This is not supposed to happen.
He thinks, as his eyes get stuck on her smile.
This is wrong on so many levels.
What is wrong with these people? Who thought that it was a good idea to sing that stupid song over and over, on this exact night? These people are supposed to be his doctor-genius best friends, yet they all decided to act like complete idiots at once? And why the hell did he join in? What on earth forced his mouth open to follow her cue, to give these dumbasses the exact lyrics they need?
This is so fucking wrong.
Still, his heart beats faster, like it is about to jump out of his chest when her smile becomes a purse at the following lines, that he has to quickly look back down to the table.
And she would breathe the life back into me
For everyday until eternity
It sounds so stupid, and cringy, and cheesy, that he wonders how he even came up with it in the first place. Yet at the same time, it is soul breaking, because they all know that's not what happened. Turns out, eternity only lasted for ten years, and within the blink of an eye, they have all become different people. Her long, desirable scarlett locks have been cut mercilessly, and she looks older now, worn out with all the obstacles life throws in her face. And he? He had gotten used to waking up next to blonde hair, instead of red.
As it turns out, Derek and Addison were never meant to last.
Or until I am as dead as that cadaver.
Sam bellows, causing all of them to burst into laughter. Mark hits his bicep playfully, while Naomi just shakes her head, her eyes brimming with nostalgic tears.
But it is Addison that holds his eye still. She can't be comfortable with this whole situation, he knows that, with her whole previous speech about putting him in a box. Especially because she knows he is planning to propose to Meredith soon. Still, Addison handles herself with class. She doesn't show any discomfort apart from the initial confusion, joining in at the appropriate moment, albeit a little reluctantly, and laughing with them. In fact, she looks so composed that Derek has to wonder if she is actually fine with hearing the goddamn song over and over.
Because he is not fine.
He thought he was fine. In fact, he was happy, after the surgery, when all his friends surrounded him and congratulated him, and their playful banters brought him straight back to happy days at Columbia. He was miffed when the trio walked up to him and Addison humming her song, but that quickly turned into a pleasant amusement when Addison, in her off tune voice, tried to sing the line starting the second verse.
I met her in the summery
She sang, and he couldn't help bursting into laughter while correcting her, not without some proud condescendence in his voice.
I never wrote summery. That doesn't make any sense. He said. It's summer, she.
Addison turned her head around, eyes wide with surprise and asked, really, and he confirmed. Really. Her emerald eyes were mesmerizing, he thought, blue oceans sparkling with a million stars. He grinned back at her, thinking about how much he missed talking to and laughing with her. Then Mark and Sam and Naomi started yelling at the top of their throat with the second verse, and Derek stopped being okay.
_Oh, that was good. - Mark shakes his head and comments ruefully. - Good times.
_It was. - Sam agrees, holding his shot glass up. - Another round, everyone?
_Only if you promise not to do that again. - Addison chuckles, holding her empty glass out. - Does Maya have any idea how embarrassing her parents are?
_Oh, she knows that all too well. - Naomi scoffs, good-naturedly. - She can't wait to shake us all off.
_How old is she now? - Mark takes her glass, while Sam takes Addison's. - Remind me to get her something nice before you leave. I need her to put in a good word for me with all her pretty Hollywood friends.
Naomi frowns and hits him, her maternal side temporarily triumphs over the drunken doctor. Sam chuckles, before turning towards Derek.
_Refill? - He asks.
_Oh, I'm good. - Derek shakes his head, raising his almost full glass up. He has barely had any alcohol in his system, yet his brain is already running frantically with thoughts about Addison, Derek thinks guiltily. His guilt expands as Sam nods and walks towards the bar with Mark and Naomi in tow to refill their glasses, leaving him alone at the table with Addison.
She grins while teasing him, her eyes sparkling mischievously. - Too old for this?
_Yeah. - Derek shrugs, not wanting her to catch on with his emotions. - I've been working all day, mind you.
Addison laughs and leans back in her seat. - And your 12 - year - old children leave you alone at night? - She asks, sounding genuinely curious.
Derek raises the glass up to take a sip of his scotch, taking notice of Addison's tanned, endless legs. She is still wearing her work clothes - a dark green plaid skirt and matching blazer, crinkled after hours of sitting, waiting, and nervous pacing. He doesn't like this outfit on her. Plaid is too pretentious, too Bizzy. But even the horrendous outfit can't hide the fact that Addison's legs are a sight. Once upon a time, they used to wrap around his body tightly, as she moaned his name out loud, her lips melting on his.
