Hey guys! I know I haven't addressed each reviewer individually but I'm choosing brevity (read as 'I'm so overwhelmed I don't know what else to say') so I'd just like to say each feedback is truly appreciated. Having that said, I'd like to address some common points in your reviews. I'm so glad that a lot of people recognize what a McDouche Derek is/was and the fact that it seemed it was always Addison who wanted the marriage to work, who went after Derek and seemed to love him more than he did her. God, I hated how they presented this in the show. It made Addison so painful to watch. And don't get me started on the show's treatment of Derek's indiscretion in prom being a lesser evil than Addison's affair with Mark. Are you freaking kidding me.

Yes, this is gonna be a relatively long fic. Between 20-25 chapters long. I'm sorry about the cliffhangers but it guarantees that you'd be back for more ;). Yes, I'm evil. But I try to update regularly (atleast every twice a week) unless real life interrupts. I'm procrastinating over my 'real life' writing stuff just to pay attention to this fic as it is. I wonder if my boss, aka the one who signs my checks so that I'd get nice things and have food on the table and continue living, would do if he finds out what I've been up to. But rest assured, I'm not gonna abandon this fic. Or else, my beta Suz (Addison24) would fly here and kick my butt into writing. Right, Suz? ;)

So, about the latest episode...all I can say is I can't wait for the spin off.

Anyway, on with the show...

Disclaimer: Grey's Anatomy and its characters are not mine. No infringement intended.

CHAPTER EIGHT

"Hey"

"Hey, Weiss" Derek said. "Savvy with Addie, huh?"

"Yeah, they kicked me out." he answered.

"No doubt Savvy's in there convincing Addison to move back to New York. And I'm afraid that Mark is right. That Addison wouldn't need any convincing at all."

Weiss had nothing to say to that.

"I screwed up, Weiss. I screwed up so bad and I've been doing it for so long and it's sad that it only took me this long, this accident to realize it. I'm not ready to lose her, Weiss. I don't want to lose her."

"Maybe you should have thought of that before you went ahead and screwed your intern" Weiss busted out, his anger at Derek creeping out. "I don't understand it, Derek. This was your second chance. You and Addison didn't push through with the divorce. She's sorry for her mistake and you took her back. You gave her a chance. I thought you guys were trying. What the hell happened?"

"I guess…I wasn't really trying… I was too obsessed with Meredith… too preoccupied of what I could have had with Meredith…I was so drawn to the ease of being with her, drunk on the total admiration I feel she has on me… I shut Addison out but let the anger and hurt fester within myself. My best friend and my wife betrayed me. That hurt like hell."

"So it was like New York all over again?"

"What?"

"Do you think you were the only one hurting? I'm not excusing what Addison did but you have to understand the situation she was in, Derek. You ignored her, you were absent. Do you know how many times Addison came over to our place crying because you forgot a date, an anniversary? You forgot her birthday damn it. Then, you practically pushed her to Mark."

"Pushed her?" Derek incredulously said.

"How many times have you asked Mark to take your place when you can't make it to your plans with Addie?" Weiss asked but he knew Derek wouldn't answer. "They got closer and you became indifferent. Maybe we should have said something but we didn't think they'd do something stupid. But it happened. And she regretted it but you never let her explain. You just packed your bags and left in the middle of the night. Heck, you didn't even punch out Mark. God, Derek, if I was in your position, I would have killed the guy, best friend or not."

Derek kept silent.

"She knew, you know. Addison knew you found someone else here before she flew for the case. She was ready to give you a divorce 'coz she felt she didn't deserve you back. But you didn't sign and you guys decided to try. She gave up everything for you and now this…" Weiss trailed off. "Maybe it's time to face the music, Derek. It's really over. It's time to let go. You've both hurt each other. Addison has been hurt too much."

"I don't want it to be over, Weiss. I know I don't deserve it but I want another chance and I won't quit until I get it.

"Well, it's going to be tough. You really have to fight hard for that chance."

"I'm gonna fight with everything I have. I'm going to fight for that chance and I'm going to fight for my wife."

Weiss did not have the heart to tell Derek that his effort to fight might just be too late.

x x x

"Good to see Sleeping Beauty is awake. I'm glad you're fine, Addison," Mark said as he entered her room. "You got us all worried."

"Well, you know me, I'd like to cause a little drama now and then" she answered back.

"That you do." Mark sat down beside her and took her hand in his. "But I was really worried, Addie."

"Thanks, Mark but I'm going to be alright."

"Are you? Are you going to be alright?" Mark asked and they both knew he wasn't just referring to her physical condition.

"Mark, please… I don't want to hear it. Thank you for coming and all but please, I don't want to hear it."

"You know I'm here for the same reason I was here weeks ago. It's over, Addison. I know that even you realize it now. It's time to go back."

