91. Chapter 91

AN: Big delay. Again. Big apology. Again. As many of you know, I got caught up writing a post finale fic (Road to Recovery). If you haven't read it, please give it a try. I am back on track with this fic now, and will be catching up on HWA once I've re-discovered my footing with WYB.

Derek and Meredith have finished their time in New York. The next couple chapters (this one and 1-2 more) will revolve around their vacation and then we'll get them back to Seattle Grace in time for season 4...

Meredith pulled her suitcase out of the trunk of the rental car with a thunk, thunk, thud as the wheels finally cleared the car and found pavement.

"Try not to dent the car in front of the rental agents," Derek said lightly as he appeared beside her and reached for his own suitcase.

She giggled. "Sorry. It's heavier than it was before."

He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "That's because you bought out half a department store."

She swiped a hand at his chest. "I did not."

He chuckled, but said nothing as he reached to lift his own bag out of the trunk, but as careful as he was, a corner wheel caught the edge of the trunk on the way out.

Meredith snickered. "I guess I'm not the only one whose suitcase is heavier..." She said, reminding him she wasn't the only one who had participated in their shopping expedition four days earlier.

He growled in the back of his throat, "Smartass."

"You're just upset because I caught you."

Instead of responding verbally, he grasped onto the fabric of the front of her shirt and leaned in to kiss her.

"You're just trying to distract me," she mumbled when he pulled away.

He cocked his head. "Is it working?"

She shrugged. "Maybe."

He pecked her lips before shutting the trunk. "You ready to go?"

"Yes. Did you make sure we got everything out of the front seat?"

He nodded.

Meredith swung her carryon bag over her shoulder and reached for his hand. Derek, with his matching carryon that snapped onto the top of his suitcase, smiled and threaded his fingers through hers. They walked together through the closed off area of the parking lot to the rental agency to return the car keys, and then started the walk through the throngs of passengers waiting to check in for their flights.

"I feel like I was just here," Meredith muttered.

Derek chuckled. "You were."

She made a face. It seemed like she had spent weeks at the Shepherd house, and not only a few days. They'd have to go for longer next time. Derek had promised her months ago, amidst her freaking out about meeting his family, that the first visit would be kept short. And even if she had joined him when she had been supposed to, it only would have added an extra day to the visit.

But, even though she had lost a day of an already short trip, she had still found herself a place in the life of his family. They were nice people, the Shepherds. Kind and thoughtful and welcoming. A lot like Derek.

She wouldn't have any qualms about visiting them in the future. Derek had already mentioned his sister was getting married in the fall. And that she had asked him to walk her down the aisle. Meredith was proud of him for taking the time to listen to his sister; to accept Nathan.

They reached the check-in for their flight and joined the short business class line.

Derek snaked his arms around her, pulling her into a loose hug as they waited for their line to move forward. "We'll be on a beach soon," he murmured.

She smiled against his chest as her fingers closed around the fabric of his shirt. "Just a three hour plane ride in our way."

"We'll just have to find some way of passing the time..." He whispered hotly against her neck.

Meredith giggled. "Never going to happen."

He grumbled against her. "I'll make it worth your while."

"Can't you wait until we get there?"

"With you? Never."

As quiet as they were trying to be, their words reached the passenger in line in front of time. The older woman, impeccably dressed and poised, turned and shot Meredith a disapproving glare.

Meredith giggled and buried her face into Derek's shoulder. "We're being listened to," she whispered.

Derek glanced at the women in front of them. "Let her listen," he whispered back.

She sighed and hugged him tighter before pressing her hands to his chest.

He pecked her cheek and released her.

The line moved, and they shuffled forward.

"So," he spoke again, reaching for her hand. "How did you like New York?"

She smiled softly at him. "It was even better than you promised. I'm glad I didn't let my stupid issues stop me from experiencing it."

"I'm glad too," he murmured.

"You're family is really nice," she added. Meredith had been sad to leave the Shepherd household. Jane had hugged her goodbye and made her promise to call at some point. It was all so new, but in a good way. In a very welcome way.

"Our family now," he corrected.

"Not yet."

He shrugged. "As good as. We just have to make it official."

"Mmm, any ideas yet?"

