Addison slipped back into Izzie's room, quietly dropping her bag and kicking off her shoes. She pulled back the sheets and eased into bed, careful not to wake Izzie.
Addison sat up, head on her hand and contended herself watching Izzie sleep. Gently, she brushed a few stray blonde hairs from Izzie's forehead and snuggled down. Closing her eyes, she welcomed sleep to take hold of her again, but it wouldn't come. Her talk with Derek had clearly woken her up beyond repair.
So she continued to watch her sleeping lover, enjoying the gentle rise and fall of Izzie's chest and the slightly pink blush to her cheeks. Addison couldn't help but smile as she looked at Izzie. She feared it was uncontrollably contagious how she felt about Izzie already. It had only been a week but still no one outside the house knew. However, Addison was sure that if anyone cared to ask her who put the smile on her face all day, she couldn't help but tell them.
Yes, it would be complicated. She wasn't entirely sure how Richard would react. He had apparently been understanding of Preston and Cristina's relationship – presumably because Preston informed him first hand. However, he initially wasn't happy at the thought of his head of Neuro-Surgery dating his old mistresses daughter. Probably because they kept it a secret, Addison mused. Now, it was fine. And contained. Derek and Meredith knew, and as far as Addison could estimate, they would both respect them enough not to gossip.
True, she and Derek had been divorced for over half year now, but that didn't mean she didn't know who he was anymore. They were on fair terms now, but even if they weren't, she knew Derek would be the last one to run off and trade saucy gossip with the nurses by the water cooler. Meredith hadn't told Cristina, so Izzie had said, because she didn't want it getting round and back to Derek. Well now Derek knew, would Meredith be so inclined to keep it to herself?
Addison wanted to tell the Chief out of her deep respect for him, but she was afraid it was too soon to broach the subject with Izzie. Was it too soon? Was Addison making too big a deal of the fact they spent the last seven nights in each others arms? Was she moving too fast?
On the other hand, it won't be long until it got out, and Richard found out from someone else. He would be so disappointed that she hadn't confided in him first, especially as Izzie was an intern.
Deep in thought, Addison didn't notice that Izzie was stirring from sleep until she felt a warm arm around her waist.
Izzie had done this automatically as she woke, checking that Addison was still sleeping next to her. Then she realised that Addison had left earlier to sneak out before everyone woke up. Izzie's eyes flickered open and struggled to focus from lack of sleep.
"Addy?" she murmured, yawning deeply. "I thought you'd gone."
"Oh, you mean when you kicked me out?" Addison teased, stroking her cheek. "I came back."
"Why?" Izzie asked, moving forward to snuggle into Addison's shoulder.
"Because Derek caught me," Addison whispered, kissing Izzie's forehead. "Coming out of your room. We talked."
Izzie nodded lazily. She let this information filter through to her brain. Startled when she realised what had actually happened, she awoke properly and pushed herself up onto her arms. "What? Shepherd caught you?"
"It's all right. I mean, I'm sure it's something for him to think about. But it'll be all right," Addison smiled, pulling Izzie closer to her. "Don't worry."
"And he's OK? His head didn't implode? I thought you said his head would implode."
"Well, it didn't. He thought I was trying to get back at him," Addison told her, wearing a mock grave expression on her face. "And I was. So there's no need to be sleeping with you anymore. Job done."
"Shut up. You're not funny or cool," Izzie snorted, rolling her eyes.
"I'm a little bit cool," Addison smiled shyly.
"Not. One. Bit," Izzie told her firmly, punctuating each word with a kiss. "You just think you are."
"So does everyone else," Addison said seriously. "It's all they talk about. 'There's McHot over there looking all cool.' That's what they say."
"Sure. Bit of a contradiction, don't you think?" Izzie teased.
"Contradictions, Dr Stevens? A smart model. Who knew?" Addison joked.
"You really wanna play the model card, huh?"
"Hey, I'm McHot, I can play anything I want," Addison grinned.
"I seriously wish I'd never told you about McHot," Izzie groaned, smoothing back Addison's hair. She paused, looking at the red head intently. "So. Derek knows. Everyone else will soon."
"Probably," Addison nodded.
