Disclaimer: See chapter 1 or 2.
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Right Kind of Wrong
Chapter 7: All the Pain
There's no way to explain
All the pleasure is worth all the pain
Part 2:
Addison Montgomery had never disappointed a date.
That was because she always had it planned out. She could recite the outline of every date in her head.
She always dressed nicely, put on make-up, and styled her hair. So, when the guy picked her up, the first comment he made was about her appearance.
As they road in the car, they talked about occupations. She could tell from this very moment if he was worthy of another date. It didn't matter the profession, just the level of ambition.
When they ate at the restaurant, he ordered a steak and she ordered a salad. Always. And they talked about family, lifelong dreams, favorite hobbies, and hometowns.
Then he drove her home. On the way home, they conversed about the food and the service at the restaurant. If he complained too much, she knew he would never be able to reach her expectations. Addison was an optimistic kind of girl.
Then, if she had a good time, she would give him a polite kiss on the lips. If he was boring, but all together a sweet guy, he would receive a kiss on the cheek. A self-obsessed jerk was left with an unfulfilled "I'll call you."
Never had she invited a guy up to her apartment on the first date.
Okay, that was a lie.
Only one, but that was Derek.
Alex doesn't count. They went back to his place.
So mostly never.
But this was the second date. Second dates were filled with excitement, because she truly didn't know what was going to happen.
She could truthfully say that she had never been on a second date that included her ex-husband and his ex-mistress.
Addison hated not knowing what to expect. When she doesn't know something, she tends to doubt herself. What was I thinking? A date with my ex, his girlfriend, and the guy I slept with a couple nights ago.
She corrected herself. You know Alex means more than that.
But still, what am I going to do?
At first, she was so sure of herself. She wanted Alex to feel included. It was comfortable, just Alex, Meredith, and Derek. She knew these people well.
But the more she thought about it, the more she regretted the idea.
In fact, after the talk with Mark, she had a new plan.
She actually had made a list of conversation topics on a note card, which she hid in her purse. Just in case Derek and Alex decide to have a jealous staring contest and Meredith shuts up.
A tiny make-up kit, tissues, tampons, and condoms were also stored in her purse, for emergencies.
She was ready and prepared. She stood at her door, waiting for Alex to ring the bell.
At 7:02, he knocked on the door.
Right on time. She thought.
He was dressed impeccably. She never imagined that he could look that sexy in a suit. He gave her that cocky smile of his. She almost stopped and ran back into her suite to get a camera. She wanted to e-mail his picture to all of her high school classmates. That would be fun. Wow. He looks great.
Alex couldn't take his eyes off of her. He was sure she planned the light blue slimming dress that showed off her hips and cleavage. Her eyes and hair shined. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked, but he was pretty sure he had already mentioned that ten times today at work.
So he said "I've been looking forward to this all day."
That was half-truthful He really did want to be with Addison. He just wasn't looking forward to Derek Shepherd. He knew that he was competing against eleven years of marriage and that Addison still thought about Derek.
But, like Addison, Alex had a plan.
Addison stepped out of the elevator and held Alex's hand as they walked out of the hotel. She started to pull him to the lot where her car was parked, but he stopped her. Alex pointed across the street. "That's our ride."
Parked across the street was a black stretch limousine.
Addison squeaked.
She LOVED limos.
She jumped up and her curls bounced. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed her cheek. It made him incredibly happy to see her smile like that. His grin matched hers.
He led her towards the limo and she squeezed his hand. She didn't see him wink at the driver, a longtime friend of his.
She was concentrated on Alex and his thoughtful gift.
Then, her playful smile turned to a wicked grin.
She knew just how to thank him.
Alex was in for one wild ride.
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Earlier that day
Mark Sloan trotted around the corner of the hospital. He had done everything Addison said, including digging out his blue sweater from the bottom of his dresser. He hadn't worn it in a long time because, well, it reminded him of Addison. Now he was ready to move on.
He made his way to the cafeteria, where he knew Izzie would be. He needed to get there before she met her friends. He didn't want an audience for this.
