I know Addison says she didn't talk to Richard for a year because of the baby thing, but she seems more mature than Izzie and Izzie talked to her after a few months, so I can't help but think that something extra might have triggered it.
And I can really see Addison admiring Adele's strength and poise.
I Who Have Nothing
Addison admires Adele Webber. She likes to watch her as she waits for lab results at the nurse's station, her body casually leaned against the desk as she aims her eyes at the floor by Adele's feet, disguising her true target. The woman has a majestic presence and the same quiet grace Addison's always envied. She's polite, with a sweet smile and the power to know the perfect thing to say in any situation. Were she a doctor, Addison thinks she'd have impeccable bedside manner. More importantly, however, Adele has the ability to get whatever she wants with the slightest infliction of her voice.
Addison has studied her carefully – she raises her eyebrow slightly, inclines her head toward Richard, and adds a subtle undertone of unspoken "or else" to her words. She tried the technique on Derek once, but he only stared at her and then laughed.
She can't help but wonder if Adele had ever been laughed at.
Today, however, Addison isn't examining her. She's thinking of the newborn that died under her supervision after Richard had entrusted her with its care. If she were to glance over, she would see Richard's head in his hands, a guilty expression on his features, and she would see the foreign look of fear and uncertainty in Adele's rich chocolate eyes.
She doesn't notice Adele walking up to her, she doesn't notice when the woman pauses beside her – she only becomes alert to her presence when she reaches out slowly, her fingertips hooking a strand of Addison's red hair. The intern turned towards her, watching Adele's scrutinizing eyes carefully.
"You're pretty," she says absently, and Addison can almost feel a threat beneath the seeming compliment. Adele blinks for a moment, frowns slightly, and releases Addison, walking away slowly. When she thinks she's out of earshot, she adds, "Prettier than she was."
Addison stares after her, and then looks at Richard. The hallway is silent except for the sound of Adele's heels, and as the words echo in her head, Addison thinks that she might never look at Richard again.