So, I didn't have enough time to fully check this chapter over, but I've read it through a few times before, so it should be ok.
Disclaimer: Nope, don't own 'em.
Enjoy Chapter 10 and please review.
Chapter 10
Terror froze the blood in Derek's veins, as he heard that faint whisper come from behind him. He spun around and sprinted over to Meredith, sweeping her up in his arms just before her delicate body hit the floor. His face drained of all color, as he looked upon her unconscious form. He swiftly laid her upon her bed and swept the hair from her face, his fingers brushing over her closed eyes. His pulse pounded in his ears, as fear choked him, its cold fingers wrapping around his throat.
"Meredith," he said, his voice quavering, "darling, please wake up."
He sunk to his knees at her side, caressing her cheek, begging her to open her eyes and smile up at him. He wracked his mind, trying to think of some way to get a doctor or some form of help to her. He was stuck in that room; he had no way of getting her help. He thought, perhaps, that he could sneak down to the servants' quarters and find Christina, but then decided against it. He couldn't run that risk. But then the door swung open and Derek's prayers were answered.
"Meredith, are you ready for me to help you prepare for bed?" Christina asked as she walked into the room, the door blocking her view. She stopped short, her expression bewildered, when she saw Derek standing there. Her jaw then dropped when she saw Meredith lying on the bed, not moving.
"What did you do?" she hissed at Derek, as she rushed to Meredith's side.
"I did nothing. We were arguing and she demanded that I leave. I was about to when I heard her whisper my name. When I turned, she was falling to the floor, unconscious. This was not my doing."
"Did she seem fine when you were talking?"
"Yes, there was nothing wrong," Derek insisted.
Christina's eyes widened with fear, as Meredith refused to wake. She stood and wrung her hands in her apron, as panic set in.
"Why aren't you doing anything? Meredith needs help!" Derek practically yelled.
"Be quiet," Christina hissed, as she glared at him. "I don't know what to do. I can't get a doctor in here without her father knowing."
"At least try to get one. If he stops you, say one of the help got sick or hurt or something. Just do something."
"As you wish, sir," Christina said, her voice dripping with spite. She departed from the room quickly and Derek turned back to Meredith. He caressed her cheek as he knelt down beside her bed, praying that she would wake up. For the first time in years, he actually prayed, pleading with God to wake his angel on earth. He rested his head on the bed, as a single tear streamed down his cheek, leaving a wet trail behind it. He didn't bother to wipe it away, as guilt washed over him. How could he have said those things to her? If only he would have been paying more attention to her and not planning what he was going to say next, he would have realized she was sick; he might have been able to help her. And he wouldn't be sitting there, watching over her unconscious form. He stood once more and started pacing, trying to release some of the emotions that were ripping his heart to shreds. He paced, and paced, and paced, until he noticed slight movement in the direction of Meredith. He rushed over to her, to find her eyes fluttering open. Her vision blurred for a moment, everything loosing focus, but her head quickly cleared and she looked up to find a concerned Derek standing over her. She watched as relief washed over his face, lightening his features. He leaned down and kissed her gently on the forehead, smiling down at her.
"Meredith, are you alright?" he asked, as he caressed her check.
"Yes, yes I'm fine," she replied swiftly, as she sat up and tried to stand, but Derek pushed her back down.
"What are you doing?" she cried indignantly, as she tried to push against his restraining hand. But the hand would not move.
"Meredith, you just fainted and didn't wake for thirty minutes. You are not getting up until a doctor checks you over."
"I'm fine. It just became stuffy in here and I fainted, alright? Fainting is a natural thing."
"Yes, but remaining unconscious for extended periods of time is not."
"Derek, I'm fine, really I am. I just became flushed. It's nothing to be concerned about," Meredith lied through her teeth. She discretely touched her stomach, knowing that the child growing in her womb was indeed something to be concerned about. But she couldn't tell him. Telling him would ruin everything, expose every secret. She plastered a fake smile on her face to reinforce her position. The hand fell to Derek's side and his shoulders slumped, realizing that this was one battle he was not going to win.
"Will you at least allow me to get you some water?" he asked quietly, his eyes searching her face.
"Yes, that's fine," Meredith replied, flicking her eyes away from his. He returned to his feet and walked over to the pitcher, pouring some of the cool liquid into glass. He handed the glass to Meredith and as she took a sip, he sat down on the bed next to her.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said the things I did," he said, unable to look her in the eyes.
