Chapter 17: With You

"Aelwyne." Everyone turned to face him as he took a more serious tone. "We got a call from the DAs office. They want you to testify either later today or tomorrow morning. They said it was up to you."

In an instant the high from surgery, the glint of pride as the chief had praised her, the happiness as she had heard her friends cheer for her, all of the good things vanished. It all vanished and was replaced with instant dread and fear and shame. At least she was not shaking at the mention of Ethan or the trial anymore, however, she still tensed up every time. The slight smile that had adorned her face withered down completely. The trial. She had been happy when there had been no mention of it. She knew it was coming. Knew she would have to face him. However she had been content not to have had to do it just yet. She was not sure how she would do this. Would she be strong enough?

"Aelwyne." Richard's voice cut through her thoughts. "Aelwyne." He repeated softly.

"Y-yes?" Aelwyne's voice came low and ragged.

"Are you up to it? You don't have to today. I can tell them you are not available today. And tomorrow I can do the same." Richard offered.

Aelwyne looked at him for a while then down at the ground. Then she looked at her friends and Bailey, all with concern in their eyes. Then she looked at her. Addison was equally concerned but as their eyes met her mouth form a soft reassuring smile. Aelwyne looked into her eyes and took a deep breath. Resolved, she turned to the chief once more.

"Thank you but no. I want to do it today if that's ok and I can be spared." Aelwyne said her voice sounding slightly normal.

"Of course. That can be arranged right Dr. Bailey?" Richard said looking at the resident.

"Yes it's just one intern. We can spare her." Bailey replied quickly then she noticed the two squirming interns next to her. "And someone else. Just one of you so decide now."

"Ah… ummm… me or you?" Cristina said to Meredith.

"That's up to her." Meredith said turning to Aelwyne.

"Umm I don't-" Aelwyne began but was quickly interrupted.

"What do you mean me or you? You have surgery in about an hour. You forget you made me look like an ass this morning. I best not have endured that just so you could leave." Alex said angrily.

"Well if you knew your stuff you wouldn't have looked like an ass evil spawn." Cristina bit back.

"It's not fair you're always with cardio how are we supposed to learn." Izzie added.

"Study, Barbie. Then maybe you can do something else with that head of yours. You know it's not just to carry that pretty blonde hair." Cristina countered.

"Why do you have to be so mean?" George said softly.

"Why do you have to be so mean?" Cristina repeated in a mocking tone.

"Cristina." Meredith warned but it was too late.

"What in the HELL is all this bickering for?" Bailey shouted causing all six interns to stand up straight and close their mouths. Both Addison and Richard chuckled slightly at the effect she had on them.

"You idiots are interns if you want in on a surgery you prepare, end of story." The resident directed towards Izzie, Alex, and George. Then she moved to Cristina. "As for you I will have you switch specialties soon. Everyone needs to get a turn. No favorites in here." She added addressing the last two, Meredith and Aelwyne. "Now off to the pit you two. And you go check on my post op. And you… the surgery is in an hour you moron so go prep the patient."

As soon as she was done George and Alex left for the pit and Izzie to the floor to round on post ops. Cristina stayed a bit longer.

"Mer take care of her. And Ael I'll be here when you're done." Cristina said and quickly scurried away before Bailey could go off once more.

"You have two hours and a half before you need to be at court. I'll inform them you'll be going." Richard announced.

"Right Meredith go finish whatever you need to in the next hour and you too." Bailey directed.

"I'll meet you in the lobby in an hour thirty." Meredith said to Aelwyne and was off followed by Bailey.

"Well I'll leave you to it. Aelwyne everything will be fine." Richard reassured and was gone too leaving her alone with Addison once more.

"Ael-" Addison started and Aelwyne just crashed herself onto her in a hug.

"Say you're coming. Please just… please." Aelwyne pleaded.

She really had gone soft. The fact that she needed someone this much. Maybe it was just because it was Addison but still the need she had for her. The need was just unbearable.

