Chapter Seven: Confidence.

Addison took a deep breath and smoothed her dress over her hips, she wasn't ready for this; to face Naomi but she had to do it.

Sam could feel the elevator fill with tension as they stood side by side, he was nervous, he wasn't looking forward to this but he knew he had to be there for Addison what she was about to do took a lot of courage – courage that he hoped she had.

He knew Naomi might be awkward about it, that she might still resist the idea but he also knew she would come around – he knew her better than anyone else and he knew that she loved Addison and that deep down she wanted her to be happy. He knew that when it came down to it she wouldn't be able to live with herself knowing that she had deprived her best friend of a shot at happiness. He tried to swallow his nerves and remain calm as he reached down and squeezed Addison's hand.

"I'm here" he told her simply before they broke contact and waited for the elevator doors to open.

They were greeted by a slightly bewildered Pete.

"Sam, Addison," his greeting was more of a question than a welcome "Is everything ok?"

"Everything is fine Pete" Sam stated, finding himself being sincerely civil "We've just come to see Naomi, is she around?"

Naomi, of course, Pete twigged, Sam and Addison were here to talk to Naomi – the look on Addison's face couldn't hide her anxiety- they had come to tell Naomi they were together, to ask, rather pray for her blessing.

"No, she's not here- she's in Milwaukee with William, he has sister there and..." Pete began to explain.

"Naomi's not here" Sam repeated in a knowing voice. This was typical he had worked himself up to this, watched Addison work herself up and now Naomi wasn't here and not only would they have to wait, feeling it looming over them, they also had to go through it all again once she was back. Sam rubbed his hands over his head.

"Ok, thanks Pete" he said with a sigh before heading back to the elevator.

Once they were alone inside the elevator Addison let out a a frustrated sigh – she just wanted to get this over and done with, get it out in the open so that she could deal with the consequences. This was her growing up; not running away – it was going to be harder than she had first anticipated.

"Don't worry," Sam soothed "We'll tell her as soon as she gets back."

Addison nodded, she knew Sam was trying to make her feel better, trying to help her stay calm and she appreciated it – she could see how frustrated and anxious he was too and yet he was trying to calm and reassure her, putting her first.

"It will be good for all of us," Violet enthused "time for us to bond and offer support."

Violet looked around at the sea of unenthusiastic faces infront of her – she knew her news might not be met by overriding enthusiasm from all but she thought they would at least be grateful of her efforts.

"Addison, you"ll agree." Violet said as Addison walked into the kitchen.

"Agree to what?" Addison enquired as she poured herself a mug of coffee from the pot.

"A weekend away," Violet did her best to sell the idea to Addison; she really could do with the support. " A team building weekend; a chance for us all to get away and get back on track."

Addison considered Violet's proposal for a second, a team building weekend, no wonder Cooper, Charlotte and Sam were looking so unimpressed. She couldn't imagine Cooper crawling through a muddy assault course in the name of team bonding and Charlotte King having a heart to heart was even more difficult to imagine. They were all looking at her, waiting for her answer, waiting for her to save them.

"I think it's a great idea," she smiled "we'll all clear our schedules."

The whole room looked at Addison in amazement – even Violet, she didn't think Addison would agree.

"Ok, great," Violet said as a satisfied smile crept across her face "I'll go and book it."

Charlotte exited the room and although no words left her mouth her facial expression was enough to tell Addison and the rest of the room that she was less than impressed.

"Team building," said Cooper as he grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl and headed towards the door "great."

"Hmmm" commented Sam as he picked up on Cooper's less than subtle negativity.

"It will be good," smiled Addison knowing that Sam wouldn't be anymore enthusiastic than the rest of the group "lots of good, useful, happy bonding time." Addison said in an almost sing-song voice as she exited the office sipping happily at her coffee.

Team building was just what they needed and sure it was pretentious and touchy-feely and self-examining but it would also give them all a chance to be together, to talk, to come to terms with Dell's death. Plus, she felt she wanted to do something for Violet, to show that she trusted her, respected her and wanted to carry on working with her and being her friend. She wanted Violet to know that there was no bad feeling between them, that she was happy for her and Pete.

"Team building huh?" smiled Sam as he entered Addison's office.

"It will be good for us all," answered Addison quickly glancing at Sam before continuing to read the email she had started "give us all time to reflect"

"Poorly organised self help groups run by egotistical nosey women who enjoy picking at your life and telling you how theirs is so much better," grinned Sam as he made his way over towards Addison's desk, moved her keyboard and perched on the desk infront of her stationing his legs either side of her body "That's what you said the last time you were asked to go on a team bonding weekend."

"That was the old Addison," Addison couldn't help but smile at him, he never forgot anything, the occasion he was talking about was years ago in medical school "the new Addison embraces opportunities to self reflect and bond."

Sam smiled "Hmm. Nothing to do with the new Addison wanting to show Violet she's ok with Violet and Pete then."

Addison couldn't help but smile at him, she never thought she'd find someone who knew her as well as he did, he understood her, he understood her reasons and furthermore, he didn't question them.

She stood up from her chair and positioned herself directly between his legs bringing them face to face. Sam's hands instinctively found the small of her back and rested there. Addison put her arms around his neck interlacing her hands and letting her arms drape over his shoulders.

"Does the new Addison go out to dinner?" Sam asked.

"With the right man." Addison replied with a smile.

"The right man, ok" replied Sam thoughtfully "I'll send him this way if I find him."

Addison smiled at Sam's teasing, she liked that he was so confident, that he was sure of himself in a non Mark Sloan kind of way.