"It's alright. I get jealous sometimes, too, when I see you with Addison."
"I just can't stand the thought of you being with Mark. He's my best friend, for goodness sake. I don't want this to make me hate him."
"You are not going to hate him, Derek."
"How can you know?" he asked, turning his head to look at her.
"You are not going to hate him because I love you, more than life itself, and Mark knows that. He feels as guilty about this as I do. We are only doing this for our families. Not for love; never for love because I am totally and completely yours."
Derek placed his arm around Meredith and she leaned into his chest, a kind of bliss settling over them. She rested her head on his shoulder, as he gently rubbed her arm.
"Come away with me," she whispered.
"What?" Derek asked as he pulled away from her, thinking that his mind was playing tricks. She couldn't have possibly just said what she did.
"Come away with me," she said confidently, a slight amount of desperation in her eyes.
"Where will we go?"
"My father owns a summer house in the countryside in Massachusetts. We can go there. I can say I just want to get away from the city for a while, what with the news of my engagement, and you can say you're going for work."
"What work? I only do things for my father's company; I don't have an actual career."
"Well, think of some excuse to go."
"I could say I was going to visit Beth. She lives somewhere in Massachusetts."
"So, you'll come," Meredith asked hopefully.
"Nothing could keep me from spending time with my love," he said, as he kissed her lightly. "I should leave. It's late and you need to rest."
"At the week's end we will leave," Meredith said, kissing him back.
"I will count the hours," Derek said as he climbed over the side of the balcony and disappeared into the night.
Birds chirped in the trees, as the carriage rolled down the country road. Meredith sat in the back, with Christina next to her, smiling as she watched the countryside fly past her and the clouds drift above. It felt as if she could breathe for the first time in months, now that she was going back to the one place where she could let her hair down and be herself. And Derek was going to be there. She felt her heart flutter in her chest at the thought of being alone, away from the world, with Derek for five days. This was going to be her little piece of heaven on earth.
After a few more silent minutes, the large, white summer house loomed ahead. The carriage pulled up to the barn and Meredith's door was opened by a black groom.
"So good to see you again, Miss Meredith," the groom said, as he offered Meredith his hand.
"Preston!" Meredith cried, as she wrapped him in a hug. Preston tensed at her touch, but then relaxed into the hug, wrapping his toned, darkened arms around her.
"I've missed you so much," Meredith said as she pulled out of the hug, her eyes twinkling with joy.
"I have missed you as well, miss," Preston replied, smiling down at her. His eyes moved from Meredith's face to the woman emerging from the carriage behind her. Christina glanced up at him but, noticing his gaze, quickly shifted her eyes back to the ground.
"I will start taking the bags into the house, Meredith," she said, starting to move to the back of the carriage.
"I can do that for you," Preston said, stepping forward.
"Don't you need to take the horses?" Christina muttered, as she pulled one of the bags down.
"I can take care of them after I help you."
"I can do it myself," Christina said firmly. Preston backed off, defeated, and grabbed the bridles of the horses, leading them into the barn. Meredith picked up one of the bags, Christina grabbing the other two, and they ascended the steps to the door.
A soft knock resounded at Meredith's door. She strode from the window to the door and opened it to find Preston standing there.
"Your guest has arrived, Miss," he said formally and then backed away from the door.
"Something is bothering him," Meredith thought as she closed the door once more. But the thought quickly vanished from her mind, as excitement set in. She pulled on the breeches she had stolen from one of the previous grooms and buttoned her shirt, then pulled her riding boots on over the breeches. She walked down the stairs, to find Derek standing in the doorway, the light outlining his figure. A smile lit up his face, as he watched the love of his life walk down to him.
"More men's clothes?" Derek questioned as he kissed her lightly.
"Well, you said you liked me in them, didn't you?" she retorted, smirking at him.
"Yes, yes I do," Derek replied, pulling Meredith into him and passionately kissing her.
After she pulled back, Meredith said, "The real reason I put these on was because I thought if you weren't too tired after your trip, we could go riding and I could show you my favorite place on the property."
"Nothing would delight me more, my dear," Derek said. "Let me just go change into something a little more comfortable to ride in. I will come and find you out at the barn."
