A/N: So I'm becoming enthralled in another story that I started writing that is Addek using the current situation. It is
really hard trying to write an Addek story based on current events so I'm making an AU. But back to this story, in this
chapter Mark does something people won't like but I thought it was necessary for the character's growth so don't give up
on him. Also Derek, is humble in this chapter and a humble Derek is always good so let me know your thoughts.

Chapter 13

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Mark looked up from his coffee at the woman who had just planted herself down across from him. He cleared his mind as he realized she was the last person he wanted to see at the moment.

"Dr. Grey, how can I help you?"

Meredith smiled at him slyly, "I think I'm the one who can help you. I was wondering if the two dirty mistresses wanted to get together after work for a drink."

Mark automatically opened his mouth to retort a negative answer but then realized that this might be his chance out. He was becoming too emotionally attached to Callie and needed to pull back before he lost his mind and his heart to the pretty Latina woman with a big heart and smile. Maybe a fling with Meredith would be just the thing to prove to himself that he could still keep it strings free with Callie.

"We can go out on one condition."

Meredith leaned forward in her chair intrigued, "I'm listening."

Mark smiled, "That we not mention Derek or Addison Shepherd. I'm getting tired of talking about the latest gossip and I'm sure you're tired as well."

Meredith grinned, "If you hadn't made that concession that would've been my next thought. So I'll see you after work?"

Mark nodded and as she left the chair she leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips. "Hmm, that Mocha cappuccino is good; I'll have to get one."

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Addison looked at Miranda and Callie, "Let me apologize again, I hadn't planned on staying all night. I was going to come back but Derek started whimpering my name in his sleep and so then I started…"

Miranda put out her hand to cut her off, "I don't think we want to hear anymore. Just promise me hell promise both of us that the next time you feel the need to sneak out in the middle of the night even if it's to go back to your McIdiot; you will at least leave a freaking note!"

Addison flinched back as said, "Your right, I'm sorry. But enough about me, what was the bet that you guys were laughing about when I came in?"

Callie smirked, "Miranda bet me that she could get Derek to blush the same color red that was in your hair. I stupidly believed that she didn't have that type of power but I was mistaken."

Addison laughed in hysterics and then gasped, "Oh my god what did you tell him…. Hey wait Callie you never told me what happened with Mark."

Callie leaned back in her chair, "Should I tell her Miranda? She did ditch us to go with McPanty."

Miranda shook her head, "I told you last night he was now being dubbed McBraindead…Don't forget it….but you can't keep all of this good info to yourself so spill so we are all on the same page."

Callie smiled, "Mark and I are at a good place now I'm not saying our next stop is the altar but it's definitely at a good place. I'm pretty excited and I think he's starting to come around that we could be more than a no-strings sexual relationship."

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Derek kicked the door open as he shuffled with the bags from the drive-through breakfast place he had encountered and entered his trailer.

The women were sitting at the table talking to Addison about gossip and they looked up when he came in and Callie stood up to help him with the bags.

"Thanks Callie, I can see why Mark came over last night and was pouting about you. It was enough for a man to have sympathy even if I still liked the adulterous sociopath."

Callie stopped mid-step to the table and turned around and looked at him in confusion, "Mark Sloan, you're ex best-friend? He was here, I know you said you talked but I thought it was on the phone but he came over here? What's up with that?"

She looked to Addison for guidance but she shrugged her shoulders, "Don't ask me to figure out the inner workings of Mark Sloan's mind."

Derek crossed his arms in pleasure as he heard his wife shrug off the thought of Mark Sloan so nonchalantly, he finally realized that the anger he was holding against Mark was useless if he wasn't in competition with the man for the hand of his wife. "Mark was upset that I pissed off my wife and ruined his booty call."

Addison choked on the juice that she had been sipping at the remembrance of using those same words with Mark a couple of weeks ago and Derek came over and hovered over and helped ease her through her coughing spell.

Callie smirked at him, "Do you think you could be a little less vulgar when talking in front of your wife and unborn child?"

