Thanks for all of your reviews on the last chapter…hope you like this one! Sorry this took me so long. Someone or a few people, got me ADDICTED to TI…you know, getting me addicted to that when I'm trying to finish this chapter was probably your worst idea ever, guys. You're a bunch of crackwhores.

Chapter Title: "Happy Birthday Baby" by Heavy Blinkers

Half Love

"Happy Birthday Baby"

Happy Birthday Baby
We'll burn the jukebox to the ground
Happy Birthday Baby
We'll tear to shred this awful town
We'll drink our weight in champagne
Make love 'til we both collapse
Make more trouble than we're worth –
"Happy Birthday Baby"
By Heavy Blinkers

February 13th, 2006

7:00 A.M.

Addison woke slowly, her eyes unwilling to open. She reached for Derek and touched empty space. Addison finally opened her eyes and took a deep breath, a smile coming over her face. Derek was making German Pancakes. Her favorite. Addison crawled out of bed and padded in to the main room of the trailer.

"Derek?"

He turned around, a grin on his face. "You're supposed to be in bed."

Addison cocked one eyebrow. "Supposed to be in bed?"

Derek sighed. "I was going to bring you breakfast in bed."

Addison laughed. "Would you like me to get back in bed?"

Derek shook his head. "You don't have to." Derek pulled Addison in to a hug. "Happy Birthday, baby."

Addison smiled. "I think I am going to get back in bed." Derek laughed as she padded back towards the bed, climbing in and pulling the covers around her. "Do you think Ellie and George are okay?"

Derek came in to the room after taking the pancakes out of the oven to cool. "You mean considering their massive alcohol intake last night?" Addison nodded. "I'm sure they're fine." Derek crawled on to the bed and propped himself up on one elbow next to Addison. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I'm happy for her. I miss Kate, but…it wasn't our fault and Ellie is going to leave Madison with us more than we'd probably like."

Derek laughed. "I guess I never saw El as a single mother."

Addison shrugged. "I don't know. I think she wanted to choose whether or not she was going to be a single mother, not be forced in to it because she got pregnant and the moron walked away."

Derek laughed. "Probably. You ready for breakfast?" Addison grinned and nodded, and Derek went back in to the main room. Addison reached over and picked up her phone. There was a call she had to make.

Ellie woke to the smell of French toast, which Derek must have told George was her favorite breakfast. She hadn't had French toast in a long time…not since Mark made it for her on her last birthday. Too bad two weeks later everything fell apart. Ellie sat up and stretched her arms, replaying the previous night's events in her head. She remembered a lot of alcohol, and Derek and Addison dropping her and George off at Meredith's…that's where she was. Meredith's. Ellie swung her legs over the side of the bed just in time for her phone to ring.

"Eliot Grey, wanton sex goddess …"

"Hello, you've been enrolled in the obscene caller of the month club…wait…what did you just say?"

Ellie laughed. "Good morning Addison."

"Good morning. There was an actual reason I was calling you…forgive me if I don't remember what it was…"

"Hmmm…maybe this can job your memory…you're almost 40!"

"Boo…you whore. I still have two years. You're 30. That's a pretty big number El…"

"Whatever…your number is bigger."

Addison laughed. "Are you feeling better?"

"You mean after last night?"

"Yeah."

"Mmmhmm…loads. I can't believe I drank that much. Some mother I'm going to be." Ellie looked up as the door opened, revealing Meredith and Izzie already dressed in their scrubs. "Hold on Add…"

"Okay." Ellie put the phone on the bed and stood.

"We just wanted to wish you a happy birthday." Izzie said, smiling. "We have to be at work at 7:30."

"Really? Cause I'm pretty sure your resident isn't coming in until 9:00."

Meredith laughed. "Yeah. Somehow, two attendings, a resident, and an intern managed to convince Webber to let them stay at home until 9:00."

Ellie shrugged. "Can't imagine how…" Ellie smiled. "Does Webber already have you assigned on cases?"

Izzie nodded. "Yeah."

Ellie cringed. "Ouch. Sorry guys."

"Doesn't matter." Meredith said, smiling. "But we should go." Meredith hugged her sister. "Happy Birthday."

"Yeah…" Izzie hugged Ellie and smiled. "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks." Ellie watched as Meredith took a deep breath and picked up the phone that was lying on the bed, hitting the speaker phone button.