"That's alright. I can wait for you," Meredith insisted. Derek kissed her on the forehead and dashed up the stairs. Meredith heard a door slam upstairs and a soft smile lifted the corners of her mouth. She had never felt more content in her life. Everything felt like it was falling into place.
A few moments later, Derek returned. He wrapped his arm around her waist, as they walked out the door and to the barn. They walked into the dimly lit building, to find Preston polishing one of the saddles. Meredith smiled at him and then walked down to one of the stalls, opening the door. The black horse walked over, nickering at her. She pulled an apple out of her pocket, holding it out. The mare took it delicately in her mouth and crunched on it contentedly. Meredith grabbed some of the brushes and started running the brush over her glistening coat. Derek stood, leaning against the frame of the stall, just watching her.
"This is Artemis. My father gave her to me when I turned thirteen. Her mother died when another mare kicked her and shattered her front legs when Artemis was just a baby. I lived in this barn for days taking care of her. My mother was so upset, but I refused to leave and my father encouraged me. I kept her alive and I was the first one to ride her. No one else could; she would just throw them off. I begged my father to let me ride her, but he was so scared I would get hurt. So, one night, I snuck out, put a saddle on her, and took her out. By sunrise, I had fallen off ten times, but I was riding her. My father came out and, upon seeing me, scraped and bruised, but on her back, he gave her to me. Last year, right after Ann and Mother died, she was my best friend and my support. It's almost like she's human when I really need her to be," Meredith said as she rubbed Artemis' head.
"She is beautiful, a beautiful animal for a beautiful woman. So who am I going to ride?"
"Preston, will you prepare Apollo for Derek?" Meredith called out of the stall.
"That's alright, Preston," Derek said. "I can prepare my own horse."
"I wouldn't do that…" Meredith began, but Derek was already in the white horse's stall.
About thirty seconds later, Derek ran out of the stall, gasping for air. "Why didn't you tell me this horse was a devil?" he cried. Meredith giggled from Artemis' stall.
"You think this is funny?" Derek asked, walking over to the stall. "That horse tried to charge me."
"Apollo is a perfect angel under saddle, but he doesn't like strangers coming into his stall, only Preston. You would have known that if you had listened to me. Now, Preston, please prepare Apollo for Derek."
"Yes, Miss," Preston said as he opened the stall door. Apollo immediately put his head on Preston's arm.
"I guess the bloody horse does love him," Derek said, chuckling under his breath. "So why are they named after the twins?"
"My father went through this Greek mythology phase. The two were born on the same night and they were inseparable out in the pastures. Since Apollo is white, we named him after the god of the sun and Artemis, being black and Apollo's opposite, was named after Apollo's twin."
"Do you put that much thought into all of your horses' names?" Derek asked quizzically.
"My father and I did. Ann never really took an interest in horses and when Father gave her one, she named it Brown." Meredith said, as she ducked under Artemis' neck. Derek laughed out loud.
"I wish I could have met your sister. She sounds like your exact opposite. Like Apollo and Artemis."
"She was," Meredith said, smiling slightly. "We truly proved that opposites attract. We were inseparable all of our lives. But there were times we would switch roles. My father always said by being our father, he had already gotten a taste of hell and heaven. Ann was his angel; I was his demon."
"You are hardly a demon, my dear," Derek said, smiling lovingly at her.
"I wouldn't say that just yet," Meredith said slyly, as she placed the saddle on Artemis' back. She tightened the girth and then walked to the tack room, retrieving her bridle. She slipped it gently over Artemis' head, tightened the straps, and then led her into the aisle-way.
"Could you give me a leg up?" Meredith asked Derek from over her back. Derek nodded and walked around the horse, positioning himself behind Meredith. He placed his hands on her waist and she smiled at him over her shoulder. He leaned down and kissed her shoulder.
"Sir, I do not believe that that is giving me a leg up."
"I am deeply sorry, madam," Derek said, as he placed his hands on her ankle. He lifted her small frame up and she fell gracefully into the saddle. She placed her feet in the stirrups and took the reins into her hands. She tapped Artemis on the sides with her heels and she walked off into the inviting sunlight.
"Are you coming?" Meredith yelled back inside to Derek. Preston lead Apollo out of his stall behind Derek and he quickly swung up into the saddle. He adjusted his stirrups and walked Apollo out into the courtyard. He pulled Apollo up, so that he was standing next to Meredith.
"So, where to first?" Derek asked.
