A/N: I am definitely not updating as fast as I would like, sorry about that. Forgive the filler chapter too please. Unfortunately, I need it to get where I want to go with this story. I think.

Thanks for the reading & reviews. I appreciate it.

Disclaimer: Don't own.

CHAPTER 7

Carlisle heard the familiar click of Addison's heels the second she stepped foot in the hospital. It took every last ounce of self control he possessed to allow his hands to slowly finish the stitches he was busy with.

Her husband was with her.

He straightened his shoulders, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand.

Addison's breath hitched in her throat the second she entered the E.R. Carlisle Cullen was impossible not to notice. The kiss they had shared – or rather the kissed she tried sharing with him – was painfully etched into her memory.

Unbeknownst to Addison, Carlisle was reliving the same memory. Even the venom setting his throat on fire was nothing compared to the overwhelming mixture of feelings rushing through him at her touch.

He was unable to ignore her as she passed, though he immediately regretted it when he looked up. Time seemed to freeze as their eyes locked, both doctors unable to attempt moving.

It was Addison who looked down first, blood rushing to her face. She couldn't even imagine what he had to think of her – a married woman, forcing her kisses down on him.

Carlisle recognized the defeated expression on her face despite her downcast eyes and he looked down at the patient again.

He would not let Addison affect him, he could not afford it.

Though she tried her best not to notice, Meredith could not help but see the quiet glances shared between Addison and Dr. Cullen.

No innocent bystander would read anything into the intimate looks. Meredith however, being guilty of sharing those same looks with Derek Shepherd time and again, recognized the barely masked desire in their eyes.

A smile graced her face as an idea slowly formed in her head. Perhaps she should attempt pushing the pair closer together – without them noticing of course.

Her conscience was soothed by the fact that it would make Addison and Carlisle happy. Not to mention that it would give her and Derek the chance to finally be together without anything standing in their way.

It was Carlisle who approached Addison first, blissfully unaware of the intern watching their every move carefully.

"Addison…"

Addison's heart skipped a beat when his fingers closed around her arm and Carlisle took a step back, having heard the unusual change of rhythm in her heartbeat.

"I'm sorry, I…"

Addison gained herself quickly, looking up at him. Her hand moved automatically, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Hey."

"I was going to the cafeteria. Would you like a cup of coffee?"

He took a step closer when noticing her hesitation.

"Addison… we're friends. I don't want that to change. Please?"

She nodded slowly, linking her arm with his.

"You're right. I could use a cup of coffee."

The warmth of her arm linked through his burnt through his lab coat as they slowly walked to the cafeteria.

All eyes in the cafeteria shot to the exceptionally attractive pair as they entered the cafeteria – Derek's included. A pang of jealousy shot through him as he noticed the sparkle in Addison's eyes.

He could not remember when last he was responsible for that sparkle. Probably when they were still residents.

Somewhere along the way, he had simply stopped noticing her.

Now, suddenly, he noticed the way her hair framed her face, her eyes gleamed, and her radiant smile.

She had lost weight – it made her look strangely vulnerable.

Derek stood suddenly, not noticing that the scraping of his chair against the floor drew half the cafeteria's attention – including Addison and Carlisle's.

Addison sighed miserably upon seeing Derek flee from the cafeteria hurriedly.

Carlisle held her back when she made a move in his direction.

"Don't. It's an innocent coffee, Addison. We are friends. Don't give him mud to sling."

Addison nodded.

"You're right. We… we said we'd try harder, so I should wait. Trust him. Like he should trust me."

"Exactly."

Electricity ran through him as their fingers touched and he pulled away instantly, heading to the table without meeting her gaze. She could not know how he desired her. Not because of her husband, but because of her humanity. He'd hurt her. And he'd never forgive himself for that.