a/n: sorry this took a little longer than usual... but i didn't get all that many reviews so i wasn't all that encouraging :( i'm kidding... sort of... whatever... in any case here's chapter three! hope you like it!!

disclaimer: no... just... no...

"I still think you should let everyone know," Holli said as she and Addison ate what passed for lunch. She took a bite out of her sandwich and grimaced. That was not turkey, no matter what the label said.

"Nice lunch, huh?" Addison replied to Holli's look, picking at the pathetic excuse for a salad that she had picked up.

"Why do you do that?" Holli asked, putting down her sandwich.

"Do what?"

"You totally change the subject any time I mention telling people about you and Hot Intern Guy."

"His name is Alex, and I do not!"

"You just did," Holli pointed out.

"One time. Just one time."

"No, you did it this morning too. And the day before that. And the day before that. And the day before-"

"Alright, I get the picture."

"So why do you do it?"

"I- I really don't know. Okay, new topic!" she announced suddenly

"No! We have to talk about this! I was just making progress!"

"Not. Now." Addison said through gritted teeth,

"Why-"

"Hey Holli. Hey Manhattan," Callie greeted the duo as she pulled up a chair.

"Oh," Holli stated.

"Oh what?" Callie asked.

"Oh, just that you're the reason that Addison won't talk about why she's sleeping- ow!" Holli was cut off by Addison slapping her arm. Hard. "That hurt! Haven't I been abused enough for one lifetime?"

"Why Addison's sleeping where?" Callie asked, thoroughly confused.

"Not where, with whom," Holli answered, so Addison slapped her again. "Okay, you have got to stop slapping me; I'd prefer not to have a bruise."

"Who is Addison sleeping with?"

"The hel-" was all Holli got out before glancing at Addison and seeing her McSatan glare. But it was enough.

"The help?!" Callie screeched. People glanced over, looking at her like she was insane. "Addison's sleeping with Karev?" she asked quietly after everyone went back to eating.

"That she is."

"What? When?"

"Um…. Addison should probably tell you, I, uh, I have to, uh, go find Christina! Because I, uh, have a very urgent question and it just cannot wait!" Holli badly improvised to get away from the inevitable blow up. And then she ran.

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"Ten months?! You've been sleeping with Karev for ten months and I haven't heard about it? What is wrong with you, Addison?"

"We didn't tell anyone, not just you!"

"Holli obviously is excepted from that," Callie remarked coldly

"She lives with me. I can't keep a secret like that from her!"

"But you can from me. Thanks, Addison. I can see just how much I mean to you now."

"It's not like that, Callie! I just- I just- I don't know okay? I'm sorry, I'm a terrible person, but we already knew that. I didn't want anyone to know."

"Why?"

"Because… because… because…" Addison stuttered.

"Nice answer, Addison, real nice," Callie said icily and got up.

"Callie, wait!" Addison exclaimed, running, well more like teetering in her three inch heels, but whatever, after her. "I'm sorry, okay? I just didn't want anyone to know because I'm afraid that if it gets around then it'll be ruined and then what am I supposed to do? I can't work at a hospital with three of my exes, that's just too much to ask. Happy now?"

"Perfectly," Callie answered smugly, "I just got you to run in three inch heels."

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"What part of 'not telling anyone' do you not understand?!"

"Uh, the 'anyone' part," Holli sarcastically answered a very aggravated Addison.

"That was a rhetorical question."

"I know. But seriously, I didn't think Callie was included in the 'anyone' part. She's one of your best friends and you kept this from her for ten months. This isn't some little slumber party secret, like oh, Jimmy has a crush on Suzy sort of thing! It's humongous! You're in a real relationship that seems to be going somewhere!"

"Don't say that. Whenever someone says that, everything goes wrong."

"Addison, now you're just being stupid."

"No I'm not."

"Yeah, you are. Addi, you and Alex have a great relationship; nothing's going to ruin it. Unless, of course, you get drunk and cheat on him with McSteamy. That might do it."

"Ow," Addison winced at the verbal assault, "That was a little harsh, don't you think?" Holli just raised an eyebrow for an answer, "I said harsh, not true."

"Alright, maybe it was a little harsh. But you can't admit that it's not true."

"I give in. But can we change the subject now? It's getting a little too painful for me."

"I was only joking, Adds. I know you would never cheat on Alex. You like him too much. But I gotta go; Derek's letting me watch one of his surgeries."

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"Hey Holli, can I ask you something?" Alex asked as he fell into step with her.

"Sure. What?"

"Can we talk in private?"

"Um, where do you propose, Karev? Where do you think we'll find any privacy in this hospital?" Holli asked, turning to face him

"Good point. But I really can't ask you here."

"Can't ask me what here?"

"Well, I can't tell you that until we're in private, now can I?" Alex answered with a smirk on his face.

"Fine, but take that smirk off before I slap it off for you. We can go to Mr. Richards' room."

"Mr. who?"

"He's a guy I know. He's here and he's in a coma."

"Oh."

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"So, what did you want to ask me?" Holli asked as soon as she closed the door.

"Um, well, I-" Alex stuttered, very un-Alex like.

"Spit it out, Karev."

"I need your help."

"With what?" Holli prompted, starting to get annoyed.

"I need your help to, um, well…"

"KAREV!" Holli yelled, sounding exactly like Addison when she was annoyed (spending a lot of time around someone will do that to you).

"I need your help because I want to ask Addison to marry me. Happy now?"

if you don't review, karev's never going to ask because i'm going to hold the next chapter hostage until i get some reviews... yes, i am resorting to blackmail... no, i am not ashamed of myself