Disclaimer: I do not owe the characters or plotlines used on the tv show Grey's Anatomy.

AN: Post-Yesterday. My first fic in about three years, my first Grey's Anatomy fic ever and I'm trying out a new writing style. Be nice, please. Comments are always appreciated and encouraged as are constructive criticism. For now its tentatively titled Liquid Courage.



Addison took one last swallow of her Hot Toddy before standing up and steeling herself to go inside and face Derek.

"You know you're going to have to talk to me sometime" Addison said as she paused at the end of the bed. She crawled onto the and took the book off Derek's stomach. She stared at him before straddling his thighs.

"Addie..." Derek's words were cut off as Addison shushed him by cradling his face in her hands.

"It's my turn to talk and I need you to listen," Addison said, "during the code black thing, I was so scared. There were so many things I needed you to know, things I had left unsaid. I'm trying to make this work. I'm not leaving you. Get that in your head! No matter how mean you are to me. I'm sorry that I fell off the pedestal you put me on. I'm only human and I made a mistake in a moment of drunkenness. I'm sorry that I let you run away from me that night. I'm sorry that I stayed with Mark for another week before realizing that he was merely the imitation. And you were the one I wanted. You're the one I need. I can't be Addison without you. You're the best part of me. I'm sorry I waited two months before coming to find you."

"Addie," Derek said as he gently wiped away the tears that had started rolling down Addison's cheeks,"You're the love of my life. That's the always been the easy part. The hard part is forgiving and forgetting and every time I think I'm finally starting to make progress, something comes up. It's like an open wound, it takes time for it to start healing but if you're not careful you'll rip the new tissue."

"You know you're going toforgive me eventually because you wouldn't spend so much time hating me if you didn't still care about me," Addison said tearfully, "I just want to love you and for you to let me. Everything I have, the good things and the bad are yours. They always have been. Do you think you'll ever be able to forgive me?"

"It's going to take time and I'll keep using it against you until I do. But the apology does help," Derek said as their eyes locked, "I said you were an obligation when I was lashing out at you. I didn't really mean it that way. You're family, you've been my best friend for 15 plus years. I can't just cut you out off my life and move on. I tried that once and I couldn't do it. I wouldn't be here if I didn't think that we could move past it."

Derek's cell phone interrupted them, "Hello?"

"Daddy? I need you and Mom. Can you come?"