Chapter 25: Officially Sleepless

They were both exhausted after the day they had had so they lay quietly in the bed after having eaten and showered. Both wore mismatched tank tops with pajama shorts because Aelwyne did not want to look for the tops. She was snuggled up in Addison's embrace. The brunette wrapping her arms around the redhead's waist. They laid contentedly together enjoying each other's warmth in silence. Until Addison felt the frown on Aelwyne's face.

"What are you thinking about?" Addison giggled as the intern slightly jumped at the sound of her voice.

"Nothing too important." Aelwyne said softly.

"I think I know you enough to be able to tell that it is important. And, since now I'm not just your boss, or your teacher, or your friend I get to push a little. Besides, a lot has happened in the last few hours." Addison said sweetly. "So?" She asked.

"I was just thinking…" Aelwyne slowly began.

"Thinking?" Addison questioned.

"Don't get upset or anything. It's just that now I've seen you kiss two different men." Aelwyne said after a few minutes.

"Oh… I'm sorry." Addison said shifting a bit.

"No. Where are you going? I'm comfy… I was just saying. You know… I feel like so many people want you, aside from me. You could have anyone and yet you're here." Aelwyne said smiling and snuggling more onto Addison.

"You got that from thinking about me kissing other people? Also I didn't kiss them both." Addison protested a bit.

"Right you kissed one and the other kissed you." Aelwyne giggled.

"I'm glad you're giggling now… and by the way I want you too." Addison said kissing the top of her head.

"What?" Aelwyne looked up at her.

"You just said a lot of people want me aside from you. So basically you said you want me. So I wanted to say I want you too. 'Cause I so do." Addison explained bopping her nose.

"Oh." Aelwyne said and hid her blushing face by snuggling into her.

"That's it? Oh?" Addison said, chuckling.

"Addie." Aelwyne gasped suddenly. "They saw."

"What? Who?" Addison questioned confused.

"They saw you run after me. Kiss me. They saw me run away and come back and take you out of the hospital while holding your hand." Aelwyne said with a scared expression.

"They saw." Addison stated with sudden realization.

"You hadn't thought about it?" Aelwyne asked her incredulously.

"I was more concerned with getting you back than with who saw me do what." Addison defended. "At least we gave the nurses gossip to survive on for the next few weeks. Though just having Mark here was enough." She sighed heavily.

"Mark loves you." Aelwyne said softly.

"I know." Addison replied sadly.

"Do you? Love him?" Aelwyne asked.

"Yes." Addison said quietly. Aelwyne sprang up.

"W-what? What are you doing here then?" She said looking hurt.

"Not like that dummy." Addison said, pulling her back onto her. Aelwyne resisted a bit but then gave up landing on her in a huff.

"Ouch... I love him as a friend. I'm not in love with him." Addison explained.

"Like me and Alex." Aelwyne concluded out loud.

"Right, sweetness." Addison said in a mocking tone.

"You know I can tell him not to call me that. It seems like it bothers you a lot and I didn't ever kiss him yet." Aelwyne laughed.

"Yet?!" Addison questioned bitterly.

"I was just saying." Aelwyne chuckled.

"You swear?" Addison pouted.

"Swear what?" Aelwyne asked, lifting her head to look at her.

"That you didn't kiss him or will kiss him." Addison said, pout still in place.

"Addie please." Aelwyne chuckled but Addison was still waiting for a reply. "Fine… no, I didn't ever kiss him and I don't plan on kissing him."

"Ok." Addison said a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Am I the best?" Aelwyne asked after a while as she settled back on Addison's chest.

"The best what?" Addison asked confused.

"Well the best at... you know." Aelwyne spoke but looked flustered.

"I know?" Addison replied with a question.

"Kisser…" Aelwyne mumbled.

"Ael." Addison whined. "Speak up."

"Kisser." Aelwyne said a bit louder.

"Wait, you're asking if you are?" Addison laughed.

"Addison." Aelwyne groaned.

"Why do you want me to tell you?" Addison asked, chuckling.

"If I'm not the best or one of the better ones then don't say anything." Aelwyne said, turning and moving away from her.

Addison propped herself up on her elbow and looked down at her for a while with a smile on her face. Of course she was the best one. Kissing her was like kissing no other human alive. Her lips, soft and delicate, moved perfectly with hers. How could she even think there was someone better?

"Well the best kisser…" Addison drew circles with her finger on the intern's exposed shoulder. "Maybe Skippy Golden or that one guy I kissed in med school. But there was also the one…" She kept on teasing.

