Recovery

Part VII

Two nights later Mark and Addison were having dinner at their favorite bistro close to the airport. Mark had a late flight to New York, he needed to go back for the weekend and take care of some unfinished business. Addison had successfully delivered Beth Ryan's son that morning, Nicholas Robert Ryan would be most likely spending the next month in the NICU, he was a very strong little boy and he didn't have any major complication, so he should grow up to live a normal healthy life. Mark had discharged Billy Moore that morning, his surgery was a success, he would still need some additional surgeries down the line, and extensive orthodontic work, which the foundation would fund as well, but he was also going to look like every other boy.

"So, you will close on the penthouse apartment when you return?" Addison asked as she picked at her Chicken Milanese, her wine sat before her untouched as well.

"Yeah, Tuesday afternoon, you know the apartment across the hall from mine is still available" he grinned at her.

She smiled back "No, I'm still not interested, I know I have to get out of that damn hotel, but I think I really want a house instead of an apartment. Even though I really hated living in the trailer, I did like not living on top of other people. Miranda is going house hunting with me this weekend."

He looked over at her plate, concern shot across his face "Is there anything wrong with your food? Are you feeling sick?"

"No, I'm fine, it fine I'm just not hungry." She shrugged "I lose my appetite sometimes after a stressful day."

"Derek was giving you a hard time today?" he could feel the anger rise.

"Not really, just . . . I'll be glad when his involvement in this case is over. But really it was better today; at least he stopped yelling at me. Now I just need him to stop giving me those looks."

"Do you want me to talk to him?"

"NO!" she snapped.

Mark looked startled.

"No" she said more calmly "it's okay, I can handle him, you're involvement will only irritate him and make matters worse." She smiled at him and reached over to hold his hand "but thanks for offering that was really sweet of you" she gave his hand a little squeeze.

They continued to hold hands as they chatted. "I talked to Maura this afternoon; she agreed to let Aubrey come out the end of July." She smiled up at him again "I'm really looking forward to her visit."

"I'm looking forward to her visit too. We always have so much fun when she visits" he glanced down at her holding his hand smiled "I was thinking we could take her to the Pacific Science Center; I think she would really enjoy that."

"Yeah, you're right, she really would like that" her eye crinkled as she grinned back at him.

"What?" he knew she was laughing, but wasn't quite sure why.

"I was just thinking of what she said last summer" they both laughed.

"Oh my god" he laughed "I thought I was going to choke on my sandwich when she asked us if we were friends with benefits."

"I know!" her eyes widened and she gave his hand a little shake "and when she explained it was friends who had causal sex, with no commitment. Where the hell does a thirteen year old hear about that stuff?"

Their eyes locked, they laughed and in unison said "TV"

Mark looked down at his watch and said "we really need to get going; it's almost time for my check in." He motioned for the waiter, paid the bill and as they left the restaurant he guided her with his hand on the small of her back.

They pulled in front of the airport and got out of the car. Mark pulled his over night bag from the back seat and stepped up on the curb. He pulled her into a hug she said "have a safe trip" they pulled apart and looked into each other's eyes. Mark bent down and kissed her softly on her lips.

They pulled apart and he looked into her eyes, desire shone in her eyes, he swallowed afraid he was seeing things, then she reached up and pulled him back to her, back into a kiss. She started out tentatively, then she parted their lips and their tongues briefly touched, his body began to sizzle. From there the kiss intensified, their tongues searching each other, he didn't know if he could get enough of her, she had never kissed him like this before. His heart ached with the sweetness of their kiss. The kiss slowed and eventually they parted, they looked into each other's eyes, he still saw the desire there but it was mingled with some confusion.

He reached out and lightly stroked her cheek. He desperately wanted to tell her that he loved her but he knew it was too soon and that would frighten her. So, instead he kissed her cheek gently and softly said "I am going to miss you."

She still had that mixed look of desire and confusion on her face and she replied in a whispered "I'm going to miss you too."

He gave her a parting smile, turned and headed into the airport.

Addison lean on the car, her knees weak and thought wow what the hell was that?

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After the confusing good bye with Mark, Addie had spent her weekend off and on having him invade her thoughts. It's not like she and Mark had never kissed before, but that kiss was different, and the feelings that went along with that kiss confused her. She knew she still had feeling for Derek, even though he ripped her heart apart and she hated that she still did have feelings for him. But now there were these new feelings, new feelings for Mark, she had never anticipated having these feelings for him, especially after what happened last year, but there they were, she couldn't denied what she felt.

