Derek runs through the doors of Mount Sinai Hospital literally running, his heart pounding against his chest and he feels bile rise in his stomach. Finally he sees Mark approaching and runs even further towards him, asking:

"How is she?!"

"I don't know."

"How do not you know?"

"I didn't hear anything else after I called you. They didn't let me in because I'm too close to her."

Mark speaks in a dejected tone and Derek nods with a heavy sigh.

Twenty minutes before he was heading to the Brownstone, when his cell phone rang, he didn't recognize the number and decided to answer it. It was Mark with a single sentence that could blow her whole world apart; "Addison was in a car accident. Come to Mount Sinai."

He turned around abruptly, almost causing na accident himself, and then drove as fast as he could to the hospital. On her way, her mind wandered through all the things that could have happened to her, all the risks she could be taking and all the ways he could lose her. It was the first time in his life that he regretted having studied medicine, he didn't want to know all these things at that moment. Italic.

So here he is now, face to face with his old best friend, wondering what would happen to the love of his life. After a long awkward silence, Derek asks:

"Do you know how it happened?"

"I just know she was with Pete."

"And where is he?"

"He went straight to the operating room. Major chest trauma."

Mark speaks in a somber tone. Derek swallows, lowering his eyes, Pete is important in Chris' life and he doesn't wish the other man anything bad.

Suddenly Derek sinks to the floor, bringing his knees to his chest and leaning his back against the wall. Mark does the same thing and puts his hand on his shoulder, the plastic surgeon expects a push that never comes. A few seconds pass before Derek speaks, surprising him:

"We spent a night together."

"When?"

"The day before yesterday. She was going to break up with him today."

"Wait…are you and Addie getting together again?"

"She's the love of my life."

Derek talks trying to stifle a sob. Mark feels the pain of his once best friend and squeezes his shoulder even more as he says:

"She's going to be fine, Derek. She's Addie, she's strong, she always has been."

"What if I don't? What am I going to do? What am I going to say to my son?"

This time two tears run down his cheek and he lowers his head. Mark just stands there offering his silent comfort and hoping it's all a scare.

It doesn't take long before he hears a familiar voice calling his name, he looks up to see the figure of Dr. Abrams, head of trauma. Immediately he stands up, Derek does the same, nervously asking:

"Is it about Addie?"

The man gives him a soft smile and nods, but before he can speak, he is bombarded by questions from his former co-worker:

"How is she? Can I see her? Where is she?"

Abrams raises his arms and asks softly:

"Calm her down, Derek. We did na MRI, a CT scan... She has a concussion and three broken ribs. She just needs observation and rest."

"So she's going to be okay?"

Derek asks like he's not na experienced doctor and Abrams nods. At that moment Derek turns to Mark who seems to have had a weight lifted from his shoulders and without thinking twice hugs him in a euphoric way. Mark returns the hug and pats him on the back while stating:

"I told you she was going to be fine."

Derek pulls away, nodding with a soft smile and then turns to Abrams again, asking,

"Can I have her?"

"Of course. I'll accompany you."

Derek turns to Mark again but he just gives him a nod and then he follows Addison's doctor down the hall.

When he arrives in front of the bedroom door, Derek notices that he's shaking, that he's nervous and scared too much. He then closes his eyes, takes a few deep breaths and smiles letting relief flood him again. As soon as he feels ready, he smiles, opens his eyes and puts his hand on the handle opening the door. Addison is lying down and looks at him with a soft smile that makes him want to cry. He approaches and then stops to stare at her appraisingly; she's a little pale, there's a bandage on her left temple, and a purple spot starts to form just below her cheek, except for that, she looks the same.

As if to corroborate this, Addison smiles some more and states:

"I already have a doctor, Doctor Shepherd."

Derek can't help but smile, he leans in even closer and caresses her intact cheek as he states:

"I could have lost you, again."

"But he didn't."

She says returning the caress on his face. Derek takes a moment to feel her touch before asking,

"You're in pain."

