Addison looked at Bailey for a long moment before letting out a genuine laugh. "That's not possible. Run the tests again."
"With RESPECT, Doctor Montgomery Shepard, I ran them personally, three times. There is no doubt that you're pregnant, which I would view as rather fortunate if I were you, as it conveniently explains your recent mood swings."
"I don't understand," Addison said hollowly. "I've been on the pill for years and Derek doesn't want kids-"
"Well, he's going to have to learn-" Bailey began before her pager went out, and she frowned in frustration. "I have to see to this. I'll be assigning George O'Malley to your case, if that's alright?"
Addison nodded mutely.
--
Meredith sighed as she walked into the changing room, finding herself face to face with Alex. "You're not on call," she chastised halfheartedly.
"Yeah, well, neither are you," he replied without any of his characteristic snap, worrying her slightly and her brow furrowed as she looked at him.
"Tell me something and I'll tell you something," she offered softly, echoing his proposal of long ago and briefly uncertain as to whether he would take her up on it or not as conflict flashed across his face.
"I went home and tried to sleep, but all I could think about-" he swallowed hard, hesitating for another long moment before continuing, "was whether Izzie was okay, alright?"
Pain flashed across Meredith's face before she admitted softly, "She's not," surprised by the look of frustration that flashed across Alex's face as she said it.
"I didn't think so," he said dully, and Meredith hated how ineffectual she felt as she offered tentatively,
"You could stop by and see her, you know. I think she'd like that."
"No, I-" Alex began before punching the nearest locker in frustration, struggling to get ahold of himself before meeting Meredith's knowing gaze. "She wouldn't want to see me."
"That's not true and you know it," Meredith said sharply, eyes flashing slightly in realization. "You just don't want her to see that you care-"
"You think I have pride at a moment like this?" he questioned in real disbelief and Meredith felt instantly guilty at her assumption as he continued, "In case you haven't been here for the past six months, Izzie hates me. She'd throw me out on my-"
"She doesn't hate you," Meredith said incredulously. "And just for the record here- it's my house. And as far as I'm concerned, you're always welcome at my house."
She almost felt guilty at the raw gratitude in his eyes as he bit out, "I appreciate that."
She smiled. "I know you do."
"So-" he said, punching her arm lightly. "What's your story?"
She smiled halfheartedly. "It's the same story as always. No surprises here."
"Derek?" Alex asked with a small grimace and she nodded halfheartedly.
"Derek."
As Alex continued to gaze at her she flushed slightly, embarrassed as understanding flashed on his face.
"Well, I have to tell you the truth, I never was the biggest fan of Addison," he shrugged, and despite herself Meredith let out a laugh.
"Alex! That's terrible-"
"Oh, like you are?" he rolled his eyes. "I say good for you. And hey, whatever, if you insist on thinking she's a good person, you could always just convince yourself she was too good for him anyway-"
"Alex!" Meredith protested again, but she was unable to hide her smile. "I don't- I'm not-" her smile faded. "I don't think he's leaving her."
Alex looked at her, strange certainty in his eyes. "He's leaving her. Just go talk to him."
"Are you going to go talk to Izzie?" she chided lightly and sighed as Alex's face clouded at her name. "Why didn't you just tell her?" Meredith questioned sadly, wishing she had asked the question months ago.
"Tell her what?" Alex inquired in confusion.
"That you really cared about her," Meredith said as though it were obvious, slightly pained expression on her face, surprised when Alex visibly shuddered.
"Do you have any idea how people will hurt you once they know-"
"I would have to go with a 'yes, I do know'," Meredith retorted firmly. "But HONESTLY Alex! Are you really trying to tell me that the two of you didn't hurt one another this way? Because to the casual observer-" she sighed. "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for."
He shook his head. "It was true."
She shot his a half smile. "Come by after work."
He hesitated. "I'll- think about it."
--
Derek walked into Addison's hospital room just as she finished putting on her suit, and they both offered halfhearted smiles before looking down at the floor.
"I hear you're good to go," he offered weakly and she nodded.
"Just exhaustion- nothing a day off won't fix," she lied smoothly, hating herself just a little bit for doing so as he nodded.
"That was good to hear." He let out a sigh. "Look, Addie-"
"We need to talk," she finished for him, resignation in her voice as she allowed her eyes to meet his.
"We need to talk," he confirmed, and it would have taken an idiot to miss the guilt in his voice.
"Well, then, let's talk," she said with bravado she didn't feel as he turned to shut the door.
--
Feedback keeps me writing! Thanks for reading :) And I actually do care if people would like to see this go MerDer or Addeck (I myself am conflicted), so input on that would be especially treasured!