"Of course I'm going. I won't ever leave you alone. I'll be right there for you." Addison reassured as she drew circles on her back in a soothing manner.

Aelwyne held on for dear life for a while until she felt more sure. She backed away slightly, her eyes connecting immediately with the redhead's. The world around her just stopped as she sunk into Addison's blue green eyes. Her breath catching slightly as the attending's mouth curled up into a smile. Then slowly Addison rose to her tippy toes and kissed her sweetly in the forehead. The intern just melted into the touch of her lips on her forehead, eyes closed and burying her face on the crook of Addison's neck.

"How about we go talk to that dad now?" Addison said after a moment.

"Right!" Aelwyne said with a jump a blush creeping up her neck and onto her cheeks.

"Right." Addison repeated with a playful smile pulling away completely and walking towards the waiting room, Aelwyne following suit.


Addison and Aelwyne met with Meredith at the lobby and then were on their way, Addison opting to drive. The car ride to the courthouse had been quiet. Everyone was tense and as soon as they got to the courthouse they were even worse. Aelwyne was a white as a sheet of paper, eyes still very alert and hyper aware. Meredith clinged to her hand as they walked through the doors and Addison followed close behind making her presence known by the click of her heels. The DA's assistant waited for them in the hallway ready to escort them in.

"Dr. Neirhem, everything is ready you just need to walk in, they'll call on you, you go up and tell the judge what happened, and all done after that." He instructed. "Simple enough." He added with a smile.

The intern just nodded as he quietly opened the door to lead the small group inside. Aelwyne's eyes landed on Ethan as he snapped his head at the sound of the door. His eyes still held that malice she had seen when he had dragged her into the supply closet. Aelwyne felt her knees buckle under the weight of his stare until Addison moved next to her holding her free hand. Meredith had tightened her grip on her too as she noticed the hesitation. They sat directly behind the prosecution waiting patiently to be called.

"Dr. Aelwyne Neirhem Ashenryver you have been called to testify please make your way to the stand." The judge called after clearing his voice.

Aelwyne's breath became ragged at the sound of her name. She felt her world spinning as she felt Ethan's gaze on her. Addison leaned in and grabbed her hand once more.

"You can do this." She whispered. "Go up there and look at me. Tell me what happened ok? No one else is here. Just you and me. I need you 100% Dr. Neirhem." She added with a squeeze.

Aelwyne took a breath and blinked once, then twice and she was up. As she walked over to the podium she heard Addison whisper 'good girl'. She felt Ethan's gaze follow her but she just took a breath. After being sworn in she sat and locked eyes with Addison who nodded reassuringly.


Addison was so proud of her, so overly proud of Aelwyne. She had witnessed many things in her life but this day had thrown so much at the intern and yet there she was walking to the stand ready to face it all. The moment the brunette sat her golden eyes were on hers. As she promised she was there for her ready to hear it all once more. Ready to be her rock. The lawyer had her start and she retold the events of the evening never taking her eyes away from Addison's. As Aelwyne finished the two lawyers waived their right to question her further. Then the intern was excused. Everything was fine. The girl walked over her eyes never leaving Addison who stood along with Meredith ready to leave. Aelwyne was almost to them when the animal decided to get up from his chair and call her.

"Aelyyyy." He called in a playful tone causing Aelwyne to stop dead in her tracks and face him. "It's tomorrow isn't it?" He asked with a wicked grin.

Addison noticed the complete shift from being ok to an anxious mess in a second. She moved quickly to Aelwyne's side along with Meredith. If Aelwyne was as white as a sheet before now she was worse now. Her whole body shook and she started breathing hard. Addison and Meredith walked her out as Ethan continued to talk behind them.

"Did you really forget baby?" Ethan chuckled. "Happy early birthday."

Once outside the courtroom they found a bench and sat her down. Aelwyne continued to breathe erratically and shake. There were unshed tears in her eyes. Meredith went for water as Addison kneeled in front of her.