"Happy Birthday Addison."

Addison coughed. "Thanks Meredith."

"Yeah, Happy Birthday." Izzie said.

"Thanks…"

"I don't know what you're wishing her a happy birthday for…" Ellie said, grinning. "She's not really that important. The fact that it's her birthday is just a side-note."

Addison laughed. "You wish."

Meredith handed the phone back to Ellie. "See you later."

"Bye." Ellie turned the speaker phone off and shut the door. "Did that sound as weird to you as it felt to me?"

"Your sister just wished me a happy birthday."

"Yeah, Add, I was here."

Addison laughed. "That's not what I meant."

Ellie watched Izzie and Meredith pull away and then made her way downstairs to the kitchen. "I know. So, uh…about last night…I, um…"

"Ellie, it's okay. I'll probably always miss Kate, but there wasn't anything Derek and I could do. We tried our best."

"Yeah, okay." Ellie walked in to the kitchen and smiled at George as he dished French toast on to two plates. "Good morning." She mouthed, pouring herself a glass of orange juice.

"Good morning." He whispered, kissing her cheek. "Who're you talking to?"

Ellie grinned. "Satan. Wanna say hi?"

George nodded and took the phone from Ellie. "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks George."

"Thanks for the ride home last night."

Addison laughed. "Sure. You were both pretty drunk."

"Yeah, well…I think Ellie was getting her last drunken night in before she officially becomes a mother." Ellie grinned and Addison laughed. "Although, you never know."

"True story. Did you make her French toast for breakfast?"

"Yeah, I did. Derek told me it was her favorite."

"Good stuff. Hey, Derek wants to talk to you. I'll see you later."

"Bye Addison."

"George?"

"Yup."

"Hold on…I have to get outside the trailer."

George laughed. "What makes you think she won't follow you?"

"I just gave her breakfast in bed."

"Ahh…" George swatted Ellie's hand away from the French toast, which was still cooling off.

"But…"

"Wait." He mouthed. Ellie pouted her lip and leaned against the sink.

"Okay…is everything set up?" Derek asked, turning George's attention away from Ellie.

George left the room. "Yeah. I'm going to tell Addison I want to have lunch with her and then Izzie and Cristina are going to go over to the trailer while we're eating."

"Perfect. What about tonight?"

George stepped out on to the front porch, the small amount of snow that was still left glistening in the early morning sunlight. "The reservations have been made…it's all set."

"Great. Thanks George."

"No problem."

"Can I talk to Ellie?"

"Yeah, hold on…" George went back in to the house and in to the kitchen, surprised to see that the French toast was still sitting on the plate. "You actually waited." Ellie shrugged and smiled. "Derek wants to talk to you."

Ellie smiled and took the phone from George. "Derek?"

"Happy Birthday, Ellie."

"Thanks."

"How's your head?"

Ellie laughed. "Not as bad as you would think. Did you make Addison German pancakes?"

"Sure did."

Ellie grinned. "Good deal. I'll see you later, Derek."

"Yeah. Hold on, Addison wants to talk to you again."

"Okay…" Ellie took a sip of her orange juice and smiled at George.

"So…enjoy your French toast."

"Enjoy your German pancakes." Ellie said, grinning.

"Happy 30th."

"Happy 38th."

"See you later."

"Bye." Ellie hung up the phone and sat down at the kitchen counter next to George.

"Ready for breakfast?" Ellie smiled and picked up a fork, taking a bite of the French toast.

"Mmm…George, this is fantastic."

George smiled and leaned in to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Happy Birthday, baby."

9:00 A.M.

Ellie walked in to the on-call room, laden down with gifts. Some of them were for Addison, and most of them were from other people.

"Wow…you hit the jackpot this morning." Addison said, coming in to the room, her arms also full of gifts.

"Hey, people just like me better." Addison glared. "Is that still a touchy subject with you?" Addison shrugged and set the packages on the bed. "Addie…"

Addison grinned. "I'm kidding. It's fine. How long do you have?"

"30 minutes."

"So we gotta do this fast."

"You make it sound like sex Add."

Addison raised her eyebrows. "Maybe that's one of your birthday presents…"

Ellie made a face. "Ew. Too much. You're done."

Addison laughed and sat down on the bed. "You know…you were once much worse."

