Chapter 10: Bitter

Meredith had slept so well that despite her annoyingly loud alarm there was a smile on her face as she woke up. She went about her morning routine, brushing her teeth, taking a quick shower, and getting dressed and ready for the day, all the while thinking about a certain redhead. Addison made her happy though nothing had actually happened. Well something had. Something had shifted between them, bringing them closer.

Addison had wanted her, she had said that, and the thought of that alone set a whirlwind of butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She had never really felt this giddy. Not even when she had the thought that Derek was the love of her life. Of course, she was trying not to jump too far into it yet though, even if her heart seemed to be more than ready. She still had a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that something was up but she was not sure what it was yet so she just brushed it off.

They had finally managed to convince Izzie to go back to the hospital and today she would be part of the carpool. Thus it came as no surprise when she found her friend downstairs finishing a bash of french toasts. Meredith smiled as she saw some of the perkiness coming back to Izzie's face with each day. Her fellow blonde looked up and smiled pointing at the plates.

"Come on, let's get you fed before we go in." Izzie waited for Meredith to come around the counter to get the plate and then happily pilled some french toast onto it.

"Thanks." Meredith smiled brightly.

"What happened?" Izzie asked, growing suspicious of her smile.

"What do you mean?" Meredith asked back, unable to wipe the grin of her lips as she dug into her breakfast. "Wow, these are awesome." Her voice muffled as she ate.

"I think she's in a very good mood. She was humming when she was going down the stairs." George pointed out as he walked in, going straight for the mountain of french toast and eating them without grabbing a plate.

"Was not." Meredith scoffed.

"Was too." George mumbled between bites.

"Feed me!" Cristina begged as she walked in.

"Here." Izzie chuckled as she made her a plate and handed her the maple syrup she liked so much.

"Thank you!" Cristina chirped as she plopped herself down next to Meredith.

"So… you are her person. Can you tell us what has Mer in such a great mood?" Izzie asked, lifting a brow.

"I just slept well. That's all. I missed working." Meredith tried to defend as Cristina threw her an amused smirk.

"You sure?" Her person asked knowingly.

"Yes, I'm sure." Meredith glared at her playfully. "Anyway, where's evil spawn? We have to go soon." Meredith added, trying to change the subject.

"I'll go get him." George said.

"Where are you going with that cup of water?" Izzie asked, eying him suspiciously.

"I'm just thirsty." George shrugged and walked out of the kitchen.

"That's what he said." Cristina joked sending her two blonde friends into a fit of laughter.

"I heard that." George called which made them all laugh even more.

A little while later they heard shouting and stomping upstairs and they looked at each other in confusion as George burst into the kitchen once more, hiding behind Izzie. A bewildered and clearly angry looking Alex ran in right after, his face dripping water.

"I'm gonna kill you Bambi." Alex growled.

"Can you do all this killing after you dry your face, eat, and get ready for work?" Izzie suggested tossing him a towel and making him a plate.

George kept his distance as Alex grabbed the plate from Izzie and sat down at the table with Meredith and Cristina, who were both snickering into their french toasts. Alex glared at them both but stayed silent and began eating.

"Guess now you don't need a shower?" Cristina bit her lips trying to contain her laughter as Meredith almost spilled her water.

"Shut up, Yang." He bit back eying them both menacingly, which only resulted in more laughter from the two.

They managed to get out of the house at a decent time even after Alex took extra long getting ready. Meredith drove them all over to the hospital, even Cristina despite her having her bike. Quickly they got changed into scrubs and were out by the counter waiting for Dr. Bailey to go on their morning rounds, with the exception of Izzie who was in a meeting with the chief. As the short resident drew near they said their good mornings only receiving a grunt in response. Bailey looked at them all, her eyes finally settling on Meredith's grinding face.

