Hello all possible future faithful readers. I am very glad that you have decided to read this little fic of mine. I did this under great pressure from my Addek friends, so this obviously will most likely end up being an Addek fic to please you all. I love suggestions and comments and reviews and criticisms. So please review or tell me what you think on MSN. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not posses the rights to these amazing characters. Yes, it is unfortunate. But please don't sue me.
Chapter 1 - "The Longest Night"
It's been a long dark night alright
I've been running on a low love light
Maybe the longest night
Maybe it's over, over tonight
-The Longest Night by Bruce Hornsby
It had been merely moments since the prom had come to an abrupt stop. Richard slowly headed towards the staircase - the very one that Izzie had just descended. From the top he could just see her slumped figure walk through the automatic doors, flanked on either side by respectfully-close Alex and George. He hung his head and shook it a bit, sighing to himself at the sight of the broken intern. The deep breath he took did not give him the immediate perspective he had hoped for. Lifting his head again, he began his descent into the lobby below.
Addison and Bailey exchanged anxious looks before doing an about-face towards the elevators. The two walked in silence, albeit the click of their heels was to be heard on the linoleum floor, for a few seconds before Bailey finally spoke.
"So, uh, where are you headed to, Addison?" she asked, her voice lacking its usual Nazi tone.
A few more seconds of silence passed and when the two women had reached the elevator, "The locker room, I suppose," Addison replied as she reached to press the "up" button.
"Sounds like a good plan to me," Bailey sighed, "Wait…where is that overly-charmin' husband of yours? He did escort you to the prom, right?"
Addison chuckled a bit at her friend's obvious distaste for Derek before she said, "Yes. Yes, he did 'escort' me, but he had to leave early to check on a patient. Why do these elevators always take so long?"
"I have no idea," Bailey said in turn, her normally caustic tone having fully returned to her voice. She paused a moment before offering, "Well, do you need a ride home?"
"No, no no. Thanks anyways, though. I drove my own car here this morning. I'll just make a quick change into someth- " Addison paused as she stopped dead in her tracks. "Wait. Oh damnit!...My keys are in my purse. I left it sitting in a chair next to my drink. I'll have to go find it and hope it's still there."
Bailey quickly offered to join Addison, but by this time the elevator doors had opened and were threatening to shut once more.
"It's OK," Addison assured her, "It'll just take me a second. I will see you up there, OK? As long as this elevator ever comes back for me, that is."
"Alright then, suit yourself. I'll be seeing you later, Addie," Bailey said, the name barely audible even as she craned her neck towards the crack in the closing doors.
Richard stepped off the final step and readjusted his tie as he approached the large group that was slow-dancing to soft, sparkling lights. He was sure that someone had seen the girl in the long pink gown flee the hospital crying. He was also sure that with the well-oiled mechanics of the hospital rumor mill the entire story would be known to all by morning, with the truth lost somewhere in translation. Nonetheless, tonight he wanted to appear as though nothing had happened. The sight of his niece gazing longingly into her boyfriend's eyes as she snuggled closer to him caused a smile to form on his previously-frowning face. The happiness he felt for that fleeting moment made him feel only worse about what he was about to have to do. He approached the DJ, whispered something to him under his headphones, and after a nod took the mic.
"Ah hem," he began by clearing his throat, "I'm very sorry to dis-".
He was cut short by Camille, whom he hadn't even noticed approaching the DJ stand. "Excuse me, Uncle Richard. I have something I want to say."