"So we should tell the Chief, right? That would be the thing to do here. I mean, that's what Burke did and it was all fine."
Addison grinned widely, just nodding.
--
Addison yawned and tried to concentrate on what she was supposed to be doing. She glanced up at the clock on the wall of her office, which told her it was exactly twenty eight minutes until her meeting with Richard. She rubbed her eyes, willing herself to feel more awake when she heard a soft knock at the open door.
She looked up to see Izzie holding two cups of coffee and smiled.
"You OK?"
"Apart from the significant lack of sleep Dr Stevens, I'm fine," Addison sighed, standing up to take the coffee and close the door behind Izzie.
"No one's here. You don't have to call me that. Pretend to be all 'professional'," Izzie grinned, tugging on the neck of Addison's lab coat to pull her in for a kiss.
"You're just lucky I have blinds, Dr Stevens," Addison murmured into her lips.
"So after you've told the Chief, you just gonna keep them open? Everyone out there could learn a thing or two," Izzie joked quietly, kissing Addison with fervour. She took hold of her Attendings' waist and pulled her round to the desk, sliding Addison on top of it.
"Izzie," Addison gasped, as the blonde started kissing her neck, deftly undoing the top button of her blouse with the greatest of ease. Addison looked up at the clock. "There's twenty six minutes until I meet the Chief."
"Then I'll make 'em count," Izzie breathed into Addison's ear. "It'll have to be a quickie. Think we can manage that?" Izzie asked, both her hands sliding under Addison's pencil skirt, softly travelling upwards. "I know how you prefer a long, slow screw."
Addison shut her eyes and tried to think of dead puppies, African famine, baseball (What the Hell did she know about baseball?): Anything that would make her at least half as aroused as she was now so she could function and wouldn't cave in to Izzie's demands.
Suffice to say, her attempts were in vain as Izzie hooked her fingers into the waistband of her underwear and slowly, agonisingly pulled them down.
"Oh, God, Izzie," Addison rasped into Izzie's hair, pulling her close.
"Call me Dr. Stevens. I know how you like it," Izzie dared, her teeth grazing Addison's neck.
"Shut up," Addison commanded, pulling Izzie's lips to hers for a needy kiss. She grasped the back of Izzie's head, her hand tangled in her hair. She kissed Izzie hungrily and didn't stop kissing her, as if her starvation would never be sated. "Dr Stevens," she breathed into Izzie's skin.
"Addy," Izzie whispered, trailing her kisses from Addison's mouth, down her throat, to her neck and chest. She eased Addison's skirt up gently, kneeling down.
Addison Forbes Montgomery gripped the table and squeezed her eyes shut. In this moment, she remembered the very good reason as to exactly why she had been feeling perpetually exhausted for the past week. There was no stopping, or pausing, or just cuddling up with a good film for some teenage-type chaste kissing. There was need and passion and the spark between them which would knock out the power for at least half of Seattle.
It wasn't just a need for carnal pleasure, whoever it may be with. This was about Izzie, and her and them being together in this way; an all consuming urge to feel and touch and kiss. To feel the others bare skin against theirs and drive each other crazy with desire
In all truth it scared her rigid. She couldn't remember being so instinctually attracted to someone where it got to the point when she had to have them, when it felt like oxygen was short during all the long minutes in between being together. Losing control was something that Addison Montgomery detested – Giving complete control of her to someone else was even worse.
And if there was one thing Dr Isobel Stevens was good at, it was making her surrender control so completely and make her thankful for doing so.
Addison's nails dug into the soft wood of the desk, her toes curled in her shoes and she was doing her very, utmost best not to scream in ecstasy.
So preoccupied was Addison with the earth shattering waves of pleasure reverberating through her body, she didn't hear the door open.
"Dr. Montgomery, the patient in three—"
A chart clattered to the ground and the disturbance interrupted the tightly woven spell Izzie had cast. Addison's eyes flew open and she looked towards the door.
George O'Malley, her intern for today, stood agape at the door, an empty space between his hands where the chart had been.
He stared at her. Not speaking. Not moving. Not even closing his mouth. As if he could stay completely still and no one would notice him.
