Okay! Thank you guys for the reviews sooo much! So, I'd like to say…this is an Addex (yay!) story so it's supposed to revolve around them…although I still like to keep things pretty general most of the time by including all the characters. BUT-this chapter is mostly Addex!! Okay, so maybe not exactly…I mean, it takes a while to get there…but once we're there, we're there! But for those of you hoping that Addison and Alex get together right now…it's not going to happen so soon, because honestly, once they're together, they're just together. Besides, I really like the tension and the buildup which is why it's taking long to get somewhere. But no worries, they will be together…eventually…and for now, they can just drool over each other! Enjoy!

Chapter 10-Fully Functional

Nigel stood in the lobby, eagerly awaiting the results of his latest experiment. Richard Webber was a good friend of his and so when he had called asking for his help with this particular situation, he couldn't refuse. In fact, he had jumped at the opportunity. Afterwards, he and Richard had spent a great deal of time thinking up activities, as he liked to call them, for the lucky chosen. And now, their plans were becoming reality and he couldn't wait to find out how all of this had worked out.

The first to return were Preston and George. Nigel couldn't read the look on their faces. Their expressions were blank, unfeeling, and it frustrated Nigel. Surely, if things had gone well, they should be talking, unless things had gone wrong, and then they would look angry or bitter, right?

'Welcome back!' Nigel said while plastering the fakest smile on his face.

'Thank you,' Burke replied coolly. George simply nodded.

'How did things go for the both of you?' Nigel asked, getting impatient.

'Fine,' Burke answered, and George nodded again.

'Right, well, take a seat at the table. I'd like to have a word with you all, but we're waiting for the others,' Nigel said through clenched teeth. He could tell these two weren't going to give him anything. No information on how the activity had gone. He didn't even bother arguing, because Burke was looking down at him with such authority it scared him.

'Sure,' Burke said, indifferent, and he George regained the seats they had occupied at dinner.

A few minutes later, Cristina and Izzie came towards them, Izzie smiling broadly and Cristina smirking every so slightly. Her smile was almost imperceptible but Burke caught it, even with the distance between them.

'Well hello, ladies,' Nigel greeted. Izzie simply smiled while Cristina gave him a dirty look in response. 'How did your walk go?' he asked enthusiastically.

'It went good,' Izzie said, nodding to herself. She turned to Cristina, who was still glaring at Nigel.

'Yeah,' was all she said and she went to take her seat next to Burke, while Izzie rolled her eyes.

'Don't worry. She's always like that,' Izzie assured Nigel. With that, she went and took her own seat.

'I'm assuming things went well with you and Dr. Stevens, here,' Burke said to Cristina.

'Yeah, it was fine, whatever,' Cristina answered, annoyed. She called the waiter towards their table and ordered herself another drink.

Suddenly, Mark and Callie arrived and before they made it to the table, they were stopped by Nigel. Mark rolled his eyes. Seriously, the little man was aggravating.

'How was your walk?' he asked excitedly, glancing between the pair.

'It was okay,' Callie said in a bored voice. Mark made to move past Nigel but he put a hand in front of him.

'What about you, sir?' Nigel asked.

'Will you just get out of my face?' Mark spoke rather harshly, which made Nigel shrink back a little.

'I just wanted to…know...the walk…if it went…well?' he stuttered, backing away from Mark.

'The lady already said it was okay. That means it was okay,' Mark replied coldly and took his seat next to Izzie, who gave him a disapproving look.

'What?' he asked her.

'That was rude, and unnecessary,' she told him, glaring at him.

'He was being annoying!' Mark answered, shrugging.

'He just wanted to know how your walk went! He's working for the Chief and he was just doing his job!' Izzie said, her temper rising.

'And Callie had already told him!' Mark said. He too was becoming angry.

'Yeah, but he wanted to know what you though, too! There was no need to yell at the man!' Izzie yelled at him.

'Who cares? Why do you care!?' Mark replied, angry.

'Izzie,' Cristina said exasperatedly.

Both Izzie and Mark turned to look at her. It was then they realized that they were not alone here, and that they had been making quite a scene in the outdoor restaurant area. Izzie understood why Cristina had stopped her. This was exactly what they had been discussing earlier. She was always butting in when it wasn't any of her business. She sighed and turned back to Mark.