"Not anymore. They gave me something."

She states softly. Derek just continues to look at her fondly and she asks anxiously:

"What time is it? Who's with Chris?"

"I called Liz on the way here. She must have picked him up by now."

Addison lets out a relieved sigh, but then her eyes darken, panic washes over her face, and Derek already knows the question before it leaves his lips:

"What about Pete?"

"I don't know."

"How do you not know? He wasn't well Derek... I saw he wasn't well, I tried to help but it hurt too much."

She asks and talks getting more and more nervous. Worried Derek sits on the bed carefully, he holds her face gently and states:

"Addie, you can't be so agitated, calm down. Take a deep breath, calm down."

She does as he asks, her body instantly relaxing. Derek smiles in approval and goes back to caressing her cheek as he explains:

"Mark was only able to tell me that he went straight to surgery. I don't know more details."

"Then find out."

"Addie..."

"Derek, we're talking about the man who spent the last three years with me. I worry about him."

Her tone is harsh, but Derek reveals his understanding of the traumatic situation. He guarantees:

"I'll ask someone to bring information."

She nods and he kisses her forehead before getting out of bed.

AAAA

Derek comes back into the room a few minutes later, Addison looking less alert, tiredness creeping up on her. Derek approaches, trying to lighten the situation:

"Look at this photo Liz sent of Chris."

He puts the phone down in front of her, and she smiles, her eyes filling with tears. Noticing her fragility, Derek sits carefully on the bed, caresses her cheek and asks softly:

"What's it?"

"The last thing I thought of was him..."

She doesn't need to phrase the sentence correctly for Derek to understand. He squeezes his hand and tries to speak:

"Addie..."

"I almost left him...My baby..."

She speaks in a choked voice. Derek squeezes her hand even tighter and says affectionately:

"But he didn't, Addie. You're fine, Chris is fine and he won't even know what happened."

She breathes a sigh of relief at his words and then whispers:

"I thought of you too."

Derek smiles and then comes closer, he kisses her forehead and pulls her gently into a gentle hug. Addison lets herself sink into his arms, resting her forehead against his collarbone. After a long sigh, the redhead asks:

"Have you heard from Pete?"

"He's still in surgery. He's had perforations in his lungs and esophagus. It's bad, Addie..."

He feels her shudder and can only caress her back as she whispers reassuring words. After a few minutes, Addison states in a thin voice:

"If he dies I won't be able to forgive myself."

Derek pushes her away a little and asks worriedly:

"That's why the accident happened? Why did you tell him about us?"

"No! I hadn't talked to him yet, we were going to help a friend of his. -She realizes that she can't say why they were in that car and simply says:

"We were going to help out a friend of Pete's."

She speaks with her eyes downcast. Derek breathes a sigh of relief and holds her face in his hands as he says:

"You don't have anything to blame, Addie. First of all it was na accident and besides Pete has no idea what happened between us."

"But I do, Derek."

Her tone becomes harsh again and she pulls away from him, sinking into the pillows and wincing in pain. Derek quickly increases the circulation of pain relievers and states:

"Pete will be fine, you two will talk and work things out. Fitzgerald is a great surgeon."

Addison ignores him and looks quite sleepy at this point, he then suggests:

"Let's call Liz, maybe Chris is still awake and we can hear his little voice."

Addison turns to him, face lighting up instantly and he takes out his cell phone.

AAAA

Nearly two hours later, it's Doctor Fitzgerald himself who walks through the door. At the sight of him Addison feels her stomach sinking in preparation for his words. The cardiothoracic surgeon smiles before speaking:

"The surgery went very well. Pete is out of danger and should wake up in the next few hours."

Addison feels relief wash over her and smiles at the doctor before asking:

"Can I be notified as soon as he wakes up? I want to see him."

"Of course. I'll ask one of the nurses to come here."

"Thanks."

"Rest, Addison."

