Chapter 6

Meredith's eyes fluttered open early the next morning, her body stiff. She looked around, disoriented, when it suddenly struck her that she was laying wrapped in Derek's arms on the couch in his study. Panic made the hairs on the back of her neck rise, as she frantically tried to figure out how she could leave and get home without being seen. She tried to release herself from Derek's grasp, but he was still sound asleep, his face buried in her hair. She turned so that she was facing him and gently caressed his rough cheek, lifting him slightly from his sleep. A small smile toyed at his mouth, but he refused to wake. She ran her hand through his hair, waking him a little more. Finally, she became frustrated and kissed him full on the lips, her tongue forcing its way into his mouth. His eyes sprang open, as he stared down at her and his tongue started to dance with hers. She finally pulled away after a few moments.

"Why'd you stop?" Derek asked, as he tried to kiss her neck. She pulled away far enough that he couldn't reach her, but not so much that she was out of his grasp.

"Because I need to figure out how I'm going to get home. It's seven in the morning if you haven't noticed." She pulled back against Derek's arms and he finally released. She got up and started pacing. "How can I get home without getting seen? I don't have a carriage, I'm sure my father is worried sick, and I'm in your study at seven o'clock in the morning with maids and servants and cooks and grooms and your family all around us. There is no way that I can get out of here."

Derek got up off of the couch and walked up behind Meredith. She turned around to look at him, her eyes darkened with fear. "Meri, we're going to get you home, without being seen. Just relax."

"How can I relax? Everything is at risk here. Everything could be exposed if anyone, anyone at all, sees me leaving here."

"What happened to all of the progress we made last night? I thought you weren't afraid anymore," Derek said, hurt creeping into his eyes.

"I…" Meredith stopped short. He was right. She had taken one step forward and three steps back. She couldn't do that. She couldn't hurt him again. "I'm not afraid. I am not afraid. I'm going to get out of here, but I'm not going to worry about whether or not I'm seen."

"Thank you," Derek breathed, his eyes lightening once again.

"But I still need to find a way out of here. I don't care about the public, but I do care about your family. Your father could easily dispel my father and me from the city." She turned her back to Derek and started to look around for a way to get out. He walked up behind her and moved the hair that had fallen across her cheek back behind her shoulder. Meredith tensed under his touch, in anticipation of what she knew was to occur next. Derek suddenly attacked the beautiful, pale skin on Meredith's neck, gently nipping at times. Meredith's knuckles turned white and her nails dug into the arm of the leather couch, as she tried to restrain the moan that was threatening to erupt from her body. Derek pulled back and Meredith spun on her heel, staring up at him with desire darkening her eyes.

"Look what you did to the couch," Derek said playfully, enjoying the torture he was making her go through.

"Forget the damn couch," Meredith growled, as she forcefully pushed Derek down onto the couch. She crawled up on top of him and ravished his mouth with her own. She moved down to his jaw, his neck, and finally his collarbone. His hands tangled in her hair, as she slowly unbuttoned his shirt and kissed the skin revealed. Derek started to move his hand up her skirt, but she swatted it away.

"You left me all hot and bothered. I'm now returning the favor," Meredith said seductively. She removed herself from over top of Derek and walked over to the window, as Derek remained on the couch, eyeing her greedily. She started to open it, when Derek got up off of the couch.

"You're not honestly going to climb out of the window, are you? You'll fall to your death."

"I am a little more graceful than that, Derek."

"Yes, you've proven that. You're also quite bendy."

Meredith turned and slapped his arm, a smile lighting her face.

"You're so vulgar!"

"I'm just stating facts."

"No, you're not!"

"Yes, I am. And you know it's true. But I will not let you climb out of that window."

"Than what do you suggest I do?"

Derek stood looking at her for a few moments, contemplating what to do. An idea suddenly lit up his face.

"Took you long enough," Meredith said, when she noticed his facial expression. "Is this why you don't have a job?"

"Ha ha, how funny. But before you continue to ridicule me, I actually do have an idea."

"What is this brilliant plan of yours, Mr. Sheperd?"

"Well, Ms. Grey, before I can present my plan, there is one thing I must know. Can you ride a horse?"

"I'm slightly afraid to answer, but yes, I can ride."

"Then, I know just the way to get you out of her."

"What are you going to have me do?" Meredith asked, apprehensive.

"You are going to dress in some of my clothes to look like a stable hand. I'll then take you out to the stable, get you a horse and you will ride home. We can figure out some way to get the horse back here after."

"That will never work."

"And why not?"

"I won't exactly pass as a man. You should know that."

"You'll wear a large coat to cover your beautiful breasts, even though I don't want to, and then you'll wear a hat to cover your face. Trust me, Meri. This is going to work."

"I do trust you. And I do believe this will work."

"Stay here and I'm going to go get the clothes you need," Derek said as he walked to the door. He gave Meredith a quick peck, before leaving. A few moments later, he returned with a large bundle of clothes in his arms.

"Did anyone see you?" Meredith asked, her expression turning slightly frantic.

"No, no one saw me. I thought you said you trusted me."

"I do. Stop questioning me."

"I'm just playing with you. I know you trust me. Now, put these on."

"Turn around."

"Why? It's not like I haven't seen you without clothes before."

"Just do it," Meredith commanded. Derek finally complied and turned around. Meredith changed quickly and folded up her clothes.

"What do you suggest I do with my clothes?"Meredith asked, as Derek turned back around. He then pulled a bag out of the closet in the study and handed it to Meredith.

