Well, I have to say, I'm a little surprised at the lack of response to that last chapter - I especially liked it myself, but then, I'm biased LOL. Thanks to those of you that did let me know your thoughts on it. There will be more sparks between Derek & Meredith, just not yet. I'm really taking my time with this story, developing their relationship slowly this time.

As for this chapter, well, you may not be happy with it. While it brings MerDer together again briefly, it also shows that even if Mark may be Derek's wingman, he still thinks with other parts of his body besides his brain...

Chapter Six - Encounters

Two months later

Meredith took a seat at the bar in Moonglow, and decided a glass of wine was in order as she waited for Jack to join her. It was another busy night at the popular restaurant, and he was dealing with a crisis in the kitchen. She rested her chin in her hand, watching the other people in the lounge, letting the soft chatter and sounds of glassware and ice tinkling surround her. Watching the bartender juggle glasses and pour drinks with an easy flair, she frowned slightly, realizing he looked familiar. His back was turned to her at the moment, and she let her gaze wander down his body, admiring the way the black t-shirt hugged his lean body, and how the dark pants emphasized his narrow hips, and butt. But the hair…

She giggled a little, as Derek turned her way, and she gave him a little wave as he noticed her. His eyes seemed to draw her in, a sensual quirk playing along his lips as he stopped in front of her. "Well, Derek, this is a nice surprise," she said, returning his smile.

He tilted his head, contemplating her. "I just started a few days ago," he confessed. "I need the extra cash. Acting hasn't been paying the bills as regularly as I'd like."

"I'm sorry. I wondered why you hadn't been back to see me." Meredith bit her lip unconsciously. Did that sound right? But it was true, she had wondered, noting that he had canceled the appointment he had booked after that first time. She thought maybe it had to do with the fact she was engaged to Jack, and the bad feelings between the two brothers. But here Derek was, working in Jack's restaurant.

Derek shrugged. "You are an indulgence I can't afford right now, Meredith," he replied, his words sounding more like flirting, than discussing a canceled appointment. His eyes drank her in hungrily - she truly was an indulgence, in more than just monetary ways. She had been in his thoughts almost constantly, and he regretted not being able to see her again. "Now, what can I get you to drink?" he asked, bracing his hands on the bar, leaning in slightly. He could smell that same light floral essence that clung to her, watching her eyes, seeing the light flecks of gold in her iris. Her hair was artfully disheveled, little tendrils snaking down her neck. The light summer dress she wore was strapless, the bodice hugging her slender frame snugly, and a delicate gold chain circled her throat.

"Just a glass of chardonnay, please, Derek," she murmured, feeling a heat in her core that had nothing to do with the crush of people in the lounge.

"Be right back." He flashed her a grin, and went to get her wine. Taking this job at Moonglow was entirely a fluke, but he jumped at the chance when he saw the ad at the job agency. He swallowed his pride, realizing he was taking work from his brother, but Jack had been decent enough about it when Derek showed up to apply for the position. He only rubbed it in Derek's face a couple of times that he was down on his luck and Jack was doing him a favor by employing him. But it paid off, seeing Meredith tonight. He poured her wine, and set it down in front of her with a flourish.

"Thank you," she murmured, toying with the stem of the glass. "So your auditions didn't go as well as you'd hoped?"

"Not exactly." Before he could say anything else, he was called away to fill more drink orders, leaving her to sip her wine thoughtfully. He seemed totally at ease, chatting with the patrons, flirting with the women, and she couldn't figure out why he wasn't getting acting work. Mind you, in this town, handsome faces were a dime a dozen.

During a break in the activity, Derek found himself in front of Meredith again, unable to stay away from her. "You need a haircut," she noted, seeing the length of his hair curling out of control.

"I need a lot of things," he replied with a wink.

"Oh, really…well, I can only help you with the haircut…"

"Are you sure?" he teased her, "I can think of one or two other things…"

"Derek…" she giggled, lifting her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Her engagement ring flashed at him, reminding him forcefully that she was taken. As for his own relationship, things weren't smooth sailing. Morgan was still living with him, but they argued more than they talked. Sex was infrequent, and he felt like she was drifting away from him. She had been working a lot, small parts, but she was hoping for a shot at supporting actress in a film that was going to be filmed in Europe. Derek had a feeling they would be breaking up soon, and he was finding himself not as unhappy as he would have imagined. This flirtation with Meredith was enough to remind him that there were other women out there; unfortunately, he was beginning to think that he was only interested in this one petite green-eyed siren who was not available.