Derek smirked. "How about we change our flight on the way home and lay-over in Vegas?"

She giggled. "You still want to get married in Vegas?"

"Why not? Hundreds of wedding chapels to choose from. And I'm not going crazy this time," he added, referring to his desperate almost-proposal when she was recovering from her near drowning experience.

"You weren't going crazy."

He gave her a look.

"Okay, you were only a little crazy."

"So, what do you think?" He asked jokingly, a sparkle in his eyes. "Want to see if we can find a surgery themed chapel in Vegas?"

"You don't think that's a little extreme?"

"It would make for some interesting pictures."

"No," she said, laughing. "I want a normal picture."

"There you go with that word again."

She smiled and hooked her hands around the back of his neck. "It's nice to feel normal sometimes."

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "We'll get you your picture."

"Soon."

Derek smiled. "Soon," he agreed.

She pecked his lips and released him to move forward with the line. They were now at the front.

The check in went smoothly, and before Meredith knew it, they had cleared security and found their gate. They sat and waited for their flight to board.

"So," Derek started, "What's the first thing you want to do when we get there?"

She smirked at him and raised an eyebrow.

"I like the way you think," he whispered, leaning in to kiss her. "What's the second thing you want to do?"

"I don't know. What do people normally do on vacation?"

"Other than sex?"

She giggled and nodded.

"Drink. Eat. Sightsee."

"Sounds like a fun week."

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and smiled. "It will be."

Meredith smiled back before resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes, allowing her mind to drift as they waited for their flight to board.

A week ago she had been stuck feeling like she couldn't catch her breath. One thing after another had gone wrong, and it had seemed like her carefully built life had been crashing down around her. But her relationship with Derek hadn't changed. In her desperation to catch her breath, Meredith hadn't been able to understand that at the time. She hadn't been able to see that the look in his eyes hadn't changed. He was still there for her. He loved her and would always love her. Leaving him in Seattle and running away to Hawaii with Cristina and Izzy had been wrong, but at the same time, it had been right. After only a day away from him, she had realized not only how much she needed him, but how much she wanted to be with him. She had come to understand the unconditional love he felt for her, because she felt it for him as well.

She knew now that she would never doubt them again.

When their flight was finally called, she followed Derek onto the plane and took her seat next to him. It took a long time for the plane to load, and she leaned her head against Derek's shoulder for the wait. By the time the plane took off, Meredith could barely keep her eyes open.

"Sleep," Derek murmured, hooking his arm around her shoulders. "We'll be there before you know it."

She snuggled up against him and closed her eyes. And she slept.

It was the jolt of the wheels hitting the ground that woke her three hours later.

"We're here," Derek whispered when she groaned and sat upright.

Meredith ran her hands over her face, trying to make herself wake up. "Already?"

"Yup. You're good company."

She giggled. "Sorry."

He leaned in to kiss her as the plane was taxied into the terminal. "'s okay. I slept too."

She offered him a groggy smile as she ran her hands over her face again. "I've spent way too much time flying this week..."

He kissed her again. "Well, you have a whole week before you have to fly again."

She smiled at this. A whole week. A whole week of just her and Derek. No hospital. No pagers. No stress. No roommates. No family to meet.

When the plane finally came to a stop and the doors were opened, Meredith followed Derek into the airport. She was still groggy by the time they reached the luggage carousel and chose to stay back from the crowd as Derek pulled their bags off the moving conveyor belt. Derek's nieces had woken them up at the crack of dawn again to watch cartoons. And they hadn't exactly gone right to sleep when they had gone to bed the night before. Derek seemed to be dealing okay with the lack of sleep, but Meredith, having just caught up on her own sleep, was struggling to keep her eyes open, even after a three hour nap on the plane.

She smiled as she watched her fiancé lift a suitcase off the carousel for an older women who appeared to be travelling with her young granddaughter. The woman thanked him, and he smiled warmly at her and the little girl before reaching to scoop his own suitcase off the carousel.

"You're being awfully charming," Meredith murmured when he found her on the outskirts of the eager passengers.

He released the handles of their suitcases, and sidled up to her, his fingers finding her hips. "I am, huh?"