"I was also once much younger. Funny how now the old fogey speaks like a horny teenager, instead of the horny teenager."

"Okay…are we done with the insults?"

"I dunno…are we?"

Addison rolled her eyes. "Yes. Very much so."

Ellie grinned and let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine." Ellie reached down and grabbed 5 of the numerous packages and handed them to Addison. "These are for you." She said, smiling.

Addison picked up 5 of the 7 packages she had brought in and handed them to Ellie. "And these are for you." Addison said, handing them to Ellie.

"People like you." Ellie said, pointing to the two packages left on the floor.

Addison rolled her eyes. "Richard and Izzie."

Ellie laughed and shrugged. "Meh…" Ellie looked down at the packages in her lap. "Do I have to open these in a certain order?"

"Are there numbers in the corner?"

Ellie looked at the packages more closely. There were. "God you're weird." Addison laughed as Ellie opened the package with 9 written in Addison's chicken scratch in the corner. "You know what I realized?" Ellie said, glancing at the 9 again and looking up.

"No…what?"

"You are one of the most elegant people I know…upper east side, always put together, and yet, as poised as you are…you have chicken scratch for handwriting. What the hell happened?" Addison stared. "Not in the mood to answer that one? Sure, okay. I'll just go back to what I was doing…" Ellie began to rip the wrapping paper, trying to keep a straight face. Addison was failing miserably at not laughing. Within seconds, both women were dying laughing, unable to keep their composure, and Ellie began to wheeze she was laughing so hard.

Addison took a deep breath and put one hand on Ellie's shoulder. "Breath. You only have 15 minutes to be okay enough to perform surgery."

"Actually…" Ellie said, taking a huge deep breath, which resulted in giggles. "I have…45 minutes…but Derek wants me there in 15…"

"Okay…" Addison took another deep breath, beginning to laugh again herself. "Are we going to finish this?"

Ellie shrugged. "I don't know. Probably not."

"We're really productive when we're together." Addison said, grinning as Ellie finally finished opening the package.

"It's why we don't perform surgery together on a regular basis. We'd kill people." Ellie grinned and then shrieked as soon as she realized what she was holding in her hands. "Oh my god, Addie!" Ellie flipped the Nirvana boxed set and Unplugged in New York c.d. over in her hand. "This is freaking awesome!"

"Yeah, well…I try. Which one do you want me to open?" Addison asked, looking down at the 5 gifts in her lap.

"Whichever. I don't label them like some people."

Addison rolled her eyes. "Brat."

"Crackwhore." Addison's eyes popped and Ellie laughed. "Open it. I have…" Ellie grabbed Addison's wrist and looked at her watch. "6 minutes. Go."

Addison ripped the wrapping paper off of a box and smiled. "Ellie!" Addison was holding an original RENT program and music book, both signed by the original cast. "This is amazing!"

"I've actually had them for years and I was going to save them for your 40th, but I figured this year is just as good." Addison cocked one eyebrow. "Because we're best friends again idiot. Wow. Slow on the uptake, much?"

Addison glared. "I am not slow on the uptake. You're just…" Addison looked down. "I actually have no idea what I would say there."

Ellie grinned. "We're the most productive people ever. I have to go." Ellie gathered the numerous gifts from off the floor and then snatched the ones from Addison off the bed. "I have to take these out to George's car…but we'll finishing opening. I swear."

Addison nodded. "Okay. Have fun in the surgery."

Ellie scoffed. "Yeah. For sure." Ellie left the on-call room, leaving Addison alone sitting on the bed. Addison gathered her packages and left the room, a serious look on her face.

"You alright Addison?" George asked, coming up behind her.

"Huh?" She turned around and forced a smile. "Yeah, George, I'm fine."

"Hmmm…" George sighed. "Liar."

Addison looked down as she headed out to her car, passing Ellie who was on her way in. Ellie waved as she ran past them, her heels in her hands and her nylons sliding on the floor. "That's really safe, El." Ellie waved her off and slid around the corner in to the locker room. "It's just not the same, George. Even last year, when…" Addison sighed. "It was still better than this." Addison unlocked her car and George opened the back for her so that she could set the gifts inside.

"It's a new place, and you two are just getting back to where you once were. It's going to be different."

Addison nodded. "I know. But I don't like it."

