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Derek rolled over and looked at the clock. It was 4:45 in the morning. He should have been able to sleep for at least another 45 minutes, but he couldn't stop thinking about the surgery he was about to perform. He knew the success of this surgery would make or break a fellow surgeons career. He also couldn't help thinking about what Addison had said about their kids. For the first time in a long time, the idea of having kids with Addison didn't scare the living daylights out of him. He knew that he was committed to her for the rest of their lives. If they could survive both of them having affairs and a brain tumor, they could survive anything.
Derek finally decided just to get up and head to the hospital. He looked over Addison as he sat up. She looked so peaceful. As much as he wanted to take her into his arms and make love to her, he also knew she needed her sleep. She was still recovering from brain surgery and her body needed as much rest as possible. He was thankful that she was now off all medications. Even though they both were doctors, neither of them liked to take medicine for longer than a couple of days. He was thankful that Addison could sleep through just about anything besides her pager. They both learned to sleep through the other getting ready a long time ago. It was a necessity since they could be called into the hospital and any hour of the night.. He quickly got a shower and left for the hospital.
When Derek arrived at the hospital, he immediately went to check on Preston.
"Good Morning, Preston." Derek said as he entered the room.
"Let's keep it a good morning, Shepherd and fix my hand." Preston smirked.
"I will do my best." Derek laughed. Preston still couldn't get over the difference in Derek. He was like a different man. He had a lightness to him that hadn't been there before.
"In all seriousness, Derek. What are the odds that my hand will gain full functionality back?" Dr. Burke asked. Secretly, he was terrified he would never be able to operate again.
Derek walked over and sat down on a chair next to the bed. He didn't know what it was like to face the very real possibility of losing his ability to do something he had spent so many hours learning, but he did know what it was like to have a spouse go through it. It wasn't that long ago that he truly wasn't sure if Addison would regain her memories, let alone be able to operate ever again
"For a normal surgeon, the odds would be about 15%. But I am no ordinary surgeon." Derek smirked. Dr. Burke rolled his eyes. "My success rate with this surgery is about 50%. A lot just depends on what I find when I get in there. Scans can only tell us so much, as you are well aware."
Just then Christina entered the room. It was still odd for her to see Derek so happy. The whole time she had known him, he always had a sad aura about him. She knew it was going to be hard for Meredith to see him like this. She really didn't like him for what he did to her friend.
"Good morning, Dr. Yang." Derek nodded politely. He knew Christina didn't like him. "I will leave you two alone. See you in the OR, Preston." Derek walked out of the room and to his office. He reviewed his surgical plan until it was time to go to the OR.
Addison woke up around 7:00. She knew Derek would be prepping for surgery, which was scheduled for 8:00. She stretched out across the bed and looked out the window. It really was a beautiful piece of land. Maybe it was time to discuss building plans with Derek.
Addison got out of bed, took a quick shower, and then headed to the hospital. She had some patients scheduled for later in the day, but she wanted to watch Derek perform surgery.
As Addison was walking into the hospital, she heard a very familiar voice.
"Hey, Red."
"Mark?!" Addison exclaimed turning around. She felt her stomach do flip flops at the site of him. How would Derek react with him here? Had he really forgiven him?
Mark slowly walked up to her, unsure of how she would react. He had kept his distance in New York for the most part, but seeing them again had made him realize how much he missed his best friends.
"What are you doing here?" she asked cautiously.
"Your chief asked me to consult on a case. Plus, I, uh, missed you guys." Mark said runn9ing his hands through his hair.
"I see. Well, I have missed you too." Addison said giving him a hug. "Derek is currently performing surgery on our head of cardio. I was headed to watch him now. Would you like to join me?"
"Normally I would, but I have a meeting with the Chief soon and then am going to meet the patient. Would you like to meet up for lunch around 1?"
"That should work. I am meeting with patients on and off today but still have 3 more days until I have my check up to get cleared for surgery. Derek will be operating until at least 2 or 3 though."
