ONE WEEK LATER

Addison opens the door and carries the shopping into the kitchen. She has insisted that Charlotte stay with her while she is recovering because she is unable to lift anything with her stitches and she only has one hand to work with. Of course it was the fight form hell to get the formidable blonde to admit she needs help. But eventually after much arguing she got her to submit to the idea. Needless to say there wasn't a 'Thank You' uttered. But Addison knew deep down that Charlotte knew in her own mind she needed help.

When she calls out her name there is no answer. She looks out on the deck and sees Charlotte sitting on the steps looking out at the sea. She opens the sliding door and stands there looking at her for a moment. Charlotte obviously doesn't hear her because she doesn't turn around. She has lost weight and Addison is concerned that her slight frame can't handle being weakened by lack of food. However every time she asks her to join her for dinner she's suddenly 'tired' or 'busy'. This evening however she is going to be neither tired nor busy because Addison is going to force feed her if she has to.

'Charlotte, you ok?'

Charlotte continues to look out onto the water – turning her neck is still causing her pain.

'I'm fine'

'I'm making dinner – Spaghetti Bolognese, nothing fancy. It will be ready around 5. I'll set a place for you'

'I'm'

Addison cuts Charlotte off before she can say anything else 'You're not anything Charlotte – anything except fragile'. Now you're going to eat if I have to tie you to the chair'

Charlotte is about to object, but since Addison left for the shops she's had too much time alone with her thoughts and she is having flashbacks to the accident which are scaring her. Addison asked her to go shopping, but the thought of getting into a car paralysed her with fear. Addison walks out onto the decking and sits down beside her on the steps. Just then Charlotte's cell phone rings.

'Sorry'

'I'll leave you to it'

'No it's only mama – sit'. She motions for Addison to sit beside her on the steps.

'Hi Mama... No ...Yes ... Addison ... a friend ... no Mama ... Not now... No... No ... Bye'

'Are all conversations with your mother that interesting?' – Addison smiles

'When she gets started she really gets started. She still wants to come here and I've explained I already have a babysitter so I don't need another one. My head is throbbing and I haven't got the energy for her right now'

Immediately Addison kicks into medical mode putting her hand to Charlotte forehead to check her temperature. She feels Charlotte jump and pull back which makes her wince in pain.

'Montgomery if you want to keep all your limbs intact keep your hands to yourself. You might be the wonder baby doctor – but I'm not a baby, nor am I having one, not now, not ever. I went to medical school too. I know what a temperature is, I know how to take my own pulse and I also know that I'm not dying!

The comment about never having a baby stings Addison and Charlotte can see it in her eyes as she looks at her.

'I can keep saying sorry Charlotte. But I don't think you're ever going to believe me'

'I know it wasn't your fault Addison, that idiot who got into that car drunk did this to me. But I just can't stop thinking in the future I'm never going to have that choice. If I decide to be in a relationship and that person is thinking 'this is it, she's the one, marriage babies'; yada yada yada. I've got to turn around and say 'well actually I can't give you what you want'. But I know it's not your fault Addison, I know. You saved me, you're the reason I can be in a relationship have a future. And for that I truly am grateful'

Addison is shocked to see a small smile appear on Charlottes face.

'What's that about?'

'I was just thinking that is the first time I've actually had a conversation about babies and the future with anyone. Friends and me ain't ever got on, and the few that stuck around were drinking buddies. I don't do girlie nights in, shopping days and face packs unless I'm really drunk. Ironic really. You would think I'd be talking about babies and the future with some man crazy enough to go out with me.

'Ok King you can quit the self deprecation now – it doesn't suit you. Any man I know would kill to go out with you'

Charlotte smiles again 'I suppose I am pretty hot!' She laughs out loud for the first time in a long while and Addison joins in. Addison is so happy to see Charlotte genuinely happy for once. She'd almost lost hope of ever seeing her smile again.

'Dam it hurts when I laugh' Charlotte says as she holds her tummy.

Addison puts a hand on her shoulder and feels Charlotte lean into her and lie on her shoulder. They sit there for a long time watching the waves lapping at the shore, not talking, just enjoying the quiet.

The dishes from dinner lie in the sink and Charlotte is curled up on the couch reading 'The Catcher in the Rye' for the hundredth time with a soft wool throw over her legs. Addison is pretending to read Vogue when in fact she is peering over the top of it to check if Charlotte is ok.

'Montgomery if your just gona pretend to read go and do it somewhere else cause you're freaking the hell out of me peering over the top of that magazine'

'Sorry I was just checking your ok. Force of habit'

'Listen you can give me a full physical and check my vital signs or you can get me a glass of wine and tell me what's new in the world of fashion – not that you'd know since you haven't been reading a darn word of that for the last half hour. And don't tell me I shouldn't be drinking – I don't want to hear it'

Addison doesn't even attempt to argue. She knows she won't win. Secretly she is happy that Charlotte's sassy is slowly returning. Self pity has never been her style.

She returns with two glasses of white wine and the bottle and puts them on the table.

Charlotte slowly sits up and takes one of the glasses. As she takes the first sip she relaxes back into the sofa and sighs.

'Dam I forgot how good alcohol tastes'

'I wouldn't recommend it as a drug generally, but as you said I'm a baby doctor, and to my knowledge babies don't drink alcohol so what would I know?'

'Listen Addison I'm sorry about that – I didn't mean it – you're an amazing doctor. I was just being an idiot. You know what they say about doctors making bad patients'.

'That you certainly are'

'Thanks'

'You're welcome'

The laughing starts afresh and with the wine mixed in they spend the night laughing and talking about men, fashion, wine and life in general and debating where the talent lies, surgical or medical.

Charlotte falls asleep on the sofa, her tolerance for alcohol having been dimmed by the meds, lack of appetite and tiredness. Addison pulls the wool throw up around her and gently kisses her forehead. In her slumbering state Charlotte seems to be in another world and she grabs Addison's hand and pulls her in for a kiss. It is gentle at first but becomes more probing and persistent. The little voices are screaming in Addison's head 'what the hell are you doing, pull away'. But her heart is overruling her head as she leans in and deepens the kiss pushing her tongue past Charlotte's lips and feeling it reciprocated.

Suddenly Charlotte comes too and remembers where she and what she's is doing. Her blue eyes meet the blue eyes seriously dilated in front of her, desire evident.

Charlotte pulls back and they sit in stunned silence, neither daring to speak for fear of breaking this moment, whatever this moment is.