Shipwreck:.

Disclaimer:. I do not own any of the characters from the show Grey's Anatomy… except for McSteamy. Well, I can dream.

thanks to the reviewers who have encouraged me to add another chapter to this story. although I'm seems like I'm getting excited over only a couple of reviews, because this is my first GA story, I have reason to be. unfortunately, this will most likely be the end for "Shipwreck", only because I honestly hadn't planned on adding anything to it from the beginning. instead, I am starting a new story which will follow the same theme as this, but I want to introduce four or five chapters before getting to "this" point. i hope that this chapter is pleasing nonetheless. also, on the show, I think that Addison may have already signed the divorce papers, but in my story, she hasn't

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Darkness enveloped the open field while he approached his… their trailer. The blades of grass beneath him crunched from the cold as he came closer, until the soles of his shoes hit the wooden steps that led to the door.

It was late, but thankfully he saw a light on inside, which meant that Addison was most likely awake. He needed to get this over with, because the longer he waited, the more his heart ached for Meredith.

His fingers, which were now slightly quivering, clasped the handle, and opened the door, its' hinges creaking along the way. He stuck his head around the corner before stepping inside, only to find a set of crimson lips and inquiring, shady eyes merely a few inches from his face.

"Addison?"

She laughed, "Can't fool you, Derek."

"Yea," he mumbled, as he walked past her, slapping his briefcase down on the table.

"Where've you been? I thought your shift ended at ten?" she asked him, her tone hinting that she knew he had been up to something.

"Oh, I went out. Had some things to do; besides, I thought your shift ended at eleven…"

"What's your point?" she questioned, her eyes starting to glow.

He forced a smile, "Oh, nothing, just that my watch (he paused to look down) says that it's eleven fifteen. Any reason you're home so early?"

"I finished before I expected, and I thought maybe you could use some company," she said, casually walking over to the small couch which was stuffed into the corner of the trailer.

"So, what's up? I mean, you seemed kind of preoccupied at work today, like you were worrying about, I don't know, something or other…" she began.

He whipped his head around, "Look, Addison. The small talk really isn't going to work right now. You know just as well as I do what people have been saying around the hospital."

She sighed, "Rumors. That's all they are, Derek. You shouldn't waste your time worrying…"

"God dammit, Addison! Have you ever taken the time to think that maybe I care about her? That maybe I have a reason to worry every now and then?" he interrupted her, practically shouting.

She began to fume, "I'm sorry, maybe I was concerned with the fact that you barely pay any attention to me. I'm your wife, for god's sake! Don't you ever worry about how I feel, or are you too busy dreaming about your precious intern?"

"That's the point! Don't you see what's been happening? It seems like every week we get in a fight over this; over me wanting to be with her once in a while. Well, I'm happy to tell you that from the moment you made your way into the picture, I haven't been able to be within five feet of her! She's heart-broken, and it's all because I chose you over her!"

Addison frowned, "Are you saying that you made the wrong choice?"

This time he sighed, "No. Yes. I don't- I don't know. I figured I needed to give you another chance. I just wanted to see if we could make it work again."

"That was nice of you," she spat.

"Addison, enough; this has gone on too long. Things have changed, and I have a new life; a life without secrets, or without pain. I have the chance to be happy, for once, without feeling miserable at the same time. And I'm sorry, but I'm not going to let you get in the way. You've screwed things up enough as it is, so here," he reached into his case, grabbed a folder, and thrust it into her lap, "Sign these."

"Are- are you serious?" Addison stammered.

"What, do you think this is some kind of joke? We can't keep putting ourselves through this misery. She needs me…"

"I need you," she stated, her face sincere.

"Really? Because the truth is, I've never felt like you needed me. Somehow, it's always been the other way around. Even when I needed you most, you were gone. I told myself that I was wrong, but once you and Mark- well, you know- things became clear," he paused. "Ever since then, I haven't felt the same way about you…"

"So, you don't love me then?"

"Addison…"

Her eyes started to tear, "No, really. It's… fine."

He reached over to touch her lightly on the shoulder, "I did. I did love you. And sometimes I think that I still do… but not the way I love her. I've never felt something like this for someone before, and I'm sorry that I can't love you like I love her."

She smiled, "Well, who can say we didn't try?"

"That's right."

They both stopped for a moment, just to look into each others eyes one last time. Sure, the passion and the lust that had once been there was long gone, but it was hard to think that after all they'd been through, it was finally over.

"She's pregnant, isn't she?" Addison spoke, whispering.

Derek nodded solemnly.

"Good luck, then," she patted his shoulder, "I always knew you'd be a great father someday."

"Thanks."

She slowly rose from the couch, "Well, I think I need to sleep. Mind if I sign them in the morning? I'll be on my way then, back to New York I suppose…"

"You have arrangements, somewhere to stay?" he asked, concerned.

"Yea, I'll figure something out."

"Ok, then."

He watched as Addison walked towards the end of the trailer, and closed the bedroom door behind her. He could hear her rushing around inside, changing into her pajamas, and then the bathroom sink running, as she washed her face, brushed her teeth, etc. It was funny how simple things like these used to entrance him, and now all he could help but think about was her, Meredith.

For a while, he just sat there, thinking about what his life had been like, and would it be like now. Then, he rose from the sunken-in couch, went to his bedroom, and laid down next to his wife for the last time.

