This is just a forewarning, I am not an Addison fan. I'm not going to coddle her character or be overly friendly to her. She cheated, she doesn't deserve overt kindness. But in keeping with some degree of reality, there will be nothing but professionalism between Erica and Addison when it comes to counseling. But outside of that concept, she's fair game as far as I'm concerned.

Aftermath

Chapter 7: T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Erica spent the whole ride to the hospital turning over Mark's words. It was all planned… He knew who I was. He knew how Mark felt. Why didn't he ever say anything? Her thoughts carried her all the way to the hospital parking lot. "Well, I can't exactly ask him…" She said aloud to no one in particular. She knew if she did, it would be a dead giveaway that she'd spoken to Mark and she didn't want to open that can of worms just yet. It was only a matter of time before Mark's presence was known, and when it was, she'd ask then. Besides, she had a more important issue to discuss with Derek. Much more important. "He doesn't even see this one coming." She muttered to herself. Not that she felt sorry for him, it was his fault after all.

The hospital stood in front of her, tall and imposing. Something about it irked her, made her nervous. "What is wrong with me? Why am I so nervous?" Erica asked her reflection in the visor mirror of her rented BMW. She was not typically a nervous person. "It's just Derek." She told herself.

Unfortunately, that thought wasn't really comforting her. "You have a job to do. Get out of this car and go do it." She commanded herself. She sighed heavily and grabbed her purse and stepped out of the car. She surveyed the intimidating hospital in front of her before striding toward the entrance.

She made it up to the 5th floor unnoticed. She made her way to the end of the hall to the office with Dr. Webber's name emblazoned on a door plaque. She reached for the handle but someone on the other side beat her to it and the door swung open. All of a sudden, Erica's confidence had returned as she broke into an amused smile. "Addison." She said, her voice betraying her smiling face. Addison swallowed, she hadn't expected to run into her this soon. "Erica." She replied, her voice slightly unsteady.

She wouldn't lie, she liked that she made Addison nervous. Someone had to. "Excuse me." Erica said, gesturing to the door Addison was blocking. Addison immediately jumped out of the way and began to make her way down the hall. I really shouldn't… It would be childish and petty…. Oh well. She mentally chided herself for what was about to come out of her mouth. "Oh, Addison? Could you remind Derek that we're meeting for dinner at 6:15? Tell him not to be late!" She called to the older woman. And just like that, Addison was booted off her high horse.

"That wasn't very nice." Richard said from behind her. She whirled around, smiling coyly at the older man. "Who says I have to be nice to her?" She retorted, planting her hands on her hips. "He doesn't belong to you anymore." He reminded her softly. She rolled her eyes. "Richard. He's my friend." She replied. "He's also your ex-husband. The fact that you have a history with two key members of my staff is an ethical concern. Do I need to be concerned about your professionalism?" He asked. She looked him square in the eye. "Richard, if you truly believed my professionalism would be in question, you wouldn't have had me come out here." She shot back, daring him to disagree. He sighed heavily and took a seat behind his desk, gesturing for her to take a seat opposite him. "I trust you. You're the best there is. Just fix this." He requested. She smiled. "I'll do my best." She said softly.

"Here's your hotel information, your expense card, the list of people involved and their title, the office you'll be using is 3 doors down on the left, and here's the advance payment." He finished, handing her a check for three thousand dollars. She nodded and stood. "I'll start organizing and gathering research tomorrow." She told him as she stood. He nodded. "Tomorrow then." He said as he walked her to the door. She nodded and exited his office and nervously began making her way to the lobby.

"You're having dinner with her?" Addison demanded, shoving the door of the attending locker room open. Derek was wearing dark jeans, a blue sweater with a white button down underneath it. "Yes." He replied, clicking his lock shut. "Why?" She questioned, crossing her arms in front of her. Derek turned to face her for the first time. "She's my first wife. She's a part of my past. A huge part. I've known her for over 14 years. I'm having dinner with her." He told her. "You know how I feel about her." Addison reminded him. "Yes I do. And you know how I feel about her." He retorted pointedly. I certainly do… Obviously there must be some lingering feeling there. "Do you still love her?" Addison asked after a long moment. "Addison, no matter how many times you ask me that, my answer will not change. You know how I feel." He said, clearly annoyed. "I was willing to wait out Meredith… But now I have to wait Erica out too? I don't know how to wait out the woman you were supposed to 'over' 12 years ago." She snapped. He met her harsh gaze.

"The way I see it, you should be grateful for her presence in my past." He said softly. "Why on earth would I be grateful for her?" She asked, her face registering shock at the very notion. "Well Addison, after all, she was a big part of why we're married." He said as he strode past her to meet the former love of his life in the lobby. Addison was left standing in the attending locker room alone, and hating the fact that he was right. I can't believe he walked out on me… That's twice this week. She was so caught up in her thoughts that when her cell went off, she nearly jumped out of her skin. She looked down at the number and the world stopped turning.