"Ok, Red. I will meet you in the cafeteria at 1." Mark said as they parted ways. Addison stood watching him walk away. It really did feel like a lifetime ago since she had an affair with him..
Addison walked to her office to drop her stuff off. She opened her closet to get her lab coat and was surprised to find a note attached to it.
"To the love of my life. I hope you have a great day. Love, Derek"
Addison was shocked. It had been many years since Derek left her little notes like that. She put the note in her top draw, smiled, and proceeded to the OR where Derek was operating.
Addison was surprised to find the gallery locked.
"Derek doesn't want me to sneak in the gallery and watch." a voice piped in behind Addison causing her to jump.
"Oh my gosh, Dr. Yang. You startled me!" Addison gasped. She turned to look at Christina.
"Sorry." Christina responded. "I was just telling you that Derek had the gallery locked so I couldn't sneak in. He is already nervous enough operating on Burke. He didn't want me to add to his stress."
"I would imagine he wouldn't want you in there after what happened with me." Addison said quietly. Christina looked at her questioningly. "When I was getting surgery, I coded on the table and was down for over 5 minutes. Derek saw the whole thing. Obviously everything turned out ok, or I wouldn't be standing here now." Addison said smiling.
"Seriously?!" Christina said in disbelief. She felt a little bad now. She had just thought Derek was being an ass when he told her she couldn't watch the surgery.
"Yes. He isn't the ass you believe him to be. He actually is a very caring person. You haven't seen the real Derek over the last year." Addison smirked. Christina was shocked again in that Addison had completely read her mind.
"Did you really lose your memories of the last 7 years for awhile?" Christina asked bluntly.
Addison looked Christian up and down. She knew how gossip flew around this hospital and didn't know what exactly had been said about her. She had been the topic of enough gossip as it was around Seattle Grace.
"Yes, it is true." was all Addison said. "Now, as much as Derek does not want you in the gallery. He does want me in the gallery. Good day, Dr. Yang." Addison proceeded to use her key to unlock the gallery.
As Addison entered the gallery, it was eerily quiet. She walked up to the window and looked down at Derek. He was standing over Preston barely moving Addison knew he got like this when he was in a complicated part of a surgery. She stood watching him for 10 minutes before she tapped on the glass. Derek slowly looked up. He smiled when he saw her.
"Derek, just breath. You've got this." Addison said into the intercom smiling. Derek smiled back. It was a phrase he had heard her say thousands of times over the years, especially when they were interns. It gave him confidence to hear it again. He took a deep breath, centered himself and continued.
Addison watched the surgery for another 30 minutes before she had to leave. Derek knew she had patients, but he still was sad to see her walk out of the gallery.
The rest of the morning went by quickly for Addison as she was meeting with patients. It felt good to be back at the hospital.
She entered the cafeteria around 1:00 to meet Mark. There was still a part of her that felt guilty for having lunch with Mark without Derek knowing. She would be more than upset if she found out Derek had lunch with Meredith; however, Meredith wasn't one of their oldest friends.
"Hey Red." Mark said as she walked up to his table. "How has your morning been?"
"Good. I watched Derek in surgery for awhile and then met a few patients. I am so ready to get back in to the OR!" Addison replied. Mark laughed. It was so good to see Addison back to herself. He couldn't believe how much better she looked than when he last saw her in NY.
"It will come soon enough. Let's go get some food. What sounds good?" Mark asked.
"Honestly, all I can think about is ice cream." Addison laughed.
"Well, then let's go get some." Mark smiled.
Over the next 30 minutes the two old friends caught up on everything that had happened since they last saw each other. Mark was shocked at the way Addison described Derek. He hadn't seen that version of Derek in a long time.
"I am going to go watch the rest of Derek's surgery. Would you like to come with me?" Addison asked.
"I guess. Are you sure he will be ok with me in there? I mean, the last time we talked you could barely remember anything. He wasn't exactly in his right mind." Mark replied.
Addison thought for a minute. "You know, I really think he will be ok with you being here; however, you might have a point. Since he is operating on a fellow surgeon and friend, it may not be the best idea to shock him with you in the gallery." Addison laughed.
