Chapter 5: Chivalrous
'You and that girl spend too much time together, don't you think?' Naomi had said walking into her office.
'What girl?' She asked, looking up from the chart she was updating.
'That Meredith girl.' Naomi rolled her eyes.
'Jealous much, Nae?' She chuckled. 'I've barely seen her. Besides, I don't see any issues with being friends.'
'Whatever, just be careful Addie.' Naomi warned.
'Careful with what?' She frowned.
'Never mind. Anyway, so that guy I told you about, Rick…' Naomi began with a slight smirk.
'Yeah, what about him?' She asked, going back to her chart.
'Why not a blind date?'
Why would I go on a blind date? Addison asked herself as she recalled the conversation with Naomi. Her friend seemed so insistent on her getting out there but she wasn't feeling that way. She was perfectly fine sitting at home, relaxing and enjoying her solitude with the occasional interruptions of her neighbor, as they played their never-ending game.
"Addison? Addison!"
"Huh? What?" Addison snapped from the cloud she was on to look at the blonde frowning in front of her.
"Where did you go?" Meredith asked.
"What do you mean? I'm right here." Addison smirked and Meredith rolled her eyes while chuckling.
"Well, while you were out there in la la land I got you the chart and the images. We can go into one of the exam rooms so you can take a look." The blonde offered motioning to one of the open rooms close to them.
"Let's take a look, shall we?" Addison smiled and made her way in.
They went in and Meredith took her time explaining everything in detail for Addison. The redhead listened while examining the images. She already had an idea as to what she'd have to do. It would be a complicated procedure since she'd have to maneuver between the arteries. But she knew she could do it with ease, after all she was the Addison Forbes Montgomery. Once done Meredith looked at her expectantly which made her chuckle.
"So?" The blonde asked.
"So?" Addison teased.
"Can you... wait I know you can but will you do it?" Meredith asked with a nervous smile.
Addison chuckled and shook her head. Did Meredith really think she'd say no?
"Addison?" Meredith called when she stayed quiet.
"I guess it's a good thing I brought my scrub cap." She grinned.
"You'll do it then?" Meredith beamed.
"What do you think, Grey?" She gave her bored look.
"Awesome. Now, I just need to tell Dr. King." Meredith said with a slight shudder.
"You afraid of the petite southern blonde?" Addison giggled.
"You bet your ass I am." Meredith crossed her arms.
"I see. " Addison chuckled.
"Grey!" Someone shouted as they stepped out of the exam room.
"Dammit." Meredith muttered next to her.
"Where's my patient's chart?" An older looking man with a seemingly cemented scowl made his way towards them.
"I have it, Dr. Phillips." Meredith said, holding up the chart.
"And why do you have it?" Dr. Phillips asked.
"Because we were reviewing it." Meredith said motioning between the two of them.
Addison sent the older doctor a smile, which he rudely scoffed at. She had half a mind to go off on him right then and there but she knew she was better than that so she took a breath and kept her smile in place. Why even bother with the old fart?
"Why are you reviewing my chart? You're barely a resident." He replied.
"I wanted her help. She's..." Meredith was about to introduce her when he interrupted.
"Why would you need help? This is my patient. Mine." He nearly growled. "There's no need for help when I've got everything under control." Phillips finished.
"I know she's your patient but I also know there are other things we could do besides standing by and waiting for the baby to be born without use of their legs." Meredith countered. "I know that you think it's safer that way but I assure you that Doc-" She tried once more to introduce her but yet again he interrupted.
"I don't need your assurances. They mean nothing to me." He snapped. Addison could feel the blood boiling within her yet she retained her smile.
"Doctor Phillips was it?" Addison interjected before Meredith could when she noticed the vein popping on the blonde's forehead. "I'm Dr. Addison Montgomery. A fetal and neonatal surgeon. I understand you have reservations about performing a complicated procedure such as this one given the engorged arteries. But I truly think I can help with that. I have experience with cases like this one. If you'd like we could-" She attempted but again the man interrupted.
"I don't even know who you are and I don't." He snapped angrily. "Your words mean nothing to me either. So keep your opinions to yourself, little lady." He bit out.