"Put them in here. Since you're posing as a stable boy, it won't look at all odd for you to carry a bag."

Meredith put her clothes in the bag and swung it over her shoulder.

"How do I look?" she asked, smiling at Derek.

"Wait, you missed this," Derek said as he handed her the hat. Meredith placed it on her head and Derek stepped forward, pulling it down so its shadow covered Meredith's eyes. "Much better," he said as he stepped back.

"Do I look like a man?"

"You look like the most attractive man I've ever seen."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"It's by far a good thing for me, but for everyone else, it might not be. You may not be able to keep that disguise up for more than the time you need. You might attract some female attention."

"Would you be jealous?" Meredith asked, her eyebrow raised seductively.

"Of course I would," Derek replied, as his mouth crashed onto hers. Meredith's hat fell to the floor, as she leaned her head back in pleasure, their tongues dancing. Derek wrapped his arms around her and pulled her delicate form into him. Meredith finally pulled back, her head swimming. Derek leaned down and picked up her hat. As he stood back up, he slowly ran his hand up against her leg. Meredith squirmed, trying to resist the urge to push him back onto that couch and not leave for a few more hours.

"Shouldn't I be going? Meredith said, through clenched teeth.

"I suppose you should."

They drew apart and Meredith gathered her things. They walked to the door and stepped out into the hallway. Derek stepped out in front of her and whispered over his shoulder, "Stay behind me and keep your head down. Remain as discrete as possible."

Meredith nodded as he glanced back at her and they continued down the hallway. They almost made it to the stable without being seen, but then a high-pitched voice called out. "Derek, is that you?"

Derek stopped dead in his tracks and turned towards the door. When he saw the person calling his name, a smile brightened up his face and he rushed in.

"Maggie! What are you doing here?" he practically yelled, as he lifted the small woman off of her feet in a big bear hug.

"Mother forced me into coming so she could see her new grandson."

"Where is my new little nephew?" Derek asked, the smile not leaving his face.

"He's right here," his mother called out, as she walked into the room, carrying the sleeping baby boy. As Meredith watched from the hallway, she felt tears start to prick her eyes as the realization that scenes like these would never occur in her home. She would never have a mother to fawn over her child, a sister to joke with. A single tear trickled down her cheek, as she continued to watch the beautiful family scene playing out in front of her. A slight smile brought her out of her depression, as she watched Derek take the child in his arms.

"He is going to be a wonderful father some day," Meredith thought to herself. "If only he could be a father with me."

A warm glow spilled from the room, as grandmother, mother, and uncle all carried on pleasant conversation and the child continued to sleep.

"I hear congratulations are in order, Derek. You're finally engaged," Maggie chuckled.

"Finally?" Derek questioned, an annoyed look on his face.

"To listen to mother talk, one would think you were never going to get married."

"Well, you are twenty-seven, Derek. I only have your well-being in mind," Elizabeth piped up.

"Mother, I am perfectly capable of running my own life."

"Which is why Father had to arrange your marriage," Maggie muttered under her breath.

Derek playfully glared at her. "You are really not helping my case here."

"I know," Maggie said, a smile playing at her lips. Meredith shuffled in the hallway and Maggie looked toward the door. "Derek, is someone at the door?"

Derek kicked himself, as he realized that Meredith was still in the hallway. "Oh, that's just a stable boy we hired this morning. I was leading him out."

"Show him out, Derek. I'll still be here later," Maggie assured him. He smiled at her and walked back out to Meredith.

"Sorry," Derek mouthed to Meredith.

"It's alright," Meredith mouthed back. They continued to the door and onto the path that led to the stable. When they reached it, Derek pushed back the door, revealing the small, cozy stable. Six horses rested in their stalls and the smell of fresh hay permeated through the building. Derek walked down to one of the smaller, bay horses. He opened up the stall and Meredith grabbed a brush that was sitting on the shelf.

"You never cease to amaze me," Derek remarked, as he watched her start to run the brush over the horse's body.

"My life has not been as sheltered as you may believe. There was once a time when my father would actually let me do something."

"And for that, I'm grateful to him. You're like a breath of fresh air compared to all of the other women in this city."

"I am incredibly flattered, Mr. Sheperd. And flattery will get you everywhere."

"I'm counting on that," Derek said, his eyes darkening once again.

"Not now. Just go get the saddle."

"I love it when you order me around."

"Stop it. Just go get the saddle."

"Fine, ruin my fun."

"That's what I do best."

"But at least you don't when I have you screaming my name."

Meredith glared at him over the horse's back, as she adjusted the saddle and tightened the girth. Derek fetched the bridle and placed it on the horse's head. He then led the horse out into the aisle and Meredith came up behind him.

"Alexander was Maggie's horse. He's the tamest thing you could ever find, so you should be able to get home fine. Do you know your way?"

"Yes, Derek. You've already asked me that twenty times."

"Well, forgive me for being worried about you. I don't want anything to happen to you," Derek said as he gently caressed her cheek. Meredith smiled as she looked up at him.

"I am fully capable of taking care of myself."

"I know that, but I still want to take precautions. I would be devastated if I lost you."

"You are perfect."

"No, I'm not. But you bring me pretty close."

"I love you," Meredith said, as she looked lovingly up into his eyes.

"I love you, too," Derek replied. Their lips met in a gentle kiss. Derek then gave her a leg up onto the horse and she nudged him with her heels. He stepped off at an easy walk, with Derek coming up behind them. He opened the gate for Meredith and looked up at her.

"Be careful," he said.

"I will," Meredith replied, as Alexander stepped off at a gentle canter.