It's a Wonderful Life II

A/N: I'm on deadline – mine. I've been putting this off for awhile, but then I started working on it today, and it kind of took off. I hope you like how it worked out. Read and review!
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Alex stares at the cardboard star in front of him. On the table in front of him are several other shapes and various ribbons and sequins for decorating them. And then a hot cup of chocolate and a beaming smile remind him why he's doing this.

Addison grins in spite of herself. If her friends back home could see her now… She only resembles the woman that left New York several months ago. Then she realizes it. New York isn't home anymore. Derek, Mark, her old house and practice – they're just fading memories of a life she once had. She thinks she should be sad or disappointed, but strangely, she's just okay being Addison Montgomery.

"I had no idea how… pro-Christmas you are," Alex stutters. Mentally, he kicks himself. He hasn't been a stuttering, bumbling idiot around a girl since Cindy Hawkins in 2nd grade. Addison shrugs and smiles.

"Christmas is just… it's a time in my house growing up that was always peaceful and fun. When Derek and I were together, it was the one time of year that we got to spend real quality time together. Last Christmas wasn't great, so I wanted to make this one better," Addison says, pausing. "You know, I'm not really Satan." Alex almost starts laughing, but then he sees the serious look in Addison's eyes.

"You just needed the right person to see you for more than a pawn in a chess game," Alex whispers. He doesn't know anything about chess, doesn't know when he became the type to share his thoughts and feelings, doesn't know why this woman has changed everything, but the thing is – he likes the change.
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Alex sits down on his couch and then motions for Addison to sit beside him. Tentatively, he faces her and takes her hand in his, tracing over it with the tips of his fingers.

"The tree… it looks nice," he says, glancing over at the Douglas Fir that now stretches from floor to ceiling. And it does. The homemade ornaments give it just the right touch, combined with the colored lights and silver balls. The star at the top of the tree has a slight angle to it, but it makes the tree look more natural. Then again, Alex doesn't have much experience with Christmas trees or Christmas. Still, he judges by the look on Addison's face that this is a good tree.

"I'm sorry I got the tree without asking you if it was okay. I just… I can't have one at the hotel of course, and I went by a Christmas tree farm, and I wanted one," Addison rambles. Alex smirks and nods.

"You're cute when you're nervous," he teases.

"I don't get nervous. I am not a nervous person. I just didn't know if you liked Christmas. Oh God. You're allergic to pine needles aren't you? Is that why you didn't have a tree? I should have thought of that. Why didn't I call? I should have called. I mean, I did call. I didn't even ask about coming over. I can't believe you're allergic!"

"Addison, slow down."

"I do not need to slow down! What if you get a rash? I'll never be able to work near you again. Then you'll be stuck with Mark! I want you to learn something. You're going to be running errands the rest of your life because of me!"

Alex has to bite his lip to keep from laughing. He wants to tell her how cute her speech was, wants to tell her that it was so un-Addison that it was her, wants to tell her that he loves her smile. Instead, he opts for the simple route… for now.

"Addison. Addison, look at me."

Addison finally stops and stares at the younger man on the couch beside her. Her eyes travel up from his waist, past his shirt that fits just tight enough to make her squirm, up to his soft eyes. And suddenly, she has an impulse. It's been awhile since she's "scratched" an itch and been comfortable with the decision, but this time, this time she thinks will be different.

Before Alex can blink, Addison is in his lap, pushing hard against his chest, teasing him with quick kisses. He responds in more ways than one and finds himself tangling his hands in her hair, pulling her as close as he can.

Between rough kisses and Addison's teasing touch, Alex gently nibbles on her ear and whispers her name.

"Addison, I love the tree."
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A/N: Okay… I think I like this chapter. Addison seems a little out of character to me, but maybe that's just me. Anyway, I love that Alex feels both out of place and completely comfortable with Addison. He's nervous, but they're both happy, and neither of them have been like this for a long time, if ever. They don't overshadow each other, and that's a good thing. Addison is comfortable to be quirky and neurotic around him, and while he would normally see that as high-maintenance, there's just something different about Addison. This week's episode was love, but I'm so mad that they were interrupted… by Meredith's dad of all people. Review! Next update should be up over the weekend, maybe two if I have time. I'll probably do a Part III for this, and then we'll see what the next ficlet will be.