulling her shirt over her head. "Much much better…" He pulled her into his lap, running his hands over her back, undoing the clasp on her bra and helping her take it off. They both shook as her breasts rubbed against his chest, her nipples hard and aching. With a soft sigh of acceptance, she kissed him again, winding herself around him.

"It is better…" she agreed, feeling the heat surging between them, the need and the love all combining into the moment. "Just love me, Derek…please…"

"Always…"

Sudden urgency took over, and they shifted positions, as she wiggled out of her scrub pants, the ache to have him inside of her, filling her, the only thing that mattered. Derek freed his cock, pulling her down into his lap again, their mouths colliding, as she sank down onto him. "Perfect…god you feel so perfect…" he groaned, as they rocked together. "Never doubt this, Meredith…this is where we belong…" His voice was ragged, choked with emotion, and she looked at him, seeing the hint of tears glittering in his expressive eyes.

"Yes…sweetheart…oh yes…" she murmured, squeezing around him. She kissed the corner of his eye, tasting the salty tang of his tears, wiping it away gently. "I love you…"

Derek buried his face against her hair, as he thrust up into her. "I love you…" Raw desire and need filled them both, as they moved faster. He gripped her hips, driving deeper into her, possessing her, taking her soul and body as they reached for their release.

"God..oh god…Derek…" she sighed, as they caught their breath. "This is crazy…what if someone found us…" She giggled softly, content in the strength of his embrace.

"I don't know, honey…we better get dressed…" They pulled themselves up, dressing, kissing softly, reluctant to stop touching each other. Then the elevator lurched again, and the emergency bell buzzed, as it came to life again. The doors slid open at the next floor, and they were met by the electricians and elevator repairmen.

"You guys okay? It was the freakiest thing – couldn't find anything wrong with it, and it just suddenly came back on line…" one of them said, scratching his head in confusion.

Derek and Meredith exchanged a look, bursting into laughter. "It's okay, we didn't mind being stuck…" she said softly, taking his hand as they walked away. "I think we've made peace with that."


Mark walked up to the woman waiting in the hospital lobby, smiling as she turned in the chair in surprise. "Oh…Dr. Sloan…I was expecting somebody else…" Rose peered around him, expecting Derek to materialize as well. She turned back to Mark, her eyes sliding over his body, noting the muscular chest and trim hips, the casual sexy attitude he exuded.

"I know, I'm here as a stand in, so to speak," he said, giving her his best sensual smile, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. "I have a feeling Derek may be unable to meet you tonight. Now, I have this little Italian restaurant in mind, we can have a bottle of wine, you can get to know me…I'm really a nice guy too…"

"But…"

Mark guided her smoothly out the door. "Trust me…."

Song lyrics from 'Anyway' by Martina McBride. It's a great song - it made me think of this situation as soon as I heard it!