Chapter 25: Talking to Mark

Derek and William walked into Mark's shop but only saw two guys getting something out of one of the cabinets, "Hey, where is AE1?" Derek asked the two guys that he recognized as some of Mark's guys.

"He is out at 503, the plane took off and landed right back with some censors that need to be checked. I think your guys are out there as well AT1." One of them explained.

"Thanks. We'll head out there." Derek walked out with his dad following him. They hadn't said a whole lot since leaving the restaurant. Derek was trying to say as little as possible. He followed the rules; he was the good son and had always been the one to do what was expected of him. Something about Meredith negated all of that.

William walked behind Derek, knowing his son said all he could during lunch. He knew his son enough to know there was more to the story. His son was a pleaser though; if he wasn't, he wouldn't be so far along in his career. He knew one thing… he had raised his son with values and morals. He could see the Derek was playing with fire, but it was his fire to play with and put off it if came to be necessary.

They made their way to the hanger where Mark was barking orders about what his crew should be doing to the plane. William wore a satisfied smile watching Mark, the man who he saw no differently than his biological children. "Well, it is good to see some people do some work around here." William looked to Derek curiously and back to Mark.

Mark looked between Derek and William curious as to what the lunch time was about with just the two of them. From the cautioned looks on both faces, he had a feeling it wasn't great. "Yes, some of us earn a paycheck by actually working, unlike others who are able to travel around all the time and say they are working." Mark laughed, shook William's head, and leaned into him a bit to pat his back in a half hug.

Before William could respond they heard a voice from behind them, "AT1, your back. Lieutenant Commander Grey was just down looking for you, something about the pack out." George said.

Mark and William looked at Derek with the same concerned face as Derek smirked knowing she couldn't resist him. He couldn't help but feel his body reacting to the thought of her but quickly came back into the reality of the situation before him.

"Son, you shouldn't keep your superiors waiting when they want to see you." William heedfully said.

Mark didn't miss the voice William was using and was much more curious as to exactly what was said at lunch. When Derek called to tell him, he was going with his father, Derek sounded strange. Mark just assumed it was the stress of the pack out and still being relatively new. He now wonders if there was more.

Derek looked back at his father trying to keep the look on his face focused. Derek swallowed hard, "Yes, I will see you later at the homestead?" Derek tried to make light.

"Yeah, I say you guys treat me to some Zorba's. I am only in town overnight and I have to eat my favorite places. They have the best Chicken Parmesan but, with the Greek sides." William smiled trying to believe that Meredith wanting to see Derek was merely business.

Derek breathed a sigh of relief, glad his dad didn't say more. He turned around to walk back in the building to make it up to her office.

Mark mumbled under his breath, "Hmm… wonder how long he will be gone this time."

William sharply turned his head, "What do you mean by that?"

Mark looked shocked. He didn't think he was heard and definitely didn't want to be heard by William. "Nothing sir, just what the Lieutenant Commander seems to like to hear herself talk judging by how long Shep is usually in there."

"Just talking?" William raised an eyebrow.

"I think… yeah, just talking." Mark wasn't sure what to say a little shocked William would suggest something more. But, it proved Mark's theory that lunch time was more than casual conversation.

William could tell by the look of uneasiness on Mark's face that he was trying hard to cover up, he knew something. "Mark, why don't we go somewhere more private to talk."

"We can." Mark turned around, gave orders to the most superior person next to him in his shop and lead William outside to a more private area.

Once there both had an uncomfortable silence, not exactly sure what to say to the other, trying to figure out what the other knew.

"How is Derek doing here?" William finally decided to just ask flat out.

"He has adjusted well, I am sure he will get excellent recommendations from his superiors for the Chief's board coming up and will be a Chief in just over 8 years." Mark said trying to stay strictly to business.

"How do you feel about that?" William asked.

"It will be great; I can fuck with my superior. I always said I would give him the full moon salute." Mark chuckled before realizing William's eyes on him hard.

"What in the hell is he doing here?" William asked ready to cut through the bullshit and ask directly.

"He is doing his job." Mark knew he was asking a much more direct question than that, but there was a code, and he wasn't breaking it.

"Meredith Grey is the job?" William was challenging Mark.

"She is his boss." Mark was trying to avoid eye contact, but William is demanding it.

"Cut the shit, Derek is fucking her. I saw them today before we left which is why he and I went alone." William admitted trying to keep his cool, but it was becoming increasingly difficult.

Mark was stunned although he knew that anyone with open eyes could feel the electric current that happens when they are within eye contact of each other. There was an intensity that could be felt by all. Mark had no idea what to say, but he knew this was not only their father, but the highest enlisted man in the navy. For the sake of everyone involved, he had to protect both father and brother, "Derek is a smart man. He will figure it out, he always does." Mark tried to stay vague but hopeful that William would let that be enough.

Mark's face told William everything he needed to know. There was clearly something going on with Meredith and Derek, but Mark was loyal, and William was grateful it was Mark in this position and not anyone else. "Mark, promise me one thing."

Mark's stomach did a quick flip hoping he wasn't going to ask for a promise Mark couldn't keep, "Yes sir?"

"If Derek gets too far in… let me know. If something gets out and starts to spread, I need to know, right away. Do you understand?" William said in a low voice making sure Mark knew exactly what he was saying.

Mark swallowed hard, knowing exactly what William meant, "I can make sure you are aware of any major changes where Derek is concerned." Mark almost breathed a sigh of relief because this was something he could promise. He just hoped he never had to.

The forces… would they ever cause destruction?