'I'm…sorry. I just thought it was rude, but it's really none of my business,' she said to him, rolling her eyes the entire time.

'What was that Isobel? Was that an apology?' Mark said, while smirking.

'Oh, shut up, Sloan!' she said while glaring at him.

'Apology accepted,' Mark answered, ignoring her remark. Izzie rolled her eyes once more and turned away from him looking out towards the beach. She saw Derek and Alex walking towards them, but of course, Nigel intercepted them.

'How was your walk?' he asked, pretending not to hear the groaning coming from Mark behind him.

'It was…um…interesting…' Alex said quickly.

'Yeah, interesting,' Derek repeated. They looked at each other and nodded and went around Nigel, paying no attention to his confused face.

Alex took his seat between Izzie and George, while Derek sat next to Mark.

'So…Meredith and Addison aren't back yet. I wonder what they're talking about,' Mark announced, smirking.

'Shut up, Mark,' Derek responded bitterly.

'50 bucks says that Meredith and Satan come back with black eyes,' Cristina said loudly, drink still in hand.

'Stop calling Addison Satan, Yang,' Alex told her, his mouth was tight.

'Oh, get bent, Evil Spawn,' she replied icily.

'Cristina,' Burke hissed

'What?' she looked at him bewildered. 'Who wants in?' she turned away from Burke.

'Cristina, seriously,' Izzie said sternly.

'Oh fine, party poopers.'

At that moment, Meredith and Addison returned talking and laughing as they came down a nature trail. Everyone looked at them in shock. There were no black eyes as Cristina had predicted. They were all smiles, that is, until they saw everyone else. Their faces grew serious as Nigel approached them.

'I don't think I need to ask if your walk went well, am I right?' Nigel said smiling largely.

'Yes, it was good,' Addison answered, returning the smile. Meredith also smiled. Nigel motioned towards the table and they took their respectful seats.

As soon as Meredith sat down next to Cristina, who was a little more than drunk, she started badgering her with questions.

'What the hell is wrong with you? You were laughing with Satan,' she whispered but very loudly letting everyone hear her. Addison looked slightly hurt, but she hid it well, although Alex noticed.

'Yang, what did I say?' Alex spoke loudly. His eyes were cold.

'I really don't remember. I do remember telling you to get bent,' Cristina slurred, annoyed.

'Cristina, I think you've had enough to drink tonight,' Burke said to her quietly. He took the glass from her and put it aside.

'Yeah, whatever,' she muttered darkly.

'Now, now! You were all making such progress! Let's stop the arguing, shall we?' Nigel said loudly, in an attempt to calm everyone down.

They all looked away in different directions, feeling somewhat guilty at their childish behavior.

'Thank you,' Nigel spoke much more softly this time. 'You can all go to bed now, or wherever, that's really none of my business. Tomorrow morning, breakfast will be served here, and afterwards, you can do what you please. We will be meeting tomorrow afternoon also, to start our second activity,' he finished carefully, as each person looked up at him irritated.

'You've got to be shittin' me,' Alex blurted out, which caused a murmur of agreement around the table.

'No, sir, I am not…um…I'm not kidding,' he said, a look of discontent upon his face. With that, he left.

Burke helped Cristina up and announced that he was going to bring her to her room before she passed out. Meredith and Derek got up and Derek whispered to Mark not to come to their room for another hour or so. Mark rolled his eyes at their constant state of horniness and turned to Izzie.

'Care to join me for a drink?' he asked smoothly, while flashing a McSteamy grin.

'Not really,' Izzie replied, but she couldn't help but smile.

'Oh come on, give me a chance,' he started and she looked at him suspiciously. 'I can be a nice guy. Have a drink with me, I promise I won't try anything on you,' he finished sincerely, or he was trying to be anyways.

