Chapter 14: Pathetic

Cristina stared at her phone screen for a while after getting the message from her person. Her mind racing, she had thought she had been able to keep him at bay today. But apparently that had not been the case and so she stared at the message reading it over and over.

-Incoming Message: Twisted Mer

-Cover for Addison. He got her. Bruises. Tell Dr. Bailey and Chief. Need to stay. Don't tell Mark. Act normal.

She shook herself out of the slight shock. She knew something like this was happening, she had hoped her mind was just being paranoid but that was not the case.

Cristina grabbed a few charts, checking to ensure there were no urgent cases which would require the redhead. Then she told the nurses to only page her and not Dr. Montgomery, unless it was an emergency. She was about to leave and go looking for Dr. Bailey when she spotted Derek walking in. Taking a deep breath to steel herself she made her way towards him.

"Got lost again, Shepherd?" Cristina did her best to not sound too snarly.

"Where's my wife?" He scanned the floor quickly before settling back on her.

"She's not your wife. Dr. Montgomery was called out of the hospital." Cristina shrugged. She felt like grabbing his head and smashing it against the wall but that would not be considered acting normal as Meredith had said. But then she was sure if her person saw him he'd be on his way to surgery.

"Out of the hospital?" Derek eyed her suspiciously.

"Some emergency at Mercy West. Look, I have better things to do than stand here with you." Cristina gave him a lazy look and could see his anger flash a little before he turned and left.

"What was that about?" Mark's voice rang behind her making her flinch.

"Dammit, wear a bell or something." Cristina cursed lightly.

"Oops. Anyway, where is Addison? She looked scared earlier. I need to find out if Derek did something stupid." Mark said, looking around.

'Oh he did something stupid, alright. Just have the feeling that if I tell you this whole thing will be worse.'

"She's with Mer. Let them be. They're spending time together and that's what we wanted." Cristina did her best to not give away just why Meredith was with Addison right now and Mark seemed to buy it as he smiled brightly.

"Seems we've accomplished a great deal. How about we celebrate? What do you say? Me? You? Joe's?" Mark wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"You wish. I'm too much of a woman for you. Now get off. I have work to do." She shook him off.

"You sure it's not because of Burke? I can ask for permission." He winked at her.

"Go drown yourself." Cristina made a face and left him, hoping he would not go looking for the pair.

Making her way down to the E.R., after being told that Bailey had gone over, she could hear the resident fuming and with reason since Meredith was nowhere to be found.

"I gave her an assignment. First she waltzes around with a patient and now she's missing." Bailey spat.

"Dr. Bailey." Cristina called.

"I swear when I find Meredith Grey she'll regret having been born." Bailey continued bitterly.

"Dr. Bailey." Cristina called once more.

"What Yang? Why are you here? You're supposed to be with Montgomery. I swear you interns are going to be the death of me." Bailey rambled on.

"Dr. Bailey." Cristina said a bit more sternly, making the resident stop talking and look at her.

"What's wrong?" Bailey looked at her, apparently sensing the urgency and the seriousness in her tone and demeanor.

"Can we…" Cristina was about to suggest a more private setting when the resident grabbed her arm and led her to an empty exam room.

"Speak." Bailey waited for her to talk.

"It's Meredith." Cristina began.

"Now what did that idiot do?" Bailey interrupted a little worry in her tone.

"And Dr. Montgomery." Cristina added.

"What happened?" Bailey's concern was starting to show more then.

"Well, the thing is…" Cristina began but had no idea how to tell her so she pulled out her phone and showed Bailey the message. The resident read it several times.

"Please tell me it's not who I'm thinking about." Bailey looked at her breathing heavily.

"It was him. It was Dr. Shepherd." Cristina confirmed.

"Where is She?" Bailey asked. Cristina could see the anger boiling in her gaze and the worry bubbling as well.

"She's with Meredith up in OB." Cristina said and watched as the resident's cogs started turning.

"We need the chief." Bailey muttered to herself.

"He's out of town. The nurses were talking about Patricia complaining about it." Cristina informed her resident.

"I'll get him here. We need him here." Bailey said and turned. "C'mon let's get Patricia to page him back. Then we go check on them. Also I'll need to call the on-call OB to cover for her." She walked out and Cristina followed dutifully. "Grey's right. We cannot tell Sloan."

