Well, obviously most of you out there are still recovering from turkey overload - not much for reviews on that last chapter!

This time finds Derek running into his old flame, Meredith getting called by Jack's lawyer, and there's a little partying going on. Oh, and of course, they squeeze some time in for your favorite intimate moments! Hope you like...

Chapter Twenty-three

Let's Party

"Hey...Derek!"

Derek glanced over his shoulder as he was loading a few bags of groceries into the truck of Meredith's Mercedes. It was late in the afternoon on the 24th, and they had decided to hold an impromptu party for a few friends. So he had agreed to head out to Whole Earth Foods for supplies, leaving Meredith to arrange the house and get ready.

His eyes widened to see Morgan behind him, hands jammed into her leather jacket pockets, a voluminous scarf around her neck, the ends trailing down to her knees. "Morgan..." he muttered, straightening up and slamming the trunk shut.

"I thought that was your butt," she smirked. "Merry Christmas."

"Yeah, Merry Christmas," he echoed.

"How are you? I drove by the house, and there's a big For Sale sign on the lawn...?"

"I just moved, actually. The house should be sold pretty quick, the agent tells me." He paused, leaning against the car, crossing his arms over his chest. "When did you get back to L.A.?"

"Just yesterday. I'm still not sure what time zone I'm in," she joked.

"Mmm..." Derek nodded, unsure of what to say. "So...you're okay?"

"Yeah, d'you want to go for coffee...or a drink?"

"Morgan, I'm with Meredith now. That's why I moved," he said bluntly, wanting to make it clear to her there wasn't any chance with him again. "You did say you weren't the girl for me, anyway."

"Oh, I see," she said quietly, letting her gaze travel over him. He looked good, in the faded jeans, with a leather jacket unzipped over a soft navy sweater. His hair was looking better than ever, and the ever present stubble along his jaw added to his appeal. In fact, he looked damn hot, and she was wondering again why she let him slip through her fingers. "Well, you must be happy then."

"I am." He tilted his head, looking at her. She looked tired, dark smudges under her eyes, her slender frame looking even thinner. "I heard you saw Mark..."

"...yeah, bumped into each other in Paris..." she interrupted him hurriedly.

Derek laughed. "Yeah, he told me he met your friend too…actually seems to be happy with her."

Morgan shrugged. "I know, but it won't last. I told her he's just a manwhore."

"You're just jealous – you wanted to fuck him, didn't you? I always wondered what the tension was between you two. Or did you behind my back?"

"I didn't…it was just a kiss," Morgan confessed, sighing, figuring at this point there wasn't any need to hide it. "But I swear, we never slept together."

"Whatever. It doesn't matter now." Derek paused. "I haven't heard much about the film you did..."

"Ah, direct to DVD crap, and I'm off to New York for another one in January. Pays the bills, you know. I guess you don't have quite the same problem there, being with Meredith," she added, eying the expensive Mercedes. "Nice ride."

"It's Mer's - the Vette needs some engine work." The little dig about being with someone who had money irritated him, and he glanced at his watch, ready to take off.

"Well, whatever. I just thought I'd say hello, happy holidays and all that..."

"You too. Take care of yourself."

"Bye Derek." She sounded a little wistful, as he opened the car door and slid inside, where the rich scent of the leather upholstery surrounded him. Then there was a tap on the window, and he eased the glass down, looking into Morgan's eyes. Before he realized her intent, she leaned in and kissed him quickly on the mouth. "There...for old times sake." She gave him a little wave and turned away, disappearing into the crowd of last minute shoppers.

"Shit..." He rubbed his hand over his mouth, hoping there wasn't anyone he knew close by. He didn't feel any kind of pull for her, only the relief that he was with Meredith now, and he would be telling her about this little encounter.

Rain started to fall then, and he whisked the window back up, and headed out of the parking lot. He put Morgan out of his thoughts, as he drove towards his last stop of the afternoon to pick up Meredith's gift.

Meredith checked the tree one last time, admiring the soft sparkle of the myriad of white lights and ornaments on it. Candles glowed warmly on the mantel, and a small fire crackled invitingly in the fireplace. A fake fire, but beautiful, she thought - kind of like L.A. Stormy padded alongside of her as she toured the room, adjusting a few pillows on the sofa, and turning on some soft music.

The phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. She glanced at the display, frowning at the number. "Hello?"

"Ms. Grey? This is Tom Aiden, Jack's lawyer. Do you have a moment for me? I realize it's Christmas Eve, but..."

"What can you have to say that would interest me?"

"You were engaged to him for quite awhile, I believe. Were you aware of his business deals?"

"No, absolutely not." Meredith felt her knees go weak. "Did he say I did?"

"I'm not at liberty to say, Ms. Grey. However, we may subpoena you."

