Chapter 2: One Patient

After recovering Meredith met Addison at the front the house. They hopped in Addison's car because she had insisted she wanted to drive because it was her convertible. Meredith didn't argue too much and just got on the passenger seat as an overly amused Addison sat next to her in the driver's seat.

There wasn't much traffic on their way into the practice, which made things less stressful but as they pulled up and parked Addison went eerily silent.

"Hey." Meredith reached a hand to the redhead's shoulder.

"Hey." Addison echoed, a small smile brightening her blue green eyes once more. "Thanks for coming."

"You were right. I'd be lounging on a chair being a bum." Meredith chuckled.

"I know I was right." Addison perked up some more and winked at her. "Let's go Dr. Grey."

Chuckling and shaking her head Meredith got out of the car and followed after the all too leggy and fabulous redhead. They got in the elevator and again Meredith could see the nerves bubbling up.

"You look like a little kid, all fidgety and trembly. Where did Satan go?" Meredith teased, which she sorta wished she hadn't because the redhead's demeanor changed but then she sorta did.

Addison's eyes fell on her quickly, the nerves completely left the redhead's body as she stepped closer, making Meredith step back until she hit the wall. Addison's eyes shone brightly and all her features showing just how devilish and terrifying she could be. A wicked smirk grew on her face as she noticed Meredith's slight cowering.

"Satan is very good at hiding in plain sight. You'd do well to remember that, Grey." Her voice came low and husky.

Meredith stood there unmoving and unblinking for a while. She felt as if she was being devoured whole while she stared into those fierce smirking blue green eyes. For a moment she beat herself over it. How could this woman do that much to her? Meredith wasn't one to back down. She wasn't one to be cornered and yet Addison had her there completely paralyzed. She let out a sigh of relief as the elevator dinged.

"Guess, we're here." Addison winked at her, her voice coming up to a higher and more perky tone. Meredith just stared after her. Addison turned with a frown as she noticed the blonde still stood there.

"Mer, c'mon." Addison whined, snapping Meredith away from her trance and then grabbing her hand gently she pulled her out of the elevator.

They walked in Addison tightly holding onto Meredith and approached the front desk where a blonde teenage surfer looking guy stood arranging papers, while on the phone. The blonde found herself marveling at how easily and quickly Addison switched from her devilish and intimidating persona to the light and insecure one holding onto her hand.


"Dell, right? Where's Naomi? I need to talk to her." Addison said urgently as Meredith glanced around.

"She should be up in a few minutes. How are you doing?" Dell grinned his toothy smile.

"Fine. I just need Nae." Addison insisted.

"Addison?" A man called next to Meredith with a smirk.

"Hi Pete." Addison smiled awkwardly.

"Addison, hey." A woman was calling behind, Pete. She was somewhat short with curly hair.

"Violet, hi. How are you?" Addison's smile relaxed a bit.

"Oh. Is that Dr. Montgomery?" A playful looking man said behind Addison.

"Hello, Cooper." Addison smiled a bit more.

"What are you doing here?" Pete asked, eying her suspiciously. "And who's this lovely lady?" He looked at Meredith and smiled. Meredith smiled back but tightened her hand nervously around Addison's. The redhead noticed how the blonde squeezed and got closer to her and smirked.

"Addie!" Naomi said as she finally got there.

"Nae, we need to talk." Addison went to let go but Meredith held on.

"Oh you brought a friend. Hi I'm Naomi Bennett." Naomi greeted Meredith. "Who are you?" She asked.

"I'm-" Meredith began but Addison beat her to the punch.

"This is Meredith Grey. And she's just my girlfriend." Addison shrugged and let go of Meredith's hand to wrap it around her shoulders.

Meredith's eyes went as wide as everyone else's in the room. They glanced between the two women completely speechless. Pete's mouth had fallen open as the 'news' hit him.

Addison chuckled and looked at Meredith whose eyes were still wide open and her mouth slightly agape. Gently the redhead closed it with two fingers under the blonde's chin.

"You'll catch flies like that, Mer." Addison chuckled as Meredith went completely red, pressing her lips tight together.

