Addison stared at Mark, startled by his news. Then she smiled.

"Thank you Mark. That's very interesting. Excellent, in fact."

Mark frowned. "Hey, I'm trusting you here. One professional to another. Don't go all Mr. Burns on me."

Addison was distracted from her thoughts. "All Mr. Who?"

"You know- Mr Burns, from the Simpsons? Kinda evil, says 'excellent' in a really creepy way, just like you did."

Addison raised her eyebrows. "You're comparing me to a cartoon character? How very fifth grade of you."

Mark smirked. "You love it. Or at least you did back home." He glanced out the window, at the morning view of Seattle. "Aren't you missing New York? The one place on earth you ever wanted to live in?"

Addison made a face. "Oh course I am. This place... I hate this place. When my contracts up, Derek and I are moving home."

Mark stared at her. "And have you told him this?"

Addsion shifted, uncomfortable. "He's a New Yorker. Genetically engineered to hate anywhere but New York. He probably wants it as much as I do."

Mark smirked again. "Sure he does. Only problem, whats the chances of Dr. Grey getting transferred out there as well?"

The slap came out of nowhere. Mark staggered back a little, rubbing his stinging face. "Damn, what is it with this place? Does the watrer have some sort of violence-triggering chemical in it?"

Addison glared at him. "Just go away, Mark."

She stormed off, just as Alex came tearing round the corner, labs in hand.

"Dr Mont- Dr. Shepherd! I have the- um, you're leaving. Right, I'll just... stand here. Like an idiot. Ok" He noticed Dr. Sloan.

"Hey, dude, you're back! Great. Explains the Phantom of the Opera act from the lovely Dr. Shepherd. Should I follow her?"

Mark whistled. "Not if you value any part of your male anatomy. She's out for blood."

Alex chuckled. "Right. Well, I guess that leaves me short of a case."

"Hey, stick with me, then. I got one you'll find most fascinating."

"Um, Dr. Shepherd. I have the test results for Mrs. Vern. Did you wish to look at them?"

Derek grinned. "Oh so formal aren't we? Yes, Dr. Grey, I do wish to look at them, how about over a cup of coffee?" He said in a terrible British accent.

Meredith laughed. "You don't do accents. But why not, if the coffee's on you."

Derek shook his head. "Women. All the same- they'll bleed you dry."

Moustache

They wandered into the courtyard, coffees in hand, and selected a table.

Meredith sat quietly, sipping her coffee as Derek read through the results. Every now and again, he made a little 'hum' or 'erm' noise with his throat. She giggled. Derek looked up, his eyes sparkling. "What? Do I look that funny?"

"No, its the noises. Every time you read something good, you go 'hum'. Something not too good gets a little 'erm'. Its endearing, really."

Derek smiled, blushing a little. "You noticed, huh. Well, don't get toococky. When you're worrying, you chew on your bottom lip. I always know when you're upset, because your lip gets a little swollen."

Meredith laughed, nodding. "Hey, when you're upset, your hair gets flat. Like you just don't care enough to put all that gel in it."

Derek shook his head. "Seriously? Give me your hand."

Meredith laughed. "Why?"

"Just do it. Come on, I don't bite... in public." Meredith rolled her eyes, but put out her hand anyway.

Derek held it in his, stoking the palm gently. Meredith shivered slightly, despite the warm day. Derek didn't notice, so absorbed in touching her.

"When you are sad," he sad so softly, Meredith had to lean in to hear him," you're hands get cold and rough. When you're happy, they're warm and smooth." He kept stroking her hand, and Meredith stared at him, trembling. He looked p, and they both felt a shock wave as their eyes met. Derek knew he should back away, but somehow he felt stuck, like he wouldn't move ever again. And he realised, he'd be happy if he never had to end this moment.

"Dr. Grey! Let go of my husband!" Came a shrill voice. They both jumped, Derek losing his hold on Meredith's hand. Addison stood right next to them, glaring. Derek shook himself, and glanced around. Luckily the courtyard was empty, save for the three of them.

"Addison, Mer wasn't holding me. I was just reading her palm. Apparently she is going to live to one hundred and three, have five kids and go sailing."

Meredith bit her lip to keep from laughing. She was still shaking a little. Addison glanced between the two, sure something was going on.

"Fine, whatever. Just wanted to say I'm going home. Maybe you could get off early? We can pick up where we left off" She suggested slyly, moving in closer to her husband. Meredith looked uncomfortable. Derek moved back.

"Um, i doubt it. This case looks pretty bad. I think she's going to need some pretty extensive surgery. Might last for a while."

Addison stepped back. "Right. Well, I'll see you at Ihome/I, anyway, honey."

Derek smiled a little at her. "Of course."

Addison left.

Derek turned to Meredith. "Sorry about that."

"So, lying to your wife. Nice. This all part of that thing you won't tell me about?"

Derek rubbed his face, looking tired. "Yeah, pretty much."

Meredith felt concerned. "Sure you're ok?"

Derek smiled. "Hey, I get to spend the day with you. Of course I am."

Meredith raised her eyebrows at this outright flirting, but smiled anyway. Derek leaned close, and stared at her, intensely. He seemed about to kiss her, then pulled away. Meredith looked down.

"Back to work, then." Derek suggested. "But Bailey catches us, and puts us both on bedpan duty."

IOk, so its going slowly, but it will pick up soon, i promise. Next chapter will be special. You'll find out about the problem with Merediths mother, and why a plastic surgeon knows about it. And I'll