Izzie narrowed her eyes and studied his face for a few seconds, trying to decide whether or not to accept. If she was being honest with herself, she wanted to go. She really wanted to go, but her better judgment was preventing her from saying yes. She looked into his eyes and he seemed so hopeful that she would accept. He kind of looked like a puppy dog, which made her laugh to herself. Mark Sloan being compared to a puppy. Thank God he couldn't hear her thoughts. She sighed, resigned. She couldn't refuse.

'Fine,' she said and he smiled, taking her hand, which surprised her, and led her towards the restaurant bar.

'So, Izzie's going to be out. Which means you have a hotel room to yourself,' George started suggestively.

'George, I'm more in a mood to talk. You want to talk?' she said completely disregarding the tone of his voice and the look on his face.

'No, not really. I want to have me some sex,' George announced and Callie looked at him like he had lost his mind.

'George, have you had more to drink?' Callie asked him, trying to smell his breath.

'No, I haven't been drinking! I just want,' he was practically yelling, which he realized. He lowered his voice. 'I just want to spend some time with my wife,' he said.

'Well yeah, but why do we need to have sex? We should talk about everything that's happened tonight,' Callie explained.

'Fine,' George mumbled. He wasn't going to win this argument, and he knew it. Better to give up now, instead of wasting time and getting Callie mad at him. They left together and headed towards the lobby, leaving Addison and Alex alone at the table.

'So, that was interesting,' Alex said, smirking.

'Yeah,' Addison replied, smiling.

'Um…did you want to go somewhere?' Alex asked, slightly nervous. Addison had that effect on him. Her simple presence made him nervous. And when she smiled, his stomach tightened.

'No, not really. I was just going to head back to the room, try to catch a movie,' she started, hoping he would offer to join her.

'Oh, yeah, good idea,' he said. He didn't want to say I'll come with you, because he wasn't sure if she wanted him too. But he hadn't said he wouldn't. Hopefully, she would invite him to come up, not that she really had to. It was their hotel room.

'Yeah. The plane trip and everything is really exhausting,' she continued, still waiting for him to decide to come up with her.

'It really is,' he said. They were both staring at each other with hope in their eyes.

Addison got up. She didn't know what else to say. She noticed the slight look of disappointment on his face as she did so.

'Are you coming up or are you going to do whatever?' she asked him, trying to sound nonchalant.

Alex's heart leapt. 'Oh, I'm pretty tired too. I think I'll turn in,' he answered, feigning a yawn.

'Right, okay,' she said, her exterior completely calm, but her insides screaming in excitement. After her talk with Meredith, she had really felt like telling him exactly how she felt. He had said he wasn't interested, but then again said the sweetest things to her and looked at hear like she was the most precious thing in the world. She thought that maybe if she told him of her feelings, he would admit to his own.

They started making their way back to the lobby. Alex was walking next to her and he had the biggest urge to take her hand in his. He was so lost in his thoughts about Addison that he didn't notice himself getting closer to her until his hand brushed hers and they jumped, looking at each other. He mumbled an apology and she smiled weakly. Just touching her hand had made his heart swell

They got to their floor and started walking down the long corridor, towards their Honeymoon Suite. As they passed Derek and Mark's room, they heard muffled cries, which made them both look at each other uncomfortably. They quickened their pace to get away from Derek, and Meredith no doubt.

Addison pulled out her key card as they arrived at their door. She opened it and stepped inside, sighing. Alex followed her. Addison grabbed some clothes from her suitcase and a little makeup bag and locked herself in the bathroom.

Alex went to his own suitcase and pulled out some pajama pants. He put them on and took his shirt off. He was shirtless, as he was every night when he was going to bed. But then he realized he wasn't going to be alone tonight. Maybe Addison would think he was coming on to her if he wasn't wearing a shirt. Or maybe she wanted to see his chest. She stared at him enough at work for him to think she wanted to see his chest…and other things. He decided to put on a tank top just to be safe. He lay on the bed, turned on the television and put his hands behind his head while leaning against the many pillows that were strewn over the bed.

The only thing he liked that was playing was an old action movie. It was actually one of his favorites but he doubted Addison would want to watch it.

Addison stood in the washroom, removing her makeup. She looked at her reflection and sighed. She didn't feel nearly as beautiful without her eyeliner and mascara. She was afraid that Alex would see her and be like 'What the hell happened to your face?' Oh well, she decided, if he liked her, and she really hoped he did, he wouldn't care that she doesn't look as perfect without the makeup. She took in a deep breath and walked out into the room.

