First of all, THANK YOU all for the awesome reviews! I appreciate the time you take to let me know your thoughts.

Secondly, there were a couple of you asking about the length of this story, and am I keeping on with it. Despite my earlier worries about the responses, I feel now like this story is gaining interest as it goes, and I am definitely going on with it. I would never leave it unfinished, at any rate, even if I decided to end it sooner (if you look at the rest of my fics here, they are always completed, with no loose ends!) I do have chapters banked, that I constantly tweak before posting, and am writing new ones as well. In my mind, this is a just a happy place for the summer...no drama...no crazy gunmen...no one gets wounded or has miscarriages. (I leave that for Ms. Shonda to deal with.)

I guess it was a surprise to have Derek propose last chapter, but it just seemed to be the right time for it to happen, and now you have the wedding and honeymoon to look forward to! This chapter finds Meredith wondering if she's ready for the big step, and Derek dealing with her worries in his typical McDreamy fashion! Enjoy.

Chapter 11 - Who's in Charge?

Meredith stared at the diamond solitaire twinkling on her ring finger, not quite accustomed to seeing it there yet. After Derek's impulsive proposal and her just as impulsive acceptance, she was still a little dazed at the speed things were progressing. He bought her ring the very next day, insisting that she needed to have something special. Then within the next couple of weeks, they attended a whirlwind of dinners and parties to celebrate their engagement. She lost track of the names and the faces they belonged to, as Derek proudly introduced her to his wide range of friends, fellow attorneys and clients. Even his law partner, Addison, had hosted a small dinner party in their honor, and Meredith found herself liking the outspoken red head.

"Thank god Derek fell in love with you," Addison had commented, pulling her aside before the food was served. Held in Addison's airy penthouse apartment, catered by one of Seattle's top chefs, it was intimate and at the same time lavish. Addison winked at Meredith. "I was beginning to think he would become a jaded old bachelor, chasing women till he was in a rocking chair…"

"Oh…well, it was a little unexpected all right," Meredith sighed, sipping her icy cold flute of champagne. The bubbles tickled her nose slightly. "I have to confess something…I thought he was involved with you. That's what made me a little crazy and push him away…"

Addison's eyebrows rose. "Do tell…"

"I saw you two together totally by accident, and he kissed you. I thought there was something sexual going on..."

Addison touched Meredith's arm. "We're just old friends, I hope you trust me when I tell you that. I've been involved with someone else for years. Derek's not my type, if you get my meaning…" Her gaze wandered across the room where a striking looking Latina woman was chatting with Izzie and Mark, and the two of them made eye contact. Somehow heat managed to radiate between them even at a distance. "I mean, there was a time when I was into men, but somehow it never seemed fulfilling."

Meredith's eyes widened, as she took in this revelation. "You're…gay?"

"Lesbian, sweetie…" Addison smiled. "Callie made me realize I needed to come out of the closet. She's amazing…"

"Oh why the hell didn't he just tell me that?" Meredith laughed, catching sight of Derek striding across the floor towards them, but he was waylaid before he made much progress. For a second, her gaze lingered on his face, admiring him all over again, and she still couldn't quite believe he was with her.

Addison tapped her on the arm. "Over here, dear..." she reminded Meredith. "He'll be here soon enough to claim you back again. He's got that look in his eyes that means business."

Meredith flushed. "You must know him really well."

"Well enough to know he's crazy about you. I've seen him with many women over the years, and don't be jealous of them...you are the only one who threw him totally out of his element. Good for you...and as far as my being a lesbian, you have to admit you weren't exactly giving him much chance to talk when you were mad at him. And then you egged his car! I admit, that was classic!" Addison laughed, throwing her head back. "But I do know all of his secrets, so if there's anything you want to know about him, just ask..."

"I might do that..." Meredith said. "Thank you..."

"No problem..." At that moment, Derek slid his hands around Meredith's waist, pulling her back against him possessively.

"What are you telling my fiancée?" he asked, kissing Meredith's cheek.

"Just girl talk, Derek...don't you worry," Addison assured him, winking at Meredith.

Meredith shook her head to get back to the present moment. Their wedding date was already set, only a month away, and she still had to find a dress. Somehow every time she set out to go shopping, she procrastinated, not even sure what kind of gown she wanted. "At this rate, I'll be walking down the aisle in my scrubs…" she sighed.

