Derek had finally convinced Nancy to go home two weeks later. Addison had cried every night but this time she didn't need Nancy. Derek vowed that this time she wouldn't need anyone else. He would be there for her no matter what. It was Addison first day back to work and Derek could tell she was nervous. Derek had hardly made an appearance at the hospital since his wife had gotten there. He didn't want to leave her at all but Richard needed him for a few consults.

The Shepherds walk into the hospital together. Derek stands close to Addison and holds her hand tightly. He wanted to make her feel safe. She looks up at him and gives him a half-hearted smile.

"You'll do great." He tells her. The elevator stops and Meredith along with the other interns enter. Meredith looks at Addison and sees her hand intertwined with Derek.

"What the Hell is this!?" She demands. Addison looks down feeling guilty. Derek squeezes her hand.

"This is my wife, Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery-Shepherd. Starting today she'll be working with us at the hospital." Derek says calmly.

"You're married! You are freaking married!" Meredith screams hitting the stop elevator button. "How did this not come up in all the times we slept together!?"

"It's a complicated story." Addison whispers tearfully. "I am so sorry."

"Addie we've been over this." Derek says pulling her to him. "None of this is your fault. I love you and I promise it's going to be okay. Now can we please get the elevator going."

Derek knew Meredith deserved an explanation but he wasn't about to tell Addison's story to all the nosy interns. Once Addison was settled she sent Derek off to talk to Meredith. Derek loved that Addison cared so much about everyone. She was never one to be spiteful.

"Hey." Derek says entering his office. He'd paged Meredith there to meet him. "Please sit." He gestures to the seat across from his desk.

"Why'd you lie?" Meredith asks sitting down.

"Look I need to promised not to go spreading this around okay?" Meredith nods and Derek continues, taking a deep breath. "I was an absent husband for the last eighteen months. We'd been trying for a baby and had no luck so I threw myself into work. I sent my best- well ex, best friend Mark to take care of things. Addie's birthday, Christmas, God even or anniversary. Well one night I get out of surgery early and decide to make it up to her. I had missed my Addie. I get home and right away I know somethings wrong." Derek stops as he feels nauseous just thinking about it. After a moment he continues. "I hear a whimper from upstairs and go to find what was going on. When I enter my room Addison and Mark are naked in our bed."

"Oh my God." Meredith gasps. "She...She cheated on you?"

"That's what I thought." Derek admits tearfully. "I threw her into the rain before deciding I'd be the one to leave. I didn't let her explain...I j-just left. But two weeks ago my sister shows up and tells me the truth. Addison didn't cheat on me. Mark raped her and I let it happen. I let it happen and then I left her." Derek is sobbing. "God what kind of husband am I? I didn't even listen I just left. I-I should have known. I came here and cheated on my wife and the whole time she was broken and needed me,"

"Oh Derek. It's not your fault it's his."

"I want to kill him, if I ever see him again I swear…" Derek threatens. "I'm sorry Meredith. I never should have used you like I did."

"It's okay Derek, it really is. We probably wouldn't have worked out anyway and I see how much you love Addison." Meredith tells him with a smile. "I have to get back to work. I'll uh see you around."

A/N okay so here is chapter 2! In the next chapter Mark will arrive. I know it seems fast but I'm not sure how long I'm going to make this story so for now I'm just going to roll with it! -Kaila