Here's the newest chapter. Hope you all enjoy. Reviews are cool. And with three weeks of no Grey's, chapters shall be aplenty!
3:00 p.m.
Addison has been a little off since hearing of David's return. It had been forever since they had seen each other, but what they shared years earlier was not something to be forgotten. She did her best to hide this from Derek, knowing his response would not be favorable. Once you see him, you can put the past behind you once and for all. You and Derek will be happy together. Just be clear with David. You can do this.
"Addison? Addison?"
"What?"
"God, you're like a space cadet today. What's going on with you?"
"Me? Nothing's going on. What makes you think something's wrong?"
"It's nothing, you're just zoning out a lot. You sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. Just tired I guess."
"Well how about take out and a rental at my place? Give you a chance to relax. And I owe you a massage."
"Why, Dr. Shepherd, I might just take you up on that. And isn't it our place now?"
"How could I forget?" Their conversation was broken by Addison's pager going off. "I hate being a doctor sometimes. Who is it?"
"The chief. Maybe David's here. I better go."
"What time…." Before Derek could finish, Addison had scurried off in the direction of the chief's office. Not thinking too much of it, he grabbed the chart he was working on and headed off.
3:10 p.m.
"Come in."
"Hey, Richard. You paged me?"
"Yes I did. Have a seat. David's supposed to be here any minute and I was hoping you would show him around. That is of course if you don't have patients."
"Sounds fine to me." Addison was playing with her hands, clearly nervous about seeing David.
"Addison, is there a problem?"
"No, of course not."
"You seem anxious."
"I'm fine."
"I was in on your first ever surgery. I know you anxious, Addi. What's going on?" Before Addison could answer, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Addison Montgomery. Long time, no see." Addison stared blankly at David, like she had seen a ghost. "What, ten years apart and I don't even get a hug."
"Same old David. How are you?" Addison rose from her chair to hug him hello.
"I'm good Addi, how are you?"
"I'm good, I'm good." They pulled back from their hug and smiled. "You look great."
"I try. So do you. Young as the day we met. Hello, Chief." David moved closer to shake Richard's hand.
"Good afternoon David. How was your flight?"
"Uneventful, as the good ones always are."
"Glad to hear it. So I have arranged for Addison to show you around, but we have some paperwork to cover so if Addison, you need to check on some patients, now would be a good time to do it."
"Sure. I'll be back shortly." Addison turned towards the door and walked out. Both men watched Addison walk out, and then sat down.
"So how did you and Addison meet?"
"Undergrads at Dartmouth. Both pre-med. She's really something."
"Yes, she is. I've known her since she was an intern."
"No kidding? Well she's certainly turned into quite the doctor. I just read an article in the journals about a surgery she did. Impressive stuff."
"She is the best. She and Derek make quite the power couple."
"Derek Shepherd?"
"Yes. He's our head of neurosurgery."
"You really do have an all-star team out here."
"Derek was my intern as well."
"What are the odds? You must be quite the teacher. Now, if you don't mind me asking, when you said couple, you meant business, didn't you? Last I heard Addison was marrying Sloan."
"They're divorced. The drama in their lives makes General Hospital look weak in comparison. She actually came out here after the separation. Change of scenery I guess was good for her. I wrangled her into staying about three weeks ago."
"Interesting. Thanks for the update." David's face noticeably changed when he was under the impression Addison was single. Their was a sense of joy, mixed with scheming. Richard noticed this change as well, but realized it wasn't his place to explain the ins and outs of Addison's love life. "So where are these papers you need me to sign?"
"Right here." David grabbed a pen and started signing. Richard watched in his usual observant manner, curious to the past he shared with Addison. He felt concern like that of a father protected his daughter from one of those bad boys. It wasn't that David was bad; he seemed like a great guy. Problem was, Addison already had one of those, and too much of a good things can be dangerous.
4:30 p.m.
"That's about all Seattle Grace has. It's a great place; you're really going to like it." Addison told David, careful about keeping her distance.
"Addison. What's wrong?"
"Why does everyone keep asking me that today? I'm fine. Scout's honor."
"Then how come you haven't come closer then about four feet since we hugged hello?" Addison's eyes rose from the floor to meet David's.
