This chapter took a little more planning than the rest. I wanted to properly articulate how a reunion between our favorite pairing and the ass that is Mark should go. This is what I came up with! Hope you all approve/enjoy!

Joe's

8:30 p.m.

"Evening Joe."

"Dr. Shepherd! The usual?"

"Please."

"Addison's as well?"

"Yes. She's just finishing up with a patient." Derek responded, grabbing a seat at the bar. Slowly sipping his drink, he began to bullshit with Joe about his day. He was eager to see Addison. They hadn't crossed paths after the meeting and the Mark thing was sort of bothering him. He knew she'd be there soon enough.

Addison rode down the elevator, checking her watch. She was late, but Derek would understand. He always did. Walking through the main doors, she said goodnight to the nurses she knew and made her way outside. Her eyes were on the floor as she walked, so much so that she didn't see Mark on the benches that lined the sidewalk. Only when he stood up from the shadow did she stop, dead in her tracks.

"Addison. Looking fabulous as always." He looked her up and down; clearly he was happy with what he saw. Addison was bothered by this, but did her best to shake it off. She attempted to keep going, but Mark stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Mark, I don't have time for this. I'm late. So if you'll excuse me…" Addison tried to step around him again, but was once again blocked.

"Come on Addison. We haven't seen each other in months. You were in New York and you didn't even call. That hurt." He was trying to be funny, but to no avail.

"Mark. Get it through your head. We aren't together. We aren't friends. We are colleagues, for now. As soon as your project is over, you're gone. Derek and I are happy again. Please just leave us alone. Now, I'm late. So, if you don't mind…" Before she could move around him, he spoke again.

"He'll understand. It's not like he even cares." Addison looked up at him. She could just feel the frustration coming on, but did her best to hide it. He was just trying to rile her up.

"You have no idea what you are talking about." Addison's voice was at a whisper. She shoved her way past him, getting about five feet before he shouted after her.

"I was there last time, Addie. I watched him throw you aside like you were nothing." He yelled at her. Addison put her head down and kept walking. "He'll do it again. Just you wait." He yelled louder this time. Addison fought back the sadness as she continued towards Joe's.

Finally reaching the bar, she peered inside. She saw Derek speaking to Joe and some random doctors she didn't recognize. He was laughing. He had a cute laugh. It made his whole face light up. Watching him laugh, she almost didn't want to go in. She was a mess and he'd get concerned and force her to talk then he'd be upset. It was an inevitable chain reaction that always occurred between them, more now than ever as Derek was working extra hard to stay attentive. But, they had promised each other they would be open with each other, and she needed to hold up her end of the bargain.

As she pushed open the door, the distinct bell rang out, causing a couple of heads to glance her way, one of which belonged to Derek. When he saw her, a smile crept across his face. He excused himself from the conversation at hand and stood up to get her attention. She spotted him instantly, and continued towards him. Derek met her halfway.

"Hey babe." Gently kissing her lips, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her towards him.

"Hey." She let out an unusually shaky response in to his ear. Derek pulled back concerned.

"What's wrong?" Derek looked puzzled as to what could be bothering Addison. Placing her bag down next to his chair, she took his hand and led him outside. She didn't want to have this conversation in a bar full of people.

Once they were outside, Addison released his hand and moved her own around his neck. Drawing him to her, she buried her face in his neck. Although confused, Derek took her into his arms and held her.

"Addie, what happened?" Addison lifted her head slightly. She brought her lips to Derek's for a brief, but sensual kiss. She needed to know he was there for her.

"I saw Mark."

"Where?" Derek removed his head from hers and looked at her directly.

"He was waiting for me outside the hospital when I left to meet you." Addison released her hands from his hair and brought them to her sides. "He forced me to talk to him. He kept blocking my way. And then he brought up you."

"What did he say?" Derek was getting more and more heated with every word Addison told him.

"He was just trying to push your buttons…"

"Addison, what did he say? I can handle it. I'm not going to freak out; I just want to know the truth." Addison looked at him. She wanted to believe he could stay calm, but Mark was a sore subject. He was giving her that look though, the 'I'm serious, don't mess' look he had perfected after years of dealing with egotistical fellow surgeons.

"It's not important Derek…" Once again he cut her off.

"Addison! If it made you upset, then it's important to me. Just tell me." He was just looking out for her best interest. She knew that. But his temper was rising, and she hated when he got angry.

