So here we are again:) See this update was a lot faster than the last one:) AND it's a long chapter. So hopefully you all will enjoy it and tell us what you think!! Thank you so much for all your reviews for the last chapter. We appreciate them so much:D You all are the best!! And on to chapter 3...

Stolen Moments and Goodbyes

Alex and Addison had spent the last few days taking in the sites and truly enjoying each other's company. Of course they still liked to argue and both of them refused to back down, but it was all in good fun.

Alex was flying back to Seattle at 3:00pm the following day, so they wanted to make today special. Addison had asked Alex what he would like to do and he wanted to spend the day in Central Park walking around and taking in the sites. Basically, he wanted to relax with what he now considered 2 very important people in his life. Not that he would say it out loud because that was pointless. He still kicked himself for the way things had turned out. After all it was his fault she went back to Mark in the first place.

They had a few moments of intimacy. Nothing too much but he would catch her looking at him, she would catch him smiling at her and when either one of them passed Ella to the other one their hands and arms would touch and they would both look away, ignoring the fact that they both felt something at the slightest touch.

"So are you ready to go?" Addison asked.

"Yep, I think we have everything."

Addison and Alex, along with a wrapped up Ella, caught a cab and made their way to Central Park. They enjoyed a walk, even if Ella slept the majority of the trip. They found a park bench and sat down to enjoy the view. Alex picked Ella up and fed her with her bottle.

"You know, if I didn't know better I would say you are quite smitten with my daughter." Addison said smiling.

"I am. She is just perfect. But if you repeat that to anyone I will deny it." He said with a dry sense of humour.

"Well Alex I don't think anyone would believe me. Alex Karev a baby lover, no one would believe that. You have a reputation of a bad ass to protect." Addison said in a teasing tone.

"That's right. You are just lucky that I let my guard down around you. The crazy thing is I don't really know how that happened." He said with a slight chuckle.

"Me neither Alex, but I'm really glad it did." She said smiling softly.

Feeling a little awkward, Alex decided to get some lunch for the two of them.

"Mmm so tell me Miss New Yorker, is it true that you must eat a hot dog when visiting this fine state.?"

"Well it is a little touristy but just between you and me, when I was in Seattle, hot dogs from a Central Park vendor was one of the things I missed the most."

"Ok sold. I'm getting one. What do you have on yours?"

"Just mustard."

"Alright I will go and get 3."

"3?" Addison asked.

"Well I thought Ella might want one."

'Mmm using my baby as an excuse to eat 2 hot dogs."

"Not exactly. She may want to try it." He said laughing.

"Hardly" Addison said rolling her eyes.

Alex returned shortly after with 3 hot dogs.

"I could get used to this. I really don't want to go back to work."

"I know. I don't want you to go. It's been so great having you here. I think Ella is going to miss you."

"If I tell you this you have to vow to tell no-one." He said trying to sound serious.

"I promise." Addison said in the most serious tone she could muster. It wasn't working.

"I'm going to miss Ella too. I'm also going to miss her mom." Alex said as he looked in to her eyes and glanced down at her lips. In doing so he started to laugh. There was a spot of mustard on the side of Addison's mouth.

Addison was laughing nervously at his honest comment but didn't know why he was laughing. Maybe this was a new Alex because the old one would have never admitted to something so openly. Once his laughing stopped, Addison's died down as well as she looked at his serious expression.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Alex reached out his hand and gently used the pad of his thumb to rid her of the mustard. Her mouth slightly fell open at his touch and she looked at him with intense eyes.

He wiped his thumb on a napkin while still looking at Addison. She was watching him. He could tell. His hand now moved back to caress her face and she did nothing to stop him. Her breath hitched in her throat as he slightly leaned in, expecting her to make the next move. She debated for about 2 seconds before leaning in as well as their lips met in the middle for a brief kiss. His other hand moved up to her face and she angled her head a little to deepen the kiss. Addison placed her hands on his shoulders for balance as his tongue moved slightly against hers and she whimpered a little at the sensation.

Everything they had been feeling for each other, whatever it was, was put into that kiss. It was so tender that it almost felt like it didn't happen, but as they pulled back, they realized the gravity of the situation and that in fact, it did happen. And it would happen again if they weren't careful so Addison spoke up first.

"Oh we should get going." Addison said doing everything she could to avoid his eyes. "I want to bathe Ella and I need to make a few calls."