"Why are you smiling like an idiot so early in the morning?" Bailey threw her a disgusted look as her friends snickered and chuckled in the background. "Whatever. Let's get a move on people." She called, turning on her heels and walking towards their patients.

Izzie joined them at some point during rounds apologizing quickly to Bailey before hiding at the back of the group. As they finished and Bailey worked on some paperwork Cristina moved closer to Meredith so that no one could hear them.

"So spill. Is the reason you're so happy a certain double board certified neonatal surgeon, who happens to be a redhead.?" Cristina teased in whispers.

"Cristina, be quiet." Meredith pleaded and was unable to wipe the grin growing on her face again at the mere mention of Addison.

"Hit it right on the nail. Didn't I?" Cristina winked and chuckled a bit.

"Shut up." Meredith whined playfully.

"Come on. Something happened yesterday. Tell me." Cristina nudged her. Meredith kept shaking her head until she gave in.

"Fine. So she was upset and I thought I'd bring her Mark to feel better but she got mad and said she wanted me and then we sorta slept together." Meredith told her and noticing Cristina's eyes go wide she quickly continued. "Not that way. She fell asleep on me. Nothing else."

"Right." Cristina nodded suggestively.

"Cristina get your head out of the gutter." Meredith shook her head.

"If you know it was in the gutter it's because yours is right there with mine." Cristina chuckled as Meredith swathed at her playfully.

"Are you two done playing?" Bailey huffed at them making them straighten up lips tight to hide their smiles.

Izzie, George, and Alex, who were bickering, came over to get their assignments. Bailey fixed the boys with a look that had the argument between them dying out.

"Stevens, you are with Dr. Webber. Karev, pit. Yang, with Dr. Shepherd. O'Malley, with Montgomery, and Grey you're with me." Bailey said.

"Wait umm Dr. Bailey?" Meredith called as confusion dawned upon her. It might be that Addison had not had the chance to tell her. "Yesterday, Dr. Montgomery said she would like me with her today as well."

"Are you questioning me?" Bailey retorted.

"No, of course not. It's just…" Meredith began.

"Dr. Montgomery requested O'Malley and that's that. Off you go people. Grey go prep Mr. Datto we have to remove his appendix today." Bailey commanded. Meredith stood there for a while still confused and with a dazed look until Bailey snapped her fingers at her. "Don't you have something to do?"

"Right. Sorry." Meredith fumbled and then was off.

After Mr. Datto's surgery Meredith decided to check the surgical board to see if Addison had surgery coming up or something. She saw the attending's name and frowned at George's for a bit before going to find the redhead.

Addison stood at the nurse's station looking over a chart alone, which perfectly suited Meredith. She approached and stood close to the redhead but if Addison noticed Meredith was there she did not show it. Meredith cleared her throat a bit and Addison still did not look at her.

"Addie?" Meredith called nervously and noticed Addison twitch at that. "Addie?" She tried again.

"It's Montgomery, Grey. Show a little more respect and professionalism." Addison's voice was cold and she still was not looking at Meredith, which hurt quite a lot.

"Sorry, Dr. Montgomery." Meredith spoke her voice in turn, sounding small after the redhead had spoken.

"Is there something you need Grey?" Addison let out an annoyed sigh.

"I… uh well you said yesterday…" Meredith stuttered.

"Yesterday was a mistake, Grey. I apologize for my lack of restraint and moment of weakness." Addison cold tone freezing over Meredith to the spot. She could feel tears prickling in her eyes but she shook them.

"I see." She replied her voice almost mangled, making Addison shift and almost look at her.

"I believe you have other things to do besides standing here." Addison's dismissive tone felt like a slap to the face but Meredith took it in stride. She would not break here. She would not show her pain here. She was angry and sad and she might be feeling like the air was being sucked right out of her but she would not show anything.

"You're right." Meredith said her voice back to normal as pushed down all the feelings threatening to overtake her. Addison looked at her then, making her breath catch a bit before she settled once more. "I wanted to know how Mrs. Burns was doing. Since she was also my patient yesterday. How did the delivery go?" She asked.