_They're always worn out at night. - He replies, pushing his previous thoughts aside. Addison's fashion choice has nothing to do with him, just like her infuriatingly long legs. - Sometimes they work even longer shifts than me.
_You're joking! - Addison exclaims, lifting her hand up to touch her hair, like she's still not fully used to how short it is. - How can anyone work harder than you?
_Is that a compliment I hear? - Derek smirks. - Although, really, I don't think you're qualified to make that comment anymore.
_What is that supposed to mean? - Addison glares at him playfully, as Mark walks up and hands her a new glass of martini.
_Dry martini, no olive. - Mark takes the seat next to Derek, a cocky grin on his face. - Am I good, or am I good?
_Adequate. - Addison concedes, taking a grateful sip of her drink. - But of course you have to be a gentleman to charm the pretty babies, don't you?
Mark's smirk drops as he promptly gives Addison a kick under the table. The redhead laughs out loud, tilting her head backwards, completely unaffected by the amateur hit. Derek eyes them both suspiciously.
_What is that supposed to mean? - He inadvertently repeats Addison's previous question. - Did you guys manage to come up with new jokes behind my back already?
The emphasis on already is deliberate, and very obvious.
_Nope. - Mark denies, glaring at Addison like he's daring her to say otherwise. - Addison doesn't know what she's talking about. I'm a changed man.
Addison bites her lips, in a very obvious attempt to hold back her laughs. Mark shoots her another glare, and nods his head towards her glass threateningly.
_Addison doesn't know what she's talking about. - She mimics sarcastically, before following his orders and taking a large sip. - Addison is tired, and drunk.
_With one glass of martini? - Derek snorts, unconvinced. It's Mark's turn to hold back his laughter now, but unlike Addison, he sucks at it. His chest is practically shaking, as his face reddens. - Okay, you know what, I don't care. - He throws his hands back in feigned annoyance. - I'll find out anyway, cause you both suck at keeping secrets.
It isn't the truth. Somehow everything that leaves his mouth tonight feels like a blatant lie.
The actual truth is, he feels uncomfortable with the nostalgia Addison and Mark's interaction is bringing upon him. They were once the three Musketeers, sharing every embarrassing story and jokes. But as close as they were, there were still words only exchanged once, between two. He and Addison had their own moments, just like he and Mark, and Mark and Addison. There was a time period when he despised the bond between Mark and Addison and thought bitterly that the only thing they should have in common was their love for him. But then Addison left. With her departure, the hatred, the frustration, the annoyance, and all the other pettiness diminish into a speck of dust.
Meredith is great. She fits with him, and she is slowly learning about him, and he is confident that one day she will know him even better than Addison does. But she doesn't have the kind of relationship that Addison has with Mark, nor does she want to, and that means they will always be Derek and Mark, or Derek and Meredith, and never the three Musketeers. He is still happy with it, most of the time, but seeing Addison again, hearing the song, and now, seeing Addison and Mark seemingly fall back into their previous routine, all of these makes his heart flutter like a twenty year old john, with a burning desire to be three again. It's not that he hates feeling this way, he just knows that it's a wrong feeling to have. Like when they were singing before and he couldn't stop staring at her smile, thinking about their love saga. Like how he has been fantasizing about her endless legs and her fashion choices. The nostalgia itself is not the problem, but because it's Addison, he has to stop thinking before it has the chance to blossom into something else.
The thought jolts him awake. Blossom into something else? Why is he thinking about that phrase, when she is his ex-wife, and everything that could have happened between them has already happened too long ago?
Derek quickly brings his glass up to hide his face, only to realize that it is empty already. Lucky for him, Addison and Mark are still too focused in their wordless banter to notice.
He uses the opportunity to sneak a closer look at Addison. You would think he has had plenty of chances to do that beforehand, considering how she has practically been in his face the whole day to get him to save her jackass brother, but Archer's presence is a stress on and of itself. It also wasn't easy to think of anything about Addison, when he was trying so hard to either get rid of the guilt that he wasn't able to save her brother, or to convince himself that he could do it. Maybe it's his guilt projecting, but when he thinks about Addison today, all he can think about is her big eyes, clouded with a stubborn determination, and the way she constantly bites her lips that it is honestly a miracle they're still intact. He realizes, a few hours too late, that they were all signs she displays when she wants to cry, but knows that she can't. He has not had to deal with them for so long, because for more than a decade, there's no such thing as hiding between them. They yelled, they fought, and they cried. Since when did Addison no longer feel comfortable breaking down in front of him, and since when did he stop recognizing the jarring signs?