The older man speaks with a soft smile before leaving the room. Derek watches Addison, his posture lighter and the tranquility on his face. He caresses her hair while speaking in a playful tone:

"You know this concern for Pete doesn't intimidate me at all..."

Addison frowns, but takes his hand and speaks in a gentle way:

"I love you and that hasn't changed, I still want our life and our future together. But Pete is important to me, in these three years he never did anything but support me and make me feel better. He was always great too. With Chris and before you came along I really thought we could be a family someday."

"I understand that Addie. I was also worried when Mark told me he was in surgery, I know how important he is in our son's life."

"Thanks."

Addison speaks with a soft smile and they just shake hands with each other. After a few seconds of silence, Addison speaks in a cautious tone:

"We'll have to wait a little longer... Pete will need me now."

Derek nods silently, knowing she's right but not wanting to pursue the subject further.

"Get some rest, Addie. I'll wake you up later."

Exhausted, she nods, but before settling down she asks:

"Will you lie with me?"

"I don't want to hurt you."

"You are not going."

She states with a soft smile. Knowing they both need comfort, Derek gets up and carefully settles down beside her. Addison lays her head on his shoulder and lets out a soft sigh, in a few minutes she's already asleep.

AAAAAAA

Addison is just finishing breakfast when there's a knock on the door and then a nurse comes in, speaking softly:

"Good morning, Dr. Montgomery. I came to warn you that Dr. Wilder is already awake."

Addison smiles brightly at the other woman before speaking:

"Good Morning. Do you mind helping me get to him?"

"Clear. I will bring the wheelchair."

Addison frowns. The woman smiles and says:

"It's the rules, Dr. Montgomery. I'm very sorry."

Addison just nods knowing the nurse is right and watches her walk away. Once they are alone, Derek asks softly:

"Don't you want me to accompany you?"

"It is not necessary."

Addison speaks in the same tone. Derek then stands up, he kisses her forehead:

"I need to do something and then I'll meet you here."

That said, he gives her one more kiss and walks away, leaving the room, leaving a curious Addison behind. Before the redhead starts thinking about what Derek might have gone to do, the nurse returns with the wheelchair.

AAAAA

Derek walks the halls of Mount Sinai, actually walking there for the first time in years. He's weird like everything and nothing has changed at the same time. He started his career there, he and Addison, at 25, with so many dreams, so many fears and expectations, a lifetime and a career full of possibilities ahead.

He never imagined that one day he would leave the hospital, the city, that he would go halfway across the country, without his wife and have a totally different life, but it happened. He never imagined that he would come back after this, that he would have na amazing child with Addison and that they would come back into each other's lives, but it happened. And there is something else he never imagined; that his friendship with Mark would one day end, that one day he would look at the man who was his brother for over 30 years and be repulsed, but that also happened.

But everything changes, everything runs over and stuns her while life takes its course. And he must admit that as misguided in a general way as Bizzy is, she really is right when she claims that God laughs when people plan. He didn't plan on forgiving Addison, but he did and he definitely didn't plan on forgiving Mark, but after all, he did, after all he wants his brother back.

Derek finally stops at the nurses' station on the surgical floor and asks for Mark, the information he receives is that he has just finished a morning round. So Derek waits, propped up at the counter, watching residents, attendants, nurses, and staff rush around. Suddenly, he hears Mark's voice, saying something cute to one of the nurses, he can't help but smile, so he turns around and asks, surprising the plastic surgeon:

"Can we talk, Dr. Sloan?"

Mark looks at him with furrowed brows, but soon recovers and suggests matter-of-factly:

"Sure. Let's go to the cafeteria."

"Actually, I prefer a more private place."

Mark nods and after thinking for a few seconds, suggests again:

"Let's go to the patio. We'll sit on a bench and no one will bother us."

Derek agrees and the two walk side by side in silence out of the hospital.

As soon as they arrive at the bank they sit down and it is Mark who breaks the silence:

"How is Addison doing?"

