Short about the fanfic, please read:

So here it is... It starts out slow. But It's AU, so I have to build a foundation. Of course it's Meredith and Derek...LOL
It's a very different fanfic..doesn't really have anything to do about Grey's Anatomy!

Takes place in Italy..Yes I actually said Italy, and Meredith is an Italian young woman, daughter of the rich business man Mr. Thatcher Grey.


-Thatcher Grey want's the best for his daughter, and hire Derek Shepherd to be her bodyguard. But Thatcher Grey his own, is anything but a warm person. Selfish as he is, he doesn't care about what Meredith really feels, despite that she doesn't even have a mother in her life to love her.

-Meredith Elizabeth Grey is a young woman, who lives her life in luxus. her everyday life consist of parties, getting drunk, sleep with inappropriate men and torture her guards. She is rough on the outside, but on the inside she is a girl with a broken heart, who suffers from a terrible childhood.

-Derek Shepherd is an American handsome man, who takes a job to earn some money to his education. He is, after all going to med school, and hopes to one day become a surgeon. But what he doesn't know when he takes this job, is that it's going to change his life forever.

Soon Derek discovers that this girl has anything but a good life, in spite of her wealthness!

Read and find out the rest, the details and everything else...give it a shot, and Review!!


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DISCLAIMER: This will have a lot of sex. It will have drug use. And addiction issues. I reccomend it for everyone. Oh, and you will get to learn some nasty words...in Italian...LOL!! SO, You have been warned!

Read, Review and Enjoy!!!



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Chapter: 1


Derek drove down the road in his rental car. Emilia-Romagna. He had no idea what he was doing here. This was never in his plan. Since he was a child he always had a plan for his life. But it seemed the more he tried to stick to it, the more foiled it became. Life it seems had been unfair. He wasn't fortunate enough to have it easy. So he had given up. Just temporarily, he told himself. But that creeping feeling of doubt was always around the corner. The one that told him his dreams had long since flown out the window. Like a caged bird, they were never to return.

It was crazy how it all came about. He had convinced himself that this was just an avenue to his dreams. This would help him get what he wanted. The pay was more than ample. The job didn't seem as if it would be too hard. It would be a foreign vacation. And the experience should be life changing. He was all for trying something new. Doing something to further his life experience and help him in the future. He could do that.

Derek's eyes got wide as he pulled up to the large iron gates. A brick wall seemed to border the whole property. It had to be many acres. The immaculately landscaped lawn went on as far as his eyes could see. He pulled up to the gate and pushed the button on the intercom.

"Your name." The voice asked simply in italian. Derek listened hard, pulling what he had learned in high school, and the little bit that he had been studying in the recent past together to figure it out.

"Derek Shepherd." He responded as he sat in his car. "I'm here to see Thatcher Grey." Derek explained.

"Please pull forward." They said as the large gates opened.

Derek had never seen anything like it. It was breathtaking. The lawn was landscaped with natural shrubbery and flowers. The grass was just freshly cut. He could still see a few damp clumps. He was sure by the look of things that it would be unacceptable if noticed. A glance across the property revealed several workers trimming back the large shrubs that surrounded a large building on the backside of the property. The house was larger than any he had ever seen. He would think it considered a mansion. It was old, but well taken care of. He pulled the car to a stop as a guard put his hands out.

"You need to be searched." The guard said in his deep Italian accent as he walked to the open car window. "Step out, please."

"Is this necessary?" Derek asked as he climbed out of the car.

"Of course it is." The man said as Derek stood there. Derek stood there as he patted him down. "That is not a weapon!" Derek said as he grabbed his crotch.

"Okay, clear." The guard said as he stood and walked Derek up to the door. He pressed the bell and they both stood there until the door opened.

"Welcome. I'm Franco" The well dressed man said as he opened the door. "I'm assuming you are Derek Shepherd?"

"Yes." Derek said with a nod. Derek looked at the woman crouched on the floor, polishing the marble. The only marbles he had ever seen what what came in a bag, and they were round.

"Mr. Grey is waiting for you." He said as he walked away. "Please, come this way." He said as he waved his arm.

Derek was in shock as he looked around the home. It was full of antiques. Heirlooms. The items in the main entrance were undoubtedly worth more than he would see in a lifetime. He swallowed hard as he followed Franco. As he looked around, he began to have a bad feeling. Part of him wanted to turn around and leave. But he didn't.

"Derek Shepherd....." Thatcher said as Derek walked into the large office.

Derek was ready to laugh. Everyone had warned him about Thatcher Grey. He was a fierce man. A man that most people feared. And the most was truly all people. There were a small handful that chose to pretend that they weren't fearful of this man. Yes, many feared him. But Derek, Derek found him humorous. At first glance he was a squirrel-y man. Not a man that looked intimidating or powerful. He wondered in the back of his head if anyone who had been fearful had actually met this man.

"Mr. Grey." Derek said with a nod as he gave him a conscious firm handshake.

"How was your trip?" Thatcher asked, more out of necessity than actual interest.

"Uneventful." Derek said simply as he sat in the chair that Mr. Grey had motioned to.

"Well, I have to say you come with great references as much recommendation." Thatcher said as he looked up over his reading glasses. "Of course you know that we did a full background check on you, and everything came out clear. I was shocked to see not even a speeding ticket. Perhaps you have just been lucky?" Thatcher joked as he looked up.

"Perhaps." Derek said with a faint smile.

"Well, as I'm sure you've heard, my previous employee was let go, and I need to fill this position as quickly as possible." Thatcher explained. "You would be on a salary. And of course to would reside here, seeing as you are on call at all hours. All of your costs will be covered in full. And you will have one day a week off when your position will be covered by one of the other guards."

"Okay." Derek said with a nod.

"Do you have any questions?" Thatcher asked.

"I don't speak perfect italian...." Derek said with concern.

"Don't worry about that. You will pick it up. We speak english in the home, and if you must, a translator will join you when you venture off of the property." Thatcher explained.

"And I will go with you wherever you go?" Derek asked, wondering if he had to be ready to pick up and leave.

"Oh. No. You're not here for me. I have my own personal guards who have been with me for years...." Thatcher explained. "I thought you knew... No, you are here to be a bodyguard for my daughter, Meredith."

"Oh." Derek said in shock. "You're daughter? And how old is she?"

"Yes, Meredith. Meredith is seventeen." Thatcher said with a smile. "So, is this something you would be interested in?" Thatcher asked.

"Um. Yeah. It sounds great." Derek said with a nod.

He sat there, wheels spinning. He was supposed to be a body guard for Thatcher Grey, one of the most powerful business men in the world. He was going to travel with him, become his right hand man. But no. He was going to protect his daughter. He sat there for a second and thought. He was actually getting the sweeter deal. How hard would it be to protect a seventeen year old?

"So where are you staying? I can have someone collect your things...." Thatcher asked as he looked up.

"The Hotel Marconi." Derek replied as he looked across the desk.

"I will send Franco." Thatcher told him as he stood. "Sofia has prepared a room for you."

"So when do I start?" Derek asked quickly as he stood.

"Today." Thatcher said quickly. "I believe that Meredith will be staying in tonight. But if she decides to go out, you will accompany her. You are never to leave her side."

"May I ask why?" Derek said with a wince.

"I am a very powerful man. A very successful man. I didn't get that way by backing down. This is a fierce business. There are no friends. And I have made quite a few enemies. There are many people who would go after my daughter to get to me. And that is where you come in." Thatcher explained.

"I understand." Derek said with a nod as he followed him to the door.

"I'm sure you will be needing to turn your car in soon. I BMW will be provided for your use." Thatcher told him. "Franco can get you the keys." Thatcher stopped in his tracks at the closed door and looked Derek square in the eyes. "There is one more thing."

"Okay." Derek said with a nod.

"My daughter is a very beautiful girl. I love her. But she very.... Tempting. You are to stay away from her. She will go far, and I don't need anyone bringing her down. And I will not have anything compromising her safety." Thatcher said frankly as he opened the door.

"I understand, Sir." Derek said as he followed him to the main stairway.

"Franco. I need to you pick up Mr. Shepherd's things from the Hotel Marconi, and I will also need you to get him the keys to the black BMW." Thatcher said quickly.

"Right away, Sir." Franco said as he marched off.

"Sofia!" Thatcher said loudly to the woman crouched on the floor. "Derek needs you to show him to his room."

"Of course, Sir." Sofia answered as she looked up. "If you'll come with me."

"I hope you find this experience enjoyable." Thatcher said with a nod as he walked away. "Oh yes. I must be leaving town for a few days. Someone will be around if you need help."

"Thank you, Sir." Derek responded as he watched him walk away.

Derek stood there for a moment. The door was definitely looking like a great idea. He wasn't sure if it was intentional or not, but Thatcher made him feel inadequate and inferior. He wasn't interested in his daughter. This was his job. This girl was not going to be a problem, he was sure of that. But Thatcher made it sound as if Derek wasn't good enough. And he did not like that.

"Sir." Sofia said loudly as she motioned for Derek.

"Sorry." Derek said as he looked up at her.

Derek went to walk forward when something caught his eye. He gazed up the marble staircase. His heart rate quickened. His breathing ceased. He watched as a petite pair of manicured toes come softly down the stairs. His eyes travelled up the long legs that went with those perfect feet. Her legs never seemed to stop as he reached her waist. His eyes were drawn to her perfect perky breasts, a hint of cleavage peaking out of her tank top. His heart stopped at his blue eyes met her light green ones.

Meredith walked down the hall. She heard voices. She had to assume that it was one of her father's new men. She never had any idea what was going on. She didn't even pretend to. She looked down the stairs at the man. She had never been drawn to anyone like this. Her heart stopped beating as she looked down at his dark curls. She could see his muscular body wrapped in a deep blue polo shirt. She took a deep breath and began to descend down the stairs. Her heart began to flutter when her gaze was met with a sea of blue.

"Hey." Meredith croaked softly as she passed him and continued to go down the stairs.

"Hey." Derek said as he looked up at her in shock. She was not what he was expecting.

"Meri! How many times have I told you to wear socks. My floors don't like your dirty little feet on them! I spent two hours!" Sofia shouted as she looked down at her.

"Yeah, yeah." Meredith said with a smirk as she continued to walk away.

"Ungrateful girl....." Sofia said as she shook her head as they continued up the stairs.

Meredith quickly made it around the corner and squealed. Her head peeked around as she watched him disappear down the hallway. She couldn't believe the butterflies in her stomach. She had never had butterflies in her stomach. She quickly walked to the kitchen with a skip in her step. Now she was wondering just why he was here.

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Derek looked around his room in shock. He had never seen anything so lavish in his life. He had grown up in a lower-middle class neighborhood. His dad was a factory worker. His mom is a school teacher. They got by, but they weren't used to comfortable living. When his dad died, things got even tighter and any hopes for a future for him were pushed aside as the money was used up to live on.

Derek laid back on the huge bed and stared at the ceiling. He honestly had no idea what he was supposed to be doing. He didn't do this kind of work. He pretty much heard about it through the grapevine. He was working out at the gym, and he heard the talk. No one was in the situation and able to pick up and leave. No one except him. Normally he wouldn't have even considered it, but the money was no joke, and he couldn't turn that down. And when he began to follow through, he never thought anything would come of it. He never thought he would be laying in the guest room of Thatcher Grey's estate. In one of the biggest houses in Emilia-Romagna.