"I… I… oh god… I-I f-forgot." Aelwyne said in between breaths.

"Aelwyne, breathe. It's ok just breathe." Addison tried to calm her but was getting nowhere.

"Oh god… how… oh god… I forgot." The intern kept saying over and over.

"Please Aelwyne. Please." Addison tried again grabbing the brunette's face softly in her hands. "Please look at me." She begged her as she noticed her unseeing eyes.

"Aelwyne, please." She continued. She did not know what else to do but hold onto the girl's hands.

Addison did not know what to do so she did what had once calmed her. When she was a little girl she had woken up from a particularly bad nightmare with a scream and her big brother came rushing into the room. He had calmed her completely and so she thought what he did would work with Aelwyne.

"Breathe please." She said as she cupped the intern's face once more bringing her forehead to hers. Then she backed away and kissed her forehead. She heard her breaths begin to slow down though not as quickly as she wanted.

"Breathe Aelwyne." She continued again touching her own forehead with Aelwyne's and then kissed one cheek. Again her breaths slowed more and her eyes shut.

"Just breathe Ael." She whispered as she had returned once more to touching their foreheads together and then kissed her other cheek. Next she backed away slightly to look into her eyes. Aelwyne started back at her with a few tears escaping her eyes but her breaths were calming down.

"Addie?" She said and her voice was so broken Addison sighed heavily and hugged her tightly.

"You're ok. Everything is ok. I'm here. You're safe. Everything will be fine." Addison whispered softly soothing her as best she could. Aelwyne hugged her back a few sobs escaping her.

"Why don't we get out of here? I could drive you home. How's that sound?" Addison said after a few minutes. Aelwyne just nodded and stood.

Meredith was by her side quickly and together her and Addison guided Aelwyne out of the courthouse and into the car. The drive out to the loft was again quiet. You could tell the sky was ready to break as it always was in Seattle but thankfully it had not just yet. Even though quiet Aelwyne's breathing was completely even now and to Addison's relief color was coming back slowly to the intern's cheeks. They made it to the elevator and up to the loft. Aelwyne quietly went to the couch and sat looking out the glass and to the hills covered in trees. Meredith got a cup of water and placed it in front of her then went back to Addison, who was standing by the kitchen island.

"I'll st-" Meredith began.

"I'll stay with her. You don't need to worry." Addison said with a soft smile her eyes still on Aelwyne.

"Are you sure?" Meredith asked.

"Yes I'm sure. I'll even trust you with my car." Addison said, offering her keys.

"No it's ok. Derek will pick me up. He's already on his way. Was going to come keep us company." Meredith said, a bit nervous.

"That's good. And don't worry it doesn't really bother me anymore." Addison added noting the shifting blonde.

"Oh. Good that's good. I'm sorry you know. I mean I love him but I know you did too. I didn't want to hurt you." Meredith said with a sigh. Addison could tell she was being sincere.

"It's ok Meredith. My happiness wasn't Derek. His happiness definitely wasn't me, it was you. And I think anyone who finds that should get to keep it. Because it is hard to find it." Addison spoke looking at her with a smile.

"I think you are so very close to it already." Meredith said with a smile.

'What is she? Derek wouldn't dare. Would he? No, he wouldn't. Oh my god. Can people tell?' Addison's brain was a scramble. She was not afraid of it so much anymore but still it was something she was not sure she was prepared for. It was still new. The whole being attracted to a woman. Meredith was quiet for a few minutes after that, she just looked at Aelwyne sitting on the could still silent.

Her phone buzzed. "He's here. I'll say goodbye and Dr. Montgomery…"

"Addison." Addison corrected.

"Addison. Please if she needs anything. If anything happens. Please let me know. She's too important to us." Meredith said with pleading eyes.

"Don't worry Meredith. If she needs you or if anything happens I'll let you guys know as soon as possible." Addison reassured with a gentle smile, which Meredith returned.