"Talking to yourself again?" Derek asked, coming up behind her. They were at his place, where she had moved a few of her things, but she mainly still lived at home. With some of the shift work and odd hours, it made sense on some levels. Though she was quite sure that Izzie and Mark appreciated having the house to themselves - she'd come home more than one morning to find clothes scattered on the living room floor. Maybe they would consider buying the place after the wedding, after all, she wouldn't need it any longer.

"I guess so," she admitted. She turned to face him. "Derek…what if I'm not ready for all of this?"

"This?" His eyebrow went up, wondering what ideas she had in her head now.

"You know…being Mrs. Shepherd…going to cocktail parties, or whatever…being the dutiful spouse..." Meredith waved her hands in the air expressively.

"Well, first of all, you don't have to be Mrs. Shepherd…you will still be Dr. Meredith Grey…I don't necessarily expect you to change your name." He kissed her cheek, trailing down to her jaw. "And secondly…I don't expect your presence to be mandatory when I have to attend functions. I want to show you off and have you with me, believe me, but I know you have your own career." His mouth wandered sideways, tickling the lobe of her ear, making her shiver. "And lastly, I fully expect to tag along with you from time to time as Mr. Grey, at whatever boring medical luncheons or dinners may arise…that's how it works, as far as I'm concerned…"

Meredith drew a shaking breath, putting her hands on his chest. "Somehow I never expected that opinion from you…"

"I'm totally liberated, sweetheart," Derek murmured, fingers easing aside her blouse, intent on finding her soft skin. "You can take charge of me whenever you want to."

"Really?" Meredith laughed softly, suddenly feeling better. "Like now?"

"Hell yes now…" he growled, hands sliding lower, and cupping her ass. "I have this need…"

"I can tell," she replied playfully, wiggling out of his grasp. "But I was just about to have a bath, maybe you should come and help me…" She backed away, keeping her eyes locked on his, crooking her finger at him.

"Oh, babe…you are absolutely correct." Derek loosened his tie, as he advanced, tugging it away impatiently. Meredith continued to walk backwards, her step quickening, until she had to turn and dash for the bathroom, eluding his grasp for the moment.

"Come get me!" she taunted him, disappearing into the master bathroom before he caught her.

Running water into the large tub, and slipping out of her clothes, Meredith dumped a liberal amount of bubble bath under the spray, inhaling the lavender scent that immediately filled the air. She lit a few of the candles sitting around the rim, suddenly feeling Derek's presence behind her. She peeked over her shoulder, finding him lounging at the doorway, a glass of Scotch in his hand, shirt open to display the flat planes of his abdomen.

Her hand went to the tap, turning the water off, and before she could move, Derek's hand was on her ass, caressing her. Her breath caught, as he took her arm with his other hand and pulled her backwards against him. "You didn't chase me very far," she observed.

"It's not the chase I was interested in...just the capture," he murmured, kissing her temple. "Come here...I want to show you something..." he muttered, dragging her across the warm room, over to the full-length mirror. All she could see was her own reflection, his hands on her waist, as he kissed the back of her neck. Then he pushed her closer to the mirror, so that her hands were on the cool glass, her breath misting the it along with the steam in the room. Her nipples rubbed against the mirror, as he ran his hands down her hips, pushing against her.

"I thought I was in charge…" she half laughed, half moaned.

"We both are, but this is all about you, honey," he whispered in her ear. "You need to see how you look to me..."

"Oh yes…" she sighed, caught between him and the mirror, and her body shook with the force of her desire. The glass beneath her was soon warm and slick from her body, as his hands roamed possessively along her skin. Her head fell back, as the sweet pleasure assaulted her, and a low moan escaped her lips. Her eyes were wide, watching him in the mirror, and she spread her legs further, without conscious thought. Her clit throbbed with heat, each touch making it pulse harder.

"Shh…" Derek warned her. "Just enjoy…"

Words seem to be difficult to form then, as his fingers probed between her legs. "That's it...look at yourself, see how beautiful you are …" Their eyes met in the foggy mirror, as he pushed his fingers upwards, gliding into her wet heat. And she couldn't deny the delicious thrill of watching him touch her, watching her face as she started to climax. Her hips bucked against him, and she gasped softly, seeing the reflection of what they were doing. Of what he was doing to her.

