Derek climbed into the rental car, his eyes almost closing with sleepiness. Taking a drink of his coffee, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His face looked strained, his hair a mess, his jaw unshaven. Closing his eyes, he put his hand in his pocket, the silver ring still in it. Pulling it out, he felt his world shattering around him. The woman he loved more than life itself was in Seattle, alone and broken hearted because he hadn't told her that it was only for a week, no more. Chris had royal screwed things up for Derek, making his trip to New York an unhappy one. Derek pulled out of the parking lot and drove the familiar road to New York General. It hadn't changed in years, the trees outside still looked like they were about to die but were holding on. The countless visitors all standing outside, smoking, trying to release stress. There was one man in particular that he recognised. Stepping out the car, Derek watched as his face changed.

'What are you doing here?'

'Doing a temp for a few days, sorting the house out. How have you been?'

'Fine…didn't expect to see you here though,'

'Yeah well, things change,' Mark smiled.

'Yes they do. Is my dirty mistress friend with you?'

'No…we split,' Marks face changed.

'Shit, you ok?'

'Not really,'

'When did it happen?'

'Last night,' Derek bit the inside of his mouth but the tears were too much, even for him. Slowly they fell one by one. Mark didn't now what to do. Then he decided to do what he would have done before. Pulling Derek into him, he hugged him and surprisingly, Derek grabbed hold of his back and started pulling it down, like the way the tears were falling. Derek released his grip and stepped back from Mark.

'You Ok?' Derek smiled and wiped his face.

'Yeah, you know where Addison is?'

'Try Chris's office, she had a meeting, disciplinary hearing,'

'Addison in trouble?'

'No. silly intern mouthed off about a premature babies mother, called her a junkie. Woman wants her kicked off the program,'

'Think it's gonna happen?'

'Nah, slap on the wrist, she'll get away with it. They always do,' Derek nodded his head in agreement and went inside the hospital. Heading up, he could hear Addison laughing from along the corridor.

'Thanks Chris, I'll get beck to…Derek?'

'Addison, your looking great,'

'Thanks, what are you doing here?'

'Selling the house, well giving my half to you,' Addison smiled.

'You can sell the house Derek,'

'No, you have it. I have mo use for it in Seattle.'

'What about Meredith?'

'I don't know,'

'Derek?'

'we broke up last night. Anyway, I'm seeing the lawyer tomorrow so the title deeds will be on your lawyers desk by twelve tomorrow,'

'Ok,'

'Chris, when do you need me here?'

'When are you ready to start?'

'Now,'

'Go get your scrubs on, here,' Chris handed Derek an envelope off his desk.

'Your pass, details, accommodation, all in there,'

'Thanks,' Derek went and changed into his blue scrubs but it felt strange, like it wasn't supposed to be that way. Wiping his face with his hands he sighed. Things were beginning to take their effect on him and he didn't know how much more he could take. Addison had followed him along to the locker room.

'Derek?'

'Yeah,' Derek wiped the tears away from his eyes.

'Derek…' Derek let a weak smile out, forcing Addison to hug him, but it just made things worse. She didn't give hugs like Meredith that made everything better.

'You want to tell me what happened?' Derek sat down on the bench and faced Addison.

'It was last night. I planned on telling her about the trip, but she found a letter from Chris saying looking forward to working with you again. She thought I was leaving her. And in one action I realised what had happened,' Derek pulled the ring out his pocket and showed it to Addison. The square cut diamond glistened in the light, the sliver shining at one side.

'You tried to tell her?'

'I followed her to Joes. She won't listen,' Derek's head fell in defeat. He knew that when he got back on Monday, he had a hell of a lot of people wanting to kick his ass and also one special person to talk to.