Meredith welcomed the snug warmth that the taxi provided, as she slid in. She was really here… Seattle. She had left her husband, and flown across the country in the dark of the night. And now she was here. And she finally had a chance to move forward.

'Where to miss?' the taxi driver asked, as the door shut behind her.

Meredith frowned. Where did she want to go?

Cristina. She really wanted to see Cristina. But what about Izzie? She could go back to her old house, and then she'd have somewhere to stay…

But…Cristina wouldn't get it. She had stability. She would tell her to get over McAss, there were plenty more fish in the sea. It was easy for her to say. Izzie would be all optimistic and helpful, telling her that everything would work out fine, and that they were just a 'little' complicated right now. She wasn't sure she could handle that…

What Meredith really wanted was someone who knew…someone who understand. Someone who would sympathise, but know when to back off. They'd know because they'd have been there before.

And she had just the person.

There was an address, buried deep on her phone, in the parts of her phone book that she never touched. It had been given to her on her last day in Seattle, and she had sworn that hell would freeze over before she used it.

Circumstances had changed. Derek cheated on Meredith, hell froze over, same difference in Meredith's eyes. The world was different now.

It was time to pull out that number.

Meredith's fingers slipped over the keys of her phone, wondering, praying, that it was the right thing to do. She instructed the cab driver, to the address given to her. She wasn't sure if the couple had moved in her five-year absence, but she was willing to give them a try.

As the car sped through the streets of Seattle, Meredith began to wonder whether the pressure in the plane had caused a seizure or something. She was surely going insane. First, separating from Derek, and then running straight into the arms of…her?

Of all the people in Seattle she could have chosen, and she chose them. It was ridiculous.

The taxi pulled up, in front of a stylish, red brick home. Clipped, manicured lawns stretched out behind the pavement, a neat, curving path leading up to the front door. Two, identical black Porches were parked on the drive, both sparkling, despite the miserable weather. There truly was no doubting who lived here.

Meredith handed over her money, before sliding out of the cab and onto the pavement. They had to be home at least…

Upon close inspection a large, arching window at the front of the house, revealed the inside of their living room. Expensive, brown leather couches, polished wooden floors and cream shagpile rugs. The coffee table had a matching brown coffee mug, meticulously placed on the edge.

Slowly, Meredith raised her hand to rap smartly on the wood of the front door. What would they say when they opened the door to see her? Would they mind her intruding like this?

It seemed she didn't have to worry about this. Nobody answered her. Nobody stirred within the house.

Meredith sighed, wondering what she was supposed to do now. She hadn't really formed a back up plan just in case they were at work.

She glanced at her watch. She was so stupid! It was ten o'clock in the morning. Of course they were at work. But…how did she explain the cars?

Suddenly, she heard thumps coming from inside, and two people yelling. Meredith frowned, knocking a little harder, hopeful that they would hear her.

'Coming, coming, coming!' a male voice called, laughter tinging the edges, 'Hang on,'

And then the door was swung open only to reveal Mark Sloan himself, standing there, laughter still etched upon his rugged face.

'Hey Mer,' he opened the door a little wider, 'You know, when I said, come by whenever you're in Seattle, I sorta meant on a day when I was working, and when I wasn't having sex,'

Mark grinned at her, and then peered, almost anxiously over her shoulder, 'So…uh…where's that good husband of yours?' he asked, as if expecting Derek to jump out from the bushes suddenly. When no such thing happened, Mark laughed, 'Old bastard, probably hiding from me, wanting to send me into early cardiac failure,'

Mark laughed loudly as the sound of bare feet padding against carpet reached Meredith's ears.

'Babe, who was it?'

Addison Montgomery Sloan was walking down the stairs, towards the front of the house, buttoning up a blue dress shirt of her husbands. Her long legs seemed to go on forever and her red hair tousled.

Addison's gaze swung around to see Meredith, and her hazel eyes widened.

'Uh…hi?' she offered weakly, wildly tugging the shirt she wore, closer to her knees.

'I was just waiting for old Derek to try and 'be funny' again,' Mark laughed, 'The old geezer is keeping us waiting,'

Addison flashed her husband a brief smile, that didn't quite reach her eyes. She inched closer, and her eyes narrowed, as if she was analysing Meredith.

Mark continued to babble on, blissfully unaware of the two women, staring at one another.

Addison's eyes were filled with confusion, as if she could read Meredith like a book, but the plot just wasn't making sense. They took in Meredith's appearance, sweeping up from her sneaker clad feet to the top of her

'You're not ok,' Addison said abruptly, cutting over her husband chatter.

