Don't mess with the Grey.

Chapter 24

Meredith and Derek exchanged quick smiles as he drove his car into the parking lot. For the first time, one of them didn't have to get off before reaching their destination when they commuted together. Derek parked his jeep in Meredith's spot, close to the entrance and they ran up together under the pouring rain. Once inside, their hands quickly found each other.

"Are you nervous?" he asked detecting a slight tension in her moves.

"I'm... good," she smiled at him as they reached the elevators.

"I'm right beside you," he assured her, letting her in before him.

"I'm right inside you would feel even better but that will do too, I guess," she quipped as they huddled close in the corner even though they were the only occupants of the elevator.

"So I thought..." he began but trailed off as her neck she just uncovered sliding off her scarf called for his attention.

"Yeah?" she breathed, giving more access to his lips.

"I thought that since we're starting to do normal things couples do we could... go on a date," he said.

"A date?" she raised her eyebrows realizing that in fact, they had never been on an actual date. "What exactly do you have in mind?"

She didn't learn the answer as the door opened on the next floor. They stopped talking as Cristina Yang, dressed in her scrubs, strode inside.

Meredith's fingers tried to escape from Derek's palm but he tightened his grip on them insistently.

"Oh, hey," Cristina threw casually and turned her back towards them. "Don't stop on my account."

"So ,uhm," sighed Derek uncomfortably after a few seconds. "I thought... a dinner?"

"Yeah," agreed Meredith quickly. She realized she'd have to learn to act normally around Derek in front of other people.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Wait, what was she agreeing to do?

The three of them stood in ensuing silence waiting for the end of the ride when Cristina asked with amusement in her voice, "Just out of professional curiosity, did you really break his man tool?"

"How's Dr. Hunt, Cristina?" asked dryly Derek.

"Point taken," she chuckled. "Thanks for stealing the vultures' attention, by the way. Oh and, congratulations or whatever." She shrugged her shoulders and left quickly when they reached their level.

"Great," Meredith pushed herself off the elevator wall. "Now I'm not Dr. Model anymore, now I'm the Penisbreaker."

He led her out to the corridor with a smile, "You didn't break anything."

Her eyes swept over the crowded lobby and her features hardened at the sight of the surreptitious glances thrown in their direction.

"Good morning, Dr. Grey, Dr. Shepherd," a nurse whizzed past them with a toothy smile.

Meredith made to stalk to her office but Derek stopped her back, firmly holding her hand. She turned back to him clenching her lips, aware of the curious looks they were getting.

"What?" she asked quietly with a wry smile. "You're making a scene."

"Meredith," he cocked his head putting a little pressure to pull her closer. "We talked about this."

"Don't McDreamy me in here," she hissed keeping straight face. "Everyone's looking! Can you... let go of my hand?"

"No," he grinned at her. "Not until I see you're okay."