"Fine. She went to see Pete."

"Good."

So the silence sets in again. It takes a while for Derek to finally start talking and he does so without taking his eyes off na invisible point on the horizon:

"I want to thank you for yesterday."

"I didn't do much yesterday."

"Yes, you did. Your support was important in that horrible moment."

"You are welcome."

The silence begins again and Mark begins to suspect that the conversation is over, but soon Derek surprises him:

"You slept with my wife."

Mark doesn't quite know how to respond to that, and he doesn't have to, as Derek continues:

"You slept with my wife and I should hate you."

Again he leaves Mark totally surprised. The plastic surgeon then asks:

"Don't you hate me?"

"When I left town, my plan was never to see you or Addison again, but she went after me and well…here we are."

Mark remains silent, not sure where the conversation is going, luckily Derek continues right on:

"I never imagined that I would be able to forgive her, but I did and I think the same goes for you. I just don't understand you..."

Mark finds his voice and asks confused:

"Like this?"

"I was away with Addie. I was a neglectful and emotionally distant husband, but you... You were my best friend since childhood and you just slept with my wife. Why?"

The question is totally straightforward, but Mark needs a moment before answering. He takes a long breath and then gives the answer as straightforward as the question:

"I fell in love with her. Every time I took her place on a date, who supported and comforted her and made her laugh when you didn't, I fell more and more in love. And then I started to resent you. Had everything, the perfect wife, who loved you, who did everything for you and you were indifferent."

The answer comes like a punch to Derek's stomach, but he has to swallow it as Mark starts again:

"Addison wasn't thinking about that night, but I was. I was thinking about how amazing it would be if she loved me like she loves you, if she waited and cried for me like she did for you."

"I mean, was it my fault?"

Derek asks in a low tone. Mark makes a point of clarifying:

"No. It was my fault and I admit and apologize for that, but you asked why and I mean it."

"It's fair."

Derek states in the same tone used earlier. He suddenly gets up from the bench and stares at Mark while stating:

"I miss you."

Hearing this, Mark looks up at Derek and you can see all the sincerity on his face. He gets up, opens his arms and goes towards his old friend while talking looking into his eyes:

"Me too."

And then the two hug, it's a long hug permeated with emotions. Derek knows there's still a long way to go, but he's happy to take the first step, they both are.

Soon Derek walks away and says trying to disguise his emotions:

"I'll call Lizzie and see how Chris is doing."

"OK."

"You should go see Addison later, she'll be happy."

"I will go."

Derek nods and smiles, turning his back on Mark, but soon hears his voice calling out to him. He turns around and Mark speaks sincerely:

"Thanks."

Derek doesn't respond, but lets out a small smile and nods before continuing on his way.

AAAA

The nurse positions Addison's wheelchair next to Pete's bed and leaves the room. Addison stands there watching him, he's asleep again, but she decides to wait and watches her sleep, relieved to finally see him.

Even with all his professional experience, it's hard for Addison to see him in the hospital bed. He's pale, there's a nasal cannula helping him breathe, he's got a sling on his arm, a bruise on his face and a huge bandage on his chest. It could be worse, she knows, much worse, but it's still difficult.

Addison is there for a few minutes, when she hears her name being whispered, she looks up to the bed and sees Pete looking at her, a soft smile on his lips. Addison smiles brightly, she takes his hand and asks a little frantically:

"How are you feeling? Are you in pain? Do you want me to call the doctor?"

"No... Calm down, Addie..."

They smile at each other. After a few seconds, he asks:

"Are you okay?"

"A couple of broken ribs and a headache. No big deal."

She speaks calmly. Pete caresses her hand and says:

"I'm sorry, Addie."

"It was not your fault."

"If I wasn't running so much..."

"Pete, it wasn't your fault… We were going to help your friend."

"Did the girl die?"

"I've been wondering that too."

They go back to being silent, just holding each other's hand.

Then Addison states:

"I was scared for you... When I was told you were in surgery..."

