a/n: hey peeps, sorry this took for like ever to get up, but i hit some writers block and then things just went all screwy and anyways, it's here now so just be happy. there's only going to be like two or three more chapters and then this is going to be done. aw, that's kind of sad... but it's time, i can tell.

disclaimer: i don't own anyone, because that is slavery and it is illegal in the US.

Alex could tell that Addison was trying her best to act normal, but he could see that Holli's disappearance was taking a toll on her. She was doing her best to appear like she was a happy soon to be bride, but he could see through it. He knew her better than he knew himself sometimes.

They were eating lunch together when Izzie came and plopped herself down into a chair at their table. Addison looked at her, confused. "I officially hate you," Izzie informed Alex. "Not only did you not tell me that you were dating her until you were engaged, but you stuck me with Sloane. I officially hate you."

She was making an effort to act normal, like she hadn't completely embarrassed herself the day before. Addison appreciated that, it was terrible to be in love with someone and not have them love you back and yet Izzie was making the effort to stay friends with Alex. She smiled at Izzie, "I need an intern for a c-section for later today, you want in?"

"Absolutely!" Izzie said. Then she turned her attention to Alex. "Well, aren't you going to kiss your fiancée or anything?"

"Izzie-"

"No. Kiss her, Alex. Please? I just- I need closure, okay? It's not like I'm asking you to do something horrible. I'm asking you to kiss the love of your life, why are you questioning me?"

That was a very good question. Why was he not kissing his fiancée? They were officially out in the open, they could do such things. So he leaned over and kissed her softly. She smiled, but it was a sad smile, one that didn't reach her eyes. Her eyes filled up with tears but she kept her composure.

Izzie looked around. "Where's Holli?"

Addison let out a cry and ran from the cafeteria. "Nice job, Izzie. Real nice," Alex spat as he got up to run after her.

Izzie felt all eyes on her, being the last person on the scene, "What?" she asked everyone. They immediately turned back to their lunches.

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Alex found Addison in a supply closet, sitting on an overturned bucket and sobbing. He knelt down beside her. "You need to go home."

She looked up at that. "I- I can't go home," she sniffed. "P-people need me."

"People don't need you like this. People can wait."

"But… but…"

"Go home Addison."

It was the first time he had ever really, seriously ordered her around and she looked at him, shocked. But it seemed to work and she agreed to head home. He walked her to the Chief's office to make her excuses and stood outside the door, waiting for her. She walked out and told him that Richard had told him to go home too, so they walked out of the hospital, him with an arm around her waist and her leaning into him, with everyone watching them.

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Holli spent the morning listening to her mother drivel on about New York and how everyone would be so glad that she had her daughter back. It was giving her a headache, well, making her headache worse. On the plus side, though, was the fact that because her mother was blabbering on, she required no responses, allowing Holli time to form a plan. It wasn't a complicated plan by any means. It consisted of getting out of the room, the hotel, and then running. And once she had sufficiently lost her mother she would either ask someone to borrow their cell phone or for some spare change for a pay phone, probably option number two. And once she got a phone she would call Addison's cell and get her to come pick her up. Not exactly rocket science.

After two hours, Marcie finally announced that it was time to go. Holli grabbed one of the suitcases, knowing it made her look like she had submitted. She was quiet and sullen the entire elevator ride and out the door, but the second they hit the streets she dropped the suitcase and started sprinting, concentrating on the street ahead of her rather than the pounding in her head or her mother yelling and attempting to chase after her in heels. After the first mile she hit her stride and the adrenaline made the pounding in her head stop for now. She earned herself some stares, but looking normal wasn't exactly her top priority at that moment.

She burst into a Denny's, looking sweaty and disheveled, making everyone look at her strangely. "Do you have a pay phone?" she asked the hostess. The hostess nodded towards the hallway that held the bathrooms. "Do you happen to have change for the phone?" Holli asked awkwardly, "It's kind of an emergency."

The hostess, who had apparently lost all ability to speak, looked at her like she was crazy and shook her head. Fortunately a kind older woman took pity on her and handed her the change she needed. She went down the hall and dialed Addison's number.

"Hello?" Addison's voice sounded raw, like she had been crying.

"Addi?" Holli whispered. "Can you come get me?"

"Holli! Oh my God, I was so worried and Alex and I were out all night looking for you and thank God you're okay. Where are you?"

"You know that Denny's by the airport?"

