The Seventh Sense is Love

Tall and Handsome Strainger

Meredith Grey was running late for her meeting with Richard Webber. She had no clue what the meeting was about. It was just a bad idea to be late when the Chief of Surgery had specifically asked you to attend. She rounded the corner on the surgical floor at a run and literally smacked into a hard wall of a chest and landed on her butt.

"Oh crap," she said from her place on the floor. She saw the contents of her purse all over the floor - along with two cups of spilled coffee.

The dark-haired man she'd run into was wearing dark sunglasses and standing very still. There was something about his still and quiet stance that made Meredith a little nervous. "I'm sorry I ran into you," she states quietly as she begins to put her stuff back in her purse.

He doesn't answer and she notices that his hands are tightly clenched in fists and his breathing is slightly erratic. "Are you all right?"

He still doesn't answer and she stands up with her purse and steps toward him, "Sir, are you all right? Did I hurt you?"

"I'm fine," he answers shortly but still does not move an inch.

Meredith glances at her watch and mutters under her breath to realize she is now five minutes late for her meeting.

"What's wrong?"

She glances at the stranger - who is actually quite handsome. He's several inches taller than her, has a trim but nicely built body and thick dark hair that needs to be trimmed but still looks nice on him. "I'm late for a meeting with one of my many bosses."

"Hence the running," he smiles and her breath hitches in her chest.

"Yes," she replies. "I'd offer to get you another coffee, but I really have to go."

"Okay," he replies, but still doesn't move a muscle.

"Are you here to visit someone?" Meredith asks. She has to go meet with Chief Webber but there's something about this stranger and his immobility that has piqued her curiosity.

"Yes. I'm visiting an old colleague and I'm probably late now, too. I was kind of turned around, trying to find my way when you barreled into me."

"Hey, I said I'm sorry," she protests and stops when she sees him grinning.

"You're a little obnoxious," she smiles.

"True," he agrees. "I'm Derek."

"I'm Meredith," she replies. "If you tell me the room number you're looking for I'll point you in the right direction."

"Oh, I'm not visiting a patient. I'm looking for Richard Webber's office."

"The Chief?" Meredith asks in surprise. "You're meting with the Chief of Surgery?"

"Yes. Why do you sound so surprised?"

"I'm meeting with him too. I didn't know anyone else was going to be there."

"Oh," Derek says sounding a bit puzzled now. "Neither did I."

Meredith gives Derek an odd look. He still hasn't moved an inch. This handsome stranger who claims he has a meeting with Chief Webber hasn't budged and she finds it very strange. "You said the Chief is an old colleague?"

"Yes. He's also an old friend and he was my mentor before I came to work here."

"What is your deal?" Meredith asks suspiciously.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm a third year Neurology Resident and I did my internship here at Seattle Grace. Which means I've been here for four years. You do not work here. So what is your deal?" Meredith wonders if this handsome stranger who calls himself Derek needs a psych consult.

"You're right," Derek sighs. "I don't work here any longer, but I use to be the Head of Neurology here."

Meredith stares at him silently as she processes what he said. Then she carefully asks, "Are you Derek Shepherd?"

"Yes."

"Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't put the pieces together quicker. I don't know why I would though. You retired a few months before I started my internship. And since you were retired I figured you were old, but you're not. You're young - well older than me, but still youngish and handsome. I was bummed because I was looking forward to working with you. I admired your work in Medical school and so did my mom actually. Oh god, I'm rambling like a star struck groupie. I'm sorry. Actually I'm tired of apologizing to you, but still, I'm making a fool of myself so I think I'll shut up now."

Derek is laughing and when he stops he says, "My god you certainly do ramble. It's refreshing as hell, though. And besides," he grins, "you said I'm young and handsome."

Meredith giggles, "I give you a litany and that's the part you focus on?"

"Of course, I am a guy."

She giggles again, rolls her eyes and says, "You're kind of likeable, Dr. Shepherd."

"I'm a lot likeable and a minute ago I was Derek. Now I'm Dr. Shepherd?"

"Yes. It's called respect."

"Respect aside - I don't work here so I insist that you call me Derek."

"All right," she sighs. "We are so late. Let's go meet Chief Webber."

"Okay," Derek answers. "Will you hand me my walking stick? I dropped it when you ran into me."

"Walking stick?" she asks in confusion.

"Meredith," Derek sighs sadly, "I'm blind."