Derek's thoughts drifted off to the girl. To glow of her honey colored hair, shining in the sunlight had enthralled him. Her erect nipples pressing through the thin material of her spaghetti strap tank top. Undoubtedly she was not wearing a bra, and there was definitely no need. And he found that incredibly sexy. Her adorable little navel peeking out above her shorts. He couldn't get her long legs out of his head. They never stopped. He laid there thinking about how it would feel to have them wrapped tightly around him, as he pounded into to her, over and over.

Fuck, Derek. You've got to stop this.... You are not here for that. And that would definitely get your ass fired.

"So you're the new guy." Meredith said as she put one hand on her waist and the other on the door frame. Derek jerked in surprise as he heard her soft voice.

"I am." Derek said as he sat up.

"Yeah, well, you aren't being paid to lay around." She said as she put her hands on her hips and looked into his eyes.

"Oh. I'm not?" Derek said with a smirk as he walked towards her. "And what exactly am I being paid to do?"

"Well, I would think if you need to ask me, that you probably shouldn't be here." Meredith said smartly as she stared him down.

He looked into her green eyes. He could read them like none he had ever seen before. They say the eyes are the window to a person's soul. And in her case, it was definitely true. She was fierce. He could tell by the look in her eyes that this had worked before. She intimidated. She put up a front. But her eyes were soft underneath it all. It was incredibly sexy. She liked to take control.

So you like to take control.... I can show you something you can control....

"Well then, I guess it's a good thing that I don't really need to ask you." Derek said in her ear.

His hot breath teased her flesh. He would see her tense up and it only caused the smirk on his face to grow. Their bodies touched softly as his hip rubbed against hers.

Meredith felt the sparks as their bodies connected. She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. She could smell his masculine scent. She had never had a scent draw her in like this before. She wanted nothing more than to stand there and inhale all day. Something about him was comfortable. Almost perfect.

Derek took a deep breath as he walked by. Soft, flowery. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he had smelled it before. She smelled so clean and feminine. As he brushed by her, he could feel her soft flesh on his arm. He had never felt softer skin in his life. He could only imagine the treasures that lay beneath her tight little clothes.

"Well then." Meredith said as she stood straight. "And where are you off to?"

"Oh, me?" Derek asked as he looked into her eyes.

"You are the only person around here, so.... You would be the one I am speaking to." She said smartly.

"I am off to work." He said with a grin as he marched down the hallway.

"Off to work! But you are here for me!" She said loudly. He quickly turned on his heel and walked swiftly toward her.

"Am I?" He asked as he marched up to her face. "And what exactly am I supposed to do with you?" He asked as he raised his eyebrows.

"Oh! You are an ass!" She said loudly as she spun around and walked off. "Ass!"

Derek smiled as he walked away. She was trouble. That was for sure. She was strong willed. She knew just how to get under your skin. She knew just how to temp a man. And just how to dominate. And so he smiled. Because he like to be dominated.

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Derek looked at the bags of luggage that were sitting in his room. Five. Five large bags. Most of this things. Those bags were overwhelming. It was so much at once. To come across the ocean. To stand in a place where you don't even understand most of they they were saying. To be an employee of one of the most powerful businessmen in the world. And of course, having to protect a seventeen year old that gave him a boner every time he looked at her. That was definitely a problem.

He threw his bags up on the bed with ease and unzipped him. He looked over at the large armoire in the corner of the room. Sofia had given him strict instructions to put his clothes in there. She also explained that she would clean his room and that his dirty clothes were to go in the bathroom. She felt like his mom. Maybe a little tougher version of his mom. But he could tell she was really a sweet woman underneath it all. Even as she glared and seethed at everyone. Derek looked up when he heard a knock on the door.

"So you're the new guy?" A man asked as he looked up.

"Derek...." Derek said as he stuck his hand out.

"Tony." Tony said as he shook his hand. "I'm basically the guy in charge when the boss isn't here. Which is often..." He said with a nod. "So, do you have any questions?" Tony asked as he stood there.

"Well.... Not really, I guess." Derek said with a shrug.

"Well, you already know that you have to follow Ms. Grey where ever she goes...." Tony pointed out. "And I'm sure Sofia gave you the gist of how the house works. I hope she told you that dinner is at five. She gets a little crazy about that." Tony said with a laugh.

"I will keep that in mind." Derek said with a smirk. "So how many employees does Mr. Grey have?" Derek asked.

"Oh. Probably twenty. But you and I are the only ones that stay on the premises. The others are locals. Most have families at home." Tony explained.

"I see...." Derek said with a nod.

"Shit..." Tony said as he looked at his watch.

"What?" Derek asked quickly.

"It's time for the show." Tony said as he crossed Derek's room and opened the balcony door, stepping out.

"Show?" Derek asked as he followed him.

Both men stood there as Meredith opened the door and walked across the courtyard and toward the pool. Derek immediately felt his pants tighten as he looked down at her. The tiny black bikini she was wearing left very little to the imagination. His eyes followed her sculpted legs and he perfect ass. She threw her towel and sunglasses on a table to the side. Derek watched as she dove into the blue water gracefully. She came up for air at the other end. The sun shown on her honey colored hair as she wiped her face.

"Same time everyday." Tony said with a wink.

"Oh. I'm not really...." Derek trailed off as he forced himself to walk away.

"Ah.... You're interested." Tony said with a nod. "And you aren't the only one." Tony said with a grin as he continued to stare. "She turns eighteen soon. There are a lot of people waiting for that."

"I'm not interested." Derek said as he walked into the room. Walking away was even harder than he thought it would be. "She's not my type."

"Meri is everyone's type." Tony said with a smile as he continued to watch.

"So how long have you been working here?" Derek asked as he pulled clothing out of one of the bags.

"Ten years." Tony said with a nod. "Started when I was nineteen."

"Wow...." Derek said with a nod as he walked his things over to the armoire.

"Yeah. Mr. Grey came here about fifteen years ago." Tony explained. "So what did you do back home?"

"I was in college. And I was working for my Uncle's construction company." Derek explained.

"Oh...." Tony said with a nod. "Well, when you're done here, we can take a walk around the premises. You need to know the ins and outs of this place."

"Sounds good." Derek said as he shut his bag and followed Tony.

They walked down the hallway and both looked up when they saw Meredith walked towards them. Derek felt the lump in his throat grow as he looked up at her. Up close her tan body was perfection.

"Done already, Meri?" Tony asked as she walked past them.

"Why do you ask? You want more?" Meredith asked as she looked over her shoulder.

"Want more of what?" Tony returned.

"You think I don't see you watching me? You pervy old man!" Meredith said as she turned and looked at him.

"Goodbye, Meredith." Tony said as he shook his head and they walked off. "I'd say we're both interested." Tony muttered as he looked down at the bulge in both of their jeans.

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Tony spent the day showing Derek around the property. He was showing him the ins and outs of the place. He also filled him in on the backgrounds of most of the workers. The one thing he didn't do.... The thing that Derek wanted the most... Was talk about Meredith. He pried. He tried. And yet, nothing. Derek was relieved when they finished their tour and they returned to the house. Derek heard the doorbell ring as they walked through the side door of the house.

Derek and Tony both looked up as Meredith came flying down the stairs as quickly as she could. Both men looked at each other in confusion as she ran. Of course, Derek's eyes caught the gentle bounce of her breasts as she went down each and every stair. She ran straight to the door and opened it.

"Hey baby...." The twenty year old looking man said as she opened the door.

"Hey you." She said with a giggle as she jumped into his arms.

"I missed you." Paulo said as he pulled her close.

"I missed you too." She giggled.

Derek felt the the jealousy grow as he looked at the two of them. He didn't know who he was, but he knew that he didn't want him touching her. The had no right to have his hands on her. He didn't know the guy, but he could just tell that he couldn't appreciate a woman. He quickly cleared his throat and rushed over.

"Excuse me." Derek said as he pulled the guy away from her.

"Hey, Jackass! What do you think you're doing?" Meredith asked as she shoved him.

"Protecting you." Derek said as he pulled Paulo away from her. "Spread them."

"What? You are searching me?" He asked as he turned and faced him.

"I am." Derek said with a nod.

"He's my boyfriend!" Meredith spat loudly.

Tony watched with a smile on his face. He had to laugh. For not being interested, Derek sure seemed concerned about her safety. He could see the jealousy on his face. It was apparent to everyone. Except Meredith.

"Look. This is not your job. Patting my boyfriend down is not your job!" She yelled as Derek patted his leg, Derek shoved his legs apart, making sure to hit his crotch with his knee, just a little too hard.

"Okay." Derek said with a nod. "Thatcher said everyone gets patted down." Derek told her frankly.

"Not everyone." Meredith growled. "Come on." She said as she grabbed Paulo's hand and dragged him away.

"Man.... You didn't tell me your bodyguard was gay." Paulo said as they walked away.

"What?" Meredith said angrily. "He's not gay."

"They way he just felt me up, you'd never now it." Paulo said with a laugh.

"He did not feel you up. He was doing his job." Meredith defended.

"Oh. Well aren't we all concerned?" Paulo said quickly.

"I am not." She said as she hit him playfully.

"So he's American?" Paulo asked with a raised brow.

"Apparently." Meredith answered with a shrug.

"So... What do you say we go to your room?" Paulo asked with a smirk.

"Is that all you think about?" She asked with a giggle.

"Most of the time.... Yes." He said with a nod.

Meredith glanced over her shoulder at Derek. She couldn't take it. Why did she give a damn about him? Why was she so drawn to him? As she looked over, their eyes met. She quickly looked away. She couldn't look into that sea of blue. Every time she looked at him, she could feel him reading her. She felt like her whole life was there for him to watch. Like a sad movie. And he was the only one she had ever felt do that. It was a sad movie... And he was the only one that took the time to watch.

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Meredith took her seat at the table. Paulo sat down next to her. She looked over at Paulo. It was almost time. It had been too long. To long for her to be with him. It was true, she couldn't commit. She wouldn't. She had tried a long time ago. But she learned early on that it was easier for her to hurt before someone hurt her.

Sofia brought the various pasta dishes into the room. This is how she had grown up. Thatcher wanted her to have someone around. So she ate dinner every night with Sofia and Tony. She frowned as she looked up, seeing Derek walking in.

"You're late!" Sofia said loudly as he sat at the table.

"I'm sorry." Derek said with a nod.

Meredith looked up at him. He was freshly showered. She could smell the intoxicating scent that was him, from across the table. Her eyes travelled to his strong arms. Then to his broad chest. Her gaze was broken as Sofia began to talk.

"So, Derek...." Sofia said as she sat down. "How was your first day?"

"Good." Derek said with a nod.

"That's good. Where is it you say you're from?" She asked as she looked at him.

"Maine." Derek said with a smile.

"Well, welcome to Italy." She told him happily as she began to eat her food. "Meri! You need to eat more than that." She said as she looked at the small amount of pasta on her plate.

"I'm really not that hungry." Meredith said as she pushed her food around on her plate.

"That isn't much." Derek said with a nod.

"Do you think she looks this way from eating fried American food?" Paulo said quickly.

Everyone at the table rolled their eyes at his stupid comment. They all knew he was controlling. But Meredith wasn't easily controlled. She just wanted to keep everyone happy. That was how she had lived most of her life. Sofia and Tony knew that it didn't matter, because Paulo would be gone in no time.

"So Paul, where are you from?" Derek asked.

"It's Paulo." Paulo said as he glared at the man. "And Bologna." He said as he looked over at Meredith and smiled.

"Baloney?" Derek said with a laugh.

