The Man Next Door

Chapter 7

Both Meredith and Derek each stepped out of their cars at practically the same time, smiling at each other as they headed towards Stage 6, Aka, the Pompeo's Anatomy stage where they would film the first scene of the show at Prospect Studios. To say Meredith was excited would be an understatement. It had been a while since she had had a large role in an acting gig and the fact that she got to share it with her best friend made it even better. Because that's what Derek was, her best friend. Over the past few days she had been willing to set aside her initial feelings for her neighbor and just stay friends, as much as her heart didn't want to, she pushed those feelings aside to focus on the show. She couldn't wait to see her other costars again, remembering how well the table read went the day before….

The room was set up with long tables pressed together in a square, allowing the actors to face each other. Looking around the room she found Derek speaking to another man. He was African American with short hair and an annoyed look on his face. 'hmmm,' she thought. 'That's probably the guy playing Dr. Isaiah Washington that cardio surgeon.' Continuing to search around the table she saw Izzie Stevens. Meredith was excited to work with her, she had been in many movie's Meredith liked including 'The Ringer' that had just come out a few months ago as well as many movies in the late 90's. Her eyes then lay on another man with brown scruffy hair and pudgy cheeks. He was cute, in a kid sort of way 'Dr. Knight' she thought instantly, the intern who had a crush on her character but didn't have the guts to tell her. Meredith smiled. It looked like she would have fun working with him. Before she had the chance to check out the other cast members Derek called her over, smiling and waving. She caught sight of his beautiful blue eyes and her face brightened as she made her way towards him.

"Hey, I saved a seat for you" he said as he stood up and gave her a hug. She breathed in his sweet yet masculine scent that propelled shivers up her spine. It felt good to be in his strong embrace and she welcomed it wholeheartedly. Their hug lasted a little longer than it should have and instantly, the entire room had the same thought 'are they in a relationship?' but all of them, not wanting to get started on the wrong foot, continued chatting to each other acting as if they didn't notice the feelings radiating from the couple.

"Thank you. How are you going?" she asked as they pulled out of their embrace, smiles still painted on their faces.

"I'm good. I've already spoken to some of the cast, they all seem like good people. Well, one I'm not too sure about, that Preston dude but it's nothing I can't handle" he added in an 'a matter a fact' tone.

"Haha," she laughed, sending Derek's heart soaring at the sound, "well we can't have everything"

Derek pulled Meredith's chair out from under the desk for her to sit down before going back to his seat. 'Always the gentleman' she thought to herself.

"So, it looks like we're going to have to be good friends," said the Asian lady sitting next to her.

"Let me guess, you're Cristina Yang?" replied Meredith

"The one and only."

"I'm Miranda Bailey, y'all's boss," chuckled a short woman with dark skin and short hair.

"Ok, ok everyone. Now that you've all had some time to chat, welcome to the first table read of Pompeo's Anatomy. Let's get started!" Interrupted Shannon causing all the actors to quickly pick up their scripts and begin reading through the first episode...

...

Kate: What's your name?

Ellen: It's me mom, Ellen

Kate: Alright…I used to be a doctor I think

Ellen: You are a doctor mom, you're a surgeon

When that last line was read out some of the cast had tears in their eyes and everyone began applauding. It was just so well written and even though they had already read the ending, seeing it being spoken by the actors took it to the next level.

Today was the day they were prepared to film the first scene of the series. Which required Meredith and Derek naked. Well, part naked. Meredith was nervous, she had been trying so hard to bury her initial feelings towards Derek and she was afraid that seeing him half naked would make them all resurface. 'You're with Finn, he's with Rose' she thought. Reminding herself of the reality was the only way she could see him as just a friend. 'He's with Rose, he's with Rose, he's with Rose.' She thought a few more times, and stepped onto the set where Derek was already waiting. She had skin colored bra and panties on and held a blue blanket around her as she walked out. With one look at him her controlling thoughts flew out the window. His black locks were styled in a purposeful messy way to resemble sex hair. His well defined abs were prominent on his stomach while his chest hair was just the right amount, the muscles in his arms pronounced and flexed while he helped move a table to make room on the set for him to lie down. Reminding herself that she was with Finn and he was with Rose she walked towards him, hoping to get this over as fast as possible. If they were left in this state of undress for too long, there was no telling what she might do to the gorgeous man in front of her, whether they were both in a relationship with others or not.

"Meredith!" Derek called when he saw her approach him. His face lit up instantly and he looked at her with adoring eyes and she couldn't help but once again, fall under his spell. Trying to get a hold of herself she joked, "Hey there naked man, first day at work and you're already stripping to impress the ladies. Not afraid of being fired huh?"

"Speak for yourself," he laughed pointing to a gap between the ends of the blanked wrapped around her, revealing the flawless pale skin of her hips and thigh. Blushing she quickly covered the blanked over herself more thoroughly.

"Ok everyone! Let's get started! Meredith you lie on the couch and give Derek your blanket. Derek, you're on the floor," shouted the director. Hesitant Meredith began to unfold the blanket from her and handed it to Derek.

"Now look who's stripping to impress" chuckled Derek quietly in Meredith's ear as he grabbed the blanket from her and lay down. Her cheeks were a bright beetroot as she quickly took her place on the couch.

"Anddd ACTION!"