"He said that this time would be no different than last time and that it was only a matter of time before you got bored and threw me aside again. Happy now?" Addison was now equally as angry. She went to reach for the door to the bar but Derek's hand stopped her. She tried to pull back from his grip but couldn't. He pulled her into him and wrapped his arms around her. That was all it took for her to lose it.

She began to softly sob in to his chest. Derek rubbed small circles over her back, holding her as close as possible. He knew it was only a matter of time for her to show her emotions over Mark coming. She was strong, hell she was the strongest woman he knew. But she had been too strong lately. She was trying to protect him by acting fine, and now, that wall had broken.

"Addie, it's okay."

"No, Derek. None of this is okay. It's not okay that he being here is a big fat reminder of what happened before. It is not okay that he says things like that just to push my buttons. It's not okay that every day he's here and you see him and flashback to what I did and I have to worry about losing you again!" Addison was practically yelling at this point.

"Addison!" Derek grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her for her attention. "Look at me, please." Derek lightly ran his fingers across her cheek as her puffy eyes met his sympathetic ones. "You do not need to worry about losing me again. Mark could move here tomorrow and talk to me until he was blue in the face. It wouldn't change a thing. I love you." Derek talked slow to make sure his message got across. A small smile crept across her lips as remaining tears fell.

"But that image of your face when you found us is practically burned on to my brain. Whenever I see him I think of how mortified you looked and I want to hate myself for what I did."

"Then you're just going to have to take your own advice. On your own time, in your own way, you'll need to get past it. I'll be here for you. You just need to trust me and our love enough to know that after all of this, I'll be there for you."

"But last time…"

"That was last time. That's in the past now. What matters is here and now. We both made mistakes, we hurt each other, but we're back. We survived Addie, I love you more now than I ever thought possible then. Nothing in this world will ever make me stop noticing how special you are again." Derek brought his lips to hers, kissing her gently.

"I love you." Addison sank back into Derek's open arms, pulling herself as close to him as possible. "You know, this is a crushing blow to my ego. I was doing so well." Derek laughed softly, pulling back to look at her smile.

"Yeah well, we all have our moments. Now, if I remember correctly, after mine, we had a very nice time together. We should do that again. It only seems fair that for each emotional breakdown we suffer, we have our own little pick me up. What do you say?"

"Lead the way. See how long that second wind lasts you." Swinging open the bar door, Addison looked over her shoulder and winked at Derek. He smiled back giddily and followed her in to grab his stuff.

Seattle Grace

9:30 a.m.

Derek and Addison entered the hospital together the next morning. Both were extremely happy and relaxed. They rode up in the elevator together, talking about plans for the weekend.

"Let's go to the mall! I haven't been shopping in ages."

"Oh, come on Addie. The mall? Really?"

"Yes, really. It will be fun." Addison moved closer to Derek, her hands playing with the sides of his jacket.

"Fun? Have I ever enjoyed shopping with you?" Derek smiled down at her, fully intending to hold out.

"I'll make it worth your while." She said seductively.

"Really? Now how might you do that?"

"If we spend the day at the mall, we can do whatever you want at night. Anything at all."

"Anything at all. Those are risky words to offer a man."

"Well I'm a trusting girl. What do you say?"

"You're on."

"Great." Addison's entire face lit up. She was desperately in need of a shopping spree. "So what do you have planned for the night?"

"I haven't had much time to think about it, but I can give you a sneak peek of what I've got so far." Addison went to respond, but before she could get the words out, Derek's lips were on hers and her back was against the elevator wall. She could feel his tongue burst through his lips and was now massaging hers. The doors began to open as Derek pulled back. Opening his eyes, he looked at her, and was instantly proud of himself. She ran her hands across his lips as she tried to catch her breath.

"Well…" Addison looked impressed.

"It was just a thought. I'm still working out the details." Derek dusted his jacket off and picked up his briefcase.

"You're on the right track. You could make it better though." Addison said playfully, walking through the doors he was holding for her. "Lunch later?"

"I'd love to." Derek gave her a quick kiss on the lips before they went their separate ways to their offices. Derek had a huge grin on his face.

"You seem to be doing better today Dr. Shepherd." Bailey chimed in as they crossed paths.