"Bologna. Not baloney. Baloney is what Americans eat." He said nastily.

"Not all americans eat bologna, Paul." Derek said with a smirk.

"Paulo." He said again as he turned away from him.

"So, Sofia, how long have you been working here?" Derek asked as he looked up.

"Since the Grey's moved here." Sofia said with a smile. "I've taken care of Meri since she was a little lady."

"We were both here when they came... Meri has changed." He said with a chuckle.
"I remember when she was a skinny little thing. The boys wouldn't even look at her. When she'd run she'd kick her own butt with those long legs." Tony laughed. "She was built like a pencil. That's what I always called her...."

"Yeah. Pencil. The funny this is, that's what we called you too.... But for an entirely different reason!" Meredith said with a giggle. "Pencil dick." She muttered under her breath.

"Not very nice..." Tony said as he shook his head.

"Meri! Be a lady!" Sofia said loudly.

"She doesn't know how." Tony said quickly.

"Well, I think Meredith knows I don't have that problem." Paulo said with a smirk.

Meredith felt sick. She didn't even know why. Maybe it was because Paulo had made a stupid comment. A stupid comment in front of Derek. She looked up at Derek, and her eyes were met with his. She felt like she was suffocating.

"You are an idiot." Meredith said as she rolled her eyes at Paulo. "And I am done." She said as she pushed her plate away. "I'll call you later." She told Paulo as she stood up from the table and left him sitting there. She smiled as she walked away. Tonight, she was going to teach Derek a lesson.

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Chapter: 2


Meredith stood in front of her full length antique mirror. She had put on a short black skirt and a halter top. She wasn't technically old enough to go to the clubs, but she did. And she always got in. She was a bit of a celebrity in her area. She was the daughter of the of the richest men in the world. But yet, she managed to keep herself on the down low. People in the United Stated would have no idea who Meredith Grey was. And that was exactly how she wanted it.

Meredith placed her hair in a cute up-do and looked in the mirror. She had already called several friends. Derek was going to love it. Picking up all her friends. Playing chauffeur. He was going to rue the day he met her. She had to get rid of him. She found it too hard to be around him. It was going to be too easy to break down around him. So she had to get rid of him.

"I'm leaving." Meredith said loudly as she passed his room. He italian heels clicked loudly on the marble as she walked down the stairs.

"What? Where are we going?" Derek asked as his eyes locked on her as he followed her down.

"Out." She said loudly. "Go get the car." She ordered. He looked up at her and begrudgingly went to the garage. Several minutes later she climbed in the passenger seat of the vehicle.

"Go right." She said as they approached the end of the driveway.

"Where are we going?" Derek asked as he looked over at her.

"I already told you... Out." Meredith said quickly. "And who taught you to drive? You could go a little faster."

"I have no idea where we are going." Derek said quickly.

"I will let you know." She said as she motioned for him to speed. "In plenty of time. Oh shit! Here." She said quickly as she pointed left.

"See." Derek said loudly as he turned the car.

Derek's eyes travelled over to her legs. He loved her legs. He was beginning to think that was her greatest attribute. He looked at their perfect bronze color. So smooth. So soft. So long.

"You know, I could have you fired for that." She said frankly.

"For what?" Derek asked as he looked up at her.

"Looking at me like that." She spat as she looked out the window. "Don't. I don't like it."

"Well I'm not. And besides.... For someone who doesn't like it.... You sure flaunt it." He said frankly.

"Whatever." She said as she turned the radio on loudly, drowning him out.

"Turn that down!" He said as he leaned forward and turned it off.

"Hey!" She shouted as she turned it back on.

"I can't drive with that shit on." He said as he turned it off.

"It seems you can't drive either way.... So what's the difference?" She asked smartly.

"Aren't you supposed to be in the back of the car?" He asked as he glared at her.

"I sit where ever I want." Meredith said rudely.

"You should be in the trunk..." He muttered under his breath.

"Oh... By the way, you were supposed to turn left back there." She said smartly.

"You know. I don't think this job is worth the money." Derek said as he turned the car around.

"Then maybe you should quit." Meredith replied as she turned the music back on, but to a more manageable level.

"Maybe I should." He agreed with a nod.

He couldn't quit. He needed the money too badly. He wanted to go to med school. He wanted to make something of himself. And minimum wage wasn't going to make that easy. But the twenty thousand a month that Thatcher Grey paid him would definitely make a huge difference. He frowned. He knew he would have to just grin and bear it. He was stuck.

"Down that driveway." She said softly, after a long silence. Derek pulled down the driveway and up to a large house.

"What's here?" Derek asked.

"Oh, a friend. We have a few to pick up." She said with a smirk.

Derek rolled his eyes as he sat there. Before too long, he saw a dark haired girl come running out of the house and to the car. She quickly jumped in the back and began speaking to Meredith in italian. He had no idea what she was saying. Most of it was in slang, and he wasn't that fluent with Italian. He just shook his head as he drove.

They went to another house and picked up a guy and a girl this time. Derek was getting irritated. He wasn't her driver. He was there to protect her. And at this point she had made him into a stooge. He was beginning to realize that he really didn't like it here. Everyone was treating him like the help. And even if he was the help, that didn't mean he wanted to be treated like it.

After another forty minutes of driving, he pulled up to another estate. He was secretly relieved. This was the last one. It had to be. There was only room for one more person in the car. His eyes got wide as three people came out of the house and began piling in the car.

"No! No way. There is not enough room." Derek said as he looked back.

"Relax." Meredith said quickly. "They can sit on each other's laps."

"No they can't. This car is made for five people. Not eight! It's not safe. And it's not legal!" He said loudly,

"This is not America." Meredith said with a chuckle.

"I'm fairly certain that piling humans into a car like sardines is not legal here either!" Derek said loudly.

"Live with it." She said as they climbed in.

"I'd really like to know who you think you are. You are not above the law. Or anything else for that matter." Derek said as he drove off. "A spoiled bitch, I guess."

"You are an uptight asshole. And of you say that to me again, I will beat you to death." She spat.

"Yep. Definitely a spoiled bitch." Derek said with a nod.

That was it. The rage in Meredith took over. She could be a pain in the ass. She could be rude. But she was not a spoiled bitch. Not but any means. Even having everything she could want, she still knew that there are others who are going without. She raised up her fist and punched him in the arm.

"Oh... That's right! Beat me to death with your tiny ineffectual fists!" He laughed as she hit him. That only fueled her fire. She quickly pulled back, and hit him with all her might. "Ouch! Stop!" He yelled as he pulled away.

"Asshole." She spat as she glared at him.

"Hey. I'm not the one who is endangering her friends by having them piled in a car. Not to mention they are so loud I can't hear a damn thing! And then the radio is on...." He said in a huff.

"Relax.... Big boy...." The dark haired girl from the back said as she reached between his legs and rubbed him. Derek's face turned to shock as he closed his legs and hit the brake.

"No! I will not relax! And if you grab me like that again, I will leave you on the side of the road!" He yelled as he took off again. "Crazy fucking people." He said quickly.

He could hear them talking quickly in Italian. He knew that they were talking about him. He could make out when they would say "Derek" or "American". Of course they would all laugh. They were making jokes about him. He could see Meredith out of the corner of his eye. This was all part of her plan. What that plan was, he had no idea.

He followed her directions and kept driving. Any attraction he had for her, was gone at the moment. Right now he just wanted to leave her on the side of the road with all of her friends and drive to the nearest airport. He frowned as they drove through the city. Meredith smiled and pointed to the club. Derek immediately felt sick. How much worse could it get?

"Just let us out by the door. You can go park the car." Meredith said as she flipped the visor and looked at herself in the mirror.

"Oh. Yeah. Yeah right. I am your body guard. I'm not going to dump you off in the road. I know what you're up to. And it's not going to work." Derek said quickly.

"That's what everyone else had always done." She lied as she looked at the long line of people in front of the club.

"Well, not me. They better have a valet." He said as he pulled up in front of the club. The valet looked at Meredith and nodded. They all piled out of the car when Derek stepped out.

"And you better let your friends know that they need to find a way home. I am not their fucking employee." Derek spat.

"But you are mine." She added with a smirk.

"I don't like you." He said as they walked up to the door. Meredith quickly pushed in front of him, followed by her friends. He heard her say something in italian to the bouncer. He nodded back. Meredith walked past him with her friends. Derek looked up in shock as the man stopped him.

"I need to get in there." Derek said loudly. The bouncer laughed at him and shook his head no. "Look... I am her body guard. I have to get in there." The bouncer obviously didn't speak english. "Fired... Would you like to get fired?" Derek spat loudly as he pushed him. That only made the bouncer angrier. "This place will be shut down. You will lose your job!" He said loudly. "Does anyone speak english?" Derek yelled loudly as he looked around. "What the hell kind of club is called Dadaumpa, anyway?" He muttered.

Derek continued to yell loudly. At least if they wouldn't let him in, he could drive the guy crazy. He knew she had said something to him. She said something so they wouldn't let him in. And now she was going to get raped or murdered and he would be out of a job. He continued his loud ranting until a man walked out of the club.

"Problem?" He asked as he looked up.

"Yes. I need to get in there. My client is in there." Derek said quickly.

"Sure." The man said, not believing him.

"Look. I can call Thatcher Grey. Explain to him that his daughter is in there. And that you guys won't let me in. I can do that." Derek said with a nod. "And I'm sure this building wouldn't even be standing by morning." He said frankly.

"Did you say- You're here for Meredith Grey... I'm so sorry, Sir." He said as he let Derek in. "Anything you want from the bar is on us tonight." He said quickly.

Derek walked in. Chaos. It was total and utter chaos. He had never been to a club. He had been to bars. And he had been to frat parties. But this was different. There were so many people. He couldn't see anyone. The music was so loud that he couldn't even think. He wandered aimlessly through the droves of people.

Derek started asking people where she was. Of course they would ignore him and walk away. Of course. Just his luck. He actually considered just going to the car. She would have to leave eventually. She would have to get home. Finally, after an hour of searching, he spotted her in the middle of a group of men. He clenched his jaw and walked right up to her and the two guys she was grinding against.

"Funny. Really fucking funny." Derek said as he grabbed her arm.

"Hey!" She said as she smacked him. "What do you think you are doing?"

"You are going home. You're a kid. You shouldn't even be here." He said as he pulled her away from everyone.

"No. I"m not done." Meredith said as she planted her feet.

"And I don't care." Derek said strongly as he tugged her. "You ass is going home."

"That is not your decision." She said as she twisted her arm and walked away. He quickly stalked after her and followed her up to the bar. "Tequila." She spat.

"You're kidding, right? You can't handle that." He said with a laugh.

"Bullshit." She said as she threw the shot back. "Another." She told the bartender as she looked up.

"That will kill you. You will hate life in the morning." He said as he watched her. She quickly slammed the second one back.

"I won't try to get away from you. But I'm not ready to leave." She said with a sigh.

"Is this a truce?" Derek asked with a smirk.

"Whatever you want to call it." Meredith said as she walked onto the floor.

Derek kept close attention on her. She shouldn't be here. She was a kid. And there was no way for him to protect her around this many people. He watched each and every person around her. Everything seemed okay. But he wasn't happy that she put him in this situation.

Derek watched as the guys flocked around her. It made him sick. Just a kid. And there she was, intoxicated with guys all over her. They had their hands on her. He knew he should stop them. But then that would start another war. The guys were like bees. They were predators. He watched them closely, making sure they didn't step out of line. As Derek watched he actually started to feel bad. It was almost like she had to do this. He just didn't know why.