"Mrs. Burns decided to go home. She doesn't want to deliver today. Anyway you don't have to concern yourself with my patient, Grey. And if that is all then you should run along." Addison's eyes were cold but Meredith could make the clouds behind them. She was about to ask Addison what was wrong when Bailey called for her.

"Hey fool. You still need to finish the charts." Bailey called.

"One second Dr. Bailey?" Meredith called back, and she could hear the angry resident in the background as she brought her attention back to Addison, who already had her nose back on her chart.

"I'm busy Grey and so are you. Off you go." Addison kept on scribbling her notes and Meredith let out a huff as she walked away.

Addison felt herself breaking slowly as Meredith walked away. She was aching to run after her and wrap her in her arms. Hearing Meredith break for however briefly she had allowed it to show hurt so much she almost gave in. But she could not do that.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Red?" Mark asked by way of greeting.

"What do you want, Mark?" Addison looked at him annoyed.

"Why did you do that to her? I thought, you and her…" He began.

"Whatever you thought, keep to yourself." Addison interjected.

"But Addison…" He tried again.

"Don't you have better things to worry about? I'm busy if you hadn't noticed. Bye Mark." Addison said, quickly stepping away from him trying to put as much distance between them as possible.

The clicking of her heels echoed in the hallway as she quickly made her way back to the maternity wing. She could hear someone calling for her over and over and over which got her worked up pretty quickly.

"Dr. Montgomery!" George called behind her.

"What?!" She snapped turning to face the intern who shrinked a few steps back. "I'm sorry. What is it, O'Malley?" She asked, calming down a bit.

"You forgot to sign these." George handed her the paperwork for her to sign and then was off leaving her alone once more to simmer in her thoughts and pain.

Mark spotted Cristina leaving the cafeteria after his little run in with Addison. He knew there was something going on. He knew Addison very well and could easily tell when she was hiding something. He waved Cristina over, who looked at him up and down and scoffed before making her way towards him.

"What do you want?" Cristina asked, her face blank.

"Always a pleasure to see you." Mark smirked.

"Get on with it. I have things to do." Cristina huffed.

"Fine. You should go check on your friend because my friend was being an ass." Mark said cryptically.

Mark did not get a chance to say more before Cristina was off in search of Meredith. She was worried and pissed as she went down to the tunnels and sure enough there she was staring at nothing, sitting on the gurney.

"Mer." Cristina called pulling her friend away from whatever world she had ventured to.

"Cristina." Meredith whimpered.

Cristina moved towards her but as she did she heard the very distinct footsteps of George and Izzie. Quickly she grabbed Meredith's hand and dragged away from the prying eyes of their friends. She opened the gate to some old storage room pulling Meredith in.

"What happened?" Cristina asked, going straight to the point.

"I don't know." Meredith responded as she held back tears.

"Mer." Cristina pushed.

"I just thought… I… yesterday everything was fine." Meredith whimpered but held herself together still.

"And today?" Cristina urged.

"Today, it was like I spoke to a completely different person. She was so cold and distant. And she wouldn't even look at me. And when I asked about yesterday she told me to forget it." Meredith's voice cracking at spots.

"Why?" Cristina asked more to herself than her friend.

"I don't know. To drive me crazy. To make me suffer for what I did to her. Maybe she could see how much being close to her meant to me and she used it." Meredith spat bitterly, sinking on the ground.

"Mer." Cristina shook her head sitting next to her, grabbing onto her arm and leaning her head on her shoulder.

"I know! I know. It's none of that." Meredith let out a small sob. "It just feels like that."

"What do you mean?" Cristina straightened up so that she was looking at her.

"When she looked at me. I don't know how I could tell but… she's hiding something." Meredith bringing her knees up and laying her head on them.

"Hiding something?" Cristina asked with a frown.