A sharp pain in the leg brings him back to life. Derek blinks, as Addison's leg retreats to its original position. - What happened to you? - She asks, bemused. - One glass of scotch, and you're down already?
_He's just missing his 12 - year - old. - Mark sniggers. - They're usually snuggling in bed together by now.
_Well thanks for the image, Mark. - Addison scoffs, feigning disgust, before offering Derek a sympathetic smile. - You can go, if you want. - She says, swirling the glass in her hand. - You're the hero today. No one can force you to do anything.
There is something in her voice that he doesn't quite catch, a weird lightness, that sounds almost like a tease, but not really. Why is Addison so different? Has she really changed that much, just one year after him?
_Don't sound so upset. - Derek decides to treat it as a tease. - You just want me out of here, so you guys can start singing that embarrassing song again.
The words slip out of his mouth so naturally that at first, he doesn't fully understand what he just said. Addison parts her lips in surprise, while Mark gapes.
_Really, Shep? - He asks, incredulous. - Hey Sam, Nae! - He turns his head towards the bar and bellows out. - Are you done with those drinks? Derek wants to hear us singing again!
_No I don't! - Derek gasps, only now does he understand the shock on Addison's face. But it's already too late. - I did not say that! - He repeats, glaring at Mark. His friend smirks back innocently, before decidedly raises his voice to another octave and screams out loud.
Our eyes met over the cadaver and I knew I had to have her
_Stop it Mark! - Derek frowns. Mark ignores him, standing up and joining his voice with Sam and Naomi's.
Had his mitral valve grown too thick?
Is that what made our cadaver so sick?
He could not have frowned harder than he did, yet no one seemed to care.
Addison shakes her head resignedly. - Just let them have it. - She advises. - I don't think Sam and Naomi have drunk this much in a long time.
_Seriously? - Derek shoots a disbelieved look at her, and Addison nods. - You're not going to try to stop them?
_Nah. - She shrugs, taking a sip to conceal her grin. - I'm zen now, remember? I let people do their things.
_Right. - Derek echoes doubtfully, while watching her through the rim of his glass. Addison doesn't seem nearly as affected as him. Other than the fact that she is already finishing her second shot, she looks perfectly relaxed and normal. The martini may not be her reaction to the song as well, after all, her brother just had a near - death experience, and God knows how much Connecticut people drink when there is even the slightest mention of the afterlife.
But, how can she be this unaffected? It's just impossible, right?
His mind wanders back to the first time Addison heard her song. Everyone, except her, knew about its existence. Mark, Sam, and Naomi all helped with the writing, while Archer scrunched his nose and told him this better not be his vow, otherwise Bizzy and the Captain would absolutely rip him apart. Even his sisters knew. Kathleen, the hopeless romantic she was, thought it was cute and commented that she hoped he could also come up with a routine for his and Addison's first dance too. Nancy agreed with Archer that he would be better off singing it to Addison when they were alone, knowing their parents too well, while Liz told him to just go with his heart and ignore them all. Amelia, not that he needed her advice, or asked her to weigh in, but who somehow was still able to catch wind of a song in the making, proceeded to steal his first draft and scrawl her approval on it. It was honestly a miracle that Addison didn't have any idea what was going on at all.
The original plan was for him to sing it before their first dance, when everyone was still sober, but when the time came, Derek chickened out. There was not a single thing in the world that could have happened that could make Addison back out on their wedding, yet Derek's mind still found a way to convince him that either he shut his mouth, or this gorgeous redhead in an ocean of white silk would slip away from him. So Mark, like always, had to step in.
A few guests, mostly Bizzy and the Captain's guests, had started to excuse themselves, when Mark walked up to Derek and Addison, Derek's draft in his hands. Derek and Addison were snuggling together warmly, his arms looping around her waist, her chin resting on his shoulder, as she laughed at something he said.
"I got something for you, Red." Mark said, waving the paper in front of the lovebirds, while grinning at Derek smugly.
"You do?" Addison asked lazily. She wasn't drunk, but too much rosé and happiness made her a little bit slower than usual. Still resting against Derek's body, Addison reached her hand out expectantly.
"No, he doesn't." Derek glared at Mark threateningly. He wanted to snatch the paper out of Mark's hand - God knew how these people could just steal his things so easily, but knew that any sudden motion would snap Addison out of her current state and alarm her. So instead, he watched helplessly as Mark ignored his warning and handed Addison his heart.