Addison wanted to slap him, professionalism be damned. She wanted to hit him. What in the world was his problem? Her stamped smile was starting to fade and she could definitely feel the anger roiling off of the blonde standing next to her. Clenched fists and set jaw, Meredith seemed ready to strike. She moved closer to the blonde, trying to get her to calm down. If Addison flew off the handle it was fine. She already was a world class renowned surgeon, even if the idiot in front of them didn't know it. However, if Meredith retaliated it would be pretty bad for her.
Meredith glanced at her and she felt a chill as she noticed her cold and steely gaze. Oh yes, Meredith was beyond angry. The coldness melted away quickly when she sent the blonde a smile, baby blue eyes began to shimmer. Addison had almost lost herself in her bright gaze until she noticed the older doctor snagging the chart away from Meredith's hands.
"You can see yourself out now. Move along." He said to Addison in a dismissive tone waving his hand at the two of them.
"Did you just..." Meredith looked at him then back at her. "Did he just..." As if it had never been there the smile and warmth disappeared from the blonde's face.
"Meredith." Addison tried but it seemed to do nothing to assuage the blonde.
"One sec, Addison." Meredith said quickly. "Now listen here, you should count yourself lucky that someone as amazing as Dr. Montgomery wants to help an ungrateful person such as yourself."
"Why yo-" He tried to interrupt but the blonde was having none of it.
"You have in front of you one of the foremost fetal and neonatal surgeons in the country. People from all over come to see her. She's got fellowships in maternal-fetal medicine and medical genetics." Meredith's voice took an even colder tone. "When you can top that, Dr. Phillips, you can mouth her off. Until then, shut your mouth and go sit pretty in a corner, little man." The tone of irony as she repeated to him what he had called Addison came across loud and clear.
"You insolent brat! " The man spat. "You are a nobody Grey, just some idiot resident who knows absolutely nothing. Both of you can go back and crawl down the pipe you came from. I care very little about who you are, much less who she is. You can spout out all the nonsense you want and still she'll mean nothing."
"Meredith." Addison warned as the blonde took a step forward, slipping her hand inside of hers.
"You-" Meredith began.
"Dr. Grey!" The booming voice of the petite chief of staff rang through the hallway.
Both Meredith and Phillips turned to look at her. Charlotte King really was petite but who said that could limit anyone. She could be of any stature and still instill unbelievable amounts of fear, much like a certain resident back in Seattle.
"Why is it that every time something happens you're all over it?" Charlotte asked with an exasperated tone.
"I-" Meredith began.
"This child has taken it upon herself to screw over my patient." Phillips interrupted. "She's here spouting nonsense about some world class whatever she's supposed to be." He motioned to Addison.
She looked at Meredith as soon as she felt the slight squeeze in her hand. The blonde didn't even seem to notice they were still holding hands. Her thumb began to draw circles in the back of Meredith's hand to calm her again and soon she felt Meredith's grasp loosen.
"Dr. Montgomery, how are you?" Charlotte greeted and she smiled.
"Good and you? By the way, I'm pretty sure next week we'll be making use of the O.R. again. I sent over the paperwork." Addison said, watching as the man's face contorted in confusion and anger.
"Yes. I've got everything ready for you. You'll also be added to the surgical rotation next week." Charlotte nodded.
"What the hell is going on here?" Phillips raised his voice towards the end of his question.
"That's what I'd like to know." Charlotte glared at him. "Grey?"
"Dr. Phillips patient's 24 weeks pregnant. We found bands wrapped around the fetus' legs which if left alone would mean one of the legs could be severely deformed while the other one would be severed altogether. One of the big issues is that the arteries seemed to be engorged. However, Dr. Montgomery took a look-" Meredith explained.
"There's no need for her to take a look at anything. You've bypassed HIPAA too." Phillips interrupted.
"No, I have not. I got written consent from the patient. It's in the chart." Meredith snapped. "Anyway, I asked Dr. Montgomery to take a look and she's confident she can pull off the procedure."
"How confident?" Charlotte asked.
"About 95%. At 24 weeks the surgery is risky but it'll be risky at 30 too. I know I can do it." Addison replied confidently.
"You've worked miracles before." Charlotte shrugged. "Ensure the patient understands the risks Dr. Grey." She sent Meredith a nod.