"Oh, you have no idea." He replied, winking at her as he walked. He reached his office. As he went to unlock it, he was surprised to find that it already was. Continuing through, he noticed his chair facing the window and not the desk as he always left it. Hearing the door open, Derek's mystery guess spun around. Derek's smile was quickly wiped away.

"If it isn't the world-renowned Derek Shepherd!" Mark leaned back in Derek's chair, a sadistic grin across his face.

"If it isn't world-renowned jackass Mark Sloan! To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"What? A guy now needs a reason to visit a friend and colleague." Mark feigned surprise.

"Don't even say the word friend to me. And get out of my chair. How the hell did you even get in here?" Derek was keeping his cool as best as possible.

"Told the janitor I left a file in here. They are very trusting around here you know."

"Yeah well a lot of good people work here. Until now." Derek took of his coat and hung it up, moving towards his desk to check his messages.

"Ouch. Good one. Think of that all by yourself?" Mark continued to roam Derek's office, looking at his diplomas and the sole picture on his desk. It was of him and Addison from the Hamptons a few summers back.

"Beautiful isn't she?" Derek looked up at what Mark was talking about. Hearing Mark talk about Addison in any way made Derek want to strangle him, but he knew that was Mark's goal. He needed to play this right, push Mark's buttons as much as he tried to push his.

"Yes, she is. That must burn you, huh?" Mark looked at Derek incredulously.

"Excuse me?" Mark put the photo down, taken aback by Derek's attitude.

"It must burn you that you can't have her. That you'll never have her. I mean that is why you're here right? To push my buttons, convince her I'm going to leave her again and then take the opportunity to sweep in like her knight in shining armor? Go ahead, tell me I'm wrong." Mark didn't respond, just continued to glare at Derek.

"Here's the thing you're forgetting: I am in love with Addison, and she is in love with me. We are happy; really, truly happy, and none of your mind games are going to split us up."

"Oh, you mean like last time in when you were blissfully married?"

"That was last time. Not to be cliché but it's a whole new ball game. We've started over, and this time, I refuse to lose her." Derek was stern as he spoke. He made sure Mark knew he meant business.

"Don't worry. You'll screw it up again. You'll forget to realize how special she is and she'll come crawling back to me." Mark was now up in his face with his smart rhetort.

"Whatever you say." Derek shrugged him off before moving behind his desk. "You can see yourself out." At the door, Mark paused.

"Can I ask you one question?"

"If I say no, will that really stop you?"

"Last time I came, you couldn't come within three feet of me without taking a punch. What changed?" Derek sat, pondering his former friends' question. He was right: last time all Derek wanted to do was pound Mark into the ground. But now, he was able to tolerate him. His eyes moved around his desk as he formulated an answer. Passing over the picture of him and Addison, seeing her smile light up the picture, he knew why.

"It's Addison. She brings out the best in me." Derek nodded to himself, not surprised that she was the key to his. Looking down, he didn't see the look of jealousy wash over Mark's face. He wanted Addison too. He needed her. Derek didn't deserve her; never did. He had her and he hurt her. It was his turn.

Seattle Grace

1:00 p.m.

Derek made his way to the gallery of Addison's surgery. He could barely find a seat. She was delivering triplets, pre-term, with both Burke and Bailey. The surgery was scheduled for tomorrow, but the mother began to suffer severe cramps, forcing Addie to push it up. He only realized she was in surgery when he went to find her for lunch.

Grabbing the little standing room left in the corner, Derek's eyes roamed the room. He saw all of Bailey's interns, watching intently, and Mark, sitting by himself. They made brief eye contact. Mark gave Derek his signature scowl and returned to watching Addison work. Derek shook it off and did the same. Derek couldn't help but flashback to when he and Mark would watch Addison operate together. Usually they'd be waiting for her to go to lunch somewhere or even if they both had free time. They'd joke around, bullshit about sports, discuss Mark's newest girl.

Addison always got shy when they watched, making them want to even more. Derek always got a sense of pride at how brilliant a surgeon his wife was. Whenever people would comment, he'd eavesdrop and smile to himself at how lucky he was to have her. Watching her today, he was as proud as ever.

Derek's trip down memory lane was interrupted when the mother started crashing. The babies were out successfully, but the mother's internal bleeding couldn't be controlled.

Bailey and Addison were attempting to stop it, but nothing was working and her pressure rapidly dropped. Everyone was out of their seats to watch.

"Addison you need to pull out. We have to charge her."