"WHAT?! I have nothing to say to you, or in court. He attacked me, Mr. Aiden, and violated the RO. Why should I help him? If anything, I should testify for the prosecution. He can rot in jail for the rest of his life for all I care!"

The lawyer chuckled softly. "Point taken, Ms. Grey. We may be in touch, however. Any message for Jack?"

"None I'm willing to verbalize," she said firmly. "Good-bye." She ended the call without giving him a chance to reply, feeling absurdly frustrated she couldn't slam a receiver down forcefully.

"Clicking a button just isn't the same, Stormy," she sighed. Then she noticed Derek's car pulling into the driveway, and she smiled, dismissing the phone call for the moment.

"Looks like we should help him, before getting dressed, sweetie.." Rain had started, hanging in misty sheets over the view, just enough to make her happy to be inside. She headed into the kitchen, and Stormy jumped up to his favorite spot on the kitchen window ledge, watching the rain slide down the glass.

Derek came in from the garage, and deposited the bags on the counter. "Is there more?" she asked, peeking into the contents.

"That's it. You're not ready...?" He raised one eyebrow at her faded Rock & Republic jeans and red sweater, her hair in a ponytail.

"Maybe I was waiting for you to come help me dress," she teased, leaning against him.

He pulled her closer, kissing her lips. He smelled damp and cool from outside, but the kiss only made her warm. His tongue danced along hers, coaxing hers to meet halfway. She lost of track of everything but his mouth on hers, and the intense need for him. When he broke away, resting his forehead against hers, both of them were breathing heavily. "You realize that my specialty isn't helping you dress...it's the undressing I'm more interested in."

"I'm sure you are," Meredith giggled. "But we do have guests coming at some point."

"And speaking of coming..." he murmured suggestively, his hands at her waist. He lifted her up onto the counter, moving his exploring touch under the sweater, grazing the taut skin of her abdomen. Kissing her again with a fierce heat that took her breath away. "You feel so good..." He managed to sneak one hand to her ponytail, pulling it free, and winding his fingers in the thick strands. Tugging her head back, exposing her graceful throat to him.

"You too..." Meredith whimpered, loving this unexpected encounter. He had the uncanny ability to make her uninhibited, igniting passion at the merest touch of his hands. She kissed him hungrily, matching his desire with her own.

Derek swung her up into his arms suddenly, making her gasp in surprise. "I'm not taking any chances on being interrupted," he said, "not this time."

By the time he had her in the bedroom, she was covering his face in little kisses, soft little whimpers in her throat. The moment he set her down, it became a race to see who could undress faster. "Hurry, baby..." she moaned, wiggling out of her jeans, and pulling her sweater over her head. Her bra and thong followed just as quickly.

Derek kicked his own jeans aside, taking his shorts with them. He picked her up again, kissing her as he spun her around, up against the wall. "Fast enough, honey?" he growled, his hands at her hips, his cock hard between them.

Meredith responded by kissing him back, urging him on silently. Heat rippled along her veins, making her instantly wet and open for him. She welcomed his tongue, as she lifted up to the balls of her feet, anxious to have him inside of her. He positioned himself against her, angling for the right spot, his fingers sliding against her damp folds. Then his cock drove up into her, and her breath caught at the sudden entry, but it felt so right and perfect, filling her deeply. "Baby...Derek...oh damn you feel good..." she laughed, her voice throaty. Each deliberate thrust seemed to bury him deeper, sparking her climax.

Derek lost himself in her, clamped in her heat, so deliciously tight. "You okay...?" he managed to ask.

"Just don't...stop..." she pleaded.

"Never," he vowed, his slow smile at her obvious pleasure warming her even more. His mouth grazed her throat, sucking lightly, as they rocked together. "I love you too much to stop..." Meredith shook from the intensity, clenching around him, her nails at his back, marking him just as he had done to her throat. Panting and moaning, as the climax began to claim them both.

He held her tightly, locked inside of her, each residual tremor milking the last drops from his cock. "Love you, Derek..." she whispered. "So so much..."

"Think we have time for a shower?" he asked, lifting her away from the wall to head for the bathroom. He took her little soft giggle as an affirmative. "Yes...so do I..."

"Mer, you're looking far too flushed and satisfied," Alex smirked, as he followed her to the kitchen, carrying two bottles of wine with him. "And it suits you." He approved of her soft wool dress, in a rich shade of royal blue. "And your hair is still damp..."

"Alex!" She touched the soft waves self-consciously. They had spent far too long in the shower, making love again under the myriad of sprays until the water was cool.

"What?" He feigned innocence, as he picked up the corkscrew. "Don't be embarrassed about having good sex..." He noticed her teeth nibbling her lip, and the small bruise on her throat. "Make that great, mindblowing sex...so that you can't sit down kind of good..."

Meredith giggled as she handed over the wineglasses. "No comment."

