Wow! Reviews galore! You guys are awesome. Also, you inspired me to write a hell of a lot faster! Who really cares about AP's anyway? I'm into college. So here goes chapter 4—the long awaited Addison/Derek first conversation, post-separation. Now, they will get close in the coming chapters, but there will be road blocks. Derek's being too McDouchey currently for there not to be any. You don't just get to throw away our Addison and crawl back whenever! So like always, read, review, and be merry!

"You're a hard person to track down." Addison's eyes remained closed, but she instantly felt her heart rate increase. She knew that voice as if it was her own. Soft, sensual, and extremely sexy.

"Unintentional, I promise."

"How are you Addison?" Addison stared at Derek, focused in on his eyes. He looked at ease. Like for the first time in a long time, there wasn't the weight of a marriage breaking apart on his shoulders. She missed those eyes, and felt reaffirmed of her decision. They might not be together now, but they will get back to that place. And then, who knows?

"I'm good Derek. How are you?"

"Good, good. You want to get some coffee? I have never been in a situation like this one but coffee feels like a good first step. Give us a chance to talk. What do you say?"

"Sounds good. Lead the way." Derek instinctually went to move closer to Addison before remembering why she was distant. She was no longer his. His stomach dropped at the thought of her being someone else's. He didn't want to be hypocritical, as now he was with Meredith, but it didn't change the hurt he felt anymore. He was happy with Meredith. Addison was simply a friend now, and that would take some getting used to.

Cafeteria

1:30 p.m.

"So, how's McDreamy?" Christina asked.

"McWonderful. It feels like a whirlwind, you know? First his wife shows up and he rejects her, then he takes her back and rejects me, and then she rejects him because he loves me and now we are together. It's a big soap opera when you think about it."

"It makes me sick."

"Hey, you want to chill with that? It's only my happiness we are talking about."

"Sorry. You know I didn't mean that to be mean."

"I know. You're forgiven."

"So has he mentioned the whole Addison thing at all?"

"Not really. I try to hint at it but I don't get much in return. I know that she asked to separate to give him the space to be with me because it wasn't fair to give her half his heart anymore. It is an extremely valid point."

"So you don't know what there deal is?"

"No, why?"

"Because they just walked in together." Meredith's eyes shot up from her lunch and landed on her boyfriend, and his ex, walking, coffee in hand, to the nearest table. "I'm sure it's nothing. They are going to talk. I mean they were married for eleven years and work together."

"Yeah, I'm sure you're right." Meredith's eyes remained fixed on the two regardless. She could only imagine what they were talking about.

"So…"

"So?" Addison didn't want to start. She wanted Derek to lead the conversation

"How was New York?"

"Refreshing. I had forgotten how lively and full of energy it was."

"Bit different from Washington."

"You could say that. I saw Savvy and Weiss, my family, the usual. Walked around by Columbia. Remember that bench we used to always go to on our dates."

"Right by east halls near that huge tree. How could I forget? We always managed to end up there, no matter where we started."

"I know. I spent a lot of time there while I was home, now that I think about it. I guess I sort of just ended up there all over again." There was a silence, but not awkward. It was as if both were reflecting on the memories they had. Derek was the first to speak again.

"So where do we go from here, Add?"

"I thought a lot about that to. I think that really depends on where you want to start. First off, you need to decide what you want. We agreed to work on the friends' thing before Meredith was really back in the picture. You guys are together now, really together, so it comes down to if you still want to work out our issues and get back to that point. If not…" Addison knew the 'if not' she had in mind, but was thrilled to not even need to say it as Derek interrupted her first.

"No 'if not' needed. I want to get back to that place with you Addison. It's been awhile, but if I remember correctly, you were about the best friend a person could ask for."

"How charming are you? No wonder women fawn over you."

"I try. So what's next in your master plan?"

"Our plan. This is our relationship, so it's going to require group effort and input. We obviously have some major issues to discuss, so as far as I see, the best way to go about them is one by one. We could have lunch, dinner, coffee, whatever. Just time for the two of us to get to the root of our problems. It's not going to be pleasant."