"I'll be there in ten minutes, don't move."

Ten minutes later Addison was bursting through the doors of the restaurant. Holli ran over and flung her arms around her neck and burst out sobbing. She started talking incoherently about something. All Addison understood were the words 'Mom' and 'kidnap' but she got the general idea.

"Your mom kidnapped you?" Holli nodded. "That's it, I'm calling the police."

Holli did nothing to stop her but merely requested that she call from home. The ride home was filled with anxious questions making sure she was alright. Holli assured Addison that she was fine, except she might have a concussion. They were stopped at a light when Addison suddenly turned to her. "How do you feel about September?"

"Um, September? It's, um, kind of the start of school. So it's kind of all new, I guess. And it's the start of fall too. I guess I like it. Why are we talking about September?"

"Because I think that's when the wedding's going to be."

"Ooh, can you have it on a school day so I can get out of school? Have it on a Friday! Three day weekend!"

"Um, I'll see what I can do," Addison laughed. "Have I mentioned how happy I am that you're safe?"

"Several times, in fact." They pulled into the driveway of the house. Holli sprinted out of the car when she saw that Alex was sitting on the porch looking anxious. "Alex!" she screeched before throwing herself into his arms. She looked up at the two adults who had been so worried about her. "God, my head hurts," she announced.

"We need to get her to the hospital, make sure she's okay," Addison told Alex.

"What happened?" he asked, noting the bruises on her face.

"Her mother-"

"My ex-mother," Holli interrupted as they returned to Addison's car.

"Her ex-mother," Addison repeated, "kidnapped her. And that is why I'm calling the police and you are driving," she explained as she pulled out her cell phone.

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After an extensive check out by Derek, it was determined that Holli had a small concussion, but nothing to worry about. Addison came in after getting off the phone with the police, who had assured her that they would catch Marcie. She anxiously asked about all the results of Holli's tests, which annoyed Holli to no end.

"Hey, Addi?" Holli said from the bed where she was sitting.

"Uh-huh?" Addison was pacing and biting the nail on her pointer finger, a bad nervous habit that she really needed to stop.

"You're hovering. Stop hovering. You're annoying me. And while you're at it, stop pacing, for God's sake, you're going to wear through the floor."

"I'm sorry, it's just, I don't know, I worry about you."

"I know you do, sweetie, and it's really sweet of you, but you've got to chillax. Just sit back and relax. I'm fine, you know I'm fine, I know I'm fine, Derek knows I'm fine, everyone knows I'm fine. Chillax."

"You're the one with the black eye and concussion. You're not supposed to be the calm one, you're supposed to be the one who's freaking out. I'm supposed to be the calm one." Addison pointed out.

"Well, if you're going to freak out, at least start freaking out about something worthwhile, like, I don't know, maybe your wedding?"

"I so don't even want to think about that right now. Because if I do, then I will probably have a panic attack and I really can't have a panic attack right now."

"You're already having a panic attack. Deep breaths, Addison, deep breaths. Chill."

"I really can't chill right now, okay, Holli?"

Holli got up and opened the door to the hallway where Alex was waiting. "Get in here and calm down your fiancée, she's going insane," she ordered. Alex nodded and walked into the room. He didn't say anything, just pulled her into a hug and stroked her hair. She closed her eyes and she calmed down, he had that effect on her.

"Addi, calm down. It's okay. Holli's home safe and the police are looking for Marcie and almost everything is ready for the wedding. There's nothing to worry about."

"I know. You're right. You're right." She took a deep breath. "God, what would I do without you?"

"Freak out over everything?"

"Probably," she laughed. "I love you."

"I love you too. Are you okay now?"

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm fine. Fine."

"You don't sound fine."

"Give me a moment and I will be."

"You guys are cute," Holli commented from the door where she had been standing the entire time.

They both looked over, startled. "We should get her home," Addison said. She walked over to Holli and threw an arm around her shoulders. "Let's go home."

Holli looked at Alex expectantly. He took his cue and walked over and laced his fingers through Addison's. She smiled at him. He kissed her and said, "Sure."

"Onward and outward!" Holli exclaimed, pointing out the door. They walked out of the hospital, Addison with an arm around Holli and hand in hand with Alex, and as they did, she realized something.

She had a family again.

that was far too sappy an ending for my taste, but whatever, i couldn't come up with a better way to end it, which makes me kind of sad. oh well...

-Lauren