READ first: This takes place after 7x21 and the events of that episode all happened as they did EXCEPT Henry does not mention getting his old insurance now that he has his old job back and does not ask Teddy for a divorce in that scene. Teddy still tells him that she has decided to move to Germany with Andrew.

Status: Complete

A/N: Hello again. This will be my first attempt at a Teddy/Henry fic. I feel like it could be a little better but I gave it my best shot. I've loved these two together every since he first appeared and I'm completely thrilled that they're "officially" together. I have to admit, up until 7x21 I was torn about who Teddy should be with because I loved Andrew too but when Henry asked for a divorce, my heart just broke. Anyways, this is my take on Henry dealing with Teddy leaving. The setting is a little different from canon so I hope you read the note I had before this. Enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: If I owned Grey's Anatomy, I would've had Mark and Lexie get back together in the finale. Seeing as how they didn't, I obviously don't own Grey's…

Tell Me You Lied, I'll Tell You the Truth

Chapter 1

The sudden appearance of a freshly opened beer on the table pulled Henry Burton out of his all-consuming thoughts. Momentarily pausing his peeling of the label of the empty bottle in his hand, he looked up to see Joe peering knowingly at him.

"You looked like you could use another."

Henry smiled at his insight. I most certainly could.

"It's on the house." Joe said when Henry began reaching into his pocket to retrieve his wallet.

"Thanks, Joe."

The barman nodded and cleared the table of the empty bottle before heading back to his position behind the bar.

Henry took a swig of his replenished beer supply. He'd never been much of a drinker and this was only his second beer of the night but considering what he was about to do, he figured that he could use the liquid courage. Unable to help himself, his eyes shifted to the papers that sat neatly on the seat next to him and another pang of sadness shot through his heart. Briefly, he considered simply getting up and walking away but having already told her to meet him, there was no un-ringing the bell now.

"Teddy, hey, it's me. Listen, um…I was wondering if we could get a drink later. There's something I wanna talk about and uh…well, it's important so…how about 7:00 at Joe's? If you already have plans or if you're running late just give me a call. Otherwise, you know where I'll be. Okay, I'll see you later then."

He glanced then at his watch. 7:09. She was late but considering that he'd left her the message just a few hours ago, he was willing to let it slide, certain that she would appear any minute. As the head of cardiothoracic surgery, the chances of her simply getting caught up in a complicated procedure far outweighed her standing him up.

Sure enough, the door swung open a moment later and she entered the bar, her long, dirty blonde hair billowing around her, causing Henry's heart to all but stop. She really was just absolutely beautiful. Only a fool would think otherwise.

She caught sight of him nursing his beer and made her way to his table, smiling. "Hey."

"Hey."

"Sorry I'm late." Reaching the table, she deposited her purse and coat on one of the chairs across from him. "I just got out of a five hour CABG and didn't get your message until I was getting ready to leave."

He had no clue what a "cabbage" was so he simply nodded. "No problem."

"I'm just gonna grab a drink real quick. You want another?" She motioned to his beer.

Yes. "I'm good, thanks."

He watched as she headed to the bar, willing himself to remain in his seat instead of bolting away like how he desperately wanted to. He'd spent the last three days trying to come up with any solution other than this but deep down he knew it wouldn't work out any other way.

She returned with two fingers of scotch which she promptly drank half of once she took her seat.

He cocked an eyebrow. "Hitting the hard stuff now?"

Cringing as the alcohol burned her throat, she held up a finger warningly. "I had an emergent aortic dissection to start my day, back-to-back CABGs, and got repeatedly mowed over for surgeries for the chief resident race. I deserve this."

"I'm sure you do." he replied, unable to suppress his smirk. The medical talk didn't intimidate him.

Her green eyes danced. "Are you mocking me, Mr. Burton?"

"Not at all, Mrs. Burton." It was out before he could stop himself and he winced internally at his slip.

Fortunately, she wasn't fazed. "Really? 'Cause it certainly sounds like you are."

"Oh, I'm much too afraid of the important cardio surgeon to mock her."

She smiled at his dig and Henry was finding it increasingly difficult to focus on the task at hand. He didn't know why he was flirting with her, not after she'd all but ripped his heart out by announcing that she was leaving for Germany with her goddamn knight in shining armor but he just couldn't help himself.

They fell silent for a moment, each regarding the other.

"So, what'd you want to talk about?" she finally ventured, taking a smaller sip from her tumbler.

Henry took a breath and swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. There would be no going back after this. "Well, I've uh…I've been doing some thinking lately. You know, considering everything that's happened with Andrew and Germany and me getting into Webber's clinical trial. It's all been a little crazy. But good crazy. I mean, we're both moving forward and…and that's great. Real great." He tried his best to show some enthusiasm but given the situation found it nearly impossible. "But the thing is…" I'm in love with you. "I haven't been fair to you. I really haven't ever been fair to you. I showed up with my Von Hippel Lindau disease, no insurance, and you gave me a second chance. You married me and you didn't have to. And I will always be grateful for that. But it isn't fair to you. If you chose Andrew, then none of this is fair to you. You want to move forward and you've already started to but as long as we're married that can't happen. Not really. And I don't want to do that to you. I don't want to be the thing that's holding you back because then you'll hate me for it. I don't want to be an obligation."

"Henry, you're not—"

A small, sad smile tugged at his lips. "But I am. If this is nothing but a business deal, then that's exactly what I am. And you deserve better. You deserve someone who didn't marry you because of your insurance. Someone you actually share something with other than a good story. And I'd hate to keep you from that." His heart was breaking now but he forced himself to finish. Reaching over to the chair next to him, he picked up the papers that sat neatly stapled to blue cardstock and laid them on the table to face her. "So, I took the liberty of drawing these up. Consider it my parting gift. Since I got my old job back I'll be getting my own insurance soon so you don't have to worry about me." He watched as she stared at the divorce papers, a flurry of emotions playing across her beautiful face. "I signed them already so all you have to do is give them to my lawyer when you're done." Please don't. "And you don't have to see me again." He looked at her for a moment longer like maybe if he stared long enough she'd take back her decision to follow Perkins. But it wasn't going to happen.

"Good-bye, Teddy." he said at last, the last of his heart shattering with the effort. And with that he hopped off the bar chair and made for the exit.

"Henry."

Her voice called out softly from behind him but he didn't look back, knowing that if he did he wouldn't be able to walk away again. And he needed to.

Because if Teddy Altman wanted out then he was going to let her do just that. Even if it killed him.

A/N: Some of you may object to how Henry "breaks up" with Teddy but I'll explain that in the next chapter (or you can reflect on the title, which is a hint XD ). If you understand why he says what he says then that's awesome because we're on the same page. This first chapter was heartbreaking but I promise they'll get a happy ending haha. Anyways, please tell me what you think! And I'll post the second half as soon as I can. :)