"Addie, I didn't know you were…" Naomi began as she found her voice again.

"Relax. It was a joke. Meredith is a friend. She's here on an exchange from Seattle. She'll be working at St. Ambrose." Addison explained and then let go of the blonde bopping her on the nose.

"Oh. Good luck at St. Ambrose." Cooper said, making a scared face.

"I'll say. Charlotte King isn't an easy one." Pete said which snapped Meredith away from Addison's face.

"Chief of Staff, right?" Meredith surprised herself with the evenness of her voice.

"Yeah. And a total nightmare to work with." Naomi shook her head.

"Meredith has nerves of steel. She'll be fine." Addison grinned at her. "I mean she dealt with Satan. That's a feat."

"Who's Satan?" Cooper asked.

"Some hard ass surgeon back in Seattle, a very good one though." Addison shrugged and looked at Meredith with a smirk.

"Wait, wasn't that…" Naomi began.

"Nae we need to talk. Now." Addison said, grabbing her friend by the arm.

"But…" Naomi started to protest.

"Naomi Bennett." Sam's voice made everyone turn.

"Sam." Naomi simply said and Addison let go of her to stand back next to Meredith.

"We need to talk. Now." He nearly growled as the rest of the doctors made themselves look busy.

"Fine." Naomi rolled her eyes. "Dell, could you show Addison her office." Naomi directed before following Sam.

"Office?" Pete asked after it was just them again.

"Nae hired me." Addison replied a bit awkwardly, noticing everyone's reactions. Cooper seemed to be the only one ok with it but one look from Violet had him walking away after her. "Anyway, Dell, the office please?" Addison faced the blonde boy, who motioned for her to follow.

"This way." Dell called happily.

"Mer?" Addison called for the blonde who looked like she had no idea what to do. "Come on." She smiled and Meredith nodded and followed.


"This is nice." Addison said once they went in.

Dell excused himself, leaving them to explore the office. Meredith took a look around and then looked at Addison.

"What is it?" Addison asked. She could tell the blonde was ready to blow.

"This looks… boring, Addison." Meredith shrugged.

"I wanted a change." Addison replied.

"Practice medicine though. What are you gonna do all day? With no surgeries I'd go mad. And I'm not even a full fledged surgeon like you" Meredith reasoned.

"I… I don't know." Addison sighed heavily.

Meredith went around the desk and sat at the chair. The redhead just watched her as Meredith threw her an amused look. Addison made her way around the desk half sitting on it next to the blonde.

"It's a nice chair at least." Meredith grinned up at her.

"You're awful." Addison chuckled.

"Not worse than you. You told them I was your girlfriend just like that." Meredith started blushing again.

"Would that be a bad thing?" Addison asked, raising a brow.

"Addison, first of all, you're straight and second-" Meredith began.

"I wouldn't call myself straight. Do you call yourself straight?" Addison narrowed her eyes with a huge smirk.

"I uh… it doesn't matter." Meredith mumbled.

"Hmm. Whatever you say. Don't worry, I won't say you're my girlfriend again. Unless you want me to." Addison winked at her and walked behind the blonde pulling the chair with her in it out. "Now," She whispered, leaning down next to Meredith's ear, "why don't you let me try my chair?"

"Oh umm right." Meredith got up quickly, making the redhead chuckle.

"Addie." Naomi called from the door.

"What happened with Sam?" Addison asked quickly.

"Don't worry about Sam. I'll handle Sam. Anyway, ready for the tour?" Naomi pipped cheerfully. "Your 'girlfriend'," she added with air quotation motions, "can join us too."

"Uh." Meredith fumbled.

"Yeah, let's go Mer." Addison linked her arm with the flustering blonde pulling her out of the office and following Naomi.


As they went Naomi pointed out the exam rooms, the other doctors' offices, and the lounge. Then she walked them over to the birthing suite. Addison looked around a bit confused by it. While it did look like a pleasant spot it wasn't a hospital.

"I deliver babies in a hospital." Addison said as she walked fully in and turned to Naomi, while Meredith stood by the door.

