The sun slowly set over the hills and as the lights gradually came on and illuminated the street Addison Shepherd walked through Seattle heading back from the shops, her phone buzzed and flicking it open she saw her message.
I have a surprise waiting for you at home
I'll give you a hint its involves fine cuisine
Addison chuckled to herself feeling so wonderful inside that she had the most caring thoughtful amazing husband in the world, and he was someone that made her feel special and loved after seven years of marriage. Derek makes me feel complete Addison's own voice said inside her head then her mind wandered and she felt a cold dark feeling that she was lying to herself. She brushed it off by putting a smile back on her face and continued to walk hearing the sound of nightclub music and teenagers mucking around in the street and then Addison stopped as she heard a different sound.
She concentrated for a second and then she heard more coughing coming from her left Addison saw a shadowy alleyway and taking a deep breath she wandered slowly into it keeping her eyes peeled trying to find any sign of the source in the darkness. She cried out as she heard the sound of tumbling cans and taking out her phone she shined its light all around her. Addison kept moving as she crept to a pile of garbage she shined her light and gasped as she saw a small child lying on top of torn pillows. Addison checked the child's head and felt heat she then monitored the child's pulse with her fingers and quickly dialled 911.
"Thanks to you Addison the girl's life may have been saved" Owen Hunt muttered as he examined his notes. A high fever various cuts and bruises on her body, where did you say you found her."
"She was lying in garbage" Addison said softly, "she could have been there for hours and no one even helped her."
"Whatever has happened Addison the girl is now safe and it is expected she will make a full recovery." Owen gave her a swift smile as Addison walked out of his office and through the hospital until she came to the room where the girl was being treated. She entered quietly seeing the girl was asleep and sat down on a chair positioned next to the bedside. Addison examined the child's features as she had expected the girl looked underweight filthy and pale her long brown hair was in two messy pigtails and the stillness of the child told Addison that the girl was completely exhausted. Addison looked at the monitors then seeing a tiny hand poking out of the covers she gently took it in her own as she watched the little girl.
"Addison," Addison looked up at Arizona standing in the doorway. Addison smiled at the blonde's open mouth, "you want to ask me in the nicest way you know how that you need to look after your patient."
Arizona nodded then her eyes shot to the bed and Addison saw a pair of bright brown eyes opening and then widening in fear, "It's alright" Addison whispered. The little girl looked at her and then buried herself under the covers. Addison still kept her hand held around the girl's and gently used her other hand to pull the covers up and smiled at the girl's face, "you're scared of me but i'm not a scary person and neither is my friend." Addison stroked the girl's hand with her thumb and watched the child slowly crawl forward, "we're looking after you for a while."
"Ariel" the girl whispered.
"That's a lovely name" Addison whispered, "i'm Dr Shepherd i'll be looking after you Ariel." Ariel looked at Addison's face before putting her head back on the pillow and closing her eyes. Addison gently removed her hand from the girl's and tucked it under the covers, "Arizona" she started looking at her friend.
Arizona waved her hand and shook her head, "you rescued her so if you want to be her doctor I won't stand in the way." Addison thanked her friend and watching her place her clipboard down and leaving the room she went to grab it.
An hour later and Addison saw Ariel opening her eyes again, "sheep" she whispered looking at Addison.
"Sheep?" Addison whispered back in confusion.
"Sheep" the girl repeated, "you mean sleep?" Addison said.
"Sheep?" Ariel said pointing her finger at Addison, "where are the sheep?"
"Oh Ariel my name is Shepherd but I don't have any sheep" Addison gave the girl a wide grin, "why don't you call me Addison."
"Adder" the girl whispered.
"Addison" Addison said now grinning widely, "I remember your name its Ariel just like the mermaid Ariel, have you seen that movie."
The girl nodded "its lots of fun isn't it" Addison said.
"It's scary" the girl replied, "the octopus lady."
"Oh the bad guy yes she was scary wasn't she, but the good people Eric and Ariel they defeated her in the end."
Ariel started to cough and Addison edged closer, "can you tell me where the pain is for me Ariel."
"Everywhere" Ariel whispered.
"Well then i'll have to help you feel better then won't I."
"Are you the fairy godmother?"
"No I don't have any wings or a magic wand, but I can still help you feel better although you might be here for a while."
Ariel smiled widely and Addison was amazed at the transformation that the smile made to the girl's face.
The door opened and Addison walked in kicking off her shoes and running a hand through her long red hair thinking about how late it was then she walked into her bedroom and saw Derek sleeping peacefully. Addison gently kissed his cheek then walked back to the kitchen, "Addison" Derek muttered.
Addison turned back round, "go back to sleep honey."
"There's dinner for you in the oven, why were you delayed."
"Work, it was an emergency, i'm sorry I didn't let you know I was caught up."
Derek just smiled, "you look so beautiful right now."
"Derek you can barely see me in this light."
Derek showed his teeth as he smiled, "well we could head into the light of the kitchen and have the date we should have had tonight."
"Shouldn't you be asleep you look very tired."
"Funny I don't feel tired and I can show you." Derek shot up and picked Addison up in his arms getting a delighted shriek of giggles from Addison as Derek spun her round, "come on the night is still young" he said as he carried Addison through the house.
