I wrote this even though I hate Derek a lot right now. This is b/c the Addeks don't deserve less fic b/c Shonda is a MurDer (not a typo).
I hope you all enjoy it!
Thank you so much to EVERYONE who reviewed this. It meant a lot. And I wouldn't have finished this if you hadn't been there.
Chapter 9 – Resolution
Derek and Addison pulled into the parking lot of SGH. As Derek pulled the key out of the ignition, he noticed Addison had yet to move. He looked at her concerned.
"Addie," his voice was soft and comforting, "what's wrong."
"They don't like me."
He blinked at looked at her, feeling very confused.
"Who doesn't like you? And why? You're perfect," he smoothed her hair behind her ear.
"Them," she gestured at the hospital, "all of them. And now, I've had a level 20 meltdown that half of them had to pick up after. They hate me."
She pouted in her seat, eyes filled with dread. She knew she was being irrational. But Addison Forbes Montgomery Sheppard wasn't used to being embarrassed or losing control and now that the cold light of reality was flashing before her eyes, she was scanning for rocks to hide under.
Derek got out of the car and walked around to her door. He opened it and unbuckled her seat belt. Then, he pulled her hands into his and looked her straight in the eye.
"I love you Addison, trust me, no one hates you. Everything will be fine today. You can come find me if there are any aftershocks."
She chuckled.
"I lost it, Derek," she whispered, "I let my guard down. I was weak and vulnerable. And I hate that."
She sniffled a little and looked up at him, like a child.
"Hate hate."
He smiled at her and moved a hand to stroke her cheek. Her eyes closed as she leaned into him.
"Everything's going to be fine Addie," he assured with all the confidence he could muster, "I promise. And, I know you don't want to believe me. But the only way to prove me right, or wrong, is to go in there."
"I know," she resigned, "it's just so hard."
"Well," he smiled cockily, "it can't get any worse."
She laughed and put her head against his chest.
"It better not," she warned playfully.
---
"Okay, you two are freaking me out. What the hell's going on?"
"Cristina," Izzie chided, "what makes you think anything's going on?"
"Come on," she scoffed, "you and George have these sickeningly happy grins plastered all over your happy freaking faces."
"Cristina," George feigned innocence, "some people are just naturally happy."
Cristina rolled her eyes and turned her attentions towards Meredith.
"And what's with you? You're all spacey in a teenage girl way."
"Me," Meredith questioned, with an uncharacteristically shy smile towards Karev, "I'm good. Life is good. Everybody's good."
"You've got to be kidding me," Cristina's head spun between Alex and Meredith, "you and Satan's spawn?"
"Yang," Alex interrupted, "get a life."
"Rounds!"
Bailey's appearance at the door caused everyone to jump to attention. Except Cristina, who looked increasingly disgusted.
"Bailey, I need something gross. The bloodier the better."
"Yang, what side of hell did you get up on this morning?"
"The worst, apparently. Happy intern land."
"Yeah, well, I don't care. You're with Burke. Now go spread joy."
Cristina grabbed her case and left the room angrily.
"Izzie, you're with Addison. Meredith, you're in the Pit. Karev, with me. O'Malley, find Derek Sheppard."
-- -
"I wonder what was up with Cristina," Izzie mused at the foursome walked through the halls towards their cases.
"Like she was that unusual," Alex retorted.
"No," Meredith confirmed, "something was definitely different."
"It's Cristina, who knows," George threw back.
Izzie and Meredith looked at each other and shrugged. With Cristina, they were sure they'd eventually know. Eventually.
- -
"So," Cristina started, "I'm with you today."
"I know," Burke responded, "I requested you."
Cristina rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath.
"What was that Yang," Burke questioned, bemused.
"Nothing, Dr. Burke. Absolutely nothing."
"Hmm, and I thought you might be responding to my question."
"I said I needed space. This is not space."
"I asked you to marry me, Cristina, either you say 'yes' or 'no,' what's so hard."
"You know what's hard? Working with you right now. I'm switching with George."
"Cristina," he shouted after her.
She didn't look back.
- - -
"Dr. Sheppard," Izzie greeted cheerfully.
"Dr. Stevens." Addison responded cautiously.
"So, where do we start?"
Addison stopped and looked at her, questioningly. Izzie just looked back at her innocently. Addison instantly felt better, even smiled.
"Well, we need to check on Mrs. McQuaid and her new daughter."
