A/N: So…you guys want to know how Addie can help Mer through this one? To tell or not to tell… plucks flower petals

"He raped you?"

"Yes. He…raped…me," she repeated the words slowly, trying to convince herself that it wasn't all a nightmare that she would wake-up from.

"Are you okay physically?"

"I think so," tears began to spill from Meredith's eyes. "It hurt a lot though. He was much bigger than me."

Addison pulled Meredith into her arms and held her while she cried. I wish there was something I could do to take away the pain and memories of this. I don't want to see her hurt, and it will take so long for her to recover from it. She can do it…I hope. Meredith's face was hidden in Addison's shoulder, so she didn't see the two small tears that Addison couldn't keep in her eyes.

"Sweetie, you have to report this. I know it's scary and embarrassing, but you should tell the police. The sooner you tell them, the better."

"I know. I want to now, but at first, I thought I could get over it on my own. I didn't tell anyone. I felt so dirty."

"That's perfectly normal. You didn't happen to swab yourself before you showered, did you?"

"Umm, no. Oh! I didn't wash the clothes I was wearing. I put them in a garbage bag to throw out, but I think they are still in my bathroom."

"That's great! That's really great. The police may be able to find DNA on your clothes."

"Yeah! I'm feeling really brave now. Let's go to the police before I lose my nerve."

"There you go. You are really brave. Let's go catch the stupid bastard that hurt you."

"Yeah!" she smiled just a little bit, and Addison's heart soared with pride.

The pair exited the apartment with their heads held high. Before going to the police station, they stopped at Meredith's house to pick up the bag with her clothes in it. She pointed the way, and Addison picked up the bag. Meredith couldn't bring herself to touch it again. When they arrived at the police station, Meredith's courage faltered a little.

"I don't want to do this after all. Let's just go home."

"No way. We're doing this. You can do it. You have the strength in you to do it."

"Okay. I just need a minute."

"That's okay. We have plenty of time. When you're ready, we'll go in."

They sat in Addison's car, each with many thoughts running through her head. Meredith was thinking about the rape and trying to force out the courage she needed to go inside and tell the police everything that happened. Addison was thinking about several things. She wanted to help Meredith as much as possible, but she was also thinking about Alex. She wanted to see him and talk to him. After a few minutes of quiet, Meredith caught Addison's eye. She nodded.

"Let's go."

After a few minutes waiting, an officer at the front desk acknowledged them.

"Can I help you ladies with something?"

Meredith froze and tried to hide behind Addison, but she pushed Meredith forward and patted her shoulder for encouragement.

"We'd like to report a crime," Addison spoke for Meredith to give her some time.

"Thanks, Addie. I can do this."

"What is the nature of this crime?" Officer Stanton had a kind voice, but he looked tough.

"I was raped a few weeks ago. I'm sorry I didn't report it sooner. I was so scared."

"That's okay. You're reporting it now. We may still be able to help. Why don't you come with me to a private room?"

Meredith nodded, and she and Addison followed Officer Stanton down the hall and into an interrogation room. He offered them coffee. Addison accepted, but Meredith refused. She started to speak, telling the events of the horrible evening that changed her life forever as if it were a story, something that didn't really happen. The officer listened patiently and asked questions when she had some trouble. He took notes even as she told him about falling into the water.

"May I see your clothing?" he asked when she had finished.

"Sure. I didn't wash anything."

"Good. We're going to use this," he held up a small flashlight, "to look for blood and semen stains. This is a Lumalite. It will make invisible body fluids glow."

He flipped on the Lumalite and began scanning Meredith's clothes. Nothing showed up on her scrubs, but when the light was shone over her panties, they glowed. Meredith's face turned bright red, and she started to cry again. Addison held her close while the officer examined the items from the bag.

"We'll send these off for DNA testing. Hopefully whoever attacked you, Ms. Grey, left his DNA here for us. Unless you need to tell us anything else, you can sign these forms and be on your way. You really did the right thing by coming in here today. We'll do everything we can to catch this man and his accomplice."

"Thank-you," Addison and Meredith spoke together, and the officer led them out.

"How are you feeling?" Addison asked once they were back in the car.

"Kind of like I want to throw-up. I can't feel my legs."

"I'm so proud of you. You were really strong."

"You helped me so much. I couldn't have done it without you."

"I think you could have, but I'm glad you let me help."

"You're so strong, Addie. How do I get there? How can I get to be so strong like that?"

"Lots of heartache, my dear. You triumph over your heartache and eventually you're strong. You'll feel broken for a while, but it will get better. You'll always remember, but one day, you'll wake up and you won't feel the burning anymore."

"The burning in my heart…or…"

"Both."

"How long does it take?"

"I don't know. Everyone is different. It took me a long time."

"You?"

"Yes, me."

"But, you're gorgeous and confident and…"

"I wasn't always a 'pretty girl'. I'm kind of the ugly duckling that turned into a swan."

"I'm going to need some proof."

"I'll show you my yearbook from high school sometime. I was president of the science club and captain of the academic team for three years. I had glasses, braces, and zits. That was also before my dad had my nose reconstructed. My brother and sister were both beautiful, so he decided to give me my sister's nose. His best friend did the surgery. He didn't want me to make my valedictorian speech with my nose, so I had surgery over Christmas break my senior year."

"No way."

"Yup. I was a nerd. I hid behind old lady clothes and my huge glasses. Not to mention the out of control, frizzy red hair."

Meredith giggled but stopped suddenly to think about what she had just been told. Either Addie has gone into the wrong field, or she took a lot of psych classes because she totally understands what I've been through. She's so strong. I wonder what happened to make her so…

"Mer? You okay?"

"Yeah. I was just thinking. Can't you estimate how long it will take for me to have the confidence that you do?"

"Well, I didn't really start to become the person I am now until the end of my senior year. When it happened to me, I was nine."

"When what hap…Oh…" she caught on to what Addison was telling her.

"I was nine and in third grade. My parents sent me to boarding school that year, and one of the high school level students cornered me when I went back into the gym to look for my diary. We reported it, but he ran away right after. No one has seen him since that I know of. He could be anywhere."

"Oh. Wow. Did you tell Derek?"

"I told him when he proposed to me. I'd never had sex, except for when he raped me. Even after counseling, I knew there was the possibility that I would never want to be intimate with someone, so I wanted to warn him."

"Was he…"

"He was completely understanding."

"We haven't…I mean…" she trailed off.

"You have to tell him. If you're scared, he needs to know. Let him know that you love him and want to be with him, but don't push yourself too far too fast."

"Okay. Thanks, Addie. I have no idea what I would do without you."

"Well, I'm here for you. Like I said, I understand what you're going through. You're welcome to stay with me if you don't feel comfortable being alone or with Derek or whatever."

"You're just too nice. Can I do something for you?"

"Yeah. Find out if Alex is interested in another date."

"He is. He really likes you. You should call him."

"Maybe I will."

Maybe I will. I never expected to like Karev, but he seems like a half-way decent guy. Or, he could be anyway. I'm so proud of Meredith. She's well on her way to getting back on her feet.

I can't believe Addison was raped as a kid. That's so horrible. When she said she understands, she really meant it. She's tough. I sure hope I can come out on top like she has. In the mean time, I can occupy myself by playing matchmaker…She smiled to herself before she and Addison clinked spoons and started in on a gallon of Cold Stone ice-cream.

A/N: That's how Addie is going to help Mer through this. Up next: Meredith tells Derek and Addie and Alex go out again.