Thanks as always for the reviews so far. This chapter brings a change in Derek's relationship, while Meredith is still trying to work out what she is doing, and Mark meets someone who piques his interest. Please be patient with the Meredith's current situation - there will be things happening in the next chapters to shake things up!

Chapter Eight - Hopes & Wishes

Another couple of months slipped by, and Meredith found herself increasingly unsure of her relationship with Jack. He seemed moodier than before, questioning her about inconsequential things one day, and then springing lavish gifts on her the next. She kept telling him that he didn't need to buy things for her all the time, that she was successful in her own right. Her business was doing extremely well, and it helped to keep her mind away from other things.

Things like Derek, who was getting more work since the day of the tradeshow. He was able to keep up his appointments at the salon, while he worked part-time still at Moonglow. During their encounters, Meredith kept the tone light and friendly, and they chatted easily about his acting roles, and the industry gossip, or what restaurants were the new hot spots. He steered away from anything serious, or personal, letting her relax with him. He would lean in to her, touching her hand, or her shoulder, as they stood together after his hair was done. As if almost unconsciously needing that contact.

"He touches you," Alex observed, after Derek left the salon. Meredith turned to her friend, raising one eyebrow. They headed towards her office, a smile still playing on her lips.

"What do you mean?"

"I can tell he likes you by the way he touches you. You don't get that close to all your clients, Mer. It's affectionate, and he's really wanting more. You should…"

"Alex…don't start again."

"What? You don't see it, do you?"

"Maybe I do, but this isn't the time."

"Meredith, please think about dumping Jack. What's holding you back?"

"I can't just walk away from a relationship."

Alex frowned, as she paused at her office door. Her phone was ringing, and she knew it was Jack, calling to see if she was ready to leave. They were flying out to Vegas for the weekend. "Don't wait too long. Good guys don't wait forever – I should know." Alex kissed her cheek lightly. "Be careful, babe."

"Always…"

"Just take her to bed," Mark advised Derek, one night, at Moonglow. He had taken a spot at the bar, fielding hungry looks from the single women there who admired the tight fit of his black cashmere sweater and charcoal pants. "You won't be happy until you do. I'm tired of hearing you talk about her."

"Forget it, Mark. I'm not in a position to do that. Morgan and I are still…"

"Still what, man? She doesn't love you," Mark scoffed. He felt a marginal twinge of guilt about her – even though their encounter a few months ago hadn't been repeated. Whenever he met up with Derek and Morgan together, the tension was thick, and they sniped at each other worse than before.

"What is it with you two anyway? She hates you," Derek said, looking at Mark carefully. "I mean, she didn't like you before, but it's like being with two warring animals if you're in the same room now. What did you ever say to her?"

Mark shrugged. "Nothing, Derek. It's just a personality conflict, I guess."

"Well, even if we're headed for breakup, I don't like bed hopping, and Meredith is still engaged, anyway. Even though I don't understand why."

Mark rolled his eyes, and chewed on his swizzle stick. "Last of the monogamists, you are."

"I'm not a manwhore, like you," Derek laughed.

"It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it," Mark retorted, winking. "Hey, you have to see my new toy. Got a new Harley on the weekend. What a rush!" His modeling career was skyrocketing, and he was enjoying all the perks that went with it. The women, the house on the beach, the cars, it was all coming together.

"No thanks, if I want to kill myself, I'll find a less messy way to do it," Derek replied. "Whenever I get the money, I'm sticking with cars. Even if Morgan thinks I drive too fast, it's still safer than a motorcycle."

"Morgan working?" Mark asked idly. Not that he cared, really, just making conversation.

"Yeah, and she's up for a part in the new Wesley Snipes movie. If she gets it, she has to go to Prague for filming. All of his stuff is shot in Europe lately."

"Seriously?" Mark teased. "Maybe she'll find some beefy European stud over there."

"I should end it with her anyway. You're right – I can't keep thinking of Meredith and be involved with someone else. It's not fair to Morgan." Derek realized, before he was called away to make a round of drinks.

Mark shrugged again, finishing his drink. "Look, it's for the best, you know that." His attention was caught then, focused on a curvy blonde at the end of the bar, and he gave her a sensual grin. "Hey, get her a refill, on me, would you?" he asked Derek. "I think she likes me."

Mark slid onto the stool beside the blonde, and her eyes flicked over him. "Thank you for the drink," she murmured, lifting the glass in his direction.

"You're welcome. Do I know you?" he asked, assessing her with a smile. Her silky hair tumbled around her face; her lips were full and red, her brown eyes soft.

"Good line. Does that work a lot for you?"

"Usually." He took a sip of his Scotch. "Wait, I do know you…"

She sighed. "Here we go…"

"Bethany Whisper campaign…am I right?"

"You got it," she acknowledged with a tilt of her head.

"And you're Izzie Stevens. You looked damn hot in that spread…pardon the sexual innuendo there." He winked at her.

"And you're Mark Sloan, Mr. Macho Stud," she smirked.

"Hell, I'm really a romantic at heart, once you get to know me," he protested.