She was sitting there, reading a book with her glasses on. Her blonde hair tumbled on to her shoulders. Her legs rested on the chair across from her under the table.
Mark sat down at the table. She looked up over her glasses. "What are you doing?"
Before he could speak another word, she blurted out sarcastically "Oh- wait- do you need some more coffee? Because it's not my job, as a surgical intern to run your errands for you." She rolled her eyes.
He tried to seem nice. He didn't want his ego to scare her away. "I know. I thought I made it up to you."
She took a bite out of her carrot. "And what did you do? Make another sexual comment?"
He became very uncomfortable. "No, I let you in on that surgery. I asked for you."
Her face softened. "That was you?"
Now he was embarrassed. "Yeah. So?"
She leaned back in her chair. "I thought Bailey had asked for me, you know, after the whole Cristina thing. So, under the rugged and cocky exterior, you're really a nice guy?"
He smiled. "I guess you could say I have the whole package."
She nodded. "It's really too bad I've already dated one of those guys. Then he cheated on me."
He winced. Ouch. That's pretty straightforward. "Well, you don't have to date me. I just need a date to the Yang/Burke wedding." He put on his sexiest smile. "I would love for you to accompany me."
Izzie burst into laughter. "Are you serious?"
His face fell. Then she realized. "You are. Wow. I- I..." I don't know what to say! He looks really handsome in that sweater. "It's just really unexpected. I never thought...I would love to."
His smile was brought back. "You will?"
She recovered. "Oh- but I'm already going with George. I'm sorry."
Mark looked down for a second. Then he looked right back up and faked a smile. "It's all right. Maybe next time?"
She smiled. "Definitely. Sure. The next wedding."
He laughed. "Or coffee. Would you like to get a drink sometime?"
"I have a lot on my plate right now."
"I understand." Wow. That might be the worst rejection I've ever gotten. That might be the only rejection I've ever gotten.
"Maybe if you stop being a jerk to everyone and stop sleeping with the entire nursing staff."
He looked surprised at her forwardness. "Okay. I'll work on that."
There was an awkward silence. Then he stood up. "I guess I'll see you later."
"This won't affect my career, right?"
Mark laughed again. "Yeah, I think you'll be okay. You know, Addison thinks pretty highly of you."
Izzie's eyes widened. She does? Before she thought that I was an adulteress whore. And against God. Which I'm not. It's perfectly okay...
"Yeah, she said you were the best. She has a lot of faith in you. Don't let her down. Too many people have already."
"I'll have to thank her for the kind words."
"You should." He starts to leave.
"Dr. Sloan?"
He turns back around. "It's Mark, when we're not in the O.R."
She blushed. "If my plans change, you'll be the first one I'll call."
He smirks. "Can you let me know anytime soon? I've got to get a date."
Izzie pauses. "Well, I know Callie Torres, the orthopedic surgeon, doesn't have a date. You could take her."
Mark thinks for a moment. Isn't she married now? To an intern? I forget which one...Oh well. It must not be the same person. "Yeah, that would be a good idea. We should sit together at the wedding."
Izzie speaks quickly. "No no. That would be a bad idea."
Mark looks confused, but Izzie decides not to explain. "Do you know Callie Torres?"
Mark displays a playful smirk, which makes Izzie suspicious. "Yeah, we've...met."
He turns around and leaves her staring.
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Derek Shepherd checks his watch. Addison and Alex were thirty minutes late. He knew Addison could be fashionably late sometimes, but this was ridiculous.
Then, Addison burst through the doors of the restaurant, followed by Alex. "I'm so sorry we're late." She looked genuinely apologetic, but there was a sparkle in her eye.
Her hair was messed and her lipstick was slightly smeared. Alex put a hand on her back and whispered "You might want to go to the bathroom."
Addison blushed and excused herself.
Before Alex could sit down, Meredith asked him "What did YOU two do on the way here?" The rise in her voice hinted amusement.
Alex seemed surprised and frightened at the same time. "Wha- What would make you say that?"
Meredith grinned. "Well, the way you guys rushed in and how Addison looked and the fact that your fly has been unzipped since you walked in led us to believe you had a little fun on the way here." As she said the last words, she and Derek started laughing.