"I'm ready." Meredith slurred as she finally wobbled up to him.

"You are drunk." Derek said as he grabbed her arm and helped her walk.

"I am." She said with a giggle as they walked out the door and into the fresh air. They stood there as the valet brought the car around.

Derek helped her into the car and began to fasten her seat belt. She giggled and smiled at him and he bent over her.

"You're cute." She said with a giggle as she scrunched her nose. Derek felt a smile cross his face. "And brotherly." And then it was gone. He snapped her belt and went around to the other side of the car. They drove in silence for a few minutes.

"You shouldn't be drinking. You're too young." Derek warned.

"I've been drinking a long time." She said with a yawn as she looked out the window.

"And for the record.... Never again! I will not risk your life. Or mine. We are never doing this again! I was sexually harassed!" He spat.

"We were so not sexually harassed." Meredith said as she shook her head. "You need to lighten up!" She giggled.

"I will lighten up... When I feel light!" He said loudly. He looked over at her tired face.

It hurt. She did this for relief. Maybe for attention. It was obvious that she didn't get any attention at home. And from what he had heard, Thatcher Grey was never around. And he never had been. He sighed as he finally spoke, without looking over at her.

"You hurt, don't you? That's why you do it.... You look fine from the outside. But you aren't. It's not as easy as it looks... You try to drown out your pain. Am I right?" He asked. "Meredith? Mer?" He looked over to see her passed out, her face plastered on the window. "That was fun...." He muttered to himself.

Derek drove home quickly. He couldn't wait to get in his bed. He was exhausted. She nearly killed him today. He pulled the car into the garage. Derek wasn't even sure what the protocol was for this situation. He attempted to wake her up, several times with no avail. Finally he shrugged and walked to the side of the vehicle. He would have to carry her.

He was surprised at how light she was as he carried her up the stairs. He was also surprised that no one noticed them come home. No one was waiting up. No one was worried. He gently pushed her bedroom door open and looked into her gorgeous room. The moonlight shown on her large bed. He laid her on the bed. He flipped the light on and walked to the other side, pulling the covers back. He picked her back up and laid her on the soft linens. He looked at her, laying there, fully dressed. He thought about pulling her shoes off. He knew if he was caught in her room like this, he would lose his job.

He rubbed her soft feet as he pulled the shoes off. Her perfectly pedicured toes looked adorable. Derek placed her shoes on the floor. She looked like and angel laying there on her bed. Her soft honey colored hair was spread around her face. He smiled as he pulled her covers up and flipped the light off. As much of a pain in the ass as she was.... He couldn't leave. He was there to protect her. And he felt like she needed it.

------------------

Derek woke up with the bright sunlight shining on his face. He slowly rubbed his face and opened his eyes. Last night was too much. He didn't realize it would be that hard. He didn't think there would be people working against him, instead of with him. He slowly turned on his side and glanced at the clock. He nearly fell on his face as he jumped out of the bed. It was ten o'clock. He hadn't slept until ten o'clock since college. Since the all-night parties with Mark.

He quickly made his bed and rushed into his bathroom. He flipped the shower on and climbed into the hot water. A shower had never felt so good. The water in Italy just felt better. Or maybe it was the five hundred dollar shower head. He closed his eyes and shook his head. Usually he would have eaten breakfast by now. And of course he would have done his morning run. He liked to work out in the morning. It got his blood pumping and started his day. And now it was ten o'clock and he was sure everyone was wondering where he was.

He looked down at his watch as he stepped out of his bedroom. Ten minutes. Not bad for going through his entire morning routine of brushing, flossing, shaving and doing his hair. He had become quite anal over these things in the last few years and didn't like to get out routine. He slowly walked be Meredith's shut door. He paused when he heard loud moaning coming from inside.

Panic set in as he stood there. He knew he shouldn't go in her room. That was definitely against every single rule that Thatcher had explained. But he was concerned. What if she was hurt? What if someone had hurt her? He was there to protect her. And leaving her in there to die was not part of that plan. He lightly tapped on the door. No answer. He took a deep breath and turned the handle.

"Meredith?" Derek asked as he looked around the room.

He looked around the room and didn't see her. Her bed linens were all over the bed and floor. The curtains were tightly drawn, barely letting in any light. He took a deep breath. His eyes got wide when he smelled the lingering scent of vomit in the air. Derek kicked her bed sheets out of the way and walked around the large room. He had to shake his head, her bedroom alone was bigger than his and Mark's apartment. He glanced over at a door, he had no idea where that one went. He turned the corner and walked up to the dark open room. A smirk crossed his face as he saw her.

"Are you okay?" He asked as he flipped the light on.

"Ah! The light. Turn it off! Turn it off!" She yelled as she covered her face.

"Okay. Okay." Derek muttered.

Derek quickly flipped the light back off. He could see her vomit covered clothing from last night, in a pile on the floor. She sat on the floor next to the toilet. He had to laugh. Even with all her money, she was still next to the toilet, just like anyone else. Except it wasn't a regular toilet. It was a very clean, immaculate toilet. No, she had no idea how good she had it. She didn't know what it was to wake up in the place where you fell the night before. And then to cling to someone else's toilet that may not be so clean. The toilet where if you weren't feeling so shitty, you might just wonder what exactly was caked on it. And then if you were unfortunate enough to feel halfway decent, then what was caked on that toilet would be enough to make you retch until your insides came out. No, in this case, she had it good.

Derek stood there looking at her. Even in the dark, he could see her pale skin. He tried to hide his laughter as she retched again. He smiled as she bent over. He had never seen anyone so sexy when they vomited. She was in a cute pair of boy-cut panties and a camisole top. He slowly made his way over to her and held her hair back. His eyes travelled down her back and to her cute ass.

"I warned you about the tequila." Derek said with a laugh.

"Quit yelling!" She moaned as she sat back down and wiped her face.

"I'm not yelling." Derek said in a quieter tone.

"I have drank tequila a lot. It has never done this to me." Meredith said with a sigh. "Not this bad."

"Well, it probably didn't help that you didn't eat yesterday." Derek pointed out as he stood up.

"I ate." Meredith said softly as she stood.

"I hardly think two bites of pasta in twenty-four hours constitutes eating." Derek said as he shook his head. She closed her eyes and grasped the toilet as she wobbled. "Are you okay?" Derek asked as he grabbed her arm.

"Besides the fact that I feel like I am dying?" She asked as she weakly walked over and turned the bath water on.

"You know, you really shouldn't do this to yourself." He said as he cocked his head.

"I'm fine." Meredith told him.

"Last night you were not fine." Derek said quickly. "Last night you looked like you were trying to drown things out."

"Look. I don't need you to psychoanalyze me." Meredith said quickly. "Turn around." Derek looked at her and turned around. "I need to hold your shoulder." She said as she grabbed his shoulder and began to undress.

"What are you doing?" He asked as he stood there.

"Getting naked." She said quickly. Derek's eyes got wide as he saw her panties fall by his feet. He felt his cock start to grow and press against his jeans.

"What? What? Why are you- Naked?" He said in a panic. He wanted to spin around and drive his hard cock deep into her. He wanted to make her scream. He felt her let go of his shoulder.

Derek quickly unzipped his jeans and let them fall to the floor. His hard, thick cock poked out from his boxers. It just needed, it wanted to taste her. It wanted to feel her tight hot folds around it. He ripped his boxers off and let them fall. As he turned around, he pulled his shirt over his head.

Meredith looked up at him. He studied her perky, rosy buds. His hands covered her breasts as he massaged them gently. He squeezed her nipples between his thumb and forefinger. He pulled her close, his cock pressing against her belly. His mouth trailed down her neck as his hands slid down her sides and grasped her ass....

Shit! What are you doing?

"Okay." She said as she looked up from her bubbly water.

"I have to go." Derek said quickly, realizing that he could not be in a room with her when she was naked.

"Shy are we?" Meredith said with a giggle.

"Shy? No. Definitely not shy." Derek said frankly as he walked out and shut the door.

Derek took in a deep breath as he left the room. This was going to be hard. Really hard. She was too tempting. And innocent in a way that was incredibly sexy. She knew she was sexy, but he wasn't positive that she knew just how sexy she really was.

Meredith closed her eyes and sunk under the water. It seemed that he was unfazed by her stunt last night. He had to go. He needed to go. He seemed to care. He was the first guy in a long time. The first person, who actually seemed to care. And that scared her. So he had to go.

-------------------

"Ah, Derek. You finally come down." Sophia said as Derek stepped into the kitchen. His eyes fell over the stainless steel appliances and the granite counter tops. This was a kitchen his mom would love to cook in. Nothing like what he was used to.

"I'm sorry, I-" Derek started as he looked up at her.

"No need to explain. Are you hungry?" Sophia asked as she pulled out a few pans.

"I can make something." Derek said with a nod.

"No." She said as she shook her head. "Nonsense. I cook." She said with a nod. "Breakfast or lunch?"

"Breakfast is fine." Derek said with a nod. "Meredith is-" Derek started to explain where she was.

"Oh, that girl.... Don't worry. She will be fine." Sophia said as she began pulling things out of the refrigerator.

Derek was shocked. She didn't seem to care. It seemed to be a pattern around here. He had only been here two days, and it was apparent to him that Meredith was either brushed off, or ignored completely. He didn't even get a chance to explain what was going on. To explain that Meredith was sick. She was up there puking her guts out. She had been out drinking all night. He was going to explain. But now he was figuring, why bother?

"You finally wake up... Late night?" Tony asked as he marched into the kitchen.

"Eh." Derek muttered as he watched Sofia cook. He glanced over at a calendar on the counter that Tony was looking at. He saw the red circle around a date.

"The eighth is coming." Tony pointed out.

"The eighth?" Derek asked as he looked up. He wondered if that was a day that he was supposed to know about.

"Not much longer.... Six days?" Sofia asked as she looked up at Tony.

"I say three. She is already tired of him." Tony said quickly. "Three days and you bake a pie...."

"And what do I get?" Sofia asked as she glanced up at him

"What?" Derek asked again. "Three days?"

"Until Meri dumps Paulo." Tony explained. "She will dump him soon. She always does...."

Derek felt angry how could they do that? How could they wager on when Meredith would end a relationship? It was like it was a big joke to them. Like she was some stupid pawn. Like they could control her life. Like they didn't care about her happiness.

"Maybe she won't. Maybe they will be together for two more months. Or years. Hell, maybe they will get married....." Derek pointed out angrily. They both started laughing hysterically.

"Or not." Tony said as he walked away. "A pie." He yelled to Sofia. "And if you win, I wash your car."

"Fine." Sofia said with nod.

"This is completely insane. Instead of supporting her... You joke about it." Derek said, shaking his head in disgust.

"You don't understand." Sofia said quickly.

"Understand what?" Derek snapped.

"Meri- She can't commit." Sofia said with a frown. "It's not her fault... Poor girl."

"What do you mean?" Derek asked as he sat down.

"She was twelve years old." Sofia started. "She fell in love. Or as much in love as you can fall when you are twelve. I don't even remember the boy's name. I should, she cried about him for weeks. She really did like him.... They were together for about two months. Well, almost exactly two months. Hence, they two moth rule. She gave him her little heart. And he smashed it. She found him kissing her best friend. And that was it. After that, she never let it get past two months. It's her way of protecting herself...." Sofia explained as she handed him his breakfast.

"Oh." He said as he dropped his head.