"I'm sorry."

"To apologize, Peter!"

She talks jokingly and he smiles. Then Addison speaks again:

"But what matters is that we're fine. You're out of the woods and soon we'll be home, eating soup and complaining of boredom."

She expects a smile, but Pete's face turns serious. Pete shakes her hand and says:

"Addie, we need to talk."

"We don't need to talk right now. You can get some rest."

"I think we better talk now..."

Pete speaks in a tired but firm voice. Addison nods, lowering her eyes, and Pete begins to speak:

"You love Derek."

"What? Pete..."

"You love Derek, Addison. He's the man of your life and I know that, I always have."

"Why are you talking about this now?"

"Because I almost died. Yesterday I was in a car and in a matter of seconds I had a pneumothorax. I ended up on a surgeon's table and got lucky."

"I know."

"If I had died yesterday, I would have died without ever having been truly loved. I love you Addison and I know you love me too, but it's not the kind of love I want..."

He takes a few deep breaths and Addison just pats his shoulder. Once he has recovered, he continues:

"You and I deserve more. You deserve to live your life with Derek and I deserve more than you can give me... I had a difficult relationship with my wife, we had na amazing relationship, but it ended at the moment. Where Derek came back into your life."

"Pete, it's not like that."

"Yeah. I've been wrong for too long and I don't want to live like this anymore."

The firmness in his gaze is irreducible. Addison nods, tears running down his cheeks, she wipes them away and asks:

"How are you going to be now?"

"I'll call some friends, you don't have to worry."

"Of course I do."

"No, you need to start your life over and so do I. We'll see each other a lot, Addie, we work together. And I want to see Chris, I love that little guy."

Pete smiles and makes Addison smile too. She guarantees:

"He loves you too. And you'll always be able to see him. Thank you for everything you've done for me all these years."

"You'll never need to thank me. Be happy, Addie."

"You too."

They smile excitedly. Addison gets up from the chair as best she can, leans in carefully kissing his forehead and sits back in the chair. They exchange one last look and then Addison maneuvers the chair out of the room.

AAAA

Addison is sitting on the bed when Derek comes back into the room. He has a smile on his face that disappears as soon as he sees her face, it's clear that she cried and he approaches worried:

"Are you okay?"

"Pete broke up with me."

"What?"

"He said he needs someone who really loves him."

"And are you okay?"

"I am. And he will be too."

She states with a smile. Derek also smiles and asks:

"Does that mean we...?"

"It means you can kiss me now."

Derek immediately sits beside her carefully, he cups her face in his hands, looks into her eyes and captures her lips with his. Her kiss is long but soft and as soon as they pull away, they put their foreheads together, enjoying the silence. At that moment there is a knock on the door, it opens to the smile of Mark who asks sarcastically:

"Did I interrupt something?"

"You never get in the way, Mark."

Derek speaks ironically, making Mark laugh. Then he gets serious and asks:

"Are you okay, redhead?"

"I'm... But what about you?"

She asks with a frown as she watches Mark sit in the armchair next to the bed. Derek remains seated on the bed and explains:

"I told him to come, but I'm starting to regret it."

"You two?"

"We are MarkandDerek again."

Mark talks teasingly and Addison rolls her eyes. The three laugh and then fall into a comfortable silence. After a few seconds of silence, Mark says:

"It reminds me of college."

In his sophomore year of college, Addison had pneumonia. She needed to be hospitalized and Derek didn't come out of his hospital room for nothing. Every day Mark came to visit her, he shared the gossip and they went over the stories together. That week was the first time Addison felt loved, the first time someone cared for her without feeling obligated, the first time she felt like she had a real family.

Now all these years later, lying in a hospital bed watching the two tease each other again, she feels things are getting back on track. After all, she has her family again.

AAAAA

I must confess that Addison's accident was my way of bringing Mark and Derek's friendship back together.

I apologize for any errors and thank you for your comments.

Remembering that I can't do anything.