C H A P T E R T W O

Addison's first night at the hotel was restless. He mind had been racing at the speed of light going over her conversation with Derek that night. She analyzed his tone and his mannerisms, down to every last voice inflection, eyebrow raise and hand placement. Addison knew he was mad she was there. He liked his new bubble he had built in Seattle, away from her. But Addison had every intention of popping that bubble and bringing him home. It wouldn't be easy; Derek had made that perfectly clear that night. But Addison was convinced that with enough subtle flirting and witty tactics to remind Derek of how good they used to be together, she could bring him home without resorting to using restraints.

Addison's alarm was set for 6:30am, but there was no need for it seeing as she had been awake since 4am. Her alarm actually startled her as she putting the final touches on her wardrobe. She realized that she had forgotten to turn her alarm off when she had woken up two and a half hours ago and accepted that fact that there was no hope of her ever falling back asleep.

Once Addison was fully put together, she took one final look in the mirror and was satisfied. She left the hotel trying to hold on to her confidence, hoping it would not diminish by the time she reached the hospital.

She had a meeting with Richard at 8am, but since she arrived at Seattle Grace Hospital at 7:15am, even with the ferryboat delay, she figured it was time for more coffee. Apparently two cups at the hotel wasn't enough for Addison.

Addison didn't spot Derek anywhere in the cafeteria and deducted that he was either in surgery or not at the hospital yet. Either that or he had some kind of special 'Addison radar' and knew how to stay within on hundred feet of her at all times. Hoping for the best, Addison went with one of the first two.

It had been two or three years since Addison had seen Richard Webber. Unfortunately, the last time she had seen him he hadn't been enduring recovery from a surgery that helped remove a tumor pressing on his optic nerve. Addison's husband, being the brilliant world class brain surgeon he was, was the lucky one to landed Chief Webber's surgery and fortunate Addison was planning on seeing Derek during her meeting with Richard while Derek would most likely be checking up on Richard's recovery. Fortunate Addison.

The wall clock read '7:47am' and Addison, being as anxious as a kindergartener on the first day of school, decided it was close enough to go-time. She clamped her briefcase to her side and clicked her high heels on the linoleum hospital floor as she headed to the surgery recovery wing of Seattle Grace. After two small knocks on Richard's patient room door, Addison let herself in and her face immediately melted into a warm smile at the sight of her dear old friend, Richard Webber.

"Richard," Addison said, still smiling, and she sat on the edge of his white blanketed bed. "So good to see you!"

Richard sat up a little and grasped Addison's hands in his. "Addie," Richard replied, using the nickname only a select handful of people could call Addison Shepherd. "Now, you're a sight for sore eyes."

The two laughed at Richard obviously literal joke after his surgery to better Richard's eyes sight.

"I missed you," Addison said and squeezed Richard's hands. "How are you feeling?"

"Oh, I've been better," Richard admitted. "'Course, I've been worse, too."

"The surgery went okay?"

"The surgery went just fine," Richard reassured Addison. "I mean, it's Derek." Richard's face flushed red with slight embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Addison."

Addison forced a weak smile. "Hey, I'm fine," Addison said breezily. "Let's talk about this Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome case. What do we have on it?"

Dr. Addison Shepherd and Dr. Richard Webber discussed Addison's neo-natal case for a while longer until the issues were worn down and the two doctors ran out of medical topics to discuss. Before Addison could worry about Richard bringing up the touchy subject of her and Derek's separation, Derek Shepherd himself walked into Richard's room.

"Richard," Derek said with a nod towards him, not breaking his eye contact. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, Derek," Richard said in a tired voice as if the question had been constantly flowing from Derek's mouth since the surgery. "Do you want to say 'hi' to your wife?"

Derek clamped his teeth together and his jaw tightened. He slowly twisted his neck so he was facing Addison. "Hi, Addison."

Addison smiled graciously and politely. "Hello, Derek."

Derek turned back to Richard the second Addison was finished speaking. "I'm gonna do a quick exam on you."

"Derek, I'm fine," Richard repeated with more agitation in his voice than before.

"I'm sure you are," Derek said. "I just want to make sure."

Richard rolled his eyes as Derek pulled his stethoscope from around his neck.

"I'm gonna get out of your way," Addison suggested and slid towards the door.

"Addison," Richard said to grab her attention before she left. "The patient's chart is up at the front desk if you want to get a head start on it. Ask Miranda Bailey for one of her interns to assist you on the case. If you have any questions…I'll be here."

Addison smiled gratefully at Richard's kindness. "Thanks Richard. Good to see you again."

"You too, Addie."

Addison's smile quickly faded as she entered the hallway on her journey to the front desk. She balled her hands into tight fists and bit the inside of her cheek. He didn't even look at her. Not once! Okay, once, but only for half of a second to say a stiff 'hello' which was forced by his box. Even when she and Derek had lived in New York together – after everything fell apart – they still communicated with one another. They yelled most of the time, but at least it was talking. Addison wasn't sure what to make of this cold shoulder of his, but she took it as a bad sign. A very bad sign.