Simplicity

Rating: PG
Pairing: Alex/Addison
Prompt: Jingle bells (which.. ended up being a very tiny part of the entire story)
A/N: Read and review. Simplicity is one part of the Crash series that I'm starting right now. Crash will focus on Alex, but it will include other characters. Pairings are ficlet-specific, and this one is Alex/Addison. After completing a number of prompts, I may continue some of these - I may not. All reviews are welcome, and story requests are also welcome.

He straightens his tie and blinks. For a split second, he wants to leave. The fancy lights and gourmet food – it isn't him. He feels out of place, even though his clothes are just as nice as everyone else's. And then, he thinks it's not the clothes. It's not the decorations. It's the girl.

She pushes through people, trying not to spill the two drinks in her hands. She opted for plain and simple. A scotch on the rocks for him and a vodka martini for herself. For a split second, she forgets why she brought him here. The fancy lights and gourmet food aren't him – they're Mark. Lately, he's proved that he's definitely not Mark.

He adjusts his tie, a nervous habit that he developed years ago. He almost turns to go, but then he hears her voice, and he remembers why he came.

"Alex, hey, I got us drinks. Scotch on the rocks okay for you?" He nods and momentarily forgets how to speak. She smiles quickly and avoids his eyes.

"Yeah. Thanks." He takes a sip and then frowns to himself. Addison Montgomery isn't a "yeah" kind of girl. He doesn't know how to measure up to her. She's Addison freaking Montgomery. Jesus Christ.

"No, I'm Addison… or Satan. Whichever you prefer." Alex blinks quickly and stares back at Addison. Did he say that out loud? Addison smirks and holds out her arm. "I want to show you something."

They walk out to the doors of the balcony of the club, and a rush of cold air hits them. Alex slows, in case Addison wants to stay indoors, but she nods her head outside, and he walks along side her.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Addison motions to the falling snow and the Seattle skyline. She doesn't miss New York as much as she thought she would. Seattle has a certain peace to it. The city itself is slower and more relaxed.

It is, he thinks. He watches her watch the snow and tries to memorize every lock of red hair and every detail of her face. In that moment, he wants nothing more than to kiss her, but self-doubts fill his head again. This is different than it was with Olivia or Izzie. Addison isn't an equal, not to him or Mark or Derek. She's in a class of her own, and he's just a lowly peasant.

"You know… I don't expect you to be Derek or Mark. I don't want you to be." Alex glances at Addison in surprise. She shifts under his stare and then shrugs. "I spent eleven years of my life, plus the time we dated, trying to be the dressy girl. I'm done. Look where it got me. Don't get me wrong; I like getting dressed up and having fun, but not alone. For once, I just want to eat burgers and go bowling. I want someone to try to feel me up at a drive-in movie theater." At that, Alex grins and takes that as his cue to speak.

"I grew up in Iowa. I had a deadbeat dad, and my mom couldn't be there for me emotionally. My sister was much older, and she got out of there as fast as she could. She lives somewhere in California now, in the movie business. Anyway, there was this great drive-in. I saw all of the movies there." Alex trails off, having forgotten why he was telling Addison this.

And then he kisses her.

It's soft and delicate, and for once, Addison appreciates that. It doesn't feel like Alex just wanted to jump her, and she doesn't feel pressured to perform. When he pulls away, she feels like a school girl again.

"I got you something," he whispers. He slips his hand into his pocket and pulls out the small, elegant pin. It has tiny jingle bells, and it reminds him of what home should be like.

"Merry Christmas, Addie. It's not much, but I thought it would look nice on you," he mumbles.

"No," she says. "It's perfect. It's simple. And that's all I want." Addison slips her hand into Alex's jacket pocket and rests her head on his shoulder. "Don't over think it, Karev."

He shrugs and kisses the top of her head. The fancy stuff isn't him, but simplicity he can do. He knows how to keep things simple.

"Addison… will you get ice cream with me?" She smiles and gives him a quick kiss.

This might just work.

A/N: Let me know what you think. All reviews welcome, but constructive criticism is appreciated. I'm always open to requests for prequels, sequels, continuations.. etc.