There was no arguing. They didn't get it. They would never get it. Instead of helping her. Instead of trying to fix her problem, they bet on it and laughed at her. It had obviously affected her strongly. It changed the way she looked at relationships. It changed the way she looked at life. It changed her.

Derek finished his breakfast in silence. Sofia went off to clean, and Tony disappeared. He was happy to be alone. He just couldn't get over it. As he had driven into the driveway that first day, he expected perfection. He expected them to live the perfect life. And the more he looked around, the more he saw a mess. If the house represented their life, it would be a pile of rubble.

Derek sat his plate and sliver wear in the sink. He grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator. Making his way to his room, he decided he would have to take care of her. He would have to make this work. He looked around in his bag, and grabbed the aspirin. Next thing he knew he was standing at her door, knocking.

"Come in." She said softly. Derek pushed the door open, and was careful to make sure it would shut on it's own.

She was laying back with her arm over her head. Her hair was still damp from her bath this morning. It didn't even look as if she had brushed it. She had just toweled it and climbed into bed. Her covers were too far up for him to get a better look, but that wasn't why he was there.

"I thought you probably needed these." Derek said as he handed her the aspirin and water.

"I'm fine." She said as she clenched her jaw.

"I would say laying in bed, makes you not so fine." Derek pointed out.

"Don't! Just don't. I am fine. I don't need your help." She said as she rolled away. "You are my body guard. Not my friend. Not anything else. Hired help. Shut the door on your way out."

Derek didn't say anything as he sat the water and aspirin on the table and walked out. He clenched his jaw. He couldn't believe she said that. Hired help. It made him mad. It make him sick. It made him feel the size of a thimble. Now he was wondering if he should try to help her. Maybe she was happy just the way she was.

----------------------

Meredith looked out the window. She could see him off in the distance. He was running. She had found that this was his usual routine. He ran. She had no idea why. She herself had no desire to run. In fact, she thought it was stupid to run. To pound your knees and joints. To barely see what was going by. To huff and puff. Definitely not for her.

But to watch him run, now that she could do. He didn't know. He didn't know that she made it a point to get up extra early to watch him. To see his silhouette in the rising sun. He ran gracefully. On leg in front of the other. Some would say it was perfect form. Like a gazelle. An impala. Yes, watching him was a secret pleasure. And then when he returned, that was even better. To smell his salty sweet smell when he walked into the house. Most would be turned off. Not her. She just wanted to drag him to her room and make him even more sweaty.

Derek had been cold towards her after her hired help comment. She couldn't blame him. Not at all. That would have definitely pissed her off. And that was the point. That was what she had been hoping for. She was hoping he would leave. That he would run away. That he would leave her and her secret pain. She didn't want him to know. She didn't want anyone to know.

"Are you doing anything today?" Derek asked numbly as he walked in the back door of the house, and into an area where he could remove his soiled shoes and shirt.

"I don't know." She said as she casually walked by. It was purposely, but she made sure it didn't appear that way. "Why?" She asked as she paused and looked at his chiseled chest.

"Well, I'd like to know what my duties are." Derek snapped. They both looked up when the doorbell rang.

"I will let you know with plenty of notice." She said quickly. "Don't you worry. I'd hate to screw up your plans...."

"Meri!" She heard a voice squeal from behind.

"Mia." Meredith said in almost a moan.

"You look- Oh wow. Who is this?" She asked as she pointed to Derek and raised her eyebrows. "Is this your new boyfriend?" Meredith looked up at her and laughed.

"Oh yeah. This- I don't think so. No. He's my guy." Meredith said quickly. "Um, Derek."

"Your guard....." She said with a smile. "Very nice." Mia said with a nod. "I'm her best friend." Mia said with a giggle as she laid her hand on his chest.

"Mia, Derek. Okay, Mia..." Meredith said quickly as she grabbed her arm.

"So you're American...." Mia trailed off as she looked at his chiseled chest.

"I am." Derek nodded.

"Is it true? American men fuck like animals?" Mia asked as she looked into his blue eyes. "That's what I've heard."

"Mia!" Meredith said as she clenched her jaw.

"What? I need sex...." Mia said with a grin. "And he-"

"All right." Meredith snapped.

"Hey, I know... You have a day off once a week, right? I could show you around." Mia said happily.

"That would be great." Derek said with a smile after looking at the look on Meredith's face.

"Whatever. We have to go...." Meredith said as she dragged her away. Derek's eyes got wide as Mia blew him a kiss.

"Geez, Mer. I was just having a little fun!" Mia said quickly. "Besides, he's hot! Is he single?"

"Um, yeah. No. I don't know. So why are you here?" Meredith asked as they walked outside.

"I can't come visit my best friend?" Mia asked.

"Actually, I am very busy. Yeah, busy. Packing. Paris, I'm going to Paris." Meredith said as she opened the door.

"Paris? Why?" Mia asked.

"I like it." Meredith spat. "In fact, I'm going to be gone for a month. So, I have to go. I'll call you when I get home." Meredith said quickly.

"Why are you trying to get rid of me?" Mia asked.

"I'm not!" Meredith said quickly. "I'm just busy. So.... Yeah. Gotta go!" she said as she slid in the door and began to shut it.

"But I want to say goodbye to Derek!" she said as she pushed against the door.

"See you later." Meredith said as she shut the door and locked it.

"Now that wasn't very friendly." Derek said as he shook his head.

"I'm not friendly." Meredith snapped as she walked away.

-------------

Derek threw on his swim suit. He was going swimming. He looked down at his watch. Meredith was due to swim in an hour. That was plenty of time for him to get in and out. Plenty of time to avoid her. It seemed like everyday was another day of insults and animosity. So he would swim. If he was going to be working here, he was going to at least enjoy the perks. Even though the only real perks he was really craving were Meredith's perky breasts in his hands.

Derek walked down the long hallway and to the main staircase. He crossed through the house and opened the french doors that led to the courtyard. He frowned when he saw Meredith laying on a chair in her bikini. This one was white. Barely tied on. Soft. Innocent almost. So innocent that he just wanted to take it all away.

"Oh." Derek said as he looked up. "I'll come back later." He said as he stopped and looked down at her, ready to flee.

"You can swim, Derek." Meredith said as she rolled her eyes and then closed them. "Don't let me stop you."

Meredith opened her eyes so that they were tiny slits. They looked unopened to him. She watched as he turned around. His muscular back shown in the sunlight. She looked at his swim trunks, hung loosely on his hips. She sighed deeply as she put her dark sunglasses on and watched him dive into the pool. He made several laps in the blue water, as she secretly watched.

"You know it goes both ways, right?" Derek said as he came to the side of the pool.

"What's that?" Meredith asked as she sat up.

"You can swim too." Derek said with a smirk.

"Maybe I like laying in the sun." Meredith offered as she laid back.

"You know, you say it's not true....but I'm not so sure." Derek said as he swam off. He was taunting her. Egging her on.

"What?" She asked loudly.

"I think you really are a spoiled bitch." Derek said with a chuckle.

"You really want to piss me off, don't you?" Meredith spat as she stood.

"I try." Derek said with a smirk.

"Oh..." She growled as she shook her head.

"Oh no! I think I pissed the princess off!" He said as he mocked her.

"Damn it! Don't make me--" She started as she clenched her fists.

"Are you going to beat me to death with your tiny ineffectual fists?" He joked as he shook her head.

"I might." She seethed.

"I'm so scared." Derek laughed. "You don't want to get wet. You look like a drowned rat."

"Oh... Now I am so going to beat you to death." She yelled loudly.

She jumped into the pool, right on top of him. Her plan was to clobber him to death. To smash him with all of her 120 pounds. Derek threw his arms up and flung her into the water. She held her breath and grabbed on tightly to his leg as he tried to shake her off. He felt her hand grab tightly as he pulled her up.

"Should I be swimming away in fear?" He asked with a laugh as the both floated in the deep water.

"I think you should." She said as she swam after him.

She quickly grabbed the back of his swim shorts, almost uncovering his ass. With her other hand, she grabbed his side, and pulled hard, propelling herself onto his back. Meredith wrapped her legs around him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He somehow spun around and they both ended up underwater grasping and pushing. Their bodies rubbed against each other. She could feel his cock hit her leg at one point. Derek came up for air. His eyes got wide when he saw her scantily covered breasts in his face. He gently pushed her away.

"Someone need to teach you a lesson." He said as he pinned her to the side of the pool wall. He felt her hard nipples press against his chest.

"Do they? An just who do you think can do that?'" She asked as their eyes locked together. He could feel himself leaning towards her. Her hand ran down his side and to the front of his shorts. She could feel his hard cock press against the short, begging for freedom. It wanted her. It wanted her light pussy around it. It wanted to dive into her abyss. There was nothing he wanted more than to taste her sweet flesh. She closed her eyes as his lips came closer to hers.

"Hey babe!" They heard a voice yell loudly.

Both pulled away in shock. In shock of what almost happened. It was close. There was no question that their lips would have ended up in a tangled mess had they not been interfered.

"Paulo!" She yelled happily as she pulled away and swam over.

Derek looked up in shock. Bad timing. Horrible timing. He was so close to tasting her. So close to feeling her soft skin against his. And now he was here. That asshole. Her boyfriend walked up. He quickly swam away. Maybe it was the best possible timing. Because they were in the middle of the courtyard. In the middle of three sides of the house. And had he been caught. He'd be dead.

Derek watched as Paulo quickly pulled his clothes off and stripped to his shorts. He felt a ping of jealous. That was one lucky guy. He had her. Albeit not for much longer. But he experienced her. He tasted her flesh. He was sure that he got to rub her body. He got to moan her name. And there he stood, all tall dark and handsome for her.

Paulo dove into the water and immediately swam over to her. He face lit up. But from Derek's view, it was more a look of expected happiness. It was an act. Derek clenched his jaw as Paulo's lips covered Meredith's. He wanted to smash him as he hand slid on her ass and squeezed. As he began grinding his swim suit clad dick against her.

"Stop." Meredith said uncomfortably as she pushed Paulo away.

"What, babe?" Paulo asked as he looked up at her.

"Not here." She said as she dropped her voice.

"Oh come on...." He said as he sucked her neck.

Derek had to smile as Meredith pulled away from him and swan to the middle of the pool. He chased after her. It wasn't a sweet, innocent looking chase. It was like predator and prey. About midway, his face softened and he got a playful look. When he rushed up to her, he picked her up and tossed her in the water. She giggled as she swam away.

"Hey, Derek, some help over here!" Paulo said as he attempted to control Meredith.

"You are all on your own there." Derek said as he swam to the edge of the pool and climbed out.

It made him sick. His only solace was knowing that Paulo would be out of her life soon enough. He would be gone. But Derek lived in fantasy land. He couldn't have her either. There was no way. It would never happen. Thatcher Grey made that quite obvious. No, all he could do was look. Not touch. And not even looking was permitted. You could only do that, if you didn't get caught. Nope, no pussy for him. Just long nights with closed eyes and his hand.

--------------------

Chapter: 3

Derek left. He went away. He couldn't sit there and watch them. He tried. But it was just too hard. Too hard to see her with him. The Grey house was actually quite boring. Derek had always been active. He and Mark went to the bar. He was in college. He would work. But he never sat around. But that was what he did here. He was always sitting around. Occasionally he would find a spot in the sun and poor over medical books, hoping for a future. In medicine. Not in the confines of the Grey home.