Alex inhaled sharply when he saw her. She was wearing tiny shorts that clung to her butt and her upper thighs and a ratty little t-shirt that made her look incredibly sexy. Alex knew he shouldn't have been staring but he just couldn't help it.

'I know, I look horrible,' Addison stated bleakly, while walking to the bed. She knew she should have just kept the makeup on. It wasn't good for her skin but at least she wouldn't have him looking her like that.

'No,' he managed to get out. 'You look…hot,' he said without thinking. He regretted it the moment it left his lips.

Addison blushed and turned her attention to the TV.

'I love this movie!' she exclaimed, suddenly, causing Alex to jump.

'Seriously?' he asked incredulously.

'Seriously! It's one of my favorites,' she explained, smiling at the TV.

'Me too,' Alex said smiling also, only he was looking at her, not the television.

'I haven't seen it in ages,' she continued, excited.

Alex thought it was cute how keyed up she was about a movie. He smiled to himself and put the volume up a little.

Addison lay down next to Alex. She wasn't so far as to say she looked repulsed by him, but she wasn't close enough to suggest something more than simply watching a movie. However, during the entire time they were viewing the film, she wanted nothing more than lay her head on his chest and feel her arms around her.

Alex watched the movie only half paying attention. He was busy focusing on Addison through the corner of his eye. He had the biggest urge to hold her and kiss the top of her head. He wanted to smell her shampoo again. He wanted to feel her skin against his again. He wanted her.

It was well after one in the morning when the movie ended. He sighed and stretched out.

'That is such a good movie,' he announced, but he realized there was no one to hear him as Addison had fallen asleep. He didn't know exactly when though, although he was fairly sure it hadn't been too long because if had been stealing glances at her pretty often throughout the movie. He smiled. She looked so peaceful. He wondered how he was going to get her under the covers without waking her up. He was going to have to be gentle and particular because if he woke up while he was doing this, she could think he was doing something he really wasn't.

He slowly rolled her over to his side of the bed and she made a little noise in her sleep. His heart was beating very fast. He was banking on the fact that she was exhausted from the trip to keep her asleep. He took off the decorative pillows and placed them in a corner. He then turned down her side of the bed, fluffing the pillows so she would be comfortable. Afterwards, he moved back to her and picked her up, making sure to support her head. It's like she fit perfectly in his arms. He didn't want to let go. But he did. He put her down smoothly and pulled the covers around her. She sighed contentedly and he smiled, proud of his work.

Alex turned off the lights in the room, save for the one on his bedside table. He then got under the covers next to Addison, well, he wasn't really next to her. It was a king sized bed after all. He turned off the lights and put his head down on the pillow. He only had time to think about how lucky he was to be lying next to Addison before he drifted off to sleep.

Addison awoke the next morning, her head resting on something solid. She felt something warm around her body, but it wasn't the covers. She opened her eyes ever so slightly only to find herself look at Alex's chest. She wanted to panic. She was wrapped in his arms. Her own arms were circling his waist. They were completely intertwined. Seriously. A freaking king sized bed, big enough for like five people, and they end up fully stuck together.

Her first thought was that she should detach herself from his body. They weren't a couple, they weren't anything really. They were coworkers. Nothing more. Okay, they had kissed, once. But still, that didn't explain why they were holding on to each other for dear life. However, if she was honest with herself, she didn't want to move at all. She could hear his heart beating next to her ear. It was soothing to hear its constant rhythm. She could feel his breath on the top of her head every time he exhaled. She was lost in his arms and she didn't want to find her way out.

She didn't know what to do. She knew she should move. If she just rolled over and he woke up, he probably wouldn't have time to figure out that she had been in his embrace. He'd think something had woken him up but he wouldn't be able to pinpoint what. She decided to do that. She was going to roll over. She was going to do it now. Now. Or maybe in a few minutes…or maybe she could just fall back asleep…No. Yes.

