Meredith stretched and then sighed, she could feel someone staring at her and she smiled remembering the screaming orgasms of the previous night. Derek really knew how to please her.
"Stop it," she muttered as she rolled closer to Derek.
"Stop what," Derek replied grumpily.
"You know what!" Meredith giggled "It is annoying."
"Whatever," Derek sighed as he buried his face in his pillow.
"Derek Shepherd will you stop staring at me," Meredith practically yelled as she finally opened her eyes... and saw Derek lying face down on the pillow his eyes closed. She sat up in the bed, a sudden movement catching her eye from outside the bedroom window and she turned to look...
"Holy mother....Der..."She couldn't finish her sentence as she grabbed the bed sheet to wrap around herself, as she continued screaming.
"Mer, what's wrong..." Derek stated as he bolted up from Meredith's screams.
"Window..." Meredith managed to stutter still shocked at the face staring in at them.
Derek moved his head towards the window and saw the grizzly bear gazing in at them; he then turned and looked at Meredith who was sitting visibly shaking in front of him.
"Meredith, its fine... bears are always roaming around here, it is actually quite common to see them wandering in your garden here," Derek said trying to reassure her.
"Wandering in your garden is one thing, staring in through your bedroom window is another," Meredith answered back.
"I need to call this in at the Ranger Station and see if this is one of the bears that they have been monitoring," Derek said as he reached for his phone.
"How the hell do you monitor a bear?" Meredith screeched clutching the bed sheet even tighter.
Derek turned and lay on his side facing her "If we start to see that the bears are coming closer to the town or getting used to eating human food we would tag them, where we can monitor their movements and if they start to get closer to any the towns or campgrounds we can then move them to a quieter area of the park away from humans. It decreases the chances of an attack on a human and it is also safer in the long run for the bear too," Derek explained as he turned over and reached for his cell phone "Look he or she has gone already."
"It's probably sunbathing on the hood of your truck drinking a pina colada as we speak..." Meredith stated.
Derek laughed as he heard George answering the phone and quickly explained the situation. He set his phone back down on the bedside table and pulled Meredith towards him.
"Relax Mer, if I thought we were in any real danger you would know about it," he said soothingly.
"Really?"
"Yes, anyway, I would protect you in a heartbeat," Derek replied as he stared into her eyes.
"That's comforting," Meredith said as she sat up "you can let go of me now... I need to pee."
"You know where the bathroom is," Derek laughed as he watched her stand up and pull the bed sheet around her. It had been just over a week since he first invited her to stay over and she had stayed for five of the seven nights. Owen had kindly let her keep her hotel room just in case something would happen... like the night before last when Derek had been called out in the search of missing hikers who were found stranded on the roadside after having car trouble.
Meredith had just opened the bedroom door and walked into the hallway and shrieked as she walked into an older woman.
"Meredith," Derek said as he jumped out of bed quickly pulling on his boxer shorts "what's wrong...mom... what are you..."
"This is your mother?" Meredith squeaked as she turned bright red.
"Carolyn Shepherd, nice to meet you dear," the woman said as she reached out and shook Meredith's trembling hand.
"Ah, um I think I am going to go and lock myself in the bathroom and never come out," Meredith said as she almost ran to the bathroom and locked the door. She walked over to the window and pulled down the blind... just in case Yogi Bear decided to pay another visit.
"Mom what are you doing here?" Derek asked his mother.
"Please tell me you haven't forgotten?" Carolyn scolded as she folded her arms across her chest.
"No, but we were supposed to meet later," Derek said as he ran his hands through his hair.
"I thought I could make you breakfast, well both of you breakfast," Carolyn said nodding her head in the direction of the bathroom. "I thought it was about time I meet the woman who is downing tequila shots with my daughter and sleeping with my son."
Although hidden in the bathroom, Meredith could hear every single word and she cringed. This was the prime example of why she did not do relationships.
"I'm going to go and check Meredith," Derek said as he walked past his mother.
"Tell her the bear is safely back in the woods... I saw it run in there a few minutes ago," Carolyn replied as she headed for the small kitchen and made a start on breakfast.
Derek walked over to the bathroom door and gently knocked knowing that Meredith would have locked the door. "Meredith, it's me... let me in please..."
He heard her move and then the noise of her unlocking the door and when he opened the door she was leaning against the counter.
"So that is your mother..." Meredith muttered "she seems... nice..."
"She is lovely," Derek smiled at her "she is kind, caring... and nosy and loves to interfere in my life and I really did not want you to meet her like this."