"Ok. How about give me a call later after things calm down and let me know if you guys want to go out for dinner." Mark said as they left the cafeteria.
"Ok." Addison replied. "Hey Mark, it really is good to see you. We will see you later"
Mark gave her a quick hug and walked away.
By the time Addison made it up to the OR, Derek was already closing. She met him down in the scrub room.
"Hey sexy." Addison said walking up behind him as he scrubbed out. They were alone in the room. Derek slowly turned around as he was drying his hands.
"Hey love." he replied smiling, giving her a kiss.
"How did the surgery go?" Addison asked. Derek grew very serious.
"It was difficult. I think it was a success, but only time will tell for sure. I really did appreciate you coming to watch." Derek said as they walked out of the room. He took Addison's hand as they walked towards his office. They got a few odd glances. The staff at Seattle Grace was not used to seeing the couple happy. Derek continued to tell Addison about the surgery as they entered his office.
"Now, enough about the surgery. How has your day been going?" Derek asked.
"Actually, kind of interesting." Addison said sitting down on the couch as Derek hung up his lab coat.
"Oh yeah? An interesting case come in?" Derek asked sitting next to her.
"No. Mark is in town." Addison said watching Derek's response closely.
"Seriously?" Derek said shocked. "Is he here for a case?"
"Yes and no. The Chief called him in to consult on a case, but Derek, he really is here for us. He misses us as we are his only family. You should know I had lunch with him today. I don't want you to feel like I was sneaking behind your back. You were in surgery and I couldn't talk to you about it. I am sor."
"Addison, slow down!" Derek said laughing while pulling his wife into a hug. "It is ok. You have nothing to feel guilty over. I am glad Mark is here. As much fun as it was to hate him, and you, for a year, I am ready to move on." Derek smirked. "The past is in the past. Let's learn from it, and move forward."
Addison could not believe what she was hearing. She now truly believed that Derek had forgiven her. And not just her, but Mark as well. She finally felt whole again. Like they were going to make it. She couldn't remember the last time she was this happy. She gave Derek a big hug and started to kiss him deeply.
"I love you so much, Derek." Addison said between kisses.
"I love you too, Addie." Soon clothes were coming off and they were going at it like two hormone crazed teenagers on Derek's couch.
"How did surgery go?" Meredith asked Christina as they were walking down the hallway.
"Derek told me everything went well, but we won't know if it was successful for awhile. Burke probably won't wake up for at least an hour. I have a few questions for Derek, so I am headed to his office now." Christina answered.
"I need to talk to him too, so I will go with you."
Christina stopped walking and looked at her friend in concern. "Mer, what do you want to talk to him about?"
"I saw Addison eating lunch with Mark. She even gave him a hug. I think he should know." she said matter-of-factly. Christina shook her head. She knew her friend was still hung up on Derek.
"Meredith. I am sorry that this hurts you, but I have seen a lot of Derek lately, and he truly seems happy. Addison too seems like a different person. You have to move on." Christina said with concern.
"You don't know Derek like I do." she said walking up to his office door. She was about to knock when she heard moaning. She backed away shocked. Christina too heard the escapades going on in the office and quickly pulled Meredith away.
"Let's go check on Burke." Christina said quietly. Meredith followed her in a daze.
"I forgot to tell you that Mark would like to go out to dinner with us tonight." Addison said, still on cloud nine as they exited the office.
"Great! I need to check on Dr. Burke before I leave. Why don't you call Mark and set something up?" Derek said as he gave her a kiss on the cheek as they parted ways.
Derek entered the elevator, whistling, thinking he was alone. He didn't see the tiny blonde intern behind him.
Meredith stood there quietly, completely shocked She couldn't believe that Derek didn't even see her. That had NEVER happened before. And he was whistling?! Passionate sex with his wife, not seeing her, and he was actually happy?...the young girl was finally starting to realize that Derek and Addison were happy, but she still thought she saw something between Mark and Addison earlier.
"Derek?" Meredith said getting his attention.
"Oh hi, Meredith. I didn't see you there." Derek said kindly.