"Well, I'm happy for you," Alex grinned. The doorbell rang then, and she heard Mark with his new girlfriend at the door, where Derek was being host. It was just a small group, some of the other stylists, and friends of Derek's, along with Alex and Eric.

Derek came into the kitchen then, catching her around the waist. "I need you to help me for a minute..."

"Don't be too long, or I'll send a search party," Alex teased, taking the wine from Meredith.

"What?" Meredith asked, winking at Derek. He looked deliciously sexy, in dark charcoal pants, and a crisp blue shirt that matched his eyes.

"I just wanted an excuse for this." He kissed her softly, molding her against him, as if they hadn't just made love not that long ago.

"Oh...I like that excuse."

"Actually, there is something I need to tell you. Seeing Mark reminded me." He looped his arms around her waist.

"Oh, me too..."

"You too...what?"

"Have something to tell you."

"What?"

"You first."

"I saw Morgan this afternoon...she's back for a few days."

"Oh..." Meredith wondered about his previous girlfriend. "Is she hoping for a reconciliation?" She smoothed the fabric of his shirt absently.

"Maybe, but I made it clear there wasn't any chance of that happening. You are the only lady in my life now, and always," he assured her. "I just wanted to tell you before you heard it from someone else. She kissed me, but seriously, it was nothing on my part..."

"Good..." There was no doubt in her mind that Derek was telling the truth, looking into his expressive eyes.

"Now what did you want to tell me?"

"Oh...Jack's lawyer called." Meredith related the conversation. "But seriously, there is no way I knew anything about what went on. He kept all his business dealings private. And I didn't want to know, believe me. I have enough to deal with at the salon."

"Damn, I hope you don't have to testify."

"I think I made it pretty clear where my feelings were at, so hopefully..."

"Whatever happens, I'm right here with you, honey. You never have to be alone," he assured her, tipping her chin up. Again his mouth captured hers, sweet and sure, sending her senses reeling. She welcomed the strength of his arms around her, the lean muscle against her body, and for a moment she forgot again where they were.

"Hey...!" Alex peeked around the corner. "You guys joining us, or what?"

Meredith blushed, and rested her face against Derek's chest. "Busted..."

"We'll be right there," Derek laughed, taking her hand to lead her into the living room, where they joined the guests. Meredith stopped at the side of Mark's date. "Merry Christmas. Izzie, right? It's nice to meet a woman Mark actually brought with him. Have you known him long?"

"Just a few months." Izzie glanced over to where Mark and Derek were pouring drinks at the bar set up by the glittering tree.

"I didn't realize he was seeing someone steady, to be honest. He must like you." Meredith smiled over the rim of her glass of eggnog. "He likes to pretend otherwise, but he's really a great guy."

Izzie nodded. "Morgan warned me to keep away from him, but I like to make up my own mind."

"Morgan? You know Derek's ex-girlfriend?"

"Ohmigod…right, I'm so sorry. I totally forgot." Izzie's hand clapped over her mouth in mortification, and her cheeks flushed.

"It's okay, seriously. I know Derek broke up with her before he and I got serious."

"Yeah, she's not really into the whole settling down thing." Izzie's free hand fluttered upward, indicating the house with the tasteful furnishings, and the Christmas décor. "I think she's okay with it."

"She's here, in L.A., I mean. Derek saw her today."

Izzie touched Meredith's arm. "Look, the way Derek looks at you, Morgan isn't anywhere in his thoughts. You're so lucky."

Meredith looked over at Derek, her body tingling at the sight of him. They exchanged an intimate smile before returning their attention to the person next to them.

"Mark has this girl calling him, actually…Nikki.." Izzie confessed. "Says he's her baby daddy."

"Oh no…"

"He swears he never slept with her, so it's impossible." Izzie took a sip of her wine, thinking about the problem.

"What does she hope to gain?"

"Who knows? Money, I suppose. Mark's gotten rather well known…"

Meredith giggled. "Oh, you can say that again…" They both burst into laughter, forgetting about Mark's dilemma for the moment.

"Nice girl you brought," Derek observed, their attention drawn to the women laughing together. "What about your…baby?"

"Fuck off, Shep," Mark frowned. "I saw my lawyer, and I've taken the paternity tests. Results are due after the holidays. She wants money, says I'm famous now, and abandoned her."

"Is she really even pregnant?"

"Who knows? Her brain cells must've been affected by all the bleach blonde treatments," Mark said wryly.

Another peal of laughter drew their eyes back to Meredith and Izzie. "It's Christmas, Mark. Let's just have a good time. This will work out."

"Right." Mark swallowed the rest of his Scotch. "Good thing I'm older and wiser now, or I might've fucked Nikki. Then I would be sweating more." A round of laughter broke out again around Alex and Eric, who was telling some dirty story.

"Merry Christmas, Mark," Derek said, pouring another drink for both of them.

"Merry Christmas, Derek," Mark replied, his eyes twinkling again. "Let's party…"