"Addison, what…?" Izzie started, confused and peering up. She followed Addison's stunned gaze towards the door and saw her best friend standing there motionless. "Oh, God," she muttered, quickly getting to her feet. Her back to George, she discreetly wiped her mouth with the cuff of her lab coat and turned round, her body covering Addison.
For a while, neither George nor Addison moved, with Izzie searching her highly educated mind for something to say. She guessed she didn't have to explain – the situation pretty much spoke for itself.
"O'Malley," Addison spoke finally, her voice sounding dazed and high pitched. "Did you want something?"
George flickered to life, like someone had pressed his 'on' button.
"I… You… the patient… You know what, I can… I can come back later," George stammered, turning to exit. He spun around again, ducking to pick up his chart and practically ran out the door.
Izzie turned to Addison, kissing her motionless lover swiftly on the cheek. "I'm gonna go after him."
Izzie had sprinted out after her friend as Addison nodded slowly, "Good idea."
-
Izzie ran down the OB GYN corridor after George, seeing the flicker of blue scrubs in motion before her. She called after him, but he didn't let up. She could see he had stopped at the elevator, hammering the call button. Impatiently, he ducked into the next door along which led to the stairwell, with Izzie an arms length away from him.
He stopped, letting himself fall against the wall, squeezing his eyes shut.
"George, why did you run?" Izzie asked, her heart racing. "I'm sor—"
"I am so embarrassed," George squirmed, still not opening his eyes. "I am so, so embarrassed. I'm so sorry."
Izzie put her hands on his shoulders and let out a small laugh of relief. "It's OK, George. Don't be sorry. It was an accident."
He opened his eyes and looked at her in disbelief. "It was an accident? So you just tripped, fell and ended up... Uh… Doing that?"
"Shut up, George. Not that. I meant you walking in. Was an accident. Could've happened to anyone. Addison needs a lock, I'll tell you," Izzie sighed, shaking her head and trying to inject some levity into the situation.
"So you and…" George trailed off.
"Dr Montgomery," Izzie filled in the blank.
"Wasn't an accident?" he half-squeaked. Izzie smiled at him again. His shock and innocence was adorably endearing.
"No. That wasn't an accident," Izzie told him sombrely.
"Is Dr Montgomery your girlfriend?" George goggled, his voice reaching ridiculously high pitches for a boy.
"I don't know about 'girlfriend.' Perhaps a 'special lady friend?' " Izzie joked, trying to relax George.
"This isn't funny!" George exclaimed, clenching his fists, startling Izzie with his anger and annoyance. Her smile faded instantly. "What are you doing, Iz? Why did you lie to me? How couldn't you tell me?"
"I don't know," Izzie said sarcastically. "How could you go off and get married without telling me?"
"That's different! She's your boss! She's an Attending!" he spluttered.
"Are you actually kidding, George? It's pretty obvious around here that Interns dating above their station is hardly a sacking offence," Izzie snapped. "You and Callie, you goddamn hypocrite."
"That's different, that's… that's…" George stammered, his face reddening by the second from embarrassment.
"Because it's different? Because it's me and Addison," Izzie nodded, understanding perfectly, tasting bitterness and feeling tears prick her eyes. "George, in ten minutes, Addison is going to walk into Chief Webbers' office and tell him about our relationship," Izzie bit every word angrily. "Everyone in this hospital is going to be scrutinising us and gossiping about us by the end of the day. Do you not think I'm terrified? Don't you think I might need some support instead of childish crap?"
George dropped his eyes and slumped down on the bottom step. "You're right. I'm sorry."
"OK," Izzie sighed and sat beside him.
He looked up her slowly, with a sad sort of smile, shrugging. "I don't care that you're with Addison. Wait. No. I didn't mean it like that. I mean, I do care. I do care. It's just not a… thing." He sighed deeply and tried to start again. "I mean – I just want you to be happy, Iz. You've been so sad… And I've been happy, with Callie. But still sad because you were sad and I couldn't do anything and… I'm glad you've found someone that could make you happy," he said, taking her hand in both of his. He broke out in a wide grin. "Plus she's McHot."
Izzie laughed softly, shaking her head.