"What is it?" Addison raised her brows at them both questioningly, closing her fingers around the crumpled paper.
"It's a song. Derek wrote it for you." Mark declared proudly. "He was going to sing it, but since he is such a coward, I think you can read it for yourself."
If looks could kill, then Mark would have been dead by a thousand cuts by now.
A look of shock crossed Addison's face, and she pulled the piece of paper back, close to her heart, before lifting her head to look Derek in the eye.
"Really, Derek?" She asked softly. "You wrote me a song?"
"It's not an actual song." Derek explained, flush shot up his cheeks. "I… uh… I mean, yes, I wrote it, but it's not a good one. You can read it, but it would just be a waste of time and…"
He trailed off, as Addison's eyes lit up. "Sing it." She said, "I want to hear it."
"I can't sing, you know that." Derek protested weakly, knowing that his determination is nothing when faced with Addison's starry eyes. "Okay." He conceded, pulling his arms back from around her waist. "But you can't laugh."
"I won't." Addison grinned and leaned in to press a quick kiss to his cheeks. "How can I? You're writing me my own song, that's the most romantic thing anyone could ever do."
"You said so now." Derek replied defeatedly, standing up from his seat. He shot a glare at Mark, who had been watching their interactions with a smug grin on his face. "You're gonna pay for this". He hissed through his teeth when he walked past his best man. Mark, in return, just gave him the best innocent look he could pull off.
As Derek anxiously sets up with his guitar, his friends have noticed what was going on. Savvy hurriedly walked over to the DJ to stop the music, while Sam half pulled, half dragged a very drunk Naomi back to their seat, ready for the show.
But like tonight, Addison was the only person Derek looked at once he started singing. She had sat up then, her back straight, her dress spread out like a sea around her. Her eyes fixated on him, like he was her anchor in this chaotic world, and he knew he was looking at her in the exact same way.
Our eyes met over the cadaver and I knew I had to have her…
As he made his way over the first verse, Addison's cheeks slowly turned red, not too vivid like her hair, but a soft, shy, rose colour. Her lips trembled slightly, yet she still managed to keep her encouraging smile intact. And her eyes, oh, he could go on and on about her eyes. They radiated with such pride, and love, and hope. There was no other woman that could ever be as beautiful as Addison that night, he truly believed it. There was no woman that could fit him, understand him, challenge him, and grow with him the way this starry-eyed, fiery-haired woman did.
His voice grew certain, and louder, more confident, because there was nothing embarrassing, or stupid, about professing his love to her. She was the love of his life, the mother of his future child, his soulmate. He knew that as he sang the final note, and he knew it again when Addison ran towards him and closed her arms around his neck, her lips frantically searching for him. Then, he knew it again as the world regained its sound and colour, in the form of their loved ones cheering for them, because they weren't just a sickeningly in love couple, they were Derek and Addison, and Derek and Addison were a story that meant to last forever.
Coming back from his memories, Derek finds it astonishing that the same teary - eyed Addison from fourteen years ago is now sitting next to him, casually sipping on her martini, while their friends are blasting out the song he poured his heart out to write. He refuses to believe that these are her real emotions on the show. No, Addison is hot-headed, and passionate, and easily touched, and that's why he loved her in the first place.
Still, her attitude rubs on him. If she wants to pretend that she's fine, then he can do that too. It's unfair that he's the only one swayed, so he's gonna give her the same response she gave him. All he needs to do is stop staring at her beautiful eyes and think about how they used to be the first thing he saw every morning.
_In that case, - He speaks up, breaking the silence. - I'm gonna need another scotch.
_Just one? - Addison stands up to join him. She shakes her empty glass pointedly. - I need at least five.
_We can drink until they stop. - He decides, walking with her away from their loud, drunken friends. - I mean, I'm not having any early surgeries, and you're not working tomorrow, so it should be fine, right?
_If it's not, you always have Bizzy's secret recipe to sober up. - Addison smirks. She sits down on a stool in front of the bar, Derek following suits..
_Why would she even have that? - He asks, before tearing his eyes away from her momentarily to nod at Joe. The bartender already knows their orders. They have always only ordered one type of drink, back in New York, here, and he suspects in LA too. Him a single malt scotch, and her a dry martini with no olive. - It's not like your mother was ever drunk.