She tried as hard as she could to push aside her thoughts about Mark. She threw herself into looking for a place to live; she and Miranda had looked at several places. One of which she liked very much, it was close to the hospital, was new constructions with clean lines and an open feel to it. It had a large backyard and a view of Lake Washington, but she thought it was a little bigger then she was looking for. She really didn't need a four bedroom house, but she was still seriously considering buying it.

Meredith Grey was checking on Nicholas as Addison walked into the NICU. She looked up as she approached. "How is he doing this morning?"

Meredith smiled at her "He is doing wonderfully, he is breathing on his own now, if he keeps this up, his mother will be able to nurse him by the end of the week."

Addison reached over and picked up his chart and looked it over, she gave Meredith a couple of orders for her to follow up on their tiny patient "I just wanted you to know what a wonderful job you are doing on this case, Meredith, thank you for being so professional, I know we have our problems, but I want to thank you for keeping them out of here."

"I simply followed your lead Addison" she hesitated "I know we are not friends and probably never will be, but I respect you as a doctor and as a person." She gave her a weak smile "I am just relieved that Derek has been leaving me alone now, I think he finally realized we just are not going to work now."

"I'm glad to hear he is lying off, I know how difficult it is to work otherwise" she said reassuringly.

"I know you don't want to hear this, but believe me I have had nothing but regrets about what Derek and I did, I am just glad there aren't any other consequences that we will have to deal with after that mess." Addison looked at her with confusion, so she continued "I got my period yesterday; I was pretty worried that I might . . ."

"Ah, yes I guess that would have been awkward" she smiled weakly at her.

Meredith noticed a change in Addison's demeanor. She tried to ask about it, but she waved her off and then asked her to check on Mrs. Ryan.

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Addison entered her office and leaned against the door. God, she hadn't even considered this. She had been so busy trying to move on from her married, she hadn't been paying attention. She started to pace her office, her mind racing. She started talking to herself out loud "no, this can't happen, not now" she continued to pace "I don't know if I can deal with this."

Miranda knocked on Addison's door, but she didn't answer, she had seen her rush past and run into her office slamming her door. She slowly opened the door to see Addison pacing back and forth talking to herself.

"Addison?"

She stopped her pacing abruptly and looked where the voice came from; she was startled to see Miranda standing there.

"What has you so riled up?" she asked firmly "Is Derek giving you a hard time again?"

"Oh god Miranda, I don't know what I am going to do. I . . ." she started to pace again, her agitation continued to rise.

"Addison" Miranda walked over to her, stopped her by putting her hands on her shoulders "Look at me and tell me what's wrong."

Miranda could see her deflate in front of her; she took a deep breath and said "I think I'm pregnant."

"You're what?" said in shock.

Addison started to pace again and went on "I think I'm pregnant, I . . . oh god this really can't be happening now" she stopped her pacing and let out a small scream of frustration.

"You think you are pregnant" she tried to keep a calm demeanor for her friend, since one of them needed to be "Ok, explain to me, what brought this on?"

Addison stopped and stared at her "I . . . I was talking with Meredith Grey, and we got into a conversation about Derek, then she said how relieved she was that there weren't going to be anymore consequences to you know" she shrugged.

Miranda nodded and said "go on."

"Meredith said she was so relieved that she started her period yesterday. That's when it dawned on me." She started to pace again.

"It dawned on you?" she looked confused, and then the light went on "When was your last menstrual cycle?"

"That's just it, I don't remember. Not since Derek and I split, that much I know." She continued her pacing.

"Addison" she snapped her fingers trying to get her attention "Addison" she said firmer, Addie stopped pacing and looked at Miranda "come on" she held her hand out to the other woman "lets go to an exam room and do a pelvic, it will only take a moment to answer your question." Addison nodded at the other woman who took her by the hand and let her lead her out of her office.

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"Well" Addie asked anxiously, leaning up on her elbow so she could look at Miranda.

Miranda gave her a nod.

Addison dropped back down on the table and covered her face and let out a groan, then whispered "shit" she tried to regain her composure and asked "how far along."

"Well, I'm not an expert in this area like you" she began.

"Miranda just spit it out" she snapped.

"Six to Seven weeks" she informed her.

"Oh god" she put her hands to her head and started to rub her temples.

"Are you going to be okay?" she asked with concern.

"I don't know" she managed to get out. "I have a hell of a lot to think of right now" she groaned again "I think I'm going to be sick" she quickly jumped from the table and put her head over the sink, where she promptly lost her breakfast.

Miranda rubbed her back, trying to get her to relax "hey look on the bright side."

Addison turned her head and gave her a puzzled look "there is a bright side?

"Yeah that house you wanted to buy doesn't seem too big now, does it" she gave her a big smile, and pulled her into a hug.

"Oh god" she put her head on Miranda's shoulder and groaned "that is not funny."

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