They chatted easily as he worked, until Meredith glanced at her watch, wondering where Jack was. At this rate, she would be tipsy before dinner, and he didn't approve of her drinking alone. As if on cue, she felt his presence behind her, and his hand on the small of her back. "There you are, darling. That altercation in the kitchen took longer than I anticipated. I hope you weren't bored." He leaned in to kiss her temple, resting his elbow on the polished teak of the bar. "Our table is ready, let's go eat. You must be starving, I know your need to eat…"

"Of course," Meredith replied, gathering her purse, looking for Derek. He was busy at the other end of the bar, conferring with one of the waitresses. As she hesitated, he looked up and caught her eyes on him, and he nodded, seeing Jack leading her away. He gave her a brief smile, before the crowd swallowed them up. Had he imagined the hesitation on her part, thinking she didn't want to leave? He shook his head ruefully, and returned his attention to the girl talking to him.

Morgan threw open the front door, expecting to find Derek there, fumbling for the keys. Instead she came face to face with Mark, who leaned haphazardly against the door frame. "Well, Morgan…don't you look lovely..." he smirked, taking in her outfit of faded sweatpants and shrunken t-shirt that left her mid-riff bare. A tiny diamond winked at him from her navel, drawing his gaze lower.

"Mark, what are you doing here? Derek isn't home yet." She frowned, folding her arms across her stomach. "Are you drunk?"

"Damn, I thought he said he'd be home by now." Mark brushed past Morgan, leaving her standing with her hands on her hips. "I'll wait."

"By all means, have a seat," she muttered, slamming the door shut. It was late, and Derek was probably on his way home from Moonglow. Not soon enough, she mused, curling up on the recliner. She eyed Mark, his whole demeanor oozing sex. "Don't you have a date with some beach bunny?" she asked, flipping through the channels on TV. Never liking the man, Morgan tried to ignore him, and his big male presence on the sofa across from her.

"I'm currently between girlfriends," Mark laughed easily, lacing his fingers behind his head and lounging back against the cushions.

"I'm sure there must a bimbo out there you haven't fucked," Morgan commented sarcastically.

"What, are you jealous?" He smirked at her, enjoying the way she shifted uncomfortably in the chair, the sweatpants so low on her hips he could see the definition of her taut abdomen, making his thoughts downright dirty.

"What?!? Jealous of what? D'you think you're such a stud that women everywhere are waiting with baited breath for you to take them to bed?" Morgan raised one perfectly groomed eyebrow in disbelief.

"Aw, c'mon, Morgan…don't tell me you haven't thought about it," Mark teased her. "You've secretly been lusting after me ever since you met me. I can tell." He pushed himself to his feet, and headed to the kitchen, in search of a drink.

"Oh, please…get over yourself." Morgan rolled her eyes, and got up as well, to follow him.

"That's fine, I'll wear you down," Mark laughed, popping open a beer and taking a long swallow. His gaze wandered casually over her chest, seeing her nipples standing out beneath the thin shirt. No bra either…

"Seriously?" Morgan sputtered, looking him as his tongue swiped along his top lip, licking up the trace of foam, and she found herself unable to keep her eyes from it. As he moved closer to her, she kept frozen in place, until they were inches apart. She could smell the haze of cigarette smoke on his jacket, and the spice of his cologne, all mixed in the sudden arousal that sparked between them.

"Oh yeah, they all want to find out if that bulge in my shorts is as big as it looks in that billboard poster, and I'm happy to oblige," he said with a smirk. "You wanna find out too, don't you?" His voice was dark and inviting, and her eyes dropped to his groin without thinking.

"Ha!" she said softly, feeling a sharp ache in her core. An ache that took her by surprise, but it had been too long since she and Derek had been intimate, and she had needs too. Needs that were demanding attention suddenly. Needs that she dimly realized should not be fulfilled here.

"You are a hot piece of ass, you know…" Mark said quietly, his mouth hovering much too close to hers. She didn't remember closing the gap between them; it was just suddenly his mouth bruising hers, their tongues snaking together in a hot rush.

"Stop, Mark..." Morgan pushed at him, panting. "What are we doing?"

They stood eye to eye, their chests still heaving. "I thought we were about to get down and dirty..." Mark muttered hotly, frustrated.

"I can't...." she protested feebly.

"I can..." His fingers found her nipple beneath the short t-shirt, teasing her into near mindless desire.

"No..." she moaned, pulling away. "This is crazy..."

"Not crazy enough.." he hissed, intent on trying to kiss her again.

"Don't you EVER do that again. God, what was I thinking?" She ran a hand over her spiked hair, her body still tingling from the contact. Mark touched her face, and she shook him off angrily. "Don't touch me again. Get out of here…"

"Fine!" he replied, just as angry. "Just don't try to tell me you didn't want more than that…" His eyes raked her, and she flushed.

"I didn't. Now leave…"

"It's just a kiss, babe. Don't sweat it." Mark finished the rest of his beer, and headed for the door.

"Derek is your best friend..." she groaned.

"...and your boyfriend. Does that make us both sick and twisted?"

"Ohhh…damn you…" Morgan sighed, pulling herself back together. She needed a shower, hot and long, pushing the memory of what just happened out of her mind. It was just a kiss, that much was true. But it wasn't happening again…