_Oh, did you forget about our graduation party? - Addison snorts sarcastically. She turns her head around to look at their friends. The three other doctors have now, in some weird agreement, held each other's hand and danced in circles, while still singing off the top of their lungs.
He met her in the summer, she
Was cutting up a very dead body
_Ah, I remember that. - Derek is relieved. Thinking about Bizzy's inappropriate comments is better. He lets out a soft chuckle at Addison's obvious disgust. - You know, I have always thought that she was just pretending to be drunk so she could get away with that.
_From who? - Addison scoffs. She turns back to accept her new glass from Joe, and they cling their glasses against each other. He can't help noticing how her eyes had turned greener, under the warm, pale light. Like magic.
_If my Nana came back from the grave, maybe I would have understood your theory. - Addison continues, seemingly unaware of his burning looks. - She just decided that she wanted to be drunk, so she did exactly that. That's Bizzy for you.
_Long live the Evil Queen. - Derek smirks, taking a sip of his scotch. Addison only gives him a half grin in response, before downing her entire glass.
Talking, no, just thinking about her parents has always made Addison a little bit on edge. Doubly so when she couldn't reach them today. But, as per usual, there's nothing she can't wash out with a few glasses of martini.
The alcohol leaves her lips a bit sparkier (is that even a word? His brain is melting). Redder, which is weird, because martini is colourless, and Addison has wiped her face clean after shedding some tears earlier. Has Addison's lips always been this attractive?
Then Mark decides that it is the perfect time to scream into their face.
And in her eyes I saw my life,
I knew that she would be my wife
_Mark! - Addison exclaims disapprovingly. The doctor just flashes her a goofy grin, which is mirrored on the other two faces.
Seriously, how much have they had? Derek wants to scream out loud. Sam and Naomi had never been particularly into drinking, but Mark! Mark has better self - control, and a much higher alcohol tolerance!
Like it wasn't bad enough that he was thinking about Addison's lips, they have to remind him that what they once had was magical too.
Addison looks away from him. He still stares at her, though, so he doesn't miss the way she forcefully purses her lips and takes in a deep breath to remain unaffected. He should have exclaimed, should have scolded Mark, should have glared at them all and made the chorus stop, but instead, his heart swirls with an impossible curiosity, to see if Addison is as affected as him, and if he is the only one swayed by the reminder.
She shoots a meaningful look at Naomi. Not Sam, not Mark, not him. Naomi. A long, hard gaze, that speaks louder than words. He wonders what she is trying to say. Derek is usually good at detecting Addison's emotions with just a look, but he has missed out on so many parts of her new life, that he isn't confident in his reads anymore. It all but makes Addison less appealing. Not that she can ever be boring. He has also been dying to know why she cut her hair. He misses the way those scarlett strands used to fall on her chest, and how he had been able to bury his face in them, snuggled safely away from the rest of the world.
She raises her hand to call Joe.
_Another one? - The bartender asks skeptically. - Dr. Montgomery, you're drinking too fast.
_It's only my fourth shot. - Addison argues. - You know I need at least ten times that before I get the slightest dizzy.
_You have always been a good drinker. - Joe agrees, taking her empty glass back and handing her a new one. - But you're still gonna need to slow down. Look at Dr. Shepherd. - He nods his head at Derek approvingly. - That's how we can enjoy our drink, right, Dr. Shepherd?
Addison's eyes follow Joe's gaze, and she smirks at Derek challengingly. He knows that look all too well.
_I wouldn't argue with her about that, Joe. - He says, picking his glass of scotch up. - She moved to LA, and you know how those crazy people are with their drinks.
He smirks back at Addison, before raising his glass out to cling it against hers. Addison scowls.
_Stop making it like LA is the worst place in the world.
_You're projecting. I didn't say any of that.
_You implied it. - Addison answers pointedly. She raises her hand up and tucks her hair back behind her ear.
_You're hearing things. - Derek counters. She was using her left hand, so he could see how she had replaced their wedding band with other decorations, namely, an elegant emerald ring that matches perfectly with her plaid outfit.
_You're a bad liar. - Addison has noticed his look. She digs her hand back further in her hair, unconsciously trying to hide from his burning look.
_I don't hate LA anymore than you hate Seattle. - Derek shrugs. He forces himself to look away, knowing that any longer staring would just make both of them uncomfortable. Still, he thinks about how he still remembers how her hand looks with the wedding band on. Maybe he has never taken a close look at Addison towards the end of their marriage, and before she moved away, but the sight of another ring sitting in the position of their old wedding band stirs up a wave of uneasiness in him.