"Tell Sloan what?" Mark appeared out of thin air making Cristina jump again, swallowing hard. 'Now what?'

"That the nurses are planning on boycotting you." Cristina was surprised with the ease and conviction with which Bailey lied.

"What?" Mark looked shocked.

"Yeah, you've been too much of a man whore. That's what happens." Bailey shrugged. "Let's go Yang."

"Wait, Dr. Bailey. Can you help me out with the nurses?" Mark pleaded.

"Fine but let them be for now. Anyway, go be productive." She waved him away.

"Thank you." He smiled and walked off.

"That was impressive." Cristina smiled a bit sadly.

"That man could make the biggest mistake of his life if he hears any of this. A lie for a life seems good." Bailey replied letting out a sigh. "Let's move Yang. We need to get the chief back here."

Quickly Cristina and Bailey headed to Patricia to get the chief.

Addison had fallen asleep a while ago on top of her. Meredith was still shedding silent tears, her eyes still glued to the bruises on the redhead's arm. Not that long ago they had laid here and yes Addison had been upset then but it was nothing like this. As she slept, instead of the content sighs from before, small whimpers would escape her lips. Meredith felt her heart sink even more with each one. The redhead would reflexively tighten her hold on her and would not release until Meredith gently brushed her hair, soothing her back into deep sleep.

Guilt kept eating at her even though she was well aware that none of it was her fault but Derek's. And yet guilty is what she felt. Guilty because Addison had put herself through this for her. Guilty for not seeing it sooner. Guilty for getting this close to her, which got Derek to act up.

Addison shifted yet again bringing another whimper to her lips but this time she said Meredith's name and her eyes fluttered open.

"Meredith?" Addison called.

"I'm right here, Addie. It's ok. You can sleep. It's ok." Meredith soothed calmly.

"You are here." Addison said as she settled again.

They were quiet for a while but Meredith was well aware the redhead was still awake.

"What are you thinking about?" Meredith asked.

"I feel…" Addison began but stopped clinging tightly to her.

"It's ok, Addie. You feel?" Meredith began to draw circles on Addison's wrist.

"Pathetic and weak." Addison said softly.

"You are the furthest thing from pathetic. You are brave and courageous. And amazing and kind. So, so beautiful inside and out." Meredith smiled, lifting the redhead's chin a bit to look into her eyes. "None of this makes you pathetic, much less weak."

"This whole thing has been a nightmare." Addison sighed and Meredith nodded. "But at least I still have y-" She stopped abruptly burying her face on Meredith's chest.

"You do." Meredith chuckled. "You have me." She lifted Addison's chin again.

"Meredith." Addison said, still blushing .

"Hmm?" Meredith tilted her head a bit.

"You also make me nervous." Addison gave her a little smile and Meredith could not be happier.

"Has anyone ever told you, you are absolutely beautiful when you smile?" Meredith swore she could see the light dancing in Addison's eyes.

"Yeah?" Addison smiled a bit more.

"Definitely." Meredith nodded.

"Your smile can make time stop." Addison said sweetly.

A blush worked its way to Meredith's cheeks at the statement. She was sure the rosy hue on her face matched Addison's as they just lay there looking into each other's eyes. Time stopped for both of them and the world around them stopped turning.

They were getting lost in the moment when there was a knock on the door. Addison jumped off the bed lading on the floor with a thud. Meredith was immediately next to her helping her up.

"Meredith." Her voice trembled with fear.

"Addie, whoever it is can't get in. I locked the door. It's ok." Meredith assured her. Addison calmed down some and looked towards the door.

"What do we do?" Addison asked.

"Answer." Meredith said calmly.

"What if it's him?" Addison asked nervously.

"The door stays locked." Meredith gave her a reassuring smile. "Ready?" She asked and once the redhead nodded she walked closer to the door, Addison holding onto her hand. "Who is it?" She called.

"It's me." Meredith heard Bailey's voice from the other side and looked at Addison, who had also recognized who it was and nodded for her to open the door.

Meredith opened the door slowly to give Addison a chance to calm down. Bailey tapped her foot impatiently with Cristina behind keeping watch. She nodded at her person who nodded back and after letting her resident in she shut the door again.

"You should be in the E.R." Bailey looked at Meredith who just pressed her lips together.

"M-Miranda please." Addison pleaded moving next to Meredith.