Alex turned red and discretely zipped his fly back up. Then he sat back down in his chair. He murmured "Thanks" and looked down at his napkin.
Meredith was still laughing. "While you were driving?!"
Alex shook his head, still not making eye contact. "I rented a limo."
At that, Derek burst out laughing.
He turned to Meredith. " Addison loves limos."
And then he said more quietly. "They make her horny."
Alex was about to die of embarrassment. But then, Derek said "She did the same thing for me when I got her one for our fourth anniversary. Best anniversary present ever. Then, I tried to get a limo every anniversary after."
Alex's head perked up. He put his angry face on again. Then he stood up. "I'm going to make sure Addison's okay."
Meredith shook her head at Derek. "Try not to say stuff like that."
Derek actually felt bad. He put his arm around her and kissed the side of her face. "You know I love you. And you look beautiful tonight."
Meredith cursed herself for falling under his spell. "Thank you." She paused and then looked at him. "Do you want me to do that?"
Derek groaned uncomfortably. There was really no right answer to this question. "Umm...if you want to."
Meredith decided that he had suffered enough and dropped the subject.
By the woman's restroom, Alex was about to knock and then Addison opened the door. "Hey." She smiled sexily and wrapped her arms around his neck to nibble on his ear.
Good God. What is this woman doing to me? Alex thought. He pulled his face away from hers. "So, Derek told me about the limos back in New York. When you were with him."
Addison frowned. She didn't want to talk about Derek. She wanted to enjoy the moment. "So?"
Alex shrugged. "So...I just don't want everything I do to remind you of him. I'm trying to do new things and it's not working."
Addison laughed. "Don't worry about it. I'm not thinking about him. I'm thinking about you. And trust me, everything you do is better...and bigger."
So now, Alex felt better. He smiled to himself and ignored his envy. "Let's go eat."
When they came back to the table smiling and holding hands, Derek breathed a sigh of relief. He had not ruined everything.
They ordered their food. Derek had requested the lobster while smiling at Addison. "Remember the lobsters?"
Addison laughed. "With the old man? And the scarf?" They both cracked up. Once again, Meredith and Alex felt like outsiders. This including plan was not working.
Up until their food arrived, Derek and Addison shared memories about their time in New York. Even afterward, with food in their mouth, they threw around anecdotes. Meredith and Alex were silent.
Until Alex spoke up. "So, how's the race for chief going?"
Then Derek and Addison became quiet. Addison fidgeted. "It's okay."
Derek scowled. "Mark is probably going to get it, with all of his charm and wit and 'Right Now Plan'."
Then, another awkward silence came about. Meredith thought It was almost better when Addison and Derek wouldn't shut up about New York
Then Addison thought of something. "Meredith, I was talking to Mark a few days ago and he said something about a Dirty Mistresses Club."
Meredith choked on her food. Derek patted her on the back. "What is that, Mer?"
"Umm. It's just something Mark made up when he visited from New York. It was all him. I never said a word."
Derek smiled. "It's okay. You can talk about it. He didn't come on to you, right?"
"No, of course not." Except for that once. But he comes on to everyone.
Addison leaned against her elbow. "Actually, he was talking about asking Izzie Stevens to the wedding."
Now, Alex spit out his wine. "WHAT?"
Addison turned toward him. "What? You don't think they would make a cute couple?"
Alex slammed his hand on the table. "That son of a bitch! I can't believe he would do that! He's just going to take advantage. I hope you told him not to."
Everyone in the restaurant was staring at him. They had all heard his outburst. Addison fiercely whispered "Alex!" She was hurt and embarrassed. "Why do you care?"
Alex didn't want to answer. So, Meredith got Addison's attention and told her "They dated a while ago."
"Oh." Addison turned back towards Alex. "Well, why did you break up?"
Meredith and Alex were silent this time. Derek crossed his arms. He wasn't going to let Alex off the hook this time. "Didn't he cheat on her?"
Alex glared at Derek before looking down at Addison lap, then trailing his eyes up her body until they met hers. Her face was expressionless. "Why?" She breathed out.