"I'm sorry I freaked. It's just that was the last place I expected to find you," George mumbled, going red at the memory.
"What?" Izzie asked, playing dumb with a smile teasing her lips. "Going down on Addison Montgomery?"
"La la la," George hummed loudly, his hands flying up instantly to cover his ears.
"Quit acting like you're so delicate, George," Izzie said, rolling her eyes and shouldering him. "You're forgetting sex-machine-George and the time I saw you completely naked and ready for action."
"Stop it!" a furiously blushing George pleaded, burrowing his head in his arms.
"Come to think of it – Maybe that's what turned me," Izzie teased thoughtfully.
"Do you really think?" George asked, crestfallen.
"No," Izzie said obviously. "I think it was one red-headed Attending taking me hard against—"
"La la la!" George practically yelled, covering his ears again.
Izzie smiled and pulled his hands down to his lap. "Are we OK?"
"Of course. As long as you never tell Callie what I saw," George said seriously. "She might get jealous."
"No George, she'd want a foursome," Izzie grinned. "That Callie's freaky, I'll tell ya."
George opened his mouth to retaliate before stopping and deciding not to take the bait. "You're kidding, right?"
"Yes," Izzie told him convincingly, pulling him into a hug. "Maybe."
George pulled back, staring hard at her. "Izzie."
"Kidding. Of course," Izzie waved dismissively.
"I… Shut up," George said decidedly, pulling her into a quick hug.
--
It took Addison a minute to recover use of her body, but when she did, she jumped off the desk and slammed shut the door. Breathing heavily, she looked at the clock sharply.
How the Hell was she supposed to see the Chief in this condition?
She had to. There was no cancelling or turning back now.
Water, I need water, she decided, opening to the door to head to the bathroom.
She paused, realising that her underwear was still lying beside her desk. She snatched them up quickly and put them in her pocket.
She made her way to the toilets without acknowledging or looking at her fellow workers. Once inside, she checked that no one was in any of the stalls and stared at herself in the mirror.
She couldn't help but laugh at herself and the state she was in. Having said that, any woman interrupted mid-orgasm would have reacted the same way. She splashed some water on her cheeks and hot forehead, sighing. Inside her head, she scolded herself for acting so stupidly.
"Get it together," she told her reflection sternly. She withdrew her underwear from her pocket and slipped them on. Smoothing herself down, and drying her face, she decided she was ready to see the Chief.
Richard Webber sat at his desk, massaging his forehead. He had just heard some news, albeit not intended for his ears, and was gravely troubled. He knew fraternisation between hospital staff couldn't be avoided. There were some relationships in the hospital he did know about and many more encounters he was sure he didn't want to know.
But this one worried him to no end, especially as it involved an Attending he had a soft spot for and an intern he knew was going through some difficult times. If he knew, it was only a matter of time before the other staff involved in this romantic entanglement knew. And such news could only cause friction and hostility.
Still, Addison Montgomery would be in his office at any moment and Richard hoped there was a damn good explanation for all of this.
A faint knock at the door signalled the start of the meeting that Richard was sure to get no enjoyment out of. He nodded towards the door.
"Come in, Addison."
She opened the door, smiling nervously and closed it delicately behind her. He gestured to the chair in front of his desk which she accepted.
"Richard, I'm glad you could see me—" Addison started as she wrung her hands together.
He sighed and shook his head. "Addison, I think I know why you wanted to see me."
"Oh?" Addison enquired faintly, feeling her hands started to moisten.
"You said it was a personal matter you felt you should bring to my attention. And I'm afraid to say that someone else has got there before you," Richard said, standing up and perching on the edge of his office couch, to the side of Addison.
"W-Who was this?" Addison asked, clearing her throat mid-sentence.
"It doesn't particularly matter, Addison," Webber exhaled. "And I respect that you wanted to tell me first. But the news of another one of my Attendings being romantically involved with an Intern doesn't exactly fill me with joy. Especially this Intern."
"Chief, I know it's complicated," Addison started, readying herself for whatever he might say. She had no idea he would react this way to Izzie. A part of her felt gravely annoyed that he would take such exception to their coupling over everyone elses.