She couldn't help but smile at how free he looked. The tension she had gotten used to seeing in his face over the past few months, at differing degrees depending on the week, day or hour, was gone. His eyes were sparkling, and they made her smile grow. "Mmm, very," she murmured, running her hands up his abdomen and chest to his shoulders. Their lips met.

"You seem a little more awake," he mumbled when they pulled away. His hands moved around her waist.

She cocked her head. "I was just resting up for later."

"What's later?"

She smirked. "I believe someone promised me a king sized bed and a whole week to use it..."

He groaned and released her, sending her a glare. "Can't you wait for an hour?"

Meredith giggled and raised an eyebrow. "Can you?"

He sent her another glare and reached for their carryons from the floor next to her. He passed Meredith her shoulder bag and snapped his own carryon onto his suitcase.

After settling her bag over her shoulder, she leaned in to peck his lips. "I'll behave until we get to the hotel."

He smirked. "We could have gotten the vacation started on the plane..."

"It's too bad you let me sleep through the flight, then," she retorted sarcastically.

Derek wasn't deterred by her sarcasm. "I'll just remember to wake you up next time... On the way home, maybe?"

"You're very persistent, do you know that?"

This brought a beaming smile to his face. "How do you think I won you over?"

She felt her smile grow to match his at them memory of him practically stalking her around the hospital in the weeks after they met. "Mmm, good point."

He pecked her lips one more time and threaded his fingers through hers as they headed towards the exit.

OO

Staring out the car window at the beautiful scenery unfolding around her, Meredith couldn't help but feel an ache in her chest. Because less than a week ago she had been lost and broken, sharing the backseat of a cab with her shattered friend, on the way to a fancy resort. And all she had wanted was to be sharing the experience with Derek.

Sitting beside her in the backseat, Derek reached for her hand, and she sent him a smile before turning her gaze back out her window. She wasn't looking at the same land or ocean as she had been in Hawaii, but it was beautiful just the same. She sighed.

"Happy?"

Turning her head back to meet his eyes, she squeezed his hand. "Yes."

He smiled softly at her. "Me too."

"It's beautiful here."

"You're beautiful."

She giggled. "And you're corny."

"What can I say? You bring it out in me."

Meredith rolled her eyes, but couldn't resist leaning across the backseat to kiss him. With a chuckle, Derek held her close and kissed her again.

"It's going to be a good week," he whispered when he released her.

"It is," she agreed, smiling warmly at him.

They fell silent, and Meredith eventually turned her attention back to the scenery unfolding outside her window. It was only minutes later that the cab pulled into the front parking lot of the resort and stopped by the front door. The resort itself was smaller than the one she had stayed at for only one night in Hawaii, and not as fancy. But it was well kept and private, with a great reputation.

Exchanging one last smile with Derek, Meredith opened her door and stepped out. The large, stone hotel was to the right, and she could see the beach and ocean to the left.

It was beautiful.

Derek sent her a look as he helped the driver unload the trunk. She sauntered to the back of the car in time to take the handle of her suitcase from Derek. They thanked the driver and Derek gave him a tip.

"You ready?" Derek asked her once they had all of their bags.

She nodded and followed him into the front lobby. The check-in went smoothly and before she knew it they were on their way to their room.

Derek opened the door, and motioned for her to enter first. She did so, slowly, and pecked his lips as she went by. A small hallway led from the door and opened up into a large sitting room, complete with a flat screen television, desk, small fridge and patio doors that led to the balcony. She left her suitcase by the couch and wandered through the doorway to the left that led to the bedroom. The king sized bed Derek had promised her was there, along with a second television, a dresser and closest, a door to the bathroom, and a second set of patio doors that led to the same balcony. Meredith padded across the room to the patio doors.

Pulling the door open, she stepped onto the balcony and felt her breath catch. The view was spectacular. The resort's private beach was spread out in front of her, bordered by bright blue water.

"Wow," she whispered.

"Wow is right," Derek murmured, appearing behind her. His arms snaked around her waist and his chin came to rest on her shoulder.

Meredith leaned back into him and sighed, feeling safe and loved and full of anticipation to the coming week.

"What do you want to do first?"

