a/n: Sorry about the delay everybody! I feel bad because you've all been so good about reviewing and then I go and disappear off the face of the earth for a week. Sorry about that. Who knew reality could be so troublesome? I much prefer my little denial world that I've created here. Too bad life doesn't like me to visit very often. Anyways, not important. Here, go read now. I'm sorry it's short.
disclaimer: Really, if we all band together, I do believe we could take over Shondaland. Until then, I own nothing.
She knew it was inevitable. She knew the second Callie blew up in the cafeteria that the hospital would be buzzing with the news of her and Alex. She also knew the second Callie blew up in the cafeteria that she was going to have to deal with a second scene.
She tunes back into Mark's rant in time to catch, "God, what are you thinking, Addie? Your intern? I mean, you must screwed him right around the time you slept with me. Did I do something to make you angry and you need a revenge screw?"
Addison looks at him incredulously. How is it that he can turn everything to center on him? "No, Mark, I didn't need a revenge screw," she says.
"So what made you do it then, Addie?"
"I'm allowed to sleep with whoever I want, Mark! You don't get a say in my sex life! You don't get a say in my life at all! It's not any of your business! Especially not now!"
"Oh, so I'm just supposed to be okay with you running around, sleeping with everyone you see, and coming back to me whenever you get bored?"
Tears spring up in Addison's eyes. She knew he would be angry, but this is low, even for Mark. She blinks back the tears long enough to snap, "It's what I've been doing with you for the past year." Then she turns on her heel and quickly walks away before she can break down into tears. If she were less emotional, she would notice Alex following her.
She finds an empty supply closet and promptly closes the door, sinks down, and starts to cry. Alex comes in within ten seconds. Within another five, she's sobbing into his shoulder. When she calms down, he looks at her. "Sloan is an ass," he announces. "You can't listen to him, Addison."
"But that's the thing," she sniffs. "He's right."
"What? You aren't like that at all."
She laughs bitterly. "Sure I am. I cheated on my husband with his best friend, I stayed with Mark for months before chasing my husband, I slept with you, left, then I slept with Pete, came back, and slept with Mark. I don't know who my baby's father is. Let's face it. I'm a complete slut."
"Addison, you're not a whore."
"No, I'm not," she agrees with a sardonic smile. "Because then at least I'd be getting paid for sleeping around."
"Stop it."
"Well, it's true. And, anyways, it doesn't matter. I just have to-"
"Montgomery, snap out of it!" he finally snaps.
She is taken aback. She's always the one to yell first. "Look at me," he commands when she won't meet his eyes. "Addison, look at me." He waits until she finally makes eye contact. "You can't let Sloan get to you. He's an asshole and he's going to try to make you miserable. The only way to fight back is to not let him. Okay?"
"I… I just… He says he loves me," she practically whispers.
Alex shakes his head. "He doesn't. Maybe he thinks he does. But you don't love someone if you can say the things he says to you."
She smiles wryly. "And you know this because you're such an expert?"
He pretends to be offended. "Oh, I get it. I chase you down to a closet, I cheer you up, and you insult me. I get it."
She laughs. "No, it's not like that. I promise. I'm grateful. Really."
"Not a problem," he smiles.
"Well, thank you."
They sit in silence for a moment, this time incredibly careful not to touch, although neither would admit to that. Finally, Alex says, "You know, mess up your hair and straighten your clothes when we go out, and we can pretend we just had sex."
She snorts. "You are such a pig."
"I'm just looking out for you. It can't be good for your rep if word gets around that you were crying in a closet."
"Looking out for me, huh?"
"Look at it this way… It'll drive Sloan crazy," he says enticingly.
It only takes a second for her to stand and start running her hands through her hair, trying to achieve the effect of sex-mussed hair. He smiles, watching her. "I can't believe you're actually going for this," he comments.
She glances at him. "I want revenge for making me feel like this, and pushing him off the roof isn't an option. You're the next best thing.'
"Oh, thanks," he says sarcastically. "Glad to know the roof tops me."
"No, I just-" Addison starts to explain.
"Chill. It's cool. Look, I'll go now. Wait two minutes or so, then come out. It would help if you could look a little guilty."
Before she can answer, he pushes the door open. She waits for two minutes or so, then exits the closet, tugging down her skirt and combing her hair with her fingers. She notes the nurses whispering with a certain amount of satisfaction. She hears one of them whisper something about hot closet sex. Addison just looks at her and smiles mysteriously.
This sets off an entirely new round of whispers and she has no doubt the fact that her rendezvous with Alex in the supply closet will be around the hospital within the hour.