"I don't want to know anymore." Aelwyne said in a sad tone.

"Actually those were wrong. The best is this girl. She has these soft, pink lips. Not too big but not too small either. They are so very… alluring. Like once you feel them you can't stop kissing and caressing them with your own." Addison said kissing her shoulder.

"Addison, please stop." Aelwyne mumbled.

Addison leaned in and moved her brunette hair away and began to plant kisses on the back of her neck. Aelwyne hummed and tried pulling away but Addison was holding onto her now.

"Her lips are heavenly, you know. They are delicate and intricate. Very exquisite and luscious. Feeling them on my neck or gently grazing my ears makes me shiver." Addison continued planting kisses slowly turning Aelwyne towards her. Aelwyne's eyes had darkened considerably, her pupils blown, and her breathing uneven.

"Those lips that can kiss so amazingly, those lips are accompanied by the most beautiful eyes. Golden eyes. I lose myself in them whenever they look at me." Addison had Aelwyne fully turned now as she stared hungrily at her.

"Golden eyes?" Aelwyne managed to get out.

"Yes you little idiot…" Addison connected the lips together gently, allowing Aelwyne to take charge.

"I'm the best?" Aelwyne asked after kissing her lightly.

"You really need me to spell it out?" Addison shook her head with a grin. "You are the best." She confirmed and leaned in closer kissing her once more.

"Add-Addison wait." Aelwyne stuttered out pushing a bit away from her. "If we…" She breathed hard with the effort that stopping Addison had taken. "I'm sorry. But I'm… we're…"

"Exhausted." Addison smiled down at her and giggled, pulling away from the intern.

Aelwyne whimpered at the loss of her warmth. "I want you. God I want you more than anything. But I want to be fully awake when I get to have you completely." She finished her eyes darkening once more.

"Ok you're going to have to stop talking like that and looking at me like that. If not I won't be able to stop." Addison said in a low growl.

"What if we call out tomorrow?" Aelwyne asked hopefully.

"Tomorrow is in… oh my god. It's in two hours! We didn't sleep." Addison said, a bit flustered.

"Wait two hours?" Aelwyne asked, checking the clock. "Dammit. Dammit. Dammit."

As she began to get up her alarm started to go off. Addison laughed as the other woman sprang off of bed and started frantically running about trying to get ready.

"I'm gonna be late. I forgot to set up the alarm for earlier. I have rounds!" Aelwyne said as she began taking off her pajama pants and replaced them with jeans.

"I'll get ready and come in with you. We'll have to officially talk to Richard and get things set with HR." Addison said as she too got out of the bed. "Maybe I should go to the other room though, right?" She said with a smirk when Aelwyne stopped what she was doing to look at her.

"Huh? R-right." Aelwyne choked out.

"Way to make a girl feel good about herself Dr. Neirhem." Addison chuckled as she walked out.

"What do you want me to do? You're hot!" Aelwyne called out and giggled.

They had made it to the hospital in the knick of time. Aelwyne drove them back in Addison's car because Addison insisted she wanted to be able to admire her more before she'd be banned from her service for a while. The intern was worried about how their relationship would affect her learning but Addison assured her that Richard would understand. They went in walking a respectable distance from each other but still earning stares and whispers. The redhead waited dutifully outside of the locker room while the brunette changed into scrubs.

Addison kissed Aelwyne's cheek sweetly as they met with the rest of the interns and Bailey. Aelwyne's face grew hot and her cheeks quickly went red. Whispers erupted here and there but it seemed like Addison was completely unbothered by it.

"You're late. Watch you don't fall over." Bailey said as the attending walked away. Aelwyne swallowed hard.

"Too late." Cristina said as the rest of the interns chuckled and Aelwyne found a very interesting spot on the wall.

"I guess we don't have to pretend anymore." Alex snickered next to Izzie who started giggling.

"You all knew. Of course." Aelwyne said with a sigh.

"You all knew?" George asked incredulously.

"Dude." Alex simply said shaking his head.

"Oh George… as oblivious as ever." Meredith joked.

"How didn't you? Is the crush on Mer eating your brain cells?" Alex continued.

"Alex." Izzie warned slightly, punching him on the shoulder.

"Stop talking out of your ass. I don't have a crush. I… I don't… I am crushing on someone else." George defended.

"Yeah? Who? Izzie?" Alex continued.