George laughed. "Well, now I know I'm not Ellie, but do you want to have lunch with me? We'll sit in the corner and make fun of people or something." George said, grinning.

Addison laughed. "Sure George."

He smiled. "Great." Addison locked her car and the two went inside, Addison not noticing that as George passed Izzie he gave her a thumbs-up sign. Everything was set.

12:00 P.M.

"I can't believe that I agreed to do this with you." Cristina said, helping Izzie carry flowers out of her car and in to the trailer.

"Well, you did, and thank god, because otherwise I would have needed to get Alex or Meredith, and since Alex is not really who I want helping me, and Meredith would be a long shot, I'd be doing this myself." Izzie unlocked the trailer with the key Derek had given her and set the flowers down on the kitchen table. Doc came running to great her, and she led him past Cristina and outside, leashing him to the trailer. "Sorry boy." She said, kneeling down to his level. "Derek's orders. Hate him." Izzie ruffled the dogs fur and stood, heading back to her car. The amount of flowers…her car and George's were full…absolutely full. But that's how Derek had wanted it. Brimming. So that's how they were going to do it.

"Hey Iz?" Izzie looked over at the trailer to see Cristina standing on the porch, the flowers still in her arms. "Where do I set these?"

Izzie laughed. "Where ever you want Cris. We need to fill the trailer so start where ever."

Cristina shook her head. "This isn't something I would like…is she going to like this?"

Izzie gathered more flowers in her arms and headed up the steps to the trailer. "Addison will love it."

Meredith sat in the corner of the cafeteria, her table otherwise empty. George was sitting with Addison a few tables away, and they were laughing. Meredith almost wanted to join them. Almost.

"Have you seen Izzie?" Alex asked, coming up to the table.

Meredith shrugged. "Nope. I can't find Cristina either."

"Hmmm…could they be in surgery?"

Meredith shook her head. "Nope. The only surgery going on right now is Ellie and Derek's. And they're not in there." In that moment, Addison's laughter rang out, followed closely by George's. Meredith cringed.

"You wanna go join them?" Alex asked. "They're fun to have lunch with…"

Meredith shook her head. "No thanks. I'm not really hungry anymore."

Alex shrugged. "Okay." He headed for Addison and George's table and Meredith stood and left the cafeteria.

"Hi Alex." George said, watching Meredith leave the cafeteria. "Is she alright?"

Alex shrugged and sat down. "It's Grey, man. What do you think?"

George laughed. "I'll check on her later."

Alex nodded. "Go for it. Hey…Happy Birthday Dr. Shepherd."

Addison smiled. "Thanks Karev."

He nodded. "You know, I never really got to wish Ellie a Happy Birthday…maybe I'll stop by the surgery…"

"No." Addison and George snapped in unison, causing laughter from both of them.

"Don't do that." Addison said.

"Why not?"

Addison shook her head. "I stopped by just to talk to her for a few seconds, and Derek told me I needed to leave because they needed to concentrate, and when I said I just wanted to say a few words Ellie threw a scalpel at the window and told me to go away."

Alex cringed. "Okay, maybe not."

Addison smiled. "You can, I'm just warning you…"

Alex shook his head. "I don't think I will. Have either of you seen Izzie?"

Addison shook her head. "No. I haven't seen Cristina lately either. George?"

George took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure. "Nope. I, uh…I have to go check on a patient…" George stood quickly and left the cafeteria in a hurry.

"Okay, so that wasn't at all weird." Alex said.

Addison shrugged. "Who knows. I actually have patients too."

Alex nodded. "Well, I'm sure someone has something for me. Have a happy birthday Dr. Shepherd."

"Thanks." The two separated, Alex determined to find out what was going on with George, and Addison determined to find out where the hell Izzie went.

7:00 P.M.

Addison pulled up in front of the trailer, tired, exhausted, and wishing she had stayed at the hospital. She would have had to wait at least an hour for Derek and Ellie to be finished, but being alone in the trailer was going to be ten times worse. As Addison stepped out of the car she noticed that Doc was tied up outside the trailer.

"What are you doing out here boy?" She asked, bending down to pet him. "Derek and I didn't leave you out here…" Addison moved to untie him, and then realized that maybe there was a reason he was outside. Addison stood and walked in to the dark trailer, reaching for the nearest light. Addison let out a gasp as she saw that the entire trailer was filled with roses; red, white, orange and pink. There were petals on the floor, and on the bed, vases full of roses on the counters, the table, in the bathroom…Addison was amazed. She slid off her heels and tiptoed across the petals to the answering machine and hit the play button.