"What is with you and Sav trying to talk me into moving back to New York?"

"You have nothing left here, Addie. You're marriage is over. Go back to New York. You have friends there. I'm there. I'll take care of you."

"Right" Addison said with a bitter laugh. "You and I were a mistake, Mark. A huge mistake."

"We're good together. I love you."

Addison just shook her head. "We're not good together. And you only love me until the next nurse or any woman caught your eye. You're just saying you love me so that you could beat Derek one more time and I'm ending this sick game."

Mark did not respond. He decided to put off his pursuit of Addison for the meantime and concentrate on getting her to move back East. He figured he would have a better chance of winning her back in Manhattan. "What did you tell Savvy?"

"I told her I'd think about it. But Mark, even if I do decide to move back, I still won't get back together with you… and that's final. I'm sorry."

"But Addison…."

"Mark, please…. There's too much history between us. You're tied too closely to Derek. We would never work. So, please…" Addison pleaded. "I appreciate you coming here and checking up on me but… I think it would be better for everyone if you return home immediately. Please. I'll be alright."

Mark couldn't believe Addison was kicking him out. Not only out of her room but out of Seattle and probably out of her life. But he genuinely cared about her and would abide her wishes.

With a defeated look, he rose up, kissed Addison's forehead and said, "Okay… you know where I'll be."

Addison closed her eyes. "Thank you, Mark."

Mark nodded and walked out of the room. Before he could completely leave, Addison called out, "I'll see you around, okay."

Mark smiled at her and left the room.

x x x

Derek settled back in his position beside Addison's bed. He was doing some paperwork and paused once in a while to watch his sleeping wife. It was moments like this that Derek took the opportunity to study Addison and just be with her. This was the only time he could come close to Addison and not see the hatred in her eyes, the coldness in her demeanor. Derek took this opportunity to lovingly touch his wife, just enough to feel her warmth but not wake her. If Addison was conscious, she wouldn't even let him near her let alone touch her.

Derek's moment was broken when Addison stirred and opened her eyes.

"Hi" Derek softly said. Addison ignored him. "How are you doing?" he asked, coaxing her to talk to him.

"I'm fine."

Silence stretched between the two.

"It would have been nice, you know?" Derek started. Addison just looked at him, question in her eyes but she never spoke. "A baby. A little girl with your red hair or a boy with your eyes. Either way, a child would have been a blessing."

"A baby wouldn't have change things. We would still be broken." She said softly. "It will only complicate things and add another heart to be broken. What happened… it was for the best."

Derek didn't know what else to say. He knew Savvy and Mark were in with her earlier and he wanted to know if Addison agreed to go back East with them. He was about to ask when Addison beat him to it.

"I'm calling my lawyers tomorrow, Derek. I'll have them draw the same papers. We'll split everything in half. Liquidate everything and split it evenly. I want this quick and easy."

"No, Addison. I don't want a divorce."

"We're getting divorced, Derek. It's over. You can be with Meredith… without me or our marriage hanging over your head" Addison said. "I should really be angry with you right now but I'm just too tired and don't really care to fight. But I do hate you for not signing the first time and for giving me hope. For not having the decency to tell me you were done with us before fucking your girlfriend a few feet away from me. I'm done, Derek. I'm done."

"I'm sorry for everything, Addison. And I don't want Meredith. I want you and our marriage. I want us to work this out."

"It's too late, Derek. Why are you doing this?"

"Because I love you and I don't want to lose you. I know we have hurt each other so much but we can get past it. No more lies, no more betrayal, no more Meredith or Mark. We move forward. We'll be Addison and Derek again."

"I don't believe you. So many things have happened…"

"Please. Addie, all I'm asking is a chance. And I promise I'll work on it."

"You'll work on it? I've already heard that before and look where it got us."

"Please. We'll do it on your terms. If you want, we'll hold off on the divorce for a few months and give our marriage another try. And if after a few months, you still don't believe in us anymore and want a divorce, I'll give you one. Just please..."

"A chance? On my terms?"

"Yes, if you still feel something for me, even the tiniest bit, you will consider this. You will give us another try."

"The truth is, right now? I feel nothing but hatred for you, Derek."

"Addison, please. I know underneath that hatred you still at least care about us." Derek wanted to say love but even he wasn't sure if his wife still loved him. "Please, Addie. I gave you a chance… the least you could do is give the same courtesy to me."

Addison gave him a hard look at that statement but Derek never noticed anything wrong. "A chance… like the one you gave me?" a hint of something ominous flashed quickly over her eyes.

"Yes."

"Okay" she said without any emotion. "You get your chance."

Hope you guys paid attention. This was a crucial chapter. :) Oh! And YAY! for 101 reveiws. You guys rock!