With one last glance at the view, Meredith turned in his arms and hooked her hands behind his neck. Instead of answering him verbally, she pressed herself against him and kissed him hard. He moaned into her mouth and kissed her back just as hard, his hands already reaching for the hem of her shirt.

"I like the way you think," he mumbled as he pulled her into the bedroom.

OO

The air was cooler when Meredith woke. The bed was soft beneath her. The blanket had been tossed onto the floor, but the sheet had somehow managed to find its way over top of them before they fell asleep. But it wasn't the only thing keeping her protected from the cool evening air.

Derek's chest was pressed against her back, his arms were around her and his legs were entwined with hers. He was so close that she could feel his soft exhales against the back of her neck.

She could see through the curtains that the sun was dipping in the sky, and if she tried she could hear the ocean outside.

This was arguably the most comfortable she had ever felt.

With a content sigh, Meredith closed her eyes, prepared to fall back to sleep. It was a minute later that her stomach grumbled, cluing her in to why she had woken in the first place.

She groaned and ignored the hunger that was gradually increasing, but it was no use. She hadn't eaten since breakfast, and after the workout Derek had given her that afternoon she wouldn't be able to sleep through the night without food. And she suspected he wouldn't either.

"Derek?" She whispered, patting the hand that rested on the bed by her abdomen.

He moaned, but didn't wake.

Meredith stretched her legs downward, and then rolled in Derek's arms to face him.

Disrupted by her movements, he blinked groggily at her and then rolled onto his back, his right arm falling over his eyes.

She ran a hand through his hair. "Sorry," she offered, "But we have to get up."

He said nothing. His chest rose and fell evenly.

She giggled, knowing he was trying to ignore her. "Wake-y wake-y," she whispered, before manoeuvring herself so she was straddling his lower abdomen. Pushing the hand, that was still covering his eyes, away she kissed him.

With her on top of him and her lips against his, Derek couldn't ignore her anymore. He kissed her back, moaning when she pulled away.

"You're awake," she said brightly.

He stared up at her. "And you're on top of me."

"I had to resort to extreme measures. You wouldn't wake up."

Catching her by surprise, he flipped them so that she was caught under him. His hot breath hit her neck as his lips found their way to the sensitive skin along the side of her neck. "Eager for round two?" He whispered into her ear.

"Technically, that would be round three," she corrected, "And yes. But you have to feed me first." As if to prove her point, her stomach growled.

He pecked her lips and rolled off of her. "I could go for something to eat. Do you want to go to one of the restaurants or order something?"

"Let's just order something and eat here tonight. Dressing up and going out sounds like a lot of ways to delay round three."

He chuckled. "I like the way you think."

After scouring the room service menu, Meredith left Derek to order and had a shower. Derek followed suit, and was just getting out of the shower when their dinner arrived.

"Perfect timing," Meredith said as she closed the door behind the room service attendant. "Do you want to eat on the balcony?"

"Sure. Just give me a minute to put some clothes on," he called from the bathroom.

"But I like you naked," she called back, picking up the tray.

"Balcony's not exactly private," he retorted.

She giggled as she took the tray out the patio doors in the sitting room. The stone balcony stretched across the length of their suite. Although they were on the top floor there were only four floors and the railing made of short posts. There was also a suite next to theirs and other buildings around. Naked lounging on the balcony would – unfortunately – be noticed.

Meredith settled herself onto a lounge chair with her plate in her lap. She had ordered a pasta dish that was still steaming from the oven.

Derek joined her a moment later, pecking her lips before settling into the chair next to hers with his own dinner. Though he was normally a health nut, his diet had become much less rigid the past week. He had also ordered a pasta dish.

"I could get used to this," he murmured, staring out at the horizon, which was swathed in the blues, reds and oranges of the setting sun.

"Mmm-hmm," she agreed. "We'll have to do the vacation thing regularly."

"Or we could just move here," he suggested jokingly.

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, cause that wouldn't be a bitch of a commute."

He chuckled. "I do agree that we should do this regularly."

"We should make a list."

"We already have a list," he said dryly. "In fact I'm pretty sure that's what led us here in the first place."

She giggled. "I meant a new list, smartass. Of places we want to go."

"Sounds good. And we can already check off two places."