"Sure you are, you reputation precedes you."

"So why did you flirt with me?"

"Just to amuse myself." Izzie shrugged. "Heard so much about you from Morgan."

"She lies – a lot."

"Really? She said you were pretty hot."

"And sometimes, she tells the truth…"

Izzie touched his arm, feeling the solid muscle beneath the fabric of his jacket. He moved closer, standing next to her, his thigh nearly touching hers. The white silk dress she wore slid higher on her thigh, as she crossed her legs. She found herself attracted to him, despite the other things Morgan had told her - his arrogance, his ego. But she'd failed to mention the sheer magnetism of his personality. His eyes twinkled as if he knew just what she was thinking, and she pulled her thoughts together.

"You're pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?" She toyed with the swizzle stick, pressing the tip against her lip. Letting her tongue swirl along the tip suggestively.

"It's part of my appeal," he grinned. "I can't believe a beautiful woman like you is here all alone, though. You must have dozens of men falling for you."

"Me?" She opened her eyes wide. "I'm not that kind of girl, Mark. I like to have a steady relationship, none of that crazy Hollywood crap. I just stopped in here for a drink before I head home to bed. Alone."

"Oh, but that's a serious waste of a luscious body like yours," Mark murmured, leaning even closer, staring into her eyes. "You should never sleep alone."

"Really…?" Her tongue darted along her lip again, as she laughed, a soft throaty laugh that spiked his desire up another notch. He wouldn't have thought it was even possible to be so turned on, just standing her beside her, fully clothed, but life took unexpected turns, and this was one of them.

"Yes, really. Just give me one night, Izzie, and I'll change your world. You look like you're in need of Sloan loving…"

"Hmm… while that does sound like fun," Izzie smiled. She tapped his chest with the swizzle stick. "I would hate to be just another notch on your fuck belt."

Mark groaned. "Morgan should keep her mouth shut. And you sound like him…" He jerked his head in Derek's direction. "Mr. Monogamy."

"He's cute, is he single?"

"No, very attached, very conflicted."

"I see."

"You need me, Izzie, just give me a chance."

Izzie tossed her hair back and slid to her feet. The wrap around dress hugged her curves, giving him an eyeful of her cleavage. It reminded him of Marilyn Monroe's famous white halter dress. "Call me," she murmured, touching his cheek. "I'm in the book." And she sashayed away from him, her hips swinging provocatively.

"Looking back in five, four, three, two, one…" he murmured, grinning as she peeked over her shoulder, giving him a little smile.

"Turned you down, did she?" Derek asked behind him.

"This time," Mark admitted, sitting down again. "But not for long…"

When Derek got home later that night and found Morgan packing her bags, it was still a little unsettling, despite his conversation with Mark earlier. He paused at the bedroom door, leaning against the frame, a glass of Scotch in his hand.

Morgan didn't realize at first he was watching her, and she gave a little start when she caught sight of him. "Geez, Derek…."she murmured, seeing his eyes on her. "I didn't hear you come in."

"You're leaving…"

"What was your first clue?" Morgan tossed more clothes into the pile. "I got the part, I'm outta here first thing in the morning."

Derek nodded silently, sipping the Scotch, waiting to feel something. He should feel something, after all this time, shouldn't he? "Shall I sleep on the couch then tonight?" he asked quietly.

"Derek…" Morgan sighed, walking over to him. "You know we weren't working out, babe. Now I have this movie, and things are changing…it's not you…it's me."

Derek snorted. "Now there is a classic line. I think I had that one in my last movie." He touched her cheek briefly. "Is there someone else? Is that why you think this is your fault?"

Morgan shrugged, her eyes darting away from his. "Maybe, but I'm not ready to stay with just one guy, Derek. I know you want to settle down, and I'm just not the one for you." She turned and headed to the bed again, rearranging the clothes to get the bag to shut. "It was good for awhile, though, wasn't it?" She peeked over her shoulder at him, noting the rumpled sexy look that suited him so well. His white shirt undone, untucked over the black pants, as he shoved his free hand in his pocket. Propped against the door, he tilted his head, giving her that little grin that always made her melt. Maybe it was crazy to give him up, maybe she would regret it someday, but right now she just wanted out.

"It was good, Morgan," Derek assured her, a little sad, yet relieved. "I think I knew it wasn't working, I just kept hanging on, just…"

"Look, I'm calling a cab. I'll stay with Tina tonight." Morgan lined up the bags at the front door, taking a last look around. She punched a few numbers in her cell phone, and arranged for the cab, before walking back to him. She lifted up on her toes and kissed him quickly. "Take care of yourself, babe."

Derek hugged her against him quickly. "Good luck, Morgan. If you ever need anything, phone me."

Morgan nodded, and they heard the cab honking outside. "That's my cue. See you in the movies, Derek…"

Derek waited until the door closed behind her, before wandering outside with his drink. Staring up at the night sky, he caught a glimpse of a shooting star, and he grinned. He closed his eyes, and made a little wish - a wish for a sweet, green-eyed beguiling woman to be in his life, and in his arms...