Mark fell silent, his face morphing into a mask of concern.

Meredith shrugged helplessly. She couldn't exactly say everything was perfect.

Addison frowned and then finally said, 'Derek's not going to show up, is he?'

'What did you do?' came a loud voice, as Derek walked into the hospital the next morning. He was so tired, he hadn't slept a whole hour last night. He had never realized how much he depended on Meredith to get sleep, until she wasn't there for him to hold.

He lifted his drooping eyes slightly, to see a young woman marching towards him with a forceful march.

'What the hell have you done!' the woman cried angrily, as she neared him.

'Good morning Dr Leyton,' he sighed.

'Good morning? GOOD MORNING!' Jess bellowed, 'For who? Lying adulterous bastards?'

Derek winced as the nurses around them stopped work. Interns froze, suddenly interested, and even patients families seemed to be listening in.

'Because, it sure as hell isn't such a good morning for your wife, who is alone!'

He dropped his head again. He deserved this. It was his fault. He deserved to be torn to shreds after what he did.

'What the hell did you do to her!'

He felt two fists wrap around his scrubs, shaking his violently, 'You drove her out! You pushed her to the edge! I watched her, crumble, piece by piece, you selfish bastard,' Jess accused, 'And now look what you've done!'

'Jess, Jess, Jess!' he heard Kyle call out, running to Derek's aid, 'Meredith knew what she was doing. She wouldn't want you creating a scene…'

A sharp shard of pain shot through Derek's heart at the mention of her name. He missed her. She couldn't be gone. He needed her. It had just taken him so long to see.

'Jess, leave him, he's not worth it!'

The resident hissed loudly, and thrust a sheet of crumpled paper into his hands before releasing him. He stumbled back and looked up to meet her icy eyes, 'I hope you're happy,' she spat, before stalking away.

Meredith's closest friend backed off, and Kyle glanced at him. He opened his mouth as if he was going to say something, and then he stopped abruptly. He winced and then sighed, 'I should…go…' he mumbled.

Kyle tore after his wife, who was almost at the nurses station by now.

'Wait, Jess, wait!' he cried, barely catching up with her.

He wrapped an arm around her slender waist, kissing her dark hair tenderly. She said something to him, harsh lines on her face evident. Kyle replied something softly, dropping another kiss into her hair. And then Jess's face softened into a relaxed half-smile, and they walked off, arm in arm together.

They were happy. They were married and they were happy. Kyle was a good guy, who wouldn't cheat on his wife, or even think about it. Kyle was a guy who married the girl he loved, despite the fact that the Chief discouraged inter-staff relationships. He was proud the call Jess his wife.

Was Derek ever that guy? Yes…he was. There was a time. Before New York, before Mt Sinai, that he had paraded Meredith around everywhere, introducing her as 'his wife, Meredith,'

He had been so proud, to show off the beautiful young woman, who he loved more than life itself. There had been a time, when all he wanted to do was get home to his wife, and snuggle beside her because…he could.

Where had that guy gone? The good guy Derek once tried to be? Why hadn't he stayed longer, because, maybe if he had, Derek wouldn't be lined up for a second divorce.

Derek unwrapped the crumpled piece of paper in his hand. Meredith's scrawly, doctors handwriting filled the page. It was written in an obvious rush, with an emotional Meredith penning it.

Dear Jess and Kyle,

By the time you read this, I will already by on my way. I would like to tell you where I'm going but…I'm afraid that Derek might catch wind. I quit. I'm throwing the towel in or…whatever. Months, no…years, I have spent, waiting for him to see me, waiting for him to open his eyes, and come home for once. But, I can see, that I have been delusional. Derek's never going to realize that he once had me. Maybe he wasn't the best thing for me…

Derek's heart ached. He wanted her to take it back. To pull her into his arms, and promise her, over and over again that he was going to try to be the very best for her. He wanted to tell her that he'd changed. But he was to late. Years to late.

I just wanted to thank you, both, for offering to be friends with me. It's not exactly easy being friends with your boss, but you guys stuck by me. Please, learn from my mistakes. You two are so very lucky to have one another.

I have to go, I have to pack, before I leave.

Thankyou so, so much, once again. I love you both,

Meredith watched as Addison darted around her kitchen. The only sound that flowed between the door women was the chink of a spoon on china.

'Sugar?' she offered, placing the mug in front of Meredith.

Meredith declined politely. She was stupid to come here. Addison was so awkward, even now, almost six years on since their whole love geometry. But it was still awkward.