"It's more than complicated," Webber said warningly. "It's stupid. You know how fast gossip travels this place. It's a wonder we ever save any lives from the amount of personal scandals and hearsay around here.
"Richard…"
"And have you thought about Dr. Torres in all of this?" Richard ploughed on. "I thought you two were friends. And now this? How do you think she'll feel having to work with you both everyday?"
"Dr Torres?" Addison blinked, not quite sure what she was hearing. "She's nothing to do with this. I mean, I'm sure she'd be fine—"
"Fine?" Richard repeated, standing up and pacing. "I know I'm not one to lecture about this sort of thing, Addy, but she will definitely not be fine. Think about how you felt working with Meredith."
"Meredith?" Addison echoed, sitting up straight. She couldn't believe this. She balled her fists inside pockets, shocked and angered by his reaction. She had expected so much more from him than to list all the people her relationship might make uncomfortable.
"I know it's a difficult time. Losing a loved one, early marriage and I can understand that he must be a mess," Richard said, running a hand over his head. "But this affair can't continue at Seattle Grace, Addison."
Addison stood up indignantly. "You can't fire any one of us for this, Richard," she told him dangerously. "It's illegal and you know it."
"Well it can't go on!" Richard said loudly, holding his hands up. "I have a hospital to think about! I don't want to lose you or him but that's the way it'll have to be!"
"Richard—" Addison started, ready to yell at full capacity. But she paused, tilted her head and smiled funnily at him.
"What? You think this is funny, Addison?" he said angrily. "Because let me tell you, breaking up a marriage isn't funny!"
She laughed softly, flopping down in her chair and shaking her head. Her quiet laughter turned into bursts of hilarity and before long she was uncontrollable.
"Addison," Richard said sharply.
"I'm sorry, Richard," she said, wiping her eyes and trying to calm down but she couldn't help her utter amusement at the situation.
"Addison, you better explain yourself very quickly," Richard said, moving round to face her.
"Who am I having this illicit, clandestine affair with?" Addison asked, struggling to wipe the smirk from her lips.
"What?" Richard echoed, not sure where she was going.
"Who?"
"George O'Malley," Richard said slowly, looking at Addison like she had gone insane. She whooped with laughter again, covering her mouth to stifle her giggles.
"No, no I'm not," Addison said breathlessly, trying to compose herself.
"You're not having an affair with O'Malley?"
"No. Absolutely not," Addison confirmed, shaking her head vigorously. "I am not having… No. One hundred percent not. Where did you hear that?"
"One of the nurses overhead O'Malley in the stairwell arguing about you," Richard said carefully as he sat down behind his desk. "But they—"
"They got it wrong, yes," Addison grinned, feeling more laughter rising. Slowly, the Chief cracked a smile and not before long he was laughing heartily away with Addison at the absurdity of the situation.
"Well," Richard said, trying to catch his breath. "I'm sorry, Addy."
"It's all right. I was confused why you were taking it so badly," Addison sighed through mirth, shaking her head and raising her eyes to the ceiling. She winced. "My stomach hurts from laughing."
"Taking what badly?" Richard asked before realisation dawned. "You are seeing an Intern…"
"Yes, Richard, that's what I wanted to talk about. That's why I got mixed up," Addison said, suddenly becoming very serious. She sat forward, studying at him intently.
"Karev?" he broke in, his face relaxing.
"No," she said quickly. "Stevens. Izzie Stevens."
Richard couldn't help the fact that his eyes had widened considerably and his mouth was hanging agape. "I'm sorry?"
"Izzie Stevens," she repeated, becoming slightly uncomfortable.
He started to laugh again, in spite of his seriousness. Addison still studying him, not sure how he was taking this. "Well I understand why you were so upset," he chortled. Slowly a smile spread over Addison's face.
"And you're OK with this."
"And I'm OK with this," Richard nodded, smiling. "Don't get me wrong – I'm not happy about another Attending-Intern affair. You'll have to be careful this doesn't affect your work."
"Of course," Addison nodded resolutely.
"And thank you for coming to me," he said, nodding with a quiet respect. "And Stevens is a lovely… girl. I'm glad you're happy."
