Author's Note: Hey guys, first of all...I want to say thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I love the storyline, and I love the couple. But, sadly, due to the fact that Kate is now heading to the Grey's spin-off, word on the street is that Addex isn't happening...at least as bog as we hoped, or until the spin off fails and she returns to SGH.
In any case, this chapter is a little different, and I know that some of the medical information isn't as technical or as in depth as it could/should be...but I'm not a doctor, so bare with me. I try to make everything as accurate as I can. Anyway, thanks for reading the story thus far...now enjoy chapter ten, 'Wreck of the Day' (and yes, the title is borrowed from the Anna Nalick song)...and leave me a review, please!
Disclaimer: I don't own Grey's Anatomy. But we would definately be getting Addex if I did.
The hallway was bare, save for a few nurses walking by, and for once, Addison found herself thankful. She was getting to a point where being alone was okay. She stared back into the window of the Chief's office, watching Alex's expression as Chief Webber explained to him. Alex would assure the Chief that everything would be fine, that he intended to help her, but he wouldn't let it get in the way of his work. That was the way it had to be, Addison decided, hurriedly running off to check on a patient.
Upon entering the room, she stared silently at the baby sleeping in the incubator. Cautiously, she slipped her hand in, watched as a tiny hand folded intself against her. The baby just had a surgery, and by the look of her vital signs, she would recover well. "You're so tiny. But your mommy...she is so worried about you. And some doctors, too."
Addison paused, watching the steady rise and fall of the baby's chest. She watched the relaxed expression in her brow, how content she looked despite everything that had happened to her. "I never really believed in miracles before...but a lot has happened in the past week or so. It's made me realize that I don't have to be scared. I have people around me...and so do you. You have to stay strong."
Alex cracked the door open, quietly stepping inside. "How is she?"
"Her vitals have improved...she's not entirely out of the woods yet, but it's my best guess that she should be soon."Addison replied, still staring down at the baby.
Alex nodded, studying her face. He could tell that she was nervous, that her body was tense-partly because of the confrontation with the Chief, partly because of the task she had taken on since getting pregnant. "So the Chief thinks it would be best if I was taken off your service for the time being. He says that I can still work in neonatal surgery, but that he doesn't want any relationship to interfere."
"And what did you say?"Addison asked, somewhat affected by what he had said. While his words hadn't entirely sunken in for her, Addison knew that it was probably one of the best options.
"I don't wanna lose my job, but I told him that if the oppurtunity arose to do a surgery with you, that I'd do it."Alex replied.
Addison nodded, the beeping of the baby's monitor being the only sound to fill the room. "You know it's funny how much you change in the nine months of carrying a child. I've had mothers...including the one of this baby girl...that come in at first scared, alone. Some of them don't even want a child. But as time progresses, as things change and the baby grows inside of them...I don't know. Something...changes."
"Addison..."Alex said, urging her took look at him. When she finally did, he felt his knees lock, almost becoming aware of the close proximity of the rocking chair. "You can do this."
"I don't doubt that. It's just..something the Chief said. About sacrifice. It's going to take a lot of it to continue with my job and to carry this baby."Addison said, sighing.
Alex's pager started beeping as he stared down in complaint. "It's a 911...I should go. Are you gonna be okay?"
She nodded, closing her eyes. Watching as he left, Addison settled in the rocking chair close to the baby's incubator. She shut her eyes for a second, not intending to fall asleep. When she did, memories of pregnancies past came to greet her.
She remembered sitting in the hospital room in New York as a doctor told her the news. The baby was gone. She miscarried. Hands clutching her stomach, Addison could feel an emptiness she had never experienced before. Though she knew some of what the doctor was saying, it only came in in bits and pieces. The rest was blinded by the tears and the low, steady humming of the light above them.
The second time was more obvious, and more deliberately by choice. She sat up in her bed, surrounded by a thick, black comforter. Rain pounded the window outside, a repeated rhythm in her mind. Her hair was still wet from the shower she took, and her eyes were red and puffy. One thought ran steadily through Addison's mind. She was a doctor, she was supposed to save lives, not end them. She kept trying to convince herself that it was the right thing, that Mark wouldn't have been a good father. But still, the thought of whether or not the baby would have adopted his trademark smirk haunted her.
"We need to get him into the O.R., he can't just sit here!"Derek exclaimed. "And where are the doctors in the hospital, I know that we're short-staffed today, but-"
"Doctor Shepherd."Alex said, running up. Cristina ran up next to him, offering a sideways glance.
"You two...you're with me. I need my medical team together...this man cannot die because the hospital is low on staff today."
Alex frowned, questioning whether or not word had gotten around. He knew Derek Shepherd as a man who was easily irritated, but today he seemed even worse. "Nothing like an emergency to bring up people's A-game."
"Alex...we're talking an emergency surgery here. Can't you at least pretend to be happy like a normal intern?"Cristina grumbled, hurriedly sprinting in front of the group, ready to scrub in.