In the brief months between Derek and Meredith's marriage, and their move to New York, Addison and Meredith had both been forced together, and under the watchful eyes of their husband and fiance, had melded a very weak, very fake friendship. That of course meant to Derek and Mark, that the girls could go out together, and have coffee and paint each others toenails, sharing deep conversations. But usually, the 'girls night in' turned out to be Addison and Meredith going to work, or Meredith leaving Addison in one store as she floated down to LL Bean.

The boys had never really cottoned on to the tension that still remained between Addison and Meredith.

But now, Meredith almost wished she had tried harder, to gain Addison as an ally, because, right now, she really needed someone to talk to. She had never felt this way before in her life, but she just wanted someone to tell her the honest truth. Would she be okay?

'So…you're back in Seattle?' Addison asked formally, sitting opposite her. Addison's body language screamed tension. Her legs were entwined firmly, her hands folded pertly across one another.

'Uh…' Meredith bobbed her head noncommittally, 'Yeah. At least for now,'

'Have you talked to Richard yet?'

Her voice oozed business, like she wanted to get this conversation over and done with.

'No. Not yet. Do you think he'll have something for me?'

'Well…' Addison's shaped eyebrows dipped slightly, 'Maybe. Where's Derek?'

Meredith's previous wishes to tell someone had evaporated completely. She didn't want to tell anyone that she had left him in their house, an absolute wreck last night. But…

'Um, back in New York,' Meredith offered vaguely, shrugging.

'So why are you here?'

'I…I…'

Addison raised an eyebrow, making Meredith feel very immature. Addison always had that effect on

'He cheated on me,' she blurted out.

Addison's entire body slacked in shock. Her jaw loosened, in a very uncouth way, and she sat frozen. Meredith almost laughed. She knew the feeling well. Addison just stared at her in horror. She closed her mouth, biting on her bottom lip.

'No…' she murmured, 'He wouldn't…'

She uncrossed her legs, leaning forward suddenly, 'Are you okay?'

Addison stopped, frowning, and then sighed, 'Let me rephrase that, are you going to be okay?'

And then Meredith knew why she came. Because Addison did get it. She understood completely how Meredith was feeling right now.

Meredith shook her head furtively, 'I don't know the answer to that just yet…'

Addison nodded, 'It will get better. In time.'

Meredith tried to imagine it. Tried to imagine a future, without Derek, with her smiling and laughing. But she couldn't see anything. She couldn't even see beyond the next ten minutes. Who knew where her life would be soon?

'So what are you plans while you're here?'

'I…don't know,' Meredith replied truthfully.

'How long are you here for? Where are you staying?'

Meredith smiled wryly, shaking her head again, 'I don't know,'

The older woman's eyebrows raised slightly, and Meredith sighed, 'I'm running away,' she confessed, 'And I didn't plan it. I didn't stop to say goodbye to my friends before I left. I just knew one thing. I had to leave. I didn't know that man anymore,'

The red head nodded, 'Ok,'

This was why Meredith came. Addison didn't question her reasons for running away. She knew how it felt, to be so betrayed, so alone, to be living with a stranger. Those last few months with Derek had been cold, like he just couldn't be bothered any more. She wished that she could have her McDreamy back. The guy with the swagger, and the sexy twinkle in his eye. Not the guy who cheated, and simply didn't care. But now, it didn't matter, because, she was here, in Seattle…starting again. Derek was the past. He was over, another chapter closed. She had to stop thinking of him.

Addison stood up, looping their now empty mugs around her fingers. She dumped them in the sink unceremoniously where they landed with a loud clatter. She seemed to be thinking, internally fighting with herself.

'Talk to the Chief, he'll give you a job,' Addison said quietly, 'And…if…if you want, consider our spare bedroom yours,'

By morning, everyone knew that Meredith was gone. Orderly's skirted around him in the halls, whispers following his every move. In the OR, he heard them behind his back.

'I bet he's still seeing her, Mina, of course, bastard never really did love the woman,' a nurse whispered.

'I heard, they only got a divorce because Derek was involved in the black market. You know, like, selling organs after the autopsies.'

'Are you serious that is disgusting!'

Derek hated those nurses with a passion. So he had to hide. He had taken a lead from his wife's book, and was heading towards the tunnels.

He jogged down the darkened corridor, enjoying the echoing silence.

'I just can't believe it,' a female voice said sadly, 'She's really left,'

'I know, but, we'll talk some sense into her,'

Jess. Kyle. Shit.

