Author's Note : I just want to say that the first paragraph of the first chapter of the story, is from Grey's Anatomy. I got a review asking if I'm psychic. lol. No, I'm not. I saw the clip on yahoo before the episode aired officially and borrowed it for my story. I thought it would be a good scene which will lead to how Meredith and Addison came to where they are now (in this fic). So no, the first paragraph of my first chapter, is not my creation.
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"Look alive, people!" Miranda Bailey's voice rang in their ears as they stood up readily, waiting for their assignments. She eyed each one of them up and down then started. "Karev and Yang, pit. Stevens, you're with Burke today. George, you're with Dr. Shepherd. He needs a hand in surgery today."
"I can't believe I got stuck with you again." Cristina grumbled, pushing her way out of the locker room with Alex. And he shook his head at her comment. "You don't want to be in my shoes right now." he bit back. Cristina turned to him with a killer glare. "Shut up, Alex."
"Move it!" she yelled, chasing Izzie and George out of the locker room. Meredith started whipping her hair up into a messy bun behind her hair. "What about me?" she asked, not sure whether to hope that she'll be with her resident today, or not. Miranda raised an eyebrow at Meredith and look her up and down. "What?" Meredith frowned.
"I'm wondering if you did anything wrong, Grey." Miranda said, straight-forwardness was always her speciality. Meredith followed behind the resident as they exited the locker room. "I didn't do anything." she said. Except for kissing Addison. the thought popped up in her mind suddenly. Meredith shove it down.
"Really?" Miranda ask, grabbing a chart from the station. "You've got a special request again." she said, turning around to face Meredith. Meredith felt her heart stop a beat. Somehow, she already knew who asked for her, but she had to confirm.
"The same, special request?" she asked, placing her words carefully. When Addison first came into town and found Meredith and Derek together, the very next day, she had asked for Meredith to work with her the entire day. And it was upon a special request made by Addison herself.
"The same special request." Miranda confirmed. "Good luck, Grey. You're going to need it." she said, then went off to her patient's room.
Meredith breathed out nervously, hands shoved in her lab coat's pocket as she headed off in the other direction. Oh, you never know. she thought.
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Meredith. That was the first word that came into Addison's mind when she woke up that morning. The night before, she had fallen asleep wondering why Meredith had kissed her, and especially, why she actually kissed her back. She had no reason to, she has a husband. She has been dating men for all her life, then got married to Derek, a man, for more than 11 years. She turn around, eyeing the clock with a sigh, then thanking her lucky stars that she only has a surgery in the afternoon or she would have been very late for work.
"Derek?" she called out softly, noticing his side of the bed empty. There was no response. She pulled the covers off herself and headed into the kitchen, frowning to see that his shoes and coat are gone. Must have already gone to the hospital. she thought to herself. It was all too familiar. This had happened many times when they were back in New York, and it wasn't something that she hasn't already been used to. I think we need to talk. she thought, and by the mention of 'we', she wasn't referring to Derek and herself, but to Meredith and herself.
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"Miranda!" Addison called out from across the hallway. Dr. Bailey turned around expectantly to find Addison making her way quickly towards her, in heels. She looked down at Addison's footwear and shook her head. "I never figured how you can walk that fast in those." she said.
"I need a favour." Addison said, her eyes shifting around the almost empty hallway. Miranda raised an eyebrow at Addison and placed an arm on her hip. "Oh. The great Dr. Montgomery Shepherd needs my help." she said smugly. Addison glared at her, only causing Miranda to chuckle. "What is it, Shepherd." she said, turning around, making her way towards the locker room.
"Could you... assign Meredith to me today?" she blurted out. That caught Miranda's attention. She stopped, turning around to face Addison. "Why?"
Addison simply look down at her, folding her arms in front of her chest authoritatively. "Yes, or no, Miranda?" she asked, waiting for an answer. Miranda cocked an eyebrow at her curiously but didn't push for an explanation.
"Alright, you got it." she said.
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Meredith made her way down across the nurses' station, quickening her pace as she saw the familiar redhead not far away in front of her. "Dr. Montgomery Shepherd!" she called out, picking up on her speed.
Addison slowed down, but did not turn around. She knew exactly whose voice it belonged to. She had always recognise that voice anywhere. Before, it was the voice of the girl that won half of her husband's heart, maybe more than that, she don't know. But now, it was the voice of the woman that kissed her on the lips.
"Dr. Montgomery Shepherd." Meredith repeated, now walking beside Addison. "Morning, Dr. Grey." Addison greeted her professionally. Meredith was just about to ask about the case she was assigned to but saw no file in Addison's hands. When they turned into a quieter corner, Meredith understood the purpose of Addison requesting for her.
"Dr. Montgomery Shepherd," Meredith started, then lowering her voice as she continued. "About yesterday, I'm..." she paused. What was she suppose to say? Apologise? Addison stopped, turning to her expectantly, her arms folded in front of her chest as she looked down at the shorter intern, her eyes betraying no emotions. Meredith looked up at her and drew in a deep breathe, gazing into Addison's green eyes with her own. "Actually, no." she said firmly. "I'm not sorry."
Addison drew in a breathe and look away. "I have a husband, Meredith." she said softly. Now, it was Meredith who folded her arms in front of her chest. "What happened to the whole 'Why don't we help him choose?'" she demanded. Addison's gaze started shifting around her, trying to avoid the question, or at least, come up with a decent answer.
"Is there a problem?" a voice spoke up cheerfully from no where. The both of them stiffened, then turned to the source of voice only to see Preston Burke heading towards them, a grin on his face as his eyes met Addison's. Meredith unfolded her hands and now place them behind her back, like an intern would when talking to someone of a higher authority.
"Dr. Burke. I was just ahh, seeking a consult from Dr. Montgomery Shepherd." she lied through her teeth. Preston looked at her with a raised eyebrow, as though expecting more as Meredith did not excuse herself from the both of them, like most interns would when two of the higher rank staff approach one another. "It's uhh, for a case." Meredith said.
"A case?" Burke repeated questioningly. Meredith nodded with a smile. "Yes, Dr. Burke. A case." Looking from Addison and Meredith, Burke nodded in acknowledgement. "Alright, then. Don't let me interupt your...consultation." he said, walking away from the two woman.
"Uhh, get a CT scan, do an ultra sound..." Addisonrambled on, hoping to make what Meredith had said believable while both women had their eyes pinned on Preston's back as he walked away, not wanting to risk resuming to their actual conversation with him around.
When he was out of sight, and clearly out of ear shot, Meredith looked to Addison questioningly. "Are you?" she asked, pushing for an answer. "Are you sorry?"
Addison looked away at the question. She didn't know the answer. Does she still feel that things are hopeless with Derek where one moment he shows that he tries and the next moment, things are back to the way they were like back in New York? And most importantly, was she sorry she kissed back? She looked down, twirling her fingers, watching the dancing reflection of the wedding ring on her finger. Meredith folded her arms back in front of her chest. "Addison..." she started.
"No." Addison cut her off decidedly. At the same time where Meredith look up, Addison lifted her eyes to meet Meredith's. Their gaze locked for more than twice this time. "I'm not sorry."
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Author's Note : I know this chapter is shorter than the previous one. But I hope you still like it!
- Jessica