In the surgery, Derek was able to stop the man's bleeding with Alex assisting him. Cristina, annoyed because she wasn't directly hands on in the surgery, took to pointing out the patient's vital signs, all the while watching the heartbeat. Over an hour had passed before the surgery was completed, and standing outside in the lobby, Alex watched, studying the faces of the families, all waiting for a sign of hope in the doctor's eyes. He saw Burke talking to a man who appeared concerned, and a few people sitting blankly in their chairs.
"Mrs. Landry?"He asked, watching as an elderly woman piped up.
She stood up, anxiously approaching him. "Is he okay? Is Collin alright?"
"Collin should be fine. There was a concern about half way through the operation due to a drop in blood pressure. Doctor Shepherd was able to repair the problem. Mrs. Landry...have you gotten yourself checked out? It's my understanding that you were involved in the wreck as well."
Mrs.Landry nodded, grabbing Alex, wrapping him in a hug. "Thank you so much..you have no idea how scared I was. When I woke up and saw all the blood, it was scary. I had no idea what was happening. Next thing I knew there were the emergency workers just...helping Collin out of the car. Me, too."
Alex, taken back by her display of emotion, pulled back, concerned. "You said you woke up? That means you blacked out...and while it probably wasn't an extended period of time, it's reason enough to check for any head injuries."
The woman nodded, staring across the way. "Can I go see him?"
"Of course..after we get someone to check you out. People have delayed reactions to situations like this, Mrs.Lavery. While you may not have any outer injuries, you need to be properly examined."
Alex led the older woman to get checked out, taking care. When he finished, he stopped at the coffee cart, grabbing himself a cup. When he turned around, he saw Addison standing at the nurses' station. Walking towards her, he offered a smile. "So how's the baby from earlier?-The Gregory one?"
"Mmm...well, her mother is with her now. Her cell levels are returning to normal. She'll have to stay under observation for at least another twenty-four hours."Addison replied, studying a patient's chart.
"That's good. So I helped in saving a man's life today. That 911? There was an accident involving several vehicles. But I...I have to ask-"Alex said, moving her over to the side. "Does anyone-Does anyone else know?"
"Know? You mean-"Addison stopped, shifting her weight. "No. Other than you, me and Richard. As far as I know, noone else knows."
He nodded, shrugging. "Then apparently, Shepherd just hates me because he's an ass."
"What? Derek couldn't-"
"I know. I know. Nevermind. I just thought that maybe...but then again there's the never ending Meredith saga. So um, I'm getting off in a little while. Do you wanna go grab something to eat?"
Addison, tired, nodded. "Sure. And Alex...maybe we should-"
"Addison...Oh, you aren't about to leave, are you?"Callie asked, joining them.
"Not yet, no. I've still got things to catch up on around here. Do you...need anything?"
Casting glances back and forth between Alex and Addison, she nodded. "I need a consult. But if you're busy-"
"No, that's fine."Addison replied, turning towards Alex. "So I'll see you later?"
Addison returned to Alex's apartment that night, knocking. She felt slightly embarassed, knowing what his reaction would be. But she took the time it took for him to answer the door to make sure she was composed.
"I thought you had a key."
"I did. I do, but I left it at the hotel room. I just-"Addison stopped as he let her in.
Shutting the door behind them, Alex walked up behind her, rubbing her shoulders. He planted a kiss on her neck, grinning. "So I was waiting for you..."
"I know."Addison replied, dropping her purse to the floor. "The thing with Callie took longer than I planned it to."
"Okay. So are we still up for dinner?"He asked, realizing how tense she seemed.
"We can be, I guess."Addison replied.
Sighing, Alex watched as she turned around to face him. "Did something happen after I left?"
"No. I-I fell asleep. Earlier, after you took off to go to the O.R.. I didn't mean to, and I know that it wasn't for more than five minutes, but-"
"You think it means something?"Alex asked, worried.
Addison shook her head, slowly breathing out. "It means I need more sleep. But for now I am incredibly hungry...is there still time to catch any happy hours at any of the restaurants around here? Not that I'll be able to drink, but-"She stopped, shrugging. Studying the look on Alex's face, she leaned in to kiss him. Not entirely sure why, she was glad to to have the solace to return to after the wreck of a day that had happened. Pulling back, she cleared her throat, hands on his neck. "So, uh...dinner?"
"Right. Let me grab my coat."
"Don't take long...I have a sudden need for cheesecake. I know, it's not dinner. But doesn't that new diner sell it?"
Alex nodded, glad that some part of the whole thing could be normal. "Yeah, we can go there."
"You're not afraid that anyone will see us?"
He shrugged, shaking his head. "I don't care. You're carrying my child and you want cheesecake...just promise me that you won't end up vomiting it all over me, and we've got a deal."
Slapping his arm, Addison laughed. "Shut up and get your coat...I'll be outside."