Today that was what he did. He grabbed one of his medical journals and sat on the balcony. Every time he tried to do this... Every time he tried to concentrate, Meredith popped into his head. He could understand her not being happy. How could you be happy when you are stuck in a prison? And even when you go out, the guards are still there.

The sounds of splashing soon disappeared. Derek watched as Meredith wrapped her body in a towel and walked out of his view. He listened as he heard voices coming down the hallway. He heard Meredith's infectious giggle followed but Paulo's deep voice.

"You can't come in here." Meredith said quickly as she neared her door.

"Like I haven't been in there before." Paulo said with a chuckle.

"Sofia is downstairs. And Tony is everywhere." Meredith said in a huff. "And..." She nodded to Derek's room.

"Fine. I'll wait out here." He said unhappily. "Hey man." He said as he poked his head in Derek's room.

"Hey." Derek responded as he glanced up and flipped the page.

"A medical journal, huh?" Paulo said as he walked out to the balcony.

"Uh huh." Derek answered without looking up.

"Why are you reading that?" Paulo asked.

"I'm planning on going to medical school." Derek said dryly.

"Really?" Paulo said as he looked down him. "Hmm. Maybe you should talk to Meri."

"Why is that?" Derek asked as he looked up.

"She wants to be a doctor. A surgeon. She'll never do it." Paulo stated frankly.

"Why would you say that?" Derek asked quickly.

"She's hot. But she isn't that smart." Paulo said with a shrug. "I mean, look at her. Look at her life...."

"I'm done." Meredith said as she leaned on the door frame. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing." Paulo replied. "Are you ready to watch that movie?"

"I am." Meredith told him with a smile.

--------------

Meredith sat down softly on the large sofa. Being in the sun had taken the life out of her. She was completely exhausted. Paulo sat down next to her. This was how it always went. She started at one end, he at the other, then he would creep in. She sighed as she felt his arm wrap around her.

"You should be watching the movie." Meredith muttered as she looked at the screen.

"The movie isn't very interesting. I would rather watch you." He said as he kissed her neck. "You are so beautiful...."

"Well, I want to watch the movie." She said as she pulled away from him.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" He asked smartly as he looked at the side of her face. She refused to look at him.

"What?" Meredith asked with irritation in her voice.

"Ever since that body guard started working here, you've been different." Paulo said loudly.

"I have not." She said as she finally turned looked him in the face with a glare.

"What did I walk in on today?" He asked coldly.

"What?" Meredith asked innocently, knowing just what he was talking about.

"You. And him. In the pool. I saw it, Meredith. He is your help. Don't forget that. He isn't even near your level!" Paulo said loudly. "Not to mention he is older than you."

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Meredith lied as she rolled her eyes and looked away.

"You want to fuck him." He said quickly. "That's what it is. You want to feel his cock in you, don't you? It won't happen, baby. Thatcher would never let that go on. That guard- Derek... he has no interest in you. It's all a joke. And if he did fuck you... It would just be for an easy lay. I love you. He would never love you."

"Whatever. I'm not even- Whatever." She said as she quickly stood up.

"Meri..." Paulo said as he pulled her back down. "I love you. And I want you. Is that not enough? To be desired?" Meredith sighed as she stood up. "Where are you going?"

"To the pool. I'm hot. And I need-" She stopped talking as she walked off. "Whatever."

Meredith stormed into her room. She really liked Paulo. He could be a jerk, but he was for the most part a good guy. Especially when no one was around. When they were alone, he really was a sweet guy. And now things were going down hill. It was time.

Derek ran. She did laps. That was what they did. She needed to do some laps to blow off steam. Paulo could see it. He could see her attraction for Derek. She began to wonder if everyone could see it. And now the time was closing in on her relationship with Paulo. She didn't have much time. She had to get rid of him, before she was hurt again.

Derek laid in his bed reading a book. He was already in his pajamas. Getting paid to sit on his ass and read. Now that was a perfect job. It was a warm night. The perfect night to have the doors open and let the warm breeze blow in. He slowly rose out of bed when he heard a door open downstairs. He had excellent hearing. He always had. He walked over to the empty balcony, just in time to see Meredith diving in the pool.

She looked angry. She looked irritated. He could tell by her body language. He watched as she made several quick laps. She was a great swimmer. She made it look like an art. The way she flipped and turned around. Then she was off again. Derek walked over to sit back down on his bed as he heard Paulo. Of course he had to see what was going on.

"Meri! Meri.... I'm sorry." He said as he walked to the edge of the pool.

Meredith continued making her laps back and forth. There was a good chance that she didn't hear him as she came up for a quick breath and took off again. Derek stood there. His attention was definitely piqued now. Why would Paulo be sorry?

Paulo stood there at the edge of the pool for awhile, just watching her. Finally when she neared, he dipped his arm into the water and grasped hers, pulling her out swiftly.

"What the fuck?" Meredith shouted as he pulled her up.

"Such a mouth." He said with a chuckle. "Look..." He said as he held her arm. "I was an ass. I'm sorry about that. I just.... I like what we have. And I don't want to lose that. And I miss you... I miss the old you." He said as he grabbed her face and kissed her. Derek clenched his jaw as he watched.

"Paulo...." Meredith said in a huff.

"You are just so beautiful. So perfect." He said as he ran his hands down her sides. His hand caressed her face.

Derek stood there and painfully watched as Paulo led Meredith over to a lounge chair on the side of the pool. His hands were on her. His hands were not supposed to be on her. His mouth was an her. That was definitely no right. Derek closed his eyes and released his hard member from it's confines. His hand wrapped tightly around it. One could wish.

He stood there and looked at the perfection that was her body. He had never seen anything so perfect. Her curves were just right. He ran his strong hands over her perky breasts, feeling their firmness in his hands. Her taunt little abdomen felt sinful as he ran his tongue down and sucked on her belly ring. He twirled his tongue around it over and over.

His hands fell to her sides as he bent down closer. The tiny strings that held her bikini on, fell so easily as he pulled them. He quickly flipped her bottoms down. She moaned softly as he feathered his hand over her wet pussy. He dropped to his knees and let his tongue tease her perfectly waxed bikini line.

"Please...." She moaned as he teased her moist folds.

His tongue quickly delved deep into her hot folds. He ran his broad tongue over her clit, teasing and licking. He changed between figure of eights and licking it quickly. He glanced up, seeing the look of pure pleasure on her face as she grabbed the sides of the chair. He began sucking hard as he felt her near the edge. He felt her foot twitch against him as she fell over the edge, flooding his mouth with her hot cum.

"Oh...." Derek moaned as his cum poured out onto his hand.

"Oh.... Oh God!" Meredith shouted as she bucked her hips. "Oh....."

Derek continued pumping his hard member as he looked at her face. He focused on the way she was tossing her head. He closed his eyes and pumped harder and harder, imaging her tight pussy around him.

"Oh....." Meredith moaned loudly as she laid back and went limp. Paulo began kissing her abdomen.

"Now it's my turn..." Paulo said with a smile as he pulled his jeans down and let them fall. "I just want to feel you.... You feel so perfect around me."

Meredith opened her eyes as she came down form her high. She looked up at Paulo. She couldn't do this. Maybe she should. She should be nice. Fuck him one last time before she sent him on his way. But she couldn't. All she could think about was Derek.

"We need to talk." Meredith said as she sat up.

"Oh we can talk. We can talk while we're coming." He said as he laid over her. She could feel his hard member waiting at her entrance.

"No." She said as she pushed him. "We need to talk."

"What?" He said in shock as he looked at her.

"Look.... I- It's over." She said frankly as she tied her swimsuit on.

"What!" He said loudly as he looked at her.

"I just- You and I- It's been great. But- You and I we aren't- It's over. You and I are over." Meredith said as she stood up.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" He said as he grabbed her arm. "You fucking whore! I go down on you. I suck your cum. And now it's over?"

"I'm sorry." She said as she ripped her arm away from him and walked away. "Sorry...."

"You are a bitch, Meri. A real fucking bitch. A tease." He yelled. "And I hope you realize, some day that teasing will come back to haunt you. And It's going to be bad." He said as he chased after her. He stopped as she slammed to door in his face.

Meredith ran up the stairs as the tears fell. She hurt him. He yelled at her because she hurt him. And now she was hurting. Now she was alone. She hurt him. She ended it for he could hurt her. But still, in the end, she was still hurt.

Derek heard her rush down the stairs. He could hear her cries as she shut the door. Paulo was an ass, and Derek was glad to see him. But not to see her suffer. He didn't want to see that. Meredith was damaged. From the outside, she was beautiful. She looked perfect. But on the inside, she was falling apart.


---------------------

Derek looked up from his plate of eggs as he heard Meredith walk in. She looked rough. More than rough. Her eyes were puffy and blood shot. Her hair wasn't brushed. She was still in her pajama pants and a black camisole. She looked both physically and emotionally exhausted.

"Here you go, Meri." Sofia said as she sat her breakfast in front of her. "Good morning."

"Whoa.... Don't we look rough?" Tony said as he walked in and looked at her. "Late night?" He asked with a smirk.

"Go away." She moaned as she looked down at her plate.

"Start baking." He said to Sophia with a smirk. "Meri dumped Paulo."

"Guys." Derek said quickly as he looked up at them both. They both looked at him and went on with what they were doing.

"See you later. Have fun on kiddy patrol." Tony said with a chuckle. "Oh, by the way, Thatcher is coming back this evening." He said as he walked out.

"So do you want to talk about it?" Derek asked as he looked up at her. She hadn't taken a bite, just pushed the food from side to side on the plate.

"Talk about what?" Meredith asked softly.

"Last night." Derek offered as he took a bite of his eggs.

"What happened last night?" She said with a deep sigh.

"You dumping Paulo." Derek stated frankly.

"I don't need to talk about anything." Meredith said as she took a bite of her food.

"Well, thanks for waking me up." Derek said, feigning irritation.

"Waking you up?" Meredith asked as she glanced up.

"Well, generally when you have screaming orgasms in the courtyard, someone will hear." Derek said as he shook his head. "I just can't believe that you get away with that. If my mom saw that, she's kill me. Dead."

"First of all, what are you, twelve?" Meredith asked as she looked up. "No one is ever around." Meredith said as she took another bite.

"You should be careful." Derek stated simply.

"Of what? Sex?" Meredith said with a chuckle.

"You are a kid." Derek said quickly.

"I am not a kid. I haven't been a kid in a very long time." Meredith said quickly.

"So that was pretty harsh. I have to say, I have never seen it done so cruelly." Derek explained as he raised his brows. Meredith didn't answer as she sat there. "So where is your mom?"

"What?" Meredith asked as she looked up.

"Your mom.... Where is she?" Derek asked.

"Don't talk about my mom." Meredith said as she stared at her plate. "Ever."

"So there is a subject that actually gets a reaction." Derek said as he looked at her. He could see her hurt, and decided to drop it. "So are you planning on doing anything today?" He questioned as he took his last bite.

"If you mean am I planning on leaving my prison... Where would I go?" She said with a frown as she pushed her plate away and stood. "Maybe I will go shopping. That's what spoiled rich girls do." She said with a shrug. "I'll let you know."

"You know, not all relationships end in hurt." Derek said as she walked away.

"How do you know?" Meredith said as she continued on.

Meredith cried as she walked up the stairs. He was wrong. They always ended in hurt. She didn't know one happy couple. That was her proof. No happiness. And now she was choking. The walls around her were closing in. She was alone once again. She hated alone. It was the only feeling she had ever felt, and she would do anything to get rid of it. Even if two months at a time.