Meredith smiled and turned back to her dinner, pleased that there would be more vacations in their future. After the stress of the last year – especially the past few months – it was nice to finally be able to sit back and just...be. She could take a breath and not have a hundred and one things jumping out at her and demanding her attention. No suffering friends. No fathers she hasn't seen in twenty years. No surprise sisters. No bombs. No near death experiences. No dying parents.

Just her and Derek being...them.

She smiled to herself and took another bite of her dinner. "Things will be less stressful this year, right? Year two should be less stressful than year one."

Derek smiled at her and shrugged. "I doubt it could get more stressful."

She made a face. "How very decisive."

His smile turned into a smirk. "I can't shield you from the stress, but I can be on call for as much stress relief as you need..."

"You, Dr. Shepherd, have a one track mind."

He raised an eyebrow in response and then fell silent.

She smiled in response before turning back to the sunset once more. "Dinner is awesome," she said, taking another bite. "I could totally get used to this."

"Better than leftover grilled cheese and cold pizza?"

She giggled. "Better than fresh pizza."

"From you, that's saying something."

Ignoring him, she took another bite. Comfortable silence fell between them. The sun began to disappear below the horizon. A myriad of sparkles seemed to hover and shift as they pleased as the light from the sun reflected off of the water. Gentle waves lapped the beach.

When her plate was empty, Meredith sighed and set it on the small table between her and Derek. The sun was now dipping low, giving the illusion it was being bisected by the ocean, but still cascading enough light onto the beach to consider the time of day dusk. But not for long.

A small clang sounded as Derek set his plate onto hers.

She turned her gaze away from the sunset and offered him a warm smile. "Do you want to go for a walk before round three?"

He smiled back. "I'd love to." He stood and she followed suit. They both slipped on sandals and made their way down to the beach.

Leaving their sandals by the resort, they continued barefoot across the still-warm sand. Derek reached out and threaded his fingers through hers. Meredith bumped his shoulder in response.

Gradually wandered closer to the line of the shore, their feet were soon wet. The waves rolled in and rolled out, covering their feet and then disappearing, covering their feet and then disappearing, and then repeating the cycle.

The buildings of the resort eventually stopped, to be replaced with a thin line of trees, enough to give the illusion of being away from civilization. When the shore became rocky, they stopped.

Meredith made to turn back, but met resistance when Derek stopped, her hand, and with it her body, stopping with him. He tugged gently, and she stepped into him, wrapping her arms around his middle and burying her face into his chest. She inhaled deeply as his arms encompassed him.

Safe.

In a world that had one time after another thrust her into chaos, he made her feel safe. It had just taken her trying to run from him to realize the safety he offered existed regardless of the when, the where or the why. He loved her. It was that simple.

"I love you," she found herself whispering.

"Mmm, I love you too," he whispered back, hugging her closer. "I'm so glad we're here."

"Me too." She leaned back in his arms, far enough to meet his gaze.

His eyes sparkled in what was now moon light. She could make out the outline of his face, but not much of its detail. It didn't matter, though. She had long ago sketched his every feature. She could close her eyes and see him as well as if she were looking at him in a perfectly lit room. He was her comfort. Her dream. Her fantasy. Her Derek.

He was hers.

Hooking her fingers around the hem of his tee shirt, she pulled him down to her level, her lips finding his in the dark without any hesitation.

He deepened the kiss as her hand migrated up to his hair. And when she thought she couldn't take the intensity any more, he broke the kiss, his lips moving sensually across her skin. Her body ignited from the inside.

She moaned into the darkness.

"You know that thing you said before we left?" He breathed hotly into her ear.

"Thing?" She questioned, already breathing hard.

"About going for a walk before round three?"

"Walk. Yes. I remember," she stammered.

He pecked her lips. "How about we combine the two?"

She moaned again as his lips reclaimed their purchase on the hyper-sensitive skin on her neck.

"H-here?" She finally managed to verbalize.

"Here," he confirmed.

"People?"

"We haven't seen a single other person."

"M'kay."

He chuckled, his breath hot against her skin. "We have to be quiet, though."

She giggled. "I could get used to this whole vacation thing..."

"Not if we get caught on night one and get kicked off the island."