Miranda nodded and scooted Derek out of the way and started rubbing Addison's back.

Miranda glared at him and said, "Now do you really want to tell us why Mark came over here or are you going to blurt out more obscenities at your wife and unborn child?"

Derek leaned over and apologized, "I'm sorry that was inappropriate of me and I do apologize, I was just pissed that I was trying to get some sleep and here comes Mark knocking at the door complaining about my relationship with Addison."

Addison leaned forward, "What was he complaining about?"

Derek smiled and said, "He missed Callie. Our fight ruined his night and he was ticked that I involved his Callie in the fight. He said that he should've been sleeping on her chest and instead he was stumbling around drunk with me."

Addison smiled as she looked at Callie, "See, your bringing him around yet."

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An Hour Later

Miranda and Callie had shied off minutes later after they speedily downed their breakfast stating they had to go to work. Derek had disappeared in the bedroom while Addison busied herself cleaning up the kitchen.

She knew that they needed to discuss things and even though Miranda had made Derek state that he didn't want a divorce, she was still frightened. Now that she was remembering what her life was like alongside Derek she didn't want to give up those feelings and those emotions now that she was slowly starting to trust them again.

The door to their bedroom opened and Derek came out dressed in slacks and a tie ready for work. Derek sat down in front of her and exhaled a deep breath. He took her hands and said, "What are your plans for the day? I asked Richard for the day off and he let me have it after I finish the one surgery I have pending but I wanted to check and see if it was okay if I stayed here with you."

Addison nodded, "I would like it if we spent the day together." Addison spoke so softly that Derek had to strain to hear her and as he pulled her closer he noticed how she felt stiff in his arms. He pulled her back and cradled her face in his hands, "Addi, what's wrong?"

She launched herself in his arms and started crying, "Derek, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to fight with you yesterday; the last thing I want is a divorce. If you still want to try for this marriage, I'm still willing but if you think that you need to leave…"

Derek pulled back from her in shock and tried to look into her eyes. She wouldn't meet his eyes so he pulled up her face to meet his and said, "Addison Forbes Montgomery Shepherd now I know I've been an ass to you but I never would never grant you a divorce because of a fight that we had and not especially one when you're pregnant."

Addison nodded as she let the sincerity of his voice cleanse her wounds, "I just know that this reconciliation between us is still new so I don't want to pressure you into believing that you have to be with me…If at anytime you realize that I'm not the one that you want…."

Derek tried to interrupt her but Addison shook her head and placed a finger over his lips, "Just let me finish what I need to say before these damn hormones get a hold of me again and I want to throw something at you. If at anytime during this pregnancy or even after and you feel that I'm not the one, that maybe it was Meredith you were in love with I need you to tell me. I need you to promise that you will tell me, I can't be in this marriage by myself again. It was too hard on me the first time and with a child, I don't want to subject her or him to an absent father or myself to an absent husband. Please, promise me that you will be honest with me at least about this."

Addison had started to openly weep at this time and Derek felt the tears come to his eyes as well. He had never been a man opened to weeping, or crying it always seemed unnecessary to him but hearing the hurt, no shattered woman and realizing that he had helped cause that made him loathe himself even more. He was in effect a SOB, one who didn't stop until he broke the fragile, loving woman in front of him. As he held her and the tears overcame her he started rubbing her back as she finally quieted down.

"Addie, let me say this. I don't deserve you, I never deserved you but if you feel that you need a promise like that before you continue on with our marriage then you have it. I promise that if I ever feel like that I will tell you, however I need the same from you. If another guy comes along, one that I couldn't kill and you still love him let me know and I will try to do the noble thing and step aside. I can't promise that it will happen though, because without a doubt you are it for me and just because it took me longer to realize it doesn't make it any less of a fact. I love you Addison Forbes Montgomery Shepherd and I love our baby and I want to be with you both always."

Addison nodded at the genuineness in his voice and as her voice cracked she spoke, "And I love you, Derek Marcus Shepherd."

Thoughts Please! Thanks, EP