What the fuck was I thinking?? I can't just kiss Alex. I'm with Mark; Mark is the father of my child. I'll just try and keep my distance.

"Um ahh yeah we should go. I need to pack and make a call to the airport and make sure the flight is still on."

They packed up their things, put Ella back into her stroller, and made their way home. The trip was a little awkward and uncomfortable. Neither one of them knew what to say. Ignoring it was probably the best idea.

Oh Christ that kiss was wrong. I know it was. I mean fuck she is with Sloan. The ass that he is. But I know it felt right. I know she felt it too. This is a bad situation. Good thing I'm going home tomorrow.

Alex retreated to the guest room and began to pack his things. He made a few calls and took his time going back downstairs. Right now he just needed a little time away from them. He never thought he could be "that guy"; the guy who wanted to have a family. He still wasn't sure, but the way he felt when he was with Addison and her child made him think that it would be the most natural thing in the world. Stop it! They are not your family and never will be. They belong to Mark. They are Mark's family.

Addison bathed Ella, then changed and fed her. She sat in the nursery's rocking chair and held her as she rocked her to sleep.

What are you doing Addison? Alex is your friend. That is it and nothing more. You can't have any type of feelings for him other than friendship. It's not right. But I do, I really do. If only things were different.

AddexAddexAddexAddexAddexAddexAddexAddex

Dinner was a little strained and they tried perhaps a little too hard at pretending the kiss didn't happened. After a polite amount of time, Alex excused himself and went to bed. He still had a baby monitor in his room. One of course was in Ella's room and the other was in Addison and Mark's bedroom.

Mark came home late and got into bed with Addison. From what Alex could hear on the monitor it was getting a little heated. All he could hear were moans and gasps. It was driving him crazy; he didn't want to turn the baby monitor off just in case he should get up to feed Ella, so he put the pillow over his head and tried to get some sleep. As soon as he could hear voices though he pulled the pillow off his head and listened.

"Mark, baby you have to stop."

"Why? We haven't had sex in so long babe and I need it. I really, really need it." Mark said before resuming kissing.

"Mark stop!" Addison said in a firm voice. "I can't and you know that. I can't have sex for 6 weeks after giving birth. I'm sorry but you are going to have to wait."

"Look your body might have shut down, but mine hasn't. I need it babe. I'm sure it will be okay. I promise I will be gentle." Mark said trying to persuade her.

"I said No! Now stop it." Addison was getting really angry now.

Alex was in the guest room debating on what to do. Should he go in and help her? No that wouldn't work. Addison can handle herself but if it goes any further he will go in and take great joy in punching the great Mark Sloan in the face.

"Fine!" Have it your way, as usual." Mark said nastily.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh I don't know Addison. How about for starters you invite someone to stay with us when we have just brought our daughter home. Or the fact I really don't like him and he has done nothing but intrude on our time."

"Our time? You have got to be kidding. Mark, you aren't here! Alex is my friend; actually he is the only friend I have here at the moment. I have no friends in New York; remember everyone took Derek's side."

"You have friends." Mark said lamely.

"Yeah I do, they all just happen to live in Seattle."

"Whatever."

"Look, Alex means a great deal to me and to be truthful he has been a huge help to me this week. He is amazing with Ella. She loves him to pick her up and talk to her."

"Well Alex IS NOT her father. I am. So he had better just go on back to Seattle and keep out of our lives."

"You know what Mark, if you spent half the time with Ella that Alex does then maybe you would find that Ella wouldn't scream every time you pick her up."

"Are you finished?"

"Sure" She said sarcastically.

"Good because I for one have had enough about how fabulous Dr Karev is. Good night."

In the guest room Alex was smiling. She really does care about me. I just wish things could be different. I wish I could take both of them back to Seattle with me. I will see if she will admit anything to me tomorrow about just how bad her relationship with Mark is.

AddexAddexAddexAddexAddexAddexAddexAddex

The next day arrived and Alex, Addison and Ella went out for brunch at one of Addison's favoured cafes. Things had gone back to normal and they both enjoyed their usual banter. Alex thought he would tread gently and ask her how she was doing.

"So Addie, is everything okay?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

"Look you told me the thing you like about me is my honesty, right?"

"Well yes."