"Wait blondes are your type right? You said it the other night when you were drunk, so it's a possibility." Cristina chimed in. "Watch out blondes of Seattle Grace, our playboy is coming." She laughed.

"Shut up." George said softly, no rebuttal in sight.

"You idiots going to pay attention or are you just going to keep on gossiping like old farts on the porch?" Bailey said angrily.

"Feisty. I like that in a woman." Mark said, startling the whole group. "Hey there Goldy, how'd you sleep?" He winked at her.

"That's none of your concern." Aelwyne said bitterly. Slowly she took in a very important detail in his appearance.

"No way." Cristina spoke.

"Why are you… please don't say that you…" Aelwyne said as she fully took in the white coat he wore.

"I'm one of your teachers, now. How do you like that?" Mark beamed as he said this. "Come on Goldy Gold welcome me."

"My name is Aelwyne Neirhem. Not Gold or Goldy or Goldy Gold or kid. Welcome." Aelwyne said coldly.

"I'm sorry but it sounds as if you hate kid. So naturally, kid, will stick. Thank you for the warm welcome kid." Mark repeated the word over and over.

"Don't you have better cases in New York? More butt lifts and boob jobs over there, no?" Aelwyne bit back. The rest of the interns stifled their laughter covering their mouths or turning away.

"Neirhem." Bailey warned and threw her a look.

"Nah. I think it's time to be the best plastics guy on the west coast. Besides I've got friends here." He winked at her.

"You've got friends? Last time I checked people here didn't want you." Aelwyne countered.

"Maybe. But they needed me. I know last night you did." He grinned and before Aelwyne could reply.

"Already annoying people Mark?" Derek said walking by. "Dr. Bailey, Dr. Webber wants Neirhem."

Dread washed over Aelwyne like a bucket of cold water. She was now a nervous wreck in contrast to the spit fire she was starting to become. What if the chief told them they could not be in a relationship? What if he made Addison quit? Would this be a conflict of interest? But then that was not the case with Derek and Meredith. Then again Meredith was pretty much his daughter.

"Not feisty anymore?" Mark said bringing her back.

"Shut up." Aelwyne replied quickly.

"Aelwyne Neirhem." Bailey warned once more.

"Sorry." Aelwyne said looking down.

"It's ok. It's... refreshing." Mark said happily. Aelwyne threw him a look when Bailey shifted her attention.

"She needs to be respectful. She needs to behave." Bailey said to him. "Now if you'll excuse us. We have rounds and you have to go to the chief's office." She said pointing at Aelwyne.

"Dude, it's like they are sending you to the principal's office." Alex chuckled a bit.

"Be quiet. I'll see you guys soon." Aelwyne said softly. Then Cristina made the sign of the cross in front of her as they left.

"I hate you." Aelwyne said to her, shaking her head.

"Aww I hate you too." Cristina called back, earning a smack on the back of the head from Bailey. "Ahhh."

"That's what you get." Meredith said. "Ouch. I didn't do anything." She protested as she got a smack too.

"Keep walking. We have things to do." Aelwyne heard Bailey say as the group rounded the corner. Soon after she heard Alex whining as well. 'Ouch. Why me?'

Aelwyne walked away chuckling at their interactions feeling a bit lighter. She was almost to the chief's offices when someone took her hand. Not just someone though, her someone. She smiled and looked at Addison's smiling face as they walked together the rest of the way. Once before the door Aelwyne began to shift nervously.

"Breathe. This is ok." Addison ensured. "I don't understand what scares you so much."

"I don't either. I'm complicated like that." Aelwyne tried to joke.

"Alright then let's go." Addison said as she knocked on the closed door.

Richard's reply came out and they walked into the office to find him sitting on his desk. Patricia, Richard's administrative assistant, also sat at the office with some paperwork in her hands. Aelwyne had let go of Addison's hand as soon as they walked in causing the redhead to giggle a bit.

"Ladies. Please take a seat." Richard greeted.

Both women sat looking at him expectantly. Addison could see the color on Aelwyne's face draining fast. She decided to speak for both of them before the brunette suffered a heart attack.

"So a couple?" Richard began. Aelwyne stammered incoherently while Addison nodded.

"Ri-" Addison began but was quickly interrupted.

"Chief, you're not going to make her leave right? I mean we fought for her to stay. She's a great teacher and an even greater asset to the hospital as a surgeon. If I have to leave so that she can stay that's…" Aelwyne began to ramble.

"Aelwyne, what in the world? I'm not making anyone leave. These are just formalities. I need you to sign some paperwork to acknowledge your new status with respect to Addison." Richard explained as gently as possible.

