Addison Shepherd and Izzie Stevens stood side by side in front of an incubator. A tiny baby, barely over a pound laid fighting for his life. Izzie watched the doctor gently caress the cheek of the sleeping infant.
"I'm really not that bad," Addison told the intern next to her. " I admit, I can make life hell, but once you get to know me... Because of you interns, I feel like I am in high school all over again. I understand that Meredith is your friend. I respect that. But you have a gift, Miss Stevens. I am not asking you to betray your friend by accepting an offer from the Wicked Witch of the East. I see a lot of potential in you. Consider it. It would be my pleasure to work with you."
Addison checked the charts of baby boy Mennen, before turning and walking out of the neonatal nursery.
Izzie stepped closer to the incubator. Dr. Shepherd's words playing in her head. As loyal as she was to Meredith, she had to admit that Addison was good at her job and not that bad of a person. Izzie even shared a laugh with her once or twice.
"My career or friendship? What is a girl to do?"
> > > >
Addison let down her hair as she walked out to her rental car. It had been a long shift for her. She had been on call since 5am. It was now past 3 in the afternoon.
"Hello Addison," Dr. Webber called out as she walked past a bench.
"Hello Dr. Webber."
"We are off duty, Addi. You can call me Richard."
Addison smiled at the sweet doctor. She had adored Richard since her residency under him all those years ago.
" I hear you would like to recruit Isobel Stevens to work with you.."
"She's good, Richard. I like her. I may not be one of her top 10, but I am not out to be anyone's favorite person," Addison replied, adjusting the strap on her shoulder.
"Accept my off to stay, Addison. Between you, Derek, and Burke. This hospital would be the best in the state. I want to make sure that all is in good hands when I retire."
Addison looked at Webber exasperated. He had been trying to convince her to stay since day one.
"How does Derek feel about this?"
"What does Derek have to do with your career?"
"He's my husband, Richard! For how much longer I do not know. I've heard gossip amongst the interns. Grey gave him an ultimatum. Her or me? I am not going to stick around here and watch him woo the intern."
"Have you two spoken?"
Addison closed her eyes and leaned against the pole she stood next too.
" I gave him the divorce papers. If he wants me to let him go, I'll do it. It hurts like hell, but I'll do it. I would like for us to talk first. I need for him to listen. I love him, Richard. I have always loved him. I will always love him. I've loved him from the moment I set my eyes on him."
Richard rose from the bench to pull Addison into a fatherly embrace.
"Do you want me to talk to him?"
"He'd hate me even more than he all ready does. Just leave it be, Richard. I am going home as soon as baby Mennen pulls through.. Lets have lunch tomorrow. We can talk about anything else but my marriage and staying here," Addison said softly. She gave Richards hand a comforting squeeze before continuing her walk to her car.
> > > >
"Dr. Shepherd just asked me to consider working with her. She says I have a lot of potential and that she would like very much to work with me. What am I going to do? Meredith is my friend and Addison is the Wicked Witch of the East, or says she is," Izzie rambled, rushing at Alex. Alex stepped back almost dropping the coffee in his hands. He was surprised that Izzie was talking to him. She hadn't said two words to him since their "date."
"Say something!" she snapped, stealing his coffee and taking a swig.
"What do you want me to say Iz? Dr. Shepherd is one smart woman. If she wasn't such a bitch to me, I'd like her. This is a golden opportunity," Alex pointed out.
Izzie's face scrunched up in annoyance. " No!" she shouted. "You are supposed to tell me not to even contemplate it! She's the enemy! Meredith is my roommate and friend. I can't betray her by working with Dr. Shepherd's wife! Why did I even come to you? I'm going to talk to George. He's more understanding!"
"You mean feminine!" Alex yelled out at her fleeing figure. He shook his head and continued on his rounds.
> > > >
Izzie rushed around the floor looking for someone to talk to. She knew what Addison Shepherd was offering her was a great opportunity. Dr. Shepherd was one of the greats in her field. But Addison was Mrs. Dr. Mc Dreamy. Dr. Mc Dreamy was supposed to be Meredith's boyfriend. The more Izzie thought about it, the more of an ass Dr. Mc Dreamy became. As she slowed her jogging pace, a rational thought process began. From what she knew Addison had cheated on Derek. Derek came to Seattle and started up with Meredith. Technically, Derek was the enemy and not Addison. She was just his wife. He was the married man sleeping with her friend…
"Stevens!" Dr. Webber yelled out, catching sight of the intern favored by Addison. Izzie jumped at the sound of her name.
"Dr. Webber. How can I help you?" Izzie asked with a smile.
"Take the offer given by Dr. Shepherd."
All color drained from Izzie's face. Could this day get any better?