"I know that. But I agree that it's necessary. Now, just for the record, I hope everytime we see each other does not require some profession of past sins. It will be okay if we just hang out, right? I mean I know technically we are ex's, but I feel as though certain…exceptions…apply in our case. You agree?"

"I do, fully. If I remember correctly, you're kind of fun to hang out with."

"Oh, I am. Just you wait and see." Addison and Derek were both laughing when her beeping pager interrupted them.

"It's the NICU. I better go. Thanks for the coffee and maybe I'll see you later?"

"Yeah, sure." With that, Addison was off to tend to her patient. Derek sat their, finishing the rest of his coffee, a smile across his face.

One Month Later

6:30 a.m.

It had been about two months since Derek and Addison's split, but they hadn't been this close to one another in a long time. They had stopped taking each other for granted, and really been there to listen. Most of the sore subjects between them had been discussed as rational adults, tears shedding from time to time. However, they both came through in one piece, and were now at a place of just being close friends once again. This did come to the chagrin of Meredith. She felt as though she was losing Derek to Addison once again. She had yet to voice her concerns, but was growing rapidly impatient with the amount of time her current boyfriend was spending with his ex-wife.

"Derek?"

"Good morning. Did I wake you?"

"No, didn't really sleep well. Long night at the hospital."

"Yeah, I didn't hear you come in." Derek finished tying his sneaker and went to give her a proper good morning kiss. "Now that's good morning." He smiled and went to the bathroom to wash up.

"Where are you going at 6:30 in the morning?"

"It's Monday. I'm going running with Addison around the park. I must have told you."

"No, no you did. It just…slipped my mind." God damn it! Why is he spending so much time with her. They're separated…shouldn't they be separate some of the time! "Okay Derek there is something I need to talk to you about."

"Alright." He shouted from the sink, figuring it wasn't of much importance.

"I'm not trying to sound petty or jealous, I just don't get why you spend so much of your time with her." Meredith spurted out. She wasn't sure how to say it, or how he would react. He'll understand, right?

"What?"

"Honey, don't overreact. It's just the last month or so you have been spending a lot of your time with her and I miss you."

"Meredith, we are trying to rebuild an entire friendship. It's not easy."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why rebuild? You left her, what's the point?"

"Is this a joke? You've heard this speech before Meredith: Addison and I were married for eleven years. Eleven birthdays, eleven thanksgivings, eleven anniversaries. That doesn't just get thrown away because I'm with you now. We were best friends before everything fell apart, and she wants to get back to that place with me. And so do I. I'd hope you understand that, but apparently not." Slamming the door to the bathroom, he shut himself in to finish getting ready.

As if almost on cue, the doorbell to Meredith's house was ringing two minutes later. Derek stormed out of the bathroom to answer it. He needed to get out of the house and away from Meredith. And he really needed to talk to Addison. She was his relief nowadays, his fresh air when he felt boxed in. It amazed him how much had changed in two months. Before he could leave the room, Meredith called out to him, causing him to cringe.

"Derek…" There was pain in her voice. He knew her intention wasn't to upset him.

"Meredith, we will talk about this calmly when I get back. I promise." Going back to the bed, he kissed her on the forehead and headed downstairs. She heard the door open, and Addison step in. Meredith sneaked to the top of the stair case to listen as closely as possible. Izzie had let her in first and was now talking to her. Traitor!

"Dr. Montgomery! Good morning."

"Hey Izzie. And I told you to call me Addison."

"Yeah, sorry. It's sort of weird. You being my boss and all."

"I know. Don't worry about it. Where's O'Malley?"

"At Callie's."

"Ortho Callie?"

"Yeah, you know her."

"Of her. Intimidating girl if I'm thinking correctly."

"You are."

"Her and George?"

"I know." Both women laughed at the image. Damn it, Iz. You're supposed to be on my side was all Meredith could think. Technically, sides weren't needed: Derek was hers. But Addison was Addison, and that scared Meredith a lot.

"What's so funny?" Derek asked as he descended the stairs.

"You know that O'Malley and that ortho girl were dating?"

"Really? Isn't she sort of…tall for him?" This left all three cracking up, and a very ticked off Meredith to listen in.