"There she is." Meredith said softly as she watched a leggy brunette make her way down the stairs of Seattle Grace. Meredith, Izzie and Cristina had been standing on the third floor for the last 15 minutes, waiting for the mysterious Dr. Erica Wakefield to make her entrance into the lobby. Meredith's heart had leapt into her throat when she saw Derek make his appearance 5 minutes after they'd taken up positions on the 3rd floor.

"God, look at her! I didn't know they made psychologists that looked like that!" Cristina exclaimed. Izzie slapped her on the arm, silencing her. Meredith didn't really hear, her eyes were focused on the woman. God, I knew she'd be pretty, but this is ridiculous. Meredith thought miserably. The tall brunette strode into the lobby and over to Derek. She watched as the man of her dreams face lit up and he swept Erica up into his arms. The very action vibrated through Meredith's body like a shockwave.

"That's the psych consult? Man, Grey, good luck." Alex said, coming up behind them. Izzie shot him an incredulous look. "What? That woman has T-R-O-U-B-L-E written all over her." Alex replied, spelling for effect. Meredith was too busy watching them to really even take notice of Alex.

Erica saw him before he saw her. She strode up behind him. "Shep." She said when she was right behind him. He turned on his heel and there she was. Jesus Christ look at her! I can't believe this is Erica… He scooped her up into his arms and hugged her. It felt good to be in her embrace again. "You look absolutely amazing." He whispered in the brunette's ear. "It's just make up and hairspray." She said teasingly. He pulled back, still holding her hips. "God, it's good to see you." He told her, smiling into her bright blue/green eyes. "Well, I am easy on the eyes." She joked. "You always have been. Though, you're a bit tougher on the mind." He returned. She rolled her eyes as they broke apart. "You haven't even been here 4 hours and you're already starting trouble." He remarked, referring to her earlier run-in with Addison. "What? I couldn't resist. Plus, it was informational, she needed to know where you were going to be. And we all know how secretive you are." Erica reminded him as they stepped into the parking lot. He threw her a knowing look. "All right, all right, so it was a tad vindictive. But it's not often that Addison Montgomery gets put in her place." Erica went on, obviously leaving off the 'Shepherd' part of her last name.

The obvious snub of his last name being attached to Addison was not lost on him. But Derek didn't correct her, he never did. He just smiled at her, knowing better than to even think about correcting her. "Let's go. We have a lot of catching up to do." She suggested. "I couldn't agree more." He said as he shifted his bag and offered his arm. She tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and they strode out of Seattle Grace like Mr. & Mrs. America.

Meredith just stood there, transfixed by the scene in front of her. "Mere." Izzie said, snapping her out of her reverie. "Are you OK?" Izzie questioned. "Yeah… I just, I wasn't prepared for that." She responded as she backed away from Izzie and Cristina and strode down the hall. Breathe Mere. They've been separated for 12 years. They aren't getting back together. He told you he still loved you last night. The pep talk she was giving herself was helping a bit. But she was still unsure of whether she wanted to go tonight. Derek wanted her there and she wanted to meet the woman who had Derek before anyone else. But she was also scared out of her mind, meeting her was facing the reality that Erica really existed and in Meredith sometimes slightly twisted world, she could pretend that she was the only woman Derek had ever loved.

Derek held the door of Joe's open. "Seriously Derek? We haven't seen each other in 6 years and you bring to a bar to eat? God, you know me too well." Erica said with a laugh. He waved at Joe as they took a seat in a back booth. He took a second to watch the woman in front of him. 14 years he'd known her and some things, well some things never changed. He watched her movements, able to predict her every move. First she'd tuck her left leg underneath her right. Then she'd pick up the menu and flip to the hamburger section. Next, she'd order a Dr. Pepper, she'd drink at least 5 tonight. She'd eat her cheeseburger first, picking off the onions she always forgot to tell them leave off, then her fries. Later on, when they got down to drinking, she'd order a Jack and 7.

She adjusted her left leg, which was tucked under her right as she scanned the hamburger selections. She felt him watching her. "What?" She asked, looking up at him. He shook his head and ducked his head behind his menu. She rolled her eyes and picked out her meal. The waitress showed up a few minutes later. "I'll have a cheeseburger, fries and a Dr. Pepper." She ordered. Derek ordered the same and she leaned back in the booth, ready for the long conversation ahead.

So our girl Erica has a secret agenda of her own! Seems as though she's got more than one reason for being in Seattle. I know I was vague, it was intentional. You'll just have to wait for the next chapter to find out why!

Meanwhile, why don't you click that little purple button and tell me what ya think!