This chapter is a little different, and VERY short, but this weekend is super busy! I will try to get another, longer chapter up by Monday. Thanks for your patience :)

Chapter 5

The words had stung him like a thousand needles. "Another" he demanded and pushed his shot glass toward Joe. Joe looked at him and began to refuse. "You've already had way too much. I think it's time you stop" He nodded sympathetically, almost as if he understood Mark was in pain. "Party pooper" Mark slurred back and picked up the shot glass to shake above his mouth. Joe shrugged and shook his head. "You'll thank me in the morning." Stumbling off his chair Mark began to wobble his way towards the door. A woman who sat at a table nearby caught his eye. "Damn you! Damn you…Add – is – un" She threw him and ugly look, but he didn't respond. Instead he sighed and fell out the door, removing the keys from his jacket pocket. "Addison is mine." He mumbled in a drunken stupor and slid behind the wheel.

"Meredith" Derek's soft voice called out from the distance. She turned to meet his nearing gaze and he flashed that heart fluttering smile. "Derek" She responded and smiled as well. As he stood beside her he pushed back his lab coat and rested his hands in his pockets. "Word going around is there was somewhat of a fight up here. What happened?" She laughed gently and began to walk forward, Derek followed. "Hardly a fight, but definitely interesting" The look on his face meant he was waiting for her to tell him the details but she knew that as soon as she had to explain, the smile on Derek's face would probably fade. "Well, Mark was angry at Alex, so he left the hospital…" Suddenly Derek stopped moving forward and narrowed his eyes at her in a confused manner. "Mad at Alex?" He asked, watching her closely. She nodded and glanced off to the side. "Because…of Addison"

"Addison?" Thoughts racing through his mind were numerous. "Is she okay?" He asked suddenly, catching Meredith off-guard. "She's fine. Why? His interest almost made her wonder. "No reason. I had just seen her earlier today and she didn't look so well. Meredith, it's not a crime to care about my ex-wife" He nodded, flashing another soft smile. "But it does seem a crime to care about –" His voice turned to a whisper and he pulled her off the side "my super sexy intern" He planted a soft kiss on her lips and broke away. "Duty calls" She felt his kiss linger as he walked away, he was still unaware of the happenings around him.

"Addison?" Alex asked and intertwined his fingers with hers. The feeling that surged through them was electrical. "Yes?" She answered tenderly and closed her eyes, taking in the moment. "I like…this" He smiled crookedly and she sat up slowly to meet his dark eyes. "I like us" He added. The love that seemed to pulse through that gaze was unlike any Addison had ever felt before. "Us" She repeated. "It has a ring to it" They both laughed softly and leaned in for another kiss. "Us" He repeated and placed his hand gently on her stomach. She placed her hand over his. "The 3 of us"