"I was just saying Addison." She released a sigh and sat down on the empty bed motioning for Addison to sit down next to her. The redhead sat next to Bailey, who was starting to put her hand on her shoulder.

"Stop!" Meredith yelled a bit and Bailey froze.

"What?" Bailey looked at her confused.

"Her back." Meredith said softly. Bailey looked unsure as to what to do with her hand so Addison gently took it and gave it a squeeze.

"He really did this to you?" Bailey's eyes landed on the bruises on the redhead's arms and Addison nodded. Bailey looked like she was about to cry but managed to reign herself in.

"The chief is on his way back now. He knows enough or well what I know." Bailey explained. Relief flooded through Addison as she heard this. With the chief she would not have to worry about Mark or Meredith doing something crazy.

"That's good. I tried to tell him but he was gone today." Addison finally spoke.

"Addison, will you let me, us," Bailey motioned to herself and Meredith, "examine you? Just to ensure there's no signs of any internal bleeding or anything. Please." She asked.

"Ok. Just, Meredith," She looked at the blonde whose jaw was set as her eyes focused on her arms, "Mer," she called softly and Meredith looked up to her, "promise you'll stay here."

"I…" Meredith began but stopped.

"Promise." Addison insisted.

"Fine. I promise." Meredith mumbled.

With that Addison started to take off her scrub top hissing slightly when it caught. Bailey immediately started to help her to keep the top from getting close to the redhead's back. Slowly they got it off and stood. Meredith went to get the lights and in a few seconds Addison heard the gasps.

"How-how bad is it?" She shifted nervously.

"What did he do Addison?" Bailey's voice came soft.

"He umm, well he slammed me against the shelves from the supply closet over and over." Addison stammered out and then she heard the whimper. She turned around fast and found Meredith looking at her with tears streaming down her face.

Meredith did not know what she had expected. She had seen people hurt in the worst ways possible but this was Addison. Addison who now had bruises forming up and down her back. The patterns from the shelves clearly etched onto her skin. Vast areas covered in petechiae. She felt like she could not breathe. He had done this to her. Derek had done this because he wanted Meredith.

"I-I'm so s-orry." Meredith struggled to speak as she held down the sobs threatening to spill.

"Shhhh. You have nothing to apologize for." Addison tried to comfort her.

"He... I did this." Meredith replied, her voice broken.

"No. You did nothing. This was him. Him and his deranged mind." Addison stepped forward and Meredith backwards, her hand moving to the door handle.

"Meredith, don't. You promised." Addison's eyes widened in fear. Meredith turned and unlocked the door ready to leave. "Meredith, please. I can't. If you… I can't lose you. Meredith. Please."

Meredith turned back to her. She could not do this. She could not ignore her. So she stayed put, trying to even her breathing. Trying to calm herself so she would not do the stupidity she was about to go do. He would succeed in taking her away from Addison if she went and did what she wanted to do.

"Mer." Addison's soft voice echoed in her head and she looked up.

"I want to hold you properly, dammit." Meredith growled, frustration and pent up anger dripping at her seams.

"I know." Addison smiled weakly.

Suddenly the door flung open making all three women inside the room jump. Meredith held her tiny fists up at the ready until she saw who it was.

"Sloan, I told you it's private." Cristina was trying to pull Mark back but it was already too late. His eyes had found the bruises and marks on Addison's skin as she had turned around to grab her scrub top to cover herself.

"Mark." Addison said softly. "Breathe, Mark."

"I'm going to kill him." Was the only thing he said before he stormed away.

"Oh god. We have to stop him." Addison said putting her scrub top on quickly and running after him along with Meredith, Cristina, and Bailey.

They reached the neuro wing quickly as they chased after the crazed plastic surgeon. Addison kept calling out to him but he was on a one track mind. Derek thankfully was nowhere to be found in his wing but that did not deter Mark's need to find him. And so down to the O.R.s they went.

Mark went by the board, took one look and he was off again. Addison stopped and looked as well and noticed Derek had been scheduled for a craniotomy. She ran as fast as she could, Meredith, Cristina and Bailey close behind. As she went to turn the corner she ran into Alex.

"Karev, help us." Addison said, pulling him along. Alex was utterly confused but he noticed his friends and Bailey running along with them so he followed without complaints.

Mark was already inside the scrub room when they finally caught up. He scrubbed viciously throwing everything.