"David, don't do this."
"Do what?"
"This. Be…you. You were always like this."
"You're going to need to be more descriptive."
"Come here." Grabbing David by the arm, she pulled him into the nearest supply closet.
"Whoa. You know if you wanted to do this, all you had to was ask."
"Shut up. That's not funny. Guess you still haven't found that sense of humor you were missing a decade ago."
"Ouch. That hurts Addison."
"Good." Addison's planned demeanor of friendship began to wash away. She was getting madder and madder just seeing him in front of her. "How could you agree to take a job at this hospital? My hospital?"
"Excuse me! I didn't realize you owned the hospital. What's with you?"
"With me? Are you kidding? We haven't spoken in ten years and suddenly I have to hear from my chief of surgery that our newest attending is my freaking ex-fiancée! You couldn't call or anything?"
"I didn't realize you'd want me to. Or that you'd even take my call. Look, Addison, after what happened, we agreed to remain in touch. Somehow my phone never rang."
"Don't put this is on me. You're the one who cheated. You showing up is not what I needed right now."
"Look Addi…" David moved closer, taking Addison's hand in his own. Or at least trying to. She immediately pulled back.
"Don't. You lost the right to touch me the moment you slept with that skank."
"She was your best friend."
"Key word being was. I don't want to talk about her. This isn't about her."
"Same old Addison. Passive aggressive and never really willing to talk about anything. You shut down when something gets to intense. You always have."
"David, you don't know me. A lot changes in a decade. I have changed a lot in the years since college and for your sake, I hope you have too."
"Not needed. And what do you mean you don't need this right now. Aren't you and Sloan long done anyway?"
"How the hell do you know about that?"
"Everyone knows about that."
"Seriously? Great." She responded sarcastically.
"Addison, will you let me finish. I didn't just come to Seattle for a job. I came out here for you."
"Excuse me?"
"I saw the article you got published from the surgery a few weeks back."
"That's why you accepted this job?"
"For the most part yes."
"Unbelievable. After what happened between us?"
"Addison, we were young and stupid. It was medical school. What were we, 23? I made a mistake, people make mistakes. And now, I'd like a chance to start over with you." Addison stared at him, into his eyes, unable to comprehend the words he was saying.
"I can't do this. Not here. I'm not having this kind of conversation in a linen closet in the middle of a hospital. Meet me at Joe's across the street at eight. We can talk then."
"Great. Addison, you really do look fabulous." Leaning over, David kissed her on the cheek before excusing himself. To his shock, and hers, she didn't pull away. Shutting the door behind him, Addison felt her knees buckle as she moved towards the floor. How can this be happening? Addison fell for David, she fell hard. She was young, and thought he was the love of her life. Feelings still lingered, but finding out about him and Jenna was one of the worst days of her life. And then there was Derek. They were doing well, better than she could have ever imagined her life. He was amazing. What the hell are you going to tell him? Addison sat, head in between her knees, trying to sort out her mind. She got nowhere, and realized she had been down their for almost thirty minutes. She needed to scrub-in, and eventually tell Derek about the change in plans.
7:30 p.m.
Addison was still in surgery when Derek finished up for the evening. He checked the board and realized she was still operating. He decided to observe from the gallery, surprise her when she finished. He made his way to the gallery only to find Bailey's interns watching. Bailey scrubbed in with Addison, thus their presence.
"Hey Dr. Shepherd."
"Hello guys. What's going on?"
"Not much. Emergency c-section got a little dusky, but Dr. Montgomery seems to have it under control. Wait, Bailey's leaving." Izzie responded.
"I think that angry face and hand waving means meet her outside."
"You're probably right. See you Dr. Shepherd."
"Bye. Good luck." Derek laughed to himself as he watched the interns scurry out of the room. Grabbing a chair, he watched Addison work. She had this focus inside of her that made her the world-renowned surgeon she was. Patients always came first, and she always helped them to the best of her ability. Being a neurosurgeon, he didn't know the details of Addi's work, making observing all the more interesting. Addison closed up her patient and watched as they wheeled her out. Undressing, she finally peaked up to the gallery. She met his smile with one of her own, and seemed very happy to see him. He motioned for him to meet her in the scrub room.
