A Complicated Dance

The soft knock on the door broke the silence in Derek's office, and Meredith's voice called out, "Come in." She entered, a stack of files in her hands, her bright pink scrubs a stark contrast to the muted tones of the office. The scent of fresh coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the faint smell of disinfectant, transporting her back to the OR. Derek looked up from the scans spread out on his desk, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "Ah, Meredith. Right on time. Please, have a seat." His voice was low and smooth, like a gentle melody that soothed her frazzled nerves. Meredith sat down, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest as she took in the sight of Derek's chiseled features, his piercing blue gaze, and his strong jawline. She felt like a teenager with a crush, her heart racing at the mere presence of him. "So, what did you want to go over?" she asked, trying to sound professional, but her voice came out a little breathy. "The scans from today's case," Derek replied, his eyes scanning the files in her hands. "I want to make sure you understand the procedure and what we could have done differently." His voice was calm and collected, but Meredith detected a hint of intensity beneath the surface. As they pored over the scans, Meredith felt a sense of ease wash over her. Derek's teaching style was one of gentle guidance, and she appreciated the way he explained complex concepts in a clear and concise manner. His hands moved with precision as he pointed out different areas of the scan, his fingers brushing against hers as he handed her the file. The touch sent a spark of electricity through her body, and she felt her cheeks flush. Just as they were getting into the discussion, the door to Derek's office swung open, and Addison strode in, her expression icy. "Derek, I need to speak with you about something," she said, her voice low and husky. Meredith felt a pang of unease as Addison's gaze flicked to her, a hint of disdain in her eyes. Derek looked up, a hint of irritation flashing across his face. "Can it wait, Addison? I'm in the middle of reviewing the scans with Meredith." His voice was firm, but Meredith detected a hint of tension beneath the surface. Addison's gaze lingered on Meredith, her eyes narrowing. "I'm afraid it can't. It's about the case we just finished, and I think Meredith should hear it too." Her voice was laced with venom, and Meredith felt a shiver run down her spine. Meredith's heart sank, sensing that Addison was about to stir up trouble. She felt a surge of anxiety as she wondered what Addison was going to say, and how Derek would react. Derek's expression turned skeptical, but he nodded. "Very well. What is it, Addison?" His voice was calm, but Meredith detected a hint of wariness beneath the surface. Addison's eyes flashed with anger, and she launched into a tirade about Meredith's performance in the OR, her voice dripping with disdain. Meredith felt her face heat up, her defensiveness rising to the surface. She wanted to respond, to defend herself against Addison's jabs, but Derek's raised hand stayed her. "Addison, let's not discuss this now," he said, his voice firm but controlled. "Meredith and I were in the middle of reviewing the scans." His eyes locked on Addison's, and Meredith sensed a power struggle brewing between them. But Addison was relentless, her words cutting deep. Meredith felt a pang of hurt, but she refused to back down. She met Addison's gaze, her eyes locked on hers, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. The tension in the room was palpable, and Meredith could feel the weight of the unspoken rivalry between her and Addison. She knew that she had to navigate this complicated dance carefully, or risk getting caught in the crossfire. As she left Derek's office, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was in for a wild ride, one that would test her skills, her emotions, and her attraction to the man who seemed to be awakening her desires.