"But you were planning on us meeting today?" Meredith asked "I heard you say something about meeting her later... I thought we were going on a picnic..."
"We are," Derek said as he ran his hand through his hair and rested it on the back of his neck. "Do you ever have a day that you wish was over before it even started?"
Meredith smiled softly; she knew exactly what he meant... she would be like that soon enough too... "Yes," she whispered.
"Today is one of those days," Derek replied as he looked up at her.
Meredith could see the emotion in his eyes as he rubbed his face.
"Today is the anniversary of my father's death... seven years ago today..." Derek whispered "Mom, Amelia and I always go to a special place to pay our respects... it is beautiful and tranquil and close to where he died."
"Howe Lake, where we were to go today?" Meredith asked softly.
"Yes," Derek replied "It would mean a lot if you would come too..."
"I don't want to intrude Derek, we can go another time, besides I have a pile of laundry to do," Meredith answered.
"Please Mer, it is a beautiful area... a real hidden gem..." Derek almost pleaded.
For some reason he really wanted her to be standing beside him today.
Meredith saw the look on his face and did not have the heart to say no "Okay," she whispered as she walked over to him. She knew only too well the pain of losing someone.
"Thank you," Derek whispered as Meredith stood in front of him. He looked at her and smiled. She was standing in his bathroom, her hair dishevelled, wearing only a thin pair of lace panties and a white vest... she was gorgeous... and in the moment he realised that he had never seen her fully naked... even that first drunken night at her hotel cabin she wore a vest top...
"Why do you always a vest?" he muttered as he looked into her eyes.
Meredith took a step, her heart beating so loudly she was surprised he didn't hear it.
"I..." Meredith started to explain before being interrupted.
"Derek, are you up yet?" Amelia yelled as she opened the front door.
"God, has my family never heard of knocking?" Derek said as he stood up "Why don't you go ahead and shower whilst I deal with my family."
"Good idea," Meredith smiled, relieved that she did not have to answer Derek's earlier question. She really needed a shower and it would give her chance to build up the courage to face his mother.
Thirty minutes later and Meredith finally felt brave enough to leave the safe confines of the bathroom and as she walked slowly out and towards the kitchen she met Derek in the hallway.
"Finished?"
"Yeah, sorry I took so long..." Meredith muttered.
"Its fine, mom has made some pancakes for you," Derek smiled as he walked into the bathroom.
Meredith took a deep breath and walked around the corner and into the kitchen area.
"Morning Mer," Amelia smiled over at her "Derek told me all about the bear encounter."
"And there was me worried about peeping toms..." Meredith giggled nervously as she sat down at the small table.
"It may seem strange, but you do get used to after a while... I still get nervous if they come right into the garden," Carolyn said as she set a plate of pancakes and a cup of coffee in front of Meredith.
"Thank you Mrs Shepherd," Meredith said smiling at the older woman.
"It's Carolyn," She said as she sat down at the table.
"Derek just told me about today..." Meredith said as she quickly glanced at both Carolyn and Amelia "and I just wanted to pass on my condolences."
"Oh it was a long time ago..."Carolyn said as she studied the young woman in front of her "but thank you," Carolyn replied as she and Meredith looked directly at each other before Meredith quickly looked at her breakfast.
Carolyn could see that the girl was nervous being in her presence, but it was her eyes... she could tell that the woman was genuinely sympathetic in passing on her condolences and Carolyn could not help but wonder if she had been through something similar... She was nothing like the women Derek usually went after...
and nothing like...her... the woman who had broken his heart years ago. There was something natural and honest about Meredith, she held no airs or graces as got stuck into her breakfast... Carolyn smiled; Meredith and her son were made for each other.
A little while later Amelia and Meredith had both offered to clear up after breakfast while Derek was still finishing getting ready.
"I swear my brother wears more hair products than I do," Amelia laughed.
"I think you are right," Meredith replied as she dried the dishes.
"Well I suppose it's better than the alternative," Amelia smirked "... afro."
"No way," Meredith laughed.
"Oh yes, I must get mom to bring out the photos..." Amelia giggled as emptied the water out of the sink and turned to face Meredith "She likes you."
"Who likes me?"
"Mom..." Amelia began to answer but was interrupted by her phone ringing "excuse me," she said and quickly left the room.
"Was that Amelia's phone?" Carolyn asked as she walked into the kitchen.
"Yes," Meredith replied as she put the dishes away.
"Meredith, you can relax around me, I'm not going to eat you," Carolyn laughed.
"Okay... sorry... I'm just not good with parents," Meredith muttered.
