"You did a good job in there, Dr. Grey. Couldn't have done it without you."

Addison and Meredith were standing next to each other, scrubbing their hands clean.

"Thank you. That poor little baby. I know, as a physician you have to suppress all those feelings. But that was really hard. You know what I mean? I have done a lot of surgeries. I mean, I scrubbed in on most of them, but still…"

She reached out for a towel and continued.

"Operating on such a tiny person. She has her whole life in front of her. Nobody has messed her up so far and everything could be over in a heartbeat. Wow…seriously…that's an incredible feeling and an incredible responsibility."

Addison was surprised by Meredith's little speech. They hadn't talked that much since they had met. This particular moment where all the mess started. She, Addison, still married to Dr. Derek Shepherd met Meredith, the longtime lover of her husband. Traveling back in time all those mixed feelings came back and a little shiver ran up and down her spine. Everything had been a big mess. Adjusting to work seeing both of them constantly was not the easiest of all tasks. In fact, it was one of the hardest.

"Dr. Montgomery?" Meredith looked up.

Absent minded Addison answered: "Ah, yes. Yes, you are right."

They stared into each other's eyes and for some seconds nobody knew what to do or say next. It was hardly bearable for both of them and a more than awkward situation started to build itself up. Addison finally broke the silence.

"Okay. I know we both have our past but let's put that behind us. We are grown ups. So…hello, my name is Dr. Addison Montgomery. You can call me Addison."

With a smile on her face she took one step towards Meredith and reached out her hand. Meredith felt uneasy. How could she just let anything behind her and start at the very beginning? So much had happened and everything should be over that easily? Addison noticed Meredith's uncertainty and lowered her hand. Without any words she turned around and left the room.

Talking to herself she reached the on-call room.

"You are stupid Addison. Stupid. How can you think that somebody who was hurt that much would want to be nice to you?"

A quick glance into the room told her that she was alone. With a big sigh Addison let herself fall down onto one of the beds. Staring at the ceiling and deep in thoughts she slowly drifted off to sleep.

-------------------------------------

Addison was not the only one who was talking and cursing to herself. Meredith felt awful. Both hands based on the sink she stared through the glass into the OR in front of her.

"What did I do? Why am I that stupid? She offers you her friendship and you don't take it. What's the matter with you Meredith? It wasn't even friendship. She just offered you to act like adults."

Banging a fist against the sink she remained silent and all of a sudden she turned around.

"Not this time Meredith. Not this time." With these words she ran out into the hallway. Adjusting her eyes to the bright light she looked up and down the corridor.

"George, GEORGE!"

George stopped dead in his tracks and turned around.

"I am so sorry Mer. I didn't mean to be rude this morning. I will make it up…" Fear in his eyes he backed off against the wall. What could have he done that terribly wrong?

"Oh, just stop babbling around. I was in thoughts and you didn't do anything wrong. So let's leave it. Did you see Addison? I need her…NOW."

Surprised by this unpredictable reaction he stared into her eyes.

"No…ouch, Meredith. That hurts. You don't have to grab me that tight."

"Sorry George." She withdrew her hands. Rubbing the hurting spots George turned around. "See you Meredith. And again, I didn't mean to…"

"YOU DIDN'T!!!!! Did you see Addison?"

"No, I haven't. Didn't I already tell you?" Getting angry he turned around and walked off.

At that very moment a group of interns came around the corner and George passed by them. In front of them Meredith wouldn't want to make a scene.

"Dr. Meredith Grey? Are you Dr. Grey?" One of the three interns came running towards her. Meredith leaned against the wall and sighed.

"Yes, that's me." She forced a smile on her face.

"Thank god. Dr. Webber told us to look out for you. We are new here and you are our resident. So I guess you have to tell us what to do next."

With excitement in their eyes and at a total loss they were awaiting some orders.

"Ah…yes. My interns." She totally forgot. Making a mental note to search for Addison later she turned to the three of them standing in front of her.

A woman with shoulder long brown hair handed a chart to her.

"Those are our names and everything you have to know. Chief Webber gave it to us."

Going over the chart Meredith slowly looked up and met with Lexi's dark brown eyes. "You are Lexi Grey?"

"Yes, I am." Suppressing the sentence she wanted to add she remained silent.

"Are you related to each other?" The man who had first called after her raised an eyebrow.

"No, we are not." Meredith quickly answered. "And you are?"

"Steven Wentworth."

Pointing at the blonde chubby guy she concluded… "Then you must be Brian Fisher."

Brian nodded.

"Come on, let's follow me. The first really important thing you have to know is: You are scum. You are at the bottom of the surgical food chain and you will do EVERYTHING you are told."