"I don't know. I don't trust myself anymore. I could be making it up." Meredith replied with a sad chuckle as her pager went off. "I don't have time to do this right now. I don't have time to be a mess." She said getting up. "I'll see you later."

Cristina sat there a while after Meredith had gone thinking about what to do. On one hand she wanted to pummel the redhead into oblivion. There was Meredith hurting again unnecessarily and it irked her. She was her person and she hated the fact that she could not protect her from crap like this. But on the other hand she had seen it. She had seen the way Addison's eyes brightened every time Meredith was with her. She recalled the urgency and worry when she looked for her to check on Meredith. How the night after her surgery she had found the redhead holding onto tightly onto Meredith's hand as they both slept. It was actually very idiotic to think it was just a game for her or a way to get back at Meredith. She had to figure this out.

She made her way out of the storage room and heard laughter echoing from the hallway. Alex was saying something and Izzie laughed as George groaned. She made her way back towards them when she heard Alex joking again.

"Dude, you went from being in love with Mer to wanting to be her?" Alex chuckled and Izzie giggled.

"Shut up. I'm just saying that Satan has been in a mood. Every time I do something wrong she says 'Grey always knows what to do. Learn from her.'" George said, mocking Addison's tone rather unsuccessfully.

"She said 'Better yet. Be Grey.'. She did. I heard her when I went to get the labs." Izzie chuckled along with Alex.

"So Satan's pms-ing?" Cristina asked joining in.

"More like she's in withdrawals." George shrugged.

"Withdrawals of what?" Izzie asked.

"Probably, Shepherd." Alex suggested.

"Oh she needs to get laid." Izzie joked.

"Definitely." George and Alex said in unison.

"Cristina?" Izzie called but the brunette was lost in thought.

'Withdrawals?' There was definitely something going on and she really needed to find out just what it was. She also needed to talk to Mark. They had to figure this out and quickly. She was not going to let Meredith suffer longer than she had to. Especially when she did not have to.

"Yo!" Alex snapped her off her thoughts as he threw a paper ball her way, which she easily dodged.

"Bye." She was all she said before walking away.

"Cristina, where are you going?" Izzie asked but Cristina just shrugged and waved.

Mark leaned over the counter flirting with one of the O.R. nurse's when someone grabbed his hand and started dragging him away. The nurse frowned in confusion as Cristina tugged on him and threw her a smile.

"Aren't you afraid they'll tell your boyfriend about us?" Mark smirked.

"Shut up and listen. Something is going on with your friend and we need to find out what." Cristina said as they walked into the x-ray room. Something flashed in Mark's eyes at her words and lingered. He looked away from her as if lost in thought.

"We need to get you on her service." He said after a while.

"Why can't you just talk to her?" Cristina waved her hands.

"Because she knows that I suspect something is up. And she also knows you hate anything that's not cardio. So her guard will be down." Mark nodded as if it were the perfect plan.

"You're an idiot. How will I get her to tell me anything? Satan doesn't like me." Cristina countered.

"I heard she fought to keep you and your ovaries alive." Mark replied with a cheeky grin.

"She's a doctor. Of course she'd do that. It still doesn't make her my friend. How are we supposed to find out why she's being such an ass to Mer?" Cristina tapped her foot angrily.

"You'll think of something. You are a good spy. Besides, you want to help your friend." Mark winked at her.

"But…" Cristina tried to argue.

"But nothing Yang. I'll make sure you're on her service tomorrow." And with that he left a huffing and puffing brunette alone in the room.

"Whatever." She sighed. "The vagina squad… annoying moms and babies ugh." She mumbled disgustedly. "Anything for Meredith. I'm a saint."

And I then there were 10! Ooo don't hate me too much just be patient. Patience is a virtue hehe. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it a bit. Thanks so much for the comments and votes and everything. You guys are awesome. Also Happy Pride! Until next week. ;)