"Really?" Carolyn asked raising her eyebrow.
Meredith sighed, she may as well be honest "I am not the girl that men introduce to their mothers."
Carolyn nodded her head in understanding "I appreciate your honesty, but this is the longest relationship Derek has had in years... quite frankly I do not want to know what you and Derek get up to... as long as you are both happy that is all that matters, and as for Amelia, I would rather she downs tequila shots with you than some random stranger."
Meredith blushed "you heard about..."
"You and Amelia dancing on the tables? This is a small town and gossip travels quickly," Carolyn laughed "and anyway, I was young once myself too!"
Meredith soon found herself laughing with Carolyn as Derek was finally ready to leave, he smiled when he saw his mother and Meredith laughing at the table, "Where's Amelia?"
"Outside, she had a phone call," Carolyn explained as she lifted her bag and followed Meredith out the front door of the cabin.
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There could only be one word that described the drive to Howe Lake... bumpy.
The lake was hidden in between the mountains on the other side of Lake McDonald, where the road was more like a gravel track compared to that of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. When Meredith stepped out of the jeep the first thing she noticed was the peace and quiet and the only sound was that of the birds chirping in the trees... and saw another Park service vehicle parked across the road.
"If you follow that path it will lead straight down to the lake," Derek said to Meredith as he walked around and started to lift stuff out of the back of the jeep.
"Let me help with some of that," Meredith offered as she saw Carolyn and Amelia link arms and walk to the shore of the lake. "Derek I can stay in the jeep, I brought my book with me... the last thing I want to do is intrude..."
"You are not... I want... no I need you here," Derek said as he cradled her face.
"Only if you are sure..." Meredith replied.
"I'm sure," Derek said as he kissed her forehead. "Do you mind setting up the picnic while we go and lay some flowers?"
"Not at all, go on ahead," Meredith smiled.
"Derek I thought I would find you here."
Meredith turned around in the direction of the voice and saw Chief Ranger Richard Webber and George O'Malley approach.
"I hope you don't mind, we just wanted to pay our respects," George explained.
"No, I don't mind... thank you both," Derek said as he smiled at his colleagues.
"Bailey is down by the lake with your mother and Amelia," Richard said as he put his arm on Derek's shoulder in a show of support. "I still miss him."
Derek fought back at the tears as he nodded in agreement. Without thinking Meredith instinctively stepped forward and gripped his arm in support and somewhere in the back of her mind she wondered why his father was held on such high regard. She smiled at Richard and George as they walked back to their truck and drove off.
"I will go and start preparing the picnic," Meredith said as she squeezed his hand.
Derek looked over at her and smiled in appreciation.
Meredith carried the picnic box and blankets down to the grassy bank at the end of trail and started to lay out the blankets for everyone to lie on. She saw Derek and his family walk further along the trail carrying flowers. She sat down and looked around her wondering how a place so peaceful could hold should painful memories.
She set up the picnic in the shelter of the large trees which surrounded the lake on all sides and it was only when she sat down that she noticed the trees on the other side of the lake had died. She could see the trees and surrounding mountains reflected in the lake and smiled... maybe this is was a good place to mourn and reflect she thought as she lay down on the blanket and started to read her book.
Meredith had no idea how long she had been lying down reading when she heard the footsteps of someone approaching her, she glanced up and saw that it was Derek and watched as he sat down in front of her.
"Where is your mom and Amelia?"
"They went back to the jeep for a few minutes... I don't think mom wanted you to see her upset," Derek explained as Meredith smiled softly.
Meredith lifted her bookmark and placed it in the book and set it on the ground.
"It is lovely here," Meredith said quietly "What happened to those trees on the other side of the lake?"
Derek turned around to where she was pointing "I don't know, probably died during the winter storms."
"Okay," Meredith said.
Derek smiled "Thank you."
"What for?"
"If you had asked me to come here today I would be asking you all sorts of questions," Derek said as he looked at her.
Meredith smiled back at him "Well I don't want to come across as nosy."
"Dad... was a hero," Derek stated as he looked around him.
"We used to go fishing all the time and we were always out and about in the park, and he was so proud the first summer I started working here in the park," Derek said "George started at the same time as me, and whilst I love being out here on hikes and patrols, George is at his best doing the ranger classes and lectures, he still panics if he sees a bear," Derek laughed as Meredith rolled her eyes.
"I think George and I will be good friends," Meredith smiled.
"Seriously though, when something happens, missing hikers, heavy snow... George is a diamond, he is the person to call when something happens and he knows exactly where everybody needs to be and what they need to be doing..." Derek explained.
