Chapter 24: Father/Son Talk

Derek started to walk in the direction of Mark's shop with his dad following him. He knew his comments were questionable to someone of higher authority, but it wouldn't stop him… not with Meredith Grey.

Before they got to the shop, William spoke up, "Son, can we actually… let's just go me and you to lunch. I can see Mark later."

Derek knew what this meant, but had to play this, "Mark will want to see you and I told him we were doing lunch today."

"I have never known Mark to not be able to find a new lunch date and we can all three have dinner together." William smirked a little, but still much more concerned with his son.

"Well, he and I have some things we have to discuss about the pack out going on today." Derek hoped this would work.

"I tell you what, why don't we stop in to visit with him a bit and you can get your questions answered, but you and I will be going to lunch. Just the two of us." William stopped walking briefly to look at his son in the eyes to let him know he meant business

Derek sighed, knowing there was no getting out of this, "Let's go."

"I was thinking off base as well." William added walking behind Derek.

Derek tipped his head back slightly knowing his father wanted to talk. He knew the minute Meredith walked up he was in trouble, he couldn't contain himself and Derek Shepherd did not lose his poise… but Meredith, it was like all the behaviors he should be exhibiting went out the window.

"That is settled then. Let's go to Mi Pueblo. They have the best Arroz Con Pollo there." William smiled, but also knew it was relatively quiet there and they could sit out overlooking the mountains and ocean.

"Let's go." Derek walked out of the building, stopping to salute the few officers that were outside.

Derek and William made small talk over the first half of their lunch, but William knew the time was coming for more, he just wasn't sure how to start, "How are things going at the new command?" William had purposely avoided any conversation about work up until this point.

"Work is good, great even." Derek stated quickly.

"You seem to be adjusting well there. Master Chief Bailey seems to think you are doing a good job." William was going to ease in slowly. He was good at this, talking with people and getting the truth out. He wouldn't be the highest-ranking enlisted man in the navy if this wasn't the case.

"You have been checking up on me?" Derek stopped and asked, knowing this did not come up in the brief conversation they had with her in the hallway.

"You know how it works; I am kept abreast of all activities going on including those of my son." William said with a cross between two tones: fatherly and warning.

Derek instantly grew nervous, knowing his dad was a smart man, the smartest man alive and a man who had instincts, "I am adjusting well. I walked into a shop that was shit and am starting to turn it around in my short time here. I take care of what needs to be taken care of." He smirked slightly thinking about Meredith. Seeing her just before leaving the hanger had him thinking. It had been a few days since he had seen her. Anytime a squadron is leaving for a detachment, things are extremely hectic. Meredith had more night flights scheduled and Derek was busy getting things prepared. Everyone was busy days before leaving to go anywhere, especially a month detachment to the boat.

William immediately saw the look, "What exactly are you taking care of that puts that look on your face." He asked while eating casually.

Derek shot his eyes up from his lunch to look at his dad to search for the exact meaning of his statement, "What look?"

"The stupid ass smirk on your face that tells me there is more to just taking care of business, normal business." He took a breath, his eyes narrowed in on his son as he put his fork down. There was no more dancing around the table, "What is going on with you and Meredith Grey?"

Derek's stomach immediately knotted with no clue as to what to say to his dad. The last thing he wanted was to disappoint his father, the man who he one day hoped to become. He had no idea what to say and decided to start with, "She is my Lieutenant Commander."

William cocked his head to look at his son, "You think I didn't know that? We just saw her in the hallway of your hanger."

"Yes." Derek didn't want to give any unnecessary information at this time.

"You completely disrespected her, your authority. You can't do that to your superiors. Is that Chief material?" William decided to go at this angle for a bit to see what he can get out of Derek.

Derek breathed a sigh of relief, "No sir. I was out of line with Ms. Grey."

"Hm." William thought for a second, "What had me the most curious is why she let you."

Derek had to pull it together, pull his thoughts together. No way could his dad know what is going on. He would be a huge disappointment to his father, "I don't… I have no idea. She knows I am doing a good job. I hear she is a major bitch and likes to do things differently."

"That isn't the Meredith Grey I know." William said curiously.

"How would you know; it isn't like you have worked with her?" Derek took a sip of water feeling his throat tighten up suddenly.

"Her first command was when I was the Command Master Chief in Maine." William said quickly.

Derek shut his eyes and leaned back in his chair. He just assumed his father had worked with Ellis Grey and therefore knew Meredith, but never considered the possibility that they really did know each other, more than acquaintances. "Then she is on a power trip now, when you knew her, she was merely starting out. She is one of the youngest Lieutenant Commanders. I am sure that leads to quite the big head." Derek rolled his eyes, trying to hide and ignore anything that his body was feeling.

"Then there is you, a career that is on the fast track, up for chief in 8 years." William stated.

Derek looked closely at his dad, "Yes, I am. I am taking my exam soon and I will make it first time up."

William studied Derek closely, talking in a very soft but commanding voice, "You won't if this doesn't stop."

Derek inhaled sharply, "Nothing… there is nothing going on that I can't handle." He couldn't lie to his father, but he couldn't tell him the truth

William knew by that statement there was something. He knew he didn't want to push farther, but wanted Derek to think, "Derek, you are a grown man and can make your own decisions and I have always stood behind them. I enlisted in the navy because that was the best choice for me at the time. You enlisted in the navy when you should have gone in as an officer. I couldn't have been happier but a part of me wanted you to even be better than me and you will be. You are really moving forward in your career. Whatever there is to handle, handle it. Don't let it go on because sometimes there is no turning back." William has always stood behind his kids no matter what. He will give them guidance, but ultimately, he knows they do have to live their own life.

Derek looked at his father knowing he was right but didn't have a clue how to let go of the feelings. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, there was something more than meeting for a quick fuck with Meredith… he just needed to figure it out. He had to decipher the forces… and what they meant to him and what it could mean for Meredith.