Derek sat in the stairwell with the divorce papers in his hand. A pen twirled in his hand. He closed his eyes and hit his head softly on the stair railing.

11 years. 11 birthdays.11 holidays.11 anniversaries. Millions of memories. Nearly twenty years of history including medical school and residencies. He was torn. He loved Addison. She broke his heart, but he's loved her for half of his life.

Then there was Meredith. He wasn't supposed to see her again. He just wanted to feel something again… He should have never slept with Meredith and Addison should have never cheated, but should haves are should haves. He really liked Meredith. She was refreshing and sweet. She was similar to the Addison Montgomery he met before medical school. Then Addison Montgomery became more like Yang with hints of Meredith. Addison was like a diamond, beautiful but rough. Meredith was like a daisy, pretty and dainty.

Derek ran his fingers through his hair. He put the papers down next to him and retrieved his wallet from his back pocket. Hidden amongst credit cards and ids were two pictures. The first folded picture was of Derek and Addison during their intern days. Her red hair was worn piled on her head, her smile shining bright. His arm was wrapped around her waist. She playfully held a stethoscope to his chest. It was their engagement announcement picture. Hidden deeper in his wallet was a crumpled black and white photo. The photo was his prized possession. He carried it everywhere, but looked at it rarely. Derek returned both items to his wallet. He couldn't do it. He couldn't sign the papers.

Now if only, Meredith would understand.

> > > >

Addison awoke with a start. Her cell phone was shrilly ringing beside her head.

"Shepherd?"

"Dr. Shepherd, we need you to get down here immediately."

"I'm on my way."

Addison stumbled from her bed, throwing on a pair of fitted khakis and a black sweater.

She paused for a moment. Addison gazed down at the beautiful ring set that had graced her hand for over a decade. She swiped them from the nightstand and ran out the door.

> > > >

The scene Addison ran into could only be described as hysteria. She quickly was updated of the situation with her ER patient by a nurse.

"Have a room set. Thanks Lynn!" Addison called out, entering the ER. She caught sight of Miranda and the interns out of the corner of her eye.

"Bailey, I'm going to need some help."

"Steven's go with Dr. Shepherd," Bailey declared, sharing a knowing look with

Addison. The two women nodded at one another before Izzie and Addison walked off.

> > > > >

"So have you made adecision yet?" Addison asked the next morning, as they finished up the charts on the two happy mothers.

" I accept your offer." Izzie replied, with a slight falter in her voice.

Addison smiled at Izzie and handed her a cup of coffee.

"Good. I'll talk to Bailey about all the arrangements. It will be a pleasure to work with you."

Izzie nodded. "Thank you, Dr Shepherd."

Addison nodded and turned down the hall. Izzie took a drink of her coffee and went in search of George.

> > > >

Addison watched her husband gather his belongings from the attending locker room. He moves mechanically. He is exhausted. She has seen him look like this many times.

"Do you ever think about the baby?" He asked. Derek knew that she was there. He could feel her eyes on him. He always knew where she was.

"Every night and every morning. She would be 4 this year."

"She? What about he?"

"Madeline Rose, William Richard. What would it have mattered? As long as he or she was healthy. I was certain that she was Madeline Rose."

"Would we be where we are if --?"

"Where are we, Derek?"

Derek rose from his seat on the bench and handed Addison unsigned divorce papers.

"I made an appointment with Dr. Talvert. I haven't forgiven you. To be quite honest, I don't really like you, but I love you. Tonight, I had to--" Derek began but didn't finish. Addison had dropped the papers and pulled her husband into an intense kiss.

"There are conditions," Derek muttered. The two stood forehead to forehead.

"You have to move to Seattle."

Addison looked down and pushed her hair behind her ears. "Leave Manhattan? Derek, I have a life in Manhattan. I have friends. I have patients."

"My life is here now, Addison. If you won't stay, then I will pick up those papers and sign them."

Addison stepped away, hurt by his words. She wrapped her arms around herself.

"I'll make the arrangements first thing tomorrow."

"Our appointment is at 9."

The Shepherds stood there in silence.

"Will you at least go back with me to tie things up?"

"I'll think about it."

Addison held out her hand, as Derek turned to grab his jacket and bag. He took her hand and allowed him to guide him out the door. From the corner of his eye, he saw Meredith. She was staring at him. He looked at her defeated.

Addison caught the exchange between her husband and his favorite intern.

"I am going to go and let Richard know he got his way. If you feel the need to talk to Grey, I will not say a thing, but I am asking, no. I am telling you that it is over. Unless it is work related I want you having nothing to do with Meredith Grey."

"I'll meet you by the entrance," Derek replied. Addison nodded and turned the corner. She paused to watch her husband and Meredith.

> > > >

"You chose her," Meredith spat. Her eyes ablaze with hurt and anger.

"I couldn't sign the papers. I told you that it wasn't easy to just sign off 11 years of marriage and two decades of history. She is my wife, Meredith."

"She cheated on you!"

"I'll get over it."

"Why did you go to the bar?" Meredith pressed.

"To tell you that I was going to stay with Addison. To end it where it began. It wasn't supposed to go this far."

Meredith closed her eyes. She could feel her heart breaking even more. She was so stupid to think he would leave his wife. Her mother had told her that he would leave.

"Good night, Dr. Shepherd."

> > > >

Derek walked slowly up to his wife. He knew he had done the right thing. But he cared for Meredith none the less. Neither said anything. Addison reached out and hooked their arms together. Derek looked down at her with a half smile. This was not going to be easy.