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He stood there, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet, outside of that door. The one he had been outside of so many times before. The one that was so cold, plain, and completely emotionless, yet it felt like home. Maybe it was because of what was behind the door that made it all worthwhile.

His hands wrung themselves in circles, and he took many prolonged breaths before knocking. Then he waited. Déjà vu? Perhaps, but this time something seemed different. And as he remained outside, drumming his fingertips on his belt, he wondered who it would be this time. Which one, Izzie or George? Or maybe their other friend… what was her name? Christina? Maybe even Alex? But it wouldn't be her. No; it was never her.

It took some time, but finally he heard soft footsteps on the other side. The door cracked open, and a curl of sandy blonde hair fell outside into the open, soon joined with a set of lips and two eyes. No, the lips weren't crimson. They were a light, natural pink, almost glowing. And the eyes, well, they certainly weren't dark, or threatening; instead they looked tired, yet at the same time curious, with a light blue sheen to them.

"It's you," he breathed.

"And it's you… I mean, what do you want?" she spoke, surprised.

"Did I wake you, I shouldn't have come so early…" he mumbled, not letting that dreamy smile leave his face.

She sighed, "It's okay. Things were a little bit crazy last night, so I didn't get much sleep anyway."

"Well, is everything okay?"

"Well, George thought there was a raccoon outside his window, and him and Izzie woke me up at two o' clock screaming like idiots, so…" she laughed nervously.

"What a pair," he smiled.

They stood there, Meredith absentmindedly playing with the zipper on her sweatshirt; Derek waiting to break the silence again. For a moment, he almost forgot that there was a reason that he was there, because every moment he looked into her eyes, he lost all sense of time.

"Do you mind if I come in?" he asked.

She hesitated, "Derek, I- you probably shouldn't be here… I mean, I don't want to cause any problems or anything…"

"Believe me; you have nothing to worry about. I just, kind of need to talk to you about some things."

"Please, Derek. I really don't want to talk about anything… I can't handle this right now," she pleaded.

"I know," he stated bluntly.

Frustrated, she put her hands on her hips, "Know what?"

"I know you've been avoiding me, and that you're not telling me how you really feel."

"How I really feel about what?"

"Us."

"What about 'us'? I think I've made it quite clear how I feel, and you haven't really seemed to care anyway. What more can I say?" she explained, trying not to let her emotions take hold of her.

He paused, "Close the door."

"What?'

"Either you come out here, or let me come in, because right now you're letting the cold air in."

"Fine," she hissed, opening the door a little bit further, and then practically slamming the door behind her once he had come in.

How cute, he thought, as she stood there in her pajama bottoms and Dartmouth sweatshirt, her hair sticking out here and there, while her eyes were focused on his, slightly narrowed.

"Well, what do you want?" she whispered, a little annoyed.

"I came over last night."

"Oh, why?" she questioned.

"Bailey told me that you had left early; you weren't feeling good or something. I wanted to see if you were okay," he said.

She faked a smile, "Oh, well I'm fine."

"Meredith, don't think you can fool me."

"What are you talking about, just because I don't feel spectacular every day, you suddenly freak out and wonder what's wrong?" she was fuming.

He reached out to put his hand on her shoulder, "Shhh, calm down. I know, it's okay."

Meredith tensed, He couldn't know, could he? Of course, there may have been rumors around the hospital, but people lied and changed things around… surely he wouldn't have believed them.

"What?" she asked him, hoping he was talking about something else.

"Well, when I was here last night, Izzie kind of… talked to me, and…"

"Derek, this was a bad idea," she interrupted him, turning away. "I really need to get some sleep."

Quickly, she headed for the staircase, but he grabbed her wrist forcefully, and pulled her back towards him.

"Meredith, it's okay. Please, don't be scared about this, I'm here," he whispered, soothing her.

Slowly, she turned around in his arms until her face was almost touching his. Her eyes were watery, and her lips were quivering. This was a Meredith he had never seen before, so shaken and distressed. He brought his hand to the small of her back and held her close, while his other hand softly stroked her silky hair. He would take care of her.

"Th- this isn't what my life's sup- supposed to be like," she sobbed. "I'm not the kind of per-person who's born to be a mother, Derek."

"Well, that's what I'm here for," he smiled.

"No, no… you chose her. Don't you understand? There's n-no way that you can be a part of this," she sighed, hot tears streaming down her face.

"I may have chosen her, but I love you. I want to be here for you, to help you through everything that comes your way. I want you, Meredith."

She gently touched the side of his face, and outlined his jaw, "We can't…"

"No, Meredith. Addison and I are over. The papers have been signed; she's leaving for New York today. I couldn't keep lying to myself, because no matter how hard I wanted to fix my marriage, I couldn't keep telling myself that I don't love you; because I do… I love you."

Instantaneously, he pulled her body up against his and let his desperate mouth collapse onto hers. There was passion, romance, and a longing for one another like he had never experienced before; it was the best damn kiss he'd ever had in his entire life.

As he pulled away, his eyes twinkled with happiness and complete bliss. Finally, this moment was his. And as he turned to look out the window, he saw the sun's rays streaming through the dirty, antique glass. It was almost like an omen.

Fin:.