"Oh god…Derek…" she cried out, as she surrendered to the first wave of pleasure. His other arm supported her, against the hard male muscle of his body, as her knees went weak from the climax. Watching herself come like that was crazy wicked, and she whimpered at the thrill.

"Better?" he asked softly, letting her go gently.

"Mmhmmm…"

Meredith turned to him then, unbuttoning his shirt the rest of the way with unsteady fingers, his gaze focused on her intently. She pushed the shirt away from him, and started on his pants. As she leaned forward, her breasts grazed his chest, her nipples erect and aching. Her fingers danced and brushed along his warm skin, teasing along his belly as she worked the belt open. Then she knelt again, pulling the pants down swiftly, pressing her mouth against his thigh, and his calf, before he kicked the pants away impatiently. She grasped his cock, pressing it against her lips, teasing him softly, as he grabbed her hair. Hot and urgently, she took him in her mouth, feeling the raw edge of his desire, as she swirled her tongue around him, making him buck against her.

"Not yet…" he muttered hoarsely, pulling away, moving towards the tub. Meredith got to her feet, and went to dim the lights, leaving the candles flickering, casting shadows around the room. She brought over his drink, setting it on the edge of the tub as well.

"Come here." Derek eased into the tub, tugging on her hand to pull her down with him. She slid into the tub with him. facing him, kneeling down. The water was hot against her skin, and she bit her lip as she adjusted to the temperature.

"I want to do this for you now" she whispered, and Derek let his head fall back, as she reached for the washcloth, soaking it and then running it along his chest. He closed his eyes, feeling her hands on him, as he took a sip of the Scotch. The alcohol burned down his throat, and he let the smoky taste swirl around his senses. The soft cloth stroked his nipples, then lower, across his abdomen, and over his hips. "Let me make you feel even better…" She leaned down to bring her lips against his chest, nibbling gently then harder, snaking her tongue to lick one nipple and then the other. Derek groaned softly, his hips flexing, as the cloth dragged over his swollen cock, as she continued to bite and lick his chest.

"Damn…Mer…" he moaned, arching up towards her, setting the glass aside.

"Am I in charge now?" she teased him, still grasping his cock under water, applying a little more pressure.

"You know you are, honey..." he grinned, reaching to pull her onto him. His thumb grazed her clit, and she whimpered, her climax close to the edge yet again. No matter how many times they made love, she was ready and eager for more. Derek watched her face as the pleasure started to arc through her. "You're more than ready for anything as far as I'm concerned…"

"Oh…" Meredith panted, desperate to have his fingers deeper, sliding against his hand, her body shaking. She rose out of the water, as his fingers slid into her deeper, her hands gripping the edge of the tub. Nearly breathless, she rocked faster, straining for the orgasm that was just …about…there…

Derek pulled her closer, adding his mouth to his fingers, until she was bucking harder, tangling her fingers in his hair. Somehow the issue of who was in charge, or if that even mattered, was lost in the swirl of the erotic moment, as he gave her as much pleasure as she could take, his tongue raking along her clit, his fingers thrusting, as she moved against his hungry mouth. Soaking him with the bath water, as they rocked together, until he could feel her starting to climax.

"Fuck! I need to be inside of you..." he growled, relinquishing his hold briefly, before pulling her down into the tub against his cock, driving up into forcefully. Her legs went around him, as he caught his breath at the sudden feel of her clenching around him. Every muscle locked and his grip tightened, crushing her against him, as he started to come. "I can't wait…can you?" he panted.

"No…" she laughed softly, "not now…" She felt him tight inside of her, throbbing and releasing with a violent surge. Feeling her own climax take her away as well, blinding and wild, her whole body shuddering as she moaned and scream-ed, twisting against him. He claimed her mouth again, hard and hot, as his thickness invaded her relentlessly, taking both of them into headlong pleasure. Hot, urgent, delicious pleasure…

"It's always going to be this way with us, isn't it?" she finally whispered, resting against his chest, letting the water lap around them, lulled by the climax and the fluttering light of the candles. "Crazy and wild and hot…"

"Always…" he agreed lazily, regaining his own composure slowly, feeling her body fitting against him perfectly. His fingers danced lightly along her wet skin, as they rested together.

Meredith lifted her head to meet his eyes, putting her fingers against his lips. "I love you so much…we're going to make this work, aren't we?"

"You know it, honey…I love you too much not to make it work," he chuckled, kissing her fingers. "Even if you like to be bossy…"