"Add, it's me, Michael. I just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday sis. Hope this one turns out good. I love you, give Ellie…and Derek, my love. Call me when you can."

"Hey Addison, it's Savvy. Weiss and I just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday…he's leaving Ellie a message otherwise he would say hi. I love you, I hope everything is going well, and I'd love to talk to you, so give me a call when you get the chance."

"Addison my love…" Addison smiled at the sound of Derek's voice. "There is a rose in that trailer for every moment I thought of you today. You amaze me, and I know we're still working on our issues, but I love you. So much. Happy Birthday, baby. I'll see you tonight."

Addison sat down on the bed and smiled. Only Derek would do something like fill the trailer with flowers. Addison picked up her phone and dialed the hospital.

"Seattle Grace."

"This is Addison Shepherd. Can I speak to Isobel Stevens please?"

"Of course, Dr. Shepherd. Hold on one moment."

"Thank you." Addison ran her fingers over the petals on the bed while she waited for Izzie to come to the phone.

"This is Isobel Stevens."

"It's Addison."

"Oh. Hi."

"Did you do this?"

"Do what?"

"Fill the trailer with flowers."

Izzie laughed. "Cristina and I did, yes. Do you like it?"

"I love it. Thank you."

"Don't thank me. We just did him the favor. It was all Derek."

"Well, that much I know. Thank you anyway."

"Sure. Happy Birthday Addison."

Addison smiled. "Thanks."

"Have a good night."

"You too." Addison hung up the phone and collapsed on the bed, the petals falling in to her hair. It was all she could do not to shriek with joy. Her Derek, the one she fell in love with, was back.

8:30 P.M.

"Nice job Dr. Grey." Derek said as they left the OR, shedding their gloves and masks. "Dr. Karev will be doing the follow up so that you can go home."

Ellie smiled. "Thanks Derek. Are you going straight home?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Addie's waiting for me."

Ellie smiled. "Well, have a good night then."

Derek grinned. "I will." He gave Ellie a hug and a kiss on the cheek and they separated, Ellie heading to the locker room and Derek heading straight for his car. On his way out the door, he ran in to Meredith.

"Hi." She said, smiling.

"Hi."

"I have something to ask you."

Derek nodded. "Okay."

"I wanted to do something for Ellie…and Addison…for their birthday, and I…"

"I'm sorry." Derek put one hand up, pausing Meredith mid-sentence. "Did you just say Ellie and Addison…for their birthday?"

Meredith sighed. "I'm trying, okay? Ellie's my sister and I would like to be your friend, and obviously Addison is part of the package, so I'm trying to accept that."

Derek smiled. "Okay. So…you wanted to do something for their birthday…"

"Yeah. But I didn't know when. Izzie and I could pull something off…well, Izzie could pull something off by about 9:30 tonight, or…"

"Not tonight." Derek glanced down the hall, looking for Ellie. "George and I are taking Ellie and Addison out to dinner…and not tomorrow, because…"

"Don't finish that." Derek laughed. "Okay, so how about the 15th?"

Derek nodded. "I think that would work. I think they were planning on doing their regular Day 13 stuff that day anyway…so that would be perfect."

Meredith smiled. "Great. I'll let you know what Izzie and I figure out."

"Okay." Derek watched Meredith walk away and shook his head. At least she was trying.

Addison jumped up as she heard Derek pull up in front of the trailer, a smile on her face. She'd spent the last hour making phone calls to Savvy and Weiss and Michael, and now she was just glad Derek was home. She stepped out on to the front porch, now in her bare feet, and smiled as he got out of the car.

"Hi." He said, grinning. Addison didn't speak, but bounded down the steps and in to his arms. "I'm assuming you liked it?"

Addison grinned, stepping back on to the step. "I loved it. It's so beautiful, Derek."

Derek smiled. "You wanna know what they mean, Bella?" Addison nodded and Derek took her hand, slipping his shoes off right outside the door before he walked inside. "Okay…the red means love and passion. There are fifty red roses…which means unconditional love…" Addison grinned. "The pink means admiration, and the orange means desire. The vases that are red and white stand for unity, and the pink and white are for forever love…and the white by itself means loyalty." Derek looks down. "I know it's a little goofy, but…"

Addison shook her head. "No, Derek…it's perfect."

