a/n: see, i update fairly regularly! sorry this chapter's not quite as fun and doesn't have a lot of addex, but whatever.

PaoHalliwell: i'm sorry, but you may not kill izzie. i need her for the story. feel free once the story's over though.

Molly: seriously? i think you've gone crazy. i'm sorry but i cannot see addison as a sex slave. rather a scary thought. she'd get out of it eventualy, since she's addison and all...

McAddex: 1) aw, thank you. 2) you're welcome for the cyber-sugar. want some more? i have lots more 3) i'm sorry that you're screwed w/ your plot. i've read your stuff and i'm sure whatever you come up with will be absolutely marvelous 4) and yes, if we take over shondaland then we can get addex back. that's my entire reason for it!

everyone else: k, so we need to come up with a plan since judging by everyone's reaction we are so taking over shondaland. so they'd better watch out!

disclaimer: not yet. not yet.

"Lilacs?"

"They're so… purple."

"Birds of paradise?"

"No."

Holli rolled her eyes and threw out her last suggestion, "How about orchids?"

"Orchids?"

"Yes."

"Orchids," Addison repeated slowly as if tasting the word.

"Yes," Holli replied annoyed.

"How do you feel about orchids?" Addison yelled into the kitchen, where Alex was warming a pre-made dinner, since neither he nor Addison enjoyed cooking, they could in an emergency, but, given the choice, would prefer to stick their heads in the oven, and Holli stopped in her tracks at the mention of anything that couldn't be eaten cold or warmed in the microwave.

"If you want them then I love them," he yelled back.

"Are you just saying that? Do you secretly hate them? Because if you do, then you need to speak up now or forever hold your peace. Do you like orchids?"

"I do," he said, walking into the living room. "I do. I like the sound of that. I do," he repeated himself with a smile on his face.

"I like it too," she grinned. "But are you sure about the orchids?"

"Yes," he answered, and before she could say anything else, planted a kiss on her lips. "I'm positive. I have nothing against orchids and if they make you happy, then they're my favorite flower."

"So, orchids?" she looked between Alex and Holli. Alex nodded.

"Orchids," Holli confirmed.

"Orchids," she repeated.

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Addison was lying awake that night, thinking. Then she realized something that made her start having what seemed like a panic attack. She had to tell Derek and Richard. Derek would pretend to be happy but he would be hurt. But he had Meredith. But that still didn't mean that he wouldn't be hurt. And they were just starting to be able to talk and even had the possibility of becoming friends. Damn. It really was too bad that he had ruined her happiness one too many times for her to care about that friendship more than her impending marriage. Richard would be happy until she told him to whom she was going to be married. And then he would go off on attending/intern relationships.

She sighed. Why was this entire thing so complicated?

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"Hi Richard, do you have a moment?" Addison asked the next day, catching the Chief before he walked into his office.

"Sure. Come on in," he said, chivalrously holding the door open for her.

She sat uncomfortably in one of the chairs facing his desk. "How are you doing?" she asked to break the ice.

"I'm fine. How are you? Is there something I can help you with?"

"Yes. I mean no. Well, I don't have anything for you to help me with, anyways. I just-"

"You're nervous about something, you're babbling. Why don't you just tell me whatever it is you need to tell me?"

"I'm engaged."

"Congratulations!"

"I'm not done. I'm engaged… to Alex Karev," she continued. A brief look of what could almost be described as horror crossed the Chief's face. Then a flash of almost anger. Then it settled on a neutral mask.

"Are you happy?"

"The happiest I've been in a long time."

"Well, I don't usually encourage attending/intern relationships," Addison imperceptibly rolled her eyes, something she was very good at; she knew there was going to be something about that, "But if you're happy and you're serious…"

"No, Richard, I'm just engaged for a laugh. It's all a big joke; I'm not actually serious about getting married. So sorry if I gave you any other impression," she butted in sarcastically.

"IF," he talked over her, "it doesn't interfere with your patients, then I suppose it's all right. Congratulations. My best wishes," he dismissed her.

"Thank you," she answered, standing up and leaning over his desk to give him a daughterly peck on the cheek, then walking out.

One down, one to go.

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She cleared her throat to get his attention. "Addi, hi," he said, surprised at her presence.

"Derek. Can we talk?" she asked quietly.

He looked over at Meredith who was standing there quietly. She nodded. "Sure."

"Alone? Not that I don't totally love your new girlfriend and want to talk to her, but I just need to talk to you. Alone. No offense Meredith."

"Not a problem," Meredith answered, "Enjoy your chat," she said amiably and walked away.

"So, what's up? I'd like to avoid your rambling, so why don't you just flat out say it."

"I'm engaged. To Karev."

"That's great!" he exclaimed, maybe a tad overenthusiastic.

"Thanks."

"That's so… great!" he exclaimed again.

"You hate it," Addison stated flatly.

"It's just… I…"

"It's okay. I get it. I feel the same way about you; I want you happy, but it still hurts sometimes that I'm not the one making you happy. I mean, don't get me wrong, I think Meredith is terrific and I can see that you're so much happier than when we were married, but still. It hurts sometimes."

"Exactly. Hey Addi?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry that I was such an ass when we were married."

"It's okay."

"I wish things had worked out between us."

"I don't," she said. Derek winced, "I mean, I'm sorry that they didn't, but I found Alex and you found Meredith because things didn't work out and I think that that's how it was meant to go. I'm sorry I slept with your best friend."

Derek laughed. "You're right, but I'd forgotten how blunt you can be. I missed it. I missed you."

"Don't think of it as blunt; think of it as brutally honest and straightforward. I missed you too. But we don't have to be strangers who hate each other. We can be friends, can't we?"

"It seems strange, don't you think? I mean, usually divorced people aren't friends."

"So? We're Derek and Addison; we can make it through anything. Including a divorce."

Derek laughed at the mention of their previously indestructible couple mantra, 'We're Derek and Addison; we can make it through anything'. How many times had he heard that? The last time was the worst night ever, the night he had found Addison and Mark in bed together and his life had come crashing down around him. The fact that he was able to laugh at those same words, coming from the same lips that had uttered them that night, was a huge deal. "Alright. Friends?"

"Friends," she affirmed, awkwardly holding out her hand for him to shake. He grabbed it and pulled her into a tentative hug. She laughed at the strangeness of the situation and hugged him back.

They were going to be okay. Everything would be alright.

i really have nothing to say, except that i'll see y'all later when we take over shondaland! reviews please!