Suddenly, she felt him stir and she shut her eyes, pretending to sleep. She felt him gasp in surprise a few seconds later. He had just opened his eyes no doubt. He was probably thinking of what to do just as she had been moments earlier. She wondered how he would deal with the situation.

Alex had awoken to find himself holding Addison. Although he was thrilled to be able to be in such close proximity to her, he felt like this was wrong. They weren't together and so this was kind of weird. Not that he was complaining, because this was Addison after all. But he felt like he should do something to rectify the situation. He decided to try and move her, without waking her of course. He tried to slip his arm from under her, which was easier said than done.

Addison felt him trying to remove his arm from beneath her. She felt slightly disappointed that he wanted to break the embrace but at the same time, she knew it most likely not because he wanted to, but more because he felt he had to. She decided to simplify the task for him by rolling over, putting on her best sleeping face. She heard his sigh in relief as they broke apart. She couldn't help but feel that way too. They had just avoided major awkwardness, although she felt cold without Alex's body around hers.

Alex looked over Addison's shoulder to make sure that she was indeed asleep. For some reason, he wasn't sure she was really sleeping. He hoped she was though, because if she wasn't, things would get awkward between them and that's not something he wanted. He got up from the bed, careful not to make it creak. He grabbed his little shaving bag and walked off to the bathroom.

Addison sat up in bed once she heard the water running in the bathroom. She ran her fingers through her hair. That was a close one, seriously. She got up, took her own little bag that was filled with her shampoo and soaps and went to the bathroom. It was huge, so she figured he wouldn't mind if they shared.

Alex had left the door open in case Addison awoke and wanted to use it. It was the biggest washroom he had ever been in and he felt no need to hog all of it. He was shaving when he saw Addison walk in through the mirror.

'You don't mind if I use the bathroom too, do you?' she asked softly.

'Nah, this thing's huge,' Alex replied, smiling. She nodded her head in thanks and smiled back.

'Are you going to shower?' she questioned. He shook his head. 'Okay.' She started the water and put her hand under it to test the temperature. When she deemed it hot enough, she stepped in the immense shower, taking her bag with her. She left the sliding door slightly ajar.

Alex watched her reflection in his mirror. She saw her hand slip out to drop the t-shirt and shorts she had been wearing. God, he wanted to be in that shower with her so bad. All he could see was her silhouette, and even that was blurry through the glass door. He sighed and finished shaving. He went back to the room, closing the door to the bathroom behind him.

About fifteen minutes later, Addison came out of the bathroom in nothing but a little towel. Was she trying to torture him? It was driving him crazy to see her skin glistening with water. The towel was short and only went down to her mid-thigh. He was trying to be polite and not look at her. He was trying so hard to focus on the TV but it was an impossible task. He wasn't sure if he had ever seen anything hotter. He watched as she gathered some clothes, a makeup bag and a hairdryer and return to the bathroom.

Alex simply waited while she continued getting ready. They didn't have to be down for breakfast for another half hour and he was completely. Besides, he wanted to walk down with her. He had actually made the bed, which was a big thing for Alex Karev. He never made beds, but the room looked odd with the covers all over the place. He even replaced the array of pillows, although he didn't remember how exactly they had been positioned. Afterwards, he had just watched television. He managed to find a sports channel that was showing highlights from a football match from the day before.

When Addison emerged from the washroom, she looked stunning as always. Her hair, her makeup, her outfit, was perfect. He looked up at her and smiled and she responded in kind.

'Ready to go?' he asked her.

'Yeah,' she replied softly. She grabbed her purse while he turned off the TV.

As they left the room, Alex placed a hand of the small of her back and led her towards the elevator. The small gesture made Addison smiled inwardly. It was weird really. The entire morning, they had been acting like a couple that had been together for years. They had awoken in each others arms. They had then shared the bathroom without a problem, she even being bold enough to get in the shower while he was in the room. And after that, he had patiently waited for her while she had prettied herself up. He could have left. He was free to leave and do whatever he wanted. But for some reason, he had felt the need to wait for her. It was weird. They were functioning like a couple, and yet they weren't. Maybe this was sign that they were meant to be. I mean, if things worked this well already, imagine how great things would be when they were actually together.