"If you guys will excuse me I have to get ready. Nice talking to you Addison."

"Same here Stevens." Both watched as Izzie climbed the stairs.

"Good morning." Addison leaned in to Derek to give him a kiss on the cheek. Derek was surprised at the action, but secretly missed the feel of her lips on his skin. Clearly not an emotion he could show, he simply smiled back. "You ready?" She asked, fixing her shoe on the step.

"Yeah." Addison stood up again, allowing there eyes to meet. She was smiling, natural and meaningful. Derek had missed that relaxed smile, and was glad it was back. Meredith on the other hand was cursing silently.

"Nice hair, by the way." Addison said mockingly.

"Oh thanks. I got distracted getting ready. I'll tell you about on the way."

"Sure you can go out like that?" Addison said, walking out.

"Shut up and go will you?" Derek said over her shoulder, smiling as he shut the door. He really missed when they could just be free with each other. As they got back all the important parts of their relationship, it was no wonder it fell apart. So much was lost along the way. That was the past. All that mattered now was not losing any of those parts again.

Inside the house, there was not nearly as much happiness.

"Mer?" She almost fell down the stairs at the sound of Izzie's voice. "Were you spying on them?"

"Not exactly."

"Meredith chill. They are separated. He left her for you."

"Yeah, but they are so close now. It's just weird. I mean she kissed him."

"On the cheek. They were married for more than a decade. You're acting like she pinned him against the wall. They are friends."

"Why are you defending her? I thought she was on your shit list after the quints."

"I'm over the quints. I started to work with her more again and I'm enjoying it a lot. She's changed, more relaxed now. If you weren't so jealous maybe you'd notice that." Izzie left Meredith to ponder those words. Regardless of their validity, Meredith was still very uneasy.

Reynolds Park

7:15 a.m.

"Hang on. I need a break."

"Come on Derek. Man up."

"Hey running was whose idea? Not all of us are in tip top physical condition. Fishing only requires so much energy."

"I realize. But usually you're the one slowing down for me. What gives?"

"Lot on my mind I guess."

"Alright, spill." Addison and Derek had stopped at a bench to stretch and catch their breath.

"No Addison, it's okay." He hated talking about his girlfriend with her.

"It's about you and Meredith?" He simply nodded. That was the one topic he would rarely be open with her about. "You can talk to me about her. I've told you that before."

"I know you say that. But I also know it kills you to think of me with another woman."

"Yeah well it does. Half the time when I wake up it takes me a minute to realize why you haven't been home all night. But it's getting easier. And for the sake of our relationship, you need to be honest about your feelings. Granted I don't want the details of your sex life or anything, but the rest is okay. Now, spill."

"Fine. It's actually about you. She wanted to know why we are spending so much time together."

"She hasn't asked until now?"

"No, but I know it bothers her."

"Does that bother you?"

"Yes. She should understand that just because we separated doesn't mean we still aren't going to be friends. I still love you and love spending time with you. Nothing will change that again. I won't let it. She'll just have to deal." Addison was touched by the sentiment of his words, and sat silently constructing an answer.

"That's good to hear. But put yourself in her place. It's got to be hard sharing your boyfriend with his ex-wife. Just make her realize she isn't sharing. For better or worse, you're with her. Our friendship won't affect that."

"For better or worse?"

"Hey I said I'd be supportive. I didn't say I'd jump on the 'yay my husband is dating someone again' bandwagon."

"Fair enough."

"But really. Just make it clear to her where we are, and that it won't affect your relationship." Derek nodded.

"You're right. You know you tend to do that a lot."

"Be right? Yeah I know. Some people are just lucky I guess." She smiled, lightly hitting his arm. "You ready to start up again?"

"Yep." They started their jog back to Meredith's house, Addison's words playing in his head. As much as he cared for Meredith, his ever changing relationship with Addison made things difficult. She was back to the Addison he fell in love with fifteen years ago, and the more and more time they spent mending their relationship, the harder it was for him to pretend it wasn't affecting his relationship with Meredith. Derek knew the truth: Addison at her best was someone that no guy could ever resist. Especially her soulmate.