NEW YORK
"Morning, Dr. Montgomery Shepherd." someone greeted as Addison walked by. "Good morning." she called back without looking up from her chart. The emergency was over. It was a case of teenage pregnancy where the girl tripped and fell this morning in her dorm. The baby was borned premature, but both parent and child were out of danger. Shepherd. she thought bitterly at the last name used. For a moment, for just a second, she was so used to being a Shepherd that what happened the night before was almost forgotten. Like a dream, like a nightmare. She rubbed her temples with a sigh. This is going to be hard to get over.
"Derek wasn't there for you." a voice caught her by surpise. Without looking up, she already knew whose it belonged to. "This is not the time, Mark." she replied, emotionless. Starting to walk away, Mark grabbed her by her arm and led her to a deserted stairway.
"What!" Addison demanded, shrugging her arm off his grip by the time they were alone. Mark looked at her for a moment, as though considering of what to do before grabbing her by the shoulders and kissed her deeply. To her own surprise, Addison gave in and kissed back. But she let go in the end, pushing Mark away. What am I doing? Addison sighed. "Mark..." But he laid his index finger softly on her lips, lifting her chin up with another hand.
"I'm in love with you, Addison." Mark started. Addison started to open her mouth to respond, but Mark cut her off with another kiss. "I'm in love with you." he repeated. "I always have been. From the moment Derek started ignoring you, the moment he started putting his work first and his love second, I could see he didn't deserve you. But I love you. I was there when you needed someone, I was there when he wasn't, when he should be." Addison lifted her eyes and gaze into those of Mark's. "I... I can't." she finally said. Mark nodded. "I'll wait."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
SEATTLE
"Seattle Grace Hospital, how can I help?" a female voice spoke into the other end of the phone.
"This is Dr. Derek Shepherd. I wish to speak with Dr. Richard Webber, please." Derek said. He leaned against the metal railing, enjoying the breeze that beat against his face. "One moment please." the voice answered. There was a short moment of melodic tune before the line returned. "Derek Shepherd!" the voice called out.
"Hello, Richard." Derek smiled.
"What's the verdict?" Richard asked, signing the papers in front of him before handing it off to the nurse again.
"I'm ready to start tomorrow." "That's good to hear. How are you?" Richard asked, taking off his black-rimmed glasses and rubbed the spot between his eyes. "Good, good. I'm good." Derek lied. And last night I walked in on my wife cheating with my best friend. he thought bitterly. "How's Addy?" he asked. "She ahh. She's good too." Derek said, not giving out too much details. "Good to hear. Is she coming in with you?" "Well, no. She ahh, she's needed in New York." Again, he lied.
"Oh. Well, send her my regards. I'll see you at work tomorrow, Shepherd."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
NEW YORK
Mark looked up as the familiar scent and the sight of red hair flew pass him. "Move along, people!" the voice called out. His eyes followed her as she rushed through the hospital, her cheeks flushed in a healthy pink from the rush. For a second, their eyes locked just as the door to the elevator shut. With her out of sight, Mark headed to his next patient.
In the elevator, Addison leaned her head against the side, closing her eyes for a rest. Oh god, give me a break.
"Dr. Montgomery Shepherd?"
"Yea?" she looked up.
"Are you alright?" the nurse asked, concerned.
"Yea." she replied, not giving eye contact. At that moment, the elevator door opened. Thank god. she thought, wheeling her patient out and towards the operating room.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
SEATTLE
"Martini." he ordered, sitting by the bar. The bells to the front door rang. Derek turned his head, his eyes caught sight of the blonde that walked in. She sat a seat away from him. "Scorch." she said. She's cute. he thought. As though sensing his stares directed at her, she turned around with a smile. Really cute. he thought, smiling himself as he downed his order when it arrived.
"Bad day?" she asked casually, taking a sip of her drink.
"You wouldn't want to know." Derek responded, gesturing to his glass for a refill.
"Ok." she shrugged.
"Ok."