"Thank you," Addison said, relieved beyond words. She stood up to leave, feeling emotionally exhausted.
"And you know me, Addy, I'm hip," Richard shrugged awkwardly. "I'm down with whatever… flies. I'm all about the… rainbow."
"Good to know," Addison said, bemused.
"You know I have a cousin—" he started, before Addison held up her hands.
"Thank you, Richard," she smiled, bowing out of his office.
--
Addison sighed deeply once outside Richard's office and clear of his window.
"So. How'd it go?"
Addison looked up to see Izzie on bridge in front of her, leaning on the side and looking outside the hospital. Addison smiled, standing next to her.
"Hilariously well," Addison smirked, discreetly taking Izzie's hand by her side and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We have a problem though."
"What?"
"The Chief thought," Addison paused, shaking her head. "He thought that George and I were together. Instead of you."
"Seriously?" Izzie said, trying not to laugh.
"Yes, seriously. It's all round the hospital, Izzie," Addison said, biting her lip. "I have to go talk to Callie."
"Sure, yeah," Izzie nodded, looking out over the hospital floor. "God, they've been married two minutes. She'll be looking to tear George a new one."
"I should probably find her sooner, rather than later," Addison said, concerned. "I'll find you later on for the Dalton premy's heart surgery."
"I'm scrubbing in?" Izzie asked, delighted. "Wow. Sleeping with the boss does have its perks sure enough. I shoulda listened to Cristina and Meredith a long time ago."
"You've been working with the mother for the past month," Addison told her. "You deserve it. I cleared it with Miranda weeks ago. The only perk of sleeping with this boss, Dr Stevens, is all the amazing sex," she added in a low voice, grinning.
"It's better than nothing," Izzie sighed, smiling back as Addison walked away, slowly letting go of her hand.
--
Addison was aware that everyone was talking about her and her fantasy affair with O'Malley. She walked into a room and everyone stopped talking. As soon as she left, they resumed chattering like chipmunks on speed. They looked at her in the corridors and made a show of swerving to avoid her. In truth, Addison Montgomery felt like the concentrated human embodiment of the Ebola virus. She was sure it would be only hours before everyone started screaming in terror and running the opposite way.
She'd searched the orthopedics ward for Callie and hadn't found anyone willing to tell her where the resident was. Sighing, Addison headed for the locker room, hoping to find Meredith or George. At least they knew the truth and didn't entirely hate her.
As she approached the door, she heard raised voices, or more accurately, one raised voice. Callie IphegeniaO'Malley Torres sounding like she was in the process of 'ripping George a new one.'
Cautiously, Addison peeked round the door to see George, his back flat against a row of lockers, and Callie paced like a caged wild cat.
"—George, if you're going to deny something, you might wanna make it sound at least a little plausible. Are you telling me everyone in this hospital woke up this morning and pulled this 'theory' out their collective asses?"
"Callie, I would—I would tell you. But I can't. It's Izzie, she—" George stammered, doing his best to explain.
"Izzie. Am I surprised?" Callie asked rhetorically.
"I—"
"No. Not really, George. The answer is I'm not surprised. Might've known this would have something to do with your weird, secretive friends," Callie groaned, throwing her hands up.
"Callie," Addison called from the doorway.
"Addison. Maybe you can explain why everyone thinks you're having an affair with my husband—yes, George, you are my husband—Because he seems entirely incapable of stringing a few words together," Callie said, frustrated.
"Yes," Addison nodded, coming in and closing the door. "I'm sorry, George, for all this."
"That's OK, Dr Montgomery," George mumbled, looking at the floor. "I promised Izzie I wouldn't say anything until she was ready."
"Again. I'm still not understanding. Someone want to tell me what's going on?" Callie was near enough begging for answers.
"Callie," Addison started. "George and I aren't... We're not together. We haven't ever been. And really not ever likely to be."
"OK," Callie breathed out. "So why is everyone saying this?"
"Because someone misheard George and Izzie talking," Addison said slowly as she sat down on a bench.
"So someone was eavesdropping and deduced that you were having an affair?" Callie asked, not quite believing it. She turned to George. "What were you saying?"
"Nothing! I was saying nothing!" he protested.
