Author's Note: This is an idea that has been on my head for a while, so I finally decided to write it down. Each chapter will present a parallel between their lives in medical school and their lives years later.

Sam and Naomi from Private Practice also appear in this story, Amelia also appears eventually, but it's focused on Maddek. And I should probably say that Maddison is my OTP, so expect lots of it haha. Most chapters are mainly Addek though.

This is also my first fic. Reviews are always appreciated :) Let me know if I should continue this story.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Grey's Anatomy.

Update: I decided to rename each chapter with the title of a song that inspired me to write it or that reminds me of the events of that chapter. I don't own any of the songs, of course.


New York, 1988

"Hurry up Mark, we're already late", Derek says, irritated.

It was Anatomy class, and the students were divided in groups of five. Their group had already started. Damn. You really don't want to be late in your first week at medical school. Derek hated being late, but Mark didn't seem to know what the word punctual meant.

"Sorry we're late", Derek apologizes.

"It's okay, we just started", says the redhead who is cutting the cadaver. She barely looks at him, her eyes fixed on what she's doing. When she's done, she finally lifts her eyes. The fist thing Derek notices is that they are smart eyes; somehow, they show a captivating intelligence and excitement to learn. He can't help but stare at them for a moment. The second thing he notices is that she looks like a freaking supermodel.

"Nice cut", it's all that comes out of his mouth for a second.

"Thanks", she responds proudly.

"I'm Derek Shepherd, by the way".

"Addison Montgomery".

"Oh, right, we didn't introduce ourselves", the other girl from the group notices, laughing. "What kind of people are we?"

They learn that the girl is Naomi Evans and the guy with glasses is Sam Bennett.

They get along with each other quickly and when the class is over, which also means lunch time, they sit on the same table. While they're laughing and talking about how exciting the first week has been so far, Derek realizes they could be good friends. Not everything is a competition, after all.


"How many of those have you had?", Archer points at the drink in her hand. He came out of nowhere, startling her.

"What are you even doing here? I thought this was a welcome party for new students", Addison teases.

"Yeah, well, and who welcomes them?", he teases back.

He was right. The party was indeed hosted by second year med students to welcome the first year's. It was a Saturday night, and the five were gathered before Archer appeared.

"You sure you're not here because Bizzy sent you to spy on me?" She then notices the confused faces looking at them. "Everyone, this is my brother, Archer."

Archer doesn't find it difficult to join the group. Soon he is dancing and talking with them. About an hour later they are all drunk, which is when Archer starts to tell inappropriate jokes.

"Alright, enough", Addison says. "Why don't go find your own friends? Stop stealing mine."

"You're just mad 'cause they think I'm cooler than you", he smirks.

"You know that's not possible", she smirks too. "Go. I mean it."

He finally leaves them, and she heads to the bar for another drink. She hopes Sam doesn't follow her this time. He's been hitting on her the whole evening and she doesn't know how to tell him that she's not interested on him without hurting him, and it's making her anxious. He is a nice guy. He's just not really her type.

She almost freaks out when she notices someone is actually following her to the bar, only to turn around and see that it's Derek and not Sam.

"Oh, hey", she says, relieved.

"Hey".

They both sit while they're waiting for their drinks.

"Just so you know, I don't think your brother is cooler than you", he says with the smile she's starting to get used to.

She laughs.

Their drinks are done, and they both grab them, ready to go back to where their friends are.

"We should go back", Addison suggests. "Unless you want to stay", she teases, pointing at a blonde standing at the other side of the bar. "She's looking at you."

He shakes his head. "She's not my type."

"What is your type?", she raises an eyebrow.

He grins and then finally asks, after almost a week of glances and smiles. "Do you have something to do tomorrow night?"


New York, 2004

He is late again. He is always late now every time they plan on doing something not work related.

Addison calls him one more time, even though she knows he's not going to answer the phone, and she knows what he's going to say when he gets home – I was stuck with a patient or some other excuse.

Minutes later, she hears the sound of keys unlocking the door and Derek is home.

"You're late", she says.

"I was stuck with a patient. God, I need sleep"

She crosses her arms. "I thought we were going out for dinner."

He frowns as if he doesn't know what she's talking about, and then sighs. "Crap."

"You forgot", she accuses, her face bitter.

"I've had a long day at work."

"Oh, me too", she raises her eyebrows, defiantly.

"Look, I'm exhausted. We can go out another night", his face is irritated; his voice, impatient. He is always exhausted when it comes to her.

"You said the same two nights ago", she sighs, exasperated. "You know what? I'm tired too. I don't have the energy to fight right now."

"Good", his voice doesn't even come out as sharp as she expects. He's also too tired to fight.

She wonders where did the old Derek go. The Derek with bright smiles and dreamy eyes, the Derek that made her laugh. She fears he's long gone, and if that is the case, she doesn't know what to do to bring him back. She had always been able to make him feel better almost every time he had a bad day at work. Now she fails almost every time. Maybe she has changed too. Maybe they're both different people than they used to be. And when they lie in bed later, back to back, both too proud to apologize or even say anything, she realizes she doesn't know who they are anymore.