Disclaimer: I do not posses legal or financial rights to these characters and settings. These characters are owned by the creators and ABC, respectfully. Addison's Disease is a real disease, and although it is taken mostly seriously, it is obviously put in there for a joke, however it is no laughing matter. Please do not read into this story and take any comment more seriously than it is intended to be.
The four month anniversary of them being separated was coming. Derrick had counted the days, lying to Addison that he wanted to keep track of every day he spent with her. Derrick sat on the bed and rested his head on his hands – bending over in frustration. He used to respect marriage – which was ultimately why he stayed with Addison – but now, now he damned it. Meredith was dating his ex-best friend and he was losing faith in the relationship with Addison. He persuaded himself that if Meredith had to choose between him and Mark, she would choose him – but he knew that was a lie. He rubbed his eyes in frustration and turned to his dog –
"What am I going to do?" He asked desperately. The dog gave him a confused look,
"You and me both buddy," Derrick replied.
"Derrick, do you want breakfast?" His thoughts were interrupted by Addison.
"No," was his only reply, he hated himself for it. Addison was trying, but he had given up, and it was breaking her heart.
Meredith marked the date as 4 months in her diary – if she had looked she would have noticed that the only thing on every page for the past four months was how long she had been separated, but she did this sub-consciously.
"Meredith you want food?" She had taken Mark in after he collapsed drunk last night.
"I'm good, thanks," she replied. She thought of a Venn diagram. She drew one circle in her head, with Addison and Derrick. Then she drew one that partially overlapped, with her and Mark. She and Derrick were in the same oval. She smiled at this, and then let herself fall back onto her bed and pulled the sheet over her head. She knew if nothing happened soon, she would have to get more serious with Mark. Yes it was unfair, her just dating him for the hell of it, but what else could she do? Either seem desperate and hurt by never dating anyone again, or go on a rebound date – she obviously chose the latter.
"Mer - you gotta go to work," came a call from the kitchen – she looked over, she was late,
"Ohhh shoot!" She ran out the house, ignoring the attempt by Mark for a goodbye kiss. She got in the car and sped off without a second thought.