"It wasn't him," Addison shook her head. "It was Izzie."
Callie massaged her temples, still not making sense of the situation.
"What does Izzie have to do with any of this again?" she asked, exasperated.
"Because… Because it's Izzie that I'm seeing. Izzie and I are together. And George just found out this morning—"
"Not my fault," George added quietly.
"And Izzie went after him and talked to him. Someone overheard and just assumed the wrong intern," Addison shrugged, smiling nervously.
"You're seeing Izzie, not George," Callie clarified. Addison simply nodded. Callie let out a deep breath of relief. "All right. Wow, I was worried. I didn't really believe it, but you know there's always that small nagging doubt at the back of your mind."
"George is one hundred percent faithful to my knowledge," Addison affirmed.
"Good," Callie laughed. "Pretty funny mix-up."
"Yeah, everyone's avoiding the O'Malley's mistress," Addison said as she rolled her eyes. "You should've seen the Chief."
"You told him already?" Callie enquired.
"Not long ago. He assumed I was talking about George instead of Izzie and gave me a proper dressing down for breaking up a marriage," Addison smiled. "Public defender of love and matrimony. When we realised what had happened, it was funny."
"I bet. So how long you been together?" Callie asked, interested though not at all fazed.
"Only a week. But you know the rumour mill around here. Just wanted to get things straightened with Richard," Addison nodded.
"Must be pretty serious, huh?" Callie said, leaning back and folding her hands over her chest.
"Think it might be," Addison said hopefully.
"I can't pretend to be Izzie's best friend but I hope it works out," Callie said sincerely. George looked incredulously between the two women having a casual conversation.
"Seriously?" he interrupted. "You're not the least bit freaked out?" He glanced at Addison and mumbled, "No offence, Dr Montgomery."
"Freaked out?" Callie repeated, confused as she stood up and brushed herself down. "Why would I be freaked out?" She took a moment to consider this. "Oh, right. George, don't be so nineteenth century. Sometimes I forget there's so much you don't know about me." At this, she winked at Addison and headed for the door. "Don't tell me you've never hopped the fence in your time. What else did you not do in college?"
"Hopped the fence? Why would I hop a fence? What fence?" George babbled. His eyes went wide. "Izzie was right. You do get freaky."
Callie grinned at him and turned to Addison. "I'll start putting all the sympathetic morons right about your love affair with my husband."
"Appreciated," Addison nodded smiling as Callie closed the door. She turned to George, whose mouth was agape.
"My wife likes girls," he said simply. A small noise, much akin to a puppy's whine, escaped his throat.
"Think yourself lucky, O'Malley," Addison told him as she crossed to exit. "A lot of men would kill to be in your position."
--
"Hey! Hey Dr Montgomery, wait up!"
Addison paused to wait as Karev caught up with her and then continued to walk as he followed.
"Am I scrubbing in on the premy?" he asked quickly.
"Why would you be? You've not been on the case, you're assigned to another Attending. There's no need for me to ask for your services in the OR, Dr Karev. I think I'll manage fine without you," Addison drawled, stopping at the elevator.
"But O'Malley's scrubbing in, right?"
"Yes. Because Dr O'Malley's assigned to my service this week," Addison told him as if it was the most obvious answer in the world.
"I'll bet he is," Karev muttered, turning to walk away.
"Excuse me?" Addison said, her eyebrows raised.
"We all know about you and Bambi," Karev said sharply. "You might have at least told me instead of avoiding me all week."
"Why would I confide anything in you, Karev?" Addison asked, stepping into the elevator. Alex jumped in with her to continue the conversation in a more secluded place.
"Because there's stuff going on. With us. You kissed me," Alex told her, his hands on his hips.
"Yes Karev, a while ago if I recall. Put it down to a poor lapse in judgement," Addison said, watching the lights illuminate the floor numbers.
"What gives? Why you off with George?"
"Nothing 'gives' Karev. And to enlighten you - I'm not with O'Malley," Addison informed him.
"That's what everyone's saying," he shrugged. The elevator doors opened.
"Well everyone is wrong," she threw over her shoulder as she walked away.
