Hallelujah 8
Your Faith was Strong, But You Needed Proof
Derek stormed into the Chief's office. What the hell was Richard thinking inviting Mark Sloane here? Just as he was beginning to get things straightened out and getting past New York and the mess he had made of things the past few months Mark had to show up. Truth be told in the end he was really angrier at Mark than Addison for the affair. Maybe because he and Addison's marriage had been over for years, emotionally though not in reality, but Mark had been his best friend, he was supposed to be able to rely on him. But Mark had betrayed him
Before he could open his mouth and let out the litany of angry complaints, Richard stopped him.
"Derek before you say anything, this wasn't about you or Addison, it was about business. This hospital needs a plastic surgeon, and he's got a stellar reputation."
"I know all about his reputation." Derek spat out.
"You are a professional Derek, I know you can find a way to work along side him."
Derek hung his head. Richard had hit bellow the belt with that comment, playing on his professionalism. He couldn't disappoint him.
"Yeah. It's just with the way things are with Addison right now-" He let out a audible sigh.
"I know you two are trying to work things out, and I hope this won't-"
"We're getting a divorce. Addison and I. We decided this morning to get a divorce."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's for the best. We realized how much we were hurting each other by trying to keep something alive that was dead a long time ago."
Richard seemed to nod in understanding. Derek realized, based on last night's conversation, that Richard probably would understand.
"I'll try to keep the two of you out of each others way as much as possible."
"Thanks" Derek opened the door to the Chiefs office to leave.
"I'm sorry about Addison, Derek. I'm just glad you weren't stupid enough to make the same mistake I made." Derek hung his head and nodded silently in appreciation of the Chief's sympathetic words.
Dr. Bailey walked into the locker-room to give the assignments to her interns.
"Alright everyone. No Stevens?" The three of them looked determinedly at their feet. "And what about Karev?"
"He wasn't feeling well" Meredith offered.
"Uh-huh." Bailey looked as though she didn't believe it but she didn't question them, she seemed to understand. "Alright, then. Yang you're with me today. O'Malley your with Dr. Hahn in 1170. Meredith you're with Dr. Shepherd in 2890- and before you say anything, I don't care what's going on between the two of you, you're a doctor. Now get going you've all got patients to see now so scoot."
Meredith walked into the room to see Derek already there with the patient. Her heart skipped a beat, it was the first time she had seen him since she'd left with Finn last night. She remembered the look on his face, it was the same look she'd had when Addison arrived in Seattle: scared, confused, and hurt.
"Dr. Shepherd"
"Dr. Grey. So what do we have here?"
"Aida Roberts, 50 years old, admitted with occasional numbness to the limbs and blurred vision."
"Possible diagnosis?"
"Multiple Sclerosis is most likely, but an MRI is needed to know for sure."
"Alright. Mrs. Roberts, Dr. Grey is going to go ahead and order a MRI for you and we'll be able figure out what's going on. Dr. Grey can I speak with you outside?"
Before she could say no, Derek had placed his hand on the small of her back and was maneuvering her out the room.
"We need to talk about last night."
"No, we don't."
"Yes, we do. I need to know what it means."
Not bothering to keep her voice down, Meredith glared at Derek.
"You need to know what it means! You're the one whose married Derek!"
"I'm not married any more." His voice was husky.
"What?" Meredith's head was spinning. The ground seemed to shift beneath her. In a few words a future with her McDreamy suddenly seemed possible.
"Addison and I spoke this morning I told her I couldn't pretend any more and that I wanted out."
It seemed too good to be true. Meredith was on the verge of allowing herself to believe it all, but she suddenly remembered that she had heard it before, just after Addison arrived. He had said he was going to sign the papers but he never did. Instead he went back to his wife and broke her heart.
"I don't believe you." She turned on her heels and dashed down the hall head-long into Mark Sloane. Suddenly she understood- this was about revenge. If he was telling the truth and Addison had left him, it was for Mark and now he wanted Meredith to be his revenge on her.
A/N: So, digging a bit deaper here huh? Remember our first impressions aren't always correct.