Derek smiled. "Good. Now, we have an hour until we have to be at The Pink Door so…" Addison raised her eyebrows, confused. "Dinner reservations at 9:30 Addie…you didn't seriously think I was going to go without taking you out on your birthday, did you?"

Addison shrugged. "I just figured that after the surgery…"

Derek sighed. "I made a lot of mistakes back in New York…I was absent, and I always put surgery first. You are way more important, and I'm not going to let a little fatigue get in the way of us celebrating your birthday. Besides…we have the day off tomorrow. We can sleep all day." Addison smiled and kissed Derek, running her fingers through his hair. "Go get ready…although I totally call the shower first. I'm a little gross."

Addison laughed. "Okay, but make it quick."

"We could just take one together…" Derek said, grinning.

"Um…that would make it twice as long."

Ellie shoved the door to her hotel room open, her arms and legs weak. The surgery had been so long, but she knew it was worth it. Gillian was going to live, and now she had three of those surgeries under her belt, and she was only thirty. Ellie stepped in to the hotel room and saw George sitting in the chair by the window, smiling.

"Hi." He said, standing. "How did the surgery go?"

"Good. Really good." Ellie fell in to George's arms, letting him hold her up.

"Tired?"

"Mmmhmm…"

"Too tired to let me take you out to dinner?"

Ellie looked up at him. "It's 8:30."

George nodded. "And our reservation is for 9:30. Think you can pull it together that fast?"

Ellie raised her eyebrows. "You haven't seen fast until you've seen me get ready."

George nodded. "Okay. I have to go change…I'll be back in an hour."

Ellie grinned. "Okay." George turned to leave and then stopped in his tracks near the door. "George?"

He turned around and walked swiftly over to Ellie, pulling her in to a passionate kiss that made her knees go weaker than they already were, if that was even possible. "I don't have anything for you for your birthday…" He whispered. "Because I didn't really know what to get you."

"George, it's okay…"

"So I got us the day off tomorrow."

Ellie grinned. "Seriously?"

George nodded. "Yeah." George kissed her again, lifting her off the ground just slightly. "I'll be back in an hour."

Ellie nodded. "Okay."

9:30 P.M.

"Derek, this place is great." Addison said as they walked in to The Pink Door hand-in-hand. "Where did you find it?"

"I didn't." Derek whispered, leaning close to her. "He did…" George was standing next to the concierge, waiting for them.

"George?" Addison smiled. "What…?"

"Derek and I figured that since you and Ellie haven't been able to spend a lot of time together like normal, a nice dinner with the four of us would be good."

Addison grinned. "Thank you…does Ellie know?"

George shook his head. "No, she doesn't…and she's a little tired, so she may be a little out of it."

"You brought her here when she was that tired?" Derek asked.

George shrugged. "I told her we didn't have to but she insisted. She's more stubborn than I thought."

Derek nodded. "True." George smiled and lead the Shepherds to the table where he and Ellie were seated.

"George, what took you so long? I was starting to think you got mugged or…" Ellie grinned. "Addie!"

"Hi."

Ellie stood and hugged Addison, the grin still on her face. "What…did you set this up?"

Addison shook her head. "These two did." She said, smiling and pointing to George and Derek, who were standing next to the table. "They figured we could use a good dinner together since we haven't really kept to tradition."

Ellie nodded and smiled at George and Derek. "Thank you."

George nodded. "Derek said that you guys usually spent the night of Day Thirteen with your significant other, but we figured breaking from tradition wouldn't be a big deal." Ellie hugged George and then sat, her tired state quickly becoming obvious.

"El…are you sure you're up to this?" Derek asked, worried.

"Yeah. I mean, I'm tired, but…aren't you?"

"Not as tired as you…"

"I'm okay, Derek." Addison rolled her eyes and Ellie sighed. "I am. I promise." Derek nodded as the waiter came up to their table.

"Good evening, I'm Luke, and I'll be your server this evening. What can I get you folks started with?"

"Uh, a double scotch single malt for me, a Manhattan for my wife, a Coors for the gentleman, and…" Derek looked at Ellie, who grinned.

"Coffee. Strong, black coffee."

"Ellie…" Addison said, shaking her head.