"You can't be serious. Are you? She's my patient." Phillips snarled.
"Do I seem like a clown to you? Stand up comedian?" Charlotte rose a brow as if daring him to speak but the man remained silent. "This is now Dr. Grey and Dr. Montgomery's patient." She said taking the chart from him and handing it to Meredith.
"The world's gone mad." Phillips said before striding away.
"Grey stop making my job difficult. Sending you back to Seattle is easier than keeping you here." Charlotte grumbled.
"Right. Sorry, Dr. King." Meredith dropped her gaze.
"Montgomery, she's on your service today and will be on your service when you come next week as well." Charlotte said, eying their linked hands.
"I appreciate that."
Addison exchanged a few more words with the petite blonde and after that the chief was gone. Meredith and her stood there for a bit, staring after Charlotte. Suddenly laughter bubbled up inside of her and the blonde watched her with a confused frown.
"Bit of a spitfire, aren't you?" Addison smirked. "Where was this when I was teaching you?"
"I wanted to leave a good impression." Meredith averted her gaze.
"Right." Addison threw her an amused look.
"It's just… this place is unbearable. They're stuck in their old ways. They block anyone who wants to move forward. It's a nightmare. They are a nightmare." Meredith let out, her frustration palpable. "Like I'm trying, Addison. I'm trying to help patients and there's always an obstacle or a damn stubborn mule that won't move. It's stupid, idiotic! We're in a hospital. We're supposed to help people. This is…"
"Wow, Grey. Tell me how you really feel." Addison chuckled and Meredith rolled her eyes. "Lighten up. Besides I'm sure the reason why Charlotte hasn't thrown you out is because you and all the new residents are helping this place move forward. So come on. Calm down and breathe."
Meredith looked at her for a while and then took a deep breath, her angry and darkened eyes brightening slightly. Addison smiled and winked.
"Good girl. Also…" She leaned in to whisper in Meredith's ear. "I absolutely love the way you were defending me but… don't do it anymore." She said backing away with a smirk as she saw the pinkish hue in the blonde's cheeks.
"But he…" Meredith began to argue and she squeezed her hand.
"I know but you're already getting into enough trouble as it is. Defending me how you just did, though valiant and chivalrous, will only land you on more unnecessary problems. Besides, it's like you've forgotten who I am." She smirked wildly and lifted a brow.
"Right." Meredith muttered and dropped her gaze. Addison shook her head and flicked her nose. "Ouch." The blonde frowned and she smiled brightly.
"Well, you're on my service, Dr. Grey. Would you be so kind as to show me to my patient?" She asked.
"Let's go then Dr. Montgomery." Meredith smiled.
"Are you gonna lead me by the hand?" Addison asked with a grin and the blonde looked down at their linked hands, her cheeks growing redder by the second.
"No." Meredith said with a shaky tone and quickly let go. "Unless…" She seemed to recover some. "Do you want me to?" She asked cheekily.
"Only if you want to…" Addison stepped closer. "Fake girlfriend." She grinned.
Meredith gasped ever slightly but she noticed it. How she loved this little game she had with the blonde. Meredith swallowed and smiled at her before rolling her eyes playfully and turning around.
"Not your fake girlfriend." The blonde said. "Come on, Montgomery." She said as she turned to look at her over her shoulder.
Addison chuckled and felt her cheeks heat up and her belly tingle. Oh yes. She loved this little game they had going on. But then was it just some game?
And then there were 5! Geez I suck I know. I was like that one person you've messaged that leaves you on read. I apologize for that. I swear I had this already planned but life happens and other fics hit you and everything piles up together and it gets hard. Anyway I apologize again for leaving y'all like that. I did bring it back though. Now, I have a few other fics that should be getting updated this week or next weekend and then we'll come back to this one because I already have the next and next chapter outlined, they just need to be written. Quick question… does that old fart's name seem familiar? If you caught it, props to you. If you didn't… come on, think back. Like wayyyy back…
Ok now I'll leave y'all after my rambles. Next update should be THWWIW unless Matters of the Heart ( or MOTH hehe) starts nagging at me too much. Until then remember to stay as awesome as always! Love y'all potatoes. ツ