--
"Olivia, I'd like you to check on Mr and Mrs Henderson before you go home tonight, if that's all right," Addison said, scribbling her final notes on the chart and handing it back to the nurse. "I think she's a prime candidate for post partdem depression and I want you to keep an eye on her."
Olivia took the chart and muttered something under her breath as soon as her back was turned. Addison paused.
"I'm sorry, what did you say, Olivia?" Addison asked, blinking.
Olivia turned back round, looking at the ground.
"She said adulterous whore," a voice from behind the desk said.
"Excuse me?" Addison called out, not believing her ears. Nurse Jackman stood up, folding her arms and looking angrier by the second.
"She said: Adulterous. Whore," Stephanie Jackman repeated, coming round the desk to stand face to face.
"I think you'd better—" Addison started, clearly flustered.
"It's what we're all thinking," another nurse spoke up. "If you're going to discipline her, then discipline all of us."
"Still won't make it any less true," Jackman told her.
"I think—I think you better take a step back," Addison told them, holding a hand out, her nervousness evident into her voice.
"We all like George. And we don't think it's fair the way you're taking advantage of him," Olivia said, looking up.
"It's actually a funny story, when you hear it," Addison trailed off, looking at all of them.
"Well we don't think it's that funny," another nurse added.
Izzie Stevens was returning some paperwork to the station when she saw four nurses rounding on Addison like hungry wolves.
"What's going on?" she asked, stepping in between Addison and the others.
"Izzie. We're telling Dr Montgomery here what we think about her messing George around," Olivia said, sure that they were getting Izzie's additional support for their cause. "We think it's wrong and she should be sacked."
"Sacked?" Izzie echoed.
"It's not right," Nurse Jackman nodded. "And until she's gone, we're going to make her life Hell."
"Too right!" a nurse concurred.
"Hey, hey!" Izzie shouted, putting her hands up. "Why don't you all back the frickin' Hell off?"
"Izzie you're George's best friend – Why aren't you standing up for him?" Olivia asked accusingly.
"Because there's nothing to stand up for," Izzie spat. "You all like to gossip and talk about other people's lives regardless of whether it's true or not."
"Izzie," Addison whispered urgently at her back. But Izzie just put her hand behind her to grab hold of Addison's, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"It is true, I was the one who heard it," Olivia said defensively.
"And what did you hear, Olivia?" Izzie asked, her eyes blazing. "Two people arguing so you drew your own conclusions? George and Dr Montgomery aren't having an affair."
"She's just defending her because Montgomery's her boss. She doesn't care about her friend – she just wants more surgeries," Jackman told them all.
"Surgical interns," one nurse spat. "You'd stab your own mother in the back if it meant you got to hold a scalpel."
"George isn't… Addison… I…" Izzie trailed off, as the small baying mob were accusing her of all manner of crimes. She turned to Addison who tried to smile at her but failed miserably. Izzie was resolute. There was only one thing to be done.
"Hey!" she yelled over the escalating voices, calling their attention. With them all looking at her, Izzie grabbed the back of Addison's head and kissed her passionately. Addison was shocked at first, but saw where she was going with this. To be painfully honest, Addison didn't care. She just let herself enjoy being kissed by Izzie, sliding a hand into her blonde hair.
The rest were quiet. Izzie wasn't sure if it was because when she kissed Addison the rest of the world could turn upside down for all she knew or because they had actually stopped. Izzie pulled away from Addison and spun round.
"OK," she said breathlessly. "Anymore questions? Comments?" No one responded. "Good. OK. For all of you just tuning in – George O'Malley is not with Addison Montgomery. I am. So. You can all apologise to her. And then we're going home."
The nurses, once they had regained control of their vocal chords, all looked away and muttered an embarrassed apology to Addison before dispersing to the four corners of the hospital. Izzie looked round at Addison, grinning.
"Izzie," Addison started softly.
"Shut up," Izzie laughed, rolling her eyes. "I know. I'm you're knight in shining whatever."
"Sure," Addison smirked, caressing Izzie's face. "You fancy a drink?"
"I fancy a lot more but that's a good place to start," Izzie grinned wickedly. "Shall we?"
"We shall," Addison nodded graciously, taking Izzie's hand.