"Just try to keep up," Meredith said with a smile, as she pushed Artemis into a gallop. Derek stood back, watching the amazing woman gallop away in front of him, but then, realizing that he was falling behind, dug his heels into Apollo's sides. He galloped after Meredith, but no matter what he did, he could not catch up to her. They ran through the meadows, flying over logs and trenches in their paths. Meredith's laugh carried on the wind, as her black beauty stretched out at a full out run. Derek kicked Apollo, trying as hard as he could to catch up to her, but he just couldn't. They sent butterflies flying up from their perches in the wild flowers, the grass giving way under their horses' hooves. Meredith's hair streamed out behind her, as the ribbon she had tied it up with went flying out of her hair. Derek watched it come fluttering down to the ground and, taking the reins in his left hand, reached out the other one and grasped the ribbon in his hand. He pulled it into him and, looking down at it, realized that it was indigo, his favorite color. As they continued to gallop, Meredith turned sharply to the left into the forest that bordered the meadow. She pulled Artemis up into a graceful canter and she weaved amongst the trees, hovering over her glistening black neck as Artemis leapt over the fallen trees in front of her. Derek tried to follow her through the maze she was weaving through the trees, but he only had flashes of black to guide him. After a few more minutes of going deeper and deeper into the forest, Meredith stopped in the middle of a large clearing. She looked back to see Derek trotting up to her.
"So, how do you feel? You just got out rode by a girl," Meredith asked him playfully.
"That's not fair. You know the land. I had to follow you or I would have gotten lost."
"Excuses, excuses. You just don't want to admit that I can ride better than you."
"Fine, you ride better than I do. So why are we here?" he asked, looking over at her. She swung down out of her saddle and took the bridle off of Artemis, letting her graze. Derek did the same and when he looked back up, Meredith was gone. He walked through the clearing and found Meredith's clothes folded on a rock. He continued to walk forward and found a calm blue pool. Still not seeing Meredith, he started to walk away, but turned back when he heard a splash in the water. Meredith surfaced in the middle of the pool, her hair fanning out around her, water glistening on her bare shoulders.
"Are you going to join me?" Meredith called from the water. Hearing this, Derek quickly unbuttoned his shirt and slipped out of his pants, diving into the water. Water went flying, soaking a giggling Meredith. He swam up to her and took her in his arms as his head came out of the water. He kissed her lightly, but Meredith had other things on her mind. She flipped back out of his grasp and swam down to the bottom of the pool. Derek waited and waited, but she never did come back up. Getting worried, he started trying to look for her. While he did, she surfaced silently behind him and swam up behind him. She pushed her hands towards him, sending a wave of water over his head. He spun quickly, catching Meredith around the waist before she could swim away.
"You think that's funny, do you?" Derek asked, as Meredith tried to suppress giggles. With that, he swam over to where he could stand and lifted Meredith up in his arms.
"What are you planning on doing?" Meredith asked, her eyes flicking over his face hovering above hers. He smiled slyly at her and started to answer, but before she knew what was happening, she was flying through the air. She splashed into the water, leaving Derek laughing. She surfaced quickly, sputtering water. She swam past Derek and climbed out of the pool, leaving him scorned in the water. She spread Artemis' saddle blanket over the grass and laid down, letting the sun dry her body. Derek climbed out and laid down next to her, taking her hand in his. Wild flowers waved in the breeze around them, as Artemis and Apollo grazed
behind them. Derek toyed with Meredith's hand, turning it over and over in his hand, tracing every line on her palm, playing with each finger, memorizing every part of her hand. Meredith lay there, staring up at the rolling clouds, feeling more secure than she ever had before in her life. She placed her free hand subconsciously on her stomach, suddenly feeling guilty for not telling Derek. She turned so that she was on her side, looking deep into Derek's eyes.
"Derek," she started timidly. He smiled at her, urging her to continue. "Derek, I need to tell you something."
"Anything, my love," he said, deep love visible in his eyes. The words stopped in Meredith's throat, choking her. She couldn't tell him; telling him would destroy this wonderful peace that had settled over them.
"It's not important," Meredith said, turning her head away from him. Derek propped himself up on his elbow, looking down on her face. She turned her head to look into his eyes, the pain visible there.
"Meri, what's wrong?" Derek asked, concern darkening his eyes.
"It's nothing, it's nothing that you need to worry about," she said, tears pricking her eyes.