He reached for her arm, but she pulled back. "Umm." He couldn't find an answer anywhere. He didn't want her to think he was shallow. "I guess it was just a moment thing. You understand, right?"
She couldn't believe him. "Why would I understand that?"
He broke eye contact. "Ummm. Because of Sloan..." His voice trailed off.
She had the urge to do something big, to get rid of all of her emotion. Like slap him, or kiss him, or hit something. She swallowed it and tried to mask her feelings "I've loved every man that I have every slept with." Her eyes asked him Have you?
Again, he failed to answer her question. "Maybe it would be a good idea for us to go. We can talk about this somewhere else."
She looked him straight in the eyes and replied coolly "You can. I'm staying here."
Alex was speechless. He stood up, testing her.
She wasn't backing down. "You should find another date to the wedding."
Alex didn't believe her. He was in total shock. "So- so you're just giving up? Just like that? Addison- that's bullshit!"
Derek had to get involved. He needed to be a part of the drama. He spoke softly and intensely." Maybe you should watch your tone and language. Don't cause another scene. You should just go and cool off."
Alex spat back at him "You'd like that wouldn't you?"
Meredith felt her voice rise. "What does that mean?"
Derek had told one of Alex's secrets. He was in for some revenge. "I found THEM..." He pointed to Addison and Derek "...a couple days ago alone in the doctor's lounge. He was LYING on top of her."
Now Meredith jumped up. "WHAT?!"
Derek rushed to Meredith's side. "I swear Meredith. Nothing happened. I love you. I promise. Don't leave me. Tell them, Addison. It was nothing."
Addison crossed her arms. "I'm not speaking to HIM."
Derek pleaded. " Addison!"
Addison was silent.
Derek turned back to Meredith, who was pulling away. "Meredith! I promise. Just stay." She was practically dragging him before she gave up. "Okay, Derek. Let's just take a break. Okay? You need to decide what you want. You can't have us both. I won't be that girl anymore."
Derek was almost in tears. "But I want you! Don't let Alex ruin our relationship! Please!"
Meredith pushed his hands off of her. "Derek, I trust him more than I do you. That's a bad sign. I really need time to think about this and so do you. If you love me, you'll just let me go. How about just until after the wedding?"
Derek, defeated, sank back in his chair with his head in his hands.
Meredith followed Alex out of the restaurant. As soon as they were outside and out of sight, they both broke down. Alex slumped to the ground with Meredith close behind. Alex laughed bitterly and said "That was the stupidest fight I've ever had. I'm sorry about Derek."
Meredith leaned against his shoulder. "It's okay. I know that he's not sleeping with Addison. He just needs to get past the guilt and the regret part. It only takes time. I need to learn how to trust a man who cheated on his wife."
Alex nodded. "Yeah. Just hope for the best. I'm hoping Addison will talk to me again. After the whole Izzie thing, she seemed pretty upset. I wish I could prove to her that I'm in this for the long run."
"We just need some time to think."
Alex agreed. Then, after a moment had passed, he said "I guess I need a date for the wedding."
She smiled up at him. "Wanna go as friends?"
"You bet."
Back in the restaurant...
Everyone was gaping at the scene that just took place. A waiter had actually come up and asked Addison if they could be quieter or leave.
Addison had just about slapped him.
Then, Derek looked up from his hands. "Why is your boyfriend such an ass?"
Addison tilted her head. "He's my ex-boyfriend now. At least, you're only on a break."
Derek sat up. "It's like the same thing. Like separated and divorced." He put special emphasis on the words 'separated' and 'divorced'.
Addison scrunched up her face. "What does being on a break mean? I never really understood the concept."
Derek pretended to act all-knowing. He started out..."Well. It really depends on the couple. In my view, it's a couple, who need some time apart to strengthen their relationship or watch it crash and burn. Each is allowed to go on dates, but not have sex with anyone else. The couple is not supposed to date, but be friends. In my experience, that never happens and we just end up not talking to each other and then we break up. It's like softening the blow. You can be in denial the whole entire time. But, that's just a general overview. Very basic."