"Well I just have to wonder why, after the birth of his first child, Mark isn't around. It's not like he couldn't afford to take some time off to... to... you know spend with you and Ella. Get to know her."

"Alex, Mark does love Ella and me and he is just trying to build up his practice again. I understand. He has to do this."

"Actually no Addie he doesn't. Surely spending time with his 2 girls should be more important than any practice. For God's sake he is Mark Sloan. People travel from everywhere to see him. He could take a month off."

"Please don't. I don't want to get into an argument with you on your last day. I have to take you to the airport in an hour. I don't want that last hour to be spent fighting and being angry with each other."

"But Addison I'm your friend and I'm concerned. You deserve better."

"I said everything is fine. I'm happy. I love Mark now please just drop it." She said in a harsh tone.

Fine you want to lie to me, go ahead. I thought you trusted me. I guess I was wrong.

"Okay if that's what you want. We should get going to the airport. I don't want to be late." He said.

And there it is. The old Alex Karev is back. Cold, distant and shut off, all because I won't tell him the truth. Tell him he was right all along that Mark is a jerk. Well I just can't do that. I have to make this work with Mark. I just have too. For Ella's sake.

The drive to the airport was strained to say the least. Addison tried to make conversation with Alex, but he had completely shut off all emotion towards her. He couldn't believe that after all that had happened this week that she still didn't trust him enough to tell him the truth.

Alex just looked out the window as the buildings passed by and answered Addison with single words. She sighed and continued to drive. Ella was fast asleep in her carseat when Alex turned around to look at her. He smiled softly at how peaceful she looked. Addison caught this and although she didn't say anything, she smiled to herself at how wonderful he was with her daughter and how much she was going to miss him.

They arrived at the airport a few minutes early and Alex unpacked his things from the car. Addison left Ella in the backseat as she and Alex said their goodbyes. She didn't really know what to do or say. This was the last time she was going to see him for a while. She hated that they were fighting.

"So I guess this is it?" Addison said nervously.

"Yeah. I guess so. Thanks for letting me stay at your place."

"You're welcome anytime. You know that."

"Yeah well I don't think I'll be coming back to stay there. Mark wasn't too keen on the idea. I don't want to intrude on his time with Ella." Alex replied sarcastically.

Oh God he heard the fight. How could he hear the fight? Oh my God! Stupid fucking baby monitor. That's how he knew there was something wrong. Fuck, how could I be so stupid?

"Alex, I didn't..."

"Save it Addison. I'm leaving so Mark shouldn't have any problem bonding with Ella. I just wish you could have trusted me enough to tell me the truth."

Alex regretted saying it as soon as the words left his mouth. He saw how much it hurt her but his pride wouldn't let him apologize.

"Addison, I shouldn't have said anything. It's none of my business. I'm just worried about you and Ella. I just want you to be happy."

"Thank you Alex. Look for Ella's sake I have to try and make this work. Please understand. I need to at least know that I did everything I could to save my relationship."

"Well Addie, you do what you have too." Alex said more sad than angry.

He turned to the backseat and opened the door to give Ella a kiss goodbye.

"Take care of your mother little one. I hope we'll be seeing each other again soon."

Addison's heart broke. Why couldn't Mark be like this with Ella? After all, she was his daughter.

Alex shut the door gently so to not wake Ella up and turned to face her mother.

"Take care of yourself, Addie. You know you're always welcome in Seattle. We miss you." With that said, he reached out and touched her face lightly and kissed her forehead.

"Goodbye Alex. And thank you. For everything."

"Yeah don't mention it." Addison laughed at his standoff-ish comment. She knew deep down he meant it. He sheepishly smiled and asked, "So I'll see you and Ella out in Seattle sometime?"

"Yeah hopefully."Addison said non commitedly.

As much as Addison didn't want Alex to leave she had to put Mark first. He was the man she was trying to build a life with and keeping in close contact with Alex was only confusing things.

"Have a safe flight. Let me know when you land."

"Will do. See you Addie."

"See you Alex."

After watching Alex disappear through the doors, Addison got into the car and cried. And when Addison cried, Ella cried. The connection she shared with her daughter still amazed her and she secretly wondered if Ella was feeling the loss as much as she was.

Happy Addex is always good Addex right? So far this is our favorite chapter so we hope you agree!! It's going to get a little more angsty from here...Let us know what you think and thanks again for reading!

Kaz and Jaz