The Man Next Door

Chapter 8

After that first awkward scene everything was back to normal with Meredith and Derek for the rest of the week while they filmed the first episode. They were all smiles and laughter and flirtatious together while behind the scenes and everyone was beginning to notice. The first few days they got some confused looks from their cast mates, wondering why they were so close with each other after such a short time. But when, one day, Derek explained that they were neighbors and knew each other before the show everyone backed off a bit. All friendships are different, some close friends insulted each other, some flirted. And flirt they did. By the time they finished filming the first episode the sexual tension between the two when they were together was insane.

"They're doing it I tell you" Cristina whispered to Izzie as they stood watching them from the other side of the room between takes.

"Cristina, mind your own business," whispered Izzie in a disapproved tone. 

"Ohh, look at how she just brushed her hand against his chest! 20 bucks says they're doing it" Cristina said, ignoring Izzie completely. 

"30 bucks says they'll be screwing in two weeks time," their other co-star Alex added as he walked up behind the two girls. "You can tell they're still in the flirty stage. It won't last long though," he laughed deviously.

"Fine, 50 bucks says they'll be together by the end of the season," whispered Izzie. They all looked at her shocked, she was always distant when it came to her co-workers personal lives. "yes, ok, I know I'm going against what I said earlier but look at them! They're just so cute in their own little bubble. There's definitely something there."

"Yeah, too bad he's married with a kid….55 bucks says they'll get together in a month," Miranda Bailey chimed in walking up next to the group. They all looked at her stunned. She never got caught up in the rest of the cast's business either, she was older and the other actors looked up to her like a mentor so they never spoke about their personal lives with her. "Hey, who said I couldn't make a little more cash on the side too?" she shrugged and walked off.

"Alright everyone, break's over! Let's get back to work!" shouted the director, effectively ending their little betting game.

Meredith was nervous. Derek was nervous. But they refused to show it to each other. Well, at least they thought they didn't show it to each other. But really, they could both read each other. It was in their eyes. It was as if they could see right into each other's soul when looking at them. After a bit over a week of harmless flirting while filming the first episode and some of the second it was now time to film the scene each had been nervous about. The elevator kiss. As much as they each were curious, and actually wanted to film it they couldn't help but dread that this kiss may unleash the forbidden feelings they had for each other. Feelings that both parties had repressed deep inside them to do right by their current relationships. Neither had spoken to each other about this issue, so even though they could see it in the other's eyes, they lied to themselves. 'He doesn't have feelings for me' Meredith thought as she walked towards the elevator with him by her side. 'She loves her boyfriend, why would she think about me' Derek thought to himself.

"So, I'm ready for this, but are you?" Derek whispered with a playful smirk to Meredith as they approached the elevator. He decided to try and be casual like they had been for the past week.

"Oh you think you're ready for me, but let me tell you, you're not"

"That good huh? We'll see" he joked. He was keeping it cool on the outside, hiding behind his ego but really, his heart began to speed up in his chest. This was it. They were going to act out the kissing scene. Their first kiss. Well, technically it was their characters, Ellen and Patrick's first kiss but he didn't look at it in that way.