Derek darted into another corridor, pressing his back up against the wall, praying that the Leyton's didn't see him. His presence probably wouldn't go down so well these days.

He couldn't believe she was gone either. She was his wife. And to think that she was under the impression that he didn't love her, broke his heart. It was all lies. He loved her. He needed her.

Where could she have gone? Where could she run to in the middle of the night?

There was a nagging voice in the back of his head, that wondered, whether she had made it there safe, whether she was already repairing herself and moving on. Would she be happy, even when he knew he may never smile again?

'Hey guys,' Derek heard a weary voice join the resident's conversation. Derek stuck his head around the corner to see Maria, another of Meredith's old interns clambering onto the gurney beside Kyle and Jess. Maria's brown hair was falling loosely around her shoulders, the blonde highlights illuminated by the weak sunlight streaming through the small window up the top.

She had always been the quiet one of the group. Incredibly intelligent, but had always kept to herself. Her grandmother, and sole protector had died the year she started her internship. Meredith had taken the poor intern under her wing, and turned her into the brighter, chipper young woman she was today.

Derek had been proud of her 'children', and he loved watching the motherly instincts that came out whenever Jess or Maria were struggling.

'Hey Maria,' Jess sighed, 'Did you hear about Meredith?'

'Who hasn't?' Maria laughed softly, crossing her legs, 'The nurses tell me she's moved to Alaska,'

Kyle snorted, 'Why do I doubt that?'

Derek slunk back against the wall, deciding that he would get something from the vending machines. As he studied the food behind the glass, he continued to listen in. Meredith was close to Kyle and Jess, and despite what her letter said, maybe, they had an idea of where she could be. He needed to know.

More echoing footsteps were head, heading down the hall. Derek couldn't see who it was, but apparently that person wasn't wanted there because a collective groan ran through the group.

'Hey guys,' a sickly sweet voice hollered. Her voice was to high, to fake, to…sugar coated. He didn't need to see a face to know who that was. Mina. He hadn't spoken to her since their…incident. He was still in denial about Meredith leaving, he didn't have time to face her.

Nobody in the group responded. Stony silence met his ears.

'Can I sit here?' she pleaded.

'No,' Jess replied instantly.

'Oh come on,' Mina whined pitifully, 'We're friends remember?'

'Uh…no,' Maria supplied obnoxiously.

'When we were interns, we had the best fun, don't you remember? Why can't I sit here?'

'Because…' Jess said loudly, with the obvious, fake air of thinking, 'Oh, that's right, I like being married. And I happen to want to remain married to my husband. Can't have that with a slutty whore who goes after married men around,'

Derek shook his head. He knew Jess was sticking up for her friend, but, did Mina really have to get in the way?

'Yeah, I love my wife, apparently, unlike Dr Shepherd, so I'm going to give you a no too,' Kyle offered.

Mina obviously looked to Maria for help, 'So baby, no go here either. I like Meredith. And I believe in marriage,'

Mina stomped her foot, 'You'll regret this, when I'm getting better surgeries with Dr Shepherd, and you're stuck in ortho. I guess I'll see you round,'

Mina stormed off, and the three residents began to laugh.

'See ya round,' Jess taunted.

Derek straightened up. He had heard enough. He had to clarify things with Mina. He had no intentions to continue anything with her. And he had to find Meredith. His world had turned on it's axis when she walked into his life, and spun out of control when she left. He didn't know how to exist in a world without her. It was that simple.

He slipped down the passage, unnoticed by the residents, wondering if he could ever make life the same again.

I turned my back on you and me 'cause I was scared to see
That we weren't who we used to be

Ok…I hope you guys liked this chapter. I'm not quite happy with it. (Surprising isn't it?). This is written at like…ten o'clock at night for me. I'm exhausted. But I wanted to get this…awful chapter up. It's probably the worst chapter I've written so far in this story. Apparently having no dialogue last chapter, meant I needed a lot of dialogue this chapter. Thing should even out next chapter, I hope. Ok… Meredith running to Addison…that seemed logical to me. In the first edition of this story (which is shamefully pathetic) Addison and Meredith were long time pals. It was also Alex/Addison. I've since changed my mind. But, when I thought about it again, it made more sense for Addison and Meredith's relationship to still be a little awkward, and for them to work on it. Addison was the most logical person for Meredith to run to. She's seen absent Derek, she's…experienced cheating. She'd get it. What do you guys think of it? If I have to axe their friendship then I will, but I just don't think Izzie and Cristina would get it like Addison would. Tell me what you think…