"Meredith, we cannot be together if you don't include me in your problems."
"It's not your burden to bear," Meredith said, lifting up to kiss him gently on his lips. "I can handle it on my own."
"Meredith, please tell me."
"I will ruin our time together if I tell you. Please, just let me have this time to forget."
"As you wish," Derek said, as he laid back against the blanket. There was something big going on, but he wasn't going to push her. He needed this escape as much as she did. The sun began to set over the pool, the reds and pinks reflecting in the water. Meredith sat up, her golden hair falling over her bare back. Derek sat up next to her, kissing her shoulder. Meredith tensed under his touch and bent her head up, giving Derek full access to her neck. He kissed a trail from her shoulder, across her collarbone, up her neck, across her jaw, and finally up to her lips. He bit gently on her bottom lip, making her give him complete access. She moaned into his mouth, but pushed him back.
"Not tonight, please," Meredith pleaded. "I just want to be with you, no sex, just feel you near me. Please, do this for me."
"Of course, my love," Derek said, pulling her into his chest. She leaned into him, the heat from his body warming her.
"I love you," she said quietly.
"I love you, too," Derek said, placing his arm around her waist. After a few more minutes in silence, Meredith stood and put her clothes back on. She retrieved the blanket and put the saddle and bridle back on Artemis. Derek stood and did the same and then helped Meredith back into the saddle. He pulled himself back into the saddle and they walked through the forest, side by side. They rode in silence, listening to the sounds of the forest, and just enjoying being with each other. When they finally emerged from the forest, Meredith pulled Artemis up to a stop and Derek did the same.
"Why are we stopping?" Derek asked, looking over at Meredith. Meredith looked back at him, the playfulness of earlier taking her back over.
"Race you back to the barn," Meredith said quickly, as she galloped off. Derek followed, not willing to let her beat him again. He urged Apollo to go faster and he finally was even with Meredith as the barn loomed ahead. Meredith looked over at him, laughter lighting up her eyes. Just as she turned back to look forward, a rabbit ran in front of Artemis. Artemis threw her head up and stopped dead in her tracks, sending Meredith flying over her head and tumbling through the grass. Derek pulled Apollo to a stop and sprung out of the saddle, running to Meredith's side. He knelt down next to her huddled form in the grass. She was face down and her shoulders were shaking. Thinking she was crying because she was hurt, he gently rolled her over onto her back, to make sure that she was alright. He smiled down at her, when he realized that she wasn't crying, but laughing. Her face turned red, as the giggles would not stop and she was gasping for air. Derek pulled her into a hug.
"Meri, are you alright?" Derek asked her, stroking her back.
"Yes, I'm fine," Meredith said between giggles. Derek pulled away from her and started to examine her arms and legs, having to make sure that she really was alright.
"Derek, I'm fine, really I am," she said, pushing his hands away.
"I'm not letting you get back on that horse. We're walking back."
"Derek, you can't keep me from getting back on Artemis. She didn't do it on purpose. The rabbit scared her."
"Just do this for me. I want to keep you safe and I can't if you're on the horse."
"Derek, I'm a big girl. I can handle a horse; I proved that to you today. You don't have to be so protective of me."
"Stand up then," Derek said, as he stood and retrieved Artemis, who had stopped a few feet off. Meredith winced, as a shooting pain went through her ankle when she stood. She bit her lip as she walked over to Artemis, limping slightly.
Noticing this, Derek said, "No, I am not letting you get back on this horse. You are hurt."
"I just twisted my ankle, Derek. It's nothing. It'll work itself out."
"No, I refuse to let you back on this horse and I refuse to let you walk," Derek insisted.
"Then how am I going to get back?" Meredith asked, placing her hands on her hips.
Derek looked at her and then looked at the horses. He pulled the reins over Apollo's head and tied them to Meredith's saddle. He then walked back over to Meredith and lifted her up in his arms.
"Put your legs around my waist," Derek commanded. She did as she was told and wrapped her arms around his neck. He put his arm underneath her to hold her up and grabbed Artemis' reins. As the sun sank completely behind the horizon, the odd party set off to complete their trek to the barn.
I'm sorry, but I can't update anymore until next week. That's why I updated three times today. And since I updated triple the amount of times that I usually do, that means I want triple the number of reviews. A lot of reviews will make me a very happy person when I get home next week.