I am so sorry! First, again, for not updating and the for how that chapter was uploaded? WTF was that? Code all over? Thanks Jen! I never would have noticed!
Trying again! I haven't updated because of the Brit Spears meltdown worthy life it's been for a while :-P, don't worry, didn't shave my head...

P.S. I don't really care if anyone liked this better as M*rD*r (yes, I won't even type it). ADDEK all the way :-P


In for a Surprise

Addison knew she needed to get out of the house because she really was going stir crazy, Adele had offered her tea and a 'girl talk'. She loved Adele and Richard, she really did but right now she couldn't handle it when anyone tilted her head to the side and asked her, if she really was okay, because she wasn't. Which was exactly why she had to forget everything and in order to accomplish just that, Addison had to get away from people who knew about her painful past.

It had seemed like a great idea at the time, get out, drink and forget everything. Addison didn't know anyone in Seattle, which had seemed like a good idea but drinking was not as appealing as it had been when she was in college. Christopher also always made it much more fun. She smiled to herself when she thought about her husband, quickly shaking her head as she tried to think of something else. Completely lost in her thoughts, Addison did not hear the stranger that had approached her.

"Is this seat taken?" A male voice asked and she actually was glad that a distraction had appeared.

"Now it is." She answered without even looking up from her drink, which was the first she had had all night.

"So, I haven't seen you around here before." The stranger observed, watching the red head next to him who still did not even muster enough curiosity to look at him.

"Don't go through the trouble of hitting on me…" Addison lifted her gaze and took him in, her voice soft but determined. The last thing she needed was some stranger hitting on her, trying he could score. Even though he was very attractive with his dark curls and dark blue sweater.

"Let me guess, married?" He sat down next to her anyways, maybe not interested in simply hitting on her, and ordered a drink.

"Yes…" She began, pretty much on auto pilot before closing her eyes briefly as she corrected herself, not sure why she even felt like she had to, "Uhm, no, not married…"

"Oh, but you just…" He seemed confused, kind of cute actually.

"My husband passed away." Addison stated. There, she had wanted to get away from everyone who knew about what had happened to the love of her life but for some reason it felt liberating to tell a complete stranger in a bar.

"I'm really sorry." The stranger said and when she looked into his eyes she could tell his sincerity wasn't fake, but that he really did feel badly for her.

A few drinks and a couple of hours later Addison found herself enjoying the company of the stranger she had met in a bar, which was so very unlike her. His name was Derek, this much she had found out, and she felt comfortable around him. They were laughing and joking and for the first time in what felt like forever, she was actually enjoying herself. Something drew her to this man, she didn't know what it was, maybe the fact that he managed to make her feel better, maybe his looks, or maybe that he didn't treat her like she was made of glass and could break at any moment.

xxx

Unconsciously, she had moved closer towards him and his hand was resting on her knee, not daring to wander further up her leg. The laughter had faded and all there was were his amazingly blue eyes, deep and endless as the night itself and Addison found herself getting lost in them and in the moment they shared. He seemed to be just as mesmerized by her, his fingers slowly running along her cheek towards her neck. Holding his breath apprehensively because he thought she would pull back at any moment, Derek leaned in a little closer and watched her eyes fluttering shut in anticipation of what was about to come.

The sun was already beginning to sneak through the blinds, waking Addison up. She blinked and rubbed her eyes, still tired. But oh no! She thought as she looked around. This wasn't her room; this wasn't even close to Richard and Adele's house. Slowly she shifted her gaze a little to her left and her eyes widened in horror when she saw that she wasn't alone. There was someone in bed next to her! Someone she had only met last night and now she was in his bed?! This was not something that was supposed to happen! Maybe when you're in your twenties, fine, but she had a child, a job, she should know better than to stay out all night and sleep over at some stranger's house! Addison slightly cursed herself; this was something that could only happen to her. Carefully, she got out of bed, trying not to make any noise because she really didn't want him to wake up. This was enough of a mistake as it was.

Relieved, she let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding this entire time. It was still raining and she was happy that she had at least gotten a cab and hopefully arrived at Richard and Adele's before anyone noticed she had been missing. Slowly she turned the key in the lock and was greeted by both Richard and his wife standing in front of her.

"Thank goodness you're home!" Richard exclaimed, she had never seen him actually worried about anyone who wasn't lying on an operating table.

"We were worried sick about you!" Adele chimed in, "where have you been?!"

"I… Uhm…" Addison's cheeks had turned bright red, this was the worst moment in her entire life. It felt like high school all over again.

"That doesn't matter, you need to eat something, and I'm already late." Richard said quickly, he really didn't need to know about her whereabouts. He kissed her on the cheek and said his goodbyes before heading out of the door. Addison and Adele looked at each other rather awkwardly before Addison excused herself to take a quick shower. After all, this was her first day of work, and she really had to make a decent impression.

"Gracie, honey, it's time for breakfast." Addison, freshly showered and looking stunning, considering the night she had had, sat down on the edge of her daughter's bed and softly stroked her hair.

"But mommy, can't I sleep for just a little bit longer?" Grace looked up at her mother, noticing that she was already dressed. The little girl sat up in bed because she really wanted to have breakfast with her mom before she had to leave for work.

"Come on." Addison said softly and wrapped her arms around her daughter to carry her down the stairs.

"You smell like daddy." Grace mumbled tiredly as her mother carried her down the stairs. Addison felt like she had just been hit with a brick. Her scarf still smelled like the man she had spent the night with and she just now realized why he must have seemed so very familiar. Tears began to well up in her eyes at the very thought of this but she quickly blinked them away.

xxx

About an hour later Addison was glad that she had made it to the hospital on time without any questions about where she had spent the night, or why she smelled like Christopher. Her heels were clicking on the floor as she nervously walked up and down a white corridor at the hospital. She was about to meet her colleagues for the very first time and trembled with anxiety. This was like the first day of school and even so many years later, she couldn't help but wonder if they would like her or not. Glad to see her old mentor, Addison almost hugged Richard because standing, or pacing, around awkwardly made her even more nervous.

"There you are." Richard smiled at her, as he approached her, another doctor in tow. "Addison Montgomery, this is Preston Burke, our head of cardio." Richard began to introduce the young doctor as his pager went off. "I'll see you later." With this he quickly rushed off.

"Hi, it's a pleasure to meet you." Preston Burke gave her a smile and shook her hand. "Richard has told us a lot about you."

"Only good, I hope?" Addison smiled nervously.

"Of course." He said with a friendly chuckle. "So, how do you like Seattle so far?"

"I've just gotten here, but so far it's been…" Eventful? Surprising? She mused to herself. "Kind of wet." Addison didn't know what else to say and wet was quite accurate since it was raining again.

Preston laughed in agreement. "Yes, it does take a little time to get used to." Just as he was about to continue, his pager went off as well. This seemed like a busy place, Addison thought. "I'm sorry, I have to go, but go down to the nurses' station and ask for Derek Shepherd, he'll be glad to show you around." He jogged off, laughing to himself because he knew how much Derek hated to show anyone around.

Addison sighed, she didn't even know where the nurses' station was, but with some luck and the help of helpful staff, she finally found it.

"Can I help you?" She recognized the voice and quickly turned around to see who was approaching her. Addison's eyes widened in shock when she saw the man she had spent the previous night with, standing across from her now.

"Hi again." Derek finally got out when he took her in, this would be a very interesting day…

xxx


Okay! If this comes up all weird again, let me know!

Alsooooo, I hope I haven't put you through so much that you won't review, because I promise to be better and update more often, as I have grown quite fond of this story :)

Reviews are love :-*