The Seventh Sense is Love

Coffee Date

"What would you like?" Meredith asks Derek as they walk into Starbucks.

"The French Roast drip," Derek answers, feeling the slightest bit uncomfortable not knowing the floor layout.

"Are you okay?" Meredith asks as he stops walking along with her. Great, I'm an idiot, she thinks when she turns to see how tense he is suddenly. She goes to him and says quietly, "Derek, no one is sitting in here and there are only two people in line ordering. What's better for you? A table or the cushy chairs?"

"Definitely a table," he answers. "Preferably in an inconspicuous place if that's possible." He feels relieved that Meredith understood what he needed without him having to smell it out to her.

Meredith takes a deep breath to control and push down the anger and sadness she suddenly feels at Derek's statement. She wonders what kind of greater being or whatever would allow Derek to feel like he had to ask for an inconspicuous place to drink a coffee. She wasn't going to think about that now but knew for certain she'd dwell on it later. "I'm going to take your arm now. Is that okay?"

"Of course," Derek says with a grin as he offers her the crook of his elbow. "I knew you couldn't resist touching me for long."

"Shut up," Meredith says but smiles and rolls her eyes as she slides her hand into his arm to lead him to a table.

"Did you just roll your eyes at me?"

"How the hell did you know that?"

"I'm magic," Derek jokes as he allows Meredith to help him sit down. To his surprise he isn't feeling at all awkward having her assist him.

"What you are - is full of crap," she says with another roll of her eyes. "I'll be right back."

Derek grins as Meredith walks away. He wonders what it is about her that makes being around her so easy. He finds himself hoping that Kathleen and Kevin take a long time shopping.

"Okay, here you go," Meredith says as she sits down and places his coffee in his hand."

"Thank you," Derek says. He is amazed that she thought to make sure he knew where the coffee was located. He didn't have to grope around for it - which was a nice change.

"You're welcome," she answers. "Do you want cream or sugar for it?"
"No thanks," he answers with a grimace.

Meredith laughs at his expression and says, "Okay, strong black coffee - I'll remember that."

"Really?" Derek asks - grinning. "So you're already admitting we'll have a second date."

Meredith gives a little laugh to acknowledge hearing him and takes a drink of her coffee.

"Did you roll your eyes again?"

"No," she answers. "Just drinking my coffee."

"What did you get?"

"A white chocolate mocha."

"That's disgusting."

"Have you had it?"

"No, but it sounds disgusting. 'White chocolate' tells me it's sweet and it's probably full of milk.

What's the point of ordering coffee - if most of what's in the cup is sugar and milk?"

Meredith laughs, "That's way too much of an analysis for a cup of coffee."

Derek just smiles at her in response. They are both quiet for a bit as they drink some of their coffee. After a minute or so Derek asks, "Why did you choose Neurology as your specialty?"