"Did she decide on a name," Izzie inquired.
"Carrie. Carrie Breanne McQuaid."
"Aww, pretty. What a great way to start the day, huh" Izzie stated pointedly, casting a sideways glance at Addison.
"Yeah," Addison nodded, smiling, "I can't think of anything better."
- - -
"Dr. Yang, I don't suppose you'd like to explain your insistence to get on this case? It's nothing flashy, or complicated," Derek questioned, suspiciously.
"I'd rather not, Dr. Sheppard," she looked nervously at the floor, "it's personal."
"This is a hospital Dr. Yang, there is no personal."
"That's my problem Dr. Sheppard."
He looked at her, pondering what to say.
"Okay, enough said," he decided he felt no need to intrude on her feelings.
"It's just," Cristina started, "how do you know?"
"How do you know what," Derek was lost in her outburst.
"That you can do it, forever," Cristina looked lost, and scared.
"Surgery isn't something you just decided on one day, it takes thought, I'm sure you've"
"Not surgery," she interrupted, frustrated, "marriage. How do you know?"
Derek stepped back and smiled at her, taking in her full situation.
"There's no one answer Cristina. There's no right answer."
"I need an answer. How did you know, Derek?"
She was desperate for any insight he could give her. He chose his words carefully.
"Close your eyes. Think about living without the other person. Not just tomorrow, but years from now. Think about who you'll be. And who'll you be with if it isn't him."
"And," she prodded, nervously.
"If you can't picture yourself as the person you want to be or with anyone else…"
"Then you have your answer," she finished, a blank expression on her face.
"Congratulations, Cristina."
"For what?"
"Your engagement. I know that look. I had it the day I decided to propose."
She looked back at him, not scared, not unsure, but at peace.
"It isn't easy."
"It never is," he agreed, "but the fight makes it worth it."
- - - -
"Sorry you're stuck here all day," Meredith sympathized with a disgruntled Alex.
"Well," he smiled at her, "the day's getting better."
"Really," she teased, "and why's that?"
"Well, I get the chance to do something I've wanted to do since I saw you in the locker room."
"And what's that?"
Her tone was cautious as she moved back slightly.
"We both get off at the same time, which is almost a decent hour. At least, decent enough to catch a late movie. And I know a great crappy diner that serves all night."
She smiled at him, appreciative of his pace.
"Sounds like a pretty good offer. Meet you in the lobby tonight?"
His whole face lit up.
"It's a date."
- - - - -
Derek found his wife at the nurses' station, giggling like a school girl with Stevens. He couldn't help but stop to observe them before intruding.
"What's so funny?"
Izzie and Addison shared a secretive smile.
"I'm gonna go now," Izzie winked at Addison, "bye Addison."
"Later Izzie," Addison called, "give my best to the beast!"
Izzie's laughter filled the hallway as she disappeared.
"What was that all about," Derek inquired, putting a hand on his wife's.
"Stevens and O'Malley."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously," Addison confirmed.
"Hmm," Derek looked stunned, but he shrugged it off, "you look beautiful when you smile."
Addison blushed slightly and bit her bottom lip as she looked down. He grabbed her chin and pulled her in for a kiss.
"Derek," Addison looked embarrassed, "people could see."
"God, get a room," Alex interrupted.
"Seriously," Meredith added, "is this why you're both stuck in Seattle? They didn't want your antics in New York?"
Addison and Derek looked stunned as Alex put his arm around Meredith's waist and they walked into an elevator together. Addison and Derek looked at each other.
"Seriously!" they asked, simultaneously.
They burst out into uncontrollable laughter. When they began to calm down, Derek pulled Addison into his arms and kissed her head through her hair.
"See, I told you everything would be okay."
"Yeah," Addison admitted, "I guess everyone is entitled to be right once in a lifetime."
"Hey," Derek started as Addison darted down the hallway, "come back here you!"
He chased her down the hall like they were on a playground. Neither of them had noticed the Chief at the other end of the hallway. Smiling.
"Everything really was gonna be okay," he mused quietly.
"Are you crazy?"
"Dr. Bailey," he began.
"No, don't start, enjoy your peace today. But just wait for tomorrow."
This is the end.
There was originally an epilogue planned, but I couldn't do it in the end. It was suppose to lead to another fic.
But I hate Derek. Hate hate.
If that dulls over the summer, who know's what I'll do.
Again, thank you to everyone who's still reading! I love you for it!