"Add…please? I know it's not recommended, but I need it…"

Addison sighed. "Fine. Just…not too much."

Ellie smiled. "Thank you."

"Okay, so that's a Coors, a Manhattan, a double scotch single malt…and one cup of strong, black coffee…is that it?"

"For right now, yeah." The waiter left, and Derek looked at Ellie. "I know I already asked you this, but…"

"Derek…I'm fine. Please stop."

Derek nodded. "Okay, sure."

Addison looked at Ellie. "Do you have to work tomorrow?"

Ellie shook her head. "Nope. George got us the day off, so I can sleep in."

Addison smiled. "Good. Do you guys have anything planned?"

"Nope." Ellie smiled. "But we're going to have fun. That I can guarantee." George blushed and Ellie laughed, even though it was weak. Derek and Addison both noticed that she looked a little pale, but with the exception of making eye contact with one another, they said nothing. No way was there going to be an argument. "So…George told me that Derek had the trailer filled with roses…"

Addison smiled. "Yeah, he did." Addison took Derek's hand and squeezed it. "I loved it."

Ellie smiled. "I figured as much." Ellie took a deep breath and leaned back in her chair. "How's Madison?"

Addison grinned. "She's doing great. She's getting a lot stronger."

"That's fantastic." Ellie said, smiling as the waiter came back up to the table.

"One Coors…one Manhattan…a double scotch, single malt…and one cup of coffee…"

"Hero." Ellie whispered, taking a sip of the coffee. "This is fantastic."

The waiter smiled. "Good. I'll be back in a few minutes to take your order." He left and Ellie turned to Addison.

"So did you have any fun on your birthday?"

Addison laughed. "George and I spent our lunch making fun of people and pretending that we knew what they were saying in the cafeteria."

Ellie laughed and George grinned. "That was fun. Do you want to go fishing?"

"French kissing?"

"Fishing!" Addison and George burst in to laughter and Ellie took a large gulp of her coffee. All she had to do was stay awake.

12:30 P.M.

The group of four staggered on to the sidewalk, three of them laughing, and the fourth one forcing a smile. Ellie was tired, and although they'd had fun, she knew that the other three could tell that there was something wrong with her. Not enough sleep paired with a 10-hour surgery was what was wrong…and she wasn't hiding it very well.

"Eliot?" Addison gripped her friends arms, looking her in the eye. "Are you alright?"

"I'm…I think I might collapse, Add."

"We shouldn't have stayed out this late…Ellie…"

"No. It's not your fault. I just shouldn't have had anything to drink last night…maybe I would have slept better."

Addison sighed. "Derek, help me." Derek took Ellie in to his arms, lifting her in to a cradle position.

"Derek, put me down." Ellie said, her tone not at all demanding and rather weak.

"Right. Like I'm going to listen to you." Derek carried her down the street and to their parked cars, while George and Addison lagged behind.

"Is she going to be okay?" George asked.

Addison nodded. "She's over-worked and hasn't gotten enough sleep. This will happen again, George, so get used to it. She doesn't listen to anyone…"

George laughed. "From the stories I've heard, neither do you."

Addison shrugged. "Sometimes, no, but most of the time I manage to get enough sleep."

George laughed. "Most of the time."

"You know what…?"

George grinned as they reached the cars, Ellie already in the passenger seat of George's. "What?"

Addison sighed. "Nothing. Never mind." Addison opened the passenger door of George's car and smiled. "Happy Birthday Ellie."

"Happy Birthday Addie." Ellie said, her voice barely audible. "I love you."

Addison smiled. "I love you too. Get some sleep." Ellie nodded and Addison shut the door, a look of worry and a grim smile on her face. "Take care of her." Addison said to George.

"I will." George smiled and got in to the car, pulling away before Addison and Derek had even unlocked their car.

"Now what?" Derek asked, grinning.

"Now we go home and sleep." Addison said, smiling. "Tomorrow is Valentines Day. Do you know what that means?"

Derek grinned. "Yes, yes…I do."

I hope you guys liked it. I really do. Because it's almost two in the morning and I worked my butt off…and I'll cry if you didn't like it. I'm not even joking.

Okay maybe I'm sort of joking. Please review!

P.S. I used quotes...sort of...from My Best Friend's Wedding and Bridget Jones' Diary. Hope y'all don't mind.