Meredith slid on her tight jeans. Paulo was right about one thing, there was no future between her and Derek. Nothing was going to come of that. It couldn't. There was no way that she would be able to live happily ever after with her help. Not to mention, there was no such thing as happily ever after. Meredith pulled her top on and descended down the stairs. She stopped in her tracks as she heard someone talking. Mia.

That bitch was here. Meredith had a ton of friends. So called friends. But in actuality, she had no friends. They were all people who used her to raise their social status. They used her for her amenities. They were users. She hadn't had a real friend in five years. That one screwed her over. And she didn't want another one.

"Mer!" Mia said as Meredith walked by, her black boots clicking on the floor.

"Mia." Meredith said with a sigh. "Are you ready, Derek?" Meredith asked as she stopped in the doorway.

"Mer.... I thought you were going to France?" Mia asked as she looked over.

"Change of plans." Meredith replied with a sigh as she threw her purse over her shoulder.

"Oh. Well that's great!" Mia responded happily. "Now we can hang out."

"Oh. Uh, actually I have stuff to do today." Meredith said quickly.

"I could come. Where are we going?" Mia asked.

"Mer said something about shopping." Derek chipped in. Meredith shot him a dirty look.

"Oh. Let's go!" Mia said happily.

"Yes." Derek said as he glanced at Meredith. "Let's."

Meredith rolled her eyes as she waited for Derek to pull the car around. Mia was talking nonstop. Meredith quit listening shortly after she started. She was really beginning to dislike Mia. She knew the only reason she was there was because Derek was there. Meredith walked towards the car, she felt Mia shove her out of the way as she neared the front passenger door. This was battle she knew she couldn't even fight.

"So, Derek.... When is your next day off?" Mia asked from the front seat as they drove down the road.

"Monday." Derek said as he glanced back at Meredith. She was sullen. She wasn't even listening.

"We are so going out on Monday." Mia said happily. "Say yes...."

"I could do that." Derek said with a smirk.

"Good! It will be so much fun. I am so much more fun than Meredith. She is dull. Dull and lifeless. Oh don't look at me like that. She knows it." Mia said quickly. "Last year when I was in Paris......"

Meredith closed her eyes and put her face up to the glass. She was just too tired to care. She was jealous. She really was. But why fight? Why even bother? No future. She would be a quick lay. No future. She didn't see any possibilities. It felt like everything was the same everyday. And she just wanted to break free.

Derek glanced back at Meredith. Her face was up against the glass. He didn't say a word. He didn't think she was sleeping, but she definitely wasn't there. Not mentally. Not spiritually. She was just a shell. A tired, lonely, sad shell.

-----------------

Derek sat in the chair and watched as the women grabbed clothes off the rack. This he didn't like. This was that thing that boyfriend's got stuck doing. It was torture. It was something you only did if you thought you had the possibility of getting laid. And just like every time he got apprehensive, he had to remember the money. He needed the money.

"What do you think?" Mia asked as she walked out in a low cut green dress.

"That's nice." Derek said with a nod, he quickly looked back down at the magazine in front of him.

"Mer... Let's see yours." Mia said quickly.

"No.... I don't like it." Meredith said quickly.

"Oh come on." Mia said as she opened the door. "Oh my God...." Mia said in shock. "Come out here."

Meredith walked out of the dressing room. Derek looked up and did a double take. He had never seen anyone so beautiful. She was wearing a shimmery black floor length gown with slit up the side. Her long leg showed every time she took a step. Derek felt the lump in his throat get bigger as he looked at her.

"How does she look?" Mia asked Derek.

"She looks goo.... good." Derek stammered. "You look amazing." Derek glanced up, and quickly stood as a man walked up.

"Excuse me." Derek said as he stepped in front of him.

"Der... He's fine. I know him." Mia said with a smile. He began speaking quickly in Italian. He wasn't sure what he was saying, but Meredith began blushing. He ended up handing her a piece of paper and walking away.

"What was that?" Derek asked as he walked away.

"Nothing." Meredith said as she disappeared into the fitting room. Derek looked at Mia.

"He wants to photograph her." Mia said with a smile.

"Photograph?" Derek said as he looked at her.

"She would never do it. She flaunts it at home... But she really is very self conscious." Mia explained as she disappeared.

Meredith walked back out of the fitting room in the jeans, sweater and black boots that she came in with. She plopped down next to Derek as closed her eyes.

"You aren't happy." Derek said with a frown.

"Why do you have to do that?" Meredith asked as she glanced up.

"Do what?" Derek asked.

"Ruin silence." Meredith replied.

"You know, silence can be deadly." He told her with a laugh.

"One could hope." Meredith said with a nod.

"I've tried to understand you, but I can't. You have your moments. You're confident, you act like nothing could stop you. And then next thing I know, you're down lower than the floor." Derek said sadly.

"I'm hungry." Meredith said nonchalantly, ignoring his comment.

"Well, then.... Let's go eat." Derek said with a smirk as they walked out, forgetting all about Mia.

"Derek... What do you think about this? Derek?" Mia said as she looked around.

Meredith and Derek grabbed a table in the back of the small cafe. Meredith didn't want to sit up front. She wanted to be in the back, where is was quiet. Where it was private.

"You know, you aren't my therapist. I don't have one. And I don't need one." Meredith said quickly. "And I really don't like you. You seem to think that you can talk to me like a friend. We are not friends. You know nothing about me. And no matter how hard you try, you will never know me. So just stop." Meredith said quickly.

"I'm not leaving." Derek said as he looked up.

"Look. Mia is a spoiled bitch. And she likes you. I'm sure you would have a good time with her. And she has money. I'm sure she would hire you. She might even pay more. So why don't you try that? Maybe then we would both be happy." Meredith said quickly.

"Mer.... I am not leaving." Derek said quickly. "You can push, but I am not leaving."

"Why?" Meredith asked as she looked down at the plate of food the waitress sat in front of her.

"Because you want me to." Derek said with a grin.

"Why do you insist on being an ass?" Meredith huffed.

"You know, if you were pleasant, we would both be happy." Derek said quickly.

"Mmmm." Meredith said with a nod. "I doubt that. I could never be happy around you."

"You say that now." Derek said with a laugh.

Meredith and Derek ate the rest of their lunch in silence. Mia called about halfway through their meal. Meredith somehow convinced her to keep shopping and get her own ride home. Neither would say it, but they were both relieved.

"I need panties." Meredith said with a grin as they walked down the street. "What's the matter, Derek? You don't want to go in the women's boutique?"

"I have no problem going in there." Derek huffed as he paused at the door.

"So you don't have a problem looking at panties with me?" Meredith asked as she looked up.

"I am here to protect you. Choosing lingerie is not my job." Derek said frankly as he stood there.

"Oh.... I see." She said with a giggle. "I just thought you would like to offer your opinion."

"On what will be covering your ass? I doubt that is appropriate." Derek said quickly.

"Hmm. Well, this is our last stop. Then I want to go home." She said with a sigh. "What do you think about these?" She asked as she held up a red lace demi and matching thong.

"I never was a fan of red." He said frankly.

"More of a reason to get it." She said with a smile. "I like the hipster panties occasionally. "

"That's nice." Derek said quickly.

"But I tend to rip them. I can't get them off fast enough." She said with a sigh.

"Oh God...." Derek said as he shook his head.

"What do you like?" Meredith asked.

"I don't wear women's lingerie." He said as he looked up.

"No... What do you like to see?" Meredith asked as she held a variety up.

"I'm walking away now." He said as he glanced at the door and walked away.

"I knew I could get rid of you." She said with a giggle.

Derek watched as she looked through the lingerie. He couldn't believe he was here with her. He basically know what was going to be underneath her clothes. And now that would be the only thing he would think about. Is she wearing the pink and green or the red. Either way, he would always want her out of them.

They drove in silence. This time, because of Mia's absence, Meredith got to sit in the front seat. Rather than try to drive him crazy, she was quiet. She didn't tease him. She didn't turn the radio up as loud as it could go. But she did occasionally pull out her new stash of sexy underwear. And she had to smile when she caught him looking.

Being good was oh so hard. Being good was something Meredith could only take in small doses. She had to irritate. It got her that much needed attention. Derek watched as she waved the panties back and forth.

"Are you trying to tell me something?" Derek asked with a chuckle.

"No. I just think this green thong would look great on you." She said with a smile.

"It's a little too small." Derek said, playing along. "And I like blue. Not light blue. Indigo. Dark."

"I'll have to remember that." She said with a grin. "When I go to buy you your panties...." She clarified quickly. "Not for- For you. Not me."

"I didn't think anything else." He said with a smile.

That was a lie. He liked the panties. In fact, he loved the panties. And that was a hint. He wanted to see dark blue on her. Just the tiniest bit of lace covering up her assets. And only covering her, so that he could take them off. His mind drifted to the dirty thoughts that always seemed to come when she was around.

Meredith sat there with a big grin on her face. Derek could see it out of the corner of his eye. It wasn't a sweet innocent grin. It was a dirty grin. He knew what was to come. And what was to come was pure pleasure.

Derek ran his hand up he bronze leg with his free hand. He watched as the black fabric of her skirt gathered into folds as he raised it up. A smile covered his face as he glanced over at her scantily clad feminine mound.

"See something you like?" Meredith asked as she grabbed his hand.

"I do." Derek said with a smile as he let her drag his hand over her.

Meredith rested his hand right over her. He could felt the wet spot growing through her dark blue panties. His fingers worked as he rubbed her from the outside. His hand crept underneath them as she let out a faint moan. His fingers played with her clit as she bucked her hips and squealed. Every nerve in her body was tingling as she cried out.

"Oh god.... Derek...." She cried as she felt herself on the edge.

Derek began stroking hard and fast as he felt her begin to tighten up.

Oh....OH....." She yelled as she flossed his hand with her hot cum. "Oh...thank you." She moaned.

"No, thank you." Derek said as he stuck his fingers in his mouth. He grinned as Meredith's head dropped to his lap. Within seconds, she freed his hard member, and placed it deep within her mouth..... [/i]

"Meredith...." Derek half moaned.

"Yeah?" She said as she looked over at him.

"Oh. Uh... Home, right?" He stammered as he looked over at her.

"Yeah. I think I told you that already." Meredith said quickly. "Oh my God.... You're hard." She said as she looked at him with wide eyes.

"What? No." He said as he threw his hand over himself.

"You so are." She said with a giggle. "Wow... What the hell were you thinking about?"

"I wasn't. I'm not- Why were you looking?" He said in embarrassment.

"I'm a girl. I always look." She admitted. "If you need to- We can pull over."

"What?" He said as he glanced over at her.

"If you need to relieve yourself." She said as she pointed.

"I'm fine." He grumbled.

"You are just the slightest bit cute when you are embarrassed." She said with a laugh.

"I am not embarrassed. Nothing is- I'm not-" He finally gave up.

"It's okay, you know. I get horny too. You just can't tell. We with the boobs don't rise to the occasion." Meredith said quickly.

"Wow... Are you? Is this you being friendly? I thought you didn't do friendly." He said, turning the tables on her.

"I am not friendly. And you have an ugly nose." She said with a smirk.

"Oh. Really. Well, you have a big ass." He said with a nod.

"I do not!" She said as she unbuckled and half stood, trying to see. She grumbled as she sat down. "Well, you have overly moused hair."

"I- There is nothing in my hair. I don't mousse." He said as he ran his hands through it. She leaned over and sniffed it.

"Oh, there is product in there. Don't lie." She said quickly.