"Seven years ago the park experienced several bad forest fires, it became known locally as 'the year of the fires', it burned about 145,000 acres of woodland throughout the park, one of the fires was across this lake... between the forest and mountains," Derek said pointing to the other side of Howe Lake "over there it is less populated – perfect for the bears," he smiled.
"On one particular day some adventurous hikers decided to explore over there but did not report into a ranger station. The only person who they told where they were going was the hotel receptionist. The ground was dry and a lightning spark started it and many other fires," Derek said. "I was called out to help over by Logan Pass, while dad was sent out here... I spent the whole day worrying making sure that George was okay... Richard called him back to the ranger station and he ran the whole rescue effort... while Richard and dad headed here to rescue the hikers."
"What is that saying...? 'you are only as strong as your weakest link'," Meredith muttered remembering April...
"Too true," Derek said as he nodded his head in agreement. "Dad and Richard found the hikers just as the fire reached their camp, dad was further into the forest and managed to point them in the direction of Richard and the other rescue personnel....he was that busy making sure that they were okay that he never noticed the flames licking the side of the tree beside him... the tree fell on top of him... That was how my father died..."
Meredith closed her eyes and held Derek's hands.
"I worried about everyone that day... George, hell even Bailey – she was due to be married a week later... but I never worried about dad..." Derek stopped to take a deep breath "when I walked into the ranger station and saw the look on Richard's face... I just knew... I identified his body and then went home and told mom and Amelia."
"Derek, I am so sorry," Meredith whispered.
"In his will he left me the land where I live now... to build a house and a family on... and it nearly happened... but that is another story entirely but each year on the anniversary of his death I cannot help but feel like I am letting him down," Derek whispered.
"He would not think that," Meredith said softy "I think he would be proud of everything you do here, you will build the house when the time is right."
Derek looked up and smiled "Thank you."
"That is why you are always so adamant for people to check in with the ranger stations when going on hikes in the park?" Meredith asked.
"Yeah,"Derek replied nodding his head. He suddenly heard the sound of his sister's voice coming through the trees "Peace is well and truly shattered now," Derek said as he stood up and started to prepare their lunch.
After lunch they all quickly left Howe Lake and Derek drove along the various small tracks to let Meredith see some of the scenery on this side of the Lake McDonald that was rarely visited by tourists. As beautiful as it was Meredith felt that it was not appropriate to take photographs of an area that caused Derek and his family so much pain.
As nervous as she had been of meeting Carolyn, Meredith honestly had to admit that she liked the woman. She was exactly what she had envisioned what a mother should be and was not the shrewd money grabbing cold-hearted lawyer that her mother was.
Derek stopped at his mother's house and kissed both Carolyn and Amelia good night before getting back into the jeep.
"Where to... my place or Owens?"
"Owen's... I really fancy a steak tonight," Meredith smiled "and I really need to do some laundry."
Derek smiled "Bring it with you."
"Sorry?" Meredith frowned.
"Not to dinner, afterwards, bring your laundry to my place, you wash your clothes in the bath and hang them in the bathroom to dry overnight..." Derek stated as he grasped her hand "I really need you tonight Mer..."
After a dinner of steak and fries and several beers later Meredith was soon hanging up her wet clothes in Derek's bathroom. She smiled as she wrung her socks and threw them over the bathtub to dry.
'They had better dry overnight....' she muttered as emptied the sink and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Today had stirred so many memories for her and for Derek and she could fully understand his plea for her to stay tonight.
Meredith lifted up her vest top and looked in the mirror, thanks to the cream Amelia had given the scar had faded to where it was barely noticeable... especially in the dim light of the bathroom... and she remembered back to Derek's earlier question about why she never removed her vest... maybe tonight was the night to start to begin gradually moving on...
She walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom and smiled as Derek pulled the curtains.
"Don't want Bear #150 staring in at us in the morning," Derek smirked as he got into bed.
"Thank you," Meredith smiled as she sat down beside him.
"And I have double locked the front door so no-one can interrupt us."
"Even better," Meredith said as she looked at Derek as her hands rested at the bottom of her vest.
"What are doing?" Derek asked as he stared at her.
"Taking my vest off."
"No you're not," Derek smirked "I'm taking it off," he whispered as he reached over and started to kiss her...
Afterwards Derek laid with Meredith in his arms, her soft snores were the only sound in the room, as his fingers softly stroked under her rib cage... he had noticed the small faint scar straight away but he had not asked her about it... he knew better than to intrude... she would tell him in her own time...