"Hey. I'll be leaving now." Meredith stood in front of Aelwyne.

"Thank you." Her voice soft but not broken like it had been back at the courthouse.

"Ael if you need anything. Anything at all. Please call me." Meredith said, leaning and taking her hand.

"I promise. Mer can you…" Aelwyne began but stopped.

"I will tell them what happened. I will tell them you're ok." Meredith said with a smile.

Addison smiled at their interaction. She was glad Aelwyne had that. After a life seemingly alone she still had them. Her friends. The idiots who bickered in front of Bailey. The baby doctors. They were her family now.

"Good." Aelwyne said simply.

"Ok well I'm leaving you in the best hands possible." Meredith said a hint of a smirk as she eyed Addison.

'Oh yeah. She knows.' Addison thought to herself as the blonde walked out and shut the door behind her.

Addison stood her for a while observing Aelwyne as she moved to drink some water. Slowly the intern turned, her golden eyes locked on Addison's blue greens. Addison moved then. She made her way towards Aelwyne and sat next to her on the couch.

"Addie." Aelwyne said softly then gasped. "I'm sorry, Addison."

"Addie." Addison corrected. "It just sounds so good when you say it." She added with a smile.

"It does?" Aelwyne asked to which Addison hummed her response.

"Addie." She repeated once more. "Are you really going to stay?"

"Yes." Addison said. "Unless you don't want me to. I mean I can leave." She said standing up.

Maybe she had been reading too much into things. Maybe Aelwyne just wanted to be alone. Maybe she blamed her for what happened. After all she had left her alone with him. Maybe her being here was too much right now.

"Addie no. Please. I nee… you can't… just please." Aelwyne stood quickly wrapping her arms around her, crashing against her back as she began to walk away.

"You said… you said you'd stay. You… please don't leave." The intern's words came muffled as her face was buried between Addison's shoulder blades. "You said. Please." She begged.

"I'm not leaving but can I turn around? Can I look at you?" Addison said and the words brought back memories.

Memories of her first time here when she had been the one to run after Aelwyne and crash against her back. Just like she had, the intern held tightly and after a while loosened her grasp. Addison turned much like Aelwyne had the first time, without breaking the embrace.

"You'll stay?" Aelwyne asked now that they were facing each other.

"I'll stay." Addison said, pulling her closer.

"Thank you." Aelwyne whispered into her chest.

"Did you get the sense of deja vu yet?" Addison chuckled lightly.

"Hmm?" Aelwyne said backing up a bit and tilting her head to the side. As she did so some of her hair fell on her face.

"Deja vu… never mind." Addison said, chuckling again and tucking the loose strands of hair behind the intern's ear.

Aelwyne just stared at her and Addison felt as if her heart would just beat out of her chest. She could feel the warmth of a blush creeping up her neck and onto her cheeks. The intern just stared at her for a while still holding onto her and then yawned.

"I think someone needs to rest." Addison said her voice was a bit shaky and finally letting go. "But first you need to eat something. Do you have anything we can make quick?" She asked regaining her composure.

"A sandwich? I promise I'll eat it though. I'll learn from your mistakes." Aelwyne tried to joke.

"Hmm I thought you'd forget that. I don't even remember it." Addison said shaking her head with a light chuckle and making her way to the kitchen. "Two sandwiches coming up."

Aelwyne followed close behind her and helped in preparing them. They both ate and drank some green juice that the intern had gotten to try. They decided that while the green juice was good they'd rather not drink it again. They made small talk and slowly the shadow in Aelwyne's eyes began to dissipate. They both took showers and got ready for bed. Thanks to Cristina and Meredith coming in the weekend after Aelwyne had been discharged the guest room was ready to be used.


"Guess I can sleep there this time." Addison pointed out as she and Aelwyne sat on the brunette's bed.

"I guess." Aelwyne said softly.

"Alright then let's get you tucked in. I'll leave both doors open in case you need something." Addison said standing up and motioning for her to get in bed.