"Better than brittle hair." He pointed out as he glanced over.

"Well, okay, Mr. Dead tooth." She huffed.

"Okay... I do not have a dead tooth. And if I do. You have dead teeth. Several. And your boobs are lopsided." He said with a nod.

"They are not!" She shouted as she put her hands on them. "No, these babies are even. Small balls."

"Cave pussy." He shouted.

"Pencil dick." She cried out. They both huffed and looked straight ahead. "My boobs are even." She whined.

"Okay. You are perfect." He said with a sigh.

"No one is perfect. But if they were, you would be close." She teased.

"You know, we dumped your friend off. That wasn't very nice." He said frankly.

"She isn't- I don't have any friends." She said with a sigh.

"It sure seems like you do." He said frankly. "Lots."

"They use me. They aren't friends. They are backstabbers. They are rude. And I don't care. I don't want any friends." She said sadly.

"Everyone needs a friend. Mark is my best friend. Since kindergarten. I can't imagine not having him. Everyone needs a friend." He told her. "Didn't you have any friends in school?"

"I didn't go to school. I had a tutor." She said with a frown.

"You need a friend. I could be your friend." He said with a smile.

"We can not be friends." She said frankly.

"Why? Because I am not at your status?" He asked with a frown.

"No! No.... Because we are not the same. We are.... We're opposites." She explained.

"You know, opposites attract." He pointed out.

"Well. I don't want to be your friend. But I would be civil. If I have to. I guess. If you insist on staying around." She said begrudgingly.

"Are you calling for a truce?" He asked as he looked over.

"I may be. I guess." She said as she rolled her eyes.

"Interesting...." Derek replied. They both sat in the quiet for awhile longer. Meredith finally spoke.

"I don't know my mother." She said, out of the blue. "You asked me earlier. I don't know her."

"Oh." Derek said in shock. "Where is she?"

"I don't know. My father. He always said when I was older he would tell me." She said with a shrug. "I have no mother."

"Well, you're older. Maybe it's time to ask." He pointed out.

"You're right." She said with a nod. "He will be home today. Maybe it's time...."

"I'm your friend....." He sang out. He was shocked that she opened up to him.

"Are not." She said with a giggle.

He was right. It was time to talk to Thatcher. She wanted to know about her mom.

------------------

Meredith walked into the busy house. That was the only time it was busy. When Thatcher was around. And that wasn't very often. Meredith quickly carried her stash of clothing up to her room. She was quickly losing her nerve. She was afraid to talk to him about it. She wasn't afraid of him. She was afraid of what he might say.

Meredith walked down the staircase as paced in front of his closed office door. Tony looked over at her in confusion, but kept on walking. That was how it was around here. Everyone wrote her off. They never took her seriously. She was the spoiled daughter. An idiot. Just looks. No feelings. That was how they all felt. She slowly turned the handle and walked in.

"Meredith." Thatcher said with a smile as she walked in.

"Hey daddy." He said as she walked around the desk and pecked him on the cheek.

"I heard you went shopping." He pointed out as she walked around the desk and sat in a chair.

"I did." Meredith said with a smile.

"Did you get everything you wanted?" He asked her as he looked down at his paperwork.

"Uh huh. How are Beijing?" She questioned as she wretched her hands.

"It was good. Productive. I needed to be there. How is the new guard, Derek?" Thatcher asked.

"He's okay." Meredith replied with a shrug.

"Just okay?" He asked as he glanced up.

"He's a guard. Overly protective. Pain in the neck. Won't let me have fun." She sighed.

"Good. That is what I like to hear." He said with a nod. "So, I have to go back to Beijing tomorrow." He told her.

"Oh." Meredith said, with a knowing nod.

"But I will be back. I'm just very busy right now." He explained.

"Where is my mother?" Meredith asked frankly out of the blue.

"What?" Thatcher said as he dropped the papers he was reading.

"I have to have a mother. Where is she? Who is she?" Meredith asked exuberantly. "You always said when I got older you would tell me. I'm older now. And I want to know."

"I guess I did tell you that...." He said sadly. "Why the sudden interest?"

"I just.... Curiosity." She told him.

"Well.... Your mother and I met in college. I fell in love. We were happy. Really happy. We got married, bought a house. Then things changed. She got pregnant with you. And she was so focused on her career.... Your mother was driven. A force to be reckoned with. She didn't want the family life. She didn't want us. You or I. She left you with a nanny or me all of the time. No interest. She said that her career was the one that mattered. Not mine. She had an affair with a coworker, and I left. I left with you. She had no objections. She just... She wasn't the family kind." He said frankly.

"My mom.... She- She didn't want me?" Meredith croaked out. Thatcher's phone rang and he picked it up.

"I have to take this. I'll see you later." He said as he waved her out.

Meredith burst into tears the minute she shut Thatcher's door. Everyone watched as she ran up the stairway. No one attempted to help her. No one asked what was teh matter. She cried loudly as she covered her face and ran. Derek glanced up in shock as she disappeared around the corner. Everyone heard her door shut.

Meredith collapsed on her bed in tears. Her mom didn't want her. All these years, and she never cared enough to look for her. She didn't care enough to wonder about her daughter. How could someone hold their child inside them for nine months and have no attachment. Her mother was a monster. So much for the fantasies.

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Chapter: 4

Derek watched as Meredith ran out of Thatcher Grey's office. He didn't need her to tell him what had happened. Thatcher finally talked to her about her mom. This was just one more thing. It seemed she was always getting hurt. Hurt and written off. He waited for Thatcher to come out of his office. He expected Thatcher to rush up and console his daughter. That didn't happen. His door remained shut. And everyone went about their business.

"Isn't anyone going to see what's wrong with her?" Derek said quickly as he heard her bedroom door shut.

"It's not our job." Tony said simply as he looked up from the paperwork he was looking over.

"What?" Derek said in totally shock. "How can consoling another human being not be your job?" He asked angrily.

"Look. This happens. Meri throws her fits. She hides away, then she gets over it. The boss doesn't like us to get close to her. And we don't want to. We need our jobs." Tony said matter-of-factly.

"I'm going to check on her." Derek said as he started to walk off.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Tony told him as he grabbed his arm.

"And why is that?" Derek asked as he looked into his brown eyes.

"Like I said, Mr. Grey doesn't like us to get close. You don't want to know what happened to the last guard that got involved with Meri." Tony stated with a nod. "You either want your job, or you don't. But you need to think about how you want to go here. Because I can tell you.... You and her, it won't happen. It won't be allowed to happen. I'm just trying to be your friend." Tony said quickly.

Derek didn't respond as he walked away. He had nothing to say to that. Was it a threat? Possibly. Was it jealously? That was probable. Tony made no effort to hide that he was physically attracted to someone almost thirteen years his junior. A girl that he watched grow up. Derek shook his head as he climbed the staircase. Maybe Meredith was right.... It was better to not have friends. At least not the ones that were around here.

Derek listened as intently as he walked down the long hallway. He looked over at the painting on the wall. It was probably a painting worth more than the borrowed BMW he was driving here. It looked so perfect on the wall. If only everything else had followed suit. But it hadn't in this house of broken dreams and empty promises.

Derek could hear her faint sobbing as he neared. Whatever Thatcher said had crushed her. It broke her down. All he could think while he stood outside her door was how wonderful she would be if she were happy. If she actually got to feel real happiness, how would she act? Would she even know how?

"Mer?" Derek said as he tapped softly on the thick wood door. "Meredith.... It's Derek."

"Please. Please just go away." She said weakly as she covered her head. "Please."

"I'm here if you need me." Derek said sadly as he walked away from her door.

Derek made his decent down the long stairway. He tried. Even of she didn't accept his attempt at kindness, he had tried. He saw Tony's glare as he stepped off the last step. A glare. It was a glare from no good reason. Derek stopped in his tracks as Thatcher crossed his path.

"Derek. How are you liking it here?" Thatcher asked as paused.

"It's nice." Derek said with a nod. "It's good."

"I'm happy to hear that. Something has come up. I have to be leaving town tonight. So, is there anything you need before I go?" Thatcher asked.

"No. I think I have everything I need." Derek said with a fake smile. He breaks his daughter's heart, and doesn't even attempt to pick up the pieces.

-----------------------

Derek sat down at the dinner table. He had to assume that this was Thatcher's pathetic way of assuring a family life for Meredith. Dinner every night with her help. Help that didn't even care whether is was happy, sad, alive or dead. Well, dead they may have a problem with. Because if she were dead, they wouldn't have a job.

"Where is Meredith?" Derek asked as he sat down at the table.

"In her room." Tony said quickly. "Throwing another one of her tantrums again."

"That girl.... She needs to learn to control her emotions." Sofia said quickly.

"Control her emotions? He heart is broken." Derek said quickly.

"Is it?" Tony said as he looked up. "And how would you know that?" Tony asked.

"She should eat. I'm sure she's hungry." Derek pointed out.

"She would just come down and pout. Leave her be." Sofia said frankly.

Derek remained silent for the rest of the meal. In fact, he remained silent for the rest of the night. He went to his room and hid away. He could see why Meredith did it. Around here, it made life so much easier. Derek listened from his room. From what he could hear, she was silent. Probably sleeping. Maybe there she found peace.

Derek awoke abruptly. He glanced over at the clock next to her bed. It was one in the morning. One in the morning, and she was awake. He listened as he door opened. He could hear her footsteps disappearing down the hallway. He quickly threw on his pajama pants and walked into the hallway. He crept behind, seeing that she walked in the kitchen.

Derek watched her from the doorway. She looked so cute in her panties and camisole searching for a snack. Apparently her stomach had finally battled her head and won. She looked completely out of sorts as she looked around the kitchen.

"Hungry?" Derek asked as he stepped in.

"Shit! You scared me." Meredith said quickly. "And yes.... Starving." She said with a nod.

"What sounds good?" Derek asked as he began looking through the pantry with her.

"Something sweet. But not too sweet. Not like chocolate. And not something I have to cook." Meredith said with a faint smile. "Because I can't...."

"Hmm... Let's see." Derek said as he began moving things out of the way. "Do you like peanut butter?"

"Uh huh." Meredith replied with a nod.

"What about honey?" He asked as he held it up.

"I love honey." She told him with a grin.

"Then I have the perfect thing." He told her as he grabbed the honey and peanut butter.

Meredith watched as he cut the crust off the bread. He filled it with peanut butter and honey, and then pinched it together.

"You do one." He said as he handed her the ingredients.

"I've never cooked before." Meredith said with a smile. "And if Sophia saw me in her kitchen, she'd kill me."

"She need to lighten up." Derek said with a nod as he put the butter covered sandwiches in the pan.

"She's always been like that." Meredith replied with a shrug. "Too old to change now."

"You are never too old to change." Derek said frankly.

"Well, not many people would agree with you. Especially people named Sophia." Meredith said as she rolled her eyes.

"Try this." He said as he held the sandwich out for her to taste.

"Mmmm..... That is so good." Meredith said with a big smile. "Give me that!" She said as she grabbed the sandwich and took another bite.

"My mom always made these for me when I was a kid." Derek said with a grin. Meredith sat down at the counter and looked down at her plate.

"She didn't want me." Meredith said sadly.

"What?" Derek asked as he looked up at her.

"My mom. My father said- He said she didn't want me. Or him. She didn't want a family. And she had an affair." Meredith said as she looked at him with tear filled eyes.

"Oh Mer...." Derek said as he put his hand on her back. She flinched at his touche