A/N: So…I have decided that, after writing this chapter, I should not ever venture back into a fic where I have to make the romance develop. If it's already there, I'm good. If it's not…well…whatever. Anyway, I don't know how this is. It might be a little confusing because it switches back and forth between Addison and Preston frequently. Enjoy.

Addison felt awkward for the entire ride home. She kept looking over at Preston until he turned to look at her and then she would pretend that she was looking at something out of his window. And she knew that he was doing it too. And she hated that she was doing it. But she kept looking over at him.

Preston didn't usually play games with women. He wasn't that guy. He was forward and direct. When he knew that he wanted something, he went for it. When he had first noticed Cristina as a potential romantic interest, he had bought her coffee. He didn't debate whether or not he should go for it. He was always sure in his decisions, decisive.

Except when it came to Addison. A relationship with Addison would be quite different from his relationship with Cristina. He didn't want to compare the two women; that was something better left to Derek Shepherd, who had bored Preston with endless comparisons between Meredith Grey and Addison. Addison was mature, adult-like. She was ready for a serious, committed relationship.

Addison was now focusing a great deal of attention on not looking at Preston. She couldn't really stop herself from thinking about him though. So she thought about him. She thought about how much she admired him. He had all the qualities that she looked for in a man. He would understand her work schedule (although it had definitely eased up since she switched to the practice), he was a dedicated and devoted man (she had seen how committed he had been to Cristina), he was gentle and kind (his bedside manner always earned him points with her), and attractive (oh, yes…definitely attractive. Which she had accidentally told him several times that day). She realized that she was letting herself think about him in that way now. She wasn't sure when the shift occurred, only that it had.

Preston made it a point to get out his side of the car fast enough so that he could open Addison's door for her. He had never let go of the notion of a gentleman. She smiled appreciatively at him and stepped out of the car.

She tripped and he caught her. Addison took a little longer than usual to steady herself. When she did stand up of her own volition, she felt a slight tinge of color rise to her cheeks as she met his eyes. His expression was questioning and hopeful.

Addison knew that she could fantasize about Preston Burke. She didn't know if she could act on those fantasies. But when his mouth closed over hers, she thought that she would definitely give it a try.

Preston didn't know what it was about Addison that made him a bit more impulsive, a bit less deliberate. But when she looked at him with eyes that were embarrassed, but also slightly expectant he couldn't really help himself. He broke away first and he smiled as he saw that Addison almost looked sad, wistful. She leaned in slightly as he moved away, then caught herself and stood up straight.

Addison tried to remember the last time she had been involved in a kiss that was initiated by a man. It had been Pete Finch. In the stairwell. But it didn't really compare to this one. Because this kiss involved some kind of emotion other than embarrassment and slight depression. This one, well, it was nice. Very nice.

She reached down and took his hand, this time knowing that there was a line between just friends and more than friends and that she was crossing it. She laced her fingers through his and led him into her house. Once inside the house, though, she didn't really know what to do. So she led him to the couch, where they sat.

Preston had been surprised when she had reached for his hand, but it had felt nice. It felt right, somehow. He watched as she fumbled with her keys with her free hand and was touched that she didn't seem to want to let go. Eventually she opened the door and seemed a little unsure of what the next step would be. So they sat on the couch.

Addison hadn't had a man in her house like this before. Sam, Pete and Cooper had all been here, but never under these circumstances. It was a little uncomfortable for her. Kind of like a christening for the house. It was moving to its adult state as a house where those sorts of things happened. When Addison had thought about what it would be like to bring a man in here, she hadn't pictured Preston Burke as that man. But she was rather glad that it turned out to be him after all. He was a safe man, a man with whom she was friend's first, one who respected her. A good man to be the first of that kind of man in her house.

At some point, Addison shifted so that she was leaning her head on his shoulder and he leaned down to lightly press a kiss against her hair. He moved his arm so it encircled her shoulders and she took his hand in her own again and played with his fingers. There was a comfortable, natural element to this situation that made the fast transition from just friends to this all right.

Addison didn't want to get her hopes up. She did not have a good track record with male doctors from Seattle Grace. But she could see Preston Burke barbecuing. And maybe he wouldn't play catch with their kids, but – Oh, God. She was thinking about children. And long-term commitment. Preston was just visiting Los Angeles and she was already picturing him moved in and settled down with her. She took things too fast, expected too much. It was her downfall.

Preston felt Addison stiffen against him. She sat up and turned to look at him. "I haven't done this in a long time," she said a little shakily.

"Neither have I." Preston was guessing the last time she had "done this" had been with Alex Karev. And he was determined to do better than that cocky intern.

Addison knew Preston's last experience with a situation similar to this would have been with Cristina. And she didn't know if she wanted to do "this" with him.

"Addison," he said in a tone that almost made her heart melt with its warm and understanding tone. She felt a little trembly as his hand lifted her chin so her gaze met his. "You don't have to do anything."

"I know. I know. It's not that I don't want to. It's that I don't know if I don't want to." She was probably going to a level of Addison insanity that had not been seen since her first visit to Los Angeles, but she figured that if Preston wanted to do anything, he should at least be prepared for what 'anything' came with. She started the kiss this time, leaning in slowly, hesitantly, putting her hand on his chest, making a mental note that, should things ever progress to that point, she would want to get a good look at his chest. His hands were soon entangled in her hair.

She pulled away after it seemed like centuries had passed. "I know that I don't want to not do this," she said and cringed inwardly at the use of the double negative. Preston only laughed and pulled her closer, intent on picking up where they had left off.

To be continued…

A/N Again: I feel like this may have leaned towards the sappy and I apologize. Let me know what you think, constructive criticism/advice/love is all welcome. And I made up the word 'trembly', or at least Word thinks so. But shouldn't it be a word? Anyway, I hope you enjoyed.