"I need to talk to you about something I saw earlier." Meredith said, stopping the elevator. Derek was a little taken aback.
"Ok…" he said slowly.
"I saw Addison having lunch with Mark, and they were hugging. He even gave her a kiss." Meredith said shaking her head. "I am so sorry." she continued, rubbing his arm.
Derek took Meredith by the shoulders and gently pushed her back. "Meredith, I already talked to Addison about her lunch with Mark. Her giving him and hug and him giving her a kiss on the cheek is completely normal. They have been friends for a very long time."
"You don't understand, " Meredith said moving closer to him again. She wasn't going to give up easily.
"No, Meredith, you don't understand. I am in love with my wife. I am happy that my best friend is here. I am so sorry for hurting you through all of this, but please stop trying to interfere with my marriage. Now, I really need to go check on Dr. Burke." Derek said restarting the elevator. A few seconds later, he was exiting, leaving behind a stunned intern. Meredith was finally getting it. Derek was over her. It was time for her to truly move on.
"Are you ready to go?" Derek asked Addison several hours later as he entered her office.
"Yes. We are meeting Mark at that Thai place you like so much." Addison said closing the file she was looking at.
"Sounds good. I am starving!" Derek said, wrapping his arm around Addison's waist as they walked down the hallway.
They drove to the restaurant where Mark was waiting for them.
"So, you couldn't live without my handsome face, huh?" Derek teased Mark.
"Still cocky as ever I see." Mark laughed, shaking Derek's hand. Addison smiled. It was good to hear the two best friends bantering again.
"So, how long are you in town for?" Addison asked Mark after the waiter took their order.
"Well, I actually am not sure. Your chief offered me a pretty substantial contract today.
I am considering it." Mark answered cautiously.
Derek and Addison looked at each other in shock and then back to Mark. Just then the waiter brought their food.
"Wow, Mark! That's great!" Derek exclaimed. "It would be awesome to work with you again….I mean, uh, that is, if we are staying here…" Derek stammered, glancing at Addison. They never really talked about it and he knew she was on the fence.
Addison smiled at Derek. She knew exactly what he was thinking. It was so nice to see him thinking of her desires.
"What Derek is trying to say is that we haven't fully decided to stay here. A lot has changed recently." Addison said smiling, taking Derek's hand. "But, you should come out and see our land. It is gorgeous! The trailer I could do without, though." Addison continued, smirking at Derek. Mark laughed. He still couldn't believe that two or the highest paid surgeons on the West Coast were living in a trailer in the woods.
"Well, let me know when you two love birds can stop having sex in Derek's office and decide where you are going to live." Mark laughed as both Addison and Derek snapped their heads to look at him.
"You know about that?!" Addison said, her face turning the color of her hair.
"Pretty sure the whole hospital knows. You weren't exactly quiet, and at minimum, two interns heard you through the door. You know how news like that spreads like wildfire in a hospital." Mark said. He couldn't stop laughing at his friends' expense.
"Well, when your wife is as hot has mine is, sometimes it is hard to wait for the bedroom!" Derek exclaimed, causing Addison to blush even deeper.
The three friends had a great time the rest of the night. BY 9:00, Addison was having a hard time keeping her eyes open.
"I think it is time for us to get going." Derek said when he noticed Addison starting to nod off. "It was great seeing you Mark. Why don't you come out to the land on Saturday. We can go fishing."
"Sounds great. I will see you two tomorrow at work."
On the car ride home, Derek asked Addison, "Are you seriously considering us staying here?"
"I am. For the first time in a long time, I feel like we are US again, like we are DerekAndAddison. I am not jealous of Meredith and you aren't jealous of Mark. I feel like we have a fresh start. There are a lot of good memories in New York, but a lot of bad ones as well. Plus, well, I am ready to have kids. I think growing up in the country would be better for them than the city." Addison said glancing over at Derek. He took her hand and kissed it.
"Addison Adrianne Forbes Montgomery, you amaze me." Derek said. He couldn't stop smiling the rest of the way home.
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