"I have the forms here." Patricia said passing the papers and pens to them.

"Just one thing…" Richard began as they finished signing the papers. "No more scenes like the ones yesterday please." He said with a smile.

"No more scenes like that." Addison chuckled.

"Also Addison, you know you cannot play favorites with her. She cannot be in your service more than the rest of the interns. She needs a well rounded education." Richard said to the redhead.

"Of course." Addison told him and then turned to her. "I would never tamper with her career." She finished taking her hand. Aelwyne smiled at her.

"Well it's nice to see that." Richard said to Aelwyne.

"See what, sir?" Aelwyne looked at him confused.

"I haven't seen you light up like that in a while. I'm just glad I get to see that again. I'm glad I get to see it on her as well." Richard said looking at her and then motioning to Addison.

"Thanks Richard." Addison replied with a smile.

"I'm just so glad you two are together. Take care of each other, alright?" Richard said.

"Of course." Addison said quickly followed by Aelwyne. "Always."

"So uh, do you remember how to breathe now?" Addison giggled as they walked away from the office.

"Sorry." Aelwyne replied softly.

"It's alright. I told you we'd be fine." Addison said as she interlocked their fingers together.

"You said we were a couple so easily." Aelwyne said looking at her.

"Because we are." Addison said sweetly.

"And now the whole hospital knows. And it's more official." Aelwyne said looking around and then back at her.

"Damn right. Now they know you are mine." Addison said wrapping her arms around the brunette.

Aelwyne giggled as Addison dragged her closer to her. Again hushed whispers arose as they got closer to each other. But it did not bother either of them. They were both lost in each other's eyes. That is until a yawn escaped Aelwyne's lips.

"We'll need a nap soon." Addison chuckled.

"Yes. I can send you a message when I go on break if you want to meet up." Aelwyne suggested.

"You want to meet up?" Addison smirked.

"Yes I want to meet up. You know I sleep better in your arms." Aelwyne said a bit whiningly.

"Ok then. It's decided we'll take a nap when we get a break." Addison giggled and kissed her cheek.

"You're gonna make me throw up." Cristina called behind them.

"You're just jealous." Aelwyne said amusedly, settling back next to Addison and just holding her hand.

"I guess," Cristina looked at Addison up and down. "She kinda is my type. You only need to get your hair a bit shorter." Addison laughed at that.

"Cristina." Meredith who had been there also elbowed her person.

"That's why we don't take you anywhere nice." Aelwyne said trying her best to cover the smile creeping onto her lips and failing.

"Nah you don't take me 'cause I'm better than both of you. Anyway I'm going. Dr. Webber and I have a liver waiting for us." Cristina said as she walked past them, blowing Addison a kiss and sticking her tongue out at Aelwyne.

"I think it's safe to say Cristina approves of Addison." Meredith said with a chuckle.

"Yeah. I think she's getting a bit too comfortable." Addison laughed followed by Aelwyne and Meredith. "I'm guessing you're on my service, Grey?"

"Yep. I heard you have a few surgeries, I'm excited." Meredith said with a smile. "I'll go get the charts and prep the patients. Ael, you have Burke." She announced as she walked away from the both of them.

"I guess bye until break?" Aelwyne said with a pout facing Addison.

"Yes. Bye until break." Addison said, bringing her hand to the intern's cheek. "Guess what?"

"Hmm?" Aelwyne hummed with her pout still in place.

"I can kiss that away." Addison said and she quickly pecked the brunette a few times.

"Do you two have no work today?" Bailey called after them.

"I was… umm." Aelwyne said straightening up and backing away from Addison who pressed her lips together looking at the ground.

"You were just leaving. Dr. Burke is waiting for you." Bailey said sternly.

"Yep… right." Aelwyne said and quickly began scurrying away. "Bye." She called looking at Addison behind her shoulder.

"Stop smiling like an idiot." Bailey said to Addison as she began to walk away and noticed the grin that had suddenly appeared on the redhead's face.

"Miranda." Addison scoffed playfully as she too turned to leave. They were in a hospital after all, they were doctors and there were lives to save.

And then there were 25! Ok I know I didn't give you much on this one. I had a terrible writer's block but I did give you two chapters last week. Anyway, you got some cutesy and sweet stuff and it leads to the next chapter. But let's not talk too much about that. I want to thank y'all for the likes and comments. Please keep at it. Let's me know whether or not you all are liking the story. Until next time! ;)