"Hold on. I've almost got it." Addison was concentrated on the procedure, blocking out the noise around her.

"What are you doing?" Bailey desperately tried to get her attention.

"If we don't stop this bleeding, shocking her won't do anything. Give me one more second." Addison continued to work, stitching as fast as she could. "Alright, go!"

"Charging 200. Clear!" Bailey shocked the patient, but to no avail.

"Nothing. Charge again." Addison shouted.

"250, clear!" Bailey tried again.

"Nothing. Resuming compressions." Addison began to pound on her chest, praying for a heartbeat. "Come on Beth. Don't do this. Come on." Addison beat harder and harder. Derek watched her intently, praying that she could revive her. Addison's only fault as a doctor was getting to close. She had been with Beth for awhile now; very high risk pregnancy. Losing her now would crush Addison.

After what seemed like forever, the distinct beep of a heart beat filled the room. The entire gallery began to talk amongst themselves again. Derek let out the huge breath he was holding, and looked down at Addison.

"Normal sinus rhythm." Bailey announced. "Nice work Addison."

"Thank you." Addison breathed out breathlessly.

"I'll close her up."

"Thanks Miranda." Backing away from the table, Addison removed her gown and peered into the gallery above. She scanned the room, looking for one person in particular. When her eyes finally landed on Derek, a smile crept across her lips. He smiled back, and went to meet her in the scrub room. Mark witnessed the interaction and felt his jaw tighten. He used to get that same soul-warming smile that Derek did. Now she barely noticed him. He had to make her see him again, see him like she saw Derek. He didn't deserve so much love. Not from her.

Mark walked out a few moments later. Heading towards the scrub room for his own surgery, he saw Addison perched against the desk filling out her notes on the surgery. Staying back a few feet, he watched her. Only she could look beautiful in scrubs and no make-up. It was just another thing that made her special. He wanted so desperately to talk to her, make her understand. He needed to be calm and talk to her in a professional manner if he would get her to listen. This was his chance.

Before he could even stand up straight from the wall he was leaning against, Derek passed by him, a flower in his hand. Not even seeing Mark standing there, Derek continued towards Addison. Her back to him, she didn't see anyone coming. Derek stood behind her, bringing the rose to in front of her face. Surprised, she turned around.

"For me?"

"Of course. You were amazing in there." Derek leaned in to kiss her on the cheek.

"Thank you for this. It's so thoughtful of you."

"Yeah well, you've been on my mind all morning."

"Have I really? Good things I hope."

"Always." Derek smiled at her.

"Is there a special reason why I was on your mind today?" Addison asked, smelling her rose.

"Does there need to be?" Derek asked, playing with her hand.

"Of course not." Addison leaned in to kiss Derek on the cheek. "I'd like to think I'm always on your mind, preferably wearing clothing some of the time."

"No promises there." Addison playfully hit Derek in the stomach as she returned to her chart momentarily. Playing with the rose, his eyes finally saw Mark's staring at them. The smile Derek wore faded once again.

"Thank you." Addison handed the nurse her chart and brought her attention back to Derek. "Something the matter, sweetie?"

"No. Not at all." Derek said with his eyes still on Mark. Returning his eyes to her, he gently cupped her face and kissed her lips. Pulling back, Derek glanced in Mark's direction, taking pleasure in the anger he saw. It took him back to the night he had found him with Addison, and he almost felt better that he was now getting his. "So, does a hot shot surgeon like you have time for lunch with little old me?" Derek asked.

"I think I can squeeze you in." Addison said, ever so charming.

"I'm honored." Derek put his hand across his chest dramatically.

"You should be. Let me just check on Beth and we'll go. Two minutes." Addison said, her words trailing off as she walked.

"Take your time." Derek shouted after her. Turning towards the nurses' station to check on a chart, he realized Mark was no longer standing there. Figuring he was just pissy, Derek shrugged it off.

Addison left Beth's room. She was still unconscious, but her vitals were all good, and all three of her babies were tucked in to the NICU. Boarding the elevator, she twirled her rose through her fingers, pausing every so often to smell it. It was things like this that just made her love Derek more and more each day.

Part 2 of the chapter! Hope you all liked. Review if you'd like, and any advice/tips with what you want to see in the future with Mark I'd appreciate. I have some ideas floating around, but since everyone here is such kick ass writers, I welcome suggestions!