_So it's settled. - Addison concludes triumphantly. - You do think LA is the worst place in the world.
_Oh, so you think that Seattle is the worst place in the world too?
_Are you surprised? The only thing I like here is the people I know.
Her eyes are calm, like an ocean before the storm. She gives him a light laugh, before looking back down at her drink. He has an inkling that she, too, is scared of what's gonna happen, if they dare to look at each other for one second too long.
_Okay, then I agree. - He concedes. - LA is the worst place in the world, except for the people I know there.
Addison looks back up at him. - Even Satan? - She asks playfully.
_Especially Satan. - Derek assures her.
This time, Addison gives him a real, hearty laugh that makes his heart skip an entire beat. With the background music still flowing into his ears, he can't help remembering how she laughed the whole time, trying to get him to sing her song again that night. They were alone then, secured in their private bedroom, so he obeyed her request. After each line, he would press a kiss to her body: her collarbone, the nape of her neck, her belly, her lips. His hands worked nonstop, and Addison's breath grew quicker and quicker, to the point where she could no longer laugh, instead only making soft, seductive moans. With Addison's laugh, his vision is filled with images of her messy hair, hot breath, and legs wrapping around his back.
Heat burns his cheeks, and Derek hastily grabs his glass to hide it. His hand bumps into Addison's hand midway.
_Sorry. - They say in unison, while avoiding each other's gaze. Derek steals a glance at Addison, only to catch her throwing a similarly sneaky look at him. His heart accelerates, and he drops his head down abruptly, breaking the awkward eye contact. Addison clears her throat loudly, in a very obvious attempt to hide her self-consciousness.
_That's a very nice thing for you to say. - She settles politely, feeling the urge to end their conversation. - I, uh, I probably should head back now.
_This soon? - Derek lifts his head up to look at her, his instinct forcing his mouth open before his brain has time to register the tone he was using. - I mean, it's still early. Archer's probably still passed out.
Addison shrugs. Unlike him, she knows better than to say the first thing that comes up in her mind.
_I know. - She says flatly. - But I think I have had enough. It's been a long day. For all of us.
Despite her efforts, Derek can still hear the uncertainty in her voice. He continues to look at her, until Addison has no choice but to lift her eyes up and meet him midway.
It's hard to explain, but in that brief second when their eyes meet, he remembers why he wrote the song in the first place. Colors explode in his eyes: white, red, blue, like fireworks on July the 4th. He hears himself singing, and Addison's pure, happy laugh on their wedding night.
And in her eyes, I saw my life,
I knew that she would be my wife
She raises her hand up, to pull him in, or to keep him at bay, he will never know. Because the moment she makes her move, he has already leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.
Addison's lips feel cold, and unfamiliar. Yet, as her perfume fills his nostril, he keeps coming in, like a stubborn kid asking for his candy. Somewhere at the back of his head, he knows it will get better, just like that kid is impossibly sure that the candy he picked is sweet despite what everyone else said.
Addison's hands close themselves around his neck, when finally, she starts responding to him. Then, it starts to feel familiar again. Like they're Derek and Addison, and this is not Emerald City, but their favourite bar in New York. Their breath becomes one, as Addison claims her reign over his sanity. Every corner of his mind, every part of his body is screaming for her, every thought he has is of her. How he wishes to feel her bare legs with his skin, instead of his clothes. How her nails dig into his neck in a way that would certainly leave marks behind, and if he had not been so caught up in the way her tongue wraps around his tongue, he might have been flabbergasted about it. How she holds herself back from making any sound, yet the occasional soft moan still escapes her mouth.
Then his pager goes off, breaking their silent haven.
_One sec… - Derek whispers while reluctantly moving back from her. His left hand still cups her chin tightly, while his right hand digs through his pocket for the pager. His eyes linger on her face, getting a perfect view of her disappointed expression. He grins at that, satisfied with himself, before dropping his eyes down to give the message a brief check.
As abruptly as it came, the magic disappears. Colors drain off Derek's face, and he pulls his other hand back quickly to grab his jacket.
_What's wrong? - Addison asks, still not fully recovered yet. When he doesn't answer, only fishing through the front pocket for spare change, she frowns. - Derek? What happened? Is it Archer?
_Work call. - Derek answers curtly. Anxiety rises through his veins, that he doesn't see the horrified look on Addison's face. - I'll see you tomorrow.
_Derek! - Addison exclaims loudly behind him, but Derek has already bolted out the door.