"You used to deliver babies in the hospital. Now you do it here unless it's a c-section. It's very popular with the moms now." Naomi explained. Addison just nodded and watched as Meredith tried to contain the grin growing in her face as she looked at the ground. Addison slightly glared at the unknowing blonde before turning her attention to Naomi.

"Ok. Then I guess I just need to meet my staff." Addison looked at Naomi expectantly but the look on her friend's face made her realize. "I don't have a staff." She said slowly and heard as Meredith tried and failed to stifle a laugh.

"Sorry." Meredith mumbled when Addison met her eyes. "Dr. Bennett, you do realize she was at a hospital with a staff of about 60 and a state-of-the-art OB-GYN wing?" She asked practically taking the words out of Addison's mouth.

"Relax Addie. You'll have Dell. And Pete. Laboring moms love Pete." Naomi smiled.

"The surfer boy? And the alternative medicine guru?" Addison asked skeptically.

"Dell's getting his midwife certification." Naomi offered.

"Nae, I work with doctors and nurses. I deliver multiple babies a day." Addison shook her head.

"Addie, you wanted change. This is it. Besides, you'll be lucky if you deliver one." Naomi shrugged.

"One baby?" Meredith blurred out.

"I told her this. This is about practicing small town medicine. Here we worry about connecting with the patients one-on-one, nothing like big hospitals where they don't matter. Where doctors think of them as numbers." Naomi explained. Addison could see the vein popping on Meredith's forehead.

"Meredith." She warned.

"I care about my patients. I care about all of them. They're not just a number. What the hell do you mean?" Meredith's face had gone red as she grew more and more upset.

"Meredith, calm down. I'm sure she wasn't generalizing. Right, Nae?" Addison walked around her friend and placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder.

"Right. I didn't mean everyone. I'm sorry." Naomi apologized.

"Right… because you'd have issues if you said that about her too. Addison is one of the most caring doctors out there. The patients here are actually very lucky to have someone like her." Meredith defended speaking a bit more calmly than before. Addison looked at her and smiled.

"Well, I have to get to the hospital. I'll see you later." Naomi excused herself awkwardly, sending an apologetic glance at Addison who just nodded and smiled.


"Wow." Was all Addison said as she looked at Meredith.

"She was… she said…" Meredith stuttered embarrassed.

"It's ok. You're just exercising your duties. I like you defending my honor." Addison smiled sweetly.

"Whatever. Let's go find some food. I kinda wanna go take a look at that lounge." Meredith's eyes glowed with a hint of mischief.

"Alright let's." Addison grinned and followed the blonde.

They found chips and drinks in the lounge and took them back to Addison's office. They sat together on the couch munching and drinking.

"Guess this beats lounging by the beach." Meredith mumbled sarcastically.

"You have amazing company. Stop complaining." Addison nudged her playfully.

"Who?" Meredith mocked.

"Meredith Grey." Addison attempted to use her stern tone but failed sending the two into a fit of laughter.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door and Dell poked his head in.

"There's a patient for you." He announced.

"Oh, ok. I'll be right there." Addison said, getting up quickly.

"Want some help?" Meredith asked eagerly, sitting up.

"I should try to-" Addison began.

"Get used to the one-man-gynie show?" Meredith finished for her.

"Yes." Addison said, making her way to the door. "You eat your chips and stay here."

"Yes, mom." Meredith mocked and then turned a bit red. "I uh-"

"I like when you talk back, some. It makes it more fun." Addison beamed.

"Makes what fun?" Meredith looked at her confused.

"It makes it fun." Addison repeated and left with a wink.


Meredith sat for a while finishing her ships and soda but suddenly grew restless. She was right about how boring it would be to be a surgeon and have no surgeries. She kept pacing until she felt her phone buzz.

-Incoming Message: Twisted Sister

-I need to vent. You still being a waste of space?

Meredith shook her head and chuckled quickly dialing her person's phone number. The first ring didn't get to finish when Cristina started rambling and complaining.

"I hate interns. And I hate residents. And I hate attendings. And I hate cardio. Why aren't you here?" Meredith could hear the bitterness in her tone and chuckled a bit. "Don't laugh dammit. Come back." Cristina whined.