"Hey."
"Hey yourself. I haven't seen you all day." Derek took Addison into his arms, and held her as she let the tension of the day was away from her.
"I know. I'm sorry. It's been hectic with David's arrival. The chief asked me to show him around. Couldn't very well say no."
"Of course not. I still haven't met the infamous David. How come you never mentioned him?" Addison remained in Derek's arms, but craned her neck so she could talk directly to him.
"It was in the past. Some memories are best left untouched."
"Whatever you say. So what kind of movie were you thinking? I could do a comedy."
"Okay don't kill me. David asked me to have a drink and catch up and I meant to find you about six times today to tell you and I just kept getting sidetracked. I'm sorry. Do you mind?"
"No of course not. We'll just postpone our relaxing evening to tomorrow night."
"Perfect. Thanks. I shouldn't be home too late."
"Alright. Have a good time." Addison kissed Derek on the cheek and hurried towards the door. She was already running later than she wanted to be. Derek, still standing in the scrub room, felt uneasy about David. Whenever Addison talked about him, she was different. There was a history there. Why wouldn't she have ever mentioned anything? As Addison got dressed, her mind was split between thoughts of Derek and thoughts of David. She was putting up a good front, but Derek would realize that they were more than old friends eventually. One guy at a time: David first.
8:30 p.m.
"I thought you forgot about me."
"Not possible."
"I know." Rising from the bench outside the hospital, David met up with Addison as they walked to Joe's. "You look amazing as always."
"Thank you. Come on, its right over here." They reached Joe's and headed for the first empty booth they saw. Joe came over and took their order.
"Hey Addison."
"Joe! How are you?"
"I'm good. You waiting for Derek?"
"No. I'm having a drink with an old friend. This is David Jones, new doc over at the hospital."
"Nice to meet you Joe."
"Same here. Addison, you're usual?"
"Please. And for David…."
"Beer, please." Joe came back shortly after with their order. They each slowly sipped their drinks. David was the first to break the silence.
"Look Addi…"
"No. It's my turn to talk. Ever since I heard you were coming here I have been overloaded with emotion. You were my first love David. I mean serious love. I always had boyfriends in High School, but nothing like what we had. You were my whole world, and when you…" Addison paused at the remembrance of what had occurred. "When everything fell apart, it killed me. I had never felt as vulnerable before, and swore I never would again. I was sure I never wanted to see you again."
"Addison, if I could go back in time and change things I would." Addison shushed him before he could go on.
"Still my turn. Anyway, I feel as though time apart as led me to be forgiving. I mean we were only kids. As much as I loved you, maybe getting engaged was the wrong choice. I can't even imagine my life had we gotten married. And don't take that the wrong way, please. David, a part of me will always love you. I know that. Seeing you again tells me that." She inhaled deeply.
"But?"
"But, I am in love with someone else."
"Shepherd."
"How did you know?"
"Richard alluded to something. I tried to ignore it on the off chance you'd take me back."
"Richard was always one to get involved."
"Addison, now it's my turn. I hear what you're saying. You're in love with Derek. But, you used to be in love with me. Now you know me. I don't give up without a fight. Ever. I am in love with you, have been forever. My contract at Seattle Grace is only for a month right now. I want to spend time with you. Come from it what may."
"Did you not just hear me?"
"I heard you, loud and clear. But Addison, we have always been friends. I am just choosing to express that friendship again. Now I have to go check in. Lunch tomorrow?" David asked, standing up. Addison stood up as well.
"Sure. But David, the only reason I'm doing this is to prove to myself Derek is for me. Nothing will come of this."
"Question. Did you tell him about us yet?"
"Why?"
"Curiosity."
"As if it's any of your business, but no not yet. It's none of his concern: that stage in our relationship is buried."
"Okay." Kissing her on the cheek, he left the bar with a wide grin. Addison knew that grin. She remembered that grin. This was not going to be easy, but if he was going to be around, ignorance was not an option.
Sorry the update took me so long. I wrote this chapter about eight different ways, deciding on this one. Look for another update tomorrow, and Addison will be telling Derek the truth. And it won't be pretty. Oh the angst! Reviews are cool!