"Mark, please." Addison touched his shoulder and jerked it away making her lose her balance.

As Alex went to catch her pain shot through her back making her yelp. The sound made Mark freeze and look at her, concern written in his eyes. Meredith eyed like she was ready to kill him instead of Derek, who seemed to be in the middle of his surgery missing the commotion in the adjacent room.

"Touch her again and I'll end you." Meredith growled at Mark.

"I'm sorry. Red, I'm sorry." Mark apologized profusely as he tried to get near her and then backing away as Meredith glared at him.

"Please, let's just wait for the chief. Please." Addison pleaded with everyone because now Meredith and Bailey kept on throwing glances inside the O.R., where the oblivious neurosurgeon was.

Addison managed to get them to listen to her and finally the group left. She suggested they go to the cafeteria, thinking it would be the less likely place Derek would go to after surgery. They sat in silence for a while, Alex had gone to cover the pit for Meredith saying that if they needed him they only needed to call him. Cristina told them the same as she went to ensure Addison's patients were taken care of. Bailey sat watching the door as Mark kept on bouncing one leg. Meredith just held onto Addison's hand under the table.

"When did this start?" Mark asked, finally breaking the silence.

"That's not important right now." Addison tried to evade.

"I bet since I came back after the appy." Meredith said softly.

"Red." Mark looked at her, his eyes growing watery. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I just thought I could handle it. I thought he was just blowing off steam." Addison tried evading again.

"Tell him the truth, Addison." Meredith said and squeezed her hand. "He threatened me. She was trying to protect me." The blonde explained with a sad smile.

"You're an idiot." Bailey said to Addison.

"I know." Addison sighed heavily.

"How many times did he…" Mark tried to ask but instead swallowed hard.

"This is just the second time." Addison looked down at her lap. "I was going to tell Richard today."

"The second time? The second time? There shouldn't have even been a first." Mark stood and paced some nearby doctors throwing glances their way.

"Dr. Bailey." Patricia called. "Just wanted to let you know, the chief is a few minutes out. He was already on his way when I called earlier. Anyway, he wants you all to meet him at his office." The assistant motioned to all of them, even Meredith.

"Wanna head over? Maybe he can walk out some of that steam." Bailey asked Addison, throwing a glance at Mark, who had started pacing again muttering something to himself.

"That may be best." Addison said as she looked around to find doctors whispering and looking their way.

She let go of Meredith and stood. She watched as the blonde's bottom lip puckered up a bit in a pout so smiling she took her hand once more. Meredith looked up at her with a grin which made her chuckle.

"Mark, c'mon we have to go see Richard." Addison gently patted him on the shoulder.

"Fine." He mumbled and followed after the women.

They were crossing the bridge when Meredith stopped walking abruptly making Addison stop as well. The redhead followed the blonde's gaze and saw him there, with a half smile.

Derek stood in front of Richard's office looking at them. Addison felt her bruises and marks tingle as she was sent back to the supply closet, back to being slammed over and over. She could feel herself shaking and then Mark was off.

The crunch of bones as a fist colliding with a jaw was unmistakable. She knew Mark's hand was broken without assessing it. Quickly she let go of Meredith and ran to stop Mark before he made everything worse. She got to him as he was winding up another punch in time to stop him as Derek lay in front of them on the floor.

"Mark, no. Please. Stop." Addison fought but Mark kept on trying to get back to Derek.

"Let go." Mark spat. "Let me get his fucking ass! I'll make him feel what you felt ten times worse."

"Don't, please." She begged again holding onto Mark for dear life ignoring the pain in her arms.

"Addison, let go." Mark kept on saying as Derek began to get up.

"No Mark. Please. Look at me. Please." Addison grabbed his face to make him look at her. "Please, just don't. For me, ok?" She pleaded with tears in her eyes.

As Mark started to calm down, his eyes glued to hers and breathing heavily. Out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of blonde hair walking past them. She turned away from Mark and back to Meredith who had made a v-line to Derek.

"Meredith." Addison called as the blonde's leg connected with Derek's groin. Derek doubled over in pain.

"Pathetic." Meredith's voice was cold as she stood above Derek.

And then there were 14! Ha! Hope you enjoyed it a little. Sorry it's a little late but too many stories in my head plus everything is so distracting. Anyway, remember to leave a comment and thank you to all of you who already do. You guys are the best. Until next time. ;)