"I haven't even started and it's only six months. Anyway, what's wrong with the interns?" Meredith asked, trying her best to keep her amusement out of her tone.

"They're idiots." Cristina huffed.

"We knew they were. Nothing new there." Meredith shook her head.

"Did you know your sister has photographic memory? Evil Spawn dubbed her Lexipedia." Cristina chuckled on the other side of the line.

"Great. Another thing to make me feel even more inadequate." Meredith mumbled.

"Boohoo. Listen to my whines." Cristina mocked.

"If you called to be an ass I can hang up." Meredith threatened.

"You wouldn't." Cristina challenged and Meredith being Meredith hung up with a shrug.

She sat there staring at the phone knowing full well it would ring in a few minutes. She laid down on the couch legs propped up on the armrest and then the phone rang.

"This is Meredith Grey speaking. What can I do for you?" Meredith answered.

"You're a bitch." Cristina said on the other side.

"Hmm? I can't hear you. Think you'll have to call again." Meredith said.

"No. No wait. Meredith!" Cristina shouted.

"Geez calm down, I'm here. You'll blow off my eardrum." Meredith chuckled.

"I hate you." Cristina mumbled.

"No you don't. Anyway, where were we? Residents?" Meredith asked, moving their conversation away from her sister.

"Well after Callie and George and Izzie. Everything is a mess. Callie is moping everywhere and Bailey is mad because, too much personal stuff with professional. Everyone is nagging and George is still an intern and this whole thing is dumb." Cristina rambled.

"They got the divorce, right?" Meredith asked. "I honestly never understood why they got together. I love George and all but Callie is way too good looking and smart and completely not George's type."

"You sure you still got the hots for Satan, right?" Cristina chuckled.

"Cristina, what the hell?" Meredith spat.

"What? The quicker you accept it, the better. Who knows? Maybe you even move on." Cristina giggled.

"Shut up. And the attendings?" Meredith asked quickly. Seemed like it was the day to avoid every topic her person brought up.

"Derek keeps asking for you, while he goes on dates. I don't know what he wants." Cristina said clearly exasperated.

"He wants to be the apple of everyone's eyes." Meredith joked.

"Too arrogant for his own good. And then there's Hahn." Meredith hummed at the anger in her person's voice. "She won't teach me. Like here I am dammit. I'm better than all of these idiots in cardio. The dumb moron won't let me near a patient or procedure…" She kept getting progressively louder and Meredith kept on pulling her phone further away from her ear.

"Now tell me how you really feel." Meredith laughed.

"If you were next to me I'd strangle you." Cristina growled.

"Nope. 'Cause you love me." Meredith giggled.

"Ah, whatever. Make me forget this place. How is it where you live now? How's sunny L.A.?" Cristina asked after chuckling some.

"I live next to the beach. Well practically on the beach." Meredith replied.

"You love water, don't you? Just please stay in the shallows." Cristina said with a soft chuckle.

"I promise I'll stay in the shallows. Besides, I doubt I'll go out there with the neighbor I have." Meredith mumbled at the end.

"What neighbor? Is he hot or she?" Cristina's tone rose with curiosity.

"Ok, but don't overdo it when I tell you." Meredith warned.

She was about to start talking when she saw Dell scurrying about looking for things in the supply closet. Things kept falling from his hands and she could tell he was completely freaking out, a total nervous wreck.

"Cristina, I'll have to talk to you later." Meredith said as she rose from the couch and made her way out of the office and to Dell.

"Wait, what about your neighbor?" Cristina begged for her to continue.

"My neighbor is Addison." Meredith said quickly. "Bye." She added as she heard Cristina begin to giggle. She was mortified but right now it seemed Dell really needed help.

"Hey, umm Dell?" Meredith called and he snapped to look at her.

"The ambulance won't be here for another 10-20 minutes. She's gonna die and so is the baby. We can't do a c-section here." Dell rambled on.

"What do you mean by a c-section?" Meredith asked as she entered the closet and started grabbing supplies herself.

"Pete said Lucy was short of breath and in JVD. Then Dr. Montgomery said the baby was in distress and Lucy was going into congestive heart failure." Dell explained as Meredith placed supplies to make the room sterile and anything Addison would need for the surgery as well as gowns.

