The Past is Never Far
"Dr. Grey, what do we have here?" Derek Shepherd inquired about his new patient, though he was already well aware of the older man's ailment.
"David Harris, 61 years old, pituitary adenoma located in the-" The intern began.
"Ah, cut the crap, Derek. I know I have a tumor, you know I have tumor…do we really go over this again?"
"Mr. Harris," Derek began with a hint of frustration in his voice. "Seattle Grace is what we'd like to consider a teaching hospital. You of all people should understand this concept."
"Oh I understand it fine. But what you need to understand is that I came all the way to Seattle to hear what you have to say, not one of your interns."
"Do you two know each other?" Meredith nervously interjected.
"No." Derek replied flatly.
"Come on." The older man chuckled. He seemed oddly cheerful for someone preparing to undergo brain surgery. "Derek was one of my finest students. I always had high hopes for this one…and rightfully so!" He boasted.
"Oh!" The intern exclaimed. "So you were one of Dr. Shepherd's medical school professors?"
"Dr. Grey." Derek glared over at his girlfriend. "May I remind you that we're with a patient?"
"Ah, don't listen to him. We're old friends, he and I. Speaking of which, how's that friend of yours…what was her name…" The patient paused for a few seconds, "Addison? Yes, that was her name. How is Miss Montgomery doing these days? You two still in touch?" He paused. "Derek?"
"Derek!" The young medical student nearly was jolted awake by the sound of someone pounding on his door. He took a moment to assess his surroundings and realized that once again, he had fallen asleep with his head buried inside one of his textbooks. He had almost forgotten why he had woken up in the first place until he heard the knocking again. "Who is it?" He mumbled, wondering who could possibly need something from him at 2 in the morning.
"It's me." Addison didn't even need to say her name. Derek would recognize that voice anywhere.
He combed a few fingers through his hair. "Do you know what time it is…" he began, but as soon as he caught a glimpse of the woman standing in the doorway he was taken aback. "Addie?" He asked breathlessly, as he ushered the young redhead inside. Her eyes were bloodshot, her face drawn, her gorgeous red hair in knots, though pulled back into a loose pony. What Derek noticed most of all, however, was the tear in his girlfriend's shirt. "What…" He could barely form a complete sentence as he led Addison toward the couch. "What happened?"
Addison tried to speak, but instead found herself gasping for air each time she opened up her mouth. She was shaking uncontrollably by this point and was clearly having difficulty breathing. "Can't…breathe…" She gasped, starting to panic.
"Okay, it's okay. Don't try to talk right now, sweetie." He kneeled in front of her, taking her hands in his own. "Just breathe." He soothed. "Come on, slow deep breaths."
"I can't, Derek, I-"
"Breathe in for three seconds, out for three seconds." He instructed. "In three…out three…" Derek tried helping Addison through her panic attack, though he felt as if he too may experience an attack at any moment. "In…out…" He repeated, noticing her breath slowing, though still somewhat ragged. "It's okay." He moved closer to Addison. "Whatever it is, Addie. You know we'll fix it. Just breathe."
"I'm so sorry, Derek." Addison finally managed to speak, though her words began a stream of endless sobs. "I said no, I swear I did. I tried to get away. Derek, I'm so sorry." She sobbed, her entire body tensing as she felt him coming closer, but loosening up a bit as she allowed herself to fall into his embrace. She pulled at the fabric of Derek's t-shirt, almost ripping it with her bare hands as she cried.
"Why are you apologizing?" No response. "Addison." He spoke more firmly this time. "I need you to talk to me."
"He…" She started gasping again. "Raped me." The redhead sobbed. "I told him no but I…he…"
"What?" Derek had heard what Addison had just told him, but refused to believe it.
"Raped me, Derek! He raped me!" Addison shouted.
"Who, Addison? Who did?" Derek felt his face flush; the adrenaline rushing through each and every bone in his body.
Addison, however, was still shaking and sobbing uncontrollably and could not yet bring herself to respond to his question. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." She kept repeating.
"Why are you sorry, baby? This isn't your fault." He whispered, rocking her gently. "You know this isn't your fault. Shh, Addie please."
"It is my fault!" She cried out, ripping herself away from Derek's embrace. "He told me to come to his office. Told me it was about placement for a God damn internship!" She laughed through her tears. "An internship, Derek! How could I have been so stupid?!"
"Wait, wait. Slow down. Who are we talking about here?"
"You can't tell anyone." Addison, though still in tears, had calmed down enough to speak clearly. "Please. You have to promise me."
"Why?" His frustration was obvious.
"Because I'll fail his class if anyone finds out. I can't afford to fail, Derek. Not now. Not when we're so close to graduating." She brushed a few loose strands away from her face. "You have to promise me that you won't tell anyone."
"Addie…"
"Derek, please." She looked him straight in the eye. Derek would never admit it, but he was absolutely terrified.
"Okay. I promise." He regretted the words as soon as they escaped his lips. "Just tell me who did this to you."
Addison hesitated, trying to collect her thoughts. "It was Dr. Harris."
"Dr. Shepherd…?" Meredith tried to get Derek's attention. "Uh, Derek?" She waved a hand in front of his face.
Derek snapped back to reality. "I'm sorry, what were you saying?"
"He asked about Addison." Meredith repeated the patient's question.
"Right." Derek nodded. "Addison isn't here." He shook his head furiously. "She doesn't…she doesn't work here." He spoke quickly, obviously unsure of his words. "Excuse me."
"I'll be back to check on you a bit later, Mr. Harris." Meredith attempted to smile through her confusion. She walked down the hallway, quickening her pace as soon as she caught sight of Derek. "What was that all about?" She asked, desperately attempting to keep up with her boyfriend.
"Not now."
"Derek!" She grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop for a moment. "What's going on?"
He shook his head, "Meredith, I need you to do something for me, okay?"
"Okay."
"Don't let David Harris find out that Addison's a doctor here." He spoke sternly. "And don't let her find out that he's a patient."