"Addie. Would you… could you… like you know?" Aelwyne mumbled getting underneath the covers.

"Dr. Neirhem I've told before. Surgeons don't mumble. Use your words." Addison said, shaking her head with a smile.

"Well… at the hospital. You remember?" Aelwyne tried again.

"Aelwyne. You'll have to be specific. We are always at the hospital." Addison said as she began to tuck her in.

"Like when I was… I… you… ummm." The intern was clearly having trouble saying whatever it was she wanted to say and Addison noticed the pinkish hue all over her face.

"Ok. Let's try that again." Addison said sitting next to her. "Don't think, just say. Whatever it is, just say it."

"Sleep with me." Aelwyne said and the pinkish hue turned to red.

"Uh." Addison said softly.

"Not like that." Aelwyne said sitting up and waving her hands around. "Like you know when you laid with me in the hospital. I didn't mean… well it's not like… because I… ummm… I just don't want to be alone. That's it." She nervously said, her voice a bit pitchy. "It's ok you don't have to."

Addison grabbed her flailing arms to calm her down and looked into her eyes.

"Ok." She said with a smile.

"Ok?" Aelwyne repeated.

"Yes ok. Let me go get the light." Addison said and got up to shut the door and turn off the light.

She was not entirely sure this was a good idea with the way her heart almost leapt out of her chest earlier. Still she wanted to be there. Making her way back to the bed she heard Aelwyne shuffle over. Her eyes adjusted to the dark quickly, which she was glad for. Aelwyne lifted the covers for her and she got in. They were silent for a while but the intern kept shifting in place.

"Are you ok?" Addison asked, laying on her side facing her.

"Yep." The reply came quick. She could tell the brunette was nervous.

"Is there something else you needed?" Addison asked cautiously.

"I… ummm… no?" Aelwyne mumbled again.

"That sounded more like a question than an answer." Addison chuckled.

"Ummm can I… never mind." Aelwyne tried again but backed off. Addison had an idea of what it was she wanted.

"You can come closer, you know. I don't bite." She replied sweetly.

"Oh umm right." Aelwyne said shuffling over but not very close.

Addison released an exasperated sigh and closed the distance. She reached for the intern and pulled her close. Aelwyne complied and sunk into her releasing her own sigh.

"You need to learn to use your words." Addison said with a smile. She felt the vibrations of Aelwyne's chuckle.

"Thank you." She whispered and was soon asleep.

Addison lay awake for a while content to hear the even breaths from the sleeping girl. Girl? No, not girl. Woman. Aelwyne was a woman. A woman she was completely and utterly attracted to. If she was honest it was more than just attraction. The brunette was in her head 24/7. There was always the need to be next to her. She did not need much else but to be there next to her. Then there were moments like these when she got to touch her. To feel her skin on hers. To feel her warmth. Moments like these when the scent of coconut invaded her senses. She felt she could get lost in moments like these.

Addison lay there and slightly tightened her embrace. Aelwyne did not move, she just sighed happily in her sleep. Addison could see the smile tugging at the corners of the intern's mouth and it warmed her.

'I wish I could tell you. I wish I wasn't so scared. Maybe one day soon. Maybe I'll stop being cowardly enough to tell you. Tell you that I need you. That I want you. Maybe I'll let myself feel everything I want to feel. Maybe soon.' Addison mouthed the words into the dark and soon after she joined Aelwyne in the land of dreams.

And then there were 17! I am so terribly sorry I wasn't able to update last week. As I said I was in the hospital and it was not a very nice stay. I'm home now though and I'm starting to feel slightly better. Not 100% yet but almost. Also I had my friend nagging me for a bit about also posting this in Wattpad so I gave in and did. She keeps telling me that now she has all the spoilers and is all happy about it (smh). Anyway sorry for the rambles. I hope you enjoyed it. Also we're almost there guys. I know I'm making y'all wait but we're almost there. ;)