CHAPTER 1

"Dr Montgomery... Addison" He said.

Addison stopped in her tracks; she would recognize that voice anywhere. She closed her eyes for a split second as her heart skipped a beat and her stomach did a quick somersault. She turned around and there he was. If at all possible he looked even better than he did the last time she saw him, a whole year ago.

"Alex. I'm surprised to see you here" She replied as they walked towards each other.

"Well ... after you left I chose my specialty and I chose OB/GYN. So" He trailed off as he watched the knowing smile form on her lips that really said "I told you so"

"I'm pleased, I'd like to take some credit for your decision though" she said as her eyes took in his handsome face.

He laughed a little and replied "You can take all of the credit, if it wasn't for you I know I wouldn't have had the understanding of the field, so I guess a long overdue thanks is probably what I should say"

"What have you done with the Alex Karev I knew? He would never admit such a thing" Addison returned his smile.

They stood there just looking at each other. It was like the last year never existed and the chemistry that they had always had was there instantly again.

"Do you have time for a drink" He asked hopefully

Addison looked at her watch and then back into Alex's eyes "Sure" she replied.

They made their way to the Hotel Bar.

Alex had been attending a conference in the Hotel & was shocked to see that Addison was one of the guest speakers. He hadn't really heard anything she said all he could focus on was just how beautiful she was and how stupid he had been to let her go a year ago. He then continued to curse himself for chasing after Ava/Rebecca when it was Addison he wanted all along.

They sat at a table with drinks and made general conversation about what they had been doing with their lives since they last seen each other.

"Well LA definitely agrees with you. You look great" Alex said

"Thanks, and yeah I really like it here. I'm sorry things didn't work out with Ava, Callie told me what happened"

"It was a stupid thing to do really, I missed you much more when you left" He replied

"Alex don't" she said

"What it's the truth? I really miss you. The hospital it's just not the same without you" He finished.

Addison wanted to believe him; she missed him too, more than she wanted to admit. She just didn't see the point in continuing this conversation. It wasn't going to achieve anything. Addison was saved by her cell phone.

"Hi, oh Pete is that the time, sorry I ran into an old work friend. Can I just meet you at the restaurant; yeah OK I'll see you at 7.00 bye"

"So you obviously have a boyfriend waiting for you" Alex asked

"No, we are just friends; we usually have dinner together every Thursday night, Sorry Alex I really should go. When are you heading back to Seattle?"

"Sunday Afternoon thought I would stay for the weekend and have a look around, I haven't been to LA before"

"Um do you have plans tomorrow night" Addison asked as she got up from the table.

"No, do you want to have dinner with me?"

"I have friends over for drinks every Friday night, do you want to come over, then we can go out after if you want to of course, I mean you don't have to" She finished scared of his rejection again.

"That sounds great" he replied as he walked with her to the car park.

Their hands touched as Addison handed her business card to Alex after she had written her address down for him. They looked back into each other's eyes. Second after second there eyes locked and neither of them made any attempt to look away. Alex glanced at her lips as he moved closer; Addison gently brushed her lips to his check and pulled back away. This was a dangerous position to be in. Her heart was racing and her legs felt like jelly my god he affects me like I'm a god damned teenager it's embarrassing.

Alex just looked at her and smiled, he knew she still wanted him, yes she was resisting but by the end of the weekend he vowed right there and then he would win her back. Didn't matter how long it took she would be his once & for all.

Friday dragged on neither Alex or Addison could wait until the evening rolled around. 5.00 finally arrived & Addison was nervous. She wore a pair of jeans and a fitted black top, showing just a hint of cleavage.

"Is it too much?" she asked Naomi

"No you look fine, I thought you said you were over him?" Naomi questioned

"I am, I just want to look nice that's all" Addison replied.

Cooper, Violet, Naomi & Sam were already there, when the doorbell rang. Violet was the closest to the door so she opened it to see Alex with a bottle of wine.

"Hi, you must be Alex, I'm Violet come in, Addie Alex is here"

"Hi" he muttered

Addison came through from the kitchen to greet him. He couldn't believe how gorgeous she looked. His heart started racing just from the way she moved across the room to meet him.

"Hi" She said simply

"Hi, I didn't know what to bring, I hope this is OK" he said as he handed her the bottle of wine.

"That's great thanks"

Addison made introductions to everyone & went to get Alex a drink while he chatted with Sam & Cooper.

The girls all followed Addison into the kitchen.

"Wow he is a real hottie Addie, I can see why it was hard getting over him" Violet stated

"Shut up, it's not like that"

"Sure it's not" Violet said as she returned to the living room with drinks.

The evening progressed and all was well until Pete showed up. Addison & Pete were on the balcony having a heated discussion while Alex sat with Violet watching the exchange from the living room.

"So what are your feelings towards Addison" Violet asked

"Feelings oh well we are friends at least I hope we still are"

"Mmm that's interesting"

"I don't know what Addison has told you about me but I'm not that bad"

"Oh believe me it wasn't all bad" Violet said watching Alex blush.

He cleared his throat "So what is it you do"

"I'm a physiologist" She replied

"Oh so you know how to read people then"

"Yes I do & believe me I know exactly what you are thinking, & it's a little more than "Friendly"".

Pete walked back into the living room & made his apologies to leave. Addison walked back in a moment latter.

"Is everything OK? Alex asked

"Yeah its fine, Pete just gets..."

"Jealous" Alex finished for her

"I think so, he wants to be more than friends but I just don't feel that way about him"

"Oh, I see"

After everyone had left, Alex & Addison were in the kitchen fixing another round of Margaritas for themselves. Addison handed Alex his drink & as their hands touched he looked into her eyes. He put the drink down but did not let go of her hand.

He moved forward & she moved back until her back was up against the refrigerator, he looked into her eyes & touched her face lightly.

"I've missed you Addison, I really have"

"Alex "

He moved even closer, he could feel her breath against his check as he looked back down at her lips he felt an overwhelming desire to kiss her. His eyes lifted back to her eyes and he saw his own desire mirrored in her eyes. His lips connected with hers. Addison responded to his kiss immediately but it was brief, she could not get sucked back in.

Addison pulled away, touched his face and said "Alex I can't I'm sorry I just can't."