"Where are they?" Meredith asked with urgency but Dell just looked at her in a bit of a panic. "Dell!"

"This way." He snapped into motion with her following behind.


It was a mess. All of it was a mess. Pete was holding pressure to decompress the umbilical cord as she paced back and forth a bit. She needed to be in a hospital. This was stupid. She couldn't do this. To deliver was one thing. But a c-section in a non-sterile environment with no supplies.

"I need to be in a hospital." Addison said out loud.

"Addison." Pete called but she ignored him.

"No blood. An epidural would take way too long to take effect." She kept going.

"Addison." Pete called again.

"What happens to a person when a scalpel slices into them without anesthesia?" She continued.

"Addison." Pete called yet again.

"Shut up! I'm trying to talk myself into this and I cannot do it when you keep Addisoning me!" She yelled as the door swung open.

"Addison?" Meredith called softly behind her, making her spin around to look at her. The calm in her baby blue eyes soothing her as well. "Dr. Montgomery, I'm on your service." The blonde smiled.

"Yeah. You are, Grey." Addison said and took a deep breath, smiling as she released it. "Let's get to it." She turned back to Lucy. "I'm going to need-" she began.

"We have sterile drapes and a surgical tray. Also I brought a local anesthetic. We just need to scrub in." Meredith informed and smiled as she turned to face her once more.

"Addison?" Pete called.

"What?!" Addison was growing restless with his calling.

"I can treat her so she won't feel any pain." Pete said calmly.

"That's… that's good. Meredith, stay here and take over for him so he can scrub in then when he's back you get ready and join me." Addison directed and everyone did as they were told.


By the time Meredith was back and ready to go so was Addison. Pete repeated that Lucy would feel no pain and yet Addison was still very nervous. If Lucy moved after the initial incision she might puncture the uterus or doing something worse. Meredith stood opposite her. Her baby blue eyes poking above her mask and looking directly at her. Again calm invaded her and with a shuddering breath she began with the incision.

As Pete had said Lucy felt no pain at all and Addison was able to maneuver perfectly. Meredith followed wherever she needed her. It was much like a dance. As if Meredith already knew all the moves. She enjoyed the familiarity of it, relished in it as she continued to work. Finally they had the baby out safe and sound and were able to stabilize Lucy enough for her to be transported to the hospital.

They walked Lucy to the elevator as Addison gave the paramedics instructions. She waved at the young mother in the elevator with a smile until it closed and then released a huge sigh.

"That was amazing." Dell said next to her.

"You did well Dell." She smiled at the surfer boy.

"That was something, Addison." Pete smiled. "Sorry for Addisoning you so much."

"It's ok." Addison smiled back at him.

"Meredith, you were also great in there. You two moved in unison. It was amazing to watch." Pete praised and Meredith smiled at him then looked at Addison.

"I had kind of a good teacher." Meredith shrugged a bit.

"Kind of?" Addison chuckled. "You had the best teacher."

"I guess." Meredith shrugged yet again and smiled at her, which made Addison a bit tingly.

"Whatever. Should we go home?" Addison raised a brow.

"Food first, though." Meredith half said half whined.

"Food first, Mer." Addison smiled and reached for her, linking their arms together. "Let's go change, quick. I'm starving."

They walked towards her office when Pete spoke again.

"You really aren't girlfriends?" Pete asked with a slight smirk.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Addison smirked and winked, dragging Meredith along before she could protest.

As they walked Meredith looked at her and shook her head.

"What?" Addison asked innocently. "I told you I wouldn't say you were my girlfriend. If other people say it's not my fault." She shrugged and pouted.

"Whatever." Meredith chuckled. "Hurry, I'm starving too."

Oh there's 2! Hope you enjoyed it. There were still bits and pieces of dialogue from Private Practice 1x1. From here on out it shouldn't be as canon as it has been. So get ready. Hope you enjoyed. Even a little. Again be aware that this isn't a scheduled story so it'll be updated as it goes. I can't keep a schedule with this one, sorry. Anyway, until next time. ;)