Addison stared at him. "Just how many breaks have you been on?"
Derek looked up at the ceiling, as if counting in the air. "Uhh...if you count our separation, four."
"Why didn't I know that?"
Derek smiles. "I guess we don't know everything about each other."
Addison leans forward and places her elbow on the table. She rests her chin in her hand. "We still need dates for the wedding. Want to go as friends?"
"I don't know... I can't have Meredith angry with me. She already thinks we're sleeping together."
Addison throws her napkin at Derek. "No, she doesn't. You should prove your loyalty."
Derek looks confused. "By going to the wedding with someone else?"
Addison sighs in frustration. "AS FRIENDS. Go to the wedding with me and then spend the entire time with her. On your list of priorities, your love for her is higher than our friendship. She'll see that."
Derek complains. "That's the stupidest plan ever, Addison."
Addison throws up her hands in aggravation. "It's the only plan we have!"
Derek thinks about it. "Okay. I'll try it. But the second she gets upset..."
"We'll call it off and I'll find another date."
"Okay. It's a deal."
They both glance at the table. Hardly any of the food has been touched. Neither feels like eating their main course anymore.
Derek places his fork and knife down. "Want to split dessert?"
"How about pudding?"
"With ice cream on the side."
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A couple of nights later...
Cristina and Preston have developed a schedule of talking about their wedding while getting ready for bed.
This night, Preston had planned to discuss a seating arrangement. He set a foam poster board on the bed. Pink post-it notes for females. Blue post-it notes for males.
Cristina walked out of the bathroom. Preston was smiling at his accomplishment. She joked sarcastically "Are you proud that you're neurotic and obsessed with organization?"
He simply replied "Yes."
They sat on the bed. Cristina pulled one pink and one blue post-it from their respective stacks. "Izzie and George will be coming together."
"What about Callie?"
"She's bringing Dr. Sloan."
"I thought he was with Addison. Am I behind on these things?"
Cristina yawned. "Don't worry. I got it all covered. Meredith said she's coming with Alex." She placed two more post-its on the board. "That leaves Dr. McDreamy going stag."
Preston looked at her. "No, he's not."
Cristina's head jerked up. "What?"
Preston laughed. "I can't believe you don't know this."
Cristina holds the 'Derek' post-it up. "You could tell me and get something done, or you could brag about it."
"Fine, he's going with Addison, as friends."
"That's stupid."
Preston nodded. "Yeah, I know. Bailey is bringing her husband and Richard is coming with a neurosurgeon from LA."
"The chief is seeing a neurosurgeon from LA?"
"Yes, Miss I-Know-All-The-Gossip-At-The-Hospital."
"Shut up."
"Don't worry. In four short weeks, your name will be changed to Mrs. Preston Burke."
"I'm not changing my name."
"You aren't?"
"Umm... no. I am referred to as a doctor. DOCTOR Yang."
He looks at her, completely surprised. "I can't believe you aren't changing your name."
She points to the board. "Let's get back to work."
"Now for our parents...I say we sit them at opposite ends of the room."
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A/N: Don't worry. It will all be okay.
But maybe not.
Maybe Alex and Addison will never get back together.
Maybe Meredith won't find it in her heart to trust Derek.
Maybe George will realize his love for Izzie and Mark will be heartbroken forever.
I know what's going to happen. And we still have four chapters until the resolution of this wedding storyline.
This took forever to write. Please be happy with me. I hope I didn't disappoint you. I'm seriously not studying for math because I wanted to finish this.
I know the characters are being immature, stubborn, and stupid. Particularly Addison and Alex. But they're not perfect. So forgive them.
Next chapter: Mark and Addison talk AGAIN. So do Izzie and George. And George and Alex might swap stories...and something else.
As always, Thank you for the great reviews. I'm writing instead of studying for math because of them. So, if you don't review, next time, I might study math. But if you do review, I'll write like crazy. Like fingers at the speed of lightening. Which I can do because I practice piano trills once every week. Does everyone see the connection between reviews and writing? Good. I think I made myself pretty clear. :) Thank you.
